Author's note: AAAAAAAAND there it is, peeps, the first chapter of the sequel to my story "the anarchy demon"
Gotta give a few heads up, first, this story is still going to feature my OC Ashley, but more so in the bakground, it will be mostly a Lute centric tale,
second, this story will be allot darker and tragic then my anarchy demon tale, which had plenty bits of comedy sprinkled in.
But all that aside, by all means enjoy the tale and i'm excited to see where this will go.
A lesson in humility,
"An anarchy demon tale"
Chapter 1:
Rock bottom
It had been almost 3 years since Lute's final attack on the hotel and her downfall, which landed her soul into the possession of the Vee's. Specifically, the cruel overlord who she once so tormented, Vallentino.
Ever since Angel Dust was freed in exchange for her soul, Lute had become the pimp overlord's new cash cow and it was a little getting used to not only seeing her face plastered everywhere,
but also seeing her being starred in almost all of his latest film projects as she had quickly become not only his personal favorite plaything, but also quite popular among the crowd, it wasn't every day that you got to see a fallen angel getting her brains plowed out by like 7 sinners at once after all.
But something with this whole situation didn't sit right with Vaggie.
The former exorcist didn't drink often, but in the few times she would, she had done it with the specific reason to seek out the council of the hazbin hotel's "wise old bartender" as she was currently playing absentmindedly with the rim of her glass.
"So…what's eating you up?" Husk would pipe up from behind the bar as he was in the middle of cleaning a glass "You got "that" look on your face"
Giving a smile, Vaggie would just chuckle "Can read me like a book, can't you, seriously, at this pace, you should consider becoming a therapist here at the hotel" before her face took on a more solemn look "…it's Lute…..i don't know how to feel…I mean, sure, after everything she did, she deserved punishment….but giving her soul to Vallentino?" she would furrow her brow as she took a big gulp from her drink "If Angel's stories are true, she's undergoing the worst physical and emotional torment…."
"Wasn't she your bitter ex?" Husk asked.
Vaggie sighed "Yea….yea she is….and I'm starting to think it was one of the reasons why she…." She went quiet for a moment as she gestured to the eyepatch, covering her empty socket "…ya know…..and even tho I'd never take her back…part of me can't help but still feel sorry for her…even after everything she did…"
"S'pose seeing her face plastered everywhere doesn't make it much easier, hu toots?" Vaggie would hear behind her as the spider demon Angel Dust would approach from behind and plop down on a barstool next to her.
"Having yourself exposed like that for thousands of people to see….it just…" Vaggie would get out, before Angel Dust spoke up "Makes ya uneasy? Yea, I know, imagine how I felt back then" as he smiled and gestured to Husk, who just smiled as he spoke "The usual for you, Legs?"
Smirking, Angel would lean onto the bar "Ya know me too well, Husky" and as Husk poured him his favorite drink, Vaggie spoke "So, how's working for Ozzie in the lust ring? Ozzie a bit of a good boss?"
Taking a sip from his drink, Angel Dust threw his arms in the air "Ya kidding me? It's everything I fucking hoped and more! I get to do what I love AND work with the sin of lust himself….it…it's nice to be able to find joy again in something I thought Val had tainted for me forever"
The 3 would talk more till late into the evening when Vaggie's phone began to ring with an alarm "Welp" she said as she slapped her legs and got up "Time to lock up the hotel for the night" as she whistled for Keekee, who came running towards her, poofed into the key as Vaggie picked her up and began to head towards the doors.
She would take one final peek outside to make sure all the other residents had made it inside as she did a quick survey of the courtyard.
Everything seemed to be in order, but as she walked past Dazzle's memorial statue, she would gently put a hand on the chest of the artwork "…..it's been nearly 4 years…and I still miss you, little buddy….." but as she glanced down, she would spot what looked like a black and red spade on the ground.
Narrowing her eyes, Vaggie would raise a single eyebrow in confusion as she slowly took out her spear and very carefully, gave the thing a poke with the tip.
Taking a step back, her eyes went wide when the thing flinched and pulled away, revealing itself to be the spaded tip of a demonic tail, which retreated in-between the front and back legs of the statue.
Gripping her spear tightly, Vaggie would circle around to where the tail had disappeared off to as she leaned in and peeked in between the limbs of the statue, to the hollow it created.
There was a form, huddled together in the fetal position, but in the dim light and the shade of the statue, Vaggie was unable to make out what or WHO it was.
Throwing caution in the wind, she whipped around her spear and gave it a strong poke with the butt end, making the shape flinch and release a quick, short yelp.
Softening a bit, Vaggie would set the butt of her spear onto the ground as she leaned onto it casually "You know, if it's redemption you want, you'd have much better luck finding it inside instead of sulking out here in the cold" she spoke with a teasing, yet friendly tone.
The shape would just huddle closer together as part of its upper garment would hike up, revealing leftovers of what seemed to be sensors and metal scraps, encased in deep, golden scars, as Vaggie now also slowly became aware of a bob of short, stark white hair…..almost like…
Vaggie's eyes widened as she took on a fighting stance, aiming her spear at the shape "What….are YOU doing here…Lute…"
The shape would finally raise its head and look at Vaggie over its shoulder, revealing those greenish, yellow eyes….tho something about them was different.
"Get up" Vaggie sneered. The shape obliged as it slowly stumbled out of its hiding spot.
Now standing on 2 legs, Vaggie could finally see her properly. Her body was covered in what appeared to be scars formed by shallow cuts as she wore some form of skimpy outfit, probably forced onto her by Vallentino.
Even tho her face had a thick layer of foundation on it, something the Lute Vaggie knew would NEVER do, it did very little to hide the dark bags under her eyes, as well as the bruises….bruises that, in fact, littered her entire body upon closer inspection.
Vaggie was still apprehensive about her fellow fallen angel, aiming her spear at her "Maybe you didn't hear me the first time….why….are you here….Lute…." she said sternly.
But her whole attitude softened when Lute's gaze would finally meet hers….
Whatever light once shone in her eyes….was gone….before her stood a broken woman….whatever fighting spirit she once had, it had been thoroughly beaten out of her, meticulously over the course of 3 years.
"He…" she would finally speak up, her voice hoarse and rough, but still distinctly Lute "he….made me…."do" things…." As she shivered in the cool, evening air.
She would avert her gaze, as Vaggie could see only shame in her eyes "He did…."things" to me…" as she held onto her own arm.
Her body was thin, sure it'd look great on camera, but Vaggie was clearly able to see, whatever diet Vallentino had her on to keep her looking good for the shoots, it couldn't be healthy, she looked like she was practically starving….whatever proud muscle tones she once had, there was just nothing left…..
When Vaggie first realized who she was talking to, she had half expected a fight….but this was the LAST thing she expected….whatever the pimp overlord had tone to her, Lute was but a shell of her former self….just…..empty….
Making a split second decision, Vaggie spoke "You stay RIGHT here" as she ran back inside.
..
..
"You can't be serious, right?!" Angel Dust would yelp as Husk piped up "You fucking high?!"
Vaggie rubbed her temples "Once I bring her inside, you can see what I mean….there's there's nothing left…..the light in her eyes is just…it's gone…he…. he broke her"
By this time, Charlie ran into the lobby, holding what appears to be a blanket "Here Vaggie" she spoke as she handed it to her partner before she spoke "Should I come with you?"
"I don't know Charlie, she might get overwhelmed" Vaggie spoke.
"Well" Charlie answered "As a fallen angel, Lute isn't just under my dad's rule, it makes her one of MY people now too…." As she stared into Vaggie's eyes in concern.
Sighing deeply, the fallen angel relented "Alright Charlie, but give her some space if it looks like she needs it, ok?" to which the princess firmly nodded.
..
..
A few minutes later and Vaggie and Charlie were now coaxing a shivering Lute inside, wrapped in a blanked as she couldn't help but just stare at the ground with an empty expression.
Slowly and carefully leading her to a nearby sofa, they gently sat her down as Charlie quickly got back up "I'll put a kettle on" to which Vaggie responded "Good thinking, babe. Some tea might be a good idea" as the princess would disappear around a corner.
..
..
By now, a mug of hot tea was gently steaming on a coffee table before her as Lute sat on one of the sofas in the hazbin hotel, on either side of her the princess and her partner as she still was firmly clutching the blanket that they had wrapped around her.
"Holy shit….you weren't kidding…." Angel Dust spoke up as he slowly approached "I know that look in her eyes…some of the girls in Val's studio had it….hell I used to have it…."
"How'd you get rid of it?" Vaggie asked as Charlie looked at the spider demon with concern.
"One simple word, toots" as he made a gesture with his hands, as if miming out a rainbow " it's called "masking" sugar tits"
However, they would notice that, upon mentioning the pimp overlord, Lute would flinch as her breathing began to pick up and her eyes widened and began darting from left to right frantically, as if trying to find an escape, taking on a panicked expression while her body began to shake.
Seeing this, Charlie began to panic "oh shitshitshitshitwhatdowedo?!"
As the 2 women were trying to get Lute to calm down, Angel Dust would shoo them away "She's having a panic attack! MOVE, GIVE HER SPACE!" as he kneeled in front of her "Hey toots, look at me, stay with me now, ok?" as he tried to get the panicking angel to make eye contact with him.
"Deep breaths…..in through your nose…and out through your mouth…can you do that for me?" he spoke as he demonstrated it to her a few times. The shaking woman would slowly begin to mimic his breathing as he smiled "Very good, now, put your hand on the couch…can you feel it? You're not in the studio….you are here, in the hotel. You're safe here….deep breaths"
With wide eyes, Charlie and Vaggie stared as they got to see a side of Angel they never knew before as they slowly saw Lute come down from her panic.
He would slowly spread his arms "Can i…touch you?"
Lute just stared at the ground, tho after a few minutes of not moving, slowly nodded. Taking his cue, Angel would gently embrace her into a hug as he began to stroke the top of her head, between her horns "I…I sadly know all too well what he's like….you're not alone, sis….ok? you can always talk to me"
Still amazed, Vaggie would chime up "Wow…Angel…you're really good at this…." to which Charlie added "Have you ever considered maybe joining the hotel staff?"
The spider demon would look up at them from his kneeling position and smile "Ya know what? I might just take you up on that offer…"
..
..
About 30 minutes later and Angel Dust had managed to get the fallen angel to calm down as she was now clutching her mug, every now and then taking a sip of tea, tho still staring off into the distance.
"…..why….."
This caught everyone's attention as they all looked at her "I….i tried to destroy everything you love….i tried to kill you…..why are you….being….so nice to me….i don't understand…."
Charlie would exchange a glance with Vaggie, who nodded in understanding as the princess sat down next to her "It's….what the hazbin hotel is all about…..to offer help to those who seek it out….you came to our doorstep looking for help…."
"…..i…..i was consumed by revenge…." Lute whimpered.
Sighing, Vaggie spoke "Yes, yes you were….i'm not gonna deny that" Lute just kept staring off "I tried….to justify it….by blaming all of you….but…I can see now…." As she clutched her mug, almost making the ceramic crack as tears began to roll down her cheeks "…..that I have no one to blame but myself…."
Charlie would gently put a hand on her shoulder "Well…yes, that is true…but the fact that you can see that now means the first step in bettering yourself, right?"
Raising her head, Lute would finally look at the princess, her eyes puffy from tears as dark rings of exhaustion framed her eyes "After everything I did….you're still willing to….take me in?"
The princess just smiled "Everyone deserves a second chance"
Lute would smile for the first time, even tho it was a half pained one as she once again averted her gaze as she addressed Vaggie on her other side.
"I….i think I finally understand now….what you see in her…."
Vaggie just smirked.
"Took you long enough….welcome to the hazbin hotel…..Lute…"