Chapter 23. Meet the family.
"You say you heard their voices?" Stolas asked Echo in the lobby of the base. The Cleansing had finished and Jack and Dundy were on pick up duty.
"Yes. It wasn't frequent and it was low but I swear I heard them," Echo told Stolas.
"Hmm, well...it could be a sign that your Shadow Demon is gaining its own conscious….but to hear the voices of your loved ones? Especially when they've been...y'know."
"I know it sounds crazy, but I know what I heard."
"...I'll ask Albest about this, but don't get your hopes up."
"Thank you."
"Now, let us discuss the Crusader you fought."
"The one we let get away."
"Now now, he was both a strong and unexpected opponent, no one was prepared for them and so no one blames you for him escaping. At Least Jack got the other one but he was lucky, the one you fought was clearly stronger."
"Don't tell Jack that," Echo chuckled, "but anyway, they were like us. He even said something about these Light Angels being the opposite of Shadow Demons. They could command the other angels and they themselves looked like regular Angel's."
"The corpse of the one Jack fought is still a corpse. It didn't turn into Halo's. That has to confirm it...these Crusaders are the heavenly variant of exterminators."
"That means they're humans too, but then that begs the question; how did they find out what we are, if they have that is, and where they find these people?"
Seeing as you're made through bathing in Hell's embodiment it would be reasonable to assume they are made in some similar fashion."
"Bathing in heaven's embodiment?"
"It would make sense. Now on where they found them, is it possible they were found during the Purge?"
"Where would they find the time? Plus with the Exterminators on them they'd need some way to pull them away without them noticing, and I don't see how they could do that."
"Neither do I. They'd need some distraction or a way to make them leave so they could perhaps speak with them in private. It would have to be a regular angel though and I can't possibly think of a way a regular angel could be in the purge unnoticed….wait...what if…" Stolas seemed to have thought of something.
"What?"
"...The early cleansings...when they happened the Purge ended sooner, making the exterminators leave or hide so as not to be noticed by regular people. They had to scramble to erase the memories of those involved so as to keep up the secrecy, during so they couldn't possibly notice someone being taken away."
"What about our mark system? We use it to mark those who aren't angels or Exterminators so we can erase their memories."
"Yes, but don't you just mark them at the end? What if they have a way to keep them from being marked?"
"They'd have to know about it first."
"Hm...that's true...honestly I'm more concerned over the fact that the angels possibly know that you're human and how you're made."
"It is concerning, but if we can figure out how they find out then maybe we can figure out their method of recruitment as well."
"Good idea. I'll tell Albest right away when we spar friday."
"He challenged you again?"
"No, I challenged him. Last time he won by a cheapshot," Stolas said a bit grumpily.
"Oh really."
Shred, Shelly, and Solis came in from the radio room.
"Blitzo and the others are watching that recording for the third time," Solis said.
"Can ya blame them? Jack's new Imp Parade is awesome!" Shred said.
"Yeah but we're supposed to discuss whos meeting who's family first when Jack and Dundy get back."
"They got time," Shelly said as they approached Stolas and Echo. "We looked through the recordings. Other than the crusaders, there's nothing else suspicious."
"That's good to hear. I just wanted to double check," Stolas told them.
Jack and Dundy walked in carrying large bags. "Halo collecting complete!" Jack announced.
"That was quick."
"I used Dust to help."
"Really made things quicker," Dundy commented.
"Now that we got the halos," Jack set the bag down, "let's discuss the family meetings."
"Can we atleast divvy up the Halos before we do that?" Solis asked.
"We can do that later! Discussion time!"
"Why are you so excited about this?" Dundy asked.
"Cause I want Nala to meet them all! Especially boss and Stolas!"
Stolas looked at him surprised. "Me?"
"Well yeah, you're coming too right?"
"Why would you want me to join?"
"Well you're the reason we got this base, you've been real helpful to us lately and you didn't need to be, so I say that's reason enough to let you meet the folks."
"I can't argue with that," Echo said.
"Neither can I," Dundy agreed.
"Just keep the innuendos on a low," Shelly said.
"Unless you're around my dad, He does them too with my mom," Shred chuckled.
Stolas smiled. "Thank you."
"Now, I volunteer they meet Nala first, also would be good to tell them about Collin and Keenie," Jack said.
"Shouldn't we discuss this with the others?" Echo asked.
"Speaking off, think Loona will come to?" Shred asked.
"Whatya mean?"
"She seems adamant on staying next to Poch."
"I mean it's only been a day and we're doing this like in two days so I'm sure we can ask her."
"Wait, I thought we were starting this tomorrow?" Shelly asked.
"No, we could use some rest after the Cleansing, especially after that Crusader business."
"Good point."
"Plus we need time to contact our family about guests."
"Ok, so we have me, Jack, Shred, Echo and Shelly's family to meet, so I'd suggest doing this day by day," Dundy said.
"Well duh. So we doing Nala first, who afterwards?"
"Jack, let's just wait for Blitzø and the crew to discuss this. I know you're excited but it's them that's meeting them, they should decide who to meet and when," Dundy told him.
"Fine, so much for planning forward. Where is boss and the others anyway?"
"They're watching you fight that crusader with imp parade, I'll go get them," Shelly answered, heading upstairs.
"Oh cool, glad they're watching it!"
"It's the third time they've watched it," Solis told him with an eye roll.
"Really!? Is it that good?"
"Oh no, his head got bigger," Echo chuckled.
"Shut up!"
Shelly came down with Blitzø, Moxxie, and Millie. "Got them just before they started a fourth watch."
"Seriously?" Solis looked unamused.
"Shelly told us we're gonna be discussing who we're meeting first?" Moxxie asked.
"Yeah, I nominated Nala first," Jack told him.
"Oh oh! I second that nomination!" Blitzø said excitedly.
"Why do you wanna see Nala so bad?" Moxxie asked.
"Cause I made her sound awesome," Jack smirked.
"I wanna see Shelly's family! I really wanna meet her brother!" Millie said.
"I'm more particularly interested in meeting her father," Moxxie admitted.
"I'll go get Loonie so we can talk about this as a group," Blitzø said as walked off to where Loona was.
Poch was gently breathing on his bed, sleeping still. Loona sat next to him, on her phone but always glancing at him every now and then. The silence was beginning to get to her so she broke it.
"...so...I realised something about Overlord. The main character always talks in some rpg lingo, and everyone seems to understand it. It could be they just ignore it but it makes me think that maybe he's been taken to another server somehow," She said, glancing at Poch. "And another thing that kinda bothers me is how in that one episode you found out Albeto is a virgin. She's a succubus! How's that possible!?"
"..." Poch didn't respond, still in his coma.
Loona sighed. "...You'd probably say something like she was probably the lesbo type, or something crazy like that…."
Blitzø poked his head in. "Sweetie?"
"Dad?" Loona looked at Blitzø.
"Were meeting up to talk about whose family were meeting first. Wanna join?"
"I...I don't know if I'll go."
Blitzø walked up to her. "Sweetie no one knows when he'll wake up, but I don't think he'd like you sitting next to him worrying constantly over him."
"...it's my fault this happened."
"No it's not," he grabbed her face, "Striker fooled us all, we never knew this would happen. So don't blame yourself, understood?"
"...ok."
"I know you love him and you wanna be here when he wakes up but you're gonna drive yourself crazy like this. You'll be fine being away for a bit, plus meeting some new people may help you get your mind off what happened and give him some stories to tell."
"..." Loona sighed, "you're right," She blushed, "except for the love part, we're just friends."
"Friends don't kiss each other," Blitzø smirked.
Loona blushed harder. "Dad, that was an accident!"
"Sure it was. Now c'mon, we gotta discuss who we're meeting first!" He pulled her out.
"Ok ok I'm coming."
Blitzø walked in the Lobby with Loona.
"Alright everyone's here," Jack sat at the middle table along with the others, "now, let's set in stone that we're at least doing this in two days. Need a day to rest and contact the fam to let them know about guests."
"I'm ok with that," Blitzø said.
"So who wants to go after Nala?"
"Ugh, fine, we'll do Nala first, but I can't go second, mother would like at least three days' notice before a visit, especially with friends, and I'd prefer not getting my ass kicked," Dundy said.
"I can go second. Dad always looks for any excuse to get the grill!" Shred stated.
"I guess I'll go after Shred then, if that's fine?"
"Well I know about Jack's sister and Millie has some knowledge on Shelly's folks, so how bout we do those two first," Blitzø planned.
"Sure, it'll be Nala then my folks," Shelly said.
"I'm good with that," Jack acknowledged.
"So who we doin afterwards? We got Shred, Dundy, and Echo."
"And Poch when he wakes up," Millie mentioned.
Jack, Solis, Dundy, and Shelly looked at eachother like they were forming how to respond.
"Uh...that's…not going to happen," Jack said.
"Why not?" Moxxie asked.
"Poch hasn't really seen his family for a few years."
"What!? Why!?"
"It's...complicated."
"...is it...cause of Celis?" Loona asked.
"...Yeah…"
"Who's Celis?" Blitzø asked.
"Uh...Poch's brother."
"I didn't know he had a brother! He an exterminator too?" Millie asked.
"...he was," Dundy answered.
"Was?" Moxxie asked, concerned.
"He's...he's dead...he died a few years ago," Solis answered.
"Oh no!" Millie gasped.
"Shit. Mark that on the things never to bring up around him," Blitzø remarked.
"Yeah please dont...its a...touchy subject," Loona said.
"Anyways, let's get back on topic. I wish to go last, mainly cause it's not just my father I want you to meet," Echo said.
"Well then in that case I'll have them meet my father the same day while meeting my mother another," Dundy said.
"In that case, let's have Dundy be second to last," Jack advised.
"I'm good with that. That means Shred is third," Blitzø calculated.
"Pretty much, but that's ok, gives my old man some time to get meat for the grill," Shred said.
"So wait, are we all having dinner when we have them meet the fam? Cause I feel like that's what we're gonna be doing," Jack said.
"I mean, it's a week of free food and fun, I doubt anyone's complaining."
"I'm certainly not. It sounds rather fun," Stolas commented.
"Wait, you're coming too?" Blitzø asked.
"I was generously invited, so yes."
"Alrighty! I'll call up Nala and let her know! For tomorrow, how bout we look into Striker?" Jack suggested.
As soon as his name was uttered, Loona growled and slightly bared her fangs, remembering Poch getting shot.
"Uh...Loonie?" Blitzø looked at her worried.
Loona took a breath and calmed down. "Sorry, I just remembered what that bastard did."
"I get ya. I wasn't there but knowing he shot Poch has got me wanting to rip him up!" Jack said.
"Trust me Loona, he'll be appropriately punished for hurting the one you love," Stolas smiled.
Loona smiled back, "tha-" She then became flabbergasted, "w-were just friends!"
"Oh? Didn't you kiss at some party?"
"Dad, you told him!? Is there anyone you didn't tell!?" Loona glared at Blitzø.
Blitzø nervously chuckled. "I didn't tell the mailman."
"Ugh. Look, me and Poch are just friends. The kiss was a fucking accident."
"Hm, I'm not convinced, but I'll accept what you say anyways," Stolas told her.
Loona sighed, "I'll take it."
"Now that we have our plans for the week, why don't we divvy up those halos."
"Sounds good," Jack said, opening up the bag.
Next day.
The I.M.P. crew walked into the lobby of the exterminator base. The exterminators were finishing up breakfast that Millie's parents cooked for them.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Jack greeted them.
"We got clients! That's what's up!" Blitzø told him.
"Really!? How many?"
"Quite a few, and some are from this ring!"
"Sweet!"
"Hey, can I join you guys? I always wanted to try an assassin role," Shred asked.
"Sure!" Blitzø approved.
"Uh before we go, I'm gonna-" Loona started.
"Go ahead sweety, tell him we said hi," Blitzø smiled.
"I will," She left for Pochs room.
Loona opened the door and walked in Pochs room. He was sleeping peacefully on the bed. Loona sat next to him, facing him.
"Morning. I'm guessing you slept ok," she smiled. "Tomorrow we meet Nala and some surprise guests of Jack's. No idea what to expect but, hey she's giving free food so cant really complain. Jack said he'll save you a plate so you got something to look forward to when you wake up." She looked at him, not responding, sleeping away, and her smile faltered a bit. "...wake up soon ok? I wanna get back to Jojo." She got up. "I gotta go help the others with some clients we got….but I'll be back soon…" she reached out and rubbed his cheek, "I'll tell you how it went...take care." She left, looking back at him, feeling somewhat reluctant.
Dundy took a deep breath as he sat on his bed, looking at a contact on his phone. He hit call and placed the phone to his ear. It rang a few times before someone answered.
"Hello?" A thick female voice with a thick German accent spoke through the speaker.
"Hello Mother," Dundy answered.
"...you haven't called or seen or heard your mothers voice in months and all you have to say is hello!?" Dundys mother sounded angry.
"U-uh w-w-well you see I-"
She laughed. "Oh I'm just messing with you! Hello my son! It's so good to hear you!"
Dundy sighed in relief. "It's great to hear from you too, Mother."
"Did something happen to allow you to call me?"
"Yes actually. The corps is recognizing the Cleansing and now it's becoming no longer a secret that we're alive."
"Ah that's wonderful news! Now you can visit your father easier and me!"
"Speaking of visiting, I do plan on coming to see you soon."
"Oh that's great!"
"But I'm going to be bringing some friends."
"Ah, Poch, Jack, and Shelly? It's about time I saw them again! I only got to see them once!"
"Actually mother, it's going to be some different friends."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You see weve made some demon freinds, one that's royalty that has ties to the core, and some that run an assassination business."
"Oh like ninjas?"
Dundy sighed. "You've been watching Japanese movies again haven't you?"
"Maybe," she chuckled.
"But anyway, the're demons we found that we can trust with our humanity secret and they'd like to meet our family's, that means you."
"Oh I get to meet actual demons? Hohoho that sounds exciting. How many?"
"About five not including Jack, Shelly, Echo, and Shred."
"Echo is coming!? Wonderful!...wait, you didn't say Poch."
"...Poch is...he's injured and currently in a coma."
"Oh no! Is he alright!?"
"He's alright, just in a deep sleep. We don't know when he'll awake."
"Well he's a tough little hound, I'm sure he'll be up soon. Now, including you, that's ten people correct?"
"Yes, and don't worry, I plan on seeing you with them in four days."
"Ah good, giving me time. I'd kick your ass if it was sooner."
"Hehe I know mother."
"I'll whip up a good feast for them all!"
"Thank you mother….also can you...not so them my childhood pictures?"
"HAHAHAHAHA, I'm sorry son but those pictures will be seen by your new friends."
"Mother please! Noone needs to see the embarrassing ones at least!"
"Sorry, son of mine, but it's a mothers duty to embarrass their son when he first shows her the friends!"
Dundy groaned. "Well at least you don't have the pink series anymore."
"...snrk…"
"...mother you said you got rid of it…"
"I say a lot of things, but not all of them are promises. The pink series wasn't a promise!" Dundys mother laughed.
Dundy sighed. "Oh mother…"
Jack was washing blood off his scythe while Blitzø and Millie were getting blood off their knives.
"Throwing knives is hard. How do you do it so easily, Mills?" Blitzø asked.
"It's in the wrist," Millie smiled.
Jack's phone rang and he answered. "Hello?...oh hey! I got Millie and Blitzø with me so I'm gonna put you on speaker!" He turned on the speaker.
"Hello demons of I.M.P.!" Nala's voice called through the phone.
"Nala!?" Blitzø asked.
"That's me! You must be Blitzø! I can tell cause you got a suave voice!"
Blitzø blushed. "Aww thank you!"
"Hi Nala!" Millie said.
"That's the voice of an energetic fireball! That's gotta be Millie!" Nala confirmed.
"That's me!"
"Moxxie not there?"
"No he's inside, putting up his guns."
"Ah ok. Well I'm calling cause I forgot to ask. You guys got any allergies?"
"Nope! Neither does Moxxie!"
"I got none either!" Blitzø answered.
"Does Loona?" Nala asked.
"Nu uh."
"Sweet! Alright just checking! See y'all tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow!" Blitzø and Millie said in unison.
Nala hung up and Jack put his phone up.
"I like her!" Millie said.
"If that made you like her then you're gonna love her when you actually meet," Jack commented.
"Any idea what she's cooking?"
"Nope. She left no hints either."
"A surprise huh?" Blitzo inquired.
"Yep!" Jack shook his scythe off. "So, who's next on the list?"
Loona and Blitzø walked through the market area. Millie's parents asked them to get some things for the fridge.
"Be on the lookout for any pomegranates," Blitzø told Loona.
"Alright." She answered.
They were gathering the items on the list and Blitzø stopped near a flower stand.
"Oh these look like some nice flowers!" Blitzø said.
"I guess," Loona said, uninterested.
Blitzø gave a soft smile. "Wanna get a few for Poch?"
"Huh? He's not really a flower guy, plus I doubt he'd notice them."
"Don't say that sweetly. I'm sure he'd love it if his grave was prettified."
"...what did you just say?"
"Well, just having a plain tombstone doesn't suit him. He was anything but plain."
"Dad, what are you talking about?"
"Where Poch is buried, of course?"
"Buried?..." She wasn't liking what she was hearing.
"Yeah. Remember? We buried him at the hill near Millie's cause you begged for that."
"Dad," She grabbed his shoulder and looked at him intensely and with fear, "why are you talking as if he's dead?"
Blitzø held her arms and looked at her sympathetically. "Cause he is sweetie...we couldn't save him after the shot, remember?"
"What!?" Her eyes widened.
"We tried our damn best but...in the end he didn't make it….I'm so sorry."
"N-no he's fine! He's in a coma back at the base!"
"Oh sweetie," He grabbed her face, "I wish he was here too. It's only been two weeks and I really miss the guy."
Loona took a few steps back. "No...he's alive...I know he is!"
"Sweetie…" Blitzø walked up to her, "he's gone."
"No he's not! HES NOT!" She said, backing away from him, starting to breathe heavier.
"Oh sweetheart...did you dream he was alive again?"
"Shut up! I know he's alive!"
"He's not."
"...prove it."
"..." Blitzø sighed and pointed to a hill next to Millie's house, "he lays there. That's where his grave is."
Loona rushed off to where he pointed. Her heart beated faster as she got to her destination. 'It's not his grave! Dad's just confused! That's all! It's someone else's grave!' She kept running and running and when she got up the hill she froze. "...no."
Right in the middle of the hill was a stone head with the words "R.I.P. Poch." Followed by the date of the Harvest Moon festival.
Loona took slow steps to the grave, her body shaking. "...no…" she said, tears welling in her eyes, "...no…" her voice broke as she fell to her knees in front of the grave. "This...this has to be a joke…"
Visions appeared around her, startling her.
"I'm sorry…" a vision of Stolas said, "we tried everything we could...but it hit too close to his heart."
Another vision showed Shelly sitting down in a chair, crying with Solis holding her. Jack was leaning forward against the wall, trying to hold back his tears.
"GOD DAMNIT!" Jack shouted, punching the wall.
The next vision made Loona hurt on the inside.
"I...I'm sorry! I'm so so-ha-ry!" A vision of her said, bawling her eyes out, laying her top half on the chest of a body. The body was Pochs.
Loona walked up to the vision, getting a better look of Poch. He wasn't breathing. He was lifeless. She reached out to touch it only for it to disappear and her hand be on the gravestone. She fell to her knees and leaned on the gravestone. "Why...why...this can't be real...please…I can't lose you…" tears waterfalled from her eyes, falling on the pavement. "...ah...aah…...aaaAAAAAAH!" She shouted and cried.
"AAAH!" Loona jumped up in her bed, panting. She looked around and saw she was in the room Millie's folks gave her as they stayed in the wrath ring. Her eyes were a bit hazy. She'd been crying in her sleep. She hastily got up, not bothering to check the time, knowing it was night due to the moon being out. She ran out of her room, only grabbing a key, only wearing a tank top and a black pair of panties but not caring, she needed to go somewhere. She ran out the house and rushed to the Exterminator base. The front door was unlocked and she shoved passed it and rushed to Pochs room. She used her key and nearly slammed the door open.
Poch laid in his bed, still in deep sleep but breathing. Loona walked up to him, the door closing behind her, and placed her hand on his face, feeling how warm it was. She then placed her ear on his chest and heard his heartbeat. She breathed in relief looking at him with a smile, wiping her tears away. She climbed into the bed, laying next to him, and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close, his face near her chest, but being gentle. She took a deep breath and fell asleep.
The morning Ray's hit Loona on her face through the window. She woke up and looked down to see Poch still breathing. She smiled then blushed realizing that she was holding him in her underwear. She hurriedly let go and got out of the bed. She realised she had no change of clothes and she wasn't gonna go out in just her underwear.
"Oh crap, what do I do?" She asked herself, pacing around. "Hm?" She noticed something at the desk beside the bed. It was a pair of her usual clothes with a note. She picked up the note.
It read "I noticed you when I came in. I didn't know what you were doing there so I used my grimoire to find out and saw your nightmare. I'm sorry for prying in but I was curious on why you were only wearing what you were. I got you a change of clothes but you're going to have to explain what you're doing there to the others yourself. See you tonight! -Stolas''
Loona smirked, glad for the change of clothes at least and threw the note away and changed, leaving for the lobby.
The exterminators and I.M.P. group were having breakfast when Loona walked in.
"Hey Loona! We got your plate here!" Jill told her from the counter, holding a plate of breakfast food.
"Oh, thanks." Loona said, taking the plate.
"Loonie over here!" Blitzø waved. "Told you she'd be here, Mox."
"I never disagreed," Mozzie said.
Loona sat at their table.
"You must've really wanted to see Poch to wake up so early to see him," Millis said smugly.
Loona blushed. "Uh, yeah, woke up early, that's what I did...and I was only checking up on him, that's all! I'm. Just. His. Friend!"
"Uh-huh, sure." Millie got next to her and whispered in her ear, "a friend totally leaves in the middle of night in just their underwear to cuddle with their other friend."
Loona turned red and got up. "Uh, cause us for a sec!" She grabbed Millie and pulled her to the hallway for some privacy. "Ok, how do you know about that!?"
"I'm in the room next to you so I heard you scream. I got worried and then I saw you just run out of your room as soon as I opened the door. Look out my window to see you running to the base so I followed you and peaked in Pochs room to see you cuddle up to him," she took out her phone showing her that she took a picture of her cuddling him, "it was so cute I had to take a pic!"
"Delete that right now!"
"No way! I'll promise not to show it to anyone though...iiiif,"
"Oh you are not blackmailing me."
"Oh I am. If you join me and Shelly on our girls night, I wont show this picture."
"Girls night?"
"Yeah we mostly just hang out at her place, whatcha movies, and talk. It's a lot of fun!"
"Ugh fine!"
"I'll tell Shelly!" She hopped back to her seat with Loona following with an annoyed expression.
Jack knocked on the door of Nala's house. Shelly, Dundy, Echo, Solis, and Shred were with him in human forms.
Shelly's human form had dark skin while Echo, Solis, and Shred had white human skin. Shred also had spiky hair in his human form.
Nala opened the door. "Hey y'all!" She walked up to Shred and Echo. "You must be Shred and Echo! Put er there!" She shook both their hands.
"Nice to meet you," Echo smiled.
"Hey there!" Shred greeted.
"C'mon in!" Nala let them in. She closed the door. "You can let the demons in now!"
Jack shot a text to Stolas while everyone turned to their demon forms and a gate opened next to them all. The I.M.P. crew and Stolas walked in.
"Hello there, I am-" Stolas began.
"Ah,wait, lemme guess! Your Stolas!" She pointed to Blitzø, "Blitzø!" She gestured to Millie, "Millie!" She looked at Moxxie, "Moxxie!" She turned to Loona, "and Poch's girlfriend, Loona!"
Loona groaned. "I'm not his girlfriend!"
"Huh. Jack said you were, but he did kinda assume after the kiss."
Loona glared at Jack who just smiled smugly before she punched him.
"Ouch!" Jack cried out.
"You asked for that, Jack," Nala laughed.
"Fuck you."
"Now there's two other people you should meet. Come on out you guys!"
Collin and Keenie flew into the room from the hallway corner.
"Hi!" They said.
"The cherubs!" Blitzø, Moxxie, and Millis said in unison, becoming apprehensive.
"Wait wait wait!" Jack got in front of them. "They're cool! Lemme explain. They got kicked out of heaven and they look different cause they realised heaven was being bullshit with its purity nonsense. So now they live here."
"Yeah and we're really sorry about what happened last time!" Collin said.
Keenie approached Millie. "Millie was it? I'm really really sorry for what I said to you. I take back everything that came out my mouth."
"Oh...well," Millie could tell she meant it. "I guess...I can forgive you."
"Oh thank you!" Keenie hugged her.
"Wait what happened to the third guy?" Blitzø asked.
"That's… a story for another time." Jack said.
"Now that that's over, let's eat!" Nala said.
They all gathered at the table. Nala and the Cherubs can back with trays with bowls on them. They set them in front of everyone. The bowls had a red soupy liquid with green flakes, bits of bacon, chopped up carrots, and meatballs.
Nala sat down. "Meatball soup! Enjoy!"
"Thanks!" Blitzø said as he started to eat with everyone else. After the first spoonful he made a comment. "Mm this is good!"
"Agreed, it's quite delightful!" Stolas commented.
"So...who wants to know the embarrassing stories about Jack?" Nala asked.
Jack choked on his water. "Cagh corg!" He coughed. "Nala don't you dare!"
"No please," Dundy smirked, "why don't you tell them about the time he tried to be a girl."
"Dundy shut up!"
"He tried to be a girl?" Blitzø asked.
"Yep! Tried it when we were six!" Nala said.
"Oh I remember this story!" Shelly said.
"Yeah and I'd rather it not be spread!" Jack exclaimed.
"Actually," Moxxie got their attention, "I've been wondering something since we found out you were human and this seems like a good time to ask. Jack, what made you become an exterminator?"
"Yes! Let's do that story!"
"Then we do girl story," Nala smirked, making Jack groan, "I'll tell this one. It was just a regular day for us when this moron broke one of my stereos,"
"It broke itself!" Jack protested.
"Shut up, I'm telling your Exterminator origins. Anyways, we decided to go to the store to get me a new one, I went cause he's shit at picking things," Jack flipped her off and she did so back, "on our way there we stepped near a park to get some snow cones from a stand. That's when it happened. The Purge. We were surprised as fuck when we saw the Angel's came in and the subspace was created. I pulled us somewhere to hide, cause I was the smart one between us, so I knew they were dangerous. While hiding, we saw them, the Exterminators. They were ripping up the Angel's like No One's business. This dumbass," she pointed at Jack, "got so excited he jumped out with a pole and started fighting. He was like a five year old getting free rein on candy."
"Piss off, that's a terrible comparison!" Jack pouted.
"But accurate. Anyways he couldn't do shit to the Angel's but he kept wacking anyway. When it was over and everyone's memory was being wiped, one of the exterminators came up to him and invited him to join them. Apparently they take nut jobs."
"Fuck you."
"He joined them and one day he came home as an Imp and I wacked him with a club cause he decided to wake me like one."
"She would've bashed my head in if I didn't turn human. Even when I did she wacked me a few more times. It was at that time I met the others except for Shred and Echo, we joined at different times but we all bathed in hell at the same time."
"I remember that, that's when we first decided to be a team!" Shelly said.
"He was the rambunctious one so I was hesitant on it but he surprisingly turned out to be quite reliable. I was honestly afraid he'd accidentally stab me with Dust with how much he used it." Dundy said.
"I was excited when I first got it!" Jack defended.
"So was I yet I had control over myself," Shelly said.
"And you know her and control can be finicky when she's excited," Solis said.
"Oh shut up," She nudged him.
"Wait, you all joined at different times but became demons at the same time?" Moxxie asked.
"Yeah, you see we join, we gotta learn a few things first before we become demons."
"Cool!" Blitzø said, finishing up his bowl. "Can I have seconds?"
"Sure, just head to the kitchen!" Nala pointed to the kitchen. "And hurry back if you wanna hear about the story of him trying to be a girl!"
"Oh I'll be quick then!"
"Get me another one too while you're at it," Loona asked, handing him her bowl as he left.
"Nala, please choose a different thing to tell them," Jack begged.
"Then I'll choose the one where you wanted to be a hip hop dancer," Nala smirked.
"Please not that!"
"Ohoho please that," Dundy smirked evilly.
Everyone was in the living room. They finished eating and were now playing a game on Nalas switch. They were playing smash bros. Loona was on her phone while they were doing four people free for all. Millie got used to the controls real quick and was surprisingly good at the game and so was Stolas. Right now it was Jack, Blitzø, Milllie, and Stolas playing a three stock match.
"Sorry about this, Blitzy!" Stolas said, up airing Blitzø's character. He was playing as Kirby cause he thought he was cute.
"Dammit, now I'm down to one stock!" Blitzo exclaimed. He was trying Ike out cause he was told he was good.
"Don't worry, I'll make it up to later," he said in a sexual undertone.
"You got this Millie!" Moxxie cheered.
"Get him, Millie!" Keenie cheered.
"Hold fast, Jack!" Collin told Jack.
"I'm ending your win streak Jack!" Millie said.
"You can try!" Jack said. He went for a strike, playing as Meta Knight but Millie countered it. She was playing as Joker. "What!?"
"I got your timing down!"
"Hey Jack, if Millie beats you, you gotta play the piano," Nala said.
"Oh now I really can't lose!" Jack got determined.
"He plays piano?" Stolas asked.
"It's something his mother taught him," Shred said.
"She taught me it before she died," Jack said.
"Oh I'm sorry," Stolas said.
"Ah it's fine, it happened years ago and I'm already over it. She lived a great life with us, her words before she died," Jack said. "I'll tell you more about her later!"
Loona wasn't paying much attention, scrolling through her phone. She was on instagram and stopped when she saw a pic from Poch's feed. It was taken the day of the festival, it was them eating at one of the stalls. It said "At the Harvest Festival! Yeehaw!" She smiled softly at it. She looked at Blitzø. "Dad?...is it...is it ok if I go back early?"
Blitzø smiled. "Sure thing sweety." Jack just knocked his character off screen. "Damnit!"
"Bye Blitzø!" Jack said.
"I'll make you a gate straight to Poch's room," Stolas said, getting up.
"Thanks," Loona thanked.
"Quick, tag team him while afk!" Jack said.
"Wait what!? Uhhh, Quick quick quick!" Stolas quickly made a gate and went back to his controller.
"Finisher!" Jack went for a smash attack.
"No, you don't!" He dodged at the last second.
Loona shook her head and stepped through the gate. She sat in the chair next to him and faced him and started talking to him. "Hey. Just came back from Nala's. Gotta say she's pretty cool. Not a bad cook either but you're still better. Tomorrow we're gonna see Shelly's family...just hope they don't think I'm your girlfriend, I swear that's getting annoying." Her phone dinged and she checked it. It was from Blitzø. It was a video of Jack playing a beautiful jazzy melody on an electric piano. Under it it said "Millie won" followed by a picture of her cheering with the winning screen of her character. "Huh...he's surprisingly good at that." She looked at Poch and smiled. "Maybe he can play a melody from Jojo, that'd be something. They were also playing a game called Super Smash Bros. Not my kinda game, I'm more into shooters...but it did make me consider your offer about Fighterz so...when you wake up...let's try it… ok?"
Poch didn't respond but Loona didn't let that get to her and kept talking.
A red two story house stood near the edge of the neighborhood. It had a large american flag waving proudly at the top. Shelly walked onto the porch with the other exterminators. She gave the door a knock and waited. The eye slider opened up and a pair of red eyes looked through and widened when they saw Shelly. The slider quickly closed and the door opened swiftly.
"Baby gurl!" A man with dark skin and dreads greeted. He wore a green shirt and jean shorts. He was as tall as Dundy and almost as buff and he had a Jamaican accent. He had his arms stretched out.
"Papa!" Shelly embraced him in a hug.
"Oh it's so good to see you!" He let go of Shelly and walked up to Dundy. "Good to see you big man!" Extending his hand.
"Pleasure to see you too," Dundy smiled, shaking his hand.
Shelly's dad ruffled Jack's hair. "Crazy Jack!"
"Good to see you, Mik!" Jack said to him.
Mik went to Shred and Echo. "You two must be Shred and Echo!" He gave them a crushing hug. "Pleased to meet you!"
"P-pleasure!" Shred said, his lungs getting tighter.
"Nice to meet you." Echo said with no issue.
"Papa, too tight!" Shelly said.
"Oops!" Mik let go. "Sorry! Come in come in so the demons can come!"
They came in, turned demon, and Stolas got the signal for the gate.
The imps were the first to get hugged by Mik, all three.
"You must be Blitzo, Moxxie, and Millie!" Mik said.
"That's...us." Blitzø struggled to say.
"Can't...breathe!" Moxxie said, losing air.
Mik let go and Approached Stolas, hugging him. "You must be Stolas."
"Y-yes I am!" Stolas said a little uncomfortable.
Mik turned to Loona who backed. "No no no-" she tried to back away but got a crushing hug either way.
"And you're Loona no doubt!" Mik said.
"Ow!" Loona groaned in pain.
"Honey, you're gonna break her back," a feminine voice said. A light skinned female with long black hair wearing a sundress stood at the entrance to the living room.
"Oh sorry!" Mik let go of Loona who rubbed her sore back.
"Sorry. He has a tendency to hug Shelly's friends when he first meets them. I'm Shelly's mother, Darla, pleased to meet you," she curtsied.
"Pleasure," Stolas bowed.
"Where Dax?" Shelly asked.
"Right here!" A guy with the same skin tone as Shelly came in. He was a few inches shorter than Shelly, had fluffy white hair, and had a slender yet strong looking body. He was wearing a red shirt and a pair of white overalls. "Was just in the workshop!" He walked up to Shelly. "Sis." He brought his hand up.
"Bro," Shelly said, taking his hand. The two were locked in a struggle, trying to push their other arm down in an airborne arm wrestle. Shelly was winning and her brother Dax was struggling to win.
"Hnnnn gah fine you win!"
"Tapping out already?" Shelly said, letting go.
"You only won cause of your hellhound strength." Dax pouted.
"Speaking off," Darla walked up to Shelly and started scratching the back of her ear. Shelly smiled and started kicking her leg.
"Mmm mom not in front of everyone!" Shelly tried to protest but was clearly liking the scratches.
"Oh I can't help it!" She stopped. "I made chicken casserole."
"It's her speciality! Come let us eat!" Mik invited.
"So you were a hitman for the government during a war!?" Blitzo asked at the table, eating his casserole with everyone else.
"And a damn good one!" Mik said proudly. "I could give you a few pointers if you like!"
"Dad, why don't we show them our custom pieces?" Dax suggested.
"Good idea! After we eat we'll show you our custom made guns! Even got some from my hitman days!"
"I'd love to!" Blitzø said.
"Can I join?" Moxxie asked.
"Of course!" Mik said with glee.
"You always find the gun enthusiasts, don't ya dear?" Darla said.
"Millie after this how bout I show that chess set Dax made? We can even play a game!" Shelly asked.
"Can we!? That'd be great!" Millie said excitedly.
"Oh can I come? I can play the loser or winner!" Shred asked.
"Sure!"
"I'm so happy you've made such wonderful friends Baby girl!" Mik gushed.
"Thanks papa! I got your Gene's to help!" Shelly said.
"Shelly, why don't you take this time to tell them what made you become an Exterminator?" Darla suggested.
"Oh yeah I wanna know!" Millie said with interest.
"Ok sure! But it's kinda short one." Shelly started. "So one day I was at the shooting gallery trying out a custom pistol Dax made. During it, a purge happened. I shot at the Angel's but when I saw how ineffective it was, I ran for it. The Exterminators appeared and near the end an angel they thought was dead was about to strike one in the back. I shot it in the head, disorienting it, and they finished it off. The exterminator said I saved him and was impressed by my marksmanship so he offered me a position in the corps and I accepted. Papa was so excited when I told him and when mom saw my form she couldn't keep herself from scratching my ears!"
"Your reaction is so cute and it's fun to do!"
"Just be glad I like it, mother!"
"Especially when I do it," Solis said smugly.
"Solis!" Shelly blushed.
"Hahahahaha!" Mik laughed, "Oh I'm thankful you are her love, Solis."
"Thank you, Mik!"
"This is an impressive gun!" Stolas marveled at the modified sniper gun on the wall.
"Ah, you have good eyes," Dax said, pulling the gun down. "Let me explain the features," he started to explain them.
"Watch closely," Mik told Blitzø and Moxxie, a gun and a clip in front of him. He quickly grabbed the gun and slammed it on the clip, sliding it in like an expert. "Tada!" He said, raising the reloaded gun.
Blitzø and Moxxie clapped.
"How'd you do that!?" Blitzø asked.
"There's a certain trick to it. Shall I teach you?" Mik asked.
"Yes please!"
Millie, Shelly, and Shred were playing a chess game with hand made medieval chess pieces that were expertly crafted. The board was round and there were sixteen pieces on each side. Millie and Shred just started a match. Loona had just left to be next to Poch.
"Hmm…" Shred took a piece and moved it a few spaces forward.
"Can't do that," Shelly told him.
"Oh, was that this piece?" He pointed at another piece.
"Yep."
"Oh ok." He slid the piece back and moved the other one.
"Hmmm this is the zig zag one right?" Millie asked, pointing at a chess piece.
"Yes you can." Shelly answered.
"Alright then." She moved her piece.
The day went by with chess, gun enthusing, and Darla showing the others some of her ballet videos from her childhood.
"GAH!" Loona woke up, her cheeks wet from tears. She had another nightmare, though this one was a bit less extreme. She took a deep breath and laid back down. She knew it was just a dream and that Poch was fine but she just had a nagging urge in her. She sighed and got up, putting on her usual clothes and walking out, making sure to be silent about it. She made her way to the Exterminator base going in and going to Poch's room. She walked in and as she walked to his bed she kept chanting in her mind 'This is just so I can sleep, there's nothing to it, this is just so I can sleep, nothing to it.' She got in his bed and held him close to her, falling asleep.
In the large backyard of a Gray single story house, a tall bald man in a white shirt, Jean's and an apron was picking up a big piece of steak and placing it on Stolas plate. Everyone was outside at a table with shreds mom and dad. The dad had started up a grill before they got there.
"I know you like it big and thick dontcha Solis!" Shreds dad said in a southern accent.
"Hmhmhm I do, actually!" Stolas chuckled.
Shred mother, a four foot tall slightly brown woman with short red hair, wearing a white tank top and jean shorts came in. She was skinny but plump. She had a tray with two pitchers and a pack of cans on it. "I got tea, fruit punch and beer!" She said.
"Mom, it's the afternoon," shred told her.
"So? It's beer, not whiskey."
"I'll have a beer!" Blitzo said.
"Yeah me too," Loona asked.
"Ok Shred, your turn on how you became an Exterminator," Jack said.
"Ah, my origin story. It all started when I went to get Pops a new fishing pole," Shred started.
"You fish?" Moxxie asked.
"And hunt! I'm gonna do it later, wanna join?" Shreds dad offered.
"Sure!"
"Loona and Shelly can come with, help us sniff out the prey!"
"That sounds great, Dreck!" Blitzo agreed.
"Uh I didn't agree to this," Loona protested.
"You can join me in learning how to knit then. The boys and I are gonna make a few scarves," Shreds mom said.
"...I'll join the hunting."
"Now that you got your plans, can I get back to my story?" Shred asked.
"Oh sorry son!" Dreck laughed.
"Anyways, I was getting my dad a new pole,"
"Snrk."
"Fishing pole," Shred rolled his eyes, "and on the way I got caught up in a purge. I had my Freddy Kruger claws and just went ham on them. I knew I wasn't doing shit but I was just like "I'll find a weakness somehow!" Nearly got killed by one till an exterminator saved me. As she was fighting Angel's I tagged with her fighting as well. She liked my spunk, still berated me though, and I was so into her shadow demons, wanting on myself. When it was over she took me somewhere to show off her shadow demons and invited me to be an Exterminator. I was one about a few weeks before the others so we didn't meet till much later. Probably for the best cause I was like Jack when I got Ripper, going crazy!"
"I'm noticing a pattern here. Were you all in a Purge before becoming exterminators?" Moxxie asked.
"Yes actually. That's how most Exterminators are founded, their actions during a Purge," Dundy explained.
"Only a rare few are found outside the Purge, mainly those who show potential in fighting, like famous boxers," Shred said.
"If they decline, memory wiped," Jack explained.
"Surprisingly they actually got a few famous people to join the corps," Stolas said, "they actually managed to get Mike Tyson to join."
Millie choked on her drink. "You got Mike Tyson!"
"Yes. It's why he's been less in public. Hes already reached stage four."
"No way!"
"Eh, I woulda volunteered to be an exterminator but I'm afraid my demon form would be too sexy, and I wanna stay faithful." Dreck smiled.
Shred's mom rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you'd probably just grow horns."
"Sheril...horns are sexy. Right, Stolas?"
"I agree," Stolas said, glancing at Blitzø who rolled his eyes.
"God dammit!" Jack cursed as his yarn got tangled.
"That's what you get for going too fast," Stolas said as he knitted.
"You need to learn to take it slow," Echo said, knitting nearly perfectly.
"Ok, Stolas I get, but how are you all good with this! Especially you Dundy!" Jack said, annoyed.
"My mother taught me to have steady hands," Dundy smirked.
Sheril's phone dinged. She checked it to see that it was from her husband with a hunting update. "Oh hey Moxxie got a deer."
"Nice! Guess you're having deer tomorrow," Shred stated.
"Yep!"
Loonas phone alarm went off, waking her up. It was close to five. She groggily got up off of Poch's bed. She looked back at him. "...it's just cause of the nightmares, that's all." She said to herself before leaving back to Millie's house, wanting to avoid suspicion.
Dundy took a deep breath before knocking on the door of the small home. The door opened to reveal a strong yet slightly old looking German woman with curly black hair and blue eyes. She was up to Dundy's chest and was wearing a white dress.
"Hello mother," Dundy greeted, his arm behind his back.
Dundy's mother glared at him and crossed her arms. "...you don't show yourself for months and you come here empty ha-"
Dundy pulled a bouquet of red flowers from behind him. "Here."
"..." She smiled, "Shame on you for not letting me guilt trip you." She grabbed the flowers and hugged her son. "Oh it's so good to see you, my boy!" She lifted him up as she hugged him.
"It's good to see you too, mother, but I have guests, remember!"
"Let me lift you higher then!" She said, lifting him higher.
"Mother!"
"Hahahaha!" She set him down and looked at the others. "Good to see you all and to meet you Shred!"
"It's a pleasure Ms Senick!" Shred waves.
"Please, call me Elina! Now come on in! I wanna meet these demons and I have a feast for you all!"
There was a huge spread of chicken tenders, ribs, chicken breast, mixed vegetables, fruit, and mashed potatoes on the table.
Dundy Sighed. "Mother, you overdid it again."
"No I didn't, I want everyone here to gain at least five pounds before they leave! Now come let us eat! Whatever you don't finish I can store in the ice box so don't over do it!" Elina invited.
"You heard her lightweight," Blitzø nudged Moxxie.
"Lightweight! I'm no lightweight! If anything you're just as light!" Moxxie accused.
"That a challenge?"
"I guess it is!"
"Ooh I can't take another bite," Blitzø groaned, leaning back.
"Me neither," Moxxie groaned, laying his head down on the table.
"I said not to overdo it but boy did you two eat with gusto!" Elina complimented.
"I beat ya though Moxxie!" Blitzø claimed.
"No you didn't!" Moxxie said.
"Dumbasses," Loona commented.
"Anyways it's your turn Dundy! How'd you become an Exterminator?" Millie asked.
"Actually I'm going to save that story for tomorrow when you meet my father," Dundy said.
Elina looked at Dundy and smiled. "Your father would love to meet them." She patted his shoulder before getting up. "Now let us meet in the Living room! I must embarrass my son with childhood photos I have!" She said walking to the living room.
"Mother no!" Dundy said, getting up and going after his mom.
"Mother yes!"
The living room was filled with laughter and Dundy was blushing in the corner. Elina was on the couch with the others surrounding her looking through the photo album.
"Oh man, Dundy you sure look good in pink!" Shred laughed.
"I will murder you," Dundy threatened with a glare.
"Hm?" Moxxie saw a pic of a young woman in a wrestling outfit, "Who's that?" Moxxie asked.
"Oh that's me! Back when I was younger I was a pro wrestler!" Elina said.
"She's still a pro wrestler even out of the ring," Echo commented.
"I may have hung up the mask, but I make sure to stay healthy and fit!" She got up, "That way even if I'm eighty," she got behind Dundy.
"Hm?" Dundy looked at her curiously.
"I can still," she grabbed her son around the waist, "do a perfect," she raised her son up.
"AAAAAH!"
She german suplexed Dundy with surprising ease. "German suplex!"
"...ouch." Dundy groaned.
Elina rose back up and laughed while everyone else looked at her with a tad bit of fear. "Don't mess with this mother!" She said, flexing her arm.
"Yeah uhuh not messing," Blitzø gulped.
It was finally Echo's turn. Once everyone walked through the gate, a skinny man barely four foot tall in a white suit shirt and jeans, wearing a pair of glasses, came up to them.
"Flower for you, and you, and you," he gave everyone a different colored and type of flower, "I'm Din, I'm a florist pleased to meet you all. My wife, Kayla, is downstairs. She'll be up in a moment, till then let us convince in the dining room." He left for the dining room.
"He's a bit fast paced, sorry." Echo apologized.
From the basement came a fit slender woman with blonde hair in a bun, wearing a pair of exercise shorts and shirt. "Oh you're here!" She said in a Russian accent.
"Hi mom!" Echo waved.
Kayla ran up to Echo and threw a left. Echo bobbed to the right. She threw a right uppercut, he leaned back. She went for a straight shot to the chest and he grabbed her hand. "Good, you still got reflexes!"
"Of course!"
"Father did a quick meet and greet and left?"
"Yep."
"Course he did," she sighed, "let's go."
Blitzø, Moxxie, Millie and even Loona almost spat their drinks out.
"You fought Elina and lived!?" Blitzø looked at her in disbelief.
"Hah! She went easy on me, but I still gave her a good fight!" Kayla laughed.
"My moms been boxing since she was eighteen. Taught me when I turned thirteen. My school nearly called child services cause of my bruises." Echo explained.
Din's watch beeped. "Oh! I need to water the daisies! Be back soon!" He left for the greenhouse in the back.
"He really likes flowers huh? He kept making flower references while we talked," Blitzø remarked.
"He's a florist, true and true." Echo laughed.
"Last time me and Poch tried to get his attention in the green house, he watered us both thinking we were plants. He wouldn't stop apologizing when he realized," Jack reminisced.
"Dundy, why not have them meet your father first before my family?" Echo suggested.
"Wait, I thought we already were?" Moxxie questioned.
Echo chuckled. "No...I mean...my wife, daughter, and brother."
"Oh you're married?" Blitzø questioned.
"It's a...story…"
Stolas looked sympathetic. "I'll make a gat straight there for us."
"Thank you."
"Hunny! We have an emergency! The feeder is missing!" Din called out.
"You left near the door hun!" Kayla yelled out.
"Oh! emergency avoided!"
"So hardcore," Moxxie commented.
They all exited the gate to a cemetery. Loona was a bit hesitant but still went.
"What are we doing here?" Millie asked.
Dundy walked up to a tombstone and gestured to it. It was his dad's grave. "This is my father."
"Oh…" Blitzo said. The I.M.P. crew was taken aback.
"...he was a lively person...and kind of crazy. He met my mother through a fight and when I turned eighteen the first thing he did was challenge me to eighteen arm wrestles. He valued strength of not just the body but also the will and mind….he helped make me the person I am today...he's also the reason I became an exterminator….he had cancer...and he was laying on his hospital bed one day, chatting with me and mother like nothing had changed...he hated making us worry….that's when it happened...we were just on the edge of it but we got into a Purge….I saw them kill my father before my eyes...I was overcome with rage and fought a fight I couldn't win...lucking an exterminator saved me...I told him what happened and he invited me to the corps...I joined not for revenge...but so no one else goes through what I did."
"...wow...I'm sorry for your loss."
"It's fine...another day I'll tell you more about him, but let's see Echos family first."
"I have a bad feeling," Moxxie said.
Stolas made a gate. "This way please."
Echo led as they entered the gate and came in front of three headstones all placed next to each other. "Everyone..." he stood behind them and pointed at the one on the left, "my wife Autumn, one of the kindest and most gentle lady you would've ever known." He pointed to the middle, "my daughter Dawn. A bubbly girl full of energy. And finally," he pointed to the right, "my brother Max. A crafty son of a bitch that always had my back." He sighed.
"Wait...isn't that-" Millie realized something.
"The same names of my shadow demons...yes….Like Dundy...I lost them in a purge...it was...quite a big one...we were at a mall coming back from a movie when it happened. We were surrounded in a short time….Dawn pushed me out the way before one could strike me...it killed her...maybe thats why shes my shield...Autumn took a pole and tried to get one that's near me off me...she died that way but the one she struck….that's why she's my spear...my brother made lies about my wife cheating and my child not being mine to try and get me to run and save myself...I knew he lied so he pushed me away in an elevator and got killed himself...probably why he's a snake….when I came out I was so angry I took a sword from the nearest exterminator and went crazy on an angel….once it was over I was talked to by that same exterminator...he invited me to the cops and like dundy… I did it so no one else could go through that pain."
Millie, Blitzø, and Moxxie held back tears, even Loona felt sad for him.
"Im..I'm so sorry." Moxxie said.
"It's fine...it was a few years ago...I've moved on...the best I could anyway...another day...I will tell you stories about them...but now we should probably head back before someone sees us."
"Agreed. Let's head back to your place. Your mother said she wished to box with you to make sure you don't stay soft,'' Stolas said.
"Heh, of course she did."
The next day came by and the I.M.P and Exterminators were having lunch, reminiscing about the week. Loona was next to Poch. She didn't sneak in to sleep next to him this time but she found sleeping last night was oddly rough. She was talking to Poch about how the week was rather enjoyable for her. She looked at him and sighed.
"...when are you gonna wake up already...it's been a week don't you think you've slept enough?...you think I like this? Talking to someone that's probably not even listening!? You think this is fun for me!?" She scowled at him before her expression softened. "I'm sorry...this isn't your fault...I just really want you up...if you wake up soon ill…" she blushed, "I'll let you squeeze my birthmark...just one squeeze though, but you have to wake up today...please…" she said to him with pleading eyes.
Blitzø peaked. "Loona? We're about to leave."
Loona sighed and got up. "...I'm coming." she left, looking back at the brown hellhound.
It was the evening when the crew returned from assassinating. Loona came into Pochs room and sat next to him.
"...so today's hunting was...hilarious to be honest." She took out her phone and pulled up a picture. "Dad somehow convinced Jack to wear a dress for one of the targets. Managed to get a pic. He got the same type of dress as when he tried to be a girl when he was young. I honestly couldn't stop laughing. Jack got him back though and tricked Dad into wearing some red dress and make up." She pulled up that picture, looking at it, "he didn't pull it off though, it was super ugly."
"I bet," Poch said weakly.
Loona nearly dropped her phone.
"I'm guessing he'd make a terrible drag." Poch assumed.
Loona turned to him and he smiled at her, fully awake.
"Hey. How's it going?" Poch smiled.
End.
Next chapter. Recovering.
