The silence in the room was deafening.
Charlie's eyes were wide with horror.
Vaggie looked like she had just witnessed the impossible.
Husk looked like he had seen a ghost.
Angel was looking on in complete and utter shock.
Alastor's eyes were wide, his smile gone from his face
Vox was practically short circuiting, at the site.
Valentino looked as if he had lost all hope.
Velvet looked like she was staring death in the face.
And John…
was ANGRY.
The only sound, outside of the blessed bullet clattering to the floor, was John's panting, his entire chest heaving as he glared at Velvet, rage in his eyes.
Velvet was slowly backing away as John's panting became more audible, turning into intense growls. His fists were clenched tight, blood leaking between his fingers as his claws pierced his palms.
His entire body was shaking, trembling with rage that was begging to be released.
"I…" Velvet was going to say something, but she trailed off as John's eyes began glowing a deep, fiery red. She let the holy gun drop to the ground, the weapon clattering, completely forgotten. "I'm sorry!"
She dropped to her knees, wrapping her hands together as she practically began begging for forgiveness, babbling incoherently while John simply trembled.
"Holy shit…" Angel muttered. "That was an holy bullet… and it didn't even faze him."
"We weren't exaggerating." Husk whispered. "The kid is tough as shit."
"John?" Charlie's voice echoed through the room, as she slowly began approaching the angry demon.
"Miss Charlotte!"
"Charlie!"
Both Alastor and Vaggie called out to her, but she ignored them, opting to instead keep approaching.
Vox and Valentino simply watched. Valentino was practically broken, fear taking hold of him completely.
"We're gonna die. We're gonna die." Valentino muttered over and over, while Vox sat next to him, resigned to whatever fate awaited him.
"I told you it was a bad idea, Val." Vox said simply.
Everyone watched as John continued shaking, before he suddenly froze, his eyes wide.
And then everyone covered their ears as John's head snapped back.
And he roared to the heavens.
Nobody had ever heard or seen anything quite like what was happening now.
Fire seemed to erupt from the ground behind John, the flames rising up into a massive wall of heat. Every gash on John's body had blood spurting out of it. His blood seemed to have a mind of it's own, as it shot back and seemed to mix with the flames, turning them a deep, dark red.
The smell of death quickly permeated the room, but no one could really focus on that due to the guttural roar of blood lust that John let out. His roar shook the very area around them, all the way down to the foundations. Everyone was rattled to their core, John's rage sending an instinctual amount of fear through them as they gazed in a terrified daze at the spiky behemoth.
The roar echoed through the entire city, every single denizen of Pentagram City looking around frantically, trying to make sure death wasn't coming for them.
The roar stopped suddenly as John's gaze snapped towards Valentino, and his hand shot towards the moth demon.
Everyone watch in amazed disbelief as chains blasted out of the very earth beneath them, waggling and flapping around as if they had a mind of their own. The chains blasted towards Valentino, and the pimp let out a scream as the chains wrapped themselves around him. He was lifted off the ground, completely restrained, whimpering and quivering like the coward he was as John approached him, rage in his eyes.
"Gallagher, please, I-"
"You made an attempt to kill me, Valentino." He said, glowering at the sniveling demon in front of him.
Valentino just continued begging. "Please, I'm sorry! I won't do it again, I swear on Lucifer's life!"
John gritted his teeth. "Shut up!"
Everyone watched in pure horror as John gripped the moth demon's jaw, and with a disgusting rip, tore the mandible from Valentino's skull.
Valentino's screams of pain were a gurgling type of sound as he choked on his own blood, and though everyone knew he would be fine, it was still a disgusting site nonetheless.
"Look at you, sniveling, whining, crying, acting like some big shot until your confronted with someone you can't bully, intimidate, or kill." John spoke, ignorant to the gazes he was getting as he glared at the restrained demon in front of him. "You cause pain to others for your own pleasure. Every single one of your girls are used by you like a fucking toy, all because of you little smoke ability."
Everyone watched, some turning green, as John grabbed Valentino by his torn mandible, his fingers slipping down the moth demon's throat as he pulled him close, glaring directly into his eyes.
"I'm going to show you exactly what you are really doing. And if I ever see you again, Val?" John growled at the whimpering mess in front of him. "I will send you to the Void."
Valentino's eyes grew wide as John let go and turned away from him, leaving him suspended in the chains.
"Have a nice couple of days, Val."
And then the chains retracted back into the ground, dragging the moth pimp with them.
Valentino's screams could still be heard echoing.
John's gaze snapped to Vox, and he growled.
"Leave."
Vox wasted no time in complying. He swiped Velvet up in his arms as he dashed out of the room and out of the Hotel.
John turned to look at Angel. "You okay, buddy?"
Angel nodded, managing a grateful smile despite what just happened. "You kidding? You know how long I've been waiting to see someone give that piece of crap his own medicine?"
"You sure you're alright, kid?" Husk asked John. "I've never seen you cut loose like that."
John let out a sigh as he rubbed his head. "You haven't been around when someone has tried to kill me." He chuckled as he glanced at Husk. "Admittedly, I've always had a bit of a temper problem."
"And I thought I had seen you cut loose during our battle." Alastor remarked, chuckling to break the tension.
"I think the Hotel is gonna be very safe with you as security." Charlie remarked, letting out a light laugh as the nervousness and tension left her body.
John chuckled. "I can try, right?"
"What I'm curious about is, how come this thing didn't kill you?" Vaggie asked as she picked up the weapon, glancing at John with slight suspicion. John chuckled.
"Vaggie, the blessings on them don't make them more powerful, just a more potent threat to demons. They have to be able to penetrate my skin." He said, walking over to Niffty, who was still unconscious.
"You mean, you've been shot with holy weaponry before?" Charlie asked, stunned. John chuckled.
"Oh yeah. In fact, first time I ever got shot down here was with a blessed shotgun. Took a spreadshot straight to the face." He recounted, checking over Niffty to see the damage done. "Nearly had a cow when I found out from a friend that demons are supposed to be more susceptible. I've just figured I was lucky for my skin."
"Jesus Christ, kid. You got a gift, not a curse." Husk remarked. John let out a chuckle that sounded empty.
"Yeah… but sometimes the gift isn't worth the suffering." His tone made it clear that they had unintentionally stumbled upon a touchy subject.
He picked up Niffty and walked out of the room, Alastor and Charlie moving out of his way as everyone watched him leave.
"Do you see why I said he's more powerful than he knows, Angel?" Alastor asked, glancing to the porn star, who nodded slowly.
"Yeah. Jesus Christ."
"So, why Valentino?" Vaggie asked, glancing over at Angel, who shook his head with a frustrated sigh.
"He caught me in a bad spot during the 80s, and he used his little smoke shit to seduce me into signing a contract."
Vaggie raised an eyebrow, before sighing. "Well, regardless, I'm glad your alright." She glanced at Charlie. "I'm gonna go watch the Snyder Cut, so if anyone needs me, I'll be in the recreation room."
"Hey, my operas are on right now!" Angel objected.
"Record them then!"
"I already did!"
"Then shut up about it!"
"It's my turn you bitch!"
While Vaggie and Angel were arguing, Alastor and Husk watched the spectacle with amusement. Meanwhile, Charlie slipped out of the room as she watched John walk down the hall with Niffy.
So much anger and rage inside someone so friendly.
How much was he truly suffering?
A few hours after the incident with Valentino, Charlie found herself standing in front of John's door, slightly nervous.
After dropping Niffty off at her room, who had woken up not long after and immediately returned to cleaning, John had retreated to his room without a word. And he hadn't come out for the past three hours.
After the display earlier, Charlie was a little worried.
"Hey John?" She asked, stealing her resolve as she knocked on the door.
She didn't expect the door to open within seconds.
John was standing on the other side, looking down at her with a curious gaze. "Yeah, what's up Charlie?"
Charlie let a smile form on her face as she tucked some hair behind her head. "Well, I just wanted to check on you, see how you were doing after everything that's happening."
John stared down at her for a moment, before letting out a small chuckle. "I'm fine, Charlie. I appreciate the concern."
"Are you sure?"
John raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Charlie averted her gaze. "Well, it's just…" She let out a sigh as she looked back up at John. "I guess it's just that there is so much anger and rage inside someone so friendly… I know that doesn't just happen for no reason."
At her words, John was stunned. "You… really?"
Charlie nodded. "Yes. I know you are supposed to be a security guard here, but the Hotel is for everyone, not just guests." She smiled up at John. "I guess what I'm saying is that if you ever need to talk… I'm here."
John looked down at Charlie, and a soft smile adorned his features. "I appreciate that Charlie."
Charlie nodded, grinning. "No problem."
They looked at each other, and then John chuckled at her upbeat enthusiasm. "How in the flying fuck is it that the king of Hell and the first Succubus can create someone so… pure?"
Charlie's eyes narrowed and her hands rested on her hips as she raised an eyebrow. "I'll have you know, Mister, that I'm as far from pure as you can get!" She said, pointing a finger at John, who chuckled.
"Yeah, and I'm the pope." He remarked, grinning down at Charlie.
"I mean it! I can do things that… that are so dirty, even Angel Dust would blush!" She remarked, though it was kind of ruined by her stumbling halfway through.
John chuckled. "Really? I bet I can make you blush with one dirty sentence." He dared with a challenging grin.
Charlie grinned. "You're on." She said, holding out her hand. John raised an eyebrow, his hand sparkling with demonic energy. The ability to make deals was, contrary to belief, not unique to certain demons. Every demon in hell could make deals.
It just so happened that many had nothing to offer.
Charlie grinned, her own hand sparkling with demonic energy, and the two shook.
Both felt a jolt of energy surge through them as the terms of the deal was set. And both felt slight realization hid them.
"We forgot to talk about the terms before we made the deal." John remarked, wide-eyed.
Charlie chuckled nervously. "Uh… oops." She grinned at John. "Okay, let's keep it a surprise. I don't think I have anything to fear."
John chuckled. "Okay, you ready?"
Charlie smirked, nodding confidently. "Uh huh." She was confident she could do this!
Her confidence wavered somewhat when John didn't speak for a few moments, just smirking. Almost like he knew he was gonna win.
"John, what are you-"
"You have big tits."
Charlie's eyes shot wide at his words, which came out of nowhere. It was a line she had heard many times before, a lot of demons having ogled her over the years. But something about the nonchalant, honest way he said it had a different effect on her, compared to other demons.
It didn't help that by technicality, she had actually asked for it.
She knew she'd lost the moment the words left his mouth, because she could feel her face heating up, and the grin on John's face a moment later was immediate confirmation.
She was blushing up a storm.
"Jesus Christ, your face is red!" His voice carried through the hall as he laughed, and Charlie was so glad that no one else was there to see her blushing that hard.
"This is embarrassing…" Charlie muttered, embarrassed at the fact that was all it took. She looked up at John. "So, what are your terms?" She asked, resigned to whatever fate he decided.
John raised an eyebrow, and grinned. "I think you'll like it."
Charlie raised an eyebrow, and admittedly, she grew a little nervous, her mind going in the gutter at his wording. "Oh?"
John chuckled. "This Friday, I'm making a visit to the Hell Hole. My terms are you coming with me."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "What, are you saying I have to go on a date with you?"
John laughed hard at her assumption. "Are you kidding? You're taken, Charlie." He said with a chuckle. "No, I want you to come with me because I told you that I might be able to get you some Hotel guests."
Charlie's eyes widened, and she grew excited, jumping at his words. "Really?!" She asked, bouncing up and down in excitement.
John chuckled. "Yeah. Got a good few people, actually. I think you'll really like them."
Charlie nodded, grinning. "If you say so."
John laughed at her enthusiasm. "Well, Charlie, I appreciate the visit, and it was nice talking to you, but I think I'm gonna take a nap." He said.
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Now?"
John nodded. "Yeah."
Charlie looked confused. "But it's the middle of the afternoon."
John nodded. "Eh, well, using that much power takes a lot out of me." He said, grinning nervously.
Charlie looked at him for a few moments. "Alright, well, get some rest John. I'll talk to you later." She said as she turned away.
John smiled. "Alright." As he went to close the door, he stopped mid way. "And Charlie?"
"Yeah?"
John looked at her, a grateful smile on his face. "Thanks, for coming to check up on me. I really do appreciate it."
Charlie smiled at his heartfelt words. "Always happy to help at the Happy Hotel!" She said. John chuckled.
"You oughta make that a slogan. See you later, Charlie."
As John closed the door, Charlie looked back down the hall, a little confused.
John was clearly lying about having to rest, but he was so nice and friendly so far. Charlie would've been suspicious of him, but it honestly just wasn't in her nature.
She only hoped the time would come where John would confide in her.
After all, it was only the second day.
A/N: And there's the chapter.
I'm really getting a drive to continue this story, moreso than many of my other stories. Don't get me wrong, I'm still working on my other ones, I just am enjoying this one and I really want to get some more chapters out for it.
By the way, though it was only posted days ago, John's design is set to change slightly, thanks to a commission I paid for by the one and only ScarletGhostX. Go check her out on DeviantArt and Twitter if your a fan of Danny Phantom and Kim Possible, but I have seen the sketch for the cover she is working on for this story, and I must say that I prefer her design leagues above my own, mostly because it matches the aesthetic and animation style of Hazbin Hotel.
To my knowledge, it's her first time working on a Hazbin Hotel art, but she is definitely skilled enough to pull it off.
Anyways, I thank you guys so much for reading, please don't forget to review as those are my best motivator, and I shall see you all in the next chapter.