The Red Guard (The Owl House AU)

Chapter 2: A Basilisk, a Wild Witch and a Child

Christ, it's been a hot minute-

Sorry, everyone, some stuff happened and I needed to take care of myself a bit! But, since today is The Owl House's third anniversary, I decided that now would be a good time to update TRG!

Happy Anniversary, Owl House. You bring back plenty of good memories. 💖

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Hunter's first friend was Kikimora...well, sort of. He did have someone else he considered a friend. He just didn't know if he could count her.

The Golden Guard dismissed a few guards before walking into a dark room that looked like a dungeon. He heard hisses and slithers and looked in the cells, seeing strange snake-like creatures with colorful hair, large eyes, and well, arms. Unlike an actual snake.

He counted the cells before he reached a certain one. He then knelt down, peering behind the long bars of the cell. "Number Five...?"

There was silence before someone slithered out: Another snake-like creature with muddy green colored scales and blue hair across their head. They had blue eyes with yellow pupils, which were dark and weary, cautious from their time spent in this place. However, their eyes traveled downwards, and the Basilisk gasped when seeing what was in Hunter's hands.

Hunter then slid a plate of food into the cell. "I heard you were denied your meal today, Number Five...I thought I'd bring you something."

The other Basilisks from their cells peeked out to watch The Golden Guard giving food to their companion with soft eyes. Hunter visited them often.

"...t-thank you." Number Five suddenly said, her voice filled with shock, and even gratitude. "T-Thank you so much."

Hunter's eyes were wide under his mask, and he chuckled. "You...you talked. You haven't done that before."

"I...w-well-"

"No. I get it. You were a little untrusting. I can understand why." Hunter said, taking off his mask again. "I am The Emperor's right hand man."

Number Five, though shocked by seeing his face for the first time, slowly nodded. "B-But...you're not like him. You're nice...you're caring...and you just come here to talk sometimes. I-I'm sorry that I never talked back."

"Hey, it's good to just have someone who listens sometimes." Hunter smiled, sitting down now. "So...do you have a name?"

"N-Number Five...?"

"No, no. I mean, a real name."

"...n-no. I don't think I-" Number Five then noticed the letter on her cell. The letter 'V'. She thought about it, then decided that she liked the sound of it and faced Hunter. "V-Vee...my name is Vee."

"Vee?" Hunter asked, humming... before smiling. "That's a nice name, Vee. I'm Hunter."

Vee smiled. "H-Hunter...I like that name. It's b-better than Golden Guard."

Hunter chuckled. "Isn't it?" He then stood up. "Speaking of which, I gotta go back to being that...I'll visit you again soon, okay? It's nice to hear you talk for once."

Vee's smile grew just a bit more and nodded before she watched Hunter leave, and then started eating her food. It was nice to have someone looking out for her when she couldn't look out for herself.

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Hunter then went back to Kiki, wearing the Golden Guard mask again. He saw Kiki 'commanding' some guards. Ever since the two became friends, Golden Guard could clearly see she wasn't as mean or as commanding as she pretended to be around the guards. Like him, it was all an act to either not get in trouble or to cope.