Warning: The Following chapter and the chapters hereafter contain some strong language/profanity that may be offensive to some readers. Viewer Discretion is advised.
Engineer bolted down into the bunker, locking the security door behind from any possible threats or intruders. He regrouped with the other mercenaries and Lady Emeraldblade inside the break room, where they were contemplating what went wrong.
"What a disaster." Spy bemoaned his team's performance.
"Now now, calm down, we just had a setback that's all," Medic tried to reassure him.
"Yeah, a MAJOR setback." Scout pointed out.
Spy turned towards Lady Emeraldblade with a stern expression on his face.
"You imbecile! What were you thinking?!" Spy chastised her, clearly beginning to have second thoughts about teaming up with the female warrior.
"Hey, I didn't expect Merasmus to surprise us like that, let alone kidnap Soldier." She protested in response.
"The girl's right mate," Sniper agreed, "None of us expected that."
Everyone turned towards Spy with a look of annoyance, realizing that Sniper was right, he relented.
"Ugh…you have a point Emeraldblade," he conceded, "But how are we going to rescue our comrade? He could be anywhere for anyone's sake."
"Well, whenever Merasmus went, that's likely where we'll find Soldier, I guarantee it," Engineer hypothesized.
"Engineer's right," Lady Emeraldblade replied, "But Merasmus isn't the only person that stands in our way."
"What!" Demoman did a spit take with his scrumpy that he was drinking, "What do you mean lass?!"
"Well for starters there's Nightmare, but Rosalina also told me that Merasmus is just one minion Nightmare has recruited to bring about the end of the Universe," Emeraldblade explained, "She mentioned that there were three: a sorcerer, AKA Merasmus, a succubus, and a siren."
"And what are you saying?" Medic asked.
"What I'm saying is that if we can locate one of the other two minions, then perhaps maybe they will reveal where Nightmare is hiding out, and perhaps where Soldier is located as well," Emeraldblade explained.
"Hmm…the girl's onto something lads," Demoman said.
"But where are we going to find those goons?" Spy asked.
"Hmm…maybe Rosalina knows, after all she was the one who sent me to find you guys." Emeraldblade pondered.
"Then what are we waiting for lass? Take me to see this Rosalina lady you mentioned," Demoman exclaimed.
"Ooh, let me come too." Medic replied with excitement.
"Alright, I guess I can bring along some friends along for the ride." Emeraldblade replied.
Meanwhile, in a large, dilapidated castle at an unknown location, a portal formed inside a large open courtyard. From it, Merasmus emerged, alongside a still-immobilized Soldier.
"Where have you taken me wizard?" Soldier angrily demanded.
"Ah, good question my old enemy," Merasmus replied, "Welcome to Ostrinsburg Castle, the headquarters of my superior Nightmare."
Merasmus proceeded to bring Soldier into the inner throne room of the castle, there he was joined by a tall golem, he too was carrying someone unconscious on his back.
"Astaroth, I see you completed your end of the mission Nightmare sent us both on." Merasmus commented.
"Heh, it wasn't easy," Astaroth said, "This maggot girl's father and girlfriend proved to be a challenge, but nonetheless the three of them were no match to my deadly axe, I should've killed them all on ice."
"Then why didn't you?" Merasmus questioned.
"She had too many friends in that…hotel she was running, proving too much of a handful for me to fight all at once." Astaroth answered, "I'm glad I made it out before the place had another one of those "exterminations" Nightmare warned me about."
"I see…" Merasmus replied.
The two proceeded through a narrow hallway past the throne room and down a flight of stairs. There, they emerged into a dark, run down dungeon, though the place was in an advanced state of disrepair, one cell was still fully intact. The two minions walked up to the cell and proceeded to throw both hostages inside of it, before slamming the door closed and locking it. Merasmus then fired a blue magical bolt at the Soldier, who suddenly regained control over his body.
"Merasmus!" Soldier angrily yelled out, "I demand you release me this instant and-"
"Silence, you MAGGOT!" Astaroth shouted.
"Who are you calling maggot, maggot?" Soldier talked back to the golem.
"Now now, Soldier, don't feel bad about being captured, for soon you and your friends won't have to worry anymore, WHEN THEY'RE DEAD!" the wizard laughed.
Merasmus turned back and left the dungeon, Astaroth followed, but not before leaving a closing remark.
"Farewell maggot, enjoy your stay in the castle dungeon here with your friend, for it will be where you spend your remaining days." He laughed maniacally.
Soldier growled in frustration, but his angered turned to confusion as to whom Astaroth was carrying with him that he threw into the cell with him. He turned to see the female entity lying face down on the ground before him. Soldier walked up and decided to inspect who the individual was. He took his arm and carefully pushed the girl on her side, revealing a strange person in his presence.
The woman had pale white skin and a small black nose, she had long blonde hair reaching down to her waist that was held together by two hairbands in the form of a low ponytail. Her outfit was more striking, as she wore a red tuxedo with a white dress shirt and black bowtie, on her feet was a pair of black-and-white saddle shoes.
"Holy Mary, mother of Joseph!" Soldier reacted with astonishment, "What in God's name are you?"
Around the same time, Lady Emeraldblade, Demoman, and Medic had transported themselves to Rosalina's Cosmic Observatory via calling out Rosalina's name aloud to have them teleported there.
Upon arrival, Demoman and Medic were shocked and amazed by the serene environment all around them.
"Welcome to the Cosmic Observatory guys," Lady Emeraldblade said, "This is my home."
"It's vonderful," Medic commented, "Almost like something I would see in my dreams."
"Aye, it's bloody brilliant," Demoman added.
Suddenly, a giggle unfamiliar to the two mercenaries sounded from nearby.
"Well, I'm glad you like it." Rosalina suddenly appeared, "Hello Calla, it's good to see you back safe and sound, I also see you brought some friends."
"Hi…mom," Calla greeted her adopted mother, "I like you to meet Demoman and Medic."
"Aye!" Demoman waved.
"Oh hello there, it's very nice to meet you." Medic extended his arm to shake Rosalina's hand.
"Well, any friend of Calla's is a friend of mine." Rosalina chuckled.
"Calla? Why does she keep calling you that Emeraldblade?" Medic asked.
"Because that's my real name." Emeraldblade replied.
"Ooh, you learn something new every day, how exciting." Medic said.
Suddenly, a group of Lumas began floating around both the Medic and Demoman with equal intrigue.
"Ooh, what a curious sensation," Medic commented, "What are these little things?"
"These are my children the Lumas," Rosalina answered.
"Ooh, amazing." Demoman reacted.
Rosalina giggled, "Well it looks like they like you two."
Rosalina then turned back to Emeraldblade, "Now then, I assume you aren't here just for a visit, what exactly have you come back to the Observatory for dear?"
"Well for starters, I managed to befriend eight allies while I was down in New Mexico; Medic and Demoman here are among them. They appear to be a group of mercenaries that are out of the job ever since their employer went out of business decades ago." Emeraldblade explained, "We managed to find the sorcerer you mentioned, it was an evil wizard by the name of Merasmus."
"Excellent work Calla," Rosalina commended her adopted daughter, "Was Merasmus any trouble?"
"As a matter of fact he was," Emeraldblade commented, "But we managed to overwhelm him, unfortunately at the last moment he got away, taking one of the mercs with him as a hostage. To make matters worse, we don't exactly know where he went."
"Well the good news is you and your friends are in one piece, not to mention you recruited seven new members in your army to stop Nightmare." Rosalina replied.
Demoman sighed in disappointment, "It would've been eight if the Soldier was with us."
Rosalina felt Demoman's pain, but comforted him by patting him on the shoulder and smiling, "I'm sure you'll find him, and if anything, wherever Nightmare is hiding out, I'm certain that's where you'll find your friend."
"But that's the problem madam," Medic noted, "We don't know where Nightmare is."
"Which is where the second of Nightmare's minions comes into play: the succubus." Rosalina replied.
"A…suck-a-bus? Do we have to suck on a bus with our mouths?" Demoman asked.
"No no no, a succubus," Rosalina corrected the Scotsman, "It's a female demon who manipulates men by seducing them."
"Where can we find her mother?" Emeraldblade asked.
"Unfortunately, the succubus appears on Earth in an unpredictable pattern, making her harder to track than Merasmus," Rosalina replied, "However, she is known to frequently visit another plane, one where her kind is sent to upon their demise."
"Wait a minute, if she is demon, then the plane you are referring to is-" Emeraldblade said, before suddenly being interrupted.
"Uh, uh-oh, alright, this is actually very bad." Medic reacted.
Rosalina nodded with a frown, "I'm afraid so Medic."
Demoman gulped, "Well, I guess we must tell the others about the issue lads."
Emeraldblade nodded reluctantly, before turning back to Rosalina.
"Thank you for this information mother, I'll have to tell the others back at the bunker about this situation."
"Farewell Emeraldblade, I wish you and your friends a safe journey, the underworld is a very dangerous place, and be careful when you find the succubus, she is rather alluring, and not in a good way." Rosalina bid her adopted daughter and her friends farewell, before teleporting them back to the bunker in a bright flash.
Not a moment passed before the three of them suddenly appeared back inside the mercs' hideout. There, they found the other five members gathered around the television watching a news report about Cheesman Park.
"Local eyewitnesses claimed to have spotted a strange green glow originating from the park overnight, however beyond these reports, no concrete evidence has emerged as to whom the perpetrators are. Law enforcement at the scene suspects potential gang activity or possibly foul play, but others claim something more along the lines of-"
Suddenly, Engineer turned off the TV.
"Well, it looks like we're not going back there anytime soon boys."
Suddenly, Heavy noticed that his friends had returned back to the base.
"Medic, Demoman, you're back!" Heavy reacted with excitement.
"So, what did you three find out?" Spy asked.
"Well I have some good news and some bad news," Emeraldblade answered, "The good news is we know where the next of Nightmare's minions is…"
"And what about the bad news mate?" Sniper asked.
"…the bad news…" Emeraldblade hesitated, "We have to travel to the depths of the underworld to find them."
"Umm, what do you mean pally?" Scout questioned.
"What she means lad is we have to go…TO HELL!" Demoman responded dramatically.
Everyone suddenly gasped is horror.
"I know, but what bewilders me is how are we going to get there exactly?" Lady Emeraldblade wondered, "The only way I could think of is that we have to commit various bad deeds then die, but that's not something I wish to do."
Medic nervously fiddled with his fingers, before voluntarily coughing to get everyone's attention.
"Well, uh, I know a way we can get there…" Medic replied.
Everyone raised an eyebrow.
"You do? Well then tell us doc." Sniper told his friend.
"Well, you von't like it, hehe," Medic chuckled nervously, "I made a deal with ze devil decades ago, we agreed that I could stay on Earth for some time in exchange for selling my soul. He was supposed to send me back to hell a few years ago when the deal expired, but he never got back to me for some reason."
"So how do we contact him doc?" Scout asked.
"Well, we need to perform a paganistic ritual involving a pentagram, some candles, and a drop of blood from everyone who plans on traveling there." Medic explained.
Everyone remained speechless, before Lady Emeraldblade finally spoke up.
"Well, I've never committed a sin in my entire life, but if that's what we need to do to find the succubus, then I guess we have no other choice."
"Then what are we waiting for," Engineer responded, "Pony up boys, let's do this ritual."
Everyone dispersed, heading out to gather the material to prepare for their journey to Hell.
Within an hour, everyone assembled inside an old, disused storage room which they planned on using as the setting for the ritual. Engineer had gathered a paint can of blood-red paint, which he planned on using to draw the pentagram on the floor; Spy had gathered some candles, some of which were scented, but nonetheless were optimal for the ritual, as for the Medic himself, he brought out a lancet which he planned on using to gather a drop of blood from all the mercs who were planning on traveling to Hell.
After a brief period of debate, the mercs decided on who volunteered to travel to the world of the damned. Because Medic's soul was part of the deal, it only made sense that he would be one to go. Lady Emeraldblade also agreed to follow him, recapitulating her statement that it was her mission to stop Nightmare's plan, Demoman also agreed to travel with them, as did Scout, and Spy. With the group of "Hell jumpers" assembled, Engineer instructed them to figure out a way to get back to Earth in any way possible, while he, Sniper, and Heavy stayed back.
When the time came, Medic pricked the lancet into each of his companions' fingers, collecting a drop of blood, and placing each one on a piece of paper, while Engineer painted a five-pointed pentagram onto the ground and lit all the candles surrounding it. Medic then gave Engie the signal to turn off the lights, leaving the room illuminated by only the light of the candles. He then motioned his comrades traveling with him to enter the circle, before suddenly reading an incantation in a strange language.
Suddenly, the pentagram began to glow a bright red as flames began to surround the circle, at the same time a strange mirage appeared in front of the group of mercs. In the vision, a strange figure in white appeared, looking utterly confused.
"Hello Satan!" Medic greeted the figure with excitement.
"What? Who the FUCK are you?!" The figure questioned Medic in confusion, "Also, that's not my name."
"Oh, uh, sorry there…Mister…" Medic struggled to get the figure's name out.
"Morningstar, Lucifer Morningstar." The figure replied, "So what can I do for you exactly?"
"Ooh, well um I'm an old client of yours, the Medic," Medic answered, "I was wondering if I could end the deal we agreed upon years ago."
Suddenly, Lucifer pulled out a ledger of his predecessor's old contacts, after searching through the ledger, he found the Medic's name alongside a description of the deal he made with him decades ago.
"Ah yes, here we go, it seems you sold your soul alongside another fellow's back in 1972 in exchange for the Devil's pen and the agreement that you can stay on Earth for the next 50 years," Lucifer explained, "However, it seems after sometime, I must've forgotten about the deal, so when the expiration date passed, you stayed on Earth beyond the date."
"So, could you end the deal?" Medic asked, "My clients and I here need to travel to Hell to find a succubus and prevent the end of the Universe."
Lucifer rolled his eyes and sighed, "Look sir, I've been fucked up as of late, Hell's been plagued by exterminations on and off recently, we had a big one a few months back, which me, my daughter, and her friends successfully repelled, though her beloved hotel was severely damaged in the process. Now, she's been kidnapped by some sort of shithead golem. She was the pride of my life, very sweet, believed that angels and demons can coexist peacefully, a bit delirious at times, but nonetheless a good person in the end."
"Sheesh, I'm sorry about that Mr. Morningstar," Emeraldblade sympathized.
"Ugh, now I have a headache after that predicament…so I'll tell you what, since I'm in a bad mood and this issue of yours is the least of my problems, I'll allow you and your friends that are travelling with you to enter Hell with your souls intact, free of charge."
"Really?" Medic asked excitedly.
Lucifer nodded, "However I should warn you, Hell is not a friendly place, many sinners don't take kindly to fleshy humans as much as those shitty angels, and if the Exorcists arrive, the whole place becomes a warzone, I hope you and your friends know how to defend yourselves. If you need me, come to the Hazbin Hotel."
Suddenly, the vision vanished. Lady Emeraldblade, as well as the mercs were expecting some sort of portal to appear and transport them to Hell, but nothing appeared.
"Um, is something supposed to happen?" Emeraldblade asked.
"Well uh, maybe we didn't use the right candles or something, perhaps if-"
Suddenly, a portal appeared at their feet, surrounding the field encompassing the pentagram. The mercs and Emeraldblade looked down, realizing that something bad was about to happen.
"Aw crap." Scout reacted.
Suddenly, gravity took effect, causing all five of them to fall inside the portal as they began screaming in agony. They were now on their way…to Hell.