It has been twenty long years since the Happy Hotel opened its doors for the first time. The halls were still empty as always. Many demons entered, hoping to take advantage of the owner's generosity and kindness, but would inevitably leave. Only those truly seeking a change to their eternal lives were welcomed in these walls. Redemption was still the goal, to get these immoral sinners to improve themselves and enter heaven high above this pit. Yet reality had forced the truth and a change of plans.
Feet briskly walked down the long central hallway that ran nearly the full length of the hotel. A large, calm smile was still ever present on this demon's face. His right hand happily twirled his radio staff in dizzying circles. His red suit, however, was far more formal today than his usual attire. Alastor, commonly known by the moniker "the Radio Demon", had important business today with more than the hotel's owner. It was important that one dressed appropriately, from one's outfit to their stance to the smile on their face. How he showed up today would be a sight many would remember for generations to come. Today, history was being made:
For an immortal sinner was marrying into the royal family.
With a quick stop in front of a mirror to fix his tie, Alastor reached the large doorway that led to his destination. He quickly knocked then waited patiently. He maintained a calm, tall stance even though no eyes were currently watching. One never knew when those eyes would appear, always searching for weakness. This was especially true since that fateful day almost two years ago – when someone dared to use an angelic weapon to assassinate Lucifer. They had ultimately failed, unaware that only an angel of higher standing could kill the King of Hell. However, everyone of any significance began to fear that there were hidden plots and groups waiting to kill every member of the ruling classes. Some even wondered if certain members of the lower ruling classes were heading or funding these plots. As the door opened and allowed him entry, Alastor stepped towards a life of secrets and double meanings.
"My, my. Looking positively fancy, Alastor," Angel Dust, dressed in his absolute best, stated as he held opened the door for his friend.
The Radio Demon gave his friend a more genuine smile in comparison to the large, cocky smile he generally wore. He replied happily, "Why of course, Angel dear! Must look our best for the festivities today!"
The spider demon chuckled in response. The pair headed down the decorated aisle and rows of seats. Alastor had never imagined befriending the tall, lanky, pink and white demon who now strode beside him. He had come to this hotel to watch everything fall apart and for the demons seeking redemption to continuously fail. He had decided to drag Husker and Nifty into the mix because having them around to tease was always a blast. If by some miracle the plan of redemption had actually worked, Alastor had planned on supporting those who truly deserved it. After all, some sinners in hell truly deserved their fate. He had thought Angel Dust was one such sinner. Yet as time passed, the pair had grown closer as comrades and friends, even though they often fought and argued every day about something trivial. Angel was the first to accept Alastor as being ace, even going to far as to help him talk to the others about it. While Angel continued to make his sexual jokes and teases, he had made it clear to Alastor that it was all in fun. When Alastor had shared his uncomfortable line, the tall sinner had apologized and never crossed it again. Angel had even come to Alastor's defense when another overlord attempted to corner and defeat the Radio Demon. Alastor, in turn, had decided to defend Angel from the likes of Vox and Valentino. They even ganged up on occasion to pull pranks on the others at the hotel.
Alastor froze as Nifty came racing over in her beautiful dress. She was still meticulous as ever, even as she raced around to ensure everything was ready for the festivities to come. Her one eye sparkled with joy as she muttered to herself and corrected his suit then Angel's bowtie. Alastor couldn't stop another sentimental smile from touching his lips. Nifty had always seemed more childlike to him, which was why he had drawn her into his care to begin with. Yet she had grown more sure about herself during her stay at the hotel. She was one of the few Alastor believed was truly deserving of redemption, as she had made one accidental mistake that so happened to be fatal. Heaven had chosen to reject her regardless of it being an accident or not. At the hotel, she was able to relax and be herself, not always on guard of other sinners hoping to take advantage of her excitable and friendly nature.
Husker was near the aisle's end, muttering to himself as he reviewed his speech. The cat demon looked more alive today, indicating that he had kept sober. Alastor had found the concept of a "best man" as an interesting construct for a wedding. However, the bride wanted to keep some traditions, so he had gone along and suggested Husker for the role. The cat demon had thought his friend was joking for several days before accepting reality and thus the role. While Alastor's friend had no interest in redemption or going to heaven, he had come to call the hotel his home in many ways. Husker had a bad life after fighting in a war and coming home to the shitshow that was his family. Alcohol and gambling had been his coping mechanisms and eventually led to his death. They had followed him into the afterlife and made his eternity dull. That's why he had joined up with Alastor for the few battles they had together, as it brought the cat demon some excitement from the monotony. As a worker of the hotel, Husker had found himself taken care of and treated with dignity and respect. He had opened up one time to the group while in a drunken stupor, leading to the hotel gang agreeing to always lend him an ear if he needed or wanted it. Husker had been glad to have the support, even bringing in some of his friends who suffered similar fates to him to get that same care.
The biggest change to their little group, however, had been the relationship between Alastor, Charlie, and Vaggie. Alastor and Vaggie fought almost as often as he fought with Angel Dust, though Alastor had to admit that he was the culprit behind most fights. Vaggie was quick to anger, and his teasing often pushed her buttons too far. However, her level head and realism was a breathe of fresh air compared to Charlie's dreams and far-reaching plans. Alastor was even impressed with the ideas and skills she brought to the table each and every day. The day he will never forget, however, was when Vaggie chose to stop her argument with him in order to defend Alastor in front of others. She stated afterwards that "no one will talk shit about my friends" – a sentence that had caught him off guard. He had grown close to Charlie as a business partner sure but never imagined that Vaggie would think of him as a friend. He had brushed it off and moved onward. Vaggie was still the same girl he could tease and taunt, nothing had changed.
Until the day that it did.
Alastor still remembered the bloodlust and rage that filled him when he found Vaggie being cared for by Charlie and Nifty. Her body was covered in bruises and cuts. Her face was tearstained while her one eye was filled with terror. Charlie had pulled him aside and explained that an asshole from Vaggie's life had entered hell. Upon learning of Vaggie's existence, said asshole had chosen to hunt her down and make her eternal life just as hellish as her mortal one. Angel Dust and Husker had soon appeared with weapons in hand, ready to defend Vaggie if the need arose while she was in this vulnerable state. Alastor had felt the cloud of fear coming from the girl – no, young woman – in that moment. He had tried to lighten her mood with a little teasing, but Vaggie had drawn into herself. Vaggie, the one who was always ready for a fight to defend herself and her friends, had cowered on the couch away from everyone because of some lowlife scum. Charlie soon got Vaggie to tell everyone her terrible tale. Upon her finishing, Alastor stated he would go complete Vaggie's chores outside the hotel so she could rest. However, the Radio Demon actually went hunting.
He found the demon responsible for Vaggie's injuries along with some other sinners, as the group was obviously planning to form an alliance together. As his reputation proceeded him, Alastor had no problem taking his prey from the frightened allies. It took several months for the other hotel members to learn of what became of the sinner. Husker, Angel, and Nifty were all in favor of adding their brutality to the mix. Charlie kept reminding everyone that they were there to better themselves. Alastor had to laugh at that. He already told Charlie that he saw himself as beyond redemption. He was surprised, however, by Vaggie demanding that he release the asshole. The young woman had in turn been surprised when Alastor didn't laugh her off. Instead, he escorted her and the others to the hidden, trapped victim. He had released the asshole, making it clear that Alastor only doing this for Vaggie. Any attempt to approach Vaggie again would result in a far worse punishment, the worst Alastor could possibly imagine. With that done, Alastor had kissed Vaggie's hand in his gentlemanly way and apologized for acting without her permission.
Since then, Vaggie had been less willing to pick a fight with Alastor and had been more trusting. He, in turn, had reduced the teasing to more acceptable levels. The moment he noticed that Vaggie became uncomfortable, his eyes would start searching for the cause while pulled closer to her in comfort. They agreed together to be the hotel's guardians and started doing regular patrols of the grounds. While most of these patrols were in silence, the pair would sometimes open up about things they wanted no one else to know. It was a comradery that Alastor now hoped would never fade away. Charlie, of course, was absolutely ecstatic about them becoming closer, even if they still wouldn't call the other friends.
Speaking of Charlie, Alastor turned as the large door opened to reveal the demon's mother, Lilith. The queen of hell was tall and beautiful in her dress. Her narrowed eyes studied the room with a cold look. She had vetted Vaggie and all of the hotel residents as they chose to become permanent additions to Charlie's life. When Lucifer was attacked, Lilith had been furious at the perpetrator while worried for her husband and daughter. She had called upon Alastor to become Charlie's 24-hour protector until things were sorted. Alastor had agreed to her terms, though no attack would ever come. Charlie was his friend. She had accepted him for who he was and valued his opinions in her business. She had worked hard to dig under his many shells to learn all she could about him. She saw the good in him, even if he was an "irredeemable sinner". Lilith's eyes met his gaze for a moment before she nodded and continued on her way. While she would have preferred Charlie marry a hell-born royal, she would not stop her daughter's happiness for anything.
After all, today was meant to calm the nervous loyalists who were afraid of another attack on the royal family and the other Princes of hell. Many were planning to marry already or have relationships designed to produce cautionary heirs. These loyalists, however, had been strongly against Charlie's relationship with Vaggie at this point. They had nothing against same sex relationships. Rather, they wanted the Princess to be in a relationship that could produce another heir if something were to happen to Lucifer and Lilith. Her ancestry meant that certain rules, such as sinners being unable to reproduce, were void. Charlie had felt pressure from all sides to give up her relationship with Vaggie and it tore her apart.
Furthermore, Charlie ended up having a bad argument with her father. While Lucifer and Charlie had a good, close relationship, their plans for the future of hell were vastly different. Lucifer had not been phased by the attack. However, he did agree that it was time to straighten out the future plans in case something did manage to happen. Alastor had watched Charlie return to the hotel in tears after a heated fight, with her father threatening to burn the hotel to the ground if she didn't comply with his demands or prove that her redemption plan was possible beyond all doubt. She knew that redemption was not something sure fire yet. She had locked herself away in her office for days in order to come up with a plan. Alastor had admired her tenacity and wanted to help.
However, he would open the office door to find everything in disarray. Charlie had torn apart piles of paper and crumpled hurriedly scribbled, half-baked plans. Her desk had been broken apart in her painful rage. Scratches and burn marks on the walls indicated that she had unleashed her full fury on the room. Charlie was sitting in the middle of the room against the far wall. Tears were streaming down her face as she mourned everything she had struggled to build. Alastor had approached, sitting next to her, and talked quietly. They discussed the heated argument and the ultimatum. They discussed the future of the hotel as she had dreamed. Alastor had then pointed out what she had accomplished to build – a safe place. A place where sinners on the run, like Angel, could be safe while they figured out their future. A place where sinners like Husker and Nifty could open up and be vulnerable, knowing that the hotel walls wouldn't talk, and where they could learn about themselves. A place where good-hearted sinners like Vaggie could be themselves. A place where even the irredeemable like himself could find a place to call home and make friends. She had made a different kind of territory amongst the overlord infested lands. It was beautiful in its own way, even if the end goal of redemption was impossible. It was a place that Alastor had sworn to protect, so long as those he cared for called it home.
The open heart-to-heart they had allowed Charlie to revision her hotel to be what they had discussed. Her current resident and staff had agreed to support her in this new goal. It also led to Alastor choosing to stand by Charlie to the end of his existence, or hell's existence if that came first. He was not the romantic type and had no interest in that kind of a relationship. However, he was able to put the loyalists' fears to rest.
He smiled large and wide as the guests rose in respect. Lucifer walked Charlie down the aisle to him. Today he would marry Charlie and become a Prince of hell. Charlie and Vaggie would continue to have their relationship, as Vaggie filled that aspect that in which Alastor had no desire. The loyalists would have no room to complain, as he and Charlie could have an heir in the future. His power made him a powerful overlord capable of standing against many of those who may seek to overthrow the crown. If any children did come in the future, they would find themselves raised by three powerful souls: a sinner who would fight tooth and nail for those she loved, a sinner with powerful magic and abilities along with a cunning and sadistic mind, and the descendant of a high-ranking angel and powerful demon queen.
Today history was made as a sinner joined the royal family.
Today three souls declared their own path through hell's dark plan.