Please remember this is fanfiction, and currently a huge blank period in canon. I'm having fun with it and it is inevitable that there will be contradictions compared to canon once more material and episodes come out.

So, I ask you simply enjoy. Thank you~!

Chapter 2

Fizz didn't bother to open his eyes when he first woke up. Everything was in too much pain. His mind reeled as he tried to remember what had happened, but everything was too much of a blur, and he couldn't stop feeling strange. It was like a part of him was missing but his mind was too hazed to think properly and realize what it was.

Suddenly, a flash of green entered his vision and he opened his eyes with a start, looking around. That's right! The circus. The party. Blitz.

Was he alive? He didn't expect to survive, he had been losing a lot of blood, after all. Trying to see through blurred vision, he made out distinct hospital features. Including the monitors next to him that displayed his vitals. It was a nicer hospital than the ones he had seen in the Greed Ring. Where was he?

His head fell back onto the pillow, too exhausted and in pain to question much of anything. He just wanted the pain to stop.

Through the fog of pain, he recognized a sound. Footsteps, and they were growing louder. He must be in a trauma bay of some kind if he could hear them walking from so far away. It would also explain the curtains for walls. Or was he just hallucinating?

Then he heard the voices. They were hushed, but perhaps they thought he couldn't hear them? He closed his eyes. Whatever they were talking about it didn't concern him anyway.

"You're saying the whole circus was on fire?"

Fizz's eyes shot open, now wide awake. Circus? Fire? There was only one circus they could be talking about. Unless Blitz decided to go burn down another circus, that is.

"Yeah, the hospital in the Greed ring was overflowing so they sent the more seriously injured to other rings. So many burn victims…"

Fizz could hear them even clearer now. They were coming his way. There was a part of him that wanted to scream and beg to know what had happened, if they had any details. But, he had a feeling they wouldn't want to talk about it with him. So, he closed his eyes again and pretended to be asleep, hoping they would continue their conversation. Giving details they would have spared him had they known he was awake.

"...one of the worst burn victims is here. His wounds were so extensive they believed he had to be near the center of the explosion when it went off."

"How bad?" Fizz could hear the uncertainty in the younger voice.

"You're about to see. Do temper your reaction. He should still be asleep and we don't want to wake him." There was a pause, as if they were both preparing themselves. Fear held his heart like a vise. Just how badly was he injured?

He heard the curtain as it was pulled back, followed by a horrified gasp. The air felt heavy around him as he tried to maintain steady and even breaths. He could feel their eyes on him and it was excruciating.

"We only need to give him more medication. It's best for him to rest until the wounds close more and his burns begin healing." Fizz thought he could hear her messing with the IV bag next to his bed.

The other seemed to be at the foot of the bed. "There's not even a name on the chart."

"Too much confusion in all the chaos. We'll have to wait for him to wake up to tell us who he is."

Another moment of silence passed and Fizz could feel the dizzying effect of the narcotic he had been given. Then he could hear the faintest horrified whisper from the younger of the two, "I've seen burns. Accidents happen during shows all the time… but this…"

"The damage was too extensive, dear." The elders' comforting voice said. "The fire consumed everything. When he got here there wasn't much left to bother saving… We've done what we needed, let's leave him be now."

And they were gone.

The pounding of his heart and the adrenaline kept him awake and aware despite the drug trying to put him under. With tremendous effort, he lifted his head to look down and then he saw it. Where there should have been arms and legs, there were none. The thin hospital blanket covered his chest and torso, but that's all it covered.

Faced with the sudden reality, his mouth hung open in a silent scream, his throat too charred to emit the sound. When the medication took it's full effect, he was all too eager to drift into the nothingness of unconsciousness.

The next few days passed by in a blur.

Fizz had healed enough that some of the bandages were able to be removed. The stumps of his arms and legs were still heavily bandaged, but he tried not to look at them. The pain was too much. Not physical pain, the medications dealt with that, but emotional. He wouldn't ever be able to move or perform as he once had.

What kind of life could he expect to live in this condition? Hell wasn't exactly kind to the disabled. Especially someone with as massive of a disability as he now had.

What made it worse, was no one had bothered to visit him. Not Buckzo, or Barb, or anyone else at the circus. He told himself they just didn't know where he was, that was all. They were probably really busy with the chaos regardless, they wouldn't have the time to leave the Greed ring and come see him.

At least that's what he told himself.

But, with each day that passed, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had been forgotten.

Blitzo would cross his mind now and then, but he would always brush the thought aside before the tears fell. Why would Blitzo bother coming to see him? Of all people, he would be the last to show his face. It was because of Blitzo that he was in this mess to begin with. As far as Fizz was concerned, he could stay far away from him.

Day by day, the nurses would come in to help feed him, wash him and use the bathroom of course. They would also change the badges, and he shuddered at the memory. The bandages that had been on his burns needed to be changed every few hours to minimize the risk for infection, and the scissors gliding across his mutilated skin was agony anew. Even the drugs they had him on were not enough to stop that pain.

Thankfully, most of his skin had healed enough that he didn't need bandages for them anymore. He had patches in a few places, like on his cheeks, forehead and chest where the brunt of the blast had hit him. Most of the skin that was exposed was now a silky pink as it continued to fade more day by day. Soon there would be far more white than red on his skin.

All he could do to pass the time was sit propped up in his bed, staring at the small TV the nurses were kind enough to bring him. It was that, or stare out the window.

When he had been moved into the room, he had thought the view was beautiful. The city was a kaleidoscope of light and he found a sliver of peace just watching it. But his thoughts changed once night fell. While the Lust ring was naturally a dimmer place, the darkness of night enabled him to see his reflection. And, for the first time in days, he saw himself.

His horns were gone.

Much like the stumps of his arms and legs, so too were his horns wrapped in gauze. The tears had fallen immediately. Horns were a point of pride for an Imp. His were large, long and Fizz took pride in polishing them so they gleamed in the spotlight. Or, at least he had.

The darkness had fallen once again upon the city, and so Fizz locked his eyes on the TV. A game show dating game playing, but while he was watching he wasn't really paying attention.

A knock rang through the room and he sighed, thinking it was a little early for his bandages to be changed. He called out, wincing at the sound of his voice as he did so. It wasn't smooth and silky as it had once been. Now, it was gravely and raspy. While he had been assured his voice would get better, he knew he would never sound the same again.

The massive door creaked open, and the sight in the doorway stuns him to silence. A chilling fear creeping down his spine.

Standing in the doorway and making his way toward him, was Mammon. Prince of the Greed ring.

He was a tall and menacing presence. His limbs, like his fingers, were long and thin and reminded Fizz of a spider. The Jester-like clothes were clad in hues of black and green with sickly yellow highlights. Fizz tried not to stare at his face, but the smile never faded. Nor did the smile ever reach his glowing green eyes. He grinned from ear to ear, sharp needlepoint teeth filled his smile.

It was a smile he knew from every coin and every bill he had ever held. But never did he think it would be so terrifying to see face to face.

"Fizzarolli, my dear boy, I've been looking all over for you." His voice came out smooth and silky, but there was an all too noticeable hiss to it. He towered over Fizz in his bed, and leaned down, a long, claw-like finger caressing the bandage on his cheek. "So nice to see that you are… mostly, intact."

Only when he pulled away and walked toward the window did Fizz breathe again. He gasped for air, the tension too much for him. He tried to form a question, but finally came to a decision to simply ask, "Why?"

"Why?" Mammon repeated with a laugh, and turned his smile back toward Fizz. "My my, did no one come by to tell you? Cash Buckzo died in the same fire that has left you an invalid." When Fizz didn't respond, he continued, "Him and his wife too I'm afraid, and while that's tragic and all I'm here on business."

After all the pain and despair Fizz had endured just in the last few days, this was something he hadn't expected to hear. His heart ached once again, but he bit back the tears. Knowing if they fell there would be no way to hide them or wipe them away. He tried to harden his heart toward the loss. They had both been close to him, but he didn't have the strength to face it. He also hated the tone Mammon used when he said it was tragic. He didn't make it sound tragic at all.

"I don't see why your business has anything to do with me." Fizz said defiantly, with more force than he expected.

Mammon snapped his fingers and there was a glow of bright green mist as a document appeared. Mammon held the document out so Fizz could read it, "I assure you, my dear, it most certainly does."

Fizz scanned the document, which he now knew to be a contract. At the very bottom of the page he recognized his own signature. But not the swirly and smooth style he used currently, but the shaky and uncertain print of a child.

"This contract states that in the event of Cash Buckzo's death, all ownership of the circus would fall onto you. And, of course, that means his debts as well."

As Mammon pulled the contract away from him he thought back to when he had signed the damn thing. It was so long ago, he couldn't have been older than seven or eight at the time! Buckzo bribed him with a new set of batons for crying out loud! Fizz sputtered, his voice cracking, "That's impossible! I was only a kid, there's no way this counts!"

He didn't expect for Mammon to fall into a fit of laughter as he snapped the contract out of existence. When his laughter subsided, he pretended to wipe away a tear. "I heard you were a comedian, what a wonderful joke!"

Fizz was taken aback, "But, I wasn't-"

"Need I remind you, this is not the mortal realm. When it comes to matters of business there is no discrimination based on age. A contract is a contract, and you signed this one. Perhaps he had you sign it because he thought you could keep the circus running after he passed. But, we know how that turned out."

Fizz looked down, wanting so much to cover his face with his hands to hide, but of course he couldn't.

He leaned over Fizz, his thin finger once again caressing the bandage on his cheek. Fizz tried to look away, but felt a sharp claw tilt his chin up until he was looking right into Mammon's eyes. "Do not worry, I know ways you can repay me. Even in your condition."

Mammon delighted in the panic swirling in Fizzarolli's eyes, but the eternal smile faltered slightly when he felt another presence enter the room. "I expected you to show up," He stood tall, but he only came to the shoulder of this new arrival. "Asmodeus."

Fizz looked at the new arrival and he could hear the heart monitor go faster than it had before. Two Princes, in his hospital room. What had he done to deserve this?!

Asmodeus looked down at the other Sin and crossed his arms, "Not often do you come down here uninvited. Mind telling me why?" Unlike Mammon, Fizz noted the warm baritone of his voice. It was soothing, though in these circumstances it did nothing to calm his nerves.

Asmodeus looked past Mammon and down at the Imp. His brow furrowed in concern and curiosity. What had one badly injured little imp done to draw the attention of someone like Mammon?

"Just here to collect on a debt is all. You do know how seriously I take such matters." He said in a knowing tone.

Fizz sat, chewing the inside of his cheek in an attempt to hide his anxiety. Little did he know, it was all too easy for the two Sins to see his discomfort.

It was just his luck. After having everything he knew stripped away from him, as well as his limbs and horns, his fate rested in the hands of the embodiment of Greed itself. Someone even the largest crime lords and mob bosses in Greed feared. The fact Mammon didn't bat an eye at organized crime, and even seemed to encourage it at times, was even more terrifying. Fizz didn't have any idea just how depraved he was. But he hated to think of what Mammon had in mind for him after he was discharged from the hospital.

"Perhaps there's a more… profitable way."

Both Fizz and Mammon were surprised by Asmodeus, but Mammon was the one to chuckle and ask, "Oh, do tell. How does a show horse with no legs put on a show?"

Fizz flinched, remembering a moment in a distant past. Blitzo never could get the legs right on his balloon horses.

"Look, I've got an idea, and I think it could be beneficial for both of us. I'd just need time to develop it."

Mammon turned and walked toward the window. The corners of his smile drooping a fraction was the only indication of his annoyance. "You know I'm not known for my patience, Asmodeus."

"I also know you never turn down a profitable deal." Asmodeus countered, a smirk working its way into his face and voice.

Several moments of silence passed as Mammon thought it over. Finally, he spun around, "How long would I need to wait?"

Asmodeus rubbed his chin in thought, "I'm sure I can have something good in a year. That should give me plenty of time to get out the bugs and run proper tests."

Mammon's smile and eye twitched at the news.

Asmodeus shrugged, "All good things come in time, Mammy."

"Do not, call me that." Mammon stated coldly.

Ignoring him, Asmodeus held out a hand, "One year, that's all I need."

Mammon gave it another thought and then reached out to shake the outreaching hand. Misty rings of blue and green flew around their hands as they shook. But before the deal was done, Asmodeus held up his free hand, "One more thing. Just a clarification. The imp will remain in my domain. I'll need his help with development, afterall."

The sharp teeth grinded together but Mammon nodded regardless. The misty blue and green rings suddenly solidified themselves into chains and bound themselves around their interlocking hands and wrists before sinking into their flesh.

"It's a deal." Mammon stated aloud, pulling his hand free and slowly making his way toward the door. He hadn't gotten what he wanted, but he told himself that any good investment needed time to mature. Hopefully the horny chickens plan worked in the end.

When Mammon came to the door, he stopped. "Oh, and," He turned back, his smile bigger than ever toward Fizz, "Do remember, my interest isn't cheap."

It was a threat, and Fizz knew it, but he was just happy to see Mammon leaving. He couldn't believe the rapid turn of events that happened just in the last twenty minutes. But before he could let out an audible sigh, Asmodeus beat him to it.

"I thought he'd never leave. I get why Satan likes him, but I can't stand the guy. Work colleague but not a friend, you get it right?" He turned to Fizz seeking agreement but was met with a wide eyed deer-in-headlights type of look. He took a step back, coughing, "Sorry, it's just, our ideals are just too different. He'll just take whatever he wants because he wants it, unless there's a deal involved that will get him something better. He'd even go so far as to-" he looked at Fizz who was still staring at him with those big round eyes of his, and he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. "Ya know what, not important. What's your name, little imp?"

"Fizzarolli." he croaked out, realizing just how dry his throat had become due to stress.

"Well, Fizzarolli, I do believe I can help you." He picked up the chart off the clip at the end of the bed and began to look through it.

Fizz just stared, bewildered. Not sure whether to be fearful, or thankful. "But, why?"

The Prince of Lust blinked and looked at Fizz. "To be honest with you, I think this is a good opportunity for my research. It's not exactly the kind of work we usually do in the lab, but you can't have growth without a little risk."

Fizz wasn't sure if that was supposed to help settle his nerves or not. He just sat watching the massive demon in front of him, unsure of what to do or say.

Finally, Asmodeus placed the chart back on its hook and began walking toward the door. "Looks like you should be discharged within a week or so, I'll have someone collect you then. I'll have more planned by then too, so rest up."

And just like that, he was gone. Leaving Fizz alone once again. Fizz fell back against the bed limply and turned onto his side, ignoring the discomfort that came with the movement. His world had just been thrown in a trajectory he had never seen coming, and all he wanted was a little comfort. He couldn't wrap his arms around his legs to curl into a ball, but he just did what he could to mimic the motion anyway.

For now, he just needed to wait and see what Asmodeus had planned. What other choice did he have?

We will get more into Asmodeus's head in the next chapter or two. I plan to go into more detail on a lot of things later!

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Posted - 9/21/2023