Chapter 8: Making Amends and Friends
At noon, Stolas, Octavia, Loona, Striker, and I.M.P had lunch at the dining table.
"So, Striker, what do you think?" Stolas asked the cowboy imp, "Stella wasn't the only one who provided you food. I secretly helped you with that, as well."
Striker chewed the steak and swallowed it. "Well, Stolas, this is good."
"Thank you kindly. My servants outdid themselves."
"I'm sure they did," Striker agreed with his mouthful and swallowed.
"Yeah, Striker, Stolas has good food," Blitzo said before chewing his steak.
"Heck, even my dad cooks sometimes," Octavia pointed out.
Stolas chuckled. "Of course, Via."
"You all should try my parents' homemade barbeque sauce," Millie suggested.
"Yeah, Lin and Joe make good homemade barbeque sauce and good stuff in general," Striker agreed.
"Even I had it when Millie and I had barbeque pork sandwiches for supper at her family's house and liked it," Moxxie said.
"You did? Lin and Joe make good food, don't they, Mox?" Striker got up from the table and gave Moxxie a playful nuggie, making everyone on the table laugh. Moxxie giggled slightly and Striker chuckled along with him.
…
After the imps and hellhound said their goodbyes to the Goetia family, they returned to the I.M.P building.
"Striker, I'd like to thank you for helping us out today," Blitzo told the cowboy gratefully.
"Oh, Blitzo, I'm so sorry for what I've done to you and your friends," Striker said, on the verge of tears, feeling remorseful for hurting him and the others.
"Don't you worry, Striker, all is forgiven." Blitzo shook his hand and Striker had done the same in return. Then Blitzo decided to change the subject, "So, how would you like to join I.M.P?"
Striker wiped the last remains of his tears before answering. "It'd be an honor, bossman."
"Okay, Mister," Moxxie said, getting Striker's attention, "It's going to take a lot of getting used to having you on the team. So, do we have a truce?"
"Mox, you did good today," the cowboy told him, "I misjudged you. I think we'd make a pretty good team afterall."
"I've got to say, you sacrificed yourself for the prince and his daughter, so that's no small thing."
"So, don't be modest, Strike," Millie said, putting a hand on Striker's shoulder.
Moxxie offered a handshake, which Striker accepted, but the former stifled a wince, considering the latter nearly squashed his hand. "It's like you said, Stella was an annoying bitch."
"You can say that again. I got some things to take care of in the Wrath ring."
…
That day, after explaining his reason for going back to the Wrath ring, Striker, who was riding on Bombproof, led Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona to the Wrath ring, where he mocked a muscular imp and kicked a poor girl imp when he was on stage singing.
Striker sighed. "Guys, this is where I humiliated a muscular imp when I challenged him a week ago for Stella."
"No shit! That muscular imp must've been like me," Moxxie said, seeing that he and the muscular imp Striker was talking about reminded him of himself.
Striker nodded, now feeling the guilt from picking on a strong imp. "Yep."
"You got this, Strike," Blitzo told him.
The cowboy imp took a deep breath and went to look for the muscular imp. When he found him, Striker cleared his throat and said politely, "Well, howdy."
The muscular imp gasped. "You again?! Get out of here!" he snapped.
"Look, I'm sorry I picked on you last week."
"I don't know why I even competed against you in the pain games!"
Striker lowered his head in shame. "I know how you feel. I challenged Blitzo and Moxxie in the pain games at the Harvest Moon Festival and even though Moxxie is skinny, which I took advantage of, he has a big heart." Moxxie, who heard this was at first annoyed, but then touched at the last sentence and Striker continued, "He cares so much for others, including his wife. Blitzo may be self-centered at times, but deep down, he does whatever it takes to protect others, including his employees, clients, and adopted daughter."
Blitzo applauded. "Way to go, Striker!"
"Wow, that speech was moving!" the muscular imp said. Then he took what Striker said into consideration. "Apology accepted." He shook Striker's hand and Striker glady returned it.
The other imps who saw the two making peace with one another, cheered.
Though Striker was glad to be forgiven by one imp, he knew he had another one to make up to. Suddenly, a girl imp, sadly sitting on the bench caught his eye. She had long black hair with a pin shaped like a bumblebee, a sleeveless orange shirt with buttons, black skirt, torn navy blue tights, and a heart-shaped tail. Her name was Calis and she hardly had anyone to talk to besides Cake, a big, yet sweet imp, who caught her when Striker kicked her in the face during his performance on stage. Even Blitzo saw the girl on the bench.
"Go get her, Tiger," Blitzo encouraged and purred like a cat.
Seeing her sadness made Striker regret what he'd done to her, which caused her to get mauled by angry fans. So he went up to her and offered her his hand.
"Howdy," Striker greeted, making the female imp look at him, "Want to dance, little lady? I'm sorry I kicked you in the face while I was singing."
Although Calis was happy to see him again, she was also angry that he kicked her in the face, sending her down to the other imps who soon mauled her, except Cake.
She got up from the bench and raged, "Of course you should be sorry, jerk! I was nothing but nice to you until you kicked me, which led me to being mauled by angry fans, asshole! The only imp who protected me and caught me was Cake!"
Striker looked stunned, but impressed by a lady's call out. He couldn't blame her for that because it took guts and it showed that she wasn't a pushover.
The cowboy sighed. "I know, I was selfish and wasn't thinking about anyone but myself," he admitted, "I was blinded by my ego and what Stella, Stolas' wife, wanted me to do with him until a week ago, I saw his daughter and I don't kill anyone who has kids. His kid is sweet just like you."
Calis was listening and took what he said into consideration. "Thank you."
"What's your name, little lady?"
"Calis."
Striker was moved by the woman's beautiful name. "That's a pretty name, Calis. My name's Striker."
"Pleased to meet you, Striker." Calis shook his hand. "And don't worry, I forgive you." She then pulled him into a hug, which he wasn't expecting, but he accepted it, anyway. Then, Striker did the unexpected for Calis: He twirled her around and the two started to dance, but she didn't mind. The crowd "awwed" in delight at seeing the two imps waltz.
Blitzo with a tissue in hand, sniffled as he dabbed his tears of joy.
"Sir, why are you crying?" Moxxie asked, noticing his boss crying.
"I'm not crying, you're crying!" Blitzo retorted playfully.
"It's okay, Blitzo," Millie assured him, "There's nothing wrong with crying happy tears."
"Nope, there's not," Moxxie agreed now that he saw why Blitzo was tearing up.
After an hour of dancing, Striker and Calis stopped, exhausted from dancing.
"Thanks for the dance, Striker," Calis said and she took out a piece of paper and a pen from her skirt pocket and jotted down her phone number. "Here, you can have my number if you want to meet again." She handed him her number.
"Of course." He also started to write down his phone number and gave the paper to her.
"Thank you very much. See you when you're available." Calis blew her crush a kiss.
Striker blushed. "See you whenever I can see you, Calis."
"Alright, let's get home, lover boy!" Blitzo teased playfully.
"I'm not in love, Blitzy!" Striker joked back as he climbed up Bombproof and all the citizens had gone home.
…
Striker had a dream about Calis and he knew at some point he must see her again. He'd hold her in his arms and not let go. She'd kiss him on the cheek, making him blush. He'd bring her flowers. He'd make her laugh by telling her a joke. He'd take her for a ride on Bombproof riding through the seven rings of Hell...
The cowboy imp woke up, panting. He and Calis couldn't or rather, shouldn't rush things because they just met! They just needed more time getting to know each other and space.
Bombproof, concerned for his owner, rubbed his head against Striker's cheek.
"Hey, don't worry, Bombproof," Striker assured him, petting his muzzle, "I'll get to know her better eventually and I'm sure she will, as well." With that thought, he yawned and went back to his slumber.
…
The next morning, Striker rode Bombproof to the I.M.P building. The two took the elevator to Blitzo's office and in there, Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, and Calis shouted, "SURPRISE!"
"Son of a bitch!" Striker yelled in shock as if the imps gave him a heart attack, "Are you trying to scare me to death?"
"We're just celebrating you joining I.M.P," Blitzo replied and showing him the girl imp he met yesterday, he added, "And we brought you a friend because we thought of you. We told her she could come because she's never been to I.M.P."
Calis, the imp he just mentioned, waved her hand and blushed.
Moxxie and Millie encouraged her to go to Striker when Loona stepped in to talk to Calis. "It's okay, Calis," she said.
"Go to him, Calis," Millie whispered.
Moxxie gestured towards the cowboy imp. "He's right here, waiting for you."
Calis took a deep breath and stepped towards Striker. "Hello, Striker." She put her hands behind her back.
"Well, hello again, Calis," Striker greeted back, tipping his cowboy hat.
"I've been thinking about you."
That was when Striker realized he dreamed about her, too. "Me, too."
"Calis, would you like to join I.M.P?" Blitzo offered.
"A kind offer, but I already have a job somewhere else," Calis replied.
"So what do you do for a living?"
"I sing."
"I do, too." Striker placed his hand behind his head shyly, remembering when he sang in front of the crowd, including her.
"Who wants cake?" Blitzo called, snapping Calis and Striker out of their "romantic" trance and everyone gathered around to grab a slice of cake.
"Moxxie and I made it ourselves," Millie told Striker.
"So what did you and Mox put in this cake to make it so good?" Striker asked before taking another bite of his cake.
"It's a secret," Moxxie answered.
Striker nodded. "Hmm…"
"I helped!" Calis said.
Striker swallowed his cake and looked at her, astonished and smirked. "No shit, you did."
Then, the cowboy imp and everyone else in the room laughed at his remark. Striker winked at Calis, who did the same in return.
Suddenly, something bumped onto her back. As she turned to see what it was, she saw a big horse rubbing his head against her.
"Well, hello," Calis giggled, petting the horse's muzzle.
Striker patted Bombproof on the back and stroked his chin. "Calis, meet my horse, Bombproof. No worries, he's friendly."
The young lady imp and the horse continued nuzzling each other.
…
A couple hours later, Calis said, "I'd like to go home so I could give Striker some space."
"Would you like a ride home with me?" Striker suggested.
"I'm coming with you guys!" Blitzo shouted in excitement.
Striker and Calis exchanged glances. "Don't mind Blitzo, Calis. He's obsessed with horses."
Calis chuckled. "I don't mind at all, really."
The imps and Loona escorted Calis to the elevator with Bombproof behind him. Once downstairs, they headed out of the building.
Now that they were outside the building, Striker was the first to climb aboard Bombproof. Calis reached out for Striker to pull her up, but Blitzo picked her up so Striker could pull her up and set her down on his hellhorse behind him. Blitzo scrambled up the steed and Moxxie, Millie, and Loona were the last ones up on Bombproof.
With everyone settled on the hellhorse, Striker looked behind him to see if everyone was comfortable and set. "Y'all ready?"
"YEAH!" Blitzo, Calis, Moxxie, and Millie cheered.
"Yep!" Loona called.
"Hold on tight, everyone," Striker warned and to Calis, he added warmly, "Especially you, little lady."
"Aww," Calis said, feeling touched by the cowboy's kindness.
"I'm ready to go, Strike!" Blitzo called excitedly.
"Me, too!" Millie cried.
"Me, three!" Moxxie said nervously until he felt his wife's arms around him.
Blitzo overheard the couple talking and decided to talk to the poor guy. "Not to worry, Mox, Millie's got you covered."
"And me, four!" Calis said eagerly, ready for the ride of her life.
"Ditto!" Loona commented, texting someone before putting her phone away in her pocket.
Hearing those calls told Striker his passengers were ready. "Alright, let's ride!" He struck Bombproof's flank with his tail and off to Wrath, they rode.
…
At the Wrath ring, Loona, Moxxie, Millie, and Blitzo were the first ones to jump off Bombproof, while Striker went last and he carried Calis from his steed down to the ground. She kissed him on the cheek, making him blush.
"What was that for?" Striker asked, surprised to be kissed by a lady.
"For your kindness, including riding me home," Calis replied, "What I was trying to say was thank you."
Striker smiled. "You're welcome anytime, Miss."
Just then, Calis realized she had more people to thank besides him: The members from I.M.P. "And thank you all for your kindness."
Blitzo, Loona, Moxxie, and Millie overlapped each other's words, saying things like: "Sure thing!", "No problem!", "Absolutely! You deserve so much love, Calis!", and "Of course, you're such a sweetheart!"
Calis hugged all four members and the only two that felt awkward were Blitzo and Loona, except Blitzo didn't mind it afterwards.
"I'm not much of a hugger," Loona informed the girl imp, "But you're such a nice girl."
Calis grinned sheepishly and went to pet Bombproof. "Oh, Bombproof, thank you for letting me pet you. You're such a good horsie. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Good boy." The two nuzzled each other and Bombproof snorted and nickered happily.
Striker chuckled, admiring the attention Bombproof was getting from Calis. When Calis stopped petting him, he patted his back. "You like her, don't you, Bombproof? She likes you, too."
Bombproof smirked at his owner's statement, knowing he was right.
"Alright, I best be going," Calis announced, waving goodbye, "See ya all later!"
"Bye, Calis!" everyone else called as they waved and she walked away.
The next day, like any other day, Striker proudly united with I.M.P and accompanied them on their adventures in the human world to take out anyone who screwed their clients (that were once human, but now sinners) over when they were alive. He was good at his job and everyone was glad to have him on their team.
Now, that was not all Striker did. There were times when he could spend time with Calis and other times he allowed Blitzo and his crew to see her.
Without Stella, Striker felt so much better knowing she never cared about him since he was an imp and she hated imps, which led him to switch sides. Thus, he never hurt children since Octavia reminded him of himself when he was a child as well as her close relationship with her father reminded him of when he had a close bond with his parents. Having those memories made him see the error of his ways and he was grateful to have I.M.P on his side after Stella's betrayal and defeat. With Stella gone, imps, Goetias, and many other creatures would no longer have to suffer when they could live in harmony.
Now that Striker apologized to those he hurt before, although it took a while to trust him, he felt relieved that he was forgiven and had a change of heart.
The End
AN: I know some of you are thinking, "That imp girl who got kicked in the face by Striker probably died" and "Striker being with that said imp girl wouldn't work since he ruthlessly kicked her." But this is my headcanon/AU.
*Calis was the girl imp Striker kicked. Thus, she was one of the animators of Helluva Boss with her impsona in The Harvest Moon Festival episode.
*I also ship Striker with Barbie Wire, Blitzo's twin sister as well as Dia and Summer (mostly with Summer between Dia and Summer).
*I'm debating on whether or not to do a sequel to this story. Any ideas, especially a title?
*If you'd like to draw fanart for this story, go for it. I'd love to see your creations.
I hope you enjoyed my story.
