CHAPTER 14: Really Small Problems
[Open on the Owl House's kitchen]
Eda is stirring something on the stove while King watches Luz and Sora talk to Willow and Gus on a crystal ball.
Luz: So they said I couldn't remove my thumb, but look at that! *pretends to remove her thumb* Whoop!
Gus: You sliced it off! *panicked* You sliced off your thumb!
Willow: *chuckles* You make doing homework actually fun.
Luz: And they say humans can't do magic.
Sora gives Luz an amused look.
Sora: We've proved that to be false, like, several times.
Luz grins.
Luz: I know.
King: Luz... *climbs onto table* Nyeh! You've been talking to them all morning. Don't forget about the Luz and King comedy hour!
Eda: Please, no. Not the comedy hour.
Sora: *sighs* Here we go.
King: This week, I've been working with props!
King turns around to show a cardboard tube on his nose.
King: Oh dear, I've gotten a tube stuck on my nose! Will I ever eat again?
King slams a piece of bread on his face.
King: Looks like I'm TOAST!
Luz and King start laughing.
Sora sighs again.
Eda: It just goes on like this for an hour!
Luz: Heyo, doughboy, quit LOAFING around!
King: Why don't you BAKE me?
Luz and King laugh again.
The crystal ball buzzes with an alarm and flashes red. The time, 8:00, flashes below Willow and Gus.
Luz: School time! See you guys in class!
Willow: Bye!
Gus: But what about the thumb?!
Luz ends the call, and King sighs.
Luz: Hey, don't worry. We'll finish our comedy hour when we get home. *kisses King's skull*
King: Hee hee, oh you!
Luz: *singsong* Try not to miss me while I'm gone!
Sora: Can we go now?
Luz: Right. Let's go.
The humans close the door as they leave. As they left, King scrambled over to the door.
King: You-you you really think she's coming back this time?
Eda: Yes, she'll be back; she always comes back. And Sora too, don't forget.
King: I know. ...He's just not part of the comedy club.
Eda: Smart of him. Anyway, It's cute you miss her, though.
King: The King of Demons- *tosses bread and tube off* The King of Demons misses nobody! I wouldn't care if she came through this door right now! Wha!
Luz and Sora come through the door. Eda and King look rather somewhat surprised.
Eda: Hey, you're-
King: You're back! *climbs up on Luz's head* I didn't miss you at all.
Luz: Apparently, there's an infestation of pixies at Hexside. So, school's been canceled.
King: That sounds like a CRUMBY situation.
Luz and King laugh as Hooty pops in.
Hooty: Hey! Guess what's been in my mouth that I'm about to throw up!
Hooty gags for several long moments. Everyone stares at him in disgust. He finally throws up letters and a box.
Hooty: The mail!
Eda *going through the letters* Junk, junk, death hex.
She tosses the death hex into a trashcan, which condenses into a dark purple sphere before disappearing entirely. Eda then looks at the last piece of mail.
Eda: Oh, a carnival's in town today!
Luz: A carnival? You know, I've been so busy with school lately, what do you say we take this comedy hour on tour? It'll be a Luz and King day!
King: That's my kinda day!
Luz drags Sora by the arm and puts her arms around him and Eda.
Luz: Let's all four of us go!
Hooty: An adventure with friends! I'll go pack my stuff!
Hooty goes away.
Eda: Carnivals bring crowds, and crowds bring suckers. This could be the perfect chance to try out my new get-witch-quick scheme.
Eda takes her staff out of the pot and knocks the goop off of Owlbert.
Eda: I'm in! To the carnival!
Luz/King: To the carnival!
The three started to leave but stopped and turned around to see Sora standing there.
Luz: Wait a minute! Sora, what are you doing standing there like a statue?
Sora: Well, since we don't have school today, I figure this is a perfect chance to continue my search for Kairi. Remember, finding her is still my top priority. So, the sooner I find her, the better.
Luz: Right, of course. But-
Sora: No buts, besides, I've just about looked at, I'd say, 45% of the Boiling Isles. I need to narrow down more locations as much as I can. I'll see you guys later. You have fun at the carnival.
Sora hurries to the front door until he is stopped by Eda throwing her hand onto Sora's head.
Eda: Hold it, Sora.
Sora turns around.
Eda: Listen, I know finding Kairi is important, but I've noticed that you've been waking up super early in the morning for the past week to look for her all over the Isles and barely having enough time getting ready for school.
Luz: I've been noticing that too. Sora, I think you could use a break today.
Eda: Yeah. Besides, you wouldn't want to find her all tired and beat-looking, would you?
Sora: Hmmm...
Luz: Come on. Come with us. It'll be fun.
Sora folds his arms and grunts, really wanting to continue his search for Kairi. But then, he thinks about it and starts to realize his friends may be right. He does feel a bit sluggish with searching for Kairi early in the mornings this week and being busy with school. And he thought that Kairi wouldn't want him to struggle excessively, even for her. So finally, he sighs and gives in with a small smile.
Sora: Ok. I'll come.
The three cheer for Sora. Luz then wraps her arm around Sora while Eda and King embrace him.
Eda: Now. To the carnival!
Luz/King/Sora: To the carnival!
They all leave as Hooty comes back into the kitchen a couple of seconds after.
Hooty: Good news, I'm bringing my knapsack full of games! Hello?
A fly buzzes near him.
Hooty: Oh, a fly!
Hooty chases the fly.
Hooty: Talk to me, talk to me!
[Cut to the Bonesborough Carnival]
Eda: Well, here we are, kids. Look at all that fresh meat.
[Cut to a crowd enjoying themselves]
Luz: And smell all the fresh meat!
Luz was about to sniff as a fly was about to enter up her nose, but a fireball shot by Sora incinerated the fly. That startled Luz a bit.
Sora: You're welcome.
Owlbert hoots and starts to twist off the staff, but Eda stops him.
Eda: No games for you, Owlbert. We've got scams to run.
Owlbert hoots in disappointment.
Tibbles: Friends! *lands in front of them* Welcome!
Everyone jumps into defensive poses while Sora stands there, unfazed.
Tibbles: I see you got my postcard.
Eda: Tibbles? You sent this?
Eda looks at the back of the flier. It reads: "To my Owl House Pals, From Tibbles" and has a picture of Tibbles dancing when Eda tilts it. She lowers it, and Tibbles is doing the same dance.
Tibbles: Mm-hmm.
Luz: Aren't you mad at us for destroying your stand?
King: And destroying his life. That was the best part!
Eda: *whispering to Sora* I figured he'd be mad about you knocking him out cold with your keyblade.
Sora remembers him knocking Tibbles out with his keyblade.
Sora: *whispering to Eda* It had to be done.
Tibbles: No, no, no. I should thank you. After my stand was destroyed, I reevaluated my life and found my true calling! I'm now ringmaster of... *snaps whip* Tibbles's Tent of Tiny Terrors!
Luz approaches the terrarium containing tiny unicorns, a tiny manticore, and a small griffin.
Luz: Aww. It's like a regular circus but adorably small!
The griffin hisses as Luz presses her face to the glass.
Luz: You're my friends now.
Eda: I don't buy it.
She sends away her staff.
Eda: What kind of con are you running?
Tibbles: No cons here, Owl Lady, only pros. In fact, why don't we toast our newfound friendship with this totally innocent bottle of water? *pulls out potion*
Eda takes the potion.
Eda: *sarcastically* Oh yeah, sure! Why don't I just-
Eda throws the bottle. It lands on an Oracle Teacher's head and knocks them on their back.
Oracle Teacher: I'm ok!
Eda: I know poison when I see it; you can't scam a scammer! Now speaking of scams... *walks up to a stand* Beat it, loser! *knocks the vendor's stuff to the ground* Step right up to... *transforms the stand* Eda's Human Horror House!
People start to gather.
Eda: Humans shed their skin, and I've got proof.
Eda pulls out a pair of Luz's leggings.
Sora looks at Eda with one eyebrow raised in confusion.
King: You should really put a lock on your closet.
Luz: You know what, Eda can pick through my socks all she wants. Because today is all about having a great time with my partner in crime and partner of light.
King: That's me! I love crime!
Sora nods and chuckles.
Luz and King laugh and walk off while Sora follows.
Tibbles: Have a good time, friends. *whisper* While it lasts.
[Cut to a dunk tank]
Abomination Student: Dunk the skeleton! Win a prize!
A ball hits the target, dumping the skeleton into a cauldron labeled SKIN. The skeleton pops out, now covered in skin.
Male Body: Ah! Aah! I'm covered in pores!
Luz: Now, this is my kind of weird! So what do you wanna do first? We could brave the molar coaster or eat a mysterious blob...
King: Ooh, what's that? *runs up to prize booth* Ah! Some kind of deadly string weapon.
Luz: No, silly. That's a friendship bracelet.
King: Is that a type of deadly weapon?
Luz: A weapon of love. *grabs them and puts them together, forming a heart* It's basically a declaration to the whole world that you're the best of friends.
Sora stares at the bracelet.
Sora: *thinking* Those would make an excellent gift for Kairi.
King: Ooh! That's a safer way than becoming blood brothers!
Sora snapped out of it when he heard what King said.
Sora: Wait, what?
King: Luz, we must have those bracelets!
Prize Vendor: Aaaand yoink. *takes bracelets back* Sorry, ma'am. If your bone son wants these bracelets, you'll have to play the games and win the tickets. You know, carnival rules.
King turns to Sora.
King: Beat up the man and steal his things for me!
Sora: Uhh... no.
Luz: We could just play the games to win them instead.
King: Oh, ok.
Luz/King *laugh* Games! Games! Games! Games!
Luz and King start to run off as Sora is about to follow but stops when something catches his eye. He looks closely and widens in shock at what he sees.
Sora: No way... it can't be!
Sora turns to the merchant.
Sora: How many tickets for that thing?
Prize Vendor: Oh, that? 500 tickets.
Sora: *cheerfully* I'll get 'em fast!
Sora runs past Luz and King.
Luz: Woah, Sora. What's got you excited?
Sora: There's a certain prize I saw that I gotta have!
Luz: Really? What is it?
Sora: I'll show you when I win it, now let's go!
Luz: *gasp* We can get all our prizes if we work together! Let's do it!
Luz, King, and Sora then run into Willow and Gus.
Luz: *gasps* Friends!
Willow/Gus: Luz! Sora!
They all hug.
Luz: Oh my gosh, I didn't think I'd see carniv-y'all here.
Slight pause.
Gus: *thumbs down* Boo.
Willow: I got an invitation from Tibbles.
Gus: We figured it's a trap since we squashed his stand with a walking house.
Willow: But who cares? This place has a scarris-wheel.
Gus: It's like a human Ferris wheel, but it gives you long-lasting nightmares.
Luz: Yes! This mama is ready for trauma.
King: Ahem.
Luz: Oh, yeah. We're on a very important quest to win a special prize for King. And Sora's got a prize on his mind too.
Willow: Oh! We can help with that.
Sora: Great!
Gus: Aw. Does the little guy wanna win a prize? Uh, does he? Uh, does he?
Gus coos as he waves his finger at King.
King: Nyeh! *knocks Gus's finger away*
Luz: What do you think, King? The more, the merrier, huh?
King: Um, sure. Whatever you want, Luz.
Luz: All right. Approval!
Luz/Willow/Gus: *cheering*
Sora runs ahead a bit and stops. He turns around and waves to his friends to follow him.
Sora: Alright, let's go!
The four of them jog away as King tries to keep up and trips.
[Cut to the group playing various carnival games]
Willow rolls a skeeball into the machine's mouth. Luz, Sora, and Gus cheer her on, and the four of them runoff. King arrives and gets hit with the ball when the machine spits it at him. The four of them are walking when they notice a picture board. They all stick their heads through the holes, but King is stuck with being the trashcan. Luz takes a bite out of a fried orb and hands it to Willow. She takes a small bite out of it and hands it to Sora. He politely refuses. He hands it to Gus. He eats the rest of it, leaving none for King, who had been between Willow and Gus.
[Cut to Luz, Sora, Willow, and Gus leaning against a stand]
Willow: So the pixie infestation was caused when Boscha's pet pixie escaped its cage...
Luz: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Sora is counting the tickets while listening to Willow.
Sora: Why am I not surprised?
King jumps and grunts, trying to play the booth. He finally latches onto the edge of the booth but falls back.
King screams and grunts.
King: Curse these stubby legs!
Luz, Sora, Willow, and Gus laugh together. King sees them and walks away.
[Fade to King sitting on the stoop of a narrow booth next to a poster that reads "CARNIVAL best with friends," with a drawing of three witches on it]
King looks at the poster then sighs.
?: Oh, my, my, my. You seem troubled.
King stands and turns around.
King: Weh? Who said that?
Tibbles, in disguise, reveals himself.
Tibbles: It is I. Obvioso, the all-seeing psychic.
King: Haven't I seen you somewhere? It's almost so...
Tibbles: Obvious?
King: That's what I was gonna say. Wow! You are psychic.
Tibbles: You're right. And Obvioso can see that something is bothering you, little friend.
King: *sigh* You got my number, Obvioso. Today was supposed to be about me and Luz, see? But now she's distracted by her cool new school friends.
Tibbles: What if I were to tell you that there was a way to make all those problems... disappear?
King: I'd say that sounds illegal. I would also say go on.
Tibbles ducks into the booth and laughs. He then grabs his potion bottle with a spray nozzle.
Tibbles: Behold!
Tibbles sprays a nearby creature on a perch with the potion. It disappears in a flash of pink light.
King: Holy bones! You poofed it. Call the cops! This guy's crazy!
Tibbles: *chuckles* Hey. The spray is only temporary. *tapping his face cheeks* I just give my cheeks a tap and then...
The creature reappears, visibly terrified.
Tibbles: ...it returns safe and sound.
The creature squawks and lays an egg. The egg cracks, and a baby creature chirps.
Tibbles: Take this. *hands King the bottle* Enjoy the carnival without the problems. Luz, Sora, Willow, and Gus will be none the wiser.
King: Whoa! You even know their names. Guess there's no use arguing with a fortune-teller. Thanks, Obvioso. *walks away*
Tibbles laughs and takes off a fake mustache.
King: Hey.
King returns. Tibbles holds the mustache back up.
King: Sidenote: in the future, do I ever find love?
Tibbles: Uh... yes?
King laughs and leaves again as Tibbles sighs in relief.
[Cut to King walking, looking at the bottle in his hands]
King: Hmm, maybe I should think about this first.
Luz: King!
King shoves the bottle in his fanny pack.
Luz, Sora, Willow, Gus walk towards King.
Luz: Sorry we lost you back there, little dude.
King: Hey, it's ok. *grabs Luz's hand* Let's go back to the games and win those bracelets.
Gus: *grabs Luz's other hand* But we haven't gone on any rides, and there's no line for the bumper carcasses.
King: Games!
Gus: Carcasses!
King: Games!
Gus: Carcasses!
Luz's stomach growls loudly. They all look at it.
Luz: Food! I'm gonna grab some rotten candy while you guys figure this out. *runs* Bye!
Sora: Luz! No! *follows Luz* Rotten candy is a bad idea!
Willow: *to Gus* When they come back, let's go on the four-man cauldron spinner.
Gus: Or the quadruple swing.
Willow: Oh, and that's close to those photo booths that can fit exactly four people.
King looks sad.
King: But today was me and Luz's day.
Gus: Aw. Does the little baby boo miss his buddy, Luz? *picks King up*
Willow: *chuckles*
Gus: Uh, does he? Uh, does he?
King: *grunts* The King of Demons misses nobody!
Gus: *laughs*
King: I demand you put me down!
The potion falls out of King's pouch. It lands on the ground and sprays Willow and Gus.
Willow/Gus: What?
Willow and Gus disappear.
King: Oh, no! What have I done?
Luz and Sora return.
Luz: Wow. I guess they really wanted to ride those bumper carcasses.
Sora: Guess so.
King: Actually, Luz. There's something I gotta tell you.
Luz: No. There's something I gotta tell you, King.
Pause...
Luz: I said I'd help you win those friendship bracelets. So win them we shall, ok?
King: Uh...
King whispers to himself.
King: Willow and Gus will be ok for a little while, right?
Luz: What was that?
Sora looks at King in confusion.
King: Nothing. Now let's go! *chuckles*
Luz: Ready or not, here we CRUMB.
King: Yes! Haha!
[Cut to Willow and Gus, who have actually shrunk and not disappeared]
Gus: First, I'm growing out of my clothes. Now I'm shrinking? Dang, puberty. You're the craziest coaster of 'em all.
Willow: Ugh.
Gus suddenly realizes and looks around.
Gus: *screams* What happened to us? Did I blackout on the molar coaster again?
Willow: Sketchy carnival rides are not to blame this time. King had something in his pouch that made us small.
Gus: And I just got tall enough for the rides! *sobs*
A shadow falls over them.
Willow: Gus...
The creature that Tibbles sprayed before is now standing in front of them. The creature roars.
Gus: Ah!
Willow grabs Gus' hand and runs to a styrofoam cup. Willow moves it, so they're standing under it.
Gus: I think we're safe now.
A tongue pierces the cup three times.
Willow and Gus scream.
Gus: Ew!
Gus hugs Willow out of fear.
Willow: Enough of this!
Willow's eyes glow green. Vines sprout from the ground and grab onto the creature's tongue, trapping it on the cup. Willow and Gus run to a dropped rotten candy.
Willow: Quick! We have to find Luz and get her attention before any more carnival animals hunt us down.
Willow grabs some rotten candy and whistles. A fly lands and eats the rotten candy.
Willow: Eat up, my stead. Lead us to safety.
She climbs onto the fly.
Gus stares in disgust.
Gus: It's so hairy. Why is it so hairy?
Willow: Because up close, everything is hairy.
She grabs Gus, who yelps, and they fly off.
[Cut to Eda's stand]
Eda: Round as the moon, her ears are, with mood swings as terrifying as night itself. Now, *holds up a fidget spinner* who wants to touch an outdated human reference? *spins it*
The people at her stand pull out snails.
Citizen #1: I do.
Citizen #2: Me.
?: Ok, show's over. This witch doesn't have a license.
Citizen #2: I can't do time again!
Citizen #1: Run!
The crowd disperses.
Eda: Ah, what are you? The fun police?
?: Yes!
The man squeaks a badge that reads "Fun Police."
Clown Guard: And you're coming with me.
He hits a squeaky nightstick against his palm.
Eda: Uh, excuse me, sir. I'd like to have a word with your...
Eda pulls and points an empty staff at the guard.
Eda: staff!
She then notices the empty interlock.
Eda: Owlbert! Owlbert! Where are you?
Cut to Owlbert hooting happily and playing Whack-A-Giraffe.
Eda: Owlbert, you're lucky I can't be mad at your adorable antics.
Eda climbs over her stand and runs. But she has fallen into a rotten candy machine.
Candy Vendor: Hey, I caught her.
The clown guard walks over, shoes squeaking, and magically ties Eda up and pulls her out of the machine. Her hair is now covered in rotten candy.
Eda: I hate carnivals.
[Cut to Sora following Kin, leading Luz, through the carnival]
They stop at the prize booth. The friendship bracelets are still there. As they walk, Sora peeks to see that his desired prize is still there as well. King drags Luz onward. Willow and Gus, on the fly, fly up from behind the friendship bracelet frame and follow them.
[Cut to Luz and King failing at skee-ball]
Luz and King look a bit disappointed. Sora then steps up and grabs a ball. He points at the skee-balls and puts up a throwing gesture, which intimidates the skee-balls demons into allowing them to win. King successfully throw the ball in. Tickets spew out of the machine demons as the two cheer. Sora folds his arm with a grin.
[Cut to Gus poking the hairy back of the fly and recoiling in disgust]
Willow directs the fly to Luz and King, but they move towards inside the rotten candy machine.
[Cut to Luz, Sora, and King at ring toss]
One of the bottleshops is out of the way of Luz's ring. The attendant shrugs. King shoves a call over the attendant's body. The attendant reluctantly hands them tickets.
[Cut to Willow and Gus climbing onto a stand, covered in rotten candy]
Willow stops to catch her breath.
Gus: We can't keep doing this.
Willow gasps.
They both look at a house of mirrors.
Willow: We won't have to for much longer.
[Cut to Eda tied up sitting under a banner that reads "THE FUN POLICE because crime is no laughing matter"]
Eda: Just when I thought I couldn't respect the law any less...
Shoes squeak as they're put on the desk.
Eda: ...it surprises me.
Carnival Boss: So, I hear you're running scams at my carnival? That's MY job. And I take my job very seriously. *his bow tie spins*
Eda: Spare me the yuks. What do you want?
Carnival Boss: Since I'm a forgiving demon, I'll give you two options. *gestures to Eda's wanted poster* I can pass you along to the Emperor's Coven, who'll throw you in the Conformatorium, or you can scam for me.
He points to a dress on a mannequin and a cart of caramel crab apples.
[Cut to the prize booth, where the vendor is counting the tickets]
Prize Vendor: 1230... 1231...
King squeals.
Luz: Now, King, before you spend your tickets, are you sure you want those friendship bracelets and not this bad boy?
Luz points to a cursed skull, whose eye glows.
Cursed skull: *roars* I am the King of Night. And every breath you take brings you closer to darkness.
[Pause]
Sora summons his keyblade.
Luz: This guy's a riot.
Sora: No. IT isn't.
King: Yes, Luz. I want the bracelets. It's kind of important to me, ok?
Cursed Skull: I can be important to you. I, who have seen the birth and death of countless nations-
Sora grips his keyblade tightly, preparing to destroy the skull. But the prize vendor smacks the skull with a broom.
Prize Vendor: Hey, stop it.
The skull whines.
Prize Vendor: No, no. Stop it. Yes, where was I, uh... Well, lost count. Ok, one, two, three, four, five, six...
The fly drops rotten candy in Luz's hair. She feels it.
Luz: Ugh, gross. I'm gonna need a mirror. I'll be right back, guys. *leaves*
Prize Vendor: 12, 13, 14...
Sora/King: Count faster!
[Cut to outside the house of mirrors, which is being pointed to by several arrows on the ground made of rotten candy]
Luz: Oh. There we go.
Luz follows the arrows and enters. There are more arrows inside, leading past a wall of mirrors that alter what Luz's character design in everyone. Finally, she reaches the end of the arrows.
Luz: "You made it." Aw. What a supportive sign. Wait a sec.
Luz notices Willow and Gus being reflected in a mirror.
Luz: Supportive friends!
Willow: Wait, Luz, don't do it!
Luz runs into the mirror and slides to the ground.
Luz: Huh?
Willow's reflection points down. Willow and Gus step forward.
Luz becomes shocked.
Luz: Oh, my gosh.
[Cut to the prize stand]
Prize Vendor: One million one thousand. Yep, I just counted to one million one thousand. The bracelets and this rare prize are yours. *hands them to King and Sora*
King: Yes. Yes! Now Luz and I will share a bond as mighty as these trinkets! *laughs*
Sora: Yes! I can't believe this is here.
King: What is that, anyway?
Sora tucks his prize away.
Sora: It's a surprise. I'll show it to everyone once we go home. *turns around* Let's find Luz.
King: Ok.
[Cut to the house of mirrors as Sora and King rounds a corner]
King: Heya, Luz. Good news. I got the bracelets.
Sora: And I got my prize, can't wait to show everyone.
They both see Luz's back facing them. She then turns around to face King.
Luz: King...
King: Huh?
Sora: Luz, you ok?
Luz holds out her hand, on which are Willow and Gus. King yelps in surprise.
Willow: You splashed us with something to make us small!
Gus: And now I can't go on the big boy rides! You monster...
King: Y-you weren't supposed to shrink. You, you were supposed to disappear. Ooh, no. Wait.
Luz and Sora were shocked.
Luz/Sora: What?
King: No, no, no. Luz, I can explain. I wanted to win the bracelets, and there was this psychic, see? *holds out bottle*
Luz hands Willow and Gus over to Sora.
Luz: Sora, hold them. That must've been what did it. Give me the spray bottle, King.
King: *hugs the bottle* No, wait, I-I-I gotta explain.
Luz: There's nothing to explain. *tries to take the bottle*
The two struggled for the bottle.
King: I was just trying to...
Luz: Shrink my friends?
King: I was just trying to solve my problems!
Sora walks toward them.
Sora: That's enough! Give ME the bottle!
The bottle slips out of their hands. The spray nozzles loosen, resulting in Luz, Sora, and King splashing with the potion.
Luz/King: Uh-oh.
Luz, Sora, and King shrink. Willow and Gus walk up to them. The two waved to them in disappointment.
Willow/Gus: Hi.
King: Wait, I can fix it. Obvioso showed me how. Behold. *taps his face cheeks several times* Why isn't this working?
Tibbles walks up from behind.
Tibbles: I'd say it's working quite well.
[Cut to Tibbles approaching his Tent of Tiny Terrors while holding Luz, Sora, Willow, Gus, and King]
King is still tapping his cheeks.
Gus: Um, Luz, I think King is broken.
King: Tapping my cheeks is supposed to turn us normal. The psychic told me.
Tibbles: Oh, did he? But, what if he... lied to you from the start?
He summons a puff of smoke and is now wearing a mustache and patting out "Obvioso's" hat.
Tibbles: Hold on. *puts the hat on* Lied to you from the start? It's different.
King: You fiend! When Obvioso finds out you stole his mustache... Ohhhh...
Sora and Gus facepalm in annoyance.
Tibbles: The potion was designed by me. Guess whose cheeks control it?
Luz: Why are you doing this?
Tibbles: *rips off mustache* When you destroyed my stand, you destroyed generations of Grimm Hammer history. Now it's time to pay.
[Cut to the inside of the tiny terrors' cage. which they are dropped into]
All but Sora: *scream* Oof!
Tibbles: Welcome to... the greatest show on the Boiling Isles!
The crowd cheers.
All: *gasp*
Tibbles: Will these witches and demon survive feeding time? Let's find out!
Tibbles rings a bell. The tiny terrors growl as they exit their tent. One unicorn still looks friendly.
Luz: Aw. At least he's still my friend.
The unicorn suddenly neighs in anger and Luz becomes sheepishly afraid.
Luz: That's how friends react.
The Tiny Terrors growl and advance towards the teens and King.
Tibbles: You ruined my livelihood. So now, you'll feed my livelihood.
With a twirl of his finger, a spotlight turns on. Curtains open to show the inside of the cage is magnified for the crowd's viewing pleasure. Luz, Sora, Willow, Gus, and King are backed into a corner by the manticore and a unicorn.
Tibbles: Place your bets and enjoy the show!
Gus: Well, if I have to go, at least I'm with my best friends. *folds his arms* And King.
Sora steps up.
Sora: Not one of us dies today. *summons his keyblade* I'll protect us!
The unicorn whinnies and pounces at them. They all run. Sora summons a small fireball latched onto the tip and waves it around the animals, keeping them at bay.
[Cut to Eda, wearing a carnival staff dress, selling snacks]
Eda: Caramel Crab Apples. Get 'em hot and pinchy.
Man: Hey, over here!
Eda: Yeah, yeah.
Eda winces at a crab apple, pinching her finger.
Eda: Hold your spider-horses!
Gus creates an illusion of a vacuum, causing the animals to cower. Willow summons vines to tip over a water holder. The manticore steps through the illusion vacuum. The five take cover behind the water holder seconds before the manticore runs into it.
Luz: We've gotta-
BANG
Luz: -find a way out of here!
BANG
King looks around. Unicorns bite at both ends of the water holder, making Willow and Gus flinch. Luz ducks as Sora blocks the manticore's claws with his keyblade.
King: Ah, King, you idiot. This is all your fault. *pulls out friendship bracelets* But I think I know how to fix it.
King runs out from cover. A unicorn watches him and chases him.
Luz: King?!
King: Willow, Gus, Sora, I'm sorry for poofing you!
Sora: Eh. Not the first time I've shrunk.
The other three look at him in confusion.
King: And Luz, I'm sorry for taking away your friends!
A unicorn and the manticore advance on King, growling.
King: I know you'll eventually go home, and now you're spending more time at school. I just... wanna be around you!
King jumps and dodges all the animals and climbs to the rim of the cage.
Student #1: No!
Student #2: Boo! Boo!
The whole crowd boos.
Tibbles: *from atop his pile of snails* No refunds.
Tibbles then notice the Tiny Terrors whimpering.
King: Alright. I only have one shot. *throws friendship bracelets* Nyah!
The bracelets land on Tibbles's face cheek.
Tibbles: Darn flies. *taps*
A snail coin falls off of his face as he realizes what he has done.
Tibbles: Oh, no.
King, Luz, Sora, Willow, and Gus all begin to glow.
[Cut to Eda]
The crowd continues booing.
Eda: Hey, hey. No discounts, buddy.
Man: You guys owe me! There's nothing happening in this show!
Man #2: Not a single one of those dumb kids have gotten hurt yet!
Eda: Dumb kids? *turns around and sees the screen* Wait... *eyes widened with a frown* Those are MY dumb kids!
Luz, Sora, Gus, Willow, and King grow back to normal size. They all share a look and sigh in relief. Behind them, the animals also grow to full size.
Luz: You shrunk the animals too?!
Tibbles: It's the Tent of Tiny Terrors. Something needed to be tiny.
The crowd still boos.
Man: Finish the job! Get them kids!
Witchling: Feast!
A witchling throws a crab apple at the buff unicorn, which catches and eats it. The unicorn looks happy. All animals turn to the crowd, growling. Two audience members share a look. The buff unicorn whinnies and raises a hoof. The animals charge forward. The crowd screams and flees.
Tibbles: They... foiled my plans. You will pay for this! *pulls out another bottle* This time, I'm going to personally squash you!
Eda: *takes bottle* Oh, no, Tibbles. That's not how entertainment works. *tosses bottle* The bad guy always gets his just desserts. *dumps the crab apples on him*
Tibbles: Oh, no! Not desserts!
Eda: *to the animals* Hey, girls! This one's on the house!
The unicorns turn around to see Tibbles. The buff one bites a crab apple with intimidation. Then, the unicorns chase Tibbles out while he screams.
Willow: Looks like we ruined his life for a second time.
Sora: *scoffs while smiling* Who cares? *thinking* Though, I wish I could've knocked him out again.
Gus: *smiling* We're on a roll.
King: Gus, Willow, Sora, you're ok!
Luz: All thanks to you, King. *kneels* Here.
Luz hands him five cracked pieces of the bracelets.
King: It was all that was left.
King: *takes them* It's... it's ok. Because now there's a piece for everybody.
He holds three out to Willow, Sora, and Gus.
King: If you'll accept it, that is?
Willow: Thank you, King.
Gus: Yeah. I've always wanted to own a jagged piece of cheap metal.
Sora: Thanks.
Luz: That's very sweet.
King: I'm sorry, Luz. Demons do crazy things when they've been missing somebody.
Luz: *whisper* And can I tell you a secret? I've been missing you too. *kisses his forehead*
King: *giggles* Hey, we still have a few hours of carnival left. Wanna hit those bumper carcasses?
Luz: You BREAD my mind.
King: *laughs* Yes! Bread puns! Bread puns forever!
Luz: You coming, Eda?
Eda: *laying on Tibbles's pile of snails* Nah. I think I got everything I wanted.
The stands collapse behind Eda.
Eda: Yep. Another great year at the carnival.
Luz: Oh! Sora! I almost forgot. What was the prize you wanted?
Sora: It's a surprise. How about I show you all back the house?
All: Great!
[Cut to the Owl House, where Hooty is talking to the fly]
Hooty: Boy, fly, we sure get into some wacky hijinks, don't we?
The door opens, King, Eda, Sora, and Luz peek in.
Hooty: Sure feel sorry for anyone that missed seeing us two rabble-rousers getting into scrapes.
Luz, Sora, Eda, and King all duck back out, closing the door.
Hooty: Good thing I brought a camera. Yep. Hooty and fly. Together forever. You and me. Every single day- [coughs as the fly enters his mouth] Now I know what friendship tastes like. Yum. Taste like a bug.
[Cut to the outside of the owl house, where Luz, Eda, King, Willow, and Gus wait for Sora]
Sora: Might as well do it out here. Ready to see?
All: Yeah!
Sora: Here.
Sora holds his fist and turns it over to show a charm in the shape of a certain lamp.
Eda: Hold on. What exactly is so special about this prize?
Sora smirks.
