Art of the Dragon

The Guardians all scrutinised the hand-drawn picture she'd made of the music box.

"According to Anne, this was how she ended up in the Wartwood Swamp," Elora explained. "Do any of one recognise it at all?"

"Well, I have to say that box has some remarkable amphibian craftsmanship," Volteer rambled. "Those three gems are almost dead ringers for the Gems we use. It must play an extremely soothing melody that allows the release of endorphins that can-"

"Yes, thank you, Volteer," Cyril cut in. He scanned the picture, adjusting his glasses as he did so. "I would love to say that I have seen a box like this one, my dear... but I haven't. None of us have."

"What?" Elora frowned. "That is a shame. I want to help Anne find her friends and a way home. I reckon finding out how the box works would be a big help."

"We will figure things out in due time, young Elora," Ignitus assured her calmly. "I'm sure the young human girls will be safe. In fact, I wonder if there's a reason they're here..."

Elora pondered this notion. "I know what you mean," she agreed. "To be honest, there's something oddly familiar about Anne. But I can't figure out what it is."

"That is a sensation we all share," Aureole chimed in. "There is indeed something familiar about this 'Human' to us as well."

"Guardians, with your permission, I'd like to continue visiting Wartwood to help keep an eye on Anne," requested Elora. "I know the Plantars are caring for her, but I reckon they could use some help. That, and I'm honestly growing to like her too."

Terrador smiled. "If that is your wish, then we officially assign you to watch over Anne in Wartwood. Do you accept?"

Elora smiled and bowed. "Thank you. I won't let you down." She then glanced round. "Say, I've just realised: where are my brothers?"

Ignitus grinned. "Ainthes is showing them some of her plays. I told them to prepare some real drama."

Spyro, Sparx and Flame were all sitting in Ignitus and Ainthe's room. The cinnabar Dragoness was holding a sheep's skull in her right paw.

"Alas, poor Jovial!" she proclaimed dramatically. "I knew him well, Harold! He was a fellow of infinite joy and jest! Of excellent fancy! He hath borne me on his back a thousand times! And now… how ingrained in my memory it all is! To think that all you've done - your gibes, your gambols, your songs and flashes of merriment - it has all come to a bare, grinning skull!"

Spyro and Flame were enraptured in the whole act. Sparx just yawned.

"Talk about overdramatic," he drawled.

"Sparx, please! This is a very important subject matter," Spyro chided.

"This is pretend, buddy," Sparx replied. "How is it as important as fighting the enemy?"

"Well pay attention and you'll see, Sparx," Flame advised. Sparx continued to watch with a bored expression as Ainthe continued with her play.

"Behold who badly we end up, Harold. Does your imagination not trace the noble ashes of the many great heroes that have come before us to a clog in a barrel hole? It is... only reasonable to follow such thoughts. 'Tis our ultimate fate. So why not leave a modest legacy behind? Why can a great hero who moved the world not be used in death to perform a mundane task? What say you, the audience?" Ainthe gestured dramatically to her son and stepsons.

"I say, we agree," Flame replied.

"Indeed we do," concurred Spyro.

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!" Sparx gave a loud and very deliberate snore.

The dragon brothers glared at Sparx in annoyance. Spyro whacked his Dragonfly brother over the head with his wing.

"Hey!" cried Sparx indignantly. "What was that for?!"

"Show some respect!" Flame hissed.

"But it's so boring!" Sparx protested.

"Surely young bug, thee can at least try to payeth m're attention," Ainthe noted.

"Well, sorry-eth, lady," Sparx replied. "This just isn't my thing. I'm more of the go with the flow guy, not thinking of dramatic stuff!"

Ainthe shook her head in disappointment. "Young Dragonfly, this beest important matters to ponder. Many has't given their treasured lives to protecteth Avalar and its great people. These des'rve a valorous send-off and their numerous characteristics should be well remembered."

"The only one I know who died was that Ice Dragoness on Tall Plains," Sparx recalled. "Aurora, was it? It was sad she died, yes; but we barely knew her. How could we remember her?"

"From her fellow Ice Dragons and their memorials for her, of course," Ainthe replied.

"Memorials?" Spyro asked. "What are those?"

"They're statues or structures erected in honour of a noted individual or event," Flame explained. "Just about every Dragon is given their own memorial. And each is designed in accordance with their actions and experiences."

"Aurora hadst a particular fondness f'r light shows and manipulating the auroras aft'r which she wast named," Ainthe added reminiscently. "So it's likely going to be quite a beautiful memorial in Dante's Freezer."

"Dante's Freezer?" Sparx repeated. "No offence to Aurora, but I don't fancy freezing my wings off just to mourn someone I barely know."

"Come on Sparx, can't handle the cold?" Spyro teased.

"I'm a Dragonfly, Spyro! You guys have the better body heat!" Sparx protested. "No need to rub it in!"

"Thee can learn how to acclimatise to the bitter cold by gradual exposure," Ainthe noted. "One such method is grabbing a bitter cold showeth'r."

Sparx just stared incredulously at her. "Are you guys trying to give me frostbite?"

Ainthe shrugged. "Suit thyself." She then changed the subject. "Say, Spyro, speaking of craftsmanship on memorials, I do believe this would be a good time to teach thee about the various kinds of physical art we make."

"Making art?" Spyro repeated, intrigued. "Yeah, I could try it. What kind of art were you thinking?"

"Well," proposed Ignitus as he entered the room, "as you have no doubt seen, I have skills in making sculptures out of cooled lava. But it's not all - I can also sculpt glass and metal."

"Ah yes," Ainthe recalled. "He once fashioned this beautiful orb for me!" She held up a glass orb with beautiful fiery-coloured patterns inside. "It was my wedding gift, in fact!"

"Wow, that is amazing," Spyro marvelled, staring at the orb in wonder.

"I'm glad you like it, young dragon," Ignitus smiled. "Perhaps you'd like to have a go at making one yourself."

"But how?" Spyro asked. "Don't forget, Dad: I still don't have my powers back yet."

"Not to worry, Spyro," Ignitus assured. "There are ways of sculpting glass, for instance, even without one's powers. Come and I'll show you."

At the same time as Ignitus was checking in on his wife and sons, Aureole sought out Cynder. She had put this off for too long. It had been weeks since Cynder had come home. It was time she properly got to know her mother. Perhaps a little weaving might help...

Aureole reached Cynder's room. It was quite a way from the room that she and Terrador shared, now Aureole thought about it. Perhaps she could ask Cynder if she wanted to move to a new room.

The Wind Guardian took a few deep breathes to calm herself. Why would she need to do this before seeing her own daughter?

She knew the answer to that question. For a moment, Aureole could see a sneering face from underneath a black hood. Her heart rate quickened for a few moments. Her feathers rustled.

Aureole's scaly bird-like hand trembled as it neared the door. For a split second, she almost lowered it.

No! She could do this!

Aureole knocked gently.

"Who is it?" Cynder asked from within.

"It's me, Aureole. May I come in?" the Wind Guardian asked.

A moment later, Cynder opened the door. She was still wearing that hooded cloak she'd taken to sporting around the temple. The hood was up as usual, though Aureole could still see her daughter's face.

"Oh Aureole, it's nice to see you."

The Wind Guardian was a little upset to be addressed by name, rather than as 'Mum' or 'Mother'. But she raised no objections. It was Cynder's choice, not hers.

"What brings you here?" continued Cynder.

"Well... how would you... like to do some dreamcatcher weaving with me?" Aureole proposed.

"Dreamcatcher weaving? What's a dreamcatcher?"

"It's an ornament that can help protect against bad dreams when hung over your beds. They're quite nice to make. And I thought... it'd be nice for you to have one of your own making."

"Okay then... I could try weaving... But I've never done it before," Cynder mumbled awkwardly.

"Well I could teach you... it's not difficult to learn," Aureole assured, not wanting to upset Cynder. "If you're not up for that, perhaps I can show you to make a stress-releasing condiment you can use when washing. Or maybe we can try some relaxing exercises. Would you like to learn throat singing?"

"Erm... I think I'll just give weaving a try." Cynder decided with a chuckle.

The two Dragonesses set off down the corridor. Cynder whistled a bit, looking rather fixedly away from her mother.

If the young Dragoness was honest, she wanted to spend time with her mother. And she was glad Aureole wished to do the same. But doubts gnawed at Cynder's subconscious. Was this genuine motherly affection? Or was it done out of etiquette?

Ignitus led Spyro to a room at the edge of the Temple. It had what looked like a large furnace, a few long tubes, a workbench with several tools on it, a separate wooden table, and shelves of already sculpted glass ornaments with various patterns.

"Okay, Spyro," began Ignitus. "Here's how it works."

The Fire Guardian strode over to the furnace and blew into it. The thing was glowing hot in seconds. Next, he took one of the long tubes, which Spyro now saw to be a pipe, and blew onto its tip until it too glowed red hot.

Spyro was again reminded of his own lack of power.

Ignitus stuck the pipe into the furnace, where Spyro saw a pool of some clear liquid. Ignitus dipped the pipe's tip into the pool. It was kind of like how they had gathered honey that had dipped from beehives in the Swamp.

Ignitus withdrew the pipe and rested the end, which was coated in molten glass, on the table, where a thick sheet of metal sat. The Fire Guardian rolled the glass from side to side a few times, and then blew into the other end. A bubble slowly grew as he continued rolling. Within moments, Ignitus had sculpted a perfect sphere of glass.

"Wow, that's incredible," Spyro gasped.

"Glad you like it son," Ignitus smiled. If you ask me, too many Fire Dragons spend their time being warriors. We can be quite the flair, if you'll pardon the pun, for the arts."

"So how do you decorate inside the glass?" Spyro asked curiously.

"Well," replied Ignitus, using some sheers to cut the sphere off the end of the blowpipe, "the key is to add some frit, which is coloured glass powder, to the the pipe while blowing. Here, I'll show you."

Cynder wound a suede cord around a wooden hoop. Every so often, she had to tighten the loops together. However, she did so a bit too hard at times, causing the loops to overlap with each other. When she tried applying glue to keep the cord in place, the Dragoness got sticky paws. These same paws became tangled in the string when Cynder tried weaving the web.

"Easy, Cynder," Aureole soothed. "Just keep trying."

Cynder nodded, but didn't reply. Aureole was making this look easy. So why was Cynder finding it so difficult? She was the daughter of a Dream Weaver. This should come naturally to her.

Cynder winced when she accidentally pricked one of her fingers with the needle. Aureole noticed.

"Darling, if there's anything I can help you with..."

"I'm fine!" Cynder replied, a bit too quickly. She cleared her throat and said again, "I'm fine. I-I might need some time to get the hang of it, but I'll manage."

Aureole frowned, but didn't press her point. "Very well. But I'm always willing to listen if you need it."

Cynder didn't answer.

"That's it, Spyro," encouraged Ignitus, as the young Dragon continued to rotate the pipe with the frit-infused orb at the end. The orb, decorated in black, slowly got bigger. When it was only slightly larger than Spyro's paw, he stopped.

"Whoa, that's a big orb I made," Spyro marvelled.

"I say a good start, son," Ignitus praised, proud of Spyro doing well on his first try.

"Thanks." Spyro brought the hot glass close and extended a talon. Gently, he began to carve a pattern into the glass with his claw. He was careful not to press too hard, or else he'd pierce the glass.

Spyro winced. Though he retained a general durability to heat, young Dragons had their limits. Every so often, Spyro moved his talon away to allow it to cool off before returning it to the glass.

At last, he was done. The resultant face carved into the glass was actually quite familiar.

"Hmm, good craving," complimented Ignitus.

"I often carved my name on tree trunks to mark my spot," Spyro replied. "To be honest... I was thinking of Cynder while doing this. Reckon she'll like it?"

"I'm sure she would. It's nice you're thinking about her."

Spyro was silent for a moment. "Well... she's been through a lot. I just feel I owe to her to cheer her up however I can."

What Spyro didn't include is the warm feeling that rose up inside him as he thought of Cynder. Now he thought about it, he'd been feeling such a sensation every time he thought of Cynder. It was similar to how he felt towards his family and friends, and yet, it was also different. But what was it?

"That's very considerate of you, son," Ignitus smiled. "Once that orb has cooled off, you can surprise her."

"Okay." Spyro gently placed the orb inside a magically-cooled chamber and closed the door.

Cynder had ultimately lost interest in completing her dreamcatcher. She was now staring at the opposite wall as if life's answers were written on it,

Her thoughts turned again to Spyro. As they did so, a familiar fuzzy sensation swept through her. At first, she'd thought it was merely gratitude. Why wouldn't it be? He'd saved her from Malefor's control and brought her home.

Yet, this felt like more than gratitude. She wanted to be near Spyro; just be with him. She also wanted to make him happy.

All at once, Cynder was suddenly seized by a surge of inspiration. She dropped the dreamcatcher she'd been working on, grabbed some new materials and started anew.

For the next several minutes, Cynder worked without really registering what she was doing. She wound and weaved, and tied and decorated. By the time she finished, she had made a purple dreamcatcher with gold trimming.

"There. That should do it." She gave a small smile. "I hope Spyro likes it. It's the least I can do for him, after what he did for me."

At that moment, Aureole came over to check on Cynder. Her attention was immediately drawn to the dreamcatcher in Cynder's paws.

"Oh, that's a lovely dreamcatcher you have there."

Cynder gave a little start of surprise as she suddenly remembered her mother was present.

"Oh, w-w-well... thanks... I know it's isn't my best work, but..." Cynder's voice trailed off

"I think it's lovely the way it is... hmm... purple with gold trimming... who's it for, darling?" Aureole wondered, though she knew the answer already.

"Well... Spyro of course... given all he's done for me... I thought I'd make him something..."

"Well, that's really lovely of you, sweetie. I know Spyro will love it. Perhaps he'll hang it here in the temple, or take it to the Swamps. Maybe he'll keep it on him the next time he goes on a mission. Maybe..."

Aureole stopped when she realised Cynder was looking a little overwhelmed.

"Here, let me put the finishing touches to it."

The Wind Guardian took the dreamcatcher in her paws and chanted softly. Cynder felt a wave of calmness sweep through her for a moment, along with a tingling sensation across her scales. She then noticed that Aureole's paws were glowing for a moment. Then, the glow faded.

"What did you just do?"

"Dream Weavers infuse dreamcatchers with magic to increase their potency in catching bad dreams. This should better ensure Spyro's peaceful slumber every night."

Cynder gazed at her mother in admiration. She wondered if she could ask for a dreamcatcher to be made for her. It would certainly make her own nights so much more peaceful...

A little later, Spyro made his way to Cynder's room, carrying the orb he'd made in his maw. He hadn't seen Cynder all day. True, she kept to herself, but he usually caught at least one glimpse of the black Dragoness. Spyro hoped she was alright.

"And I hope she likes the orb," he said aloud, slightly muffled around the orb.

He arrived at Cynder's door and knocked. But there was no answer. Was she ignoring him? Had she...? No, Spyro didn't dark pursue such a horrible train of thought. He knocked again, but there was still no answer.

"Cynder?" he called. "Are you in there? Are you okay?"

"Spyro?"

Spyro started, dropping the orb in the process. He turned to see Cynder approaching with Aureole.

"Oh uh, hey."

"Why were you calling at my door?" Cynder asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well… you did say it was okay if I visited your door every so often," Spyro fumbled, scrabbling for the orb he'd dropped. "And… w-w-well, I wanted to give you something nice…"

"Oh really? For me?" Cynder asked, surprised.

"Sure. Ignitus was showing me how to make glassware by hand, and... well, I was thinking of you when I did so." Spyro held up the orb for Cynder to see. It was finished in black with Cynder's likeness craved into it. Spyro had even painted on it here and there with dabs of green and white.

"Wow, you made this? For me? It's... it's lovely," Cynder rhapsodised.

"He-he-he, no problem," Spyro chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "It's the least I could do for you."

Cynder smiled. "It's funny, actually. I've just made something for you too." And she held up the dreamcatcher.

"Wow, what's that?" Spyro wondered.

"It's a dreamcatcher," Cynder explained. "Basically, it helps regulate bad dreams, allowing for a better night's sleep. I made it for you so you could sleep better."

Spyro took the dreamcatcher, in exchange for passing over the glass orb to Cynder. He held it for examination.

"So you made this yourself?'

"I did, with some help." Cynder glanced at Aureole briefly, but not quite meeting her eye.

"Wow, I... I don't know what to say..." Spyro smiled. "Looks like we both have a nice talent for art."

"You think it's nice?"

"Well, yeah. It's from you, so that's a guarantee. I mean, you yourself are nice. So it only makes sense."

Cynder felt a familiar tingling surge over her scales. "Well, it's no problem. Thank you; especially for the orb. I, err, I fancy a rest now." And she headed into her room without another word.

Spyro was a little flummoxed. "That was weird."

"Indeed it was," Aureole agreed.

Inside her room, Cynder sat on her bed regarding the orb in her paws. She really had to admire Spyro's craftsmanship, especially with her face and the colouring on it. That he would go to the trouble of making something like this for her meant more than she could say.

But surely... surely, her feelings were... a trick, right? Just some as of yet unknown magical sensation, perhaps... because she and Spyro... after all she'd done as Terror of the Skies... they couldn't possibly be together...

Especially considering who her father was...

Contagi-Anne

Plantar Farm, Wartwood, Amphiwicca

"How did this happen?" Elora wondered, staring at Hop-Pop, Sprig and Polly as they all lay about, looking very sick. Hop-Pop's nose was dripping mucus like a leaky tap. Polly, her eyes swollen shut, sneezed so hard, she literally lifted into the air. Sprig's yellow tongue, also swollen, was dangling from his mouth.

"They got very sick from working out in the rain," Anne replied, worried.

The ground outside was still very sodden from the recent deluge, which had only just stopped.

"You worked out in the rain?" Elora repeated

Hop Pop coughed. "Yeah, we were doing our farm chores, but Anne had to stay inside. She was sick herself. We didn't want to bother her."

"Her helping uth might have prevented thith," Sprig noted, his speech a little garbled by his tongue, "but, hey, it wath worth it. Anne'th better now." Sprig smiled weakly. "She can take care of uth."

Anne smiled, a little awkwardly, Elora noticed. "Oh yes, definitely. I will do whatever it takes to help you three out!"

Elora frowned at Anne, but spoke to the Plantars. "I'll see what I can do to help as well. I'll go and see if I can find some herbs that might help ease your sickness."

"A-and I'll whip my homemade Broccoli Kale super soup," Anne added hastily.

"Soundth nith," Sprig noted.

Elora left the house to find some echinacea. She remembered how her parents had used it to treat her and her brothers when they had been stricken with a cold or flu.

While the Faun strode about, scanning for the correct plant, she thought over Anne's behaviour. The Human had been quite distracted.

Could something be wrong? she wondered. No, maybe she's just worried about the Plantars. I should know how that feels.

The young Faun smiled amusingly as the memory of her running frantically around the Swamp in search of treatment for Spyro and Sparx flashed through her mind. Her parents had literally had to sedate Elora to calm her down.

As soon as Elora located the appropriate flowers, she returned to the house, where Anne was preparing her soup in the kitchen.

"Hey Anne."

Anne jumped and looked around. "Oh, it's you, Elora. Sorry, I thought it was one of the others."

Elora's concern rose, but she didn't show it. "I see. So... how are things going?"

"Oh, they're going fine," replied Anne, "apart from the obvious. And how about you? Did the Guardians know anything about the box?"

Elora shook her head. "No, nothing. The Dragons haven't seen a box like that - even Volteer and Cyril were stumped. They reckon perhaps the Amphibians made it."

"How about the Gems? Any info on that front?"

"I'm afraid not. The only thing they are certain on, Anne... is that, like me, I find your species, 'Human', to be oddly familiar."

Anne was thrown by this. "Familiar? How so? Have you ever seen a Human before?"

"No, never. That's why it's odd." Elora shook her head. "But that's for another day. Right now, we need to treat the Plantars. Is the soup ready?"

Anne checked the pot. "Yeah, it's ready. Just one last ingredient - Sprig's favourite: mushrooms!" She picked up a red mushroom from the counter, chopped it up and put the pieces in the pot. The girl winced as an unpleasant odour arose from the soup. "Urgh, smells awful." She then shrugged. "But probably a good thing with these guys. Elora, get some bowls."

"Right."

A minute later, the Plantars were seated at the dinner table, trying the soup.

"Any good?" Elora asked.

"Hmm... rather spicy..." Hop-Pop sniffed, "but still pretty tasty.

"That's great. So... feeling any better yet?" Anne inquired, a sense of desperation in her voice.

Sprig's answer was for his tongue to stick out again, spilling soup all over Hop-Pop and Polly.

"Oh man!" Anne groaned.

"Maybe some rest could do them good," soothed Elora. "They look like they need it.

"But they need a cure! Something to get them well!" Anne cried, wringing her hands.

Elora was slightly stricken by Anne's desperation. Her suspicions deepened. Before she could ask, though, Anne noticed something.

"Err, Hop-Pop, are your legs normally that red?"

Elora followed Anne's gaze, and saw that the old Frog's legs had indeed turned red.

"Uh-oh, that doesn't look good."

Hop-Pop's grave expression only confirmed their worries.

"You're right. It's red leg."

"R-red leg?" Anne repeated. "What's that?"

"It's a, well, reddening of the lower body due to blood vessels becoming stretched," Elora replied. "I saw it a few times in the swamp where we grew up. It's pretty bad."

"Bad? How bad?" Anne asked worried.

"Yeah, Anne! It's bad!" confirmed Polly ominously. "The red leg works its way up your body, and when your whole body is flushed, you... you..."

"You depart from this ungrateful world," Hop Pop finished mournfully. Anne and Elora's eyes widened in shock and horror.

"What?!"

Sprig hugged himself. "Oh man, I don't want to die so soon! There's so much more I want to do!"

"Y'all may have a chance of surviving this," Hop-Pop consoled. "I'll just pick a corner for me to pass away in." He chose the nearest one. "That one'll do."

Elora was rather disturbed at just morbid Hop-Pop was being. She hoped this wasn't a regular thing here in Amphiwicca.

Anne, meanwhile, her insides shrivelling inside her, put her foot down. "No! We are not picking a corner. There's gotta be something we can do to fix this. There has to be!"

"Is there a book on ailments in this house?" Elora asked. "Maybe it'll help."

They found such a book in Hop-Pop's study - 'Ye Olde Ailments'.

"The guide book sayth red leg can be cured by wading in a mineral pond high in the mountainth," Sprig red.

"Mountains?! Ha!" Hop-Pop coughed. "The journey alone would do me in." He proceeded to the nearest corner. "Nope, I'm just gonna get ready for the hereafter in my corner."

Elora turned away. She was starting to wonder whether there might have been another reason why her parents never brought her, Spyro and Sparx to Wartwood before.

Anne wasn't having it either. These frogs had kindly taken her in, and now, they were dying! No, not on her watch!

"Stop it Hop Pop! You're going to live to see another day! Elora and I will take you all to the pond!" declared Anne.

"Hold on!" intervened Elora. "Maybe I can pop back to the Temple and get some healing elixirs. Or maybe I can call for Spyro. He came with me to the local area to scout around for Apes. He might be able to help."

"No, there's no time for that!" Anne countered. "I'm their house guest, so I have to be the one to cure them!"

"And how do we know if it'll work on uth anyway?" Sprig added, his speech somewhat impeded by his swollen tongue.

Elora wanted to protest further, but decided against it for now. "Very well. Let's get Bessie then."

A little later, Anne and Elora were riding Bessie towards the mountain Sprig had specified - the 'Peak of Health'. The Plantars were sitting in a wooden cart tied behind the snail.

Anne's mind was only partly on her driving. Her nerves were tighter than a spring stretched beyond its limit. She had to save the Plantars before it was too late!

She could almost hear the voice of a certain cheeky feline now, although it didn't sound so cheeky this time.

"I should've known! How could you do such a thing to them, Anne? Some friend you are!"

The idea of Thomas being right seemed almost unbearable, especially since it was also true.

"Anne?"

"I REALLY WAS SICK!" Anne yelped.

Elora almost fell off Bessie in alarm. "What?"

"Huh? Oh sorry," Anne mumbled. "I was just, uh... thinking of my friends back on Mobius!"

"Ah yes, you haven't mentioned them in a while," Elora noted. "What are they like?"

Anne looked away uncomfortably. "I... I'm not sure if I want to talk about them right now."

"Why not? Did something happen with them before you came here?"

Anne paused. "You could say that." She fixed her gaze straight ahead and said no more.

Elora decided it was now or never. She had to say it, if only to lessen Anne's burden.

"Anne... you weren't actually ill when the Plantars were working in the rain, were you?"

Anne looked round at her so fast, she cricked her neck. "W-what?! N-no, what gave that impression?"

"You seemed perfectly fine and healthy when I got here," Elora recalled. "And you think I haven't realised how awkward you've been?"

"Well... a good lie-down did me good," replied Anne sheepishly. "And why wouldn't I be awkward? The Plantars are terribly ill."

Elora frowned. "Anne, you can tell me the truth. It might help soothe your nerves."

Anne coughed. "My nerves are fine; a little taut, but fine, nonetheless."

Elora shook her head. She could tell Anne was lying.

Anne, meanwhile, was being backed into a corner. She could feel Elora's eyes on her and knew the Faun could see through her. The girl didn't need to look at Elora to know that same gaze as had been on the faces of her parents and Thomas. Anne's forehead glistened with sweat. Her heartbeat, already heightened, sped up some more.

Just then, they arrived at the 'Peak of Health' Sprig had described. Anne scrambled down and ran to retrieve the Plantars' wagon. To her horror, the red was now on Hop-Pop's stomach and Polly's tail. Sprig was playing the stomach like a drum, until Hop-Pop swatted him away.

"Come on, guys," she declared. "Let's get to that pool!"

"Ya know, Anne," Hop-Pop wheezed, "there's no shame in giving up-"

"Yes, there is!" Anne cut in. "I'm not losing you guys!"

"Just find me and Hop-Pop a nice tree to die under," moaned Polly, before she gave another massive sneeze. This would have blown her away, were she not tied down with rope.

"Polly, too?!" groaned Anne. "Alright!"

She started to haul the wagon up the incline so fast that she was a way ahead of Elora within seconds. The Faun promptly fastened her own pace.

"That girl's going to run herself into a chasm at this rate," she fretted.

Up ahead, Anne was being pecked over the head by a Crow. No sooner had she beat the bird away than an Alligator-like creature snapped at her leg. Anne stumbled backwards and the cart rolled backwards too. Elora promptly kicked the creature away.

"Anne are you okay?" Elora asked.

"I'm fine, except these creatures seem determined to give me hassle!" Anne complained, as she swatted at another crow.

"Allow me." Elora reached into her bag and withdrew her bow and quiver. She drew a single arrow and fired it. It missed the crow, but it had the desired effect. The crow flew away, squawking.

"Did I just hear an arrow firing from a bow?" Polly mumbled dazedly. "I'd like a bow and arrows for my birthday."

"Aren't you a bit young for a weapon?" Elora wondered.

"Not here, I ain't," Polly mumbled.

Shaking her head, Elora led the group onward, using her bow and arrows to ward off any more creatures. Soon, they came to a plateau and Anne stopped to catch her breath.

"How... much... further?" the Human gasped.

"Acroth thith plateau." Sprig gestured at a collection of hot geysers. Every few seconds, one would erupt with a spurt of boiling water and steam. A Fly unfortunate enough to pass close to a geyser was splattered when it erupted.

"Are you serious?" groaned Anne. "I'll never get the cart across all that."

"Guess we'll just have to carry them across," Elora decided.

"All right then!" Anne lifted Hop Pop into her arms, while Elora hoisted Sprig and Polly onto her back. "Ready?"

"Yep!" Elora nodded. With that, the girls began to leap through the hot geysers. Both had to be wary of their timing so that neither would get caught in a blast of scalding water. Leaping across was no problem for Elora, given her upbringing in the Swamp. But for Anne, she stopped once or twice to ensure she could maintain her balance and make the jump. As such, the Human ended up lagging behind Elora.

"At least Sprig and Polly will make it," sighed Hop-Pop.

Anne shook her head to clear it. "And so will you!" she declared, leaping forward again.

Eventually, they caught up to Elora and the kids, but then found themselves confronted by another obstacle - a flight of massive steps, each of which was too high for either girl to climb.

"Oh come on! Stairs?!" Anne complained.

"And they're too far to step on!" Elora said seeing this.

"Sorry girls. They were designed for Frogs to hop up," Hop Pop explained.

"Of course. Now what?" huffed Anne.

"If only Sheila were here," Elora lamented. "She's a Kangaroo - hopping up stairs like this would be a cinch for her."

"What's a... Kangaroo?" Sprig mumbled.

Before either Elora or Anne could answer, a shadow passed over overhead. They looked up, expecting to see some other big insect. But to their surprise and relief, it was Spyro. The young Dragon's head was taking in the view with wonder and he hadn't immediately spotted the group below.

"SPYRO!" called Anne, before Elora could. "DOWN HERE!"

Elora and the Plantars all winced. Anne's voice somehow came out louder than it usually did. The mountain itself trembled a little with her cry. Still, it was probably fortunate that it was amplified. Otherwise, Spyro might not have heard it at all. The purple Dragon looked down and saw them. He quickly altered his course and swooped down towards them.

"Hey guys," he greeted. "What are you all doing out here? And why do the Plantars look so ill?"

"No time to explain!" Anne said. "Can you give us a lift to the top? There's a mineral pond that will cure them!"

"Sure, but I can only take a few at a time," replied Spyro.

"Then take the Plantars!" Anne decided, placing Hop-Pop on Spyro's back, before snatching Sprig and Polly from Elora for Spyro to carry in his paws. "When you see the pool, just drop them into it and come back for us!"

Spyro nodded. "Hang on, Frogs!" he advised. He spread his wings and took off.

Anne watched the Dragon fly off. She was dancing from foot to foot, chewing her nails. "Oh, please, make it, Spyro."

"He will," assured Elora. "My brother's a natural flier. Impressive, considering he only learned how to fly a few weeks ago."

"Well, at least the Plantars will be cured now," sighed Anne. "And when they are..."

"You're going to tell them that you weren't sick!" interjected Elora firmly.

"Well... uh I... I just..." Anne stumbled about until she finally couldn't hold it in any longer. "All right! All right! I wasn't sick! I only pretended to be so I wouldn't have to work in the rain!"

"Mmm-hmm, just as I thought," Elora concluded. "What were you thinking, Anne? They took you in, and you couldn't be bothered to help them?"

"Alright, I get it!" Anne snapped. "I don't need a long-winded lecture on it, okay?!"

At that moment, Spyro swooped back towards them.

"You girls need a lift up?" he offered, extending his paws.

Anne and Elora reached up, allowing Spyro to grab them, and up they went. Even through her frantic anxiety, Anne had to marvel at how it felt to fly. The wind rushing over her skin and through her hair; and the incredible vantage point of the landscape below - it was amazing!

Soon, they reached the top. And there was the lake, with the Plantars lying in it.

"Guys!" cried Anne, relief flooding her. Spyro set her down and she hurried over to them. They were now completely red.

"Anne," Hop-Pop greeted, "we made it!"

"Thankth to you and your friendth," Sprig burbled.

"No problem," smiled Anne. "But... shouldn't the red be going away right now?"

Hop-Pop, Sprig and Polly checked themselves. Nothing was happening. Anne's relief shrivelled and died as quickly as it flared up.

"It's not working!" cried Anne. "Why isn't it working?"

"Maybe the book was wrong," realised Hop-Pop mournfully. "Books ain't always reliable, Anne. It happens more than you think."

"I-I'll go get some gems," Spyro offered.

"No... there's no time," sighed Hop-Pop.

Anne couldn't believe it. They were going to die. After all they'd done for her - after all her efforts - the Plantars were going to-

"This is all my fault!" Anne moaned, her eyes filling with tears.

"No, Anne," Hop-Pop soothed. "You tried to save us."

Elora wanted to speak up, but she decided it was better for Anne to confess herself.

"You did more than we could've asked of you," mumbled Polly. "You're the best."

Anne's sobs deepened. She didn't deserve their praise.

"Thankth for everything, Anne," smiled Sprig. "You're... a hero-"

"NO, I'M NOT!" shrieked Anne. "I WAS NEVER SICK!"

Again, her scream was significantly amplified. The sound-wave almost knocked Spyro and Elora over, and nearly blew out the Plantars' eardrums.

"W-what?" Sprig wondered, dazed.

"I f-faked being sick," Anne sobbed. "I just w-wanted a day off! I was s-so stupid! So lazy! So selfish! I swear I'll never fake being sick again for as long as I live!"

"What exactly happened?" Spyro wondered, shaking his head to dispel the ringing in his ears.

"I'll explain later," Elora replied.

The Plantars comforted the sobbing Anne

"Don't be ridiculous, kiddo," soothed Hop-Pop. "You might've just gotten sick with the rest of us."

"Yeah, we'd probably all be dying now," Sprig added.

"At least you'll make it," Polly concluded too.

Anne smiled sadly as she hugged the Plantars tightly. "You guys are the best!" she sniffed. "I'll... I'll tell my friends all about you!"

"That'd be lovely," smiled Hop-Pop. "Goodbye, Anne."

By now, the sun was setting. The Plantars detached from Anne and lay down in the water, their eyes closed and arms folded.

"Oh no! No!" Anne denied for a few more moments. Then, her insides collapsing on themselves in resignation, she fell to her knees, her head bowed. "Rest in peace, you beautiful Frogs," she whimpered. "Thank you for everything. Tommy... you were right about me."

Spyro and Elora came over to console the weeping girl. Spyro, for his part, was reminded forcibly of the time he'd seen the Ice Dragoness Aurora die on Tall Plains. It never got any better for him.

"Oh Anne," he sighed. "I'm so sorry."

"We'll take care of you," Elora promised.

Anne smiled gratefully. At least she wasn't all alone.

Then, to her surprise, Hop-Pop opened his eyes.

"Uh, anyone dead yet?"

"Um, nope," Sprig answered.

"Still present and living," Polly added. "What gives?"

"Something ain't right. Unless..." Hop-Pop thought of something. "Sprig, get over here and show me that book!" Sprig handed the book over. "Hmm, it says here red leg isn't the only thing that can cause a frog to turn red."

"WHAT?!" Everyone exclaimed.

"Yeah. It says there's a mushroom that gives you the exact same symptom," Hop Pop continued.

"But we didn't ate any mushrooms!" Sprig denied.

"Wait, Anne you put a red mushroom in their soup," Elora recalled.

"Yes… yes… YES!" Anne cried. She grabbed all three frogs and hugged them so tightly that they almost choked. She was so overcome with relief that she felt lightheaded.

"That mushroom isn't for eating, Anne," Hop-Pop noted. "I use it for scrubbing down pots and the bathroom floors-"

"YOU'RE GONNA LIVE!" sobbed Anne. "YOU'RE GONNA LIVE!"

"Yes, we are," groaned Sprig. "Guess we were just normal sick."

"Err, is she gonna let go of us?" Polly wondered.

"Just let it happen," Hop-Pop replied.

Spyro and Elora looked at each other. They both shrugged and moved in to comfort Anne, as she continued to sob and wail in relief. Spyro, for his part, was thankful he didn't have to see deaths of people who weren't enemies.

One had been enough.

Hooty's Moving Hassle

The Owl House, Bonesborough

It was night in Bonesborough. The moon shone, full and bright, in the mostly cloudless sky. It was a special night for the Witches of the land and many were gathering in preparation.

At the Owl House, Eda was getting ready to head out to the Night Market. She was low on elixir and had been told she could find a guy at said market who might have some more available. Eda had to take it. She was already sprouting feathers across her body. The last thing she, or anyone else in the Owl House, wanted was for her to go bestial on them again.

Luz and Vee sat on the sofa. Vee, who as usual was in her Human form, was relatively calm. Luz, however, seemed a little agitated. She had planned something for tonight; something Eda wouldn't have approved of...

"Okay, Luz, you're in charge while I'm out," declared Eda, as she swung her cloak over her shoulders. "Look after Vee; make sure she doesn't pillage anything magical; and also make sure Hooty doesn't get into any trouble."

Vee frowned. Hooty snorted.

"I'm a big boy house!" he pouted.

"You can count on me, Eda!" Luz replied, saluting her, though her face was sweating a little. "I'd never betray your hard-earned trust." She laughed nervously.

"You better not," Eda warned her. "And why are you hiding in your hoodie?"

Luz promptly pulled back her hood. "Um... fancied going meow... where's King?"

"Right here." Eda spread her cloak to reveal King dangling in a baby carrier on her chest. He was fast asleep.

"Doesn't exactly do himself any favours as a 'tyrannical King of Demons', does he?" Vee observed.

"Tell me about it; he's so dangly," Luz agreed, playing with King's feet.

"He just conks out when he's weightless," smiled Eda. "Anyway, I'm off now, girls."

She headed outside and prepared to fly away. Luz and Vee came to see her off.

"Oh, and girls..." Eda's voice grew menacing. "...if either of you mess up the house, I will never trust you again." She then beamed. "So no pressure! Bye!" And she flew away.

"Yeah, I feel pressured," Vee noted. She honestly wasn't sure if she could keep her magical hunger under control. Sure, there were Luz's glyphs, but she didn't feel comfortable eating them, given how much Luz loved them.

Luz, meanwhile, was a little conflicted. She hated the idea of doing things behind Eda's back and lying to her face. She even wondered if she should be doing what she was about to do at all. Maybe she should call it off... tell the others it wasn't worth it-

No! Willow was counting on her. And Luz frankly wanted this as well.

Luz turned to some nearby bushes. "Okay, guys, she's gone."

The three bushes poofed, and in their place stood Willow, Gus and Maddie. All three were looking very excited. Vee started.

"W-what are they doing here?"

"What do you think? We're here for the moonlight conjuring," Maddie said.

"Oh this will be very exciting!" Willow cheered. "Our big moonlight together."

"Okay I didn't see that coming and you serious Luz? We could get in trouble!" Vee asked her.

"We'll be fine, Vee," Luz assured. "So long as we don't make a mess, don't touch anything or make a mess, and never speak about what we did."

"But Luz-"

"Come in on, guys!" Luz gestured.

"Company! Hooray!" cried Hooty. "Someone to listen to my stories! Okay, so one time, a sparrow flew into my mouth and-"

Luz led the others inside and closed the door before Hooty could continue.

"Aww, shoot…"

"Welcome to the living room!" Luz began a live tour. "We call it that because it's literally alive! The walls breathe, look!"

The walls were indeed slowly expanding and contracting with a soft rumbling of heavy breaths. Willow was awestruck.

"Enchanting," she commented.

"Why don't we have houses like this in Wartwood?" Maddie wondered, feeling the wall.

"Don't touch!" cried Vee, pulling Maddie's hand away. "Luz said not to touch!"

"Geez, lighten up, will you?" frowned Maddie.

Gus was rummaging in an old trunk.

"Wow, there is a lot of great human stuff in here!" Gus excitedly tossed aside a magic 8 ball and pulled out a skull. "That is an actual human!"

"Okay, I don't wanna know where she got that," Vee shuddered.

"I do," Maddie grinned as she picked up the skull. "Tell me your secrets!"

Vee turned to Luz, partly to look away from Maddie. "I thought you said they won't touch anything!"

"Relax, Vee," soothed Luz. "We'll put it all back when we're done, I promise."

"Why are you doing this at all?"

"They're my friends, and I want them to be happy."

"That's a nice gesture, Luz, but is it worth going behind Eda's back?"

Luz thought for a moment. She wanted to tell Vee that there was more to it, but the Soumercan didn't feel like talking about it right now.

"Look, trust me, okay? I know what I'm doing." Luz went to put on an old gramophone, which produced an evil cackling.

"That's what I'm worried about," Vee noted quietly, as she went to sit by herself in the kitchen.

Gus, which was wearing a bucket on his head, noticed Vee walking away.

"Not much for fun, your sister, is she?" he observed to Luz.

"Please don't tease her about her shyness," Luz reproved gently. "Anyway, what are we going to do for our moonlight conjuring?"

"Well, first, we find an object to animate," Willow explained. "Since it's our first time, we should choose something meaningful." She glanced at a pot of flowers. "Something beautiful."

"Or something creepy," Maddie chimed in, holding up the skull. "Let's bring this baby to life!"

Luz and Willow shuddered. "Err... no," Willow refused.

"Oh, come on!"

"Hey, how about this strangely buff little man?" Gus suddenly appeared beside them, holding up an action figure. He pressed its tummy and the figure declared 'I'm half beef, half Bob!'

"Yes, perfect!" Luz rhapsodised.

"That's not what I meant by 'beautiful'," Willow noted.

"And it's not particularly creepy either," added Maddie.

Gus looked hurt. He gave a soft whimper, his pupils dilating. Maddie shook her head, but Willow relented.

"Okay, buff boy it is," she decided.

Gus cheered as they'll use Buff Boy to bring to life, as the kids set up the ritual.

"Okay so how it goes again?" Luz asked.

"We all hold hands and use magic to bring the doll to life." Willow said as the group hold their hands.

"Figurine," Gus corrected.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. When they recited the incantation, which Luz had some trouble with, the whole house suddenly shook, as if caught in an earthquake. All four children were thrown off their feet, and the furniture was thrown about.

"W-what's going on?" cried Vee, staggering out of the kitchen. "Does that usually happen with a moonlight conjuring?"

"I-I don't think so," answered Willow.

"Did the house just hiccup?" wondered Luz.

"Little buff man, what did you do?" Gus demanded of the figurine.

"A real man never takes accountability," the figurine replied.

Maddie gave a small grin. "I think the house itself has come to life!"

"What?" Luz ran outside to check. But she found herself almost running off a ledge that had suddenly appeared in front of the house. The house itself was now much higher than it usually was, and Luz didn't have to look far to see why. It had sprouted two giant bird legs.

The others ran out to join Luz, but no sooner had they done so than the front door swung shut, and the house began to walk with strides that made the ground shake.

"Hooty!" cried Luz, running to the front door. Hooty's eyes were now glowing a bright blue. "Hooty, stop! You have to stop!"

"By the power of moonlight, I have risen! Hoot, hoot!" intoned Hooty, who didn't seem to have heard Luz at all. Luz even clicked her fingers next to him - still nothing.

"He's in some kind of trance!" Gus realised.

"I like it," grinned Maddie.

"I don't!" wailed Vee, who was on her knees and clutching at the ground. "Make him stop! Make him stop!"

Just then, the house jostled and Gus overbalanced. He almost fell on the side of the ledge. Luz, Willow and Maddie promptly rushed over and grabbed him.

"We got ya, Gus!" assured Luz. But her relief was short-lived when she realised that the house was heading towards a cliff. If Eda didn't kill Luz for this, the drop certainly would!

"HOOTY, STOP!" Luz yelled, unaware that she, Willow, Gus and Maddie were all glowing.

To her surprise, the house did stop, just as one leg was about to go over the edge. The girls pulled Gus to safety and they moved away from the ledge. The four of them stared at their hands.

"Did... we just do that?" Gus wondered. "How did we do that?"

"Guys, hold hands again," Luz suggested.

They did so, and the Owl House took a few steps back from the cliff.

"Our conjuring has animated the house rather than the doll," Maddie deduced.

"Figurine," Gus corrected.

"Whatever."

"We can control it with the power of friendship!" Willow rhapsodised. "Uh, and the moon. Mainly the moon."

"Wow this is incredible!" Gus exclaimed. "We got to see what else the House can do."

"Shouldn't we stay put?" wondered Luz. "Eda might come back and wonder where her house is."

"I second that!" chimed in Vee, who was getting slowly to her feet.

"Come on! She won't know that we've gone," Maddie assured.

"I beg to differ," Vee argued. "I mean, what if Hooty leaves giant footsteps? What if we destroy something? Eda will find out."

"Please, Amphiwicca is full of all kinds of crazy occurrences," countered Maddie. "It's what makes it all fun!" She gave a rather unsettling grin.

"Please stop talking like that," Vee requested. "You seriously freak me out when you do that."

Maddie frowned.

"Please, Luz, be reasonable," Vee continued pleadingly. "Eda wouldn't approve of this."

"She won't know, like Maddie said," Luz soothed. "We'll head back before the

Vee's gaze dipped in resignation. There was no reasoning with Luz. "Fine. But if she does find out at all, I'm not a part of this. Nor am I defending you. Any of you," she added to the group.

Luz nodded. "I accept those terms."

Maddie scowled. "I don't."

"Leave her be, Mads," Willow advised. "Come on, house joyride."

The four friends joined hands again, and the house began to walk through the forest. Vee had to sit against the wall of the House to avoid falling over.

"Oh boy, oh boy!" she grimaced. "I really don't like this!"

Luz and her friends marvelled at how quickly the House covered ground.

"I've never felt so alive!" Gus cheered.

Just then, Maddie spotted someone up ahead. It was a Witch girl with fair skin, red-violet hair tied back in a bun and three grey-blue eyes. She wore a Hexside uniform with yellow sleeves and leggings, and was talking into a crow.

"Hey guys, look!" she pointed.

"Is that...?" Willow wondered.

"Yeah, it's Boscha," confirmed Gus, just as Boscha finished speaking to the crow and let it fly away. She then spotted the house behind her.

"Heh, let's teach her a lesson!" Maddie said, smirking wickedly. "Gus, if you please..."

Gus conjured a megaphone and Maddie spoke into it.

"Hey Boscha!" the blue Frog intoned in a deep raspy voice that reminded Luz of some witches sounded in films and TV on Mobius. "You are in big trouble! You should never have been nasty to you fellow witches around here!"

The friends all laughed. Even Vee had to giggle.

Boscha scowled. "Ew! A talking house giving me a lecture? Tch, no thank you! I'll TP you like the rest of the neighbourhood!"

"So be it, then!" rasped Maddie. "I am no mere house!"

She, Luz, Willow and Gus joined hands. The Owl House stood tall, towering over Boscha.

"I AM A MONSTER HOUSE!" Maddie shrieked. Boscha's three eyes dilated and she screamed in horror. Next moment, she turned tail and ran as fast as she could. The children roared with laughter.

"Ha ha ha! You don't know how it feels to earn payback on her!" Maddie cheered.

"I've never pranked anyone before," Gus realised. "And now, I have a taste for it!"

Willow suddenly had an idea. "Let's follow her to Amity's house and show off our conjuring!"

Maddie grinned. "Oh yes! That'll wipe the smirk off Minthead's face!"

Luz recalled her last encounter with Amity went at the Covention. The girl might have been mean, but Luz wondered if it was worth it. She then turned to look at the Moon. It was now almost level with the treetops.

"Actually, I think it's best if we start heading back," she ventured.

Inside, Vee smiled. Perhaps Luz was being reasonable for once. But Gus held up his scroll.

"Amity's updated her Penstagram." He showed Luz the latest post.

"'Shout out to my fellow witches. #Humans and Frogs can bite it!'?" Luz seethed. "Okay, let's do it!"

Vee groaned. She should've known…

The Owl House continued onward through Bonesborough, scattering citizens left and right as it went. But the children had no way of knowing they were being followed.

Soon, a large manor house built of purple and grey stone with a shingle roof and a large spire came into view. It sat atop a small hill, at the bottom of which was a gate with the words 'BLIGHT MANOR' emblazoned above it.

"Aha, there is!" grinned Maddie.

"Time to show Amity what a real conjuring looks like," declared Willow.

But before they could take another step towards the manor, a giant bolt with a rope attached shot out of nowhere and soared above the roof of the House. The rope tightened, stopping the House cold in its tracks.

"Whoa, whoa! What's going on?!" Luz cried. Her brown eyes looked all around. "Wait, is that a giant crossbow?"

Said giant crossbow, manned by Apes and what happened to be the hunters that Luz had seen at the market earlier that day, fired a second bolt and rope, which secured the House further.

"Oh no! It's an ambush!" Vee wailed.

Just then, the lead hunter, who had a protuberant lower jaw and an eyepatch, landed in front of them.

"Knock, knock," he grinned.

"Hey, shove off, Patchy!" Maddie demanded. She leapt at the hunter, her foot outstretched. But he caught her easily and she dangled upside-down in his grasp. She tried to reach into her pocket for one of her potions, but they all tumbled out, to be caught by one of the Apes.

Vee was now pounding at Hooty's door, trying to get back inside. The sight of the hunters and Apes, and their weapons, was making her hyperventilate. As a result, she didn't realise until too late that her Human disguise had dropped.

"Err, Vee?" Luz said worriedly. Willow, Gus and Maddie stared in bewilderment. The lead hunter's eye lit up.

"A Basilisk!" he exclaimed. "Looks like we have two big catches tonight, boys!"

Vee was paralysed with fright as she clawed desperately at the door to escape. But next moment, a net came down over her.

"Hey! Leave her alone!" Luz ran over to try and pull the net off the terrified Vee. But she was tackled to the ground by one of the Apes with such force that everything went blurry. By the time Luz regained her bearings, she was tied back-to-back with Willow, Gus and Maddie just inside the Owl House.

"Hey! Hey! Let us out! And let Vee go!" Luz shouted.

"I can't believe your sister was a Basilisk this whole time!" Gus exclaimed, dumbfounded. "Wait, are you a Basilisk too?!"

"What? No," replied Luz. "Vee isn't actually my sister, cool though it would be. Eda and I met her shortly after I came here. Wrath was threatening her, so we took her in for protection. We've got to free her, and fast!"

She kicked at the door. "Hooty! Hooty, wake up! We need you!"

"If you want this to end as you say, four must hold hands. It's the only way," Hooty answered, still in his trance.

"¡Oye, no me hable así!" Luz replied indignantly. "Maddie, give us a hand."

"Wake up, you overgrown worm!" Maddie shouted, slapping at the door with her tongue. But that had no more effect than Luz's kicking.

"Willow, give us a hand," Gus asked. But Willow's gaze was downcast and sullen.

"I'm sorry, guys," she mumbled sadly. "You shouldn't ask me for help with anything."

"Willow," Luz sympathised. But before she, Gus or Maddie could say anything, the House suddenly lurched. The four children were flung forward into the door.

"A little warning next time!" yelled Maddie.

"I think we've stopped," Luz realised.

"Urgh, my insides haven't," Gus groaned.

The door was flung to reveal the grinning hunters and Apes.

"About time you opened the door! But where are we?" Maddie asked, confusedly. Her question was answered as she and the others were bundled out of the Owl House, staggering as their legs repeatedly tangled up with the others'. They were near a cliff overlooking the sea.

"Okay," declared the lead hunter. "We'll take the house Demon and the Basilisk." He indicated Hooty and Vee, the latter of whom was gagged and hyperventilating in her cage, soaked in sweat. "You Apes can have the House."

"Sounds like a fair deal," replied the leading Ape. "Hopefully, we can find some magical artefacts for our army."

"Hey, you can't take Eda's stuff!" yelled Luz.

"Finders, keepers, kid," sneered the Ape. "Tom, throw them over the cliff!"

"With pleasure," grinned Tom. He began to chivvy the kids towards the edge of the cliff. "All righty, kids. Here's the end of your short little lives."

"Wait, wait, wait!" pleaded Gus, turning the group so he could look Tom directly in the eye. "Is this really what you wanna do with your life? Tossing kids off a cliff?"

"Actually, yes," answered Tom. "It's been my dream since I was a boy!"

There was a moment's silence. Even Maddie looked appalled at this guy's childhood dream.

"I was a strange child," Tom shrugged. "Ta-ta!" And with a big shove, all four children went over the edge.

For a few moments, Luz was sure this was the end. They turned over and over in the end, the wind scalding her eyes. But before Luz could make any silent goodbyes, they stopped. The rope had caught on a branch sticking out of the cliffside.

"Okay, we're not dead yet," she realised. "But we will be if Eda finds out what happened tonight. Any ideas, guys?"

"I'm lost," replied Gus.

"Me too," added Maddie.

"I'm sorry guys," lamented Willow. "I just wanted to show off to Amity and her friends - prove I wasn't half-a-Witch. The truth is... she and I were once friends."

"Whaaaaat?" exclaimed Luz.

"Seriously?" Maddie questioned incredulously. "You were friends with Mint-Head Hex?!"

"Yes," sighed Willow. "But when she developed her magical powers and I didn't… she stopped hanging out with me."

"Err, guys," Gus chimed in. "Is this really the best time?"

Willow ignored him. "I just… wanted to prove to her that I was a powerful witch too."

"You're joking, right?" Maddie replied. "Have you seen how good you are with plants? You covered Hexside in vines from a single seed!"

"And you helped bring a house to life!" Luz added. "Amity doesn't know what she's talking about! I daresay you're one of the powerful witches I know! Err, no offence," she added to Gus and Maddie.

"None taken." "It's fine."

Suddenly, the branch cracked and the quartet dropped a little further.

"This branch could break any moment!" cried Gus. "How are we gonna get free?"

"I think I know!" Maddie replied, her eyes alighting on a root a little above them. "Hey Willow! You have to focus! That root there? Use your powers to make it bigger!"

"Very well!" Willow managed to pull her hand free and reached toward the root. For a few brief moments, it seemed too far to touch. But then, Willow closed around it. Her eyes and skin glowed green.

The hunters were looking after Vee, who was now curled up and shivering.

"Just wait until they take a look at you," one hunter grinned.

The lead hunter and lead Ape were finalising their deal. The Ape passed over a bag of Gems to the lead hunter.

"It was… something, working with you lot tonight," the lead Hunter said.

"Indeed it was," the lead Ape concurred. "But it's proven profitable for all of us, so it was worth it."

"Agreed," grinned Tom. "Those kids tried to fight back and they almost got me. But I dealt with them, no problem."

The lead hunter frowned. "They were just children, Tom."

At that moment, a shadow fell over them all. They all looked up to see a massive plant towering over them. Standing atop one of the leaves were Luz, Willow, Gus and Maddie. Willow used a thorny vine to cut them free.

"We may be children," declared Willow.

"But we're also Witches!" finished Maddie. "Powerful ones, too!"

"What?! Get them!" the lead Ape ordered. The Apes and hunters promptly charged forward, only to be met with various vines that caught up their weapons and limbs. The villains tugged and wrenched, trying to free themselves. This distraction followed Maddie to retrieve her potions from one of the Apes. She threw a couple at the nearest enemies. They were blown off their feet, allowing the vines to reel them in.

Luz ran over to Vee's cage and pulled her gag away,

"Luz!" Vee cheered.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out in a sec." Luz fiddled with the lock for a few moments. An Ape came up behind her, a club raised over his head. Maddie blinded him with a potion that exploded goo over his face.

Luz whipped open the cage and pulled Vee out. She then made a dash for the Owl House. The others promptly followed. Luz slammed the door shut behind them.

"Quick, join hands!" she instructed. They did so - Vee placed her hands on Luz's shoulders, simply for comfort.

Outside, the lead Hunter and Ape Commander had just beaten back the vines when the Owl House rose to its feet.

"Uh…" they mumbled in unison.

The Owl House stepped resolutely on them. Neither were killed, but they were pressed hard into the ground.

Luz saw that the Moon was now almost over the horizon.

"Not to step on this victory, but we have to get back before Eda does! Let's leg it!"

The Owl House stomped quickly, leaving the injured Apes and hunters behind it. Tom glared at his leader.

"'They're just children, Tom!'" he mocked.

"Shut up."

Luz watched where they were walking through a window, but she was so anxious to get the Owl House back to its usual spot that she wasn't wary of exactly where each step landed. This was driven home when she heard a loud crunch and felt a slight sway to the House. It had trodden on something.

"Oops!" Luz leaned out of the window and called down. "Sorry, mister!"

"Try to pay closer attention, Luz," Vee admonished.

"Duly noted."

At last, they reached the Owl House's original spot by the tower. With a final thud, the House settled back into the crater it had left behind.

Luz looked around. "Did we do it?"

The front door opened. Hooty's eyes were back to normal.

"Is the room spinning or is it just me?" he wondered, a little dazed. He then chuckled. "Just a little house humour."

Luz smiled. "Sorry about all that, Hooty."

"I should hope so," Vee frowned.

"Oh, lay off her," Maddie interjected.

"It's okay," Hooty smiled. "I'm just glad to have been included."

With that, he swung the door shut…

…to reveal Eda and King standing behind it.

Luz's heart plummeted. "Uh-oh…"

"Wait, how did you get in?" Maddie wondered.

"Speed magic, I guess," King suggested.

"You are so busted," Eda began ominously to Luz, who gulped.

"Oh man..."

"You held a moonlight conjuring!"

"I did..."

"And you animated the house! My house!"

"Yes." Luz's knees gave way and she dropped at Eda's feet.

"F-For the record, Eda," Vee stammered, "I t-told her it was a bad idea, but she w-wouldn't listen."

"I wouldn't," agreed Luz shamefully. But then, Willow, Gus and Maddie moved in front of Luz

"No! Don't punish Luz! We're the ones who push her into the conjuring!" Willow pleaded

"Yeah, we did it to show off to our rivals and prove we were powerful Witches!" Maddie added.

Gus held out his arms. "If you're going to eat me, just do it now! Do it now!"

Eda is disgusted. Maddie and Vee were confused by Gus' request.

"Seriously? Eat you?" Maddie asked him.

"Heat of the moment!"

Luz looked at Willow. "You didn't have to do that for me."

"Yes, Luz, I did!"

Despite her earlier statement to Luz and the others, Vee decided to eat her words somewhat. "And I should've done something to stop them," she added. "But the only one that occurred to me was draining the magic... and I wouldn't do that. I'm sorry too, Eda."

Eda sighed. "Well then, you're all guilty so you'll all be punished by cleaning my house top to bottom!"

She summoned a number of cleaning supplies into the kids' arms.

"Oh, and another thing..." Eda added.

The kids tensed.

"That was totally amazing!" Eda rhapsodised, suddenly beaming. "I am so joining you for next year's conjuring!" Her expression became serious. "Now get to work."

With a sigh of acceptance, the five children set to work cleaning, while Eda flopped onto the couch.

"Honestly, I say it was worth it," Maddie reasoned. "We animated a whole house."

"Yeah," agreed Luz. "Honestly, though, I kinda wish we got to show up Amity."

"Me too," agreed Willow.

"Eh, I can imagine it," shrugged Maddie. "Still, you were a big help tonight, Luz. I hope your Human friends are as awesome as you are."

"You have no idea," said Luz with a vague smile, as she stared into the distance...