HELLO BOYS! I'M BACK!
Sorry if I've been silent for awhile now. I've been taking a break. Now that the fifth episode is out, I can now begin once again. Btw, I decided to prevent burn out, the pattern will go two canon episodes and then an original idea.
Also I want to make a statement. As of now, I had no idea that sinners couldn't enter the other rings and were confined to the Pride Ring. Consider this canon divergent where it's canon but at the same time not. Besides, if a job in Hell that a Sinner worked with required one to travel these rings, then certain types of Sinners can travel them, depending on the job like say bounty hunting. My friend AJ Wargo has mentioned sometimes you gotta divert from canon to make a good story...but not too far.
Anyways, enough messing around...it's a Wild Western shootout at high noon...DRAW!
Chapter 7: The Harvest Moon Festival
A few weeks after the clash with the cherubs, Momo was feeling a bit better than when he stepped foot into a church to help the cherubs. But he felt he was running low on ninja tools like shurikens so he visited an arms dealer store for weapons. To his surprise, he saw all sorts of goofy and unique gadgets. Perhaps things were kicking off for Wally Wackford than he thought.
While on his sick day before, he was also training a new move. He recalled when he used steam to obscure vision during the assassination of Martha. He wondered if he could heat his katana to allow it to slice through like a hot knife through butter. First, he bites down on the center of the blade. Second, he used his mouth that simulated heat that produced steam to heat it up and then moving it back, his teeth scraping it to produce more extra heat. And third once the blade has an orange color, for a short time, he can cut enemies like a sword through fruit.
As he was browsing, he bumped into the client from weeks ago. It was Loopty.
"Loopty? Is that you?" Momo asked. Holy shit it's the client from a few weeks ago, he thought.
Loopty turned to Momo and stepped forward with his mechanical tentacles. "Why, hello again, my oni friend!" he greeted, doing his goofy dance.
"Domo, Loopty-san." Momo greeted, bowing in respect.
"So, how's your job going as of late?" Loopty asked.
""As of late? Well it was a crazy one. I don't think I told you of that little brawl me and imps had with those cherubs...unless Lyle told you." Momo answered.
"Oh, yes. He told me everything about those little scamps." Loopty noted.
"Never thought something from Heaven would try to intervene with our operation. I do question that I've never seen actual angels but I was pretty sure angels don't act holier than thou or arrogant. At least back as a mortal. So it makes me ask if the Shinto gods exist." Momo wondered.
"How should I know? We've only been in Hell for weeks." Loopty shrugged.
"That and you most likely don't know what the Shinto gods are." Momo asked.
"Of course I don't. My company never really got into mythology." Loopty concurred.
This rose more questions about the afterlife. With being in the Makai, the appearance of demons and angels, Momo began to ponder at the thought of the existence of perhaps maybe the Shinto gods. Now he wants to learn if Amaterasu, Susanoo, Tsukuyomi, Izanagi, and Izanami were real after all. But perhaps maybe that would be for another time.
"Well, now bumping into each other, how's working with Wally doing for you and Lyle?" Momo asked.
"Wondrous! We're inventing all kinds of things for the people down here!" Loopty singsonged.
"Ooh." Momo admired. Suddenly an idea popped up in his head. "Say, I think I could go for an upgrade in my arsenal. My scimitars."
"How would you like them upgraded?" Loopty asked.
"Hmm...I've always wanted to swing across the street tops from a distance. The only problem is that I wield them like claws. And also this..." Momo also separates his arms which formed into three arms on each side. Loopty stood back in surprise. He examined the arms and the scimitars sheathed.
"Well, perhaps we could implement a grappling system into those?" Loopty quizzed.
"Well, to do so it should also adapt for when I form six of my arms." Momo had his mask changed to green. "I think with your tech, perhaps I can double the pain I inflict on fucktards in the living world."
"Absolutely! Right this way!" Loopty offered, leading him to a room of some sort. The eccentric inventor brought him to a chair where Momo sat down.
"Lyle and Wally! We got someone looking for an upgrade!" Loopty sang.
Wally came into the room a few seconds later. Lyle Lipton did the same as well. "Did someone say, I say, upgrade?" Wally greeted.
Momo sat down. "Oh perfect timing. Good to see you, Wally and Lyle!"
"Our oni samurai assassin here says he wants to swing along the skylines of the city. I think we could install a grappling system of some kind!" Loopty suggested.
"And just to be sure the contraption you're seeing." Momo unsheathed his scimitars and wielded them like claws. "Now that you see the first obstacle, watch this..." Momo splits his arms and both of his sides now had three of his wooden arms each. Each of the six hands carrying the scimitars
"Oh my, I say, oh my!" Wally exclaimed, surprised.
"Think you can handle it?" Momo asked, reforming his arms.
"That should be simple for someone like us." Lyle remarked.
Momo handed them lots of cash on top of that. "How's this?"
Wally looked at the money as his eyes formed dollar signs. "That is, I say, plenty for us!" he exclaimed excitedly. "You got, I say, you got yourself a good deal, pal!"
Within minutes, Momo handed the scimitars to both Lyle and Loopty as they begin the upgrade.
A few hours later...
Momo's scimitars had been equipped with a grappling system. "Now to test the thing out." Momo said. He equipped his scimitars and a clasper activated and chains clamped on his wrist. Thankfully since his arms were wood, it didn't harm him.
"Stand back." Momo ordered.
The three do so. Momo proceeded to lash his blades and they whipped while attached to chains. He twirled his blades around and split his arms into three each on the sides. He lashed and they didn't bend or break and worked the same. The oni bowed in respect.
Momo chuckled. "That's more like it. An upgrade fit for an assassin."
He turned to the the inventors and Wally. "It's been an honor to do business with you. Arigatou!"
"I say, I say the honor is all ours." Wally agreed. The two inventors nodded as well. "Oh, before you go!" Wally ran out and then returned with a bag of shurikens and kunai. "Have some for free. One time, I say, one time only!"
After thanking them, Momo grabbed the bag and headed out. He felt really satisfied to have a new upgrade. When he got home, he decided to phone Blitzo. After a few minutes, Blitzo answered the phone.
"What?!" he called out.
"Domo, Blitzo-sensei. How's it hanging boss? You need to come to apartment now! I got something you need to see...and bring a dummy of Robo Fizzaroli, would you please?" Momo offered.
A few minutes later, Blitzo arrived with a dummy of Robo Fizzaroli. Momo went over. "Glad you could make it, boss!"
"What is it, Momo? I already have Loona yelling at me and shit like that." Blitzo stressed.
"Ok so set the Robo Fizz in the center." Momo instructed. Blitzo did the same.
"Now watch the magic unfold before your eyes." Momo unsheathed his scimitars and wielded them.
"Yeah, uh huh. You can wield them-" Blitzo was cut off when he saw Momo lash at the dummy like a chain whip, which impaled the Robo Fizz dummy. Blitzo's jaw dropped.
Momo demonstrated by pulling it toward him and pinned it to the ground, his blade pointing at the dummy.
Blitzo had stars in his eyes. "Holy shit! Where did you get an upgrade like that?!" he demanded excitedly.
"I got this when I ran into the two inventors. You know when we fought with Heaven's table scraps?" Momo answered. He made sure he kept helping the cherubs find a church a secret.
"My god, I've never seen such an amazing upgrade..." Blitzo chirped.
Momo put the dummy back in the center. "And if you like that, watch this!"
Momo put the blade in his mouth, bit into it, and began heating it. Steam emitted from his mouth before began to scrape it as his katana. Now orange, he beheaded the Robo Fizz dummy clean off.
Blitzo was filming it, clearly amazed at Momo's new set of skill he just shown off. "I think the guys are gonna be jealous." Blitzo beamed.
"Aw, I'm flattered." Momo smiled.
After Blitzo left upon saying goodbye, Momo continued to train with the new skills he has now acquired. The next event that transpired next was something he would never see coming.
A few weeks later...
Blitzo was at Stolas' mansion the next morning after a night of passionate fornication. Stolas was heard sighing in content. The assassins had fifteen clients waiting to have their deeds fulfilled but unfortunately Stolas needed the grimoire back for a special event in the Wrath Ring as part of the Harvest Moon Festival.
Blitzo lit a cigarette and sat up in bed.
"I'm sorry for having to move our little rendezvous early. I have an engagement this month on the full moon." Stolas apologized. He was shown wearing straps and a ball gag and his hands were tied to the headboard with rope.
"When this happens, it's not really something I fuss about." Blitzo complained, using the lit butt of the cigarette to set Stolas free. "But do you really need the book for this fair bullshit? I have like fifteen new clients waiting for heads to roll." He continued, jabbing his index finger onto his palm for emphasis.
Stolas smoked the cigarette. "As shocking as it may seem, Blitzy, my grimoire is actually incredibly important. And it isn't what we lend out to itty bitty imps like yourself." Stolas chirped, pinching the imp's cheeks before he shoved Stolas away.
"The Harvest Moon is a very special occasion. It's been my annual duty to showcase it in the Ring of Wrath. It's celebrated by a very charming little festival with the locals." he continued
Blitzo spat out a feather that was somehow in his mouth. "Wrath, huh? My employees except for Momo are from there. I've never really been there. It's full of inbred chuckle fucks." he admitted.
This gave Stolas an idea and he sat up. "Oh! Why don't you all join me at the festival? I can guarantee you all…" Stolas then pulled the covers over his head and slithered toward Blitzo, his head now near Blitzo's crotch and chuckling. "...special access."
"Look I told you, we're not bodyguards, okay? That was a one-time thing we did badly." Blitzo remarked.
Stolas stood up with the covers above his head and as he spoke, he did a howl head tilt. "I'm simply offering a work-free day of fun. I feel quite safe at the Harvest Festival. It's the same every year."
Blitzo thought about this. He would think that it's just another sex invite. However, Stolas seemed sincere about it.
"Well if you promise this isn't some fuck fest invite, it does sound like it could be a blast and a half. Plus it's not like we can do jack shit without your book anyway." Blitzo affirmed.
"Aww, I'm sorry your clients will have to wait." Stolas apologized again, in a baby-talk voice.
Blitzo waved dismissively "Oh fuck my clients." he chuckled.
At the apartments, Moxxie and Millie were asleep in bed. Moxxie was fast asleep, but it got shattered upon his hellphone lighting up and a rington from Phantom of the Opera began to play. Moxxie saw that it was Blitzo calling and immediately dismissed it, thinking it was another one of Blitzo's funny business, and went back to sleep. It rang again and then in irritation, Moxxie answered the phone.
"What do you want, sir?" Moxxie groused sleepily.
"Hey, sorry to wake you, Mox! How would you, Mils, and Momo like to visit the Wrath Ring for some harvest bullshit this year?" Blitzo offered.
Upon hearing this, Millie instantly woke up and sat up in excitement. "The Harvest Moon Festival?! Yee-fucking-haw!", she cheered.
Moxxie sighed. "Well, Millie likes the idea."
Moxxie came to a realization. "Wait, where are you calling from?"
As Moxxie asked, Blitzo fell down onto the bed from the ceiling. His phone landing on his head. Moxxie narrowed his eyes as he yet again, Blitzo was stalking them in their sleep.
"Mm-hm. Of course." Moxxie concluded, rolling his eyes.
At Momo's place, Momo was asleep as well. But it got interrupted once Blitzo began calling. The song, Elan from Nightwish, began playing as his ringtone. Grumbling sleepily, Momo answered his hellphone. "Chikusho..." he muttered.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Oh hey, Momo!" Blitzo greeted.
"Sensei, what are you doing? It's early in the morning and I'm trying to sleep." Momo said groggily.
"I was wondering if you would like to visit the Wrath Ring for the Harvest Moon Festival this year?" Blitzo asked.
"Hmm...well, I could use some time from killing people so by all means, count me in." Momo answered.
It was silent for a minute and then Momo looked out the window to see the van parked, waiting for him. "You came early, didn't you?" he quizzed.
After putting on his normal assassin attire, he exited the apartment. The door opened for him. "Oh hey, Loona! It's nice to see you coming along!" Momo cheered excitedly.
Loona huffed. "Yeah well like I had a choice...but at least with you, you might make this tolerable."
"Sure, pal." Momo nodded and entered. "And I'll say, I dig the outfit. You almost look like a rock star."
Loona blushed at the comment. "Didn't expect that comment. Thank you."
After preparations were complete, the crew rode in the van to Rough N' Tumbleweed Ranch. The I.M.P. van pulls up in front of two imps. The female one waved as soon as the van stopped. As soon as it stopped, Momo stepped into the back to change into regular attire that Blitzo loaned to him. Millie didn't hesitate in running out of the van and running towards them with open arms. The two imp couple that greeted them were Joe and Lin, Millie's parents.
"Mamma! Daddy!" Millie bubbled, running towards them with open arms.
Her father hugged her and spun her around before setting her down. "Yee-haw! How's my deadly little pumpkin spice doing?" he greeted happily, rubbing Millie's hair affectionately.
"I'm good, Pa! Thanks for letting us stay here for the harvest jamboree!" Millie thanked.
"It's no trouble. We know you aren't making as much anymore since y'all went "freelance."" Lin said, using quotations.
"Freelance pays fine, Ma! We're doing fine! It's fine." Millie assured.
She walked over to Moxxie, who was struggling to carry the luggage.
"Anyway, y'all remember my husband Moxxie?" Millie remarked, shoving him in front of her parents.
Moxxie looked up at them as they stared at him in disapproval. Joe uttered a "Humph."
"Greetings, Lin. Joe. How have you been, uh, with all the… flaming twisters and stuff around here?" Moxxie began, nervously holding his hand out for a handshake.
"We lost our old farm hand to one of them terrors last week." Joe grunted.
Moxxie laughed nervously and took his hand back. "Oh crumbs. My bad! I am so sorry. I didn't mean to open that wound, sir."
"Hey, watch it! I'm the only "sir" here, bucko!" Blitzo reprimanded.
"Oh yeah! Y'all haven't met my boss Blitzo! And his hellhound!" Millie introduced.
"I'm not just his hellhound." Loona remarked
"Yeah, she's my daughter." Blitzo concurred
"Only on paper." Loona deadpanned, rolling her eyes. She resumed on her phone. "Y'all don't deserve to know my name."
Blitzo walked over to Joe and Lin, shoving Moxxie aside. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the sperm and egg factory that popped out this little gem of an assassin. You two raised a sturdy bitch!" he complimented, playfully elbowing Millie.
"That we did!" Joe chuckled. "So, Blitzo, is it? That's a fine name."
Both Joe and Blitzo shook each others hands.
"It reminds me of war." Lin replied
"Nothing like a little war to make a strong man." Joe sighed happily.
"I like you people." Blitzo complitmented.
"And our latest member of our group. Momo Tengan." Millie introduced.
Momo stepped out of the van. "Sorry I'm late."
Millie, Loona, Moxxie, Blitzo, Joe, and Lin looked in amazement.
Momo was dressed in cowboy attire, from a red cowboy vest, brown denim pants with a belt, boots, samurai armor on his left shoulder, samurai kneepads, and a cowboy hat with antlers of a dragon. His scimitar sheathes on both his hips and katana sheath behind his back.
"Am I too overdressed, partners? I apologize if I'm new here. It's my first time experiencing cultures like this since...well...me being from Japan when I was alive." Momo explained nervously.
"So, what do you do to get the job done?" Lin asked.
"Blades. In fact, let me show you this." Momo unsheathed his scimitars and wielded them like they were claws. Joe and Lin were amazed.
"Now that's a deadly combo, pardner!" Joe cheered.
"And I got them upgraded. If you think that's impressive, watch this." Momo demonstrated and as the clasper clamped on Momo's wrist, he twirled them around and lashed at a haystack, bringing it towards him.
"Yee-haw!" Lin cheered.
"That's a awesome upgrade!" Mille hooted.
"Wow!" Loona smiled.
"Holy shit!" Moxxie exclaimed.
Momo bowed in respect. "Arigatou, folks. It means thanks in Japanese."
"You know, more battles were won by technological advances in warfare. I've researched the history of weaponry extensively. And it's inspiring how…for example, the progression of guns utilizing angelic technology has changed the landscape of Hell's combative…I mean." Moxxie stopped when he saw that Joe, Lin, and Blitzo looked at him with straight faces, with Joe crossing his arms. Millie was doing a cut throat motion as if to say, "stop". Momo on the other hand looked intrigued.
"...war fun." Moxxie said in a forced deep voice.
"Guns get the job done, but a man ain't nothing if he can't tear the head off a hellish beast with only his bare hands!" Joe remarked, punching his fist into his hand and flexing his muscles.
"Ha! He's right, Moxxie!" Blitzo bragged before speaking in baby talk. "You got a cute little baby hand like your baby dick!"
Blitzo attempted to reach for Moxxie's crotch before he slapped his boss' hand away before that happened. "Refrain, sir." Moxxie warned.
"Blitzo, that will be quite enough." Momo chimed in.
"Speaking of strong hands, y'all should meet our newest help." Joe said. "Hey, Striker!"
As if on cue, a black, fiery, hell horse galloped into view. The rider in question was an imp, who looked lizard-like in appearance and dressed in an attire of a cowboy. He also had a golden fang and a spiky tail. In his mouth he carried a straw of wheat. They leaped over a fence and the horse reared up, roaring in front of the group. Blitzo had a look of awe and Momo's mask was green to show excitement. The imp tipped his hat in greeting.
"Well, howdy!" the imp called Striker greeted. The cowboy then noticed Millie and got off his horse. "Well lookie here! You must be the famous Mildred."
Striker walked over to Millie. "Heard some good things about you from your folks, little lady." he complimented. Millie and Striker shook hands.
Millie laughed sheepishly.
"Hey guys, don't forget me! Hee hee!" a voiced called out.
Four demonic raptors wearing cowboy attire came leaping over the other fence. Thundering foot It was then another one, resembling an undead, demonic Tyrannosaurus Rex, leapt over the other fence. The dinosaur reared it's head and uttered a deafening roar. The rider was a chameleon like demon also dressed in cowboy attire. He had features of a frill lizard, rattlesnake, Carnotaurus, the eyes of a chameleon, the body of a lizard, and sickle claws on each toe. He also had a hat with razor sharp edges like a saw blade. On his back looked like a cross between a gun and sword. His head also had what looked like a hole that exposed a part of his skull. He then leaped off as he and his raptors did a sort of dance, with a snippet from Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal heard in the background. He then posed.
"Shucka-chucka! Sheriff Chamele Raptor, bounty hunter of the rings with my raptor squad, at your service! Aaaow!" Chamele Raptor greeted.
The group minus Striker looked in awe.
"Wow." Momo admired.
"How you doing, pardner?" Striker called out.
"Just dandy! The bounties are doing fine this time of year." Chamele answered. The lizard demon introduced himself to the I.M.P crew. However, he seemed a bit alert around Loona though, going as far as a slight rattle from his tail.
"What? You got a problem?" Loona barked at the lizard.
"Oh that's just how he acts. He thinks hellhounds are predators to lizard folk like him." Lin answered.
"So what are y'all doing so far away from Imp City? Huh. Free working finally slowing down?" Striker asked
"Oh no! Freelancing isn't free, is it? Never mind." Millie assured, frowning for a moment before smiling again. "We're just visiting for the festival. The prince is our boss' boyfriend!" she said in a dramatic voice.
"Millie, I'm not above hitting a female in front of her daddy." Blitzo reprimanded.
"You mean THE prince! Woo! This got me excited!" Chamele cheered.
"Boss, huh? Oh so you're the bold imp that started his own killing biz?" Striker asked.
"Yeah, well if you're good at something, you should probably capitalize." Blitzo admitted.
"Not many imps start businesses on their own. That's pretty impressive, sir." Striker admired.
"I'll say. That's amazing." Chamele complimented
"Oh. yeah..." Blitzo began to stutter. It was often rare to hear a compliment from folks in Hell when it came to his business. "It is I guess, I guess it is then."
Striker and Blitzo began to shake hands, with Chamele doing the same afterwards. "So you even con that ditzy blueblood into getting you to the surface?" Striker asked.
"Well it's long and complicated but the short answer is, yes." Blitzo then stopped himself for a moment. "But he's not like, you know, we're not like, we're not doing."
"It's a transactional fucking, you see." Blitzo said finally, emphasizing with a sexual motion with his hands. During all of it, Millie smirked and Moxxie was holding in a laugh.
"I see." Chamele nodded.
"So you're a sinner too? How'd you go out?" Momo asked.
Chamele turned to Momo. "And who are you?" he asked.
"Oh, apologies. Konnichiwa, Chamele-san. I am Momo Tengan, a former yakuza back in my mortal days." the oni said, bowing in respect.
"Yakuza you say? Never heard the term til now as I wondered through Hell in the 1920s after meeting my end from a headshot. Before that I was a pretty famous outlaw in the Wild West. Aaaow! I even idolized outlaws like my personal favorite, Jesse James! Hee hee! " Chamele answered.
Momo explained his mortal life, how he went out and how he is where he's at today.
"Mother of Lilith, that must've been hard for you." Chamele sympathized.
"Yeah. I'm sorry if I brought it up. It's supposed to be a fun day, you know?" Momo replied.
"But at least you let it out. Proud to call you an assassin!" Chamele complimented.
"By the way, where'd you get all that Michael Jackson catchphrases from if you were not of that time period?" Momo asked.
"Why as time went on and things got modern, I decided if you can't beat 'em, join them. That's why I like Michael Jackson and "Weird Al" Yankovic." Chamele chorused. He took out an accordion and played it.
Momo chuckled. "I apologize if I'm sort of alien to this culture. I've never been to America."
"It's no problem, pardner." Chamele assured.
"So! You boys should enter the Pain Games." Joe suggested.
As if on cue, Blitzo rushed over to them sideways. "I heard games! What games? I'm in!"
"Every harvest festival, there's a competition to be the roughest toughest bastard in Wrath!" Lin explained.
"Interesting." Momo listened.
"Yeah! Wish I could play!" Millie pouted.
"Now that she mentioned it, why can't she?" Momo pondered.
"Millie, you know you get too carried away. The last competition ended in fifteen separate funerals." Lin stated.
"I'm aware, but I only caused nine of them! How come Sallie May still gets to compete?" Millie huffed.
"Your sister doesn't have a neighborhood head count." Lin answered.
"She so does!" Millie shot back.
A tall female imp was carrying a sack and a small imp were dragging an imp body. "Doesn't count if they don't find the bodies." she said in a sing-song voice.
Millie seethed at this.
"Oh...sorry to hear that, Millie. I knew you were strong but...guess you don't know your own strength sometimes, huh?" Momo apologized.
"I suppose." Millie sighed.
"Still you get to root for her and your brothers and now you get to cheer on your boss!" Lin assured.
Moxxie put his hand on Lin's shoulder. "You know, she can also cheer for me." he suggested.
Joe was heard laughing and slapping his knee "Wait, you?"
"Yeah! I can compete, can't I?" Moxxie asked.
Lin elbowed him hard in the side and caused Moxxie to tear up in pain.
"Sorry boy, but I don't think sensitive thespian types would last very long in the games." Joe ribbed.
"I was born here too. I have some fight in me." Moxxie drawled.
Striker put his hand on Moxxie's shoulder. "Huh. Well then little fella, why don't you help me wrangle up them hogs for dinner." he suggested.
In a pigpen was a large, sleeping, hell hog. From the looks of it, it looked as if it were made of stone.
"Simple. Watch me." Moxxie dared.
Just as he was about to reach for his gun, Striker handed the imp a dagger and rope. "Ha. With these. Bullets can't pierce the shell. You gotta get the knife underneath them and pry yourself an opening." Striker instructed.
Moxxie gulped. "Oh, right, right. I knew that."
Blitzo leaned in towards Moxxie and grabbed his shoulders. Moxxie's eyes twitched. "Just remember, your rep with the in laws is on the line here. So no pressure at all, you totally will not make an ass of yourself to everyone important in your life. Go get em' tiger." Blitzo encouraged, shoving Moxxie towards the pigpen.
"Oh, Mox, you don't need to do this." Millie started.
"Oh he totally does! Take it fast, Moxxie! Yeah!" Blitzo cheered.
"Uh, sensei? Do you think that's a good idea?" Momo asked, uncertain.
Moxxie entered the pen. He nervously walked forward, knife in hand. Once the timing was right, Moxxie leapt forward at the hog and wrapped the rope around the hog's neck. He tried to drive the knife down on it's hide, but to Moxxie's shock, it stuck harmlessly as if it were stone. The hog roared and ran around, trying to buck Moxxie off of it.
"Fuck yeah, Moxxie! Ride it, Moxxie! Making that bitch you won't call back in the morning!" Blitzo cheered Moxxie on.
Loona was recording a video on her phone, grinning all the while. "This is fucking beautiful." she crowed.
"Doing great, Moxxie!" Blitzo whooped before whispering to Loona. "Send me that video later."
Millie was watching the struggle with concern. Momo, Chamele, and his raptor squad couldn't do a thing so the oni did what he could do. "Come on, Moxxie! You can do it!"
Moxxie was screaming as he struggled. He then saw a shadow and looked up. Striker leapt into the fray and shoved Moxxie aside. Without hesitation and a smug grin on his face, he twirled the dagger, lifted it into the air and then brought it down, putting the hog down and killing it.
Moxxie rubbed his neck in pain. "Ow. My clavicle." he whined.
Striker stood over Moxxie, his tail rattling like a rattlesnake. "Don't worry, little one. You never stood a chance." he boasted. As he walked by, Moxxie growled at him.
Momo seemed to share Moxxie's anger towards Striker. But he set it aside for now. He went over to Striker. "I say, that is impressive moves there." Momo complimented.
"It was nothing. You also an assassin like the boss man?" Striker asked.
"Yep. Momo Tengan is the name." Momo introduced himself. He then told him of his mortal life and where he is now.
"I see. Glad you gave the backstabbing snake the boot, pardner." Striker accepted.
"Hey thanks, me bucko." Momo thanked. "I apologize if these lands are foreign to me. I've never been to America before."
"Don't sweat it. Consider it experiencing something new in your life, cowboy. Or should I say, samurai cowboy." Striker chuckled. Momo didn't know it, but somehow Striker struck him as suspicious. Arrogant. And smug.
Striker then carried the dead hog back into the house. "Hey boss man and samurai. You wanna help the men skin this thing for dinner?" he called out.
"Oh I am always down for skinning the manly meat with the manly man!" Blitzo whooped.
"That's what she said." Loona joked.
What who said? Wait, what bitch is talking shit about me?!" Blitzo demanded.
All but Momo, Millie, Moxxie, and Chamele walked back into the house. Moxxie sighed sadly as Millie was putting his arm in a cast and comforted him
"Don't let them get to you. And hey, you don't need my parents to respect you. They will eventually." Millie comforted.
"And if it's of any consolation, you lasted a good while on the hog." Momo complimented, giving him a sympathetic smile.
"Just give it some time, buckeroo." Chamele assured the imp.
Her sister, Sallie May, stepped forward. "No they won't." she said.
This caused Millie, Momo, and Chamele to glare at her.
"What? I'm right, ain't I?" Sallie shrugged.
"Oh I'm entering those games." Moxxie declared, opening his eyes and sporting a determined look.
Millie sighed sadly at this.
"Best of luck to you. Ganbare. I too will enter the games." Momo said.
"Shamone! So will I!" Chamele chimed in.
"Who knows...could be fun." Momo shrugged.
"Hmm, How pissed would you be if I bet on him dying?" Sallie asked.
Millie glared at her again.
Momo had had enough. His mask changing to red and he uttered and animalistic growl. Chamele rattled his tail and unveiled his frill, screeching. Momo got in to Sallie's face. "WOULD YOU FUCK OFF ALREADY?!" Momo hollered, enough for Sallie to run off scared.
Momo's mask changed to blue. Chamele was a bit startled. "Don't ask."
Momo then turned to Millie. "Gomenasai. I didn't mean to go off like that."
"No don't worry about." Millie assured.
A few hours later...
It was now the beginning of the Harvest Moon Festival. On stage was Wally Wackford, who Momo did not expect to show up at the very least. Wally even mentioned to Momo that he was chosen to be the spokesman for the festival. He carried a microphone in hand as he made his announcements.
"Welcome, I say welcome, all to Wrath Ring's annual Harvest Moon Festival! To kick things up, we have the great prince Stolas-a here to user in this here Pain Games!" Wally announced.
Stolas stepped forward with the grimoire and took the microphone from Wally's hand. Stolas then began a speech
"How kind, Wackford. Greetings tiny Wrath Ring imps. I hereby welcome you all to another year of celebrating the spoils of your labor that continue to feed the citizens of Hell!I I'mhappy to kick off the start of these games that will challenge the toughest imps to show their skill in dominance. Good luck to you all!" Stolas spoke. And he also sees Blitzo amongst the crowd and waved to him. "Especially that sexy little one there! Yoo-hoo, Blitzy!"
"Oh fuck me." Blitzo groaned.
At the start line, the games finally begin at the sound of a gun shot. And the race begins. Everyone was racing down the trail. Momo and Chamele ran with incredible speed. The speed of a ninja and the speed of a raptor combined. Moxxie unfortunately got trampled during the whole thing.
The next had the competitors leaping over obstacle courses. Striker climbed up a wooden structure only for Blitzo to leap down and move ahead of him. Moxxie tried to catch up, but he ended up clawing to try to get back up. He feel into a puddle and was getting chewed up by a demonic shark.
Next, Striker was grinning smugly as he had Blitzo's arms, legs, and horns tied behind him. A muscular imp was holding a rope and had Moxxie cornered. Momo and Chamele were at each other and Momo succeeded in tying up Chamele.
Next was a tug of war. Momo, Chamele, and others were teamed against Striker, Moxxie, and Blitzo. Momo and Chamele Raptor ended up winning and Moxxie ended up falling into the water a chomped by the same shark. Momo dove in and tangled with the shark to free Moxxie.
The last one was a wrestling match. Unfortunately, Momo was no match for Chamele as he had the strength of a prehistoric beast despite training with the yakuza. Blitzo had Striker on the rope also. Before Moxxie could react, several imps did a football huddle and to add insult to injury, the shark from moments before leapt over the fence to do an elbow drop. All Moxxie could do was scream before being squashed, "Motherfu-"
We cut back to the stage as Wally made his announcements.
"I say, I say for the first year ever, we have a tie for the winner of the Harvest Moon Pain Games!"
Stolas took the microphone from Wally as he spoke into it. "The winners are, Striker, and my darling Blitzy!" he cheered, doing a one legged stand.
The crowd roared with applause as both Striker and Blitzo stepped on stage.
"Just say my name right! Fucking dick." Blitzo complained.
Momo and Chamele were sitting next to the imp couple.
"I do say, sir. You were actually stronger than. I mean I've trained as a yakuza member but you certainly had the experience." Momo stated.
"And you? You sure are fast and skilled. I could use a pardner like you someday." Chamele replied.
"Maybe someday. But for now my home is with Blitzo of course." Momo complimented. He saw the two imps talking.
"Alright, so he has the "physical advantage." I'm better at other things. Like singing!" Moxxie declared.
And now to add rub salt on the wound, now much to Momo's chagrin, Striker had a guitar.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to sing a quick song I wrote up just now about me winning." Striker announced, strumming his guitar.
"Oh, what the fuck?!" Moxxie exploded.
Striker began to sing his song about his victory.
Striker: Sweet victory
I smell it sweet
From up in sake 'ol heaven
To the rough'in rock in hell
Sweet victory
With everything I do
With every talent
I'm so much talented than you
Every time I try
I push it and succeed…me
I'm gonna be the best
The super cool me, handsome guy
Huh, Moxxie, go fuck yourself!
Did you hear something?
It was just me
Blitzo arrived with a cheese on a stick and bit into it, sitting next to the assassins.
"Isn't this guy great?" Blitzo asked.
"False!" Moxxie griped.
"It's gonna be nice working with him!" Blitzo said, pouring hot sauce on his cheese and taking a bite.
Moxxie was in shock. "Working with him? What?!"
Momo heard this. "Blitzo? Nanishiteruno?" he growled, his mask changing to red.
"Yeah! I asked him if he wants to join I.M.P."
"You asked…but…" Moxxie didn't have the words. He was visibly upset.
"Mox, I think you've had enough for now. Let's head back to the house and get you clean." Millie suggested.
Just then, Striker saw Moxxie on the stands and added a Moxxie, go fuck yourself to the lyrics. Moxxie couldn't stand it anymore. He was now tearing up and left with Millie as Striker finished his song.
Shaking his head in disbelief at both Blitzo and Striker, Momo marched up to Blitzo.
"Whoa, Momo! Why are you-" Blitzo was cut off.
"Shut up, Blitzo!" Momo shouted, using the "o" in his name.
"Come on! Not you too!" Blitzo protested.
Momo punched Blitzo in the head, growling animalistically.
"What was that for?!" Blitzo called out.
"Oh, let's see...maybe for shoving Moxxie aside just because he's not a macho like anyone else?! What in the actual fuck is wrong with you? Moxxie has done nothing but stick with us through thick and thin and you shove him to the side for an arrogant bastard?!" Momo exploded.
"But...Striker...but I-" Blitzo didn't have the words.
"Should be ashamed." Momo said before walking off, leaving Blitzo speechless.
Momo then passed Loona, who as usual was on her phone.
"Did you have to go up at Blitzo like that?" Loona asked.
"Well, what if he saw a better version and made you irrelevant. I'd defend you too, you know." Momo answered.
Loona looked at Momo. At a remark like that, Loona would've ended their friendship right there. But he made a point. "Touche." she said.
"Luckily though he wouldn't do that to you. He cares too much to ever let you go." Momo replied.
"No fucking shit." Loona sighed, still on her phone.
After the festival ended, Momo was admiring the view. He could see fiery spheres atop of volcanoes, lava spilling out. Admittedly, he wanted to know how lava would work to cook food. Blitzo was lying down and admiring Striker's horse, which was eating a carcass. Millie was beside her parents as she and her brothers were loading up jack-o lanterns into a cart. Chamele was playing the accordion with his squad. Millie waved at them and ran off.
In the cottage, Moxxie glumly was heading upstairs. He then noticed a strange light shining through the bottom of a door. "Well that's troubling." he noted.
He opened the door and peered around. He followed the source of the light to a box. Walking over, he eyed a rifle with glowing features in an open gun case. "Oh my crumbs." he said in disbelief. He rand his hand along the side of the rifle.
"A genuine carmine crafted blessed tipped rifle. How...how in the fuck did he get one of these?" Moxxie pondered.
"Why don't you ask me, little dude?" a voice told him. Moxxie turned to see Striker leaning against the doorway
"Shit!" Moxxie cursed now that he was caught. "Why do you have this?! Mister! You are aware this kind of weapon can kill-"
"...demon royalty." Striker finished.
"Yes. That." Moxxie paled.
Striker flicked the wheat away and shut the door before proceeding to advance menacingly towards Moxxie, a grin on his face. He uttered a hissing noise of a rattlesnake as he did this.
"Okay. Well I'm… I'm relatively concerned by your possession of this. I'm also glad my instant dislike of you has been validated!" Moxxie managed to speak out before Striker wrapped his tail around Moxxie's neck. Striker tossed the imp hard against the wall and began choking him on the floor, with Moxxie clawing at him, earning him a strike to the face. Striker persisted and held him down with his body weight. Moxxie glanced over to see a vase on a table and kicked it. The vase lost it's balance and crashed into the cowboy.
Millie heard the crash and rushed to see what was going on.
Moxxie stood and raced towards the door. He tried to pull the door open, but Striker roughly pulled him back with his tail and covered Moxxie's mouth, strangling him. Striker chuckled evilly as Moxxie began to lose consciousness. "Pathetic." he uttered.
Millie appeared in the nick of time and stabbed him in the back with a knife, causing him to shriek in pain. Moxxie collapsed on the floor. Millie was now in feral mode and continued to repeatedly stab Striker in the back. She then climbed up and held her knife to the cowboy's neck, but he slammed her against the wall. Millie fell to the ground and was bleeding. With a wicked grin, Striker grabbed the imp couple by the hair. He then dragged them out and opened a cellar door before tossing them into the cellar. Millie cried out in pain as her leg gets caught in a bear trap.
"I'd kill you all, but I feel like there's more leverage with your rodeo clown of a boss if I don't. Plus you little things aren't worth the the cleanup." Striker declared.
Moxxie ran up the stairs at him, but Striker closed the cellar doors, trapping them.
Moxxie ran to his wife. "Millie!" he cried out.
"Oh Satan!" Moxxie exclaimed.
"Moxxie, I'm fine." Millie lied, but her voice sounded pained. "I got worse than this during the flower tufts at my brother's wedding. But I caught that fucking bouquet and it was fucking worth it. You just have to get out there, and fuck up that brown nosing cocksucker for me."
"But I can't break through it. I'm not strong enough." Moxxie lamented.
"Not with your hands, baby. Use what you're good at." Millie corrected him gently, putting her hand on his cheek.
"I'm not good with my hands?" Moxxie said, clueless.
Millie glared at him in disbelief.
Then Moxxie remembered that he had his gun on him. "Oh, right. Yeah. Yeah."
Moxxie pulled out his pistol and fired a hole in the door. He pushes the doors open.
"I…I probably should've used this earlier, huh." Moxxie stammered.
"I love you hun…but for fuck's sake!" Millie said.
Back at the festival, Stolas was on stage, magically flipping through the book.
"My dear commoners of the Ring of Wrath, I, Stolas of the Ars Goetia, hereby curse this year's harvest with the glow of the true Harvest Moon!" Stolas proudly presented.
Clouds began to swirl as Stolas created a portal, which revealed a glowing orange full moon in the sky. The crowd oohed and aaahed in wonder at this, some even cheering.
At a house, Striker had his crosshairs on Stolas' foreheard, chuckling darkly. Suddenly, a clicking noise is heard behind him. Blitzo was aiming his flintlock pistol at him
"Uh, excuse me? The fuck?!" Blitzo demanded.
Striker turned around, now caught red handed. "Blitzo! I thought you were still at the ceremony."
"You thought I wanted to stand around with a bunch of hillbillies excited about corn and shit with a thirsty owl on stage?" Blitzo questioned.
Striker stood up and leaned against the wall. "Huh. Now you seem disappointed in me."
"Yeah. Well I'm not a fan of someone I offered a job to about to off my easiest lanky ticket to Earth behind my back." Blitzo shot back.
Striker spat out his wheat stalk and walked towards the imp assassin, a rattling sound of a rattlesnake heard. "Blitzo, come on. You know the two of us are superior than most of our kind. And you were so above sucking on a disgusting rich pompous Goetia, only to sneak topside for scraps and work for better sinners who could care less who you are when you could be slaying overlords."
Striker was beginning to walk around Blitzo. The assassin's eyes now moving as he appeared conflicted with the idea. Striker wasn't wrong about that though. When Stolas isn't openly lusting after Blitzo, he's talking down to him, treating him like a child. While Stolas does care for Blitzo, it's clear that he doesn't see him as an equal, and Blitzo is very resentful of that, despite benefiting from their "relationship."
"Why struggle to run a business that is rigged against you? When you could partner up with me kill the un-killable? Starting with the one who treats you like a plaything?" Striker offered, pinning Blitzo against the wall.
Blitzo was grinning with lust now. "Oh that's kinda hot."
"We could be the most dangerous beings in Hell, Blitzo." Striker encouraged.
"Wow. That was a good fucking pitch." the imp admitted.
"I've been workshopping." Striker replied, moving Blitzo's flintlock away.
"You know what. Fuck it. I'm in." Blitzo answered.
Striker grinned. He heared a clicking noise and noticed Moxxie, now holding Striker's rifle.
(Duality - Slipknot)
"Took you long enough, Mox! Ha ha! Wow, you should've seen your dipshit face! What…" Blitzo couldn't finish gloating as he glanced down to see Striker holding Blitzo's knife with his tail.
"Okay, cliched much?" Blitzo criticized.
Striker saw the opportunity to punch Blitzo in the stomach and causing the gun to go off. Luckily, Moxxie blocked it with the carmine rifle.
"Oh you daddy fucker!" Blitzo shouted before biting Striker in the arm and then elbowing Striker aside. Striker slammed Blitzo into Moxxie and they both fell to the floor. Moxxie sees the rifle and tried to reach for it, but the cowboy pinned his arm down with his boot.
"You dumb fucks lost the upper hand fast, huh?" Striker gloated, picking up his rifle and aiming it at the two imps.
Blitzo smirked "Ha ha! You seem to have forgotten something, fucko!"
Blitzo then whistled several times for Loona. Striker then turned his head around.
Outside, Loona was tapping on her phone. Her ears perked up but she ignored it. Momo was talking with her when he saw the ears perk up. "Uh...is that Blitzo calling for you?" Momo asked.
"Yeah, so? Weren't you mad at him?" Loona asked.
"Well...yeah. But still as a former yakuza, no comrade left behind. I think we better go see what's going on now." Momo suggested.
Loona sighed. "Fine."
The two began to walk to where Blitzo was at.
Back in the house...
"Oh fucking damn it, Loona." Blitzo cursed.
Striker sported a wicked grin. "It's a damn shame, Blitzo. We might have actually made a good team. Oh well."
Striker aimed the rifle at the imps.
"In your wet dreams, you honky talk clown!" Blitzo insulted, swinging his foot under Striker and tripping him. Striker hissed like a snake and Blitzo kicked Striker away, causing him to drop his rifle. Moxxie grabbed it and growled. Blitzo raced towards Striker and knocked his head with a vase, hitting him in the vase. The cowboy stumbled and Blitzo landed several punche at his face and swiped his tail at him. Blitzo used his tail to toss Striker to the side. Moxxie fired a warning shot near Striker's head. Blitzo and Moxxie close in on Striker and Blitzo pulled out his flintlock pistol.
Striker flashed a toothy grin, which made his gold tooth shine in the dark. "I still think it's embarrassing. You're wasting a lot of potential relying on a weak little-" Before Striker could finish, Moxxie fired a shot near the cowboy.
"You're gonna finish that fucking sentence? Pardner?" he threatened.
"Vermin." Striker finished with a sinister hate-filled smile, hissing like a snake.
"Who's weak now, bitch?!" Moxxie shouted.
Suddenly, the imp was slammed against the wall by the door that Loona opened and entered.
"Hey, I'm here." Loona announced dryly.
Striker narrowed his eyes and used the distraction to slap Blitzo's flintlock away. He darted towards the open window. "Maybe you'll get me next time, Blitzy." Striker taunted before escaping.
Blitzo pointed his pistol outside, looking at the celebration in worry.
Momo arrived just in time.
"Sensei, I'm here! What happened?!" Momo questioned.
"Oh, that snake fucker tried to assassinate Stolas." Blitzo anxiously replied.
Momo couldn't believe his ears. So his suspicions were right after all. His mask changed to red. "WHAT?! HE TRIED TO WHAT?! OH FUCK NO! I GOTTA GO AFTER HIM! HE MIGHT TRY AGAIN HERE IF WE LET OUR GUARD DOWN!"
"Wait!" Blitzo shouted.
"No way, sensei. I might not be able to beat him. But the best I can do is chase him away from here." Momo shouted.
"Momo!" Loona called out as the oni ran out. "MOMO! Be careful!"
Momo ran to look for where Striker ran off.
"SNAKE! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Momo shouted, causing the imps to stare.
The imps suddenly moved out of the way as the raptor squad came charging in. Then Chamele, riding the demonic Tyrannosaurus, came into view, roaring as it announced it's arrival.
(Kaizokuki Wo Agero - Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger)
"Chamele Raptor!" Momo exclaimed.
"Shamone! Need a hand, pardner? What's all the hubbub?" Chamele goofily said.
"That snake that was your friend tried to kill Stolas!" Momo responded.
Chamele's face paled. "Say what?! Oh hell no! If theres one thing I don't tolerate is the slaughter of an innocent blue-blooded family! I oughta feed my dino, Jesse, that snake's corpse!"
"Not now! Right now he might be around here. And we're down two to one. The best we can do for now is chase him out of town!" Momo suggested.
"Well in that case, need a ride? Aaaow!" Chamele whistled. A pack of demonic Dilophosauruses with frills and a demonic Styracosaurus came into view.
"HOLY SHIT!" Momo shouted in excitement.
"Well then...let's hear it, pardner. What's the plan?" Chamele asked.
Momo took out a kunai. "I'll need a sheet of paper and pen."
In another location, Striker aimed his rifle at Stolas, now from behind, chuckling evilly. A kunai flew past his face and into a wall. Striker saw Momo's shadow as it ran off. The cowboy looked at the paper as it read, "Come and get me if you dare! -Signed, Momo Tengan. P.S, you suck!"
Striker hissed like a snake and exited, aiming his rifle all around. He scanned a fleeing raptor and fired but missed. Striker attempted to follow after it but vanished. It left behind footprints though.
"Ya'll can't hide from me!" Striker declared. He whistled and his horse came into view. He got on top and then rode onwards. As he rode towards the countryside, rubble exploded and the demonic Styracosaurus charged at Striker, alongside the demonic Dilophosaurs. The cowboy dodged in time but they rode side to side now.
Momo glared at Striker. "If there's one thing I don't tolerate is you going after a Goetia bloodline." Momo's mask changed to green. "And now, I'll give you the satisfaction of cutting that tail of yours off!"
The raptor squad and the demonic Tyrannosaurus lunged at Striker, who moved to the side. Momo was now on his tail. "And now, buckeroo! You're T-Rex chow!" Chamele challenged.
He then stood up. "Alright boys! I think we need some music here! Hit it!" he ordered, snapping his finger.
(Dare to be Stupid - "Weird Al" Yankovic)
"Grr! You are all an annoyance! Huh!" Striker growled.
"And you are a goddamn snake!" Momo shot back, his mask red.
"If it's an early grave you want..." Striker taunted, flashing a nasty grin.
The chase began as they rode across the countryside of the Wrath Ring. Several bystanders cheered at this. It was then Striker stood up and began singing the song in the background, literally mocking Striker.
The Tyrannosaur, Jesse, rammed his head at the horse's side. Striker attempted to stab the knife into the T-Rex, but a raptor snatched the knife up. The cowboy took out a pistol and tried to shoot at him, gunning one down. Momo closed in on Striker and prepared to jump. He threw several shurikens, but Striker shot them away.
The Dilophosaurs unveiled their frills and began spitting globs at Striker. He dodged left and right and was shooting at them. One of the raptors leaped at his horse and bit down on it, causing the horse to screech in pain. Striker, in panic, began kicking the raptor. The raptor jumped off.
As the two chased Striker, Momo lifted his hands in the air and uttered, "YEE-HAW! RIDE EM' COWBOY!"
As a means of taunting Striker further, Chamele turned around and slapped his own butt, sticking his tongue out. Striker growled in annoyance like a snake.
(music stops)
Momo bumped into the horse and then jumped onto Striker as they began entering a ghost town. The oni and cowboy were now exchanging blows before they fell off the horse as the animals ran off. Chamele joined in the brawl. The two got up. So did Striker, who took out two blades.
Chamele rattled his tail and frills while Momo took out his scimitars and wielded them like claws, his mask now green.
"It's a shame I have to cut or gun down the two of ya'll. Like with Blitzy, we could've been a team." Striker replied.
"You as part of I.M.P?! In your dreams, you backtstabbing broom-tail!" Momo hollered, his mask for a minute.
"I still question why the two of you decide fight me. I'm the strongest. I can't question if you're either fucking brave or stupid." Striker quizzed, walking around the two.
"Aaow! Here's the answer, me bucko!" Chamele challenged.
"It's not that we are stupid." Momo began as he smirked, his mask changing to green. "WE DARE TO BE STUPID!"
(music resumes)
Momo, in a flash, leapt at the cowboy. As they struggled, Striker stabbed Momo in the back and punched him away. Chamele began to whack Striker with his tail. Striker fired at the raptor chameleon demon, but he was too fast. He repeatedly spanked his own butt to taunt Striker.
"Missed me! Woop woop woop woop woop woop! Chamele's gonna spank your ass! Spank you in the ass!" Chamele jeered.
Striker wasted no time in leaping at the dino sinner. "Take this seriously!"
Momo dropkicked the cowboy and the bounty hunter resumed singing.
Momo and Striker were exchanging slashing blows. At once, Striker attempted to shoot the oni with a magnum pistol, but Momo struck it down, causing the cowboy assassin imp to fire a shot harmlessly into the ground. Striker then wrapped his tail around Momo's neck and pinned him to the ground, a wild grin on his face. Momo swatted at him, but it was useless. Chamele fired a shot at Striker in the arm. He was hit and he rolled in surprise to see Chamele wielding a gun sword.
Chamele then suddenly vanished. Striker looked around. Momo splits his arms apart into three arms each and went at the cowboy, surprising him. Striker barely dodged a slash as it tore a part of his hat. The oni then did a headbutt. This was a mistake as it allowed Striker to crawl all over the samurai and bit an arm off, taking a scimitar. Momo reformed his arms, which had a bite mark, and sheathed his scimitars and readied his katana.
"Think that's impressive? Watch this!" Momo challenged before biting his katana and heating it, steam emitting from his mouth.
Striker, grinning wildly, saw the opportunity. But he was shoved into a pillar of a structure by an unseen force. Chamele reappeared.
"You should know, Striker. I have parts of a chameleon. I can blend with the background. Aaow!" he announced.
Striker slipped out of his grip and began to shoot again with his revolver. The bounty hunter dodged and swiped at them with his gun sword. Striker then threw a barrel at them, but Momo saw this and ran over.
Momo jumped over and sliced the barrel in half.
Striker grunted. "I don't got time for this. That Goetia will drop dead eventually. Best ya'll stay healthy til our next meeting, pardners."
Striker whistled and his horse appeared. He got on the horse and then rode off.
Momo waved goodbye and Chamele finished singing his song. They began dancing until the song ended. They performed a pose on top of that.
The next day, it was time to pack up and head back home. Millie was getting her arm bandaged up as she was sitting with her foot in a cast.
Moxxie was struggling to fit clothes in a suitcase.
"I can't believe you let him trap you, Millie. Haven't we taught you better?" Lin scolded.
"I was seeing red, Ma! And he was slippery!" Millie responded.
"Excuses! You're better than that, Mildred!" Lin told her.
Moxxie closed the trunk and marched over to Millie's parents
"You know, she protected me. And maybe I'm not a strong beefy dickhead, but Millie has the strength enough for both of us! You two are getting on her case about her getting hurt by a psychopath you hired?!" Moxxie reprimanded.
"Aw Moxxie, look at you. Speaking like a big boy in his big pants!" Blitzo complimented in a babyish voice of some sort.
"Well spoken, Mox. I couldn't agree more. Not everyone has to be macho to be strong. It's all about the talent everyone holds in our hearts." Momo taught.
"Shamone! Spoken like a samurai, brother!" Chamele complimented.
Joe glared at Moxxie. But he knew the imp was right. It wasn't her fault that Striker was stronger than them. He nodded before walking away.
Momo waved goodbye to them as they left back into the house.
"Wow! He nodded! He's never acknowledged your input before!" Millie chirped, standing up on crutches.
"So, is that progress?" Moxxie quizzed.
"It is indeed. Take this haiku from my heart. Gamble in the fall. Happy thoughts still in my arms. Army moves lively. If you believe in the talent that you hold, then that makes you macho." Momo hummed.
Moxxie and Millie smiled brightly and entered the van.
Momo was about to enter when a voice called out to him.
"Yo, Momo! I may not be able to join I.M.P, but thanks for giving me your phone number. That way if you need help, I'll be there." Chamele said as he hopped onto his demonic dinosaur and rode off.
Momo waved goodbye and joined everyone in the van. The van then drove off into the distance.
Meanwhile...
At a motel called Hideaway, Striker was on the phone, sitting on a bed.
"Ugh, I failed to kill the target at the festival. But don't worry, mam', it won't happen again." he reported.
"It better not! I want this cheating prick dead! I don't care who you have to go through! Make it happen!" the voice hollered.
On the line, the person Striker was calling...was Stella. The family were having dinner at the table back at the mansion. Octavia was too busy bopping her head to music tapping on the wine glass with her fork and Stolas looked at his wife with concern.
"Understood." Striker confirmed.
Stella then hung up the phone
Striker twirled his magnum pistol and had a sinister grin on his face. "I'll get him next time."
With that, he chuckled and turned off the lights. The last thing we see is his yellow eyes glowing in the dark with rattlesnake hisses.
Back home...
Momo was back at the apartment. He was speaking to Moxxie.
"So is she gonna be ok?" Momo asked.
"Unfortunately she can't go on missions for awhile. Her leg is busted pretty bad." Moxxie reported.
"Oh sweet Satan. That's gotta be painful. Well...I talked to Blitzo and he's agreed that it'll just be me and him for awhile til you get yourselves back together. You two can spend the rest of your time on your days off for awhile." Momo announced.
"Thank you." Moxxie thanked.
"Take care, you two." Momo said before saying goodbye and hanging up.
Momo sighed and sat on his couch. He was pondering who would go out of their way kill Stolas. Did someone hire him? Was Striker a hired assassin? More questions yet no answers. It would seem his resolve struck clear to him. He would make sure nothing happens to either member of the Ars Goetia family that he sword himself too. And also protect Octavia, who was his new best friend. Or from here on out, they were now besties.
Momo was looking over mail and sipping some coffee when he saw he received a note. Stella? Wonder who that was? He opened up. It was a message from Stella Goetia. He was ordered to be at her presence at once.
Seeing as he had nothing better to do, he got on his usual attire and left the apartment.
Momo arrived at the Goetia gates. A guard imp was outside.
Momo was a bit nervous. He remembered feeling a bad aura and had become quite wary. He hoped that Stella wasn't evil.
"Excuse me, sir. My presence is required by one of the royal members of the Goetia family. Someone named Stella?" Momo asked.
"Ah, yes. I'll bring you to her." the guard responded.
The guards began to lead Momo into the mansion and through the halls. They led Momo to a dining room table where Stella waited. She had a look on her face that looked temperamental.
"Arigatou. It means thank you where I come from." Momo bowed to them and sat down, facing Stella.
"I take it you're Stella, right?" Momo asked.
Stella nodded, staring at the oni. Then she spoke. "Have you been going out with my daughter?"
"What? No I haven't been dating her. We're only pals...to the end. You can even go as far as to say we're besties." Momo answered. Dating Octavia never really crossed his mind.
"I don't know what a commoner sinner like yourself, but at the very least...you have been keeping both my husband and daughter safe." she replied. "It also explains why she's been out as well." Stella calmly commented, sipping on tea,
This concerned Momo. "Wait. You mean she's not here? Where is she? What happened?" he panicked. After what happened at the Harvest Moon Festival, what if Striker went after Octavia too?
"Simmer down, boy! She's here!" Stella commanded.
"Oh sorry." Momo apologized, sighing in relief that Octavia was still safe for now.
"Guess having befriended Octavia has heightened my sense of protecting her."
"I was just wondering what she'd been up to recently. What about you? I know you're working for that Imp whom my husband has been cheating on me with." Stella asked.
"And the fact that imps, based on what I've been hearing, are like treated as lower class, if I'm correct on that?" Momo quizzed.
"That's precisely the case!" Stella shouted.
Momo remained unfazed by her attitude and remained calm and cool. "Well not that you care anyway, but the fact I work as an assassin with the imp is simply out of gratitude. See, they helped me achieve what I longed for since I died and ended up here. And that goal was revenge." Momo answered.
Stella nodded, understanding why now.
"Yes. I was a yakuza back in my mortal days. Until I was betrayed by my so called mentor." Momo's voice began to grow in rage upon mentioning his mentor, his mask changing to red.
Stella was taken aback by this change in attitude, nearly spilling her tea.
Momo changed back. "I do apologize. I don't know how I got it. Don't ask me why. It just happens depending on my mood."
"You're excused. But don't do it again." Stella advised.
"Was there something else you needed my presence for?" Momo asked.
"I ask if you and my daughter are getting along." Stella asked.
"Indeed we are, yes. And I understand that you think lowly of imps and maybe other sinners but...I swore on my life...or afterlife in this case...that I would protect Octavia as part of the code of ethics us yakuza follow."
Stella began to ponder for a moment. So far he's unaware that she hired Striker to put a hit on the prick. Maybe if he continued to remain on his good side, perhaps maybe she can achieve her goals without fail.
"Then by all means, protect the Goetia family at all costs. That is all I can offer for now." Stella instructed.
"Yes, ma'am. It shall be done." Momo bowed in respect.
"You may be excused." Stella said.
Momo bowed in respect again and the guards accompanied him to the exit of the mansion. "Oh, one more thing Stella. If you wish, you can always talk to me of any problems you have and I'll do the best I can for you." Momo said.
Stella nodded as he left.
Stella narrowed her eyes as she can see her plan is working perfectly. Perhaps she could find a way to break Momo's fighting spirit that the imp will regret ever having set foot onto Stolas.
Japanese translations uttered by Momo...
Domo - greetings
Arigatou - thank you
Konnichiwa - Hi there
Ganbare - hang in there
Gomenasai - sorry
Nanishiteruno? - What the fuck are you doing?
A/N: It's official. Let's give Striker the award for Best New Animated Villain of 2021. Just wow! I never expected Norman Reedus. But anyway, next chapter will be a special request I will write on behalf of Apotheosis0. But afterwards, next original idea I want to make up my own. But for this one, Apotheosis0 will have his chapter. Later everyone!