This is a fanfiction based on Helluva Boss, Hazbin Hotel, and the fanfiction Loona the Caretaker. All OC rights belong to their original creators and owners. The characters of Loona the Caretaker belong to MetalBrony823. Slade OC belongs to Blurey08. Kyorichi OC belongs to ninjashin11, and the characters of Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel belong to VivziePop. I own nothing. This is pure fanfiction just for fun.
Chapter 6
Everyone got out of the river to dry off. Loona, Vortex, and Crymini shook themselves like canines getting water off of their fur but on anyone nearby. Everyone decided to celebrate with a late dinner of burgers and hot dogs. They went to a diner not far from the river. It was a cool retro 1950s-style place with red leather seats, black & white checkered tile floors, and framed photographs of Hollywood actors and cars from that time.
Cody and the others sat at a big round booth in a corner next to the jukebox that was lighting up colorful LED lights. They mostly dried off from being in the river and were only a little damp. Everyone in the restaurant recognized Cody and his friends. The female demons squealed with glee over Cody's cuteness and wanted selfies with him. Cody patiently smiled and got together with his fans for selfies. After that, he was finally able to relax with his friends and order food. Loona held him close from behind as Cody rested in her arms.
A tall skinny female imp demon waiter approached them, "Hello, welcome. Shall we start with some drinks?"
"Yes, please. Everyone will have water and I'll have a root beer float," Vortex said.
"Firebeer for me," Loona said.
"Same and the others," Crymini added.
The waiter nodded and turned to Cody, "And you young man?"
"I'll have a root beer float too," Cody answered.
"Alright, I'll be back with the drinks."
"So Cody, how does it feel to be a rockstar in Hell?" Millie asked.
Cody smiled, "It's pretty amazing. Although, I don't know what Tommy and Celeste would say about all this."
Crymini shrugged, "Eh, won't know, won't hurt 'em."
"Yeah, maybe not mention this to them. Not yet anyway," Vortex suggested.
"Still though, it's pretty sweet. I think you're a bigger star than Verosika Mayday," Moxxie said.
"Definitely one with better music," Loona said with her arm around Cody's shoulder.
The waiter returned with everyone's drinks. Everyone ordered burgers, baskets of fries with seasoned salt, and hot dogs. Rocking on stage in front of an audience and going for a swim can build up an appetite. Cody was kind of quiet most of the time while everyone else talked. Blitzo had ideas about how to use Cody's successful fame to his advantage to get more customers for I.M.P. He talked about using Cody for a commercial, and while Loona was unsure about it, Cody had no problem with it if it would help with the business. Everyone kind of pigged out eating a lot but enjoying the delicious food.
It was late by the time everyone headed home, but along the way, Cody kept his eyes open. He was half expecting to see that demon again and even though he was nowhere to be found, Cody could feel someone's eyes on him. Cody kept getting nightmares of that day he lost his parents in that fire while seeing that demon and his glowing smile. He even heard his haunting voice talking as his parents were screaming. He heard him saying things like 'You had this coming,' or 'You made me do this.' All this was twisting Cody from the inside making him uncomfortable.
Cody had difficulty falling asleep.
'Why can't I stop thinking about that? It's been two years,' Cody thought.
Cody got up and went to the balcony to look at the sky. Before he knew it, he felt a pair of hands wrap around from behind. It was Loona in her pajamas.
"What's bothering you?" Loona asked.
Cody looked at her, "Nothing, I'm—"
"Cody, you're good at a lot of things, but lying is not of them. I know when something bothers you. So tell me."
Cody sighed as they both said down on the couch.
"Lately . . . I've been getting dreams of that day. The day when my parents died in the fire," Cody started.
Loona gently rubbed his head while giving a sympathetic look "Cody."
"But I've seen other things in that dream too. I think . . . I think a demon was there that day," Cody said.
Loona's eyes widened.
She adjusted up to sit up to face Cody, "What?"
"In the fire in my house, I remember seeing a man, but he didn't look all that human."
"What did he look like?"
"He was big and really tall. He had a scary smile with razor-sharp teeth that were glowing red. He had four arms, a red coat with white fur around his neck, and a big hat with feathers," Cody explained.
Loona looked more pensive, "Wait, did he have heart-shaped glasses and purple skin?"
"Uh yeah, he did. How did you know?" Cody asked.
Loona grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him square in the eye, "Cody, are you sure that's what you saw in your dream?"
Cody nodded.
Loona looked away and shook her head as she paced back and forth in the living room.
"No, no, no, that's impossible. That can't be," Loona said.
"Loona, what are you saying?" Cody asked.
"Cody, if what you're saying is true then that was Valentino."
Cody looked at her confused, "Who's Valentino?"
Loona spoke in a clear and serious tone, "Valentino is a demon Overlord like Alastor, only he's not just an Overlord. He's a really bad one. He's part of the VVV, one the most powerful Overlords in Hell. He's a pimp, a sex trafficker, and a rapist."
Cody felt a chill up his spine as Loona explained. Cody may have lived in Hell for two years but he was still learning more about
"Really? He's that bad?"
"Oh yeah, I don't can't stress that enough. You want bad? That's bad. He's up with the worst of the worst. But that's the thing. Overlords are not Hell-born demons, they're sinner demons," Loona explained.
"Meaning they used to be human?" Cody asked.
"Yes, and the thing about sinner demons is they can't cross into the surface. They can't go into the human. I'm not saying you're crazy Cody. I know you wouldn't make this up, but it just doesn't make sense."
Cody was quiet before answering.
"Well, maybe it was just a dream. I don't know, but I'd like to know more about the fire that killed my parents. What was the cause of it? Is there any way of finding out?" Cody asked.
Loona scratched her head.
"Yeah maybe. Firefighters don't just put out fires, they investigate what causes them. I don't know how, but they find clues in the rubble and then they file a report to the police."
"Is there a way we can get that report?"
"Yeah, not legally though. However, you know me. I've never been a stickler for the rules."
Cody nodded, "Okay."
"Now, let's go back. Alright?" Loona said.
"Is it alright if I sleep with you? I always feel safer with you."
"Of course kiddo. I hope I don't snore too loud."
Cody followed Loona to her bedroom. They curled in the same bed and Cody felt so safe being in Loona's arms. Loona placed her tail on Cody to keep him warm. He fell asleep shortly after with no nightmares.
The Next Morning
Blitzo made everyone a waffle without any Helloxide and as everyone was halfway through their meal, Loona's phone rang. It was Crystal.
Loona answered, "What's up Crystal?"
"Hey Loona, sorry to call you so early but our guy that was supposed to help us move our stuff to our new place bailed on us. We need some extra hands, think you can help?"
"I kind of got something planned," replied.
"Oh come on. It'll take forever just Serena and me. I already Vortex and he said 'maybe.' I need a yes from someone!"
"Vortex is coming?"
"Yeah!"
Loona glanced at Blitzo and Cody before telling her, "Hang on,"
"Blitzo, are you busy today?" Loona asked.
"Sadly yes. It's that time of the month when Stolas wants me to fu—I mean, wants me to (whistles) him for the Grimoire book, and trust me that is no place for a kid to be around even if he's on the other side of the palace with his MP3 player on," Blitzo answered reminding himself not to swear in front of Cody.
Cody tilted his head with a raised eyebrow confused at what he was talking about but didn't ask.
"Ah, crap, who is gonna watch after Cody then? Octavia or Charlie maybe?" Loona questioned.
"Well, if Crystal and Serena need help moving into their new place I can help," Cody offered.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'm not big and strong but I can help carry boxes and furniture for them. I can help."
"Alright," Loona turned back to her phone, "Is it alright if I bring Cody?"
"Yeah, the more the merrier!" Crystal replied.
"Alright, I'll be there."
Cody and Loona met up at Crystal and Serena's apartment and Vortex arrived shortly after. They only had a few things left to pack in boxes, but everything else was packed and ready for the moving truck. Vortex had all the heavy stuff covered while the others handled the light furniture and boxes.
They had a lot of stuff in their apartment and they were taking it all with them including the refrigerator and washer & dryer. Vortex lifted and carried all that like it wasn't heavy at all without breaking a sweat and impressing the others. Crystal and Serena had a lot of posters, manga books, and anime stuff they collected from their trips to Comic Con.
"Ugh! Why do you have so much stuff?" Loona whined.
"What? We're collectors! It's fun and it'll be worth a lot in the future," Serena shrugged.
"Plus, there's lots of cool stuff at these conventions," Crystal added.
"Dusting and cleaning must be a nightmare," Cody stated.
Vortex and Loona chuckled, "Good one."
The only worse than loading everything into a moving truck is taking it all out. Crystal and Serena bought a house in a Hellhound neighborhood. Of course, most of the neighbors recognized them, especially Cody, and greeted them friendly.
Thankfully, they didn't bother them too much and it didn't take long for them to get everything into the house. Everyone was tired as they sat on a couch or in a chair. Serena playfully sat on Cody.
"Ah! Serena! What are you doing?!" Cody asked half laughing.
"Oh, I think there's something wrong with the couch Crystal. It's talking," Serena teased sitting on Cody.
"I'm not a couch!" Cody protested playfully trying to get her off.
"Yeah and Moxxie's not a possum," Crystal joked.
Loona burst out laughing and the others chuckled. Serena squeezed Cody a hug as she lay down on the couch as they both laughed.
"Is anyone hungry, 'cause I'm starving," Vortex stated.
"Yeah, let's grab lunch," Loona agreed.
They all headed for the Blood Burger, but just before they entered an explosion from the place next door erupted. The shock wave from the explosion shattered windows, cars and vehicles shook, and everyone fell to the ground with their ears ringing.
The gunfire that followed soon after sounded like bubble wrap popping, which is why Cody wasn't fully aware of the danger that was still happening when he tried to stand up. The others were still on the ground trying to get their bearings. Cody leaned against a nearby car as he was trying to get his senses. His sight returned as the blurriness cleared from his vision. Cody saw demons not far shooting each other while some from the Blood Burger were running away. Cody pulled out the 1911 pistol Moxxie gave him from the back of his pants and the cross from his back pocket to defend his friends.
Demons were getting shot up and drenching the road and sidewalk with their blood. Cody could faintly make out a silhouette figure of a very tall man in the smoke from the explosion. There were flashes from the muzzle fire of a machine gun killing demons that tried to shoot at him. Then he stopped firing after he was finished killing the demon gangsters and it was dead quiet. The figure turned to Cody and a glowing red smile with glowing heart-shaped eyes emerged. Cody raised his gun as the figure stepped out of the smoke.
It was the same demon Cody saw from that night by the river, Valentino. As Cody got a better look at him, he saw that he was very intimidating. He was very tall with his red coat with white fur around his neck that had little red hearts and a big red hat with feathers. He had four arms, purple, two of them holding a machine gun, and a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses. Then Cody got a flashback of that day when he lost his parents in the fire. He saw it clear as day. His parents fought this demon off, but he pulled out a flamethrower and set them and the house on fire. A cold chill ran up Cody's spine that gave him goosebumps and he felt his limbs go weak as he started panting.
Cody breathed, "You . . . you were there."
The pimp demon grinned, "Yes, yes I was."
"You killed them. You killed my parents."
Valentino grabbed Cody by the neck and shoulders with his big hands causing him to drop his gun.
"Yes, I did. I'm glad you remember me boy. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Oh, how your parents screamed in agony as they burned," Valentino's grip tightened around Cody's neck causing him to gasp for air while trying to break free.
"It was like music to my ears!" Valentino hollered.
Cody held his cross up for Valentino to see. Valentino made some fearful cries while acting like he was in pain but then chuckled. Cody was baffled as he glanced back and forth between him and his cross.
"Yeah sorry little man, but that doesn't work on me. I killed your wretched parents and now I get to finish the job, killing their precious little boy," Valentino said in his demonic voice at the end.
He tightened his grip again on Cody making him gasp as he tried to get free from the demon Overlord. Valentino watched closely savoring every moment of Cody's suffering as if it was the greatest thing ever to witness. Cody grew weak as the life in his body faded away and he slowly began to close his eyes.
Then Valentino felt a sharp in his arm as he cried out in pain. He growled and looked to see Loona sinking her fangs into his arm while growling like a wolf. Before Valentino could shoot her, Vortex, Crystal, and Serena also bit Valentino hard drawing his blood and growling furiously. Valentino cried out in pain while growling as well and he dropped his machine gun. His grip on Cody loosened allowing him to breathe, but he still held onto him.
Valentino growled a demonic roar and shook Vortex and the other two Hellhounds off and then hit making them fall. Then he grabbed Loona and threw her hard at a car across the street. Loona lay limp as blood dripped from her head. Seeing the others get hurt was bad enough, but seeing Loona bleeding did something to Cody. Something snapped.
Cody felt something within him awaken. He felt it as power began rushing through his veins fueling his anger. Making it turn to pure rage. Cody panted slow deep breaths through his gritted teeth as he glared at Valentino. Valentino turned to Cody and his smile disappeared at what he was witnessing.
Cody's eyes glowed a bright white light making his pupils vanish and then he roared at the top of his lungs. With a push of his hand, a powerful force quickly sent Valentino flying through the air down the road making him slam hard into a stone wall of a building leaving a big crater, and pieces of stone flew everywhere. Cody's body had a white glow outline as some kind of white energy coming off of him and his arms had white lightning zipping around. Then the white lightning began connecting and forming some kind of giant figure in the shape similar to the Hulkbuster in Marvel's Age of Ultron with Cody at the head.
Everyone looked at Cody in shock and awe as he had what almost looked like a giant Hulkbuster made of white lightning. They could feel the ground vibrating as Cody's energy powered up. Cody growled while baring his teeth and clenched his fists with a look of murder on his face and his glowing eyes.
Valentino looked shocked at first, but then a smile emerged, "You want to dance little man? Alright, let's dance!"
