After reading some text messages from Molly to fill him in on the conversation between her and Arackniss, Angel tuned into the 666 News Livestream taking place on VoxTube.
"Good evening, sinners! I'm Katie Killjoy!" Katie Killjoy said cheerfully.
"And I'm Tom Trench!" Tom Trench said. "Breaking news coming from the Pride Circle's Central Hospital tonight where Overlord Valentino was spotted with serious injuries incurred by an unknown attacker!"
"That's right, Tom!" Katie Killjoy said cheerfully. "Valentino was attacked while leaving Radio Demon Alastor's grand dinner and auction! The identity of the perpetrator is presently unknown because TV Demon and our boss Vox won't tell us…"
"Breaking News!" Tom Trench interrupted. "This just in, we have live feed coming from the hospital. Evidently, Overlord Valentino is just now exiting the hospital!"
"Did you just steal my line, Tom?"
"Yes, I did, Katie! Let's tune into our cameras at the hospital!"
The cameras changed just as the sound of spilling coffee and Tom's whimpers could be heard back at the studio. The audio then switched to the scene at the hospital where reporters were flocking the two overlords making their exit towards the limo at the end of the walkway.
Vox pushed the wheelchair Valentino was sitting in. He had casts on one leg and two of his four arms, and his face was covered in scratches.
Those wounds were the only injuries Angel could see since Val was wearing his pimp coat, but he guessed that there were many more where those came from. Angel smiled to see the state his boss was in.
One reporter called out from the crowd and asked, "Overlord Valentino, can you confirm the rumors that this attack was prompted by a dispute with the Radio Demon?"
"Yes!" Vox replied. "This is all Alastor's fault! Him and his stupid broad!"
"He stole Angel from me!" Valentino groaned. "He took him, and he won't get away with it!"
"So, a woman beat you up too?!" another reporter asked.
Valentino glared and looked away in embarrassment.
"Back away, all of you!" Vox yelled waving everyone away before continuing to push Valentino towards his limo. "You direct all your questions to me! Back off my boyfriend right now before I fire all of you!"
The reporters fell silent for an awkward second before a brave reporter barked out another question.
"Sir, will you still be going to the Radio Demon's wedding?"
"Yes!" Vox replied.
"Will there be any altercations between the three of you?!" another reporter asked.
"Not unless Alastor starts something first," Vox replied.
"Are you sure, sir?" asked another reporter. "No act of vengeance or retaliation?"
"Not unless he acts first," Vox explained. "Starting a war with the Radio Demon is a fight I'd rather avoid for both our sakes. But mark my words, if Alastor tries anything against me or my boyfriend ever again, I'll fight him and his fiancée."
More reporters flocked around the two overlords as Vox loaded Valentino and the wheelchair into the limo, but the TV Demon remained silent as he climbed in the limo and shut the door.
The limo sped away, and the feed cut back to the studio.
"Sounds like tensions are heating up, Katie," Tom said a bit more sheepishly than before.
"They certainly are, Tom, and the drama doesn't end there," Katie said. "The aforementioned bride-to-be is none other than Vaggie, the former manager of the Happy Hotel and Princess Charlotte Magne's girlfriend. According to Overlord Rosie and the Radio Demon's radio station employees, Alastor spirited away this young demoness against her will, and since then, the princess has been working non-stop to get her back."
"Quite a romantic attempt but ultimately fruitless," Tom said. "Her efforts have been thwarted by the interference of none other than King Lucifer himself. A few days ago, a palace servant uploaded this footage of the king dragging the princess into their castle."
A VoxTube video then played from outside the garden fence showing a muted argument between Lucifer and Charlie that ended quickly with him dragging her into the castle.
The news feed then cut back to the studio again.
"Looks like our king is really laying the hammer down on his daughter," Katie noted.
"He certainly is," Tom said. "The king and queen have been confirmed to be on the guest list for the wedding, but it's unclear at this time whether the princess will be in attendance. It's quite the family drama!"
"And speaking of family drama, Alastor himself confirmed this morning on his radio program that Angel Dust and a large portion of territory were sold to none other than his biological family, the notorious Spider Mafia Family…"
Pictures of Angel's father and brother appeared on the screen behind Katie Killjoy.
"…Kingpin and father Don Henroin and his second-in-command older brother Arackniss have reportedly taken the former porn star back into the fold," Katie continued. "Unfortunately, all efforts to hold an interview with this clan were met with resistance, so that's all we know."
The livestream then cut to footage of cameramen knocking on Don Henroin's door, only to be greeted with Arackniss holding a machine gun. The cameramen then turned heel and ran.
Angel snorted and laughed to himself as the footage cut back to the studio.
"This wedding is certainly consumed in some heavy drama," Tom Trench noted.
"Yes, it is, Tom!" Katie Killjoy replied. "And coming up next we have an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the wedding with none other than the Radio Demon himself! Be sure to tune in after the break!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of another screen was Niffty and Husk watching a television with Fat Nuggets. Husk leaned against the counter while Niffty sat on the counter with Fat Nuggets on her lap.
Since Charlie had left, the hotel had been unbearably tense and quiet. They were the only residents in the hotel besides Baxter, but since he kept to himself, his presence hardly made a difference.
Niffty particularly was on edge. She knew Alastor would be coming for them any time now.
Husk knew it too and wasn't looking forward to the drama. Moreover, despite himself, he was worried about everyone involved, Charlie, Vaggie, and even Angel.
As the commercials rolled on, the tenseness in the air only seemed to grow heavier with fear, silence, and anticipation. Husk tried to numb his pain with alcohol, but Niffty held onto Fat Nuggets and trembling for dear life while the pig made fruitless efforts to calm her down.
Seeing her fearful state, Husk finally felt moved to speak, "Eh, Niffty, are you…?"
"Husk," Niffty interrupted in a low voice uncharacteristic to her. "What are we gonna do? Is there anything we really can do?"
Niffty sniffled while Fat Nuggets licked her face. She held him close to herself as she shed a few tears.
Just then, Husk and Niffty heard the hotel doors swing open. The pair looked up to see Alastor walk through the doors.
Alastor smiled and called out, "Oh, Niffty!"
Niffty whimpered, let go of Fat Nuggets, and started trembling uncontrollably.
"I think you know why I'm here!" Alastor said with a cheeriness that belied his malicious intent.
"Alastor, wait…" Niffty pleaded as Alastor's shadows and tentacles spread across the hotel walls and surrounded the bar.
"I'm about to appear on the picture show, so I don't have very long," Alastor said as he steadily approached the bar. "This will be quick, but I don't promise it'll be painless."
"Alastor, I didn't…" Niffty tried to explain with tears in her eyes.
"Don't lie to me, Niffty," Alastor interrupted. "Of course, you did. How else did Charlie know where to go?"
"BECAUSE I TOOK THE DAMN MAPS AND GAVE THEM TO HER MYSELF!" Husk yelled. "NOW BACK THE FUCK OFF!"
Alastor's expression fell in surprise. He stopped in his tracks. The familiars, tentacles, and shadows retreated. Niffty took the moment to grab Fat Nuggets and hide behind Husk. For a moment, everything was still.
Alastor turned into a shadow, crossed the rest of the distance, appeared by the counter with his signature smile, and asked, "Husker, why would you do such a thing?"
Husk opened a bottle of cheap booze and said, "I knew you wouldn't hurt Niffty if I was the one who gave Charlie the maps."
Husk nonchalantly leaned back against the counter and drank from his bottle while Niffty and Fat Nuggets continued crouching behind him.
Alastor stared at Husk patiently while he finished his drink. The moment was tensely silent. Alastor didn't break his stare, and Niffty didn't stop her trembling. The only thing breaking the silence was Fat Nuggets quiet grunts that Niffty quietly and nervously hushed.
Finally, Husk took the bottle from his lips and said, "Well, if you got somethin' you want to say, you need to say it."
Alastor smirked and said, "I must say, I'm disappointed in you, Husker."
Husk lackadaisically placed his bottle on the counter, admired the bottle's reflection of the neon light, turned back to Alastor, and said, "What can I say? I couldn't stand listening to the princess cry over her missing girlfriend. And who could blame her? You did kidnap the poor kid after all."
"Oh, Husker, I didn't kidnap Vaggie," Alastor said, dramatically leaning forward on the counter. "I simply spirited her away to tame the shrew out of her so she would be my wife."
Husk scoffed, took a step closer, and retorted, "Really now? And how's that going? According to the news, Vaggie was partially responsible for the state Valentino was in."
Alastor chuckled lowly and said, "That sleazeball got what he deserved. He tried to interfere with my plans for Angel."
Husk looked away to hide his emotions and concerns over the last part of that sentence.
"And what about Vaggie?" Niffty finally interjected.
Both cat demon and Radio Demon turned to look at Niffty peeking out from behind Husk's leg before Alastor replied, "She is back home at my manor resting peacefully."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Husk asked.
"I have placed a sleeping beauty spell on her," Alastor replied. "She will be asleep until the night before the wedding. All I have to do is move her around to prevent bedsores and make sure her bladder is emptied regularly. It is so much easier to get my work done this way, and I get the added bonus of being able to behold her lovely face without a fuss."
"That is so unfair!" Niffty protested, finally coming out of her hiding place.
Alastor chuckled darkly and replied, "What are you talking about, Niffty my dear? All's fair in love and war."
"But this isn't!" Husk snapped.
Alastor tilted his head bemusedly and said, "Husker, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you had a problem with what I'm doing."
"I do!" Husk retorted, slamming his hands on the counter in front of Alastor. "Cuz what you're doin' is fucked up and you know it! Niffty and I, we made deals with you, but Vaggie never did. You can't do this to her."
"Yes, I can," Alastor said, leaning against the counter.
"And what gives you that right?!" Husk demanded.
"I'm her husband," Alastor replied. "I can do what I wish."
"You aren't married yet!" Niffty protested.
"But we will be soon," Alastor said. "And it is my dearest hope that you two will be a part of the ceremony as my two closest associates."
"Fat fucking chance of that happening," Husk snarled before he turned away. "I ain't helping you with this!"
"Yeah, you can forget it," Niffty replied.
Alastor sighed, stood up straight, and said, "This will have to be a discussion for another time then. I have an interview to get to. I'll talk to you two later."
Without another word, Alastor turned into a shadow and dashed out of the hotel, leaving Husk and Niffty alone with their thoughts.
Back on 666 News, Alastor appeared in the studio next to Katie Killjoy and Tom Trench.
"Hello!" Alastor called out, immediately getting their attention.
"Oh!" Katie Killjoy gasped in surprise. "Hello there! We were just wondering where you were."
"Yeah, we were afraid we'd have to cancel your segment," Tom Trench said, prompting Katie Killjoy to jab him in the chest with her elbow.
"Simply meeting with some colleagues, my dear," Alastor said, taking his seat next to Katie Killjoy.
"Making some fun-filled wedding plans?" Katie asked.
"Just personally delivering some wedding invitations to them," Alastor replied.
"Interesting," Katie replied. "Now, Overlord Alastor, could you tell us about your plans for your fabulous wedding?"
"But of course!" Alastor said, opening a large portal behind them showing the wedding venue.
In the distance was a stone Aztec temple enclosed in a large stadium surrounded by hundreds of chairs in front with a VIP balcony on the right.
Katie Killjoy and Tom Trench were awestruck.
Back in the bedroom, Angel was, too.
"Oh, my God!" Katie Killjoy exclaimed. "This is quite stunning!"
"Thank you, Ms. Killjoy," Alastor said, gesturing to the portal. "You and your co-host may see it up close if you follow me."
"Gladly," Katie said, gesturing for one of the cameramen to follow them into the portal.
Alastor stepped into the portal. Katie and Tom got to their feet and followed Alastor with their cameraman behind them.
The camera cut to the cameraman walking into the portal.
Angel watched closely as the four demons approached the pyramid, chatting merrily all the while. The closer they got, the larger it became. Alastor really had spared no expense.
"Mother of God," Angel muttered to himself.
"Is that an Aztec pyramid?" Tom Trench asked. "It looks just like the one from Machu Pichu."
"You have an excellent pair of eyes, Mr. Trench," Alastor replied. "That is exactly what it is. You see, my lovely fiancée's ancestors derive from the ancient Aztecs. Her distant grandfather was the high priest Titoc."
"So, your little Vaggie comes from royalty," Katie mused.
Alastor chuckled and replied, "You might say that."
"Will any of Vaggie's Aztec relatives be at the wedding?" Katie asked.
"Why yes," Alastor replied. "Titoc will be leading the ceremony."
"Absolutely fascinating," Katie said cheerfully clapping her hands together.
"So, what can we expect from this ceremony?" Tom Trench asked.
"The ceremony will be an Aztec ceremony with some of my modern sensibilities," Alastor explained. "The bride will walk down the aisle in her white dress as she would in a traditional wedding with Rosie walking behind her. Then once she and Vaggie arrive at the steps of the pyramid, Rosie will carry her up the stairs and set her down at the top of the pyramid where Titoc and I will perform the wedding vows."
"That sounds quite romantic," Katie gushed for the camera.
"Now, it sounds like you've made plans for just about everything," Tom said. "But what about your bride? Rumor has it that she's quite unwilling."
The question made Angel's blood boil. He unconsciously furrowed his brows and gripped the blanket under him with his free hands.
"Unwilling is one word for it," Alastor said with a self-satisfied grin that only angered Angel more. "But don't you worry. Everything will be set and ready for her."
"How is the little lady this evening?" Katie asked.
"Oh, she is resting and recovering her energy after the debacle at last Friday's auction," Alastor explained away.
"Oh, did something happen between you, Vaggie, and the other overlords?" Tom asked.
"Yeah," Katie added. "We know that Overlord Valentino was injured, but Overlord Vox didn't divulge many details. Did Vaggie have something to do with the Overlord of Lust's terrible state?"
"A tinge of it, yes," Alastor answered vaguely.
"Interesting," Katie replied, smiling at the gossip.
"Shall I show you the dinner menu for the reception?" Alastor asked, seamlessly changing the subject.
"Yes, please," Tom answered.
Alastor then summoned a menu for the eager anchors to look at.
Unfortunately, before Angel could hear any more, he caught a noise at the door.