It was a beautiful day in Hell City. The red moon was shining, everything was as red as it could get. After the robbery, the two decided to meet up with Stolas and discuss what to do next. On one side, they wanted to keep discussing ways to help good people such as Moxxie and to some extent, Blitzo. On the other, they wanted to get their revenge on Striker, which was clearly benefitting from the situation. Living between the lower class imps gave him power and everything he needed to carry on living like an outlaw, so an improvement in the outer city's district meant that he would lose all of that he had worked for.
The couple walked to Stolas' palace holding hands. This palace was particularly luxurious and extravagant, rivaling both the Lust mansion and Mammon's palace. From the outside, you could see the gothic architecture, the marble walls and the gargoyles looking at everything from above. This was a place fit for royalty, and once they were in, they could see that the interior was even more luxurious than the exterior.
"Wow, this is quite the place," said Fizzarolli, impressed.
"Thank you," replied Stolas , who was already waiting for them outside the gate .
"I wonder how it compares to the other princes' places," said Fizzarolli.
Stolas laughed.
"Trust me, mine is the best," he said.
As they approached the front doors, they were greeted by a group of guards.
"Welcome back, prince Stolas," said one of the guards , holding the door for him .
"Thank you," replied Stolas.
Then the guards started attempting to search Asmodeus and Fizzarolli, as per standard procedure.
Stolas apologized, explaining the security measures.
"I'm sorry, but we have to check everyone who comes here. It's protocol."
"It's okay," said Fizzarolli.
"After the robbery, my guards have become extra-cautious. I hope you understand," explained Stolas.
As soon they were cleared to enter the palace, the group was led through the lavish corridors and large rooms, all filled with expensive paintings, sculptures, and chandeliers. This palace was truly breathtaking, and the couple couldn't help but admire it as they walked through it. Then, they entered what looked like a gigantic tea room, where they sat down on lavish arm-chairs. Stolas poured them some tea and offered them some cookies.
"So, how was your trip to Mammon's palace?" asked Asmodeus.
"Terrible," replied Fizzarolli.
"Ah, I didn't expect anything else," said Asmodeus. "He's not interested in helping us is he? "
"No, he's not," said Fizzaroll i . "I'm starting to think he just doesn't care. We are going to have to deal with this ourselves I believe. "
"I know," said Stolas.
Then, as the group drank their tea and ate their biscuits, the couple told Stolas everything about the robbery.
"My goodness," exclaimed Stolas. "That's terrible. Are you guys ok? Did you get hurt?"
"We are fine," replied Fizzarroll i .
"Well, it's a good thing that you didn't get hurt," said Stolas.
"Yeah, I guess so," replied Fizzaroll i .
"Did they take anything valuable?" asked Stolas.
"A few things," answered Asmodeus.
Then, as the couple explained what happened, Stolas became more and more outraged.
"Someone must've tipped Striker off," explained Asmodeus.
"I feel like Stiker doesn't really want us to improve the situation for imps and hell hounds. I think it would be harder for him to manage his crime empire if there were more guards and security around." said Fizzarolli.
Stolas didn't speak for a few seconds, thinking about it.
"Striker has caused a lot of problems already and now this? No, this will not fly!" he exclaimed. "You are right, Fizzarolli, whoever helped him with the heist should be punished! We will find him!"
"I don't know, this is crazy. Do you really think we can catch him?" asked Asmodeus.
Stolas stood up from the couch.
"Of course we can. It's not like he's the only criminal around. I have the resources to get him, and I will use them."
Fizzarolli stood up as well.
"Stolas is right. We can't let Striker continue doing these things. We have to stop him. It's time for some payback."
"So what are we going to do, exactly?" said Asmodeus , worried.
After finishing their delicious tea and biscuits, the trio decided it was time to go visit the outer district . Fizzarolli had seen the conditions of the imps during the kidnapping, so he knew what was waiting ahead of them . Some of them l ived in shacks and tents, barely surviving. Their houses were falling apart, and many of them were sick and malnourished.
When the couple and Stolas walked through the neighbourhoods, each one becoming more and more badly-managed, they noticed how impoverished these people were , compared to their palaces and mansions.
"This is terrible," whispered Asmodeus , horrified.
"I know," said Fizzarroli, sadly. "This is the reason we are doing this. To help."
"These poor souls," commented Asmodeus.
The three walked through the streets, and eventually, they reached a small shack. A familiar face was able to be seen, sitting on his house's porch.
"Moxxie?!" shouted Fizzarrolli, surprised.
Indeed, Moxxie was standing in front of his house, and he recognized them immediately.
"Hello again, Fizzarolli. " greeted Moxxie, a bit wary. He had let Fizzarolli escape previously, and while Blitzo and Striker did not know about that, they scolded him for not guarding Fizzarolli properly.
"Hello, Moxxie ." said Stolas.
Moxxie bowed down, showing respect for the prince.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of seeing you, prince Stolas?" asked Moxxie, curious.
" I just thought... Maybe you could help us, Moxxie. " answered Fizzarolli instead .
Moxxies eyes grew wider. He looked at them, surprised.
" What would you need my help for ?" asked Moxxie, suspicious.
"The type that will benefit you greatly, and us too, probably," explained Asmodeus, smiling.
"Well, what can I do for you, sir?" asked Moxxie.
"Can you give us informations about Striker? Anything that can help us track him down." requested Fizzarrolli.
"Striker?! You want me to help you... Against him? You must have a death wish." exclaimed Moxxie, astonished.
"Wh at are you afraid of , Moxxie?" asked Stolas, curiously.
"Well, he's dangerous," said Moxxie.
"Oh, we know," replied Asmodeus. "He has already robbed us."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Moxxie, and he seemed sincere.
"Don't worry, it's not your fault," replied Fizzarolli.
Then, a little kid ran out from the shack.
"Daddy, daddy, can I have a cookie? Pleeeease?" asked the little imp kid.
Moxxie smiled.
"Of course, son," replied Moxxie, giving him the cookie.
"Thank you, dad," said the little imp, happily.
"Is this your son, Moxxie? He's adorable!" exclaimed Fizzarrolli, smiling.
"Yes, that's my boy, Crimson Jr. " said Moxxie proudly.
"How old is he, Moxxie?" asked Asmodeus.
"Six," answered Moxxie.
"You're a wonderful father, Moxxie," complimented Fizzarrolli.
"Thank you, sir," replied Moxxie, embarrassed.
"So, can you help us out with information on Striker?" asked Asmodeus again.
Moxxie sighed.
"Alright," he agreed, reluctantly.
"Thank you, Moxxie," said Stolas, relieved.
"But... Will you protect my family? My wife and my son. If I tell you all I know, will you make sure that Striker won't come back?" begged Moxxie, fearfully.
"Of course, we will make sure that your family will be safe," promised Stolas.
Moxxie smiled.
"Great," replied Moxxie.
"First of all, can you tell us what's the nature of your relationship with Striker? Are you friends?" asked Asmodeus.
"NO! He's been working for my parents in the Wrath Ring, unfortunately. And that is the main reason why I have always hated him! He's a piece of shit! He used to bully me when we were kids, and when our parents weren't there, he started making me do all sorts of terrible things. One day, I couldn't stand it anymore, and I hit him, and ran away from home . I met Millie here, and she's been my wife ever since. Together, we raised Crimson Jr." explained Moxxie, his voice trembling a little as he recalled the painful memories.
"So he's been bullying you, Moxxie? For all this time? I'm so sorry. We will make sure he pays for all the terrible things he did!" exclaimed Stolas, his eyes blazing with fury.
"I... I would really appreciate that, sir," said Moxxie, relieved.
Then, suddenly, a hooded figure appeared out of nowhere, and attacked Asmodeus.
"Behind you, Oz!" warned Fizzarrolli, but it was too late.
The figure hit Asmodeus on the head with a metal pipe, knocking him out instantly.
"Asmodeus!" screamed Stolas and Fizzarrolli, running towards him.
The figure tried to run away but Stolas stopped him with his magic powers. Then, his eyes started glowing, and the figure was turned into stone instantly.
"Are you alright, Oz?" asked Fizzarrolli, worried about his lover .
Asmodeus opened his eyes, and nodded.
"Yes, just a bad hit... " replied Asmodeus.
Stolas examined the statue.
"Who is this, even?" said Stolas, noticing the figure had shark-like features.
" Chaz, a member of the gang. " answered Moxxie.
"Interesting." pondered Stolas, his eyes shining with curiosity.
Fizzarolli tended to Asmodeus, trying his best to help him recover.
"You really had us worried there, Oz. I don't know what I'd do without you." whispered Fizzarolli, caressing the prince's horns.
Asmodeus smiled.
"Don't worry, Fizzy," replied Asmodeus, reassuringly. "I'm not going anywhere."
"We should head inside, it seems like Striker knows we're here. If he's sending his men, this could get ugly." proposed Stolas.
Moxxie invited them inside his humble home. The shack wasn't exactly cozy, but at least it had four walls and a roof. It was much better than sleeping outside, like most of the people around there did.
"So Stolas... What about that petrifying power you have? What is it exactly?" asked Fizzarolli, as the group sat down on the floor.
"Oh, it's just an old spell, I learned it when I was a teenager. I was obsessed with rocks, and wanted to be able to turn people into stone . " replied Stolas, laughing "You know, being part of the Goetia family has other perks, besides being rich of course."
"That's so cool!" exclaimed Fizzarroli, fascinated.
Moxxie came back inside the shack, with a glass of water for Asmodeus.
"Here," said Moxxie, handing him the glass.
"Thanks," replied Asmodeus.
The quartet remained silent for a moment , until Millie came back home.
"Oh my god, what happened?!" exclaimed Millie, seeing the statue of Chaz in the middle of her living room. "And what is everyone doing here?"
"Millie, come, I have something important to tell you," said Moxxie, his expression grim.
"What is it, darling? You're scaring me," replied Millie, worried.
" They want to help us, and I'm tired of working for Striker. " admitted Moxxie, ashamed.
"What?! Why would you do that?! Have you lost your mind?!" exclaimed Millie, stunned.
"Listen, Millie... I'm doing this for you and Crimson Jr. We can't keep living like this." explained Moxxie, desperate.
"But, Moxxie, there's nothing we can do about it... Striker is in charge and we have to follow his orders... It's the way things are," replied Millie, resigned.
"But what if there was something we could do about it?" said Fizzarioli, his expression determined.
"There's no way. Striker is too powerful . There is nothing we can do against him." replied Millie, shaking her head.
"I'm not sure about that, Millie. I've come up with a plan. Listen..." said Stolas. And everyone turned his head to the royal owl, listening.d to the royal owl, listening.