Okay, so this chapter is going to take a bit of a darker turn because I'm going to include some Hazbin Hotel characters. Don't worry, it's nothing graphic, but I still caution my readers that the chapter will start out on a rough note. Just wanted to give you all a heads up.

Chapter 16

Angel Dust ran to his dressing room in the studio, hugging himself and tears ran down his face. Fat Nuggets came up to him and he lifted up his pet pig and hugged him, glad he had brought him to the studio that day because he really needed some comfort.

Val always made him work hard, but today, anything that went wrong was blamed on Angel, though he had nothing to do with the stuff that went wrong. Still, Val had struck him several times and it didn't matter how many times Angel tried to tell him that it wasn't his fault, the moth being didn't care.

The door to his room opened and he flinched, looking up to see it was Vox, who gazed at him before turning and locking the door, making Angel tense up. The television being kneeled down, his eyes taking in the bruises on the spider being's face and he frowned before sighing. "I saw what happened through the cameras," he said. "You didn't mess with the lights or other stuff earlier, did you?"

Though posed as a question, Angel noticed it was said as a statement, meaning Vox knew that nothing had been Angel's fault. "No, I didn't," he answered honestly, hugging Fat Nuggets, who nuzzled his face against his owner's face.

Vox sighed again. One thing he, Valentino, and Velvette had agreed was that they wouldn't interfere with each other's businesses, but the television being had witnessed how Val acted towards Angel. He knew about everything, but that didn't mean he agreed with it. He stood up and looked at Angel. "Pack your things and be ready to go. I'll be back in fifteen minutes," he said to the other.

Angel looked up at him. "Go where?" He asked as he stood up.

Vox placed one finger gently against Angel's mouth in a silent gesture of 'shush' before he walked away. Though curious, Angel quickly got his things together and put Fat Nuggets in his carrier. "Okay, try to keep quiet, Nuggy," he said as he had snuck his pet pig in and he didn't want Val to get angry at him again.

Vox arrived when he said he would and he gestured Angel to follow him, leading the spider being to the basement of the studio where Val held his business. Angel looked around nervously, but felt Vox gently grab his arm and tug it lightly, a gesture to keep going. He did and they were soon at what looked like some old tunnels. They stopped here.

"There's no cameras down here," Vox said as he handed something to Angel. The spider being looked confused and the television being elaborated. "This pass will allow you to go to a club called Ozzie's."

Angel looked at him, still confused. "What?" He asked.

"Look," Vox began. "I know how Val acts around you and frankly, I don't agree with it." He took a deep breath. "The pass in your hand was given to me by Lucifer himself. It only works once, but once you're at Ozzie's, Val won't be able to do anything."

"But...Val still...," the spider being trailed off.

"That will be taken care of later," the television being said before gesturing to the tunnels. "Go. I'll tell Princess Charlie that you're safe."

Angel looked up at Vox. "Why?" He asked.

Vox cocked an eyebrow at him. "Why are you questioning someone who is giving you a chance to run and escape?" He asked, his tone even.

The spider looked at the pass that was held in his shaky hands before he shocked Vox by hugging him. The television being flinched and after a few beats of silence, he pushed Angel away, but the spider noticed that it was a gentle push. "Go," Vox said to him. "And not a word to anyone."

Nodding, Angel took a deep breath and began running, knowing he'd never have another chance if he didn't take this one. He followed the tunnel and soon found himself at what seemed like a magical barrier. He touched it and his hand passed through it. Taking this as a good sign, he went past the barrier and sighed in relief as he was alright. He guessed the pass Vox gave him allowed him to do that.

"Okay, he said Ozzie's," he said to himself. "Hope the place is easy to find."

He found the exit of the tunnel and saw it led to an alleyway. Taking a moment, he quickly pulled out a hoodie from the suitcase he had with him and he slipped on the article of clothing, putting the hood up as he didn't want to be found out. He was still scared that Val could find him.

He stepped into the busy sidewalk and thankfully, no one noticed him. He walked until he saw a large building with the sign saying "Ozzie's". Realizing he was in the right place, he observed the crowd going in and noted that it seemed the bouncers only let in couples. "Okay, this isn't going to be easy," he said to himself, but he didn't want to attract attention, so he decided to try and find a backway in.

Going around the side, he found an alleyway and it was by a door. Taking a deep breath, he was about to try the door, but then paused, a bit scared as he then stepped back and sat down on some old crates, tears suddenly filling his eyes as the situation now sunk in. While he was free of Val and had made it to Ozzie's, where would he go? What jobs could he get?

More tears fell down his face as he wasn't looking forward to being put in the same situation he had been in with Val. He closed his eyes now and just leaned his head back, everything around him becoming quiet as he fell asleep.

Fizz grew curious when one of the workers told him that they had seen something on the camera to the alleyway, but it didn't look like someone trying to sneak in, but rather someone who had run away. From what the worker told him, it was possible the running away had been a split decision.

The jester opened the door and took a look, finding the spider being sound asleep on the crates. A grunting sound caught his attention and he looked to see a pet carrier and inside was a cute little pig, who looked at him curiously. "I'm guessing you must be his pet," the jester said. "You're actually kinda cute. Almost as cute as my babies."

Making up his mind, he picked up the belongings that belonged to the spider in one arm and then picked up Angel in a bridal carry, noticing that the spider being was very lightweight. Thankful that Ozzy had made sure his mechanical limbs could withstand a lot of weight, he carried the spider being and his belongings inside, going straight for Ozzy's office.

Ozzy was finishing up some paperwork as he planned to call it an early night and had given Fizz a short shift too as he wanted to take him and Oliver out to have dinner. Their son had won an award recently for a spelling bee and the club had been doing very well, so well that the profits were higher than ever, which made him smile. The acts Fizz had found turned out to be great and he was happy the jester had found some good talent for the club.

He heard the door open and looked up with a smile before seeing his favorite jester come in sideways, carrying a spider being and what looked like the belongings of the same spider being. "Hi, Ozzy," he said, setting down his cargo. "Sorry, but I couldn't leave him and his pet outside."

The rooster being blinked. "What do you mean?" He asked curiously.

"One of the workers told me they spotted him in the alleyway," the jester said before looking at the spider being better and he noticed something. "Wait, is that a bruise?"

Ozzy at once turned to the other and saw the spider had several bruises on his face, same on his arms too. He then saw something sticking out of the being's shirt pocket and took a look, his eyes widening at what he saw. "What is it, big guy?" Fizz asked.

"It's a one-time pass to go anywhere," the rooster being said. "Not only that, someone had to give this to him because these are only given by Lucifer to someone with a lot of power."

"Think he stole it?"

"No. The magic barrier wouldn't have let him through if the pass had been stolen. I'm guessing from these bruises that he's running from someone who hurt him and someone must have given him this pass knowing that wherever he went, he'd be safe from whoever was hurting him."

Fizz blinked in surprise before looking at the sleeping being. "Well, what should we do?" He asked.

A squeak caught their attention and Ozzy turned to the pet carrier, seeing a pet pig inside. "I've heard of some having pet pigs, but have never seen it," the larger being said.

"It's actually kinda cute," Fizz said, opening the carrier and lifting the small pig out. The animal didn't struggle, but looked at him curiously. The jester began giving the pig a gentle ear scratch and the pig squeaked happily, enjoying the affection.

Ozzy smiled and gave the pig's other ear a gentle scratch and the pig looked very happy. "I think he's enjoying the attention," Ozzy said with a chuckle before standing up. "Alright, we'll take them home. I'll get a guest room set up for him and he can stay until he gets back on his feet."

"What about whoever was after him?" Fizz asked.

Ozzy noticed a bit of paper that was folded up in the being's pocket and he pulled it out, opening it and reading it. He nodded after a bit. "That won't be a problem," he said as he tucked the paper away in his own pocket and carefully lifted up Angel into his arms, frowning. "He's way too light," he commented in worry.

"I noticed that too," Fizz said, getting Angel's belongings and Ozzy opened a portal, which both took to the palace.

Sometime later, Angel Dust woke up, noticing he was laying on something soft, softer than anything he had ever felt before. He sat up, gazing around to see a lavish room. He swallowed hard, looking around before seeing a large rooster being sitting at a nearby desk. The being turned as if feeling eyes on him and he smiled. "Well, good morning," he said, standing up from the desk.

Angel's eyes widened in fear and a scream escaped him as he realized who was standing in front of him. He tried to scramble off the bed he now realized he was laying on and he saw Ozzy come closer to him. "Back off!" The spider being cried out.

"Hey, easy now," Ozzy said soothingly before seeing Angel was getting tangled up in the blankets. The spider quickly tried to get free, but no sooner had he, two large hands clamped around his waist, trapping his arms. Angel let out another scream and kicked, but he was placed on the bed while still in Ozzy's grasp. "Hey, take it easy, Angel."

Fizz came in and he quickly jumped in to help, pinning Angel's kicking legs down. "Hey, it's okay!" He said, looking worried. "You're okay! You're safe!"

"Let go of me!" The spider being cried out, tears starting to form in his eyes as he continued struggling.

Oliver, hearing the cries of the stranger, came into the room where he saw his dad and papa trying to calm the stranger down, but the stranger was crying and struggling. The small boy quickly grabbed something and then climbed up on the bed, his hands reaching out and carefully touching Angel's face.

Feeling the small hands, Angel opened his eyes in a panic, seeing a small kid was beside him. The child smiled at him and began signing. "It's okay. Dad and Papa won't hurt you," he signed.

The spider being thankfully knew sign language and slightly calmed down as the boy turned to his dad. "Dad, can you let one of his arms go?" He asked.

Nodding, Ozzy did so and Oliver took Angel's hand, placing a small, round object in it. "Okay, now squeeze," the boy signed.

Curious, Angel did so and he jumped when the object let out a loud honk. Fizz and Ozzy both jumped too, as did Oliver, who looked confused before looking back at the object in Angel's hand. The spider being squeezed it again and the ball made the same honking sound. "Sorry, I guess I gave you one of Papa's clown noses instead of a stress ball," the boy signed, looking apologetic.

Angel couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him and he got an idea. "Want to know what else honks?" He asked, smiling.

"What?" The boy asked.

He felt a finger gently boop his nose and at the same time, Angel squeezed the clown nose again, making it seem like the boy's nose honked. "That," he said, smiling.

Oliver giggled uncontrollably, which made Ozzy and Fizz smile and the two gently let the spider being go, seeing he was calmer. "How are you feeling?" Fizz asked.

Angel looked at him and Ozzy, looking confused. "Um, where am I?" He asked.

"You're in my palace," Ozzy replied. "Fizz found you outside of the club and we found these in your pocket."

He held up the pass and a piece of paper and Angel looked afraid, but Ozzy gently smiled. "Don't worry, I already know," he said. "The paper was a note from someone and it detailed everything that I need to know."

He then turned to the jester. "Froggie, any luck?" He asked.

"Well, according to our niece, Val is still looking for Angel and she's not telling him where he is," the jester said.

"Wait, niece?" Angel asked.

"Yeah," Fizz said. "Charlie's been keeping us updated."

The spider's jaw dropped. "Charlie's your niece?!" He asked in shock. "No way! You're joking!"

"I can do jokes, but I'm not joking this time," the jester said, smiling.

Just then, Ozzy's phone rang and he answered it, listening as Charlie told him that Val wasn't leaving the hotel. "I'll be right there, kiddo," he said before hanging up the phone and looking at the other three. "I'll be back."

He teleported away, arriving back about five minutes later and looking pleased. "Well, guess who decided to show up around the same time I did," he said.

"Uncle Lucifer?" Oliver guessed.

"Got it in one, Noodle," Ozzy said, playfully ruffling his son's hair.

"Charlie must have called him," Fizz said.

"Actually, it was someone named Al, according to Charlie," the rooster being said.

"Al called him?" Angel said in shock. "Wow, didn't think he'd do that. He doesn't exactly...well, guess he didn't think of him highly, but then again, Lucifer did come to the hotel and agreed to help Charlie. Maybe that changed Al's mind about him?"

"Possible," Ozzy said. "Now then, since you don't have to worry about Val anymore, Angel, you may stay here however long you need to until you get back on your feet."

Angel blinked. "Um, what do you mean 'not worry about Val anymore'?" He asked.

"Oh, he graciously allowed you to retire," the rooster being said. "I personally burned your contract."

The spider was stunned and Fizz chuckled. "I think you shocked him into silence, big guy," he said.

Angel quickly gathered himself. "Um...thank you," he said. "But uh, if you're going to let me stay here, let me at least help out with something."

"You know, I actually do need some help with files," Ozzy replied. "I was looking in my office the other day and I'm afraid my paperwork is all messy, despite me trying to keep it all together."

"I've tried to help too, but he and I often get called to take care of overlooking shipments or fixing the machines that break down," Fizz said.

Angel blinked. "Okay, I can do that," he said.

"Excellent," Ozzy said, smiling. "You can start in a few days. Also, I apologize for springing this on you, but both Fizz and I have business to attend to the next few days and will be away. Would you be willing to watch over Oliver for a few days?"

The spider being blinked. "Um...," he trailed off before looking at the kid, who smiled and hugged him. Just then, a happy squeal caught their attention and they looked to see Fat Nuggets running into the room alongside nine Queives.

Fizz smiled as the little ones came in. "Are you babies having fun with your new friend?" He asked them as they crowded around him and he petted them. Fat Nuggets went up to the jester, who gave him an ear scratch. "Looks like you're all getting along."

Angel had to smile at seeing them. "They're cute," he said.

"Thanks," Fizz said with a smile.

Fat Nuggets went up to the bed and Ozzy carefully picked him up and placed him in Angel's lap. Seeing how calm his pet was around the larger being, the spider smiled. "Hey, buddy," he said, picking up his pet. "Are you behaving yourself?"

Fat Nuggets gave a happy grunt and Ozzy smiled. "We introduced him to the Queives while you were asleep and they became fast friends," he said.

Oliver looked curious and looked up at Angel. "Can I pet him?" He asked, gesturing to the pig.

"Sure," the spider said with a smile. He wouldn't have minded if the kid had pet Fat Nuggets, but he was pleased that the boy had asked first. Oliver pet the pig, who looked happy and he smiled before taking a deep breath and looking at Ozzy. "If I agree to stay until I can get back on my feet and agree to watch over the kids...am I bound to this place?" He asked.

"No," the rooster being said. "I am not going to restrict you like that. You're free to explore, but I do have a rule. If the door is locked, then do not enter. If the door is unlocked, you're free to explore."

Angel waited for him to say more and blinked when no more rules were given. "That's it?" He asked in surprise.

"Yup," Fizz said with a chuckle. "We'll go over the schedule for feeding the Queives and Oliver's schedule tomorrow morning."

The spider took a deep breath. "You guys...are being really generous," he said.

Ozzy chuckled gently, placing a hand on Angel's shoulder. "You won't be mistreated here, Angel," he said. "You have my word."

Angel smiled before nodding. "Okay, so I'm guessing the kid is Oliver, but what do I call you guys?" He asked.

"Fizz," the jester said, smiling.

"Just Ozzy is fine," the rooster being said, also smiling, giving Angel's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

The spider being smiled. "Guess you guys have a house guest," he said. "And I'll watch over the kiddos."

Oliver lit up and hugged Angel, who jumped a little, but then chuckled and hugged him back while Ozzy and Fizz smiled and nodded.

So when I ran this idea by a friend, she kindly reminded me that if Angel was to leave where he was, he'd need permission or a pass to get to elsewhere, which led to the idea of Vox helping Angel. I'm aware Vox is one of the Vees, but there was that scene where he looked at Angel during the 'Poison' song made me wonder if he doesn't agree with how Val is acting around Angel. I honestly dislike that moth guy.

Anyway, Angel Dust will most likely be in more future chapters of this story. :)

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418