Somewhere in the Pride Ring, the streets were in a buzz as per usual. Namely, the stink of hopelessness in the air mixed with gunpowder and drugs, a very atypical day in the top ring of Hell. For the three-eyed crow, it largely ignored all these happenings as it flew across the buildings. "Spare change? Spare change anyone?" A hairy demon in a trench coat was lying on the sidewalk holding an empty broken coffee cup. It was a depressing sight, even more depressing was that it was more often than anybody in that demon's position would care to admit to anyone. In Hell, do be down on one's luck, also meant they were easy pickings for the type who thrive on antagonizing the poorer demons, such as the sleazy eel-like demon in a purple suit on his phone.
"Heh, yeah, she was practically begging for it, my man. And-hang on, man. Just one minute." Seeing the poor homeless demon was something he just couldn't ignore. He just had to take out some pepper spray and aim it right in his eyes, making him fall back and covering his eyes. "Haha! Ah. Sorry, I was too busy laughing at the misfortune of the unfortunate. Anyway, I'll call you back. Got important business. I'm, uh, buying a gift for my girlfriend. Do me a solid and tell her I'll be home late." He pulled out a huge wad of cash.
But, not for a gift.
He saved it all for the group of female imps, Succubi, and random looking Sinners that were doing their usual work on the block. "Heads up, ladies. We got a live one." The Medusa-looking woman told her co-workers.
"Ladies." The eel demon noticed one of them having more rougher facial features. "And uh, however you self-identify as. Have I got something special for you, and I'm not just talking about the cash." He laughed at his own joke. "Now, I got plenty for maybe I wanna say, two or three you, but-hey!" The three-eyed crow zoomed past his hands, making him drop the money. The crow flapped its wings and a gust of wind made all that cash take off into the sky. All the eel demon could do was fruitlessly try to get it all back. "Fuck! That was all I could make this week!"
The crow continued flying, rising upwards a skyscraper before stopping at the very top.
Its three eyes glowed red as the empty air in front of it swirled into a vortex made out of purple lightning and entered through a plane of ethereal purple energy. Multiple ghostly faces groaned. The crow reached the end of the vortex, it was a room that had no electric light in it whatsoever, purple stained glass detailing a hooded horned demon wielding a scythe was on the ceiling.
Surrounding the room were candles lit by purple fire on candles. Tables had silver skulls and tomes that were turned to pages of ancient runes and curtains had occult symbols hanging from the walls. The crow set itself in front of three empty and opened black pods. Through the stained windows, wraiths phased in and approached the crow who pointed its wing into the pods. Understanding, the wraiths entered the pods which closed, trapping them inside. The pods were engraved by markings that glowed purple upon closing. This caused the same effect on the floor which was similarly engraved by markings. The crow stood patiently for this special process to finish and after merely a few seconds, the glowing ceased.
The pods automatically opened, releasing a large mist that filled the area.
Several pairs of glowing eyes appeared inside the steam where the pods were and the crow met their gaze.
It cawed only once.
"...Understood." A low hissing voice said in the mist. "By the will of our mistress, the boy shall be protected."
Lincoln was not an athlete.
He accepted a long time ago during his ill conceived stint in pee wee football.
Despite Rita's encouragement, this was what he decided on. After all, Lynn was the sports star in the Loud Family. She was the one who always won all the hockey, baseball, basketball, and soccer trophies. Lincoln never thought of himself as anything less just because while he was the only son in the house, he had no affinity for sports whatsoever save for some bike riding and dodge ball practice. But, there always came a time when one had to realize that having a strong body was necessary. In the case of a boy cursed to spend time in Hell, it was a necessity.
He hated it.
Lord, did he hate it.
But, he wanted to survive in Hell.
"I...really...hate this...!" Lincoln lost count on how many hours in the morning he spent doing this. It'd be a shock if it were still morning, he had to be nearing afternoon at this rate. He stopped his running to catch his breath, wiping away sweat on his face. The simple act of jogging would explain his exhaustion. Except he wasn't running on the ground, but from the high buildings of Imp City.
"Lincoln!" Millie's southern voice sang from the edge. She was dressed in a black hoodie and gym shorts. "You're almost there, honey!"
"Millie...don't you think...we should...stop...?"
His training in Hell elevated from weapons to gaining skills in agility. The best way to perfect that was some good old fashioned parkour. All his limbs felt like falling off and he might just faint any minute.
Yet, he didn't.
That told Millie that if pushed, Lincoln could handle any pain.
"Come on, we're not that far from the apartment!" Millie knew not to pressure Lincoln in his training, but she has taken her role as overseeing Lincoln being in tip top shape for combat very seriously. Each lesson he learns means he has a better chance of surviving whether on Earth or Hell. "You're a small feller like me and your pa, that means you gotta learn how to move fast when fighting fuckers, that's how we do business and it's high time you learned it, too! Now, follow your ma, hun!"
The combat specialist climbed down a building until jumping through an open window.
Sighing, Lincoln begrudgingly complied.
The white haired boy slid down a pipe to go through the same window. "Whoa..." He saw that inside was a long staircase that had a very deep path below. One wrong move and he'd be taking a long trip to somewhere even deeper than Hell, and give the janitor here a big mess. "Really starting to miss the stairs at my house." He sighed in resignation before hopping on top of the stair railings to jump upwards to grab onto the rails in the way above him. Struggling, Lincoln climbed over and leapt out the open window to the fire escape.
Lincoln climbed up the ladder until he made it to the roof.
Millie's hand abruptly grabbed onto his wrist and pulled him up. "Okay, hon! That got your heart bumping!"
"That and my arms ache..." Lincoln weakly replied.
"Good! That means the parkour's working! Like yer pappy Joe used to say, 'if it ain't painful, then it ain't workin' right!'" Millie then got in a fighting stance. "Now it's time to put all that exercise into a nice little spar!"
Lincoln gulped at that. Fist fighting was still something he wasn't comfortable with, especially since his sparring partner was Millie, he knew full well that she'd never intentionally hurt him, but this was still Millie. He's seen her dismember various people with her bare hands and didn't wish to risk unintentionally incurring her wrath, much as he loves her like a son loves his mother, he's nervous when she gets too ultra violent. "Are-Are you sure?"
"Come on, sweet-pea! I'm sure you'll do fine! Now, try and block this!" Millie's fist shot forward like a small red comet that Lincoln blocked and parried away. A good first start, but this was only the beginning. Millie's right leg launched for an upward kick that only ended up being another hit that Lincoln successfully blocked. In Lincoln's opinion, the best offense was a good defense. But defense could only get him so far when dealing with Millie who flipped over her boy to land behind him and swipe her tail under his feet, making him trip and fall. "Don't just watch the arms and feet, gotta keep track of the tail!"
Lincoln turned over and returned the favor by tripping Millie up in kind. "You were saying?" The boy couldn't help but remark
After leaping up, Lincoln prepared to block more of Millie's strikes. But, the imp was instead doing he defense stances, as if daring Lincoln to go on the offensive for one.
He knew she was baiting him, but if he was going to get the hang of hand-to-hand combat, then he needed to get out of his comfort zones sooner or later. Preferably sooner, if he wants to continue breathing. Getting up, Lincoln put some distance between while she too arose and in a flash, Millie threw something at Lincoln. He caught what was a training combat knife. Millie charged armed with her own training knife, Lincoln was able to dodge for a while before swinging his own at her. "Remember, jab with extreme prejudice! Like, I do if some hoe was flirtin' with Moxxie. Or just for some shits and giggles."
"How often do people flirt with Moxxie?"
"Not so often when I'm done with 'em." Millie responded, grinning maliciously.
Lincoln's question turned out to be a brilliant distraction once Lincoln managed to grab hold of her arm then pulled her forward near his shoulder. He summoned a lot of inner strength to completely throw her over to the other side. Panting, Lincoln panicked when he saw that she wasn't getting back on her little feet. "Oh, my god! Millie, I'm so sorry!" He ran to her. "I didn't mean to-"
Millie cut him off, ambushing him with a jovial bear hug. "That was fucking A, sweetie! No one's been able to flip me over and still be walkin' other than yer aunt Sallie May!"
"Uh, thanks." Lincoln had to admit, he seemed to be much stronger than he anticipated. Granted, Millie's small size made her easy to carry, but to him, she actually felt lighter than that.
"One critique, though."
"What's tha-"
"Dodge!"
Lincoln didn't react to Millie's tail lashing him behind the head. "Gotta work on your dodging." Millie chided.
Her boy rubbed the spot she hit. "You know, yelling out 'dodge' is more distracting than helping." Lincoln pointed out in annoyance.
"No sass, young man! Now, let's hustle it! Yer pa's waitin' for us!" Millie jumped onto and slid on a clothesline.
Sighing, Lincoln followed after her. "Next time, it's practicing aiming skills for a while. Less hassle."
When Moxxie's not anywhere near Millie like he most often is, he's at their apartment complex, doing what a hellborn of the fiery pits that was Hell that kills humans for a living such as himself normally does. Baking snacks for his wife and son in all but blood. He figured Lincoln would be beyond exhausted from the rigorous training from Millie, so preparing a good pick-him up seemed like the most fatherly thing to do. The little bow-tie wearing imp whistled a happy tune as he waited for the oven to finish heating up the cakes, bread, and other assorted food inside.
A loud knocking on his door interrupted the moment of levity.
He expected to see Millie and Lincoln, but instead, it was a very out of shape imp male dressed in a sweat stained tank top and black pants. He had some stitching scars all over the body. "Moxxie! I'm here for the fucking rent, you late-ass limp-dick fuck up!"
Rather than be nervous, Moxxie face-palmed. "Roy, I already told you, enough with the whole fake landlord scam. Literally every tenant in this building is wise to you, so for fuck's sake, give it a rest. And maybe use a more convincing costume next time."
The portly imp grabbed the top half of his face and ripped it off, revealing a younger looking imp about Moxxie's age with glasses and beard. "Hey, I have you know, this is an actual suit made out of actual skin, ya fuck-nut. Found in the trash around the corner of Auntie Hoe's brothel. Amazing what some rando would throw out and it looks just like the landlord, too."
Moxxie sighed. "Please, just leave."
"Oh-ho-ho, look who finally found their balls." Roy crossed his arms. "What happened to the little pussy who always pissed himself whenever I showed up like this?"
"If you must know, he's learned how to stick up for himself and not take shit from anybody." Moxxie boldly stomps his foot down on the floor, making the neighbor downstairs yell through the thin floor.
"Shut the fuck up, you lousy fuck!" Moxxie flinched at the old lady's voice. "You and that bitch of yours were noisy enough last night!"
"Er, my apologies!" Moxxie meekly apologized and cleared his throat. "Now, I believe you were on your way out. My wife will be here shortly along with a special guest."
"Is it that freaky boss you always bitch about?" Roy asked. "Did you finally cave in and agree to a three-way?"
"What? No! We-"
The neighbor downstairs heard that. "Well, shit. I'm gonna have to get my damn earplugs if you're gonna have a three-way up there."
"No one's having a three-way!" Moxxie shouted and took a deep breath. "Just leave my apartment, Roy!"
"Hey, I'm not even inside your shitty apartment, I'm only at the doorway."
"Then kindly remove yourself from my fucking doorway!" Moxxie screeched, half-tempted to reach for his hidden firearm.
"Okay, okay, Jeez. I'll go and dumpster dive for more suits made out of dead imp skin." Roy finally left the premises.
Moxxie sighed in relief that that little episode was finally over. Although, the intensity of the argument may end up having some very dire ramifications on the elderly neighbor downstairs. "Er, I hope you're fine, Mrs. Ravits. I know how loud noises are a bad thing for your blood pressure, so I hope you remember to get your pills." No words of reassurance were said in response. "Mrs. Ravits? Hello?" Still no response. "I'll, uh, I'll take your silence as confirmation."
Outside his window, Lincoln fell down yelling and grabbed the sill to halt his fall. "Moxxie!" He called while tapping on the glass.
"Oh, crumbs!" Moxxie quickly opened the window and helped Lincoln inside. "Are you alright?!"
"Fine, I just thought your apartment would be next to a fire escape." Lincoln panted, relieved that the parkour training was over.
Millie then jumped through, somersaulting to the ground, landing perfectly on her feet. "Whoo! Nothing like jumping across big-ass buildings to get the sweet, sweet blood boiling hard! Hiya, Mox-Mox~!" She planted a quick peck on his cheek. "Ooh, I smell something cookin'! Got something in the oven, hon?"
"I do indeed, my dear!" Moxxie put on some mittens to open up the smoking stove and showed them his special cakes. They were made to resemble a person dying in multiple horrifying ways. "I made them in the likeness of some of the targets we were hired to kill and to show my appreciation of your prowess," Moxxie wiggled his eyebrows in a flirtatious manner making Millie blush. "I made them all in their likeness, only for you, my love!"
"Oh, Moxxie~! You little romantic!" Millie gushed. "You even included red seasoning as the blood! No offense to ma, but yer not so bad behind the girl yerself ,baby!" She took a handful of the goodies.
Moxxie put some on a plate and offered them to Lincoln. "Go on. Try."
Lincoln smiled nervously at the very off-putting food, but he couldn't very well disappoint that hopeful expression on Moxxie's face. He cautiously takes one that appears to look like a guy getting decapitated and bites a very small bite. It didn't take long for him to enjoy the taste and took a few more, such horrifying likenesses, yet so undeniably delicious. "This isn't half bad, reminds me of the muffins my dad back home made...only with less death themes." He took a gander at both M and M's apartment. "You know, l always wondered what your home was like and it's not half bad."
"Isn't it? I just wish it were big enough for three." Millie pouted. "Then, we'd be living together like a family should and it'd feel like a real home!"
"Now, Millie. As much as I wouldn't mind such an arrangement, you know we can't risk it. You know how nosy some of our neighbors can be." Moxxie told his disappointed wife. "Just before you came here, Roy was at the door."
Millie rolled her eyes. "Is he still tryin' ta scam everyone out of their rent money?"
"In a suit made of dead skin no less. Honestly, it's always something with him."
Lincoln froze a bit from that information. "…..You know what? I think I'm good in the office. Besides, this place looks fine as it is."
"But, it could be better!" Millie wasn't letting up. "Just look around and Ah guarantee that you'd like it better than the office!"
Lincoln saw the couch and pointed out something. "I guess the office doesn't have something like that. I have to ask, why do you have police handcuffs and why are they fuzzy?"
The imps stopped chewing and their eyes slowly darted to the handcuffs colored pink and full of fuzz that was just lying there. "That! Uh, that is-" Moxxie sweated, unable to think of anything to say.
"Nothing!" Millie grabbed them and hid them behind her. "Yer…..pa used to dream about being a police officer!"
"Did one of his dreams also include playing ping pong?" Lincoln pointed over to a counter that had a spiked paddle.
"Uh…" The assassins looked at each other, trying to find a way to both provide a convincing lie and keep their boy's innocence intact. "Hey, why don't you go and see mommy and daddy's bedroom! There's nothing strange over there! And do some push ups!" Millie pushed him along and out of earshot. "Moxxie! You said you put everything away!"
"I-I thought I did!" Moxxie could not believe he made such a blunder. "I told you it was risky moving things to the living room! The bedroom exists for a reason!"
"Hey, now! Take that tone again and it's the couch for you, mister! And I'll have you tied to it, too!" Millie shot back.
"Oh, you of all people know damn well that I wouldn't mind!"
In their mentioned bedroom, Lincoln did as Millie requested.
"10….ow…..11…..ow…..12…..ow…..13…..ow…..14…ow…" Doing push ups when he was just doing parkour strained his body even more. It was even worse than that health kick he got his human parents to do and in turn, made him and the sisters do the same. One of many examples of his plans backfiring on him. He stopped the push ups when his phone went off in his pocket. He saw what message he got and gasped. "Holy crumbs!" Lincoln ran straight to the imps. "Guys, guess what just happened!"
"It's perfectly okay for grown ups to have that sort of thing in their drawers!" Millie hastily shouted.
"I can't help it if I like it when Millie's the man!" Moxxie added.
"…What?"
Moxxie sighed. He knew that this would happen eventually, he just wished he'd make preparations. He held one of the boy's shoulders to grab his focus. "Lincoln. There comes a time when a man loves a woman so much, he doesn't mind wanting to be…uh, let's call it adventurous and he can't help it if it incurs a good feeling. If anything, it's a further testament of his capacity for love for his wife. And is it so wrong to have love for a dominating woman? Or even a man?"
"Moxxie-"
"It took me a long time to figure that out, and I sure as Heaven couldn't depend on anyone to explain it to me." Moxxie turned a little too bitter at that.
"Moxxie!" Lincoln stopped the whole rant with a shout. "I got a text from Octavia that she and her dad have important info about that pendant I found."
"…..Oh. I see." A very long and very awkward silence ensued.
The only thing making a sound was a car crash outside followed by angry yelling.
"Perhaps, we should head over the office." Moxxie suggested.
"I'll call us a cab." Millie suggested.
"Oh, don't worry. I got it." Lincoln used a chalk to draw a circle on their floor which opened up a portal to the interior of the IMP office. The three jumped through and ended up landing on the top of the meeting table.
Loona was sitting at her desk, reading one of her magazines. "Hey, guys." she lazily greeted him.
"Hey, Loona? Is Blitz in?" Lincoln asked.
The hellhound pointed to the boss's office.
Moxxie knocked on his door. "Sir! It's Moxxie!"
"Satan's ass! What is it, Mox?! I thought you and Mills had the day off to train the kid?" Blitz shouted.
"We were, but, sir! It's time!"
"….It is?"
"Yes!"
"Moxxie, I swear to Satan, you better not be bullshitting me right now!"
"I bullshit you not, sir!"
Unexpectedly, Blitzo screamed out as if he were over the moon. "Fucking finally! You and Millie get in here!"
"Yes, si-what?"
"You heard me, I already have everything ready!"
Frowning in confusion, Moxxie opened the door and stopped dead in his tracks once he saw Blitzo sitting upon his desk, one leg crossed and holding a glass of wine. Smooth saxophone music was playing and he smirked expectantly at Moxxie. "Well~."
"Um, it's time to go see the Goetias, sir. It's about what was last discussed." Moxxie pointed out the door.
The music instantly stopped and Blitzo glared at his employee. "I'll go start up the van." He angrily throws the wine glass, shattering it on the floor. He stomped out his office and Lincoln waved to his boss.
"Your parents are fucking teases!" Blitzo exclaimed. "Now get all your asses to the van!"
Lincoln was stunned. "Good morning to you too, Blitz."
Certain demons have a certain way of traveling that's unique to them, it shows the kind of individuals that they are and what they're all about. For the revered Goetia family, a carriage pulled by demonic horses tamed by the imp butler of Stolas. Inside the carriage, the prince himself and his daughter rode comfortably, though the former was concerned that the latter chose to accompany him. "Now, are you certain that you wouldn't feel better back at the palace, Via?" Stolas asked his precious offspring. "This isn't exactly a standard day out or anything fun for you."
"It's fine, dad. Not like there's anything interesting to do at home. Besides, I'll have to go to mom's this weekend, so might as well make things fun while they last." Octavia didn't realize her spending more time with him than Stella made Stolas' heart skip a beat. "And there was no way I was missing this. I mean, it involves Lincoln, right?"
"Well, yes. In that it pertains to the little adventure you and the boy had in the mortal world. He did personally request that I look into it." Stolas held that very same pendant in his right hand. It was understandable to assume that it wasn't anything special given that it was found on Earth. Upon a period of close inspection however, the demon royal found something interesting about it and decided to show his pupil given that Lincoln found it in the first place. "I must ask once more, these apparitions you, he, and Blitz's daughter encountered. They just went away?"
Octavia rubbed her arms.
That was a rather harrowing experience for a day that was supposed to be about watching a once in a lifetime meteor shower.
"Only after Lincoln showed off some of his stuff. They pussed out of there right away." A contemplating finger came to a non-existent chin. "It was almost like they knew who he was."
"Hmm, curious. Very curious." Stolas mused.
"Dad, will Lincoln be okay?" Octavia asked out of concern of how this could affect her best friend.
Stolas smiled and comfortingly soothed his little star-fire's shoulder. "Have no fear, princess. Whatever may happen, everything will be okay." Octavia smiled brightly at those familiar reassuring words which were a little undercut by his next ones. "...Unless of course something goes awry. In which case, you get your tuckus back to the palace post haste, young lady."
"Dad!" Octavia pulled down her beanie.
"What? What did I say?"
God, he could be so embarrassing.
But, she still loves him for it.
"At least keep yourself in control."
Stolas quirked an eyebrow. "And what do you mean by that?"
Octavia scoffed. "Do I even have to say it? I'm talking about how you always get in a constant state of being thirsty when you're around his prick boss." Stolas blushed and cleared his throat.
"E-Er, that is-I don't-"
The stuttering mess of a Goetia was stopped after the father and daughter heard a shout from outside. "Hey, you uppity royal assholes!" On a sidewalk, a common demon imp was ranting at the carriage while taking a swig of a large booze bottle. "Y-*hic*-You think you're all some hot shit just because you got some fancy fucking carriage ride while regular shitheads like me only have a piss-poor taxi service! B-But, I'd take that than be some prissy head up my ass royal fuck-wad like you! Go on! Go back to your big-ass manor or whatever shitty place you got! W-We don't need your rich-people stink fucking up the place! Now go on! Get!"
Stolas stared deadpanned at the imp's rantings while Octavia tilted her head in curiosity. "Is that guy alright?" She asked her father.
"Just ignore him, sweetheart." Stolas waved off, not wanting her to be too engrossed.
For all his faults in parenting, Paimon made sure to teach his son how to ignore the ire of those who were envious of royalty. That is, until the imp crossed a very dangerous line that Stolas could not ignore. "And take your little crotch spawn with you!" Turning his head a complete 180 degrees, Stolas stared directly at the imp, his four eyes glowing red to irreversibly turn him to stone.
Stolas' imp butler shook like a leaf and his blood ran cold when Stolas amicably spoke to him.
"Driver~. I do believe we should be on our merry way~."
"O-Of course, your highness."
The butler was beginning to understand why his predecessor retired once Paimon left everything to Stolas.
A loud honking however stopped the carriage ride, it was a signal sent by Blitzo as he and the rest of his employees/surrogate family onboard the IMP company van, nearly hitting a few jaywalkers who angrily gave him the bird, halting right next to the carriage. "You!" Blitzo pointed at the butler, glaring intimidatingly. "Get your ass off that carriage...and let me take your place!" He practically begged, cooing at the horses.
"Blitzy-I mean, Blitz!" Stolas tried in vain to not appear smitten in the presence of Blitzo. "How odd to see you so soon. I was honestly hoping to give you and your compatriots a means of transport for once."
Having finally noticed Stolas, Blitzo glared, annoyed. "Well, shit. Next time, maybe just call ahead. You got any fucking idea how much gas I wasted heading for your pad?"
Stolas lightly glowered. A little more hostile than what he was expecting, but then again, Blitzo's always been the fickle imp. "Maybe if you returned my texts and calls, we could've been more clearer."
"Excuse me for getting tired of breaking all my phones every time you get all dirty talk whenever I give you a call. Call someone from Lust, 'cause I ain't cheap phone sex bitch!" Blitzo huffed and to be fair, he made a decent point.
Unlike the grown-ups, the kids of this unusual troupe were much more friendly in their greetings.
"Lincoln! Loona!" Octavia happily hugged Lincoln who eagerly returned it.
Loona watched this exchange with a genuine smile and then her arm was grabbed by both of them, getting brought in the hug. "Heh! Uh...yeah..." She awkwardly patted their backs. Group hugs weren't really her kind of thing, but nevertheless, this actually felt pretty nice.
Blitzo being Blitzo, ruined the happy moment in Hell. "Alright, alright. Let's get down to business before this turns into a hug fest that excludes me. Stolas, you got anything for us about that tacky necklace the kid found."
"Sir, the correct term is pendant."
"Yeah, no one really gives a fuck, Moxxie. Still pissed at ya for getting my hopes up, by the way."
"Actually, he's quite correct, Blitz." Stolas went into a very informative spiel about the differences between the two. "See, a necklace is the actual chain around the neck, while a pendant hangs from the chain. It's actually quite common to mistake one for the other."
Moxxie nodded. "Yes. Like, for instance, a ficus from a rhododendron."
"Precisely!" Stolas nodded eagerly. "A very astute comparison, for an imp."
"Why thank you, your highness-"
Blitzo had enough of the meaningless prattle. "Just tell what's the big deal about the goddamn thing! Fuck, I like you both better when you're just standing like hot pieces of ass and nothing else!"
"Alright, alright." Stolas handed the mysterious pendant to Lincoln. "Let's begin with what we already know about this peculiar little trinket. Dear boy, you, my daughter, and the Hellhound girl came across it in the human world. However, there are clear magical elements involved. Those wraiths, the complex that housed the pendant. It all just screams something occult in nature. Through research and theories, I can safely say that what we have is something that had belonged to a Sinner?"
"A sinner?" Lincoln looked at the pendant in wonder. "But, I thought Hellborn were the only demons allowed on Earth?"
"That they are. Of course, it takes very exceptional demons to make contracts to mortals that have yet to be departed. These are the demons who are ranked below Goetias like me and Via, yet still powerful in their own right. The Overlords." The mere mention of them sent a shiver down Lincoln's spine. He's done his own research on the demons that roam Hell and Overlords were among Hell's toughest customers. "Throughout Hell's history, the Overlords have held positions of power mostly here in the Pride Ring. Media, resources, and the like. Lucifer may reign here, but since it houses Sinners that keep getting damned to Hell, a majority of them have taken it upon themselves to oversee their own seats of power. Since most of them are Sinners, it stands to reason that in life, one must have committed their lives to the occult lifestyle. That's always a surefire guarantee you're going to Hell."
"Bit late for that! Right, Linc?" Blitzo remarked, getting a slap behind the head from Loona. "What?"
Lincoln looked at the pendant. The chain looked like crow feathers and it was colored purple and there was a skull stone at the center of the same color surrounded by rune symbols. Something about it...resonated with Lincoln. It's as if there's this unknown connection to it that compelled Lincoln to find out more about it, yet, that also made him nervous.
What if he doesn't like what he wants?
And what if pursuing this need, this want for answers only brought trouble?
It wouldn't be the first time.
"So, if this belonged to an Overlord who used to be human, then could that Overlord still be somewhere in Pride?" Lincoln asked his teacher.
Stolas had pondered a similar thought. "It's possible, though I regret to say that the odds are very slim. Most Overlords tend to keep to themselves and I've only met a handful of them. Not only that, but who they are, or rather, were, it's also likely they were...deposed many years prior. Either they were a casualty of an extermination, or fell at the hands of...others." Stolas imagined the shadowy form of a red-eyed male figure holding a cane and his sharp yellow teeth shown in a twisted smile. Out of all the damned souls, none have left a mark like him. "In the end, just asking one of the still living Overlords is itself a risky move."
"But, dad. You're a Goetia. Overlords haven't got shit on you." Octavia pointed out.
"Language, young lady." Stolas chided, but conceded. "Although, you are right, it's just that it'd be a risky move. Even Overlords who appear to respect the hierarchy are only loyal to their own superiority and I wouldn't be surprised if they'd try to uncover why me, a member of the royal Goetias, would go to them for information. I realize this may sound paranoid, but I'd rather they don't end up discovering about you, dear boy."
"Would it really be that bad?" Lincoln asked nervously.
"Considering how most Overlords go about their business, yes, I'd say it would be very unfavorable." Stolas said without missing a beat.
"Right. So, that's a veto on the Overlord idea." Loona hovered over Lincoln protectively after hearing about the prospect of Overlords targeting him. "Any other bright ideas?"
"Thankfully, I managed to find one possible solution!" Stolas snapped his fingers, which was a silent order for his butler to hop off the carriage and present the prince a special rolled up piece of paper. "Via, dear boy, it's time to show the fruits of your mystical studies. Simply read the incantation and we'll be on our merry way!"
Lincoln was the one to receive the scroll and unroll it. Octavia leaned down a little to get a better view of the runic symbols written on it and the two young practitioners of devil magic's eyes glowed at the same time. The runes shined brightly before a magic circle appeared underneath everyone present, sans the imp butler. They were enveloped in a red light before they blinked away in a teleportation spell.
The imp butler just stood there, the hell horses neighing and kicking the ground.
"So...do I just take these back to the palace, or...? Yeah, I'm just gonna take them back to the palace."
I.M.P and the Goetia royals found themselves inside a flurry of multiple colored lights, traveling at increased speeds that kept on changing. "Behold, and let your eyes take in the wonder of magic subspace highways!" Stolas spread his arms wide. He and the rest were standing on a white colored platform that kept them from floating away along with all the red colored glowing orbs that were all over the place. "Quite amazing, is it not?"
"You couldn't have just portaled us to this special place?" Blitzo wasn't so easily dazzled.
"Oh, come now, Blitzy-uh, Blitz! You cannot tell me none of this is dazzling to your impish little eyes. Why, look at the children beaming in wonder! Doesn't that warm your heart?"
"...Stop being so fucking wholesome. It's creepy."
Lincoln pointed at the wondrous void, looking up at a smiling Octavia.
Their Hellhound friend smiled and got a little idea. "You know, I can't imagine anyone else that can say they took a selfie in a magic vortex of pure kickassery." She waved her phone in her hand. "Shall we?" Both gasp and nodded eagerly. All three of them huddled together, Loona picked Lincoln up and placed him on her shoulders and wrapped an arm around Octavia. "Say 'eat shit'!"
"Eat shit!"
It was a surprise for Lincoln to actually say it with them as well.
He's getting good at the potty talk.
"Lincoln, come take one with yer mama and papa!" Millie jumped to Loona's back to take Lincoln for her own group photo.
Everyone back in Wrath will not believe their eyes.
Another flash of light engulfed them and they finally arrived at their intended destination. Stolas continued acting like a very glorious tour guide, thoroughly enjoying his host role for the group. "Behold, everyone! I present to you The Emporium of the Occult! Ever since I was but a young owl, my father had the servants bring me here to observe the many magical items that one can research. It has tomes that can describe to us the characteristics of anything we're curious about! I promise, it shall be an enchanting-" Turning around, his four red eyes bugged out. What he was expecting was an area full of every piece of magical texts that can help his pupil and give him to show off his expert knowledge. Instead, what he saw was the entrance to an arena-like building that had two happy and sad opera masks and a musical note in neon light colors.
"Think we may have overshot there a little bit." Blitzo remarked.
"What the fuck is this?!" Stolas exclaimed. "I'm sure that scroll was meant for this precise location!" He spotted some buff imp security guards standing over at the entrance. "You two! Roided out imps! Is this or is this not the emporium of the occult and mystical artifacts?"
"It used to be, your highness." The right guard answered. "But, that place was moved to a different district ever since two exterminations ago and a new manager set up his own operation here. See, it's-"
"Hold your asses right there!" A loud voice boomed out. Green spotlights were turned on and were directed upwards above the arena. Floating staircases were summoned and stepped down was a flashy looking demon fellow. He wore a velvet colored dress suit and a green colored buttoned shirt. Over his shoulders was a pink scarf, had green skin and a darker green mustache with two ends pointed like musical notes. "If anyone is gonna give the rundown of this establishment, it better damn well be me, ya motherfuckers~!" He sang out.
Waving his hand, instruments that had no masters played by themselves.
Jazzy music mixed in with some classical tunes were filling any ears listening.
The owner stepped down while doing high kicks and tap dancing moves.
"Oh, what fresh fuckery is this?" Blitzo did not sign up for this.
Soon, the demon jumped off the stairs and landed down doing a split before standing upright once more. "Meister Wiffo's personal hall of music and arts! That's the name of the pad! I bring tunes, theater, and drama, the best you've ever had! Why Mozart ain't got shit on me, and Beethoven? Meh, good enough, but still bad!" Raising his silver cane that had a red crystal on the top, he made the doors open. It was like an entire area dedicated to anything relating to music and performing on stage, the kind of thing that got Moxxie's undivided attention.
Stolas, though, had a valid complaint to make. "Excuse me, but I must talk-"
Meister Wiffo ignored him and played on a summoned piano. "Now if you wanna take a chance and earn your music stripes, then you'd best be very sure! 'Cause, most demon folk around here, they've been at it longer, makes even the best names sound like manure!" Demon visitors roamed the place practicing on instruments and acting out their own ideas on the stages. "Shakespeare can kiss my ass! My own shows got way more class! Master of ceremonies ain't just a job, to me, it's a way of life! Even when I'm dead, it's better than when I was alive!"
"That's kinda dark." Lincoln commented.
"Meh." Blitzo made a so and so gesture.
"Yes sir, there's no livelier place except for Meister Wiffo's personal hall of music aaaaaaaaaaand-"
"Pardon me!"
Stolas abrupt yell ceased all music and halted Meister Wiffo's wild introduction. "I'm sorry, but is there mayhaps a problem, good sir?" He asked in a persnickety tone.
"I should say there is!" Stolas huffed and stuck his nose up to tell the show-busy demon whom he was addressing. "I am Prince Stolas of the esteemed Ars Goetia family and you should take care of your tone."
Mieister Wiffo's sunglasses rose up the same as his eyebrows. "Oh, well dear me! Deepest apologies, your majesty! I'm afraid I wasn't aware we'd be honored by a visit from royalty!"
Stolas crossed his arms. "If you must know, we came expecting to see a place stacked full of magical artifacts! Now, why in hell was I not previously informed of the change in management?"
"Well, I like to assume your fellow Goetias had told you. In honor of your father, king Paimon, they bought this out following the fall of it's previous state and placed me in charge after reviewing my very successful performances in Overlord territory if I do say so myself. After all, it is only natural that kings and queens recognize true genius!" He proclaimed unnecessarily loud. "I assume you feel the same! Whom am I kidding? Of course you do! Hohohohohoho~!"
"Oh, god..." Blitzo groaned, he hasn't even spoken to the guy and he's already had enough of the minstrel. "Mox, this could've been a day of hot threesome action, but instead, we got this bullshit to deal with! All because you had more important business! And Kid, since this is mostly because of your own personal shit, that's pay deduction from you, bud."
Lincoln's right eye twitched. "Blitz. Unpaid intern. Those were your words. Unpaid!"
Octavia scoffed bitterly. "He probably would've been cheap."
"I know, but it's just really starting to get annoying."
"Was it ever not annoying?" Loona deadpanned.
"At least tell me what became of the assortment of tomes! The ones that are very important for solving dilemmas of the magical kind! The very fucking reason why we came here!" Stolas stressed.
His exceptional hosting was all for naught.
Such a tragedy.
"Those? Hm." Wiffo hummed. When he set up shop, he let his subordinates handle moving the old items. Frankly, he didn't really care to oversee that, all he cared for was establishing his mark in Hell. "I'm afraid that wasn't my primary concern at the moment. I usually let my assistant handle such laboring tasks." He rings a bell. "Oh, Mandrine, dear!"
"Coming, mister Wiffo!" A long haired female imp about Millie's age and Blitzo's height ran, holding a clipboard and blue skirt dress. She made her way while bumping into others. "Sorry! Excuse me!" She stepped on something sharp and pointy. "Ow! Fuck!" She bumped into a row of stage outfits, knocking them down onto a stagehand. "Shit! I am so sorry!"
"Mandrine! Any fucking day now would be nice!"
"Almost there, sir!" Mandrine dusted herself off and cleared her throat. "Yes, boss?"
"This quaint little ensemble led by an esteemed Goetia prince are in need of our service to acquire items of the last proprietor that managed this area. Be a lamb and assist me in assisting them."
"O-Of course, Mr. Wiffo!" Mandrine nodded eagerly. "I made a comprehensive archive that has everything about this place even before we came here-"
Wiffo hushed her mouth using his finger. "Yes, yes. That is all very interesting, darling. Unfortunately, if I let you go off on your excessive rants, by the time you're finished, it'll be the next purge. Walk and talk, my dear."
"Right, right! Yes! Silly me!" Mandrine nodded nervously.
"If you would all follow me." The Goetias and IMP walked forward to the entrance, until Loona was abruptly stopped by the minstrel. "Apologies, but where do you think you're going?" he asked, giving the Hellhound a very critical gaze.
"Uh, following you. Like you said." Loona replied.
"Oh, so you really are part of this entourage." Wiffo was certainly not expecting that. "I was under the assumption that you were a wild wandering stray."
Blitzo turned even more red. "The fuck did you call my daughter?!"
"Daughter?" Wiffo repeated. "Well now, deepest apologies, but I'm afraid we have a no mongrel policy."
"Mongrel?! Who the fuck are you calling a fucking mongrel, shitface?!" Loona growled, grabbing the minstrel's throat.
"You're only proving my point!"
Octavia tugged at her dad's sleeve. "Dad! Can't you do something?!"
Lincoln nodded. "Yeah, that's not fair!"
It warmed Stolas to see Octavia not inherit some of her mother's…attitude about lower class demons and Lincoln was quick to defend. "Meister. Don't you think you are being rather too harsh? I, for one, think you should be more considerate and maybe loosen your rules." The prince sneaked in a soul bill that was worth quite a lot into his jacket.
Wiffo hummed, feigning being in deep concentration. "Well, normally, I wouldn't make exceptions. But, seeing as you are royalty, far be it from me to disappoint such distinguished tastes." He whispered more secretly to him. "Speaking of tastes, there's a backroom in the dressing area. In case any of my performers wish to…..service your desires. I know you royals like to be adventurous." He giggled.
Stolas got red and looked at Blitzo who rolled his eyes. "Er, I'll take that under consideration. A-As you were, now."
Loona huffed and accompanied them.
Should there be anyone else that thought like Wiffo did, she'll show them what a real mongrel looked like.
Meister Wiffo hardly cared why the prince and his odd entourage were here.
The true importance was that another royal was sure to give his place a stunning review. The problem most Sinners have is that they live while having public disputes that attract the media's attention. He saw himself as someone who did it the right way, that was basically him kissing up to the elite and then spreading word of him so that even more could indulge in his theatrics.
That recognition will result in all of Hell hearing his name and he'll achieve recognition that would make even Overlords envious as the Envy ring itself.
It was a brilliant plan.
And none were the wiser.
Except the group were much sharper than he anticipated. "So, you think this guy can actually help out or is he just wasting our time?" Lincoln whispered to Loona and Octavia.
"Please. The dickhead's so far up his own ass. I've seen his type a shit ton of times at those swanky ass parties my parents made me go to." Octavia whispered back.
"He definitely screams 'conceited asshole'." Loona snapped. "Know what I think? We ask someone who isn't a total douche."
"Oh-ho, don't even fucking think about it!" Millie forced herself into the private conversation. "I've had mah fill of my baby boy having his own little misadventures without his mama around to keep 'im safe! I swear to motherfucking Satan, Loona, if Lincoln gets hurt, then ah'll just-Ah'll-" She grabbed the arm of an imp just minding his own business and bent it downwards. "GRAGH!"
"AAAAAAAAGH!" The imp howled.
"SHUT UP!" Millie threw him through a glass case of very pointy violin bows.
"Hey! You're getting your fucking blood all over them!" The owner complained, uninterested in the poor guy's pain.
"Millie! Millie! Take deep breaths." Moxxie rubbed his beloved's shoulders. "Sir? Your highness? Perhaps, my wife and I could watch over Loona and the children while you two can handle the matter yourselves."
Moxxie made it sound like it was no small task.
But for Blitzo, it was more serious than his employee realized.
He and Stolas would be alone together.
And suffice to say, things were pretty awkward between them.
Last time, they were too preoccupied getting through that whole crazy insane Holly's Wood massacre to properly talk things out from their last conversation after Ozzie's.
"What a grand idea!" Stolas supported. "Octavia, dear, is that alright with you?"
Even though she was mildly peeved that he was going to go off alongside, Octavia was thankful that at least he was considerate enough to make sure she wouldn't mind. At least in this instance, he was willing to let it slide. "Sure, whatever. Just don't forget why we're here."
"Perish the thought. Come along, Blitzy~." Stolas sang.
Wiffo was willing to accept these new rerms. "In that case, Mandrine. I shall leave the little ones and the mongrel under your care. Try not to lose sight this time, I've already have more than enough migraines from imp parents who are looking for their little spawns."
Mandrine nodded rapidly. "Of course, sir!"
Grumbling a series of indignant curses, the boss and his special friend went on their merry way.
Loona briefly glimpsed at Octavia's obvious discomfort and decided the atmosphere needed her brand of levity. "Ten seconds."
Octavia blinked and turned dubiously at Loona. "What?"
"Ten seconds. I give those two ten whole seconds before they jump each other's bones."
The young princess stared at the hellhound, processing her words before spitting out a laugh. "Pfft! Gross! The fuck's wrong with you?!" Try as she might, she couldn't hold it in. Her sides needed tending.
"Just saying, those two can't keep their hands off each other and I'm speaking as a gal who has to hear them flirt every time your pops calls."
Octavia found solidarity in that. "Ugh, don't even get me started. We get it! You two like to fuck! Rent a hotel in Lust if it means that much to you!" The two continued their laughter. It wasn't until now that they never had someone else to relate when it related to both of their fathers' complicated relationship.
Lincoln smiled pleasantly at their interactions.
He knew they'd get along, even if he didn't completely understand what they were talking about.
Now, all he wondered now was how this place was gonna help him.
A district dedicated solely to the arts and musical entertainment. Luna, Luan, and Lucy would fit right in here. He himself never felt had the capacity to be just as good as they were even if he tried. Now that he thought about it, one person that would enjoy this does come to mind and that was Moxxie. "Hey, Mox. You know how to play the guitar, right?"
"Heh, 'playing' is a rather loose term." Moxxie tugged his bow tie a bit. "I have dabbled a bit in string and key notes from time to time. As you're aware, I made a special little ditty for this delectable little murder machine." Moxxie nuzzled Millie's cheek.
"Moxxie~!" Millie purred at the display of affection. "You little devil.~" Her tail wiggled as she returned the gesture.
Lincoln looked away very forcefully, the only problem was those two still making kissy noises. "I'm starting to see what you two might be talking about." He remarked to Loona and Octavia sporting an embarrassed blush.
"This is a lesson, both of you." Loona sagely advised the two youths. "Parents are the only real shitheads than anybody else. Now, let's hurry this shit up. Before that music bitch comes back." She addresses Mandrine. "Yo, secretary bitch. Cool if we look around!"
"That-That's fine!" Mandrine bowed at the same speed she nodded. "By all means! Go ahead! Anything for friends of royalty!"
Loona made a so and so gesture. "More like our dads are majorly horny fuck-buddies, but if you want to use friends, then fine." They stopped at a collection of various instruments belonging to all types such as string and so on.. These weren't ordinary instruments, however. They witnessed an aquatic demon playing a harp. Its strings glowed blue and in the air, an orb of water appeared. A baphomet played expertly on a saxophone that made physical manifestations of musical note characters welding canes and wearing top hats and they did a little dance number. Each instrument played displayed a unique magical effect that dazzled onlookers and Lincoln certainly had his attention stolen by the magic/music show.
"Cool..." Lincoln's eyes were drawn to a double bass.
That made him recall an old memory of when Luna organized the siblings into a family band despite not all of them sharing her musical talents. But, she did praise him for at least knowing how to handle the double bass. He just tried to at least make it sound good enough, even though he did show off a little too much during rehearsal. Still, it felt nice that he was good enough at one of his sisters' talents. One of the keys to managing all of them was getting the lowdown on their skills to know when to use them to lessen the chaos. Mixed results or not.
His adoptive imp daddy, being the music intellectual that he is, admired the crafting that was made into producing these instruments. That wasn't even getting into their designs, shiny gems that twinkled and done in many colors. Moxxie saw Lincoln's gaze settle on the double bass, this may throw the boy off. Nevertheless, the imp could see the curiosity of someone interested in the arts of music. "Do you wish to play, Lincoln?"
The number of blinks he did had to be near the double digits. "What?! Me?!" The double bass did look very inviting. "I-I don't know. If you want a musical Loud, you should see my dad and my sister, Luna, but me? No, no. Can't really call that my strongest suit."
"Won't know unless you try. At the same time, it's still up to you. No pressure."
Lincoln still looked conflicted.
He could just ignore this sudden new feeling to use that instrument.
Except, he couldn't.
Tentatively, Lincoln went and took the double bass in his hands. He could scarcely remember how he played it before as it was only for a special occasion, for all he knew, maybe remembering being all that good was his mind just telling him that. Moxxie's inner father was channeled upon seeing how nervous his surrogate son was, he knew that he needed a supporting push. "Here, let me show you." Moxxie moved in close to point out what Lincoln needed to do. "You see these strings? All you have to do is hold one down with merely a finger, then just play a single note. You'll be fine." The reassurance of someone Lincoln considered as a father figure actually helped plenty. What also helped was Lincoln recalling a distant memory from when he was younger.
2 years ago
He saw himself in his house's living room watching a newly minted rocker Luna practicing the guitar mommy and daddy got for her after months of pleas.
Luna was playing a steady note until she played off-key. "Dang it! Almost had it!"
"Hey, Luna?"
The rocker noticed her only brother's presence. "Hey, little bro? What's up?" She made room for him to sit next to her.
"Is everything okay? You look mad." Lincoln hated it when his sisters got mad, it's like they lost all sense of reason and common sense.
Luna ruffled her baby brother's hair. "Don't worry, buddy. Your big sis is just hitting a bit of a slump. Mick Swagger makes songwriting look way easier, I can tell ya that much, Linc."
"If it's hard, then why are you doing it?"
Luna smiled at the innocent question. Her bro was still young, he still had a lot to grow, but it was sweet how much he appeared to be interested in her choice to become a future rock star. Her first concert helped set the stage for her choosing that path. "Let me lay it on ya this way, bro. Some of the very fun things in life are the ones that are really hard to do. A bump in the road's all part of the process. Wanna know the secret? Just go with the flow, baby bro." Luna gasped. "Hey, that was pretty good." She started shredding and sang out. "Just go with the flow, ba~by bro-oooooo~! See? Some hard work can go a long way. Never forget that, little brother." She pulled him for a warming hug.
Snapping back to present day, Luna's words echoed in his head and soon enough, recalled which minor and note to play.
It started off slow and steady and once the Loud boy eased his worries, he played a smooth rhythm that was content to the soul which was about all that any Sinner in Hell has to their name. Lincoln emptied his mind of nothing else except for playing the double bass, he thought of his happy place where he was with his sisters, parents, and all his other human loved ones.
He was unaware that his playing caused the floors to lightly glow orange.
Meanwhile, his demon friends smiled as their young friend continued playing. Octavia tapped her fingers and sat down on a seat that had a whole drum set, her mother always recommended the classics rather than the "low-born drivel" that a proper Goetia princess shouldn't waste her time on. Unfortunately for her, Octavia was not willing to abandon her favorite band. One of her favorite parts were the sick beats that she memorized by memory when she wanted to vibe, picking up two drum sticks, she started banging on the drums, making her own beat that mixed in well with Lincoln's bass sounds.
Loona hummed to herself.
Who knew the kid could be passable in a bass, maybe not the cool kind of bass instrument, but a bass all the same.
She saw an electric guitar in a crate all by its lonesome, no master to shred it.
In front of so many people.
Who might judge her?
Like Lincoln and Octavia.
The Hellhound's hand slowly rose, but she relented at the last minute. "Better just let them have their fun."
Millie clapped happily. "Oh, look at our baby, Moxxie! Ah had a feeling he had yer sense of tunes, Ah swear, he's like a mini-you sometimes! It's so adorable!" She could just squeeze them both until the end of time. "And you thought you didn't have any business callin' yerself his pa! Yer a natural at it, babe and it sure as fuck gets me goin'~!" She bit her lip, entangling his tail.
"Heh, guess I didn't think I had it in me to be the paternal figure Lincoln needed." Moxxie spoke in all honesty. "Frankly, I surprised myself. But. you know-"
"Now, now, don't start up that whole 'he ain't no orphan' junk again. He's our boy and that's final!" Millie huffed.
"I don't mean that! It's just-I-" Moxxie sighed. "I was just afraid that I wouldn't be the...caring type of father figure. That I could have ended up being just like-" He stopped himself when his mind brought up an old image. One plucked from his childhood, a childhood he made great strides in trying to ignore and put behind him, but how could he forget such a life? A life that has haunted his dreams at certain nights even to this day. Whenever the subject of him apparently being a capable father figure came up, he thought of...him. The thought of being anything like that man made him very hesitant in referring to himself as a father figure to anyone in general, he didn't want to admit it, but he just doesn't want to run the risk of becoming like that guy.
"Baby?"
His inner turmoil conflict ended once his wife's concerned voice reached him. "Huh? Oh! I-It's nothing, sweetie!" He pushed all the horrible flashbacks aside and went back to watching Lincoln play.
On the topic of father figures, he wondered what the other fathers were up to.
This was fine.
This was absolutely fine. His employees and the kids were who knows how far away in this monument to the fancy arts and he, Blitzo, had only Stolas as his only company while their gracious host ranted about his proud standing as the top arts expert that was worthy of being the location's master. "And that is where I performed my exquisite one-man show of my own design!"
On the very same stage that he owned, a Sinner was showing his own stuff to a small audience. "And lo, I mourn! For mine love hath chosen my twin brother!" He hugged an imp skull against his forehead. "And so, lifting my mighty blade, I tore thine own kin asunder! Oh, how will thee mother react to such a tragic loss?! I weep! Weep! In these trying times, I have only thee to comfort me! Most enchanting skull!" He traces his finger across the cheek bone.
"…Is he about to fuck that thing?" Blitzo asked.
Wiffo scoffed at Blitzo's brazen question. "The chap is merely immersing himself into his role! A bit amateurish, yet the effort is just grand! So, so grand!" His entire body did a loopty loop for the stage. "A round of applause for-what's your name, chap?"
"Dave."
"…Davidson! Give Davidson!" Foregoing the guy's real name, Wiffo went with a more fancy variation. "Come here, you beautiful son of a bitch!" he pecks his lips once. Staring at Dave after a beat, Wiffo captured his lips a second time and this one lasted a bit longer. "Mmmm...mmmm...mwah!" Wiffo dropped a dazed Dave to the floor and laughed out to the crowd. "Passion! Never forget the passion, ladies and gentlemen!" Everyone made ooo sounds and clapped for him. Wiffo wholeheartedly took in the praise not so humbly, the very thing that makes him himself. "Yes, that's right! Give your praise! I am very talented indeed! And plot twist! I am also his cheating hoe's first cousin once removed! Gasp!" The crowd obeyed. "Now cheer once again!"
"You know, he told us that he was going to give us a bigger tour, but all he's been doing is whipping it out again and again." Blitzo droned at Stolas.
"Y-Yes, I sincerely hope our children and your imps are faring much better than we are."
"Okay, one little thing we gotta set. M and M aren't my imp slaves, they're my employees." Blitzo crossly corrected. "I know there's not much of a difference in other businesses, but at IMP, we treat each other with common respect and decency." He said, though in his head, what passes as common respect and decency was constantly teasing Moxxie, Loona calling Millie an old woman, and him getting an earful from Millie when Lincoln nearly found one of his special magazines. "Plus, I'm also an imp. The only imp ass I own is my own, and don't you forget it."
Stolas became a blubbering mess. "Oh, my! I-I didn't mean to insult you, Blitz! I'm just-I'm just-"
"What? You used to imps just kissing everyone's asses? Well, not me, mister! And for the record, that was a figure of speech!" Blitzo stomped away and Stolas quickly caught, wanting to salvage his mistake.
"Blitz, wait! Please I-I did not mean to offend you!"
"Pfft! As if it's the first time..." Stolas caught wind of Blitzo saying that.
"...I suppose that's fair." The prince dejectedly admitted. It wasn't until now that the demon royal was starting to realize that he may have been a little oblivious to Blitzo's resentment of his standing as a Goetia, a class of demon much higher than an imp. In all honesty, he didn't really think of the class difference between them until they were outed at Ozzie's. Word spread and he was basically the subject of many gossips across the social circles of Hell, almost as if his deepest darkest shame had made him the very disappointment that Stella kept warning him about. "Listen, Blitz, I just-I didn't mean to-Had you merely told me-"
"Christ on a stick, just get to the point. You don't stutter nearly as bad when you use that mouth for bed shit." Blitzo found it so hard to believe that this was the same Goetia that made a grand entrance to kidnapping government agents.
A deep sigh was made to compose the prince. "Blitz. I have...never really been good at understanding how most people feel, I can't really read them. Or perhaps I do, but I just convince myself it's nothing serious. Whatever the case, I've come to realize that my actions have been hurting others and I'm not only referring to my daughter. And take my word for it, we can certainly exclude Stella."
"Yeah, I tried not giving a shit, but if I'm being honest, I got major cunt vibes from her."
Stolas sighed very deeply as if his spirit were going through a healing session. "God, if you only knew. Back to the main topic, I'm referring to how much I've hurt you."
Blitzo's eyes became dinner plates. "Me?! You hurt me?! The fuck you even mean?! I-I-I already told you, I can handle bear traps and a nightstick! Not once have I ever used the safe word! Wait, do we even have a safe word?"
"That...is a very good question. Not the point, though! I refer to the fact that I have used my, er, position as a Goetia royalty to make you feel...like you're lesser in our relationship, especially with the arrangement I proposed in order for you to keep my grimoire. I thought it didn't hurt, but-but if it actually turned out to be trouble-"
"Wha-I-" Blitzo couldn't believe it, it actually sounded like Stolas was trying to apologize for his invasive behavior. The imp couldn't understand this, not one but and it was stirring up some heated emotions. "J-Just slow your roll there! Look, I keep telling you, if a roll in the shack is all you want, then fine! Whatever! You don't have to make this into a whole thing!"
"But, it is a thing!" Stolas insisted. "This has been a thing and it's about we make something of that thing!"
"...What?!"
"I-Shit, that literally made no sense, did it?" Wanting to make his stance known, Stolas bent down to grab the imps of his dreams' shoulders. "I just want to talk, Blitz. Please? Can't we just...talk?"
Talk.
Talk about what?
For starters, how he was the first person to make Blitzo actually feel something in a long time?
That, he's his only hope for not only financial success, but also success in romance after a series of failures, all mostly his fault?
Does he really want to know Blitzo's feelings?
Blitzo was about to reply and for a moment, it looked like he was actually willing to comply and for the first time since their reunion as adults, have a more meaningful moment that could pave the way for the kind of bond both want desperately.
Alas, Blitzo's heart wasn't so easily moved.
"I-We're-We're only here for Lincoln's personal bullshit, not each other's!" Blitzo shouted a little too loudly as it drew some onlookers' attention. "What? You fucks expecting a show?! Look at the stages!" He angrily stomped away.
Stolas reached out a hand in vain to get him to stay, but he was starting to feel that he had done enough damage already.
Among their spat and the continuing going ons that the other patrons were disrupted when the walls started glowing. All the instruments were being played, except for the fact that there was no one using them. Every patron clamored and murmured over this sudden action, Blitzo had to stop stomping and look around for his own two eyes to see. "What in Satan's ass?" Stolas stood frozen as the phenomenon escalated when orange colored musical notes danced together in the air. Purple flame shaped like music notes danced along.
"This magic...it feels like...the children...?" Stolas was amazed that his pupil and daughter were capable of this, and the entire place seemed to react to them, but something felt as if it were mostly reacting to Lincoln.
Meister Wiffo had his own feelings on this spectacle.
Everyone was amazed by whomever was performing this musical magic.
They were being awed by something other than him...and he won't have that...
Seeing Blitzo and Stolas, he whistles a soothing tune that appears as his own musical notes that went to the both of them.
Its melody lowered their eyelids and they passed out on the floor.
Lincoln and Octavia were wowing and dazzling the demons watching them play their instruments, not like pros, but good enough to make a crowd clap and cheer for them like they were the main stars at a concert. If this is how good Luna usually feels when she and the Moon Goats rock out, he was starting to wonder if he could be a form of understudy for them. Lincoln was so into it that he didn't give all the mystical happenings a second thought, he just wanted to keep playing and Octavia shared those feelings, a shame that there was no singing component in their fledgling band.
"HOLD UP NOW!"
The two youngsters halted their playing when Meister Wiffo appeared in a puff of smoke.
"Hey, where's my dad?!" Octavia demanded, instantly concerned over his lack of absence.
"Oh-ho, he is just fine and dandy, little princess!" Wiffo's voice turned deep and distorted. "Unlike you!"
Wiffo's fingers snapped and all patrons felt a shock in their backs. Their eyes became blank, possessed by Wiffo's magics. Saxophones played out loud as demons dressed similarly as him surrounded the three and the two imps.
"Now what's all this shit?!" Millie had a switchblade out.
"Where's Blitz and Prince Stolas?!" Moxxie demanded, glad he brought twin pistols for the inevitable violence the team would encounter whenever they go out.
"Oh, no need to get your britches in a huff, little impy-BITCHES!" Wiffo's subordinates surrounded the married assassin duo. "They're just taking a sweet little nappy-fucking-wappy!"
Octavia gasped in distress. "If you hurt my dad, your ass will be fucking mounted, dickhead!"
"Tsk, tsk! To think a child of royalty used such language! You need a proper lesson in manners, young lady! All three of you do!"
"And what the hell did we do?!" Lincoln heatingly glared.
"One of the most important rules that everyone that enters here knows! Never! Hog! MY! SPOTLIGHT!" Wiffo bellowed, his envy and indignant attitude was palpable.
Mandrine tried to de-escalate. "S-Sir! Please! This won't look good for you!"
"Silence, you useless little wrench!" He harshly backhanded her to the floor.
The poor female imp shed a little tears and Lincol's fists clenched tightly, his demonic aura beginning to flare. "Why you...!"
Cow bells tapping were then heard and Meister Wiffo tapped his foot along to the beat. "Looks like I need to do a little reprise on why I'm the star of the show!" He sang out, advancing towards the five, snapping his fingers again and again. His mooks copied his actions. "Three young upstarts, thinking they can shine, oh but that sweet spotlight, it was made to be mine!" Raising a hand, a living row of sheet music surrounded them, making them trapped with the mooks. "Your little show may have won hearts, too bad for you, that was a mistake from the start! My boys listen to whatever i say, so fellas, make them fucking pay! Why?! 'Cause I'm the star! Yes, the star! I'm the star, a point that's not very far!" Moxie shot twot through the head, and Millie pushed her switchblade through one's throat and threw some of her extra ones for the other eyes. "I'm the star, ya better tell your friends at the bar! I'm the staaaaaaaaaaaar…..while you're all nothing but smelly ass tar!"
Loona made sure Lincoln and Octavia were behind her.
She bit her teeth through the head of one of Wiffo's men and used his body to thrash away others that were about to storm at her. One jumped at her, and she wrestled him to fall off, but he was pretty strong. His below the belt region not so once she kneed it. Squeaking, he fell forward. "Fuck, could really use Blitz right about now!"
"We can take 'em!" Lincoln strummed the double bass again to send an orange colored shockwave that blasted them onto tables and glass windows. He blinked. "Whoa, this has more kick than a gun."
Wiffo tapped his chin, yet ultimately wasn't impressed. "A very showy feat, this I will admit, but you know what, little shit stain?! They can be used for even greater pain!" He blew on a harmonica that created hellish rhino constructs. "Just look at what my music creates! It makes me feel like I can control all fates! With my music, you'll be shown your place, and let me tell you, it's gonna be fucking great!" His backup band provided instrumental beats, strumming.
"'Cause, you're the star!"
"That's right, boys! I'm the star!"
"You're the star!"
"You gents aren't very far!"
Wiffo does a spin dance as he waves his cane around, a musical note wave was fired and it blew the five against the wall. "He'll set the record straight, any harsh words, he'll make you ache!" Millie was now using longer bladed katanas to behead many mooks and musical notes. Sheet music trapped her legs, though, and her weapons got littered to the ground.
Moxxie gaped at his wife being captive and attempted to help.
Larger enemies picked him up and used his one free arm to shoot bullets through their faces.
Wiping off the flesh and blood that didn't belong to him off his face, Moxie was then put in the same bindings as Millie. "I'm the staaaaaaaaaar….and you're all very subpar!"
Moxxie and Millie being captured didn't mean the kids were defenseless. Loona punched harshly in the mooks' face, swung her claws to slash out their eyes, but the meister's musical attack was simply too vast and never ending. Octavia hadn't acted yet, she was more preoccupied with holding Lincoln close to her to prevent any of these yahoos from hurting him. She had yet to use her innate magical power for combat purposes, though that wouldn't stop her from protecting the kid. Her hands together shot projectiles made of purple fire that made several mooks run away after being set ablaze. Lincoln climbed up some crates to cling onto one's chest, he had brass knuckles on his fists so that he could punch him square in the jaw, knocking a tooth out.
He made orange platform constructs to reach another height and shot his revolver at a rope holding several supplies together. It fell right on top of a group of mooks, and they all saw nothing but pentagram stars.
There were still too many, though.
Loona was tackled into music supplies and a single microphone rolled into her view.
It looks like she was gonna get her moment to shine after all.
Meister Wiffo made jazzy kicks in the air as his sweet music. This is how things in his place of business were supposed to be. Him in the spotlight and any upstarts being in despair over not measuring up to his own greatness. One can say that he's only ensuring his own downfall for being impertinent towards Goetia royals. Not that he cared, if anything, he showed that he was even superior to the royalty that dared to even set themselves above him. Soon, his name would be cheered out all throughout Hell and his stardom that was cut off too soon on Earth can exceed beyond his wildest dreams.
"EYES ON ME, ASSHOLE!"
Opening his eyes, he, the hypnotized civilians, and his mooks looked to see Loona holding up the mic and as if on command, the spotlight was shining on her.
"I'm sorry, the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Wiffo glared hatefully at the Hellhound.
"Taking the stage, bitch! But not just me!" She kicked upwards a bass guitar on the floor and flung it into Lincoln's hands. Next were a fresh pair of drumsticks for Octavia. She gave them an encouraging nod and they smirked, determined to show this wannabe meister that he's not the real star. Lincoln started things off, a soft and cool strumming that then built up into being a rising rhythm. Octavia did a repeat of five beatings on the drums each time Lincoln finished a note.
Loona brought the mic to her mouth as her foot tapped. "You say you're the star….." she started off, her voice echoing and causing the mood to shift into a mysterious, rock-ish setting. "You write off anyone else as subpar…" Her two buddies upped the tempo. "But, you know what we say...?" The spotlight turns off and the instruments playing are stopped. "...FUCK OFFFFFF!" Loona shouted that also became a loud wolf howl that sent waves that broke several pieces of glass. "Fuck you!" She raised the bird at Wiffo. "Yeah, don't think you're hot shit! Think you're some wonder! Ha! Maybe for just one hit!"
Lincoln struck a chord on the bass that broke the spell over the patrons. They were then drawn to his gradual mastery of the bass, this time, their minds were free to decide for themselves what they liked and it was those three.
"All we wanted was to hang and rock out, and that's exactly what we're gonna do! Don't give a shit about what you think, so you know what?! FUCK OFFFF!" Loona howled once more, and this time, it was the double bird. Octavia and even Lincoln of all people copied her action. The Goetia princess's drumroll created wheels of fire that struck Wiffo. Screaming, he put out the flames on his suit. He stomped to the three, until Lincoln did a bass solo that made his ears bleed.
Loona grabbed his collar. "Call me a beast, keep me out, I'm too used to that shit to care, but bitch, you mess with those two?" She pointed at her little sibling figures. "Well, to that type of bull, I say: FUCK OFFFFF!"
The force of her howl made Wiffo crash into the wall and he was buried in the rubble.
Sounds of cheers from the patrons made it clear that the real stars of the show were Loona, Octavia, and Lincoln. Moxxie and Millie, now free, joined in on the cheers. The latter batted away some over eager Succubi fans that were just about to remove their shirts.
Cheers that he so coveted for himself.
"ENOUGH!" Pushed to the brink, he emerged from the rubble, this time as a larger, more deranged version of himself. "YOU KIDDIES HAVE HAD YOUR FUN!" His arms outstretched into claws, going for them. "Now, ALLOW ME TO REPRISE! I'M THE MOTHERFUCKING STA-!" In a matter of seconds, both of his arms were sliced and diced up, scattering into pieces. "...Huh?" Several shadowy blurs rushed through the area, getting the attention of IMP and their Goeta friend. They all traveled around Wiffo's large body and they could see several slashing lines of razor sharp weapons completely butchering the arms and legs. The patrons all screamed and ran away. Blood rained down everywhere, and even landed on Lincoln's now pale shocked riddled face.
Wiffo shrieked and wailed, shrinking down to his former state. "Mandrine!" He called for his secretary. "HELP ME!"
The imp woman stood frozen in fear and stopped at her first step, recalling his previous action to her.
She gulped and glared daggers at Wiffo. "Fuck off." She turned and ran.
Now armless, legless, and utterly helpless as the three shadows landed on the ground.
They all wore dark purple cloaks covering their dark armored uniforms, with pointed shoulder guards, and spiked knee pads. Glass masks omitted their faces, yet, there was clear fury from them that was directed at the Meister.
Happy.
Anger.
Sorrow.
Those were the face designs of each mask.
Wiffo's lips quivered. "You are….!"
"The mistress shall decide your fate." They spoke in unison.
The three eyed crow appeared on his head and after one screech, it and Wiffo disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Their last order of business was the boy.
Moxxie, Millie, and Loona stood ready for another throwdown when the shadows directed themselves to Lincoln. Fortunately, they were no enemies, for they began chanting and the entire place became covered by purple sigils of crow-like symbols. At the center, much like the place Lincoln and Octavia found in LA, the floor moved. It separated and up came a stone pillar that held an object that looked like a puzzle piece. The pendant Lincoln still had on his person began shining and the fragment piece flew over and was promptly absorbed by the pendant, entering through its gem.
"Our work is done." The shadows spoke again. "Boy. In the name of our mistress, you shall be protected." Their bodies then dissipated into feathers and thus, they were gone.
Silence.
Nothing but silence took place in the once musical area.
No one said a word, until….
"Hey, Wiffo!" Blitzo jumped onto the scene holding a sniper rifle and Stolas in his giant full demon form was behind him, both having come to. "We know you roofied us, so-" The boss imp looked to see only he and his group were the only ones present. "...The fuck happened here?"
Lincoln, still covered in blood, looked at the pendant.
He didn't know, but through some newfound determination and curiosity, he was gonna find out.