Cody was looking over in the horizon in the afterglow of victory. Despite many of Belmont's followers now being in Hell, there were a few crazy people in Cody's hometown that were still brainwashed by Belmont's crazy belief that Lucifer probably forgot to take with him for eternal torture.
However, the numbers were only in the tens and were taken in custody by the authorities, and sent to funny farms for... mental relaxation.
"You have fought hard, Cody." Jesus smiled. "You stood your ground and didn't give up in your time of peril." The son of God looked proud of the boy after everything.
"Thanks, Jesus." Said Cody. "But... I killed some people. A few that I have known in my life." Then he sat on the knoll he was on. "It looks like I'm not pure anymore."
Jesus, being a loving and compassionate man he was, sat next to Cody to provide some comfort for him. "Loona is right what she said before. You were only trying to fight to stay alive. And, while I may not like violence in any way, you saved the people that were influenced under Belmont... in a way."
"Save?" Cody looked at him. "But how can I save those people if they are now going to be tormented in Hell forever?"
"Ah, but only Belmont's closest followers like Fletus will suffer eternal damnation with their former master. But, most of them will have the opportunity to visit the Happy Hotel."
"Happy Hotel?" Asked The kid, trying to remember what that place was.
"You know," said a female voice. It was the daughter of Hell's king herself, Charlie.
"Charlie?" Asked Cody. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see if you were alright. Daddy told me about what happened, and how this fucking crazy priest was trying to kill an innocent boy like you." Then she felt a little nervous around the Lion of Judah. "Ummm, so... you're Jesus?"
Letting out a small chuckle, Jesus replied as he got up. "That I am." The. He walked over to Lucifer's daughter. "I have heard a great deal about you, Charlie Magne."
"You've heard of my Happy Hotel?"
"Yes. It is an interesting idea to help reform calmed souls from Hell to live better lives." Jesus smiled down at her. "It is quite a noble accomplishment that you are trying to fulfill."
Charlie smiled wide and was glad to have such praise from Jesus himself. "Thank you, Lord." She said. "But I don't know if it will work on everyone."
"Alas," said Jesus. "Like I have mentioned to Cody, you cannot save everyone."
"True. And it's not like a whole lot of those crazy townspeople are going to be staying at my hotel for a while."
"Hey, Cody." Zakk and his friends went up to the kid with a fresh set of clothes. "You might wanna do us a favor, and... put some clothes on, brother."
"Oh. Right." The boy said, realizing he was still only wearing a loin cloth like Tarzan.
"Thank you for telling us all this, father." Zakk said to the Lion of Judah. "Me and my crew went quite through a fight here, but we pulled through."
"You are welcome, Zakk." Jesus said to him. "I would do anything for my loyal followers that love me."
"Wait, you asked Zakk, Dario, John, and Jeff?" Cody realized
"Of course. Zakk Wylde is a true Christian after all. Not like Belmont and his followers." The lion of Judah clarified. "I knew that you all needed a little more help, for that; I asked Black Label Society to lend you all a helping hand by my father."
"That explains a lot." Cody smirked. Then he felt himself being hugged by Tommy like he was his own favorite stuffed animal for comfort.
"I'm so glad you're alright, little brother." Tommy said.
"I'm ok, Tommy, but can you please let go of me? You're kind of hurting my ribs." Then he felt his big brother gently put him back on the ground.
"Sorry." Tommy breathed. "I thought I was going to lose you forever" he slightly turned his head. "By that fucking crazy priest and his crazy followers."
"But we couldn't save Boulder before." Cody remembered. "We all could have saved them and stop Belmont and his crazy followers before."
"Come on, it's not your failt." Said a Loona in a gentle voice. "Like Jesus said, we can't save everyone."
"Yes." Jesus bowed his head. "And you do not have to worry about them in Heaven. Your uncle and his comrades are in eternal paradise, under me and my father's keeping."
Well, Cody was glad to hear that from Jesus at least. Yes, perhaps Uncle Boulder and his biker buddies will live a good life in the land of eternal happiness. After all, they will see Cody's parents up there. And what they did was a noble sacrifice of them, protecting Cody from the mad clutches of Belmont.
Many other people that were once part of Belmont's congregation that were still alive were snapped back into reality, and felt at their guiltiest.
"If Hell is supposed to be kept a secret," said Cody in realization, "and with all these people knowing about it, then everyone in the world will know about it too."
"My daddy will take care of that." Charlie pointed. "It is the worst kept secret after all. He has ways of wiping people's memories."
"And will Stolas get in trouble?" The boy asked
"That I don't know." The daughter of Lucifer admitted. "But I'm sure that he will know that it wasn't Stolas' fault that this all happened in the first place."
"Mi amore!" Vaggie ran up to her girlfriend. "I am so glad you are ok. Are you hurt?"
"Nope."
"You were fighting ferociously out there and you were like a real killing machine." Then she planted a kiss on her lover.
"Aw, we'll, you were just as ferocious out there." Charlie blushed. "You still smell like blood."
"Don't worry, I'll take a shower to clean it all off." Vaggie said. She looked at the kid. "Are you alright, sweetie?" Asked Vaggie
"Yep. I'm glad this is all over." Cody said. "There's no point in crying about my uncle anymore."
"I'm... sorry." Vaggie also gave him a look of sympathy.
"But I hope that a lot of Belmont's crazy followers down there are going to suffer."
"Normally, I would be against some of the most evil punishments that my daddy would do in bad souls, but... in this case, I can let that slide." Said Charlie. "Maybe not all of them but most of them. Some of them will go to my hotel as I mentioned before."
"It was not really their fault." Jesus admitted. "We all know who is to blame for all of this unholy chaos."
"Belmont." Loona said in contempt.
"you still got ze spirit of a true soldier, Tommy." Said d'Arnot, who was congratulating one of his finest troops in his act of heroic bravery. "To be fair, it is a shame that you left ze legion. You could have grown up to be one of ze greatest generals to have ever led a platoon. Napoleon himself would be proud of you."
Tommy smiled. "Merci, sir." He said. "But I have a lovely wife and my family always comes first."
"I can appreciate zat, soldier." d'Arnot before looking at Cody. "I hope you will be alright, Cody. And... I am very sorry about all that had happened."
"It's not your fault." Cody said.
"Good. Are tot sure you do not want to join the Legion one day?" d'Arnot asked him again.
"I'm sure... but I still have some time to think about it."
"Oh oui, oui." The general chuckled. "You still all ze time in the world to decide that." then he gave the kid a gentle pat on the shoulder.
"Not so fast," said a tough cowboy voice. It was Slasher, looking like he means business. "We still have some business to finish up, little boy." He pulled out a sawed-off shotgun from behind him. "With this crazy religious shit gone, I think it's safe to say that we can settle the score."
Cody's luck had run by the looks of it since one of his old enemies wants his head on a silver platter.
"Not so fast, motherfucker." Zakk Wylde stepped in to help the boy. "Cody's been through enough for one day. So I suggest you fuck off, or you're gonna have to deal with us, Black Label style."
"And it's going to hurt so badly." Said John DeServio. "You don't want to know what will happen once we're done with you."
"I would listen to them if I were you, shithead." Loona stepped in against Slasher. "Do you wanna see an full-pissed hellhound?"
"Or an angry Jesus?" Said Blitzo. "You and I both know that.
Many legionnaire soldiers helped to defend Cody, including Tommy and d'Arnot, who were pointing weapons at the crocodilian-like demon.
"Leave Cody be." Jesus said in a firm but fair voice. "If you will not listen to him, or his friends, then you will listen to me."
Slasher was silent and knew how bad it would be if Jesus was mad. Then something unexpected happened. "Hmph." He gave a flat scoff and put his gun away before turning his back on the group. "This is not the last time you will see the last of me." He didn't bother to look back. "I'll be back, Cody." Then he put his shotgun away.
Andrealphus opened the portal to send the brute back into Hell. Jesus then said: "I am afraid I must be on my way, Cody. I am sure you are pulling yourself together."
"I am. The fight is over."
"Yes. But never be afraid to call on me again when needed."
"I won't, Jesus. I promise."
The son of God smiled as he vanished into a blinding light.
"so when is Lucifer going to erase people's memories about Hell and demons?" Moxxie wondered
"Right now." The king of hell popped out of nowhere. "I will fix that problem. Alastor!"
"Yes, my lord?" The radio demon appeared.
"Bring me the Beacon of Memories."
"Yes, lord Lucifer." Then the radio demon disappeared before poofing back a few seconds later. "Found it!"
"Excellent. Gather the remaining townspeople together for the memory eradication." The king of Hell called forth a line of soldiers (in disguise as humans) and helped gathered the renaming townspeople who were not dead or incarcerated together. Cody was present and everyone else was present, with his demon cohorts in their disguises as well. "Now, I gathered you humans here to keep the secrecy of Hell safe by wiping out the memories of you knowing about my domain and my subjects with this:" Lucifer pointed at his device. "The Beacon of Memories. It will unleash a blinding light on all of you so you can forget all about Hell and its denizens. Now then, some of you will still remember, like Cody and those close to him, who have always been at his side during the previous chaos. But all others have to forget. Which is why that the select many that will keep their memories will be wearing protective goggles to shield their eyes from the blinding effect light so their memories will be intact."
Cody and the many select humans put on their protective eye gear since the beacon works on humans and not demons.
"Let the wiping begin." Lucifer turned on the crystal ball-like structure and in a few seconds, it let out a blinding light so bright, it was almost like a second sun, or the brightest of all stun grenades.
Many of the townspeople who were not wearing the protective eyewear even staggered and shrieked as the light was blinding them all. Some of them even fell back on the ground as they were trying to keep their balance.
It lasted for about five seconds, and the light died away. One can guess it was safe to say that it was good for the select humans to take off the protective eyewear. "What just happened to me?" Said a male townie.
"What am I doing?" Asked a female human who had her memory wiped
"Where am I?" Another former male follower of Belmont asked.
"Well, there was... an amazing party that you couldn't remember because of how much of a blast it was." Said Lucifer in his human form. "But don't worry, it was a really wild party."
Cody smiled at knowing that the secret of Hell was safe from the town.
"Now, I am afraid I must be off, my friends." Lucifer pulled out a smoke bomb and his demon soldiers did the same, making everyone cough from all the smoke. He and his men were gone after the smoke cleared, the townspeople who forgot about everything went about their businesses and normal lives.
"It's Verosika Mayday!" said a male townie. The disguised succubus pop star was suddenly surrounded by a lot of adoring fans.
Even though Tex quit, he still went up to the adoring crowd to shoo them away, but then they turned their attention to Zakk Wylde and his boys, and surrounded them like they were the Beatles. For that, Tex had to help the Black Label boys as well "Hey hey hey! Back up you guys!" said Tex. "Zakk, John, Dario, and Jeff are exhausted after... their last gig, so back up and give them some space!" he had to crack his knuckles to intimidate the crowd, and they immediately backed away from the disguised Hellhound.
"Thanks Tex." said Zakk
"Anything for you, old friend." he fist-bumped Zakk in a friendly way
"Well Cody, i guess we'll be off. We're supposed to play a gig in Cincinnati."
"OK, Zakk." then Cody felt the guitarist hug Cody and his friends joined in.
"If there is anymore trouble, give us a call." said Dario, giving the boy a gun gesture with his hand.
"I will, guys. Break a leg on your next show."
"Abso-fuckinf-lutely," said John deServio
As the band left in their van, the French soldiers were flying away in their helicopters, but d'Arnot and his cohorts were still present to wish Tommy and his closest friends bye for now. "You fought well as always, Tommy. Bonne chance out there in the world."
"Merci beaucoup, monsieur." Tommy smiled as he saluted to his superior.
"And be safe, Cody. I'll look forward to see you again one zees days." d'Arnot said to the boy before he and the last legionnaire soldiers got on their helicopter back to France.
The townspeople who had their memories wiped just went back to their houses, and when they were gone, it was safe for the demons to turn back into their regular forms.
"So, now what?" asked Loona
"Well, i'm feeling a little... exhausted after all that just happened." Cody admitted.
"I cannot blame you." said Andrealphus. "After all the horrific events, i can perfectly understand.
"Shouldn't you be counting some money in your icy mansion right now?" said Stolas with his eyes rolling.
"Very well." said Andrealphus before opening a portal back to his icy home. One at a time, everyone was going back into hell and many of the townspeople in Cody's town that stuck with Cody to the end said their byes before going back home.
"Cody," said Misty. "Look, i know we've only known each other for a little while, but... i was wondering if..." she began to blush. "Do you want to go out with me one of these days?"
The boy blushed at hearing that. He never had a girlfriend before, and Misty did try to save him from Belmont from killing him, and looked like she would do anything to help him and protect him from harm's way. "Like... on a date?"
"Yeah." Misty smiled. "I like you. I... really really like you. So, what do you say, you wanna go out with me these days?"
"Well..." Cody was stammering a little. "I would like to." he finally smiled before Misty pulled him in for a hug and kissed him on the lips, making Cody's own friends go "oooh" in response. Yes, Cody had a girlfriend now. It was official between these two kids.
"But i just want to go home and relax."
"It's understandable." said Blitzo. "After all the shit that happened, you deserve all the rest you can get right now."
"Why not get some ice cream?" Moxxie suggested. "Who doesn't like that stuff?"
"Losers." said Millie
"Maybe some video games would be good." Cody said
"Sounds like a plan." said Vortex.
"And Cody, do you... still not forgive me?" asked Verosika, looking a little guilty about kidnapping him before
"Well, i do mostly forgive you, but i still have some... bad thoughts about you." Cody admitted
"I understand." Verosika said before giving him a kiss on the forehead. "Come on, you sluts. Time to head back home." she used her Asmodeus crystal to transport her and her friends back to Hell, and they were gone.
"Well, let's get you home, kid." Loona patted her brother on the back.
"Cody, stay safe, and be careful, and I love you." said Tommy.
"I love you too, big brother." Cody smiled before embracing him for one final hug.
"Come on, mes amis." Tommy said to his comrades. "Time to head home."
At last, when Cody was back at the apartment, he just simply crashed on the couch and took off his shoes, immediately feeling tired after everything he had been through. "Are you ok, Cody?" asked Loona, sitting next to him.
"Yep. And i'm glad you're in my life."
The female hellhound smiled before pulling Cody in for a hug. "I can say the same about how i feel you you, little brother."
"Thank you, sis."
"So, if you wanna go someplace like ice cream or a hamburger, or anywhere, let me know and we'll go on my motorcycle."
"Sure Loona. And... do you promise to always be there for me? And protect me and love me?"
Loona smiled before hugging him again. "Always. I love you, Cody.
"I love you too, Loona." Cody said. He and the female hellhound just sat ont he couch for a rather long time, and the boy couldn't be any more happy and relaxed right now. Crazy or not, this was his home, and he liked it, no matter how fucked up or messy it was. Sure, there will be more challenges ahead of him, but he was ready to face them, btu for now, he can just be a normal kid in his new home.
The End
Well, that's it for Loona the Caretaker. Please give me your honest thoughts and rate it from 1 out of 13. Don't worry everyone, there will be a sequel in the future, but for now, just enjoy the full story of one of my greatest masterpieces ever created. I know i am not the best writer, but i did all that i could with this lovely tale.