In an alleyway trash bin. The rat demon appears to waken up.
"Urgh...what hap- huh? Oh, shit my head... Wait. It's coming back to me now!"
The rat demon recalls his earlier encounter with an armored demon.
"That fucking larper! He knocked me out! That Son of a bi-Huh?...what the...
The rat demon feels something in his pockets, he reaches into them and retrieves the coins Reynauld left behind. At first, he is skeptical of the coins, but with a bite on the edge of the coin, the rat demons anger quickly turned to excitement!
"Holy Shit! GOLD! HA, I Can't believe it! Actual Gold coins! These must be worth a fortune! I can finally get a better weapon! HAHA! I can pay my rent now! Get more drugs! Get a house! Maybe buy me a sexy lady. Oh, things are looking up for old- Huh?"
The rat demon looks up to see something falling from the sky. It's flailing about and screaming all the way down to the dumpster.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
CRASH!
The Rat demon is again crushed back into the dumpster and is again knocked out. The screaming demon that was just falling a few moments ago is, now clenching his back after falling.
"Ow...urrgghhhhh...that hurt...huh?...WHOA! WHAT THE-"
The screaming demon stumbled back in surprise. Where was he? Who...What was this...thing? Why did it look like some sort of Rat human? Was it another abomination like the Swine? But as the demon looked about, he suddenly froze. In the nearby water puddle, he sees...himself. Dismas.
At first, he thought that this was some sort of trick or illusion of sorts, but as reaches for his face, he suddenly feels it. He pinches his skin to be sure it's not a dream, but as it turns out, it is real. He truly has transformed. His face, his body, his...okay his clothes are the same dark grey-blue jacket and red scarf. But his physical appearance changed dramatically. His head was now that of a large raven. His arms and body are pitch-black skin covered with dark feathers. He still had his hands and feet, but they were now razor-sharp talons, claws the size of knives. His legs were skinny and shaped like a bird, but still thick enough to maintain a human-like bulk to them. He stops for a moment to gather himself...but quickly checks under his pants to make sure the "one thing" was still there.
He sighs in relief, fortunately, it is still there. But now for the other questions that wrapped his mind. Where was he? Why was he falling? Wasn't he fighting in a dungeon just then?
By the looks of things, he was in some sort of alleyway, and what he just landed in, was a large waste bin with a what appear to be a rat person living in the dumpster. As he lifts himself off the dumpster he notices the gun and gold coins that the rat is holding. He concluded to himself. Probably a brigand like me.
He immediately picks up the pistol. To his surprise, the gun is very different from his flintlock. The gun was very...cubical, judging by its weight and color, it is made of entirely out of metal. But to his surprise, It is very light for something made entirely of metal. And the design is very basic, no designs on the side like his guns, just ridges and a black coat of paint. It was more made to kill than intimidate. He determines that both guns work the same way by immediately shooting a nearby bottle.
"BANG! CRASH!"
Dismas is at first surprised at the guns sheer power and speed. For something this powerful from a small and light was astounding. Why the rat creature had it, he had no idea. But then he suddenly realizes something. How does he reload it?!
Dismas had never seen such a gun and had no idea how to reload it. "Should have saved the shot." He said to himself. He would have to test it later, to figure out how it would work. Looking into his jacket he takes a short inventory on the things he has. On his right side Three bags of gunpowder, his cleaning kit, and an extra bag of Flashfire Gunpowder if things went south. On his left his special Sharpening sheath that sharped his blade every time he took it out, his spare dagger, along with his lucky coin, and a bag full of pistol balls for ammunition. On his belts, 3 rolls of bandages, two flintlock pistols, and his special short sword, both weapons properly named "Thunder and Lightning!"
Dismas is well pleased that his weapons are still loaded. Now he needs to figure out the next question. Where in the world was he? And why was he a Raven?
His answers unsurprisingly were given by simply looking at the sky. The Red sky and floating pentagram gave the Highwayman a quick summary of where he was. That and also the sign that said "Welcome to Hell, God has forsaken everybody"
"Am...am I in hell?...What the fuck?!"
Dismas looks in the streets and then sees the various amalgamations of demons and monsters. He spots a large group of imp-like creatures walking about, large lizard-like men guarding what appears to be a brothel, succubus half-naked flying about, many humanoid creatures with large horns atop there heads, bat-like wings and...multi-colored fur? Dismas understood the red and black, but the vibrant colors of the many demons seemed to put him off severely. If this truly was hell, why isn't there anyone being tortured or being set on fire? By the looks of things, the place looked like a normal city. If it were made by a priest that took his creative art lessons at an insane asylum. Wherever he was, he didn't have to worry about anybody noticing him, his body change had done a good job at letting him blend in.
"If I'm in hell...then I guess that means I'm here for a while."
Dismas was surprisingly quick to accept that he was in hell. After all, judging by his past, he wasn't a saint. He recalled the events clear as day, no matter how much he drank or even prayed, it didn't stop replaying in his head. He then remembered that there was something else around his neck. The Locket that reminded him of his shame. The small silver locket containing a picture of a beautiful woman and her boy. He caressed the silver lock with his scar covered callus hands and left his mind to wander. Where were they going in that carriage? Why on that road? Why did he pull the trigger? He wanted to entertain those thoughts, but that was cut short.
"YOINK"
A demon with multiple eyeballs in his head quickly snatched the locket out of Dismas's hand.
"Wha-HEY!"
"TOUGH LUCK BIRD BRAIN!"
Dismas wasn't having it. He quickly chased after the multi-eyed demon. Pushing through multiple demons, big and small. To his surprise, a large number of them were very humanoid. And his surroundings were very strange as well, Large tall buildings that seemed to touch the very skies, carriages that moved with no horses, large flashing lights, and the pictures that somehow moved on there own. All of these new sights seem to give Dismas a headache. He preferred the darker atmosphere of the hamlet. But luckily for Dismas, the thief had jumped into a nearby ally way. Following him into the alleyway, he noticed a lot of homeless demons, beggars, prostitutes, even crazy old prophets preaching the end of the world. All in all not that different from any other city he came from, hell was just life in the living world, just with demons.
The thief was now cornered, the alleyway had lead to a courtyard, the connecting apartments acting as walls leaving no alternate alleyway for the thief to escape. Although Dismas had caught the thief, he knew his actual plan. He and his friends had done this tactic before. Looking around the area, piles of trash, debris, dead foliage, and abandoned buildings, he saw them. 5 demons waiting in the courtyard. 4 Armed with more of those weird guns, 2 with hollowed-out metal rods, the other three having knives. 3 inside the buildings, 2 hiding behind the brick tree rings that were in the courtyard. He noticed what they were trying to do, what they wanted with Dismas, he could take a guess, but decided that he would play along to these thieves game. Pretending he hadn't noticed them, Dismas begun to walk over to the multi-eyed demon, he wore dark blue jeans and grey coat with what appeared to be a hood attached to the neck hole. On the back of his clothing a large red knife symbol. "Probably there gangs insignia," Dismas thought. Looking at the demon, he was small in size and was pretending to be scared, but knew that he had a knife in his pocket, and the demon struggling not to smile was noticeable. Still pretending to be fooled, Dismas yelled
"GIVE ME MY FUCKIN LOCKET YOU LITTLE RAT!"
"Pl-pl-Please! I'm sorry! Just just Just Don't hurt me! I'll-I'll give it back! Look! Here! Just take it back Okay!...heh heh!"
Noticing the demons smirk, Dismas quickly turned around spotting the three demons that were hiding in the buildings. They were now blocking the alleyway. A large bull-like demon, two humanoids with horns. The other two quickly popped up as well, a viper headed demon appearing from the behind a shrub, and a lanky pale hunched back insect-like demon, with saw-like arms and stick-like legs and red bulging eyes, both holding their guns out. They grinned at Dismas, who himself was trying desperately not to laugh. Putting on his best-surprised face, he quickly turns to see the multi-eyed demon with his knife.
"Heh heh heh heh heh stupid mother fucker. Did you think that you were really going to catch me?"
The Bull demon spoke "I wouldn't try anything funny wise guy, that their knife he has, is an exterminator weapon! One slit from that and you "Dead" dead. No coming back after that!
Dismas was confused by the bull demon's words. No coming back? Did that mean demons can come back after they had died? Whats an exterminator weapon? He would have to look for answers afterward. Pretending to be panicked, he replies.
"What's going on!? What the-
The snake demon answered he noticed her voice and body were very feminine. "What's it look like handsome!? A pretty bird like you is going to be worth a lot on the black market! You might even get lucky and get to work for Valentino maybe!"
"So if I was you, I suggest you get on the ground and accept your fate." Said the white demon in a raspy sickly voice.
So he was going to be sold off as a slave, granted, he was amused that they considered him handsome, but this was hell, he didn't want to know what types of things demons did to people like him. Pretending to angry Dismas dropped his knife and knelt down. The demons looked surprised, they weren't expecting him to actually stand down. The multi-eyed demon quickly regained his composure.
"There we go! See! Why can't we get more understanding demons like you? We have to eat as well! It's nothing personal!"
"Oh, can I play with the little birdy for a bit. You know test him?!" the snake demon questioned, licking her fingers seductively
"Sure just be quick about it. 15 minutes"
As much as Dismas was curious about the idea of having sex with a snake demon lady, he still didn't wish to be sold to some random pervert on the street. The two-horned demons came closer to Dismas, lowering their guard. But Dismas already formulated a plan. Just a bit closer, he thought to himself. The Multi eyed demon walked up to Dismas with the locket in hand.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha All this because of this?! Ha, stupid mother fucker. Did you really want this locket so badly!? I mean *Click* Oh...this your wife and kid? Trying to find her? Maybe I might notice them and tell her the good news! Their father had become a valuable piece of treasure and that they could join you! Maybe I should play with her for a bit, you know show her the ropes! Give her the time of her life, that you couldn-
BLAM!
Dismas's revealed the flintlock that was in his coat, blasting into the multi-eyed demon's chest. Blood sprayed from his mouth like a fountain, and then his body collapsed with a thud. In a flash Dismas quickly drew his sword and slashed at the horned demons behind him, slashing the chest of the first. The second demon still in shock was quickly grabbed by his arm and stabbed in the gut, leaving two demons clenching their open wounds. The other three demons surprised at their attacker's quick movements were dumbfounded. But brought back when Dismas's second flintlock, nailed the pale demon in the face! Both the snake demon and bull demon quickly pulled out their pistols and begun to fire at Dismas. Dismas quickly ran over to a broken brick tree ring and hide behind the stone wall.
He was surprised that the demons were firing multiple shots at once, while he was busy reloading his one shot. Were they much faster at reloading? How were they shoving gunpowder in those things so fast!? Dismas peeked from his cover and saw what the demons were doing. They were just pulling their triggers, no reloading! "Did these things need ammo?" His answer came once he heard both guns click. The demons were out of ammo. He then realized that the gun he had from that rat creature was probably still loaded. Dismas quickly pulled out the pistol and the reloaded flintlock and rose from his cover and begun to fire at is attackers. Hoping that the pistol still had ammo in it.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BLAM! BANG! *Click*
8 shots from the pistol, one from the flintlock. The guns were empty. 3 holes were in the wall, the shots missing there target. The Bull demon, however, took 5 shots to his chest, while the snake took a pistol shot to her arm. Both the snake and bull were on the ground, clenching their wounds. But the Bull demon was a lot stronger than he appeared. He rose from the ground, dripping blood like a drenched sponge. He quickly clenched his pipe and rushed towards Dismas with a quick but powerful roar!
RAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!
Coincidentally near the alleyway. Reynauld is hauling the broken pieces of the stand on his back. Along with all the divine weapons from his previous fight. All tied up in pretty rainbow ribbons from Charlie's bag. The various demons snicker at the weird group, making remarks about how the princess is too afraid to go outside or she is going out with two people at the same time. A quick glare from both Reynauld and Vaggie quickly makes them leave. Although Charlie was quick to trust Reynaulds intentions, Vaggie wasn't ready to trust the Crusader. She was still quite suspicious of Reynauld and his reasons, although she was grateful for him saving Charlie, she was still concerned if the knight has any alternative motives. For all she knew, this man could have hired those thugs so he could get closer to charlie, maybe he was someone that was planning on using Charlie for his own gains. But all of that seemed a bit too complicated and unnecessary even for a cunning demon. Skeptical Vaggie decided to keep a keen eye on the man. However she couldn't explain it, but she felt safe around Reynauld, he presented some sort of aura that was both calming but protective. She felt "reassured" around him. Whatever that meant in hell.
"So, we are waiting for your familiars to arrive in this "Limo". Correct?"
"Yup! Razzle and Dazzle should arrive in about 3 minutes."
"Hmmmmm this world is so interesting. I've always seen pictures of hell in books, but never would I have thought it would look like this." Reynaulds eyes were glued to T.V. screen on a tall skyscraper.
Vaggie chimed in "Yup I was surprised too when I came down here. Intimidating but you grow used to it."
Reynauld quickly twisted his head towards Vaggie, "Wait? You came down here?"
Vaggie was confused for a moment "Uh yeah. Like you. Why do you ask?"
"I thought demons were born down here, aren't they?
"Yeah they are demons that are born down here, but they are also people that came from the living world and end up here, like you and me. Were called "Sinner Demons"."
"Interesting, so people who have committed sins, turn to demons when they come here. But you said they are demons that are also born here, what about them?"
It was Charlie's turn to answer "Well-
But before she could say anything the sounds of gunshots rang out through the streets. Echoing through the alleyways and out towards the streets. The Crusader and Vaggie immediately draw their weapons.
"Bye, the Gods! What was that!?"
"Gunshots. Someones probably fighting close by. We should probably stay-"
Charlie quickly bolts towards the gunshots. Passing by several demons and going towards the sounds of violence.
"Oh for the love of-Charlie!"
"Ms. Charlie! Please Wait!"
Charlie ran and ran and ran, trying to figure out where those gunshots came from. She knew demons always fought each other and most of the time she didn't know the full story or situation of what happened. But the least she could do was try to stop the fight or get innocent people to safety. Maybe even stop the fight. Prevent more needless death. That's when she heard it.
RAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!
A scream from the nearby alleyway. She dives into the nearby alleyway, and into the dark corridor, with Vaggie and Reynauld behind her.
The Bull demon rushes at Dismas with his pipe, but Dismas is quick and cuts the wrists of the demon bull. The pipe drops to the ground as the demon tries desperately to stop the bleeding. But the short sword is quickly trusted upwards into the demon's chest. The blade shredded his flesh cutting through muscles and bones, although it didn't go into his body, the large laceration was painful. The Bull demon screams in pain as he is quickly clobbered by a right hook. The multi-eyed demon clenching his chest is now contemplating what life choices that lead him up to this moment. The snake demon is on the ground, busy trying not to bleed to death. While Dismas was continuously pummeling the bull demon into pulp. Charlie makes a sharp turn at the alleyway and finds herself examining the scene before her. Two horned devils clenching their guts in pain, a white praying mantis-like demon is clenching his eyeball, a snake demon is in the corner covering her arm trying to stop her bleeding, while a multi-eyed demon is bleeding from his chest wounds. And in the middle of the courtyard, Dismas was pummeling a bull demon into a paste. After what seems like hours of pummeling and punching the bull demon stops flailing his arms and became silent. Dismas dismounts and begins to walk over to the multi-eyed demon, picking up the dropped exterminator blade, and placing it to the neck of said demon.
Charlie immediately reacts and screams "WAIT! DON'T KILL HIM!"
Dismas quickly turned around to see the new demons behind him. A pale, blond girl, with rosy cheeks, and a red suit. A grey-skinned, white hair lady, with a missing eye, and a demonic knight in tow. Dismas simply stared, drawing both blades, ready to strike, Vaggie immediately drew her spear. Reynaulds hands clenching his sword. Dismas simply eyed the new demons. Were they reinforcements, another gang, where they the buyers, or were they just random demons, he couldn't tell. So he simply stared at them with cold unflinching eyes. Charlie seeing that this bird demon is clearly on edge, attempts to calm him down.
"Look, Sir, I don't know what happened here, but please stop they are already down! They aren't going to hurt anyone anymore."
"Charlie what are you-"
"It's okay Vaggie, I know what I'm doing. Listen, I know this is a lot to ask of you, but could you perhaps...not kill them."
Dismas was now thoroughly confused, the demon lady here is asking him to spare their lives? Aren't demons usually indifferent to each other? Why does this one want to save a demon? He didn't like it one bit.
"Why? They stole my shit, tried to sell me to someone, and tried to kill me! Why should I spare them!?"
"Oh...huff. Look I know what you did here was for self-defense, but do you really need to kill them! They probably had a reason for those things, it doesn't mean I agree with those choices or encourage them, or even side with them. But could you look past what they did, just this once? I just want to help everyone here."
"Help? Me? What exactly do you want?! Why do you want to help me? You don't know me, or why I'm here! How can I trust you!" Dismas walks closer to Charlie. Vaggie and Reynauld quickly step up front, shielding Charlie with there bodies.
"Reynauld get ready." Vaggie readies her spear
"I'm right behind you. Miss Charlie get behind me!"
Dismas freezes for a moment. Could this knight really be "Re-Reynauld?"
"...yes my name is Reynauld. Why do you ask? Is it a weird name?"
Dismas sudden realizing who was in front of him quickly recited the verse "The Light Shines in the Darkness."
Reynauld takes a moment to understand what the demon just said, before quickly replying in realization "And the Darkness does not comprehend it."
The two stare at each other for the longest time. Until finally, both Dismas and Reynauld walked up to each other, clasped each other's arms, and hugged.
"DISMAS! HA HA HA Your alive! Your alive! HA HA HA HA! Good to see you old friend!"
"Nice to see you too, you armored bastard. Haha!
Vaggie and Charlie were taken aback at what just happened.
"You know him?" The two lady demon questioned.
"Haha Yes! This here is my old friend, companion, and brother in arms! Dismas! Sorry I didn't recognize you.
"Eh that's fine, I was just as surprised and confused as you were! Heh! Out of all the people in hell to be with, you were the least expected. Whatever happened to, "For the Light!"
"Heh! God had other plans supposedly, ha ha ha, but in all seriousness, what happened?"
Dismas looks back at his carnage, surprisingly the demons are back up, injured but still up. The Bull demons messed up face stopped bleeding, the two-horned devils have the guts being put back in, the pale insect demon is nursing his eye hole, and the snake demon is trying to get the multi-eyed demon back on his feet. Dismas simply stares at the group. The demons are in no condition to fight, but he wasn't willing to take a chance.
"These assholes tried to take me and turn me into a slave. Beat the everlasting shit out of them though. Now then! Where were we? Ah yes, finishing them.
The demons simply stepped back as Dismas walked closer, huddling together in fear. Dismas couldn't help but pity the poor group. Judging by the way they fought this was there first attempt at any robbery, a good plan, but not a great one. And they did say they needed to eat, maybe they were desperate like he was. They looked hungry and tired, they reminded him of the orphans he grew up with as a kid. The multi-eyed demon even looked like he was even shielding them. Dismas looked back at Reynauld and the two demon girls. The blonde one with pleading eyes not kill them and the white-haired one prepared to fight. Reynauld even looked liked he was against slaughtering them.
"Huff" Dismas, sheathed his blade and knelt down to eye level with the multi-eyed demon, "This your first time?"
The multi-eyed demon simply nodded yes.
"Heh Heh. It was a good plan, I'll give you that. It would have worked, but in my opinion, just shoot the guy and steal his stuff. Don't bother trying to catch the guy, they will always fight back, and if they look like they are surrendering, never trust it."
The demons were surprised, was he, Teaching them how to mug?
"Your plan was solid and you guys have potential, good hiding place, a good plan, brilliant execution, but you guys took to long. No monologues, no drawn-out threats or theatrics, no rape, just a quick threat, retrieval, then run. You're not fit to be slavers. You got that?"
The now thoroughly confused demons simply stare, dumbfounded, the guy they tried to mug and sell, was giving them pointers on how to rob people. Granted they needed it, but this was a confusing day already. Then Dismas pulled out a bandage.
"You'll get hurt when you do these things, so it's best that I teach you how to stitch up your wounds. You two, come here." Pointing at the two-horned demons.
"I'm not fond of blood, but at least it's yours. You pay close attention I'm only going to do this once, you got it?"
The demons simply nod in silence and watch as Dismas began to patch up the two. Charlie was surprised at this Dismas. She thought he was some sort of serial killer, but he was actually helping people. Granted, helping people steal, but still healing them after they attacked him and tried to do worse things to him. She saw a lot of potential for redemption with Dismas. Vaggie, on the other hand, was incredibly skeptical. Dismas was capable of killing people and had shown little restraint in doing so. Also, the fact he was helping demons mug others, didn't sit well with her. Although Reynauld and Dismas were friends, it didn't mean that she would immediately trust him. After a few minutes of teaching the mugging demons how to bandage themselves, Dismas gave them all 3 of his bandage rolls, as a parting gift. The now bandaged demons, with new knowledge and skills in tow, decided to go home. Today was exciting enough, and they would put their new skills tomorrow, but not without asking one more question. As the group limped away towards there truck the multi-eyed demon turned around and asked
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you help us?"
Dismas contemplated for a few seconds, before giving out an answer. "I don't know. You just remind me of my old friends is all. Now bugger off before I decide to shoot you lot."
The demons chuckle a bit, before wandering off into the street. Never to be seen again. Dismas turned to the two demon girls, the blonde demon smiling happily, while the white-haired demon simply stared with both caution and fear. An understandable gaze. To break the awkward silence, Dismas decided to reintroduce himself.
"Now then. I don't think we've been properly introduced, the names Dismas, Highwayman, and mercenary."
"I'm Charlie, this is Vaggie."
"Nice to meet you both...so...I'm in hell."
"Yup. That's right. "
"Not what I expected."
"We get that a lot. Do you have a place to go?"
"Nope just got here."
"Great we-
"Excuse us for a moment."
Vaggie took Charlie to the side. Leaving Dismas with Reynauld, and allowing him to think about the situation he was in, and who these two were. Charlie was strange, she looked human, but at the same time, she didn't. She looks to be very kind and caring even going through numerous lengths to save people. However she appeared to look very naive, she had the aura of a sheltered noble, which Dismas found annoying, but harmless. In fact, that sort of nature felt welcoming in hell. As for Vaggie, Dismas knew women like her, paranoid and cautious of newcomers, not unreasonable by hell's standards. She was very protective over Charlie, by the looks of it either a close friend or bodyguard or both. Dismas decided to listen in to the conversation, although he was far away, he had trained his ears to listen in on topics from afar.
"Charlie, you can't be serious. Look at him! I know he's Reynaulds friend, but he just gives a very bad vibe off him."
"It's okay Vaggie, It'll be fine, look he helped out a group demons that were trying to hurt him."
"He was capable of taking out multiple demons, taught them how to rob people, and was about to kill them with an exterminator weapon! What if he tries-
Charlie puts her hands on Vaggie's shoulder. "It'll be fine Vaggie. I got a good feeling about these two. Tell you what, we'll take them in and try to help them. If they don't want help, they can leave I'm not forcing them to stay. Besides if they do end up being bad, I got you to protect me."
Vaggie simply smiled and kissed Charlie on the cheeks. "Okay, Babe. Just don't make any trouble okay."
Reynauld and Dismas were both surprised. "They're Lesbians?" Dismas whispered, "Apparently so" Replied Reynauld. Although the two adventurous didn't mind it, it was rare in the living world. Those types of relationships oftentimes ended badly. Couples would we ridiculed and spat upon by various religions, often ending in being burned at the stake or tortured till they converted. So seeing an open act of affection like this was a rare thing to behold, but both reminded themselves this was hell, so they both were simply fine with it. Charlie broke away from her girlfriend and ran up to Dismas.
"Ahem. How would you like to come to the Hazbin Hotel."
"...the what?"
"It's my hotel that I'm running. Reynauld already agreed to come, so why don't you.
"Oh. I'd love to, but I don't have any mon-
"Don't worry. Reynauld here saved me from a few thugs around here. So as thanks I decided to give you two rooms, free of charge. What do you say?"
Dismas turned to Reynauld who gave an approving smile back. Looking back at Charlie who's eyes were now the size of dinner plates, Dismas sighed
"Huff. Okay. Count me in."