As the Robo Fizz approached, everyone got into a defensive stance.
"Eli, go search for the royals and stay with them!" Millie ordered.
Without a word of protest, Eli obeyed, but not before enhancing Millie's hatchet using the same spell he'd used to strengthen the toy gun's bullets earlier.
Robo Fizz charged at them, its voice metallic and menacing. "You should have never come back, Blitzo."
Blitzo, Moxxie, and Millie dodged as the robot smashed into a booth, causing an explosion that sent prizes flying. Miraculously, a soot-covered plushie landed intact in Moxxie's arms.
Moxxie discreetly tucked the prize into his suit's hidden compartment before drawing his gun.
"Hey, if me coming back means burning this theme park, then I should've come here ages ago!" Blitzo cackled, firing his flintlock at the deranged robot.
Searching for two demon royals wasn't easy. Eli crouched behind burned-out booths and stands, carefully peeking around corners to avoid detection before dashing to the next cover.
As he neared the funhouse, a strange sensation tugged at him, pulling him toward it. Suspicious, he muttered, "Might need to ask Prince Stolas about this later." And stepped inside.
The funhouse was eerie, its mirror maze reflecting warped versions of himself. The unsettling feeling of being watched grew stronger. He glanced at one of the mirrors—and froze.
A mannequin-like woman in a red Victorian dress, her short blonde hair curled neatly, stood within the reflection. She had no eyes, only a haunting smile that sent chills down his spine.
Eli quickened his pace, the figure appearing in every mirror he passed. When a tunnel entrance came into view, he didn't hesitate. He dove in, landing hard on his back, and glanced behind him.
The woman now stood at the tunnel's entrance.
"Soon." She said, her voice like a haunting music box, before vanishing.
Eli exhaled sharply, trying to steady his breathing. "Yeah, Stolas definitely needs to know about this..."
As he calmed down, he noticed a sound—sobbing. Turning toward it, he spotted Octavia curled up inside an apple-themed cart, her knees drawn to her chest as she hid her face in her arms.
He hesitated, watching her for a moment. Then, taking a deep breath, he climbed into the cart and sat across from her, his gaze fixed on his boots.
"Go away..." Octavia mumbled between sniffles, sensing his presence.
Eli remained silent. He wasn't one to get involved in others' affairs, but seeing her like this, he couldn't just leave.
"I said, go away!" She snapped, lifting her tear-streaked face to glare at him.
"I never wanted to come here." She snarled. "I didn't need bodyguards. I'm not a fucking baby!"
Her voice trembled as she continued, "I didn't want to see my dad flirt with some stupid imp. I— I— I..." Her anger crumbled into sobs, and she lunged toward Eli, hugging him tightly.
"I just wanted to be happy with my parents." She whispered. "Is that so much to ask?"
Eli hesitated, then patted her back awkwardly but soothingly. "I'll be honest, Octavia. I don't know. Remember when I said no one's perfect? This is what I meant."
"It's not fair..." She hiccuped, clutching his robe tighter.
"I know that feeling all too well." Eli admitted, his voice distant. "Have you tried talking to him?"
"I've tried." She scoffed. "But he doesn't listen. He either cuts me off or changes the subject."
"Then make him listen." Eli said firmly. "Kick him in the knee or something."
His deadpan tone made it sound serious, and Octavia couldn't help but chuckle. "Seriously?"
"...I was joking." Eli clarified, tilting his head slightly.
Her laughter bubbled over, genuine this time. "Thanks, man... and sorry for lashing out."
Eli nodded and climbed out of the cart, Octavia following. As they exited the funhouse, the chaos of the theme park came into view—fires blazing and debris scattered everywhere.
"What the fuck happened here?" Octavia asked, slack-jawed. Her eyes locked on the I.M.P team still battling Robo Fizz. Blitzo, agile as ever, dodged the robot's attacks while firing his flintlock. Millie and Moxxie, though battered, held their ground.
"Via!" Stolas appeared, concern etched on his face.
Eli gave Octavia a gentle push toward her father, offering her a small nod of encouragement.
"Via, I was so worried—" Stolas began, but Octavia cut him off with a sharp kick to his knee.
"Talk to me, Dad!" She demanded, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
Stolas blinked, startled but unharmed, and glanced at Eli, who stood nearby with a faintly amused expression.
"Talk to her." Eli mouthed silently.
Stolas sighed and turned his full attention to his daughter. "Okay, sweetie. Let's talk."
As Stolas led Octavia away, a loud crash drew Eli's attention back to the battle. Millie was struggling to stand amidst rubble, while Moxxie groaned in pain, having cushioned her fall with his body.
Eli's gaze shifted to Blitzo and Robo Fizz, still locked in combat. He opened the grimoire, flipping through its pages for a spell.
When he found what he needed, he began chanting:
"O beast of boundless might,
I call upon the fury of talons born to rend the earth and sky.
From depths untamed and wild winds roared,
Unleash the claws that carve destiny itself.
Tear through my foes, relentless and true."
Power surged through him, creating a crater underfoot as an ethereal aura surrounded him. He took off at a run, gaining speed before leaping into the air.
Millie stared in awe as Eli ascended, ethereal wyvern claws forming behind him. She grabbed Moxxie's chin, directing his gaze upward.
"Is that Eli?" Moxxie gaped.
"Talon Strike!" Eli roared, slamming his rear arm down. The ethereal claw followed, striking Robo Fizz with devastating force.
Outside the theme park, Octavia paced nervously.
"Via, I know you're worried. I am too." Stolas said gently. "But I trust his foster parents to protect him."
"How do you know that? For all we know, they're—" Octavia's words were cut off by an explosion. A mushroom cloud rose from the theme park, followed by four figures flying through the air.
Eli and Millie landed near Octavia, the latter unconscious but alive. Moxxie and Blitzo crashed into each other nearby.
"Ruined another good thing, sir?" Moxxie groaned.
"Proud of it!" Blitzo grinned before passing out.
Millie wrapped an arm around Eli, her voice soft but proud. "Good job, sugar..."
Octavia blinked, processing the chaos. "What the actual hell?"
Stolas, however, laughed joyfully.
A/N: And that's the end of Loo Loo Land. This was also quite a fun one to write.
To the one that had thought Eli was going to pull a Gru. Believe it or not I did, in the original and wanted to do the same in this one but realise Eli has no experience with guns nor can he use any magic that can do the same amount of destruction as Gru's gun. So sadly I didn't :(
Today I was reading 'Loud Prince Of Hell' by cornholio4 and I have so many damn ideas forming in my head but decided against it for the sake of my sanity... again.