Chapter Text
Soul Melter Alchemist
Venturing to the Swampy Toes, the rebels work to stop a deadly concoction from being brewed.
(Episode begins with everyone meeting together at the CATT hideout in Latissa. Just outside the room is a nervous red-haired figure in the shadows. Eberwolf beckons her to come out.)
Darius: Everyone, I have an ally I’d like for you all to meet. Meet Trinity; She’s the one who warned Eberwolf and I about the draining spell.
Trinity: *Opens window, revealing the moon outside* Celestial bodies can grant magical life, but that connection can be reversed to drain it. The spire the Construction Coven has built will be used as a vector, and the more covenbound gathered at the ritual, the more powerful its coven heads, the faster this anti-Moonlight Conjuring will work. The magic will be transferred into the moon, until it overloads and shatters, raining debris on the survivors.
(Everyone is deeply perturbed by this.)
Lilith: How do you know all this? I’ve never seen anyone like you in the coven.
Trinity: With good reason.
(Trinity morphs into her true form, a Basilisk; The red one from Vee’s flashback. Everyone gasps in amazement.)
Luz: You’re a basilisk- !
Lilith: B-But they were all wiped out during the 1500’s!
Trinity: The Emperor combined preserved DNA to bring us back. He tested the range of our draining abilities in order to figure out the logistics of the spell. Only Gretel and I realized this, but Belos ordered Eberwolf the Huntsman to capture us all regardless.
Eberwolf: *Sneezes*
Darius: In exchange for all of this information, Trinity and I have reached a deal; We’ll help her find her remaining sisters.
Trinity: I’ve only managed to locate Ivy, but Darius is pinpointing where the coven took Gretel.
(Luz looks a bit guilty, knowing she helped defeat Gretel to begin with.)
Trinity: Ivy was taken to a potions factory in the Swampy Toes, run by Vitimir Vialvilla. Some of you may know him as the head witch of the Potions Coven.
Eda: I knew him first as a teen prodigy from there; When I got cursed, my mom consulted him on how to ‘cure’ my condition. I didn’t trust him to figure it out and just as I guessed, he didn’t.
Lilith: I too asked for Vitimir’s help. He once again proved ineffective and gave up. I think he only saw the opportunity as a challenge…
Trinity: Regardless of his motives, Vitimir is planning to use my sister as a potion ingredient! I don’t know what he’s brewing, but I’m not going to let him sacrifice her.
Raine: Us coven heads are supposed to be undercover; Steve has his own mission and my students are helping fortify Hexside, because if this plan doesn’t go through, all we can hope is for the survivors to make it through the meteor shower. So until then, the rest of you will help Trinity with her own mission.
(The others begin to get up, but Luz interjects.)
Luz: Wait, Trinity! If you’re looking for your sisters, I’ve got some great news for you! I met Vee, and she’s perfectly safe now!
Trinity: Vee?! How do you know- ?!
(Cut to Luz’s face; Cut to a nearly identical frame, but it’s her reflection in a window. It’s “Luz” but as Vee’s disguise. She’s in Spanish class, thinking. She looks down to her new phone, texting her friends from Reality Check Camp in their group chat.)
Parris: Hey Luz.
Vee: Ah! Parris...!
Parris: With two R's! I just wanted to thank you for helping me study. I aced the math test!
Vee: That's gre- *Clears throat to switch back to Luz’s voice* That's great! I'm always glad to help!
Parris: Right? Be proud of yourself, Luz. You spent all that time in camp, and look at you now!
Vee: Yeah, I used to be a little…?
Parris: Not like other girls? But now we can bond over what we have in common!
(Mrs. Mather walks in as the class goes quiet. Mather opens her mouth and then sighs, realizing something.)
Mather: Lo siento, everyone. I just forgot to get the backup projector from the storage closet, by Mr. Sandoval’s room. Could someone volunteer-
(Parris immediately shoots her hand up, alongside another girl, Betty; At the same time, Parris grabs Vee’s wrist to raise her hand as well. Vee looks surprised and awkward.)
Betty: We volunteer, Mrs. Mather!
Mather: *Looking over at Vee suspiciously, crossing her arms* And you too, Ms. Noceda? After your last incident there…
(Vee is confused but looks at Parris, who smiles encouragingly. She straightens with confidence as Parris lets go and their arms lower.)
Vee: I won’t be a problem this time, I promise!
(Parris gives a thumbs up and Mrs. Mather shrugs and hands Betty the keys. The three kids head off in excitement.)
(Cut to LEK, Lilith, Hooty, and Trinity flying through the Swampy Toes, using their staffs. The sky has changed; It’s been an indeterminate amount of time since the meeting.)
Lilith: Ah, the Swampy Toes; I never thought I’d be back here so soon! I’m already having nostalgia from the smell of its sulfur pits! *She inhales deeply and then coughs*
Eda: *Addressing Trinity* I’d say sorry for not bringing our full might, but you’ll find our little family here to be more than enough! We’ll get your sister back in no time.
King: Hey Luz, what about your Palisman? Did you carve me after all?
Hooty: OR MEEEEEEEEE
Luz: Well, I definitely figured out how to carve. *Splays out fingers, full of Palistrom splinters* But I’m uh, still figuring out the appearance. I want them to be perfect!
Lilith: As your aunt, I suggest you give your Palisman a proper name as well, one signifying grace and dignity; Take Micheldemono Socrates, for example! *She pats her Palisman*
Eda: *Snickering* Or Mike Socks, for short!
(Lilith looks just as smug about this nickname.)
Luz: I think we’re fine with just these guys. *Gestures at Owlbert* Especially since Darius fixed up my witch’s wool cloak. He’s pretty good at his seams!
Trinity: Alright, we’re here.
(The swamp clears to reveal a giant smokestack factory. It’s spewing noxious liquids into the swamp. Around it are a bunch of red, mosquito-like guards.)
Trinity: Alright, so here’s the plan…
(Inside the factory floor, some double doors open; It’s Luz, King, Lilith, and Hooty, all in worker disguise. Hooty is trapped inside of a little backpack.)
Luz: Sorry we’re late for the shift, guys!
Guard: Stop! Sigil inspection, please. Anyone without a Potion sigil will be booted from the factory floor.
(Our protagonists show their Potion sigils; The guard nods in confirmation.)
Guard: You’re free to go. Enjoy your shift, or don’t. I don’t really care.
(Our protagonists navigate the factory floor, filled with conveyor belts and bubbling cauldrons. It’s a place rife with OSHA violations.)
Lilith: *Giggling* To think Graye’s fake plan to use fake sigils, would be our real plan! To use fake sigils.
(Luz leans hard into her role, treating the people around her as fellow co-workers; Lilith plays along as King groans and rolls his eyes.)
Luz: *Finger guns at workers* How’s it brewing fellas? Frightdays amirite?
Lilith: Together we shall seize the cauldrons of concoction!
King: *Aside* This is a bit much, don’t you think?
Lilith: Au contraire, this is my life of crime! I’ve always been scared my whole life, but that’s what it makes so thrilling~ !
Hooty: *Muffled* I can’t breeeeaaaaattthhheeee!!! I don’t really need to but it’d be nice!
Luz: Oh dang, is that Morton and Tibbles?
(Tibbles is a worker alongside Morton, carrying something heavy; Tibbles drops his end on his foot as he cries out.)
Lilith: *Lifting up Hooty’s hood for him to peek through* The Potions Coven outcompetes everyone in the end. Some sellers have to resort to other means to stand out, it’s… Why his father sold me the curse, without even knowing what it was. So I had him arrested, and-
(Lilith suddenly doubles over in pain, clutching her forehead; The others gather around her in concern as she sits down against a wall.)
Hooty: Lulu! Your curse- !
Lilith: It’s nothing Hootcifer, I’m not transforming. It’s just hurting again, but it’ll pass.
Luz: That still sounds like a lot. We should get you something to help with that.
King: I’ll go!
Lilith: Don’t! This is my sacrifice to bear for cursing Edalyn.
Luz: We still need you in top shape for this mission, Lilith; Trinity and Ivy do.
(Lilith relents; She can relate to wanting to protect one’s sister.)
King: I’m heading out.
(Hooty coils into a seat for Lilith, and Luz sits down beside her.)
Luz: I get that you’re trying to make up for the curse and everything, Eda appreciates it! But as my dad told me, there’s nothing to gain from pointless suffering… Let me go help King.
(Luz heads out as Lilith watches somberly; She traces a circle in the air, knowing what she can’t get back. Cut to King, talking to a poor, impoverished child laborer.)
Olivia: ‘Ello, luv! Are you a fellow Sicktorian orphan like myself? *Holds out hand* My name’s Olivia Twister!
King: *Unimpressed* Girl. Move on.
(Cut to a dark, haze-filled room. It’s filled with red smog, and the only source of light is a saturated bubbling cauldron. Leaning over it is a hunched figure with yellow-red eyes.)
Vitimir: Hmm, this is going along a bit nicely… The smell is umami, but the temperature…
(He taps his finger onto the bubbles, hissing for a bit as it burns; Vitimir brings up a droplet to his beak-like nose, which he uses to sip like a proboscis.)
Vitimir: Mmm. Perfect, an exact 257 degrees!
(Loud banging outside; Vitimir looks around, irritated. Outside the room, he opens the door as red smog emerges, closing it behind him.)
Vitimir: I told you only to disturb me for security reasons, so I take it this is the case?
Guard: Yessir, I-
(The guard takes a breath of the smog and immediately gags and coughs and fall to his knees, wheezing; Tears water painfully in his eyes.)
Guard: AUGH- I- Why don’t you just open a vent?!
Vitimir: Can’t. Fresh air would dissipate the concentration, and act as a contaminant. Plus it’s good for the complexion. *He pinches the skin on his cheek*
Guard: *Getting up* Right. Your usual beverage, sir.
Vitimir: I’m parched. *Starts sipping through his nose* Who are you again?
Guard: That’s not important.
Vitimir: You’re right.
Guard: We’ve spotted the Owl Lady outside the factory; She’s off causing a ruckus, and we’re trying our best to catch her.
(Cut to Eda flying circles outside the factory, as the guards keep chasing her in circles uselessly.)
Outside Guard: *Wheezing* Keep it up everyone! She’s gotta tire out; Don’t give up!
(Cut back to Vitimir and the Guard.)
Vitimir: Capture her, but gather the rest of the guards, she’s definitely a distraction! They must be after the Basilisk. I bet Eberwolf put them up to it, the little dust brush has always hated my work.
Guard: We don’t have time for the guards, we need to go to the vault right away.
Vitimir: *Holds up finger* But first!
(Vitimir works fast; His arms extend, reaching out to various shelves above him, even lifting himself upwards as he grabs potions and vials with his feet. He lowers himself down, sipping up concoctions through his nose, gargling, and spitting them back out. Vitimir pours them together, then casts a spell to make them miscible. Finally he casts a little flame from his finger, boiling the flask when it shatters into a glowing, floating flame.)
Guard: *In awe* What is it?
Vitimir: It’s a new concoction I’ve whipped up to sniff out saboteurs. It’s drawn to anyone who isn’t wearing a Potions sigil…
(Vitimir trails off when the flame floats to the guard, changing color. Trinity wastes no time, jumping back as she shifts into her true form. Vitimir jumps back as well. Trinity begins draining his magic, just as he casts a circle; It’s absorbed and he weakens, falling to his knees. Just before Vitimir collapses, he lifts up his hat; A few bottles drop out, rolling towards Trinity. They shatter, releasing a gas. Trinity breathes it in, weakening; She drops, releasing the magic she drained from Vitimir, which he absorbs back through his nose. Vitimir triumphantly rises back up.)
Trinity: How are you not- ?
Vitimir: I’ve built up an immunity taste-testing every single potion I’ve made, including the failures! Betcha thought you could rescue your sister, little eel?
(Cut to Vee, Parris, and Betty arriving at the storage closet. As Vee begins unlocking the door, Parris checks her phone.)
Parris: Dang, have you seen the new paint job they've done to our house? *Shows a photo of the house, including the mailbox with its address displayed, to Betty and Vee*
Betty: Hey, now we're almost matching! *Shows a similar photo to Parris and Vee, sporting an almost matching color scheme, and its own mailbox*
(Vee glances over, opening the door. She looks in and blanches at the darkness inside, trying to flip the switch. Nothing.)
Vee: Oh! It’s uh…
Parris: Still not comfortable after last time?
Vee: *Blurting in panic as her usual voice returns* Last time? *Realizes and calms, resuming Luz’s voice* Uh, yeah! I mean no?
Betty: We got this!
(Vee steps to the side as Parris and Betty use their phone lights to navigate and handle the projector inside.)
Vee: Sorry about… But hey, I can’t get in trouble this time! *Offhandedly* I’m sure that was just a misunderstanding by Mrs. Mather.
Betty: Especially since you never told her it was us who locked you in here!
(Vee blinks, unsure if she heard correctly.)
Parris: But at the same time it was your fault! You couldn’t sit still in class and Mrs. Mather punished us all because of it. *Gestures around the closet* So we locked you in here so you’d figure out how to stay in place!
Betty: Just like that time you started drawing some roadkill you found, because you said you needed a ‘still reference’. So we put a dead animal in your locker!
(Vee is deeply horrified. Parris and Betty wheel out the projector.)
Parris: But you’ve always been chill enough to appreciate a joke, which is what matters. You didn’t even tell on us! And now you’re even more mature; You went to camp and learned how to make friends. *Hand on Vee’s shoulder* So I think we owe you an apology; We’re sorry for what happened there and elsewhere.
Vee: *Overwhelmed* I mean… I could be kind of a handful. But I guess being at the camp made me realize what I was taking for granted here, so… apology accepted?
(Vee smiles uncertainly as she puts out a hand. Parris and Betty beam at this, Parris shaking Vee’s.)
Parris: And after the test, I owe you one. What say we grab coffee at Robin’s Roast, just the two of us and also Betty, embracing sisterhood!
Vee: *Brightening* I love that place! *Hopefully* And uh, I also heard there’s a new library! You think after Robin’s Roast, we could try practicing spreadsheets on the computers?
Parris: Well, you can do that later! *Laughs with Betty* That camp still left you weird, but at least it’s in a helpful way. It’s different from why we'd play the occasional prank on you. You’re the reason that has to change too, because holding grudges isn’t good!
Vee: *Clearly miffed* …Thanks.
Parris: Don’t mention it! You’re no longer being such a jerk, or well a. Luz-er. *Giggles but stops herself*
(Vee looks into her reflection in the door’s window, as she locks it. She briefly, slightly flinches at the clicking.)
(Back at the factory, Vitimir’s voice can be heard from speakers all over the place.)
Vitimir: Listen up, ya little vial stains! The Day of Unity is around the corner, so I need production amped up to reach it! Consider yourself lucky I gave you those sigils to make it into paradise; Transportation to the ritual not provided of course.
(Outside the vault, Luz, King, Lilith, and Hooty exhale, turning visible. Luz is holding an Ice glyph to subdue Vitimir with, but he’s not here.)
King: What’s the hold up, Trinity should’ve been here with that mercury brain by now!
Lilith: We have no choice but to assume she’s been compromised.
Luz: Her Plan B was for us to free Ivy on our own, but… How do we make it past this door without the passcode?
King: It’s too strong for any of your regular flames, Luz… But with my blood- !
Lilith: That’s a wonderful idea, young nephew!
Luz: King, no; I’m not letting you hurt yourself, you’re more to us than a battery.
(Lilith goes from nodding her head in agreement with King to shaking it no, per Luz’s point.)
King: This is about more than any of us Luz! It’s about the greater good, and… Maybe sometimes sacrifices are necessary for that. Think about Ivy.
(Luz hesitates, when Hooty remembers.)
Hooty: OHHHHH WAIT, the sample!!! *He coughs up a syringe, mostly empty save for a drop of a familiar blue liquid*
King: That’s right! From when you tried to figure out what demon I am!
Luz: Hooty?????
Hooty: But you’re not a little demon; You’re a big Titan boy!!!
(They go through with it; Hooty draws a Fire glyph with his saliva, before adding the drop of blood in the center. As it traces down, Luz takes a deep breath, and activates the Fire glyph as everyone takes cover. The fire blazes but then turns blue, melting a solid hole through the vault door.)
(Our protagonists walk through. Beyond is a large circular room, lined with shelves full of potions and other ingredients. In the center is a giant bubbling vat, and suspended over it is a walkway, with a cage containing Ivy, who has been given a glass muzzle to prevent her from draining her captors’ magic.)
Ivy: You’re not taking anything from me!
Luz: It’s okay, we’re friends! We’re here to help Trinity break you out!
Ivy: What?! No- NO, tell Trinity to leave! This is my mistake, she shouldn’t be risking herself!
Lilith: Luzura…?
Luz: Hold your breath for as long as you can or they’ll see you!
(Luz uses the Invisibility glyph combo to turn everyone, including Ivy, invisible. As it happens, Vitimir and his guards storm in; Two of them are carrying a weakened Trinity. Ivy makes a muffled noise of horror but otherwise doesn’t exhale.)
Guard: The Basilisk- ! They’ve already escaped with it! *Turns to their fellow guards* We need to leave and search the toes right now-
Vitimir: No need, stay right here. *He holds up the tracking flame, which is now a different color* Nice work, melting that door. Dunno how you made it through alchemically-enhanced Titanite; But I bet it was with a potion, the cleverest form of magic there is! And it’s why I know you’re there!
(He nudges the flame upwards; It floats towards the protagonists, dissipating alongside their invisibility. Only then do they exhale in surprise. The guards ready their weapons.)
Vitimir: Well, if it isn’t the Golden Guards’ interim! Didn’t know about this spell? Maybe you would’ve if you focused on being a Potionist, instead of distracting yourself with a bunch of inferior magicks; Jack of All Trades, Master of None!
Lilith: I know my potions just fine Vitimir, thank you.
Vitimir: And you’d better appreciate them in your condition! Wasting your whole life to give up your dream, it’s led you to this pitiful, magicless state.
Lilith: That’s because I’ve found a new path, and unlike you I’m not too scared to change course. I may have missed out on everything in my youth, but it’s never too late for witches like us to catch up!
Luz: You tell her, sister! *She hi-fives Lilith, who doesn’t need to look at Luz to do so*
Vitimir: *Hands on hips* Not scared? Weren’t you the covenscout who refused to offer her Palisman, claiming you’d find another way to earn your sigil? And now here you are without a ticket to the Day of Unity, without any achievements to your name besides a glorified desk jockey and schoolyard teacher!
Hooty: YOU WANNA FIGHT LITTLE MAN
Lilith: Hooty. *Faces Vitimir* I’ve already made one sacrifice I regret, and not anymore. I may have sacrificed my dream, but I’ve gained so much more with this new one! And I won’t hand over anyone for it… Even if it could work that way, even if I had an Owl Beast of my own, I wouldn’t even sacrifice it to cure my curse! *Scratches Hooty’s chin affectionately as he hoots* Not after learning to appreciate someone like Hootcifer…
(Lilith’s eyes begin to change color, her hair begins to bristle.)
Luz: How could you even sacrifice an entire person as a potion ingredient?! *She begins drawing a Light glyph behind her*
Vitimir: The basilisk may be unable to cast spells using drained magic, unlike her Greater ilk, but she’s still useful!
Luz: That’s NOT what I meant-
Vitimir: She could be prime material for achieving the Philosopher’s Stone, which I can use to restore just about every sacrifice I’ve made! It’ll be worth it in the end, the Emperor will recognize me… Of course I can’t know for sure if the basilisk will work, but only one way to find out! Besides, now I have this one as backup; It’s all their kind is good for anyhow!
Luz: Alright Vitimir. I’m starting to think you were too focused on Potions to appreciate a similar magic form.
Vitimir: *Scoffs* That being?
Luz: GLYPHS!
(Luz activates the Light glyph, blinding Vitimir and his guards. Light takes up the whole screen.)
(Cut back to a school bell ringing; The day is over. Vee is with Parris and Betty, exiting the school.)
Betty: I hear most people don’t improve, but the camp still keeps trying until it works out.
Vee: I- To be fair, some people…
Betty: Maybe we should all go to that camp instead! It’s not like we’ll apply most of what we’re learning in school anyway. When I grow up, I’ll meet a Prince Charming who will take care of me, as long as I take care of him!
Parris: Same!
(Parris and Betty discuss this with enthusiasm, when Vee spots Masha, Suryaditya, and Molly heading over, to her surprise.)
Masha: Hey, Luz! Turns out that stuff with Suryaditya’s dad was handled, so we have time to hang out right now if you want!
Betty: Uh-oh.
Suryaditya: You made some new friends? Sweet.
Parris: Technically we’ve always been friends, isn’t that right Luz?
Vee: Um, yeah! Basically. *Steps between them* Masha, Suryaditya-
(Parris snickers as Vee skips a beat in observation, slightly annoyed)
Vee: -Molly! And Parris and Betty!
Molly: We’ve got all the time in the world to check the leaves now, and it looks like they’re turning a nice color too!
(Molly puts out a hand as Parris and Betty just stare coldly.)
Betty: You know that stuff isn’t real, right?
Masha: Maybe not. But neither is astrology.
Parris: *Scowls* Luz, these three seem like a bad influence. You met them at that camp, right? I don’t really think they understood like you did– *To the friends* –so maybe they should go a second time!
(Masha and co. look defensive. Vee opens her mouth to say something when Betty puts her hands on Vee’s shoulders.)
Betty: We’re busy and made plans with Luz first, so you’re going to have to wait.
Vee: Stop.
Parris: Right?
Vee: *Moves free from Betty* I mean you! These are my friends. You can’t have me without them.
Parris: Um. Are you sure about that…?
Vee: I’m serious! I didn’t learn anything from that camp, I learned from these guys!
Parris: *Tensing* So why are they still like-
Vee: Because they hated the camp! I didn’t, but they did, it was terrible for them. I’m just not like my friends…
Molly: *Sweating furiously* B-But we’re still friends, Luz!
Vee: Right! Whatever the camp said wasn’t what they needed to hear. And Luz- I shouldn’t have been locked up by you to learn anything!
Parris: *Tearing up as Betty grabs her arm, frightened* Luz, you're scaring me. *Fans herself* Y-You shouldn’t hold grudges-
Vee: *Scoffs sarcastically* You only said sorry because like you said, I became one of the useful ones! *Turns away* I don’t want to be anywhere near you. C’mon guys, let’s go.
(Suryaditya wags his tongue at the stunned Parris and Betty as they leave.)
Masha: Nice GOING, girl! I dunno what went on between you guys, but I’m glad you stood up for yourself. And us, but also yourself!
Molly: I’d have sweated a lot more in your place.
Vee: I’m sorry, I should’ve stood up for you sooner.
Suryaditya: You were pretty quick, everything else just happened faster.
Vee: *Softens* I really appreciate you guys. I… I hope we can keep meeting each other, no matter what happens.
Masha: I have some rituals to summon you if we ever need it.
Vee: Yeah… In fact y’know what? You guys go ahead, I just realized I forgot an errand for mi madre. See ya!
Suryaditya: Don’t let them eat you. *Does a GNYAH face*
(Vee glances back with a mischievous look in her eyes.)
(Back to the potions factory; Vitimir and his guards reel in pain, blinded. Trinity takes the moment to whack her captors in the face and begins slithering away, but falters. Vitimir recovers first, casting a circle around his hand as he slams it into the floor; It gets red-hot as the boiling temperature reaches Trinity, who is helpless to escape.)
Vitimir: I’ll boil YOU like a hot plate first!!!
Ivy: Trinity!!!
(Luz prepares a Plant glyph, but the heat is about to reach Trinity when- What’s this? A dark shape suddenly swoops in, whisking Three away.)
King: Eda?
Luz: It’s Lilith!!!
(Lilith soars through the air and sets Trinity down beside Ivy’s cage, landing. She laughs, delighted, reveling in her new harpy form.)
Hooty: Lulu! WHOA! *Hooty blocks a steam attack*
(Lilith refocuses; She lobs Mike Socks like a flying, blunt spear at the guards, knocking them aside. She drops Hooty amidst them, and he deals with the guards in cackling delight. King sonic roars the shelves, breaking open the cabinets, as Luz casts the Tornado glyph combo, sending potions flying all over. The potions hit the guards with various effects, such as a familiar shrinking potion. Vitimir and the guards cast fire, water, and steam spells at Luz and the basilisks. Luz uses her cloak to deflect the attacks right back at the guards, casting her own glyphs from the high ground.)
(Vitimir chucks potions left and right from his backpack at an incoming Lilith, who dodges and swings at Vitimir with her staff. Vitimir raises himself above the floor with his arms, dodging Lilith as she flies by; She creates a gust that knocks down some potions. Vitimir lowers himself, and curious, taste-tests the spilled potions that have mixed together; He makes a face and shrugs. Hooty has a similar gag.)
(Spotting Luz and King above, Vitimir uses his arm to push himself off the floor towards them, then extends the other to sweep the siblings off the walkway. Luz uses her cushion glyph to soften the landing. Towering above, Vitimir rains boiling water that Luz uses her cloak to protect her and King from. Lilith knocks down Vitimir, who hits the floor to Luz and King’s level. Mortar-style trench warfare; Luz casts an ice wall, while Vitimir spits mud from his nose that rises into an earthen barrier. They each hide behind cover to prepare potions and glyphs.)
(Vitimir finishes sipping, pinches his nose to concentrate, and launches fireworks from his backpack. They arc over the walls, but Luz unleashes her Tornado glyph combo, combining it with Fire to create a flaming cyclone. It detonates Vitimir’s attack mid-air, and King leaps over the ice wall, letting out another WEH to shatter Vitimir's rock wall. Vitimir sips a potion that turns him intangible, the sonic roar and rubble flying through him before the potion's effect wears off.)
(Lilith and Hooty take down the last of the guards, and all four protagonists converge on Vitimir. He spews potion blasts like ice mists from his nose, but the group dodges and deflects. Vitimir attempts another attack, but a hand on his shoulder taps it; It's Lilith's, which she's removed and placed there. Vitimir glances over, only to get jabbed in the eyes. Blinded and reeling, Vialvilla is open to be hit with Harpy mode, Sonic Roar, Light Glyph, and Hooty at once. Vitimir hits a wall and falls to his knees, huffing and puffing; His cardio is poor from inhaling fumes. His guards have fallen, so it’s just him. Vitimir tries to spit anything out but is parched; He glances back at his smoking, empty backpack. Lilith looms over him, reattaching her hand.)
Lilith: Surrender, Vitimir. You’re all out and surrounded.
Vitimir: Well, LA-DEE-DA! So what if you’ve gotten yourself a new gimmick, Clawthorne. It’s still a downgrade from how you fought your sister at the castle!
Lilith: And this doesn’t need to be as good. You talk hot potions about how my body has been ravaged giving up my dream, but what about your own? You’ve ruined yourself pursuing your dream. *Sympathetic expression* But you don’t have to, it’s never too late; I understand.
Vitimir: Oh, PUH-LEEZ, don’t act all high and mighty! I bet all of you have sacrificed something, even someone, for your dream!
(King and Luz look a bit guilty.)
King: Yeah, but I gave up my dream, and so did my aunt! So we claim moral superiority, smokestack brain!
Vitimir: *Meeting Luz’s eyes* What about you, you haven’t said anything!
Lilith: That’s DIFFERENT-
Vitimir: IS IT?! When you have to sacrifice anyone… That means anyone, including yourself!
(Vitimir gets up and everyone braces; He unties his handkerchief and his stained jaw hangs open. Cue a detailed shot; Vitimir’s mouth is filled with jagged, corroded fangs. Vitimir breathes out a corrosive cloud in Lilith’s direction.)
Luz: Lilith!
(She conjures a plant wall to protect Lilith, but the corrosive cloud melts it completely. All four back off as Vitimir huffs and puffs, his acidic breath filling the room. He spews acid bursts and corrosive clouds, with Luz not risking relying on her cloak if she happens to breathe it in.)
Hooty: Even I couldn’t stomach this!
(Vitimir exhales his Alkahest, strategically trapping and cornering our protagonists against the vat. He attempts to speak but gargles due to his loosely-hanging jaw, like Jacob Marley; Vitimir grabs his jaw with one hand to flap it as he speaks, his voice hoarse.)
Vitimir: I’ve made my body into a better mixing cauldron than any other… It’s also where all the refuse of my concoctions is stored. *Giggling* You can’t imagine how much this hurts, but look at what it’s gotten me! My work requires faith, commitment, and patience, but eventually it pays off! There’s no way out for you!
(Vitimir lets go of his jaw and inhales for the final blow like the Big Bad Wolf.)
Trinity: L-Lilith! Air! Fresh air dissipates the concentration!
(Lilith suddenly understands, as Luz begins drawing; Vitimir spews a corrosive cloud of Alkahest at the four, but Lilith fans her wings upwards, sending an acidic gust towards the ceiling.)
Vitimir: Eh?!
(Vitimir breathes another cloud, when it’s drawn in by Luz’s Tornado glyph combo. The cyclone drags in the room’s corrosive clouds, spewing them into the ceiling. The clouds melt the roof, causing acidic drops to rain down. A few melt through Ivy’s cage and then her muzzle, freeing her, as she embraces Trinity. Moonlight shines down on them, from the new hole in the roof that’s now forming.)
King: There’s our way out!
(An enraged Vitimir switches strategy, spitting a liquid glob of acid; Lilith has already taken Luz and King into her arms, and Hooty on her back, as she flies upwards. The acid misses and hits the vat behind, melting a hole in it. The vat begins to leak as Vitimir pushes himself upwards with one arm and grabs Lilith’s leg with the other, stopping the four; But the rushing liquid burns and sweeps his hand, causing Vitimir to slip as he lets go. The camera shows Vitimir falling down from below, cut to darkness and a splash.)
(Trinity watches Vitimir’s defeat in relief, relaxing; When suddenly, more acid drips from the ceiling towards her. She gasps looking up, and the camera cuts away as we hear a sizzle. Our protagonists land on the walkway, only to see Ivy injured; She shoved her sister out of the way at the last second.)
Trinity: IVY!
Luz: No no no no-
(Our protagonists converge on an injured Ivy to tend to her wounds, but it looks bad. As they do, Eda drops down through the hole in the ceiling.)
Eda: I noticed commotion, what’s- Whoa! *She notices Harpy Lilith*
Lilith: That’s not important, we need to help! How can we- ?
Trinity: She needs magic… Magic, does anyone have some to offer?
Eda: None of us do, and even if the curse counts it might just hurt her even more.
King: …I do. I have magic!
Luz: King, no! You’ve already sacrificed enough. But I haven’t… *She takes off her witch’s wool cloak*
Eda: Are you sure, kiddo?
Luz: *Trying to be brave* It’s my fault Ivy’s in this mess. I need to make a sacrifice to fix my mistakes, right?
Lilith: Luz, if this is about what that vial head told you, then don’t! You're better than he'll ever be.
King: *Nodding* You saw how much power I have in just a drop, this won’t take much from me.
Luz: I- …
(Ivy, who has been looking between them during the exchange, decides for them both; She opens her mouth and drains the cloak of its magic, Luz watching as its glow fades. Ivy’s wound heals, and Trinity embraces her in relief as she shakily gets up.)
King: Why did you-
Ivy: I’m sorry, I was scared and hurt. I couldn’t wait.
Luz: I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken so long to-
Ivy: No, don’t worry. I understand. *She gives Luz a meaningful look*
(Lilith notices the exchange between Luz and Ivy; King sighs in frustration, looking away, as Luz glances at him, uncertain.)
Eda: Don’t sweat, there’s always more witch’s wool. When this is over, we can go on an adventure to make you a new one. Whaddya say? *She brings in Luz and King, as King looks a bit more hopeful*
Lilith: And your Cool Aunt Lilith will help! But first we need to go. Reinforcements could show up at any minute!
(Trinity and Ivy switch to their witch forms; They get onto Mike Socks and Owlbert, while Lilith flies with Hooty on her back in Harpy mode. Eda does the same with Luz and King, and they fly off, going past the entrance. Pan down to some guards collapsed from exhaustion, as one of them notices.)
Guard 1: *Growling* The Owl Lady’s getting away!
Guard 2: Both of them…?
Lilith: You see me, isles?! I am Lilith the Raven Lady!!! The witch who scarred your emperor's face!!!
Hooty: YEAHAAAAA!!!
(Eda and Lilith bump fists, grinning, as the camera pans to the protagonists' silhouettes against the moon.)
Eda: Alright Lily, so you figured out harpy mode. But do you know how to do it again?
(We’re back to Gravesfield, where Parris and Betty are thrift shopping. Parris' eyes are red as she wipes them, having freshly cried, as she rants to Betty.)
Parris: It felt like she was going to bite me! Like it’s weird, right? But I guess it makes sense for Luz, she’s always been inconsistent like that. *Sniffles* Maybe we should teach her a less-
(Parris is suddenly interrupted when she gets a phone call from her mother, and irritably picks it up.)
Parris: What is it now, mom?
Mother: Don’t play dumb with me, young lady!
Parris: What?!
Mother: You have a lot of nerve burning the allowance I worked so hard to give you, and inside of our house too! I can’t get the smell of smoke out!
Parris: WHAT?!
Mother: I said don’t play dumb! I welcomed you back home just for you to cause a fire and run off! You’re grounded, no more allowance for you!
Parris: *Dropping items* Then how am I supposed to- Mom you gotta believe me-
(Betty gets a call of her own)
Dad: If you didn’t like the car I got you, then you didn’t have to destroy it!
Betty: DESTROY!?
(As Parris and Betty stammer and stumble in confusion and despair, we cut to “Parris” watching from around a corner; She giggles, turning back into “Luz” as she walks away.)
(Cue end credits; Except it’s not the usual one, it’s S1’s. And it’s not exactly S1’s, it’s a take on S1’s ending but with Vee in her Luz form, walking through Gravesfield and appreciating the new home she’s found. The montage ends with her seeing Masha, Suryaditya, Molly, and Camila up ahead in front of the Noceda household; Vee is touched to be welcomed, and runs over as the camera pans upwards to the sky.)
Hidden Code: Guilty