Wow I can't believe there's 40 chapters. I know I've been gone for a while, so I completely understand if people lost interest. Between my jobs and film projects (living that NYC hustle) I'd kind of thought I was going to stop doing this... but I've had so much fun writing this story it didn't feel right to not finish it. For all the work I do outside of this it's been so nice and fun to have something that I just enjoy and get to share. So I fully intend on concluding this whether anyone cares or not. It shouldn't be much longer now. Tie up the experiment and get to the exciting conclusion of who gets to heaven. Feels like a game of the Bachelor haha.

But for anyone reading this...Whether you love it or hate it...you've still read 40 chapters of something I wrote and I honestly can't tell you how much that means to me. So thank you

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The young girl sat awkwardly In her chair as Katie primped and Tom looked over notes. "Hell of an attention grabber…whatever you name is…." Katie said dismissively.

"Sara Lynn," she muttered, "I uh, know you've got more pressing stories," she glanced at the screen where the main feed was showing two turtles with knives strapped to their shells, "but we've been just repeating that teaser for hours now. Are we ever gonna…am I going to get to talk at some point?"

Katie scratched her nails into the table and jerked her head in annoyance before flashing a sickly sweet smile.

"Trying to tell me how to do my job?"

Sara recoiled, "NO, no no. I just…Sorry I've never been on the news before. Just," she forced a smile. "Curious."

Katie Killjoy considered her a moment. "It's a 24 hour news cycle…you have to keep things-

There was a studio buzzer sound and she snapped back to attention, smiling at the camera.

"Welcome back. I'm Katie KillJoy joined right now with my co-host Tom Trench and Sasha Leo-"

"Sarah Lynn"

"-a former victim of the Radio Demon himself and she's been having a HEAVENLY problem. We're about to go to Calamity Jane in the field about the latest in the turf wars and then we'll dive into-"

Alastor materialized, in the most dramatic way possible. On the news desk.

Tom Trench flipped his chair backwards and the young cyclopian girl almost did the same. Katie Killjoy did not flinch.

"And in a recent development we're joined by the Radio Demon himself-"

"That's right my dear," he bulldozed over her, summoning his microphone at a flick of the wrist. There was horrible feedback that made everyone cover their ears but the smiling demon. He gave a hard blink revealing glowing red eyes and bared his teeth at the camera.

"The one and only Alastor here to interrupt your regular broadcasting with some exciting news!" He announced, throwing his arms up. Katie practically climbed onto the desk to be seen past him.

"Yes well this certainly is a surprise, especially," her eyes narrowed, "To see you live on TV. Usually it's only a voice-"

"Why Miss Killjoy are you trying to tell me I have a face for Radio?" he crooned flirtatiously.

Katie gave a husky laugh and slid her hand up his arm. "On the contrary, you're one of the most handsome of the current Overlords. We've seen the polls."

Alastor raised an eyebrow and leaned his face towards her laughing along. "My dear you know flattery will get you everywhere."

Katie flashed her newscaster grin. "We've been trying to get you on but with the…circumstances. What do we owe the pleasure of you breaking your agreement with Vox?"

Sarah took the distraction to try to slink out of her seat only to find herself wrapped in shadowy tendrils and lifted to be dropped next to him on the desk with a squeak.

"Oh our announcement I'm sure you can imagine," he said in a lower voice. He slid his arm around Sarah's waist and she felt herself trapped against his side in a vice-like grip. "Sarah was so eager she jumped the gun but I suppose now is as good a time as any."

Sarah tried to push away but he only pulled her back more forcefully. Tom whispered something about cutting away but Katie hissed at him and the crew scrambled back into position.

"Yes denizens of Hell, the rumor is true! TWO HONEST TO GOD ANGELS at our very own Hazbin hotel! It seems the powers that be couldn't ignore us any longer and we're now accompanied by some feathery friends who will be authenticating Princess Charlotte's endeavor," he turned to Sarah, eyes glowing, "Isn't that right darling?"

Sarah didn't respond but luckily didn't have to. Katie cut in, "Well well well this is news. And is it also true that-"

"One is my very own dearly departed Mother? Yes of course! As heavenly as she was on earth. Couldn't stand to keep away from keeping her boy out of trouble it would appear. Ha Ha"

Katie grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Well isn't that something…. You heard it here first folks. Hell's favorite overlord has his mother back to put him on the straight and narrow."

"Now let's not get carried away," Alastor laughed, waving a hand. "We all know I'm beyond help but for YOU sinners out there," he addressed the camera, "There could maybe be a sliver of hope for your sorry selves after all. We're keeping things exclusive for the moment but in time we may be extending our patronage. Come for the slim chance at redemption, stay for my Mother's award winning jambalaya. Those who don't pass the test may become a part of the recipe." His voice modulated between a showman and threat seamlessly and Sarah felt herself stop struggling, defeat and fear killing her determination.

"And would it be wrong to say you're playing with your food?" Katie's voice dripped salaciously but a hint of jealousy narrowed her eyes. "I know many of our viewers will be disappointed that it seems Hell's favorite bachelor has finally found a new interest in human flesh."

Sarah ducked her head and Alastor felt his own face heat up. Luckily his blush was hidden under his ashy tones and he shook his head with a bark of a laugh. "Now now, Miss Killjoy, a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell," he nuzzled his cheek against Sarah's. "I tend to keep my private matters private but I must give a lady credit," he pulled her in so their noses were touching, her eyes going wide, "She's just as delectable now as the day I killed her."

Sarah froze at the implication. Katie roared with laughter. "Oh is it getting hot in here or is it just me?" She dramatically fanned herself.

"So I want to conclude for anyone listening," Alastor continued, slackening enough for Sarah to pull her face away. "The game is set, the stakes are rising, and we fully intend to commercialize redemption in the very near future. So mind your P's and Q's, start saving up your goodwill and tithing," His voice dropped and grew staticky, eyes turning to radio dials and insignias surrounding, "And know that the hotel is now protected within all my power."

Static filled the room and there was a sharp crack as the electricity went out and the safety lights popped on. Alastor's face stretched, his head turning backwards like an owl.

"Leaveeeeee ussssss," he hissed, as he leaned down to Katie and Tom. Tom was gone before he could finish. Katie stood up with a huff and left with a haughty stride, snapping her notes up as she went. He spun his head back and watched the remaining crew scatter. The room went out of focus. The terrified demoness he held at his side began clawing and scrambling to try to get out of her grasp.

Her mouth worked as though she might screen as his jaw unhinged and leaned toward her.

-POP-

Her scream died in her throat as she was suddenly sitting on her chair again, a frowning Alastor sitting in front of her on the news desk.

She gasped for breath, her eyes wild as she looked around the now empty room, lit only by the flickering low lights.

"I-I-I…" she sputtered, leaning back in her chair.

"Can you explain WHAT in the HERE you planned on accomplishing by this?" his voice was barely above a whisper.

"It has to be a trick, your little speech proved it," she choked, something sparking behind her eyes despite her fear. "I KNOW you. I KNOW you don't deserve redemption. I DON'T KNOW why these angels are all weighing in your favor. Whatever the angle is, people need to know not to trust you."

Alastor sighed heavily, rubbing at his ears. "I'm sorry for the dramatics. The…insuation even. But…You have no idea what you've done-"

"What ruined your plan?" she snidely shot back.

"You've exposed the angels. MY MOTHER. Do you know what some denizens of this God forsaken place would do if they knew they could capture, torture, whatever…an angel? Especially one that was an OVERLORD'S MOTHER. Not to mention the wrench it would throw in the whole project."

She blinked, obviously realizing the stakes of her stunt. But she bared her teeth defiantly all the same. "Why should I care?" she shot back. "I hope they do-"

Her vision blurred again as he leaned in closer, teeth bared, "WATCH what you say next my dear, if you're so convinced I'm a monster than maybe I should-"

"Where's that gentlemanly tone Alastor?"

Alastor froze, his back snapping rigid, smile tight. A faint glow suddenly came from the blackened teleprompter and a familiar face appeared.

"Hello Vox," Alastor growled, his eyes glowing again.

The TV suddenly grew into the Television demon himself. "You broke our ruuuule," he crooned in a sing songy voice.

Alastor stood from the desk, his hooves clacking against the polished floor. "A trespass I'll admit," he replied tightly, "But I felt it necessary to send the proper message. You've overstepped yourself in the past my friend, and I needed to make it clear where you aren't allowed to tread."

Vox gave a static cackle. "Afraid I'll be coming after your mother?"

Alastor casually looked at his cuticles. "Of course not…I know you wouldn't be so stupid…" Vox's features twisted, "But the dumber less powerful among you…I thought it a mercy to be transparent."

"Too cocky as always for your own good," Vox hissed. "Tell the truth, you've been hiding her from me and you're little snack just ratted you out."

Alastor glared at Sarah who seemed frozen in place.

"You know how a scorned woman can be," Alastor muttered, eyeing him coquettishly, "I wanted you to know not to fall into the same mistake she did."

Vox fumed, a wire thrashing in anger. "I'll have you know it's my network. We've already had the hotel surrounded for hours now since the girl showed up."

Alastor's eyes narrowed. "I was afraid you'd say that."

Vox suddenly seem to grow in size, sparking at the threat. Alastor smiled an evil grin, brow furrowing. Shadowy tendrils began to emerge around him. And then, he stopped.

"This is a distraction," he laughed, the static dropping from his voice. "You lured me out and you're trying to keep me here so you can have your goonies-''

"Clever as always…" Vox sneered.

"Let's make a deal," Alastor spun his cane, tucking it under his arm and extending his hand. Vox eyed him curiously, mellowing into his natural form. "I'll be frank, my mother is a soft spot. An achilles heel. What do you want to ensure her safety? I want our hotel left alone for the remainder of our project."

Vox twisted his lip. Alastor's eyes narrowed but he stayed firm.

"We leave the angels alone…in exchange for the north west turf," Vox said slowly. He smirked as he saw Alastor falter. That area had been held by Alistor for a millenia. It was the closest to the electrical plant and the home of the cannibal colony. It had been a long war trying to overtake it. New residents were dropped smack in the middle which meant most were eaten before they could be used for…other purposes by the likes of Vox and Val. Alastor had established a fair game rule (no one could touch a newcomer for the first 3 days) for new residents to keep his fellow cannibals from taking too much advantage and knew Vox wouldn't be so kind.

"That's a high price," Alastor raised an eyebrow. "Quite boring and pedestrian for you I'll admit."

Vox sparked. "Fine. I'm happy to sweeten the deal. Forgive me for thinking we could keep this civil. So how about this, we leave the angels alone and then you step down as an overlord next extermination?"

Alastor smirked, "You're that afraid of me?"

Vox again bristled. "Not hardly. But you like to play games. Let's see where the chips fall if your hands are tied. You're so confident in your little empire, it should stand while you're away, yes?"

Alastor looked thoughtful. "How about a 2 hour head start?"

"Deal if you sweeten the pot."

Alastor eyed him curiously.

"Val and I are quite fond of our little pet and you're lot has managed to keep our toy out of our reach. We leave your precious mommy dearest alone in exchange for our favorite plaything."

Alastor turned the idea over. He couldn't do that. He had grown fond of the spider besides her gross indiscretions. He couldn't reasonably damn…

Alastor perked up. He couldn't damn a soul to Vox if that soul left with the angels. If he could just ensure Angel Dust to ascend…

"Its a deal," he said with finality. "But you understand it'll have to be until after the experiment. I can't rightfully give up our effeminate friend to you until the angels have taken their leave."

Vox sneered. "We could take the girl as collateral. To ensure we were occupied in the time being"

Alastor glanced back at Sarah who looked as though she might faint. For all his frustration he softened. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her behind him. "I'm afraid no collateral," he said firmly. "You'll just have to do this the old fashioned way." Alstor's hand glowed green.

Vox now intensified on the screen, on a scent. "Awful protective," he mused. "She must be quite something…" Alastor felt his smile drop at the implication. Vox's eyes were suddenly trained on her. Hungrily. "In all your years in Hell this is the first we've seen you take interest…I suppose a fairer price for protecting your mother would be giving up your new lover." Vox seemed to be weighing something in his head. "I'll forget the whole deal if you give her to me now…" Vox hissed through static. "I'd leave the angels alone and let the rest fall naturally to see what the Radio Demon finds satisfying in a lover. Val and I would love to get to know your pet more. "

Alastor felt a snap in his brain. The girl had been nothing but trouble. Vox was being cocky but if he could shake on it it was set. Angel Dust, Katherine, Nick, everyone safe at the cost of the little fire starter. He could have laughed at how easily it all fell into place, Vox a sucker to her his own covetous lust.

Alastor felt Sarah try to pull away and glanced at her over his shoulder. She looked terrified. Those same scared round eyes he remembered seeing through his broken glasses as she had tried to escape him. He couldn't throw her to the dogs. He had to keep her safe. He had to keep all of them safe. He had to get the Princess's plan to work. Angel Dust would be out of Vox's clutches, the angels would return to heaven, and he would just have to get a little more clever and crafty at the next turf war.

"No deal." Alastor said, sternly. "2 hour advantage at the next turf war and Angel Dust will leave the hotel and come back to you after the project if he doesn't ascend. For full protection of the hotel for the remainder of the experiment from the likes of you and your….kind and kin."

He held out a glowing hand. Vox took it.

Nick sat on the front porch, a proper watchdog, eyes trained. Katherine had just gone to bed and Vaggie was quick to order that no tvs were active given the nature of Alastor's foes. He wasn't particularly sure what he was watching out for but he was bored and it seemed productive.

When the door opened he tilted his head at the noise but didn't turn around.

"Husker." It was a greeting, not a question.

Husker growled and moved to stand down the step from him, lighting a cigarette, bottle in hand. They stayed like that for a moment, both training their eyes on the walkway to the hotel, ears alert, occasionally cheating glances at one another.

"I used to detest being around smokers, but with the way the air is down here I suppose it doesn't make a difference?" Nick smiled softly, resting his chin on his knees. Husker grunted, regarded him for a moment. There was something almost childish in the detective's demeanor. He had noticed it in life as well. He was never rigid, straight backed like the other cops. Never stern. There was something lazy in his posture and easy in his mannerisms. It almost made him more unsettling. He never felt like a figure of authority, but a cat casually toying with its food.

He had never understood why Al had seemed so intrigued by the man. Alastor who was always putting on airs, taking care with his appearance.

"You know I find you the most baffling out of all of them."

Husker's ears twitched but he turned away. Refusing to be baited.

"A locked box. So quiet. So…unpredictable."

Husker's ears twitched again, but still he refused to turn.

"I think it's wonderful. You're so protective of Alastor…yet…well I mean technically…you're the man who led to the capture of the New Orleans Slasher…."

Finally Husker turned, throwing the bottle, breaking it on the step next to the detective.

"Shut your mouth," Husker growled.

"If you wouldn't have saved my life he probably would have gotten away. Who knows."

Husker grabbed him by the front of the white tunic, yanking him to his feet. Nick only smiled. "That's why you're so angry isn't. You wish you wouldn't have gone to get that help for me."

Huskers closed his eyes. His body trembled. And Nick found himself dropped unceremoniously to the ground. The cat demon sat down a step lower shaking.

"I don't know…."Husker said softly. "He was so…not right. Sick. But there was nothing to do. If he got upset it got worse. If he would have cut me out… who knows what would have happened with him left on his own."

He looked up with tear filled eyes and Nick just smiled back.

"It's ok if you wanted to turn him in."

"I didn't. I meant what I said to you. It was only cuz he asked."

"You had every option of not listening. I fully expected you to go into the hallway and do a little tap dance and come back." Nicks voice was low and warm. He reached out a hand to Husker's shoulder, but drew it back. "You knew it needed to be stopped. He was hurting himself. Badly."

"I just don't know. I feel like…it's my biggest regret…but also maybe the only time I ever did the right thing."

Nick scooted down next to him in the step. He turned his eyes away from the cat demon but draped an arm over his shoulder. A warm squeeeze. Not too intimate. Husker sniffled and became calm, Nick removed his arm.

"I hated you." Husker murmured, taking out another cigarette.

"Oh I was aware. I can't say I was the fondest of you either….We've only ever had one thing in common."

Husker gave a low chuckle around his cigarette. "We both love that dramatic big mouth."

"Hey guys?" Angel Dust made both men jump as he squeezed in between them roughly on the steps. "You're gonna wanna-"

"Is that a damn TV?!" Husker attempted to grab at the small portable screen but Angel Dust deftly switched it around his many hands out of reach.

"Cool it pussy cat," he hissed. "Don't let Vaggie hear you. Look."

They all focused on the screen to see the 666 News with Alastor perched on the desk, the cyclopian girl pressed to his side and wrapped in shadows.

"…. The game is set, the stakes are rising, and we fully intend to commercialize redemption in the very near future. So mind your P's and Q's, start saving up your goodwill and tithing," Alastor's voice came through."

"Told everyone all about the angels," Angels talked over it. "Smiles is doing the whole razzle dazzle, threats and fluff…also did yous guys know he killed that new girl?"

"Shhhhh," Husker swatted at Angel Dust, trying to get him to shut up but the screen was already going hazy before a no connection signal filled the screen.