While he knew that his in-laws weren't the most hostile of Imps, at least when it came to expressing their displeasure in a physical sense, Moxxie nevertheless felt that it was wiser to hang back a little before he intruded on what was a very touching family moment.

"Well don't just stand their boy! Come on over and give your grandma and me a hug!"

Smiling as he watched Harry rush over to the outstretched arms of his grandfather, who spun the kid around before allowing his wife the chance to embrace their grandson in the type of hug only a doting grandmother could give, the white-haired Imp could only chuckle as Harry was subjected to the kind-hearted teasing of his elders.

"Well, ain't you just shooting up like a weed. Still a little thin for my tastes, but I have never seen a cute killing machine in my life. Ain't that right Joe."

"You said it, Honey. While still a little on the small side, those claws of his could easily rip through the guts of the toughest hog. And those horns could easily mortally wound a person with a strongly delivered headbutt."

He always was a little…uncomfortable with how Joe and Lin praised their grandson, if only because they were a little more enthusiastic about violence than his already bloodthirsty wife.

But there was no denying that they loved their adoptive grandson just as much as their loved their daughter.

"And how's my deadly little pumpkin spice doing?"

Millie of course was more than happy to give her father a hug before she gave her cheerful answer.

"I'm good, Pa! Thanks again for lettin' us stay here for the harvest jamboree."

"Oh, It's no trouble at all Honey. We know that 'freelance' doesn't pay that well. Even if this little beast of destruction is doing his best to be the man of the household. "

Doing his best not to frown at the suggestion that he couldn't adequately provide for his family, Moxxie quickly sported a nervous smile as his wife all but pushed him in front of her parents.

"Freelance pays fine, Ma! We're doin' just fine! Anyway, y'all remember my husband Moxxie?

Fighting the urge to sigh, for his wife's attempt to change the subject was both obvious and rather sad since it was only a couple of months since they attended the family's summer barbeque, Moxxie nevertheless put on a smile as he greeted his less than impressed looking in-laws.

"Hello, Lin! Hello Joe! How have you been with uh…with all the flaming twisters and stuff around here?"

And just like that, the welcoming atmosphere vanished.

That at least his father-in-law seemed willing to converse with him in a manner that could almost be called polite.

"We lost one of our old farmhands to those flaming terrors last week."

Laughing nervously as he realized his mistake, Moxxie moved to offer his condolences.

"Oh, crumbs. My bad! I am so sorry. I- I didn't mean to open that wound... sir."

"Hey, watch it Moxxie! I'm the "sir" here, bucko!"

Sighing in annoyance at his boss's interruption, and having no desire to further decrease his already regrettably low standing with Millie's family, the white-haired Imp wisely let his wife make the introduction.

"Oh yeah! Y'all haven't met my boss Blitz! And this is his hellhound! Loona!"

"Hey! I'm not just his hellhound.

"Yeah, she's my daughter!"

"And one of my best friends!"

Smiling at his son's declaration, though he could have done without the sight of Blitzo glaring at the young dragon, Moxxie was prevented from commenting thanks to being shoved out of the way by his boss as he made his way over to Millie's parents.

"Gotta say that it's a pleasure to finally meet the sperm and egg factory that popped out this little gem of an assassin. You two raised a sturdy bitch!"

And of course, rather than get angry at his employer's disrespectful attitude, Moxxie's father-in-law merely laughed as he nodded his head in agreement.

"That we did! So... Blitz, is it? That's a fine name you got there."

"It reminds me of war."

Chuckling in agreement with his wife, Joe flexed his bicep to prove his point.

"Nothing like a little war to make a strong man! And from what our daughter says, we have you to thank for putting this young fire-breather on the front lines."

Opening his mouth to express his own opinion regarding his son's active employment, for even if he was an effective member of the team Moxxie still felt a bit concerned about placing an eleven-year-old child in harm's way, the white-haired assassin was prevented from doing so thanks to his boss and Joe bringing up an observation that had been made countless times during the past few years.

"Oh, it was no trouble at all. The kid's a natural when it comes to helping us kill people."

"And we thank Satan every day that our daughter decided to invite the boy into our clan instead of trying to produce a young'un the good old fashioned way. Don't get me wrong now. It's good to inject new blood into the old every now and then. But when your partner is a noodle limbed weakling, fifty percent chance that you'll end up with a disappointment."

Deciding that now was the time to speak for himself, if only because he knew that both Millie and Harry would be a little more aggressive in their approach to defend him, Moxxie cleared his throat before making his pitch.

"Y'know, just cause I might be short on brawn doesn't make me any less dangerous than the rest of you. I mean, wars are generally won by those nations who can wisely manage their technological advancements. And I for one think it's inspiring how technological advances, like say using angelic weaponry to advance our native firearms, has changed the landscape of Hell's combative…"

Losing confidence as he noticed the less than impressed glares he was getting from both Joe and Lin, Moxxie decided to end his little speech in a manner that Millie's family could not find fault with.

"I mean, war fun!"

While his comment was not enough to get Joe to abandon his unfriendly expression, it was enough to get some acknowledgment.

"Guns get the job done. And I suppose you deserve some credit for pulling the trigger on that bitch Valentino. Even if our grandson here is responsible for lining up your shot. But a man ain't nothin' if he can't tear the head off a hellish beast with only his bare hands!"

Frowning dejectedly, Moxxie soon sported a smile as Harry tried to help him out.

"I can't do that yet."

Of course, his grandparents could only chuckle good-naturedly at this attempt.

"That's cause you still have some growing up to do boy. You got the killer instinct, and tools to do the job."

"But you're still a bit too small to take on a blood-thirsty critter by yourself. So I expect you to remain on the right side of the animal pen unless you're helping out your Ma or Grandpa. Understood?"

Pleased to see his son nod his head in agreement, even if the scowl on his face all but stated that he wasn't too happy with this restriction, Moxxie quickly sported a less than pleased expression of his own as his boss proceeded to mock him.

"Looks like your in-laws aren't too willing to accept you as the man of the house Moxxie. Not surprising since you got cute wittle baby hands to go your little baby dick!"

"Refrain Sir!"

Swatting away Blitzo's attempt to cop a feel, for he really didn't need Millie's parents to think that he was the sort of Imp to tolerate such inappropriate actions towards his person, the white-haired Imp felt his confidence suffer another blow as Joe directed the group's attention towards the approaching dust cloud.

"Speakin' of strong hands, y'all should meet our newest help. Hey Striker!"

He wasn't sure which was worse.

The fact that Blitzo was currently looking like his birthday had just come early.

Or the fact that his in-laws were shooting the tall and masculine Imp looks that clearly stated that they had no issue with his appearance at all.

"Well, howdy!

…

While it was true that he would perform any hit so long as the money was good, AND if he had the complete freedom to plan just how he would kill his target, Striker was nevertheless feeling some regret on accepting his current contract.

Not because it had taken him months of often back-breaking work to get to the point where he was a recognizable figure amongst these dirt-farming Imps.

Nor was it because he was expected to turn his holy infused weaponry once the job was done. For in the case of the latter he fully intended to keep the holy rifle while claiming it had been sadly destroyed by his target's entourage.

No. What truly made him regret this current job was the fact that he was surrounded by his own kind, which always made him remember the harsh struggles he had to go through in order to prove to the more powerful denizens of Hell that he was an Imp that was not to be messed with.

Thankfully, however, apart from the scrawny white-haired one, the newest arrivals to the Rough n' Tumbleweed Ranch were either outright impressive or had the potential for greatness.

However before he could introduce himself to the more dangerous members of the group, minus the mutt since her race was even lower on Hell's hierarchy than Imps, he first had to make a good impression with his employer's daughter.

"You must be the famous Mildred! Heard some good things about you from your folks, little lady!"

Offering the now giggling Imp a wink, one that had disarmed countless members of his kind, Striker quickly turned his attention towards the scaled youngest.

"And you must be Harry. Your grandfolks been telling some mighty fine stories about your kiddo. Good to see a Demon of your age willing to help out his family instead of just being a useless rube."

His words earning a nod from the boy, who judging by his slight glare at least had the smarts not to be suckered in by his praise, the cowboy hat-wearing Imp turned towards the only Imp here who he could call his equal.

"And you must be the bold Imp who started his own killing biz. Gotta hand it to you, that's pretty damn impressive sir. Not many of our kind manage to start a business of their own."

And as expected, the white-spotted Imp reacted to this bit of genuine admiration without complaint.

"Yeah, well if you're good at somethin', you should either go big or go home."

Chuckling in agreement, for he wouldn't have gotten to where he was today without the balls to aim for something higher than the miserable existence most of his kind were afforded, Striker decided to see just how attached he was to his target.

"Darn right! And since you even managed to con that ditzy blueblood into gettin' you to the surface, I'd say you've definitely gone big."

Amused to see Blitzo stammer a reply to this observation, Striker fought the urge to sneer as their little bonding moment was interrupted.

"Oh, he's not conning anyone. You see the Prince is our boss's boyyyyyyfrieeeend!"

Blitzo's reply to this rather cringe-worthy comment was enough to convince him that this wasn't an Imp who cared about 'proper' societal standards.

"Millie, I am not above hitting a female in front of her daddy."

Chuckling at the glaring expressions that were being directed towards the white-spotted Imp by both the reptilian youngster and his adoptive father, Striker merely smirked as Blitzo tried to explain the nature of his relationship with the blue-blooded owl.

"Well, it's a little more complicated, but my employee is somewhat correct. But he's not like…you know. We're not like, we're not doing it…what we have is... It's a transactional fucking."

Opening his mouth to tell the stuttering Imp that he understood his plight, for he too at one point had to debase himself in order to survive, Striker was interrupted by the approving tones of his brawny armed employer.

"Y'know, you two boys should enter this year's Pain Games!"

And just like that Blitzo lost interest in trying to describe what he and the Goetia Demon had going on.

"I heard games! What games? I'm in!"

…..

Doing his best not to snicker at Blitzo's obvious excitement, if only because it would draw attention towards his own eagerness for the Games, Harry could only smile as his Grandma offered up an explanation.

"Every harvest festival, there's a competition to see who is the roughest, and toughest bitch in the Ring of Wrath."

"Wish I could play!"

Shooting his now pouting mom a look of sympathy, for he knew just how much she liked competing, the young dragon Demon soon sported a look of guilty embarrassment as Grandma Lin chided her daughter for her current attitude.

"Millie you know you get too carried away. At the last competition, you ended up causing seventeen separate funerals."

Of course, this was insufficient to keep his mother from complaining.

"It wasn't my fault Ma! Two of those bitches were picking on Harry, so I didn't really see the need to watch what I was doing."

Frowning at that particular memory, even if his two tormentors had quickly found themselves being eaten alive by the Mud Shark after his mom had let go of the rope, Harry felt his frown deepen as he heard the name of one of his less favorite adoptive relatives. "Besides it's still not fair Ma! How come Sallie May gets to compete?"

"Your sister doesn't have a neighborhood headcount, Millie!"

"She so does!"

Nodding his head in agreement, the reptilian eleven-year-old released a small growl as he heard the slightly mocking voice of the Imp whose masculine voice had caused him to accidentally call her 'Uncle Sal" when he had met her for the first time.

"It doesn't count if they don't find the bodyyyyyy!"

Seeing that his mother was on the verge of going all psycho killer, Harry decided to do the one thing that would calm her down.

Or at the very least channel her anger less violently.

"So if I were to tell people that a certain pit was being used for body disposal, that wouldn't make the slightest difference on your ability to compete this year?"

Smiling as he said this, for he knew that sometimes the best way to piss off an opponent was to act like they didn't just blackmail them, the young dragon Demon quickly lost his smirk as the bandana-wearing Imp revealed something that he didn't really want his mom and grandma to know.

"That depends on if the judges are willing to accept that their whistleblower has a couple of skeletons he doesn't want let out of the closet. Like, say, a couple of bottles from his grandfather's private stash."

Regretting the fact that he couldn't curse the now smirking Imp, for his grandparents had made it quite clear that family disputes could only be solved with one's fists, Harry could only flinch as he felt a hand rest on each of his shoulders.

"Care to explain what my sister was talking about Sweetie?"

"I thought I told you that you have a little bit of growing to do before you start breaking into your Grandpa's 'secret' fridge."

Opening his mouth to try and offer up a suitable excuse for his actions, Harry could only sigh in relief as his Grandpa came to his aid.

"Now Lin don't be so hard on the boy. In fact, you should probably praise him. It took our kids fourteen years of age before they managed to break into my 'secret' safe. And that was only after they managed to sneak in some of my power tools. Besides, it's not like I keep the good stuff in there."

Frowning at the knowledge that his efforts had resulted in a slightly less than worth it prize, though the fact that he managed to beat his aunt's record in thievery was enough to boost his spirits, the young dragon Demon soon felt his smirk return as Sallie May attempted to belittle his accomplishment.

"Yeah well…it doesn't count if he used magic to unlock the safe."

Extending his taloned middle finger, but only after ensuring that both his mom and grandma couldn't see the raised digit, Harry wasted no time in proving his masculine-sounding aunt wrong.

"No magic. Only this, Auntie." His retorting earning a huff from the crop top wearing Imp, the reptilian-eyed wizard enjoyed his victory.

Though the moment quickly passed as the mocking voice of his grandparents' new field hand spoke up from behind him.

"Ha! Nice to see that you got some fire in you little man. Unlike your noodle-limbed daddy. Say, if it's ok with your ma and grand folks, why don'tcha help me wrangle one of them hogs for dinner? With a full-grown Hellhound and a growing Dragon with us tonight, we're gonna need a lot more than one pig."

Disliking the subtle way in which the mustached Imp insulted his father, for he knew first hand just how deadly his dad could be when the occasion called for it, Harry was prevented from commenting further thanks to the enthusiastic cheering of his parents' employer.

"You heard the Imp kiddo. Get in there and get daddy some good ol pork be…OWWW! WHAT THE HELL MOXXIE!?"

Fighting the urge to snicker as he watched Blitzo rub his arm from where his dad had punched it, Harry quickly sported a frown as his mom voiced her disproval with the white-spotted Imp. "While he is incredibly skilled for his age, I am not allowing my eleven-year-old son to fight a fully grown razorback by himse…"

"I'll help him."

Shooting Loona a look of surprise, though in truth he was very grateful for the offer of help, Harry barely managed a quick nod of thanks before he turned his attention back towards his still living dinner. For if there was one rule that both his dad and grandparents could agree on, it was that one should never take their eyes off of their target. Especially since said the target had a bulletproof hide and a nasty temper.

Still, with Loona backing him up, Harry was confident that he could handle this.

…..

Sighing contently as he flopped onto his bed, which while more rustic than the one he regularly shared with Stolas and his bitch of a wife was equally as comfortable, Blitzo allowed his mind to ponder the events of the past few hours.

His darling Loonie of course had wasted little time in proving what an adorable killing machine she could be when she put her mind to it. Though considering she needed the Kid's help in getting their target into position it was clear that she needed some further training when it came to fighting in enclosed spaces.

And speaking of the Kid, the former circus perform wasn't sure if he should feel pride at the fact that his youngest employee was shaping up to be a credible asset to the company, or amused since this little trip had given him plenty of ammunition in which to further tease Moxxie with.

For while it was clear that Lin and Joe loved the little reptile like he was their own flesh and blood, it was also pretty clear that they were relieved that their grandson had no biological ties to the white-haired Imp.

Though he was pretty confident that if the Kid had both Moxxie and Millie's blood running through his veins, Millie's blood would prove superior. But even if the Kid wasn't related by blood to his two employees, his team up with Loona had clearly shown that he was their kid.

With Moxxie's ability to analyze an opponent's weaknesses, thankfully at a speed that was much faster than the white-haired Imp, and Millie's fearlessness when it came to getting up close and personal with a target, the Kid had not only ensured that tonight's dinner table had enough pork products to make even a kosher person drool with envy, but also that Loona didn't get hurt.

It still annoyed the piss out of him at the fact that his daughter had no problem getting friendly with the preteen fire starter, especially since he now suspected that his precious Loonie wasn't the only one waiting for the Kid to age a bit, but Blitzo couldn't deny that they had made a good team.

Perhaps not as well oiled as the Double M's, but that didn't really matter as long as the black-haired dragon was prepared to take a bullet, or in this case a tusk, for the female Hellhound. Of course, it would soothe his nerves if Loona didn't display signs that she would do the same, or if Millie's dirt farming family didn't make some comments about what a 'cute couple' the pair made, but he supposed he couldn't have everything. At least not yet.

For after the duo had managed to put down the slightly charbroiled hog, the former circus performer could honestly say that he was strongly considering expanding his workforce.

Of course, it would probably be difficult to conceal some of the more….embarrassing aspects of his working relationship with Stolas, but Blitzo was sure that given enough time he could get Striker to look past his dependence on the Goetia family and view him with the same sort of respect he showed his fellow Imp.

He wouldn't make the offer until after the games, for he strongly suspected that the macho Imp would be more willing to accept an offer of employment after he saw what kind of boss he would be working for. But that didn't prevent him from daydreaming about all the success his company would have once he got Striker onto his team. The Imp could shoot, had no issue in getting his hands dirty if the occasion called for it, and looked rather good in that cowboy getup of his.

Moxxie would probably feel emasculated and jealous, especially since his masculine-sounding sister-in-law had suggested that Millie should dump his ass for the mustache-wearing hunk that was Striker, but in the end, it wouldn't matter. Cause he was the boss, and he would run his company the way he wanted to.

…..

Though it had been some time since he had to inform a client that he was less than successful, Striker nevertheless managed to easily slip into the role of an apologetic ass kisser as he informed his client of his current progress.

"I failed to take out the secondary target. But don't worry. The chaos that will be caused by the blue blood's death will be more than sufficient in putting a bullet in that little fire starter's skull."

As expected his confidence in achieving such an outcome provoke a none to happy response from his current temporary employer.

"It had better be as you say Striker. I would hate to think that the money I've spent for your services has gone to waste. Especially since it will be another four months or so before the price of divine weaponry goes down."

At which time Striker intended to be safely secured in one of the few regions of Hell that was rarely, if ever, graced with the precence of Heaven's annual purge squad, but he didn't feel the need to advertise this.

So instead he settled for something that was a little less personal.

"Not to worry. While 'Big Bird' might need a special bullet to keep him permanently out of commission, the little lizard doesn't require much in the way of killing. Just need to make sure his little family isn't around, and then he will be easy prey."

Turned out he had chosen the right track.

For his client merely snickered in a manner that could only be labeled as sadistic anticipation.

"I am sooo looking forward to that. Won't make up for all the shit I've gone through since that fateful day, but it's a start."

Rolling his eyes, for this was not the first time one of his clients tried to explain the reasons why they had hired him to do a job that only the best could pull off, Striker expressed the only opinion that mattered to him.

"Well so long as I get paid, I'll have no trouble in completing this job."

Left unsaid was the fact that he would still be paid a shit load of money even if he failed to kill the kid, but since the client hadn't all looked too closely at the written contract that he had written for such an occasion, he wasn't too concerned about the consequences of a partial success.

Mostly because his contractor had lost a lot of the influence they had possessed only a few years ago, and thus would be unwilling to spend large amounts of scant resources on a bounty hunter that had double crossed them. But also because he had enough intel safely stored away that could buy the protection of his client's many enemies.

Of course he still intended to kill each and everyone of them until they recognized that he was their superior, but he could be patient.

Especially if his plan to seduce the former circus clown to his side went off without a hitch.

Of course he would have to find another way to make the lizard brat's death look like an accident, for while he was convinced he could make a good pitch about killing the Goetia he was less confident about his ability to explain the death of a child.

One who was impressively enough one of the more competent members of Blitzo's merry band of killers.

But he was confident with a bit of planning, he would be able to finish the mission without a hitch.

…..

ANNNND THAT'S the end of the second part of the Harvest Moon Festival Arc.

Once again big thanks to both StarDustDragonKnight and Darkscyhe Drake for their editing efforts, and for acting as a sounding board.

Relatively pleased with how this chapter turned out. Believe I managed to do a good job at displaying the kind of love and affection we all wanted Harry to receive from his Grandparents. (and yes I mentioned the bit about the horns lmao…but went more about how good a killing machine he's becoming).

Also briefly touched on more about his relationship with his Aunt Sallie May…I know word of god has said that she is transexual, but think its not TOOO much of a stretch to have a much younger Harry make the faux paus at mistaking his adoptive mother's sister as a male. That plus the past bit where he bit her for trying to steal food from his plate, plus her disdain for Moxxie, have resulted in the type of antagonistic relationship that I have created.

Also thought that Grandpa Imp would have a little 'test' to see how capable his children/grandchildren are at underhanded stunts. Of course Harry can't use magic to break into a safe cause he believed his grandparents would have the same reaction to it as they do guns, but that's another issue.

And of course briefly touched on Blitzo's musings.

Slowly, and I do mean Slloooowwwwwlllly coming around to having Harry and Loona together. If only cause he recognizes that Harry will watch her back. And of course brief mention about his views with Stolas and Stella. I.e. Stolas lusts after him/wants him more than just a fuck buddy, while his relationship with Stella is purely physical….at least at this point.

And Striker….not much to say about him since it more or less follows canon, EXCEPT…Harry is also on his list. But not a priority/can't be as public about it as he was with Stolas. His first attempt was getting Harry injured in the pig pen so that he could hopefully mess with the med's he gets to do him in. But of course Loona helps so Harry is left unscathed AND perhaps showing his violence loving grandparents that he is friends with a girl who knows how to kill with her bear hands/mouth.

Anyways hope you all enjoyed this…another big thanks to my editing team, AND AAAirsoft Media for reviewing this story and it's chapters on his Utube Channel.

Also recommend you visit the tv tropes page for this story.

PLZ review. No flames.

Til next time :D