NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: The Fugitives
[Earlier]
Edalyn Clawthorne rode upon her magic staff and flew towards Bonesborough at top speed.
She didn't like leaving her father behind. But, she needed to investigate that strange, multi-colored lightning.
And her elderly father was in no condition to fly too fast...and Eda REALLY needed to hurry.
As she flew, Owlbert suddenly slowed down.
"Owlbert, what are you-!?" Owlbert flashed it's wooden eyes, prompting Eda to look down.
Once Eda did, she saw Luz and King below her with that Willow Park girl from Hexside.
The kids seemed to be running really fast in the same direction that Eda was headed.
It didn't take a genius to figure they must have seen the same lightning storm that she had,
and were likely on their way to investigate it just as she was doing.
Eda quickly flew down, and hovered in front of them. "Going somewhere, kids?"
"Eda!" exclaimed Luz, startled.
"Lemme guess: You saw that weird lightning in the sky."
"The one that was Pink, Blue and Green?" spoke Willow. "Yeah, I think the whole Isles saw it."
"King says it's magic lightning." spoke Luz.
"and it is the same type of magic that he saw when-, well...when you-know-who disappeared."
Eda froze, a pale expression on her face as she remembered her son.
Her little boy...who she hadn't seen since his disappearance over three months ago.
Eda didn't want to get her hopes up. but she couldn't shake that maybe, MAYBE...there was a chance.
"King." spoke Eda, her voice quiet. "are you SURE this is the same magic that took my son away?"
King nodded his skull head. "I'll never forget it...It's the SAME magic."
Eda exhaled sharply. She was about to say something else,
but as she opened her mouth to speak...something flashed in the sky.
Everyone looked up to see a cyan colored light glowing at a distance.
"what...is that?!" spoke Willow, puzzled.
Eda stared at the light in confusion.
"I...don't know. But whatever it is, it looks like it's coming from where the Conformitorium is-"
Suddenly, a bolt of blue lighting struck where the glow was, which caused a tremor
that even Eda, Luz and Willow could feel from where they stood.
but just as quickly as it happened...it was over.
And, the blue glow disappeared.
"whoa." spoke Luz, actually at a loss for words. "what in...Wow."
Eda looked to King. "Was that the lightning you saw?"
"Yeah. but there were also Green and Pink ones, too." said King.
"Pink?, I thought it was Violet." spoke Willow.
"It looked more Red to me." added Luz.
"WHATEVER!" snapped King. "Point is, it isn't something that is normal here!"
"You got that right, short stuff." said Eda.
"In all my years on these Isles, I've NEVER seen anything like that before."
Luz looked at Eda. "Sooo...Are we gonna go check it out? I mean...Olivier might be there."
Willow and Eda flinched upon hearing that name.
Despite it being the main focus of the current situation,
it still brough strong emotions for them both that they tried hard to suppress.
"yeah...we're going." said Eda. "But Carefully. That looked like it came from the Conformitorium.
and, I don't need to explain why it isn't a good idea to be noticed in a place like that!"
Willow looked up at the older witch. "If Ollie IS there...then he may need our help."
Eda looked down at Willow...and smiled as she patted her head. "got that right, kiddo."
Eda then dropped her staff down where it began floating in mid-air.
As Eda sat upon the staff, she motioned to Luz and Willow. "Hop on, kids."
Luz (with King) and Willow Sat on the staff behind Eda,
each hugging the other's waist as Owlbert flew them off into the sky.
Upon gaining enough height, the group saw a trail of smoke
that was indeed coming from the region where the Conformitorium was located.
Owlbert soared at top speed towards the smoke.
[Later]
As they neared where the Conformitorium was, Eda floated down silently
with Owlbert returning to Palisman form as his three passengers disembarked.
Eda motioned the others to follow her, and they silently approached a rising hill.
As they looked over to the Conformitorium...they gasped at seeing the state it was in.
Smoke billowed from every broken window, and the building itself looked severely damaged.
"What on Titanos happened here?!" spoke Willow, awestruck.
"It's like a Tornado hit the place!" commented Luz.
Eda stroked her chin as she looked at the hundreds of Coven Guards that surrounded the place.
"can't get any closer without being spotted." spoke Eda.
After a minute of thinking, Luz' eyes lit up. "I have an idea!"
Eda smiled at her apprentice. "I'm all ears kid...Literally." said Eda, pointing at her elven ears.
"Owlbert could get closer without alarming anyone!" said Luz.
"He looks like an ordinary bird, and the Guards are mainly looking for You."
Eda smacked her forehead. "why...didn't I think of that?!"
Eda then grasped Owlbert, and held him gently.
"Okay, Buddy...you're on. Get close enough to listen in on those bozos." explained Eda.
"I'll cast a Scrying Spell so we can observe you and hear what you heard."
Owlbert did a salute with his wings, and then flew off.
"Okay, kids. I need your help to whip up a quick Scrying Spell." spoke Eda.
Luz, King and Willow gathered around and followed Eda's instructions.
In no time at all, Eda managed to conjure a magical window that displayed an image like a TV screen.
They watched as Owlbert flew to a perch where some Coven Guards stood idle.
"what a mess..." spoke a guard.
"Tell me about it..." spoke another guard. "I had plans today, and now I have to cancel everything."
"Whose bright idea was it to install a "Release ALL Prisoners" lever, ANYWAY!?" exclaimed the first guard, angrily.
"I mean, that's is just BEGGING to have something go wrong. I'm amazed this hasn't happened sooner!"
"Escaped prisoners is the least of our worries." spoke the second guard.
"The Prison Staff reported seeing some suspicious characters that incited the riot who are NOT inmates."
The first guard looked at his buddy. "Someone broke INTO the Conformitorium!?"
"Happens more often than you might think."
"Okay, I'll bite: Who are these intruders?" asked the first guard.
"Still waiting on confirmation, but the staff claim it was two adolescent witches accompanied by tiny demons."
"that sounds...Odd."
At that moment, a third guard approached the two.
"Okay, I managed to get a statement from The Warden before he was taken to the Healing Coven."
"Great, did he identify our perps?" inquired the first guard.
"Yes. The intruders are Four frog demons of various ages (most likely from the Sunken Isles.) began the third guard.
"Rrr...Always hated that place." said a coven guard.
"Another was described as looking like a human girl with dark skin and dark hair." continued the third guard.
"That sounds like "Luz the Human" SHE is an accomplice of The Owl Lady." said the second guard.
"No, I think this is a Different human." said the third guard.
"Warden Wrath claimed this human powered herself up with powerful magic."
This made the two other Coven guards freeze. "but...Humans can't use magic! can they?"
"I've seen "Luz the Human" use paper Glyphs to cast spells, but No. she can't use *real* magic."
"The Warden says the 'other human' glowed blue, summoned a bolt of lighting down on him." said the Third Guard.
"Okay, that DEFINITELY isn't the Owl Lady's accomplice." said the second guard.
"Could be a Halfling...I heard about those things."
"d*mned half-breeds." scowled second the coven guard.
"Anyway...the second witch matches the description of Olivier Clawthorne." continued the Third Guard.
The two Coven guards froze again. "Olivier?...as in "Ollie the Owl Kid!?"
"I thought he was dead. No One has sighted him in Three-in-a-Half months!"
"Until NOW." said the Third Guard. "The Warden's description of him matches.
Prison Staff even overheard the presumed Halfling addressing him as "Ollie."
Eda covered her mouth, gasping at the Coven Guards words.
She almost didn't believe it...could it be?
Had her son Really, FINALLY returned home?!
"(*deep sigh*) alright, Better call an A.P.B." spoke the Second Guard.
"Tell all Guard Stations to be on the look out for a group of Frog Demons,
a Human Halfling, and...(*sigh*) "Ollie the Owl Kid."
"I'll get right on that." said a Coven Guard, as he walked away.
"Search the area. It hasn't been that long since the breakout, so they couldn't had gotten far." said the second guard.
"I think we should also send over a team to The Owl Lady's Lair." spoke the third guard.
"If Olivier Clawthorne IS still alive, and has returned, he will certainly go back there."
"Seems too obvious...But, I'll call up a squadron anywa-"
It was then that Eda dismissed the Scrying Spell, having heard all she needed.
"could it...Could it REALLY be Olivier?" spoke Willow, a stunned expression on her face.
"Maybe. I mean...Do you know anyone ELSE in the Boiling Isles named "Olivier?" spoke Luz.
Luz then froze as realization struck her. "wait...they mentioned another human here. Could that be...ANNE!?"
As Owlbert returned, Eda bore a serious look on her face.
"we'll know when we find them...BEFORE Belos' little glee club does."
"But, where do we start looking?" asked King.
[Meanwhile]
Somewhere in the forest area of the Isles...Anne was laid against a large tree
as Olivier, Polly and Hop Pop tended to her while Maddie and Sprig kept a lookout.
(and aiding the two were Fleetwing and Fangora, who were perched on some tree limbs.)
"You feeling okay, Annie?" spoke Olivier, concerned.
Anne let out a sigh. "I..g-guess so. Man...I still can't believe I did all that.
It felt even more intense than when I turned "Super Sai-Anne" the first time!"
Olivier stared dumbfounded at his girlfriend. "what did you just say?"
Anne looked at Olivier. "Super Sai-Anne", it's what I call my powered up form...don't like it?"
"No." said Polly, bluntly.
"It's...Not Bad, but we probably should workshop on a better sounding name." said Olivier (trying to be polite.)
"Oooh!, I got it!" spoke Polly. "How about: "Calamity Anne", since her power comes from one of those Calamity Stones."
"That just makes makes me sound like some kind of crazy criminal!" spoke Anne.
"In all fairness, Anne. I think we've already reached that status after we broke into a prison,
let all the inmates loose and you getting into a literal fist fight with it's Warden." spoke Hop Pop.
There was a brief silence.
"Pops does have a point, all things considered." said Olivier.
Anne grimaced and palmed her forehead with both hands "my mom is gonna kill me if she ever finds out about this..."
Upon saying that Anne then suddenly got sad. "mom...dad. d-domino."
Olivier put his arms around the Thai Girl, hugging her gently.
"it's okay, annie...you're almost home." said Olivier.
"Once we get my mom's portal door, Everything will be okay...I promise."
Anne then looked at Olivier "but...what about you?"
Olivier pulled away to look at Anne, who continued speaking.
"As much as I want to return home...I'm not sure if I am ready to say goodbye.
I mean...the Plantars and Maddie can likely stay with me, since I have to help get THEM back home.
but...the thought of separating from YOU, Ollie? I...I don't think I can do that!
You mean so much to me...and I can't bear the thought of you not being part of my life!"
Anne was starting to panic, when Olivier embraced her once more.
"I'm not going anywhere, Annie." spoke Olivier, his voice gentle.
"I'll go with you to the Human Realm to make sure you get home safely.
And, if I have to leave...it won't be forever. I can use mother's portal to visit you anytime!"
Anne started to calm down as what Olivier said alleviated her worries.
"and, besides: We still need to do something about King Andrias." continued Olivier.
"As well as help Sasha and...Marcy, return to THEIR respected homes. So, our quest isn't over yet."
Anne nodded, and forced herself to smile. "you're right...I'm sorry, but I jus-"
"I know..." spoke Olivier, as he leaned forward and kissed Anne softly on her lips.
"I can't bear to live my life without you either. We'll figure something out...We have to."
Anne smiled, and hugged her magical boyfriend. "I'm so glad to have met you, Ollie."
Olivier hugged Anne back. "So am I...you were the only good thing to come from all of this for me."
"Same. PLUS Sprig, Hop Pop, and Polly." said Anne, with a smile.
"hey!, what about me!?" exclaimed Maddie, looking miffed.
"(*nervous chuckle*) Okay, I'm sorry. I mean TWO good things." said Olivier, awkwardly.
"That's better." said Maddie, smiling.
((*CAW-CAAAAWW!*))
Suddenly, Fleetwing began flapping it's wings and making alarming calls.
"What's wrong with him?!" spoke Anne.
Olivier scowled. "someone is headed our way."
"How close!?" exclaimed Hop Pop, worried.
"CLOSE. I can see rustling in the foliage." said Sprig.
Anne tried to get up...but her legs felt like spaghetti. "I-I still can't get-"
Olivier reached out his hand, prompting Fleetwing to flew down and change into staff form.
Fangora also hopped down, and grasped onto Maddie's mop-like head.
"Everyone huddle together. NOW!" commanded Olivier.
The Frogs all embraced Anne while Olivier raised up his staff and stirred the air with Fleetwing.
The wooden bird's eyes glowed, as did the rest of it's body as Olivier charged up blue colored magic.
Olivier then struck the ground with his staff, causing a burst blue smoke.
When the smoke cleared, the clearing where he and the others were now sported some non-descript bushes.
As a Coven Scout entered the clearing...Anne and the Frogs froze, neither daring to make a sound.
The scout, however, didn't see them. and after a minute of searching, he approached a nearby tree.
The Coven Scout then unrolled a poster and stapled it to the tree trunk.
And, after an uncomfortable moment where the guard 'drained his lizard'
(thankfully with his back turned to the hidden group) he finally left the clearing.
After a minute Olivier cancelled his illusion spell and everyone exhaled with relief.
"oh, FROG...that was a close one." spoke Anne.
Olivier approached the tree and ripped off the poster.
he then exhaled sharply. "oh, terrific..."
Sprig and Hop Pop helped Anne up, who then leaned against another tree. "what?"
Olivier approached everyone and held up the poster in his hands.
It was revealed to be a WANTED poster with a Medieval-styled illustration
that greatly resembled Olivier, as well as Anne, the Plantars and even Maddie.
"WHAT!?" exclaimed Anne, snatching the poster.
"Yikes. looks like we really ARE criminals now." spoke Sprig.
Polly snickered. "Awesoooome..."
Anne groaned in aggravation.
Not even a DAY in a brand new world, and she just made the Most Wanted list.
"On the bright side...That isn't a bad illustration of you, Annie." spoke Olivier.
"Don'cha mean: "Calamity Annie?" smirked Polly (which earned a glare from Anne.)
"All the same, we should keep moving." said Olivier.
"Find a place to stay for a day or two, until the heat cools off."
Anne eyed Olivier. "This kinda thing happen to you often?"
Olivier shrugged. "Enough that mom has a scrapbook of all our wanted posters over the years."
Anne chortled, despite the seriousness of the situation.
"So, where are we going?" asked Anne "Back to your mom's Owl House?"
Olivier made a stern expression.
"Normally, yes. BUT that is literally the first place they'd look for me.
Fortunately, I know another place we can go that isn't as well known to the Imperials."
"Where is that?" asked Hop Pop.
Olivier grinned. "Well...to paraphrase Little Red Riding Hood: "We're off to Grandma's House!"
[End of Part Sixteen]