Chapter 26: The Epic Sleepover: Part One
Back in Clawthorne Manor...
Anne was sitting cross-legged on a floor with Luz, staring in awe and wonder
as her fellow human in another world showed her how Glyph Spells work.
Anne (and even Maddie) gazed in awe as Luz drew a sigil on a slip of paper,
and after tapping it with her finger, caused something magic to burst from it.
(and while Luz knew quite a few, Gwendolyn only allowed her to use the Light Glyph,
as neither her, nor Eda wanted her to literally burn the whole place down.)
"Amazing..." spoke Anne, astonished.
"Cool!" added Maddie.
"Yeah...but it sadly only works in the Demon Realm." explained Luz.
"I once tried to use it back in my own world, but it didn't work."
Anne eyed Luz for a moment. "wait...You tried using it in YOUR world?!"
Luz made a nervous expression, recalling the event in question.
"ye-yeah...a lot happened on the day Belos took Eda's portal to the Human Realm.
I was briefly back home...but I went back with King and Lilith to save Eda."
Anne frowned. "so...for a moment, you had a chance to go back home.
But...you came back here, and now you're stranded here."
Eda (who was sitting on a nearby chair) frowned upon hearing this conversation.
"Hey, I don't regret my decision." said Luz. "As much as I want to see my Mama again,
I couldn't just abandon Eda...I don't think I could live with myself if I ever did that."
Anne thought about this for a moment.
she then looked down to Maddie...and smiled. "weirdly. I kinda get it." spoke Anne, softly.
"There was a point where I thought I was going home. and yet, I couldn't help but feel...sad.
I mean, I *wanted* to see my parents again...but I wasn't sure if I wanted to say goodbye to the Plantars."
Luz nodded. "yeah...I guess we both made homes away from home."
As Anne smiled awkwardly at this. "I guess so..."
"Well, enough about how I do magic..." began Luz, as she put her Glyph Tools away.
"Tell me more about YOURS, Anne. I am so Amazed that you can do REAL magic!"
"And without even needing a Bile Sac at that." added Eda (still watching the two teenagers.)
Anne blushed, feeling more modest than proud of herself.
"well...Like I explained before, I got my "blue powers" from that Calamity Gem." began Anne.
"I didn't know it at the time...but I always had it since I first arrived in Amphibia.
I might've never figured it out had Ollie not pointed it out to me when he sensed it within me."
Anne then did her best to will her power to trigger, managing to ignite a cyan flame in her palm.
"everytime I use my power...it almost drains me. and I'm still learning to control it." continued Anne.
"Olivier has been a great help in that, since his own magic powers are similar to mine.
I can even change into a "Powered Up" form like he can...In fact, I did THAT before he did."
"Wow...REALLY?! Can I see!?" asked Luz, excited.
"Now, LUZ. Anne just said that her magic drains her." spoke Eda, speaking like a stern mother.
"She'll show you when the time is right. But Magic...REAL Magic, is not some 'parlor trick' to be abused."
"OH!...r-right. Sorry, I forgot." said Luz, blushing with embarrassment.
Eda then brought her attention back to Anne.
The Owl Witch walked over, and grasped Anne's hand as she examined it
(to which Anne froze, feeling very nervous in the presence of her boyfriend's mother.)
"I do feel a great power radiating within you, Kid...Amazing how you can endure it."
Anne looked up at the silver haired woman. "Endure?"
"yeah. Most humans can't handle REAL magic without a way to Channel it." explained Eda.
"That is why humans that can use magic in history use objects, like Scepters, Charms and Talismans.
Without them, the raw power becomes too much and it can overwhelm their mortal bodies.
Practically BURSTING within them like frozen water in a glass bottle."
Anne widened her eyes at this. "whoa."
Eda looked at Anne again with soft, Heterochromian eyes.
"but that isn't the case with you...This 'Calamity' magic drains you, but it doesn't overwhelm you.
In fact, you remind me a great deal of my son. If I didn't know beforehand, I would swear you were Half-Witch."
Anne then grinned and blushed as she briefly imagined a scenario where she WERE Half-Witch.
While she was proud of her heritage as it was, even she had to admit that
It would've been very cool if she were born a halfling like Olivier was.
Anne was soon jolted from her thoughts from Eda suddenly hugging her. "Uhhh..."
"I know I've already said this...but I need to say it again." spoke Eda.
"Thank You...for taking care of my boy, and bringing him back to me."
Anne blushed. "well, I can't take all the credit. Marcy-"
"that isn't what I meant..." spoke Eda.
"After...what happened to him, I feared I would never see my son smile again.
But then YOU came along, and that happy boy that I remember seems to be back again!"
Eda parted from Anne and looked at her.
"You did SO MUCH more then just bring him back to his own realm, Anne Boonchuy." continued Eda.
"You made him happy again...and for THAT, you will forever be in your debt.
and yours is a debt that I don't mind having. So, if you ever need ANYTHING...I'm here for you."
Anne smiled awkwardly, unsure if she was really worthy of such praise.
BUT, in retrospect...she DID help Olivier out of his shell, so Eda did have a point.
"th-thanks. I'll...t-try to ALWAYS be there for him, Miss Clawthorne." stuttered Anne, nervously.
"and I r-really mean that. I have no intention on being the "Love 'Em, Then Leave 'Em" type of person.
After everything we've been through...after everything that HE has gone through..."
Anne then paused for a moment. "I just...CAN'T see myself ever leaving him for someone else."
Eda smiled, feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
"And, if I ever do...You have my permission to turn me into a wart covered Toad." said Anne (half-joking.)
Eda chuckled lightly. "Oh, I doubt that will ever happen, Anne.
I can tell that you mean what you say...and you have my absolute trust."
Anne smiled wide...and then hugged Eda as if she were her own mother.
"I promise to love him with all my heart...and to ALWAYS make him Happy." said Anne.
Eda hugged Anne back. "I know you will...and, thank you."
Anne smiled...but then her eyes flashed blue, and she made a dreadful expression.
"What's wrong, Anne?" inquired Luz.
Maddie looked away from her written notes, and looked at Anne.
She had seen this before...
"Where is Olivier?" asked the Cyan Frogette.
Before anyone could say anything, they heard labored breathing that gradually grew louder.
Eventually, a familiar red haired teenager hobbled into the room
desperately clinging to his magic staff so not to fall.
"Olivier!" exclaimed Eda, immediately standing up.
Anne moved like a gust of wind, and caught Olivier before his legs gave out.
(Maddie also tried to help, but for the most part all she was able to do was watch.)
"OLLIE!, Are you okay!?" exclaimed Anne, worried.
Olivier was about to answer...when Amity Blight walked in on this scene.
Anne's hazel eyes then burned bright blue as she glared at the teenage witch,
embracing Olivier protectively (which made Olivier flinch at how tight her grasp was.)
"what did you DO to him!?" growled Anne.
Maddie also gave Amity a death glare, grinding her frog teeth
as she growled like in a way that was both scary (but also adorable.)
Amity stepped back, actually startled by the human girl. "I-I didn't-!"
"Calm Down, Annie. THIS TIME, Amity didn't do anything to me." spoke Olivier, pulling away.
"Then why do you look so exhausted..." spoke Eda, as she knelt down to feel her son's forehead.
"and nearly drained of your magic reserves at that!"
As Olivier's staff changed back into Fleetwing, and flapped off.
Olivier steadied himself before finally falling back into a nearby chair.
"I was...Practicing some new spells that I learned." began Olivier.
"But I guess I pushed myself too hard, or didn't get enough rest beforehand."
Anne responded to this with a yawn. "now that you mention it...I do still feel a little bit drowsy myself."
Luz then smiled. "Guess we're having that Sleepover, Afterall!"
Anne forced herself to smile at the irony of the situation.
Eda then approached Olivier, and softly touched his face.
"You probably should get more sleep, sweetie..." spoke Eda. "You have had a rough day."
Olivier could only yawn in response (exposing his short witch fangs as he did.) "yeah...I probably should."
"I'll get some Sleeping Bags!" exclaimed Luz, excited.
"I think I do have some spares in the backroom..." spoke Gwendolyn.
"Back in the day, the Clawthorne Family often took camping trips."
Eda smiled, briefly reminiscing on the more Nostalgic parts of her childhood.
"I should give my dads a call to see if it's alright to stay over." spoke Willow.
"Go ahead, dear." said Gwendolyn. "The phone is over there."
As Willow walked off, Olivier managed to smile. Happy to spend more time with Willow.
"Dads?" spoke Anne, puzzled.
"oh, yeah. Willow has two fathers." explained Olivier.
"They made her with a Reproduction Spell like all same gender families do."
Anne blushed, feeling very awkward as she tried to imagine how such a spell would even work.
"Best not to think about that too much, kid." said Eda (as if reading Anne's mind.)
"oh...Sorry!" spoke Anne, nervously. "I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine, I get it." continued Eda. "This is all a new thing for you."
"It is...BUT, I am sure I'll get used to it." mused Anne. "Just like I did with Amphibia."
Olivier smiled at this. "That's great to hear, Annie...Because there is SO MUCH I want to show you."
Anne gave Olivier a soft, loving look. "looking forward to getting the full grand tour from you."
As Anne and Olivier talked, Amity watched from a reasonable distance.
She focused on Olivier. Noting the happy expression on his face as he spoke with Anne.
This made Amity smile...Happy to finally see Olivier smiling again.
For a moment, he almost seemed like the happy boy that she used to know.
...that is, until Olivier noticed her watching him and cast a cold glare.
Which reminded Amity that those happier times now only existed in memory.
"Hey, I'm back!" spoke Willow, as she returned to the group. "My dads said it was Okay!"
Olivier smiled as he did his best to get up, and hug Willow.
Willow returned the embrace (and did her best not to hug him TOO tightly.)
"Great to hear that you're staying...We have quite some catching up to do." said Olivier.
Willow smiled...but then glanced over at Amity, noting her expression.
"Umm...c-can Amity catch up with us, too? you know...just like old times."
Olivier scowled as he looked at his childhood friend. "ABSOLUTELY NO-"
"Olivier...Can I talk to you for a moment?" spoke Eda, interrupting her son.
Olivier looked over to his mother. "I'm kinda in the middle of something, Mom."
"I know...THAT is what I need to talk to you about." said Eda, her tone stern.
Olivier grimaced, knowing full well not to argue with his mother when she spoke in *THAT* tone.
With a sigh, he turned back to the others and extended his index finger,
which they took as meaning that he needed 'one minute' alone with his mother.
Olivier walked with his mother to a far corner where no one could hear them.
The two then faced each other, and Eda started the conversation.
"Son...I know you have mixed feels over the Blight Girl being here."
"That's putting it mildly." snarked Olivier.
"Hey!, no sassing your Mother, young witch." scolded Eda.
"You can do that with your Aunt Lily all you want, but NOT ME."
Olivier looked away. "ss-sorry, mama..."
Eda exhaled sharply. "I know that you don't like...HER being here.
And, Believe Me...I get it. I still don't like it when she visits the Owl House,
BUT she and Luz have gotten close recently, and the kid just won't heed any of my warnings."
Olivier sighed. "yeah...that sounds familiar."
"yeah...Well, so far, the Blight Girl hasn't done anything to hurt her...ANYMORE." continued Eda.
"And since forbidding the two from seeing each other will only make things worse, and not better.
I have had no choice but to tolerate her presence and watch for her to show her true colors."
Eda then knelt down, and placed her hand upon Olivier's shoulder.
"Do you understand what I am saying to you, son?"
Olivier looked at his mother, his arms crossed. "Unfortunately, I think I do."
"I know this isn't easy for you. but, you HAVE to put your personal feelings aside
and TRY to tolerate having her around...at LEAST for just one night." continued Eda.
"Because the more you try and fight this...the harder Luz will try and fight back.
And the last thing I want if for the two of you to be at each others throats over some girl."
Olivier took a moment to think this over.
His mother's new apprentice reminded him so much of Anne's friend, Marcy.
But more importantly...she reminded him of HIMSELF when he was younger.
So optimistic...so Hopeful. So unwilling to believe that Amity Blight
could EVER become a bully like that Boscha girl from Hexside was.
Eda tried to warn him, but he didn't listen...and paid the price for his stubbornness.
How Olivier wished he had listened to his mother, and spared himself unnecessary agony.
BUT he knew in his heart that his mother did all she could to protect him,
and in the end...it was HIS decision to ignore her, and nothing could convince him otherwise.
His loyalty to his friends was just Too Great to even consider doubting Amity's.
And as such, Olivier realized that he would never convince Luz anymore than his own mother could with him.
If Luz WAS anything like he was back then, then nothing he said would ever sway her.
And as much as he hated it...he had no choice but to 'let things play out.'
"come on, kiddo...If I can tolerate that brat, then so can you." said Eda, with a smirk.
Olivier let out a sharp sigh. "alright...fine. I'll play nice for now."
Eda smiled as she lightly jabbed at her son's shoulder. "that's m'boy."
Olivier forced himself to smile...and then returned to the others.
Coincidently, Luz also returned at the same time and wondered took note of the scene playing out.
"Is everything Oka-"
"After...giving it some thought, I decided that Amity can stay." spoke Olivier, sternly.
"WA-HOO!" exclaimed Luz, extending her arms in the air.
"But for ONE. NIGHT. ONLY." continued Olivier (his tone more strict.)
"come the break dawn, I want her OUT of my grandparents house."
Willow shrugged. "I guess that's fair: Your Family, Your Rules."
After some prompting from Willow, Amity finally joined with the others.
Olivier, Willow and Amity then looked at each other.
The once Trio of friends seemingly back together once again.
Willow then grabbed Olivier and Amity in each of her thick, strong arms.
Pulling them both into a Three-Way embrace that they couldn't escape from.
Then came a FLASH.
"MOM!" exclaimed Olivier, blushing madly.
Eda snickered as she looked at the photograph that she took on her scroll.
"Sorry, Sweetie...but Mama couldn't resist a good picture."
Willow finally released her friends, allowing Olivier and Amity to breathe.
The boy scowled, until Anne walked up and gave him a peck on the cheek that forced him to smile.
"I'm proud of you for being the bigger man here." spoke Anne, softly.
"Frog knows that when Sasha came back into my life,
I really didn't want to give her another chance after what she did before."
Olivier raised an eyebrow. "Not a good example, considering Sasha WAS tricking us at the time."
Anne shrugged. "All the same...I'm still proud of you."
"Excuse me, but...Who is Sasha?" asked an approaching Amity.
Olivier cast a sideways glance at Amity...but then exhaled, and answered Amity's question.
"one of Anne's friends who was also transported to Amphibia. In some ways, she reminded me of you.
BUT she mostly reminded me of Boscha. So, needless to say: I don't have very fond feelings for her."
Anne then frowned. "she...betrayed my trust. TWICE.
And while I am worried about her...I'm still very angry with her.
and I'm not sure if I could ever trust her again, either."
"What'd she do?" asked Luz.
"She tried to overthrow the kingdom and rule over Amphibia herself." answered Olivier, bluntly.
"and BEFORE that, she tried to execute Hop Pop for inspiring a Rebellion." added Anne.
Everyone Else fell silent at this.
"that..DOES sound like something Boscha might do." said Willow (trying to lighten the mood.)
Olivier blushed as he thought back to 'something else' that Sasha did to him personally,
which he decided to keep to himself for the time being (especially with his mother still in the room.)
"you have no idea..." said Olivier, finally.
Olivier then approached Luz, and examined the sleeping bags that she brought.
"neat...you brought enough for Everyone." mused Olivier.
"Mm-Hmm...All that's left is to find a place to "set camp." said Luz.
"I was thinking the bedroom where we found you and Anne, BUT it might be too small."
"It will be...BUT, I know of a room that is plenty big enough." said Olivier.
"What is it!?" asked Luz, curious.
Olivier grinned as he made a shushing gesture.
Luz then grinned wide, realizing that Olivier intended it as a surprise.
As he and Luz walked away, Willow began to follow them,
Amity was about to follow as well...when Anne suddenly grasped her should from behind.
Amity looked back and saw Anne look at her with a very cold expression on her face.
"you know...no one knows more than me how much it hurts when your Best Friend hurts you." began Anne.
"and after I told Ollie what Sasha did to me...HE then trusted me enough to tell me what *YOU* did."
Amity froze in place as Anne approached her. Her hazel eyes still cold as ice.
"For Luz' sake...I hope you really do feel sorry for *everything* that you did.
Because if Ollie is right, and this is all just an act...My shoe size will leave a *lasting* impression on your butt."
Amity's face instantly turned redder than a tomato at this.
The Witch Teen unsure whether to feel Intimidated...or Smittened.
"Same goes for Ollie." continued Anne, her eyes now burning cyan blue.
"When we became a couple, I swore to him that I would never let anyone hurt him again.
So you...and this Boscha person better not get any 'funny ideas' if you know what's good for you."
Amity grimaced...and then nodded. "I...understand."
Anne's eyes reverted back to hazel brown...and she smiled cheerfully again. "Glad we worked thing out."
Anne then walked off...leaving Amity still frozen in shock at what just happened.
"titan..." spoke Amity, still blushing beet red. "you sure did find yourself an awesome girlfriend, Ollie."
[End of Part 26]