Here's the next chapter. Like I said, it will be a timeskip. I hope everyone enjoys the direction I'm taking this story. One chapter today. Maybe another short one tomorrow.
In the royal palace, a figure was sneaking about.
The figure was small, quick, and determined in its' mission to find victims. Well, one victim in particular. This predator had easily sneaked in under the cover of a portal that granted easy access into the palace. It had not been easy to obtain such a means. The predator had bartered heavily to gain it. But it was sure worth the wait if the figure was successful.
Slowly, the predator creeped along the deserted hallways. It studied the movements of the staff. It knew they would be preparing breakfast for the royal family around this time. Many of them would be in the kitchens.
But just as the predator entered the palace wing of its' target, a door opened. The predator immediately took cover behind one of the suits of armor that lined the hallways. A quick peak confirmed it was Charlotte Morningstar, the Princess of Hell. She was walking down the hallway, humming a happy tune. Her bodyguards, small, flying goatdragons wearing suits, were flying behind her.
The figure waited patiently until the princess was out of sight. Then it slowly creeped around the suit of armor and continued to find its' prey. It didn't take long for it to find the target, as it new where the victim was sleeping. The door to the victim's room was unlocked. Assuring it would always be safe in the palace's security, the victim had let itself become vulnerable.
The predator grasped the handle with both hands and slowly opened the door. The door didn't squeak as the hinges opened. There, the victim laid. Sleeping. Unaware of the danger it was in.
Seizing the opportunity, the predator pounced on the prey.
"Happy Birthday!"
Harry Potter, prince of Hell, was rudely and violently woken up from his slumber as a flying object jumped onto him and his bed. He struggled to remove the covers from his body, but his attacker had pinned him down. His pillow was snatched from underneath his head and he was suddenly beaten with it.
Finally, Harry got free from his covers, grabbed the pillow that was beating him on the head, and looked at his attacker.
"Via, what the heck?" asked Harry when he finally recognized his attacker. "It's 7 in the morning! Why are you waking me up?"
"It's your birthday, you goofball," Octavia Goetia said as she smirked at her best friend. "And you know happens every year on your birthday."
Harry sighed and flopped back down. "We go to Lu-Lu World."
"Lu-Lu World!" cried Octavia happily. "So much better than Loo-Loo Land."
Harry sighed and gazed at his closest friend since childhood. She was an Ars Goetia owl demon and heir to the Goetia family. She was very lanky. But she also very pretty as well, even though Harry would never admit that. The sclera in her eyes was pink with white pupils. Her gray feathers were neatly combed. She had a white-feathered mask outlining her face, giving notice to her cute, beaked mouth.
Today she was dressed in a pretty white and pink dress with stars dotted over it.
"You know my grandpa would let you and your parents have access passes to his theme park if they would just ask."
"I know that," said Octavia as she flopped on the bed beside him. "But mum doesn't to get involved with the royal family for such trivial matters. She finds it beneath her."
"Ugh. Your mom is such a meanie," Harry muttered.
"I know," Octavia agreed. She hopped off the bed. "Now get up, you plebian. Your mum probably has her chocolate chip pancakes ready for your birthday."
"I'll get right on it, princess," Harry groaned. Though he laughed a little when he saw Via stick her tongue out at him.
Harry climbed out of bed and went to his dresser mirror. The image reflecting back at him showed a boy who was finally entering the double-digit age. The big 1-0. He was sure he would be happier about getting older when the sleepiness left his body.
He tried to comb the mess that was his hair but figured he would fix it later after showering. He turned back to try and make his bed but found something sitting on it.
"Some bodyguard you are. You are supposed to protect me," groaned Harry.
Sitting on his bed was Salem, his pet and protector since was an infant. He was told by his mom that she was just an ordinary housecat from Earth. But when he needed a guardian, his grandpa used his magic and gave her a power boost. Now, she looked like a large panther cub with black fur and yellow eyes.
She ignored Harry and licked her paw. Harry groaned and left his room, making his way to the kitchen. As he passed along the hallway walls, he could see the hanged pictures the showed the years growing up in the palace. There was a large portrait of Harry and his mom wearing royal robes and looking regal. Then there were pictures of Harry and his mom making goofy faces at a camera. Another showed Harry as a dressed-up knight riding a regal-looking horse, who was actually his transformed grandfather. Harry and Octavia in their younger years making a mess with finger paint.
And Harry's favorite: Harry learning a levitation spell as his mom and grandfather looked on with pride.
That was just a couple of months ago. Harry's magical abilities began to really manifest last year after he was involved with a fight with his tutor, who was disappointed in the way Harry was lacking in his history lessons. Harry claimed that history was boring and didn't need to learn it. The tutor smacked Harry on the head with his pointer, which caused Harry's abilities to shatter the pointer into splinters. Harry' family was proud of him, but he still got grounded. After that, Lucifer promised if Harry would be good and study his history, he could begin to study magic with his grandfather and Prince Stolas when he turned 10.
Harry went in the kitchen, where his mom and Via were sitting at the table. A large stack of pancakes was in the center of the table. It was a yearly tradition for the Princess Charlotte to make breakfast for her son. And after nearly burning down the kitchen years ago, she decided to simply make pancakes. Harry didn't mind at all. When he entered, his mom immediately got up and seized him in a tight hug.
"There is my little man," his mom cheered happily.
"Mom, stop it," Harry groaned into her stomach.
"But my little man is turning 10 today. No longer to be a single digit age." His mom pulled back. Harry could see her eyes were beginning to water. "Oh, where did the time go?" she asked.
Charlotte 'Charlie' Morningstar had not changed at all since her decision to raise Harry. Still young, still beautiful, and still the happiest demon in Hell. Her blond hair was longer, now reaching her waist. The only other change was the wisdom she now held in her eyes. The wisdom gained from being a mother.
Oh, and the smudge of flour on her face that remained from making pancakes.
"Sit down. Eat up. We'll be at the park before 9," Charlie said as she pushed Harry into his chair and heaped pancakes onto his plate.
"Thanks for making breakfast, mom," Harry said.
"Thank you, Miss Morningstar," said Octavia.
"I've told you to call me Charlie, Via," smiled Charlie.
"I know but I must be formal," said Via.
"A pox on those regal studies that we have to endure," Charlie said as she sat back down. "When I am made queen, I will outlaw them."
"Please do," said Harry and Octavia at the same time.
"Breakfast time!" sang a voice as the kitchen doors opened with a flourish. In walked the King of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar. "Happy Birthday, kiddo!"
"Thanks, grandpa," said Harry, laughing as Lucifer gave the boy a noogie into his already messed-up hair. "Stop it!"
Octavia quickly wiped her mouth, stood from her chair, and gave a perfect curtsy to Lucifer. "Greetings, your majesty."
"Greetings, young heiress," Lucifers said as he bowed back. Then he smiled. "Now that we got all the regal crap out of way, let's eat."
"Sure thing, Uncle Lucy," said Octavia as she sat back down. Octavia had spent so much time at the royal palace that the Morningstar family started to see her as family. The first time she called the King of Hell Uncle Lucy had been when she was 4 when she and Prince Stolas had been visiting. Stolas nearly choked to death in horror, but Lucifer just laughed and let her keep calling him that.
Lucifer had changed so much over the years. No longer keeping to his room to build his toys. He had been out and about for years. One day he took a walk through the Pride Ring and nearly caused a massive panic. Many citizens and Sinners hadn't seen the King in decades and were wondering why he was in the public eye. It even made the news, which the story had ran for a week with crazy conspiracies on why Lucifer had returned.
While he wasn't enforcing his rule as king these days, he was reminding people he was still here.
He also spent more time with his family. He watched over Harry, took trips to the other rings with his daughter, and was in secret talks with the Kings of Sin and other royal families. Only the royalty knew what for.
"So how did you get here so early," Lucifer asked Octavia as he helped himself to Charlie's pancakes.
"Dad let come over early if I wouldn't complain about mom's classes for the next week."
Lucifer shuddered. "That harpy is a real bi-"
"Dad!" Charlie interrupted.
"-g pain in my butt," Lucifer finished. He gave a sheepish look to Octavia.
"I know she is. Just don't tell her I agreed with you," Octavia said.
Lucifer chuckled. "I knew I liked this girl."
Charlie groaned with annoyance and flopped onto the table.
"Eat up and let's get going," she mumbled into her arms.
By 9, a portal opened up into the middle of the Lu-Lu World's parking lot. Charlie, Harry and Octavia along with Razzle, Dazzle, and Salem walked through. Since he was the owner of the park, Lucifer offered to have a private event for Harry and Octavia only, but Harry said no.
"Part of the fun is enjoying it with everyone, not just family," said Harry.
"You sure you don't want to come?" Charlie asked her father through the portal.
"And cause another mass panic. No thanks. Just give me a call when you're ready to leave and I'll be here." Lucifer stepped back and the portal closed.
Charlie looked around and noticed everyone staring at them. Shyly, she pushed Harry and Octavia to the ticket counter. She handed her lifetime pass to the clerk.
"One adult, two children, three bodyguards," she said.
The imp took her pass without a glance, scanned it, then handed it back with three bracelets.
"Enjoy," he said in a gruff, uncaring voice.
Charlie frowned but handed the kids their bracelets. She put one on Octavia, then the other on Harry. Harry was already wearing another bracelet. It was a powerful charm that allowed Harry to change his features. Now, he looked like a Morningstar family member. His black hair was now a light blonde. His green eyes were gone. In place, his eyes had yellow sclera and red irises. His light skin turned whiter. His cheeks had a rosy touch and his mouth had transformed to have fangs like his mother.
Charlie patted his bracelet charm. "Keep this on at all times," she warned.
Harry nodded. "I will." He knew he looked different then most demons. His mom told him it was something that made him special, but he really didn't know why. It was also why he had to move his room to one with a shower and toilet.
"Let's go," Charlie said as she pushed Harry and Octavia to the gates.
For hours, the trio spent the day in total enjoyment. They rode rides, went to the petting zoo, watched a circus troupe entertain children. When lunch rolled around, that ate at a diner. Even with Charlie's money, the kids kept everything as cheap as they could. They didn't ask for novelty shirts, hats, cups or toys. Even when Charlie offered to do so. They accept a novelty snake and apple hat though and wore them through the rest of the trip.
Even though Harry was older, there were still rides he couldn't ride on because of his height. Apparently, there were some things even a prince of Hell couldn't do. He was able to convince his mom to let him and Octavia go through the spooky haunted mansion maze.
"Are you sure you don't won't me to go with you?" asked Charlie.
"Mom," Harry groaned. "I'm 10 now. I don't need you to old my hand."
"Very well, my big, little man." Charlie ruffled his hair. "Be brave and protect your princess," she added, throwing a wink at Octavia.
"Mom!" Harry quickly grabbed Octavia's hand and rushed into line.
"Check it out," a voice growled.
"What?" said a second voice.
"The kids who just got in line," the first voice pointed. "That's an Ars Goetia family member."
"So, it is. Who is the kid next to her?"
"I don't know. But the woman he ran from is Lucifer's brat."
"The princess? Does she have a little brother?"
"It doesn't matter. He's got the look of Morningstar. Means he could be worth just as much as one."
"Rraaaaggh!"
"Ahh!" shrieked Harry and Via.
"Heeheehee," the scary demon laughed as he ran away after scaring the kids.
"This may have been a bad idea," said Octavia. She was clutching Harry's arm tightly.
"We'll be fine," Harry assured her. He was trying to ignore his shaking knees. "We just need to keep moving."
There were on the top floor of a haunted house. The hallways were dark, littered with cobwebs, and lit with candles. There was also a slight fog drifting around their legs. Occasionally, a demon would appear out of nowhere and scare them. Other times a creepy voice would laugh or scream bloody murder.
They made their way through the hallway and to a set of stairs. The signs on the wall had arrow pointing to the exit downstairs. Slowly, they walked down to the first floor. Then both wrinkled their noses at a weird smell in the air.
"What is that?" Octavia asked. She held a hand to pinch her nose.
"I don't know. Probably some garbage to scare us."
When they landed on the first floor, a scene from a horror movie greeted them. Two scary looking Sinners were each holding a bloody knife in their hands. On the floor were two bodies of murdered victims. Their blood forming pools beneath their bodies.
"Wow. Morbid," Harry muttered.
"There they are," said one of the Sinners.
The second one reached out and grabbed Octavia by the wrist. She was jerked forward.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Harry yelled. Earlier in the line, the attendees assured everyone they were only meant to be scared and no violence would occur from either party.
"Shut up!" yelled the other Sinner as he grabbed onto Harry's arm. Harry tried to fight him off and was jerked off his feet. He landed on the floor and into the puddle of blood. Harry's eyes widened with horror when he realized the blood was real. It was the smell from earlier.
"Hel-!" Octavia tried to yell before her mouth was closed. She was carried into one of the rooms where the actors would hide, ready to scare anyone who passed. Harry was half-dragged, half-carried in after her.
The two Sinners pushed them against the wall in the room. One shut the door behind them while the other kept his knife on the children. Harry pushed Octavia behind him, where she clutched tightly to his back.
"I wouldn't move if I were you," said the Sinner brandishing the knife.
"What the hell's going on?" Harry demanded.
"Oh, just seeing a quick score when we sell the Goetia brat to some very interesting demons?"
Octavia gasped and clung to Harry tighter.
"I am not going to let that happen," said Harry. "I am Harry Damian Morningstar, Prince of Hell. I demand that you let us go."
The two creeps just laughed.
"Really? A prince of Hell? I never heard of you. You think a Morningstar prince would be born without some big announcement to let all of Hell know?" said the knife Sinner.
"Let's cut him up before you take the girl," said the other Sinner.
"Help!" Octavia yelled.
"No helps coming. Nobody heard those two scream when we gutted them earlier. They ain't going to hear you either."
"Maybe not. But somebody is going to hear this." Harry put his fingers into his mouth and let out a piercing whistle.
A moment later, a figure jumped out of the shadows against the wall. It was Salem. But gone was the jungle cub. In her place was a large, black panther. Much larger than a normal one. Her sleek black fur was now riddled with sharp spikes. Her fangs extended past bottom jaw by 5 inches. All her retractable claws were unleashed and deadlier than a velociraptor's. Her tail was longer than normal, whipping around in a frenzy. On the end was a deadly, bone sickle.
And right now, here yellow eyes were gone and were replaced with blazing red of hellfire.
Salem opened her mouth and unleashed a terrible howl.
"Holy fuck!" cried one of the Sinners.
Harry turned away from the carnage about to unfold. He pressed Octavia close to spare her from the bloody scene. The screams of the Sinners echoed in the room along with Salem's howls. There was a crack from her tail whipping through the air and a horrible sound of liquid splashing against the walls. Harry could even feel some of it hitting him in the back.
A few moments later, the screaming stopped. Harry slowly turned around, keeping Octavia's vision blocked from the bloody carnage. There, in the center of the room, was Salem back in her cub form. She was casually licking the blood off her paws. What remained of the Sinners laid in pieces all over the floor. Blood and bits of flesh slowly dripped down the walls.
Harry sighed. "Mom's not going to like this."
End of the chapter. Quick question: Are my chapters too short?