This is the 9th chapter. I don't own the series of Helluva Boss.
The Book of Eli: It's not the games he was playing, he's been trained by Millie, Moxxie, and Loona. Though, he's still learning and got the basics covered, which he's still got a long way to go.
animecollector: Deadpool-Hey you, yeah you! That sheep lady had a crush on the pup and became a pedo! Deal with it!
Warning: This story contains violence, strong language, sexual themes, blood and gore, horny demons...and yes, it's for mature audiences. Viewer discretion advised.
The Harvest Moon Festival
One week later, both Keenie and Collin are now the new members of I.M.P. and they're now working on papers while help keep the money flowing and they have their own apartment to live. Of course, Keenie is being too clingy to Antauri which it got him very annoyed it got him to the point of mauling her with his claws, leaving her seems series of scratch marks, tattered clothes, and a black eye. Both Millie and Loona couldn't blame him for doing that, but neither of two like Keenie being too close to him since she interrupts his training on combat, weaponry, and his hellhound traits. Blitzo was also annoyed of the two Cherubs, mostly because they put him on a short leash for spending money for the miniature horse figurines which they made a valid point. Blitzo, Moxxie, and Collin got Keenie convinced that Antauri doesn't like to get clingy because he's been focusing on training. Keenie didn't like the idea of the white hellhound killing people, but it's enough to get her convinced.
But over time, the two Cherubs and the three Imps are getting along while both Loona and Antauri show some tolerance to the two. Collin sometimes tries to bond with the white hellhound, but it's improving. Keenie sometimes couldn't help herself being clingy to him, but Antauri gets annoyed for the most part.
Sometimes Octavia invited him over to her house since Stolas wanted him to feel welcomed. Even Stella enjoyed the white hellhound being around, even she was mellowed a bit.
Now, the scene opens up to a sunlit exterior of Stolas' mansion. A sigh of contentment from Stolas is heard. Blitzo is shown lighting a cigarette on Stolas' bed and folds his arms behind his head.
"I'm sorry for having to move our little rendezvous early." Stolas apologizes with his arms tied up. "I have an engagement this month on the full moon."
Stolas is shown wearing a ball gag and harness, his hands tied to the headboard with rope.
"When this happens, it's not really something I fuss about..." Blitzo said as he uses the cigarette to burn the rope, freeing Stolas, who takes his cigarette from him and takes a long drag of it. "But, do you really need the book for this farm bullshit? I have, like, 15 new clients waitin' for heads to roll."
"As shocking as it may seem, Blitzy, my grimoiiiiiire is actually incredibly important." Stolas explains. "And it isn't supposed to be lent out to itty-bitty Imps like yourself."
Stolas puts out the cigarette in one of Blitzo's horns and pinches his cheek before he shoves him away.
"The Harvest Moon is a very special occasion!" Stolas continued as Blitzo pulls a feather out of his mouth in disgust. "It's been my annual duty to showcase it in the Ring of Wrath. It's celebrated by a very charming little festival with the locals."
"Wrath, huh? My employees are from there." Blitzo points out with a ponder. "I've never really been here. It's full of inbred chucklefucks."
"Oh! Why don't you all join me at the festival?" Stolas suggests excitedly, sits up. "I can guarantee you all..."
Stolas pulls the covers over his head and his head appears near Blitzo's crotch.
"...special access~" Stolas finishes his sentence with a chuckle.
"Look, I told you, we're not bodyguards. Okay?" Blitzo told him, crossed his arms with a serious look. "That was a one-time thing we did badly."
Stolas stands up with the covers on his head. He does a playful owl head tilt.
"I'm simply offering a work-free day of fun!" Stolas told him. "I feel quite safe at the Harvest Festival, and it'll give Antauri a great time for the event. It's the same every year."
"Well, if you promise this isn't some fuck fest invite, it does sound like it could be a blast in a half." Blitzo said with a smirk, rubbing his chin. "Plus, it's not like we can so jack shit without your book anyway."
"Aww, I'm sowwy your clients will have to wait..." Stolas apologizes in a baby-talk voice.
"Oh, fuck my clients." Blitzo shrugs with a wave of dismissive hand.
"I'll see if Octavia wants to come along." Stolas said.
While Stolas is fully dressed in a bathrobe, he knocks on the door as Octavia opens up.
"What?" Octavia groans.
"Via, I was wondering if you can come along for the Harvest Moon Festival." Stolas offered. "Antauri will be there and..."
"Done!" Octavia interrupted, beamed when her father mentioned the white hellhounds name as she quickly closes the door to get change.
"Hmm...that went well." Stolas muttered, surprised.
Moxxie and Millie's apartment is revealed under a Robo Fizz sign. Moxxie and Millie are asleep in their bed. Moxxie's phone lights up and a Phantom of the Opera organ ringtone is heard. Moxxie taps the phone and rolls over. The phone rings again. In annoyance, Moxxie grabs the phone and sits up.
"What do you want, sir?" Moxxie grumbled with a question.
"Hey, hope I didn't wake ya, Mox! How would you and Mils like to visit the Wrath Ring for some harvest bullshit this year?" Blitzo offers when Millie sits up with excitement.
"The Harvest Moon Festival?!" Millie shout excitedly. "Yee-fuckin'-haw!"
"Well, Millie likes the idea." Moxxie said with a sigh. "Wait...Where are you calling from?"
Blitzo falls down onto the bed from the ceiling. His phone bonks him on the head. Moxxie narrows his eyes as Blitzo purrs happily. Moxxie annoyed while Millie seems amused.
"Mm-hm...of course." Moxxie said.
At Loona's room, both Loona and Antauri were sleeping in their bed, cuddled each other. Blitzo slams the door open which the sound was loud enough for the two hellhounds to hear as they go up.
"Wake up, you two! We're heading to the Wrath Ring for the Harvest..."
Loona lunged at Blitzo with a growl, starts beating him up in anger. Both Keenie and Collin entered inside of her room.
"What is going on here?" Collin asks.
"GET THE FUCK OUT?!" Loona yelled, throwing Blitzo right at the two sheep's and slams the door. "Well, kid, we're going to Wrath Ring."
Scene shifts to the Rough 'n Tumbleweed Ranch. Both Keenie and Collin couldn't come because they have to stay and watch the I.M.P. HQ while doing some odd jobs to earn some money. It also gives Antauri a break from all that cuddling from Keenie since he needed some space. The I.M.P. van pulls up in front of two imps.
A male imp named Joe is a very burly imp, having muscular arms and a pronounced torso. He has red skin, yellow eyes, white hair and a matching bushy mustache, along with black and white striped horns. He also has white marks all along his left shoulder, which was a tattoo. He wears a sleeveless black vest over a brown sleeveless shirt, a black belt with silver buckle, and gray pants with black boots.
A female imp named Lin bears a striking resemblance to Millie, having red skin covered with white spots, although hers are more numerous, in addition to dark wild hair, yellow eyes, and black horns with thin white stripes. She has a full-figured body with think thighs, wide hips, and plump breasts but a slim waist. Her attire consists of a white shirt with rolled up sleeves, crimson ascot around her neck, faded blue jeans, and gardening gloves on her hands.
"Mama! Daddy!" Millie called out with a smile.
Millie gets out of the van and happily run towards her parents. Her father hugs her and spins her around before placing her down.
"Yeeeee-hawww!" Joe shouts happily. "How's my deadly little pumpkin spice doing?"
Joe ruffles Millie's hair affectionately.
"I'm good, Pa!" Millie replied. "Thanks for lettin' us stay here for the harvest jamboree."
"It's no trouble." Lin said with a smile, shrugs. "We know you aren't making as much anymore since y'all went 'freelance'."
"Freelance pays fine, Ma! We're doin' fiiiiine!" Millie remarked with a smirk, but her expression turned serious. "It's fine."
Soon as Antauri, Loona, and Blitzo got out of the van, it got both Joe and Lin widen their eyes when they saw the white hellhound coming.
"Um, Mildred, who is that lil' hellhound?" Lin asks, points at Antauri.
"Oh, this is mine and Loona's adopted child, Antauri." Millie replied, showing the white hellhound to her parents.
"What really?! This lil' hellhound you told us is Antauri!?" Lin exclaims surprisingly as she walked close to the white hellhound which he's a little nervous. "Why hello there, lil' one? It's alright, you don't have to be nervous."
Lin starts rubbing his hair affectionately, showing him that she means no harm. Joe then walked towards the white hellhound.
"Guess this lil' feller is workin' hard on those arm muscles." Joe said with a chuckle. "Did you train him?"
"Sure did, but I didn't do it alone. Loona and Moxxie taught him. And let me tell y'all, he's a killing machine and he's a natural born hunter." Millie told them which it got them surprised, but remembered something. "And speaking of which, y'all remember my husband, Moxxie?"
Soon as she walks over to Moxxie, who's struggling to carry luggage. Millie shoves a nervous Moxxie in front of her parents. They stared at him in disapproval.
"Hmph." Joe huffs with his arms crossed.
"Greetings, Lin! Joe! How have you been, uh, with all the...fire twisters and stuff around here?" Moxxie asks nervously, holds out his hand.
"We lost our old farm hand to one of them terrors last week." Joe grumbled.
"Oh, crumbs." Moxxie said, laughed nervously. "My bad! I am so sorry. I-I didn't mean to open that wound...sir."
"Hey, watch it! I'm the 'sir' here, bucko!" Blitzo shouts with a glare, earned their attention.
"Oh yeah!" Millie said, waves her hand at Loona and Blitzo. "Y'all haven't met my boss Blitz! And his hellhound!"
"I'm not just his hellhound." Loona said with a glare, placing her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, she's my daughter!" Blitzo adds, pulls Loona to his side.
"Only on paper." Loona told him as Blitzo walks away while she approaches Antauri, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Y'all don't deserve to know my name."
Blitzo walks over to Millie's parents.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet the sperm and egg factory that popped out this little gem of an assassin." Blitzo said as he shoves Moxxie away and playfully elbows Millie. "You two raised a sturdy bitch!"
"That we did!" Joe said with a chuckle as he and Blitzo shakes their hands. "So...Blitz, is it? Heh heh. That's a fine name."
"It reminds me of war." Lin said with a smile.
"Nothing like a little war to make a strong man." Joe agrees, sighs happily as he flex his biceps.
"I like you people." Blitzo states with a smile.
"So, I heard Antauri kills someone." Lin said. "Don't ya think he's too young for that?"
"Ah, he's fine, he's a natural born killer with killer instinct." Blitzo states. "We took him in after killing his abusive asshole of a foster dad from the living world, and finish what his dead parents started by killing that cock-sucking jackass who killed them."
Joe and Lin were shocked and surprised of Blitzo's answer, felt bad for the white hellhound, but glad that the three imps and the hellhound are taking care of him.
"Y'know...more battles were won by technological advances in warfare." Moxxie explains. "I've researched the history of weaponry extensively, and it's inspiring how...for example, the progression of guns utilizing angelic technology has changed the landscape of Hell's combative..."
Millie makes a 'cut it out' motion with her hands. Joe crosses his arms.
"I mean...War, fun!" Moxxie said in a deep, awkward voice.
"Guns get the job done...but a man ain't nothin' if he can't tear the head off a hellish beast with only his bare...hands!" Joe told him with a smirk, clenching his fist.
"Well, the kid did it before, he ripped the human heads a while back." Loona told them.
"Only the part is...these four humans were obviously cannibals." Antauri adds. "And...some malfunctioned scrap metal."
"That's mighty impressive there, son." Joe said, impressed. "Despite yer lack of size, you make up for it with speed and your killing instinct."
"And I'm sure your parents were proud of how much you progress." Lin adds with a smile, but turns to Moxxie. "Unlike someone we know."
"HAAAA! They got you there, Moxxie!" Blitzo mocks with a laugh, speaks baby talk. "You got a cute wittle baby hands like you baby dick!"
Blitzo grabs Moxxie's hands and reaches toward his crotch. Moxxie slaps his arm away.
"Refrain...sir!" Moxxie grumbled in annoyance.
"Speakin' of strong hands, y'all should meet our newest help." Joe suggested. "Hey Striker!"
Black flaming hooves clop rapidly on the ground. An Imp's spiky tail whips a black horse's flank. An Imp wearing a cowboy hat rides a black hell horse with a fiery mane. The horse leaps over a fence. The horse rears up and roars in front of the group. Striker tips his hat in greeting, a stalk in his mouth.
A hell horse named Bombproof is a dark gray horse with black stripes on his body and a flaming mane and tail. He has two pairs of orange glowing eyes, a set of glowing fangs, and what appears to be orange horseshoes. His lower body possesses a lava-like appearance.
Striker is a fairly tall imp, even rivaling Blitzo's height. He possesses a serpentine/lizard -like face with a large gold tooth in his sharp-toothed mouth. He has pale red skin, bright yellow eyes with green rings, small black mustache, ivory white hair with a pair of black and white-shaped horns. His horns point upward and, compared to other Imps, the stripe pattern is more jagged. His tail has four black stripes at the base, with eight spines lined up on them, and one on his tail fork. His attire resembles of that of a southern cowboy, with a stereotypical large gray sun hat, cowboy boots, and a light red bandana. He wears a black turtleneck shirt with a dark gray vest and a light gray jacket with dark gray cuffs and black tassels below. He wears black fingerless gloves and ivory white pants that are ripped by the thighs. He also commonly seen holding a straw of wheat on his mouth.
"Well, howdy!" Striker greets, then turns to Millie. "Oh, lookie here! You must be the famous Mildred!"
Striker gets off the horse and walks toward Millie.
"Heard some good things about you from your folks, little lady." Striker said with a wink, causing Millie to laugh as he shakes her hand. "What're y'all doin' so far away from Imp City? Heh. The free workin' finally slowin' down?"
"Oh, no! Freelance isn't free! It's a...Never mind." Millie said in a deadpan look, but decided to change the subject. "We're just visitin' for the festival. The prince is our boss' boyyyyfrieeeend!"
"Millie, I am not above hitting a female in front of her daddy." Blitzo points out with a deadpan expression, walking towards her.
"Boss, huh...?" Striker said, realizing who's he talking to. "Ohhh, so YOU'RE the bold imp to start his own killing biz?!"
"Yeah, well if you're good at somethin', you should probably capitalize." Blitzo states with a shrug.
"Not many imps start businesses on their own." Striker told him, impressed with a wink. "That's pretty impressive, sir."
"Oh...! Yeah? It is-I-I-I guess-I guess it is, isn't it?" Blitzo stutters nervously.
"So, you even conned that ditzy blueblood into gettin' you to the surface?" Striker inquires as he and Blitzo shake hands.
"Well, it's long and complicated, but the short answer is yes." Blitzo replied, but makes a sexual motion with his hands. "But he's not like, you know...W-We're y- We're not, like...We're not doing it...We w- What's betw- It's a transactional fucking, you see."
"Y'know...you boys should enter the Pain Games!" Joe told them.
"I heard games! What games? I'm in!" Blitzo said excitedly, scuttles sideways over to Joe.
"Every harvest festival, there's a competition to be the roughest, toughest bastard in Wrath!" Lin explains, walking next to her husband.
"Yeah! Wish I could play!" Millie whines with her arms crossed, pouts.
"Millie, you know you get too carried away." Lin told her daughter. "The last competition ended in 15 separate funerals."
"I'm aware, but I only caused 9 of them!" Millie argued. "How come Sallie May still gets to compete?"
"Your sister doesn't have a neighborhood head count." Lin replied with a frown.
"She so does!" Millie remarked.
Sallie May carries a sack and a small imp drags an Imp body in the background.
Sallie May is a rather tall imp, roughly around the same height as Blitzo. She has a white streak over the eye that shows and long dark hair like her sister covering the other, though she has a splotch of white hair coming from beneath her red bandana. Her horns are designed with thick white stripes like her fathers. She wears tan shorts and matching heeled boots, along with ripped black leggings and a black crop top with various tears in them.
"It doesn't count if they don't find the bodyyyyyy!" Sallie May taunts with a sing-song voice, making Millie seethes.
"But how come I don't get to compete?" Antauri questions. "It sounds interesting."
"It does if you're older, sorry sweetie, but you're too young to compete." Lin told her, then turns to her daughter. "Still, you two get to root for her and your brothers, and now you can cheer on your boss!"
"Y'know, she can also cheer for me." Moxxie states with confident smirk, causing Joe to wheeze with a laugh as he slaps his leg.
"Wait, you?" Joe said with his raise eyebrow.
"Yeah! I can compete, can't I?" Moxxie remarked.
Lin elbows him hard in the side, making Moxxie tears up in pain.
"Sorry, boy. But I don't think sensitive, thespian types would last very long in the games." Joe told him, crossed his arms.
"I was born here, too!" Moxxie remarked. "I have some fight in me!"
Striker puts a hand on Moxxie's shoulder.
"Huh. Well then, little fella...Why don'tcha help me wrangle one o' them hogs for dinner?" Striker suggested, mentions to a large sleeping hell hog in a pigpen.
"Simple. Watch me!" Moxxie remarked with a smirk.
"Nah...with these." Striker told him, hands him a rope and dagger. "Bullets can't pierce the shell. You gotta get the knife underneath and pry yourself an openin'."
"Oh! Right, right. I knew that." Moxxie said nervously, gulped.
Blitzo leans in toward Moxxie and grabs his shoulders. Moxxie's eye twitches.
"Now, just remember, your rep with the in-laws is on the line here!" Blitzo said with a smirk. "So, no pressure at all, you totally will not make an ass of yourself in front of everyone important in your life. Go get'em, tiger."
Blitzo then shoves Moxxie forward, causing him to grunt.
"Mox, you don't need to do this!" Millie protests with worry.
"Oh, he totally does." Blitzo said with a shrug. "KICK ITS ASS, MOXIE! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Blitzo cheers as Moxxie enters the pen. He nervously walks forward with a knife in his hand. Moxxie leaps forward and wraps the rope around the hog's neck. He moves the knife down it strikes harmlessly against the hog's hide. The hog roars and runs around, trying to buck Moxxie off.
"FUCK yeah, Moxxie! Ride it, Moxxie!" Blitzo cheered. "Make it that bitch you won't call back in the morning!"
"This is fucking beautiful." Loona said with a grin, records the video on her phone.
"Doin' great, Moxxie!" Blitzo shouts, then turns to Loona. "Send me that video later."
Millie watches in concern as Moxxie yelps.
"Hey, bacon bits!" Antauri shouts when he jumps over the pen. "Pick on someone your own size!"
The hell hog charges after the white hellhound as it charges after him, but Antauri jumps in the air and pushes Moxxie aside while grabbing the knife. Antauri holds onto the rope, then he brings down the knife and impales the hog. Moxxie rubs his neck, try to stands up when he heard a cracking sound.
"Ow...My clavicle!" Moxxie winced in pain.
Striker approaches to the white hellhound, with the dead hog on his shoulder when his spade tail rattling like a snake.
"That's mighty impressive, Antauri. You got your fightin' spirit like your dad." Striker said with an impressed smirk.
"You...you know my dad?!" Antauri exclaims in shock.
"That's right, your dad and I go way back. We always get into all kinds of trouble when we were young. And we've been workin' together as bounty hunters." Striker explains. "But he met your mom at the Lust Ring and let me tell you...she's a real beauty right there. And next thing you know, they've been datin' for years and they're married."
Antauri was stunned of Striker's explanation about his parents.
"But when I got word that they had a pup, which is you, I was lookin' forward of meetin' you." Striker continues. "But after hearin' about your folks being killed, I was pissed off that some hunter took them down. I was about to go to the mansion and ask...no, demand that feather-brained asshole to take me to the living surface, but it changed when Blitz and his group took him down."
"And here he is now, with me and my employees at the I.M.P., working his keep and killing assholes in the living world." Blitzo adds with a grin. "He's got killer instinct."
"The same image as his mom, and same guts as his dad." Striker adds with a smirk, turns to Blitzo. "Hey, boss man! You wanna help the men skin this thing for dinner?"
"Oh, I am always down to skin the manly meat with the manly men!" Blitzo replied.
"That's what she said." Loona said with a smirk as she and Antauri follows Striker.
"What 'who said'?" Blitzo ask, but his face turns a few shades of red in anger. "Wait, what bitch is talking shit about me?!"
"And while you're here, Antauri, how's about I teach you how to skin the hog?" Striker offers. "Whenever you get a chance to catch a hog when you're older, this will be good for you to learn."
Antauri gives a respond by nodding his head.
Everyone but Moxxie and Millie leave for the house with the demon hog. Moxxie sighs sadly with his arm in a cast.
"Don't let 'em get to you." Millie assures him, comforts her husband. "And hey, you don't need my parents to respect you. They will eventually."
"No, they won't." Sallie May said, earned a glare from her sister. "What? I'm right, ain't I?"
"Oh, I'mma enter in those games." Moxxie said with a scowl as Millie sighs sadly.
"Hmm, how pissed would you be if I bet on him dyin'?" Sallie May asks, appears out of nowhere with a smirk as Millie glares again.
The scene cuts at the outside of the house where Striker, Joe, and Blitzo cleaned the demon hog from the blood and the dirt.
"Okay, first thing you need to do is get the bladder out along with the rest of the organs." Striker told the white hellhound as he began to cut the hogs gut, carefully gutting it and finally got the gallbladder. "See that? This gallbladder right here is the main organ you have to get it out, because it'll taint any of the meat if it pops."
Striker then places the gallbladder down to the ground, along with Blitzo and Joe take the organs out. Blitzo connects the hooks to the hogs legs while Joe pulls the rope up, trying to hang the dead hog from the tree.
"The next thing is to take the hogs skin." Striker continues. "Depending on which animal you're dealing, but whenever you get to kill it and gut the organs out, the most important thing is skin it. You got it so far?"
"More or less." Antauri replied. "But...were those skins tough?"
"Very tough, and we need to carefully cut if off so we don't accidentally cut the meat." Joe answered.
Antauri then nods with an understanding as Striker, Blitzo, and Joe began to carefully cut the skin, but they also cut the demon hogs testicles which the white hellhound points out that the set of testicles were also known as 'mountain oyster' back in the living world. It took them 10 minutes of carefully skin from the fat, but they fully cut the skin off and the dead hog became recognizable.
"The third is the most fun part, cut some meat." Striker said with a smirk, starts cutting the shoulder. "The first is the shoulder."
He then cuts the filet.
"There's the filet, you can see how dark it is." Striker said.
Blitzo then cuts the tenderloin.
"That's the tenderloin." Blitzo told the white hellhound as he brought the saw. "The next thing is ribs. They may be cheap, but they taste delicious."
"So, all that's left were hams?" Antauri inquires, causing the imps and Loona to chuckle.
"Yep, the hams." Joe replied. "Now, y'all head inside and wait while we get them cooking for dinner."
Lin then showed them their rooms to where they'll stay in and Antauri accidentally wondered himself off when he got curious. Until, Loona picked him up in time and caught up with everyone else. While Lin showed Millie and Moxxie's room, she started to have a feeling of interest of Antauri. As she showed Loona and Antauri their room, they walked in and started unpacking.
"If you need anything, let me know." Lin said as she left the room and closes the door.
Antauri sat on the bed and noticed how soft it is. Loona then starts unpacking and places her clothes and stuff in the drawers.
"Hey, Antauri, do you want to..."
Just then, she noticed Antauri easily fell asleep in the bed. Loona smiled and puts a blanket over him. She then leaves the room to go relax outside.
While in Millie and Moxxie's room...
"When will your parents accept me?" Moxxie questions with a glare. "They think I'm weak anyway."
"They will accept you, they'll eventually understand." Millie told him.
"I know, I just wish I can prove it." Moxxie protests. "And I'm still going to enter the games, so your parents accept me."
"Yeah right, he's too weak." Sallie May said with a chuckle, came inside of the room.
"Shut up, sis!" Millie shouted in anger.
"Whatever." Sallie May shrugs, then left the room.
While outside of the house, Striker, Blitzo, and Joe finished up cooking the dinner which is the barbecued ribs, cooked hams, filets that shaped as medallions, barbecued tenderloins, barbecued shoulders, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, green beans, and cornbread. Lin was informed that supper is ready as she went inside of the house.
"Dinners ready!" Lin shouted.
Everyone went to the table and sat down. Loona went to check on Antauri as she went in the room and softly woke him up.
"Hey, Antauri, time to eat." Loona told him as the white hellhound got up and following her to the dining room. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, the bed felt really soft." Antauri replied.
As Antauri sat down, he began to serve his own plate which Lin noticed his stomach that was thin.
"Um, Loona, does he always look thin?" Lin questioned.
"Well, he did eat but just some snacks today." Loona told her.
"We'll take care of that." Striker states with a smirk as he gave some more meat on Antauri's plate which he started to enjoy the food.
"What's important is that you need to fatten him up a little so he won't be skin and bones." Lin points out.
"Well, I think he really likes the cooking." Sallie May said with a smirk when Joe chuckled.
"So, who's excited about the Harvest Moon Festival tomorrow?" Joe asks.
"Oh, I bet I can do well when I compete." Blitzo said with pride.
"Same for me." Striker adds with a smirk.
"I bet you two do well." Joe said.
"Well, I bet I can as well." Moxxie states.
"You?! You won't last!" Sallie said with a laugh while Blitzo joins.
"He's a strong man, sis!" Millie shouted.
"That's what she said." Loona and Antauri said.
It got Sallie May, Joe, Lin, and Blitzo burst with laughter of Antauri's sassiness while Millie felt angry.
Later that night, Loona got ready for bed while she finished drying off Antauri from the bath and got him dressed.
"You excited for the festival tomorrow?" Loona asked.
"Yeah, I bet it'll be fun." Antauri replied as he went under the covers and cuddled into Loona's arms.
The next morning, Lin was making some pancakes and some bacon which made both Loona and Antauri got up instantly by the bacon smell. They got out of bed and went for some morning training outside in between combat and parkour, Striker taught him quickdraw technique, Millie taught him close weaponry while spar with him, and Moxxie with marksmanship.
(A/N: Back in the western times, there were quickdraw techniques which instead of katanas and throwing projectiles, there were revolvers which was used during the western times and showdown.)
After a good 30 minutes training, they went to take a shower. Loona squirted some shampoo on his hair and started rubbing and scrubbing his head while Antauri uses the soap and a sponge to scrub his body, his legs, and his tail, but he couldn't reach his back which she helped him.
"You're starting to get better on Millie, mine, and Mox's teaching in fighting, but your blending skill could use a little more work." Loona told him. "But hey, you'll get the hang of it."
"I know, but no matter how much I try, Millie always grabs hold of me. And not only her, but her sister." Antauri said in annoyance, causing Loona to chuckle.
After a good shower, the two hellhounds got dressed and headed downstairs for some breakfast. Lin smiled when she saw Antauri coming down the stairs.
"Good morning, little one." Lin greets with a smile.
"Morning." Antauri replied.
Lin then served him a plate of pancakes, a bacon, and a huge orange juice. He started eating them and loved the taste, started to scarf them down. Blitzo then came in and sat down.
"Whoo! Can't wait for the Pain Games!" Blitzo cheered excitedly.
"Ain't we all." Striker said with a smirk.
Sallie May then came in to the dining room, started to tease the white hellhound, much to his annoyance.
"Why hello again. You are some interesting little toy that I should love you more." Sallie May said as she was about to kiss his forehed, but Antauri growls and about to bite her when she quickly pulls herself away.
Blitzo, Striker, and Loona chuckled a bit while Lin told her to leave him alone and get breakfast. Moxxie was a little nervous since he signed up for the festival games, but they didn't know was that two demons were arrived at the Wrath Ring, searching for the white hellhound, the three imps, and Loona and kill them.
Scene cuts to the Harvest Moon Festival. Octavia saw Antauri next to Loona and the six imps as she rushes out of the tent and head towards him, hugging the white hellhound while nuzzled his cheek. Wally Wackford stands on stage with a microphone and speaks dramatically.
"Welcome, I say-a, welcome-a...all to Wrath-a Ring's-a annual-a Harvest-a Moon-a...a-Festival!" Wall Wackford announces. "To kick things up, we have the great Prince Stolas-a, here to usher in this here Pain Games!"
"How kind, Wackford." Stolas said with a chuckle. "Greetings, tiny...Wrath Ring Imps! I hereby welcome you all to another year of celebrating the spoils of your labor that continue to feed the citizens of Hell!"
A crowd of Imps glare at him and boos are heard.
"I'm happy to kick off the start of these games what will challenge the toughest Imps to show their skill in dominance." Stolas continued the announcement. "Good luck to you all! Especially that sexy little one there...Yoo-hoo! Blitzey!"
"Ugh, fuck me." Blitzo muttered in annoyance when Stolas waves at him.
A gun goes off and the games begin. Moxxie gets trampled with a yelp as the other imps race down the trail. Striker climbs up a wooden ramp structure while Blitzo leaps down ahead of him. Moxxie tries to catch up, claws at the structure and falls into a small puddle. He gets chewed up and thrashed by a monstrous black and white shark. In the next shot, Striker grins smugly at Blitzo who has his legs, arms, and horns tied behind him. A muscular Imp holds a rope and grins at the scared Moxxie. Striker, Blitzo, and Moxxie team up in a tug of war match. Moxxie falls into the water and the shark attacks him again. The scene cuts to a mud wrestling match between Blitzo and Striker. A group of imps do a football huddle on top of Moxxie. The shark leaps over the fence and begins to elbow drop Moxxie.
"MOTHERFUC-!"
Cuts back to the stage.
"I say, I say, for the first year ever, we have a tie for winner of the Harvest Moon Pain Games!" Wally Wackford announces when Stolas takes the microphone from him.
"The winners are...Striker, aaaaand my darling Blitzey!" Stolas announces when he walks into the stage and does a pose as the crowd cheers.
"Just say my name RIGHT!" Blitzo yelled in frustration, walks onto the stage. "Fuckin' dick!"
Millie, Moxxie, Octavia, and Antauri watch from the wooden bleachers.
"Alright. So, he has the 'physical advantage'." Moxxie said, referring to Striker. "I'm better at other things, like singing!"
Striker tosses the fiddle at Antauri when he manages to caught it as he then pulls out a guitar.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to sing a song we like to make a tribute." Striker told them, turns to Antauri. "Antauri, how's about you join me for a song?"
(A/N: If you're wondering who, I'm talking about a country icon Charlie Daniels. RIP Charlie Daniels.)
Antauri was skeptical at first and wondering why, but shrugs it off as he joins Striker onto the stage. Antauri then began playing the fiddle while Striker plays the guitar which it got their attention as they began to sing.
Antauri and Striker (Sings):
The Devil went down to Georgia
He was lookin' for a soul to steal
He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind
He was willing to make a deal
When he came across this young man sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot
And the Devil jumped upon a hickory stump said "Boy, let me tell you what".
"I guess you didn't know it, but I'm fiddle player, too
And if you'd care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you
Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the Devil is due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your 'cause I think I'm better than you."
The boy said "My name's Johnny, and it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet, and you're gonna regret, 'cause I'm the best there's ever been."
Antauri and Striker then began to play in sync.
Antauri and Striker (Sings):
Johnny, rosin up your bow and play fiddle hard
'Cause Hells broke loose and Georgia and the Devil deals the cards
And if you win you get the shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose the Devil gets your soul
"Oh, WHAT THE FUCK?!" Moxxie yelled furiously, watching Antauri plays the fiddle naturally.
Millie and Octavia were surprised of Antauri playing the fiddle, which it got him wondering how's he good at the fiddle.
Antauri and Striker (Sings):
The Devil opened up the case and he said 'I'll start this show'
And fire flew from his fingertips as rosined up his bow
And he pulled the bow across the strings and it made an evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this:
Antauri then started playing the fiddle in a demonic piece while Striker joins, playing in a demonic piece also which it got the imps cheering for them. Moxxie then covered his ears from the screeching fiddle noise while Millie, Octavia, and Loona widen their eyes with shock, but smiled as Antauri finishes playing the demonic piece.
Antauri and Striker (Sings):
When the Devil finished, Johnny said, "Well, you're pretty good 'ol son
But sit down in that chair right there and let me show you how it's done."
"Fire on the Mountain" Run, boys, run!
The Devil's in the house of the rising sun
Chicken's in the bread pan picked out dough
Granny's, does your dog bite? No, child, no
Now, both Antauri and Striker began to play in a non-demonic piece when Blitzo arrives with a slice of cheese on a stick and sits next to Millie, Moxxie, and Octavia in the bleachers. He eats the cheese.
"Isn't this guy great?" Blitzo asks with his mouth full.
"False!" Moxxie retorted.
"It's gonna be nice workin' with him." Blitzo informed him as he pours the hot sauce on his cheese and takes another bite.
"Working with him...? WHAT?!" Moxxie exclaimed shockingly.
"Yeaaaah! I asked him if he wants to join I.M.P." Blitzo points out.
"You asked...But..."
Moxxie looked visibly hurt as Blitzo looks at him in confusion while both Antauri and Striker finishes playing the non-demonic piece.
Antauri and Striker (Sings):
The Devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet
Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again
I done told you once-you son of a bitch-I'm the best there's ever been."
And he played:
'Fire on the Mountain" Run, boys, run!
The Devil's in the house of the rising sun
Chicken's in the bread pan picked out dough
Granny's, does your dog bite? No, child, no
Antauri and Striker then starts playing their fiddle and guitar for the finale.
"Mox, I think you've had enough, for now." Millie told her husband. "Let's head back to the house and get you clean."
Moxxie tears up and leaves with Millie as Striker and Antauri finishes the song, causing the imps, Blitzo, Loona, and Octavia cheered.
"Thank you, you're too kind." Striker thanked them.
Volcanos with fiery splashes floating above them are revealed. Blitzo lies down on the ground and looks admiringly at the Bombproof as he feasts on an animal carcass. Millie beams beside her parents as her brothers load up jack-o-lanterns into a truck. Millie waves at them and runs off. Loona, Octavia, and Antauri were enjoying each others company after he told them that he joined in the music class during his time at school in Georgia, mostly playing the fiddle during his time alone which they're impressed. Inside of the cottage, Moxxie glumly walks up some stairs, but notices the light shining through the bottom door.
"Well, that's troubling." Moxxie muttered curiously.
Moxxie opens the door and peers around. He notices the light coming from a box. He walks over and sees a rifle with glowing designs in an open gun case.
"Oh, my crumbs!" Moxxie exclaims as he runs his hand along the side of the rifle. "A genuine carmine blessing-tipped rifle! How...How in the fuck did he get one o' these?!"
"Why don't you ask me, little dude?" The voice of Striker suggests, leaned against the door frame behind him.
"Shit!" Moxxie yelps, turns to him. "W-Why do you have this...mister?! You are aware this kind of weapon can kill-"
"-demon royalty?" Striker guessed seriously.
"Yes, that." Moxxie replied when Striker flicks his wheat stalk away.
"No shit." Striker said with a smirk. "But there's another reason why I've got that."
"Okay, why?" Moxxie inquires in confusion.
"I'm on a hunt, got word that these two demons are here in the Wrath Ring, to hunt those who killed them. Mainly you, your boss, your wife, your two hellhounds, and the most part is...the royal shit stain." Striker told him walking towards Moxxie with a serious glare. "And my hunch tells me that these two demons are the same targets you've killed a long while back."
"But...they're dead and we've killed them." Moxxie points out.
"That's kind of a point here. I'm makin' sure these two won't have that lil' hellhound...not while I'm around." Striker snarled as he closes the gun case. "Plus, I'm makin' sure this rifle isn't fallen to those two pricks here. We should gather you're-"
Then, they heard a banging sound that was coming from outside of the cottage as Striker and Moxxie looks through the window, saw two of the demons who happens to be Antauri's former foster father and the big game hunter, hunting down while killing anyone who gets in their way. It got Antauri, Loona, Octavia, and the imps attention when they saw the two.
"Damn! They're already here!" Striker growled in anger, then turns to Moxxie. "You're gonna use it against these bastards in case I didn't finish them."
"And what about you?" Moxxie asks when Striker takes a few steps back.
"Do what I do best..." Striker said with a smirk.
While at the festival, Stolas stayed inside of the tent when the two demons were aiming at Antauri, Octavia, Loona, and the imps with their guns.
"You took everything from us! And we're here to return the favor...by killing each and every one of you!" The big game demon snarled about to fire, but the shot was heard and forced him to discard his gun.
"Well, if you wanna kill 'em, you'll have to go through me first." Striker said with a glare while placing his gun at his holster.
"You stay out of it! This is none of your business, you western jackass!" The demon shouts in anger.
"When someone killed the hellhounds kin, abuses him, and try to finish what y'all started...that makes it my business." Striker told them as they made a stand off.
(The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Theme)
Striker glares at them while the two demons glares back at him as he have his hand hovering at his holster while the two demons takes aim at the western imp. Antauri, Loona, Octavia, Millie, Blitzo, Stolas, and the imps were standing, wondering what on earth is Striker planning.
Striker continues to glare at the two demons and the two demons glare back at him as sweat appear on their hands for holding their rifles so long and sweat came down from their faces as well. Striker stood there like a statue with his hand ready at his holster, ready to pull them out any second now.
Both of the demons stared at Striker while he stared back at them. Things were intense as the scene cuts to a clock at the tower, hitting the o'clock and there was a ring and then the two demons pulled the trigger.
BANG!
BANG!
The two demons were in silence when they suddenly drop their weapons and fall into the ground. They then see Striker have his pistol up with smoke coming out of the barrel as Antauri was shocked.
(Music Ends)
"Now then, shall we continue the festival?" Striker asks with a smirk as the imps cheered.
Stolas then magically flips through the grimoire.
"My dear commoners of the Ring of Wrath! I, Stolas of Ars Goetia, hereby curse this year's harvest with the glow of the true Harvest Moon!" Stolas announces.
The cloud swirls as Stolas creates a portal. The portal reveals a glowing orange full moon in the sky. The crowd oohs in wonder while Antauri, Loona, Millie, Moxxie, and Octavia admired the sight of the moon. Striker crossed his arms with a smirk while Blitzo just scowled.
"What? You seemed disappointed?" Striker asks.
"Think I wanted to stand around with a buncha hillbillies excited about corn 'n shit with a thirsty owl on stage?!" Blitzo retorted, causing Striker to chuckle. "But after learning from Mox, were you really planning to kill Stolas?"
"Normally, but that changed after learning about the two I've dealt with." Striker told him. "These two somehow came back and became demons. Don't know how, but I don't care about that. But what matters is you and your group are alive."
Striker then turns to Antauri, who's enjoying looking at the moon.
"Take care of him, Blitz." Striker told him. "If you guys had any trouble, you give me a call and I'll be there."
Striker tosses his phone card to Blitzo while whistled his horse. Bombproof trotted towards his master as Striker mounts on his ride, riding out to the horizon.
"Hey, where's he going?" Antauri asks, running towards him.
"Oh, Striker has second thoughts and decided not to work with us. Shame that I just ask him for a job and he just up and left." Blitzo told him, places his hand on his shoulder. "But kid, he ask all of us from I.M.P. to take care of you."
Antauri just smiled when Loona, Octavia, and Millie gathered around the white hellhound and gave him a group hug.
After the festival was over, I.M.P. packed up and heading home. Antauri had a blast at the festival, but kept thinking of who brought the two back and have them turned into demons when Striker mentions about them. Stolas was wondering the same, but was shocked that Striker killed the two demons. Moxxie still didn't get the respect from Millie's parents because he has easily been beaten at every obstacle of the Pain Game. Though, the imps, including Millie's family, Loona, Octavia, Stolas, Millie, Blitzo, Striker, and Moxxie, were amazed of Antauri's talent of the fiddle which apparently, he learned how to play during his time in the living world.
Now, Striker was at the motel that reads: 'Hideaway Motel Vacancy. The Guy That Tried 2 Kill U Def Isn't Here.' Striker is on a bed, talking on the phone.
"Huh...Plans changed because of the two demons I disposed of, along with saving Antauri." Striker informed. "Anyway, there might be more of them coming after I.M.P."
Stella drums her fingers on the table.
"And what if Antauri? Is he safely back home?" Stella questions with a serious glare.
"Yes ma'am." Striker replied. "But he won't be for long when there's someone coming for him and the others. I may have failed to kill the target at the festival. But don't worry, ma'am...I'll be sure to kill him."
"It won't matter right now, with the targets being painted on their backs, more danger will soon to come." Stella told him. "I don't want anything happen to that pup! I don't care who's after him or those worthless imps! MAKE SURE YOU PROTECT HIM!"
Stella is seen sitting at a dinner table with Stolas, who's reading a book called 'Imps in the Sheets', and Octavia. Stolas pauses from eating to look at his wife in concern while Octavia bops her head to music tapping on the wine glass with her fork.
"Understood." Striker replied.
Stella hangs up her phone. Striker twirls the gun in his hand.
"Welp, guess I'll be watchin' him after all." Striker said with a smirk.
Striker then turns off the light. His yellow eyes glow in the darkness to rattlesnake hisses.
That's it for the 9th chapter.