Dell made it to Hexside without using his powers, just in time to see the faculty using magic to set up banners that read 'Go, Banshees!' Dell remembered now that it was grudgby season, and the Hexside Banshees were going up against the St. Epiderm Gargoyles. Dell was never really a sports fan, but he understood the appeal. King summarized it best once: 'The ball can bite you, and the rules are nonsense, but it's still kinda fun.'
Dell walked through the halls of Hexside; he waved to Professor Hermonculus, who had his abomination help set up more banners. "Good morning, Professor!" Dell didn't get a reply.
Continuing, Dell spotted Professor De Ville from Illusions chastising Edric and Emira Blight. Above the twins was a banner that read, 'St. Epiderm is about to meet their Epidoom.' Titan, that pun made Dell cringe, yet he couldn't help but chuckle. "Looking good, Blights! And good morning, Professor!"
Professor De Ville turned with a smile and waved back at Dell. "Good morning, Mr. Whispers! Are you excited for the grudgby match tonight?"
"Come on, Delly! You know you're secretly thrilled." Emira smirked at him, having to join in on the conversation.
"Yeah, we all know you're just putting on an act." Edric chimed in.
Dell chuckled. "Well, I can't say I'm as excited as some people, but I'll be there to cheer on the Banshees. Go Hexside!"
Dell continued down the hall with a slight spring in his step. The school's enthusiasm was infectious. "The Banshees are going to dominate!" An Oracle Track student, Hector exclaimed as Dell passed by the beaked demon.
"Game day roar!" Dell turned to the source of the exclamation to see his pal, Augustus Porter, wearing a Banshees jersey and waving a foam finger.
His young friend's unwavering enthusiasm never failed to bring a smile to Dell's face. "Hey, Augustus. I can tell you're excited."
"Grudgby games are the best. The players go through these action-packed trials. And the audience gets to wave flags. Look, I practiced." He took off his foam finger so he could pull out two flags. He turns in a circle, waves to them, and hums the Banshee's theme.
"The Banshees are lucky to have you cheering them on."
Augustus beamed with pride, continuing to wave the flags. "Thanks, Dell. I've even been practicing my illusions to make a banner for when we win." He casts the illusion of a massive banner that reads in bold, vibrant letters, 'Better Luck Next Time!' The young boy nearly screamed and quickly dispersed the illusion before anyone saw it. "Sorry, I'm still working on it."
Dell chuckled and patted his pal on the back. "No worries. I'm sure your illusion skills will be top-notch by the time the game starts." They walked down the hall together but didn't get far when someone bumped into Dell, causing her to drop her papers.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed, bending down to pick up the papers. She had black hair and purple eyes and wore a St. Epiderm uniform. Oracle Track, Dell guessed; not only that, but she also looked familiar to him.
"It's all right." Dell bent down. "Let me help you."
"Thanks. Oh, I hope none of the papers got damaged."
As they gathered the papers, Dell noticed some smudges and creases. "It looks like a few of them did. Sorry."
"It's fine. I can make it work." The girl smiled, her purple eyes sparkling. "I'm just glad they're not completely ruined. These are important for tomorrow."
"What's happening tomorrow?
"Dude, why are you talking to her?" Augustus interrupted Dell. "She's wearing a St. Epiderm uniform. Our enemy's uniform."
Dell raised an eyebrow at Augustus. "Don't you think that's a bit much? We don't even know her."
Augustus shrugged, crossing his arms. "I'm just saying, be careful who you trust."
Dell turned back to the girl. "So, what's happening tomorrow?"
The girl hesitated for a moment before answering. "I'm a journalist for the school paper. These are my notes and research."
"Wait, are you spying on our school?"
The girl laughed. "No! I'm not a spy, I promise."
Augustus scoffed and muttered, "That's exactly what a spy would say."
"So, I'm guessing you're reporting on the match?" Dell asked her.
The girl nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I am! I want to capture the intensity and spirit of the game in my article. Are you one of the players?"
Dell shook his head. "No, I'm just a spectator."
"Are you sure? Because bumping into you was like bumping into a brick wall."
"Well... I do try to stay fit. But no, I'm not a player." The longer Dell and the girl chatted, the more familiar she looked to him. He couldn't quite place where he had seen her before. "Sorry if this sounds weird, but I swear you look just like—"
"Loisse, there you are!" A voice shouted from down the hall. Dell turned towards the voice and saw Viney from the Healing Track approaching with a relieved expression. "You disappeared on me; I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Hey, Viney." Dell greeted the girl.
"I see you've met Loisse," Viney said.
"You know her?"
"Loisse Laine. She's my cousin." That's why she looked so familiar. Dell remembered Viney talking about her cousin from St. Epiderm, and he felt stupid for not putting two and two together. Viney chuckled, sensing Dell's realization.
"So, then you must be Dell." Loisse addressed Dell with a friendly tone. "Viney has told me so much about you. It's nice to finally meet you in person. I didn't think you'd be so... tall." Dell felt a wave of relief wash over him. He smiled back at Loisse, feeling an instant connection forming between them.
"Leave me alone, Boscha." Dell and the others heard a voice call out from down the hallway.
Augustus recognized the voice immediately. "That sounded like Willow." The boys walked past Viney and Loisse without saying a word to check out the commotion.
Turning the corner, they saw the Banshee's captain, Boscha Hieron, cornering a visibly distressed Willow Park and her group of friends—Skara Brooke, Amelia Riegel, Cat Grant, and Amity Blight—joining in on the harassment. Amity Blight remained silent while standing among her friends. She didn't actively participate in the bullying, yet her lack of intervention spoke volumes.
"What's the matter, Half-A-Witch? Why don't you show us some real magic?" Boscha taunted.
Willow's eyes looked as if they were on the brink of filling with tears. "Please, just leave me alone!" She pleaded, her voice trembling. "I haven't done anything to you!"
"Boscha, what's your problem?" Augustus stepped forward, his voice filled with anger. Dell stood beside him.
Boscha smirked, her three eyes gleaming with a sense of superiority. "Oh, look who decided to join the party. Just making sure this loser knows her place."
Augustus clenched his fists, anger bubbling up inside him. He couldn't stand seeing his friends mistreated by Boscha and her cronies. "You think it's funny to make others miserable?"
But before Augustus could do anything, Dell touched his shoulder, silently urging him to stay calm. Stooping to Boscha's level would only give her more power. Taking a deep breath, Dell looked Boscha in the eye and stepped up to her. "We don't have to resort to this kind of behavior." He said calmly. "Just leave Willow alone."
"Or what?" Boscha crossed her arms defiantly.
Dell paused for a moment. "Or I'll have to report you to Principal Bump."
Dell's words hung in the air, and for a moment, Boscha seemed taken aback. "Who do you think you are, trying to tell me what to do?" She retorted, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Go ahead. I doubt Principal Bump would take your word over mine. I'm the best player this school has ever seen, and everyone knows it. Bump wouldn't dare risk losing me." She challenged Dell to prove her wrong. "Now get lost, loser!" She pushed at Dell with all her strength, yet he remained in the same spot while Boscha bounced back and fell onto her rear.
Augustus laughed at Boscha's failed attempt to push Dell but stopped when he saw Dell extend a hand to help Boscha up. Boscha hesitated for a moment, unsure of Dell's intentions. Feeling embarrassed and humiliated, she slapped the hand away and scrambled to her feet, determined to save face and salvage her reputation. She shoots a glare at Dell.
"Just drop it, Boscha," Amity suggested. "There's no need to make a bigger deal out of this, especially when you have a game to win." Boscha's anger flares up at Amity's suggestion. She clenches her fists and takes a deep breath, redirecting her focus toward the upcoming game.
She nods at Amity, and the group walks away, but not before threatening Dell, "If you ever try to embarrass me like that again, you'll regret it."
Dell and Augustus watch the bullies leave, relieved that the tension has dissipated. They then turned their attention to Willow. "Are you okay, Willow?" Dell asked softly.
Willow looked up at him and nodded. "I'm fine, Dell. Thank you."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Augustus asked, his brows furrowing with concern.
Willow smiled reassuringly at the younger boy. "I promise I'm all right."
Dell and Augustus exchange glances. "Well, if you ever need anything, we've got your back, Willow."
The bell suddenly screamed, and students began rushing to their classes. "We better get going," Willow said as she quickly gathered her belongings before the trio walked down the chaotic hallways to their first classes.
In a dimly lit, stone-walled cell, Katya Blake sat slouched, her frustration palpable, as she continued to complain about her unjust arrest and imprisonment within the Emperor's Coven precinct. "I didn't do anything wrong!" Her voice echoed off the cold walls. "You've locked me up for no reason!" The burly guards stationed outside her cell paid little attention to her complaints, their indifference further fueling her annoyance. "Can I at least get a seance?" If they let her have a crystal ball, she could call her family to hire a lawyer.
One of the guards glanced at Katya. "You're lucky you're even getting a cell and not being petrified," he grumbled.
However, amidst the monotony of the precinct, one scout—Steve, as Katya thought she'd heard his name—stood out with an empathetic demeanor as he filled out a desk's worth of paperwork. "What was she even charged with?" He asked while he filled out the paperwork.
"She's charged with grand theft, assault, and resisting arrest," one of the guards said sternly.
"Allegedly," Katya responded.
"And let's not forget about the illegal possession of wands." The other guard added.
"Allegedly."
Then the first guard concluded her list of crimes with, "And she was caught writing anti-Emperor's Coven propaganda disguised as fanfiction of food falling in love."
"Okay, that was me," Katya admitted with a sheepish smile. "But it was a harmless creative outlet, not meant to incite any real rebellion." The guards exchanged glances, clearly skeptical of her explanation.
"Do we even have evidence she committed the other crimes?" Steve asked. Katya's defense struck a chord with him, which she appreciated. "I mean, writing fanfiction about food falling in love doesn't exactly make her a criminal mastermind."
"We don't need evidence." One of the guards answered. "Our fellow guardsmen said they saw her do it, so she did it."
Steve's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he considered the lack of concrete evidence against the young woman. "But eyewitness testimonies can be unreliable. We should at least investigate further before jumping to conclusions."
"We must uphold the laws of Emperor Belos by removing all deemed a threat," another guard interjected sternly. "We cannot afford to waste time on unnecessary investigations when the empire's safety is at stake. You would do well to remember that."
Steve sighed, realizing that convincing the guards to reconsider their approach would be an uphill battle. Suddenly, a ringing sound goes off, and the guards check their watches; their shift is about to end. "We're gonna grab some lunch." One of them told Steve. "Watch the prisoner until our replacements arrive." Steve nodded and watched as the guards left him and Katya in the room.
"So... fanfiction," Steve said, trying to converse with Katya. He figured it would be an excellent way to pass the time.
Katya looked at him curiously, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
"Well, I thought talking about our hobbies and other stuff we like could be a fun distraction, you know? I'll start." Steve cleared his throat. "I like petting unicorns, spending time with my little brother, riding around the Isles on my motorcycle, and receiving shoulder pats from our Head Witch."
Katya faintly smiled as she listened to Steve's whimsical hobbies. "Petting unicorns sounds enchanting." She noticed something in the scout's tone when he mentioned his Head Witch, no doubt Lilith Clawthorne. "And it sounds like you're in love with your boss."
Even with his mask on, Katya could tell Steve was flustered. "Well, I wouldn't say love exactly," he stammered. "But Ms. Clawthorne is an incredible leader, and I'm grateful to have her guidance. Besides, it wouldn't work out."
Katya raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't it work out? Is there a rule against relationships within the coven?"
"No, she doesn't like dating… or romance… or stuff beyond that." Steve coughed. "But hey, who am I to judge? And what about you? Other hobbies besides writing fanfiction."
Katya chuckled. "Well, besides writing fanfiction about food falling in love, I enjoy drawing art... about food falling in love. I also play the tambourine. I'm a bard. It's a way for me to express myself and bring joy to others."
Steve sighed. "Man, I envy the lives of people outside the coven."
Katya raised an eyebrow. "Why? You're part of the Emperor's Coven. I'd think you'd be living the good life."
Steve shook his head. "Being in the Emperor's Coven may have its perks, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. We're constantly under scrutiny and pressure to perform, with little time for personal pursuits or genuine connections with others. Honestly, I only joined because it would help support my family. But believe me, I'm regretting my choice more and more each day."
"That's rough, buddy," Katya replied, her voice filled with empathy.
"Hey, Steve! Get out here!" One of the guards shouted from the other room.
"It looks like duty calls for Steve." The scout addressed himself in the third person.
"Don't take too long; I was enjoying our chat," Katya said honestly. As he left, Katya couldn't help but feel sympathy for Steve's predicament, hoping things would get better for him soon.
Steve met up with the guards to see what they wanted. "I thought you guys were going to lunch?" He asked before being immediately handed a box full of scrap. "What's all this?"
"Some scrap the emperor wants us to transfer to the Conformatorium." One of the guards explained. "It's wreckage from a crash Head Witch Clawthorne discovered sixteen years ago."
"Oh, yeah, I heard about that. I thought Ms. Clawthorne was still researching it."
"She was, but she has yet to discover anything about it; where it came from and what it's made of are still a mystery. One that the Emperor's Coven has decided to close."
"So, we're just gonna lock it away in the Conformatorium and pretend it never existed?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Emperor Belos believes it's a waste of time and space, and more important tasks are at hand, like hunting wild witches and keeping anarchists behind bars." When referring to 'anarchists,' they were, without a doubt, talking about Katya. From what little time Steve got to spend with her, he'd hardly call her an anarchist or any other type of criminal.
Curious about the box's contents, Steve put it on a desk and examined some parts. He found intricate gears, delicate springs, and small metal plates with strange symbols etched onto them. As he carefully looked over each piece, he couldn't help but wonder what purpose they served and how they fit together. Whatever Lilith Clawthorne found sixteen years ago was not from the Boiling Isles.
"Stop messing with that stuff!" The other guard shouted.
"But aren't you guys even curious about where all this came from?"
The guard scoffed, dismissing the question. "The origins don't matter; we just have to bring it to the—" A revving sound interrupted him before he could finish. Steve and the guards turned their attention toward the noise source, and something crashed through the precinct's wall.
A cloud of dust filled the air as debris scattered across the room. "Everyone okay?" Steve asked as he coughed, trying to clear the dust from his lungs.
"Hey, what's going on out there?" Katya asked from her cell.
"We're not sure."
As the dust settled, the scout and two guards were met with the sight of a peculiar vehicle, unlike anything they had ever seen. Its sleek design and unique technology reminded Steve of his motorcycle; it emitted a low hum, hovering a few feet above the ground. Mounted on the bike was a large, muscular, white-skinned man with dark red eyes and black hair tied into a knot. He wore a black vest, black pants held by a belt, and fingerless gloves. He also had a cigar clenched between his teeth and a devil-may-care attitude about him.
The strange man spoke in some gibberish, yet his presence alone exuded an air of confidence and power, making it clear that he was not to be taken lightly. "What are you saying?" Steve asked him, his voice filled with curiosity and a hint of caution.
The man paused momentarily; his piercing red eyes locked onto Steve. He pressed his belt buckle before responding in Isles Basic with a deep, gravelly voice that would send shivers down anyone's spine, "I'm here for the Kryptonian. Where ya hidin' him?"
Steve's heart raced as he tried to comprehend the stranger's words. "We have no idea what you're talking about. There's no one here by that name."
"Well, he better come out soon, or I'm gonna have to frag this whole island to smithereens." The strange man pulls a ginormous weapon from a holster on his back, causing Steve to step back in fear. It looked like nothing he had ever seen before, and its presence only intensified the tension in the room. "Startin' with ya unlucky bastiches."
The third period of the Construction Track concluded, and Dell walked through the bustling hallways to the cafeteria for lunch. He wondered what was being served today and if any new menu items were available. He'd also get to meet up with Augustus, Willow, Viney, and maybe Loisse again. He felt his face burn up at the thought of Loisse joining them for some reason.
As he approached the cafeteria doors, he could hear the excited chatter of his friends, their voices echoing through the corridor. Pushing them open, Dell's eyes scanned the room, searching for familiar faces. He spotted Augustus and Willow over at their usual table; he was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while Willow had some meat pie.
At another table, he saw Loisse sitting with her cousin and her friends, Jerbo and Barcus. Loisse was animatedly talking and laughing with them, her eyes sparkling joyfully. Dell hesitated momentarily, contemplating whether to join his friends or take a chance and approach Loisse's table.
BOOM!
Dell stopped in his tracks as he heard the explosion. It wasn't nearby, however. It was coming from Bonesborough. He could hear people screaming in panic and knew he couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Dell looked around to ensure there were no staff or students to see him. Then he sprinted out of the school at superspeed, transitioning to flight.
As he flew to the explosion, his mind raced with thoughts of what could have caused such a blast and if anyone was hurt. He prayed to the Titan that no one was. Dell's heart pounded as he neared Bonesborough, smoke and chaos becoming more visible, pushing him to fly even faster. As he descended toward the scene, he reminded himself to stay calm and focused, knowing his quick thinking and abilities would be crucial amid the chaos. And, most importantly, to keep his strength in check so as not to break something... or someone.
Before he could act, however, he remembered what his parents had told him this morning about trying not to draw attention to himself. Dell pocketed the concealment stone around his neck, no longer looking like a witch. He was also still in his school uniform and needed to hide that. He must ensure no one, especially his peers, would recognize him if they watched the news on a crystal ball tonight.
Even more so with Augustus' dad on the scene. "This is Perry Porter of BBN-HXN News. Coming to you live from the streets of Bonesborough." He spoke calmly before the flying camera demon. "We are witnessing a chaotic scene as a madman has taken an entire Emperor's Coven precinct hostage. He has yet to make any demands, and the brave witches' lives in that building hang in the balance."
More carriages pulled up to the precinct, and almost a dozen scouts emerged, ready to assess the situation and provide support. "Set up a perimeter!" Their commander ordered, and they swiftly obeyed, forming a tight circle around the building to keep civilians at a safe distance.
"My brother is in there!" A student wearing a Glandus uniform shouted. His voice trembled with fear and desperation as his parents, a witch, and a demon, tried comforting him.
Dell spotted a worn-out scout cloak hanging out in one of the carriages, which he needed to complete his disguise. Once more, with his superspeed, he grabbed the cover without attracting attention, draped it over his shoulders, and pulled the hood up. No one would see his face or school uniform. He ran into the building to save the hostages, bound together by a chain. They were two guardsmen, a scout, and a young woman. The last person in the room responsible for all this was unlike any witch or demon Dell had ever seen. He held a strange-looking weapon and aimed it at the hostages.
Wasting no time, Dell quickly pulled the hostages out of the way, carried them outside, and placed them safely on the ground before heading back into the building just as the strange man was about to use his weapon.
BOOM!
Whatever the weapon did, it left a smoldering crater where the hostages would have been. "What the frag?" The man exclaimed. He looked up and noticed Dell. "Well, look who finally decided to show up just as I got bored."
Dell narrowed his eyes at the man. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The man smirked, lowering his weapon. "Name's Lobo. I also go by The Main Man, The Baddest Bastiche Who's Ever Lived, or The Greatest Bounty Hunter in the Whole Fraggin' Galaxy. And what I want is simple—a big payday. Those lil' bastiches were just a means to an end."
Dell looked at Lobo with disbelief. "They're people!" He angrily retorted."You can't just treat them like pawns in your game. What kind of monster are you?"
"What kind of monster are ya?" Lobo parroted mockingly. "That's what ya sound like."
The air crackled with tension. Dell didn't want any unnecessary fighting, especially with people nearby. "Listen, Lobo; there's no need for violence. Let's find a peaceful solution to whatever it is you want."
Lobo, however, only laughed, a deep, guttural sound that echoed through the building. "Peaceful? Nah, that ain't my style, lil' man. I told ya I'm here for one thin' and one thin' only—a big fraggin' payday, specifically, the bounty on ya head."
Dell's eyes widened in surprise. "A bounty? Who would put a bounty on me?"
Lobo smirked, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. "That's for me to know and for ya to find out," Lobo pointed his weapon at Dell, "if ya survive, that is."
BOOM!
For Dell, the weapon's blast of red energy traveled at the pace of a trash slug, giving him plenty of time to dodge it and advance toward the bounty hunter. As Dell closed in on Lobo, he could see in the bounty hunter's eyes that he had underestimated him. Dell grabbed the weapon and crushed it with his bare hands.
"Huh, I didn't expect that from a Kryptonian," Lobo admitted.
The comment perplexed Dell. "Kryptonian?" But this momentary distraction was enough for Lobo to grab Dell by the collar and toss him across the room with a strength that matched his own. Dell broke through a desk with a box of junk inside before crashing into a wall.
Lobo smirked and approached him; Dell forced himself up and charged at the bounty hunter. However, Lobo effortlessly sidestepped Dell's attack and delivered a blow to his stomach, knocking the wind out of him and sending him flying across the room. The impact was so powerful that Dell crashed through a wall and back onto the streets of Bonesborough.
"Scout, are you all right?" The commander called out to Dell.
"Hey, that's the guy who saved us!" The woman Dell saved pointed out to the crowd.
"It's true!" The scout Dell also saved backed her up.
"Man, talk about bein' a wuss." Lobo taunted Dell as he exited the precinct. "That was barely a lovetap."
"Stop right where you are!" The commander ordered Lobo as he and other scouts surrounded the bounty hunter, spell circles at the ready.
Lobo scoffed. "Ya think a bunch of pretty lights can stop The Main Man? Y'all are wastin' ya time."
"Take him down!" The commander and scouts slung their spells at the bounty hunter. The air crackled with energy as their attacks surged toward their target.
As the spells hit Lobo, he let out a mocking chuckle. "Cut it out; that tickles." The commander and scouts exchanged worried glances.
Despite the pain, Dell refused to give up and mustered all his strength to stand. He saw Lobo pull two weapons from his back and twirl them skillfully. They looked like smaller versions of the one Dell crushed, and he aimed it at the commander.
Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew!
"No!" Dell shouted, lunging forward to shield the commander from Lobo's attack. He managed to withstand the blasts, but the top of his uniform was vaporized.
Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew!
Lobo continued to fire his weapons until the metal began to glow a bright red, and then they stopped. "Ah, frag. They overheated." Lobo threw them away. "That's what I get for fishin' 'em out of the bargain bin, I guess."
Dell looked back to see the commander stare at him in astonishment. "Are you alright?" The commander nodded, still in shock. Dell smiled with relief. "Good." He returned his attention to Lobo and charged at him with a mix of superspeed and flight, taking them both in the air and out of Bonesborough.
Dell could feel the rush of wind against his face, along with the bounty hunter struggling for his freedom. The teen knew that leaving Bonesborough was the only way to ensure the people's safety. Lobo thrashed and growled, desperately trying to escape Dell's grasp. "Let me go, ya lil' bastiche!"
But Dell remained determined, his grip on the bounty hunter unyielding no matter how hard he hit his back. "Not a chance, Lobo. You're not going to harm anyone else." With a swift and forceful motion, Dell hurled Lobo into the dense forest, their struggle continuing amidst the towering trees and tangled underbrush. The sounds of twigs snapping and leaves rustling echoed through the air.
"Guess ya're gonna start fightin' like a man now that the sheep are out of the way." Lobo eyed Dell with contempt. "And if ya think ya can take me on, lil' man, ya're in for a rude and painful awakenin'."
Dell's face remained determined as he wiped the sweat from his brow and lunged forward. The trees trembled as they resumed their clash. Each strike of their fists sent shockwaves through the surrounding forest, causing birds to scatter and small animals to scurry for cover. Lobo swung his mighty fists, landing a blow that sent Dell soaring through the trees. Dell crashed into a thick oak tree, the impact shaking the ground beneath him.
"No shame in callin' it quits!" Lobo taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Bruised and battered, he slowly rose to his feet and defiantly spat out a mouthful of dirt. "I can do this all day." He utilized his superspeed, darting around the forest like a blur, leaving Lobo bewildered and frustrated with the sheer force of the charged blows. Each time Dell's fist made contact with Lobo's face, it created shockwaves that rippled through the air, causing leaves to dance and branches to sway. Dell's relentless assault continued, turning the tide of the battle in his favor.
But despite Dell's best efforts, Lobo managed to recover from the initial onslaught and counter with a powerful punch that sent Dell sprawling to the ground. The bounty hunter was still too strong. Lobo's strike had an immense impact, leaving Dell disoriented as he struggled to retain his footing.
With a mischievous grin, Lobo lunged forward, his powerful hands closing around Dell's neck. He struggled to escape the bounty hunter's tight hold; his vision blurred as he desperately clawed at Lobo's hands, gasping for air. In triumph, Lobo taunted Dell with a sly chuckle, "Ya must've felt invincible for so long livin' among these wusses. Time to brin' ya crashin' down to reality."
Dell's heart pounded as he fought against the darkness creeping into his vision. The realization of his vulnerability hit him hard as his breathing became shallower. He had to find a way to break free from Lobo's grip before it was too late. Dell's face began to feel hot, and his eyes burned in their sockets. Then, a burst of blazing energy shot out directly at Lobo's arm, incinerating it. Dell's momentary power surge startled him and Lobo, creating a brief opportunity for Dell to escape. As Lobo howled in pain, Dell tried to control the beams of heat from his eyes, but they continued to shoot uncontrollably. The intense heat caused the surrounding air to sizzle and distort, making it difficult for him to see clearly. And just as quickly as his newfound power came, it disappeared. "What was that?" Dell's heart still raced from the energy that had just saved his life.
However, the bounty hunter was now angrier than ever before, and he lunged at Dell, hitting him across the face with his only fist. "Do ya know how long it'll take me to grow that arm back?" What Dell had done made Lobo angrier as he beat the teen relentlessly. Dell's vision blurred as blow after blow landed on his body, each intensifying the pain until he finally collapsed with Lobo stomping his boot on his chest.
As Dell lay on the ground, gasping for breath, he could feel the weight of Lobo's boot pressing down, making it difficult to breathe. His heartbeat thudded in his ears as he struggled to stay conscious, realizing that he had underestimated the bounty hunter's rage.
Lobo jeered, his laughter echoing through the air. "Ya're nothin' but a boy playin' hero, complete with a cape. It's been fun, but now it's time to—" A ringing interrupted him Before he could finish his threat. "Hold that thought." Annoyance was evident in his voice. He stepped back, releasing the pressure on Dell's chest. Dell took the opportunity to gasp for air, grateful for the reprieve. Lobo removed a device from his back pocket and put it close to his ear. "What is it? I'm busy. Uh-huh... Uh-huh... Really? Consider it done." Lobo put the device away and looked back at Dell. "Good news, Kryptonian; ya get to live for another day."
"What?" Dell's confusion was palpable as he stared at Lobo. The unexpected reprieve from death left him with a mix of relief and curiosity.
"I just got a new bounty, one worth more than what's on ya head." Lobo grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Seems like someone wants me to frag 'em up real bad. So, lucky for ya, I've got a new target to focus on." Dell's relief quickly turned to apprehension as he realized Lobo's attention would now be directed toward someone else. The thought of someone else becoming the target of Lobo's wrath didn't sit well with him. "Be happy; not everyone gets to tussle with the Main Man and live to tell about it."
Lobo whistled, and a revving sound grew louder as a flying motorcycle burst from the trees, soaring through the air with a trail of smoke behind it. Dell watched as Lobo effortlessly hopped onto the bike. "Now, don't go thinkin' this will be the last we see of each other. I'll be comin' back for ya when I need a payday. And trust me, I always get what I'm after." With a wicked grin, Lobo revved the motorcycle's engine and zoomed off into the distance, disappearing behind the clouds, leaving Dell with a lingering sense of unease.
Dell forced himself up from the ground, dusting off his clothes. He felt sore all over from the impact of the fight. He knew he couldn't let Lobo's threats intimidate him; instead, he had to become stronger and more prepared for their future encounter. Dell floated a few inches off the ground. He had grown familiar with the woods, having lived nearby them for so long, and knew which direction the Owl House was in. Titan, how was he going to explain this to Mom and Baba?
"Thank you for letting us know, Principal Bump." Raine addressed their former principal through a crystal ball. "We'll talk with Dell and make sure this never happens again."
Principal Bump nodded, his concern evident in his eyes—technically, Frewin's. "I trust you will handle the situation appropriately, Mx. Whispers. Dell is a talented student, and it would be a shame for his potential to be hindered by such circumstances."
"We understand the gravity of the situation and will do everything we can to guide Dell back on the right path." With that, Raine ended the call. "When we find him, he better have a good reason for skipping school." They knew Dell had always been a responsible student; they raised him to be one, and this sudden behavior change was concerning.
Eda took a deep breath before speaking, her voice calm but firm. "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet, Rainstorm. Dell might be going through something that we're not aware of. Or he could finally be going through his teenage rebellion phase. Either way, we should allow him to explain himself."
Raine looked at Eda, considering her words. "You're right. You know, even after sixteen years of marriage, I'm still not used to seeing you be so... responsible."
Eda smiled at Raine's comment, her eyes filled with warmth. "Well, I guess a certain someone being the voice of reason in our relationship has rubbed off on me."
"Can you guys stop flirting? It's gross." King protested. "Oh, and if Dell has gone rogue, does that make me the new responsible one?"
Raine chuckled at King's comment. "Maybe. Just don't go mad with your newfound power."
"Where's the fun in that? It's so boring if you don't go mad with power. No one listens to you!"
Eda playfully patted King's skull. "Don't worry; we'll still have our fair share of fun and chaos."
Suddenly, Hooty opened up and extended into the kitchen. "Guess who I found outside and who is in our living room? Hoot! Hoot! It's Dell!"
Eda, Raine, and King walk out of the kitchen into the living room. "Dell Whispers," Eda began. "You better have a good explanation for..." The Whispers family stopped in their tracks upon seeing their son lying on the couch, bruised and beaten, with his clothes tattered and wearing a scout's cloak. "WHAT THE FUCK!"
"Dell! What happened to you?" Raine exclaimed with concern as they rushed to his side, examining his injuries with a worried expression.
"Hey, Mom. Hey Baba." Dell greeted his parents weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... got into a fight."
"Did you win?" King asked his brother with a mix of concern and curiosity.
Dell shook his head, wincing in pain. "No... maybe... I'm not exactly sure."
Raine's heart sank as she saw the pain in their son's eyes. "We need to get you to a healer."
"We can't risk someone finding out what he is," Eda responded. "Hettie Cutburn controls all healing establishments, and she answers to Belos. We'll have to treat him ourselves. King, grab the healer's kit from the bathroom."
"On it." The little guy scurried off.
Raine's worry deepened as they considered the consequences of seeking professional help. "But Dell needs medical attention. We can't just let him suffer."
King returned with a small bag filled with bandages and potions. "I hope this will be enough," King said, his voice filled with worry. Dell nodded gratefully, his trust in his family evident in his eyes. King's brows furrowed in thought as he handed the bag to Eda. "Why can't we find a discreet healer? Someone who won't report back to Cutburn or Belos? Why don't we have one of those to begin with?"
"Because we never thought something like this would happen," Eda replied. "We've always managed to keep a low profile and avoid major injuries. And for the last sixteen years, we thought Dell was invincible. But now..." Eda choked up, and her voice trailed off. She couldn't bear to finish her sentence, knowing Dell's invincibility had been shattered. The weight of his vulnerability hung heavy in the air, leaving both her and Raine uneasy and uncertain about the future.
"Mom, I'll be okay. I promise," Dell said, trying to reassure his mother. "Nothing will keep me down. I'll always get back up." His voice wavered slightly, betraying his doubts and fears. Raine placed a comforting hand on Dell's shoulder, silently conveying their support and belief in him. "I'm just going to close my eyes for a bit." His words were laced with exhaustion. "I trust you. All of you." Receiving a final nod of reassurance from his parents, brother, and Hooty, Dell closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment of respite. Despite the uncertainty, they knew they had to face it together as a family.
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