Hello there. I decided that at the same time as I do "Song for the Quiet Bird" I decided to do this as a small side project as well. I always wanted to write this kind of story about Moxxie and Angel and I hope that all of you will enjoy it as well. And to those who follow me for Song of the Quiet Bird, it will be released later this week. Don't worry. Also this story takes place in the same AU I create for HB, it's just that's it's an alternative of that alternative... yeah it's a bit confusing and I'm sorry for it.
Torments of Sinners and Imps
"Prologue"
A red limo drove on the filthy streets of Pentagram City. Adorned with symbols of heart and moths and golden wheels. A limo of an Overlord named Valentino who right now was sitting as always at the back seat alongside his entourage made of his favorite workers. Angels was one among them and now he watched how this cat girl looking sinner Summer and rather lowly succubus Dia were going at it with each other. Angel had little idea if what they were doing had some genuine feelings behind it or were they just putting on a show for Valentino. Could be both, but Angel either way would bet more on the latter option. Especially with how pissed Val now was. To the point when he didn't even attempted to fuck him ye-
*GRAB*
Spoke too soon. Valentino without warning put his hand around Angel and put it on his hip and brought him a bit closer to him. Angel felt ill by just being near him and his smoking right now did not help either. Valentino took one more whiff from his cigar and let out a puff of red smoke.
"Huff... My little Angel... How do you plan on fixing it?" Valentino said in a very slow tone as he looked at Angel
"Why should I fix it?!" It's not like it was his fault "That fucking pole fell on it's own! I had nothing to do with it! It must have been already pretty damn old!"
"Hmm...Hmm..." Val closed his eyes as he started humming and taking one more whiff from his cigar and breathing the smoke on Angel's face "Little Angel... Isn't checking things like that part of your duties? Isn't it something you should check EVERY day before you perform? Besides... A pole is only ONE problem. After all when it fell down with you on top of it, it crushed one of the speakers as well... And this little accident also must have already tarnished some of the good reputation my establishment has build..." There was more and more quiet fury in Val's voice "How... do you plan... on... FIXING it?"
"I... I am no technician. I don't know how to fix it and frankly I don't- AHHHH"
Val without warning put his lit cigar on Angel's arm and started pushing it. Dia and Summer stopped their make out session as well as it happened and got closer to each other, as if out of fear. Finally he stopped and just threw the lit cigar perfectly into the trashcan a bit further down the limo. Angel wanted to scream at him, but before he could Valentino spoke again.
"True... But you DO have to somehow repay me for the damages. As will some other individuals..." Valentino let go of Angel who quickly crawled as far away from him as he could while still holding the place he was burned on. Dia and Summer just sat down quietly until Val looked at them and nodded, telling them to continue
"Do that... ever again... And I will-"
"Quit? No... You wont quit Angel Cakes... You wont quit at all." Val said while getting closer to Angel who was now just sinking into the Limo's doors "Where will you go? Go full time with your rotten family and their mafia where the best you can hope for is a stray bullet? Onto the streets where there is no certainty of safety whenever a Purge begins? Anywhere where you wont have the adoration of Demons and Sinners from all across Hell? No... no no no My Sweet." Val put his hand on Angel's face and got his face a bit closer to Angel's "You. Cannot. Leave."
*PUSH*
Then suddenly Val opened the doors of now stopped Limo and pushed Angel through the doors onto the pavement.
"OW! WHAT THE FUCK!?" Angel was angry about this mixed message and as he looked around he realized it was one of his spots for gathering money. One of his least favorite.
"But I can throw you out. Stay here for a few days. Get enough money to pay for the damages and I will welcome you back. You have one week to get about 5000 Hellars. Does that sound good?" Val asked him with so much irony Angel didn't know if he even had to answer
"Do you even care?" Angel did so anyway
"Hehehe... No." Val said and quickly closed the doors and Limo drove off
*sigh*
Angel got up from the pavement. Thankfully his clothes were still relatively clean... except for the part where he was burned of course. Fucking Val. This stinking piece of Hellhound's rotten shit... But this was no time to complain... He had to get that money, especially since he had to pay rent as well, so Angel sadly could not be picky in clients either now. He just went up to his normal spot a broken, malfunctioning lamp next to the nearby alleyway. Angel definitely hoped no one else was using it. He unbuttoned his shirt some more and took a nicer position to get attention of some thirsty demons.
Thankfully he didn't have to wait long as one approached him. It was a... very large bull like Demon in a black pants and jacket that just had a hand crushing a skull on it. This guy also had some nails coming out of his head and he was missing one of his horns.
"Want to have some fun big guy?" Angel asked without a hint of fear and touched one of his large arms "Only 200 dollars for the whole prestigious package that will change your life..."
"Hehe..." The bull smiled in a rather creepy way "Can I go... rough?"
"50 extra for that." Angel couldn't be picky, but like hell he is not going to raise the price for it
"Good." Bull then grabbed Angel very hard by his hand and suddenly 4 other sinners came to them as well, one in form of a lizard with scales in colors of dark green and gold with also gold sharp teeth, a horse looking one with black mane and red fur with white spots on it and black, raven like wings and 2 Doberman looking Hellhounds "And what about... others? How much for them?"
"F-full price as well!" Okay... this was getting dangerous "And extra if they want to be... rougher too..."
"Ohh... We got the money. Don't you worry..." Bull said as he yanked Angel a bit closer "Or worry more... it's more exciting that way."
The other demons started laughing quietly as Angel was dragged to the alleyway. Angel for a moment almost forgot... that he was thrown into Hell.
Some time later
"MMMHHHH... THAT was good you filthy slut!" The bull demon said as he put on his pants back on. He introduced himself as Tesus during the act "Definitely worth our money."
Tesus and his accomplices threw their money on Angel's body now filled more with bruises... Angel barely was able to move his hands to collect all of them. The one with a burn from Val hurt especially hard because those fuckers liked to press on it.
"Looking forward to meeting you again Spider toy." Tesus said as him and his friends left
Angel lied there for a while, feeling terrible anger now as those... fluids got out of both sides of his body... alongside some blood. There were no words to describe how much he wanted to cut throats of all of them... How much he wanted to burn this alleyway... But he could not, these guys would be definitely back... Until they are bored, they will be good source of money. As much as Angel hated that fact. This resentment helped him get up once again. And the fact that he managed to notice certain things he could possibly steal off of those pieces of shit if he ever meets them again...
"Okay... time to...ghk..." Angel was about to vomit again, but stopped himself "Wait... for another."
Meanwhile
Through the streets of Pentagram City ran an Imp. This imp's name was Moxxie. Nervous hellborn who had to hurry otherwise he would be late for his job at the local bar in this part of the city. He overslept after fixing his guitar through most of the night, damaged by one rude bodyguard from there and had to go down from the bus after it stopped in some traffic. This really wasn't his day... But thankfully he was not far already from his destination, it was around the corner at the end of this street and Moxxie was getting very tired already due to carrying his instrument.
"(I hope this running wont make my voice worse...)" Moxxie thought to himself "(I should have brought some water with-)"
Then his thoughts and momentum has slowed down as he saw something in an alleyway he was about to pass by... He finally stopped and looked back. Slowly he turned back and walked towards that alleyway. As he looked there he saw a tall, very pretty looking spider sinner with white fur with some pink spots on it, wearing a white shirt in pink stripes that was torn in some places, 4 red gloves and long black boots. Moxxie had a hard time to see if this was a man or a woman with that rather large fluff on it's chest, but what he could tell for certain that this Sinner was hurt... more so than what he usually sees. This Sinner had bruises all over their body, their arm had a burn and they were bleeding in certain spots... Their smell was also... unfavorable. Moxxie was worried. But this Sinner didn't seem to notice him, they just looked at the wall while smoking a cigar.
"Umm... Excuse me." Moxxie tried to reach out to this hurt sinner
"Huh? Oh... Hello there little guy." Suddenly the Sinner knelt down before Moxxie and started weirdly looking up and down at him, Moxxie from his voice could tell that this was a male, but barely "Hihi, you look pretty cute. Did you lost mommy somewhere? Or are you looking for daddy?"
"M-my parents are okay... thank you." Moxxie didn't know exactly why this person asked about such thing "I just wanted to-"
"Don't worry. I know exactly what you want." The sinner put one of his hands on Moxxie's face, Moxxie tried not to look at the burn on it "Don't be shy now."
"W-well... I think you need help... I think there should be a doctor somewhere that can help you out." Moxxie said with more confidence
"Hmm... Doctor you say..." Sinner seemed to think about something "Yeah... I can manage that. It will be about 250 for this kind of service. But... I could cut it to 230. What do you say?"
"Oh... No need. I will give you 250 if you need them." Moxxie quickly looked through his wallet and got 250 out of it and gave it to this poor sinner
The sinner quickly got up and started counting the money, with every Hellar passed his smile growing wider and wider. Finally he put it in one of his pockets and smiled at Moxxie.
"Hihi... I guess I do need to see a doctor..." Then suddenly they started to unbutton the rest of their torn shirt and got closer to Moxxie "Please be gentle with-"
"WOWOWOW What are you doing?!" Moxxie quickly looked away in embarrassment
"What do you think? You wanted a roleplay did you not?" Sinner said to Moxxie "Did you have a concussion while I was counting the money?"
"NO! I just... I wanted you to go to a hospital!" Moxxie tried to explain himself while blushing heavily
"...What?" Sinner sounded confused and slowly buttoned their shirt again
"I... I just thought you need-"
*PUNCH*
Suddenly Moxxie was punched very hard in the face by the sinner. Moxxie felt horrible pain as he was lying on the ground, meanwhile the sinner took out the money he got from Moxxie, rolled it into a small ball and threw it at him...
*SPIT*
And then spit in Moxxie's face as well.
"Fuck. Off." Sinner was very angry
"Wh-what are you-"
"PAY or FUCK OFF!" Sinner said while pointing with his thumb in the direction Moxxie was originally going "No freebies you piece of shit."
"I-I don't-"
"Oh stop with this 'Oh I don't what you are talking about! I'm just a sweet demon that wants to help you out.' Do you think I got here yesterday you little shit?" Sinner said while lighting up another cigarette and huffing some of it "I've been through this shitty scenario already. You can give it up."
"But I'm NOT-"
"Oh SHUT THE FUCK UP! Let me guess how it goes 'Oh please take my money, you definitely need it more.' and then 'Oh we can go out with each other, it will be so nice' and then of course 'Oh... if you want to do it then please... You can stay if you want too' and one week after 'oh I'm sorry... who are you again? What money? I'm sorry, I don't know you, btw please leave my house.'" Sinner after this little interpretation looked annoyed at Moxxie "Fuck off you damn Imp. Pay for service or get the fuck away from me."
Moxxie slowly got up, took his money and tried to say something else... Explain a bit better, but... he could tell that this sinner is in a very bad state of mind.
"I'm sorry." Moxxie scratched the back of his head as he looked away from them "I'll be going now."
"You better do." Sinner said dismissively while going into the alleyway again
Moxxie just walked away from there . This was stupid... useless... Then again, Moxxie didn't know if he should feel bad for stopping for it or... feel bad for this poor sinner. But for now Moxxie continued on, towards the bar. While going around the corner he wiped the spit from that Sinner and right around it he saw his destination, Life's End Bar. While he was closing in towards the dark brown doors with some red glass on them 2 imps go out as well. One male, with a rather feminine makeup, white hair much like his and 2 slightly curved black and white horns dressed in rather feminine manner while the other one was a shorter girl with long black hair and black short straight horns in a torn up black dress.
"Enjoyed yourself Millie?" Male imp said to the girl presumably called Millie
"Fuck no Sullivan." girl answered to... Sullivan "Why did you even bring me here."
"Oh so we are using full names now Mildred?" Sullivan said while getting his face closer to her ear
"Call me that again and I will cut your manhood off Sallie." she threatened him
'You will spare me the money." Sallie answered "Also I wanted you to maybe meet someone you'll like. Since every boy and girl is afraid of you back at the farm."
"Like you are anyone to-"
"Umm... excuse me..." Moxxie was a bit tired of waiting for these two to move
"Oh sorry..." Millie quickly answered and moved out of the way
"Thanks." Moxxie opened the doors
"Okay, let's just go." Sallie proposed and started walking away
"Yeah, I agree." Millie walked behind him
Moxxie did not pay much attention to these two. Although he had to say, that girl looked very pretty, but he already got his lesson about bothering people in bad moods. Moxxie got inside and walked through the bar. It was not a very big establishment, it was definitely no Ozzie's, but it was something at least. It had a small stage in it where he and some other people performed, a bar that had not a bad selection of various alcohols and it had even a second floor where some good old gambling or whoring around took place... Moxxie now felt even more silly about not noticing who that Sinner was... then again he never really used any of those services.
As for the bad sides of this place... there were quite a few. The overall look of it was pretty dark, the stench was overwhelmingly dominated by cheap alcohol, some of cigarettes and vomit. The place was rarely cleaned and the usual clientele was far from dignified. How this place made any money was beyond Moxxie, but at least he could perform somewhere. Moxxie quickly got to the boss's office which was also upstairs.
*KNOCK**KNOCK*
"Come in" Boss said
Moxxie slowly opened the doors and he saw his boss. An imp with a bit more square like appearance, slightly greenish skin and 2 horns curved backwards, despite his looks he had a rather nice suit on him, even if it was stained in few places. His room was rather nicely cleaned compared to the rest of the bar and his desk had a few documents on it and one bottle of wine. On one wall there was a painting depicting one man killing another, presumably humanity's first murder. Not an unusual piece to be found in Hell, favored by Hellborn to laugh at humanity's downfall.
"You're late Mr... Maxymilian." Boss seemingly had to remind himself of Moxxie's name
"I... prefer to be called Moxxie." Moxxie tried to correct him
"And I don't care what you prefer." And failed
"I see... I'm very sorry for being so late mr. Torus. There were few issues on the way, but I can perform now." Moxxie tried to convince him
"I can clearly see the trouble on your face. Your nose is bleeding boy. And frankly, you look like shit." Torus pointed out
When Moxxie touched his face he saw on his finger some of that lukewarm, dark blood. Mr. Torus threw him a napkin.
"Clean yourself. Also in this state I don't believe you are to perform today... not to mention that you were late." Moxxie felt his heart sink when he heard that "Not to worry though boy, you are not fired yet. Tomorrow you can perform. Today though you will handle the cleaning."
"Wh- Bu... I... I'm not..." Moxxie wanted to protest
"One of the songs from human world I believe has a message like this... 'If you want to make a change, start with yourself'... Adhere to that as well boy." Torus said while turning away from Moxxie and looking through the window behind him "Now leave."
Moxxie just kept the napkin on his nose and left. He felt even more like shit now.
Later that day at Angel's house
Angel finally came back to his apartment... It wasn't very large, just about one, very pink room with a inflated bed on left side, on the right side a desk and a mirror on which was bunch of sex toys he uses at work some of which were now scattered in a few places here, on the left side as well near the doors is a small tv with a VHS player Angel bought at some point out of boredom. And of course the most important part of this apartment was on the very end of it underneath the window. A small place for his pet piggy Nuggets who was now peacefully sleeping. Angel did not want to wake him up and quietly closed the doors and sat down at the desk with a mirror. See how badly he was fucked up today... The sight was not pretty, but wasn't horrible either. Then again, Angel would prefer not being so bruised up.
"(Maybe I should have taken that money...)" Angel thought to himself "Pffth... Yeah right. It would be a good hook. Fucking imp."
We treated him too harshly
The reflection spoke up, still just as bruised, but with far more regretful look, pathetic one.
"Really? Do you really think it was some altruistic demon? Are you fucked in the head!?" Angel was angry at this moron who just shook his head
I think what we did was terrible
"I am in hell idiot! Everyone is terrible here!" Angel argued against this weirdo
Reflection blinked once and the black and pink eye turned into a normal one
"Anthony... But do we need to-"
"FUCK OFF ALREADY YOU SHITTY-"
*Hrum*
Angel looked down as something touched his leg. Nugget was poking him with his cute nose.
"Ohh... Did I wake you?" Angel picked Nugget up and brought him closer to himself "I'm sorry my little-"
Angel then looked in the mirror again, no one was there. Only him and his little piggy.
"I... I think I need more drugs..." Angel said after wondering if he is fucked in the head one... then again he probably was. Angel just lied down on his bed "Those expenses are going to kill me... Then again... I already am."
Angel did not think much about it. Just closed his eyes and dreamt of better tomorrow...
Next day
One that didn't come. Unlike those pieces of shit that once again made a mess of Angel's body. He got to know some more names. Hellhuonds were called Skull and Hook. The Lizard was just called Lado or "Lad" as others call him, Angel didn't know how to feel about calling this fucker Lad, especially with how happy he was to choke Angel and really like the "No dying" feature they have as Sinners. Horse only said one word throughout this entire thing and it was "Calibos" which Angel interpreted as his name. Thankfully this day wasn't totally lost. As those walking garbage cans disappeared Angel looked with pride on the ring he took off from Lad's finger. It was gold and it had a symbol of an apple on it. What a weirdo. Then again, he did not seem like the smartest cookie so Angel felt safe about him possibly connecting the dots as to what happened with it. Maybe he could sell it for some good money, he could be gone from here much sooner, or maybe get some good money from it. Angel for now though hid this thing and try to get up.
"GMM BLAGH!" But this time Angel couldn't stop himself from vomiting and his entire body was in pain.
He may really need some help now... This was bad... Very bad...
"H-hey..." A familiar voice spoke from the end of the alleyway
When Angel turned around he saw the Imp from yesterday. Mr. Nice guy...
"What... do you... want!" Angel had no time for this fucker's manipulations
"I just... I brought you this..." Imp took out a... medkit?
"What is this?" Angel answered with aggressive hiss
"I thought you may need some medicaments... and I thought I could give you them if you were in need..." Imp looked down on the medkit in his hands "Frankly I... I hoped you wouldn't need it."
"Get the FUCK away from me!" Angel didn't buy any of this, this imp can fuck off "PAY THE FUCKING PRICE OR GET AWAY FROM ME! I said I wont fall for this AND I MEANT IT!"
"..." Imp seemed confused... like... here he was, appearing not long after those fuckers were gone. HOW STUPID DOES THIS IMP THINK HE IS!? Then the imp knelt down and put the medkit on the ground "I... I will leave it here... I ask for nothing for this... Just... help yourself."
Imp turned to the right and moved forward down the road. Angel just stood against the wall, looking with great suspicion at the medkit. This had to be some ploy, some weird manipulation... It HAD TO BE. No one is good in this place. ESPECIALLY NO HELLBORN! He knew that. He knew that VERY well. This place doesn't give anything for free, it doesn't have goodwill. It's evil as anything in it!
Angel slowly moved with his back towards the wall to the medkit... That fucking imp had to be looking... Expecting him to take it. See that he took the hook... HE WILL NOT!
"You think you are so smart you little bitch..." Angel said quietly as he still moved forward with his back against the wall, moving passed the poster with him on it "You wont get me... You pay or you go away." Angel moved further and further almost at the end of the hallway and closer to medkit which he didn't even want to touch "That is the damn..." Angel finally was at the end and was ready to look behind the corner to see this fucking imp looking there "RULE!"
...
Angel saw nothing... Just people moving, sinners and Hellborn alike... But that imp in particular was nowhere in sight... But that was wrong... He had to be... No Hellborn would...
...
Angel looked at the medkit and felt some of his wounds bleeding... Angirly he stretched out some his hidden arms and grabbed it carefully. As he looked inside... there was everything there. Cleaned up, nicely sorted. With a note on the inside as well.
"Get well soon."
"..." Angel was angry... and scared... So scared...
Meanwhile
Moxxie at least was on time this time. In fact he was a bit before it. He noticed some... familiar faces at the bar. Some of the bodyguards here, the most annoying to see was definitely Lado or Lad as he is called by some, the lizard that broke his guitar. Moxxie made sure not to draw attention to himself before he started so this fucker doesn't have the chance to destroy his instrument again. Finally he went into a safe place, his act would start soon and he took out his now fixed guitar... He thought of what song to play today and then he remembered what his boss said yesterday... That message had to refer to that song called... "Man in the mirror", Moxxie liked that song, it had a nice message, at least towards humans on earth so they wont end up here... Sadly many of them still do. Too many.
"Welcome precious Sinners and Hellborn!" A nice looking Succubi with white hair made into twin tails and some kind of a schoolgirl outfit spoke up on stage "Time for some entertainment and the first one to be on stage is..."
Well... It's his moment again...
"Gold Mox!" Succubi pointed at Moxxie
Moxxie took his guitar into his hands and went on stage. He wasn't as nervous as he was the first time he played here, but this definitely didn't mean he was calm and collected. Far from it in fact... especially given how those Demons react to those performances. But Moxxie tries not to think about it.
"The song I will play to day... is one more humans should adhere to in their lives..." Moxxie said to the mic and started performing
Funnily enough... Moxxie at first didn't dream of being a musician... No. He wanted to be a knight. From the stories his adopted parents told him.
I'm gonna make a change,
For once I'm my life
It's gonna feel real good,
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
He dreamt of being someone like Hellknight Furcas. Someone who can protect denizens of Hell no matter who they are. To be someone noble, someone worthy to be alive.
As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the streets,
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs
Those dreams were quickly crushed by Hell itself... And in a way... Moxxie was thankful because then he could pursue another dream... A more feasible one.
A summer disregard,
a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
He always loved music... He loved beauty... He saw beauty in many things humanity made... Ever since his mom took him to see Phantom of the Opera.
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Humanity put so much passion into whatever they did. So much heart and love that Moxxie could not find in Realms of Hell. Not on Lust, Greed nor Pride itself...
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
That there are some with no home,
not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me,
pretending that they're not alone?
He wanted to spread that... This beauty one could not find in Hell. Let Sinners live through the best of humanity, let Demons know of such passions and emotions.
A willow deeply scarred,
somebody's broken heart
And a washed-out dream
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me
He wanted to help...
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
He wanted to make others happy...
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that
Change!
He wanted to believe... that he was worthy of being alive in the first place...
Moxxie continued on with his performance singing the rest of the song with as much passion as he could muster. He wanted to capture this song's beauty... He wanted to capture humanity's beauty... And in the end... As he finished...
HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA
He knew he failed...
Laughter echoed throughout the establishment... Everyone laughed to their heart's content as Moxxie's heart sank into deeper oblivion... Even as he was now sitting before his boss.
"Hehehe... Oh... One thing for sure... You never disappoint in a comedic aspect..." Mr. Torus said as he wiped one tear from his eye
"They all laughed... again..." Moxxie wanted to bury himself in the ground... As deeply as he possibly could, he wanted to die so no one has to endure his presence anymore.
"Hahaha... I say it's not a big surprise. You keep singing such shit that people can't help, but laugh!" Mr. Tarus said "Sing something with more... Hellish feel and see the reaction change."
"But... I already told you boss... I don't-"
"You don't want to..." Tarus said while mocking Moxxie's voice "Trust me, I know. You can't shut up about it. But let me give you a secret." Tarus leaned over his desk "No one wants to be here. No one wanted to live in Hell. But we all have to manage. So do you..."
"..." Moxxie said nothing
"Pfft... How are you even a Hellborn?" Tarus asked him
And Moxxie couldn't answer. As far as he knew he was abandoned on some dump as a baby and his dad rescued him... Apparently it was some Imp that deals with Crime which made Moxxie not even want to bother knowing who he was... Who his mother was though... That's a mystery he never got to uncover... Then again, most definitely it's nothing. He was a Hellborn through and through... and yet he was a failure at it either way.
"Eh... Just leave..." Tarus waved at him and turned on his chair "Again... Try something with more punch... if you want something better than this."
Moxxie said nothing and simply got up from his chair and went back there to perform something else... most likely with the same result.
Later than night at Angel's apartment
Angel was sitting in front of a mirror, putting on some bandages on himself and cleaned up his bruises and wounds. The pain was getting weaker and weaker and he felt a bit better now. Angel should be good enough for the next day... although just in case he will take a weapon tomorrow, in case those weirdos will come at him again and will have suspicions about that missing ring. Angel though had something else on his mind now... That damn Imp... Angel took some more of his favorite medicament, blissful white powder and felt much better now... Although this didn't got rid of those thoughts about that weird imp...
Bad... Bad... very bad...
Angel looked up at his reflection. It had no bandages on it, in fact it was in worse state than Angel was before, with one eye having a deep bruise, deep cuts and burns all over their arms and their chest had something akin to bullet holes... There were also signs of being whipped...
Mistake! THAT WAS A MISTAKE! THROW IT AWAY! BURN THIS!
Reflection picked never opened Medkit with tips of it's fingers and was keeping it as far away from them as possible.
"If you haven't noticed I need it." Angel tried to ignore his tangents
NO! NO! You don't understand!? IT'S ALL A PLAN! TERRIBLE PLAN! MORE PAIN! MORE PAIN WILL WAIT FOR US!
"What are you... talking about?" Angel asked and noticed his hand was trembling as well
This Imp... He came up two times already after those people were gone! He wants to suffer! He gives only to take away! To beat us! BURN US! HURT US!
"How can... this imp do that... You know how small and weak he-"
DOESN'T MATTER! EVIL TAKES MANY FORMS! LIKE THAT DRUG MACHINE WHEN WE FIRST FELL HERE! LIKE THAT CLUB RIGHT NEXT TO IT! IT'S ALL A PLOY! AND WE FELL INTO IT!
"This time though... I KNOW what I'm doing..." Angel said as he looked at the ring now sitting comfortably on the desk
THAT RING! THROW IT AWAY TOO! MUST BE CURSED! APPLE IS SYMBOL OF DAMNATION! GET RID OF IT! WHY DO YOU THINK THEY DIDN'T COME TO LOOK FOR IT!?
He couldn't throw it away, but... what if it's dangerous? No... He needed it... he needed the money to go back...
GO BACK WHERE!? Valentino? HE WILL HURT US TOO! This Imp must be send by him, YES! This is a ploy to hurt us by him! Or our family... OR BOTH! Next time you see him PUT A BULLET IN HIS-
*Hrum*
"AAAH! Oh..." Angel jumped slightly when Nugget touched his leg and made Angel almost kick him which thankfully didn't happen "Hehe... What is it Nug Nug?" Angel carefully picked him up "Don't startle your friends like that..."
Angel was about to press his face against his cute nose, but... What if he bites or...? Angel put him carefully in his bed... Angel went to bed as well and tried to sleep... But he couldn't... What if he has nightmares? What if... he never wakes up... Then again... wouldn't that be preferable than living here? Angel couldn't tell.
Next day
Angel was waiting in that Alleyway again, this time with his hidden arms grasping the hidden gun him very tightly. And soon enough the expected sight has arrived. Tesus pointed at Angel with a wicked smile and his posse came after him closer to Angel.
"Same thing?" Angel asked with great deal of confidence
"Hmm... Yes... But... I think a bit of a... longer session is due today." Tesus said while holding Angel by his chin which Angel quickly pulled away from with surprisingly little resistance
"And why is that?" Angel said while knowing exactly what he meant
"The ring you gracioussssly ssstole from my beautiful finger..." Lado said while getting closer to Angel as well "I had hope you would come to your ssenssess yesterday and give it back like a good little ssslut you proved yoursself to be..." He tried to grab Angel by his hip, but Angel took a step back and Tesus followed Angel "But I have to sssay, I was dissappointed."
"I have no idea what you-"
"Don't a play a fool slut." Tesus said while getting closer once more to Angel who took a step back again "We know you have it AND given the monetary and sentimental value it has I believe we deserve our due... recompensation."
"I see..." Angel said as he grabbed Tesus's hand gently... "Well... how about a bullet?"
"Hu- WOO!"
Angel quickly pulled Tesus to him, grabbed him tightly by the neck and his hands and one intact horn and pulled out quickly pulled out the gun from his hidden pocket and pressed it against Tesus's head. The rest of his posse pulled out their guns as well towards them.
"... Here's the deal... I wont kill the livestock and you leave me the FUCK alone." Angel said while unlocking the gun "Any questions?"
"..." None of them said anything, but they didn't pull down their guns
"Well..." Tesus though started talking, but Angel didn't drop his sight from the rest of them "Look who grew a spine at last..."
"What?" Angel asked while pressing the gun a bit tighter
"Don't think this will do anything, they will shoot through me if that means getting you..." Tesus said with a very honest tone, it made Angel a bit nervous
"Where is the but?" Angel asked as he felt this word was coming. Tesus just smiled
"But..." And made a gesture with his hand and the rest of his crew pulled down their guns "We had our fun. We wont kill you Spider Toy"
"Really? Why should I believe you?!" Angel didn't let him go though
"Because they would shoot you already." Again... his tone was strangely honest and he saw it on other's faces that he was not lying
Angel carefully let go of him, one hand at a time. Tesus didn't do anything, he just carefully pulled himself up and took few steps backwards from Angel who still had his gun pointed at him.
"Seems like fun times are over." Tesus just nonchalantly cracked his neck as well
"What is this all about!?" Angel questioned Tesus
"What does it look like? We felt generous... After all even you have to admit it wouldn't take much to just take you and give you a good beating alongside a filling." Tesus said while mockingly pulling his hands up and placing them behind his back "But we knew then you would never return here after that and we wanted to have a such a star like you for more than one day."
"And now?" Angel knew he didn't finish
"And now... You better not show up here tomorrow or ever again." Tesus said nonchalantly "Keep the money we gave you... Even the ring."
"Not like you could sssell it to anyone here either way..." Lado said
"... Why is that?" Angel asked Lado
"... Sssellsssman on Pride know better." Lado said cryptically
"Hehe... As I said... Tomorrow, you are not here anymore... Or we will shred you to pieces." Tesus turned around and started to leave, but before he went too far he turned around and said "Oh... By the way..."
"WHAT!?" Angel was tired of those Demon's games
"Give our best wishes to daddy." Tesus said no more and left with his crew "Let's go... seems like we will be early at work today..."
Angel though... had to have some time to process those words... Daddy? He meant Valentino or... Oh no... nononono... FUCKING-
"FUCK! FUCKFUCKFUCK!" Angel cursed to the sky over this realization
He is on enemy mafia's territory. And Angel for the last few days was getting beaten and fucked by it's man for money... Angel from that moment just sat against the wall of the alleyway. Processing what he was doing for the last few days... He felt ill. Several minutes have passed and this feeling did not subside. Not only that, but he had to change his area now... Then again... he should have done that much sooner.
*STEP*STEP*STEP*
Angel hear familiar steps...
"Hey! Are you okay!?" The imp said
"(Goddammit...)" Angel cursed in his mind and slowly got up "You gonna pay honestly already!?"
"You... You really don't want to believe me..." Imp seemed hurt over this
"What do you think?" Angel had little time for his shit
"Well... I'm not here for something like this, but... I'm glad you look better today." Imp smiled genuinely at Angel
"... Why are you here?" Angel asked the suspicious Imp
"I... I just wanted to see if you're-"
"NO! I MEAN HERE! AROUND HERE!? WHY ARE YOU HERE!? WHY DO YOU COME HERE EVERY SINGLE DAY!?" Angel lost his patience finally
"I... I'm working nearby in a bar. I perform there." Imp pointed at the end of the street
"Hmm... Do you know any... Tesus guy?" Angel asked, he had to make sure
"Hmm? Yeah. He is a bodyguard there... Why?" Imp answered and made Angel just not care anymore
"Just get the fuck away from me already." Angel said while pulling out his gun again "Or I'll put a bullet in your head!"
"WOW! What did I do!? I swear I don't want anything-"
"JUST GET AWAY FROM ME IMP!" Angel knew better
"... I..." the imp just turned away while Angel held him at gunpoint and walked away, but stopped and turned towards Angel once more "I'm Moxxie... Just so you know..." And waved at Angel as he walked away
"..." Angel said nothing, just kept pointing his gun at this imp who finally disappeared completely, hopefully Angel will never have to see him again "What a moron." Angel said quietly... although... he felt a slight bit of regret. But why?
At the bar
Moxxie entered the Life's End Bar again. He felt hollow now. He had a song prepared... as Mr. Tarus wanted it has more punch, rather popular song from Hell, but... Moxxie felt terrible about even considering to sing it... He felt like his life is running out of his body. Not to mention how situation with that Poor Sinner went on... What did Tesus do to them? Moxxie looked around, but he didn't see him or his crewmates anywhere. Maybe they were upstairs with Mr. Tarus. Then again. Moxxie had to start soon his performance soon...
"Welcome precious Sinners and Hellborn!" Succubi said on stage... and Moxxie didn't bother to hear more of her usual speech
He knew the moment he comes on stage and he did so... He remembered the lyrics and melody by heart although this made him feel more ill... He didn't want to sing this... or perform it... And as he did...
...
...
He didn't want to remember it... He pushed that away as he finally finished. To his surprise there was no laughter... Then again, there was nothing else either. Just blank faces, bored ones... No one laughed... No one cursed... No one cared...
Moxxie was now sitting before the desk of Mr. Tarus.
"Well... I guess it had to come to this eventually..." Mr. Tarus sounded... disappointed
"What? No one laughed this time..." Moxxie said with defeated tone
"Pfft... I could hear thoughts in my head in that place once you finished... I actually I almost forgot how blissful silence can be." Mr. Tarus said while lighting up a cigar and letting out a puff of smoke "But your job is to provide entertainment and... seems like you are not up to the challenge anymore."
"WHAT! B-but I can sing in old way again and-"
"Haaaah..." Tarus let out more smoke "But here is the thing boy. Is this really the end of your ambitions? Making people laugh?" Tarus pointed at Moxxie with his lit Cigar, the answer was Moxxie's silence "Hmph... Don't get me wrong. You play just fine, great even. You could be some rather well known musician, I can tell... But good Satan are you pathetic."
"Huh?" Moxxie didn't know how to react to this
"At first I hired you because I thought I had some great talent ready to bloom... then you turned out to be comedy Gold... he... Gold Mox... Get it?" Tarus had a small laugh, Moxxie had not "But now... I can see you are at a more literal Life's End... You are too pathetic to even laugh at at this point... Which in itself is almost worth laughing at... Almost." Tarus smoked some more while Moxxie felt like he was about to suffocate "So... You lost the last remaining thing that made you worth keeping... Which means... You are fired."
"..." Moxxie felt like he was being torn to pieces with just his words
"But hey... You can always hire yourself as a cleaner. You did a very good job at it..." Tarus said, but Moxxie already got up and turned away, taking his guitar and last shreds of dignity with him "You know where to find me if you change your mind."
Moxxie got out of his office and outside of it was Tesus and his crew waiting
"Done talking Imp?" Tesus asked and Moxxie just nodded "Then move"
Tesus pushed him out of the way and got inside the office. Moxxie wanted to ask about that Sinner, but... What was the point now?
"Hey... Don't be ssssoooo sssad over thissss." Lado said as he got himself behind Moxxie and started pushing him "Here... Let me... Sssshow you the exit..."
Moxxie was pushed all the way down and to the doors to clients delight as they watched him being pushed around by Lado.
*KICK*
Finally as he opened the doors suddenly he kicked Moxxie very hard in the back and made Moxxie fall face first into the pavement. Lado that came up to him and took his guitar in his hands. Moxxie got up from the ground and looked up at the Lizard. Knowing what he was about to do.
"Hmmm... You got fixed REALLY nicccely... Congratulationsss." Lado held it before Moxxie's face, but took it up when Moxxie tried to grab it "Now let'sss give you one lasssst challenge!"
*CRUSH*
And with a quick move he slammed the guitar into the ground, Crushing it into MANY pieces, leaving the handle the most intact part which he threw on the ground. Moxxie just knelt down and on verge of tears he grabbed the remains of his guitar... Bought by his parents when he was moving out...
"Good luck ssssshrimp." Lado said as he went up to the Bar and slammed the doors behind him
Moxxie was still kneeling on the pavement as he felt the small bits of water fall from the sky... now it was raining as well...
*SLAM**SLAM**SLAM**SLAM**SLAM*
Moxxie spend the last few minutes slamming his fits into the stone wall of the bar, his pathetic strength probably made it unnoticeable by any clients or employees inside, but Moxxie could see how blood from his right hand started to slowly paint the wall and was slowly cleaned away by rain. He held the handle in his left hand so hard it felt like he was about to break it. He was angry, so horribly angry...
*SLAM**SLAM**SLAM**SLAM*
*SLAM* *SLAM*
*SLAM*
*SLAM*
Finally Moxxie sat down under the wall and started crying as he held his horns... Why was he born here? Why was he in Hell of all places? He wanted to die... He knew he was not worthy to live... He was someone's mistake thrown out into the trash So why he kept going?! WHY WAS HE HERE!?
Moxxie walked away from this place... Going towards the bus stop nearby. He passed the alleyway where that Sinner was and when he turned towards it he saw him still there. Looking at the wall. The Sinner noticed him as well.
"You have short memory Imp? Didn't I warn you about what I would do?" Sinner said in condescending tone and Moxxie said nothing back "Hmm... You seem quite upset... How about that, I'll give you a discount and then you-"
*THROW*
Moxxie threw the handle of the guitar at the Sinner and almost hit his head. Moxxie then went up to him and pushed him to the ground. He was too angry at this point.
"What a fuck are you-"
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP ALREADY!" Moxxie screamed at this damn Sinner with all his remaining Strength "FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS I ENDURED YOU SHIT AND I'M DONE! NO MATTER WHAT I TRY TO DO YOU ONLY SCREAM AND INSULT ME AND I AM DONE!
"..." Sinner seemed surprised at his outburst... and so was Moxxie.
"I WANTED TO HELP YOU OUT! GIVE YOU SOME MONEY! SOMETHING TO HEAL YOURSELF! CARING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE HURT OR DEAD AND I AM THROUGH WITH IT! YOU CAN HANG YOURSELF ON YOUR WEB FOR ALL I CARE! JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU PIECE OF HUMAN GARBAGE!"
Moxxie let out all his frustration on this Sinner now... Only after the last part did he felt absolutely terrible once again... But Sinner said nothing... And Moxxie had nothing more to say... Other than just turning away and leaving as he felt he was crying again...
"HEY MOXXIE!" Sinner called out to him which made Moxxie freeze in place as he heard him use his name... Moxxie slowly turned towards him and he... he was holding that handle... up to Moxxie... Moxxie grabbed it from him and looked up at him "I... I'm Angel... Angel Dust..."
"..." Moxxie had nothing to say, he just looked this sinner in the eyes and felt... lost... and he knew he was lost as well
...
...
The rain did not stop... But the weather did get slightly better, if only a little bit
At Angel's house
"Ugh... Why did I do that? Why? Why? Why?" Angel did not know what to feel
He just agreed to meet this Imp tomorrow and he had no idea why... why did he even give him his name? But... he did feel something familiar from the way he got angry... Something... broken. Angel tried to supress that feeling by getting high again, but it did not seem to work... Not only that, but when he looked underneath the ring he saw a symbol of a Composite Pillar... It was a ring of enemy mafia... which meant this was at best a pretty thing to have in house... Not something he could sell... This week was terrible... And that imp... Why does Angel feel suddenly so obliged to know him?
It's simple really...
The reflection said... This one looking more clean, with nicer clothes, more dignified, less hurt.
If he truly is a 'nice imp' he is presented to be then he is A. Moron and B. An opportunity
"Opportunity for what?" Angel asked his more perfect reflection
Money... housing... safety... Whoever this is... he may provide all of those. If we play our cards right.
"But... why? I don't want to-"
You do. This is a one in a eternity opportunity. An actual moral Hellborn... ready to eat out of our hand and giving everything that was promised to us by other Demons...
"But... What if..."
What? You feel moral suddenly? You feel like you can be good?
"I just... It feels wrong..." Angel did not feel good about this...
Get it through your skull. You don't care...
"I don't?" Angel couldn't believe it
If you did, you wouldn't be here in the first place.
"..." Angel said nothing... maybe... that was correct
*Hrum*
Nugget nudged Angel's leg again... Angel just lightly pushed him away with it.
"Not now sweetie..." Angel said while looking now at himself "I need to think things through..."
It was going to be an... interesting experience.
To Be Continued
Hope all of you that read this enjoyed this chapter and had fun with it's premise and how I wrote Angel and Moxxie and characters around them. I plan on making more, but it is more of a side project to my other story. Again, hope you all enjoyed it and I hope to hear your opinions on it as well. Also it may be a while before next chapter, since it's a side project. Just so you all know.
