The dark street of the main district was bustling with nightlife as sinners and hell-born moved about their individual business. Life never seemed to stop moving for anyone. It didn't have to, as every vice was indulged to the fullest extent. While some here were working for others, the majority of denizens were out with new friends, old acquaintances, family members, or by themselves indulging in the many offered delights. A few stopped to watch the latest advertisements presented by Vox, one of the three Vs. Others wanted to see what was latest on the news. The past two years had seen a spike in territory battles – leading to a gambling racket that specialized in analyzing the most common overlords who would join these fights. Those who were interested noted that Cherri Bomb was doing quite well against a new entry who called himself Black Terror. One snorted and stated he was more like "terrorized" with how Cherri and the others had no problem punting him around.

A soft tune floated down a dark alley. Those who heard it immediately bolted from the area. Vice was indulged, but no one was foolish enough to stick around once he arrived. A street performer playing an instrument heard the soft hum. He quickly changed his song to match with the hummer's era. A coin flicked into his purse as the tall figure passed by without a word or a look. Hearing music from his time in the living world was always a pleasure. A small tip was worth the couple minutes of hearing it. Red eyes watched as passersby stopped and scattered before him. Those who were new to hell were grabbed before being dragged away. They were quickly informed of his name and title along with his dark history.

The name Alastor, after all, had gained a whole new level of fear.

"Hi, Your Majesty!" shouted a happy voice.

Alastor glanced to his right. The speaker was none other than Nifty, who was standing amongst some friends and waving at him. Her friends were obviously uncomfortable with her drawing his attention to them. However, Nifty had intended for the line that they were waiting in to scatter. Alastor, picking up on her desire, smiled wider and lifted a hand to wave back. Immediately those around Nifty disappeared as they ran for safety. His friend gave him a heartwarming smile before dragging her friends down to the check in desk. The manager was quick to let them enter since the Prince was still walking past. Alastor had to chuckle.

His red eye spotted a TV glitch from a news station to a dark blueish-black color. The faintest hint of an eye could be spotted amongst the glitching lines. Annoyance twisted the Prince's lips as his old nemesis, Vox, continued to spy on him. The demon of TV was always glad to watch Alastor and attempt to make his life harder. The TV and radio, after all, had a long history. However, since Alastor had married Charlie roughly a year ago, the TV demon had backed off and watched from afar. The three Vs were powerful and smart. They knew it was unwise to earn the ire of the royal family. Lucifer had been quick to teach the denizens of hell that terrifying lesson the first opportunity that became available. The radio demon muttered uncomplimentary words as he continued on his way. While no one was willing to mess with him due to Lucifer's threats, the same king had made it clear that Alastor could no longer play his little games unless it benefited the royal family.

Taking a quick, deep breath, the demon calmed himself. Vox and other overlords were the least of his concerns now. In a week and a half, it would be his one-year anniversary with Charlie. Vaggie wanted him to do something nice for their significant other. She had already celebrated their relationship anniversary with Charlie a month prior. Now it was Alastor's turn to do something nice for his long-time friend. He already had it planned that they would have the day alone. Whatever Charlie wanted to do, they would do it. Alastor would cook her favorite meal and they would enjoy it while watching a movie of her choosing. He hated TVs and newer technology with a burning passion, but anything that made Charlie happy or content could be handled for small time periods. Husk was getting Alastor's second-best suit dry cleaned and pressed for the occasion. The only thing that Alastor needed now was an anniversary gift. Getting something for his special lady was proving to be a greater task than originally planned.

Nothing so far had seemed suitable for the young demon who had given everything she was to her people and friends. Usually if she needed something, Charlie would simply buy it right then and there. Most of her hobbies had been forsaken in order to run the hotel. He was not good as building like some demons were nor was he good at sewing like Nifty or small arts and crafts like Vaggie. Every time he entered a store, the owner and workers bolted for the other side or out the door. It was fun watching other demons cower in fear because of him until someone needed to get some work done. He sighed in frustration. He hated how useless this whole thing made him feel. He frowned at his reflection in a store window. Perhaps he needed to suck up his pride and ask Vaggie for some help.

His radio staff suddenly crackled as a signal came through. Alastor's eyes shot to the staff. Only people tuned to a certain frequency could use this communication method. The only ones with that knowledge were family.

"Al…Alastor," a deep, male voice came over the line.

Alastor snapped his fingers, immediately teleporting to a nearby rooftop for some privacy. He brought his staff into an upright position and responded, "Good evening, Your Majesty. What can I do for you tonight?"

Before an answer could be given, Alastor felt his muscles tighten. His heart seemingly skipped several beats. It suddenly became hard to breathe for a few short moments. Red eyes widened with shock as his body felt something happen in the world around him – like a gunshot ripping through the very fabric of reality. A gasp escaped his mouth as air finally returned. His muscles and heart relaxed, though a tremble could still be seen as his body felt lingering effects. His radio crackled once more.

"Damn it all! I was trying to stop that from happening. You alright?" Lucifer's enraged voice reached his ears.

With effort, Alastor sucked in a deep breath and replied, "Yes. I am fine, just shaken. What is happening?" His mind's eye immediately jumped to Charlie and Vaggie. Was this someone attempting to come for them. "Are you, Lilith, and Charlie safe?"

"Safe for now," his father-in-law growl. "I am calling everyone to my castle immediately except for you. I trust you to handle yourself with caution and violence as needed. I am not sure who is responsible for this, but I know that portals between the living world and Hell have opened up. The living and dead can now pass through without restriction."

The Radio Demon smiled darkly, "I can hunt down these portals and deal with any trespassers."

"No," snapped that deep voice. Alastor blinked with shock at the order. Normally Lucifer did not like people, especially humans, messing with his domain in such a fashion. Lucifer growled, "Whoever is responsible has not passed through. That much I can sense. I already have my magic at work to ensure no demon or hell-born can leave. As soon as those portals opened, I had that order going and it is finally completed. However, even if the culprit has not entered, some others have. I have counted at least thirty-two, if not more."

"You need me to round them up?"

"Yes. Bring them to my castle so that I can erase their memories and send them back. If any of them have bad intentions, then I want you to deal with them most severely. Otherwise, we'll – I can't believe I am even saying this…damn Charlie is making me go soft – assume they are victims and are innocent." There was a brief pause before the voice growled, "Am I understood, Alastor?"

A dark, deadly smile pulled at the demon's lips, "At your command. I'll find them all and bring them to you. Any threat will be eliminated without hesitation. Should the true culprit be stupid enough to enter your realm, I'll hunt him or her down without delay."

"Good. And don't tell Charlie your full orders. I don't want her thinking that she needs to protect these humans."

With that, the staff went silent. Alastor quickly made his way to a tall building with a good vantage point. Lucifer had granted him more power upon joining the royal family. It was that power which sensed the portals opening. The demon knew magic through his voodoo heritage and history. Yet this was something beyond that to an unfamiliar level. Could this be a scheme made by some members of the Ars Goetia, since some of them had the ability to enter the living world? Or were one or more of the other seven Princes involved in this? His red eyes narrowed as a dangerous thought entered his mind. Had a mortal found some new power to enter Heaven and Hell?

Pinpointing several starting points, he growled, "Time to hunt."