Chapter Text
A fourteen year old Dominican-American girl with tan skin, purplish-brown short hair styled in a pixie cut and hazel eyes sat in a chair holding a green snake in one hand and an Azura doll in the other. She wore a short-sleeved half white and half indigo hoodie with cat ears attached to the hood, high-waisted jean shorts, dark gray capris leggings, and a pair of white vans. On her wrist was a rectangular silver watch. This is Luz Noceda and currently she was in the principal’s office, again.
“And that’s the end.” Luz smiles brightly.
“The end of what?” A woman with tan skin and hazel eyes with a bit more brown than Luz’s. Her hair was up in a bun with two bangs tufted outward. She had on a set of cyan scrubs with darker blue-rimmed sleeves, white shoes, and black glasses with a red top. This was Camila Noceda, Luz’s overworked mom.
“My book report.” Luz spoke as the snake hissed and bit the doll. “I think I knocked it out of the park.”
“Your book report is why you're here.” Principal Hal sighed as he gestured to the door. Luz turned in time to see a couple of students run by screaming as snakes bit at their heads.
“Oh. That’s where the backup snakes were.” Luz said completely unphased by the view.
“And what were you going to do with this?” Camila held up Luz’s self made firework.
“That was for the Act Three closer.” Luz sighed. “But it barely counts as a firework.”
“Mija, I love your creativity, but it’s gotten out of hand. Do you remember why you were sent to the principal’s office the last three times?”
Luz did in fact remember them. The most recent was during the Romeo and Juliet auditions where she brought realistic looking guts and blood to hers. It lead to the other students running off the stage screaming in terror. Before that she had made an anatomically correct baby griffon using a pigeon head, squirrel body, and non-venomous spiders. Her classmates had begun freaking out over the spider breath. And before that Luz had flipped her eyelids inside out during cheerleading tryouts. Luz still felt that the kids had over reacted, but then again they always did when it came to her.
“We all love that you express yourself,” Camila gained Luz’s attention once more, “but if you can’t learn to separate fantasy from reality, you may need to spend the summer here.”
Her mom held out a pamphlet for a reality check summer camp. The kid on the front seemed cramped in a box while giving a thumbs up. Luz reluctantly takes it thinking of how that would cut into her summer of inventing. She couldn't let that happen.
“Don't worry, Mom. I won’t let you down.” Luz stood up with a confident grin. “No more weirdness!”
Luz must have spooked the snake or something because at that moment it leapt from Luz’s hand to bite Principal Hal. Luz winces as he falls to the ground with a yelp.
“That doesn't count, right?”
---
Luz stood in front of a two-story house with white walls and a gray roof, and many windows along the front. There was a driveway to the left of the house, leading to a small garage, and a walkway that led up to the front door. Behind the house was a dense forest. She had her messenger bag and a larger suitcase. As far as her mom was concerned the suitcase had enough clothes for a couple of weeks, maybe a month. If there was a mini-lab and possibly Luz’s best invention yet, well who was she to tell?
“Oh! Oh, my baby!” Camila hugged her tightly, “now don't worry. Summer camp is only going to be for three months. You'll be so busy balancing checkbooks and learning to… appreciate public radio, the time will fly by!”
Luz cringed at that. This summer camp sounded more like three months of boring hell. Camila let go of her as she grabbed one of her Azura books.
“But I don't like any of that stuff. I like editing anime clips to music, working on my inventions in the garage, and- and reading fantasy books with convoluted backstories.” Luz argued, holding up her book.
“Mija, your fantasy world is holding you back. Do you have any friends? Real ones, not imagined, or programmed, or drawn, or reptilian?”
Luz had to stop herself from commenting about how it wasn't always her fault she didn't get along with the other kids. Instead she lowered her book in disappointment, walking slowly to the trash bin.
“Summer camp is a chance to make some friends, but you have to try. Can you do that?”
“Yes, Mom.” Luz sighed and placed her book into the bin as Camila’s phone vibrated in her purse. She mentally begged to be forgiven for throwing the book away instead of donating or selling it.
“Oh. I gotta go to work.” Camila kissed Luz’s forehead. “Your bus is coming soon. Text me when you get there. Cuidate mucho, mija. Que te vaya bien!”
Luz watched as she left mumbling a ‘bye, mom’. Once Camila was out of sight she turned to the bin. Her book was gone. She began trying to find it.
“Where is it? Where is it?” A hoot gained her attention. Her book sticking out of a bag in his back. The owl stared at her before it turned and flew off. “Tiny trash thief!”
Luz, deciding not to risk anymore theft, brought her suitcase with as she chased the tiny owl. She paused as they reached an abandoned two-story house with white walls and a brown roof, its front door was in the middle with two windows on each side. It seemed to have four pillars in front, but the third was broken. Luz thought it looked pretty run-down from the outside given the large hole in the roof and two broken windows. The stairs seemed worn and moss hung from the roof. Luz watched as the owl continued into the old home. She steeled her nerves and followed the bird, never noticing the door slamming shut behind her or how the entire place seemed to glow.
---
“Stop adorably hopping away, you- huh?” Luz noticed she was now in a tent filled with several odd items. “Whoa. I thought I had some weird stuff. But this? This is impressive.”
She held up a creepy-looking doll.
“Finally, you're back.” A strange voice said.
Luz quickly dropped to the ground, hand making its way to her watch. She pushed the top of the face back, revealing a small generator, and up before pulling it over her hand creating a fingerless glove. It was red with silver accents and she turned it over to find a palm size blue circle. She peeked up and cautiously walked forward.
She moved the tent flap to see the back of a middle-aged woman. From what Luz could see the woman wore a sleeveless, two-tone maroon dress with a ripped hem design and gray leggings. She had on maroon high-heeled boots and a bandana that covered her ears and most of her hair. She was tall with ivory skin and looked to have thick, long, untamed hair that was layered with tones of gray.
“Now let’s see what we’ve got here.” The woman said as the little owl landed on top of the woman’s staff.
She turned him around and Luz watched as the owl turned into a wooden fixture. The girl couldn't stop the gasp that left her. The older woman continued to pull out things like a phone, a ring with a huge diamond, and a golden shining chalice calling each one garbage after a single look. Next was a pair of joke glasses as she spoke.
“This will make me rich.” The woman took out Luz’s book, “and this… oh, this will make good kindling.”
Luz had to act quick as the strange woman held her book over a candle. She ran out of the tent and grabbed her book before the woman could react.
“Excuse me, sorry, it’s mine, thank you.” Luz called as she bolted back into the tent. She made her way to what she thought was the door that brought her here, grabbing her bag as she went. To her shock the door with a strange eye folded in on itself and disappeared. She turned with her glove held up to see the woman holding a key with an eye on it that looked very similar to the door’s eye. The woman took off the joke glasses to reveal an almost menacing look.
“You're not going anywhere.” She said in a threatening voice.
“Nope!” Luz shouted as she shoved Azura into her messenger bag and ducked out the back of the tent. She skidded to a stop mere inches away from a cliff. The town below her had been made up of far too many arms and teeth to be earth. As if to prove her point a dragon flew by and got caught by one of the arms. She could see some of the denizens, like a cloaked figure holding an ice cream cone that was eating someone, and a centipede-looking creature opening its mouth to let a winged creature fly out. Luz was quick to back away from the edge.
“Oh, no, no, no, no! What’s going on?” She panicked as a fairy approached her. “Oh, hello, little fairy. Are you going to tell me this is all a fantastical dream?”
“Give me your skin!” the fairy demanded, showing off its large teeth. Luz was quick to react, lifting her gloved hand. The circle glowed a bright blue as it hummed to life and released a plasma beam, sending the fairy god knows where.
“Where am I? Did I die? Am I in hell?” Luz was spiraling as her glove turned back into its watch form. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
“You wish.” Oh great. The strange woman was back.
Luz continued to spiral as she sat down on a stool. “I’m so sorry! I just wanted my book! If you're gonna eat my skin, just do it now!”
She closed her eyes and offered her arm. She waited for pain that never came.
“Eat you? Why would I eat…” The woman paused for dramatic effect, “a potential customer?”
“Huh?” Luz opened her eyes. The woman offered her a bunch of junk, getting its purpose wrong each time.
“Can I offer you a human foot filled with holes (it was actually a green croc)? A bar of green human candy (a stick of men’s deodorant)? Oh! How about this black shadow box that reflects only sadness!” she held up a portable tv like the one Luz had once found on clearance. The girl couldn't help but laugh at the woman’s attempt.
“That’s not all it can do. Here, let me see it.” Luz took the tv and two batteries from a dish labeled ‘Human Candy!(????)’. Maybe she should show actual candy. She put the batteries in and pressed the power button. She smiled as an old jazzercise video started. “Viola!”
Several people (were they people?) stopped at the noise.
“Huh?” One spoke.
“What’s that?” Said another.
“The sound- it’s so alluring.” One more chimed in. It didn't take long for the TV to be crowded around. Luz saw some holding green bills.
“I’ll pay 40 snails for the screaming box!”
“I’ll give you a hundred!”
“Can I eat the tiny person inside?” Luz seemed to have started a bidding war. The woman (Luz really needed to learn her name) looked at her.
“What did you say your name was?” She asked.
“Luz Noceda at your service.” Luz smiled. The woman, who Luz realized had a golden fang and eyes, started taking people’s money (did they call them snails?).
“Well Luz, that was pretty clever… for a human.” Never a good response.
“That’s kinda weird for another human to say.”
“Oh dear child,” she took off her bandana to reveal pointed ears. “I’m not like you. I’m Eda the Owl Lady, the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles!”
Luz finally had a name! Eda! Wait, what did she say?
“A witch?”
“I am a respected, feared-”
She was cut off by a humanoid being that had a large rotund build, and blue eyes with black sclera and pupils. They wore a gray long-sleeved shirt with brown gloves and a brown belt with a gold buckle, followed by black pants and brown boots. They had on a dark gray pointed mask. Luz briefly noticed the sword hanging on their belt. They had smashed the tv. What a waste.
“Busted!” They interrupted.
“Run! It’s a guard!” One customer yelled, leading to all of them running away screaming.
“Eda the Owl Lady, you are wanted for misuse of magic and demonic misdemeanors.” The guard said as they held up a wanted poster.
“Witch criminal!” Luz murmured to herself. Of course the first person she happened to meet was a criminal.
“You are hereby ordered to come with me to the conformatorium.” The guard grabbed Eda’s arm, though she quickly freed it.
“Would you guys quit following me around? I haven't done squat.”
“And you're coming too…” Who? Luz felt herself being lifted up.
“Ack!” Luz started making a move for her watch.
“For fraternizing with a criminal.”
“What? That’s not cool!” She started the process of activating her glove before Eda stepped in.
“Oh, all right, all right, you win. Just let me get my stuff.” Eda reached under the table to grab her staff, and she swung at the guard. He fell to the ground with a grunt, dropping Luz in the process. Luz got up with her book to see the stall floating in mid-air.
“Whoops. Can’t forget this.” She reached into her hair and pulled out the key, pressing the eye to summon the door. She closes her hand into a fist, making the tablecloth wrap itself through the bundle and book it, grabbing Luz’s wrist.
“This is crazy. If I die here, my mom’s gonna kill me!” she was starting to spiral again.
“Ha! I won’t let ‘em hurt you. A human like you is much more valuable to me alive than dead.” Was that supposed to be reassuring?
“Wait, what’s that supposed to-”
“Whoo-hoo!” Luz found herself on the staff now.
---
Flying on a staff was a lot different then the type she was used to. Being able to feel the wind on her face was new, so new that Luz refused to open her eyes after feeling the resistance. She held onto the staff tightly.
“You can open your eyes now, human.” Eda looked over her shoulder at the human girl. When Luz did, she held on even tighter at the sight of the ground. She had no control over the flight projectory and she still wasn't used to feeling the wind against her.
“Flying staffs, crazy monsters, you're a witch! What is this place?” Luz spoke a bit louder to be heard. Eda decided to, mid-flight, move Luz in front of her.
“This is the Boiling Isles.” Eda explained, “Every myth you humans have is caused by a little of our world leaking into yours.”
Luz spotted a griffin flying next to them. It looked similar to the one she had made at school. Based on Eda’s indifference they must be common so she held her tongue for the time being. Until it opened its beak and let spiders out into the air.
“I knew it!” Luz grinned.
“Yep. griffins, vampires, giraffes.”
“Wait, giraffes?”
“Oh, yeah. We banished those guys. Bunch of freaks.” Eda finally lands and Luz is quick to get off. She didn't want to do that unless it was of her own volition. When Luz regained her barings she noticed a pale hand with golden claw-like nails still on. For some reason she no longer felt surprised. Maybe she was in so much shock it felt normal or her mind finally caught up with her.
“Fascinating,” Luz mumbled, “Eda I think you forgot something.”
“Oops.” The witch screwed the hand back on with a practiced ease. “That happens sometimes.”
“Right,” Luz didn't believe that was normal. “Well, I’ve had enough adventure for today (liar). This is clearly not the PG fantasy world I always dreamt about. So, can you send me back?”
The look on Eda’s face told her it's not going to be that simple. The chuckle confirms it.
“Only if you help me first.” Eda starts walking again. “Ah, now, come along, human.”
Luz and Eda approached a large house made from white brick with a sloping blue roof. A stained glass window above the door that gave Luz the impression of a large orange demon eye. A crumbling stone tower with orange moss growing on it, located to the rear of the house.
“Aren't you worried about those guards finding us?” Luz looked over her shoulder.
“Nope. My house has a state of the art defense system.”
“Hoot-hoot! Password, please!” said what Luz thought was for decoration. A wooden light beige owl face with a darker orange upper side, brown eyes and an orange beak stared back at her. This place got curiouser and curiouser the longer she stayed.
Eda seemed to be having none of this and poked its eyes. “We got no time for this, Hooty. Let us in.”
“All right, all right! Geez! You never want to have any fun! Ow! Hoot!” the owl (Hooty?) opened his mouth so wide it covered the whole door. Eda ushered Luz in.
“Welcome to the Owl House…” Eda snapped her fingers. Candles lit themselves. A fire started in the fireplace, a cauldron stirred itself and a broom started to sweep. Luz watched in almost awe as a depiction of some kind of owl beast began to glow above her. “Where I hide away from the pressures of modern life. Also the cops. Mm, also exes.”
“This place is beautiful!” Luz breathed. “Do you live here all alone?”
“Actually, I have a roommate.” Eda spoke as thudding footsteps shook the house.
“Who dares intrude upon I, the king of demons?” A canine-like creature spoke. His fur was mostly a dark gray, although his belly and tip of his tail was more of a purplish gray. He had a dog-like skull with white horns, Luz noticed one horn was broken, upon his head and a red collar with a yellow tag.
“Ay, que lindo!” she scooped the possible demon into a hug. “Eda, he’s so cute! Who’s a widdle guy? Who’s a widdle guy? Is it you? Is it you?”
No one needed to know how her inner scientist scolded her for her actions as the demon struggled against her grip.
“No! I don't know who your little guy is! Eda, who is this monster?” Such a cute dog-bone-demon thing. He kinda looked like a Cubone to her. It took Eda more time than she thought to pull Luz away from the Cubone (that’s his name until she learned it, she decided).
“This is Luz, the human. She’s here to help us with our little… situation.” Luz felt she might regret this.
“Oh! Hooray!” Cubone cheered. Damn it, why was that so cute to her?
“Wait, wait, wait. I don't like the sound of this ‘situation’.” Luz said warily.
“Just… let me explain. King was once a mighty king of demons, until his crown of power was stolen, and he became… this.” Eda began.
“You mean this little bundle of joy?” Luz was hugging King again. The witch ignored her.
“The crown is being held by the evil Warden Wrath and locked behind a magical force field that only a human can break through. A human like you. If you help us retrieve his crown, we’ll send you back to your realm. So whaddya say?”
Luz zoned out a bit as she thought this over. She was an inventor with only a bit of combat knowledge and this seemed like it could get messy fast. What would Tony do? He would crack a joke and help those in need. Like a hero should, like she should, even if she probably didn't have the time needed to start the invention sitting in her bag.
“Come on, kid. What is there to think about?” Eda snapped her out of her musings.
“A witty remark on how you're blackmailing a child.” She said with a smirk. “Lucky for you I like to help people.”
“Good.” The witch threw Luz over her shoulder like she weighed nothing, heading for the door. “Now, we’ve got no time to lose.”
“Where are we going again?”
“Somewhere super fun.”
“That doesn't answer my question…”
---
There was a clap of thunder as Luz stared at this so-called ‘super fun’ place. Eda may need to look up that term if this counts to her.
“The Conformatorium, a place for those considered unsuitable for society.” Eda told her. Luz was buying her a dictionary after this.
“I think you need to look up the word fun.” Luz deadpanned before a poster caught her eye, Eda’s wanted poster. “These guys really have the hots for you.”
“Yep. But we were never caught because we're too slippery.”
“Try to catch me when I’m covered in grease. I’m a squirmy little fella.” King chimed in, “you and I will sneak up to the top of the tower, where they're holding my crown.”
“And I’m gonna make sure the warden’s distracted.” Eda finished. Luz took a second to think this through. She was risking becoming a criminal to get back home. She really did not need a wanted poster… yet.
“Will I need a disguise?” She asked.
“Uh…” Eda hesitates. So she hadn't thought about that, good to know. Luz took out a simple black mask from her messenger bag, the same one she used to avoid inhaling floating particles and dust, and put it on. For extra measure she pulled her hood up and flicked the ears up. She couldn't stop the ‘Meow, meow’ from leaving her mouth.
“How’s this?” she said knowing it would have to do.
“It’s hideous.” King told her. Brutal, but oh well, the Cubone-looking demon got away with it for now.
“Oh, you'll fit right in.” Eda smirked, she tapped her staff on the ground, creating a round glowing platform she stepped off of. “Hang on tight.”
“Damn it Eda!” Luz called out, trying to regain her balance as the platform rose to a window. Luz, trying not to fall to her possible death, ignoring whatever the Owl Lady said next to climb in. King, having used the human as a stepladder, landed perfectly while Luz fell onto her face. “Ow.”
“Ha-ha! Cat’s don't do that.” King teased. Luz got up and the two marveled at the prison cells before them, Luz being able to make out shadowy beasts of varying shapes and sizes.
“Hey, cat lady, how’d you get out of your cell?” A voice called from behind. Luz turned to see a witch with dark skin and black hair styled in a ponytail. She had hazel eyes and noticeable fangs. She was wearing an indigo-colored dress that bared her shoulders and covered all of her upper arms and around half of her forearms. She had a gold band around her neck and black calf-length, high-heeled boots.
“I’m not a cat,” Luz corrected, pulling her hood back enough to prove her point, “and I’m not a criminal.”
“Not yet, you're not!” King gleamed.
“Don't listen to him.”
“Neither are we.” the fanged witch defended themselves. “The stupid warden likes to lock people up who don't fit in. Like, I write fanfics of food falling in love. (they let the witch keep the book?) I like food, I like love… just let me write about it.”
“I’m here because I like eating my own eyes.” A light grayish-blue monster with at least six eye holes explained. To prove his point he plucked an eye out and swallowed it only for it to return back to its place. A bit gross but Luz didn't think that was an actual crime.
“We are agents of fwee expwession! They will never siwence us!” Called out a small round white demon with large blueish eyes within yellowish sclera, a rather prominent nose, and reddish hair.
“Yeah, she’s really into conspiracy theories.” Fanged witch explained.
“The world is a simulation! We are but playthings for a higher being!” Tiny Nose yelled.
“Wait. Those don't sound like actual crimes.” Luz brought out Eda's wanted poster. “You're all just a bunch of weirdos. Like me.”
Footsteps caught their attention. Fangs yelled at the human, “It’s Warden Wrath! Hide!”
Luz ran into the closest open cell and pulled the door down. She held King close, backing into a corner.
“I can hear you.” Luz held back a whimper as a humanoid demon with purple skin and a large, muscular build stepped into view. He wore a hood and a beaked mask that reminded the girl of plague doctors, just with yellow button-like lenses.
“Just what are you fools whispering about? Ah. The Owl Lady.” The warden picked up the poster Luz must've dropped, crumpled it and turned his fist into a hammer, slamming it into the door of Luz’s cell. “I’ll get my hands on her soon enough.”
Luz was worried he noticed his extra cellmates when Tiny Nose gained his attention. “Fight against the oppwessor! We will wesist! We will conquer! We will never be afwaid of you, you old cweep!”
Luz had to block it all out, this was becoming a bit much for one day. She should have thought this through more. She was clearly in over her head with only a watch to protect her. Sure it was good on humans, but she was literally surrounded by demons. Would a plasma beam even affect them? Or would it just be an annoyingly bright light? (“Luz?”) What good was she if she had no defense or offense (“Luz?”)? She never should have followed that damned owl (“Luz? Hello?”). At least at summer camp Luz could work in secret and not break into a literal prison!
“Luz!” King yelled, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Wrath is gone, we need to keep moving.”
Luz nodded and exited the cell. She stared at the lever before going to it.
“Don't worry. I’ll get you out.” she tried to push the lever up but it wouldn't budge even an inch. “No! My weak nerd arms!”
“Just get out of here while you still can, kid. Enjoy freedom for us.” Fangs walked deeper into her cell. Luz walked away with a frown. Some hero she was turning out to be.
---
Luz looked at the Burger Queen crown in frustration. All of that for a kid’s meal crown? King took the crown as Luz glared at Eda.
“That crown doesn't give him any powers, does it?” She already knew the answer but she needed Eda to say it.
“Uh, no.” At least she looked remorseful. “Look at us, Luz. King and I don't have much in this world. We only have each other. So if that dumb crown is important to him, it’s important to me. Besides, us weirdos have to stick together, you know?”
‘Weirdos have to stick together.’ The way Eda said it was so… kind? Genuine? She wasn't sure, but it felt real. Luz grinned as the Owl Lady continued.
“Well, we owe you one. Now, let’s get out of here before the warden finds us and loses his head.”
“Too late.” Oh, no, not that god forbidden voice. Suddenly Eda’s head is in her hands rather than attached to its neck.
“Ow!” Eda groaned, “I hate it when that happens.”
“Eda! Are you ok?” Luz’s mind was going a thousand miles a second. Eda just got her head chopped off and she was acting as if that wasn't an almost instant death sentence.
“Yeah. This just happens when you get older.” How was she so calm right now!?
“That doesn't sound right.”
‘Note to self study witch biology.’
“Finally, I have you cornered, Eda the Owl Lady.” Wrath took King’s crown walking closer to the two, King followed. “My guards could never get you, but I knew if I took your pet’s toy, you’d come running.”
“No! My power!” King cried as Wrath crushed the crown.
“What do you want with me? I’ve never actually broken your stupid laws.” Eda paused. “In front of you.”
“Not helping, Eda.” Luz whispered to the head.
“I want you…” he pulled out a bouquet of flowers, “to go out with me.”
“What?” Human and witch said together.
“Go, boss!” When did the guards get here?! The warden shot the guard a thumbs up as he went on.
“You've always eluded our capture. You're always been the one who got away. I found that alluring.” Luz felt like she was going to be sick.
“I hate everything you're saying right now.”
“You stay out of this!” Was this just a thing on the Boiling Isles? Being lifted against your will? Warden Wrath lifted Eda’s head by her hair. “So how about it, Owl Lady? The most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles and the feared Warden Wrath. We’d be the strongest power couple ever. I mean, it’s not like you can say no right now.”
Luz was desperately trying to get to her watch. She should still have enough power to stun the warden, but with the hand it was on in his grasp she couldn't activate the darn thing. Now she was just struggling to get free.
“Alright, Warden.” Eda sighed, “You win. I’d just like to say something first. Come closer. No. Just come a bit closer. Just… yeah that’s good.”
Wrath brought the head closer until she was in a good distance, leading to her blowing a raspberry. The warden dropped Luz to wipe the spit off his mask as the witch laughed. The human was quick to her watch only to find it jammed. Shit.
“You impudent wench! Don't you know how many germs are in your mouth? Blegh!” with a bit of force she got it open and the generator seemed to be charging in passing.
“Get over it. You had your guards stalk me, and then you cut off my head. I am not going out with you.” The repulsor began to glow, showing it was powering up.
“If you don't accept, then I have no choice but to des-” he never got to finish that thought as a repulsor beam hit him right in the back of the head. Eda looked at her in amazement, her body taking care of the guards.
“How did you?”
“No time! We gotta go now!” Luz made sure everyone was on the staff before trying several different word combos to get the staff moving. Eda stepped in as Warden Wrath started his recovery.
“Gun it, magic stick!”
“Owl Lady, I won’t let you get away again!” Warden Wrath called as his arms became bundles of tentacles he was using to chase after.
However Luz was the one steering the staff and she happened to be a damn good pilot. She zoomed past the cells, even getting Eda’s body to help open some to distract the warden (to free them). When they burst through an outer door high in the center of the conformatorium, the human brought them into a nose-dive with a whoop. Just as she thought, Wrath was quick to follow them. Luz started to right the staff to make their exit in style only for Warden Wrath to hit the back of it, sending them into the ground. The warden stepped in front of them, his hand a blade.
“My bones!” King complained. Eda finally reattached her head, reaching into her hair, she pulled out the portal key.
“Luz go back to the human realm.” She pressed the key into the inventor’s hand.
“What about you guys?” She couldn't leave now!
“If you think this guy is bad, you should have seen her last boyfriend!” King joked.
“Not my boyfriend.” Eda dodged Wrath’s blade-hands. “Now go!”
“But I can’t-” Luz was placed onto the staff and sent rocketing into the air. The sudden start made it difficult for her to gain control. When she finally did she saw the three prisoners she talked to peeking out of the hole Wrath made, and flew to them.
“Why are you guys just standing here? This is your chance to escape!” she would take it.
“The warden will catch us. He always does.” The Eye Guy told her.
“We belong here.” Fangs added.
“Self doubt is a pwison you can never escape fwom.” Tiny Nose agreed. Luz knew where they were coming from to an extent, but she refused to let them pass this by. Hero or not, she wanted to help them and in that moment that’s all that mattered.
“So, you have a different way of doing things, a different way of seeing things. That might make you weird, but it also makes you special. Don't you see?” Luz encouraged.
“Why are you helping us?” Fangs questioned. Luz paused for a moment as she thought of what Eda told her before things went to hell.
“Because us weirdos have to stick together.” She turned the staff back to the fight. “And nobody should be punished for who they are. Now, let’s get ‘em!”
Luz led them into battle against their tormentor, smiling as they proudly said their quirks. She analyzed the man-demon being for possible weaknesses as the prisoners held him down. She thought of an idea.
“You! Who do you think you are?” Warden Wrath yelled at her. Luz smirked as she charged her repulsor once more.
“Don't underestimate me, Wrathy, for I am Luz Noceda, genius inventor, and warrior of peace.” she lifted the repulsor glove, aimed at his flaming mouth, and fired. As she hoped, the heat from the flames mixed with the beam acted as a stun grenade. “I can’t believe that worked…”
The (ex)prisoners cheered as she turned to Eda and King.
“How’d you do that, kid?” Eda asked. Luz smiled looking at her drained watch generator.
“Oh you know, some physics and a dozen or so kilowatts.” The inventor shrugged.
“What are you even saying?” King seemed lost. Oh well.
---
Luz stared at the mirror. Was she really ready to go home? Once she did she would be sent to summer camp, most likely unable to do any work without being caught and be set behind another year on her quest of being like her heroes. Maybe being here would change that. She turned around.
“Ok. I know you got decapitated, and we kind of started a prison riot, but this was the most fun I’ve had with people in a long time.” That sounded sad even to her. “I don't fit in at home. You don't fit in here. If I stay, we could not fit in together.”
“What are we talking about here?” Eda chuckled.
“I want to stay and become a witch. Like you. And Azura.” Luz said determinedly, “or at least a hero like Iron Man.”
Eda laughed, “what? All right, that’s crazy. Humans can’t become witches and you can’t be made of iron.”
“You’d be surprised.” Luz smirked, “Maybe that’s because they haven't tried. If you teach me to become a witch, I’ll help you with anything I can.”
“Let her stay!” King, not-so, quietly whispers, “she can make us snacks.”
Eda picked King up with a smile. “Well, I could use a hand keeping this goofball out of the cupboards. All right. I’ll teach you how to be a witch, but you have to work for me before you learn any spells. Deal?”
The Owl Lady wanted a handshake. The human gave the two a hug instead.
“Gah! What’s going on?”
“Too tight! Too tight!”
When Luz let go she had one last thing to ask. “Do you have anything that generates a lot of heat?”
---
Luz stared at the naturally boiling water she was using to recharge the watch’s generator. King had long since fallen asleep, but the human was unable to. She opened her suitcase and there it was. A helmet stared back at her with dark eyes. The backing was a stark white while the face plate was purple. She smiled at it ready for the next day.
“Soon…”