Imp City was not a nice place to live, now granted a majority of cities in Hell were not pleasant places to live but Imp City was by far worse than most. The city was filthy, run-down, and filled with violence, crime, death, and destruction. Now while most of the city was retched and a horrid place to live there was one neighborhood where things weren't that bad, they weren't good, but it was a little cleaner and a little safer. In this neighborhood, there was a large building that served as an orphanage, in that orphanage there was a room filled with a variety of toys and games, several young children a majority of them Imps played with those toys although for a few it wasn't the toys they were interested in. several children clung to a large white and gray Hellhound, the Hound flailed about trying to get the children off, but they wouldn't budge. It wasn't until some of them started yanking on her fur, letting out an annoyed yowl, Loona stopped and proceeded to rip every child off each taking a small clump of fur with them this just made her angrier. Seething with rage Loona kicked a toy truck on the floor, sending it through the air and smashing through a nearby window not only shattering the glass but breaking the bars that were welded in front of it as well. This drew the attention of the other adult in the room who was sitting at a table with some of the children, a male Imp with long black hair. Looking up from some work being done by one of the kids, Dante saw the broken window and then glared at the Hellhound.
"Loona what the fu…" he trailed off upon remembering children were present.
"Frick," he finished, Loona sent him her trademark scowl.
"These stupid kids keep pulling on my fur, it's driving me nuts, why the fuck did you bring me here?" she asked annoyed not caring about avoiding swearing in front of the kids.
"Excuse me but you wanted to come along," Dante replied, crossing his arms, Loona sent him a confused look.
"What no I didn't!" she shouted, putting her hands on her hips.
"Uh yeah you did, I told you I couldn't hang out today since Julie and some of the other caretakers got sick and I had to fill in, but you said, and I quote, 'No it's fine I'll come with you I love kids,' "Dante said making air quotes, the look on Loona's face instantly shifted from annoyed and confused to embarrassed as she remembered what she had said.
"Ohh ok all right maybe I did say that, but I didn't think these kids would be such a pain," she explained ducking as one of the kids suddenly threw a block at her, Dante just smirked.
"Well kids are a handful, but don't worry the night shift lady should be here soon and we can leave," he explained sitting back down at the table and continuing to help the kids.
Loona sighed this wasn't how she had planned her Saturday, surrounded by a bunch of stupid, smelly kids, no she was hoping to have a little more alone time with Dante, this had been a busy week and she and Dante barely got to spend any time together. She let out another sigh when suddenly she felt something grab her tail. Growling Loona turned around to see who it was and teach them a lesson about keeping their hands to themselves, but stopped when she saw who it was. It was a Hellhound infant one with golden fur and white hair in a blue onesie, her name was Aurelia. She was an orphan Dante found in the gutter and brought here. The scowl on her face quickly faded when she saw the pup playing with her tail. Scooping her up into her arms Loona gently smoothed down the fur on the side of her face before moving up to gently scratch the spot by her ear. The Pup soon melted into the treatment her right leg began kicking as a smile formed on her face. The sight was enough to melt Loona's heart, suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder turning around she saw Dante who sent her a smile.
"She's adorable isn't she," he said taking a closer look at the pup, a smile on his face.
"She is, she really is," Loona replied continuing to scratch Aurelia's ear. Dante's phone dinged pulling it out he saw he got a text.
"Look Loona I know you're having fun, but the evening shift lady is here so it's time to go," he explained sounding disappointed.
"Oh, come on can't we stay a little longer?" she asked giving Dante puppy dog eyes, Dante just shook his head.
"No sorry it's time to go," he said pointing at the door, Loona's ears drooped but she acquiesced gently placing Aurelia on the floor she and Dante headed out of the room.
Aurelia looked around confused until she suddenly smelt something, something delicious. Taking a deep breath Aurelia followed the sent to the broken window, looking up she tried to get up to the window but found that she was both too short and couldn't stand up yet. Aurelia fell back on her rump and proceeded to pout but then she noticed that there was a pile of toys near the window that could be used as makeshift steps. Quickly climbing up the pile Aurelia looked out the window and saw where that incredible smell was coming from.
Across the street was a bakery and the employees were busy loading various deserts into the back of a truck. Aurelia leaned forward to get a better whiff of those delicious sweets before she suddenly lost her balance and fell out the window plummeting to the ground below. As she fell Aurelia landed on an awning that was conveniently placed under the window, as she hit the awning Aurelia was flung out and flew across the street and landed right into a very large pie the Imp carrying said pie did not notice as they were wearing headphones with the volume turned up very high. Placing the pie in the back of the truck he closed the doors and headed for the cab, it was at that point Aurelia stuck her head out of the pie and began stuffing her mouth with the contents. As the Imp got into the cab, he pulled out a clipboard and checked where he was supposed to take this shipment.
"Alright Pentagram City, Smut district, The Silk and Lace," they mumbled to themself as they started up the car and headed out of the city.
Dante's Apartment
Dante sat on the couch, and Loona lay across it her head in his lap, Dante gently ran his fingers through her hair, lightly scratching her scalp with his talons. Loona moaned blissfully at the sensation her tail wagging furiously, the two continued to sit in comfortable silence when suddenly Dante's phone started ringing. Pulling it out, he saw that it was Maria, the head of the orphanage.
"Yes, Maria what is it?" he asked his tone serious as he knew she wouldn't call unless there was a problem.
"Aurelia is gone!" she said her tone, while usually extremely neutral, was filled with worry and fear.
"WHAT!" Dante shot up knocking Loona to the floor, she sent him an angry look, but he ignored it.
"What do you mean she's gone?!" he asked, trying to keep calm but with worry seeping into his voice.
"When the evening girl came into the kid's playroom, she saw that Aurelia wasn't there, so we checked her bedroom, all the bathrooms, the closets, even the kitchen but she wasn't there we can't find her anywhere have you seen her?" she asked, beginning to sound frantic.
"No, but don't worry we'll be right over," Dante said hanging up and rushing to grab his keys.
"What the fuck is going on?" Loona asked not sure what was happening or why Dante was so worked up.
"The ladies at the orphanage can't find Aurelia come on we-" Dante didn't get a chance to finish that statement as Loona had already rushed out of his apartment and was headed out of the building.
"Come on stop standing around!" she shouted to Dante as he headed out the door.
Pentagram City
The bakery truck stopped in front of Silk & Lace; a fancy high-end strip club run by notorious Overlord Valentino. Stepping out of the truck the delivery walked up to the manager, a tall Praying Mantis-looking demon who stood out front.
"Hey, you uh…," the driver stopped to check their clipboard.
"Soosy?" he asked, not sure if he was reading the name right.
"Yes, yes I am, do you have the deserts I ordered?" she asked in turn, hands on her hips.
"Yep, it's all back here," they said opening the door to show Soosy that everything she ordered was there.
"What the fuck is this!?" she asked angrily pointing inside the truck. The driver looked at her confused before turning to look inside and saw what she was talking about.
Inside where there was supposed to be a giant cherry pie instead sat an empty tin with a Hellhound pup sitting inside covered in filling and licking her paws. The pup looked up at the two demons glaring at her she tried to crawl away but, in a flash, Soosy reached forward grabbed her by the back of her onesie and held her up before the delivery guy.
"What the fuck is this? does your bakery allow filthy mongrels like this… thing to just wander about and eat their deserts!?" she asked furiously but the driver wasn't sure if it was because of the pie being gone or the fact that she was in the presence of a Hellhound.
"What no Ma'am I'm so sorry she must have crawled in while we were loading up, I've never seen this hound before in my life," they explained nervously, trying to calm the sinner down. Soosy glared at the Imp then again at the empty pie tin.
"What am I gonna do now, Valentino is gonna be here in a few hours for a special party, what are his bitches gonna roll around in now!?" she asked annoyed, she proceeded to glare one more time at the Hellhound pup only for her to viciously throw her down the road.
Aurelia flew through the air before suddenly landing atop the belly of a very large sleeping Panda demon. The Panda demon woke up for a moment, looked at Aurelia groggily then proceeded to go back to sleep. Aurelia let out an adorable little yawn and proceeded to curl up into a ball and fell asleep atop the Panda's soft belly.
Orphanage Imp City
"So, you left her right here?" Maria asked standing in the playroom with Dante and Loona.
"Yes, we set her down here while we waited outside the room for the evening sitter," Dante explained his voice filled with both worry for the young pup and embarrassment at his own carelessness, Maria just pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"How could you just leave her by herself?" Maria asked, her voice dripping with anger.
"We only left her for a moment," Dante replied looking to the ground ashamed.
"Look we're sorry alright but can we please just find Aurelia!" Loona shouted, her voice strained, while Loona didn't like kids she cared deeply for the little pup.
"She couldn't have just disappeared, we checked the whole damned Orphanage, but we have no idea where she could… have… gone," she trailed off as she looked at the broken window which was now covered with cardboard and duct tape.
"Por Satanas," she muttered, before rushing over to the window. Loona and Dante looked on confused until it suddenly dawned on them.
"Holy shit she went out the fucking window!" Loona shouted her voice filled with horror.
"No, no if she fell there'd be a big splat on the sidewalk, she must have climbed or slanted on that awning down there," turning away from the window Dante grabbed Loona and Maria and proceeded to drag them out of the orphanage to look for Aurelia.
"Nothing," Dante said as he opened up a trashcan and saw it was empty.
"You guys find anything?" he asked the others.
"Nope," Maria said looking in a dumpster.
"Nadda," Loona replied as she looked into a storm drain, getting up she moved to look in another spot when a noise from across the street caused her ear to perk up.
"What do you mean a Hellhound ate the pie!" a fat old Imp standing in front of a bakery yelled at a scrawny-looking Imp.
"I'm sorry sir, she must have crawled in," they said nervously trying to back away, but the bigger Imp was holding them in place.
"How the fuck did you let a Hellhound pup get into my truck!?" he asked anger rising in his voice.
"Hey, you saw a Hellhound pup where is she?" Loona asked as she marched over to them.
"Listen bitch I'm busy here so-" Before he could finish that sentence Loona picked the fat Imp up by the collar of his shirt and threw him through the front window. Turning her attention to the younger Imp Loona picked them up by their collar and slammed them into a wall.
"I'll ask again where is she?" She asked, her voice taking on a menacing tone.
"I don't know I just left her in Pentagram City!" the Imp shouted terrified, Loona's fur bristled at that statement, Pentagram City was a horrible place to leave a child, especially a Hellborn child, those Sinners didn't give two fucks about Hellborns, especially Hellhounds.
"Where in Pentagram?" she growled her grip tightening on the Imp.
"Outside a club Silk and Lace, it's called, here's the address," they replied handing Loona the clipboard. Taking the clipboard Loona dropped the Imp and ran back across the street to Dante.
"I know where Aurelia is!" she shouted excitedly.
"Really where?" Dante asked sounding frantic, but also optimistic.
Pentagram City
Aurelia awoke from her nap, rubbing her eyes, she looked around and remembered where she was. Moving forward Aurelia attempted to crawl off the large Sinner the pup lost her footing and fell and bumped her head. Gripping her head in pain Aurelia's eyes began to water before wailing in pain, she sat there crying for several minutes before her attention was drawn to the sound of rustling, looking to her right she saw a black and white cat Sinner emerge from a pile of garbage.
"Fucking dammit can't a guy sleep one off?" he asked in a thick gravelly voice, pinching the bridge of his nose. Aurelia immediately started crying again, growling, the cat demon looked over in the direction of the sound but the scowl on his face fell quickly upon seeing what woke him up.
"A Hellhound pup, why the fuck are you here?" he asked himself as he reached forward and gently patted Aurelia on the head.
"Hey there little lady don't cry," he said in a gentle tone, but Aurelia was scared, and her head still hurt so she still cried. Thinking carefully, the cat reached into his pocket and pulled out a deck of cards.
Whistling the cat got Aurelia to look up at her, drawing her attention to the deck of cards, husk held the deck before his right hand and began pushing down on both the top and bottom edges of the deck the cards shot forward and landed in his right hand. Aurelia was impressed by this card trick and began to giggle. The cat smiled but he wasn't done pulling a card out of the deck, the cat flicked his wrist and the card vanished then reappeared in his other hand. Aurelia was awed by the sight and proceeded to clap and laugh with joy, smiling the cat scooped her up into his arms and gave her a curious look.
"Where did you come from little lady?" he asked wondering how a Hellhound baby ended up in Sinner territory. Feeling around her neck he noticed that she didn't have a collar, looking over he saw a panda sinner sleeping near the opening of the alley. Kicking him awake the sinner turned to look up at the cat with tired bloodshot eyes.
"What do you want?" the panda asked in Mandarin.
"Zuigui where did this Hellhound pup come from?" the cat replied in fluent Mandarin.
"I don't know some lady threw her at me," Zuigui replied, the cat looked at him perplexed.
"What why?" he asked but the panda just shrugged.
"How the fuck should I know, now piss off! Zuigui replied angrily before rolling over and going back to sleep. The cat demon rolled his eyes and took off down the alleyway with Aurelia still in his arms.
"Don't worry Goldie, you can stay with me until I find you a new home," he said warmly gently scratching behind her ear.
"The name's Husk by the way just in case you were curious," he said a small smile crossing his lips and he watched her melt into the scratches.
Twenty minutes later outside Silk & Lace
Soosy stepped out of Silk & Lace, leaning against the front of the building the Praying Mantis sinner reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Pulling one out of the pack she held it in her mouth and lit it, taking a deep drag, Soosy breathed out a cloud of smoke and sighed. The day had been a disaster, Valentino had not liked his birthday surprise and had been very vocal about it… vocal and physical. Soosy rubbed a sore spot on the back of her head, taking another drag from her cigarette. Once she was done, she tossed the cigarette to the ground and headed back inside. As she opened the door Soosy felt a pair of hands grab her by the throat and slam her into a wall. Feeling her head clear from the shock Soosy found herself face to face with a very angry Hellhound woman.
"Listen lady we heard you saw a little Hellhound pup today where is she?" the Hound asked a growl escaping her lips.
"Listen mutt I don't have time for this so how about you fuck off before I call animal control," Soosy said, she's been face to face with Valentino no way is she scared of some mangy mutt. Said mangy mutt proceeded to tighten her grip on Soosy's throat.
"I'll ask again Where. Is. She," Loona asked her grip tightening more and more.
"Yes harder," Soosy moaned out a smile on her face, Loona immediately let go of her a look of revulsion clear on her face. Soosy rubbed her neck and coughed, suddenly a red hand grabbed her hand and yanked it off her throat, looking up she saw a male Imp with black hair and eyes.
"Look we know you saw a golden-furred Hellhound pup so just make this easy on yourself and tell us where she is," he said sternly Soosy rolled her eyes and stood up.
"Listen, like I told your pet I don't have time for this right-" she was interrupted when the Imp lifted her hand and sliced it off with a knife.
Soosy shouted in pain as she fell to the ground gripping the stump of her severed hand bright green blood gushing through her fingers.
"Are you gonna tell us bitch or do you want to lose the other hand?" he asked Soosy glared at him, Dante returned it, and it sent chills down her spine causing her to replace the glare with a look of utter terror.
"Look I don't know where it is I found it in a pie I ordered so I threw her down the road," she explained nervously pointing in the direction with her bleeding stump.
"You… What!?" Dante asked furiously as what she said sunk in, he reached down to grab her but, Loona beat him to it. Grabbing the Sinner by the head Loona lifted her and slammed her head into the side of the club causing her head to splatter into a large green stain.
Dante was stunned by this sudden violent outburst from his girlfriend but before he could ask her "What the fuck" Loona reached into Dante's jacket and pulled out a small blue blanket. This blanket was Aurelia's, sniffing the blanket Loona took a deep whiff of the air, eyes going wide Loona grabbed Dante and pulled him down the road in the direction Soosy pointed to. Following the trail, Loona stopped at a very fat Panda Demon sleeping in an alleyway. Walking up to the sinner Loona began kicking the demon trying to get him to wake up but he wouldn't budge. Growling in frustration Loona was about to try again when Dante pulled her away, reaching into his jacket Dante pulled out his flask and began shaking it. The sloshing sound of liquor instantly woke the panda demon who immediately reached for the flask.
"Gimme, gimme!" he shouted excitedly in Mandarin Chinese, Dante swiftly moved the flask out of reach and then used his foot to push the Sinner back onto the ground.
"Ah, ah, ah, not so fast buddy, you'll get some but first you got to tell us something," Dante replied in fluent Mandarin much to the surprise of Loona and the Panda.
"I've never heard an Imp speak the language of the middle kingdom, where did you learn it?" Zuigui asked confused.
"I learned it from a hotty in Nanjing, now how about you answer a question for me?" Dante asked, giving the flask another quick shake, Zuigui blinked and then nodded.
"What do you need to know?" the Sinner asked, staring at the flask, and licking his lips.
"We're looking for a little Hellhound pup, gold fur, blue onesie, you seen her?" Dante asked curiously Zuigui pondered it for a second then suddenly remembered.
"You know what yeah I do she was crying in this alley then some cat guy scooped her up and carried her off," he explained Dante tensed it was bad enough that Aurelia was lost in this cesspool of a city but now she was in the arms of some degenerate sinner, Dante gulped nervously.
"Where did they go?" he asked, beginning to sound frantic.
"Down that way I think," Zuigui mumbled pointing down the alleyway. Dante immediately grabbed Loona and headed down the alleyway.
"Hey, what about the booze," Zuigui shouted after them when suddenly he was hit in the head with Dante's flask causing him to pass out.
Husks perspective
Husk walked down the street little Aurelia nestled in the crook of his right arm, but his arm started getting sore, so he moved her to his left, but that didn't help either.
"You're a heavy one aren't ya, I guess whoever owned you fed you well," Husk stated holding Aurelia out in front of him and giving her a gentle poke in the belly. Aurelia giggled causing Husk to give a small smile.
Stopping for a moment Husked pondered a way to carry Aurelia when suddenly he felt someone tap on his shoulder. Turning around he saw a sinner woman standing before him, she had corpse-gray skin and silvery white hair. She had black sclera like most Husk and most other sinners, but her irises were silver. She wore a white shoulderless shirt and black pants. Atop her head were a pair of small black horns, taking a small sniff he realized she was new as she reeked of the living world.
"The fuck do you want?" he asked in a gruff tone of voice.
"Um excuse me sorry to bother you sir… cat… person but I think there has been a mistake," she said nervously.
"A mistake?" Husk asked confused not sure what she was talking about.
"Yes, you see I'm not supposed to be here in Hell I'm supposed to be in Heaven, there's clearly been a mix-up and I was wondering if you know who I should talk to about getting out of here?" she asked politely.
Oh god, not this again, Husk thought to himself annoyed, this happened all the time people die get sent here to Hell then go on and on about how they're supposed to be in Heaven. They were a dime a dozen here in Hell, it was super annoying.
"Look lady I hate to tell you this but there's no mistake you are meant to be here," he explained casually, the woman's eye twitched she didn't believe him.
"No, you're wrong I'm supposed to be in heaven, I served God faithfully through my church for thirty-two years there's no way he'd send me here!" she explained confidently putting her hands on her hips, Husk just laughed.
"And what pray tell is so funny?" she asked anger seeping into her voice.
"Hate to burst your bubble bitch but Hell is full of fuckers like you, assholes who thought they were doing "god's work" Well guess what you weren't that's why you're down here so get used to it," Husk explained with finality before walking away leaving the woman dumbstruck.
As Husk headed down the road, he passed by an abandoned building with a tattered awning hanging over a boarded-up door. He was going to ignore the building but then an idea popped into his head, tearing the awning off the frame. Husk wrapped it around his right shoulder and front before gently placing Aurelia within who quickly got comfortable. Happy with his improvised carrier Husk headed down the street to the nearest casino.
Back to Dante and Loona
Loona took another sniff of the blanket and then pointed down the street, Aurelia's scent had gotten weaker, and she noticed it was intermingled with another demon's scent. Moving down the street Dante didn't notice a gray-skinned demon until he had collided with her sending them both to the ground.
"Ow! Hey why don't you watch where you're going you-" she stopped when she got a good look at Dante's face.
"You!" she shouted standing up and pointing a finger down at Dante who was still on the ground.
"Uh excuse me?" Dante asked as Loona helped him to his feet.
"You-you're the guy who killed me! You're the reason I'm stuck here in Hell instead of in Heaven!" she shouted; Dante looked at her confused for a moment but then it dawned on him.
"Ohh yeah, your that religious nutcase from Las Angeles, right?" he asked the casual way in which he asked was beginning to annoy her.
"Yes, and I see now that you are a demon not just some degenerate sinner you obviously put a curse on me," she stated sending Dante a cutting glare.
"Huh?" both Dante and Loona replied confused, not sure what she was talking about.
"Don't 'huh' me we both know that I'm supposed to be in Heaven with the lord and his son Jesus Christ, but you must have done something to get me sent down here so whatever it was reverse it so I can go to Heaven already!" the sinner explained, Loona gave her a 'are you serious look' while Dante just started laughing.
"Look lady sorry I killed you and all but I'm not the reason you're down here that's your fault," Dante explained, the sinner did not like that her hands tightened into fists and her right eye began to twitch.
"My fault, My fault! This is not my fault I was a faithful servant of the lord my whole life everything I did I did in his name, in his honor, now undo this curse and send me to Heaven right this minute or I swear I'll-" she didn't have time to finish her threat as Dante grabbed her by the throat and kept tightening his grip till there was a loud CRACK and her body went limp.
Seeing that the deed was done Dante tossed her corpse into the street where it was immediately run over by a black car. Upon passing over the now broken corpse the car came to a complete stop. One of the doors opened and out stepped a young Goetia demon with red feathers with some shades of blue and green atop his head resembling hair.
Wait, where have I seen that guy before? Dante thought to himself as the Goetia demon approached.
"What the fuck was that!?" the Goetia shouted glaring at them with sky-blue eyes.
"Ohh shit sorry about that your highness, that bitch was harassing us so I decided to take care of her," Dante explained normally he wouldn't have been so formal with a noble demon but he needed to resolve this quickly so he could go back to locating Aurelia.
"So, you throw her in front of my fucking car!?" the demon asked angrily.
"I just threw into the street I didn't intend for you to run her over, sorry," Dante replied raising his hands in an apologetic gesture. Just then someone else stepped out of the car, it was a certain Goetia demon in a pink jacket and black hat.
"Hey Marco, what's going… wait Loona… Dante!?" Octavia asked before running forward and wrapping both in a big hug.
"Hey Octavia," Loona said as the owl demon squeezed the life out of her. Letting go Octavia took a step back and looked at the both of them.
"So, what are you guys doing in Pentagram?" she asked casually when suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder drawing her attention to the red parrot demon who looked very confused at the moment.
"Uhh Via do you know these two?" he asked sounding as if he wasn't gonna like the answer, Octavia was about to answer but Dante beat her to it.
"My name is Dante, and this is my girlfriend Loona," he said holding out a hand which Marco hesitantly shook.
"You're Marco right Via's told me all about you," Dante said, finally remembering who this kid was.
"She has… good," he said sounding uncomfortable, letting go of his hand Dante discreetly wiped it on his jacket and then turned to Octavia.
"Hey Via, we'd love to talk but we're kinda dealing with an emergency right now," Dante said turning to Loona who was already smelling Aurelia's blanket and smelling the air.
"Why what's up?" Octavia asked, raising an eyebrow at Loona as she smelled the air.
"Aurelia snuck out of the Orphanage so we're trying to find her," Dante explained, hoping this would get Octavia and her boyfriend to leave so they could keep searching.
"What no!?" Octavia asked sounding worried.
"Who's Aurelia?" Marco asked curiously.
"She's the cutest, most adorable Hellhound pup in Hell!" she explained, grabbing Dante by the shoulders.
"How did she escape what happened?" she asked, Dante found her concern touching.
"Someone broke a window, and she climbed out," Dante growled glancing at Loona who looked embarrassed.
"She ended up crawling into a truck headed here we've asked around and apparently, she was picked up by some cat Sinner so we're trying to find her," Dante finished explaining shaking off her hands and heading down the street after Loona who had caught Aurelia's scent.
"Wait can we help!?" Octavia called out after Dante, much to both his and Marco's surprise.
"Uh yeah sure more help the better," Dante said gesturing for them to follow. Octavia was about to follow when she was stopped by Marco.
"Wait what about the movie?" he asked his girlfriend, sending a suspicious glance in Dante's direction. Octavia sent him a stunned expression.
"Are you fucking serious, a kid is in danger who cares about a fucking movie! Now shut up and come on!" she yelled, grabbing Marco by the hand, and dragging him down the street after Loona and Dante.
Marco sighed, it's not that he wasn't concerned, of course, he was worried about the kid but he just didn't feel comfortable being around his girlfriend's ex. Marco sent Dante another suspicious look but didn't fight her as she dragged him down the street.
Husks perspective
Husk sat at the poker table at the Lucky Devil's Casino, one of the few casinos where he wasn't banned. Three others sat at the table, a fat pumpkin-headed Sinner, a fat old Imp with a succubus half his age standing behind him, and a mangy rat sinner. The card shark and actual shark demon from Greed proceeded to shuffle a deck of cards and pass out five cards to each player. After the cards were put down the fat imp proceeded to toss two fifty soul chips onto the already large pile. Seeing this the pumpkin-headed Sinner and rat Sinner got up from the table, the Imp turned to Husk expecting him to fold as well as he was also out of chips. Husk just smirked and reached into the makeshift carrier wrapped around his chest pulled out Aurelia and placed her on the table.
"Now look here son just what do you think you're doing?" the old Imp asked eyeing the Hellhound pup crawling around the table.
"Ok one don't call me son I was 75 when I died and that was in the 1970s so I'm older than you, and two there's no rule about betting an infant… is there?" Husk asked the card shark who just shook his head. The old man grumbled but when Aurelia started nibbling on one of the chips, the Imps succubus arm candy cooed in delight.
"Aww she's so cute come on Ervy win her for me, please," she said making puppy dog eyes, the Imp smiled and nodded picking up his cards.
Husk gave a discreet smile, this was his plan, he knew that Aurelia's presence would distract the other players giving him a moment to discreetly switch out his cards with the full house he had hidden in his fur. Husk proceeded to throw down his cards on his table showing the old Imp and the card shark his full house. Reaching forward Husk proceeded to scoop up his chips and was about to leave when the Succubus who was hanging on the old Imp's arm suddenly left him and proceeded to latch onto Husk's.
"So, Hansom got any plans tonight?" she asked batting her eyelashes, Husk thought about telling her to fuck off but after eyeing her up and down decided she wasn't half bad. Before Husk could answer her question though the Imp marched up to Husk grabbed his right arm and pulled the original hand he had gotten out of his fur.
"You worthless cheating bastard!" the old Imp stated his voice dripping with rage. Husk rolled his eyes and yanked his arm free of the Imps grasp.
"Yeah, I cheated so what this is Hell asshole that's what we do here," Husk replied to his comment gesturing to the world around him.
"I don't give a damn, no one cheats me and gets away with it," the Imp lunged at Husk, but Aurelia saw this and through the poker chip she was previously chewing on at him.
The chip hit the Imp in the head causing him to lose his balance and bump into a waitress holding a tray of drinks. Those drinks proceeded to fall onto a slot machine causing it to short out and catch on fire, the fire quickly spread to the rest of the casino. Once the fire reached the ceiling one of the light fixtures fell and crushed the old Imp killing him instantly. Seeing the fire, Husk proceeded to scoop up Aurelia and his chips, quickly cashed out, then left as the casino was quickly engulfed in flames.
Dante's POV
Dante looked through a trashcan in an alleyway, he groaned. He found this task very unpleasant, but he had no choice because the scent trail went cold due to smoke from a burning casino down the road. Since they couldn't follow the scent Dante decided that he and the others would search the area for any clues while Loona asked people walking by to see if they saw Aurelia or the cat sinner she is supposedly with. Deciding she wasn't in this trashcan Dante knocked it aside, turning to his right Dante noticed Marco looking In a Dumpster.
"Hey Kid, you see her in there?" Dante asked, hoping that she was, but he had his doubts.
"Nope don't see her," Marco replied moving away from the dumpster.
"Fuck alright I'll go ask Via," Dante replied pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, looking down the alley he saw Octavia looking through some old boxes. Heading over to her he stopped when Marco grabbed him by the arm.
"NO!... uhh, I mean we haven't checked over there yet," he said nervously pointing over to a set of trash cans.
"What are you talking about we just checked over there," Dante replied yanking his arm out of his grasp.
"Yeah, well maybe we should check again," he said nervously, Dante's eyes narrowed inquisitively.
"Ok Marco what up why are you acting so cagey?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"What are you talking about I'm fine everything's fine," Marco replied, Dante didn't believe him for a second.
"Look kid just be honest what's bothering you, why didn't you…" Dante trailed off realizing what was bothering the young Goetia boy.
"Ohh, I get it you're worried that I'm gonna try to steal Octavia, aren't you?" he asked, Marco lowered his head and blushed.
"Sorry but can you blame me most guys are uncomfortable with their girlfriends hanging out with their ex-boyfriends," he said sounding somewhat embarrassed, Dante just looked at him confused.
"Ex-boyfriend what are you… oh god not this again," Dante muttered to himself rubbing his temples with his hand.
"Look kid I am not Octavia's ex-boyfriend, we never dated there was never a relationship, we're friends and that's all we've been and will ever be," Dante explained annoyed at having to have this conversation again, Marco looked at him confused.
"But Via told me," Marco said pointing at his girlfriend, Dante sighed.
"Yeah, I know but no you see when I met her, she was really upset and in a bad place due to her parents' crumbling relationship I offered her emotional comfort as a friend but she misinterpreted it as romantic affection I ignored it assumed it wouldn't last that was a mistake, but I cleared it up with her so don't worry kid," Dante explained.
nothing happened between me and Via, so you have nothing to worry about," he said gently patting Marco on the arm, the bright red parrot demon sighed in relief.
"Good to know sorry about before," he said looking embarrassed.
"It's fine kid," Dante said with a smile.
"Dante, Marco!" the two demons turned their heads down the alley and saw Octavia running towards them.
"What is it, babe?" Marco asked, noticing how excited his girlfriend looked.
"I just bumped into a lady who said she thinks she saw Aurelia," she said her voice filled with optimism.
"Really where?" Dante asked, Via pointed to the entrance at the other end of the alley.
"Loona, we got a lead come to the other end of Alley!" Dante shouted down the alley to Loona before following Octavia out of the alley.
"Where is she?" Dante asked the young Goetia.
"Other there," she said pointing down the road to a hooker standing at the street corner. Moving towards her Dante began to notice her features.
This hooker was a cat demon with cream-colored fur, the fur on her arms, legs, and the tip of her tail was dark orange. Her long flowing hair was the same dark orange, and she wore a very short white dress that showed plenty of cleavage. The finishing touch of her outfit was the black choker with the big gold bell dangling from it.
"Oh shit, it's her, hey maybe she doesn't recognize me," Dante thought to himself once he realized who the cat demon was. The hooker turned her head in their direction, her eyes went wide when they landed on Dante.
"You!" she shouted, pointing at Dante, and marching towards him.
Cazzo, Dante thought to himself.
"Hey, look I know you're probably mad but look I'm-" Dante couldn't finish his sentence as the cat demon immediately jumped onto him wrapping her arms and legs around him and pulling him into a passionate kiss. Losing balance Dante fell over breaking the kiss the cat demon looked down at him was an angry look on her face.
"Mad? Oh, hell yeah, I'm mad, I'm made you left before I could wake up and ask you for round two," she explained, Dante sending her a puzzled look.
"Uh, what?" he asked confused, not sure what she was talking about.
"Remember you hired me that one time, cause I do, mostly I must have hit my head against the headboard, or something cause I don't remember what we got up to but the stuff I do remember was so much fun!" she said with a smile sitting up on Dante's lap and sending him a sultry look.
"So how about another round there's a hotel down the road we can go to?" she asked rubbing her hands on Dante's chest, sitting up Dante gently pushed the cat demon off his lap and then stood up dusting himself off.
"Look I'm flattered and all but I'm in the middle of something important and I was hoping you could help me with it," he said offering a hand to the prostitute who took it and allowed herself to be pulled up.
"Oh, come on just one hump I'll even give you a discount?" she asked squeezing his hand, Dante just gave her an uncomfortable smile.
"Ok look lady I get you want to bang Dante and all, but can you please tell us about the hellhound pup you saw?" Octavia asked, exacerbated by the whole situation.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, right you were asking about that earlier, I saw her with some cat demon," she explained.
"Ok, we already knew that do you know where they went?" Octavia asked sounding even more annoyed.
"Down that way," she pointed down the street, Via grabbed Marco by the hand and was about to head down the road when Dante stopped them.
"Wait what did this cat demon look like?" Dante asked cat demons are a dime a dozen in Hell so having more info would be a big help.
"He was a tuxedo cat you know black with a white belly, he had black pants, suspenders, a top hat… oh and red and black wings, never seen a cat with those before," she said the last part more to herself.
"Alright good now let's go," Dante said but before he could move the prostitute grabbed his arm.
"Hey, I helped you don't I deserve a reward?" she said in a sultry tone, Dante just rolled his eyes. It was at that moment Loona finally appeared out of the alleyway.
"Fuck sorry guys I got caught up dealing with these weirdos who kept trying to pet me so I," Loona explained but stopped when she saw the cat demon holding Dante's arm.
"Hey, get your claws off my man you slut!" Loona shouted, marching down the sidewalk toward them. The cat demon turned around, her fur bristled, and her tail fluffed up when she saw Loona approaching.
"Excuse me?" she asked glaring at Loona.
"You heard me get your disgusting hands off my boyfriend," Loona growled her fur also beginning to bristle.
"Boyfriend?" the cat said glancing at Dante before turning back to Loona.
"Hm if she's your girlfriend I can see why you hired me," she said smugly.
"What was that slut?" Loona growled, her hands clenching into fists.
"You heard me, unlike you, I have a pretty face, great tits, and a much better fashion sense it's no wonder he cheated on you with me, oh but I guess you didn't know that did you," she stated her tone becoming more condescending. Stepping forward Dante put his hands on Loona's shoulders.
"Look Loonie we don't have time for this we need to," Loona proceeded to push Dante away and march over to the offending sinner.
"Oh, you're going down you mangy bitch!" Loona said proceeding to growl at the cat sinner who let out a hiss in response.
"Bring it mutt!" the hooker shouted Loona proceeded to launch herself at the cat sinner both demons proceeded to roll on the ground fighting and clawing at each other. Dante tried to intervene but was stopped by Octavia.
"Look Dante we don't have time for this remember," she stated Dante looked at the fight between his girlfriend and hooker sighed then nodded conceding to Octavia's point.
"Alright let's go," Dante said heading down the street with the two Goetia.
Ten minutes later
The three demons moved down the street eyes peeled for a tuxedo cat with black pants, suspenders, and wings. As they moved, they would ask various passing demons if they had seen anything. Most ignored them, one said he saw something but would only tell them if Octavia sucked his dick, he was punched simultaneously in the face by both Dante and Marco. Inevitably they found one Sinner who had seen the cat Sinner who had Aurelia, they told them that they had seen them go into a liquor store one block down the road. Upon getting the info the three demons headed towards the liquor store.
In the liquor store
Husk stood behind a large gray and black Hellhound waiting to check out, in his hand was a cheap bottle of whisky, he wanted to get something pricier but the Hounds owner some succubus slut in a tacky black and white dress had swiped all the good stuff. Husk fumed at that he thought about telling the bitch to stop hogging the good booze, but her hound was huge and he really didn't want to fight him, so he just took the L and waited while this slut checked out with half the store's good shit.
Outside the store
Dante, Octavia, and Marco walked out of a shop disenchanted this was the wrong store in fact it was the sixth wrong store they checked, the helpful demon from earlier didn't mention that the whole black was nothing but liquor stores, so they had to check each one.
"Satan dammit this is taking forever," Marco grumbled rubbing his head in frustration. Dante sighed and uncorked the sixth wine bottle he was forced to buy to get any answers. Chugging the bottle in twenty seconds he tossed the bottle away much to Marco's surprise.
"No point complaining so let's get moving," Dante said heading to the next store as he neared, he saw a very familiar pink car parked out front. Then the door opened, and he saw a very large, very familiar Hellhound step out with a big box of liquor bottles.
oh Dio, oh no, per I Santi, per Cristo, per la vergine Maria, per favore non dirmi che lo è, Dante thought to himself with dread as none other than Verosika Mayday stepped out of the store right behind Vortex.
It's ok maybe she won't notice me, he thought to himself nervously.
"Holy shit is that Verosika Mayday?" Octavia called out behind him drawing the aforementioned Succubus's attention. Upon seeing Dante her eyes narrowed in anger.
"Cazzo," he mumbled under his breath as she began marching towards him.
"Hey, Verosika how are you-" Dante was cut off as once Verosika got close enough she slapped him in the face, much to Octavia and Marco's surprise.
"How am I? How am I!? I'm pissed that how I fucking am!" Verosika shouted shooting daggers at Dante as he rubbed his cheek.
"The fuck Dante, do you know Verosika Mayday?" Octavia asked completely stunned by the fact Dante knew such a big name in Hell.
"Uh yeah we… uh hooked up once," Dante said uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his head nervously, this comment made Verosika's left eye twitch.
"'Hooked up' we only 'hooked up'? Is that what you call it, you gave me the best sex of my life and to you, it was just a simple hook-up!?" Verosika asked fury rising in her voice, Dante, Octavia, and Marco stared at her in surprise.
"Ok, seriously Dante how short is the list of women you haven't slept with?" Octavia asked annoyed, putting her hands on her hips. Dante stopped for a moment and genuinely considered the question before shaking his head.
"Look we don't have time for this could you please get in there and look please?" Dante asked the two Goetia motioning to the liquor store, the two Avian demons nodded then snuck past Verosika and headed for the door to the shop. Verosika eyed Octavia as she passed.
"Who's she your latest piece? Be careful sweety he'll break your heart!" Octavia shouted over her shoulder.
"He already has," Octavia muttered under her breath as she entered the store. With Octavia out of view, Verosika turned her attention back to Dante.
"So how about you tell me why you didn't show up at Ozzie's?" the popstar asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"I had other things to do that night," Dante said somewhat callously not caring if he hurt Verosika's feelings.
"Ohh really what did you have to do that was so fucking important you had to miss a night at the best club in Hell?" Veroiska asked, her hands tightening into fists.
"I'll tell you I was-" Dante was cut off by Vortex who was making a "cut it out" gesture, seeing the gesture and the frantic look on his face made Dante rethink his current statement.
"Uhh I mean I never got the invitation," he said nervously hoping Verosika wouldn't notice his sudden change in tone, luckily, she didn't as her expression immediately softened.
"Wait really, but I made sure they sent it," she said starting to calm down.
"I never got it," Dante lied hoping she would calm down and go away.
"Well, I'm sorry about slapping you," she said apologetically giving him puppy dog eyes.
"It's cool," Dante said quickly and tried to leave only for Verosika to pull him into a tight hug.
"Sorry for getting so mad how about I make it up to you, and let you enjoy the show you missed?" she asked, sending him a sultry look and pressing her boobs into his chest.
Dante gulped.
Inside the liquor store
"Alright fan out we need to find this tuxedo cat demon," Octavia said to her boyfriend this was the seventh store they've checked, and she was getting tired.
"He's right there," Marco said, Octavia turned to look at him in surprise.
"What where?" she asked, Marco pointed across from her and there he was, a black and white cat with a top hat, wings, and black pants with suspenders. The Sinner had a large bag at his side which bore the name of the store, the guy was clearly a drunk.
"Huh that was easy," she muttered to herself, as she approached, she saw a dark blue cloth wrapped around his torso.
Looking closer she saw something squirm inside the fabric, the Sinner saw this and reached inside pulling out a small Hellhound pup with gold fur, and a blue onesie, it was none other than Aurelia. Octavia sighed in relief at seeing the young pup was okay but was still worried that this Sinner was gonna hurt her. The Sinner cradled Aurelia into his arms and gently nuzzled her with one of his fingers causing her to calm down, sending her a loving smile, Octavia found the scene adorable.
"Um excuse me, sir?" Octavia said moving closer to Husk, the Sinner looked up from Aurelia the loving look changing into an annoyed scowl.
"The fuck do you want?" Husk asked rudely, Octavia was taken aback not used to demons being so rude to her, normally they would bow to her and call her Your Majesty or Highness. Noticing Octavia's distress Marco stepped forward towards the sinner.
"Hey buddy you're talking to a Princess in the Ars Goetia, show a little respect," he said sternly glaring down at Husk, the sinner just rolled his eyes.
"Kid I work for the radio demon and I'm currently staying at the Princesses stupid hotel so your little attempt to scare me isn't gonna work," he explained clearly not intimidated in the slightest. Husk's statement started making Marco angry, noticing this Octavia stepped in.
"Look sorry to bother you but that Hellhound pup there is mine," she said nervously pointing at the pup in his arms. The sinner stopped stroking Aurelia, the bored look on his face shifted into a look of suspicion.
"She's yours?" he asked, not believing her.
"Yeah, I adopted Aurelia here last week," she lied pointing down at the small pup, hoping he believed her, the look on his face said he didn't.
Huh Aurelia, fitting, Husk thought glancing down at the infant that was starting to nod off.
"Then why the fuck did I find her crying in an alleyway?" he asked the tone in his voice making it clear that if she did own Aurelia then he didn't approve of her as an owner.
"You see I was on my way to pick her up from the Orphanage she was in but apparently she snuck out when no one was looking and ended up here," she explained, the look Husk sent Octavia made it clear he didn't believe her story.
"You think I'm dumb enough to believe that?" he asked, at this point, Marco was starting to get annoyed.
"Look buddy this is her hellhound so give her back or are things gonna get ugly?" Marco asked the Sinner taking on an aggressive stance, the cat replied in kind taking care to move Aurelia away from the Ars Goetia.
It was around then that Aurelia began to notice what was going on her eyes scanned the two arguing men before falling on the young woman looking on nervously. Aurelia immediately recognized her as she remembered how she came to visit her with Dante and the tall hound lady. Aurelia let out a happy noise and reached for Octavia. The noise drew Husk's attention looking down at Aurelia he noticed her cheerful expression and how she reached out for the Goetia, it was at that moment Octavia stepped between Husk and Marco.
"Look can you please just give her to us before something bad happens?" Octavia asked frustrated.
"Here you go," Husk said handing Aurelia over much to the young princess's surprise.
"Wait really what changed your mind?" Marco asked as Octavia took Aurelia into her arms, the pup smiled up at her reaching for a lock of her hair.
"That," Husk stated pointing at the scene before them, Aurelia liked Octavia she wouldn't feel this way if Octavia wasn't her owner or if she was a bad one.
"Thank you so much for taking care of her sorry to cause you so much trouble," Octavia said as she held Aurelia close to her chest.
"No problem," Husk replied giving a little wave to Aurelia who immediately waved back as Octavia and Aurelia turned around and headed out of the liquor store. Reaching into the bag at his side Husk pulled out a bottle of Whisky, opened it with one of his talons and started chugging.
Epilogue
Dante's apartment
Dante and Loona sat on the couch Loona had her shirt off wearing only a plain beige bra. Loona was covered head to toe in cuts and scratches, the fight with the prostitute who he later learned was named Summer wasn't pretty, she won but it wasn't easy. Dante poured some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and gently dabbed it onto one of her many cuts, Loona cringed as the alcohol caused her wound to sting.
"Sorry," Dante said noticing her pain, as he placed a bandage on the spot.
"It's cool, besides it was worth it to teach that stupid whore a lesson," Loona stated proudly, Dante smirked and rolled his eyes.
After recovering Aurelia from that cat sinner Dante went back to the spot where he left Loona and found her covered in cuts and bruises standing over the unconscious body of Summer, who lay on the ground twitching in pain. Dante felt bad for the sinner and when Loona wasn't looking used his healing spell to quickly heal her as he was worried someone might try to violate her unconscious form this was Hell after all.
And once we go to bed, I'm gonna use it on Loona here, can't have her finding out about studying the Grimoire, he thought to himself looking over his injured girlfriend. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"Who the fuck could that be?" Loona asked wondering who would visit this late at night. Getting up Dante walked to the door, opened it then immediately turned around to face Loona, a worried look on his face.
"So, uh Loona there's something I forgot to mention," he said his tone nervous, Loona raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?" she asked not sure she was gonna like the answer. Suddenly the door was pushed open and in stepped none other than Verosika Mayday herself in a trenchcoat and sunglasses.
"Hey Loona looking forward to tonight?" she asked cheerfully with a smile on her face.
"Uhh Dante, what the fuck is she talking about?" Loona asked her boyfriend while pointing at the pop star.
"What am I talking about, I'm talking about a night of hot, steamy, sexy fun!" she replied to Loona's question taking off her coat and revealing a set of revealing lingerie. At the sight of it, Loona immediately grabbed Dante and dragged him into the kitchen.
"Dante, What the Fuck!?" she asked wondering why Verosika Mayday was over for sex.
"Look while looking for Aurelia I bumped into Verosika and she got on my ass about standing her up at Ozzie's so as an apology, I told her she could come over," he explained nervously.
"WHY! We agreed that was a one-time thing!?" Loona yelled not sure why Dante would do something so stupid.
"I'm sorry I panicked ok," Dante replied looking down at the floor.
"Well, I'm going to tell that slut to get the fuck out of here," she said heading back to the living room but suddenly Dante grabbed her wrist.
"No don't do that!" he said frantically.
"Why not?" she asked, not sure why Dante suddenly wanted to spend time with Verosika Mayday when before he made it clear he couldn't stand her.
"Because Tex told me that after we stood her up, she got really pissy and began taking it out on him and the others," he told her what Vortex had told him, Loona raised an eyebrow.
"So, what does this have to do with us?" Loona asked not sure why they had to deal with Verosika's bad behavior.
"Come on Loona her shitty behavior is our fault and besides Vortex, Coco, and Apple, they're our friends and we can't let them suffer because we stood Mayday up," he said, Loona admitted she felt bad for how her friends are suffering but she still didn't like the idea of spending another night with Verosika. Dante sensed her weariness and pressed forward.
"Look it's just one more night, ok then never again I promise you and if I break that promise you can rig my dick off," he said with a nervous smile, Loona sighed pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Fiiine, but this is the last fucking time alright," she said exacerbated, Dante sighed in relief, but then Loona grabbed him but the collar of his shirt and pulled him close.
"But if you do this again, I will hold you up on your offer," she said menacingly Dante gulped and nodded. Loona immediately dropped him and then left the kitchen.
"Alright Verosika come on," she said heading to the bedroom and unhooking her bra as she did so. Dante stepped out of the kitchen and rubbed his head, Verosika immediately grabbed him by the arm.
"Come on you sexy stud let's have some fun," she said in a sultry tone leading Dante to the bedroom.
Hazbin Hotel, Husk's room
Husk lay in bed looking at a photo of Aurelia on his phone, Husk didn't know why he was so attached to the little pup, but he just felt… something for the little girl which was strange as he hadn't really felt anything in decades. He stared at the picture in it she was nestled in her little holder a warm smile on her face, he smiled a real smile, not the fake ones he usually uses. Suddenly there was a knock at his door, getting up he opened it and saw Charlie standing in front of it in her pajamas and robe.
"What's up?" he asked though he was pretty sure he knew why she was here.
"I just wanted to wish you good night," she said cheerfully, yep Husk figured that's why she was here she always came by every night to wish him and the others good night normally he found it aggravating but strangely not tonight.
"Oh thanks, good night to you as well," he said before gently closing the door.
Charlie stared at the door in shock normally when she told Husk good night, he would tell her to fuck off or just slam the door in her face but here he was nice he even wished her good night as well.
"Huh maybe he had a good day?" she said to herself before heading back to her room.
As Husk curled into bed and drifted off to sleep, he thought back to Aurelia, her cute smile, her sweet disposition, her adorable playfulness, Husk smiled sweetly as sleep overtook him.
END
Another chapter is done, sorry for the delay everyone, I've been very busy lately but I'm going to try to get back on the monthly posting schedule. Thanks for reading and don't be afraid to tell me how you feel about the story. Thanks again :)