Meanwhile, Charlie and everyone in the hotel minus Alastor was combing the city looking for Angel and Cherri when suddenly they heard the news on the radio.
Valentino had taken Cherri and Angel into his custody. Cherri would be trained to be a fellow overlord. Angel would be punished "appropriately". It was the worst possible outcome there could be.
Having no other options, the group headed back to the hotel and decided what to do from there.
After everyone entered back into the hotel, Charlie asked, "Oh, God. What do we do now?"
"Don't worry, hon," said Vaggie. "We'll think of something."
"Can't you order him to let them go?" Niffty suggested. "You are the princess."
"You and I both know that overlords don't listen to princesses," Husk said. "Not if they don't have anything to gain from it or if they don't have a reason to listen. They mostly only listen to other overlords."
That gave Charlie an idea.
"What about Alastor?" Charlie asked. "What if he was the one to do it?"
Husk looked aside, visibly hesitated, and said, "I'm sorry, Princess. I don't think Alastor will want to get involved in this."
Just then, like the devil he was, Alastor popped out of nowhere like he usually did causing Husk to jump.
"Get involved with what, my friend?" Alastor asked.
"God, you know I fucking hate it when you do that!" Husk yelled.
"And that's what makes it fun," Alastor chuckled in response.
"Alastor, Valentino has taken Angel and Cherri hostage. They were trying to join the hotel and he won't let them go," Charlie pleaded. "We need your help."
"I see," Alastor said, summoning his staff and poking at it a little. "It's a little naïve you think that. Don't you think? They just want a safe house. God knows they don't have much elsewhere to hide. And I don't recall a Cherri Bomb in our roster, so if she's a friend of Angel's, I doubt she actually cares to join in our little soiree."
"Angel convinced her to come," Charlie continued to plead. "She was willing to give it a chance."
Dispersing the staff, Husk said, "Believe whatever you want in that pretty head of yours, but Husker is right. I see no reason to get involved."
"Angel is a patron!" Vaggie protested.
Alastor scoffed before placing a finger under her chin, "Since when have you cared about him, hm?"
Vaggie slapped his finger away and snarled, "It doesn't matter how I feel about him. Angel is our patron and our friend. And if you are invested in your entertainment as you claim to be, you will help us out."
"My entertainment comes from this hotel! Not one single patron who managed to get himself in boiling oil!" Alastor waved off. "Besides, I'd rather not have to deal with that…Television."
His grin grew wider, but he seemed a bit angry even thinking about Vox.
Charlie looked at Alastor and pleaded with her eyes.
"Please, Al..." Charlie pleaded.
"I am sorry, dear, but nothing in this is of any real interest to me," Alastor said, staring at his claws before perking up. "But you can borrow Husker and Niffty! I'm sure the kitty is especially interested in helping…"
"Watch it," Husk warned.
Alastor continued without missing a beat, "And I suppose I can provide transport, but otherwise, I don't care to get my hands dirty in this."
"Gee thanks," Vaggie muttered sarcastically.
Alastor stared down Vaggie and spoke in a sinister tone, "Be thankful I'm doing anything, darling."
"It's okay," Charlie said, coming in between the two. "Thanks, Al."
"I wish you the best of luck, dear!" Alastor called out as he stepped away.
"Lazy, pompous jackass," Vaggie muttered under her breath.
"There's nothing else we can do, Vaggie," said Charlie. "We'll just have to deal with Valentino ourselves."
Alastor tapped his staff a couple of times, calling on Niffty.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Niffty popped in and asked, "Yeah, Al?"
"It would seem Angel has been taken away by his owner and we're forming a posse to rescue him and possibly his lady friend!" explained Alastor. "You and Husker will be assisting Charlotte and Vagatha on their mission."
"What will you do, Al?" Niffty asked excitedly.
"I'm staying here, but I will be delivering you to the doorstep of the Three V's. So, do be careful, won't you?" Alastor asked, lacking static in his tone to show his sincerity.
"Don't worry, Al! We'll get back safe and sound. Come on, Husky! Let's go!" Niffty called out, gripping Husk's arm and dragging the reluctant cat behind her.
"Safe travels, Niffty and Husk," said Alastor. "If you must choose between yourselves and others, I recommend you choose yourselves. Ta ta!"
With that, Alastor waved his hand as the gang was teleported in the middle of the night.
The group reappeared outside the front doors on the street in front of the studio.