Archive of Our Own ^beta

“BERGAMO! BERGAMO!” A young pup’s voice cried out throughout Sidra’s castle. Echoing all over the building.

This in turn awoke a tall, masculine, gray wolf as he groaned and sat up, rubbing his face from the exhaustion. He heard two other groans from his left and his right.

“Bro, why’d you even take those rugrats in the first place?” Lavender, a golden wolf who seemingly looked more like a coyote, groaned as he rolled over and covered his ears.

“I just wanna get some sleep!” Basil, a small red wolf, complained as he threw a pillow over his head.

Bergamo sighed. “Brothers, don’t forget that were his age too and we were also orphans at the time. So there isn’t any reason to take it out on the kid, he had a rough life; Aya’s lucky she doesn’t remember that pathetic excuse of a father. Zorro needs us to be there for him. He’s going through a difficult time right now.” The eldest brother got up from his spot on the bed and put on a maroon colored robe. “We’ll talk about this tomorrow morning. Right now, Zorro needs me.”

Without another word, Bergamo left the room and walked down the hallway, stopping at one of the doors and opened it to find a simple bedroom with a small bed, a tiny dresser drawer, a toilet training potty, and various other items that were suitable for a toddler Zorro’s age. Well, Zorro was already at a preschooler’s age, but due to his recently diagnosed PTSD and severe anxiety, he had trouble with certain things, like eating full meals, not being fully potty trained and still having nighttime accidents from time to time; those such things. Thankfully, he was making some progress according to his doctor.

“Zorro? What’s wrong, kiddo?” Bergamo asked in a gentle voice, concerned dripping off of it and barely able to hide it.

A small white, black spotted, wolf pup threw the covers off his head, seeing his adoptive father. “Bergamo! Bergamo!!!” He jumped off the bed and ran towards him. Bergamo smiled sadly and tiredly as he knelt down and caught the small wolf and scooped him up in his arms. “I-I had another nightmare! A really, really, BAD one!”

Bergamo covered his mouth as he yawned and wiped away Zorro’s tears. “You wanna tell me what happened, pup?”

“I-I was back at my old home! An-and Allister was there! You, you were trying to save me! But Allister ended up hurting you! I tried to wake you up, but you didn’t! Allister took me away and blamed me for everything!” The pup threw himself into Bergamo’s chest and hugged him tightly. “You never woke up! It was all my fault!”

“Shh, shh, shhhh. It’s okay, Zorro. You’re okay. Everything’s alright now.~” The older wolf cooed as he rubbed his pup’s back in an attempt to comfort him. He walked over to the bed and checked to see if Zorro had another accident again. Placing a free paw on the bed and gently patting the mattress to inspect it. No wetness? Still dry? Good. At least Zorro’s nighttime accidents became less frequent. Then, Bergamo had an idea.

“C’mon kiddo, let’s get some fresh air.” Bergamo carried Zorro outside. The sky was still dark and speckled and peppered with the stars that lit the night sky. The pup sniffed and Bergamo started cradling him like a baby. “Now, whaddya see up there?”

Zorro sniffed and looked up at the sky. “St-stars?”

Bergamo nodded. “Mmhm. You wanna know what those stars represent?”

Zorro’s only response was to shake his head, not really knowing how to answer the question. Bergamo smiled and looked up at the sky. “Well, something my father told me and your uncles, is that the stars represent warriors who watch over us all. My father’s up there and his father’s up there. And someday, I’ll be up there.”

Zorro starred up at Bergamo, eyes no longer filled with fear and tears, but with wonder and curiosity.

Bergamo looked down and smiled at his adopted son. “The reason I’m telling you this is because I was scared my father would leave me someday, too. But he always told me he’d be up there in the stars and someday when I join him, I’ll watch over you and your sister and I won’t ever leave you alone, Zorro. My devilish little pup.” Bergamo nuzzled the pup, making him giggle a bit.

Zorro then had a thought, a request more likely. “Bergamo. Can you sing the song?”

Bergamo gave a sympathetic look at his son. “Zorro, it’s getting really late and we all need our rest, so--!”

“Pleeeeeeeeease?~” Zorro said, smiling and giving him the classic puppy-dog eyes.

Bergamo sighed, but smiled. He couldn’t say no to that face. “Oh, alright, kiddo. But just this once.” Bergamo cleared his throat, he knew what song to sing.

Zorro snuggled into his father’s embrace as his eyes glowed a bright-ish blue color. Transporting them into an illusion of a beach. Bergamo held his son close as he continued to sing.

Zorro yawned as his eyes began to grow heavy. He felt warm and safe in his new father’s arms. Yet, they barely had a chance to bond, but they had to take baby steps for it. Zorro just wanted to lose himself to Bergamo’s singing and the soothing sound of his beating heart.

Zorro finally fell back into slumber as the illusion of the beach slowly faded away. Bergamo walked over to a nearby tree as he continued to sing to his son. He sat down and leaned against it, still cradling his son in his arms.

Finally, the illusion faded as Bergamo kissed Zorro’s forehead and gently shifted into a more comfortable position with Zorro’s head on his chest, being lulled by the sound of his beating heart. Bergamo smiled as he closed his eyes. “Good night, Zorro. I love you.”

Both Zorro and Bergamo fell asleep outside under a tree. By far one of the best sleeps they both had in a long while.

---

“M&M, ZOZO, P&R, GET IN HERE! WE’RE GOING TO LOO-LOO LAND!”

Zorro, whom was sleeping on the couch in the office (considering it was one of the slowest days they had thus far, Zorro found time to nap), wasn’t all too pleased with his nap being interrupted. He tried blocking the noise out just to catch up on some missed sleep. Unfortunately everyone kept repeating the words “Loo Loo Land”. When Blitz yelled the last “Loo Loo Land” from his megaphone; both he and Loona snapped.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!” Zorro and Loona screamed in unison.

Wait a second…Loo Loo Land? Loo Loo Land? Where did Zorro hear that--Wait, wasn’t that a rip-off theme park in Greed? Zorro poked his head into Blitz’s office. “Wait a sec, boss. Isn’t that the stupid rip-off of Lucifier’s far more popular LuLu World in Greed?”

“You betcha, Zozo! Stolas is paying us to be bodyguards to make sure he and his daughter are still breathing and not, you know, dead.”

Zorro stared at Blitz for what felt like an eternity until he finally spoke. “Did you tell him that we’re hitmen, NOT bodyguards?”

“Well, yes, but he’s paying us, Zorro. And if we don’t do the job, he won’t pay us. And if we don’t get paid, you don’t get a paycheck.” Blitz said, smiling all the while as he poked Zorro’s chest to further prove his point.

Zorro glared, but decided not to argue. “In that case, count me out. I’m an assassin, not some guard dog.” He then felt a familiar tugging on his pants leg.

“C’mon, Zorro. Can you go to Loo Loo Land with us?~” Ralsei asked, looking up at him with a sad look on his face.

Zorro rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “Uhhh, sorry, kiddo. I’m…busy. Why not ask Loona to go with you guys?”

Said hellhound stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her as she left to get some alone time of her own. Everyone gave each other awkward looks as Loona already left in a rage-filled huff.

“Uh, I don’t think she’s up for the trip, Zorro. Plus, you know how Blitz is if and when Loona tries to tag along with us.” Pixie spoke up. “Plus, it’s a great opportunity to get out of the office and have some fun both in and outside of work.”

“Plus, you won’t find a cheaper theme park in Hell, especially in Greed!” Millie said, wrapping an arm around the demon wolf. Only further concerning Zorro.

A cheap theme park in Greed? No thanks, that’s a recipe for a bankrupt disaster AND sickening feeling in his wallet. Zorro wanted to decline further, but then took notice or Ralsei now hugging his leg and giving him a familiar pleading look.

“Pretty please, Zorro?~” Ralsei batted with the classic puppy-dog eyes Zorro was all too familiar with.

“What the--? Blitz, did you teach him puppy eyes?!” Zorro turned his head at Blitz, noticing Blitz was giving him the same look. Dammit, he couldn’t say no to those faces now! Fuck it, this job had better be worth it and Blitz had better damn well add another zero to Zorro’s paycheck after this. With a long winded sigh and a slight groan, the wolf finally gave in. “Fine.”

---

The Goetias were picked up in the I.M.P van and the ride there was actually pretty interesting. Granted, Zorro never met Stolas, only heard…things about him from Blitz. Not what he expected but he was surprisingly honored nonetheless. He took notice that Octavia was less than happy to go. Probably about as much as Zorro was, but for different reasons. He decided not to press on further. Once they arrived, Zorro took a good long look at the park. He was NOT impressed at all. He heard about Loo Loo Land before, but this was…very unanticipated.

Ralsei and Pixie however, had seen commercials of Loo Loo Land before on TV. Ralsei had always wanted to go, but Pixie often told him “someday when we have the money for it”, and considering it was in Greed, Pixie at least wanted to wait until she had enough money for the shops at the park. Unfortunately, she probably wouldn’t have enough to get Ralsei anything. But, just taking Ralsei to a place he had always wanted to go would put a big smile on his face.

Speaking of which, Ralsei looked all around at the park, he was actually pretty excited. “Mama! Look, a carousel! Can I go on it, please?! Oh, wait, can we get ice cream first, please?!” Ralsei then gasped seeing a dragon in the distance. “Mama! Look! A dragon! Can we take it home with us, please, please, pleeeeeeeeeeeease?!” The kid pretty much didn’t know where to start from here, obviously wanted to do everything at once.

Pixie chuckled, petting her excited son.

“Wooow! I haven’t been to this place since I was tot! It hasn’t changed a bit--Oh! LOOK!” Millie then pulled Moxxie and Zorro into a hug as she pointed over to one of the animatronics that looked like a mutated two headed dinosaur. This also caught Pixie and Ralsei’s attention as they looked to where Millie was pointing. “It’s Big Wobbly!”

The old robot let out a loud demonic screech, prompting Ralsei to cover his ears at the sudden loud noise and almost losing his excitement. Pixie wrapped her tail around him, in an attempt to comfort him from the loud noise.

“That is…deeply upsetting.” Moxxie whispered.

“Oh come on! It’s fun, you’ve never been here?”

“No, theme parks always disturbed me. Especially the mascots.”

Zorro shrugged. “Never really enjoyed theme parks. Didn’t think they were fun. Now video games, THOSE are fun. And always found mascots way too weird.”

Pixie chuckled nervously. “My family never found time for vacations or day-outs to theme parks. Always saved our money for bigger and more important things.”

“Well hey there!” Moxxie let out a scream and jumped into Zorro’s arms as a weird looking apple costume appeared out of nowhere. Zorro gave a surprised yet distrubed look at the smelly, weird, awful looking mascot. He too was just as disturbed as Moxxie was. “I’m Loo Loo! Welcome to Loo Loo Land! If y'all get hurt here, just try and sue us!”

Pixie was just as disturbed as Zorro and Moxxie were, immediately scooping up Ralsei whom had covered his eyes upon hearing Loo Loo’s goofy voice. He didn’t like mascots either, apparently. “It’s okay, sweetie. Mommy’s got you, she’s not gonna let Loo Loo hurt you.”

“I have a question.” Octavia spoke up.

“Well, ask away, little girly!” Loo Loo gave a goofy chuckle.

“Is it true that this park is just a shameless spin-off of Lucifer’s far more popular LuLu World?” Octavia asked with a smug look.

Zorro almost suppressed a snicker as the mascot uttered a questioning “no”. Even Stolas’s daughter knew this rip-off park was a sham. “This place wrecks of insecure corporate shame.”

“I couldn’t agree with her more. Am I right?” Zorro whispered as he set Moxxie down and the group was finally able to get away from that horrible looking mascot. “You can open your eyes now, Ralsei. You’re safe.”

Ralsei sighed as he uncovered his eyes. “Aside from that creepy talking apple, you really like this place, don’t you, Millie?”

Millie nodded and grinned. “I love this place! My parents would bring me and my siblings here when they could swing it. Money wise.”

Ralsei then saw a display of plush toys inside one of the gift shops and gasped with eyes sparkling, hoping his mother would buy him one. He looked over at Pixie, about to ask her to buy him one or maybe three. But much to his dismay, Pixie already knew how to answer.

“No.”

“But, Mama! You didn’t even know what I was gonna ask!” Ralsei pouted with a slight whine in his voice.

“Oh yes, I did. Because you’re my baby and I know you.” Pixie said smirking, but then got a more serious look as she pointed at the prices. 100 souls to 300 souls at best. “Just look at those prices, young man. Nearly $300 or more for one, no, two, wait, maybe three plushies you’ll probably get bored with? Money doesn’t grow on trees, baby. I can get you ones much cheaper back in Pride.”

Ralsei only pouted more and crossed his arms, looking down to avoid eye contact with his mother. “Meanie.”

“She does have a point though. The prices do seem rather criminal.” Moxxie pointed at a cup for 29 souls. “I mean, THAT much for a novelty cup you’ll only use one time?”

“I’m telling ya, guys. It’s all a scam.” Zorro muttered glaring at the ridiculous prices in the gift shops.

“Cause it’s Loo Loo Land!” Millie shouted.

“Listen to your hoe, Mox.” Everyone looked at Blitz, now practically covered in Loo Loo Land merch. Clearly he had no problem wasting his money on useless merch he’d either use or wear one time. “Hey Pix, how about you, Zorro, and I take the first watch while M&M take lil’ Ray-Ray and have a little fun?”

Ralsei gasped in excitement. “Can I, Mama?!”

Pixie cleared her throat.

“Oh, right. Sorry. I mean, may I, Mama? Pleeeeeease?~” Ralsei corrected himself with a pleading look.

Pixie chuckled and smiled. “It’s alright with me. As long as you stay close to Aunt Millie and Uncle Moxxie and be sure to listen to them.”

Millie already lifted Moxxie up the ground and hurried over to her favorite ride. Ralsei hurried over to catch up with them and Pixie continued her motherly monologue. “Don’t eat too much junk food! If you need me just tell Uncle Moxxie to text me on my hellphone! And remember to do as they tell you!”

“I will, Mama! I promise!” He shouted.

Zorro sighed as he loaded up his shotgun, this was gonna be a long day for him. He just wanted to go back to the office and continue his nap.

---

Millie took Moxxie to a rollercoaster ride, The Lawsuit. One in which, Ralsei decided to sit out. He never really liked roller coasters or heights for that matter. So he decided to head to the petting zoo close by. He took notice of all the animals there. Hell Horses with beautiful green flames, Hellverns, you name it. He headed over towards one of the Hellverns and walked up to it excitedly, but took notice of two implings close by. A big sister and a little brother. About around the ages of 10 and 4.

“C’mon, he’s not gonna eat ya, ya big baby.” The sister scolded as her brother cried.

This in turn gave Ralsei an idea. He walked over to the implings and spoke up, a bit shily and nervous since he wasn’t really an imp and was worried they’d bully him about it. “Uh, excuse me. Is it okay if I show your brother a neat trick about Hellverns?”

The sister shrugged, smirking a bit, hoping to get a kick of what would be a disaster about to ensue. “Knock yourself out.”

Ralsei to the brother’s hand and gently led him over to the Hellvern. “It’s okay, they’re actually very gentle and won’t hurt you unless they’re told to. I read it in a book about Hell Creatures once.”

The Hellvern learned it’s head forward to Ralsei and the impling behind him. The impling whined a bit, gripping onto Ralsei’s shoulder in fear. Ralsei on the other hand, reached out a hand and the Hellvern responded by leaning more and sniffing it gently, getting to know the goat child’s scent, and was rewarded by the goat via petting and gently rubbing it’s snout. The Hellvern responded with a purring like noise, enjoying the affection. The implings were shocked and surprised that Ralsei was able to tame the creature so easily.

“See? He won’t hurt you. Now you try. Do exactly as I do.” Ralsei gently nudged the brother closer to the Hellvern as the impling copied the same action. The Hellvern purred more at the pets, causing the brother to giggle happily.

The sister walked up to Ralsei and grinned. “I’m impressed. Whenever I try to get him to do something, he’s always a big crybaby about it.”

Ralsei chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. “Well, my mom used to do the same thing with me when I was that little. I just thought “what would my mom do if she saw that?” And, well, you know.”

The sister thanked Ralsei for his help and went on to pet the Hellvern herself. Ralsei walked back over to the roller coaster to see Moxxie throwing up in a trash can.

“Is Moxxie gonna be okay?”

Millie gave the kid a nervous smile. “Oh, Uncle Moxxie’s gonna be just fine, kiddo. He just has a very sensitive tum-tum, is all. Good thing he packed those antacids.”

Afterwards, they decided to go on some smaller rides, as to not upset Moxxie’s stomach even more, due to his severe motion sickness. Later they took a break from rides and got big cones of Ice Cream Bugs and they were lucky they had vegan and vegetarian options for Ralsei, Moxxie on the other hand decided not to consume any or all questionable junk foods. Ralsei was already having the best time of his life.

“I wish Mama brought me here sooner! This place is great!”

Moxxie patted Ralsei’s head. “Well, at least you and Millie are enjoying yourselves, little one.”

“Oh, that reminds me.” Millie suddenly brought up a thought she’d been meaning to ask Ralsei for a while. “I don’t think we ever met your Pa before.”

Wait…his pa? Did she mean…his father? Ralsei then stopped to think it over for a moment. This was actually the first time he thought about it. And really thought about it. Granted nobody really brought it up before until now that is. He noticed his mom never had any photos of his father nor talked about him before. There have been a few instances when he was a baby and his first word was “mama” and she told him the stories of when he mistook Moxxie and Blitz for his father and called them both “dada” before. Heck, there was even one point where he accidentally called Zorro “dada”. The wolf thought it was one of Blitz’s pranks, which it wasn’t. Ralsei finally found his voice again.

“You know…I don’t think I ever met my dad before either.” Ralsei thought about it again. He had to have a dad. Everyone had one. Moxxie had one, Millie had one, Zorro had one, even Blitz had one, and Pixie had one too! But not Ralsei. Even though he was adopted, he had to at the very least have a father. Didn’t he? “I don’t think Mama ever talked about him before. I don’t even remember her mentioning I had a dad. I have to have a dad, don’t I?”

Moxxie frowned a bit, but then gave a sympathetic smile. “Well, you could always ask her when you get home, Ralsei. I’m sure she has a reason for not telling you before, right?”

Of course! Why didn’t he think of it sooner? Ask Mama when they get home! Clearly there had to be a reason his dad wasn’t in the picture. “Yeah. I can do that.” Ralsei smiled and hugged Moxxie, the imp hugged the kid right back. Moxxie was always good at giving Ralsei good ideas and even the best at giving hugs.

“Hello, hello! Step right up and win a thing!” Their moment was interrupted by a carnie’s voice and Millie pulling the two towards one of the games.

Millie gasped and pointed at one of the prizes. “Oh look, Moxxie! A thing!” The thing in question was a purple duck-like creature wearing pink overalls and sporting a pair of imp horns.

“Oh? You like that thing?”

“YES!!! I don’t really know what that thing is, but I want that thing!”

Ralsei smiled and tugged at Moxxie’s pants leg. “Can I get a thing too, Moxxie?”

Moxxie nodded and straightened his bowtie, sighing in relief. “Finally something I can handle.” He walked up to the counter and placed a soul bill on the counter. “Okay! One game please!”

The carnie frowned, handing Moxxie a toy cork gun to Moxxie. Ralsei bounced up and down excitedly. “You can do it, Moxxie!” Ralsei cheered, boosting Moxxie’s pride, confidence, and ego even more so.

Moxxie smirked as he aimed for a target and shot at it. The cork hit the target, but much to Ralsei’s surprise and confusion, it barely even budged. Wouldn’t it have gone down if it was hit? Moxxie didn’t seem to mind though, considering he did hit the bullseye.

“Strike one, little man.”

Moxxie’s smugness faded into annoyance. “But I hit it!”

The carnie now sported Moxxie’s smugness. “I dunno what to tell ya, buddy. The target see?” He pointed at the target Moxxie had hit just a few seconds ago. “It didn’t go down. So yeah, no go, bro.”

Moxxie growled as he placed another soul bill on the counter and hit another target, that too refused to go down. This only furthered Moxxie’s annoyance and the carnie’s amusement. “The heaven’s wrong with this thing?”

“Oh man, a real shame, I tell ya.” The carnie then mimicked a crying gesture, mocking Moxxie and getting Ralsei angry. He HATED it when people made fun of Moxxie. Well, those outside of I.M.P. that is. Moxxie placed another soul bill on the counter. This was gonna take a while.

---

Surprisingly, Zorro envied Ralsei. If had a choice to babysit a grown-ass rich dude and his nearly 18 year old daughter or go with Moxxie and Millie to go on some admittedly cool looking rides; he’d obviously go with the second option. He thought they were supposed to be bodyguards, not babysitters! Pixie would’ve enjoyed babying both Stolas and Octavia to death if it was a REAL babysitting job, at least that’s what Zorro thought in his mind. It wasn’t an entire loss though. He and Blitz made a bet to see who could get the most kills by the end of the job. Pixie was keeping count for the most part. So far it was a tie at best.

When Stolas spotted a circus tent, he pointed at it and remembered a certain memory from Octavia’s childhood. “Oh look! Via! You used to cry such tears of joy at this show!”

Octavia’s expression told otherwise. Blitz simply glared at the tent, remembering a horrible memory of his own. “I hate that fucking clown.” They both said simultaneously.

Pixie and Zorro shared a confused look. Well, Zorro’s was a mix of boredom and confusion, but still. “Did they just relive the same terrible memory?”

Pixie shrugged.

The show itself was extremely bizarre. One of the weirdest things Zorro and Pixie ever witnessed. If Zorro wasn’t bored out of his mind before, he was now! They even stole a line from Princess Charlie. Zorro scoffed. No copyright ever seen, his ass! If Charlie wanted to, she could’ve sued Loo Loo Land for all the money within the Greed Ring to the point where Mammon himself would’ve been bankrupt. Zorro nearly chuckled at a poor Mammon. Talk about irony if that were to happen. Pixie however, was more focused on how Stolas and Octavia were acting throughout the day. She noticed that Stolas was enjoying every minute of their day in the theme park, but Octavia acted as if she could snap like a twig at any second.

“Hey, guys. Have you noticed that Octivia’s not having any fun at all and Stolas barely paid any attention to it? I mean, I’m surprised we’re paying more attention to all of this than Stolas is his own daughter.” Pixie rose a brow, genuinely concerned for the seemingly crumbling relationship between the father and daughter.

“Pixie, hate to break it to ya, but that’s none of our business. We're assassins. Not family therapists. Just be glad Ralsei isn’t here to witness this.” Blitz remarked as he loaded his rifle once more.

Well, Blitz was right about one thing. She WAS glad Ralsei wasn’t here, he’d be crying and begging for them to leave, which Zorro would’ve been more than happy to grant that wish to leave the tent as far as humanly possible. Speaking of which, the show was finally over much to Zorro’s delight as he sighed. “Ugh, thank god it’s over.”

Blitz then shot fire at an imp about to literally stab Stolas in the back. “And that’s five kills for me, Zozo!”

Zorro smirked. “Heh, ya got lucky this time, boss.”

Pixie was still more focused on Octavia as she shouted and stormed off. “Save that for later, boys. I think that poor girl’s reached a breaking point.”

“Pixie, what’d I say earlier?” Blitz chided at his employee.

“Eh, we should find M&M and Ralsei anyways, Pix. You got it from here, boss?” Zorro asked, suggesting he’d be alright for at least five minutes without fucking shit up.

“You know it, Zor!” Blitz smirked.

Zorro responded with a nod and he and Pixie left the tent to find Moxxie, Millie, and Ralsei near the gamebooth. The same one Moxxie paid at least 600 souls the carnie held in his hand to win the game.

“Wow, you know you’re really starting to make this sad.” The carnie then rolled up one of the bills into a cigarette as he lit a light from his fingers alone, not even needing a lighter to do so. “Ya know if ya suck, ya suck! Guess ya won’t win your honey or the kid here a prize.”

Zorro immediately took notice that Moxxie of all people got scammed. Clearly he thought Moxxie was smarter than that, but let his own wrath and annoyance of being teased and mocked get in the way. Zorro sighed at this. Pixie walked over, a blank yet stern look plastered on her face as Zorro followed her, unwillingly most likely.

“Now what’s going on here?” Pixie asked.

Ralsei noticed his mom and leaped on her leg into a hug. “Mama! I pet a dragon!”

Pixie smiled and patted her son’s head. “That’s great, honey!~”

Ralsei then pointed at the game. “Moxxie’s trying to win things for us, but the game might be broken or something.”

“Is that so?” Pixie then got an idea, clearly no one could resist the charm of an adorable child, not even this scumbag. At least, that’s what she thought. “How about you give it a go, sweetpea?”

Ralsei’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”

Moxxie’s look changed from anger to worry. “Uh, Pixie, are you sure that’s--?”

“I know what I’m doing, Moxxie.” Pixie gently said, with a smirk still on her face.

Moxxie would’ve protested, but felt a familiar hugging on his leg. Looking down he noticed Ralsei, giving him puppy-eyes. “Please, Moxxie?~”

Moxxie sighed, but smiled. “Oh, alright, little one.” He handed the cork gun to the kid who took it excitedly. “Show this swindler what for!”

Zorro sighed again, pulling out a soul bill, insisting he’d pay for the games to both Pixie and Moxxie. Placing it on the counter. Ralsei aimed at one of the targets and fired, hitting the bullseye. “Yeah!” He cheered happily.

“Oh! Tough luck, kiddo.” The carnie’s voice interrupted Ralsei’s cheering as everyone noticed the target had once again, not fallen down. Giving Ralsei a disappointed look and everyone an angered look.

“Are you kidding me?! You! You! Charlatan!!!” Moxxie shouted, staring daggers at the carnie.

Zorro rose a brow and glared at the carnie. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! What was that? He hit that! I saw that with my own two eyes!”

The carnie grinned at the wolf. “Dunno if you never played these games before, mutt. But ya see the target? Ya see how it didn’t go down? It means, ya lose and ya win nothing!” The carnie made a fake gasp and a sarcastic frown as Zorro’s glare thickened in response. “Uh-oh, somebody’s got a frowny face. Better luck next time, kid.” He then smirked at Pixie and Millie. “That is, if the ladies do me a favor.~”

Millie gave an uncomfortable expression while Pixie’s was one of rage and this brought out her darkside, keeping what she called her “Miss Hyde” under control, but lost her anger. “You sorry son of a--!” She continued to yell insults and swears at the carnie, whom was surprisingly unfazed. She even allowed her hidden Wrathian accent to come out as she yelled.

Zorro on the other hand, looked over at Ralsei, who had probably the saddest look of all. Zorro wouldn’t let this slide. He imagined either of his sisters, Aya and Yuki, in this situation and thought of what his father, Bergamo, would do in that moment. With that, Zorro had an idea of his own.

“I ‘oughta regress you to the age of a toddler and spank you so hard! Your GRANDCHILDREN will feel the sting!!!”

“Okay, my turn.” Zorro said, now putting three more soul bills onto the counter. And whispered to Pixie of his new idea. Pixie stopped her ranting and raving and gave Zorro a confused look, he responded with a silent nod. He then looked over to Moxxie. “Mox, you and Ralsei wanna help me with this one?”

Again, Moxxie was about to protest but noticed Zorro’s expression. “Are you sure, Zorro?”

Zorro smirked. “Yeah, all you gotta do is cover my left while Ralsei covers my right. And no worries about the toy guns, I brought my own, and three extras just in case.” The wolf pulled out said shotguns, causing Moxxie to smirk very smugly once again and Ralsei’s eyes to light up. Millie and Pixie shared a confident smirk of their own.

The wolf handed one to Moxxie and another to Ralsei. The trio aimed right at their targets and began shooting wildly at the bullseyes, Ralsei even decided to be cheeky and shoot once above the carnie’s head, to prove a point that no one makes fun of him or Moxxie and gets away with it. After all the targets were shot down, Zorro smirked confidently.

“Knocked over!” He shouted in victory.

Millie ran over to Moxxie and peppered his face with kisses and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Ohhh! That’s my little Mox-Mox! Ya did it, baby!~”

Pixie smiled proudly at Ralsei. “That’s my boy!~”

Ralsei smirked and walked up to the booth and looked up at the carnie, whom appeared to be a shivering mess by this point. “Now, gimme.”

“Ah, ah, ah. Ralsei, what do we say?~” Pixie chided gently.

“Oh yeah.” Ralsei grinned darkly, pointing the gun at the carnie. “Gimme!”

The carnie smiled nervously, holding his hands up in defense. “He-hey now! Easy there, lil’ fella!”

Moxxie walked up to the booth alongside Zorro and Millie and grinned smugly as he leaned over the counter. “I believe you owe us a few things.~”

Suddenly, something crashed through the game booth and everyone took notice that that something, or someone, was Blitz.

“Sir?!”

“Blitz! Are you okay?!” Pixie asked, shocked and worried that Blitz had a serious injury, considering he took a very nasty crash landing right in the booth and the carnie breaking his fall. Not the most graceful or softest of landings, but this was Blitz, of course it wouldn’t be.

Zorro simply starred, unamused and unsurprised. “Really boss? We leave you for just a second and already you start fucking shit up within three minutes or less?”

“Oh, hey guys.” Blitz ignored Pixie and Zorro’s remarks as he pulled out a pistol. “You should, uh, probably go check and see if Stolas is okay. I’ve got some…unfinished business to take care of.”

That “unfinished business” just so happened to be a massive fight with a clown robot, now being set on fire. The group scattered, Pixie went with Moxxie and Millie as Moxxie grabbed a thing for Millie and Zorro grabbed Ralsei and immediately spread out his wings and few straight up into the sky, making sure to hold onto Ralsei tightly, as Pixie would probably have his ass if there was a single scratch on her baby.

Ralsei looked up at Zorro. “Should we, uh…you know. Help Blitz?”

“Nah, I think he’s got this, kiddo.” Zorro looked back as the robot seemed to do a “Sonic Spin”-like attack charging right at Blitz as he dodged and the game booth practically exploded. Causing the wolf to have a second thought. “On second thought, maybe we should make sure he doesn’t burn the place down for good with the others inside it.”

Zorro looked around the area and noticed the petting zoo’s Hellven. He grinned and glanced down at Ralsei. “Say, Ralsei. Ever wanted to ride a dragon?”

The goat’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Heck yeah! We're gonna actually ride it?!”

Zorro nodded, the goat cheered as Zorro made a beeline right for the Hellvern and landed right in front of it, the creature responded with a fearful panicked shriek. Ralsei managed to calm it down quickly, though. “It’s okay, boy! We’re on our side!”

Zorro then noticed a large set of reins, made specifically for these creatures. “This is gonna be like the dragon version of Epona from Zelda. Eh, first time for everything.” Zorro grabbed the reins and once he settled properly on the creature, he got on it’s back with Ralsei alongside him and grinned. “Let’s ride.~”

---

Pixie and M&M followed Stolas into one of the rides, an imp had just jumped onto his back. “Um, I THINK I’m supposed to be bodyguarded right now!” The imp covered the prince’s mouth. Pixie then grabbed the imp and stabbed it right in the back.

Millie’s eyes lit up in amazement of how well Pixie was as an assassin. “Great job, Pix!”

Pixie chuckled. “Well, I didn’t grow up in Wrath for nothing. Hell hath no fury like a mama bear with a Wrathian’s bloodlust.~”

Stolas brushed himself off. “That’s better.” He turned to the trio in question. “Where is Blitzy?! He’s my knight in shining armor, not you littler ones.”

Millie slid down beside Pixie as Moxxie followed suit. “He’s, uh…busy.”

“Being a fool.” Moxxie added.

“What kind of fool?”

“The “Everything is now on fire” kind.”

Stolas stared blankly before continuing his pursuit for his daughter. Pixie decided to tag along, wanting to talk to Stolas. “Your highness, wait!”

Pixie managed to catch up with him as he looked for Octavia.

“I already said that Blitzy’s my knight in shining armor. You seem like a lovely woman, but I’m--!”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do, with all due respect, your highness.” Pixie started before Stolas could finish. She continued on as Stolas listened while they both looked for Octavia. “If I may, sire. What exactly made you want to bring your daughter here in the first place?”

Stolas blinked at Pixie and stopped in his tracks. He wasn’t sure how to answer the question, if he was being completely honest. But, Pixie seemed just as concerned for Octavia’s well being as he was. So, without going into too much detail, he decided to answer as best he could without being too honest. “I…suppose it was because of everything that’s been happening at home now. My wife…was enraged about the affair with Blitzy. I figured if I took Octavia to a father/daughter day out and let her mother calm down and maybe collect her thoughts, it would bring some joy to my little owlette. Via always loved Loo Loo Land and was so happy when we brought her here when she was younger.”

“Well, I’m probably the only one who really took notice and got the most concerned out of all of us; but, was she having fun like you were, your highness?”

Stolas thought for a moment. Octavia…didn’t really seem to want to go, but Stoals insisted. Still hoping having a day out and away from the house would make her feel better. “I…well…no. Not…not really.”

Pixie gave Stolas a sad, yet sympathetic smile. “I know you want to make your daughter happy, Prince Stolas. I’m a mother myself and if Ralsei acted the way Princess Octavia did, well, one thing I’d do first and foremost is find and follow him wherever he ran off to hide and be alone. Which is the first step to eventually solving the problem. The second step is just talking about the issue at hand. In this case…well, I’m sure you know already.”

Stolas glanced at the ground. He wasn’t a terrible or a bad father by any means, he loved Octavia ever since she was an egg! He’d do anything for his babygirl! Pixie was pinpointing everything they needed to do to help Via feel better. Pixie took the prince’s hand and smiled warmly. “Come on, let’s keep looking. Then you can talk with her about everything.”

Stolas nodded. They soon found Octavia sitting in one of the rides as she sobbed to herself. Stolas walked over and sat down next to her while they talked it all out. Pixie watched as she smiled at the moment, even though Stolas was struggling to find the words about Octavia’s mother and her relationship with Stolas and his reason to sleep with Blitz, but finally when Octavia asked if he wa going to leave her alone, he promised he’d never leave his daughter behind. Pixie imagined if anything, Blitz would take Octavia in if anything were to happen to Stolas. Stolas then picked up his daughter, carried her out of the ride and began leaving.

“I think it’s time we leave this place. You were right. You are too old for it, after all.”

Pixie smiled as she followed. “You did wonderfully, your highness. A good husband you may not be, but you’re an excellent father.~”

Stolas smiled. “Thank you…what is your name again?”

“Oh, it’s Pixie. Pixie Feathers.”

Stolas then made a sudden realization, he had already heard that name before in previous rants and raves from his wife. “Oh! Right, you’re that imp Stella spoke of, so…poorly.” He gave a nervous smile as he noticed Pixie now cringed upon hearing his wife’s name, mixed with shock and horror of whatever Stella told him about her. His smile changed from nervous to friendly. “Don’t worry, I don’t believe a single word that came out of her mouth about you. If I may, you’re a lovely lady and a very beautiful one at that. And a very wonderful mother to your son.~”

Pixie giggled. “Oh, now you’re going to make Blitzy jealous!”

Stolas chuckled a bit. “I only speak the truth, darling. Besides, I have a feeling you have your heart set on another. And one other thing, no need for formalities, Pixie. If you’d like, it’s just Stolas.”

“Alright, Just Stolas.” The trio laughed at Pixie’s joke. That is until another imp fell from the ceiling with a pocket knife. Pixie was ready to attack, but Stolas turned his head and glared at the imp, turning it to stone. Pixie’s jaw dropped as soon as Stolas left with his daughter. She followed. “Wait, wait a minute! All along, you could protect yourself?! All along?! You didn’t even need us to bodyguard you, after all! Just wait ‘til--!” Pixie stopped as she exited the ride, seeing Ralsei and Zorro riding a Hellvern.

Her maternal instincts kicked in. “RALSEI BAPHOMET FEATHERS! YOU GET OFF OF THAT THING THIS MINUTE!!!”

“Don’t be such a party-pooper, Pix! He’s fine!” Zorro shouted as Ralsei shouted excitedly as the Hellvern chased down Robo-Fizz, grabbing him and throwing him in the air as Zorro yelled out a “wah-hoo” as the Hellvern swallowed Robo-Fizz whole.

“Hey, Zorro! Got a new ride, did ya?! Does that mean I can have that fire pony of yours now?!”

“You’ll get Epona in your wet dreams, Blitz!”

Ralsei’s eyes were now sparkling like stars. “Mama! Can we keep him?!? Huh, can we?!?”

Pixie sighed and she rubbed her forehead.

---

The group all left Loo Loo Land as it was set ablaze and Mammon would more than likely find heads to roll for the destruction. Ralsei had already forgotten to ask Pixie about his father, seeing as he fell asleep on the ride home. Pixie managed to get him a dragon she snatched up from the gift shop during the chaos and Zorro had given her a zombie-bunny plush for Ralsei as well when he snatched it up from one of the game booths. Pixie thanked Zorro for the plush as she was dropped off home. Zorro used a device known as a “teleportation orb”, given to him by the 9th universe’s destroyer god, Sidra, and teleported back home.

Upon entering the house, he noticed Lavender and his two daughters, Lilac and Marigold, setting the table for dinner. “Hey, I’m home.”

“Zorro’s home!” A white she wolf with brown spots and dark brown hair ran up to her brother and hugged him. “I missed you so much! How was work?!”

Zorro chuckled. “It was alright, Aya.”

“Welcome home, kiddo!” Lavender spoke, setting the last plate on the table. “Bergamo’s picking up a pizza for tonight, so don’t worry about helping your mom and Parsley cooking.”

Zorro smiled. “Sweet!” Clearly he needed pizza after a day like today. He walked over to the living room and noticed Basil on the couch, cradling his baby sister, Yuki, and bottle feeding her.

Basil smiled as Zorro sat down beside him. “Hey kid, feeling better? I know you didn’t get much sleep last night from the chaos of your sister crying and Marigold ranting and raving on the phone about one of her ex-boyfriends and everything.”

“Much. I just needed some help from work to get my mind off of everything.” Zorro stated as he took notice of Yuki finishing her bottle, after being burped, she was handed to Zorro as he cradled and nuzzled his sister. “And how you doin’, snow pup?~ We doin’ good now? We doin’ good now, sweetie?~” Yuki giggled, Zorro took that as a yes and sighed. “I’m so glad I’m home now. I can’t stand to be away from you guys, even for a day.”

As if on cue, Bergamo entered the house with boxes of pizzas. “Hey, sorry I’m late, everyone! Traffic was murder. Now then, let’s not keep our stomachs waiting and eat up fast.”

Everyone agreed and headed towards the table, grabbing a plate. Zorro placed Yuki in a highchair and before grabbing a plate of his own, hugged Bergamo, tail wagging and all. Bergamo chuckled a bit, petting Zorro’s head. “Well, someone’s so affectionate all of a sudden? What’s up, kiddo?”

Zorro smiled up at his father. “Nothing. Just…thanks for adopting me and Aya when we needed a good father in our lives.”

Bergamo smiled and hugged Zorro back. “Ah, anything for you two. Couldn’t let you grow up with a bad life or live out as orphans forever. I love you, son.”

Zorro smiled back. “I love you too. Dad.”

With the sweet father/son moment come and gone, Zorro and Bergamo grabbed their plates and slices of pizza and joined their family for dinner. This was definitely something Zorro needed pizza and a relaxing night after the day he had.