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Part 1 of Owlvincible
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2024-04-12
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2024-05-02
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Owlvincible Season 1 || Owl House/Invincible Crossover

Summary:

Nolan Grayson married Deborah Grayson and together they had Mark. When Mark was 2, Deborah died of natural causes. Nolan became lost for 2 years, conflicted between his powerless son and his Empire. He chose his son.
When Mark was 5, he met Camila Noceda; who had a 2 year old daughter, Luz Noceda with her husband prior to his death. Nolan was a superhero, Omni-Man. Until Mark's powers started to develop, and suddenly he wasn't a superhero anymore.
With Luz's own issues of self-expression and fitting in, Camila decides that she should attend Summer Camp, and Mark tags along to protect his sister.
But they don't attend Summer Camp.

This fic is a semi-crossover between Invincible and The Owl House. It picks up after Invincible Season 1, and loosely adapts 10 episodes from The Owl House season 1. Some episodes will be skipped in order to stream line the story, but the events occurring within the skipped episodes will stay largely the same. Given the nature of this fic, prior knowledge of Invincible season 1 is strongly advised and prior knowledge of The Owl House Season 1 even more so (given that I will be skipping some episodes; they will still occur in the timeline, just won't be written out)

Chapter 1: YOU MAY NEED TO SPEND THE SUMMER HERE

Chapter Text

Mark looks down at the blood stained mountainside from his floating position. He blinks, and he sees the guts flying by his face. He blinks again, and he feels his father’s large hand grasp his head and hold him in place. Powerless to do anything. He sighs, and the final time he closes his eyes he sees black. Sadness paints his face as he floats upwards and away, donning his mask; a sigh exiting his nose as he boosts himself away. He flies back to his city, looking for people to help along the way. He sees a port on fire; it looks pretty bad. As he zooms up to it, his speed gathers a wave behind him and as he flies through it, dousing the flames. He continues his flight across the city, spotting Elephant Man causing a ruckus downtown. He’s quick to be dealt with, with minimal damage as well.

He flies upwards, skimming against the wall of a skyscraper before he boosts into the clouds, causing them to separate as he balls himself up and shoots through it. He blinks behind his goggles, breathing in through his mouth and out through his nose. When his eyes hut, the image of his father appears before him. Eyes blurred by blood, he sees his mouth moving. Yelling at him. He sees the blood coating his suit. The costume that once gave him hope now gives him a feeling of dread. But he keeps going.

From the sky, he spots police chasing down a car with two gunmen in it; it’s an easy fix. He quickly removes its hood and several parts inside, prompting the gunmen to leap out. They’re caught.

He spots a man being rolled into an ambulance. He knows what to do; flying it to the nearest hospital. Quicker than the ambulance.

He flies upwards again, looking down at the city. He blinks, and he sees himself rocketing through a building, pain rocking his body as he digs his feet into the concrete to stop himself from moving. He opens his eyes, a gasp escaping his lips. Another blink; visions of Omni-Man before him. Blood coating his fists, barreling down upon his face. It hurts. He opens his eyes, and he sees the city. He has to remind himself that it would be completely flattened if he joined his Father, but it doesn’t do much to soothe his pain.

A sigh, flying back down to his house. He sits upon the canopy above the porch, taking his mask off. He stares at it for a few moments, eyes shutting after a few moments. A look of anger, almost, on his face. He exhales deeply, floating down and entering through the front door. Usually he wouldn’t be alone at this point.

“Mom?” his scratchy voice speaks, floating around the empty house looking for her. She isn't home. Worry sinks into his heart, before his phone rings, as if on cue. Thank God. “Mom! Are you okay? You’re not home.”

“Oh, I’m okay, mijo ,” her comforting voice comes through the device, and tension is released from Mark’s now broad shoulders. “Could you pick up some- uh- oh, just some pizzas for tonight.”

“...Sure,” he says, a yawn involuntarily leaving his mouth, earning a chuckle from his mother on the other side. “I can do that. Uh– why? I mean, it’s fine, just-”

“It’s okay, Mark, really.” she speaks again. She knows him so well she can tell just when he’s stressed. “Luz got called to the Principal’s office. Again.” Mark sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Y’know what? I’m not even gonna ask what it was this time,” Camila chuckles at his comment from the other line, sighing.

“It’s not an issue, really.” She speaks. “I just have to speak to her and the Principal. You know how it is, she— she just needs a friend, Mark, and I’ve been thinking… I was given a flyer for some Summer Camp, and I think it’d be good for her. She— needs someone. Someone other than us. And I think this could be a chance.”

It takes a moment for Mark to respond, registering the information. “Yeah- Yeah, that sounds good. I think having an actual friend would be good for her. Obviously.”

“Thank you, mijo ,” a smile is audible in her tone, relieving stress from Mark again. At least her Mother is still a shining light for him. “I’ll see you soon, okay? Love you.”

“Love you, Mom,” the line cuts, and Mark sighs, before pulling his mask over his face and flying back out the door; making sure to shut it behind him.

 

---

 

Foolish child! I could swallow you whole!”

“Do not underestimate me, Gildersnake, for I am the Good Witch Azura, warrior of peace! Now eat this, sucka!”

“No! My only weakness: dying!”

Luz brightly smiles up at the principal as she lowers the snake and action figure in her hands. “And that’s the end.”

“The end of what?” Camila questions, a sigh exiting her lips.

“My book report! I think I knocked it out of the park.” the snake in her hand hisses, biting the doll’s head.

“Your book report is why you're here.” the Principal replies sternly, while snakes chase students in the halls behind them.

“Oh. That’s where the backup snakes were.” Luz hums, gaze drifting for a moment.

“And what were you going to do with this?” Camila questions, stern expression over her face as well. She holds up several firecrackers tied together.

“That was for the Act Three closer!” Luz whines, dropping the action figure.

Mija , I love your creativity, but it's gotten out of hand. Do you remember why you were in the principal's office the last three times?” the mother’s concerned expression turns to a more worried one, sympathetic. Luz recalls… First, she turned her eyelids inside out at cheerleader tryouts. She didn’t really want to be on the team anyway. Then it was the baby gryphon’s spider breath. Then lastly— the Romeo and Juliet play. With the sausages. “We all love that you express yourself, but if you can't learn to separate fantasy from reality, you may need to spend the summer here.” She hesitantly pushes forward the pamphlet for Reality Check Summer Camp. It doesn’t look all that appealing, to say the least. To both Luz and Camila; but the latter didn’t know what else to do.

Luz takes the pamphlet reluctantly, before standing triumphantly. “Don’t worry, mom, I won’t let you down! No more weirdness!” The snake in her hand proceeds to leap from her hand and assault the principal. “That doesn’t count, right?”

Safe to say, the car ride home is a tense one. Until Luz speaks up.

“So…” she says, a hint of nervousness in her tone. “I’m not actually going to that Summer Camp, am I?”

“Luz,” Camila responds firmly. “I think you know the answer.”

“Mom, it was-”

“I know it was an accident, telling me again won’t change my mind. It’s not just today, mija , you remember why you were called to the Principal’s office all those other times?” she says, voice softening just a bit. No response is received from Luz. “I love that you are yourself. But there’s a line you cross when it hurts other people, okay? After everything that’s happened… I think you just need someone to talk to. Other than me and Mark.”

“But why!?” Luz whines, earning a sigh from her mother. “You two are all the friends I’ll ever need!” Now, that’s a lie. As much companionship as her family can give her, there’s only so much she can talk to them about; and Camila knows that.

“Everyone needs friends, Luz.” Camila replies, and Luz’ face softens. They’re close enough for Camila to know what she’s thinking. “Everyone deserves friends too.” Though keeping her eyes on the road, she ruffles her daughter’s hair, and she giggles in response.

“I just think—” Luz sighs, staring up as she looks at the Azura figure in her hand. “If I could’ve just gotten a chance to talk to D- Omni-Man, then-”

“Oh, mija ,” Camila sighs, hand drifting to rest on Luz’s back comfortingly. “We know there was nothing stopping him. Not even Mark could talk him down. Or- We just need to move on, okay?”

“—Okay, mami ,” she releases a breath she didn’t know she was holding, before her gaze drifts out of the window. She was lucky that all of the GDA’s drones were destroyed before Omni-Man pushed her brother into the underground. Even luckier no more followed him as he beat on him. She remembers it clearly as day, obviously. The few hits Invincible managed to land on him were immediately undone by him grabbing his son and flying into the ground— and that’s where the footage ended. Not before he called Camila unimportant. She was hustled out of the room soon after, lucky enough that her mom covered her eyes soon into Omni-Man’s rampage. She didn’t see any of the violence. Then came the waiting. And staying by Mark’s bedside while he lay in recovery. She remembers the first smile he cracked after he woke up; all because of her.

The pair arrive home, and Luz is immediately up to her room. Mark looks worriedly up at the stairs as he hears the door shut, worry continuing as he looks to Camila before embracing her.

“How are you holding up?” he asks, smiling weakly at her.

“Fine, really,” she chuckles, looking towards the oven and the pizzas within. “You’re a star, mijo ,”

“It’s just pizza, mom,” he chuckles, stretching with a yawn. “How’s Luz?”

“She’s— the same as ever,” she sighs; now it’s her turn to pull a worried face. “She didn’t see any of it, Mark, but she heard it.  Even if she didn’t, she knows what Nolan did. And she’s just— the same. I hope that therapist actually helped her. Do you think I’m overthinking this?”

“No,” Mark says. “I’m worried about her too. I’m guessing that was about the Summer Camp?”

Camila nods. “She needs friends, and she can make some there! But at the same time… what if they make fun of her?” Mark hums, glancing down before looking back up to her suddenly.

“I can go too.” Camila tilts her head at him, almost in disbelief. “I’m being serious. I can make sure nobody makes fun of her.”

“Mark,” Camila chuckles. “That— means a lot, but you have other responsibilities.”

“I can talk to Eve,”

“Not Cecil?”

“Cecil won’t let me go, you know that. If I talk to Eve, he doesn’t have a choice when he tells her and I’m already long gone,” that earns a laugh from them both.

“Thank you Mark.” Camila says, hand pressed over her son’s. “I’m gonna get changed.” She speaks, before heading for the stairs.

Truth be told, Mark didn’t really intend to suggest that. He knows how absorbed in Invincible he’s been, trying to make up for what his Dad did. Not to prove to the public that he isn’t like him, but to prove to himself that he’s not. He supposes it was a brotherly instinct to offer, to be protective over his sibling. It's too late now. He’s already dedicated to it.

Dinner rolls around and the three are sat around in an awkward silence, eating their respective pizzas. Mark sighs. Time to awkwardly break the silence.

“So, Luz,” she faces him as her name is said, mid-bite into pizza. “guess who’s going to Summer Camp with you?” The awkward silence permeates for a moment, before the younger realises.

“Oh!” She doesn’t particularly know how to feel. “I thought Mom wanted me to make friends there. Other than you two.”

“She does!” Mark hesitates before speaking. How to make this sound less…mean? “I’m just gonna keep you safe. In case, y’know, a bear attacks, or something.” Luz is smart enough to pick up what he’s putting down.

“Oh…” she sighs, before giggling. “You really think a bear would attack wi’l ol’ me?” She grins wide, hands framing her face. Mark chuckles, shaking his head.

“If bears like sweet food, sure,” he smirks, earning a laugh from them both. Camila simply smiles at them both. She likes seeing them get on like this.

 

---

 

Mark lands atop the school, normal clothes donned as he awaits his friend’s arrival. She swiftly does, floating down much the same as he did a few minutes prior. They embrace briefly, both smiling at the other.

“So, what did you want to talk about anyway?” Eve speaks, voice dropping and concern lacing her tone. “Is it about Omni-Man?” Mark shakes his head.

“No, it’s— not about that.” he sighs deeply, looking to the horizon for a moment. “Luz is going to a Summer Camp, and I— said I’d go with her.” Eve seems surprised, recoiling only slightly for a moment.

“Really? No Invincible, just- just like that?” Disbelief is definitely present in her words, still in shock from the reveal. “I mean— go on. You’re just leaving, like that?”

“Yega, I guess. I didn’t mean to suggest it, I wasn’t thinking. Just brotherly instinct, I guess.” he sighs, sitting down on the rooftop with his legs dangling from the side. “I just— worry about her a lot. She’s had no friends, pretty much. It was only ever just me, Mom and Dad. And now it’s just me and Mom. Sure, we can be close, but— there are some things you can’t talk about with your family. Like, what if we both piss her off? She has no-one to talk to about it. Her whole life, people have made fun of her just because she’s herself. And I’ve been there for her when she’s sad about it. But she has no-one to share her weirdness with. I hope she finds someone she can share that weirdness with.” Eve smiles, sitting beside him and leaning her head on his shoulder.

“I get it, Mark,” she says with a hesitant sigh. “I’m not gonna stop you from going. Honestly, the New Guardians have been faring way better than anyone thought they would. So I’m fine letting Invincible have a break for… wait, how long was it?”

“Three months,”

“Three months!?” she yells, voice even cracking a bit, earning a chuckle from him. “It’ll— We’ll be fine. I promise. Have you told Amber yet?”

“Last night. I had to promise to call her every Friday,” Eve laughs, removing her head from his shoulder and standing, and he quickly follows suit.

“And… why not tell Cecil?"

“Really? You know how he is. He’ll lose his shit if I even suggest a break for one month, let alone three .” Mark snickers.

“Oh, so you’re telling me so I’ll get chewed out? Smart move,” the two laugh, and Mark shrugs as he floats upwards.

“That’s not how I’d put it, but sure. You’re tough, I’m sure you can deal with him.” She folds her arms as she looks up at him, shaking her head.

“Have a good time, Mark,” she speaks, getting a nod from him as he flies away, looking wistfully as he disappears into the horizon.

 

---

 

The three stand outside of the house, Camila ready to leave and the other pair ready to catch the bus to the camp. The mother is coddling Luz; still worried for her.

“Oh! Oh, my baby! Now, don't worry. Summer camp is only going to be for three months. You'll be so busy balancing check-books and learning to... appreciate public radio, the time will fly by!” Luz folds her arms in annoyance as Camila speaks, with Camila hesitating before squeezing her shoulder.

“But I don't like any of that stuff. I like editing anime clips to music and—and reading fantasy books with convoluted backstories!” Luz protests for a final time, to no avail.

Mija , your fantasy world is holding you back. Do you have any friends? Real ones, not imagined or drawn or reptilian?” Luz looks away; she’s right. She has no friends. Maybe she will make some here. Luz feels the familiar and comforting hand of Mark on her shoulder, sighing disappointedly. Luz looks at the book in her hands, before walking over to the trash can.

“Summer camp is a chance to make some friends, but you have to try. Can you do that?” she places a hand on Luz’s shoulder, looking at her with a hopeful smile that her daughter does not return.

“Yes, Mom,” she sighs sadly, dropping the book inside. Mark goes to protest, but Camila unknowingly interrupts him.

“Oh. I gotta go to work. Your bus is coming soon. Text me when you get there. Cuídate mucho, mi hija. ¡Qué te vaya bien! ” Camila soon departs, not before kissing her children on their respective foreheads. It takes a moment after she leaves, but Luz begins rooting through the trash can for her book.

“Where is it, where is it!?” she squeals, leaning probably a bit too far forward into it. Mark chuckles, approaching from behind; only to be shocked to see it is not there.

“Oh— where is it?” he says confusedly. The pair look around, before spotting a tiny creature walking away with the book in a bag in its… beak?

“Tiny trash thief!” Luz yells, running after it. Mark hesitates before calmly walking after her; just to make sure the owl doesn’t hurt her. Owls can be aggressive.

The owl hops towards a decrepit house nearby and before he can stop her, Luz is rushing inside. Mark sighs, before following her inside. Neither of them have any time to register what’s happening before they see a bright white glow and cannot stop in time to stop themselves from being consumed by it.

When they come to, they’re in what looks like a tent. Mark looks to his side, and Luz is lying there too, still unconscious.

“Finally, you’re back,” a voice speaks from outside, and Mark’s head shoots to face it. Luckily, it’s not directed towards him. He slowly pokes Luz, waking her up with a yelp. He thankfully covers her mouth in time for her to not be spotted. He mouths that there’s someone outside, thumb pointing towards the exit as she looks confusedly at him. Luz peaks through the gap in the tent, watching what looks to be a middle-aged woman— threatening her book with a candle. Before he can react, Luz is scrambling over Mark and reaching for her book.

“Excuse me- sorry- it’s mine, thank you!” she speaks frantically, as Mark curses under his breath from the tent. Luz sprints back into the tent, looking around for the portal as the woman comes in. Just as she sees it, it folds into itself and disappears. Mark stands from his corner as the woman enters, holding the key.

“You’re not going anywhere.” she speaks, looking down upon the small human. Before Mark can make himself seen, Luz wails and darts out the back of the tent— immediately followed by Mark, who flies from his spot straight after Luz. Needless to say, the woman is confused.

Mark very quickly catches up to Luz, grabbing her and flying back to the tent with the woman, an awkward smile on his face as he sees the woman.

“Look, this is all a misunderstanding, we just wanted the book, we’ll be out of your-” he tries to reason, but Luz is very panicked.

“If you’re gonna eat my skin, just do it quick! Just do it now!” she cries, and before Mark can even register her words the conversation continues.

“Eat you? Why would I eat a potential customer?” the woman chuckles, a snort from her as she opens the tent to see a stall, filled to the brim with either weird knick-knacks or— every day items. Luz slowly opens her eyes, as she sees it, and Mark just stares. Confused.

The woman guides the pair out of the tent and over to her stall, but the pair are too absorbed in their surroundings to register even that. A dragon flies by and is caught by one of said arms. There is a cloaked figure holding an ice cream cone which eats someone, the legs of what appear to be a giant chicken, a centipede-looking thing opening its mouth to let a winged creature fly out.

“Can I offer you a human foot filled with holes? A bar of green human candy? Oh, oh! How about this black shadow box that reflects only sadness?” the woman lists off, holding the portal up to Luz, after she’s put down by Mark, of course. The girl frowns before giving a chuckle, grabbing the box of ‘human candy’, which is really batteries, and slotting them into the shadow box that reflects only sadness’, which is a TV. An exercise video with jazzy music over it starts to play, and people rush over to examine them.

“Voilà!” Luz smiles as the woman greets the customers. Mark is simply still confused, a hand resting on Luz’s back protectively. The crowd begins to bid on the box and eventually the box is sold.

“What did you say your name was?” the woman asks, turning to them.

“Lu-”

“We’re going. Where’s that key?” Mark interrupts Luz, standing in front of her with a frown. The woman merely laughs in his face, leaning down to look at the younger human, who seems very eager to say.

“Luz Noceda— and this is Mark, my brother.”

“Luz!”

“Well, Luz, that was pretty clever,” the woman stands up straight facing Mark with a smile. “for a human,”

“That’s kind of a weird thing for another human to say,” Luz remarks, earning a snort from the woman as she whips off the bandana covering her ears; they’re pointy.

“Oh dear child, I’m not like you,” she climbs atop the table. “I am Eda the Owl Lady, the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles!”

“A witch?” Luz seems giddy, and it can’t help but put a smile on Mark’s face; confused and stressed as he is.

“I’m a respected, feared-”

“Busted!'' As if this day couldn’t get any more confusing, someone dressed in some— weird outfit smashes the TV that they just sold, causing the crowd to run away. “Eda the Owl Lady, you are wanted for misuse of magic and demonic misdemeanours. You are hereby ordered to come with me to the conformitoirum.'' The guard grabs her arms, but Eda manages to free herself.

“Would you guys quit following me around? I haven’t done squat!” Eda protests after wrenching herself free. The guard turns to point at Luz, but looks up to see Mark.

“And you’re coming too, for fraternising with a criminal!” Again, Mark protectively stands in front of Luz, narrowing his eyes.

“Don’t touch her,” he says, getting a laugh from the guard. As he goes to grab her. “I said don’t touch her!” Mark yells, winding up and landing a punch to the large guard right in the chest, sending him flying backwards. Luz looks on with scared, gritted teeth, while Eda sees money in her eyes. Silence falls over them for a moment, before Eda spins her staff around and taps it to the ground, causing all of her stuff to bundle up. She sticks her staff through the bundle, before grabbing the pair and flying away; though Mark swiftly wrenches himself free to fly alongside Eda. Luz clings to the staff, eyes shut tight in terror as she refuses to look.

“You can open your eyes now, human.” Eda says as they float along, chuckling lightly to herself. As Luz hesitantly opens her eyes, she almost tumbles off of the staff, Mark going to catch her but not having to as she clambers back up to stability.

“Flying staffs, crazy monsters, you’re a witch! What is this place?” she exclaims, seemingly very panicked; though a hint of excitement peaking through.

This is the Boiling Isles. Every myth you humans have is caused by a little of our world leaking into yours.” Eda explains, looking to the both of them; and very curiously at Mark. “But you’re not a human. At least not any I’ve met.”

“Why should I tell you either way?” Mark argues back. Clearly, he’s still very cautious about whoever this is— and whatever this place is.

"Jeesh, someone’s touchy,” Eda remarks, rolling her eyes as the fight continues for a few more minutes before she lands the staff, stepping off of it; though her hand stays attached. Luz yelps and hops off, promptly caught by Mark who sets her down gently. The witch calmly takes the hand and screws it back onto her wrist, grinning. “Oops, that happens sometimes.”

Luz shudders, before talking to the witch. “Well, I've had enough adventure for today. This is clearly not the PG fantasy world I always dreamed about. So, can you help me get back home?”

Eda snorts, shrugging her shoulders as she collects her things and wanders in a separate direction. “Only if you help me first. Ah, now, come along, humans.”

The three of them continue their wandering, and in the meantime Mark catches up with Luz, who seems very entranced with this new environment. He, on the other hand, is a lot more cautious. This place is freaky.

“Luz,” he speaks, catching her attention away from whatever weird creature had caught it. “What are we doing?”

“We’re helping her so we can get home,” she sighs, demeanour sinking a bit. “and to that summer camp.” Mark sighs as he looks at her, hand resting on her shoulder comfortingly. He thinks for a few moments, but he’s interrupted by Luz again, speaking to the Owl Lady. “Aren’t you worried about those guys finding us again?” Eda scoffs, walking up to the door to her house.

“Nope,” she speaks, staff tapping against it a couple of times. “my house has a state-of-the-art defence system.” Then the strangest thing happens; the door starts to speak. Mark steps back, arm in front of Luz causing her to do the same.

“Hoot Hoot! Password please!” The— thing in the door speaks, a rather high-pitched and annoying tone as he does so. It puzzles Mark, however Luz is clearly fascinated by it. Eda pokes the thing in both of its eyes, and it yelps.

“We got no time for this, Hooty, let us in!” Eda sternly says, before the thing gives in and opens itself, door slamming against the wall. Mark looks cautiously to Luz and, again, she looks ecstatic to be there. It makes Mark smile, at least, seeing his sister so happy. They all enter, and Eda snaps her fingers, causing a lot to happen; a fire in the fireplace starts, a cauldron starts stirring itself, and a broom starts sweeping the floor. Overhead, a depiction of an owl beast of some kind begins to glow with a great screeching noise. Luz looks at all of this in awe, while Mark looks more confused than anything else. “Welcome to The Owl House, where I hide away from the pressures of modern life. Also the cops. Mm, also ex-boyfriends.”

Luz sets her book down upon the coffee table, and Mark’s backpack falls off of his shoulder onto the floor; the slightly open zip jolting, a bit of his Invincible suit slipping out. Eda spots it and examines from afar, though Mark and Luz don’t seem to notice.

“This place is beautiful!” Luz says, smiling up at her. “Do you live here all alone?”

“Actually, I have a roommate.” Eda replies, and almost as if on cue, a shadow appears in the nearby doorway.

“Who dares intrude upon I…” he turns the corner, a rubber duck in hand He speaks deeply, but it is clearly a voice he’s putting on. Both humans seem to melt slightly, though Mark is leaning more towards laughter than anything else. “The King of demons!?”

“¡Ay, que lindo!” Luz yells, rushing forward and pulling the little guy into a tight hug. He seems uncomfortable, to say the least. “Eda, he's so cute! Who's a widdle guy? Who's a widdle guy? Is it you? Is it you?” King frees himself from Luz’s grasp just as Mark goes to wrench him free.

“No! I don’t know who your little guy is! Eda, who is this monster!?” King yells in distress, distancing himself from Luz pretty quickly. Mark jumps in, tugging Luz away from King as to keep her from coddling him.

“This is Luz the human. And Mark the— human.” Eda narrows her eyes at the older human, before continuing. “They’re here to help with our little situation.”

King lights up. “Oh. Hooray!”

“Wait— what is this ‘situation’, Eda?” Mark asks; now it’s time for him to scowl at her.

“Just... let me explain.” She draws a spell circle on the ground, turning it into a storybook as she narrates over it. “King was once a mighty king of demons, until his Crown of Power was stolen, and he became…” she pauses, before Luz pulls the furball into a hug again. “This.”

“You mean this little bundle of joy?” she coos, nuzzling her face against King’s, before Mark yanks the smaller creature out of her hands and places him on the floor.

Eda continues her story. “The crown is being held by the evil Warden Wrath and locked away behind a magical force field that only a human can break through. A human like you.” She points specifically at Luz. ”If you help us retrieve his crown, we'll send you back to your realm. So whaddya say? Plus—” She p icks up King by his face and shakes him gently. “—who could say no to this cute face?”

King wiggles against Eda, breaking free and entering a defensive stance similar to a surprised cat as he lands. “No! Please! Don’t encourage her!”

Eda snorts, before she continues. “I mean, we’re kinda your only way home.” Luz opens her mouth to reply, before Mark turns her around to confer, turning back for a moment to shush Eda.

“Okay, I’ll charge her and grab the key, you can-”

“Mark!” Luz whisper-yells, slapping his wrist lightly. “They need our help. Isn’t that the reason you wanted to be a superhero? So you could help people?” The pair turn back to Eda and King, seeing them play. It brings a smile to Mark’s face, and an even bigger one to Luz’s. Seeing her happy, genuinely smiling wide at something that hasn’t been in one of her books… that’s pretty much the sole reason Mark decides to agree.

“Okay, okay.” He concedes, and Luz gives him a hug because of it; squeezing him hard. He doesn’t feel it very much, but it’s the thought that counts. They turn around, facing Eda and King as the latter says goodbye to his rubber duck. “Okay. We’ll help you. But just this one time.” He says aggressively, and the demon pair seem to accept his terms. “Where are we going?”

King pipes up. “Oh, somewhere super fun.”

 

---

 

The four of them had broken into a supermax prison, basically. Mark was honestly conflicted about whether he should change or not, but he decided not to. He doesn’t want to risk giving Eda a reason to try and keep him and Luz there. They called it the Conformatorium, but Mark knew what it was. He was definitely even more hesitant to do this now, but they made a deal, and Luz loves this whole new world, so he shouldn’t complain. They hide behind a wall, scouting ahead; he’s honestly surprised they haven’t been caught yet. King perches atop Luz’s head, bantering back and forth with her and Eda as Mark searches the area. Nothing too much to note. Mark is snatched from his concentration as King falls off of Luz’s head, tumbling to the ground but somehow landing on his feet. He points up to Luz.

“You and I will sneak up to the top of the tower, where they’re holding my crown.” Mark goes to interrupt, but is too late and Eda continues; she grabs him and pulls him towards her, holding him in an awkward side hug.

“And we’re gonna make sure the warden’s distracted.” she says, before Mark pulls himself free.

“No way,” he starts, causing Luz to roll her eyes. She knows what’s coming. “I’m not leaving Luz.” Luz taps his shoulder, and wordlessly communicates with him. He’d know the pleading look anyway, and it’s what she’s giving him. As much as he narrows his eyes down at her, she doesn’t stop; so eventually he caves. He needs to trust her to keep herself safe. He sighs, before laying a hand on her shoulder. “Just— don’t get hurt, okay?” She nods, before happily walking up beside King, before gasping excitably.

“Will I need a disguise?” She doesn’t even wait for an answer before continuing. “I’ve been waiting for ages to do this.” She flips up her hood, flicking the cat ears that are placed on top of it with an in-time ‘meow meow’.

“It’s hideous,” King makes a noise of disgust.

“Oh, you’ll fit right in,” Eda snorts, before slamming her staff on the ground and spinning it, creating a large platform that lifts the four of them into the air. The platform rises, floating all the way up to a window in the tower. It disappears suddenly, forcing Luz to grab the edge of the window sill and King to cling to her feet. Eda, meanwhile, tosses her staff and casually sits down on it as it rises, with Mark swiftly positioning himself beneath Luz and King as to catch them if they fall, which they luckily do not, clambering through the window as Eda speaks to them. Mark floats up beside Eda, following her around. He’s not really the best judge of character, but even here he cannot get a read on this woman. Obviously, she likes money and obviously she’s using them, but apart from that, he’s stumped. What does she actually want with them?

“I can tell you don’t trust me, kid,” Eda says suddenly, jolting Mark out of his daydream. “I don’t blame ya. But I’m not gonna get Luz hurt.” Mark frowns, floating up beside her and flying backwards to face her.

“We’ve broken into a prison ,” he frowns, folding his arms at her as they enter the building through a separate window. They both fly through the halls, focussed on both each other and their surroundings. “And she somehow convinced me not to stay with her!” Eda snorts in response, shaking her head. “What?”

“Nothin’,” she smirks. “You just remind me of someone.” Mark simply frowns, before Eda extends a hand to stop him from moving; there’s guards behind a corner. The pair wait for a few moments before they leave, continuing their conversation. “You don’t trust me, I get it. But I don’t exactly trust you either,”

“I didn’t expect you to, we just-”

“Not Luz,” Eda clarifies, looking at him; eyes narrowing, not suspiciously but more so investigatively. “You obviously aren’t a human. But you said you were. So I don’t exactly have a reason to trust you either.” Mark opens his mouth to speak, but he’s interrupted by Eda hiding them both again, behind a different corner. Booming footsteps make their way past them, and a high-pitched screech along with it. “That was Warden Wrath,” she mutters, boosting in the direction he came, quickly followed by Mark as they look around for Luz— who they eventually locate, looking pretty dejected. “Hey, we just saw, the warden is distracted, tormenting some tiny creature. He won't be coming around here anytime soon.”

Luz continues walking without saying anything, and Eda and Mark watch her, confused. Mark looks into the room, seeing a few cells with a couple of people inside. They look… pretty normal. He steps towards Luz, planting a hand on her shoulder that she soon shrugs off; he can tell when she’s not ready to talk.

They reach a towering door reading ‘CONTRABAND’, and King rushes towards the doorknob that is about the same size as him, scratching at it desperately as he tries to open it.

“My crown! It's close! I can sense its power!” he squeals, trying and continuing to fail at opening the door. 

Eda laughs at him, head tilting into her hand. “Aw, he gets so cute when he’s thirsty for power.” Luz looks up at Mark and Eda finally, a saddened expression on her face.

“It's not fair that they're all here. They just want to be themselves. Why does everyone think that being a weirdo is so bad?” she kicks the ground, and Mark wraps his arms around her to hug her close for a few seconds.

“Luz, sometimes things are more complicated than they seem-” Mark’s attempts to comfort her are cut short.

“Mark, one of them literally just wrote fanfiction! Whoever’s in charge here hates creativity and- and being weird!” Mark is taken aback for a moment, before he leans abc forward with a determined smile.

“Why don’t we go and set them free after this, yeah?” Mark grins, and Luz meets his gaze with a wide smile, looking up at Eda, who simply shrugs her shoulders.

King finally manages to dislodge the doorknob, throwing it to the ground before he rushes through the door. Mark gives Eda a cautious look that she quickly brushes off, looking down at Luz.

“Come on, before he hurts himself.” the two enter after King, and Mark reluctantly follows. The room they enter is large and sprawling, but what is especially eye-catching is the giant white, quivering pillar of energy in the centre. King points frantically at the pillar, rubbing his skull in pain before Eda gives a giggle. The two look to Luz, and Mark anxiously does as well.

“Luz, I could-”

“No, I’ll do it.” she says stoically, giving her brother a swift hug before gingerly disappearing into the white wall of energy. Mark releases a sigh as she enters, before he’s clapped on the back by Eda.

“See? She’s fine,” she says, attempting to sound comforting but really not working as Mark just looks slightly less pissed and slightly more tired. “Obviously it wasn’t going to incinerate her. Look, Mark, taking a risk isn’t the same as making things dangerous for her. I’m not dumb, I know what’s dangerous and what isn’t, especially when it comes to magic. I’m the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles, for Titan’s sake!” she snorts, before the white pillar of energy quivers and shakes again, and Luz exits, looking rather peeved. Holding a… a Burger Mart crown.

Before she can walk any closer, King jumps her and grabs the crown, pointing down at a stuffed rabbit before picking it up. Mark turns to Eda with a rather annoyed look, whereas Luz looks with a more sad one.

“That crown doesn't give him any powers, does it?” Luz sighs.

Eda rubs the back of her neck and responds. “Uh, no.” Luz simply glares at her while Mark steps forward, pressing an accusatory finger at her.

“What the Hell!?” he yells, catching everyone’s attention. “We break in here for his ‘crown’, and it doesn’t even do anything! You put my sister in danger for- for what!?” Eda frowns, giving him a hard glare back as her attention turns to Luz as well.

“Look at us,” she sighs, pointing to King as he goes back to playing. “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. And besides, us weirdos have to stick together, you know?” Mark prepares to yell at her more, but stops when he sees Luz blushing. He’s reminded of how she feels about herself; a weirdo. She finally fits in here.

The boy opens his mouth to speak, but is interrupted by familiar thundering footsteps, and the large frame of Warden Wrath towering over them. Warden Wrath's hand turns into a blade, and with an easy swing he decapitates Eda. Luz catches her head and screams, and Mark simply stands there in shock at the— distinct lack of gore from a decapitation.

“Oh, I hate when that happens,” Eda groans, causing Luz to let out an even louder scream. Mark is still just confused.

“Eda! Are you okay?” she exclaims.

“Yeah, this just happens when you get older,” she grins up at Luz, and she smiles back slightly.

Warden Wrath stomps closer, his hand transforming back to normal. As he steps closer, Mark flies up between him and the others, staring down the giant monster. The two are locked for a moment, before Mark speaks.

“Stay back,” he threatens, only to be laughed at by the giant warden.

“You do not scare me. Move aside so I can arrest these criminals,” Warden Wrath growls. Mark does not move. His hand transforms into a giant blade again, swiping at Mark, but he’s quick enough to dodge it, rolling as he moves to the side, rocketing himself towards him and pushing him far backwards. A mess of tentacles grabs at Mark from the Warden’s arm, wrapping around him and slamming him down and through the stone floor; and then another, and another. Warden Wrath’s attention is drawn back towards Eda, who is not where she previously was. He moves forward and looks around, getting a glimpse of a newly reformed Eda and Luz beside her. He uses a tentacle to grab the crown from King’s head, crushing it much to the small creature’s despair.

“My guards could never get you, but I knew if I took your pet's toy, you'd come running.” he speaks, glaring down at them.

“What do you want with me? I've never actually broken any of your stupid laws… in front of you.” Eda reasons, standing in front of Luz and preparing to draw a spell circle.

“I want you…” he pulls out a bouquet of flowers. “…to go out with me.” Before Luz, Eda and King can release their confused gasps, Warden Wrath is sent flying diagonally and upwards through the ceiling, with Mark close behind, flying after him through the gap. Eda grabs the two others and plops them atop her staff, sitting on it herself and smacking it.

“Gun it, magic stick!” she exclaims, sending the staff zooming through the corridors of the castle.

“Eda! Eda, I have an idea!” Luz yells, causing Eda to slow down as Luz whispers it into her ear.

Meanwhile, Mark floats down as he sees Warden Wrath, laying on the roof of the Conformatorium, groaning as he heaves himself back up. Mark zooms forward, punching through the floor back down to the next level. This is far more destruction than Eda probably had in mind, but Mark saw the Warden threatening his sister and he saw red. Even better knowing this thing is pretty durable and malleable, so he doesn’t necessarily have to hold back as much as he normally does. He goes to throw another punch as the Warden gets back up, but is taken by surprise by vines wrapping around him from behind, holding him in place; he looks and sees several strangely dressed characters. He assumes these are Warden Wrath’s friends. He strains against the vines, tightening as he resists; but before he can even break free, a distant cheering can be heard. The guards look behind, and Mark follows their gaze to see… Luz, Eda, King and the prisoners from earlier! They aren’t all piled up on Eda’s staff, but she’s obviously using some magic to propel them all forward quicker. They continue their charge, running over the guards and inadvertently setting Mark free. Before he can even react, they continue their stampede over to Warden Wrath, and he only narrowly flies up and out of their way.

Mark rubs his head as he steps backwards, standing beside his sister, Eda and King in confusion as the prisoners beat up Warden Wrath. Eventually, though, the giant man slaps them all aside, letting out a growl as Mark prepares to punch him some more and Eda prepares to draw a spell circle— but they’re halted by Luz, who stands in front of them all and grabs some firecrackers that were in her bag.

“Do not underestimate me, Warden Wrath, for I am Luz, the human, warrior of peace. Now eat this, sucka!” She throws them upwards. Thinking quickly, Mark smacks them towards the Warden. They rocket through the air before landing in his open maw; a moment passes, before they explode everywhere. Needless to say, the Warden runs away in humiliation as the prisoners cheer.

The four stand aside, exhausted. Eda pats Mark on the back, talking with the other two before stepping onto her staff. He’s definitely zoned out. He can’t hear that well when he just got out of a fight. Eda beckons him with a gesture as the staff lifts off the ground, though, and he is conscious enough to follow.

 

---

 

The four take a short rest before gathering in the living room of the Owl House, Mark and Luz with their bags slung over their backs. While Mark is happy to be gone from this world, Luz looks rather dejected. He places a comforting hand on her back, and she looks up at him with a smile. She sighs, looking at Eda and King.

“Well, a deal's a deal. Let's get you home.” Eda sighs, and the key flies out of Luz's bag and into Eda's hand. She presses the eye, and the portal door unfolds itself in front of the fireplace. The siblings walk up to it, with Luz hugging herself before looking back at Eda and King. King looks at the ground, visibly sad. Luz reaches into her bag, grabbing the head of the Luzura doll that her snake broke.

“I know it’s not the same, but…” she holds out the head to King. “A King shouldn’t be without his crown.” King accepts the crown happily, placing it on his head before moving to order some dolls or something. Eda smiles, before picking up her Azura book from the coffee table and handing it to Luz. Luz takes it, and the pamphlet for Reality Check Summer Camp that's on top of it, and walks toward the portal with ber brother beside her. She stares at the pamphlet before putting it under the Azura book. She pauses in front of the door, looking at it. She looks back down at her book, then up, at a mirror above the fireplace before letting out a gasp. A look of concern comes over Mark’s face as he watches Luz, head following her gaze as it proceeds to switch. Luz holds up the book, on the cover of which is Azura in the foreground, with an older witch looking at a dog/cat creature in the background. She lowers the book to reveal the mirror showing a very similar image, King and Eda in the same positions as the creature and the older witch, and herself in the foreground between them. She brightens up and turns around, leaving a very confused Mark.

“Okay. I know you got your head cut off, and we started some kind of prison riot, but this was the most fun I've ever had.” Eda simply blinks in surprise. “I don't fit in at home. You don't fit in here. If I stay, we could not fit in together. I'm not going back to summer camp.” Mark steps forward, shocked.

“Luz!” he exclaims, hand on her shoulder. “We have to, we-”

“-can go back at any time! We have a portal, and a key!” she answers his question.

“It’s dangerous here. Way too dangerous.” he narrows his eyes.

“Then Eda can teach me to be a witch!” she yells, pointing at the elder witch.

“What? Alright, that’s crazy. Humans can’t become witches.” she snorts, rolling her eyes and preparing to push the human into the portal.

“Maybe that's because they haven't tried. If you teach me to become a witch, I'll do anything you want.” before Mark can openly protest, King starts to talk to Eda.

“Luz, this is insane, we can’t-”

“Mark,” she says with a determined frown. “You and Mom want me to make friends? I just made some. Please, Mark.” He looks to the portal and back to Luz before sighing. Against his better judgement, he’s agreeing.

“Fine,” he sighs, causing Luz to pull him close and hug him. “But— we’ll see what the Owl Lady says?” he speaks, and she looks at them with a smile, picking up King.

“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. Besides, us weirdos have to stick together, right?” she speaks, holding out her hand. Not only does Luz take it, but she pulls the three into a tight hug, crushing them and just making Mark uncomfortable. When they separate, she beams at them. “King, can you show Luz to her room?” The two nod furiously, before rushing away. Eda and Mark smile at their little ones, before meeting each other’s gaze. Mark sighs, stepping back as Eda puts the portal away. He swings his bag onto the floor, unzipping it and spotting his costume. He sighs, looking at it in thought. He recalls the years and years of lying from his Dad, lying about where he’s really from. And he’s not his Dad.

“Look,” he sighs, standing up with his suit in hand. Eda looks a bit confused. “I don’t know if you have these here, or if you have comics or movies in your collection of human stuff, but—I’m a superhero. And you were right, I’m not fully human.”

“Fully human?” she says, sitting on the couch.

“My birth mom was human. But my Dad— my Dad was a Viltrumite.” it hurts even just to say it, a pang of pain and a flash of memories as he mentions it. “He— lied to me, and mine and Luz’s mom for years . Viltrumites are really powerful. Strong, fast, durable— can fly too. They- We— can live for thousands of years.” Eda whistles in shock. “He tried to take over Earth for the Viltrum Empire, but I— stopped him. I’m telling you because— I’m not him. I’m not gonna lie to you.” She takes a moment, before smiling and standing back up, resting a hand on his shoulder.

“Thank you for telling the truth,” she says, causing Mark to smile weakly in return. “I appreciate it. But you’ll have to answer all my questions.” Mark smiles, chuckling worriedly. “Like… if you’re a superhero, what’s your cool name?”

“Oh, that’s easy. I’m-”