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Disclaimer: I do not own Helluva Boss or Hazbin Hotel

Years of experience had triggered every instinct in Blitzo as he took the wounded prince and ducked under the window while keeping his hand on the bleeding chest. The cover they had was weak, especially since a good high-powered rifle could shoot right through the wooden wall. Luckily, the shooter was missing them, even if it was just by inches. Panic began to spread across the entire convention floor as demons and servants ran around for the exits in droves or started ducking undercover.

He stared at Stolas and felt his heart nearly stop upon seeing just how badly the owl demon was hurt. Both his back and his chest were bleeding heavily, decorating the blue carpeting into a crimson red. All while a big hole could be found in his chest that seemed to have exploded from the inside. The owl prince was coughing up blood and barely kept his eyes open. Cursing, Blitzo took off his jacket and started wrapping it around Stolas to stop the bleeding, but he needed real medical attention fast.

"Dad!"

Blitzo snapped his head to the right and saw Octavia, being shielded by her mother, as they looked at the two with horrified faces. Tears were coming out of the young princess as she tried to get to her father, but Stella held her back.

Wincing as another gunshot broke a nearby window, Blitzo shouted, "Stay back! Stella, get you and Octavia out of here!"

"No, I won't leave him!" Octavia shouted, but Stella was able to grab her and make for the exit post-haste. "DAD!"

"Bli...tzo..." Stolas muttered, coughing up more blood. Weakly, he pointed to his vest. "Book..."

"Book? Oh, shit, you mean..." Blitzo thanked the stars that Stolas brought what he hoped was their ticket out of here. Finding the book that brought the two together in the first place, Blitzo flipped to the page he needed. Three years ago, he would have needed to draw the runes and circle to create portals. Now, thanks to practice and lessons from Stolas, he was able to do it out of thin air so long as he was touching the magical book. He was still only strong enough to open one for a nearby location and just for a single-use. So he would have to make it count by getting them in a close place outside of the sniper's line of fire.

Thinking quickly, Blitzo held the glowing book as he reached out, and a portal opened up to the downstairs floor. After putting the book in his jacket, Blitzo grabbed Stolas before dragging them into it just as it closed behind them. They landed right at the bar where the bartender, the talking cat that Loona had been complaining about, was armed with a pump-action shotgun.

"Calm your fur down, Husk! It's my dad!" Loona shouted as she dragged both of them under the bar. She looked at Stolas and nearly turned green. "What the fuck is going on?! What happened?!"

"Sniper!" Blitzo said, pulling out his flintlock pistol. "He's shooting from across the street! Where are Moxxie and Millie?!"

"I don't know. What about Octavia and her mom?" Loona asked as Blitzo got out his cellphone and started dialing.

"They're out of harm's way," Blitzo answered before his call got picked up. "Mox! Where are you?!"

"We're in the restaurant! What's going on, Sir?! I hear gunshots, and people are panicking everywhere!"

"We got a sniper situation! Stolas...Stolas has been s-s-sh-shot! It's bad!" Blitzo nearly choked as he saw Stolas' close his eyes but still continued to breathe. "I need you both to call for the police and ambulance if they aren't on their way already! I'm going to go deal with this asshole!"

"Y-yes, Sir! On it!"

Ending the call, Blitzo turned to his adopted daughter. "I'm going after the sniper! You watch over Stolas and keep him from bleeding out!" He turned to the bartender. "Is there a first aid kit?! If so, then get it for him!"

"Yeah, one sec!" Husk said before opening cabinets. "Shit, this reminds me of 'Nam..."

Blitzo looked at Stolas and felt his heart nearly tear itself up upon seeing his lover slowly dying in front of him, but reminded himself to focus. "Watch over him," was all he said before leaping out of the bar and heading to the nearby alleyway exit.

"Don't get your ass killed, Blitzo!" Loona shouted as Blitzo kicked the door down.

He quickly rushed down the alley, still hearing the gunshots until there was a pause. That either meant the sniper was reloading, or he was packing his gear up to leave. Running onto the street, Blitzo barely avoided the cars rushing down the lanes before arriving at the other side where the sniper had fired. The building was under construction, but Blitzo didn't care and just shot the gate lock off before entering.

He tried to go for the work elevator but cursed upon seeing that it required a key. With no other option, he took the stairs nearby. Keeping his gun ready, Blitzo wished he had something else other than his trusty flintlock pistol. It wasn't that he hated the weapon; in fact, it was magically charmed to fire multiple times before needing to charge up for a reload. He just didn't know what he was up against, and that was the worst thing for an assassin like him.

He continued onward until he reached the fourth floor. He was about to head up to the next level when his ears caught the sound of someone walking nearby. Preparing himself, Blitzo slowly entered the under the constructed floor while ducking to a nearby stack of bricks held on a wooden pallet. He slowly leaned his head up and saw a figure walking towards his way.

Blitzo saw that the sniper was carrying a big black armored suitcase big enough for a high powered rifle. He was wearing dark red body armor, with a hole for his green lizard-like tail, combined with a black undershirt and hoodie covering his head's upper part. However, with the light outside, Blitzo was able to see his green-scaled face and yellow silted eyes. His lower half was protected by a black mask guard with red devil teeth designs on it. Blitzo tried to see if there were any symbols or logos that could help him figure who this guy belonged to but saw nothing.

The sniper was getting closer, and Blitzo was ready to ambush when suddenly his phone rang. On impulse, he checked and saw that it was Moxxie calling him. "Goddamnit, Moxxie!" A bullet hitting the bricks made it clear his cover was blown, so Blitzo went on the move.

He rolled out and fired a few shots of his own at the prick who ducked behind a wooden wall for cover. Moving upward, the imp slid towards a big wheelbarrow, kicked it down, and hid behind it as cover to avoid getting shot at twice. Reaching out, Blitzo fired another few shots before rushing over to a brick column already layered and cemented while his opponent ducked behind another wall.

Blitzo waited for his gun to fully charge up while the other could be heard reloading his own gun. Taking a deep breath, Blitzo rushed out just as the bastard ran from cover as well. The two of them exchanged shot after shot while running across the floor. Bullets were fired on both sides, either missing entirely or hitting something else like a machine or construction piece.

Eventually, both shooters ran out of bullets, which made Blitzo take a chance and rush towards the sniper in a surprise sprint. The armored lizard tried to reload, but Blitzo was able to tackle him to the ground. Getting on top of the demon, Blitzo started wailing his fists into the masked assassin before he was whacked in the head by his scaly tail.

Getting quickly on his feet, Blitzo blocked a punch to his head before attempting to hook the lizard assassin in the face, only to get that stopped. The two exchanged blow after blow on one other, but each managed to avoid or block every punch thrown at them. Blitzo finally managed to impact by dodging to the left to avoid a kick, placed his hand under the leg, and lifted the lizard demon up to trip onto his back while delivering a downward punch to his solar plexus. The lizard demon quickly responded by wrapping his legs around Blitzo's arm and forced him down into an armbar.

Blitzo yelled as the demon attempted to dislocate his arm, even wrapping his tail around the imps neck for good measure. Blitzo felt his windpipe crushing and his arm ready to come off until he saw a wrench nearby. Reaching out, he grabbed it with his free hand and smacked it hard against the arm of his grappler, followed by a blow to the tail.

Cursing, the lizard demon broke the grip and held his hand in pain as Blitzo got up and quickly took a few breaths to regain control of himself. He threw the wrench at the demon, who smacked it away with his tail, but that was enough for Blitzo to shove his running knee into the assassin's face. The hired killer was dazed for a bit before attempting to use his other hand to deliver a back blow to Blitzo, but he caught it, shoved his fist into his opponent's face, and then grabbed his collar to drag him to the floor.

Blitzo then attempted to attack again, but the lizard countered by kicking him in the face. Pushing himself back up, the assassin spun to deliver a side kicked to Blitzo's chest, sending him to the ground on his back. Growling, Blitzo looked up and saw his prey trying to escape, but he wasn't going to let the fucker go.

Noticing a hardwood dolly, Blitzo grabbed and then threw it onto the ground before pushing off it like a skateboard. Gritting his teeth, Blitzo pushed his leg to go faster until he was inches away from the running lizard near the end of the wall on the other side of the floor. With a loud cry, Blitzo jumped off and tackled the hooded assassin. Together, they crashed through the window and fell down on the other side of the building where a big parking lot awaited.

Blitzo saw the pavement coming and quickly positioned himself on top of the lizard just as they landed. A loud spine breaking crack was heard as the lizard screamed in pain, his limbs flailing around before their nerves lost all sense of motion. Hissing, Blitzo felt his own landing wasn't as good as his ribs were starting to burn, and his head was throbbing, but that was nothing compared to the whimpering and crying the broken demon before him was going through.

Wiping the small amount of blood from his cut lip, Blitzo looked at the sobbing demon with fury. "Alright, you motherfucker! Who are you and who hire-"

The sound of an engine roaring alerted Blitzo to his right. Gasping, he barely managed to tumble away at the large black van that nearly ran him over. However, the lizard was unlucky and found himself crushed by the tires as his head exploded into a gory mess and his limbs bent out of shape. Blitzo cursed but was quick enough to grab his camera and snap a photo of the car's back with the license plate showing.

The van rushed out of the parking lot and into the street as Blitzo slowly got up. He looked down at the runover corpse behind him and spat on it before his phone rang again. Answering it, he heard Moxxie on the line. "Sir?! There you are! Where are you?!"

"Moxxie, remind me to kick your ass later for nearly getting me killed," Blitzo growled as he wiped the blood off his lip. "Second, I managed to subdue the sniper, but his buddies ran him over and took off."

"Do you know who it was, Sir?"

"No, but I'll worry about that later," Blitzo said, shaking his head. "How's Stolas?"

"The ambulance and police arrived, but about Stolas...Sir..." Blitzo froze upon hearing the terrified tone in Moxxie's voice. "...it doesn't look good."

Despite the pain in his chest, Blitzo rushed over the back to the Hazbin Hotel. Already police were locking the place down as a crime scene. Newscasters were arriving while crowds were forming from curious onlookers. Blitzo pushed past these crowds and jumped over the police tape just as an imp officer tried to stop him. "Hey, buddy! Nobody's-"

"I was at the hotel when it happened! I'm sleeping with Prince Stolas! Assassin's body is in the parking lot across the street! His buddies fled! Now go focus on that and get the fuck out of my way!" Blitzo shouted before pushing the imp in blue away.

He quickly noticed his team outside the hotel, looking worried, before he rushed over to them. "Sir! Are you okay? What-"

"How's Stolas?! Is he okay?!" Blitzo demanded, interrupting Moxxie. The three of them slowly turned to the front door where two snake looking EMT demons were rolling a stretcher carrying Stolas. His chest was covered in white and red bandage tape, and he had an oxygen mask on while a robed owl demon with the EMT logo on their chest was trying to slow down the bleeding with glowing magical hands. Behind them was Octavia, crying her eyes out, with a worried Stella holding her shoulders as they followed the paramedics.

"Goddamnit, stop that bleeding already!" One of the snakes said as they started loading him up into the ambulance.

"I'm trying, but I was never trained to deal with Angel based wounds! Shit like that you only see on Extermination Day!" the owl demon replied.

Blitzo felt his skin turn pale, and he was sure the others were too. He suspected it when he smelled the gunpowder in the room, but now it was clear that the bullets used on Stolas were made from the same material that Angels used to kill demons.

"Is he going to be okay?!" Octavia asked, sobbing openly. Never had Blitzo seen the poor girl cry so much. Not even on that horrible day at Loo Loo Land.

"We're going to head to St. Judas General Hospital at the capital via teleportation orb! He'll get the best treatment there is!" One of the EMT's said as he nodded to the driver. An orb at the front of the ambulance started to glow before it shot out a magical ray that caused a portal to appear.

"Wait, I'm coming too!" Octavia shouted as she quickly made for the ambulance.

"I'm his wife. I'm going as well," Stella said, joining her daughter.

Blitzo was almost ready to scream that he wanted to come to until he stopped himself. Far as everyone was concerned, he was just an imp that was friends with one of Hell's most popular and robust demons. It would do no good to make a scene by saying he was Stolas' bed buddy. The two owl demos were quickly allowed into the ambulance before it took off into the portal before it closed behind them.

"Sir? You're bleeding," Millie pointed out as Blitzo slowly looked at his hands. His blood-covered hands. Stolas' blood.

"It's not mine..." Blitzo muttered before closing his eyes and fists. Taking a deep breath, he took out his phone and handed it to Millie. "Get back to the office and run the plate on this photo I took of the van. Use that police database that hacker helped us get into for killing his partner last year. Find out who owns it, where they live, and who they work for. As of right now, I.M.P. is holding off any jobs until we know who did this. I'm going to St. Judas to check on Stolas and ask him questions when he gets better."

"Blitzo," Loona said, slowly walking over and putting her paw on his shoulder. "He...He looked to be...he might..."

"He's not going to die!" Blitzo shouted, glaring at all three of them as they looked away in discomfort. "If I even hear one of you shitheads say that, I will fire your ass! You hear me?! I'll fucking fire you!"

The others said nothing, merely nodded.

"Now...I have to get to the capital..." Blitzo said, taking deep breaths to calm down.

"We'll help you get there."

Turning around, Blitzo saw a worried Charlie and Vaggie walk over, with the latter keeping a lookout for any more attacks. Blitzo couldn't blame the one-eyed demon as he kept expecting to hear another gunshot every three seconds. "Prince Stolas was my friend, and I want to make sure he's getting the best treatment possible," Charlie said as she walked over and held Blitzo's hand. "We can take my car. It's got fast travel orb as well."

"T-thank you, Princess," Blitzo whispered, bowing his head. He then turned to his adopted daughter. "Loona, stay here and use that nose of yours to sniff the body and the area he shot at. Maybe you can pick something up that we're missing or a trait of his we can use to find the rest of his gang. If the police give you any trouble, call Chief Hallows. He still owes us one for killing his boss so he could get promoted. Moxxie and Millie? You know what to do with my phone. The moment you get something, call me on my other cell."

"Yes, sir," The two imps said as Loona was about to rush over to the construction site before she paused.

In a surprising move for the hellhound, she walked towards Blitzo and hugged him, much to his and the other imps shock. "Whatever happens, just know we're here for you...Dad."

Closing his eyes, Blitzo let a small tear drip down his face as he hugged his daughter for a bit before letting her go. He turned to Charlie and nodded as she motioned him to follow her and Vaggie. Blitzo kept taking a deep breath every five seconds as he made his way to the hotel owner's car. There was no way that Stolas was going to die. He wouldn't do that to his family.

He wouldn't do that to Blitzo.

The portal trip to the hospital was only a few minutes, but it felt like hours for Blitzo. The moment they arrived, Blitzo nearly burst in demanding where Stolas was but let Charlie take the lead since her status ensured full cooperation. After learning of his location, the trio made for the Emergency Lobby, where they soon spotted Stella and Octavia waiting.

Upon seeing him, Octavia rushed over and embraced Blitzo, who held the crying owlet in his embrace despite her taller height. "Blitzo...D-D-Dad...He's...I don't...He..."

"Shh," Blitzo whispered, patting her on the back. "It's okay. He's a tough bastard. He'll be fine."

He glanced over at Stella, who was looking at them with a hint of jealousy and loathing before turning away. Blitzo decided it wasn't the proper time to deal with the bitch no matter how much he wanted to flip her the bird. Charlie walked over and embraced Octavia along with Vaggie.

"Octavia, I'm so so sorry this happened!" Charlie said, on the verge of tears. "I never expected something like this to occur! I swear, whatever you and your family need, I'll provide! I'll even pay for whatever treatment he needs!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Octavia whispered. She started to bow, but Charlie helped her up.

"Please, none of that," Charlie said before turning to Stella. "Mrs. Goetia, do you know who could have caused this?"

"It could be any number of demons," Stella answered, shaking her head. "My husband is a powerful figure, but this also means he has many enemies. This isn't the first time his life has been threatened, but..." She bit her beak and shook her head. "Nobody's ever tried to actually kill him. Not in such a long time at least."

"Whoever it was is powerful and rich," Blitzo muttered, crossing his arms as everyone focused on him. "The sniper was geared up with some high-class armor and fought like a professional. I don't think he's working alone because someone in a van killed him before I could interrogate him. Plus, the bullets were made with the same material the Angels use in their weapons."

"That stuff is costly on the black market," Vaggie pointed out. "Whoever is behind this really wanted Prince Stolas dead."

"Well, he's not dead yet, so they failed!" Blitzo shouted before turning to Stella. "I need to know the most likely people who would want Stolas dead while also having the resources to hire a full assassination team with access to Angel based weaponry."

"Why should I even consider giving you that info?" Stella growled, which only made Blitzo glare at her more. "This is something the police or the Royal Guards can handle. Not some two-bit assassin wanna be."

"... Your husband has been shot," Blitzo said, gripping his hands. "Your daughter is ready to break into tears, and I'm about to as well. I know you don't give two shits about me, but at least take into consideration the fucking feelings of your daughter and husband!" Stella looked outraged at Blitzo's accusation, but he didn't stop. "The Royal Guards and Police don't know how the streets work like I do. They don't have connections in the underworld like I do. And they don't have the drive like I do." He inched closer and looked up to her face. "I don't like you. You don't like me. But chances are these guys will not just come after Stolas. They will come after you and Octavia as well. If you want to make sure that the two of you live to see another day, you'll take every offer of help and assistance on the matter no matter who it's from!"

Stella was quiet for a bit but, eventually, she closed her eyes and sighed. "Only two names come to my mind on who could have had the means and desire to do this. Duke Allocer and Prince Gaap. Both were contenders for my husband's job but lost to him, and they've been bitter about it since."

"I know those two," Charlie whispered before shivering. "Not very nice demons, nor do you want to get on their bad side."

"If they're involved in this, they're going to know what it's like to get on my bad side," Blitzo said as he took his spare phone and typed to Loona to do some research on the two names given. "We still don't know if someone is going to try something here. Charlie, you can summon the Royal Guards to this place using your authority as the princess, right?"

"Already on their way," Charlie said with a small smile.

"Good," Blitzo said, pulling out his gun. "Nobody leaves this room or goes past that door until I've cleared them or the Guards do. I'm not taking any chances with Stolas's life on the line or anyone else being at risk."

"I'll take first watch," Vaggie said, walking over and putting her hand on Blitzo's shoulder. "You need to relax and get those ribs of yours checked."

"I'm fine," Blitzo muttered, but his hand went to his side and wince upon touching it.

"I'm not an idiot. I've noticed how you've been walking and breathing. The only reason you're still walking is because of adrenaline. Quit being stubborn and get checked," Vaggie said as she summoned a spear. "Trust me. I can handle being a bodyguard. I practically was Charlie's the entire time we were dating."

Blitzo was about to open his mouth when Octavia walked over and grabbed his hand. "Please, Blitzo? Dad wouldn't want you to be injured as well when he...when he wakes up."

Closing his eyes, Blitzo slowly nodded his head while cursing under his head as Charlie went to get a doctor.

The company had taken severe cases before since their founding. Sometimes in assassinating high-profile targets both in the human world and in Hell. Sometimes in protecting high profile targets, mostly Stolas. Out of all the tasks that they were given, never had Moxxie seen Blitzo look more serious than right now. It was practically a 180 of the former clown's personality. Then again, considering who was under intensive care at the moment, maybe it should be a surprise.

Moxxie knew what it was like to be in love with someone. From the moment he met Millie, Moxxie knew that he wanted her to be his wife, and no other imp in the nine circles could match her. When he saw Blitzo with Stolas or doing anything in general that involved the prince somehow, Moxxie could see the same expression he had with his future wife.

Blitzo, of course, never admitted it, but anyone could see that he had fallen for the owl prince since about a year into knowing each other. It took a while for both of them to find common ground needed to start their friendship. Stolas eventually stopped being such a stalking perv, and Blitzo finally allowed him past the emotional borders he set for himself. Both had grown up over the years, together and separately. The company had gone through all kinds of crazy stuff since they got the book. It tied the two together, and it even changed the rest of them. Not that it altogether changed them, but it was enough to make them finally see each other in a different light. Now that light was threatening to be snuffed out with this latest tragedy.

Moxxie wouldn't admit it, but Blitzo wasn't just his boss. He was part of the family he and Millie had made with I.M.P. A dysfunctional family with guns, but a family nonetheless.

"Anything, honey?" Moxxie asked, looking up from his desk.

"Kinda, I've searched for this type of van and its license plate on the database, and there isn't a file to go with it," Millie sighed in frustration. "The only thing I've found is the plates and a similar car were used in a bank robbery here in Imp city two years ago. The robbers were later killed in a similar bank heist four months later, but their car was different. Then it appeared again in a kidnapping incident also in Imp City last year. Kid managed to escape but didn't give enough details to lead to any arrests."

Moxxie rubbed his chin for a bit before he snapped his fingers. "He's a transporter!" Rushing over to his wife's desk, he looked at the screen. "He's probably got multiple cars and plates. That's how he's been able to get around without getting caught."

"Of course! That would make sense!" Millie beamed at her husband. "My cousin's a transporter here in Imp City! I bet he can help us find him!"

"Get on it. I'll tell the boss," Moxxie said as he was about to text when the front door opened. Loona walked in, shaking her head before grabbing a cup of coffee.

"Nothing," Loona said, shaking her head. "I must have sniffed the corpse three times before the police forced me out of there. Nothing good enough for a scent or a trait that stands out."

"Didn't you call Chief Hallows?" Moxxie asked.

"I did, but the fat fuck said the Royal Guard was taking over the case since Stolas is a prince and all. It falls under their jurisdiction," Loona muttered while taking a few sips. "I did, however, not leave empty-handed."

She took out her phone and showed a picture of a very advanced high powered sniper rifle that looked like a cross between a Barret M95 and an AW50 with hellish features such as a burning muzzle and a living eye at the end of the scope. "I saw they had this and did a quick BJ for the officer guarding it just to get a few photos. Think a weapons dealer might recognize the model or customization?"

"Might be a good angle to check. Nice work, Loona," Moxxie said with a nod.

"Yeah, well, Blitzo owes me one for sucking down one for the team," Loona grumbled as she walked over to the bathroom. "If you need me, I'm going to wash out my mouth for an hour."

Shaking his head, Moxxie hoped that this would be enough to get a lead on the ones who targeted Stolas. While Moxxie knew it might have been better to leave it to the Royal Guards, he knew Blitzo would never stand by and do nothing. So Moxxie would follow his boss through whatever craziness would come their way.

After all, he did it for this long and was still breathing. Why stop now?

Getting his ribs healed took less than an hour to get done, leaving Blitzo three hours and counting to wait on the Stolas treatment. Blitzo could not stop thinking about the events that played before him: Stolas asked Blitzo what he wanted out of their relationship. Him unsure of how to answer before the first shot ran into the air. The shattering of the glass followed by the blood spraying everywhere. Stolas' haunting shocked expression as Blitzo took him into his arms and ducked for safety on the ground.

Something didn't feel right. The entire assassination was coming off as wrong to Blitzo, but he couldn't think right. All he could play in his mind were those five seconds that seemed to suddenly change his world in a blink of an eye. Blitzo was doing everything he can to keep calm, but the fear of not knowing Stolas's state made it feel like he was going mad.

The emergency doors opened, and everyone stood up with bated breaths as a doctor with a moving plague mask for a face and antlers walked into the lobby. Octavia was holding her mother's hand while Vaggie and Charlie stood side by side. Blitzo himself was just inching to run past the doctor while searching for Stolas.

"Doctor, how is he?" Stella asked, worried.

"It's not looking good. The bullet did a serious number on Stolas's internal organs, and we're doing our best to slow down the toxic nature of the divine energy," the doctor said, sighing. "We can perform a few procedures that can be done, but they require a signature from a spouse or family member to do it."

He turned to Stella. "Would you please follow me, Mrs. Goetia?"

"Certainly," Stella said before turning to her daughter. "I'll be right back, Darling."

Octavia nodded before letting go of her mother as she followed the doctor into the emergency wing. She slowly started making her way out of the lobby, where Blitzo saw her crying into her hands again before slowly following her.

He saw her stop in front of a soda machine where she tried putting in a dollar inside, but she kept missing over and over again. Coming towards her, Blitzo gently took the dollar bill and put it inside for her. "I prefer Pepsi. Coke tastes like rusted nails."

"They all taste like crap," Octavia whispered, lowering her head. "I'd honestly rather be drunk right now."

"Me too," Stolas said as he pressed the button, and the soda came out. He picked up and opened it for her before handing it over.

"...How can you be so calm?" Octavia asked, taking the soda and just stared at it. "My Dad...he's dying...he's dying, and I don't know what to do...he promised he wouldn't leave me...that I'd always find him if I needed him...I don't want that to be a lie, but I keep...I keep thinking..."

"What makes you think I'm fucking calm?" Blitzo muttered as he lowered his head. "I'm torn between sobbing my eyes out and setting the whole damn hospital on fire. My heart is pumping and ready to break while my hands are trembling for something to hit." He stared into Octavia's eyes. "I'm a volcano ready to explode, but right now, I need to keep a calm face because the worst hasn't happened, and I'm hoping, praying even, that it doesn't happen."

"...and if it does?" Octavia whispered, slowly sipping her soda.

Blitzo didn't answer. He just slowly walked back to the lobby.

An hour later, and finally, they had their answer.

The doctor had just come back from doing whatever it was they were aiming to try to save Stolas's life. Along with some of the Royal Guard, the five of them stood there as he walked over. The doctor showed no emotion, yet it felt like the earth was quaking with each heavy step. Silence reigned over the room as not a single breath was heard.

Octavia was trembling, looking ready to fall into pieces. Her mother, teary-eyed herself, was holding onto her daughter in anticipation. Charlie was holding her wife's hands with tears already coming down her cheeks while Vaggie was doing her best to remain calm, but she too looked scared of what they would hear.

Blitzo had just stood there in silence and feeling like a cold winter was upon him. His entire body was frozen like ice as memories began to appear in his mind with each step the messenger took. He saw the first time he met Stolas to sleep with him and get that book. He recalled all the times they had been together both in and out of bed. How he had become one of his worst fears into becoming one of his closest companions in life. The feelings he had torn him in so many directions. The passionate grasp of care that Blitzo felt in his heart each time he saw those four red eyes gaze upon him with that cute avian smile slew his defenses. It was both a pain and joy to go through each of those memories one by one.

Then the doctor stopped in front of them all.

"I'm sorry...he's gone..."

Loona couldn't remember the last time she stared at the TV screen with such intensity. Not even when it was announced that the first demon in hundreds of years managed to go Heaven. She wasn't the only one as Moxxie and Millie just stared at the news in both shock and horror like her. The headline screaming in their faces as the reporter went on and on:

"Prince Stolas Goetia, Master of Magic and Astronomy, Declared Permanent Dead At St. Judas General Hospital."

Dead.

Prince Stolas was dead.

One of Hell's most powerful demons in the entire nine circles was no more.

The clingy rich asshole who had been their primary benefactor, sometimes their very lifeline, was dead. He had become such a familiar figure in the company's life that the idea of him being...gone, for good, was just...unthinkable.

Millie was soon in her husband's embrace as the two of them cried on each other's shoulder. While Loona herself didn't shed tears, she wrapped her tail around her chest and held it for comfort. Her thoughts then turned to her father, and she wondered just what he was going through.

Her thoughts were soon answered as the front door slowly opened, and everyone turned to see Blitzo slowly enter the company's main room. He kept his eyes downward as none of them said a word or addressed Blitzo as he slowly walked past them. The news continued to go on about how Stolas had been assassinated with an angel powered bullet. Meaning he would never return to life. There was no afterlife for you if you died in Hell for good. There was...nothing.

Blitzo made his way to his office door and paused. For a while, he said nothing, and his stance was as solid as a rock.

Finally, he whispered, "...don't come in..."

Opening the door, he walked inside before closing it behind him.

For the first five minutes, there was not a single sound that came out of that room. A silence so thick you could cut it with a sword as all three employees just waited for the dam to burst.

And then...it exploded.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Loona turned away and winced as the sounds of destruction could be heard over the screaming from inside. Windows were smashed, and walls were broken as her father cried so loud it nearly shattered her ears. The tone and sorrow behind each wail, however, broke Loona's heart into pieces.

Ever since Blitzo adopted her, Loona had never once seen her father break under anything. Until now. The yells and action of sorrowful rage from inside Blitzo's office were not that of an imp assassin with his devil may care attitude, but of a heartbroken and shattered soul who had lost something that could not be replaced.

Millie, unable to take anymore, rushed to her own office with Moxxie behind her with tears of his own. Loona just stood there, unable to stop herself from crying anymore. It was not just for Stolas and his family, but for the imp who was on the warpath in agony over his lover's death. Just hearing him continue to sob in anguish was enough to make Loona want to rush in and hug him. To let him let it all out, tears and all, onto her shoulder. It was something she would have considered doing before, but at this point, she didn't give a fuck about her past attitude. All that matter was her father was in so much pain, but she didn't know how to help him.

Soon, the chaotic sounds ended, and all was silent save for a single whispering sob that could barely be heard. Taking a deep breath, Loona wiped her tears and slowly walked over to the door. With a timid paw, she slowly reached for the handle and opened it to peek inside.

What she saw would remain in Loona's mind for the rest of her life. Her father's office had been utterly destroyed. His computer smashed into bits and pieces representing a jigsaw puzzle—his table thrown against the wall along with his plants, models, pictures, and more. Shattered glass was everywhere, with his chair missing and a big broken window nearby. The various horse figures and plushies that Blitzo was prone to collect were smashed or ripped apart as their remains were scattered like the wind.

And there, lying in the middle, sobbing while in a feeble position like a baby, was Blitzo. His hands holding onto a photo of him and Stolas on it while hugging it close to his chest. One gaze was all it took for Loona to force herself to close the door. It was an emotion she had never seen before in a demon-like Blitzo who never let anything come close to breaking him. But today had finally happened for what she saw nothing but the expression of utter despair.

Letting out a sob of her own, Loona quickly got her phone and started dialing a number. Her father needed help, and there were only two demons who could help him.

"Hello? Loona?"

"Aunt Tilla?" Loona sniffed as she wiped her tears. "We...we need you here...you and Aunt Barbie both..."

"...Tell me everything."