Strength... Heart... Wisdom... Courage. These attributes are what define much of the sapient species across all of time and space. Across all of creation, there are some who display an aptitude for one of these, and some who can wield them all in balance.
These are not limited to one reality either. You may think you know the story, but really, you only know it from your own perspective. You can't see all of it, as you can only see one version of that story, but there are others. For you see, choice is much more relevant than we think it is. For every choice made, another path lies unchosen, and along those paths, new realities emerge, similar yet so very different from the ones you know. An endless possibility of wondrous new worlds that you can only dream about.
I am the Guardian, and my purpose is to watch over the various worlds in existence. I only observe and must not interfere in events that transpire there and have been doing this job for many millennia, hoping that one day I will meet a worthy being who I can train to take on this role. But today, I am your guide through these vast new realities. Come along with me as you ponder the question...
What if...?
"I have a feeling many of you want to see this reality. I understand why, as in most realities, Luz and Anne never meet. They have their own adventure in their own world and make their own new friends. It really seems like a fluke that there are some realities where the two even managed to meet at all. In most other worlds, Luz finds someone else, and as you'll see in this reality, things happen a little differently.
So let's set the scene for this one. Months ago, a young girl named Luz had a crush on another girl named Anne. In a fit of nervousness, Luz kissed her while they were dancing, trying to find a way to express her feelings for the girl. That didn't quite work out...
Later, these two girls, along with two others, obtained the Calamity Box and inadvertently activated its powers, transferring them to Amphibia. The four girls were all separated and had their own adventures. Months later, Anne and Luz would finally reunite under a starry sky in Wartwood. In the story you know, they makeup, and Anne promises to talk about their feelings once they get back to Earth, but that's not the only way it could have ended. Here is another story of what could have happened. We'll start at the point the story changed..."
"I think... I might like girls too, but to be completely honest, I don't know for sure. Guess it wasn't an instant click for me like it was for you. I have thought a lot about that night. Now I'm not afraid of my feelings, but I'm also confused. I feel I need more time to know for sure whether I really like girls, but like I said, I can't deny... I liked that kiss."
"So... what happens now?" asked Luz, a little afraid of the potential answer but also a little hopeful.
[Right here is where a different choice is made]
Anne looked over at Luz. She thought hard about what she was going to say next. The truth was that part of her wanted to try to have a relationship with Luz, but another part of her wondered if things were too complicated for that to happen. She cared about Luz a lot, and she didn't want to take a chance that those feelings could turn bad if they tried dating, only to break up later. It was with that decision that Anne finally decided to speak, taking a deep breath before replying, "I feel I'd like to start over with you as friends..."
Luz hesitated before replying, "Just friends then?"
"Yes, just as friends," answered Anne, before quickly adding, "Listen, Luz, I really am sorry for what I said to you, and I care about you a lot. It's just... if we started dating, then there's a chance those feelings could change, and I don't want that to happen."
Luz let Anne's words wash over her. She mentally tried to come to grips with the fact that Anne only wanted to be friends with her. Luz knew that this was a possibility, but a small part of her had held out a bit of hope that maybe this wouldn't be the result. Still, she knew that it was Anne's choice, and she didn't want to look disappointed in front of her. Luz took a few seconds to compose herself before stoically replying, "Okay, I understand."
"Hey, hey, listen," said Anne, turning to face her friend. "We've both been through a lot out here, and I won't deny it's been rough. I just think that with everything that has happened, maybe we should only be friends. That way, things won't be complicated between us."
Again, Luz looked into Anne's face as the realization that she only wanted to be friends sank in, trying her best not to show too much sadness in her eyes.
"I get it... So much has happened, and who knows what else may happen now?" said Luz stoically.
"We're still friends, okay?" said Anne. "That means I still care about you. I just want to make sure you know that."
"I do," replied Luz. "And honestly... maybe it's better this way."
"But I do want to thank you, Luz," said Anne.
"Huh? What for?" asked Luz.
"For... giving me that experience," said Anne. "I meant what I said, that I think I might like girls, and I think you may have helped me discover that about myself, so thank you for that."
"You're welcome," replied Luz, finally smiling again. "I'm glad something good came of it then."
"Hey, years from now, we'll both have a very interesting story to tell about our first kiss," said Anne. Luz actually laughed at that.
"Ha! I guess we will. You know, if we tell it together, everyone is going to give us a weird look," laughed Luz.
"Yeah, but hey, it's our story, and that's something only you and I can share," said Anne. "I suppose that means we really are BFFs if we have a story like that to share." Luz laughed again, finally relaxing more and feeling comfortable around Anne again.
After a moment, the two finally stood up together.
"So then, friends?" asked Luz.
"Friends," replied Anne, hugging Luz. The two shared a long hug, still feeling safe in each other's arms. As they separated, Anne spoke to Luz.
"Now, let's get inside so I can introduce you to the Plantars. It's starting to get cold out here."
"Well, Luz is feeling bummed, even if she's doing a good job hiding it. I think many of you know the feeling of being rejected by your crush. It hurts. It's a human experience I've seen play out many times across other worlds with many other sapient species. Right now, despite still having Anne's friendship, Luz is hurting. She will, in time, get over it, and her friendship with Anne will continue to grow. Of course, Luz doesn't know that eventually, she will meet someone else. I mean, how could she? But I know what you're thinking: 'It turns out okay for Luz in the end, right?' Well, so we don't end on such a sad note, let's take a glimpse into the future and see a little preview of future events.
A lot of things happened between now and the moment I'm about to show you, but what you need to know is that Luz, Anne, and their friends did manage to save the day in Amphibia. They said goodbye to the friends they'd made and returned home to their own world. About a year later, they found their way to another world—a world full of witches and demons. They made new friends there too, one of whom took a particular interest in Luz..."
It had been a close call, but Amity had managed to save Luz from her parents' trap of being their assistant for the weapon demonstration. Amity had again felt that feeling in her heart when Luz had come up next to her. Though again, she had been shy and looked away. Still, with the day saved and her parents letting Luz and her friends back into school, one thing still bothered her.
Ever since she first met her, Amity couldn't help but be a little jealous of Anne. She had seen how close she and Luz were and how they seemed so comfortable together. Amity still wasn't sure what that meant, but as Luz and Anne waved goodbye to her to head back to the Owl House, Amity knew she had to find out the truth. Before Anne had left, she called out to her.
"So, uh, Anne, can I talk to you alone for a sec?" asked Amity.
"Is everything okay?" asked Anne.
"Yeah, I just... need to ask you something... in private," said Amity.
Anne turned to Luz. "I'll see you back at the house. Go ahead, I'll catch up."
"Okay," said Luz, though before she left, she waved one more time to Amity before quickly turning away, her face turning bright red.
Once Amity and Anne were alone, Amity hesitated, not wanting to ask what she wanted to ask but knowing she had to do it just to be sure. "Okay, please don't laugh or anything at what I'm about to ask you, but... are you and Luz... a thing?"
"Huh?" replied Anne. "I'm not sure I understand your question."
"Are you and Luz, you know, together?" asked Amity nervously.
"What? Oh, no, we're just friends," said Anne, though as she said this, she gave a coy smile to Amity. "Is it because you so obviously have a crush on her?"
"I said don't laugh!" said Amity angrily, raising her hand and threatening Anne.
"Whoa! Hey, I'm not laughing," said Anne, putting up her hands in defense. "Honestly, I think it's sweet."
"You won't tell her, will you?" asked Amity desperately.
"If you don't want me to, then I won't," said Anne. Amity sighed with relief.
"It's just, I've seen how close the two of you are, and I just thought..." began Amity. "With how close you were, that you were more than friends."
"Listen, Amity. Luz and I are friends, real good friends, even closer than before," began Anne. "Although..."
"Although what?" said Amity, now sounding a bit suspicious.
Anne let out a sigh before deciding there was something she had to tell Amity. "Listen, there is something I want you to know, and if I don't tell you now, then you might accidentally hear it from a third party and then make incorrect assumptions. The last thing I'd want is for you and Luz to have a third-act breakup because of some misinformation."
"Third act breakup?" said Amity, confused.
"It's a trope used in REALLY BAD romcoms," answered Anne.
"What's a romcom?" asked Amity, confused.
"Never mind," said Anne, before taking a deep breath. "While Luz and I are friends now, she... used to have a crush on me."
Amity's eyes went wide hearing that.
"There's more," said Anne, hesitating before finally deciding to just say it. "We were also... each others'... first kiss."
Amity was shocked to hear that, but the shock faded as she realized why Anne was telling her this. Anne's face seemed to fall, if only for a bit as she said this.
"So you two almost had a thing going?" asked Amity nervously.
"I guess you could say that," answered Anne. "According to Luz, I was the one who made her realize she was bisexual, which, I guess thinking back on it, is quite an honor. And her kissing me is what got me to realize that I like girls too. We both thought about dating, but it just never really worked out. I'm telling you this so you don't get the wrong idea, Amity. Trust me, I'm not a competitor to you for Luz."
Amity listened to what Anne had said. Finally, she asked another question.
"So... what happened? If you don't mind me asking."
Anne paused as she stared off into the sky, recalling the conversation she'd had with Luz under the starry sky of Wartwood. "We just decided that we were better as friends. If you want to know the full story, ask Luz. It's long and rather complicated. I thought it was important for me to tell you that. But Amity, believe me when I tell you that was all in the past. And hey, as Luz's best friend, if you do want to ask her out, you have my blessing."
"Really? Well, thanks. That means a lot to me," said Amity, now more relaxed.
"If you want my advice, don't wait too long," added Anne.
"Okay," said Amity, before deciding there was one more thing she wanted to ask. "So, uh, hey... Is Luz a good kisser?"
"Well, Amity," said Anne coyly, coming up to Amity and putting her arm around her. "There's only one way you'll find that out..."
Amity's face became bright red!
"Ha ha ha! So, as you can see, Luz is likely to still end up with someone. She'll have a girlfriend and the support of her best friend. Let's look one more time into the future of this reality."
After all the action of the day, the group had decided to relax in Eda's house. It had been a very eventful day for King, Eda, and especially Amity and Luz. The two were looking at recordings from the Echo Mouse while also trying to adjust to the fact that they were now in a relationship. After a while, Luz finally finished her notes and offered to walk Amity back to her house. Amity agreed though Eda offered Owlbert to her, saying flying her home was more romantic. Eventually, Luz returned home with a big smile on her face.
"So, how did it go?" asked Eda coyly.
"It went... well," replied Luz, not saying anything beyond that.
"I am so happy for you, Luz," said Anne, coming up to her and hugging her. "You and Amity deserve each other. I'm glad to see you finally got together."
"Thanks, Anne!" said Luz, returning the hug. "I still can't believe this is happening."
"Hey, uh, not to spoil the mood or anything," said Eda, "but, uh, does Boots know about you two?"
Realization dawned on Luz's face. "Oh, no, she doesn't, but I'll tell her, eventually."
"Actually, she does," said Anne slowly. Both Luz and Eda turned towards her. "I, uh, I told her."
"Wait, what?!" exclaimed Luz. "How did that topic come up?"
"She wanted to know if you and I were a thing," said Anne. "I guess you didn't know, but, uh, she's had a crush on you for a long time now."
"Wait, really?" asked Luz. "Was I really that oblivious?"
"I guess you were," teased Anne, coming over and ruffling Luz's hair. "But hey, it all worked out in the end, so I guess it's okay."
"If you ask me, Amity's real lucky that you were still on the market," said Eda to Luz. "You and Anne seem so alike. I'm kinda surprised things didn't work out for you two. Either of you have any regrets about that?"
[Start Playing: "Scenes from a Coffee Shop" (You'll Always Be Mine) by Blessid Union of Souls]
Anne and Luz looked at each other and then back at Eda. Luz spoke first. "No, not really. We've been through a lot, and honestly, I'm glad to have found a friend like Anne to have gone through it all with."
"I think us being friends means we don't have to worry about any complicated feelings or how we'd feel about each other if we had dated, but then broke up," added Anne.
"Yeah, exactly," said Luz. "This way, we'll always be friends and always be there for each other."
"I still remember the first time we met," said Luz, "how you almost ran me over with your bike."
"Then we got talking about the things that both of us liked," said Anne.
"Then you introduced me to your friends," said Luz.
"Then, at the end of the day, we found out we were both first generation," said Anne.
The two sighed as they recalled that day. "Good times!" they said in unison.
"This was before you went to that frog world then, right?" asked Eda.
"Oh, yeah, it was," answered Luz. "And unfortunately, when that happened, that was also when Anne and I were going through a rough patch."
"Yeah," said Anne morosely.
"That's so sad," said King, joining in on the conversation. "To think that right before you got transported to a new world, Anne said she didn't want to be friends with you, Luz."
"I know," agreed Anne. "I'm human. I make mistakes, and all I can say is that I am so glad I got the chance to apologize to you, Luz."
"Well, I was the one who started it," admitted Luz. "But maybe the fact that we were both in the wrong is what made it easier for us to forgive each other." Luz came over to Anne and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Aww," said King, "they really are adorable."
"I think they would have made a cute couple," said Hooty, "but I suppose Luz and Amity are also adorable, and they deserve all the happiness."
"Geez, I mean, what happened to you two? That's not even covering all the drama that your other friends caused, is it?" asked Eda.
"No, I guess not," said Anne. "wow... We really went through a lot back then, didn't we?"
"Yeah, now here we are in a different world, going through it all again," said Luz. As she spoke, Luz began to look sad, and Anne immediately guessed what was on her mind.
"Hey, listen," she began, giving Luz another hug. "You made the right choice by destroying the portal. I've told you this before, but I want you to know again."
"I know, I know," said Luz. "I thought this time was going to be different because we wouldn't be trapped in another world. We had a way home this time, but now we're stuck again..."
"And you're working hard to find us a way back," said Anne, firmly looking Luz in the eyes. "You got this! And hey, we've been stuck in another world before, and we survived! I know we can do it again!"
Luz looked back into Anne's face, her spirits raised. "Yeah, you're right!"
"At least we weren't separated this time," said Anne. "Plus, now Amity is helping you out! It won't be long now before we make it home!" Again, Luz smiled as she looked into Anne's face, glad for the encouragement her friend had given her.
"I'll admit it is always nice having a good friend you can depend on," said Eda. "But now that you and Amity are a thing, you'll have to take time to fight evil together. That's the kind of activity that I feel can strengthen a relationship. Help keep things feeling fresh, you know."
"Oh, did you do that with someone once?" asked Anne coyly.
"As a matter of fact, I did," said Eda as she recalled the memory of how she and Raine had fought against Terra Snappdragon in their youths. "It was a spark between me and them that really helped us come together..."
"Oooo, romantic backstory," said Luz, intrigued. "I wanna hear more!"
"Someday, kid. Someday," said Eda. "Now, I think we've all had a long day, and it's time to get ready for bed."
"Wait! I need a midnight snack first!" exclaimed King.
"Oh, in that case, I have some cookies for you..." said Eda slyly, causing the others to laugh. The group got ready for bed, and Luz said goodnight to Anne as she made her way down to the basement. Luz continued to look at the spot where Anne had left. A small part of her had wondered what would have happened if she and Anne had tried dating. She did occasionally think about it, not on any regular occasion, but seeing as Eda had brought it up, Luz started to briefly wonder how it would have turned out.
I don't want to think too much about it, thought Luz to herself, especially now that Amity and I are together. And even though I know it might not last, depending on what happens with the portal, I really do hope we'll make the best of the time we have. Still, you do occasionally wonder about the road not traveled... but I think things will be fine for Anne too.
As Anne got ready for bed, she finally had some time to herself. She made her way down to the basement while Luz slept in her closet. When Anne was finally alone, she took out her phone and scrolled through some pictures until she found one of her and Marcy together. She remembered this picture, as it had been taken after they had all finally returned home from Amphibia. It was taken the day before Marcy and her family left for the airport, the day Anne realized she would never see Marcy regularly again. She had wanted to tell Marcy something, but never did...
Looking back at how events had transpired gave Anne a bittersweet feeling. Luz kissing her at the dance had sparked something in Anne—something she hadn't known or guessed about herself, and at first, something she was afraid of. But over time, Anne came to accept the feelings this had awoken in her that night. Those feelings were awoken again when she had first reunited with Marcy in Newtopia. At the time, Anne wasn't sure how to express her feelings for Marcy. She thought that once they were all home again, she would make some big romantic gesture to ask her out, but it all ended up becoming a moot point after everything that happened...
As devastated as Anne was to learn that Marcy had gotten them purposely stranded in Amphibia, she was even more devastated to learn that Marcy would be moving. Anne felt she could forgive Marcy for what she had done and that they could all move past it. A small part of her had even hoped that maybe after everything that happened, Marcy's parents would call off the move and let her stay in LA. But that didn't end up happening, and the fact that Marcy would move meant that any hope she had for a relationship with her was gone. Anne had wanted to tell Marcy about her crush on her, but realized there was no point. In the year that had passed after returning home, she never told anyone, not even Luz, about how she felt about Marcy.
Anne's thoughts also turned to Sasha. There was no denying that in the year since returning from Amphibia, Anne, Luz, and Sasha's friendship had grown apart. Luz had never fully forgiven her for what happened, and while the three would occasionally hang out, it wasn't the same as before. Luz and Anne had started gravitating towards a new friend group while Sasha had found her own. They still saw each other, but not as frequently. Anne had suggested inviting Sasha to go with them to summer camp in an effort to rekindle their friendship. At first, Luz was against the idea but agreed only on the condition that Marcy also join them. Unfortunately, that condition was too hard for Anne to accept. Luz wanted to see if Marcy's parents would let her come back to LA for the summer so that the four of them could go to this camp together, but Anne had convinced her not to. She couldn't bear the thought of reconnecting with Marcy, only to see her leave at the end of summer. If Marcy didn't come, then Luz didn't want to have Sasha come either, so neither had joined them.
Huh, thought Anne to herself, I wonder if Marcy and Sasha had joined us for the summer camp. Would that mean they would have been there when Owlbert stole Luz's book? Would they have joined us on our adventure here in the Boiling Isles? I wonder how that would have turned out.
As Anne thought about this, she realized there was a possibility that Luz would go through the same thing with Amity. There was no way to know when or if they would ever get a portal working again, and even if they did, it could very well be a one-way trip, much like how their journey to Amphibia had ended.
In a way, her feelings about Marcy were similar to how she felt about Sprig, though in a non-romantic way. She missed him so much that she couldn't bear to go through the same thing with Marcy that she was already going through with Sprig. In the back of her mind, Anne wondered if it was possible that when Luz built her portal, it could go to more than one place. Maybe, in addition to going to Earth, it could also allow them to return to Amphibia. Anne didn't want to get her hopes up, but if there was a chance that Luz could build a portal that would function in that way, she wanted to help her build it.
As Anne looked one more time at the picture of her and Marcy, she let out a sigh before finally putting her phone down and going to bed...
"Well, as you can see, sometimes small changes have large impacts—ones that you might not even think about when the slight change was made. Things might have worked out okay for Luz, and while I wouldn't say they are bad for Anne, they are... different. Is it better or worse in the long run? I suppose that's up to you to decide...
Looking at all these different realities is hard, seeing endless possibilities, and seeing how choices change things. Sometimes, it gets a little too overwhelming for me, and that's why I'd like to train a new apprentice, maybe even two...
What I find most curious though is that there is only one reality where Luz and Anne end up together. Perhaps, in the grand scheme of things, it's nothing, but as a being who can see all realities, I feel it's bittersweet to know that there is only one where this happens, but that's how the multiverse works sometimes. For all you know, there are realities where you end up with someone different or no one at all... Really makes you think, doesn't it?
In any case, I will continue my duty to watch over all creation, and you can tell me what realities you want to see. What new choices do you wish to explore? What happens when a different choice is made? And keep asking the eternal question of..."
What if...?