Eda had to admit, it was wonderful to be home again. The familiar warmth, nostalgic ambiance…and her mother's cooking and baking WITHOUT bringing up 'potential cures' for her curse.
Polly and Maddie were in awe of Gwendolyn being in such amazing shape while Sprig eagerly listened to her stories of the quests she went on for that hack. Eda could see Anne was tempted to point out red flags, but was also just amazed.
"I want to be as cool as you Clawthrone ladies when I'm your ages." Anne finally said. "Oh, no offense!"
"Oh, none taken, dear." Gwendolyn assured Anne. "Humans rarely live as long as we do, so it's a compliment all the same. And besides, something tells me you'll be an exception to that."
Anne blushed at that, then chuckled as King got into her lap,
"KING DEMANDS PRAISE TOO!"
"Of curse, your majesty!" Gwen smiled, producing several stuffed monsters. "I saw these possible new servants and thought they might be of use to you."
King happily took the teddies and began naming and assigning them duties.
Dell was with Olivier out in the back, admiring Fleetwing.
"I always knew you had a talent for carving, Ollie." Dell smiled, then seeing the downtrodden look on his grandson's face. "Ollie? What's wrong?"
Oliver looked down at his feet.
"N-nothing, grandpa."
"Olivier, you're a terrible liar."
"..Its two things. One…all possible Palismen on Amphibia never meeting the Owl Queen." The boy admitted.
Dell smiled.
"I'm certain she'll just be happy they're out of Belos' grip. Now, what s the REAL reason you're so down all of a sudden? You're back home, had more than enough cookies and tea to make up for whatever you ate in Amphibia, you brought home a cute apprentice and a beautiful future Mrs. Clawthorne…"
"Grandpa!" Oliver tensed, turning red.
"Oh, like you haven't thought of it! You're as obvious as your mother was with Raine and its adorable!" Dell teased. "So…what's really bothering you? Andrias and The Core?"
"Kind of." Olivier admitted, looking at the last two Palistrom seeds he had. "I mean…They don't know about the two trees I planted; one in Wartwood and the other at Grunge Castle. But how long will that last? I just took them from one danger to another…And then…I taught Grunge and he made Dreadwing…"
"Ah." Dell realized, motioning Olivier to sit down beside him, which he did. "You think you messed up?"
Oliver nodded.
"Ollie, contrary to what some people may say; there are no bad or evil Palismen. Sure, several have bonded with the worst sort of people and those people have gone on to do horrible things…but that's their role; to find and aid a witch so that they can accomplish their dreams and soar to new heights. And regardless of whatever you taught Grunge or if Andrias and the Core even CAN do anything with Palistrom, that is not your fault."
Oliver looked confused at his grandfather.
"You planted those Palistrom trees because you saw potential in the people around them to give them life and a good home. You saw people who could do great with a little help and found a world where, at the time at least, they've never existed before. Conservation is all about taking risks so that what you care for can be protected. And if nothing else? I'm proud of what you did."
The two hugged, Olivier crying a bit.
"Aw," Dell mused, as he saw his grandson now asleep. "You've had a rough day…"
"Need a hand?" Hop-Pop suddenly asked. "Anne would probably be better, but she, Sprig, Polly and Maddie dozed off…"
Dell smiled and let the frog take Olivier.
"Thank you." Dell said.
"I owe your grandson plenty." Hop-Pop smiled. "Sides, he and Anne are surprisingly lighter than I expected."
He then chuckled.
"What?" Dell asked.
"Sorry, just remembered; Anne said you looked like Santa Claus and Gandalf of her world put together, then showed us pictures…"
Dell laughed at that.
"Funny, Ollie and Witchlet said the same thing. Speaking of whom…?
Eda spied Hop-Pop carrying a sleeping ollie with tearstains on his face.
"Dad?"
"Nothing to worry about anymore." Dell assured her. "It was about the trees."
"Ah." Eda realized, taking her son into her arms and handing Hop-pop a potion to invigorated him. "Sorry to leave…"
"Then don't be a stranger." Gwen asked, just as a raven appeared.
"Edalyn!" Lilliths voice came from the raven. "They found him! The Goat who sent Olivier away!"
Instantly, the warmth and love in the Clawthorne estate vanished, replaced by cold fury and vengeance. Good thing the kids were all asleep…
"Go get answers." Gwen ordered Eda, who was already flying. Gwen then softened up. "Should we, darling?"
Hop-Pop tensed. Not wanting to ride again!
"Don't worry." Dell smiled as Ray shifted into staff form. "I'm a slow flier."
"OH THANK FROG!" Hop-Pop said.
BOILING AMPHIBIA
The old Goat demon who had given Olivier the copycat Calamity Box turned out to be someone Eda and Lilith knew.
They didn't realize this at first, mind you: Steven and Sevarin had simply grabbed the demon and dragged him to the Conformitorium's interrogation room while they waited for Lilith.
"One time dispensation." Lilith and another voice cut in,
Warden Wrath was a complicated demon; on the job, he made no exceptions to enforcing Belos' will, frequently demeaning those in his custody for straying from the norm of society. He had held this position for a decade and was in no rush to lose it…although his off duty behavior was sort of…hypocritical, what with him being regining champ pf the Bonesbourough Brawl.
Lilith smirked suddenly.
"Sister, don't you have something to say to the Warden?"
Eda tensed, grumbled, and then took a deep breath.
"You…um…you got any free evenings coming up?" Eda asked.
Wath's form turned giddy.
"Wait, are…are you…?"
"I DID say I would if you caught the guy behind this…" Eda grumbled. "But JUST! ONE! DATE!"
Wrath jumped for joy.
"Oh Thank you, Titan! Thank you! And to think I had this whole plan of stealing something from your pet and…!"
"Wait, what?"
"Uh, never mind!" Wrath hurriedly said, escourting them to the interrogation room where the Goat Demon was being kept. "Remove his concealment and illusion stones."
Several poofs later, there stood someone Eda and Lilith had never wanted to see:
Ex-Prinicpal Faust.
"Edalyn." The demon managed. "Still as troublesome as usual. One would think becoming a parent would've taught you not to corrupt…"
Eda punched the demon in the stomach so hard, he actually coughed bile and blood. She then took a deep breath and looked to Wrath and the guards.
"Find out what he knows and get back to me before he's dealt with." She said.
"Wrath?" Lilith ordered. "Until he's willing to talk..make him wish for Petrification."
"With pleasure." The Warden growled under his mask. With a snap of his fingers, two guards dragged the former principal away, fearful of their boss. Wrath was a father himself; he'd not wished what the Owl Lady had gone through on anyone. If anything, ever happened to his little Braxus….?
A few minutes later
The Clawthorne sisters stopped by the cafeteria to get some tea. Nowhere near as good as their mother's or what had been at the café, but it worked…
"Ma'am? Owl Lady? He's ready to talk." A guard suddenly informed them.
"We were gone five minutes! At most!" Lilith snapped.
"Classic tyrant." Eda mused. "Can talk the talk and sign the signs, but can't walk the walk."
What was once a proud and fearsome demon was now little more than skin and bones, said skin covered in lashes and burns…and a puffed up cheek from an angry Wrath. Apparently Faut had said something about Braxus…
"Man, I know you softened up in age, but this is pathetic!" Eda smirked.
"Please…end me…" The demon begged.
"But of course," Lilith cooed, her staff growing in her hand. "On one condition: Tell me who gave and ordered you to give that box to my nephew."
Eda now joined Lilith with Owlbert in staff form, magic already pulsating through him.
"O-okay…" The demon managed. "T-they had…such…cold eyes…It was…"
Outside, all the guards could hear was an enraged roar. They then FELT a massive pouring of magic and a gargling before the stench of smoke escaped the door. The Clawthrone sisters marched outside, their faces cold as stone as they headed towards the exit.
When the guards dared to look, all they saw was ashes in the rough outline of Faust.
"…NOT TELLING THE WARDEN AND CLEANING! ONE, TWO, THREE, NOT IT!"
"Not it!"
"Not….Oh Titan's scat! I always break the bad news!" the last guard groaned.
Meanwhile, the Clawthrone sisters flew back to their parents' house in relative silence.
"So, what now?" Eda finally asked.
"I…I don't know." Lilith answered. "I always suspected…but we need proof."
"Can't imagine that demon would be all that hard to deal with." Eda started.
"Magic wise, yes. Politically, no. Don't forget she's technically diplomat form Palm Stings."
"Like that means anything." Eda retorted. "Sure, we get some good stuff from them, but nothing we can't grow ourselves. Only reason the alliance is intact is because Belos likes shiny things."
Despite herself, Lilith chuckled at that. Heck, even watching them from afar, Belos chuckled.
"I mean, she's not wrong…." The Emperor mused.
Back with the Clawthorne sisters.
"Regardless, we need to keep Olivier safe." Lilith mused. "Now, don't get me wrong Edalyn; you have done fantastically well…"
"All evidence to the contrary." Eda mused, remembered that horrid day.
"You couldn't have known." Lilith assured her sister. "Even with that one mishap, we both know you'd die before anything happened to him, and Anne as well. And I know how strong my nephew's become; strong enough for the Coven Heads to be sent after him."
Eda hated to admit it, but Lily was right; there was no way any run of the mill witch could after her son now…minus those who'd hurt him all those years ago; psychological and trauma wounds didn't vanish overnight…All the same, aside from Darius, Eberwolf and Terra, she had faith Ollie could handle the current heads…He certainly could handle Gray no problem and she knew Raine would never go full force on their pseudo son.
With her ex on her mind, Eda's mind turned to happier memories: Back when she still looked her age with just two streaks of grey in hair, having a picnic with Raine after they'd ditched a concert. Ollie was running around and playing in the meadow with King as Eda had begun to play, the boys joined them because Ollie loved to hear and see them play and King was getting hungry. Raine let Ollie sit in their lap and began to teach them to play a certain instrument….
"Which is why, after you return Anne to the Human world, I'll be enrolling Olivier into Hexxside."
Now out of her memory, Eda had Owlbert freeze in place. She processed her sister's words.
"Lily, are you trying to get your student killed?" Eda asked, a smirk on her face. "Cause if you are as part of some convoluted revenge on Odalia and for Ollie? I'll forgive all the hunts and capture attempts and make you a member of the Bad Girl and Boy coven."
"Sister, what in the Isles are you…?" Lilith started. "Admittedly, I do have a plan for that Boscha brat…Wait, WHY am I telling you this?!"
"Because you love me and Ollie!" Eda smirked, then frowned. "Oh, you're not."
"Edalyn, I'll pay for his enrollment so its legitimate." Lilith assured her sister. "Bump will keep an eye on him and he'll be safe in the school halls where no one in the covens.."
"Do you not remember what happened the LAST time Ollie went to that school?!" Eda snapped.
"….Oh." Lilith realized.
"Yeah." Eda frowned, willing Owlbert forward.
"It doesn't have to be right now!" Lilith assured Eda. "Like I said, take Anne back to the Human relam and then…"
"Lilith" Eda growled. "Oliver learned more and grew stronger in those months in Amphibia and under me than he EVER did at Hexxside. Heck, you know YOU taught him more than any of those hack teachers…WHO I ADD, let Boscha, aka the brat who cut. Off. My. Son's. Ears. Do whatever she wants just because she's Grudgby captain! I may have been all for that when I was growing up, but I will NOT! LET! MY SON! GO BACK TO THAT HELL!"
Eda's charm began to darken in rage, something Lilith noticed.
"And how will he learn control?" Lilith finally asked. "Sister, I know the risks. And so does Ami…"
"Do not mention that girl." Eda growled. Sure, Boscha did deed and that other girl Skara just stood by and did nothing, but the Owl Lady's mind, Amity was far worse for leading Olivier…
"…Regardless." Lilith managed, growing fearful. "Olivier needs to learn control over his magic."
"Anne, Maddie and the Plantars have been helping plenty with that." Eda retorted.
"And what about if and when they're not here?" Lilith asked. "You may find this hard to believe sister, but I remember the sweet and caring little boy my nephew was. Anne has brought some of him back…and…I know he has aquiantices still at Hexxside…"
"…I'm not making any promises." Eda announced.