Cody The Guardian of Hell

by Rack44

Cody Laurent has adapted to living in Hell with his beloved friend/adoptive mother/legal guardian, Loona. His skills with the guitar and singing have made him a rock star. However, things change dramatically as Cody discovers that he has powers from his real father, an archangel. This puts a target on him after he indirectly kills a demon, Overlord.

1. Chapter 1

Cody

The Guardian of Hell

This is a fanfiction based on Helluva Boss, Hazbin Hotel, and the fanfiction Loona the Caretaker. All OC rights belonged to their original creators and owners. The characters of Loona the Caretaker belong to MetalBrony823 and the characters of Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel belong to VivziePop. I own nothing. This is pure fanfiction just for fun.

Chapter 1

Cody woke to a red morning with the bright light of the pentagram shining through the window blinds. He sat up rubbing his eyes before groaning as he stretched. He was wearing his black pajamas with red flaming skulls on them. Cody felt a little groggy as he walked over to the porch to gaze at IMP City. Hell was truly another world with all its eerie and demonic features. Only in Hell would buildings and skyscrapers have horns and evil-looking eyeballs. In the sky were hellish birds flying only to be eaten by larger flying demonic birds. Occasionally there were some normal flying demons, some sinner demons, and some succubus & incubus demons.

As Cody leaned on the railing looking at Hell's morning, he remembered when he first got here. He woke up in Loona's bedroom and thought he had died and was sent here. The memory gave him chills thinking about it. How strange that now he wasn't afraid – well less afraid. There were still plenty of demons that scare Cody, but he need not worry. His friends protect him, one of them is perhaps the most badass Hellhound in all of Hell and she'll do anything for Cody. Thinking about Loona gave Cody relief and happiness.

Speak of the devil, no pun intended, Loona woke up from her bed as well. She was wearing her Sevendust T-shirt with the Cold Day Memory album logo on it and her dark grey pajama pants. She scratched her armpit while letting out a big yawn revealing her sharp dagger fangs that could rip heads off. Blitzo wasn't up yet so Loona felt it was safe for her to be close to Cody as she hugged him from behind and Cody held her arms relishing the moment. Loona's fur was smooth and nice against Cody's skin. It felt so wonderful that Loona had adopted Cody and Loona never felt so happy to have Cody as her adopted son.

Loona planted a long gentle kiss on the side of Cody's face, "Whatcha doing kiddo?"

"Just checking out the morning. It's kinda pretty, in a scary kind of way," Cody said.

"I guess. If you don't mind the demonic crows eating each other."

"It's no picnic, but it's not like what people say it is down here."

"Yeah, zealots are a bit-ah I mean, a pain."

They continued to gaze at the red morning together. Cody playfully made shadow puppets with his hand using the wall of the apartment. Loona even joined in as Cody made a bunny rabbit with his fist and two fingers as ears while she made her hand look like a dog eating the bunny. They both made funny noises imitating cartoons like dog and rabbit.

"Ah! That's my ear!" Cody playfully said.

"Mmm, tasty bunny. Munch-munch-crunch-crunch!" Loona laughed.

They laughed some more as Loona squeezed Cody a hug from behind and then tickled his face with her tail making Cody giggle. Then she eases up to let him spin around to hug her back.

"You want some waffles?" Cody asked looking up at Loona while still hugging her.

"Absolutely," Loona answered, "Wait, do we have enough eggs and milk?"

"I think so."

Loona checked the frig and there were still some. Cody mixed the ingredients in the bowl as Loona got the waffle iron ready and set the table. As they got the first waffle ready, Blitzo came out of his bedroom wearing just his boxer shorts and was shirtless. He yawned and cracked his neck and arms as he stretched.

Blitzo groaned, "Ah, fuck me I'm groggy as a—"

"Blitz!" Loona called out firmly.

Blitzo's eyes were wide open and he saw Cody was up.

"Oh crude, I'm sorry. I have to keep reminding myself not to swear in front of our kids. Sorry Cody," Blitzo said.

"It's okay. Did you sleep okay?" Cody asked.

"Yeah, I slept like a log. That smells good."

"We got one ready. You can have it."

Blitzo smiled with his eyes sparkling, "Aw thank you, Cody."

"Wasn't that your waffle Cody?" Loona asked.

"I was gonna sprinkle a little cinnamon in my waffle," Cody answered.

"Oh okay."

The waffles were delicious. Hot, fluffy, buttery, with warm syrup savoring each bite. They didn't do much that lazy Sunday except enjoy their time off before having to go to work tomorrow. Cody was playing Super Smash Bros Brawl on his Wii Switch with Blitzo while Loona was texting on her phone. Cody didn't have school tomorrow since it was a teacher work day. Since I.M.P. was getting busier and busier with clients, they need more assassins. Which is why Blitzo told Cody about his new hires.

"You found two new members for I.M.P.?" Cody asked while pausing the game.

"I sure did and since you don't have school tomorrow, I was hoping you'd swing by the office to meet them," Blitzo replied.

"You sure about that?" Loona questioned.

"Yeah, it'll be fine. Plus, they're fans of your rock band."

Cody tilted his head sideways, "Say what now?"

"Yeah, they saw you, Crymini, Loona, Moxxie, and Vortex play at Lucifer's party and Ozzie's. Also, they're very pleased with your suggestion of disposing of Sheryl Leach. So they'll probably want your autograph."

Cody couldn't help but blushed and feel proud of himself at that. His name was floating around in all rings of Hell. Not only is he the only living human to come to Hell without becoming a sinner demon, but also he's a bit of a rockstar. However, with celebrityhood comes both love and hatred. Which is what Cody feared.

The next day

Cody and his friends all waited in the office meeting room for Blitzo and his new employees to arrive. Vortex was sitting next to Millie & Moxxie and across from Loona and Cody.

"We're getting new guys for I.M.P.?" Vortex asked.

"Apparently," Millie answered.

"It's about time. We've been jumping in and out of portals to different locations to kill targets that I almost forget where I am," Moxxie complained.

"Yeah, but who are they?" Vortex asked.

Millie and Moxxie shrugged.

"Blitzo didn't say their names," Cody said.

"He only said that they're fans of Cody's. They saw us perform at Lucifer's and Ozzie's," Loona added.

Vortex and the others smiled.

"Really?" Moxxie asked.

"Maybe we should be an official band," Vortex said.

"Totally. After all, you guys are performing at the Battle of the Bands tonight," Millie stated.

Cody shrugged, "Maybe. If we could avoid the drugs and drama that they always show in music and singer movies like A Star is Born and others."

Loona rolled her eyes with a scoff, "Oh my god, you have no idea how right you are. It's comically how much that trope is used in movies."

"Yeah, rise to fame, then for whatever reason, they get depressed, do drugs, lose touch with reality, romance drama, blah, blah, blah. It's just UGH!" Vortex agreed.

"Tell me about it. It's like—"

Before Moxxie could finish that sentence, Blitzo burst open the door abruptly startling everyone.

"Guys, I want you to meet our newest members of I.M.P.! Meet Shadow and his girlfriend Kimi," Blitzo stated loudly.

The two demons walked into the office meeting room. A male Hellhound and a female succubus demon. The Hellhound Shadow was big, muscular, and strong but not as big as Vortex. He was taller than Loona but shorter than Vortex. He was wearing black cargo pants, and a sleeveless hoodie that showed off his big strong arms, and his ears were sticking out of two holes in his hood. He had black fingerless metal knuckle gloves with metal armor gauntlets that had three sharp spikes like the Batman from the Dark Knight. He had a big demonic katana sword on his back with shuriken and kunai knives on the front of his torso vest and the sides of his hips. There was a big bowie hidden behind his back. His fur was all black and his eyes were bright white on his pupils on all red eyeballs like most Hellhounds. He looked like a really cool demonic Hellhound version of Ryu Hayabusa from Ninja Gaiden.
The succubus demon Kimi was slightly shorter than her boyfriend Shadow. She was athletic strong built. She was wearing a black cowboy-like trench coat, dark grey jeans, a flaming skull T-shirt, and knee-high combat boots. She had a black and grey cowgirl hat with her horns sticking out two holes. Like most succubus and incubus demons, she had red eyes with yellow eyeballs. Her skin was bright red as were her slightly curved horns, but the tips of her horns were black. She had a scoped lever action rifle and a tactical pump action cruiser shotgun on her back. There were two Hell-style 1911 pistols on her thigh holsters with pouches on her hip full of pistol magazines. She had two cross bandoliers on her chest, one full of ammo for her rifle and one for her shotgun. She had both a knife and machete with her as well.

These two mean serious business, they're not messing around. Cody and the others couldn't help but stare and feel intimated by them. Cody gulped and scooted his chair closer to Loona.

"Shadow, Kimi, allow me to introduce the rest of the team. The cute couple over there is Millie and her husband Moxxie. The big guy over there is Vortex, the beautiful perfect one is my sweet baby Loona," Blitzo introduced.

Loona groaned a growl while rolling her eyes, "Shut up Blitz."

"And finally, the one that you wanted to see—"

"Cody Laurent. The live human boy in Hell," Kimi finished.

They both walked up to Cody to get a better look at him. Loona instinctively put down her phone and got in between them and Cody. She wasn't growling yet but she was ready to defend him. Cody stuck close to his adoptive mother. Kimi smiled as she looked at Cody while Shadow folded his arms. Kimi spoke in a subtle southern accent like Millie.

"Now Shadow, tell me. Is that the cutest most adorable thing you've ever laid eyes upon or is that the cutest most adorable thing you've ever laid eyes upon?" Kimi asked.

Shadow had a rich distinctive deep and somewhat scratchy voice that sound almost exactly like Steve Blum.

"It's easy to see why Verosika Mayday kidnapped him," Shadow answered.

Cody rose his head up over Loona's shoulder, "You know about that?"

"Everyone knows about that. Everyone knows you. There are a ton of happy demons after what happened to Sheryl Leach. Which by the way, pound it," Shadow stated and then held his fist up for a fist bump.

Cody hesitantly fist-bumped Shadow.

"Also, you singing at Lucifer's and Ozzie's was lit! Speaking of which, can we have your autograph?" Kimi asked with an innocent smile holding a photo of her and her boyfriend Shadow at Ozzie's where Cody and the others were playing in the background.

"Hah! Called it! Knew it by the nose!" Blitzo sang.

"Oh, um," Cody turned to Loona and she eased up.

Cody signed his signature in silver ink maker and both Shadow and Kimi smiled excitedly. They even took a few selfies together with Loona and she shared them on her Sinstagram and sent them to her friends. After that, they got to business.

"Alright, now that we all know each other, let's get down to business. We got a long list ahead and our clients are willing to pay top dollar. M&M, here's the rest of the names to scratch off the list of the corporate a-holes polluting the environment," Blitzo stated handing them a file.

Then he handed Vortex a file, "Vortex, the names of people wanted dead in L.A."

Finally, he turned to Loona, Shadow, and Kimi, "Loona, we're gonna roll with the new killers here. Show the ropes, how we roll, etc. Oh! Also, we have a special treat today and this one target is for everyone. All hands on deck for the platinum hellish slow painful death like Sheryl Leach. Vortex, drum roll please."

Vortex used his hands to tap on the table making a drum roll.

"Our lucky continent iiissss – Martin Shkreli!"

Everyone's eyes widened with surprise while Cody only raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"Martin Shkreli?! The Martin Shkreli?! We're gonna kill that asshole?" Millie asked with pure enthusiasm.

Blitzo gave a big smile, "Yes Millie-Billy, we are."

Millie cheered, "Yee-fucking-haw!"

Moxxie sided, "Hell yeah!"

"Guys! Easy with the swearing. A kid is present," Loona said in a serious tone.

Cody glanced at everyone, "Who's Martin Shkreli?"

"One of, if not, the most hated men in America. You want a total douchebag? This guy is unique in terms of being a douchebag," Vortex answered.

"Why? What'd he do?"

Loona turned to him, "Oh nothing, except he lied to investors, committed fraud, and worst of all, he raised prices for a drug to treat HIV . . . by 5,000% and he wasn't sorry about it at all."

Cody's eyes widened and his jaw dropped, "5,000%? Are you serious? For meds that treat HIV?"

"Yes, it's no joke. This guy is low. Like down in the gutters low," Moxxie added.

"So, it's gonna be a pure pleasure when we all get our hands on that lowlife," Vortex said flexing his hands like he was ready to claw his eyes out while smiling with his razor-sharp fangs.

"But first, we need to take care of the rest of the people on this list. Shadow, Kimi, it's time you show me how good you two really are," Blitzo stated.

"You got it, sir!" Kimi said confidently.

"We're on it," Shadow said cracking his knuckles.

"Wait a minute, what about Cody? We can't take him with us," Loona pointed out.

Everyone's smile disappeared including Blitzo's. He groaned a sign while rubbing his eyes. Stolas and Octavia were busy with royal demon stuff, Crystal and Serena were both at work, and Cody had a teacher workday so he couldn't go to school.

"Uh let's see," Blitzo said thinking, "Maybe we could—"

Before he could finish that sentence, a black and red portal opened up, and in walked in Alastor the Radio Demon. He was wearing his usual elegant red suit and bowtie while smiling that haunting and scary smile.

"What the? Alastor?" Blitzo called out surprised.

"Greetings and salutations. I hope this isn't a bad time," Alastor spoke in his transatlantic accent.

"What are you doing here?" Loona asked giving him a stern look.

"I'm here on behalf of Princess Charlie," Alastor before getting up close to Cody's personal space, "You, my dear boy, have been invited by Charlie! She says she has something for you regarding your performance at the upcoming Battle of the Bands."

"She does?" Cody asked.

"Quite so my lad!"

"Oh, well that solves our problem. I can hang with Charlie for the rest of the day until you guys get back."

Loona slightly shook her head while looking away, "Cody, I don't know."

"Come on Loona. It'll be fine. He'll be with Charlie at her hotel. I don't think there's anywhere safer than there," Blitzo assured.

"Yeah, plus Vaggie will be there. She and Charlie will keep her safe and Alastor will keep the hotel safe," Millie assured.

Loona sighed, "Okay fine."

Loona turned to Cody, "If anything happens, something goes wrong, you need me, call me. You understand?"

Cody nodded, "I will. I promise."

"Good."

Loona pulled him for a hug and kissed his head. Blitzo and M&M went "Aww" while Vortex smiled. Loona rolled her eyes at everyone and groaned before giving them the middle finger, but she smiled when Cody kissed her on the cheek. Loona used the Grimoire to summon portals to the destinations of all their targets while Cody took Alastor's hand and followed him into his portal leading to Charlie's hotel.

Chapter 2

The portal used by Stolas's Grimoire was what Cody would call simple and clean. Alastor's magic portal was dark, red, and gloomy like his magic, but it got them to where they needed to go. Charlie's hotel was truly a sight to behold, even here in Hell. The main structure of the building looked somewhat normal with its evenly set arched windows, turrets, and decorative stone patterns.

There were neon light signs that said 'hotel,' flashing arrow lights, and the big light-up sign up top on the roof that said 'Hazbin Hotel.' At the front entrance were neon lights that said 'No Vacancy' with the 'No' turned off. However, other features were rather unusual like the ocean liner and sailing ship on one side, remnants of an airship with a sharp horn on the other side near the top with a carousel outside on the lower floors. There was also a train with some tracks looping the first and second floors of the outside of the hotel. There was also a small circular building almost like a castle tower that had neon lights that said 'On Air.' That's Alastor's radio tower.

The inside of the hotel was actually very nice and clean, thanks to Nifty the housekeeper. Even though Cody wasn't all that afraid of Alastor, he still found him to be very intimidating. From his red and black well-dressed elegant suit to his microphone staff to his deer ear-like hair, to his razor-sharp teeth of that ominous smile. Still, he was Charlie's business partner at the hotel and Charlie was good from Cody. Harming Cody would get Alastor on Charlie's bad side which would be bad for business for Alastor.

"Ah, there she is. What a gem. Quite the diamond in the rough, huh Cody?" Alastor nudged him.

"Yeah, it is. It's definitely creative," Cody agreed.

Alastor chuckled a laugh before rustling Cody's hair as they made their way to the hotel where Vaggie was waiting for them. Vaggie greeted Cody with a warm hug and a kind smile and Cody returned the favor.

"How are you doing kiddo?" Vaggie asked as they walked down the halls past the front desk.

"I'm alright. Blitzo hired two new assassins since they are getting more and more work. How's everything here at the hotel?" Cody replied.

"Oh you know, Charlie's still figuring out ways to get people to come here. Which isn't easy, but Alastor here has some ideas using his radio tactics."

The hallway from the front entrance all the way to where they were going was full of framed photos and paintings of various people. There were ones of Charlie and her family, ones with her and her girlfriend Vaggie, and then there were ones of what looked like a different family of people. A husband & wife with a son and daughter. They had grey skin, white hair, with green eyes and teeth. Cody couldn't help but stop and stare at them which got Vaggie and Alastor's attention.

"See something interesting?" Alastor asked.

"Yeah, who's that with Charlie and her parents?" Cody pointed.

"That's the Von Eldritch family. A powerful demon royal family in the Envy Ring that takes whatever they want. Charlie grew up with them and went to Hell School with them. The handsome jerk there is Seviathan Von Eldritch, Charlie's ex-boyfriend, and his sister Helsa Von Eldritch. That woman is as mean as she is smart. Stay away from them Cody," Vaggie explained.

"I'll bear that in mind. I'll stick with you guys and our friends," Cody said.

"Good boy. Now, let's go see Charlie."

They walked to the end of the hallway to a big grand room that had more paintings on the walls, lots of comfy chairs & couches, and a large aquarium fish tank that cover the whole right wall full of demonic fish swimming in it. At the end of the wall were two bookshelves with a big fireplace in the middle. Charlie was on the couch talking to a lady demon, a very lovely lady demon.

She was a slender demon with pale skin, sharp teeth, and a long neck. Her smile was almost as scary as Alastor's and like the Radio Demon she never stopped smiling. Her red and black dress was classy and styled like that of the early 1900s as was her red sun hat that had three black flowers and two skulls with red and pink feathers.

Charlie started, "I know my hotel redemption idea is silly to you Rosie."

"Indeed so, or at least I did think so. However, darling, I heard a while back a Hellhound saved a human boy from a fire up on the surface and didn't eat him," Rosie commented.

"Yeah, Cody. I actually know him."

"Also, I heard that he was saved from a homicidal sinner family by that ridiculous popstar Verosika Mayday. Demons saving a human? I would have never believed for a second my dear, but when I saw him sing at Lucifer's party on the TV, I was in awe. Utter awe. If something like that can happen here in Hell, then maybe your silly idea of demon redemption may not be that impossible."

Charlie looked at Rosie with a hopeful gaze as her eyes lit up.

"So, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Charlie asked.

"Yes darling, I'll help you bring in demons here to this hotel. I think I can conger up some that would give this place a shot."

Charlie grabbed a pillow cushion and quickly brought it to her face to quiet her screams of pure excitement.

"Oh thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won't regret this Rosie. I promise you that!" Charlie praised.

Rosie chuckled, "Oh this should be entertaining. Although, I very much want to see this Cody boy in person. I heard he's absolutely adorable."

"Oh, he is. In fact, you're in luck. I invited him to come here. I got a gift for him."

"Well, aren't you the sweetest little cupcake," Rosie grinned pinching Charlie's cheek.

Vaggie knocked on the wooden table to get their attention.

"And speak of the devil, there he is! Cody!" Charlie came over lifting Cody to squeeze him a hug.

Cody hugged her back as best as he could while Charlie was smushing his face against her cheek.

"I missed you too," Cody breathed.

"Ease up hon, don't want to crush him," Vaggie said placing her hand on Charlie's shoulder.

Charlie loosened her grip, "Sorry, he's just so irresistible. Look at that face!"

Rosie walked over and Alastor greeted her first, "Rosie my lovely, your beauty grows with each passing day."

"Alastor darling, I've missed you too. Always lovely to see a gentleman," Rosie responded kissing Alastor's cheek.

Then she turned to Cody, "And you must be the golden boy everyone's gossiping about. You are even more adorable than I thought you'd be."

Cody blushed as he smiled.

"Enchanté madame," Cody said giving a gentlemen's bow to Rosie.

Meanwhile

Shadow got into position with Blitzo while Kimi was with Loona and had her scoped lever action rifle ready with a silencer. Without making a sound, Shadow jumped from the edge of the second-floor building roof to stab one bodyguard in the throat with his knife, grabbed the other one standing close, and stabbed him before throwing a shuriken at a third one smoking a cigarette by the office door. It all happened so fast and quietly that they were dead before they even hit the ground.

Kimi was picking off human bodyguards shooting them in the head one by one around the fence gate and all around the facility. Each shot left a big hole in their heads with so much blood pouring out you could taste the iron. Both Blitzo and Loona were impressed with how skilled they were. Once the outside was clear, they moved into the inside. One bodyguard from down the hall was texting. Shadow's gauntlet on his left arm had a small grappling hook that popped out. Shadow shot it at the bodyguard and it penetrated through his chest. Before he could even let out a cry of pain, Shadow's gauntlet quickly pulled him with lightning speed to Shadow for him to snap his neck.

Kimi had her dual welding 1911 sidearms with silencers attached to them. She moved quietly and swiftly using the shadows as cover. Even with groups of guards patrolling she shot them all either in the face or in the temple making big splats of blood and bits of brains splashing on the walls or the floor. Blitzo killed several guards with his red dagger, slicing throats, cutting a few heads off, and taking a selfie while holding one up. Loona punched and kicked some of them so hard that their skulls broke. Then she grabbed one and snapped his back twisting his whole torso around killing him instantly. One came out of the restroom and tried to make a run for it, but Loona ran on all fours and caught him before killing him brutally by biting his head off with her fangs. Blood poured out of his body like a running faucet.

Then they made their way to their target, a crime boss that made his money in human trafficking. He was sitting in a corner office room sipping bourbon while smoking a cigar. Once the four demons walked through the door, he was shocked as he fell out of his chair to see actual demons before him. He repeatedly pressed a button to alert his bodyguards, but none came.

"Oh, that's not gonna do you any good. Your boys are all dead," Blitzo stated.

In a split second, Shadow was behind the crime boss and he drew his deadly katana sword and stabbed him through his back sending the blade sticking out of his chest. When he pulled his blade out, he sliced him into little pieces like butter with lightning speed before the man could even fall. His head rolled away as pieces of his body and severed limbs fell everywhere making a real bloody mess.

"And that's the end of him," Loona said wiping the blood off of her mouth.

"Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy," Kimi remarked before lighting a cigarette.

While they finished up their job, M&M were about done with their end as well. Millie was chopping the bodyguards and a handful of corporate guys fleeing with her axe. She cut many of them in half, some just lost their heads, and some lost their limbs and were screaming at the top of their lungs in agony before either dying of blood loss or Millie throwing knives to their skulls.

Moxxie had all the corrupt targets in a room. Their days of polluting the environment with toxic waste were over. Most of them were begging for mercy and selling each other out. Moxxie ignored their pleas and had his flamethrower ready. In an instant, a big stream of flame shot out setting all the bastards ablaze.

Millie and Moxxie exited the burning building together while holding hands. Moxxie sent a text that they were done on their end. Millie still had a few drops of blood on her face. Moxxie pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it off. As he cleaned his wife's face, she held her husband's hand as they stared into each other's eyes. Then they held each other close while making out. However, the moment was interrupted when Blitzo called Moxxie's cell. Even though he could ignore it Blitzo wouldn't stop calling until Moxxie answered.

Moxxie growled a sign, "Yes sir?"

"Hey Mox, we're about finished here. I got your text that you and Mills are done. We'll send a portal to get you back home to kill our final target," Blitzo said.

As they were finishing up, Tex was chasing down and killing his targets. They were panicking while running from the Hellhound. Vortex was playing with them, taking his time picking them off one by one and each kill was more gruesome than the last. The first few, he just used his claws to slice their throats open, then he'd throw them off of bridges or in front of subway trains, and then he started ripping limbs and heads off.

Then there was only one left as he ran into an old abandoned warehouse. He was panting out of pure fear. He only had a small revolver to defend himself and he already wasted four of his six bullets. Tex jumped down from behind him, broke his gun arm making him scream in pain, and held him up by holding his head.

"Pl-please . . . don't kill me. Please, I-I don't want to die," the lowlife pleaded.

"You should have thought about that before kidnapping and killing little kids asshole," Tex replied before crushing his head into bloody mush.

He went over to the nearest public restroom to wash the blood off of his hands before texting his boss. Then a portal appeared before him and he regrouped with everyone else. They were all ready for their final target, Martin Shkreli.

"Let's do this," Millie said.

"Remember, the client paid for the platinum hellish edition. So, we can't kill him instantly. We're taking our time to make him suffer," Blitzo reminded.

"Oh Hell yeah, believe me. A quick death would be an insult. Slow and painful is more fitting for someone like him," Kimi agreed.

Shadow pulled out one of his kunai knives, "Good thing I sharpened all my knives for today."

"This isn't gonna take too long, is it?" Loona asked.

"You in a hurry? Eager to get back to Cody?" Moxxie teased.

"Shouldn't you be eager to lose some weight there fatty?"

Moxxie growled, "How many times do I have to say this? I'm not—"

"It wouldn't kill you to run on a treadmill every now and then Mox," Blitzo added with a smirk.

"I'm not fat!"

"Relax sweetie, don't let them get to you," Millie said as they walked ahead.

"I'm curious about what Cody's up to at Charlie's hotel," Vortex said to Loona.

Loona moved her hair out of her eye, "Me too. Alastor said Charlie had a gift for him. I wonder what it is."

Chapter 3

Cody stood in awe at Charlie's gift. There was a big fancy metal case sitting on a table and inside it was a brand electric guitar. A double neck, twelve-string, black guitar with silver flames. It was glorious. Charlie could hardly contain her excitement.

"Are you serious?" Cody asked.

"Yes!" Charlie squeed, "And it's one the best anyone can get their hands on."

"Uh, I-I, this is too great of a gift. I can't accept this."

Vaggie leaned in real close to Cody and said in a firm tone, "You have to. No returns, no buybacks, no refunds, no exchanges. Princess's orders. This is a guitar only to be played by a worthy rockstar of her highness's choosing and that would be you."

Cody could hardly believe what was happening. It was almost like he was getting into a rock band. He might as well. He's got a brand new guitar, he's going to be playing at the epic Battle of the Bands, on top of all that he's kind of already a celebrity since most of Hell is already talking about him. It's not often you see a live human in Hell. Although Cody did wonder when was the last time there was a human before him. Cody thought there was no way he was the first living human in Hell.

Charlie got close to Cody looking at him with hopeful sparkling eyes, "Do you like it?"

Cody smiled at her, "I love it."

Charlie squealed in delight and excitement while clasping her hands next to her face. She scooped up Cody in her arms and squeezed him a hug while planting a bunch of kisses on his face and head. Cody hugged her back and Vaggie hugged them both. Cody couldn't help but blush and feel happy about this.

"You're gonna rock tonight!" Charlie hollered.

"Oh yeah, he's gonna slay it!" Vaggie agreed.

"I can't wait for everyone to see this!" Cody said looking at his new guitar.

Meanwhile

Loona and the others were at Martin Shkreli's place. He was not going gently into that good night at all. Quick and painless was completely out not existent at this moment. They were taking their sweet time with him. It was loud and nasty. They broke all his fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms, and legs, before ripping them off.

Loona cast a spell from Stolas's Grimoire where no matter how much pain and blood loss, he wouldn't die until they either rip his heart out or his head off. Even when he had enough blood to fill in a bathtub or his open wounds, he wasn't dead. The whole time he screamed like a pig and the gang couldn't help but laugh at him and relish his utter agonizing suffering.

"What a freak. Do you hear how he screams?" Loona asked.

"Yeah, he makes that stupid face," Vortex answered.

Blitzo, Millie, and Moxxie got together and took a selfie holding up Martin's bloody face up.

"Nice. We should have that one framed," Blitzo said sending the photo to everyone.

"What are the odds of having his head mounted on a plaque?" Millie asked.

"Yeah, mount it on the wall at our office," Moxxie agreed.

"Oh! Yes! Let's do that. Shadow, can you do the honors?" Blitzo asked.

"Weren't we gonna set him on fire slowly?" Shadow asked.

"Oh yeah, that's right. Kimi, do you got that torch?"

"Right here," Kim said holding up the torch.

They burned Martin's slowly or what was left of him. His blood sizzled against the flame and the others could smell his burnt hair and flesh. It was like a scene out of Star Wars Episode III where Anakin was burned alive by the lava. Shadow then finished the job with his katana and slice his head clean off killing him and ending the curse spell.

"Well, that's that. Job well-done everyone!" Blitzo clapped.

"Done and done," Vortex added.

"Good riddance to that fucker," Millie said.

"Yeah, fuck that guy. Let's go home," Moxxie said.

"Hold up, let's swing by the hotel to get Cody," Loona pointed out as she opened the Grimoire.

"Good point. Also, Shadow and I have never seen that hotel before," Kimi said as Loona opened up the portal.

In just a few seconds, they went from the human world back into Hell. The gang was standing just outside of the hotel where they were greeted by Charlie's assistants/bodyguards, Razzle and Dazzle. They don't talk much, so they smiled and let them. They found Cody sitting with Charlie, Vaggie, and Alastor in front of the fireplace. However, they couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

"He's been missing for a whole week?" Cody asked.

"Yes, Angel Dust sometimes leaves for a couple of days, but not Husk. We're starting to get worried," Charlie said.

"First Angel Dust went missing and Husk went out to look for him and he's been gone for three days now," Vaggie stated.

"Did either one of them say where they were going?" Cody questioned.

Charlie shook her head.

"I'm afraid not, dear boy. So, we're hoping that you and your friends will keep your eyes and ears open if you see or hear anything about those two. Frankly, I'm not worried. Especially for Husk. That man may drink enough for a whole week, but he's tougher than he looks. A real fighter! Angel Dust, on the other hand, can handle himself toe-to-toe, but there are some lethal demons around here. So, the sooner the lost is found, the better," Alastor stated still smiling.

Cody glanced at Charlie and Vaggie then back at Alastor.

"I'll pass it along to my friends. I don't know if they know anything, but I'll ask," Cody assured.

"Don't bother, we haven't seen or heard from Angel Dust or Husk either," Blitzo spoke out loud as he entered.

Everyone turned to them.

"Blitzo?" Cody spoke casually, but then turned excited when he saw his adoptive daughter, "Loona!"

Cody got off the couch and rushed over to hug Loona and she of course hugged him back. Loona couldn't help but smile as did the others.

"Hey kiddo, you miss me?" Loona asked.

"Always," Cody answered.

"Aw, isn't he the sweetest thing ever? I hope you got enough love for the rest of us sugar pie," Millie said.

Cody blushed with a laugh as he hugged Millie and Moxxie. They joyfully hugged him back.

Vortex smiled and turned to the new members of I.M.P., "It's like family."

"Yeah, must be nice," Kimi said.

"Wait, you said you haven't seen Angel or Husk?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah, that's right," Blitzo answered.

"All of you haven't seen or heard from them?"

Everyone shook their heads and Charlie groaned a sigh.

Vaggie walked to her girlfriend, "Hey hon, it'll be okay. They'll turn up eventually. They always do."

"I just hope that they're not in any kind of trouble."

Vaggie shrugged before hugging Charlie close.

"Hey guys, wanna see what Charlie got me?" Cody asked.

Everyone gathered around as Cody opened the case to reveal his amazing double-neck electric guitar. Their eyes were all wide open and some of their jaws dropped as they gazed upon the magnificent masterpiece. Cody was feeling good about this and it put a smile on Charlie's face as well.

"Whoa," Shadow spoke.

"Oh crumbs," Moxxie uttered in awe.

"Now that's a guitar," Millie added.

"No Millie, that's an instrument for the rock gods," Blitzo pointed.

"Tell me, you're gonna use that for tonight's performance," Loona said to Cody.

"Definitely," Cody assured.

"Speaking of which, when's the Battle of the Bands?" Kimi asked.

"In about six hours, so there's time," Vortex answered.

"Good, we'll be there."

Chapter 4

Cody and the others arrived at the concert where the Battle of the Bands was happening. The place was huge with lots of demons of all kinds, both Hell-born and sinner demons. Common lower demons, demon Overlords, demon royalty, and even Lucifer and Lilith showed up. Charlie, Vaggie, Alastor, and Nifty came too along with Charlie's bodyguards Razzle and Dazzle. Stolas and his daughter Octavia were on their way but haven't arrived yet.

Two years have passed since Loona came into Cody's life and he began living in Hell with her and Blitzo. Cody has grown a little since then getting a little taller and bigger. Loona was growing her hair out. She still had long hair on her left side, but the part of her head that used to be shaved now had short hair.

Cody was wearing dark blue jeans, his normal tennis shoes, and a black T-shirt with a red satanic pentagon on it. She was wearing a red mid-drift shirt that had a bunch of black upside-down crosses, black jean shorts with black leggings, and a choker with a silver pendant. Crymini was wearing a black and white striped skirt with a black T-shirt that had a big red dog paw print on it. Vortex was wearing his ripped jeans and Punisher Skull T-shirt. They felt more comfortable dressed casually whereas other bands were wearing uniforms and jacked-up hairdos with makeup. There were ones that dressed normally like Cody and his band, but not a lot.

"Yeesh, talk about overdoing it, huh Cody?" Crymini nudged him.

"Yeah, even the members of Kiss would say tone it down," Cody agreed.

"Some aren't so bad, like those guys. Although, what are on those shirts that those guys are wearing?" Vortex pointed.

"Yeah, what symbol is that? A pelican or a school bus?" Loona sided.

Cody and the others shrugged.

Then of all demons, Wally Wackford walked on stage to announce the event was happening.

"I say, I say, it is with great pride and pleasure that the Battle of the Bands is about to commence! Each band will play four songs and you the audience are the judge. The cheer-odometer here rises by the amount of cheering and love that you folks have for the bands' music! Band with the best rate wins! The band that wins will choose their prizes from the prize island there and will receive a special prize from our dark lord Lucifer himself! Now, I say, I say, let's ROCK!" Wally hollered on the microphone and it got the crowd cheering,

The stage was big with lots of loudspeakers, and a giant plaza screen so that the audience far away could get a better look at the bands playing. Since it was October, the stage had Halloween features for each band playing like hanging skeletons with glowing red eyes, a big dragon head that'd breathe fire, tombstones that had zombie hands coming out that'd give the rock and roll hand sign, and giant evil looking pumpkins that had devilish smiles. There were also fog machines and flashing lights in different colors.

The first band went up and they were alright, even though the crowd wasn't going too wild. The cheer-odometer was in the middle yellow. The second band was real heavy metal like Slipknot, which Cody and his friends didn't mind at all, but half of the time they couldn't make out the lyrics. The cheer odometer rose a little higher than the first band, half songs were good, other half was meh.

The third band however was the worst. The crowd wasn't even cheering and just stared at them awkwardly. They didn't even finish the third song, because one of the teenage musicians cracked and had a nervous breakdown. Everyone laughed at them as they were arguing while trying to get off the stage, including Loona and Crymini. The fourth band was much better and got the cheer odometer to just barely over the border high in the green. This was gonna be tough. Cody took several deep breaths inhaling through his nose and exhaling through his mouth while pacing back and forth. Loona caught wind of this and didn't waste a second to confront him.

"Cody, what's wrong?" Loona asked.

"Nothing, just a little nervous," Cody answered.

"You've performed before in front of an audience and at Satan's palace. You've got nothing to worry about."

"I know, it's just . . . this is a bigger crowd and tougher. I don't want to let you down."

Loona's eyes slightly widened before she took a knee to look Cody square in the eye.

"Cody, you could never let me down. You always do your best. You always have and you always will. If I didn't have complete faith in your ability to slay it tonight, then I'd be nervous. Do I look nervous?" Loona asked.

Cody shook his head, "No."

"Exactly, because I have you and you're awesome."

"Yeah, come on Cody. You got this," Vortex sided.

"Also, you're a rockstar. That big huge audience out there already loves you. You're kind of the best part of the show tonight. So, put on your big boy pants and your kickass shoes, grab that killer guitar, and show all those ankle-biting, brain-dead, moron bullshitters out there how rock and roll is really done," Crymini said confidently.

Cody sighed before taking in a big inhale to puff up his chest and spoke in a very clear tone.

"Okay, let's do this," Cody said.

"Hell yeah!" Vortex hollered.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Crymini said high fiving Cody.

"Damn right," Loona added while high-fiving Cody as well.

"I say, I say, Cody! You and your guys are up next!" Wally called.

The backstage crew quickly set up the equipment like Vortex's drum set, plugging in everyone's guitar and bass to the speakers. Everyone cheered as Loona, Crymini, and Vortex walked on the stage, but they went wild when they saw Cody walking. Cody smiled and waved at the crowd. He blushed when the female demons went crazy over Cody's adorable face, but he felt happy when looked upon where Lucifer, Lilith, and Charlie were in their booth box and saw Stolas and Octavia. Cody felt a boost in his confidence already. He grabbed his guitar and was ready. The first song they played was "Let Him Burn" by The Relentless. Cody was the lead vocalist and assistant guitarist, both Loona and Crymini were co-vocalists, Loona was the lead guitarist, Crymini was bass, and Vortex was drums.

They started playing and Cody was singing, "Let him burn!"

Loona and Crymini sang, "What he said!"

"Let him burn!"

"Hail Mary!

The crowd was loving them as they were cheering. The lights were flashing and matching the rhythm of the music. The fog worked greatly with the lighting casting broken light rays on Cody and his friends as well as on the crowd in front of them.

"This congregation of confrontation,

Surroundings don't define you,

Upon the fire, it's burning higher,

Only actions can speak the truth," Cody sang.

Cody looked down and saw Crystal and Serena with a group of Hellhounds doing a mosh pit and having a good time. Lucifer was in his big full demon form in the distance thrashing as well with the music. Cody remembered some of the concerts he went to with his father and wished he could see him now. Maybe he can. Maybe his parents are watching him right now from Heaven.

"I choose my fate,

It's never too late,

Looking through the gates,

The devil awaits," Cody sang while pointing to Lucifer.

The devil smiled at Cody with his razor-sharp teeth and eyes glowing in the dark. His wife Lilith was cheering as well, but calmer like Stolas. Octavia and Charlie were more excited as they cheered on. When the song was over, the crowd was going wild and the cheer odometer was at the highest peak in the green. The crowd couldn't wait for the next song. Just as they rehearsed, Cody was going to be the lead guitarist on this next song while Loona was gonna sing it. The song was "April Skies," by the The Jesus and Mary Chain. A light shined on Cody and the screen focused on him as he pulled out a pair of shiny silver sunglasses and put them on making him look cool and badass.

"Hey, honey what you trying to say,

As I stand here,

Don't you walk away,

And the world comes tumbling down," Loona sang.

The double-neck guitar was a little heavy for Cody, but he could handle it and it played beautifully. The guitar solo part of the song after the lyric 'sacrifice' really showed the guitar's potential as Cody played it perfectly. Cody and Loona were back to back as they played together. Cody could feel a feeling of bliss as he let himself get lost in the rock n' roll music.

"Under the April sun,

Under the April skies," Loona sang.

When it was over, everyone cheered for them loving them. The next song was more punk rock, perfect for Crymini as she was singing it. "Misery Business" by Paramore. She really got into it as she sang, thrashing, and dancing as the song went on. The audience really got hyped up. The whole time, the cheer odometer didn't go down at all. Cody and his friends were taking the lead by a huge lead.

The next and final song was "Hero" by Skillet. Loona and Vortex switched places, as Vortex was gonna sing this, and Loona was gonna do drums and be co-vocalist. Crymini took Loona's guitar and gave her bass to Tex. Vortex's buff appearance and voice fit so well, it was as if John Cooper was a werewolf.

"I'm just a step away,

I'm just a breath away,

Losin' my faith today," Vortex sang.

"Fallin' off the edge today," Loona sang.

It was kind of ironic when they sang the lyrics "I'm not superhuman," since they're Hellhounds and most Hellhounds possessed strength that would actually make the superhuman – if they were human that is. Cody saw succubus, incubus, and other flying demons in the sky and was a little worried that one of them might be Verosika. He kept on playing, knowing that even if she was there she wouldn't try anything because his friends as well as demon royalty and the devil himself were here watching him perform. Any harm upon Cody would be met with fatal consequences.

"I need a hero to save my life,

I need a hero just in time,

Save me just in time,

Save me just in time," Tex sang.

As they continued the song, the crowd kept on cheering and thrashing mosh pits. When it was over, the cheer odometer was still in the green. Cody turned to Loona, Crymini, and Vortex with a smile as he was catching his breath. They smiled back with pride at their human friend. Wally Wackford walked onto the stage and bowed to Cody and the others while taking his hat off. Cody and his friends bowed to him and the audience.

"I say, I say, that was by far the best rock performance I have witnessed in all my years and I think I'm not the only one who thinks so too. Let's take a look at the score," Wally Wackford pointed to the plasma screen.

The screen showed the names of bands with a bar rising to show their score. Cody and his band were high up by a big margin. A crowd emoji dropped on top of their bar with confetti animation raining down.

"We have a winner ladies and gentlemen! Let's hear it for Cody Laurent and his kickass rock band!" Wally hollered.

Cody was hugged behind by Loona and Cody hugged her back as Vortex and Crymini joined in on the group hug. Lucifer summoned a dark portal that took them to a nearby stage next to where the prizes were. He took Cody's wrist and held it up in victory as the crowd cheered his name. Cody felt proud of both himself and his friends. He saw all his friends down below looking happy as they cheered. Lilith, Charlie, Octavia, Blitzo, Millie & Moxxie, Crystal, and Serena. They all looked so happy and proud.

"As winners of the Battle of the Bands, each band member can pick three prizes of prizes here at the prize island. The second-place winner band can choose two prizes for each band member and third place, one for each. Choose wisely," Lucifer stated.

Chapter 5

The prizes consisted of a wide variety of prizes, from furniture, appliances, electronics, video game and arcade game consoles, video game and anime collectibles like figures or mint condition items, high-value weapons, musical instruments belonging to past musicians, and even vehicles.

"Uh, who wants to go first?" Cody asked.

"You're the golden boy, you should go first," Vortex said.

"I don't know, I think the girls should go. You know, ladies first and all that."

"Always the sweetheart and gentleman," Crymini complimented as she tickled Cody's nose with her nose and Loona rustled his hair.

"Let's see. Uh . . . oh man everything looks nice. Um," Loona spoke.

Blitzo was hollering for Loona to pick the demonic horse while Moxxie was yelling for her to pick a vehicle.

"Ok, I'll take the convertible car, the red and black one," Loona pointed.

The car was a demonic and badass version of a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 convertible painted in black with red flames.

"Ooh, excellent pick. That car is actually almost indestructible as it's bullet-proof, fire-proof, and can reach a top speed of 330 miles per hour. It has multiple gadgets like machine guns, rocket & missile launchers, turbo, grappling hooks, and a big electric zap gun. Makes James Bond's car look like child's play," Lucifer explained.

Loona picked a new smartphone and a demonic Kusari-Gama. Crymini picked a new bass guitar, wrist flame throwers, and a demonic dual sport motorcycle that had turbo like Loona's car, but only had machine guns like the Lawmaster bike in Judge Dredd, no rockets or missiles. It was still badass though. Vortex picked a homemade moonshine still kit, demonic gauntlets, and an autographed guitar sighed by Dimebag Darrell himself. Vortex was really happy with his third prize.

"And now finally, the boy of the hour. You pick three prizes of your own and you'll receive an additional prize from yours truly!" Lucifer announced.

"Okay, let's see," Cody hummed.

There was a nice refrigerator and Cody knew that I.M.P. needed a new one. Being the humble and selfless person he was, he picked that first.

"Okay, I'll take that big nice frig there for my friends at I.M.P.," Cody pointed.

"Thank you, Cody!" Blitzo and Moxxie praised.

"Really? BBBoooorrrrrriinnnngg," Lucifer sang.

"Alright, alright, for my second prize I'll pick that jet board over there," Cody said.

Lucifer looked and saw the one he was pointing to. It was a sweet round metal board similar to the one in Jak II & 3, but it could go fast and higher in altitude. However, since it was made for adults, it was the size of a big shield to Cody.

"That's much better. Now, last pick and make it a juicy pick my boy," Lucifer insisted.

"Hmm," Cody hummed while tapping his fingers on his chin.

As he browsed and eyeballed all the items, one of them caught his eye. A scythe. The blade was flawless and sharper than a dagger. The wooden staff was slightly curved with a small handle in the middle and a metal cap at the other end of the staff.

"Uh hey, what's with that scythe there?" Cody asked.

"Ooh, now that is a very interesting item. This, my dear boy, is the scythe of the Grim Reaper himself!" Lucifer answered.

"Whoa, wait, what?!"

"Yes, you see my good friend Azrael up in Heaven is one the few cool—" Lucifer gagged a cough, "angels. His the archangel of death. However, because there are so many people he can't be everywhere at once. So, he has a whole legion of grim reapers. This scythe once belonged to the head Grim Reaper himself."

Cody's eyes were wide open, "Really?"

"Yes, in fact, he's right over there."

Cody looked to where he was pointing and there was a band of grim reapers in their black cloaks, skeletonized faces, and scythes that looked more normal compared to the big one Lucifer was holding. Just behind the band of reapers was a big tall grim reaper in a more menacing black cloak with streaks of grey, a pair of horns sticking out of holes in his hood, sharp fangs, and a pair of black bat wings. His eye sockets were angrier looking, and he had glowing red eyes in the eye sockets with his skull. Cody was somewhat frightened and intimidated by him and his fellow reapers. Cody hesitantly waved to him and he waved back friendly like.

"Wait, I can choose this as my third prize? How are you okay with this?! It's your scythe! Won't you need this?!" Cody called.

Everyone turned to him and he replied in a deep baritone voice, "That's okay Cody. I got a new one."

With a wave of his boney hand, red magic light flashed and a scythe appeared in his hand. The one he was holding looked futuristic, almost robotic with its red flashing light on the blade and a series of buttons on the handle.

"This one gets the job done like my old one, but this one has Wi-Fi!" the Grim Reaper praised.

Loona rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "Oh, of course, it does."

Lucifer placed his hand on Cody's shoulder, "This is truly a magnificent item Cody," then his voice became more demonic and his eyes glowed, "This is not only a weapon, but he wields the power of the scythe can determine life and death of all living beings and can open portals to alternate dimensions and unleash up horrible chaos of unspeakable magnitude!"

Cody glanced back and forth between Lucifer, his friends, and the scythe, "It can do all that."

Lucifer spoke in a more normal voice, "Yes, so don't poke your eye out with it. Now the special gift I have for you."

He held his hand up and a bright light flashed with something glowing in the shape of a cube. As the light faded, Cody and the others saw a small cube about the size of a normal Rubix cube. It looked like it had moving stars like Stolas's cape with a round metal lid cap that had a small glowing light like a bright star.

"Behold, an infinity cube. This is a very handy device. This little box can shrink anything down to a small size and fit right inside. A perfect compact carry storage container. Anything no matter how big or small or how many can go in. It also disappears and can only be summoned by you so no one can steal it," Lucifer stated handing it to Cody.

Lilith whispered in Cody's ear, "There's also a couple of items in there that are very useful. Magic books, enchanting items, and many other things that can help and protect you and your friends. Also, I put some snacks in there. I'm a mom. I can't help it."

Cody examined the cube and respectfully bowed to Lucifer and Lilith, "Thank you for these wonderful gifts, my dark lords. I will not take them for granted in the slightest."

"So humble and respectful," Lucifer smiled.

"Yes, he'd make a perfect prince," Lilith said tickling Cody's chin with her finger.

The other bands picked their prizes. Although, Cody and his friends picking was the most exciting. Rocking on that stage got Cody, Loona, Vortex, and Crymini all sweaty and hot. Cody looked at the river nearby. It looked clean with no predatory demonic fish of any kind and looked good enough to swim in. However, Cody wasn't one to throw caution to the wind.

"Hey Lucifer, I got a question," Cody asked as Lucifer turned to him, "Is that river safe to swim in? We're a little sweaty and I was wondering if we could cool off in there, it's safe. Also, we could all swim in there and have fun."

Cody's friends looked at him like he was crazy. Asking the Devil if he wants to go for a swim? Who would ask him that? Let alone have the guts to do so at all?

Lucifer stared at him as he hummed while tapping his chin, "Hmm, jump in the river, splash around and have fun without a care in the world like the whole universe and Heaven can kiss my ass or stay on land like a boring landlubber? Actually, ask me that. Ask me if I want to stay on land like a boring landlubber."

Cody started, "Uh, do you want to stay on land like a—"

Lucifer got in his face and yelled, "NO WAY!" Then he laughed before taking Cody and jumping high in the sky before landing in the river.

Everyone's eyes were wide open and their jaws dropped as Cody and Lucifer swam around having fun. Lilith lightened the mood by snapping her fingers to get someone to play rock music. Cody waved his friends to join in. Loona looked at Vortex and Crymini, shrugged with a smile, and jumped in.

"Woohoo!" Loona hollered as she leaped in holding one knee up.

Crymini went in next doing a leisure dive and Vortex, of course, did a cannon ball making a big splash. Soon everyone joined in, Cody's friends, the audience, everyone except most of the demon royalty, Lilith and Stolas. The water was fresh, nice, and cool. Everyone and everything looked so good and cool. The red night sky with the pentagram, the bright lights on the shore, imp and succubus & incubus demons' wet skin glistening and shining with the light, demons whipping their hair, and the Hellhounds howling away. Millie and Moxxie were holding each other close while making out until Blitzo jumped a cannonball close to them splashing water in their faces. M&M chased after Blitzo to dunk him as he was laughing. Crystal and Serena were laughing while swimming around and messing with each other like a pair of sisters.

Everyone was having fun as if they were at summer camp. Splashing around, cheering, laughing, wrestling, doing mosh pits, and throwing each other up in the air in the river. Cody couldn't remember the last time he was having so much fun. He was having the time of his life. He looked over at Loona looking back at him. They both smiled joyfully and peacefully. For a moment, it was as if all noise fell away and they felt this feeling of bliss. Loona swam over to Cody and hugged him close and Cody hugged her back. It was as if everything was as it should be.

However, something caught Cody's eye. A figure stood on the other side of the river leaning on a railing, a demon. This demon was tall and looked like a pimp with his red coat with white fur around his neck that had a bunch of little red hearts while the fur at the bottom of his coat was white and black tiger striped. He had four arms, was wearing heart-shaped sunglasses, black boots with black gloves, and had a big red hat with three different colored feathers.

He was smoking a fancy cigarette making heart-shaped smoke as he exhaled. He was looking right at Cody with his glowing pink smile that showed his razor-sharp teeth. Cody got an uncomfortable chill crawling up his spine as he was staring at him. Something about him was familiar, his clothes, his purple face, and that smile. Cody swore he saw him before.

"Cody!" Crystal sang.

Cody turned to her and Serena. They were both soaking wet from the river as they swam over.

"Our little rockstar! We're so freaking proud of you!" Serena praised as she and Crystal hugged him and Loona.

They both smothered Cody with kisses. Cody looked back to where the demon was only to find that he was gone. Who was that guy? Cody didn't want to worry his friends, so he said nothing.

Chapter 6

Everyone got out of the river to dry off. Loona, Vortex, and Crymini shook themselves like canines getting water off of their fur but on anyone nearby. Everyone decided to celebrate with a late dinner of burgers and hot dogs. They went to a diner not far from the river. It was a cool retro 1950s-style place with red leather seats, black & white checkered tile floors, and framed photographs of Hollywood actors and cars from that time.

Cody and the others sat at a big round booth in a corner next to the jukebox that was lighting up colorful LED lights. They mostly dried off from being in the river and were only a little damp. Everyone in the restaurant recognized Cody and his friends. The female demons squealed with glee over Cody's cuteness and wanted selfies with him. Cody patiently smiled and got together with his fans for selfies. After that, he was finally able to relax with his friends and order food. Loona held him close from behind as Cody rested in her arms.

A tall skinny female imp demon waiter approached them, "Hello, welcome. Shall we start with some drinks?"

"Yes, please. Everyone will have water and I'll have a root beer float," Vortex said.

"Firebeer for me," Loona said.

"Same and the others," Crymini added.

The waiter nodded and turned to Cody, "And you young man?"

"I'll have a root beer float too," Cody answered.

"Alright, I'll be back with the drinks."

"So Cody, how does it feel to be a rockstar in Hell?" Millie asked.

Cody smiled, "It's pretty amazing. Although, I don't know what Tommy and Celeste would say about all this."

Crymini shrugged, "Eh, won't know, won't hurt 'em."

"Yeah, maybe not mention this to them. Not yet anyway," Vortex suggested.

"Still though, it's pretty sweet. I think you're a bigger star than Verosika Mayday," Moxxie said.

"Definitely one with better music," Loona said with her arm around Cody's shoulder.

The waiter returned with everyone's drinks. Everyone ordered burgers, baskets of fries with seasoned salt, and hot dogs. Rocking on stage in front of an audience and going for a swim can build up an appetite. Cody was kind of quiet most of the time while everyone else talked. Blitzo had ideas about how to use Cody's successful fame to his advantage to get more customers for I.M.P. He talked about using Cody for a commercial, and while Loona was unsure about it, Cody had no problem with it if it would help with the business. Everyone kind of pigged out eating a lot but enjoying the delicious food.

It was late by the time everyone headed home, but along the way, Cody kept his eyes open. He was half expecting to see that demon again and even though he was nowhere to be found, Cody could feel someone's eyes on him. Cody kept getting nightmares of that day he lost his parents in that fire while seeing that demon and his glowing smile. He even heard his haunting voice talking as his parents were screaming. He heard him saying things like 'You had this coming,' or 'You made me do this.' All this was twisting Cody from the inside making him uncomfortable.

Cody had difficulty falling asleep.

'Why can't I stop thinking about that? It's been two years,' Cody thought.

Cody got up and went to the balcony to look at the sky. Before he knew it, he felt a pair of hands wrap around from behind. It was Loona in her pajamas.

"What's bothering you?" Loona asked.

Cody looked at her, "Nothing, I'm—"

"Cody, you're good at a lot of things, but lying is not of them. I know when something bothers you. So tell me."

Cody sighed as they both said down on the couch.

"Lately . . . I've been getting dreams of that day. The day when my parents died in the fire," Cody started.

Loona gently rubbed his head while giving a sympathetic look "Cody."

"But I've seen other things in that dream too. I think . . . I think a demon was there that day," Cody said.

Loona's eyes widened.

She adjusted up to sit up to face Cody, "What?"

"In the fire in my house, I remember seeing a man, but he didn't look all that human."

"What did he look like?"

"He was big and really tall. He had a scary smile with razor-sharp teeth that were glowing red. He had four arms, a red coat with white fur around his neck, and a big hat with feathers," Cody explained.

Loona looked more pensive, "Wait, did he have heart-shaped glasses and purple skin?"

"Uh yeah, he did. How did you know?" Cody asked.

Loona grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him square in the eye, "Cody, are you sure that's what you saw in your dream?"

Cody nodded.

Loona looked away and shook her head as she paced back and forth in the living room.

"No, no, no, that's impossible. That can't be," Loona said.

"Loona, what are you saying?" Cody asked.

"Cody, if what you're saying is true then that was Valentino."

Cody looked at her confused, "Who's Valentino?"

Loona spoke in a clear and serious tone, "Valentino is a demon Overlord like Alastor, only he's not just an Overlord. He's a really bad one. He's part of the VVV, one the most powerful Overlords in Hell. He's a pimp, a sex trafficker, and a rapist."

Cody felt a chill up his spine as Loona explained. Cody may have lived in Hell for two years but he was still learning more about

"Really? He's that bad?"

"Oh yeah, I don't can't stress that enough. You want bad? That's bad. He's up with the worst of the worst. But that's the thing. Overlords are not Hell-born demons, they're sinner demons," Loona explained.

"Meaning they used to be human?" Cody asked.

"Yes, and the thing about sinner demons is they can't cross into the surface. They can't go into the human. I'm not saying you're crazy Cody. I know you wouldn't make this up, but it just doesn't make sense."

Cody was quiet before answering.

"Well, maybe it was just a dream. I don't know, but I'd like to know more about the fire that killed my parents. What was the cause of it? Is there any way of finding out?" Cody asked.

Loona scratched her head.

"Yeah maybe. Firefighters don't just put out fires, they investigate what causes them. I don't know how, but they find clues in the rubble and then they file a report to the police."

"Is there a way we can get that report?"

"Yeah, not legally though. However, you know me. I've never been a stickler for the rules."

Cody nodded, "Okay."

"Now, let's go back. Alright?" Loona said.

"Is it alright if I sleep with you? I always feel safer with you."

"Of course kiddo. I hope I don't snore too loud."

Cody followed Loona to her bedroom. They curled in the same bed and Cody felt so safe being in Loona's arms. Loona placed her tail on Cody to keep him warm. He fell asleep shortly after with no nightmares.

The Next Morning

Blitzo made everyone a waffle without any Helloxide and as everyone was halfway through their meal, Loona's phone rang. It was Crystal.

Loona answered, "What's up Crystal?"

"Hey Loona, sorry to call you so early but our guy that was supposed to help us move our stuff to our new place bailed on us. We need some extra hands, think you can help?"

"I kind of got something planned," replied.

"Oh come on. It'll take forever just Serena and me. I already Vortex and he said 'maybe.' I need a yes from someone!"

"Vortex is coming?"

"Yeah!"

Loona glanced at Blitzo and Cody before telling her, "Hang on,"

"Blitzo, are you busy today?" Loona asked.

"Sadly yes. It's that time of the month when Stolas wants me to fu—I mean, wants me to (whistles) him for the Grimoire book, and trust me that is no place for a kid to be around even if he's on the other side of the palace with his MP3 player on," Blitzo answered reminding himself not to swear in front of Cody.

Cody tilted his head with a raised eyebrow confused at what he was talking about but didn't ask.

"Ah, crap, who is gonna watch after Cody then? Octavia or Charlie maybe?" Loona questioned.

"Well, if Crystal and Serena need help moving into their new place I can help," Cody offered.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm not big and strong but I can help carry boxes and furniture for them. I can help."

"Alright," Loona turned back to her phone, "Is it alright if I bring Cody?"

"Yeah, the more the merrier!" Crystal replied.

"Alright, I'll be there."

Cody and Loona met up at Crystal and Serena's apartment and Vortex arrived shortly after. They only had a few things left to pack in boxes, but everything else was packed and ready for the moving truck. Vortex had all the heavy stuff covered while the others handled the light furniture and boxes.

They had a lot of stuff in their apartment and they were taking it all with them including the refrigerator and washer & dryer. Vortex lifted and carried all that like it wasn't heavy at all without breaking a sweat and impressing the others. Crystal and Serena had a lot of posters, manga books, and anime stuff they collected from their trips to Comic Con.

"Ugh! Why do you have so much stuff?" Loona whined.

"What? We're collectors! It's fun and it'll be worth a lot in the future," Serena shrugged.

"Plus, there's lots of cool stuff at these conventions," Crystal added.

"Dusting and cleaning must be a nightmare," Cody stated.

Vortex and Loona chuckled, "Good one."

The only worse than loading everything into a moving truck is taking it all out. Crystal and Serena bought a house in a Hellhound neighborhood. Of course, most of the neighbors recognized them, especially Cody, and greeted them friendly.

Thankfully, they didn't bother them too much and it didn't take long for them to get everything into the house. Everyone was tired as they sat on a couch or in a chair. Serena playfully sat on Cody.

"Ah! Serena! What are you doing?!" Cody asked half laughing.

"Oh, I think there's something wrong with the couch Crystal. It's talking," Serena teased sitting on Cody.

"I'm not a couch!" Cody protested playfully trying to get her off.

"Yeah and Moxxie's not a possum," Crystal joked.

Loona burst out laughing and the others chuckled. Serena squeezed Cody a hug as she lay down on the couch as they both laughed.

"Is anyone hungry, 'cause I'm starving," Vortex stated.

"Yeah, let's grab lunch," Loona agreed.

They all headed for the Blood Burger, but just before they entered an explosion from the place next door erupted. The shock wave from the explosion shattered windows, cars and vehicles shook, and everyone fell to the ground with their ears ringing.

The gunfire that followed soon after sounded like bubble wrap popping, which is why Cody wasn't fully aware of the danger that was still happening when he tried to stand up. The others were still on the ground trying to get their bearings. Cody leaned against a nearby car as he was trying to get his senses. His sight returned as the blurriness cleared from his vision. Cody saw demons not far shooting each other while some from the Blood Burger were running away. Cody pulled out the 1911 pistol Moxxie gave him from the back of his pants and the cross from his back pocket to defend his friends.

Demons were getting shot up and drenching the road and sidewalk with their blood. Cody could faintly make out a silhouette figure of a very tall man in the smoke from the explosion. There were flashes from the muzzle fire of a machine gun killing demons that tried to shoot at him. Then he stopped firing after he was finished killing the demon gangsters and it was dead quiet. The figure turned to Cody and a glowing red smile with glowing heart-shaped eyes emerged. Cody raised his gun as the figure stepped out of the smoke.

It was the same demon Cody saw from that night by the river, Valentino. As Cody got a better look at him, he saw that he was very intimidating. He was very tall with his red coat with white fur around his neck that had little red hearts and a big red hat with feathers. He had four arms, purple, two of them holding a machine gun, and a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses. Then Cody got a flashback of that day when he lost his parents in the fire. He saw it clear as day. His parents fought this demon off, but he pulled out a flamethrower and set them and the house on fire. A cold chill ran up Cody's spine that gave him goosebumps and he felt his limbs go weak as he started panting.

Cody breathed, "You . . . you were there."

The pimp demon grinned, "Yes, yes I was."

"You killed them. You killed my parents."

Valentino grabbed Cody by the neck and shoulders with his big hands causing him to drop his gun.

"Yes, I did. I'm glad you remember me boy. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Oh, how your parents screamed in agony as they burned," Valentino's grip tightened around Cody's neck causing him to gasp for air while trying to break free.

"It was like music to my ears!" Valentino hollered.

Cody held his cross up for Valentino to see. Valentino made some fearful cries while acting like he was in pain but then chuckled. Cody was baffled as he glanced back and forth between him and his cross.

"Yeah sorry little man, but that doesn't work on me. I killed your wretched parents and now I get to finish the job, killing their precious little boy," Valentino said in his demonic voice at the end.

He tightened his grip again on Cody making him gasp as he tried to get free from the demon Overlord. Valentino watched closely savoring every moment of Cody's suffering as if it was the greatest thing ever to witness. Cody grew weak as the life in his body faded away and he slowly began to close his eyes.

Then Valentino felt a sharp in his arm as he cried out in pain. He growled and looked to see Loona sinking her fangs into his arm while growling like a wolf. Before Valentino could shoot her, Vortex, Crystal, and Serena also bit Valentino hard drawing his blood and growling furiously. Valentino cried out in pain while growling as well and he dropped his machine gun. His grip on Cody loosened allowing him to breathe, but he still held onto him.

Valentino growled a demonic roar and shook Vortex and the other two Hellhounds off and then hit making them fall. Then he grabbed Loona and threw her hard at a car across the street. Loona lay limp as blood dripped from her head. Seeing the others get hurt was bad enough, but seeing Loona bleeding did something to Cody. Something snapped.

Cody felt something within him awaken. He felt it as power began rushing through his veins fueling his anger. Making it turn to pure rage. Cody panted slow deep breaths through his gritted teeth as he glared at Valentino. Valentino turned to Cody and his smile disappeared at what he was witnessing.

Cody's eyes glowed a bright white light making his pupils vanish and then he roared at the top of his lungs. With a push of his hand, a powerful force quickly sent Valentino flying through the air down the road making him slam hard into a stone wall of a building leaving a big crater, and pieces of stone flew everywhere. Cody's body had a white glow outline as some kind of white energy coming off of him and his arms had white lightning zipping around. Then the white lightning began connecting and forming some kind of giant figure in the shape similar to the Hulkbuster in Marvel's Age of Ultron with Cody at the head.

Everyone looked at Cody in shock and awe as he had what almost looked like a giant Hulkbuster made of white lightning. They could feel the ground vibrating as Cody's energy powered up. Cody growled while baring his teeth and clenched his fists with a look of murder on his face and his glowing eyes.

Valentino looked shocked at first, but then a smile emerged, "You want to dance little man? Alright, let's dance!"

Chapter 7

Blitzo lit a thick tobacco wrap Black & Mild and relaxed on the bed after delivering Stolas his desired kinky BDSM sex. Stolas laid back sighing in pure delight relishing the bliss. Blitzo untied the binds around Stolas's wrists and ankles. Stolas took off the blindfold as Blitzo handed him a spare Black & Mild.

"That was amazing as usual Blitzy," Stolas grinned.

Blitzo groaned, "Ugh, can you for once say my name right?"

"Oh shush, you know you love it. How's Cody and your Loony Toony?"

"They're both good. Cody and the others really rocked the Battle of the Bands. It's no wonder that they won."

Stolas nodded, "Yeah, the other bands were either a soft good or meh. Except for that one teen band that had a meltdown on stage and everyone laughed at them."

"Oh yeah, that was fucking hilarious. The way they cried like little dramatic bitches. I'm surprised the singer didn't piss himself on stage!" Blitzo laughed after he exhaled some smoke.

Stolas inhaled his Black & Mild and blew a big cloud of smoke, "Yeah, I'll admit. Their 'music' sounded more like noise than actual music. However, Cody has a phenomenal voice and his skills with the guitar are fantastic!"

"Speaking of which, I bet the news is loving them. Let's hear what they have to say."

Blitzo turned on the TV and the news was showing footage of Cody, Loona, Vortex, and Crymini rocking at the Battle of the Bands.

"Cody Laurent and his band dominated the stage and rocked the Battle of the Bands concert. Many demon royalties including King Lucifer, Queen Lilith, their daughter Princess Charlie, Prince Stolas, and his daughter Princess Octavia were there among the fifteen thousand audiences to witness what many are calling the performance of the century," the newscaster stated.

Blitzo couldn't help but smile at how proud he was of Loona and Cody. Stolas was happy as well, both for Loona and Cody, but also for Blitzo at how joyous he was now. They both watched as newscasters, music experts, and other demon celebrities talked about Cody's performance on stage.

A male demon imp guitarist with tattoos all over his neck and arms spoke, "I didn't think he could handle that double-neck guitar so well. Those aren't easy. He handled it a lot better than me. I tried it a few years back and I was rusty at it, but Cody handled it like a champ."

A female Hellhound singer with white dreadlocks spoke next, "I know, right? Despite his age, he's got a perfect set of pipes. He holds a note so smoothly. Just flawless. It's just a pleasure to come across a singer that sticks the landing with their voice."

However, as the news was about to talk more about Cody and his band, Channel 666 cut in with Katie Killjoy and Tom Trench. This caught Blitzo and Stolas by surprise and their smiles disappeared.

"We are cutting to breaking news live in downtown IMP City. What started as an initial explosion then lead to a shooting between a gang of armed demons and the demon Overlord Valentino," Katie Killjoy said seriously.

Tom Trench spoke next, "Now, there is a titanic and violent clash between Valentino and what looks like the renown famous human boy, Cody Laurent."

Blitzo and Stolas's eyes were wide open and their jaws dropped and exclaimed almost simultaneously, "WHAT?!"

The news showed raw footage of Cody in his power form fighting Valentino in his full demon form. Blitzo and Stolas scrambled out of bed to get their clothes on and Blitzo frantically rushed to get his phone. Before he could call Loona, Moxxie was calling him.

He answered, "Mox?"

"Sir! Have you seen the news?!" Moxxie yelled in a panic tone.

"Yeah! Stolas and I are on our way now. Get there now! Help Loona and Cody!" Blitzo ordered.

In Downtown IMP City

Valentino transformed into his full demon form which was some kind of a big demonic moth with giant scary wings that had angry glowing blood-red eyes on his bigger black forewings and his smaller red hindwings had pink big broken hearts on them. His body got bigger and certain parts of his body changed. His antennas grew and had sharp spikes on them, an abdomen came out of his back, and from his abdomen came what looked like four big long tentacles that were on fire. His arms grew bigger and strong along with his teeth. He made inhuman demented growling sounds and a strange red mist was coming off of him and a thicker amount from his monstrous smiling mouth.

His appearance alone was enough to make even Loona and her Hellhound friends scared, but Cody didn't even blink. It was as almost he wasn't even there in his new powering state. Valentino's flaming tentacles whipped around digging deep even into concrete, brick, stone, and metal. Valentino grabbed two pieces of large stone rubble and threw them at Cody. They hit him hard causing him to lose his balance and get dust in his eyes. Two tentacles quickly wrapped around Cody's left arm and right leg. Valentino grinned a devilish smile as he sent red fire bursts from his abdomen to Cody setting him ablaze.

"NNNOOOOO!" Loona screamed as she tried to reach out to him.

Crystal and Serena screamed.

Vortex held her back with a fearful and sorrowful look on his face. Crystal and Serena held each other close looking petrified with tears streaming down their faces. Then the flames blew away like candlelight as Cody stomped on the one wrapped around his leg crushing it and making Valentino cry out in pain. Cody grabbed the other tentacle with his left hand gripping it tight and used it to send the white lightning to Valentino. He didn't have time to react as Cody's white lightning shocked him. A bright flash from the electric attack shined brightly almost blinding the others and everyone witnessing the violent event.

Cody grabbed the tentacle with both Hulkbuster hands and pulled hard using all of his new strength to hurl Valentino through the air. The moth demon was violently sent flying as if he weighed as much as a baseball. Cody slammed him into a building, destroying the stone wall, then Cody jerked hard pulling Valentino straight to him with his left hand, and with his right hand, Cody used to deliver a crushing punch in the face. Everyone felt the shock wave from that punch almost like it was a short gust of wind.

Cody grabbed Valentino's arm and slammed him hard into the ground shattering the concrete road. Then he lifted him up and did a 180 slamming him into the ground on his other side like Jack from MadWorld. Cody did it again and again until he spun around in a circle and threw Valentino way down the street into another building. He crashed into it so hard that the structure collapsed down on top of the moth demon. Cody still had a rageful expression on his face as he marched down the street to that bastard demon with fists tightly clenched and his teeth grinding. Valentino fiercely burst out of the rubble roaring that demented roar of his and flew high up in the air. His wings were glowing red. Valentino's antennas grew sharp spikes and then he shot a storm of them raining down on Cody. Cody held up his Hulkbuster lightning arms to cover himself in defense.

"Come on!" Vortex hollered to his friends.

Loona the other two turned to him.

He pointed to the Blood Burger, "Get to cover!"

Loona and the others ran inside the Blood Burger as the whole street was covered with spikes. The spikes didn't even put a dent in Cody's power form, but three spikes hit Cody's human body. One was in his leg, another in his side, and the third was in his shoulder. Valentino smiled thinking he'd won since the spikes were coated with venom. Cody, still glaring at Valentino pulled out the spikes like they were nothing more than thorns. The black venom oozed out of Cody's wounds and they healed instantly making a sizzling sound with faint white smoke. Valentino's smile was gone and he growled angrily.

Poor Loona looked like she was gonna faint. She hadn't a clue why this was happening or how Cody has powers. All she wanted right now was just to have her boy and go home.

Loona panted like she was having an anxiety attack, "Tex, Tex, Cody . . . Cody, he's, what? What the-what . . . what the fuck is happening?!"

Vortex held her close, "I don't know. I don't know Loona! Just breathe. You need to breathe!"

Blitzo and Stolas arrived with Millie and Moxxie on the rooftop of a building in downtown IMP City within sight of the battle. The four of them were in utter awe at what they were seeing. Valentino, the demon Overlord, in his full demon form battling Cody in some kind of light power form. His eyes glowed bright white and his body was in some of kind Hulkbuster form made of white lightning. The battle raged fiercely between the two like powerful and savage beasts that didn't let up for an instant. The ground shook, buildings were demolished, and people everywhere were running for their lives in fear.

Moxxie had his blessing-tipped rifle he got from Striker and Blitzo had Striker's blessing-tipped revolver, both with loaded with holy bullets. Blitzo took a few moments to think while scanning the situation.

"Moxxie! If you get a shot at that pimp bastard, take it!" Blitzo turned to his phone, "Come on Loona, pick up!"

"I'll try calling Vortex or Crystal and Serena!" Millie said pulling out her phone.

"Good. Stolas, the minute we find out where Loona and the others are, use your magic to get them to safety!"

Stolas nodded, "Got it!"

Blitzo was focused on his phone waiting for Loona to answer, "Loona for fuck's sake, answer your fucking phone!"

"Blitzo! I got Vortex on the phone! They're all at that Blood Burger!" Millie called.

Blitzo turned to Stolas and he said, "Got it!"

Stolas summoned a portal to the inside of the Blood Burger. The demons inside turned to them and Blitzo waved them to hurry as he rushed in. The demon customers and restaurant staff ran through the portal to safety. Blitzo found Loona and hugged her tightly before getting them to safety.

"Loona! Oh my sweet baby, tell me you're okay!" Blitzo exclaimed with a worried look on his face.

Loona's eyes were wide open and she was trembling terrified. Vortex tried to calm her down by massaging her shoulders.

She turned to Blitzo, "Blit-Dad . . . Cody, he's-he's—what's happening to him? What's happening to my boy?!"

"I don't know Loona. I don't know. It'll be okay," Blitzo answered holding her close.

"That was crazy!" a male imp demon Blood Burger staff said.

"Insane! I'm getting the heck out of here!" a female imp demon said.

After a few moments, Blitzo turned to Moxxie, "Mox! Why am I not hearing gunshots from your rifle?!"

Moxxie lowered his rifle and turned to his boss, "I can't get a shot, and sir . . . Cody, he's—"

"He's what?!"

"He's winning by a significant margin," Moxxie pointed.

They all looked from where he was pointing. Cody grabbed Valentino as he tried to charge attack him, but Cody slammed him hard to the ground punching him violently. Each punch shook the ground and Cody didn't let up for a moment. Punching right and left, right and left, over and over, even using both arms to slam hard on the moth demon. Then he grabbed Valentino's head and slammed his face hard on the ground over and over. The moth demon's face was bloody and bruised. Cody then stomped on Valentino before holding his foot there and then he grabbed one of the hindwings. Cody gritted his teeth grunting angrily as he pulled with all his strength. Valentino resisted as he tried to get Cody's foot off while also using his other arms to attack Cody. Cody used his lightning powers to form some kind of bowie knife out of light. He intensely stabbed and cut at Valentino's wing with his blood flying out.

Then after making a deep cut, he grabbed Valentino's wing with both hands and roughly ripped it off with black blood coming out of both the wing and out of his back. Valentino cried out in pain and tried to attack again. Cody stomped on one of the Overlord's arms before tearing it off. Then grabbed one of Valentino's tentacles and used it to choke him.

"That's some straight-up God of War brutality shit right there," Crystal spoke.

"Yeah, Mortal Kombat too," Serena uttered.

"Not helping!" Stolas snapped.

The moth demon was gasping for air until he attacked him with the antenna spikes making Cody release him. He quickly tried to get away, but Cody stopped him as if it were the force. Cody raised the moth demon high up in the air then he flexed both his hands together using his powers to crush him slowly. Valentino's wings, legs, and arms were breaking savagely with small bursts of blood coming out. For the first time ever in that pimp's demonic life, he felt complete and utter fear from the terror of the situation he was in. Then for one last moment, they made eye contact before Cody extended his fingers out and before anyone knew it, Valentino was struck by multiple giant strikes of white lightning. Everyone turned away while covering their ears from the deafening thunder and the blinding flash of the lightning. When it was over, Valentino was nothing more than burnt ash that faded away with the wind.

Cody soon returned to his normal self and was bleeding from the side of his head and had some bruises. His eyes were wide open realizing what he had done. He panted as he looked at his hands seeing Valentino's black blood all over them and the destruction of downtown IMP City around him. The demons nearby all looked at Cody in complete fear like he was a horrible monster, a wild animal out of its cage, a savage bloodthirsty beast. Cody's heart was pounding out of his chest and his head felt light. Loona and the others rushed over to him.

"Cody!" Loona called running to him.

Cody slowly turned to her and the others, "Is-is everyone o-okay?"

"Cody!" Loona squeezed a hug holding him close, "We're okay, are you?"

"I-I . . . Loona, I-I killed him. I killed that guy."

"I know honey, I know," Loona still held him close.

Blitzo joined in on the hug while checking Cody if he was hurt. Cody was having trouble breathing.

"Cody honey, just breathe. Come on, just breathe," Blitzo spoke to him.

"Guys, let's get out of here and to somewhere safe please," Crystal pleaded.

Stolas summoned a portal to his mansion and everyone went through. Everyone was safe, for now. However, Cody couldn't stop shaking or stop staring at his blood-soaked hands. Loona rushed him to a nearby sink to wash Cody's hands and get the blood off. Octavia showed up with a look of worry on her face. She saw the whole thing from her phone. She quickly ran over with health potions to heal Cody. The health potions were small bottles with green glowing liquid and small green leaves inside. They worked right away with Cody's physical injuries, but Cody was still in shock over what happened. Everyone was shaken by what happened.

Chapter 8

Cody silently wept as he lay in bed with Loona holding him close and Octavia rubbing his head in a sisterly manner while whispering comforting words in his ear. The three of them were in Octavia's bedroom while everyone else was in the living room. Crystal and Serena were sitting on the couch resting and drinking water. Vortex was by the windows keeping watch, unsure if anyone would come after them. Blitzo was pacing back and forth frantically talking softly to himself while Millie and Moxxie both sat on another couch looking pensive and worried as did Stolas as he stood by a kitchen counter.

Then the door knocked and Stolas's butler answered it. It was Charlie, Vaggie, Crymini, Shadow, and Kimi. Everyone greeted them with hugs except Blitzo as he was still pacing back and forth.

"Is everyone alright?" Vaggie asked.

Everyone nodded.

Shadow and Kimi went to Vortex by the windows,

"We made sure we weren't followed. Any moment?" Kimi asked.

"No, all clear," Tex answered.

"We'll keep watch. Make sure Valentino's guys don't come here," Shadow said.

"We heard and saw on the news. Where's Cody?" Charlie asked.

"In Via's room," Stolas pointed.

"How is he?"

Everyone was quiet.

"Physically, he's fine. Mentally and emotionally, not at all good," Moxxie answered.

"Oh Satan," Vaggie sighed rubbing her head while looking away.

Charlie turned to Blitzo, "What's the matter with him?"

Millie stood next to Moxxie, "He's worried sick for Cody."

Charlie gave a sympathetic look, "Hey, come on guys. He'll be okay."

"No, not now. He's worried for after."

"What do you mean after?" Crymini asked looking pensive.

Millie and Moxxie looked at each other and couldn't hold back their tears. Millie fell into Moxxie's arms and sobbed while her husband had tears streaming down his face. Charlie, Vaggie, and Crymini didn't know what else to do but wait for them to speak as to why they were crying their eyes out.

"Cody . . . he killed someone. He may be sent down here as a sinner demon," Moxxie sobbed.

"What?" Crymini uttered.

"What? No way," Kimi shook her head.

"No, not Cody," Shadow breathed.

Vaggie turned to Charlie, "No, he-he can't be sent here as a sinner demon. Not Cody. He can't come here, right?"

Charlie glanced at her girlfriend and at everyone else who was staring at her.

"I-uh, I don't-uh," Charlie stuttered.

Blitzo went straight to Charlie.

"Hey Charlie, listen I know as Princess of Hell you have some authority here and your dad is King of Hell. He rules this place. So, do you-you think you can put in a good word with your dear o' dad and say, 'Hey dad, something happened can you bend the rules for one soul? Maybe?' Because you know, this place . . . Hell, there's a reason why people call it Hell. There are some bbbaaaaadddd people down here," Blitzo said.

Charlie felt a hole in her chest looking at Blitzo like this. His eyes were so big and watery. His hands were trembling frantically and his voice was hoarse. Blitzo's employees have never seen their boss like this and who could blame him? Cody was still alive meaning he wasn't in Hell as a sinner. Killing Valentino had Blitzo worried sick that he might end up down here in.

"Blitzo," Charlie spoke.

"This is Cody we're talking about and he's not a bad person. I mean, come on. You know Cody, he's a good boy. He's a good boy. He's a good boy!"

Blitzo couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Millie and Moxxie were the first to help comfort him.

"Blitzo," Millie spoke.

"Sir," Moxxie added.

"He's a good boy! He's a good boy!" Blitzo cried before breaking down in tears, "He doesn't deserve to suffer-r-r-r."

Blitzo fell to his knees sobbing with Millie and Moxxie holding him as they cried as well. Charlie tried so hard to resist her watery works as well, but it was no use. Charlie and Vaggie hugged each other close silently crying. Then the silence was broken by a knocking at the door and it was so sudden that everyone almost jumped.

Stolas's butler glanced at everyone before answering the door, but the person at the door was by far not the kind of person he was expecting. It was a very tall, athletic-toned man with wavy brown hair and a full brown beard. He was wearing a white tunic with a red toga wrapped around him from his waist to his shoulder. The butler shuttered with his eyes wide open. He shivered in fear before bowing in respect and moving out of the way for him to enter. Everyone was as shocked as he was and bowed. Blitzo was the first to approach him.

"Hey sir, nice to you see again," Blitzo spoke.

"Blitzy!" Stolas yelped.

"Listen, um, something happened recently and I don't know if you're fully aware, but uh—"

"Cody and Valentino, I heard," Jesus said.

Blitzo got on his knees and pleaded, "Please, please! Cody's a good kid and his my daughter's boy! Please, he doesn't deserve to suffer! It's Valentino we're talking about! That guy is the worst of the worst. He had it coming! In fact, I'd say he got off easier. He deserved much worse. He was a psychopathic, homicidal, sex-trafficking, rapist for crying out loud!"

Jesus tried, "Blitzo—"

"Punish me! Don't punish Cody! Take me instead!" Blitzo exclaimed with his arms out.

"May I speak please?"

Blitzo nodded.

"I was gonna say that Cody is not going to Hell as a sinner demon," Jesus stated.

Everyone looked at Jesus with a glimmer of hope in their eyes.

"What?" Blitzo asked.

"Say what now?" Crymini added while wiping her eyes.

"He's not going to Hell. It was self-defense. If Cody hadn't killed Valentino, he, Loona, Vortex, Crystal, Serena, and probably everyone else that was there would have been slaughtered by that monster. So, Cody saved them and everyone under Valentino's control contracts is now free. So, that's an added bonus of a good deed," Jesus explained.

"Wait, you mean Cody's gonna be okay? You mean it?" Charlie asked seriously.

Jesus nodded with a smile. Everyone either cheered in delight or let out a big heavy sigh of relief. Blitzo and Stolas held each other with their foreheads touching as they wept happy tears. Millie and Moxxie half laughed and half cried as they hugged. Charlie and Vaggie embraced each other with joy and Crymini went over and hugged the three Hellhounds. Blitzo went to Octavia's room to give them the good news.

Blitzo knocked, "Hey guys! Jesus is here, he says Cody's gonna be okay!"

Octavia raised her head from Cody's ear. She and Loona glanced at each other half puzzled before she walked over to the door.

She opened it, "What?"

Blitzo breathed, "Cody's not going to Hell as a sinner demon. He's gonna be okay."

Octavia let a heavy sigh of relief before she turned to Loona and Cody. Loona let out a soft sigh as she squeezed Cody into a hug. They both sat up straight and Octavia helped dry their eyes. Then they joined everyone in the living room.

Cody approached the three Hellhounds, Crystal, Serena, and Vortex, "Hey guys."

They looked at him.

Cody spoke, "I love you guys. You know that, right? I just don't want you to think that I'm a monster."

The three Hellhounds gave a sympathetic look as they saw Cody's vulnerability. They instantly held Cody in a group as he held them back. Crystal and Serena kissed Cody's head and face. Both Loona's and Cody's eyes were red and puffy from crying. Cody gave a small smile when he saw Jesus. They embraced in a gentle hug before everyone sat down in the living room. Cody sat in between Loona and Octavia across from Jesus. Everyone was either in a chair or standing close by.

While Cody drank some water, Loon cleared her throat, "So, just to be clear. It was self-defense and Cody's not going to be punished for what happened? Not become a sinner demon when he dies? He's gonna okay?"

Jesus tilted his head to the side while looking away, "Well, yes to the sinner demon part, but on whether he's gonna be okay, I don't know about that."

"What does that mean?" Octavia asked seriously.

"Well, Valentino was as vile as they come, yes. However, he was part of the VVV, and both they and Valentino himself have a lot of allies. Now that he's dead, they're gonna come after Cody."

Cody coughed and gagged on the water as it went down the wrong pipe.

"Over. My. Dead. Body," Loona stated loud and clear.

"No doubt, but Loona these are powerful and dangerous Overlords. You'd be surprised what they can do," Vortex said.

"Doesn't mean we just roll over and let them take Cody!" Crymini stated.

"Hell yeah! Bring those bastards on! We can take them!" Millie added.

Jesus raised his hands, "Whoa, whoa, whoa guys. I believe you have the fighting spirit, but you saw what Valentino could do in his full demon form. Do you really want to take your chances with Vox and Velvet in their full demon forms and their allies?"

Everyone was quiet and they felt a hole sink into their chests. He was right. The VVV is among the most powerful Overlords in Hell. They got incredible amounts of wealth, power, and influence. They rule their territories with an iron fist and control demons with pure fear and terror. On top of all that, they have allies. Gangsters, mob bosses, crime lords, and other powerful demon Overlords. News of Cody killing Valentino has reached every ring in Hell by now and every video of that battle has gone viral. Cody was already famous as a human rockstar in Hell, now he's even more famous.

Stolas let out a heavy sigh, "So what do we do?"

"Well, you're not gonna like it, but Cody's powers may be the solution," Jesus started.

"Speaking of powers, where did that come from? How did I do all that? Why do I have powers?" Cody asked desperately.

Jesus glanced at everyone before looking back at Cody and he let out a sigh.

"That's the other thing I'm here to tell you. Before I do let me make something perfectly clear. Cody, you are surrounded by people that love you. Do you understand? Loona, your adoptive mother and legal guardian loves you. Octavia, who is basically your older sister, loves you. Blitzo, Millie, Moxxie—in fact, watch this. Anyone who loves Cody, raise your hand!" Jesus stated raising his hand.

Everyone raised a hand. Loona, Octavia, Charlie, Vaggie, Millie, Moxxie, Stolas, Vortex, and even Shadow and Kimi. Blitzo raised both his hands and then got on his back and raised his legs and tail.

Loona rolled her eyes with a soft smile, "Oh Blitzo."

"With that being said, what I'm about to say isn't going to be easy so I'm just gonna say it. Here goes," Jesus said.

Everyone was silent and had pensive looks on their faces waiting for Jesus to speak.

"While you have your human parents in Heaven, they're not your real parents. You're actually an angel."

"What?" Cody spoke.

"An angel?" Loona added.

"Yes, and not just an angel. You're an archangel because your mother is Ennia you're your father is Azrael," Jesus answered.

Everyone except Cody felt a chill go down their spines and their bodies riddled with goosebumps. Cody looked around at everyone and saw the fear in their eyes as they were still as statues. Loona and Octavia blinked several times in disbelief and Charlie was the first to break the silence.

"Azrael?" Charlie asked.

Jesus nodded, "Yes."

"The Azrael? The Archangel of Death . . . and my dad's best friend?"

Cody's eyes widened, "Wait, what?!"

"Hold up, how is this possible? Where are Cody's wings? His halo? How is he an archangel if he's human too?" Vaggie asked.

Cody sided with her, "Yeah before my house burned down there were baby pictures of me with my parents. I saw the picture of my mom in the hospital after she gave birth to me. My big brother Tommy was a little kid when he held me."

Jesus scratched the back of his head.

"You were born in the human world by your human parents, yes. However, when Ennia was pregnant with you, she transferred your soul out of her and into your human mother making her pregnant. So they are both your parents and not your parents. I know it's very confusing, but it's the truth and it's how you have angelic superpowers. . . far beyond any angel I've ever seen," Jesus explained.

Cody leaned back against the couch in disbelief and utter awe. Does this mean he has two sets of parents? What did all this mean Cody wondered. Why him? Cody took several deep breaths to remain calm as the reality of the truth sank in. The adults all talked more about whether or not any of this made sense. Shadow and Kimi pointed out that it didn't matter. The fact was Cody has powers, Valentino is dead and the Overlords are going to come after. This is real, this is happening, and they needed to act. Cody's only relief was that he had allies and Jesus was on his side.

"Wait, if the Overlords are coming after Cody, won't he be safer on the surface?" Charlie asked.

"If Valentino killed your human parents that means he had access to the surface the same way I.M.P. does with Stolas's grimoire," Jesus answered.

"Why did Valentino kill my parents? Was he just evil or what?" Cody asked.

"That's another truth that I have to tell you, Cody. Your human parents were soul smugglers for sinner demons. Sinner Coyotes as it were."

"Soul smugglers? What?" Loona asked.

"Sinner Coyotes?" Blitzo added.

Jesus leaned forward, "There is corruption up in Heaven. The angels are closing the gates of Heaven and preventing the mass majority of souls from entering inside, only letting in a handful few."

Crymini got up and walked closer. Her eyes were watery, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait, what are you talking about? What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that there's a certain percent of sinner demons down here that are innocent. As in they didn't do anything wrong, but they were sent down here because they couldn't go to Heaven. Because of this, they end up in Hell even though they didn't do anything evil. That's why there are overpopulation problems here. That's why the exorcist angels come down here every year to kill any demons they can find to reduce the surplus population," Jesus explained.

Crymini started panting like she couldn't breathe. She turned to the Princess of Hell with a pensive look, "Charlie is that true?"

Charlie glanced at her girlfriend Vaggie before looking back at Crymini and everyone else. Vaggie held her tight in encouragement and make Charlie feel safe.

"I-I created the Happy Hotel as an alternative solution so that people down here wouldn't have to be slaughtered every year by the exorcists. A chance for them to redeem themselves so that they can go to Heaven because if you have sinned then in order to go to Heaven you have to redeem yourself. You have to atone for your sins. At some point, everyone in life does something bad but they make up for it by doing something good. That's what makes a good person," Charlie explained.

Vaggie added, "That's one of the main differences between the two realms. Not everyone can go to Heaven, but anyone can go to Hell. There's literally no filter for this place."

Crymini stuttered, "Wh-what about Azrael an-and the Grim Reapers? Don't they know the difference between a good person and a bad—"

Jesus shook his head, "Azrael and the reapers, they just reap the souls into the afterlife. They don't decide which realm the souls go to. It's the angels. All the souls go up there and they decide based on their life decisions and what they did in life to determine whether they deserve to suffer or rest in peace. At least, ideally, that's what it's supposed to be."

Crystal and Serena comforted Crymini, helping her sit down before she would faint. She was the only sinner demon in that room and the truth of all this was filling her with haunting curiosity. Whether or not she deserved to be sent here to suffer.

Cody spoke, "So you're saying there are people here in Hell who didn't do anything bad?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. The angels at the gates are denying people because they feel they're not worthy," Jesus answered.

Crymini had tears rolling down her face, "Why the hell not? What makes them unworthy?!"

"The world is incredibly different than when I was alive. Times have changed, and people have changed. The vast majority of people live better and more luxuriously than the richest king of a thousand years ago. People today don't know what it's like to fight for their lives, to fight to live. They don't know because they don't have to. Because of this, there are angels in Heaven that are disgusted by what people are nowadays. They feel that they're not worthy of my or God's grace, so they cast them out," Jesus explained.

"They just kick them aside? Like they were nothing? How could they?! How could you?!" Octavia jabbed.

"Via!" Stolas called.

"No, it's alright. That's why I'm here. It's because I found out. They kept this from me," Jesus said.

"So, punish them. Banish them out of Heaven as you did to those cherubs," Blitzo said.

"That's the thing. I don't know which angels are good and which ones are bad. It's like trying to tell the difference between a good cop and a bad rampart cop. They're all in the same uniform, behind the same badge."

Blitzo rolled his eyes, "Goddamn it."

Vortex scoffed, "Of course."

Cody spoke next, "Wait, where do my parents and Valentino come into all this?"

"Because the angels were denying people into Heaven, sinner demons looked for another way in. They warned living people that would believe them about the situation. So people, like your parents Cody, smuggled sinner demons using a ritual for them to crossover. Once they made it to the surface world, an angel would give them their blessing and take them to Heaven," Jesus explained.

"And Valentino?" Loona asked.

"He killed your human parents because they were gonna smuggle his favorite prostitute, Angel Dust."

Charlie and Vaggie's eyes widened, "WHAT?!"

Jesus continued, "Charlie, your theory of sinner demons redeeming themselves is true because Angel Dust and Husk did. When a sinner demon reaches atonement, they return to their human form. However, when Angel and Husk went up to Heaven, they were denied entrance. That's when they reached out to Cody's parents. I think one of the corrupt angels contacted Valentino and that's when he killed them because a Hell-born demon can cross into the human world with no problem, but sinner demons need a blessing permission from either God, me, or an angel. This whole thing is connected somehow. I can't prove it, but I'm going to, and with your help . . . we put an end to this."

Everyone was quiet. Charlie and Vaggie softly spoke to each other. Charlie was both crying and smiling. Happy that her theory was right and that both Angel and Husk achieved atonement. Vaggie wanted to smile, but she was still lingering over the fact that the angels were denying most people at the gates of Heaven letting on a few inside. Some people in that living room stared at Jesus like he was nuts until Cody stood up and walked over to Jesus.

"Just tell me what I need to do," Cody said.

"Cody," Loona breathed.

"First, you need training to control your powers and I know some of you, especially Stolas, are not gonna like this, but I think Cody needs help from Lucifer and Paimon," Jesus said.

Stolas and Blitzo's eyes were wide open and they both yelled, "Are you crazy?!"

"You want Cody to seek help from my father?! King Paimon?! King of the Goetia Family?! How do you know he of all people will help Cody?!" Stolas raised his voice.

"Because Cody is friends with Lucifer and Lilith along with Charlie and his granddaughter Octavia. As powerful as he is, your father won't refuse an order from the ruler of all of Hell and he hates Overlords as much as any demon royalty. Lucifer punishes evil people here in Hell. Do you have any idea what a golden opportunity it would be for him if he could punish corrupt angels? He'll take that in a heartbeat," Jesus explained.

Loona stood up next, "Okay, okay, okay, just what are you proposing?"

"That Cody receives training to control his powers so that he can defend both himself and the rest of you from the demon Overlords. Everyone prepares to fight them and their armies. I investigate which angels are bad and bring them to justice. The point is, Cody is the key to all this. If he can take down Valentino, then he can defeat Vox and Velvet. If they're gone along with all their allies, maybe Hell doesn't have to be such a terrible place."

Stolas sighed, "Alright, it's better if I go there as well . . . to talk to Lucifer and my father."

"Wait! Stolas you have full demon form. When you saved us from the D.H.O.R.K.S. Does Octavia have a full demon form too?" Blitzo asked.

"Not yet. Her powers are still developing."

"Do you think Octavia could go with Cody to learn how to develop her powers too? So that Cody doesn't have to be alone while training?"

Loona and Octavia raised their eyebrows.

"Okay, I'll admit. That actually is a good idea, especially if I can help Cody," Octavia confessed.

"Are you really willing to do that? That would mean a lot," Loona stated.

"Of course."

Vortex's phone binged. Everyone turned to him as he opened up his phone and looked at it.

He turned to everyone else, "That was my girlfriend. We may get a lot more support than we think because the news is loving Cody."

Everyone glanced at each other. Then Stolas snapped his fingers and the butler turned on the big TV and tuned it to the news channel. A female imp newscaster spoke showing footage of demons celebrating which took everyone by surprise.

The newscaster spoke, "The name Cody Laurent was already famous in Hell, but now every demon in every ring knows that name. Cody Laurent is the only live human that resides in Hell. He's performed rock music with his band at Lucifer's palace and recently won the Battle of the Bands. Now Cody Laurent is also the one who killed the infamous and hated Overlord, Valentino. Valentino was a renowned demon pimp, sex trafficker, and owner of Porn Studios who enslaved countless demons for forced prostitution. He met his fatal end at the hands of Cody Laurent in downtown IMP City."

Next to her, they showed pictures of Cody up on stage performing, pictures of Valentino, and footage of him and Cody battling. They also showed pictures of Porn Studios and many demons that were tricked or forced to be prostitutes for Valentino. Cody got goosebumps when they showed some prostitutes, both male and female, bruised from beatings by Valentino. The TV showed recent footage of Porn Studios getting looted and pillaged of anything valuable. Some of the demons looting the place were ones that were forced to work there and they looked very happy that they were free. Most of them spray painted 'fuck you' on the walls and also pissed on the desks.

Then they showed footage of demons cheering and celebrating. They lit bright red flares that let out red smoke as well. Demons, both sinner and Hell-born, were going wild as if their favorite football team won the Superbowl. There were even demons holding cardboard signs that said 'Cody,' as they cheered his name loudly.

"The vast majority in all rings of Hell are rejoicing and celebrating the death of Valentino. Many are praising Cody for his actions of killing the pimp Overlord," the newscaster spoke.

Then it turned to reporters asking local demons their thoughts and they all spoke high praise of Cody. One of them of a big, tall, strong, imp lord in charge of an armed brigade of imps that live out in the wilds of the Wraith Ring. He stated very firmly that Cody did all of Hell a huge favor and that he and his guys were on Cody's side.

Everyone felt a small amount of relief that they were getting an incredible amount of support. Valentino's death was giving everyone some spine, but Cody didn't really know what to feel about all this. He was in fear for both his life and his friends' lives. On top of all that, there's corruption in Heaven. Cody felt lucky that his parents made it up there. He also didn't know how to feel that his real father was Azrael the Archangel of Death which is why he was these powers. Loona stood close to Cody. He looked up at her and she gave him an encouraging nod. Cody nodded back knowing that he has to be brave for her and his friends.

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