The Owl House Season 2 Episode 12 – Yesterday's Lie
Hey guys! Yesterday's Lie is ready for deployment! Luke is about to see what's been going on in the Human Realm with his mother though things don't go like he planned, especially when he meets the doppelganger that's been living his life in his place.
Before we begin, I'd like to give thanks to gaby8p for subscribing.
Also, I have an announcement to make. Near end of February, I'll be taking a mid-season break. The next couple months will be really important for me so I need to focus on my life outside of fanfiction for the time being. I'll still be working on my story and preparing artwork (which will be viewable for subscribers until the chapters published), just not publishing chapters for the time. I'll probably be publishing again from mid-May or beginning of June. The last chapter I'll be publishing before my break will be Follies at the Coven Day Parade.
I hope that's cool with everyone. Enjoy the chapter!
(Human Realm – Noceda House)
We go to the Noceda household in the Human Realm. Someone is in Luke's room, doing some tidying. Luke's room is unsurprisingly blue; it has a bunk bed with a bunch of cushions, the wall holds a collection of goggles, swords, spears and weapon props, a shelf holding a couple trophies and Luke's desk has a couple of books, pencils, a cat hat, and tinted glasses. A blue witch's hat and another pair of goggles are on the floor, and near a bookshelf, some plastic weapons are mounted on the wall, most likely another collection. The walls are also covered in Azure posters, karate posters, and fantasy sword-fighting posters.
On the bookshelf are a tin foil wolf, an Azure action figure, and a dragon action figure. The figure in Luke's room is shoving all of the items to the left. He stops at a couple of photo frames.
One was of picture of a younger Luke with slightly short hair, holding an Azure action figure and a "Witch-Warrior Azure" book.
The other was a picture of Luke (wearing a black t-shirt, trousers and bots) holding a big trophy and smiling with a short, grey-haired elderly woman whose eyes were covered by strange goggle prosthetics. She rested a cane with a skull head at the top over her shoulder as she held Luke's shoulder with a proud smile.
The person shoves the photos into a box along with everything else.
It's none other than the Luke doppelganger, dressed differently from Luke. The doppelganger has black hair and wears clothes different from the real Luke, consisting of black shorts, a yellow t-shirt under a light blue jacket, and dark brown boots. He stretches his arms and, for some reason, speaks in a feminine voice.
"Luke": Ah! Much better.
"Luke" lifts up the box, then stops to look at his reflection in the mirror, smiling in peace.
Outside, Camila comes out of her car just as "Luke" is walking down the steps.
Camila: What's the box for, mijo?
The doppelganger now speaks with the real Luke's voice.
"Luke": Just cleaning up a little.
Camila: Even this? Camila picks up the tin foil wolf. You used to love making me tinfoil wolves.
"Luke": Oh, I'm, uh… just looking for a fresh start. He takes back the wolf and puts it back in, walking towards the trash can. Camp taught me a lot, you know?
He sets it down next to the trash cans.
Camila: Yes, it sure did...
Camila is a little worried and weirded out. She's happy to see her "son" finally fitting in with others after camp, but this is a little too much. She wanted her son to control his creative and violent tendencies, not get rid of it all completely. This change of personality has her concerned as she loves Luke's creativity and desire to protect others, even if it can get a bit out of hand sometimes.
She's taken out of her thoughts when squeaking is heard. "Luke" and Camila are shocked to find a little rabbit's leg caught in a trap.
Camila: Ah! Luke, grab the pliers.
"Luke" runs away. Camila puts on a pair of latex gloves. She kneels just when "Luke" arrives with the pliers, handing them to her.
Camila: Okay, okay, little bunny, you're gonna be all right. She carefully cuts the string. There we go.
The rabbit hops, away and the two are relieved. Though, Camila is furious. This has been going on for a while. Someone has been laying out traps, and innocent little animals have been caught by them. Camila and "Luke" set them free.
"Luke": That's the fifth trap this week.
Camila: IF I EVER CATCH WHO'S RESPONSIBLE AND THEN I'LL POW-POW! Luke chuckles a little. Let's go back inside. She taps "Luke's" nose. I will make maduros.
A couple minutes later, in Luke's room, "Luke" smiles at his reflection in the mirror, speaking feminine again.
"Luke": A new life.
"Luke" opens the cupboard to take out a shirt, then closes it. The reflection changes into the real Luke, looking at "Luke" with a furious expression and slamming his hands on the mirror.
Luke: WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!?
"Luke" screams in a female voice, horrified to see the real Luke has returned.
Everything freezes, and we hear Luke narrating.
Luke (Narration): So, I know what you're thinking. "Luke's got a twin brother?" Well, no. To be honest, I don't have a clue of what's happening either, but I bet it must be connected to Mom saying she received letters from me on Grom Night. And you're probably wondering why I'm trapped in a mirror. Well, for that, let's rewind to my side of the story for a bit. It should be after the opening theme song, which should be on right about… now!
The Owl House Season 2B Intro
The eye of the old portal door opens, engulfed in flames.
Luke (with blue hair and his new outfit) drops down with Rebellion and a Glyph Gun, giving his gun a spin and swinging his sword as it opens, releasing electricity while he grins. Repede pops up from his shoulder.
Eda (in her new outfit) slides in from her right, spinning her Owl Staff and swinging to release energy. King pops up from her hair.
Willow emerges and lifts her arms as her eyes glow, summoning huge vines behind. Clover flies next to her.
Gus comes in with a book, summoning two illusions of himself striking poses beside him. Emmeline jumps onto his head.
Amity (with purple hair) twirls in from her right, and with a grin, her hands glow with purple energy, summoning Abomination goo. Ghost jumps onto her shoulder.
Lilith (in her new outfit and glasses) slides in from the left, spinning her Raven Staff and swinging to release energy like Eda did. Hooty pops out of her clock backpack.
Hunter (minus his mask, tunic, and cloak) Flash-steps from the left with his Cardinal Staff. It turns into Flapjack happily chirping as he draws and swings Yamato, striking a pose and releasing a blade of energy.
A Boiling Isle mural appears, with three windows flipping to briefly reveal Qrow, Darius, and Eberwolf. The windows flip to reveal Qrow in his Devil Form, Darius in his Abomination Form, and Eberwolf in his Beast Form.
Belos appears, striking a powerful pose, his castle behind him as lightning strikes.
Luke rides on his Wolf Staff like a surfboard, zooming past Bonesborough, flying past Tinella Nosa, sharing a high-five with Gus, Willow being beside him with a plant releasing vines and evading guards that chase him down. Eda and King join in on the fun, riding the Owl Staff. After getting high enough, Luke and Eda jump off, transforming into Devil Luke and Harpy Eda with Repede and King riding on them, respectively. They have a blast taking to the skies, even when they're chased by a massive, monstrous worm-like monster lunging at them.
Then the scene changes back to the Owl House, where it's night-time, and stars twinkle in the sky as the quartet is on the roof and looking up into the sky, Harpy Eda holding her staff beside her, Devil Luke holding Rebellion downward with Repede on one shoulder and King riding his other shoulder. Luke and Eda revert back to normal, and Luke, Repede, and King share a look together. Luke opens a hand, sending a ball of light floating into the sky, where it bursts to release a blinding flash.
The Owl House: The Son of Sparda
(Earlier in another world)
Outside the Owl House, Luke is on the verge of finally building his own portal door. Luke, Repede, King, Eda, and Hooty are all in front of a makeshift portal door. Luke is putting the finishing touches with King and Repede beside him.
Luke: So, according to Philip's instructions, the hardest part to making a portal was finding someone who knew how to build it. He takes another part from Repede and places it on the door. But a lot of the ingredients are pretty easy to find. Luke turns to Eda. Your crazy apocalypse supplies finally came in handy, Eda!
Eda clicks her teeth and snaps her finger, pointing at Luke with a wink.
King: Don't forget this.
King hands Luke Amity's glove, which is stained with Titan blood. The half-human gets up.
Luke: Titan blood. I really owe Amity for saving some of it. I can't believe something this powerful was in the old key this whole time.
King, Eda, Repede, Hooty, and Owlbert share worried looks. The former two had explained to Luke what happened at Eclipse Lake. He was not angry at Amity for giving the key to Hunter; rather, he cursed himself for not knowing the old key had Titan Blood. He was over the moon and very proud of Amity when she showed that she had managed to squeeze out half the key's Titan Blood before she gave it to Hunter. He was touched and understanding when she explained that she did it to protect him. Now Luke has the power source he needs to get home. However, that's not his only concern.
Luke: I'm still trying to process what you told me about Hunter. I still can't believe he's got his own full Devil Trigger now.
Eda: I don't know what to make of either, kid. Trust me, I thought I could take him. But he's the real deal. Like you, he's definitely no ordinary devil. He has the powers of Sparda, just like you. Otherwise, the Yamato wouldn't have reacted to him the way it did.
Luke: But Hunter's not even related to my dad, or anyone in my family for that matter. Why does the Yamato react to him like he is? How can he have any of my old man's powers?
Eda: I wish I knew the answers, kiddo. There's a lot of things we don't know. Belos, the Golden Guard, the Day of Unity…
Amity, Eda, and King also explained to Luke about Hunter's own Devil Trigger. His true Devil Trigger; similar to Luke's and just as powerful. Needless to say, Luke was shocked by this development. He knew Hunter possessed powers similar to his own, but he had no idea he was a true devil. It raises so many questions. Just who is Hunter, really? What's his connection to Luke's father? Why does he have such a deep connection with the Yamato, a sword that belonged to a man he has no relationship with? Is Belos aware his nephew is a devil? If so, why allow him to work for him?
Despite all these questions in his head about Hunter, Luke can't help but secretly look forward to having another duel with Hunter, causing him to grin confidently.
Luke: Maybe the next time we meet, I'll ask him when we have our rematch. I'll beat the answers out of him if I have to.
Hooty: Next time in your rematch? Are you serious?
Luke: Dead serious? (Is this really a question)
King: I know this guy is like your number 1 rival, but it might be best if we took him on together.
Luke: Sorry, little bro, but Hunter's mine. I wanna fight this guy alone, 1-on-1. You guys are always comparing us. If he's really anything like me, then he must live by the same warrior code as I do, where he prefers to fight a worthwhile opponent either on equal terms or not at all. If he uses a sword, I use a sword. If he uses a palisman staff, I use my own staff. He looks to Repede. That's where you come in, boy.
Repede: Woof! Woof!
Luke: No interruptions, no flukes, no questions asked.
Eda sighs at her student, crossing her arms.
Eda: Fine. He's yours. Mostly because I know you'll never let us live it down that he beat us. Twice.
Luke: Oh, big time. No offense, but if I couldn't beat him, you guys never had a chance.
Eda and King glanced at each other, exasperated at that comment.
Eda: Bad jokes aside, the fact remains that Belos has some of the Titan Blood from the old Portal Key. Which means he also has everything he needs to make his own Portal Door.
Unfortunately, Eda's right. Amity squeezed out half the Titan Blood from the key. The other half remained in the key, and Belos might be able to make use of it. His goals in the human realm are unclear, but Luke isn't deterred one bit.
Luke: Meh. It doesn't matter. If Belos is still trying to get to the Human Realm, he'll have to beat me to it.
Luke tears a finger off the glove and sticks it on the door, connecting it to a bunch of equipment to help power the door. He runs to Eda, who's in her flying bathtub, which is also connected to the makeshift door.
Eda: Are you sure this isn't gonna, like, blow our faces off?
Luke: I'm never sure of anything. And it usually turns out okay anyway.
Eda: Good point. Well, here goes something.
Eda starts pedalling. The rotors start transferring kinetic energy to the various components of the door. Luke watches in awe as the Titan Blood spreads throughout the door, and all the parts merge together to form… a really messed up and crooked version of the portal door. It opens, revealing not the Human Realm but a separate, surreal dimension. They run up to it.
Luke: Whoa. It worked.
King: Did it? That looks real different from the old door!
Luke zips up his hoodie, takes a dark blue cloak from Eda and puts it on.
Luke: Yeah. But this is my one chance to see my mom. He ties a rope around his waist. If it looks like it's closing, pull!
Eda: Luke, as impressive as this is, I don't want you getting hurt.
Luke: Don't worry, teach, I'll be fine. Once I make sure my mom's okay, I'll be right back.
Repede: Repede runs up to Luke. Woof, Woof! Woof, Woof!
Luke: Luke bends down, petting his palisman. Sorry, Repede. I'm gonna have to do this one without you.
Repede: Woof!
Luke: Yeah, I probably will need you. But there's some things a man's gotta do alone. Just stay here for now; I'll be back soon. Okay, boy?
Repede whines in understanding as he nuzzles against Luke's hand. The half-human boy stands up to face Eda, smiling.
Eda: Just be careful. The Human Realm's filled with some real weirdos.
She winks at Luke and he winks back.
Luke: I'll be okay, Eda. Wish me luck.
King: Don't forget to mention me!
Luke rubs King's head and walks toward the door, stopping in front of it and staring into the dimension, unsure of where he'll end up.
Luke: Here goes. Showtime. Luke gets ready. BANZAAAIIII!
Luke leaps into the portal, doing a ninja flip. The portal splashes upon entry, and a flash occurs.
After jumping into the portal, Luke floats up a dark pool of water. Luke gasps, gets up, and coughs wildly. A mystical cube rises from the water, floating upwards. Luke gets up to see multiple cubes floating around and above.
Luke: Okay… I don't think I'm in Connecticut. He looks around. Eda? King? Hooty? Repede? Can anyone hear me?
A cube appears. It starts flashing orange and making a sound, grabbing Luke's attention. He walks over and holds it in his hands. The cube starts shining brightly, and everything whites out.
When it's gone, Luke finds himself back in the Owl House.
Luke: I'm back at the Owl House?
Wind blows past, pushing open the window along with Luke, much to his surprise.
Luke: Whoa!
It doesn't take a detective for Luke to realize he's actually inside the window reflection.
Luke: I'm in the reflection!? Ay, caramba!
Luke then notices Eda, King, Hooty, and Repede standing in front of the makeshift portal door.
King: Do you think he's safe?
Eda: Luke's the toughest kid we know. We just have to trust him.
Repede whines in concern. Owlbert chirps, trying to assure him, and Eda kneels down, stroking his fur.
Eda: I know you're worried about Luke, Repede. I am, too. We should be there with him, but this is something he needs to do on his own. Repede gives Eda a sad look, but she just smiles. Hey, chin up. This is Luke, we're talking. He'll be fine. We just need to have faith that he'll come back safely.
Repede: Woof!
Eda strokes Repede again. Before Luke can say anything, the window flashes, and Luke disappears.
He returns to the In-Between Realm, where the cube returns to normal. Luke releases it.
Luke: These cube things must allow me to see what's going on in other worlds through reflections. I wonder if I can see... Amity!
He blushes upon saying her name and a cube emerges from the water in response. Luke gets closer to the cube and appears in the reflection of something black. He looks around, seeing the pink walls of a room.
Luke: This definitely looks like Amity's room, but something's different.
The camera zooms out a bit to show Luke is in the reflection of a dumbbell placed on a rack with other dumbbells.
Luke: Wait, am I in a dumbbell?
Luke looks around and is surprised to see a bunch of large dumbbells, barbells, a bench with a barbell suspended above it, a boxing bag suspended above, and couple more boxing bags that have been broken or split in half.
Luke: What's with all this gym stuff? Am I really in Amity's-HOLY TITAN!
Luke has caught sight of his girlfriend, who is in the middle of a workout, obviously testing her new muscles. She's standing on a black mat around puddles of her own sweat, wearing black trousers, white sneakers, a magenta bikini, and pink fingerless gloves. She is performing reps with a barbell holding two huge balls made of solid and heavy Abomination goo, lifting it high above her head.
Luke mouth is agape as he watches his girlfriend sweating up a storm as she lifts the heavy weights, showing off her body's newfound musculature consisting of sculpted biceps, shredded back muscles, flat and ripped chest and pecs, 6-pack abs, and an overall chiselled physique. This is the first time Luke is seeing Amity's muscles and he's completely gobsmacked.
Luke: What the hell…?! Amity!?
Amity continues lifting, building her muscles, her biceps and chest getting bigger, veins showing on her forehead and arms and sweat beading and dripping from her body. Her ripped and aching body looks like it's struggling but she doesn't let up.
Amity: 989… 990… 991… 992… 993… 994… 995!
Amity pauses for a moment, holding the barbell tight as she gives agonized breaths and grunts. Her biceps keep pumping with her breaths until they get slightly bigger as she clenches her teeth.
Amity: Come on… I need to get to 1000! Just… 5 more reps! 996… 997… 998… 999… Amity groans and screams in pain. 1000!
Amity holds her last rep, keeping the barbell high above her head. She pants heavily, her biceps getting bigger again as she holds her rep. With a cocky grin, she tosses the barbell to the floor, causing her secret room to shake a bit.
Amity sits on a bench with a towel on her neck, sweating and panting heavily.
Amity: Need to… catch my breath.
After doing so, Amity brings up one of her arms and flexes her bicep, bringing a satisfied grin to her face. Luke watches as his girlfriend gets up and walks over to a full body mirror, flexing her bicep and feeling her abs with her other hand. She's amazed to find herself slightly more muscular than when she first discovered her new body.
Amity: Wow…
Amity strikes a double biceps pose, flexing both her biceps hard.
Amity: I've never really cared about having muscles before, but this is so incredibly cool.
Amity twists around, flexing her back muscles and showing off their definition.
Amity: I feel so strong!
Amity twists back around, striking her arms behind her back and showing off her 6-pack abs.
Amity: I can't believe I'm this ripped.
She follows up with a side chest pose, flexing her chest, pecs, and biceps in excitement.
Amity: I actually love having muscles! Maybe Willow can help me build them even further.
With a heavier grunt, she strikes a maximum muscle mass pose, clenching her teeth and growling slightly. She manages to smile, speaking with effort in her voice.
Amity: I never realized how much I wanted this body until now!
She strikes a double biceps pose again, looking at her biceps.
Amity: I wonder what Luke would think if he could see this. The thought of her boyfriend and his red face made Amity red herself. Oh, wow… he'd probably freak. Just thinking about it is making me so red.
Literally speaking of the devil, Luke himself has just finished witnessing everything, not that Amity would know. Back in the Realm In-Between, his eyes are widened, pupils shrunk, mouth agape, and he's rendered utterly speechless by what he saw. Seeing that his girlfriend has become muscular and watching her strike these poses made Luke redder than he's ever been in his life. So red that steam leaves his ears, he's rendered to a muttering mess, and his eyes are flickering like a computer screen until they go completely blue, causing him to collapse on his back. When he sinks into the dark water, he immediately regains consciousness, bolts out of the pool, and wildly catches his breath. He pants heavily, trying to process what he witnessed from Amity as the cube stops showing her.
Luke: Oh, man… talk about hot. And here I thought she couldn't get any more gorgeous. All of a sudden, it feels like Amity's out of my league more than ever.
Just thinking about what he witnessed makes Luke red again until he remembers his mission.
Luke: Wait! What the hell am I doing!? He gets back up. I shouldn't be spying on my girlfriend! I'm on a mission! He clears his throat. Camila! Camila Noceda of the Human Realm?
Luke looks up and notices a cube flashing in response.
Luke: There you are! Activating ice platform!
Luke slaps an Ice Glyph on the ground, only for it to drown.
Luke: Okay, so Glyphs don't work. Guess I'll have to do this old-fashioned way.
Luke uses his parkour skills to jump up four cubes floating upwards. When he arrives near the 4th cube, the dimension suddenly rotates, causing Luke to fall down.
Luke: What the hell!?
He lands in the water, which breaks his fall. He looks up to see the cube he was reaching for is right in front of him. He touches it with a smile.
Luke: Mom!
w
Everything whites out again, and the scenes shift to Luke's house, the kitchen. Luke is a reflection inside his mom's cell phone. Luke gasps to see the inside of his home for the first time in months.
Luke: My house!
Camila is seen dancing to her favourite music while opening the fridge to take something and then closing it. Luke sees his mother's face for the first time in months.
Luke: Mom!
Camila continues dancing while humming.
Camila: Oh, yeah.
Camila takes a handful of bananas from the counter. A family picture is shown, and we see a younger Luke, Camila, and Manny, whose face is obscured by a reflection of light. Tears roll down Luke's eyes.
Luke: Mom! Mom! I'm here! Mo-!
"Luke": Mom? Do you need any help?
The Luke doppelganger comes into the kitchen. The real Luke gasps in shock and horror to see someone who looks exactly like him living in his place.
Luke: What… the… hell!?
Camila: Oh, are you done cleaning your room?
"Luke": Almost! With all that old stuff gone, I feel like a whole new person.
Luke: ¡Qué demonios! Is that me!? And why am I wearing shorts!? Luke desperately knocks on the cell phone. Mom! Mom! That's not me! I'm right here! Mama!
Luke calls out to his mother in vain as his twin helps cut the banana.
Camila: I can finish up here, mijo.
"Luke": Thanks, Mom!
The cube flashes, and Luke is back in the In-Between Realm.
Luke: What are you doing!? Follow him! Luke 2.0! My doppelganger! He angrily shakes the cube. Come on! Why won't you work, you stupid thing!? Luke sighs, letting go of the cube. Okay, Luke, calm down. I'm sure I can figure something out. Just breathe and count to five.
To Luke's surprise, a cube randomly appears, glowing orange just as Luke approaches it.
"Luke": A new life.
On the other side, the fake Luke closes the cupboard door and sees the real Luke in the reflection.
Luke: WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!?
Camila is cooking something in the kitchen until she hears a girl screaming from upstairs.
"Luke" steps back in fear from the real Luke.
Luke: So, you can hear me. Who the hell are you!? And why are you pretending to be me!? And…
Luke notices the state of his room; his posters, collectibles, books, and manga are all missing.
Luke: AND WHAT HAPPENED TO MY ROOM!? WHERE'S ALL MY STUFF!? He gasps louder. And where's my STATE-OF-THE-ART SECURITY SYSTEM!
"Luke": You're from the Demon Realm!
The doppelganger blinks his eyes sideways, and it's clear from the voice that this person is female.
Luke: Look, just calm down, I just wanna—
"Luke": I'm not going back! I—I won't go back!
She picks up a red baseball bat and attempts to break the mirror until they both hear Camila speaking outside the door.
Camila: Luke? I heard a girl screaming. ¿Está todo bien?
Luke: Sí, Mama! I just saw a spoiler from Monster Slayer Academia!
Camila: I'll never understand anime.
The moment she leaves, the two Lukes share a look, and the real one gives a shrug. "Luke" makes a run for it.
Luke: Wait!
"Luke" jumps out the window, lands, and jumps over the fence.
After some running, she arrives at the house that Eda used to set as an exit for her portal to the Human Realm. The inside is littered with random stuff and old newspapers. Luke appears as a reflection in a small purse mirror as the doppelganger walks in, frustrated as she crosses her arms.
"Luke": So, this is it. I'm gonna have to run... again. Why couldn't this just work OUT!?
"Luke" kicks a rock. It hits a trap mechanism and accidentally triggers it. A rope tightens around her foot and drags her backward. "Luke" falls on her chest, becomes terrified as she struggles to escape, and, in the process, reveals her true form… a basilisk.
She has a small, chubby, serpentine appearance; her face is round, with wide eyes and a turned-up nose. She has a catlike mouth in a "W" shape with two small teeth poking out from her bottom jaw, with her lower lip being a dark maroon colour. She has pale, swamp-green scales with cream-coloured spots on her head, tail, underbelly, and the bottom half of her face. There are tufts of navy-blue hair on her head, back, and ears. Her eyes consist of yellow-gold pupils, black irises, and aqua sclera. She has off-white fins or tufts of hair on the sides and tip of her tail, along with a blue piercing on the tip.
Luke: Stop moving! You'll make it tighter!
Basilisk: Huh?
The Basilisk looks to Luke, seeing him in the pocket mirror.
Luke: Look, I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to freak you out. I just want to figure out what's going on, okay? You're a Basilisk from the Boiling Isles, aren't you?
The Basilisk finally calms down.
Basilisk: Mm-hmm.
Luke: So, what's your name, dude?
Basilisk: I'm Number F—I mean, I'm Vee.
Luke: Okay, Vee, just stay calm, I'll help free you. You're gonna be fine. Back up a bit. Give the wire some slack. Vee does that. Now, look for some metal thing near your ankle… or, in your case, your tail, I guess. Vee finds the metal object and then pulls the rope loose. There we go, nice and easy.
Vee pants, backing up a little as she rubs her tail.
Vee: Thank you. Vee sniffs a little. You must be Camila's real son.
Luke: That's me. But right now, I'm stuck in the Boiling Isles. My only way back has been destroyed. So, who are you? And why are you pretending to be me and stealing my life?
Vee: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to steal your life. I… I'm just looking for a place to belong.
Luke: What?
Vee: You were missing, and mom... I mean, Camila seemed so kind, so I stayed with her.
Luke: Luke smiles. She sure is kind. Can't blame you for wanting to stay with her.
Vee: I'm really sorry I took your place. I'll go if you—
Luke: Whoa, whoa, whoa, there's no need to apologize, man! I get you're having some… issues right now, and I don't wanna be too nosy. Maybe we can help each other. Today, I was gonna tell my mom where I've been, but because of you, she hasn't realized that I've been missing. And the last thing I want is for her to freak out over all this. So… how about this? You keep living in my place for now. When I get back, I can introduce her to the Demon Realm and help you find a place to live.
Vee: Really!? You'd do that! Vee narrows her eyes. And by the way, don't call me "dude" or "man." I'm a girl.
Luke: Luke is taken aback by this. Wait a minute, you're a girl!? Vee nods sheepishly. Huh. I probably should've figured that out from your voice. And you've been pretending to be me, a boy? That's gotta be weird.
Vee: Yeah, it's weird. And it took some time getting used to pretending to be a boy. But I managed to get the hang of it eventually. But I miss acting like myself.
Luke: Don't worry, Vee. Once I get home, I'll find you a new home, too, and you can be yourself as much as you want.
Vee smiles gratefully to see Luke's as kind as his adopted mother.
Vee: Thank you, Luke. But there's one problem. I need magic to transform, and I… uh…
She reverts back to her human disguise only for it to be half-complete. Her eyes, ears, and spots are still showing this time.
Vee: …Just used the rest of it.
Luke thinks for a bit, then spots and points to something of interest.
Luke: Bingo! Maybe we can get some magic from there.
Vee picks up an old newspaper. The picture is that of a medieval man shaking hands with a witch. The title reads:
SECRETS OF GRAVESFIELD
BY JACOB HOPKINS
Vee: "Secrets of Gravesfield"?
Luke: No, no, that's just crap. Turn it over.
Vee turns over the paper. The picture is now that of Eda running from a café, pastries coming to life, and people screaming. The title now reads:
STRANGE WOMAN BANNED IMMEDIATELY FROM CAFE FOR CREATING LIVING BOOKS
Vee: "Strange woman banned from café."
Luke: That's Eda. The Owl Lady. She's been coming here for years. She might have left some magic stuff behind!
Vee: Okay! We can try.
Vee picks up the mirror and walks out, not knowing a functioning CCTV camera is installed at one of the corners, and it recorded everything.
Welcome to GRAVESFIELD
FOUNDED IN 1635
Vee walks by the sign wearing a cat hat and puts on her tinted glasses. She walks past statues of two men wearing clothing from the 1600s.
Luke: So, Vee. Give me a run down. How bad was that crappy summer camp?
Vee: Oh, it wasn't so bad. I had a great time there. I even made a couple friends.
Luke: Friends? Really? Okay… mind telling me though how you're a Basilisk? I thought they were all extinct.
Vee: We're supposed to be but… I'd rather not talk about it. The answer has a lot of… trauma behind it.
Luke: Traumatic experience and personal boundaries. Got it. Let's change the subject. What about my life in the Human Realm?
Vee: What about it?
Luke: What do you do if some jackass is trying to hurt a little kid?
Vee: I… prefer to avoid confrontation?
Luke: So, you just let the kid get picked on?
Vee: No, I just tell someone nearby, and they usually deal with it.
Luke: And what if a bully tries to attack you? Do you fight back?
Vee: No. I just run away.
Luke: Wait, run away? But what if you can't run away?
Vee: Then I just dodge them until I find an opening, then make a run for it.
Luke: Seriously, you don't fight back!? Vee, you can't just run all the time. You've gotta stand your ground and fight.
Vee: This, unfortunately, makes Vee mad. Well, I'm sorry, but I don't know how to fight, and I can't use magic. So just drop it, okay!?
Luke: Luke holds up his hands. Okay, okay. Sorry.
Vee: Why does it even matter so much?
Luke: I just need to know how much you've changed my life. I've got a badass reputation to keep, you know?
Vee: Vee nervously twirls her hat. Well, ever since I came back from camp, a lot of other kids older than you have been targeting me, saying you've gone soft and can't do anything to them anymore. Luke's face drops, and Vee becomes more sheepish. That, and everyone probably thinks you have a thing for cats now. And I think I heard some of them call you girly. Sorry.
Luke: Luke sighs, rubbing his eyebrows. Okay, so my rep is slightly damaged. No worries, I can fix it. I'll just probably need to do some damage control. What about my martial arts teacher? I usually pay her a visit every week.
Vee: Your martial arts teacher? Are you talking about that old lady with the robot eyes I saw in some of your photos?
Luke: Yeah, that's her.
Vee: Sorry, I haven't seen her the whole time you were gone.
Luke: Okay, so I've also got some explaining to do to her.
Vee: Who is she exactly?
Luke: Maria Calavera. She taught me everything I know about martial arts and how to be what my friends would call "a smart aleck." She's really cool.
Vee: Has she always worn those goggles over her eyes?
Luke: No. She-
Luke is cut off when he notices Vee stops in front of "ROBIN'S ROAST CAFÉ."
Vee: Is this it? Huh, I-I just go in and ask about that witch from the paper?
Luke: Yeah. They might have one of her enchanted pastries! Oh crap! Ears! Ears!
Vee's ears accidentally come out. She whimpers and quickly covers it with her animal hat. A kid notices that and points at it, but her mother drags her away.
Vee pushes the door open and sniffs around a little.
Shopkeeper: Hello!
Vee yelps and quickly covers her mouth. The shopkeeper hands over a drink to a customer and turns to Vee.
Shopkeeper: What can I get ya?
Vee walks over, changing her voice to Luke's.
Vee: Uh… have any… um… magical old ladies left enchanted items here?
Shopkeeper: The shopkeeper is not amused. Ugh. You're not friends with that witch-obsessed guy, right? I told him to stop leaving pamphlets here!
Vee: A little frightened, Vee looks and points up. Actually, I'm asking about her.
They look up at a sign that says "BANNED FOR LIFE" with pictures of some people on it, one of them being Eda charmingly holding a raccoon.
Shopkeeper: Oh, Marylin? Yeah, she tried to pay for a latte with a live raccoon a couple of months ago. But when I called the cops, she did something weird to the croissants. She picks up a croissant with a pair of tongs. We threw 'em in the trash, but… Well… She sighs. Now we have a whole new problem.
Vee pushes open the back door of the café, which leads to an alley, and starts sniffing around.
Vee: I don't... smell any magic. She hears hissing sounds. Huh?
Two talking rats with glowing red eyes emerge from behind two boxes.
Rats: Bread of wisdom grants us speech. We desire more!
Luke: Whoa, ho, ho! Cool! Talking rats! That's got magic written all over it.
One of the rats hisses and pounces at Vee, who screams and runs away.
She runs back to the park and stops near the statues, panting, then turns to look at the rats. They hiss and turn back into the alley.
Luke: Vee? A-are you okay?
Vee: Oh, yeah, I-I just don't like confrontation.
She chuckles nervously, and Luke can tell it's from trauma, so he doesn't pry.
Luke: Uh… sure, that's cool. I'm sure there's someone else who's seen Eda. Luke gasps at something. There!
Vee turns around and sees three high schoolers hanging out together under a tree, laughing. A feminine but non-binary kid is holding a deck of Hexes Hold'em cards.
Luke: Those are some kids from my school. That feminine non-binary kid over there is Masha, one of my classmates. And they're holding Hexes Hold'em cards! Eda got rid of all her decks. I was wondering what happened to them.
Vee: Vee sniffs. Well, they must've run out of magic. I don't... smell anything.
Luke: But maybe they know where to get more! Okay, we gotta be careful approaching high schoolers. Mark all your exit routes and-
Vee: Vee laughs. Actually, these guys are cool.
Vee starts approaching them.
Luke: Wait, what!? Vee, don't!
Vee: Relax, Luke. I met them at camp.
Masha does some fortune-telling with the cards.
Masha: A past connection that left its mark on your soul has shown up again, and it's asking you to shed your old ways and enter a metamorphosis! Becoming a spiritual leader, you're meant to be.
Boy: Yeah, that sounds about right.
Masha puts the card on the grass. Vee stops in front of them, kneeling down and switching to Luke's voice.
Vee: Hi!
Luke facepalms in the In-Between Realm, having forgotten to tell Vee he's not very popular with high schoolers.
Luke: Oh, crap! I'm gonna be humiliated again! I can't watch this.
Masha: Oh, hey, Luke! Good to see you outside of prison.
Luke: Luke is surprised. Non-binary person says what?
Vee: Come on! Camp wasn't that bad.
Luke: Camp?
Vee: We did have the best cabin!
Vee and High Schoolers: Cabin 7! Hoo-ha-ha!
The four of them share laughter, displaying good friendship.
Luke's jaws are agape in disbelief. Vee has befriended other humans with his looks. He couldn't make any friends at all, but Vee had no problems with that, and she's a demon impersonating him.
Luke: What the hell?! She made friends… as ME!? How is it I'm able to fit in with the Demon Realm better than her, and she's able to fit in with the Human Realm better than me?!
Vee: Cool cards! Where'd you get 'em?
Vee reaches out for one, but Masha playfully takes it.
Masha: Uh-uh. Let me give you a reading first. I wanna practice.
Masha lays down three cards on the ground.
The first shows a crescent moon as the whitespace of an abstract sideways face.
The second shows a skeleton with a golden chalice.
The third shows a fish with two Y-shaped arrows behind it.
Luke listens closely as Masha does some ominous fortune-telling.
Masha: You're running from your past. From a previous life that was not kind to you. Luke sees Vee shaking in fear as she clutches the pocket mirror. However, the guilt and fear you carry will eventually catch you in a self-fulfilling prophecy that you won't be able to escape from. Vee quietly yelps. You're gonna need some bath bombs, man. They pick up the cards. Anyway, I got the cards over at the Gravesfield Historical Society. A guy named Jacob gave them.
Vee: Thanks. I'll see you around.
Vee starts to walk over to the nearby Gravesfield Historical Society, deeply shaken by this talk. Her friends watch her leave.
Masha: Did you see the look in his eyes? I gotta find out where he got those contacts.
Vee enters the Gravesfield Historical Society building. Vee sniffs, then quietly sneezes.
Jacob: Is it that dusty in here? Vee looks to see a man with a broomstick walk up near the desk with a smile. Welcome to the Gravesfield Historical Society. Lemme guess, you're here to buy those weird cards, right?
Vee: How did you know?
Jacob goes to his desk with a box on it, and Vee approaches.
Jacob: Well, they've been really popular with high schoolers. Yeah, saw an old lady try to dump 'em in a river a while back, but I bought them off her instead. It was really odd though. She kept asking for snails.
Luke had heard that. This is a huge lead.
Luke: Jackpot! That's definitely Eda!
Jacob: You want a set?
Vee: Yes, please!
Jacob: Well, I'll be just a minute, so feel free to look around.
Jacob enters the staff room with his box. Vee chooses to walk around the museum and stands opposite a framed painting of a flag. Luke appears in the framed reflection to see Vee look deeply troubled.
Luke: Are you okay, Vee? Vee says nothing, and Luke tries cheering her up. Hey, forget what Masha said. I know what it's like to run away from home. I did the same thing when my mom signed me up for that lame summer camp.
Vee: You and I are not the same! You had a mom who loved you, a home, a life. You had it good! And you still wanted to run away!
Tears well up in Vee's eyes as she rants. Luke is taken aback by the outburst and becomes deeply concerned for her.
Vee: I... I didn't have a choice. My real name is... Number Five. She takes off her hat and glasses. I'm not exactly an ordinary Basilisk. Technically, I... I shouldn't exist.
Luke: What are you talking about?
(Flashback)
Vee, in her true form, is imprisoned behind cell bars along with a couple other basilisks. All of them are full of fear and dread.
Vee: My kind went extinct a long time ago, but we were brought back.
Vee cries as she sucks out magic, perhaps the soul of a small rat. Warden Wrath and two scouts observe her.
Vee: They wanted to know how we drained magic.
The other basilisks are terrified and watch Vee's suffering in sorrow.
Luke: I met a basilisk once. She tried to kill everyone at Hexside.
Vee stands protectively in front of the rats she was meant to suck magic out of, glowing with a blue aura.
Vee: For many of us, all we knew how to do was feed.
Vee and a few other basilisks are at a mountainside, likely having escaped and hiding from Emperor Belos and a group of Coven Guards who are looking over a cliff.
Vee: Some of us escaped, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he caught us again.
Luke: Let me guess: Belos?
Vee: Yes. Emperor Belos created us to do horrible things. I'm not sure what it was he wanted… but whatever it was… I didn't want any part in it. So, I ran. We all did.
On Luke's first day in the Demon Realm, Vee is standing at the back of the crowd, who all want Eda's human goods. It's there she spots Luke standing with her. Vee sneaks behind the tent and goes through the door to the Human Realm.
Vee: That's when I saw you and... and realized there might be a way out of this!
A flash of yellow light emits from the abandoned house. Vee emerges from the abandoned house, looking around. Camila walks in view of the house.
Camila: Luke? Where are you?
Vee panickily transforms into a replica of Luke in his first outfit.
Camila: Luke? Camila finds Vee and the house. There you are.
Vee turns, making funny gestures while trying to impersonate Luke.
Vee (as Luke): Hello... fellow human! Um... skin's sure weird!
Camila: Very funny. Camila approaches with a smile. But I was thinking, instead of taking the bus to camp, why don't we drive? Camila kindly offers her hand. I got the day off from work, and you'll have full control of the playlist.
Vee hesitates slightly before smiling and taking Camila's hand.
Vee: I didn't mean to keep playing this role, but... Camila was nice to me.
(End of Flashback)
We return to the present, where Vee is visibly upset, and Luke listens with sympathy.
Vee: I resent you for running away. But I'm also thankful that you did. I dunno. It's… confusing. Vee puts her disguise back on. You wouldn't understand.
Luke: Luke looks down in sympathy. I understand more than you think, Vee. Vee looks up, listening. I didn't run away because of my mom. I ran away because I felt I didn't belong in my world either. I just… wanted to find a place where people could accept me for who I am. And in some way… I probably shouldn't exist either.
Vee: What do you mean?
Luke: Tell me, Vee, have you ever heard of Sparda?
Vee: You mean the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda Kresnik? Of course. I've heard about him through rumours from the scouts and guards. There isn't a single witch who doesn't know about Sparda? But… what does he have to do with this?
Luke: He's my father…
Vee widens her eyes in shock at this.
Vee: Huh? Your father?!
Luke: The thing is… my name's not Luke Noceda. My real name is Lucifer Kresnik. I'm… the Son of Sparda.
Vee: What!? Seriously!?
Luke: Yeah. What you or no one else knows is my old man married a woman from the Human Realm, and they had a baby: me. I'm actually half-human, half-demon.
Vee: You're a hybrid, Luke!? So then… Camila isn't really your mom?
Luke: Not by blood. But she is my mom. She found me when I was a baby and took me in. She and her husband adopted me, and I became their son. He smiles a little. And it was pretty cool. I loved my mama and papa. They treated me like I was one of their own; we were a family. I was having a pretty good life… until…
(Flashback)
We now look at shots of Luke's life. 6-year-old Luke and Camila are standing in front of the grave of Luke's foster father/Camila's husband, Manny Noceda. Both look down in mourning as Camila holds her son. This is followed up with a shot of Luke being hugged by a gunned Camila crying on him.
Luke: Some things happened after I became 6-years old. Nothing's been the same for me since.
We see shots of Luke punching a bigger kid in the face, Luke sitting on a bench with his legs on the table reading his "Witch-Warrior Azure" book while being regarded strangely by others, and Luke sitting in the principal's office being lectured by Principal Hal.
Luke: Things have been rough for me and Mom. She's had to look after me on her own and I couldn't make a single friend because most kids my age were freaked out by me, whether it's because I kept getting into fights with the bigger kids or they were weirded out by the way I express myself.
Luke looks at the brochure of Reality Check Camp, unamused.
Luke: My mom thought Reality Check Camp would help me make friends, but I never wanted to go to a place like that.
Luke finds the portal door and ends up in the Demon Realm, where he meets Eda by the stands and then King in the Owl House.
Luke: Then I found the Demon Realm. I met Eda and King.
Eda watches as Luke holds up the Rebellion, which gathers electricity after he pulls it out.
The trio fly together on the Owl Staff.
Luke, Eda, and King fight Adegast together.
Eda presents Luke, the head of the Titan, from the knee.
Luke clashes with the Golden Guard in Belos' castle.
Devil Luke stands protectively in front of Owl Beast Eda, Lilith, King, and Amity.
Luke: The three of us… we've gone on a lot of adventures. Since I couldn't fit in with my own world, I felt… this might be the chance I was looking for… the chance to make friends and make a name for myself. I could finally be someone.
Luke plays thumb wars with Willow.
Luke shares a high-five with Gus.
Luke sits with Viney, Jerbo, and Barcus.
Luke and Amity share their dance together at Grom.
Luke, Amity, Gus, and Willow walk down the hall of Hexside, sharing a conversation.
Luke: I became pals with people who liked the things I like, people who understand me, and people I can relate to in some ways. I'm even attending a school I actually love going to. My whole life I've been a lone wolf and now I've finally found my pack.
Repede licks Luke as he lies on the snow at the Knee while everyone watches, happy for Luke.
Luke: And now I have my own palisman.
Amity hugs Luke, giving him a kiss, which Luke enjoys with a laugh.
Luke: Heck, I even got a girlfriend now, and she is the very definition of cool and classy. Staying in the Demon Realm has changed me more than you can imagine.
(End of Flashbacks)
Vee looks at Luke in sympathy after hearing his own life story.
Vee: Wow, Luke… I… I didn't know you had it so rough, too.
Luke: We have a lot in common, Vee. We're both trying to find a place where we belong. And we can't fail, because there's nothing worse than feeling like no one understands you or likes you for who you are.
Vee: I know how that feels. Vee smiles gratefully at Luke. We really do have something in common, Luke.
Luke: Yeah. We do. Luke smiles back. But you're right about one thing, Vee. I have a mom who loves me in the Human Realm, and I love her. That's why I've been trying so hard to get back to her. And when I do… He looks down, a little nervous. I really hope we can finally reach some kind of understanding. Plus… there's another mom out there that's missing. My birth mom, Aelita Kresnik. Vee widens her eyes at that. She's alive and somewhere out there in the Human Realm. I've gotta find her. And together with her and my uncle… we can fix what's left of our family.
Vee: Luke…
Luke: So, yeah, I have two moms to get back to, and I'm not giving up until I find my way back to both of them.
Vee stares at Luke for a bit, wanting to say something else, but ends up sniffs something odd, turning her away from him.
Luke: Do you smell something?
Vee walks towards the staff room, and Luke disappears from the reflection. When Vee enters the room, it is strangely pitch black.
Vee: Where's the light?
She turns it on, gasping in alarm to see various tools, pictures, books, and other things all related to magic or witches, mainly killing and countering them. She steps further in, finding a glowing deck of Hexes Hold 'em cards. On the bulletin board is a conspiracy wall, some of them having pictures of Eda, though Luke had no idea how he knew her name. There was even a picture of Owl Beast Eda, and Luke guessed that she might've not brought an elixir on one of her trips to the human world; therefore, she didn't change back until she somehow returned.
Vee: What is all this?
Luke: It looks like this guy is obsessed with witches for some reason. And he's been researching Eda for a long time. But how does he know her name?
What really catches Luke's attention is that there are also pictures of his father, which he notices on the bulletin board along with Eda. There are even pictures of him in his Devil Form.
Luke: Dad?
Vee looks to see the pictures of a man resembling Luke, Sparda. She also notices the pictures of his Devil Form.
Vee: That's him!? That's your father, Sparda? He looks exactly like you.
Luke: Yeah. That's my old man, alright. This museum guy's been researching him, too. But… how!? How does he know my father? And Eda?
Vee backs away, bumping into a computer, turning the desktop on, and revealing several tabs of video footage of Vee in the abandoned house in her true form.
Vee: Have we been followed this whole time!?
She screams and runs to exit, but steps on a laser grid and gets caged, dropping her pocket mirror, which breaks, rendering Luke unable to see the scene, causing him to become distressed in the In-Between Realm.
Luke: Vee? Vee?! VEE?!
Dark clouds start rolling in over Gravesfield, and the rumble of thunder can be heard.
Luke reappears in a reflection of a framed painting in the room and watches Vee struggling to escape.
Luke: Vee!
Vee's stress causes her to lose the last of her magic, and she reverts to her true form, losing her disguise.
Vee: LET ME OUT!
Jacob enters the room apprehensively, holding a stick.
Jacob: Whoa, it worked?
Luke hides, crouching further down the framed painting as Jacob approaches a terrified Vee.
Luke: Oh, crud!
Jacob: I—I can't believe it. Are you real? Vee slaps the stick away when Jacob leans it forward, and he becomes excited. After all that time, after setting up all those traps, I... I finally caught a living, breathing demon! Vee stares, confused. Oh, don't be surprised. About 13 years ago, I had an encounter with another one of your kind. He holds a photograph of Sparda in his Devil Form. And then 10 years later, I saw a different kind. He then holds a photograph taken of Eda's Owl Beast Form. Yeah, at first, I couldn't believe what I saw, but after watching a few MewTube videos and doing some extensive research, I learned the truth. Witches and demons are real...
Luke gasps, shocked. Until now, he was the only one who believed in witches and demons, but now… someone else in his realm knows. Only difference is he's obsessed with them, and right now, Luke's glad he never went down that level.
Jacob: And they're all sent from Mars to harvest human teeth to power their time machine!
Luke strikes a cynical and dumbfounded expression from how stupid this stuff sounds.
Luke: Wait, what…?
Not only is this guy obsessed with demons, but he's completely delusional. That's nowhere near remotely close to what witches and demons are about.
Vee: You… don't actually know anything about us, do you?
Luke: Okay. Some witch hunter wannabe and a conspiracy nut? Not a good combination.
Jacob: Oh, I know enough. I'll expose your vile plans on MewTube and finally… get my account verified. Jacob takes his leave with an evil grin. Get comfortable, demon. Cause you'll be in cages for the rest of your life.
He exits the room, leaving Vee to sigh in defeat. She's been caged again.
Luke: Vee, don't worry. I'll find a way to get you out of this.
Vee: Go back to the Demon Realm, Luke.
Luke: What!? No! I can free you! I'll figure something out!
Vee: Even if I get out, he knows what my disguise looks like. He'd out me to Camila, and it would cause her more trouble than if you just disappeared.
Luke: Vee, no! You're giving up too quickly!
Vee: I'm being realistic. It's okay. I'm used to living like this. Goodbye, Luke.
Luke: No! Don't do it!
Vee destroys the framed picture despite Luke's protest, getting rid of his reflection.
Back in the In-Between Realm, the cube Luke was using breaks in response to losing his connection to Vee.
Luke: No, no, no! Vee! Five! Number Five! DAMMIT!
Luke drops down, punching the water in frustration. With his only connection to Vee gone, he can't help her escape. There's nothing he can do. A voice whispers the name of Vee's only hope.
Voice: Noceda…
Luke stands and looks up. This is what he was hoping to avoid. But with Vee in her predicament and him being unable to contact her, this is his only choice.
Luke: Camila Noceda.
A cube emerges from the water, engulfing Luke in an orange flash and sending him back to Camila's phone. The Dominican woman had saved Luke's box of old things. She plays with his tinfoil wolf.
Camila: Boop.
Luke: Mom, are you there?
Camila turns in surprise to see her real son on her phone screen.
Camila: Huh? Luke? I didn't even hear you call!
Luke is overjoyed, speaking with his mother for the first time in months as she picks up the phone.
Luke: Mom. It's so great to hear your voice.
Camila: Oh… It's great to hear you too? What's wrong?
Luke: Those traps near our house. I found out who's been setting them up, and he's about to hurt a friend of mine. But first… Luke's been dreading this moment, but he steels his nerves. His mother must know. I have to tell you the truth. About the last few months. I… I haven't been at Summer Camp. Luke sighs. You might wanna sit down. This might take a while. Let me tell you about a place called the Boiling Isles.
Camila sits down to listen to Luke's story.
After listening to Luke's story and dismissing it as a new game he's playing, Camila has her car parked outside the Gravesfield Historical Society building. The skies have become dark, and it's about to rain. She comes out, speaking with her son in amusement.
Camila: You know, if you wanted me to pick you and your friend up, you didn't have to make up this elaborate story about the "Demon Realm."
Luke: Mom, I'm not making this up. I swear!
Camila: Camilia giggles a little. Don't worry, I'll play along. She enters the building. I know this stuff made school difficult, along with your tendency to get into fights, but I'm glad you're still being creative.
An axe is tossed and sticks to a statue in the back. Jacob stands up, angrily placing a box on the desk.
Camila: Are you the curator here?
Jacob: Who's askin'?
Camila: She winks at Luke. A little birdie told me you caught a demon! I would love to see it!
Jacob: Wait, how did you know? Do you work for the government?
Camila: Oh. I'm a veterinarian, actually.
Camila becomes uncomfortable when Jacob walks over, looking at her suspiciously.
Jacob: So, the President sent a vet to study the demon's anatomy, huh? He smiles after a few seconds. Sure. But first… He brings out a voice recorder. I'll need verbal confirmation that I get to publish my findings first.
Camila: The device beeps. Uh… 'kay.
Jacob: Good. Now you're bound by law. Follow me.
Camila: Camila looks to Luke. You even made me a part of your game! Ooh! This is so fun.
Camila follows Jacob into the staff room. Vee's cage is covered up with a rug.
Camila: Ooh! Is this one of those escape rooms? Or… um… what do you call them, a LARP? Oh, sorry, don't want to break the illusion.
Jacob: Let me start by telling you the secret history of Gravesfield.
Jacob walks over to the desk below the bulletin board. Camila brushes his hand away when he puts it on her shoulder, already becoming slightly more uncomfortable.
Jacob opens a book and flips to an old drawing of a burning building, possibly the building the museum was built on.
Jacob: In the 1600s, this was a peaceful colony… until tragedy struck.
Jacob flips the book to the next page to reveal a drawing of two Victorian-era dressed men, one of them shaking hands with a witch. All of their faces are somewhat rubbed out.
Jacob: Two brothers were lured into a realm of evil by a real witch, never to be seen again. He closes the book, turning to the table. People have stopped believing in the horrors of witchcraft, but… I know the truth!
He slams his fist on the table, making a training wand shake a little.
Camila: Whoa. Luke, this is quite a detailed story.
Jacob: Jacob walks to the cage. But now I've got proof that otherworldly beings exist! Behold!
Jacob pulls back the rug to reveal Vee in the cage with duct tape over her mouth. Camila takes a closer look, amazed.
Camila: Oh, wow! Camila eyes Vee's claws. That is a very… Then, her tail. Convincing… She falters. Costume?
It's Vee's eyes blinking sideways that hits it home. Camila gasps with a combination of horror, disbelief, and realization to see that this is an actual demon, and her son wasn't making any of this up.
Jacob: A costume? This is a real-life demon! C'mere, watch this.
Jacob runs over to his monitors, displaying the video of Vee (in her disguise) getting caught in his trap at the abandoned house. Camila watches in horror and shock as the person she believed to be her son reveals her true form.
Jacob: More vile beings will probably come to its rescue. But I can protect humanity. I even had some custom gear made at the renaissance fair.
Jacob points to a suit of armour in a display case.
Jacob: Usually, I don't take it out for just anyone, but what the heck! If I'm gonna be working with the government, I might as well show off a little.
Jacob takes a hook and tries to get the suit of armour down. This serves as a distraction for Camila to talk with Luke, trying to hold onto whatever belief she has that this is all a game set up by her real son.
Camila: Luke, come on. I don't like this game anymore.
Luke: It's not a game, Mama. Everything I told you was true.
Camila is struggling to process all this… her real son is trapped in another world, and a creature was impersonating him and living with her this whole time, and she never knew.
Camila: So, then… you were never at camp? You were…?
Luke: Trapped in a kid-friendly version of hell with no way to get home. Yeah. I mean, at first, I wasn't trapped, but then the door that could take me back home was destroyed. So… yeah, I'm stranded.
Camila: And that thing has been living with me the entire time? It's just a lot to believe...
Luke: Her name's Vee. I know she looks a little freaky, but really, she's not evil like that crazy curator guy says. Please, Mom, you gotta help her. She's just an innocent girl, lost and traumatized. And she doesn't have anywhere to go.
Camila turns to Vee with a sorrowful look, walking towards her. The basilisk braces in the expectation that she will be hit, but Camila crouches to talk with a kind look.
Camila: Hello… this is all so confusing, but… who knew I had such a strong girl living under my roof this whole time?
Vee's heart melts and starts to tear up as Camila smiles but is interrupted by Jacob wearing the suit of armour for Camila to see, holding his hook like a staff.
Jacob: So, how do I look? Maybe we can collaborate on a version that can survive the battles on Mars? Jacob notices Camila holding her phone. Wait, what is that? Are you recording this?!
Camila: Uh...
Jacob: Wonderful! Jacob reaches out for one of his daggers. Well, I was gonna wait until after the press tour, but let's begin our live dissection of this demon right now!
With a psychotic look, Jacob prepares to dissect Vee alive, only for Camila to stop him.
Camila: STOP! Uh, the... the President just called. Yeah, and, uh...
Luke: Mom! Camila looks at Luke. Forget acting or diplomacy. For once, just use violence! It's the only solution to everything, well maybe not everything, but it is for saving Vee!
Camila: Uh… Camila gets serious, realizing Luke's right. Y'know what, in the words of my son, screw this. I don't have the imagination for this. She walks next to Vee, glaring at Jacob. I will be taking this innocent child with me, and you will never bother us again.
Jacob: What? No, absolutely not! We made a verbal agreement—
Camila forces Jacob back, presenting one of his traps.
Camila: Mister! You better back the heck down, or I will tell the police you have been illegally setting up traps and cameras on private property!
Jacob trips and falls on his back, looking at Camila in fear and outrage.
Jacob: I won't let you take away my discovery. I'm the good guy here!
Camila takes out a flip-flop from her handbag, aiming it square at Jacob as she approaches him with a dangerous look.
Camila: Yeah. A lot of bad guys say that.
And with a single strike, Camila knocks Jacob out with one hit square to the face.
One blackout later, it's raining heavily outside as Camila and Vee (with Camila's coat on) leave the museum.
Vee: Is it okay to leave him in there?
Camila: He'll be fine.
Jacob is stuck in Vee's former cage, unconscious, and his face sports a bruise.
Camila: He can use the time for some self-reflection.
After a short drive, Camila and Vee both arrive at the Noceda home, exiting their car. Luke appears through the headlights of the car, his full body showing.
Luke: Way past cool! Look what I can do with the rain! Vee! I'm so glad you're okay!
Luke and Vee are about to share a high-five, but Luke's hand phases through.
Luke: Whoa! Okay, probably should've seen that coming.
Vee: Yeah!
Luke: Looks like you're gonna be living with us for a while. Guess that means I've got a new sister. Vee smiles at that. This is gonna take some time to get used to.
Vee: Thank you, Luke! And thank you, Camila, for everything.
Camila: Camila gently takes Vee's hands. Vee. You have a place here for as long as you need. And take these. She hands Vee the deck of Hold 'Em cards from her handbag. Luke said they might be helpful for you.
Vee: Magic!
Vee starts eating a few of the cards and slithers off into the house.
Luke: Mom, you were awesome back there! I didn't know you could do something like that! And I know this is all so crazy, but thanks for being cool… about everything.
To Luke's dismay, Camila turns around, soaking wet, to reveal she's on the verge of an emotional breakdown, crying and sniffing. She struggles to hold her tears back.
Camila: I'm trying to hold it together… I really am… But I have never been this scared before. The Demon Realm? Magic? How are you gonna get back here? Is this the only way I can touch you?
Camila attempts to hold Luke's hand, but it just phases through again.
Luke: Mom, I… I know how insane this must be, but I just need a little more time! I know I can create a working portal! And when I do, I'll be back home! I promise!
Camila manages to smile proudly through her tears, seeing that he's not exactly the same boy she was about to send to camp.
Camila: As scary as this is, it really does seem like you've matured.
Luke: Yes! I've learned so much here! This place has changed me more than that dumb camp ever could! Staying here was the best decision I ever made!
Upon hearing Luke willingly stayed in the Demon Realm, Camila becomes emotionally hurt and angry.
Camila: You… chose to stay there?
Luke realizes what he just said, but it is too late to take that back now.
Luke: Uh… well, I…
Camila: Were you trying to live out some fantasy? Did you... did you hate living with me that much?
Luke feels terrible upon seeing how much he has just hurt his mother's feelings.
Luke: Mama, no! I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that! It wasn't anything like that, I swear! What happened was-!
Luke feels himself getting dragged back by the rope he's attached to.
Luke: No. No! He pulls himself down, desperately trying to hold the cube. No, no, NO! Eda, not yet. Not yet, dammit!
He's slowly pulled up. Luke drops the cube, and now, every cube shows Camila's distraught face.
Luke: MOOOMMM!
From Camila's view, Luke is slowly floating away, reaching out to her.
Luke: I'm being pulled back!
Camila: Baby? No, no, no, no, no, no! A distraught Camila reaches out to her son, trying to hold his arms as long as she can, even though she phases through. When you come home, promise you'll stay here, and you'll never go back to that place! I didn't mean to push you away! I swear things will be different!
Luke: Luke and Camila start tearing up. Mom, it's not you. It never was!
Camila: Promise me, Luke! PLEASE!
Tears roll down Luke and Camila's faces as the former can only watch in guilt at the heartbreak in Camila's eyes, which he caused with his words. He can't explain everything now, so he at least owes her this much.
Luke: Okay, Mom… I promise.
And with that… Luke is fully pulled away from his mother, their hands separating, and he fades from view, leaving a devastated and heartbroken Camila to cover her eyes, crying and sobbing over the loss of her only son, blood or not. And she's left feeling like it's her fault.
Back in the In-Between Realm, Luke is being pulled back up as he cries, seeing his heartbroken mother on every cube as he's pulled away with tears dripping.
Luke: MOTHEEEERRR!
He's splashed into the water above, disappearing into the dark void.
Back outside the Owl House, the portal door is leaking black liquid from the In-Between Realm. Eda, King, Repede, Owlbert, and Hooty are pulling back on the rope attached to the portal.
Eda: And pull, and pull, and...
Luke is yanked right out of the portal, crashing into everyone, and they all land in a pile. Everyone gets up and looks down to see Luke on the ground.
King, Eda & Hooty: Luke!
Repede: Woof!
They help Luke up as he rubs his head.
Eda: I'm sorry, I had to pull you out. The portal was closing.
The portal becomes unstable and scrunches up, disappearing in a cloud of black smoke, much to Luke's disappointment. His first attempt at a portal door ended in an overall failure. King and Repede jump onto Luke's shoulders.
King: Did you talk to your mom? Did you mention me?
Repede: Woof! Woof!
Luke: Yeah. Mama… He scratches King and Repede. Mom can't wait to meet you guys.
Eda: Eda holds Luke's shoulders. Well, just rest up now, okay? And don't you worry, kiddo. With everything we've learned, we'll have a real working portal in no time.
Repede: Arooo!
Owlbert chirps as Repede howls.
King: Yeah! We are gonna eat human snacks!
Hooty: I can't wait to share parenting tips!
Eda: Who dubbed you a parent?
All of them laugh/bark/chirp except for Luke, who can only nervously stare at the screen, thinking about the promise he made to his mother and how he may have just broken her heart. He can only hope to make things right with her and explain everything one day. For now, he's more concerned with his chances of getting home more than ever.
Good news: Luke made a portal to the Human Realm and was able to speak with his mother.
Bad news: the door wasn't perfect, and Luke may have just broken Camila's heart. Can they both make amends? What went wrong with making this door?
Up next, after Luke's failed attempt at getting home, he becomes so guilt-ridden about hurting his mom's feelings he decides to help Kikimora fix things with her own mom despite being enemies, and also help Eda see Raine, who's strangely still working for the Emperor's Coven despite being branded as a traitor. The plan: kidnap both of them during the Coven Day Parade.
The Owl House Season 2 Episode 13 – Follies at the Coven Day Parade
A couple things to look forward to for the next chapter:
Luke Noceda vs Hunter (Round 3)
Amity Blight vs Darius Deamonne
Special thanks to:
Jimfire97 for spelling and grammar check
Alejindio for artwork
TyChav97 for dialogue suggestions
(A/N: Please Review)