25. LC Sidetrack: Pride Special! A Skarlow Date to ...

Luz Clawthorne's Sidetrack: The Pride Special! A Skarlow Date To Remember!

It was just right after school had ended for the day. Willow and Skara were at the front of the school while Amity drove home on her Abomi-bike while Luz flew home with Eda and a disguised Camila.

"You know what we could use right now?" Skara asked her girlfriend. "A few hours where we don't have to think about the war. They say life's too short so… maybe we should do something to enjoy the calm before we potentially die."

"Yeah, I'd like that," Willow agreed. "Not sure about the dying part, but with all of the training and preparation for war, I think we're gonna need some low stakes slice-of-life fun. So what do you have in mind?"

Skara looked down shyly. "W-Well… I guess since we're… dating. Maybe we should… go on a date? See a movie?"

"A movie date? Sounds great!" Willow replied in excitement, causing Skara to blush. "What time's the movie? Or, which one will we see?"

Skara smiled. "That new horror rom-com movie that came out with Vanessa Pierce."

Willow gasped. "Dawn of the Deadites? Yeah, I'd love to see that! Pierce is one of my favorite actresses!"

"We could go there at the 6:40 showing. We can go there out of uniform- I-I mean, in casual clothes, obviously!" Skara states with a blush. "I'm sorry, you probably think I'm acting a little brain dead-"

"No, no, it's fine, Skara," Willow assured, patting her hand. "I'll be seeing you tonight, sound good?"

Skara nodded. "Yeah, I'll see you there."

After Willow and Gus headed home, they told Willow's dads about her plans, which they were thrilled to hear. Gus then used his illusions to help Willow pick out which outfit she should wear for the date while Willow's dads watched and weighed in.

"How about something that brings out your sunny farmer side?" Gus asked, bringing up an illusion of a mini-Willow in a jean dress with sunflower patterns.

"Hmm, a little too folkly," Willow said.

"Okay, how about 'Dark Side of Summer'?" Gus summoned a mini-Willow dressed in a black dress with fishnet arm sleeves, thorns around and green lines. He saw Gilbert frowning at him. "Uh, or if you prefer something more regal…" He quickly changed the mini-Willow to her having a green ballroom dress.

"I'm going to the movies, Gus, not the Socket," Willow pointed out.

"Why not dress casually?" Sully asked. "I mean, me and Gilly here went to the movies in our casual clothes all the time."

"It has to be special, especially since it's our first date and maybe our last chance for some normalcy before the war with Glandus," Willow explained. "So it's gonna have to be something nice. Something that shows the true me to Skara." Clover flew up to her head in agreement. "Yeah… I think I know what to wear!"

"Alright, now to do pull ups!"

Skara was on her scroll, watching an exercise video made by Willow. It had her in her usual training outfit as Willow showed her training routine while montage music played. The Brooke girl was so enticed to the video that her white fur popped up on her neck and her hands.

"Skara."

"Huh?" Skara looked up, saw her parents, and realized that her fur was showing, which she quickly hid out of embarrassment. "Hey mom, how was work?"

"Eh, it was okay," Calypso replied. "Me and your father heard that you're going out on a date."

"Oh… yeah, I am," Skara replied, looking down.

"And we're here to help you out, little pup," Slasher revealed.

"Really?" Skara asked.

"Yes, I know the perfect outfit for you to wear to go to the movies with Willow," Calypso said.

"And here's some money for concessions." Slasher handed Skara some snails.

"Wow, thanks mom, dad," Skara responded.

"Skara," called Scabrina who came in with some perfume spray. "You should try out my new experimental perfume spray. It smells just like… the forest."

Skara looked closely at the bottle, noticing some tree branches, bugs, and an eyeball grinded into the liquid. "Um, maybe I'll try it after the date…"

Skara went to try on the outfit her mom picked out for her. After putting it on, she came out wearing it. It was a red jacket with a black button pop collar shirt, gray pants and black boots. She checked herself out in the mirror and saw that she looked very stylish.

"I wonder if this is a little much? What if Willow feels that I'm outclassing her?" Skara asked while looking nervous.

"How honey, calm down." Calypso patted her daughter's shoulders, "Now, look at me," she said, getting Skara's attention. "Is Willow the type of girl who would care about whether you outclass you or not?"

Skara nodded. "No, of course not. She is not like Boscha, who needs to be at the center of attention… Willow isn't like that…"

"Then there's nothing for you to worry about, Skara," Slasher pointed out.

"Yeah, you're right. I have nothing to worry about," Skara replied. "Although, do you have any pointers about how to have a successful first date?"

Calypso and Slasher shared a look before Slasher answered. "Well for one, never bring your weapons on a first date," he teased his wife, who smiled.

A young, less hairy, Slasher Brooke was at a fancy restaurant. Dressed in his red suit, he spotted his date, Calypso, coming forward.

Calypso wore a wonderful red dress that stopped above her knees, with her gemstone in the center, and a furry scarf, with black boots. However, she was holding a crossbow, which the waiter notified her about.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but you're not allowed to be carrying weapons here!"

"But how else would I be prepared for an enemy attack?" Calypso asked, while Slasher just sweat dropped. "Next thing you know, you're gonna ask me to leave my knives…"

"Okay, okay, that was my bad," Calypso waved it off with a laugh, "But anyway, a movie date should be a breeze. You two will have a wonderful night, just be sure to drop her off safely. And no funny business. Willow's a nice girl, treat her well."

Skara smiled as she nodded. "Don't worry, mom, dad, this wolf is going to take Willow on an awesome date!"

"I bet you will, my little Skaramange," Calypso said as she and Slasher smiled.

Later Skara landed her staff in front of Willow's house.

"Alright, Jimmy, this is it," Skara said to her Palisman as she took a deep breath and went up to ring the doorbell, which let out a hallowing shriek. Opening the door was Sully. "Hi, Mr. Park, I'm here for Willow," she greeted.

"Ah Skara, come in," Sully replied before turning to shout. "Willow, Skara's here!"

"Alright, I'm coming!" Willow's voice responded.

"You made it just in time, we were just about to head out while you girls were gone," Gilbert said as he joined his husband.

"Oh? Where to?" Skara asked them.

"We're meeting up some old friends from our Flyer Derby days," Sully replied.

"Flyer Derby?" Skara asked them.

"It is a competitive sport. Maybe it is not as well known as grudgby is these days, but it should me. Back in our Hexside years, we were the best Flyer Derby team in the Boiling Isles," Sully explained as Gilbert pulled a framed picture from a shelf and showed it to her. The picture depicted a younger Sully and Gilbert with several other witches, all wearing jerseys and decorated in face paint.

"Wow… that's you two and your team?" Skara asked them.

"Of course, Flyer Derby is what we used to play back when we were your age," Sully states.

"Yep, this was taken after the Finals," Gilbert responded, looking fondly of the photo. "We were known as the Ghouls back then. I think our opponents were called the Hellhounds."

Sully nodded. "Yeah, I remembered that game…"

Many years ago…

"It looks like this is going to be a close game folks!" a teenage Geist Grunhar narrated from the announcer's booth. "We are in the final round, the score is tied, the clock is ticking, and the pressure is ON! Right now both teams still have three members-"

A witch girl with purple skin, blue hair tied in the back, glasses, brown eyes, and a staff with a snail Palisman cried out as she crash-landed on the ground, having been knocked out of the air by another witch who was now hanging her captured flag on his team pole.

"Correction," Geist said. "Now the Hellhounds still have three members, while the Ghouls have only two."

Her head low, the witch girl walked over to the side of the field where two of her teammates were waiting. One was a red-skinned witch boy with brown eyes, white hair, and horns. The other was a much larger witch boy with greenish-gray skin, a heart-shaped nose, and long dark hair that covered his eyes.

"Sorry about that guys," the girl apologized.

"Hey, it's fine," said the red-skinned boy. "Don't beat yourself up over it, Samone."

The girl nodded and joined her friends, looking up at the game still going on. "I just hope Gilbert and Sully will be fine on their own."

Above the grudgby field a teenage Gilbert and Sully were flying side by side, deciding on their next move now that it was just down to the two of them.

"Want to try out that new strat we worked on together?" Sully asked Gilbert.

The former Glandus student nodded. "It's all or nothing," he said with a determined look.

As the two boys flew toward the opposing team, they enacted their strategy. While dodging spells and protecting his flag, Gilbert summoned stone pillars that created walls around the field. This gave the Hellhounds less room and forced them to group closer together. Once they were all close enough, Sully saw his chance and he cast a spell that covered them in pollen. While the Hellhounds were sneezing and wiping their eyes due to the allergy-inducing pollen, Gilbert and Sully flew in to snatch their flags. Before the Hellhounds could do anything to stop them, the two boys had placed the captured enemy flags on their team's pole.

"And that's a wrap!" Geist announced. "The Ghouls have won! I repeat: the Ghouls have won!"

While the crowd cheered, Geist and Sully flew down to the field. While their teammates were running up to them, both boys embraced each other while jumping up and down. Before they knew what was happening, they went from cheering over their victory to locking lips.

Samone and the red-skinned boy, Rob, gasped, while the larger boy with hair over his eyes, Bernard, just smiled and nodded in approval. When Geist and Sully parted lips, they looked at each other in surprise. Both of their faces were bright red.

"Well that was unexpected," Sully said, not sure if he should be embarrassed or not that he just kissed his teammate in the middle of the grudgby field for everyone to see.

"But nice," Gilbert said, still feeling the adrenaline of the kiss rushing through his body. He saw the conflicted look on Sully's face. "What's wrong? Not how you imagined your first kiss?"

"You could tell it was my first?" Sully asked, sounding a bit more embarrassed as he let go of Geist and rubbed his arm awkwardly. "I just didn't think it would be a heat of the moment thing, that's all."

Gilbert just shrugged. "Some of the best things happen by surprise." He offered Sully his hand. "Now come on, how about we go celebrate this win?"

Sully looked at Gilbert's hand, then smiled and took it. In his announcer's booth, Geist grinned and leaned back in his seat.

"About time," he said to himself.

"You guys talking about Flyer Derby?" Willow asked.

Skara turned and saw that Willow had appeared, wearing a yellow short-sleeve jacket over a green blouse with a bee pendant necklace. She wore a teal skirt with gray-green stockings and brown boots. "Sorry for taking so long, I had to instruct Gus about how to water the nightshades." She then looked at Skara. "Wow, you look great, Skara."

Skara blushed. "T-Thanks, you too. Love your jacket, it looks good on you."

"Thanks," Willow responded. "So my dads were telling you about their Flyer Derby days?" Skara nodded. "You know, I've actually been thinking about reintroducing Flyer Derby to Hexside."

"Really? That sounds cool!" Skara replied happily. "Like, I don't know much about Flyer Derby, but I can probably read up on the strategies and help you put a team together. Maybe we can be co-captains!"

"Yeah, I like the sound of that!" Willow said excitingly.

"Hey, don't you two have a movie screening to catch?" Gilbert reminded them.

"Oh, right!" Skara replied. "I promise to take Willow back by curfew."

"And have fun with your friends, dads!" Willow waved to her parents as she and Skara start to leave.

"Have fun at the movies!" Gilbert waved to his daughter and her girlfriend.

Sully then called out to Gus "Gus! Me and Gil will be leaving, you're in charge of the house while we're gone!"

"Okay, see you guys then!" Gus replied. He looked at his Palisman. "Looks like it's just you and me, Emmiline Bailey Marcostimo. Wanna play Hexes Hold'Em?" he asked while his chameleon Palisman nodded in agreement.

The sound of the chainsaw was heard as it cut through the deformed large monster made out of fingers. Blood splattered everywhere including in front of a witch woman with black wavy hair with white streaks on the side. She had blue eyes and wore a dark cowl over her black vest with a white button shirt, black trousers and gray boots. She was the actress Vanessa Pierce.

"We must find the Book of Junu'k'lethro!" she spoke to a cyclops woman with teal skin, long black hair. a checkered shirt and black skirt. She was using her tentacle arms to hold up a weed wacker to splatter against the finger monsters barring their teeth.

"But how? It's not like going through the mall for a coffee!" the cyclops woman responded.

"Again? When will you let this go!?" Vanessa asked as the two backed away, Vanessa spotting an exit behind them. "Get to the exit!"

The two ran for it while a finger monster grew more fingers into a form of a club. As the two shut the door behind them, the finger monster slammed against the door, banging it in an attempt to get in. Fortunately, Vanessa used her magic to barricade the door with the objects around her and the cyclops woman.

"That should hold them off for now!" Vanessa declared.

"Yeah, it should," the cyclops woman responded. "Look, Agatha Thornbleeder, I don't know when we'll survive this but I just want to let you know… the one who wrote that poem to you… was me!"

"Oh, Jesse Wickspider, I thought I recognized your handwriting," Vanessa, as Agatha Thornbleeder, responded. "And I should share something with you as well. The truth is, I am not Agatha Thornbleeder…" She then removed her face like a mask, showing a million eyes formed around the sun. "My name is Bobbi Gale, from Dimension 665, and I've been looking for a significant other to merge and that other is you!"

Soon, the finger monsters succeeded in bursting through the door, but they saw that Bobbi Gale and Jesse Wickspider had formed into a much more powerful spiritual being. They took a look at the finger monsters. "Time to stick those fingers down to hell!"

Willow and Skara burst into laughter while they watched the movie. "Did that actually happen?" Skara asked.

"Yeah, this is peak comedy right here," Willow replied as the two enjoyed themselves while watching more blood splatter around. "And you gotta admit, the effects are so good this time."

"Yeah, that's the magic of IllusionMax theater," Skara replied, while a large finger flew out of the movie screen while the blood splattered around the seats, making it look like the audience was covered in blood.

Skara looked at Willow. who was drinking her soda, and smiled when she saw how much she was enjoying the film. Skara then looked back up at the movie while reaching out for popcorn, which Willow did at the same time. Their hands touched, which got the two noticed.

Their eyes looked away from the movie as they looked at their hands. Then they looked at each other and shared a smile, ignoring more blood being splattered across the audience while another finger fell off.

Gilbert and Sully had made it to Geist's bar. Once they entered, they had no trouble spotting their old friends at a table, especially Bernard who was the largest.

"Gully!" they along with Geist cheered.

"Bernard, Ron and Samone!" Gilbert and Sully said together while walking up and embracing each member of their old Flyer Derby team.

"Bernard, you've grown even bigger since I last saw you," Sully commented.

"Thanks, you should see my kids. They're as big as I was back in our Flyer Derby days," Bernard commented. He had grown large and was wearing a brown robe and sandals.

"Speaking of, how's your daughter, Willow?" asked Samone, who had grown her hair into locks and was dressed in a black vest with an orange shirt, gray skirt and black boots.

"Oh she's doing great, Samone," Gilbert responded. "She switched over to the Plant Track, which we were a little uncertain about at first, but she quickly rose to the top of her class."

"I am surprised you didn't have her in the Plant Track to begin with," spoke Ron, who was now dressed in a black jacket with a purple shirt, black jeans and boots. "I mean, you were in the Plant Track, Sully. And you literally named your daughter after a plant. Shouldn't it have been obvious?"

Gilbert and Sully exchanged a glance. "We just weren't sure she could handle it," Sully quickly answered, Gilbert nodding in agreement. They still remembered when Willow came home last night with the news…

"Dad! Appa!" Willow shouted as she came in, the sleeves of her uniform now green. "Because of the piranha plant incident, Principal Bump decided to transfer me to the Plant Track!"

She was greeted with dead silence as her dads, who had been washing dishes, stared at her with a look of surprise… and worry.

"Is there something wrong?" Willow asked, confused.

"Oh, nothing, sweetie," Gilbert responded defensively.

"Yes, that's good news!" Sully told her.

"Oh, okay," Willow said. "I'll be in my room. I'm so excited for tomorrow's classes!"

"Okay!" Sully said as Willow started to go upstairs. "Dinner's at seven!"

Once she was gone, an uncertain silence fell over Gilbert and Sully.

"So, what now?" Gilbert asked while Sully rubbed his arm awkwardly.

"I don't know," Sully admitted. "We shouldn't have put our daughter in the Abomination Track in the first place. But Titan knows we were just trying to protect her."

He dug into his pocket and pulled out a key, which he used to unlock a drawer.

"Maybe… things will work out in the end?" Gilbert suggested as Sully got a memory photo kept in a display case from the drawer. The memory photo was protected by a magical yellow aura which indicated that a spell had been cast on it.

"I hope so," Sully said with a sigh as he and Gilbert looked at the photo, which showed a younger Willow with glowing eyes attacking several children with vines. "But what if it happens again?"

"Alright, now that the whole Ghoul school is all here, you want anything besides drinks and bottomless fries?" Geists asked while bringing them over their drinks.

"I think you now that what we want isn't on the menu, Geist," Bernard told him.

Geist grinned. "Alright! Ed, Em, prepare the Ghoul special!"

"What's the Ghoul special?" Edric asked.

"Right, um let me just write that down," Geist said as he wrote something down and handed the note to Emira, whose eyes widened when she saw what he had written. "Give this to your brother."

Back at the table, the old Ghoul team were talking amongst themselves.

"No way, she's dating Slasher and Calypso's kid?" Ron asked in surprise.

"Yeah, the two are on a date together right now," Sully replied, before noticing that his husband looked a little sad. "Gil, are you getting teary eyed again?"

Gilbert smiled. "I-It's just that, our little witchling's growing up. She's become such a strong-willed girl. She's got a girlfriend, she has her own Palisman - her name's Clover, by the way, and she is just adorable - and she has more friends than ever this year… soon enough she won't be needing these two old men." He felt his husband patting his hand and he looked up to see Sully giving him an assuring smile.

"Hey, Gilly, we're not that old, yet," Sully responded. "And yeah, maybe she won't need us someday. But we will still be a part of her life, whether she likes it or not. Because she may be one heck of a strong witch… but we are still her dads."

Gilbert chuckled slightly and smiled. "You're right, Sully. Forgive this old griffin for getting sentimental."

"Geez, I almost forgot how emotional you two can get," Samone teased.

"Ah stop teasing him, Samone," Ron told her.

"I don't get that emotional, guys!" Gilbert claimed. "I just love my daughter, okay? I just can't help but think of her as that same little tulip we first found all those-"

"Uh hey, so when are the bottomless fries coming?" Sully asked, interrupting Gilbert who realized his mistake

"Yeah, where are the fries, Geist?" Gilbert shouted.

After the movies, Willow and Skara went on a walk through the Bonesborough park. They talked while the flying pixies started to glow for the evening.

"This is nice. It was a good idea bringing us here, Skara," Willow commented.

"I just figured you'd like some fresh air after being cooped up in a theater for several hours," Skara said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Willow nodded, while looking at a nearby garden bed. "The trees, the flowers, and the lights… it's beautiful here."

"Very beautiful indeed."

Willow and Skara heard a woman's voice. They turned around and saw a forest green cloaked woman with light skin, black hair, and almond-shaped eyes. She was holding up some arrows and next to her was a narrow jar. She appeared to be sitting on a large pink flower pedal. "Pardon me, young witches. I was about to call it a night, but I saw you two and I was wondering if you girls would be interested in a game of Tuho-nori?"

"Tuho-nori?" Willow asked. "I don't think I've ever heard of that game."

"Yeah, how do you play it?" Skara asked.

"It's simple, really," the woman responded, giving Willow and Skara each wooden arrows. "Just throw these arrows into that jar over there. If you manage to get one of them in, you receive a prize. Try it if you like."

"Wanna try it, Willow?" Skara asked.

"Sure, I'm up for it," Willow replied with a smile.

Skara smiled back and the two began throwing their arrows at the jar. They both missed their first tries. But eventually they were able to get into sync with each other and they were able to both get their last arrows in the jar.

"We did it!" Skara cheered as she and Willow hugged in celebration.

After the hug, the two noticed that the woman was gone. "Hey, where did she go?" Willow asked.

Skara noticed some flowers that had been left behind and she picked them up. "Huh, all that's left are these flowers. You think this is the prize she was referring to?"

"Hmm," Willow said as she inspected the pink roses. "I have never seen this type of flower before." She then noticed a card that was on the ground as well. She picked it up and read it. "This is the mugunghwa, an object of deep affection. It means 'eternal blossom that never fades'. Treasure it and each other."

"Well, they are pretty," Skara said and Willow nodded in agreement.

The two continued their walk until they stopped by a fountain. Skara saw that the moment was right and she turned to Willow. "Hey, I have something that I wanted to play for you if that's okay."

"Sure, play away," Willow responded.

Skara held up to Jimmy, who transformed into a cricket violin. Once she summoned her bow, she started to play a soft melody while singing.

"I'd rather be tall… I'd rather be smart," she sang. "I'd rather be sure you know I care… Wherever you go, whatever you start, I'd rather be sure you know I'm there… I'd rather I always be a part of whatever you do, I'd rather be me with you…"

The birds in the trees chirped in harmony while the fish swam to the violin tune from Skara.

"Wherever we go, I already trust, I'd know what to do if it were us," Skara continued. "I'd know what to say, I'd know how to be… I'd know your entire syllabus, I can't think of any other thing in the world I would rather do…" She then turned to Willow and they both smiled warmly, "If I could be, I'd rather be me with you…"

As the song finished, Willow held onto Skara's hand. The two made eye contact with each other. "That was beautiful, Skara," Willow said.

"I was hoping you would say that," Skara said, their faces drawing closer together until their lips met in a kiss. As they shared their first kiss, the sun set behind them. The moment lasted for a while before they finally parted lips.

"Whoa…" Skara said, both girls looking flustered.

"Um, sorry but… that was my first kiss," Willow said shyly.

"Really? You kiss great!" Skara replied. "I mean, I have kissed other witches before… and you are easily the best kisser!"

Willow blushed. "Well, I am just glad that I got to have my first kiss with you."

Skara beamed and stood on top of the fountain to take a bow while holding her violin. "And I am more than grateful to be the first to have the honor of kissing you, Lady Willow."

Willow giggled. "Well, I thank you for the lovely performance, Lady Skara. But I believe we should start heading back, since it is getting late."

"Oh, of course," Skara said as she stepped down from the fountain and took Willow's hand. Though as they started to leave the park, Skara couldn't help but think back to her first kiss, frowning slightly at the memory…

It was three years ago. A young Skara was having a sleepover at her place with a young Boscha, Amity, Amelia and Cat. It was the Moonlight Conjuring, but since they couldn't animate the doll they had chosen for the ritual the girls instead decided to play games among themselves. Except for Amity, who turned in early to sleep.

"Okay, it's my turn," Boscha said while turning to Skara. "Okay Skara, Truth or Scare?"

"Hmm… Truth!" Skara declared.

"Okay then… have you ever… kissed anyone?" Boscha asked her, causing Amelia and Cat to go 'Oooh' at the question.

Skara looked nervous. "W-Well… not really… I mean, who has time for a witchfriend anyway? Though, it would be nice to kiss someone."

"Then why not try it out now?" Boscha offered.

"What… what do you mean?" Skara asked in confusion.

"Just… close your eyes," Boscha told her, while turning to Amelia and Cat who both looked away. Skara closed her eyes as Boscha leaned over, instructing Skara. "Now then, just stand still and…" Boscha leaned forward and pressed her lips against Skara's, giving Skara her first kiss. Once it was over, Skara opened her eyes in shock. "Well? How was your first kiss?"

"Oh, it… it was… not what I expected," Skara admitted.

Boscha frowned. "So what, you felt… nothing?"

"Um… sorry, were you-"

"Nah, I just want to see your reaction to your first kiss," Boscha waved it off. Then she gave a fake yawn and stood up. "Well, I'm hitting the sack, I think I'll sleep on the couch tonight."

"The couch? So you don't want to sleep in here? I didn't upset you or anything?" Skara asked as Boscha stopped at the door, giving a pause.

"I'm fine, Skara," Boscha assured her. "Just forget about it."

But once Boscha was away from everyone else, she had a distant but sad look. After that night, none of them ever talked about that kiss again.

It wasn't long before Skara was dropping Willow off in front of her home. "Thanks for the ride, Skara," Willow thanked her girlfriend. "And I really enjoyed the date."

"Me too," Skara responded with a smile. "Well, I guess I should see you tomorrow then. I'll text you when I make it home."

"Stay safe," Willow said as the two kissed each other goodnight.

Once Skara left, Willow entered her home to see Gus playing Hexes Hold'Em with his Palisman. He noticed her entering. "Hey, how was the date?"

"Great!" Willow replied happily. "What have you been up all night?"

"Well, I'm somehow losing to this card shark." Gus pointed to his chameleon Palisman, who had one card eat another.

Skara had a huge smile on her face as she headed back home, flying a few loops in the sky.

"Yeah!" she hollered. Skara didn't know what the future held for her and Willow, especially with the threat of Glandus hovering over their heads.

But that hadn't ruined tonight, which might have been the best night of her life. Right now she was happy and for Skara that was enough.

Fourteen years ago…

Gilbert and Sully were on a nature hike in the Forearm Forest.

"How are you doing back there, Gil?" Sully asked his husband.

"Just enjoying the peace and quiet," Gilbert said as he enjoyed the scenery. He then heard something in the distance. "Or at least it was quiet… what is that?"

Sully heard it as well. "Is that… crying?"

"It sounds like a baby!" Gilbert realized before he and Sully started running in the direction of the crying. They followed the sound to a large, vine covered willow tree and inside the hollow of the tree they found a baby witchling with olive green eyes and dark hair.

"Oh my Titan…" Gilbert said as the men pulled the baby out of the tree. He wrapped the baby with his scarf and tried to calm her down. "Hey, hey it's alright. We're here for you."

Sully looked around and called out. "Hello? Did anyone lose a child?" he asked, but he received no answer. "Did someone leave their baby here?"

"If so, she needs to be taken care of, Sully," Gilbert said after calming the baby down.

The baby was now looking up to Sully and Gilbert. She gave a heartfelt giggle which caused the two to look at her with wide, dotting eyes.

"Well, we were thinking about having a kid, weren't we?" Sully asked as Gilbert nodded. "Maybe this is a gift from the Titan…"

"We should still try to see if we can find her parents," Gilbert noted as the two walked away from the tree they had found the baby in. "But if we can't… I think she will need a name."

Sully looked back at the tree. "Hmm… how does Willow sound?"

Hidden from the two men and the child they found was a forest green cloaked woman with light skin, black hair, and almond-shaped eyes. She gave a pleased smile and faded from sight…