Nifty till the End of Tom
Author's Note: I do apologize for this chapter taking a little longer for me to get around to. College assignments are taking up some of my time, and other times I lack motivation. To anyone who has favorited, followed, or reviewed this story so far, I owe you a thanks. I tend to remain motivated when I either receive feedback or know objectively people like what I present and are looking forward to more. Thank you all for your support thus far, and most importantly, thanks for your patience. Now you may continue.
I.M.P. Headquarters
At 8:00, the two red imps and the werewolf girl sit down at their table while the taller imp steps in with a few newspapers. The white-haired imp raises an eyebrow.
"What's in the most recent news?" He asks.
"Are we finally in papers?" The girl asks with enthusiasm. The boss shakes his head with a more serious look than usual.
"No Millie, unfortunately, we aren't there just yet." He states. The werewolf rolls her eyes.
"Did you seriously think Blitzo is witty enough to get our business in the papers?" She asks in a bored tone. Blitzo rolls his eyes.
"We'll get there soon enough Loona, I promise." He says as he passes out newspapers to each of them. "And to answer your question Moxxie, somebody died. And it wasn't the bratty kid that was mentioned either." He leans over the table and shows them a large image of a deformed red-haired girl on the front. "The youngest overlord, Velvet was murdered last night!" He shouts causing Millie to gasp, Moxxie to make a horrified face, and Loona to grin slightly.
"Can't say I'm surprised." The werewolf says. "She's only known for being a popular porn star." She comments. Moxxie grabs his paper and reads.
"How does anyone die in this position?!" He exclaims. Blitzo leans closer to his face.
"Apparently her last dude did this! As his bone got harder, all of hers got weaker!" He exclaims as he tugs on Moxxie's shirt. "But still, she's gone now! You know what that means?"
"It means we gotta kill someone, doesn't it?" Millie says in a dark tone as she grabs a knife from below the table. Blitzo waves his hand.
"No, no, no. Not you Millie." He says as he points to the male employee. "Moxxie!"
"What sir?" He asks. Blitzo grins widely.
"Are you familiar with that newly opened hotel a few blocks away?" He asks. Moxxie smiles lightly.
"Yeah, what about it?" He asks as he glances at his wife. "Are you willing to let Millie and I take a couple of days off of work?" He asks as the werewolf chuckles.
"As if you've earned one." She remarks rudely. Moxxie glares.
"Well maybe I'd like some time off, I usually do the heavy work!" He interjects. Blitzo cocks a shotgun and faces him.
"Well Moxxie, you're our best shooter, so you're gonna do some heavy work today." He says as he tosses the rifle at him.
"Augh!" He grunts loudly as the gun hits him in the chest. "Okay, two things?" He asks in an annoyed tone. "One, why am I doing this alone, and two, who hired us on a Saturday?" He asks Blitzo chuckles.
"Well isn't it obvious? Katie Killjoy." He states as he pulls out a step-by-step diagram. "She got her hands on a very deadly chemical which she and Tom will deliver to the hotel, forcing everyone in the building to either flee the hotel or die of inhaling this gas." He says as Moxxie's eyes widen. Blitzo points at him. "Now Moxxie, here's where you come in. Supposedly the man who killed Velvet is staying there, and he may come after Tom and Katie on the way out." He states as he points to a chalk drawing of Moxxie shooting a human. "If you see a boy with an orange shirt and black hair that sticks upward walk out of the building, shoot him in the leg!" He states.
"The leg?" Moxxie asks. "Why am I being called to injured someone but not kill them?" He asks. Blitzo shrugs.
"Killjoy is a cheap lady. She's not paying us enough for a full execution." He states as Moxxie raises an eyebrow.
"O...kay. But where should I hide? There aren't any bushes nearby." He points out. Millie grabs a spear.
"I'll defend you, honey." She says in a savage tone. "You hide behind a corner, and I'll strike if anyone comes after you." She promises. Moxxie sighs.
"It is what it is I suppose." He mumbles as he cocks the shotgun and they both walk out. Loona faces her adoptive father.
"Are you sure sending Moxxie to shoot was a good idea? Remember what happened last time?" She asks as the taller imp chuckles.
"Of course I remember, he shot the correct target, and we all tried to save him." He states as Loona frowns.
"Well yeah, good riddance to that little fuck." She comments. "But what if Moxxie shoots the wrong person?" Blitzo shrugs.
"He'll probably end up shooting the right person either way. Just give him some time." He requests.
Happy Hotel Lobby
Douglas steps down the stairs to see Angel and Husk drinking coffee at a table. Just as he's about to join them, Niffty pulls him aside.
"So how'd it go last night?" She asks eagerly. Douglas smirks savagely and puts his hand to his face to whisper her direction.
"Let's just say, she couldn't Bonk me. I was too sturdy for her weak bones." He says as Niffty's eye widens and her smile enlarges.
"You murderer her?!" She asks in a quiet voice, still using a hyper tone with her words.
"Velvet is dead now. Finding men shouldn't be as tough anymore." He assures. Niffty squeals under her breath.
"Yay!" She says cheerfully before grinning evilly. "Now the men are mine! Ha, ha, ha!" She says in a rather sinister tone, before retaining her enthusiasm. "Thank you very much, Douglas, I can rest easier at night knowing I may fall asleep with a man now." She remarks, causing him to chuckle.
"Alright then. I'm glad I could help." He says before facing forward. "Well, I'll talk to you later Niffty." He says as he's about to step down the stairs. The small cyclops girl grabs his arm.
"Wait one second." She says as she pulls out a holy pistol. "Your angel friend sent you a spare gun." Douglas's face lights up upon seeing it.
"Awesome!" He says as he grabs it from her. "Do you know what happened to the last one?" He asks. Niffty shakes her head.
"I think Velvet sold it to the highest bidder." She remarks before chuckling darkly. "Too bad she's not around anymore to claim that money." Douglas sighs.
"If someone else in hell has that gun, I'd better keep my eyes peeled." He states. Niffty gives him a cute look.
"Are you keeping your eyes peeled for a beautiful demon girl as well?" She asks flirtatiously. Douglas pats her on the back.
"Not at the moment, but I will tell you something. You're so much cuter than Velvet." He says, making Niffty blush.
"Awe! You just made my day!" She says quickly as she hugs his stomach, causing him to chuckle and squat to her level. "You're the most thoughtful person I've met thus far in hell!" She says as she whispers into his ear. "Religious boys are so sexy." She whispers seductively. The holy boy chuckles.
"And you've just made my day." He says as they end the hug.
"Well, gotta go!" She says as she pulls out her feather duster. "Gotta go make some beds and scrub a few stains Angel Dust left." She says causing Douglas to make a crept expression.
"He better not have been thinking of me when those stains were made." He says annoyed. Niffty giggles.
"Oh, he was, all night." She says causing Douglas to give a horrified look. "But don't worry about him, I'm gonna scrub that mess clean." She says as she runs up the stairs. The young warrior facepalms and sits alone at one of the tables. Charlie approaches him with a cup of coffee.
"Hey Douglas, would you like some coffee?" She asks politely while he pulls out his list of overlords and shakes his head.
"I don't drink coffee. Caffeine isn't something a boy my age needs in the morning." He then frowns lightly. "Most teens these days don't want to get out of bed. They have no concern for how much of their life they waste when doing so." He states. The demon princess shyly pulls out the chair across from him at the table.
"Do you mind if I join you for a while?" She asks nervously. The holy teen nods, but doesn't take his eyes off his paper. "Great. So what are you looking at?" She asks as she sits in front of him.
"Can I borrow a marker please?" He asks, ignoring her question entirely.
"Um, sure." She says as she grabs a red marker out of her pocket and rolls it to him. "Here you go."
"Thanks." He says as he sets the list down in front of her, though she looks at it upside down, she sees the same list of overlords he does.
"What do you have here?" She asks as he draws a red X over Velvet's photo. Douglas sighs under the fear he won't get away with lying to her.
"Okay, if you want to know the truth about me, I'm hunting these people down." He tells her, causing her smile to vanish.
"The overlords?" She asks as he nods. "What do you want with them?" Douglas looks up from his paper and makes eye contact with her for the first time.
"Well Charlie, hopefully, you and I can agree on this. I want peace in Hell, and that's why those warmongering maniacs at the top of the system need to resign or redeem themselves as the killers they are." He states. Charlie raises an eyebrow.
"So, are you the one who killed Velvet last night?" She asks as he pauses and glares.
"I gave Velvet a chance, and she let her thirst for power and sexual domination guide her into making the wrong decision. The moment she bonked me, her fate was sealed." He says as he flips the list over so she can see it. "And that is why I'm here Charlie. I was told to kill the overlords, but I'm trying my hardest to figure out a way to make mercy an option. Only they will decide whether or not said mercy shall be accepted." Charlie's nervous gloom comes to her face.
"So, you're here to kill people? Not redeem yourself for your sins?" She asks. Douglas sighs and shakes his head.
"No Charlie, I'm not." He admits. "I've been put here by a holy angel in Heaven, and he told me as long as I'm in Hell, nothing I do will harm my reputation on Earth." He clarifies. "He even promised me if I kill all eight overlords, I'll be guaranteed a spot in Heaven's judgment hall." Charlie sips her coffee nervously before asking another question.
"So you want to kill everyone on that list?" She asks. He shuts his eyes for a moment.
"I don't exactly want to, but I don't really have a choice."
"But you're not allowed to just quit this mission at any given time?" She asks, hopeful of a certain response. Douglas looks back at her.
"Charlie, I'm only sixteen and I've spent half of my life without a family. I've been fighting demonic creatures of all sorts for almost a decade, and I'm one of the very few boys my age who can objectively say, God, is and always has been there for me." He looks up at the ceiling. "And if I withdraw from this mission, whatever young soul they send in next... will likely perish."
"So..." The hellish princess stretches. "You're not leaving Hell until the other seven have died?" She asks. The young warrior puts his hand to his heart.
"I will promise you a couple of things. I promise I won't harm you, nor do I intend to go after any non-overlords." He promises. "But as long as I'm here, I do intend to smite the souls of any power-hungry demon that is killing weaker demons off, and maybe bidding a plan to overthrow God." He states, causing Charlie to flinch.
"Well then..." She says as she hops off her chair and grabs her phone. "I need to make a quick phone call." She says as Douglas holds his hand out.
"One question, am I still welcome at the Happy Hotel?" He asks. The princess nervously gives him a thumbs up and nods.
"You're still welcome here." She says as she looks to the side. "For now." She mumbles, still audible enough for him to hear her. "I gotta step outside and make a phone call now!" She says as she rushes out. Douglas steps over to Angel and Husk as they sip coffee.
"What was that about?" Douglas asks. Husk frowns at him.
"So you're the new guy?" He asks. Angel gives him an annoyed look.
"Yep, that's the man. The little boy who allowed Cherri to get shot." He says in annoyance as Douglas frowns.
"I didn't intend for that." He states as he lightly tugs on Angel's arm to get his attention. "But I do want to know something." He says as the sexual spider raises an eyebrow. "Who do you think you are, masturbating to a teenager like me?" He asks, causing Husk to laugh.
"Ha! That's a good one!" He says as he continues chuckling, Angel gives Douglas a firm frown.
"And who told you that?" He asks the warrior.
"Niffty." Douglas responds. "She said she needed to clean up some stains you made last night while thinking about me." He then points to his face. "Now don't you think that's a little creepy for someone like me to hear?" Angel glares.
"You think my dick was active last night?" He asks as he glances at Husk who facepalms.
"You couldn't get enough alcohol no matter how much I poured you." The dark cat says in an exhausted tone. The porn star shrugs and glances back to Douglas.
"I don't know why you think I'd fap after losing a friend. I was getting blackout drunk since you helped take away Cherri Bomb." He says as Douglas's glare fades. "I must've spilled some of my drinks last night because of it." He says with a gloom on his face.
"Oh, I'm really sorry to hear that." The holy teen says. "But please don't blame me for her death. It wasn't intended, nor am I proud that it happened." He says as Angel sighs lengthily.
"Well, I guess you did save my ass from that egg after that." He says in a forgiving tone. "But the pain of losing her will take a long time to recover from." He says before nearly crying again and facing Husk. "Say, you think you could get me a glass of water?" He asks. The dark cat nods.
"Alright." He says as he steps off the chair. Douglas holds his hand out.
"Don't bother, I've got it covered." He says as he puts a small flask in front of him. "Here Angel, have some of this." He insists. Angel removes the cap.
"Thanks, man." He says before sipping some of the water. "Ah, that was refreshing." He says before pausing. "Wait... what was that?!" He shouts fearfully.
"Holy water." The young warrior remarks as Angel begins coughing intentionally.
"Ah! I hate it!" He panics as he begins punching his fluffy chest. "Make it stop!" He exclaims. Husk chuckles silently as Douglas shrugs.
"You've already swallowed it, and I'm sure that's better for you than an alcoholic beverage." The boy comments.
"I feel so purified," Angel says while sobbing.
Meanwhile
Charlie stepped outside and calls on her cell phone.
"Come on mom. You need to pick up this time!" She exclaims under her breath as she presses the call button. The phone rings a few times as she fearfully shivers sweats. "Come on mom, I know you're there. Just pick up this one time." She prays internally for a moment, before a voice answers.
"Hello?" An older lady with a deep voice asks. Charlie nearly cries upon hearing it.
"Mom! Thank Satan you picked up!" She exclaims cheerfully. "I really need to talk to you!" She asserts.
"What do you need from me now sweetie? Has the hotel finally succeeded?" She asks.
"Well no, but we do have a very significant guest here." The princess says before her excitement fades. "And this guest isn't like anyone I'd hoped for here." She adds. Lilith chuckles.
"Well sweetie, it's just like show biz, when you see someone in the audience you didn't expect, you must not break character." She remarks. "Just treat them like anyone else." The queen advises before Charlie makes a fist.
"Oh, why is this so hard to explain?" She growls before talking directly into the phone. "Mom, his name is Douglas, and he's from Heaven!" She asserts.
"Ooh, Heaven? Just like your father!" The queen says in a spicy tone. "Perhaps you've been looking for a prince to take your father's place in the future, and God sent him to you." She teases. Charlie blushes for a moment.
"Right..." She says before making a fist and shaking her head. "Well that's the problem mom! He's in Hell specifically to smite the current overlords, and I need you to make sure you and dad are safe!" She manages to state. Lilith chuckles.
"So, he's another warmonger? I should've guessed." She responds. Before Charlie can speak up, she continues. "Well sweetie, just let him know if he comes to our royal theatre," Charlie hears a snake rattle and hiss in the background. "He'd better prepare his own performance." She says threateningly. Charlie pauses in confusion.
"Wait, you're not at all worried about him?" She asks.
"Absolutely not sweetie. Your father and I rule Hell together, and if he wants to hurt me, my dear Lucifer will protect me, as I will to him. This boy better know what he's up against because chances are if he makes the wrong choice," Lilith's eyes reveal destruction. "God has abandoned him." She says darkly. Charlie's eyes widen and pupils shrink.
"Mom, this is serious! You can't let him kill you or dad! Okay?!" She asks as the queen chuckles.
"Then I'll be sure to melt his flesh off with my satanic venoms." She promises, causing Charlie to gloom fearfully.
"But you don't need to kill him either. He's only trying to do the right thing for the Angel's in Heaven!" She firmly establishes, only for her mother to chuckle evilly.
"Well sweetie, he has a choice to make. He can change for the worse, or God can say goodbye to another one of his young innocent disciples. But if he steps foot into our palace," Her voice gets deeper and a maniacal echo is heard behind it. "He'll wish his mommy was there to save him." She says as she laughs darkly.
"He's an orphan." Charlie mumbles. Lilith regains her calm nature.
"That's wonderful. Now his mother won't be there to cry for him when he's gone." She says before turning around. "I've got to go now, bye sweetie." She says as she hangs up. Charlie glooms once the call ends and sighs deeply.
"Maybe I shouldn't have called her." She says to herself as a truck pulls up. "Huh?" The male news reporter with the gas mask steps out of the truck with a box in his arms.
"Good morning Princess Magne." He says rather politely.
"Tom Trench? What are you doing here?" She asks. The newsman shrugs lightly.
"Well, it's Saturday, and nobody watches the news on weekends." He says as he holds the box out. "So I was told to deliver this box to the Hazbin Hotel." He says as Charlie smiles mysteriously.
"Oh really? Who sent you and what's inside?" She asks. Tom shrugs.
"Well I really don't know what's inside, but I think it's something for your newest guest. All everyone has been asking is what happened to Velvet. Maybe you could ask him to come on our network and explain." He offers. Charlie takes the box from him.
"Well thank you. I'll give it to him right away." She says as she walks back into the hotel. Tom walks back over to the truck and enters the passenger's seat.
"What was in the box anyway?" He asks. Katie puts her finger to his mouth.
"Shh, I wanna watch this." She says as she sees Moxxie and Millie getting into position next to the hotel walls. "Someone is gonna die!" She exclaims victoriously. Tom frowns lightly.
"You know, it's not our job to watch them die, all we do is the reporting." He states as she faces him and glares.
"Yeah well, we could've hired the I.-M.-Ps to commit murder if you threw in a few dollars too!" She exclaims as he flinches.
"Why?" He asks. "What beef would I have with anyone in an irrelevant place like this?" He asks. Katie grins evilly.
"Oh you'll be satisfied when this is over too, I promise."
Happy Hotel Lobby
Charlie walks in with the box while Vaggie stares furiously out the window at the truck.
"Why did you take that box from him?" She asks as Charlie rolls her eyes.
"Because he said it was for Douglas. He also mentioned he'd be more than happy to have Douglas on their show to discuss Velvet's death." She clarifies as the purple girl frowns.
"Are you sure this isn't some sort of trap?" She asks as Charlie sets it down on one of the tables.
"Do you think if they really want Douglas on their show, they'd try to kill him?" She asks her girlfriend. Vaggie shrugs and Douglas steps over to them.
"What's in the box?" He asks curiously. Charlie shrugs.
"I don't know, but it's from Tom Trench." She states causing Vaggie to stamp her foot.
"You know I don't trust that guy!" She interjects, causing Angel to frown and step forward.
"Hey, Tom is a sexy guy with great hair and a positive attitude." He says as he grabs the box. "Let's see what he has for us." He says as he rips the box apart. Suddenly, a dark red chemical emits from the package and quickly begins filling the room. "What is this?" Angel asks. Husk's pupils shrink.
"EVERYONE OUT!" He shouts loudly. "THAT IS ANTIMATTER GAS!" He exclaims as he runs for the door. Charlie gasps loudly.
"WHAT?!" She screams as Douglas grabs her arm and begins pulling her.
"Let's get out of here!" He exclaims as Husk opens the door for him and Charlie. Vaggie glares at Angel as they both run out.
"Now you see why I don't trust him?!" She exclaims in frustration. Angel shrugs widely.
"Hey, in my defense, I expected Katie and Tom to just let this place slip into irrelevance!" He says as they both exit. Douglas takes a deep breath of fresh air once they're all outside, and he glares at the truck.
"So they delivered this death trap?" He questions Charlie. The demonic girl nods.
"Yes. They did." She says as she breathes heavily. Tom looks at Katie curiously as she laughs evilly.
"Can we go now?" He asks as the wicked woman stops for a moment and nods.
"Fine, let's beat it." She says as she turns the key. Suddenly they both flinch as a gun clicks from behind the seat.
"Not so fast!" Douglas says as they both face him and shriek under their breath. "Step out of the car, now!" He demands. They both unbuckle fearfully and open their doors.
"How did you get in here?" Katie asks as he steps over the seat.
"I can teleport." He clarifies. "Now shut the doors." He demands. Both Tom and Katie close the truck doors and face the four standing in front of the hotel entrance.
"Oh no, not again," Tom mumbles as Vaggie points her spear out. Angel whispers to Charlie.
"You see why I want my guns?" He asks. Charlie reluctantly nods. Douglas teleports in front of them and aims the Heaven's Glock at the two reporters. They both hold their hands up.
"Okay, which one of you did this to us?!" The holy boy asks in a harsh demanding tone. Katie instantly points at Tom.
"He did it!" She exclaims. He shrieks fearfully as Douglas aims the gun at him.
"No, wait, wait, wait!" He panics. "I didn't mean any harm! I was just delivering the package like I was requested!" He fearfully shouts.
"And why should we believe that?" Vaggie asks.
"Yeah, and who sent you?" Husks adds. Katie looks in the background to see Moxxie aiming his gun at Douglas. She smirks subtly.
"One of the overlords who has a slight problem with your friend." She says as she glances toward Douglas. "You're the one who killed Velvet, aren't you?"
"Yeah! And I could kill you just as easy!" He exclaims furiously as he takes a step towards them, sending a shiver down Tom's spine. Moxxie almost fires before Charlie steps up to the boy.
"Wait Douglas, don't shoot them." She requests.
"Charlie, there is a time and place for everything, but not now. Mercy isn't something I'm prepared to apply here." He states.
"But Douglas, killing is the complete opposite of what this hotel strives to achieve. If you kill them, you're sinning, and that's something we're trying to heal." She says. Angel and Husk glance at each other with the same uncertain look in their eyes. Vaggie lowers her spear and sighs.
"She's right Douglas. You're not here to kill people, are you?" She asks. The boy sighs under his breath and turns their direction, still aiming the gun toward the reporters.
"Not exactly. But what am I supposed to do now?" He asks. Katie abruptly shoves Tom forward.
"WHOA!" He exclaims as he's sent towards them. Just as Douglas turns back to face him, he runs directly into the tip of the pistol. *BANG!* "OW!" Tom instantly screams as gunshot pushes both him and Douglas to the ground. Everyone gasps a moment later.
"Hey!" Douglas shouts as Katie makes a run for the truck. He quickly picks up the gun and stands up. "I'm not finished with you!" *BANG!* "AH!" He instantly falls on his rear as a searing pain enters his left ankle.
"Douglas! Are you alright?!" Charlie exclaims as Vaggie grabs her spear and turns around.
"Who's out there?!" She shouts furiously. "Come out you cowardly son of a bitch!" She says as she runs toward the back of the hotel. Angel and Charlie help Douglas up. Husk points at Katie.
"She's getting away!" He shouts in frustration as the wicked reporter starts the vehicle. Douglas glares as she drives away.
"She can run but she can't hide." He says. Angel puts his hand over Douglas's wound, causing him to wince loudly.
"We'd better call an ambulance now." He says. Charlie grabs her cell phone.
"I'm on it." She says. Douglas slowly and painfully steps back on his feet.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." He says in a discomforted tone. "Are you alright?" He asks Tom as he lays on the ground clutching his chest as it bleeds quickly. He coughs a few times.
"You shot me in the chest." He says in a broken voice as tears begin rolling down his face under his mask. "Why Katie?!" He asks as he uncontrollably sobs. Douglas nearly tears up himself.
"I'm really sorry sir! I didn't mean to shoot you!" He panics remorsefully as Angel and Husk roll Tom onto his back. Charlie puts both of her hands over his chest to slow the bleeding, causing him to wince loudly and gasp uncontrollably.
"I-I know you d-didn't!" Tom cries out. Charlie presses lightly on his lungs as Angel and Husk put pressure on his arms.
"Please Tom, all we need to know is what happened. Can you tell us?" Charlie asks. Tom inhales painfully and shivers a few more times.
"I'll tr-try." He manages to say. Meanwhile, Vaggie aims her spear at the imp with the shotgun.
"What do you think you're doing here?!" She asks in an interrogating tone. Moxxie facepalms.
"I was called to help Katie escape, what do you think?" He asks. Vaggie steps forward darkly.
"You deplorable twats are the last people we want at this hotel." She says as Millie jumps out of the bushes with her spear.
"En Garde!" She shouts, startling Vaggie and leading the two girls into a spear fight. Moxxie watches as the others focus on Tom.
"Katie told you to deliver the box?" Angel asks as Tom nods.
"But she never told you what was inside?" Charlie asks.
"N-no. She didn't." He lets out weakly. Douglas sighs deeply.
"So, you had no intention of hurting anyone?" He asks. The injured reporter coughs a few times and shakes his head.
"No." He says weakly. He gathers all his remaining strength to lift his head up slightly. "I hope, all of you, got out okay." He struggles to enunciate. Angel flinches.
"Wait, did we get everyone out?" He asks.
"I think so, Alastor is on the balcony, outside of the area." Husk clarifies. Douglas flinches upon realizing who's missing.
"Oh no! Where's Niffty?!" He yells worriedly. Charlie, Angel, and Husk gasp.
"Oh no, she's still inside!" Charlie says fearfully. Douglas groans and turns around.
"I have to save her!" He insists. Charlie grabs him by the shoulder.
"Douglas, you're hurt! And you can't breathe in there either." She reminds him.
"Here," Tom mumbles quietly as he pulls the gas mask off. "Take my mask." He says weakly. Husk and Angel stare as they realize he has no eyes, nose, or mouth.
"You don't have a face?" Angel asks.
"No," Tom responds almost completely inaudible. "Some stole it." He says as he wheezes loudly.
"Who?" Charlie asks. The reporter withdraws his final breath.
"Ra-ros... say." He says as his heart stops beating, and his lungs release his last breath. Douglas quickly puts on the mask and runs into the hotel, ignoring the searing pain in his ankle. Charlie turns around to see Vaggie fall to the ground, disarmed of her spear.
"Huzzah! Victory is mine!" Millie shouts as she holds the spear in front of Vaggie's chest. The purple girl glares darkly.
"How can you monsters live with yourselves? Killing people for a living?" She asks. Millie chuckles and holds the spear closer.
"It's a lot more fun than it looks!" She says enthusiastically.
"Back off!" Charlie shouts as she launches a fireball towards her.
"Millie, get back!" Moxxie shouts as he steps forward and blocks the ball with his shotgun. The gun explodes and the blast sends both Vaggie and Moxxie back a few feet. Millie lifts Moxxie back on his feet and glares at the hellish princess.
"This isn't the last you'll hear from us!" She calls out. "That boy will kill you all!" She adds. The imps both start, running away.
"If you don't kill him, it's only a matter of time until we do!" Moxxie shouts back as they both escape. Vaggie gets up and sighs.
"Well, they got away." She mumbles before turning to Charlie. "Do you think they're right about Douglas?" She asks. Charlie sighs and points to the hotel.
"Douglas went back in. We forgot Niffty." She says sadly.
"What?!" Vaggie shouts fearfully. "We did?!" Husk, Angel, and Charlie nod. "We'd better hope she gets out okay!"
Inside the Happy Hotel
Douglas runs all over the lobby looking everywhere. He shouts her name loudly and frequently for a response.
"NIFFTY?!" He asks as he runs to the second floor. "WHERE ARE YOU?!" He screams in fear and agony as he runs all over the place. Suddenly a voice speaks up.
"She's not on this floor, friend from the other side." The voice says. Douglas faces a phone and picks it up.
"Alastor! Where are you?!" He asks worriedly.
"I'm on the penthouse balcony and I have my aura gripped around all the deadly gas in the building. Why don't you come up and I'll show you?" He says. Douglas instantly teleports to the balcony to see the radio demon smile widely. "There you are, my friend. Are you ready?" He asks.
"Ready for what?!" He exclaims. "Niffty is in the building probably choking on her last few breaths! We can't just stand here!" He says as Alastor grabs his hand.
"Douglas, I need you to enchant my aura." He says as a visual of all the gas appears in his head. "Together, you and I can purify it." He says.
"Okay, hurry please!" He says as he holds Alastor's hand and his body glows bright white. A moment later, a large shockwave bursts within the hotel and all the air is purified again.
"Ta-da! We've done it!" He celebrates. Douglas teleports back inside. "Well then, I suppose you don't need help finding her." He says.
"NIFFTY?!" Douglas calls out. "WHERE ARE YOU?!" He asks fearfully.
"Over, here..." A weak voice calls out. Douglas rushes behind a couch to see the small cyclops girl sitting against the wall in an uncomfortable-looking position.
"Niffty! Come on!" He exclaims as he hoists her into his arms and runs down the stairs as fast as he can.
"Are, you, alright?" She asks between breaths. Douglas continues to groan as he runs.
"A little hurt from getting shot in the ankle, but that's all!" He answers as he finally makes it outside. Charlie, Vaggie, Angel, and Husk face them.
"Is it safe to go back in?" Angel asks. The young warrior nods.
"Yes. It's safe now." He says as he tries to catch his breath. Charlie steps forward and lightly grabs Niffty's arm.
"Are you alright?" She asks prayerfully. Niffty inhales deeply and reflexively coughs as her pressurized lungs fail to storage her oxygen. Attempting to breathe alone painfully stings her lungs.
"Mm-mm." She hums quietly. Douglas squeezes her gently.
"I'm really sorry! I tried to help you!" He says as he begins to sob. Niffty smiles lightly and looks up to him.
"It's okay Douglas." She says as her lungs begin to shrivel more. "Can you do one more thing?" She asks, her voice getting quieter with each word.
"What?" He asks.
"Take, off, the, mask." She slowly says word for word.
"Okay." The holy boy says as he lifts Tom's mask off his face. "Is that better?" He asks, trying to smile through his tears. Niffty nods lightly and leans upward.
"Thanks, Douglas." She whispers as she caresses his face. She painfully inhales her final breath and plants a kiss on his right cheek. She then exhales and her body relaxes one last time. Douglas's tears begin to gently pelt her body as he holds her in his arms. Charlie, Angel, and Vaggie step closer and put their hands to his shoulders.
"I'm really sorry pal," Angel says in a sympathetic tone. Charlie begins to cry as well.
"It's not your fault." She says as she puts her hand to his heart. "You fought very hard to save her."
"Even with this injury," Vaggie adds. "That was very brave of you." She tells him. Douglas just sits down and continues cradling Niffty's squishy body.
"Thank you." He mumbles through his tears. "But that won't bring her back." He says shamefully.
"Can we please get you some bandages for your ankle?" Charlie kindly asks. Douglas nods.
"Yes please." He says. Charlie and Vaggie both enter the hotel as Angel looks at Husk, sitting down with his arms folded.
"Husk, aren't you going to do something?" The sexual spider asks. The dark cat shrugs.
"What's the point? God has abandoned all of us." He says as he points to Tom's corpse. "I mean look at what happened." He says as he points back to Niffty. "Those of them who did good things with their lives are in the clouds enjoying their afterlives peacefully without any fear or problems at all. Meanwhile, guys like us are living an immortal life that ends the day someone else kills us, and our souls go nowhere!" He remarks before facing Douglas. "Did you honestly care about her?" He asks. The young warrior nods. "Well kid, welcome to hell. People you get close to may die, and once they're gone, there's no hope of seeing them again. You'd better get used to Niffty being gone because that's inevitable to happen to all of us someday. And right now we try enjoying the afterlife while we can." He says as he enters the hotel and slams the door behind him.
"Ignore him," Angel tells the holy soldier. "He doesn't see any good in anyone." The boy doesn't answer right away, causing the porn star to pat his shoulder. "Hey, what's on your mind pal?" He asks. Douglas looks up to him with darkness in his eyes.
"I WILL find the person who did this. And I won't rest until they cease from existence!" He vows firmly.
Author's Note: So sorry this one took a while. College classes are slowing me down. I also want to apologize for failing to acknowledge my audience sooner. Every time someone reads what I have, it keeps me motivated to write more. Thank you all who reviewed, favorited, followed, or simply have read this story thus far. All the support keeps me going!
Deceased:
Niffty
Tom Trench