Both Alastor and Vaggie nearly jumped out of their skin when John's voice picked up behind them. On instinct, both turned to attack him, to little success.
Rather than use his abilities, Alastor's hand ended up slapping John's face, while Vaggie aimed with the intent to shove the spear in his chest, only for it to literally bounce of his skin, the unexpected return force surprising her.
Despite what had just happened, Alastor barely even reacted to Alastor's slap, his face shooting right back to grinning at them, and he seemed to be completely unaware that Vaggie's spear even touched him.
"Having fun?" He asked, a cheeky grin on his face.
They could also hear Charlie giggling a decent bit away, watching the entire scene in amusement.
John turned to look at her, chuckling. "See? I told you they were following us!"
Charlie giggled as she approached. Meanwhile, Alastor and Vaggie both looked like they'd been caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
With a chuckle, Alastor looked at John with a smirk.
"Might I know how you knew?" He asked John, who chuckled.
"You? Your breath smelled like decayed fish and that doesn't even take into account your body odor." John explained. Alastor shook his head with a chuckle.
"I suppose I should've thought of that."
"Duh." John said, chuckling, before looking at Vaggie. "As for you…"
"What? Do I have a smell too?" Vaggie snarked, irritated that she'd been caught, and was now being told what she did wrong. She was great at being sneaky, dammit!
John shook his head. "No. I could sense the spear."
Everyone looked at him in surprise at that one.
"You can sense the spear?" Charlie asked, amazed.
John nodded, looking directly at her spear. "Yeah. Hell, this close I can feel the angelic energy coming off of it."
Vaggie looked down at her spear, eyes furrowed. "That's a neat trick." She remarked, though her frustration was clear in her voice.
John chuckled. "It's not a trick, you just have to be taught." They all balked at his words, looking at him in surprise. He returned said look when he caught their gazes. "Even you didn't know that, Charlie?"
"Uh-uh."
John let out a huff of surprise. "Huh." He looked at Vaggie's spear. "That's an Exterminator spear. As if the design didn't make it obvious enough, Exterminator Angels are corrupted by black magic."
They looked at him surprise, the remark about black magic catching Alastor's attention. "Really?"
John nodded. "Yeah. Seriously, Heaven is supposed to be free of sin, why in hell would they send pure angels to Hell, not only to get corrupted by the demonic energy, but to become corrupted with sin?"
Now that they heard it out loud, it did make sense. Sure, they had a halo and angel wings, but Exterminator Angels looked nothing like Lucifer or any other described angel.
Sure, since his punishment, Lucifer's energy had long since been corrupted, but he still at least looked like an angel. Hell, he still had his wings, he'd just lost his halo.
But the Exterminators were all almost completely black, and one eye always had an X over them.
"How do you know all this?" Vaggie asked, suspicious.
John shrugged. "How do you not?" He asked, raising a brow. "There's hellish energy, which is infused into a sinner's soul the moment we're taken to hell."
"Yes…" Alastor nodded, not seeing his point.
"And then there's Angelic energy. Like sinners, it's what is infused into a pure soul when they die."
"Taking them to Heaven." Charlie finished. John smiled.
"Exactly." He said, pointing a finger at Charlie.
"But that still doesn't explain-"
"It's just a matter of sitting and thinking." John interrupted Vaggie, to her frustration. "We know there's black magic, different versions of it too, like the Voodoo Alastor uses."
Both Charlie and Vaggie glanced at Alastor when they heard this, weary, before turning back to John.
"But black magic doesn't just exist, like the two energies. It needs to be created."
"Are you saying that black magic is corrupted angel energy?" Vaggie asked, not really believing his words. "If that's the case, how can Alastor use it?"
"It's not just corrupted ANGEL energy, Vaggie. It's corrupted energy in general." John clarified. "That's part of why Alastor was so damn powerful when he manifested in, what, 1935?"
"1933." Both Alastor and Charlie answered in unison, to everyone's surprise.
"How did-"
"I was already an adult over a century old when you manifested Alastor." Charlie interrupted the Radio Demon, giving him a look he wasn't sure whether it was supposed to be angry or cute. "I remember very clearly the day that gave you your reputation."
"Anyway," John spoke up, catching their attention once more. "Alastor was a practitioner in Voodoo, that's part of why he was a fucking serial killer." He explained. "When he died, that magic didn't just disperse. It was latched to his soul, not his body."
"You know an awful lot about black magic…" Vaggie said suspiciously. "Do you use it?"
"Fuck that shit!" John's outburst surprised all of them, and he looked at Vaggie sternly. "Black magic is a fucking curse. It does nothing corrupt. Yeah, I'm already in hell, and I know what I can do in a fit of rage. Something that's just gonna corrupt me even more? Yeah, I'll pass, thanks."
The way he spoke conveyed an immense hatred for black magic.
"If you hate it so much, then how are you friends with Alastor?"
"Vagatha, you heard the dear boy, it makes up a part of my demonic biology." Alastor explained, not using his radio voice. "It's completely impossible for me to stop using black magic, as it's a natural part of me, unlike other demons who have to practice it as an art."
"But… how come Exterminator Demons are corrupted by black magic?" Charlie asked, confused. "Are they practicing it?"
John shook his head. "No. See, even though black magic can be created from both, it's because it uses those energies as a… catalyst, of sorts. Both energies play the same role, corruption." He looked at Charlie. "However, whereas demons have to actively practice black magic, angels don't have to do anything but commit sin."
They all looked at him confused.
"Huh?"
"Say what?"
"Come again?"
John chuckled. "See, angelic energy is meant to only be used for good. By committing sin, you're perverting that intention and corrupting the energy within you." He explained. "However, since demons are naturally already filled with sin, and therefore, are immediately filled with demonic energy, the intention of the energy isn't perverted."
"How do you know all this?" Vaggie asked, narrowing her eyes. "Your only a sinner, and if you are to be believed, you're younger than I am. How the fuck do you know all this?"
John's eyes narrowed, glossing over with something none of them could quite place. "Vaggie, I knew Heaven and Hell existed before I died." He revealed, looking her directly in the eye. "I've face both sides of the spectrum enough to have to familiarize myself with it. And black magic? Fuck that shit."
"But, wait, something's not right." Charlie's voice caught there attention, and she looked at John when they turned to her. "If an angel is corrupted by black magic purely from sinning, shouldn't my father essentially just be a more powerful Exterminator?"
John shook his head. "No, because he's not mortal, Charlie."
Now she was even more confused.
"Huh?"
John chuckled. "Charlie, your dad's an archangel. He's one of the original angels, created before the energy was intended to be nothing but pure." He chuckled. "Hell, your dad might not be able to enter Heaven, but he's just as powerful as any of his brothers, and with the demonic energy that's corrupted his angelic energy, he's definitely got a lot more he can do with his abilities."
"See, my curiosity lies somewhere else." Alastor spoke up, catching John's attention. "If black magic is really just perverted angelic and demonic energy, how are humans able to access it in the human realms?"
"Alastor, hellish energy and angelic energy both exist in the human world. It influences all humans, you could say, so that they always have a choice." John explained. "Hell, practitioners of black magic don't even know what they are using half the time. And those who somehow do are Satanic psychos."
"John, Vaggie raises a very good point though." Charlie said when John finished, looking at him in confusion. "You know a lot more about these things than one would think."
John was silent for a moment, before sighing. "I had to learn the ins and outs of black magic when I was alive to fight back against someone who was using it. As for the rest of my knowledge, it was only expanded on down here."
"But-"
"Charlie, can we please talk about something else?" He asked her, resting his head in his hand.
"Hey, you owe us an explanation you-"
Vaggie was interrupted when Charlie placed a hand on her shoulder. "Vaggie, it's okay. We shouldn't force him to talk about it." She said, smiling at John, who returned the smile.
"How about we discuss what led to this conversation?" John remarked, glaring at Alastor. "Al?"
Alastor shook his head. "Don't look at me. I followed Miss Vaggie here." He said, gesturing over to the moth demon. Charlie looked at Vaggie with a furrowed brow.
"Vaggie? You followed me here?"
"I don't trust him." Vaggie said, pointing and glaring at John.
"What did I do?" John asked, confused. Vaggie narrowed her eyes.
"You've only been here a day and you've already gotten Charlie alone, and it doesn't help that you come out of nowhere and you associate with Alastor." She said, pointing aggressively at the large man. "What am I supposed to think, you- Charlie!"
Whatever Vaggie was going to say was interrupted when Charlie hooked a hand under Vaggie's elbow, dragging her away from Alastor and John with a look of annoyance on her face.
John and Alastor watched the site, surprised, before John glanced at Alastor.
"She really don't like me, does she?"
"From what I can gather, she doesn't like men in general." Alastor remarked, glancing back at John. "Plus, she and Miss Charlotte are an item."
John's brow furrowed. "Okay, I knew that last one. What's that got to do with- wait a minute!"
Alastor was chuckling at the wide-eyed look of realization on John's face.
"Now you get it."
"She's jealous of me?! We just met yesterday!" John exclaimed, his eyes wide in shock.
Alastor chuckled. "Yes, but Miss Vaggie is also quite protective of Charlie, despite the fact that Charlie's much more powerful than she is."
John looked at Alastor, surprised. "Really?"
Alastor chuckled. "When I met them yesterday, Johnathan, Charlie was visibly intimidated. Miss Vaggie, however, shoved a spear in my face."
John couldn't help but laugh at the image in his head. "Wait, the Radio Demon shows up at your door and instead of being scared shitless, you shove a spear in his face?" He asked, snickering. Alastor shook his head, a smile on his face.
"Apparently. Add to that, she had the audacity to call me, and I quote, 'Sh*tlord'"
John wasn't sure what made him laugh more, the image in his head or Alastor censoring himself as he said the 'shit'.
Meanwhile, Vaggie and Charlie had a very different air about them.
Despite usually being the firm and serious one, Vaggie had absolutely no delusions about being tougher than Charlie.
Charlie was much more powerful than she was, being the Princess of Hell while Vaggie was a lowly sinner demon, but despite how much more combat oriented Vaggie was, Charlie was also much stronger than her.
And he grip was getting a bit too tight.
"Ow, Charlie, you're hurting me!" Vaggie exclaimed as Charlie tugged her along, until they were a fair distance away from the two men who were with them.
"What is wrong with you?!" Charlie asked as she spun on Vaggie, letting go of her arm.
"Hun, I was just worried that-"
"I wouldn't have gone with him alone if I thought he was going to hurt me, Vaggie!" Charlie interrupted before Vaggie could even get a word out. "Do you really think that little of me?"
"No, Charlie!" Vaggie said, eyes wide in shock at what Charlie was insinuating.
"Besides, he's done nothing to deserve this hostility!" Charlie shouted, completely ignoring Vaggie's answer. "He has done nothing but show up at the hotel, offer help, and make us all breakfast! And unless Husk and Niffty are dead and me and Al got lucky, he definitely didn't poison any of it."
"Hun-"
"No! Not this time!" Charlie stopped Vaggie's words in their tracks. "Vaggie, you don't have to trust him, but it's only been a day since you've met him and you have already crossed a line! Hell, you haven't done this when I've gone out by myself, so why when I bring someone who's friendly?"
Every word Charlie spoke sent a bitter shiver of shame through Vaggie, because every word she spoke was true. Loathe as she was to admit it, John had done nothing, absolutely nothing, to deserve any of her attitude in the last day. Yet, she had insulted him, given him dirty looks, and had even stalked both he and Charlie because they were going out alone.
And yet, she couldn't bring herself to feel bad about it. Because this was hell. It could all be an act.
But Charlie wouldn't buy that answer.
"What, are you that jealous, Vaggie?"
Charlie's words shocked Vaggie out of her stupor, and she looked at Charlie in disbelief.
"What- No!"
Charlie was silent for a moment, looking at Vaggie with a look of disappointment, hands on her hips, before she sighed.
"Look, Vaggie. I know you don't trust men, and I get it." Charlie began speaking as she closed the distance to her girlfriend. "But you don't need to be so rude."
"But…" Vaggie wanted to say something, but she wasn't sure what. She and Charlie had arguments in the past, and just like now, whenever Vaggie was the one in the wrong, Charlie's words always made her feel like a scolded child.
"Listen to me." Charlie said softly as her finger caught Vaggie's chin, pulling Vaggie's gaze to look up at her. "I'm sorry for going off like I did, but you weren't just rude to John, you really hurt my feelings."
Vaggie felt guilt eat her alive at Charlie's words. "I'm sorry, Charlie."
Charlie gave her a gentle smile. "I know, Vaggie. And I get it. This is hell. Most people are assholes, and a lot of them can be really good actors, but John approached us to help out. I don't want to just push him away because he's big and scary, especially when He's been nothing but kind."
A part of Vaggie was a little hurt at how Charlie defended John, but she was unsure of why.
It certainly wasn't jealousy. Never.
"You don't have to trust him, and you don't have to be friendly. Just be civil, no insults or threats, or any hostility."
What Charlie was asking shouldn't have been much, but for some reason, the thought of being nice to John just rubbed Vaggie the wrong way.
But she would at least try. For Charlie's sake.
"Okay, Hun. I'll try to be nice." She promised. Charlie smiled at her.
"That's all I'm asking." She gave Vaggie a loving kiss, before nodding back to where they'd left Alastor and John.
As the two made their way back towards the men, both were having two very different thoughts, but they both had smiles on there faces.
Behind them, intangible, and invisible, completely hidden, and smiling at them as they walked away, was a ghost like being in a cloak, with different sized clocks wrapped around his chest and a clock staff.
"Charlotte Magne and Vagatha Heart. Both of you, and Johnathan, have bright futures ahead of you." Spoke Clockwork.
A/N: OMG, IT'S CLOCKWORK?!
Yes it is. And yes, I do have plans with him.
Also, this is the same Clockwork that I used in my story, Omni-Man: Vought's Downfall, because Multiverse.
No, Nolan, The Boys, Nor Hazbin Hotel will be meeting each other in this fic. Or a few fics.
It's just to show that this is a multiverse.
Also, Clockwork has a role in this.
Also, little to none of what I write for this fic will be biblically accurate. I'm treating Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss as complete fiction, separate from the Bible, and considering I'm not very knowledgeable in religious subjects (I've admittedly never even read an entire page of the Bible) most of what you read is made up for my own fanfic Universe.
And for anyone who wants an actual visual of John, I've posted a picture (Definitely not the best quality) On DeviantArt under the name awesomenessdude13. Here is a link to the picture.
deviantart awesomenessdude13/art/Hazbin-Hotel-The-Unexpected-Help-John-Gallagher-920199100
And it was drawn using the artstyle of Danny Phantom as a reference point.
Anyway, that's the end of the chapter, and I hope you all enjoyed it. Don't forget to review, and I'll see you in the next one.