Hello and happy Fourth of July, everyone! This is SuperHeroTimeFan, coming back to you with a brand-new chapter for my best story for The Owl House, crossing over with MegaMan NT Warrior, Owl House: NT Witch! Over a hundred reviews so far, wow! I'm really glad that I was able to make it this far in the story. With all the site has been going through, I'm glad that stories like this are able to brighten everyone's days, especially with Independence Day of 2024. I would like to thank Blackmetalzane22, Cloud4012 and AlbazBrandedEternal for the support you have given me throughout the time I have written for this story. It all means so much. Now, just like with the eleventh chapter, this one has some ideas given to me by my friend for this story, Blackmetalzane22. I hope you all like what we have provided for this chapter here, so please sit back, and be sure to review, rate, and as always, please enjoy!
Chapter 15: Vendetta
In the Cyberworld, a Navi was running around, avoiding blasts with skillful dodging. This Navi was a male with navy and white armor, a helmet resembling a snake's head, a Crest that had the Gemini symbol on it, fair skin with yellow eyes, and a tail trailing from the back of his helmet.
"Come on, GeminiMan! You can do it!"
"Can't hide forever!" a short kid with thick white hair called out as he looked to his PET. "Get 'em good, TrickMan!"
The opposing Navi against GeminiMan, TrickMan, was a white-armored Navi with an animated Crest that had a levitating stone on it. His face was obscured by a mask, and he had several gems across his forearms and on his forehead as he continued to blast around.
"Try this!" the NetOp of GeminiMan, shown to be Vee, said. "Meteor12, Battle Chip In, Download!"
Vee still resembled Luz, but now, she had piercings through her ears for blue looped earrings, her black and yellow eyes showing, and with smoother hair than Luz. She grinned as she held her brightly-colored Progress PET, placing the Battle Chip in.
"Gideon's got nothing on you!" a non-binary individual with black nail polish, eye-shadow and a dress with suspenders, called out as they and their friends cheered for Vee.
TrickMan blasted one more column, revealing GeminiMan. However, he grinned as he held his arms up, causing meteors to rain down and eventually knock him back, where he was bombarded by dozens of others into pixels.
"TrickMan, Logging Out."
"Winner, GeminiMan."
"Yes!" Vee cheered as Gideon walked away, with his bodyguards trying to calm him down as he ranted to himself.
"Great operating there, Vee," GeminiMan said as he returned to Vee's PET. "You're becoming a real pro just like Luz."
"I wonder how things are for her now," Vee wondered before waving to her friends. "I know we're supposed to join the video chat with Camila to catch up with Luz tonight, but I can't help but wonder how she's doing."
In the Demon Realm, late in the afternoon, Luz was running through the forest near the Owl House. Behind her were Amity, Willow and Skara, with Gus already going to his towel nearby and taking a drink.
"Try to keep up, girls!" Luz called out as Amity started to catch up, with Willow and Skara tied behind her. "This is where it gets difficult."
"I should know! It took me three times to get it right!" Gus called out as he sat down to rest.
Luz looked ahead of the training course she had set up. There were all sorts of obstacles set up on the track, ranging from swinging logs to rocks to jump on. Running forward, she picked up a staff from nearby and leapt up to where a salmon ladder was placed. Putting her strength into her upper body, she began to make her way up the salmon ladder until she reached the top, where she spun herself around until she spun herself forward to the finish line, landing in a perfect split.
"You got this, Amity! Come on!" Hecate called out as Amity grabbed a staff of her own, right before Skara and Willow did the same.
Making her way to the salmon ladder, Amity started to put her strength into her upper body. Slowly, she leapt up, making her way to the next grooves before doing the same with the others, each one causing her to sweat more and more. As she was nearing the top, Willow easily caught up with her while Skara went on ahead. The two looked to her before they went in tandem until reaching her, where they spun to the finish line, each landing in a different pose.
"Not too bad, Hexsquad," Azura said as Luz, Amity, Willow and Skara walked to Gus, who tossed them water bottles with towels wrapped around them. "Five seconds more than last time, but still made it in one piece."
"Indeed," GardenMan said as he and MirageMan observed from the MagiNet. "Willow has been working out with her own weights back at home, but this course definitely helps when it comes to CrossFusion."
"I've never… sweated so much… in my entire… life," Amity panted as she downed as much water as she could. Seeing she was close to emptying it out in one go, she put it down to catch her breath as Luz came over, wiping off some sweat, the sight of it causing her to go semi-red in the face. "So… much… sweat." She said to herself in awe.
"Yeah, you'll get that from a workout," Skara said as she sat down, reaching for her jacket. Flicking her hair around a bit, she placed it back into a ponytail before putting her jacket back on over her workout clothes. "Can I go ahead and use the shower, Luz?" she asked. "I really want to check up on Melody."
"Sure, go ahead," Luz said. "And I think she should be ready for tomorrow when we all start school together for the semester."
"Don't forget your evaluation exam." Willow pointed out as she tossed her bottle into the nearby can, where twenty others were stacked, each with her initials on them.
"Oh, lighten up, Willow," Gus said, finishing his own drink. "She can do it."
"Yeah, no sweat." Luz said, putting down her bottle so that she could continue to get her sweat off of her body, now almost seeming to glisten because of it.
"Amity, don't you dare grab that bottle that Luz has been pouring her sweat into!" Hecate scolded as Amity looked to where Luz was letting the sweat from the towel pour itself into. "We still need to talk about your moment at the Knee."
"Right, right, sorry," Amity apologized before getting up. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Luz." She said before walking off, doing her best to keep her red face hidden away.
"Yeah, I'd best get going too," Gus said, walking off. "Got a busy day. See you at Hexside!"
"You too!" Luz called back before walking back to the Owl House. "We still got time while Skara's showering. Time for that check-in. You ready, Azura?" she asked, putting her hoodie back over her tank top and workout clothes.
"I'm honestly a bit nervous to meet Mom officially, side by side with you," Azura said. "But… we've faced worse. I'm ready."
Inside of the Owl House, Luz walked to the bathroom, where she heard the water running and some humming from inside. She smiled and walked to her room, where Hooty stretched himself in and opened the door, revealing the laptop already set up.
"Here you go, Luz!" Hooty said. "All good to go!"
"Thanks, Hooty," Luz said, rubbing Hooty's head before King pounced onto her shoulder. "You wanna meet my Mama and sister too?" she asked playfully.
"As your teacher on all demons, it is my right!" King proclaimed. "And where's Eda?"
"Upstairs, talking with Owlette," Luz said before peeling her shoes off and sitting by her laptop. "When I'm at school after the evaluation exam, she'll be going back to the Knee for our… project."
"Ooh, mysterious," King awed before seeing the laptop screen start to load. "Look, I think they're here!"
Luz and Azura smiled before turning to the laptop. Closing out of two videos titles as Modest Promos and Film Flukes, she returned to the video call, where Camila appeared on one of the screens.
"Hola, Mama!" Luz called as she and Azura waved.
"Mija, it is good to see you again," Camila said. "And is that Azura? Ooh, I heard that she gained the ability to come out of your PET, but it feels so good to actually see you two standing side by side with each other! Muy Bueno!"
"Thanks, Mama," Luz said as King wagged his tail next to her. She patted him on the skull before turning to see another screen loading. "Is this the new sister you told us about?" she asked eagerly.
"Indeed it is," Camila said with a smile before Vee showed up on the loading screen. "Luz, meet your new sister, Vee!"
"It's nice to meet you." Vee said shyly, still using her Luz disguise. Slowly, she transformed back into her real form, but still kept the smile on her face.
"Whoa," Azura said in astonishment. "A twin sister of Luz. This is truly a surprise."
"I'm a basilisk, and my name is Vee," Vee introduced herself. "I'm sorry for disguising myself as you, Luz. I just wanted to fit in when I escaped from the Demon Realm."
"Escape?" Luz asked as King peeked over. "Why?"
"The Emperor created me and several other basilisks for unknown reasons. There were some witches who were acting against him that helped us escape, but as far as I know, I'm the only one who managed to sneak through the Portal Door when you arrived," Vee explained. "Thankfully, when Raika told Camila everything, she was very understanding about what I did, and welcomed me into the family. Now, I don't have a reason to hide all of who I am, but to make sure no one gets too suspicious, I've still been using a modified version of you for a disguise. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Luz reassured. "I hope you've been enjoying your time there."
"I have been," Vee said. "I even got my own NetNavi too, GeminiMan," she said, pulling up a screen of GeminiMan as Cinnamon showed up on a screen with Camila. "We've been doing a lot of fun NetBattles together."
"Well, I look forward to officially meeting you in person, GeminiMan." Azura said with a smile.
"We've been making some good progress here too," Luz said. "Aside from the company we've started to help the people of the Demon Realm against ShadeMan and his new Darkloids, we've also found some new friends who can CrossFuse," she explained. "And tomorrow, I'm starting my first day at a magic school called Hexside. It's where my friends go."
"That's wonderful news, Mija," Camila said with a smile. "I hope you have a good time learning there."
"Well, Principal Bump also would like us to teach there to help others with the Net trend we've brought," Luz said. "We're still working out how it would go, but I hope to at least get myself ready for the upcoming classes and teach my first class itself when tomorrow comes."
"I know you'll have a better time in the Demon Realm than I did," Vee said. "Good luck!"
"And continue to have a great time on Earth too, sis!" Luz replied back enthusiastically.
"Talk to you later!" Camila called, waving to her daughters before the video call ended.
Luz waved until her family signed off, as did Azura. Once the call had ended, she closed the laptop and looked through a folder of syllabi that the two had made before setting them down, just as Skara walked in.
"Okay, I'm all finished. You can shower now," Skara said. "How did the video call go?"
"Great, Skara," Luz replied, getting up as King walked out, with Skara rubbing his skull and giving him a soft kiss on it before turning back. "You want to spend one more night here? Thanks to the procedure, Melody is now fully recovered, but we're installing something for her to make sure she doesn't get infected with a Dark Aura again."
"Sure thing," Skara said, making her way to the base entrance. "Thanks again, you two," she said before activating the elevator down. "You two have really made the Demon Realm a better place for us all." She said before finally making her way down.
"Yeah, I think we have." Luz agreed before making her way to the bathroom with her towel on her shoulder. Azura smiled before returning to the Progress PET for the night soon afterwards.
By the next day, early in the morning at Hexside, Principal Bump was in the auditorium, evaluating new students. As one of them made their way down, he looked to his list, seeing Luz was up next.
"We're ready when you are, Ms. Noceda." Principal Bump called out.
Soon, the curtains opened, with Eda walking out with a proud look on her face. Soon, orbs of light shone down before a tunnel of ice appeared, causing the lights to reflect on the walls. Luz sped through, using the Fire Glyph to boost herself out, before cartwheeling through the air. Principal Bump and Eda looked to her with astonishment before she sent down another Ice Glyph, creating a slide that she slid down until she reached the ground, now using the Light Glyph to create small fireworks around her once she landed, striking a pose as light, ice and fire appeared all around her.
"And that's a wrap." Azura said, walking out from the tunnel, clapping her hands as Principal Bump did the same.
"A wonderful display, I must say," Principal Bump said as Luz walked down, taking out three papers, each with the Glyphs she had learned. "May I?" he asked, holding his hand out.
"Of course," Luz replied, handing the slips of paper over to Principal Bump. "You know of the Light and Fire Glyphs from the Covention and Terrace Stadium. I recently learned the Ice Glyph while at the Titan's Knee."
"And all with paper. Most impressive," Principal Bump said with admiration. "I think you'll fit in well with us," he said, handing her a form and a blank Hexside uniform, bereft of colors. "Welcome to Hexside, Ms. Noceda."
"Thank you greatly, Principal Bump," Luz said. "When shall I start teaching?" she then asked, handing over the syllabi for the NetBattlers' Track class.
"We will work something out later today," Principal Bump said. "But for the time being, I will heed your advice and have you as a student on your first day. We will start school in four hours from now, so I suggest you rest, then meet with me first thing when you arrive later on for what course you will be taking."
"Will do." Luz said before walking out with Eda.
"Great work there, kiddo," Eda said as she and Luz made their way back to the Owl House. "You'll do great learning here. Just don't forget what I taught you while you're there."
"I would never," Luz reassured. "Besides, what could happen on my first day?"
Elsewhere, at Glandus, several students lay on the ground weakly, with a purple-haired girl falling to her knees as Construction pillars around her shattered. Soon, she fell to the ground just as someone walked out towards the exit. The individual seemed to have a snake-like appearance to them before turning into a female witch. She cracked her neck and looked to a checklist, scratching out Glandus. On it scratched out was also St. Epiderm, while the only school left untouched was Hexside.
"Your magic will not harm us any further." The disguised witch declared before walking away, just as the last of Glandus students and teachers fell weakly.
Four hours later, after resting enough, Luz was now wearing her blank Hexside uniform, flying with Eda on her staff towards Hexside. King clung to her waist while Azura hovered next to them.
"So, you ready for your first day?" Eda asked.
"Of course I am," Luz replied. "I've been to school before. But a magic school? This is different. I won't lie when I'm saying that I'm a bit nervous. I will be teaching here, after all. But today, I'm just a student."
"I've been there, Luz," Eda said. "Walking in and you feel like you don't really belong? It's never an easy feeling to let go of so easily. Normally, this is where I would advice you to punch the first kid you see to assert dominance…"
"How I would get so many write-ups for that…" Luz joked as Azura chuckled.
"But you've made me into a different person that that," Eda said, getting Luz to smile. "Follow any advice you gave me and everyone else. You will struggle, and you will get nervous, but know that you always have others to help you carry on. Whether or not they are there to stand with you, they're always gonna be there when you need them, in mind or in body," she went on. "I know you can do this, Luz."
Luz smiled once again as they landed at Hexside. "Thanks, Eda," she said, hugging her teacher. "I needed that."
"Now… show them what a human can do." Eda said, patting Luz on the head.
"You sure you'll be okay?" Luz asked as Eda prepared to take off. "Remember what we have to do when the time comes. Do you think you'll be ready?"
Eda remained silent for a while before eventually turning back. "Green for glory, kiddo." She said with a smile before flying off towards the Titan's Knee.
"We're all gonna need to be ready, you know." Azura said.
"I know," Luz said, walking to the entrance, where Gus, Willow and Skara were. She was about to make her way to them until she saw some familiar lavender hair around the corner. "What's that?" she asked herself, walking towards the source.
Coming to a stop, Luz found Hecate pacing in front of Amity, who looked ashamed as she held her hem while rubbing the back of her neck.
"I get that you probably haven't felt any affection before like what you're feeling for Luz," Hecate said to Amity. "But you can't always express things like 'step on me' whenever you're enamored by her. You need to have more self-control."
"I know, I know," Amity said shyly. "But… she's nothing like anyone I've ever met before. Boscha didn't have that confidence that she has, and Cat or Amelia didn't have that same compassion when I was friends with them either," she went on. "I didn't want to know if Skara had it at the time, but when it came to Luz… I just felt that she had what was missing in my life… and I feel things that I haven't felt before whenever she does something so amazing."
Hecate sighed. "I get it, I really do," she said. "And I would support what you do now that she's come into our lives, but you must learn self-control over your emotions," she reiterated. "I'm not mad, but what you said at the Knee took me by surprise," she said. "Promise me that you'll be able to control yourself more in the future, okay?"
Amity nodded. "You got it," she promised before getting a hug from her NetNavi. She smiled and slowly hugged back. "I really needed this." She said to herself softly.
Luz smiled at the display before she and Azura pulled back.
"Hecate's real good with Amity," Azura said. "Really gives her the kind of therapy she needs."
"Yeah, she does," Luz said. "Gives me an idea for how to go about with the Therapy Navis, but right now, it's time for school."
"Hey!" Skara called as Luz and Azura finally made their way towards them. "I hear you really wowed Bump at your exam."
"Just showed him the magic that we've learnt so far," Luz said. "Using all that we've learned with the creativity we carry made for quite the impressive display."
"You actually did it!" Gus exclaimed before spreading his arms out. When he did, an Illusion Banner appeared, showing the words Better Luck Next Time!. "Um, sorry," he said shyly as Willow and Skara raised their eyebrows at him. "Wanted to cover my bases." He apologized before rearranging it so that it now said Welcome, Hexoleo Homie! instead.
"So… you ready to walk these hallowed halls?" Willow asked, trying to change the topic as she saw Luz with a look that spelled out murder in her eyes.
"The question is… is Hexside ready for us?" Luz asked as she and Azura bumped fists before heading inside. "See you soon!"
"Bye, Luz!" Gus called before spreading another Illusion Banner, one which said It's Pogo-Sticking Time! on it, much to the confusion of Willow and Skara. "What?" he asked defensively. "They're real automatic pogo sticks this time, and not detonators!"
"Titan dang it, Gus." Skara said with a facepalm while Willow shook her head.
Luz started to make her way to the principal's office, as per requested by Principal Bump before she could start her first day. On her way, Mattholomule saw her and walked up alongside her.
"Luz, thank goodness I found you." Mattholomule said as Cat and Amelia waved to them, to which they waved back.
"What's going on, Matt?" Luz asked.
"Yeah, what's up?" Azura chimed in.
"Well, so far in the business, we have a good track of distributing Navis, Chips, PETs, and now the new Guard Grips, as well as grips similar to the ones you made for your own PET," Mattholomule started out. "But I've also run into some security issues that I can't take care of forever."
"What kind of security issues?" Luz asked as Boscha looked to her locker quietly, the image of Lurerre still showing in her head.
"Well, we've been getting intruders trying to access everything we've made, and deliver them to the companies that have hired them," Mattholomule explained. "I've driven off a few of them thanks to the fact that our business is run from your home, but until I get a better security system installed, we need to up our security levels."
"We'll get right on it as soon as school is done," Azura said. "Thanks for the update."
"No problem." Mattholomule said before walking off.
Soon, Luz and Azura came to Principal Bump's office and opened the door. When they did, they saw Principal Bump himself looking to a news report on his crystal ball.
"Glandus was just attacked in the recent string of attacks on schools across the Boiling Isles," Perry Porter reported, showing footage of the drained students being tended to by the Healing Coven. "All victims claim not to know who they have been attacked by, and because of this, the Emperor's Coven is unable to properly counter against this mysterious saboteur. When asked by the head of Glandus on how we should act, all we were told was that Hexside had better watch out in case they are the next to be struck."
"Seems like quite the issue we've got then." Luz spoke up, getting Principal Bump's attention.
"Normally, I would be pleased that rival schools are getting attacked, but I can see that we might be next on whatever, or whoever, is behind the attacks," Principal Bump said. "But don't let that get in your way. I'm sorry you had to even see that when you came to see me. I take it you know how we do things here when it comes to learning?"
"Yes, we are assigned to tracks of our choosing," Luz said. "However, as one who does not do magic like everyone else, I was wondering if I could take different courses during my time here."
Principal Bump smiled. "You know, you're not the first to ask that," he said. "Back then, we would follow the tradition of sticking to one type of magic. Mixing magic was something that used to be envisioned, but the Emperor banned it, claiming it to be dangerous," he explained. "But with the recent events and their inability to act against threats such as ShadeMan and the Darkloids, I am not too sure if the word of Belos is enough, especially with what is about to happen today."
"Which is what?" Azura asked.
"We're supposed to be getting an inspector from the Emperor's Coven to evaluate how Hexside is performing," Principal Bump explained. "If we can impress her enough, we can get funding from the Coven to help with the school and improve things better."
"Well… what if I supplied you with the money?" Luz suggested, getting Principal Bump to look at her with surprise. "Ever since we opened up Luzura Incorporated, we have been making lots of money from everything we sell. With all we've been getting, I'd be more than happy to give you as much as you need, and even more."
Principal Bump smiled warmly at this offer. "You have a good heart, Luz," he said. "I could tell it the moment you told me about the problems that Willow and Skara were having on your first day coming here, and more when you addressed everyone at the assembly. I could go on about the other times you have shown this, but that would be saying too much," he said. "You've earned that money all on your own. It would be a sin of me to ask you to hand me over ten thousand snails for what needs to be given to the school."
"I understand, but please, consider what I am offering." Luz said sincerely.
"Well, if you insist, then I shall put it into consideration," Principal Bump said. "But as for how you shall learn, perhaps try a single track, and if you do well there, I might reconsider my stance on multi-tracks. I've found myself wrongly putting three students into detention because of it, and ever since the fight at Terrace Stadium, it has weighed on me heavily."
Luz nodded. "Might I try my hand at the Construction track, if that's the case then?" she suggested. "It is difficult to find something that fits with the NetBattling style that Azura and I share together, and Construction seems to fit with what I have."
"That seems to make sense. Very well," Principal Bump said, spinning his finger to create a spell circle. "To Construction you go."
With the spell circle made, Luz found her sleeves and pants now to be colored brown just like what Mattholomule had. Azura nodded in approval before she was handed a schedule of different classes.
"Thank you," Luz said. "I'll be on my way then."
"Remember that everyone knows what you have done for the Isles, and will be eager to learn from you when you start teaching here," Principal Bump said. "And I, for one, can't wait to see your syllabus."
"Then I had better give you one of these," Luz said, handing over a syllabus to Principal Bump. "Azura and I have made several dozen copies of these, so once we acclimate to how things work here, we will distribute the rest." She said before walking off.
"Nice kid." Principal Bump said as he sat back down to look at the syllabus for the NetBattlers' Track.
"Gotta hand it to her," WaspMan said from Principal Bump's Scroll PET. "She really knows how to make a great impression."
"Indeed," Principal Bump agreed. "She'll be a very promising student to be sure," he said before thinking back to her offer again. "Her niceness is really starting to get to me." He admitted before getting back to work, unaware that someone was watching him from outside of his window.
Meanwhile, Luz had reached the Construction Track homeroom. Opening the door, she found the inside to resemble a construction yard, complete with stone structures, desks, and several things being moved around by makeshift versions of construction vehicles. At the teacher's desk were even several construction tools in addition to pencils, pens and chalk.
"So, you chose Construction?" Mattholomule asked, walking over and getting Luz and Azura to turn to him. "Frankly, I saw you more as someone who fits in with any track, maybe more than one, but this is a nice start for you."
"What should I expect from here?" Luz asked.
"Well, don't worry about the seats, they're comfortable," Mattholomule started out, patting one of the seats to reveal soft cushions that still resembled stone. "Our teacher's name is Wendy Packard, has a husband named Robert, all of our assignments and projects are hands-on, and despite how dusty everything looks, we've got a clean environment."
"Alright, good to know." Luz said.
"Don't forget that we've got great support for the NetBattling trend you have brought here."
Everyone who heard the voice ran to their seats and sat down. Luz and Azura, on the other hand, turned to the source of the voice. They eventually found who had spoken when seeing a young adult witch walking towards them. She had hazel eyes, light skin, a yellow cap, green clothes with brown cuffs and a brown collar, grey jeans, and a black sash over her to mark herself as the teacher. She looked to Luz and Azura, sending them a smile as she walked over.
"Mrs. Packard, I take it?" Luz asked, sitting down in one of the open seats, only to be moved to a different one from a spell circle by the teacher.
"Please, call me Wendy," Mrs. Packard said as she approached the desk. "And I do mean it, you two. I'm very supportive of the Net trend that you have introduced to all of the Demon Realm. In fact, I have my own Navi, but I didn't quite qualify for the Dem-N1 Grand Prix yet."
"Well, I'm sure you'll get there," Luz reassured. "But I'm not here as head of Luzura Incorporated today. I'm here as a student."
"Indeed you are," Wendy said with a smile. "Now, today, to start off the new semester, we will be working with the strongest known alloy of the Titan, its iron from the potassium built up over the centuries," she said, causing several brick-like objects to appear on everyone's desks. "I ask that you all look over these, break them down, and study how they were formed over time. It is possible to have them reassembled in a shorter time than they did over the ages, so don't worry if it doesn't get right the first time around. You will have plenty of chances to study these, and…" she started before a crystal ball suddenly dropped onto her desk.
"Um… is this supposed to be a part of the class?" Azura asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Oh, Orga. You and your hyperactive students," Wendy mused as she picked up the crystal ball. "Can someone please deliver this back to the Oracle Track homeroom?" she called.
"We can do it." Luz offered as Azura returned back to the Progress PET.
"Thank you," Wendy said, handing the crystal ball to Luz. "Orga's room is four doors down to the left. They have their door marked with a purple aura."
"Good to know. I will be right back." Luz said as she took the crystal ball and made her way out.
"You think we can do this?" Azura asked as Luz walked to the left of the room. Seeing the door with a purple glow around it, she smiled and walked towards it.
"Should be easy enough," Luz said, making her way towards where the Oracle Track classes were. Knocking, she entered and placed the crystal ball onto a table where several others were, just as the teacher, Mx. Orga, was looking at the damage done to the wall that it had caused. "Here you go." She said.
"Please tell Wendy how sorry I am for this," Mx. Orga sincerely said. "The Oracle newcomers tend to get very excited when it comes to their first day."
"I can relate," Luz replied before seeing an empty seat with a faded nameplate on it. "Penelope Spectra?"
"Yes, that seat used to belong to Penelope before she was corrupted into the Darkloid Pandora," Mx. Orga confirmed. "I blame myself for her corruption. While other teachers would tend to move on from fallen students, I refused to believe that Penelope is truly gone, and have kept her seat still intact in case the day comes when she can be redeemed."
"Then I can assure you, that I will do all I can to make sure Penelope is brought back." Luz promised before walking out.
As Luz was making her way back to the Construction Track homeroom, she felt someone approaching. Still keeping her pace, she lunged forward and kicked off of a nearby locker, backflipping until she was now behind the person trailing her. Her eyes widened to see it was none other than Principal Bump.
"What's going on?" Luz asked.
"Ms. Noceda, I apologize for this," Principal Bump said as Luz put her PET and Synchro Chip, having prepared to CrossFuse. "When I saw you with the crystal ball, I had assumed you were breaking the rules I had told you about."
"While I am iffy on staying with a single track, I would never break any rule you set forth without a good reason," Luz reassured. "I truly want to make a good first impression on my first day, after all, so I can understand the concern you had."
"Thank you," Principal Bump said, preparing to walk away. However, a thought came to him, getting him to turn back around to face Luz. "Actually, I was hoping you could help me with something, now that I've looked more into the attacks on the other schools."
"What is it?" Luz asked.
"I've been thinking about the three students I put into detention," Principal Bump explained. "And now, while I truly regret the reason for putting them in, having mixed magic that produced more superior results than any other student, I have started to wonder. What if whoever or whatever is attacking the schools won't go after those who have mixed magic?"
"Are you trying to get them out for help?" Luz suggested.
"No, that would raise suspicion on the attacker," Principal Bump reasoned. "I plan to have them released, but in a covert way," he said, handing Luz a small card. "This here is an all-access pass to get in and out of any place in the school, even from the Detention Track. With you as the only human here, and the only one without magic, I believe that you can infiltrate the Detention Track and find the students. There, you can tell them that they are no longer delinquents nor will they ever be in detention, and hopefully, you can work with them to find a way to stop this attacker."
"Why can't you go and tell the detention teacher yourself?" Luz asked, looking to the all-access pass.
"Because he is very strict when it comes to detention, and will refuse even my orders to release students despite anything I would say," Principal Bump said. "I will tell Mrs. Packard that you are doing this in secret, and you will be cleared for not returning to the class," he stated. "Find the door with the iron bars on the windows. That will be where the detention track is."
"So, I'm doing this under secret orders that no other teacher would approve of?" Luz asked, looking to the all-access pass once again. "Then again, when have I ever done anything that others would approve of back home?"
With that, Luz was soon on her way, walking through the halls. In no time, she came across the room that Principal Bump described to her, and slid the all-access pass on the knob. It soon opened, and she found the detention teacher, one with six eyes, asleep, as three other students inside were minding their own business. She closed the door behind her, but when she turned around, found the trio sneaking off through the chalkboard. Sneakily, she ran after them, making her way to where they were going just as the hidden passage closed.
"Whew, that was a close one," Luz said before feeling someone grab her. Slowly, she reached for the hand and twirled it off of her shoulder, where another hand was about to grab her hair. Grabbing it as well, she twisted both around until she forced them into the chest of her attacker, surprising her that it was the same Healing Track student who had fought FeralMan at Terrace Stadium and who attended her meeting on potential Darkloid origins when BubbleMan arrived. "You?" she asked, releasing the Healer as the two backed away from each other.
"Wow, you're quite the fighter in real life than your Navi is against mine," the Healing Track student complimented before holding out her hand to Luz. "I'm Viney, Viney RD Martha, NetOp of Mediclaw and part of the Healing Track, though I dabble in the Beast-Keeping Track too."
"Luz Noceda, head of Luzura Incorporated and first human to attend Hexside," Luz introduced herself, shaking hands with Viney. "Though I would like to dabble in pretty much everything."
"Welcomed to the club," Viney said before motioning to two other students, a dog wearing shades and a lanky teen with brown hair. "Jerbo, Barcus. She's all good."
"Oh, thank goodness," Jerbo, the lanky teen, said as he walked forward, shaking hands with Luz. "Barcus and I are suspicious of newcomers to the Detention Track, just like we were with Viney when she first came here. Sorry about that."
"Woof!" Barcus barked, causing Luz to raise an eyebrow.
"My intentions are not what they seem?" Luz translated, to the surprise of Viney and Jerbo as she turned to them. "Oh, there's another dog who's friends with everyone back in the Human Realm, one who can go from the Cyberworld to the real world at will, named Rush," she explained. "We hang out with him a lot, and we've all come to understand him a bit. I guess that just helps when translating other dog languages, I guess."
"But what did he mean?" Jerbo asked.
Luz held up the all-access pass. "Principal Bump wants to tell you that he regrets putting you in here, and that you are free to go," she informed them. "I broke in here to find you and tell you that, but first… what magic tracks did you mix that made him put you here in the first place? Out of curiosity." She asked sincerely.
Viney smiled. "Well, good to know he's not banning the multi-track system anymore," she said. "I was put in here because of my methods in healing. I'm a good Healer, but my Griffin, Puddles, always loves to help. He gives lollipops to all of the patients I take care of."
"I was making Abominations with Plant Magic," Jerbo spoke up. "While I made a great Abomination, well… it ended up destroying half of the Abomination Classroom."
"As for Barcus here, he was in the Oracle Track, but instead of crystal balls, he liked to use Potions to foretell the future and other fates," Viney said as Barcus licked himself. "Suffice it to say that the teacher wasn't too pleased… not after he freaked out so much that Mx. Orga had to replace him."
"Where I come from, these aren't even considered to be crimes," Luz said. "People do stuff like you do and so much more. My mom is like you, Viney," she told Viney as the trio led Luz through the passages. "She's known as a veterinarian, someone who heals animals and practices with them. There's a swamp-man hiding out in the local bayou who could be mistaken for an Abomination, and others don't use crystal balls to see what the future holds, they use other means too," she explained before looking to the room she was led to. "Where are we?" she asked.
Inside, the quartet was now in a room with several doors everywhere, from the ground level walls to even above them. Even the ceiling had latches and doors on it.
"We show this room to a select few… the Secret Room of Shortcuts!" Viney proclaimed. She guided Luz to one of the doors and stepped aside. "Go on. Take a look for yourself." She offered.
Luz smiled and opened the door in front of her, showing Amity pacing around while Hecate was writing down something on a notepad.
"Okay, so you go to the same school together officially now, and she'll be your teacher," Amity said as Hecate wrote this all down. "Doesn't change anything, we'll still be friends with her… right?"
"Remember, don't stress too much over it," Hecate advised as Luz closed the passage door, getting both her and Amity to turn to the source. "What was that?"
"Whoa…" Luz said in amazement before seeing another door. Curiously, she opened it, and her eyes widened.
"Are these the last of those detonator things Luz talked to us about?" a Hexside guard asked.
"Yeah, we should be set," another Hexside guard replied. "Still wanted to bounce on one of them."
"No can do. We gotta set these on fire before we cause any more explosions across the Boiling Isles."
Luz slammed the door and did her best to stop herself from losing her temper. "Note to self," she said as Azura came out to calm her down, much to the surprise of the detention trio. "Talk with Bump about the detonators and getting rid of…"
Before Luz could finish, a loud explosion went off, surprising everyone in school, though the Detention Track teacher only woke up slightly from it before falling back asleep, missing the same disguised creature that had attacked Glandus as she walked by.
"Um, Luz?" Viney asked as Azura placed a barrier around her sister. "You feeling okay?"
"Trust me, whenever I have to put a soundproof barrier around her, she's anything but okay." Azura said as the barrier was completed. All anyone could see Luz doing now was ranting and yelling at the top of her lungs, all words being blocked out by the bubble around her.
"Ruff!" Barcus barked, getting Azura to turn to her.
"You don't want to know," Azura replied before turning to Viney. "So… you're the NetOp of the Navi who's been giving me a run for my money so far, huh?" she asked playfully.
"I designed Mediclaw myself once I got my Scroll PET and customizable Navi," Viney said, taking out her Scroll PET to show off the specs of Mediclaw. "Really wanted to put the best of my Healing and Beast-Keeping into him, and now, he holds a high rank in the NetBattle Arena."
"We've never had someone prove to be so tough against us before. It's an honor," Azura said before feeing something tap against the barrier. Everyone turned to see Luz aiming her Progress PET out and with a hand on her hip. "She's all good," she said before lowering the barrier. "Feeling better now?"
"A little, yeah," Luz replied before looking to Viney. "When I put together that you were the NetOp of Mediclaw, I started to check your Synchro Rating. You've got quite the bond with your Navi there."
"Thanks, we try our best." Mediclaw said.
"Well, how about I…?" Luz started out before hearing something. Slowly, she opened one of the doors nearby, seeing some students falling to the ground as the same creature that had attacked Glandus slithered past them. "Hold that thought." She said before lunging herself out, tackling herself into the creature.
"What's that?" Azura asked as she watched.
"My cousin knows about those… it's a Greater Basilisk," Viney said, surprising Azura. "But they're supposed to be…"
"Let me guess. Extinct?" Azura asked.
"How did you know?" Viney asked.
"Because the one we already know isn't anything like this one." Azura replied.
"Get to safety! Hurry!" Luz called to the rest of the students who were helping the others up. Turning back, she saw the Greater Basilisk get back up, now turning into her witch disguise. "I take it you're the one who attacked the other schools too?" she asked.
"You may have taken me by surprise now, but rest assured, it won't happen again!" the Greater Basilisk remarked before throwing two punches at Luz.
Luz redirected the fists to the side before performing a cartwheel kick at her opponent. She side-spun out of the way before blocking an incoming jab from her. Holding her open hand steady, she lunged back with a jab of her own, but Luz broke free and kicked her fist, both getting knocked away from each other.
"Whoa…" Jerbo said in amazement.
"Bark! {She fights with the strength of a warrior!}" Barcus remarked.
"Oh, you have no idea," Azura said as Luz and the Greater Basilisk both got back up. "She's been trained by some of the best fighters back on Earth to prepare for CrossFusion."
"Not bad, human," the Greater Basilisk said before picking up a magazine that fell from her board. Opening it up, she grinned before changing shape, this time taking on the appearance of none other than Kim Possible. "But let's see how you fare against one of the Human Ream's best fighters!" she remarked before launching herself forward with a bicycle kick.
"Big whoop," Luz said before blocking the kick with a quick series of punches. When the Greater Basilisk landed, she tried to slam her foot down with an axe-kick, but Luz easily blocked it before kneeing her repeatedly and spin-kicking her into the lockers. "I beat the real Kim Possible in close combat months ago! You're nothing like her!"
Five Months Ago…
Luz backflipped away in the NetSavior headquarters as Kim Possible pulled her foot off from the ground, having performed a very quick series of kicks at her.
"Nice work, Luz," Kim said as Luz got into a fighting stance. "But you've still got a long way to go." She said before placing her right hand behind her back. Holding her left arm out, she made a daring motion to her, a confident smirk on her face.
"This time will be different, Kim!" Luz remarked before charging back at Kim.
Witnessing everything unfold from above was Mr. Famous, as well as Raika, Monique, Maylu, and a few other NetSaviors in training, all watching with interest as Luz made her move against Kim.
Kim moved out of her stance and sent two punches forward, ready to counter Luz's own as she held hers back. However, she leapt up and performed a bicycle kick at her, catching her by surprise and forcing her to try and redirect her feet away with each kick. However, with the sudden feint, Luz landed and punched herself off of the ground, spin-kicking her multiple times in the chest before finally pulling off a one-inch punch to her knee, forcing her back until she was sent rolling onto the ground, only stopping when she landed on her back.
"KP!" Ron called out from the sidelines, watching Kim get back up slowly.
"Point! Victory!" the supervisor of the gym announced, placing his hand towards Luz.
"Not bad, Luz," Kim said, still slowly getting back up. "Took a while, but I can finally say… you actually defeated me. Well done."
"Wow," Azura said as she approached Kim's NetNavi, Miracle. "She did it! Luz actually beat Kim Possible in a fair fight!"
"Relish in this for the time being, Azura," Miracle said as she and Azura high-fived. "But when a rematch comes, know that we won't be making it easy for you."
"Keep up the good work, Luz," Kim said as she and Luz shook hands. "I know you'll be able to make Manny proud."
Present…
"So keep it coming," Luz said, getting into another fighting stance as the Greater Basilisk returned to her true form. "Whatever it takes to keep everyone here safe."
"No one is safe from my wrath!" the Greater Basilisk remarked, recovering fully. "Not after what the Isles has done to my family!"
"Wait… your family…?" Luz asked, taking a closer look at the true form of the Greater Basilisk. Her eyes widened when she recalled what Vee told her. "Wait, you're not the last Basilisk! One of them is in the safety of my mother in the Human Realm! Vee's okay!"
"I don't know who Vee is," the Greater Basilisk remarked. "You won't fool me, human!" she proclaimed before swinging her tail at Luz, knocking her into the wall, where Azura and Viney caught her. "Now, if you excuse me, I have more of the school to feast on so I can get my revenge on Belos for what he's done!" she declared before slithering off.
"We have to stop her before she attacks anyone else!" Luz exclaimed as Viney and Azura pulled her inside. "And we can do it without having to resort to anything deadly. My sister is one of the basilisks that made it out, just like she did!"
"She didn't recognize Vee's name. Why?" Azura asked.
"Who's that?" Viney asked.
"What my sister calls herself, a basilisk who uses my form while I'm here," Luz explained. "But thinking on that fight… I think I know why she didn't recognize the name."
During the Fight…
'When we were fighting, I was able to attack from nearly every angle of that basilisk. But I then saw something branded on her right arm, something that remained whenever she took on a different appearance…'
As Luz pressed on with her attack, she found herself behind the Greater Basilisk, and noticed a stylized 0 branded on her arm. Just as she tried to change shape, the mark remained. But before Luz could look at it further, she was once again forced back.
Present…
"A zero, and now I realize why Vee chose her name," Luz went on. "Her name is the Roman Numeral for five, as in the fifth basilisk made."
"So this one is basilisk zero then?" Viney asked.
"That would be my guess," Luz said. She looked to the detention trio. "I'm gonna need your help to put an end to this, and I can guarantee you, your skills that put you here in the first place will be the very thing that will make you be seen as heroes once this is all done."
Jerbo nodded. "I'm in," he said. "Anyone else."
"Ruff!" Barcus barked in agreement.
"As if you had to ask," Viney said with a smile, walking up as well. "You have a plan?"
"Yeah," Luz said. "I do. But first… I need to make a stop for something special to make this all work out."
In the auditorium, several more students were being drained of their magic by the Greater Basilisk. Principal Bump did his best to make sure that other students got to safety while behind him, Amity and Hecate did their best to do the same as well.
"Guess we know what attacked the other schools now!" Hecate pondered as she sent forth several energy constructs, creating walls to surround the Zero Basilisk.
"Hold your ground!" Principal Bump ordered before he and Amity created Abominations to try to keep the Greater Basilisk contained.
"This is nothing!" the Greater Basilisk remarked, absorbing the magic from the constructs before spinning around, using her tail to slash at the Abominations. One of Amity's tried to grab her, but she simply swallowed it in one bite, sending a smirk. "Delicious." She said before aiming herself at Hecate, now preparing to drain once again.
"No!" Amity called out, jumping in the way and pushing Hecate to the side.
Hecate let out a grunt as she fell before turning back. She gasped as she saw Amity dropping to her knees, now looking pale, before her Scroll PET fell next to her head.
"Amity, no!" Hecate called before navy and purple magic circles surrounded her, taking her away.
"Hecate, Logging Out."
"And you're next, Principal!" Zero called out, lunging at Principal Bump, only for a Dimensional Area wall to stop her. "What's this?"
"You like it?"
The Greater Basilisk and Principal Bump turned to see Luz approaching, as did Hecate once Amity's Scroll PET floated into the air.
"A little something for my class. A portable Dimensional Area Generator," Luz said. "You can try to drain the magic energy from it since it uses the same magic as the Demon Realm, but know that I have no intention to cause any grievous harm to you," she said as the Greater Basilisk started to clench her fist. "Please… just listen to me."
"Never!" the Greater Basilisk snarled, lunging at Luz. However, she stepped back and used her foot to open a trap door beneath her, where Viney flew out on her Griffin, Puddles.
"Jerbo, now!" Viney called before several more doors around opened up, letting vines covered in Abomination Goo shoot out, holding the Greater Basilisk in place as Jerbo approached, his hands held out.
"Please, just listen to me…" Luz said before the Greater Basilisk broke free again, only to be sent onto the stage by three vials of potions mixed with purple magic. Barcus soon walked forward, having thrown them.
"What… what's going on?" the Greater Basilisk asked, seeing Luz approach her, but they were no longer in the auditorium. Instead, they were now in Luz's room at the Owl House, with the memory of Luz on her video call showing next to them. "What are you trying to pull here?"
"Please… just watch." Luz said, redirecting the Greater Basilisk to the laptop screen.
"Luz, meet your new sister, Vee!" Camila announced, causing the Greater Basilisk's eyes to go wide as soon as Vee revealed her true self on the video call.
"It's nice to meet you." Vee said shyly.
"Five…?" the Greater Basilisk asked, getting Luz to nod to confirm.
"I'm a basilisk, and my name is Vee. I'm sorry for disguising myself as you, Luz. I just wanted to fit in when I escaped from the Demon Realm."
"Escape? Why?"
"The Emperor created me and several other basilisks for unknown reasons. There were some witches who were acting against him that helped us escape, but as far as I know, I'm the only one who managed to sneak through the Portal Door when you arrived."
"Five, or as she calls herself now, Vee… she's alive," Luz said calmly as the memory potion started to wear off, getting everything to return to normal. "She's safe. Your sister lives."
"Vee…" the Greater Basilisk said, letting tears fall from her eyes. Luz took a closer look, and saw that these were tears of joy. "So… there's hope after all…"
"I told you… you have nothing to rage against," Luz said. "Whatever every Basilisk is dealing with, we will help you."
"I can't thank you enough…" the Greater Basilisk said as the Detention Trio gathered together and smiled, as did Principal Bump. "But I know how I can thank you for a start."
Luz watched as the Greater Basilisk spread out her arms, causing orbs to fly out from her. They all flew to the students she had drained at Hexside before spreading to reach the students and teachers at the other schools, restoring their magic and letting their paleness disappear from their bodies.
"Ugh…" Amity said, slowly getting back up as Hecate came back out, carefully aiming her LunaStriker at the Greater Basilisk, who was being brought into a comforting hug by Luz.
"Luz?" Amity asked, wiping her eyes to get her vision back.
"No one will harm you or any other Basilisk again… I promise," Luz said before releasing herself from the Greater Basilisk. "Do you… have a name I can call you by?" she asked.
The Greater Basilisk turned to think for a moment before turning back, now turning into a humanoid figure with fair skin, ears and hair that matched those she had for her true form, and a purple-and-white striped shirt with brown pants.
"Call me Cero."
"Well, Cero, I know you've still got a lot to make up for," Luz said. "Fortunately, I'm looking to hire for my company. How would you like to join Luzura Incorporated?"
"I will be forever in your debt for taking care of Vee," Cero said. "And I would be more than honored to serve you."
"Not serve me, just work with me," Luz said, motioning to Hecate to lower her weapon. "It'll take a while for everyone to trust you again, but for what it's worth… I'll be the first."
"Thank you, Luz Noceda." Cero said.
"Well, a job well-done, Ms. Noceda," Principal Bump said before turning to the detention students. "Please, forgive me for how unfairly I treated you, placing you into the Detention Track just because you mixed magic. I can now see that as the times change, so must the rules."
"But what about the money you need when the real inspector arrives?" Jerbo asked.
"I've decided to take an offer from Luz," Principal Bump said, smiling to Luz as she and Cero approached. "And accept the money you can give to the school."
"Of course, Princy-B." Luz said, getting Amity and Cero to chuckle lightly at the nickname.
"We'll work on the names," Principal Bump said with an embarrassed shrug before turning back to the trio. "Now, as I am lifting the ban on multi-track forever… what tracks would you like to take?"
"Plant and Abominations!" Jerbo called, just as Barcus let out another bark. "Oh, and for Barcus, Oracle and Potions."
"Healing and Beast-Keeping for me!" Viney called, holding her hand up.
"Consider it done." Principal Bump said, spinning a spell circle.
Viney, Jerbo and Barcus looked to themselves with amazement as their grey uniforms now gained new colors. Jerbo's sleeves were colored for the Abomination Track while his pants were green, and Barcus now had a two-tone purple right sleeve and a yellow sleeve. Viney, on the other hand, now had brown pants to match the colors of the Beast-Keeping Track while her sleeves became blue for the Healing Track.
"And what about you?" Principal Bump asked, turning to Luz.
"Is it still possible for me… to learn everything?" Luz asked.
With that, Luz suddenly found herself lifted off of the ground. Everyone watched as her Hexside Uniform also started to change colors. Holding out her right hand, she gained a two-tone color sleeve, one color being yellow for Potions and the other green for Plant, while her legs gains triple-toned colors. Her right leg had the colors of Construction, Bard and Abominations, while her left leg gained the colors for Beast-Keeping, Healing, and Illusions, leaving her left sleeve to gain two purple colors to represent Oracle.
"Whoa yeah!" Luz called out, striking her CrossFusion pose. "Look out, 'caus I'm gonna study everything!"
"There was one other who wanted to study everything when she was your age," Principal Bump said, pulling up a portrait of someone, though their body was obscured by paint smudges all over. "Unfortunately, she never got the chance." He finished before clearing the paint off, revealing it to be a younger Eda.
Luz chuckled. "Why am I not surprised?" she mused amusingly.
All of a sudden, a burst was heard. Everyone turned to see Lurerre digitize in before taking out a Dark Chip, one that sent purple lightning out at Principal Bump, hitting him in his Coven Sigil on his left arm. He yelled as it struck him, falling to his knees.
"Hands off of him!" Cero called out, sending forth her tail, to knock Lurerre down before absorbing part of the magic drained from him. However, as soon as the lightning faded, the new Abominations Dark Chip flew into Lurerre while the rest of the energy that Cero took was given right back to him.
"Didn't see that coming," Lurerre mused as she got up, now with Abomination Tentacles spreading from her back, lifting her off of the ground. "But it doesn't matter now."
"Guess our work isn't over yet." Luz mused as she helped Amity up with Hecate.
"I'm too dizzy from the attack," Amity said. "Can't CrossFuse for this one."
"And I used up a lot in fighting Cero," Luz added on. "But there's still one more of us who can pull this off." She said, taking out a new Synchro Chip.
"You've been behind some of the attacks too!" Jerbo accused.
"Right you are," Lurerre said. "I took advantage of the chaos caused, and took the time to add to my growing powers," she said, showing her left arm off, which now had a stone fist in addition to her plant limb, as well as a new sword that resembled an IV needle. "Healing from St. Epiderm and Construction from Glandus. All I needed was a random power to add. Fortunately, my memories as part of Boscha remembered that Bump had an Abominations Glyph. My true ascension is almost complete, and you pests will soon be out of my way forever!"
"Are you done? Because we are!" Luz exclaimed, tossing the Synchro Chip. "Viney, now!"
Viney nodded and held out her Scroll PET, allowing the Synchro Chip to fly into it. "Synchro Chip In! Download!" she called out, now synchronizing with Mediclaw.
"You really know how to vex me!" Lurerre spat, opening fire on Viney.
"Begin CrossFusion Now!" Viney and Mediclaw called out, creating a light that canceled out the blast. When it cleared, everyone was out of the auditorium, now finding themselves in the courtyard outside.
"Another one?!" Lurerre yelled, seeing the light continue to spread.
Viney opened her eyes as two versions of her Navi Crest, one blue and the other brown, flew in front of her. Tearing both apart, she slammed them together so that both halves made a whole with the two colors combined. It flew to her chest, giving her a black bodysuit before brown upper armor fixed itself over her. Over her arms were Mediclaw's claws, which shone bright, before her shoulders gained the same Navi Crests. Stomping forward, she let blue leg armor appear, one leg with a brown half of her Navi Crest while the other leg had a blue one. Holding her head up, she let a visor fall over her eyes before letting out a roar, spreading her arms out and letting her claws slash ahead, now fully CrossFused.
"We're doing it, Viney!" Mediclaw exclaimed as Viney took a moment to look at herself. "We've CrossFused!"
"I've dreamt of this for a long time," Viney said with awe as Jerbo and Barcus watched in amazement, as did Luz, Cero, Principal Bump, Amity and Hecate. "Now… it's time to show you what real multi-track magic can do, Lurerre!"
"You don't scare me!" Lurerre spat before slamming her hand down. "Chemical Tower!"
Viney smirked before leaping forward as the Chemical Tower made its way towards her. She slashed through it, destroying it, before landing to slash at Lurerre, who held up her sword in defense. She pushed back and lunged with her Plant Claw, which Viney dodged before the fist launched at her, knocking her to the ground and slowly pushing her into it.
"So much for that." Lurerre spat.
"I'm not done yet!" Viney grunted as she reached for her Navi Crest, spinning it a full one hundred and eighty degrees. "Revolve On!"
A wheel appeared around Viney, where she spread her hands and feet towards. Soon, she spun around, moving until she hit Lurerre, before being moved back upright. Afterwards, her head folded back as her leg armor and upper armor switched places, now gaining an elegant blue coat and brown clawed leg armor. A sword that resembled an IV Needle, only more elegant-looking, fell into her hands as her head spun back up, completing the Revolve On.
"I'm still not used to seeing that." Luz said with slight discomfort.
"I feel like my head popped out of my butt," Viney said as she looked to herself again. "Guess I should've expected that in case I gained CrossFusion."
"You won't be expecting this!" Lurerre yelled, aiming her Flask Cannons out. "Grand Flask Cannon!" she called out, firing them both together, which created a huge explosion around Viney as soon as it made impact. "And just for extra measure…" she said, launching her Abomination tentacles at Viney, stabbing at her from all sides.
Everyone gasped as the smoke cleared away, revealing Viney in a battered state. However, when she looked up, she smirked, and all of the injuries she gained faded away while her sword started to glow.
"What?!" Lurerre exclaimed in disbelief. "How did you survive that?!"
"My form before allowed me to go all out on you like an animal," Viney remarked as Lurerre readied herself for another attack. "This one, however, can absorb the energy of any attack you send at me, no matter how deadly! So remember this when I tell you, it's time to get a taste of your own medicine!" she called out, pushing the bottom of her sword forward until her sword shone blue and gold. "Beast-Pulse Blade Full Charge!"
Lurerre gasped as Viney ran forward, slashing through her with her Beast-Pulse Blade four times, two with blue energy slashes and the rest with gold energy. Landing behind her, Lurerre let out a pained yell as she fell to the ground.
"Impossible! No!" Lurerre yelled before digitizing away just as an explosion went off from the damage she took.
"Lurerre, Logging Out."
"Awesome!" Hecate cheered.
"I'll say!" Cero agreed, getting Hecate to eye her briefly before eventually smiling at her.
Viney grinned as she turned around, spreading her arms out. She soon ejected out from her CrossFusion and caught her Scroll PET, spinning it around before letting it float around her.
"A marvelous display, Ms. RD Martha," Principal Bump complimented, briefly looking to where his Abomination Sigil used to be before looking back. "Truly a great example of multi-track magic for all to indulge themselves in."
"Thank you, Sir." Viney said as everyone applauded her.
A while later, the Construction Track students were busy helping to put everything back together. As Principal Bump was overlooking the reconstruction, he heard someone approach and turned around, seeing Alana Graye making her way towards him.
"Head Witch Alana. This is a surprise." Principal Bump said with respect.
"I'm sorry for the delay, but once I heard that the attacks had subsided, the Emperor allowed me to finally come over for my inspection," Alana said, looking around. "Was this the cause of a Darkloid attack?" she asked.
"You could say that," Principal Bump said. "Still, I'm surprised you decided to start out with this school for an inspection over Glandus or St. Epiderm."
"Hexside holds a special place in my heart, so I decided this would be where I started my inspection," Alana explained before seeing Viney, Jerbo and Barcus helping a few other students out. "I had heard about multi-track magic returning, and it seems that my suspicions were correct."
"I no longer care what the Emperor thinks about that," Principal Bump said. "These students helped to save the day," he gestured, showing Luz showing off her new Hexside uniform with Amity to Gus, Willow and Skara, who all gave her compliments about studying everything. "The future of magic in the Demon Realm belongs to the students, not to our old ways."
"I'm glad to hear that, because that kind of attitude gets you funding from us," Alana said, handing Principal Bump a sack of snail coins. "And you don't need to worry. This information will not reach the Emperor, only that you are doing an exemplary job at teaching everyone here."
"Thank you."
"Principal Bump," Luz said, walking up with Cero and Azura by her sides. "If you excuse us, we'll be heading home for the day. There's something I need to take care of for my company."
"Of course, Luz," Principal Bump said as Alana looked to Cero with interest. "Go right ahead."
"Excuse me," Alana said, getting Cero to turn to her. "Are you a basilisk?"
"I am."
"I was informed they had gone extinct by Kikimora and the Emperor," Alana said. "While I am surprised they were wrong… it is a pleasure to meet you." She said, holding her hand out.
"It is nice to see a friendly Coven Head." Cero said, shaking Alana's hand.
"As for you, Luz Noceda, I am a big fan of you and what you have introduced to the Demon Realm," Alana said, turning to Luz. "You have my full support, even when I step down."
"Thank you, Head Witch," Luz said. "I am pleased to hear that."
Soon, the day was done, and Hecate was carrying Amity back home, the latter with a somewhat embarrassed look on her face as she wrapped her arms around her NetNavi's neck.
"I'm feeling better, Hecate. Really." Amity reassured.
"Even if you are, I'm not letting you out of my sight for the rest of this day," Hecate said. "Sure, Cero helped to save us after Luz calmed her down, but I'm not letting you be in danger until you're at a hundred percent in strength."
"You shouldn't have to do this…" Amity said, resting her head against Hecate's chest. 'But yet… the way this feels… it's so warm and comforting. I wouldn't feel this way if Mom did this before. I feel like this is something I don't want to let go of for as long as I live… but why?' she thought to herself as she started to drift off to sleep. 'And soft. This feels so soft too.' She concluded mentally before finally falling asleep for the day, causing Hecate to smile at her before continuing to carry her the rest of the way back to Blight Manor.
In the base underneath the Owl House, Luz watched as Cero shook hands with Mattholomule.
"I welcome you, Cero, as our new head of security," Luz said. "Your work will be greatly appreciated."
"Thank you. I will do all I can to make up for what I've done."
Luz smiled before making her way back upstairs, where Eda was waiting.
"How'd it go?" Luz asked.
"I've found a bit more, and can understand slightly why Lily did what she did," Eda said. "Give me a few more times, and we'll be ready for when the time comes."
"Well, until then, there are still other things to tend to," Luz said before receiving an alert on her PET. "What's this?" she asked, pulling up a video.
Across the Boiling Isles, Amity, Skara, Gus, Willow, and several other NetOp Witches and Demons received the same alert and played the video.
"This is Octavia Porter coming to you with a heads-up! The Dem-N1 Grand Prix will be starting next week! All registration deadlines are coming to a close, so to those wishing to participate, make sure you can get in! Mark your calendars, ladies, gents and those who are neither. The Dem-N1 Grand Prix is coming soon!"
Author's Notes: Well, I hope you enjoyed one of the new chapters I was able to upload for today. Once again, special thanks to Blackmetalzane22 for giving me the idea for this chapter. It means a lot. Please review, rate, and if you can, PM me for anything on the story. For now, SuperHeroTimeFan wishes you a happy Fourth of July! See you soon!