AN: Have an update!

Disclaimer: We do not own Helluva Boss and the Angel AU concet is originally EmositeCC's idea who we were given permission to use!

Heart of Greed

Part 3

By TalosLives & CrackedInkWell

Based on EMositeCC's AngelAUSeries

Loona had done bad things before in her life. Angels, despite being made by God, were not perfect beings. When Loona was seven, she tried to forge her parents' signature on a lousy test score. Her parents grounded her for two weeks. When she was twelve, she secretly stayed up late to play video games without Uncle Blitz's permission and had her consoles taken away for a week. When Loona was seventeen, she and her friends went to a secret party hosted in the school, only for them to get a month's long detention when it was exposed.

So it wasn't that Loona hadn't gotten in trouble or done bad things, but most of those were harmless. This was the first time she had actively harmed someone. Someone important to her and loved like family. Uncle Blitz and her father had been best friends, and she grew up always having him around and loving him as if he were her real uncle. Learning he died with her father broke her heart, and when she lost her mother, Loona thought her life would never be happy again. But Uncle Blitz crawled out of Hell to come home, and the moment he did, he adopted her. Moving on from losing her parents was hard, but Uncle Blitz had been patient, caring, and loving to Loona. She couldn't have asked for a better uncle.

No.

A better second father.

And how did she repay those years of trust? By attacking him like a mad dog and making him bleed.

I'm a monster. A monster! Loona thought to herself as she sobbed into her pillow. Her room was a mess thanks to a fit of self-disgusted rage that filled her head when she got home. Loona's mirror was smashed, her sports trophies from school were crushed, her clothing ripped apart, and even pictures she treasured over the years were broken in both glass and frame. Pictures that contained her ugly face.

What kind of person am I? Hurting my own uncle like that? All because I was that obsessed with Collin, Loona sniffed as she looked up at the ceiling. I don't deserve to be loved. Not by Uncle Blitz, Collin, Moxxie, Millie, Keenie, Cletus, or anyone else! Not even my parents deserve a daughter like me.

The thought of such a thing made her cry harder. She missed them so much. Her father used to carry her in his big arms and nuzzle her face with his fuzzy fur. Her sweet and gentle mother sang to her whenever she needed to be calmed down. What Loona would give for their warm touch and loving voices to be heard What she would give to be a better angel than the horrible one she was now.

"Loona?!" Blitzo's voice echoed from outside as he knocked on her door. "Loona?! It's me! Are you okay?!"

"Go away!" Loona cried as she hugged her knees close to her chest.

"Loony, please! I want to talk! I don't blame you for what happened! It wasn't your fault!" Blitzo shouted.

"Yes, it was! I hurt you! I acted like an animal!" Loona shouted as she sobbed into her knees. "Please… just leave me alone… please..."

Blitzo was quiet on the other end of the door before he sighed. "Alright, I'll… leave you alone… but Loona? No matter what, you are always my niece, and I love you. You're not a bad angel. You're a good girl. I promise."

Loona wanted to believe that.

The problem was she couldn't.

Once it was clear that Loona wouldn't be coming out of her room to talk, Blitzo went to the fridge to get a six-pack and sat down to drink while thinking heavily. He hated seeing his niece like this. All broken in pieces and blaming herself for something she had no control over. Blitzo knew what the heart of a Greed Demon Lord could do to anyone holding it. Even the toughest of angels could fall victim to its power. Loona had no training to deal with it, and the fact that she was lost to its luring aura wasn't a surprise.

Had Bltizo known what was inside that box, he would have smashed it and ripped it to shreds before shooting it a few times just to be sure. The can of beer in his hand was crushed as his rage threatened to overflow out of him. This Dr. Web bitch was doing something he was sure was immoral and illegal. How she even managed to get clearance to do this was beyond him. First thing in the morning, he was going to personally get in contact with the proper authorities who could shut that wack doctor's clinic while looking into hiring a lawyer to sue the bitch.

Then, he was going to get Loona a proper therapist. Maybe her old one if she was still practicing. It was clear that Loona was going through personal issues again, and a part of him couldn't help but blame himself for what he had said. He knew his niece could be a better person. She just needed to grow up. But was she afraid of doing so, or was there another reason for it? Either way, if Loona wanted to be a better person, Blitzo would pay whatever cost to see it.

Because they were the only family they had left.

Well, there was… her...

… But Blitzo was not in the right mental state to go there and think about his sister.

Not now.

He thought about calling Stolas and talking to him for comfort, but he remembered he was in some critical Goetia Family meeting that would take a few days. Outside contact wasn't allowed, and he would have to wait another three days to talk to his boyfriend. God, I could really use his feathery touch right about now.

There was a knock on the door, and Blitzo wondered who that could be. It was late at night. He didn't order take out, and he wasn't expecting anyone. Getting up after taking another sip of beer, Blitzo walked over to the door and opened it to see a bunch of strangers staring at him.

"... Whatever you are selling, I'm not interested," Blitzo said.

Suddenly, they all pulled out tranquilizer guns.

"... Oh fuck me."

Much as Loona wanted to stay in her room, she had to obey her body's needs. Flushing the toilet after using it, Loona sighed and floated over to the mirror to look at herself. Her eyes were puffy and red with her mascara all over her cheeks while her hair looked like it had been through a tornado. Her feathers were sagged, and her halo was slightly drooping to help indicate her mood. Loona didn't just feel awful; she looked at it, too.

Turning on the sink, she washed her face with water to try to make it look better. That's when she heard the sounds of fighting going on downstairs and paused. Concerned, she opened the door and shouted, "Uncle Blitz!"

"Loona! Run! Gah!" Her uncle's voice shouted before the sound of snoring was heard.

She flew down and gasped. Her uncle was lying on his stomach, eyes closed and snoring due to half a dozen tranquilizers in his back and on in his rear. Holding them were other angels, glowing green-eyed, as they lowered their tranquilizer guns. She recognized some of them as clinic patients and some staff, like the secretary. Loona had a dozen questions going through her mind, but that all went away when they raised their tranquilizer guns towards her.

"Yipe!" She cried out before flying back upstairs with a dozen darts hitting the wall where she was. Not taking notice that something fell out of her pocket. She flew towards her room, locked it, and barricaded it before flying around in a panic. "What should I do?! What should I do?! What should I do?!"

She then remembered she was flying.

"Oh, right."

Opening a window, Loona flew out as fast as she could away from her home until she was sure that she was far enough from the house. She landed on the street and hid behind a tree just in case. This was bad. Her uncle was now kidnapped. But why?! Why were they after him?! Or me?!

None of those patients or the staff had been hostile to her before. When she visited the clinic, they were nice to Loona—some even went out for coffee or lunch with her. But then she remembered that their eyes were glowing green, and she began to wonder. Did something happen to them? Angel's eyes don't glow green like that. In fact, they almost looked downright demonic. Could they be mind-controlled?

If so, then there was only one puppet master behind it all, one person connecting them all together: Dr. Web.

"Damnit, Uncle Blitz was right," Loona cursed herself for involving her uncle. "I should have listened to him."

She needed to get help. The authorities or someone who could help her father. Purgatory had very strict rules because it was where both demons and angels could reside. Breaking the laws was seriously looked down upon, and Loona dialed 911 to quickly get someone on the phone.

"Purgatory Police. How can I help you?"

"Yes! Listen! My uncle has been kidnapped by green-eyed, mind-controlled patients from my clinic! They're under the control of my doctor! You have to help me!" Loona shouted.

"... Are you sure you aren't trying to call for rehab, ma'am? I understand that some demonic drugs are legal in Purgatory under certain conditions, but it's not too late to quit."

"I'm being serious!"

"Sorry, but we're only for emergencies. Not wild fantasies. Goodbye."

Upon hearing the call disconnect, Loona growled at the phone and nearly broke it with her grip. Now I know why Millie left the police. Unless son of a… wait! Millie! Moxxie! They can help!

She started calling their number and waited until Moxxie answered. "Hello?"

"Moxxie! It's me! Uncle Blitz has been kidnapped!" Loona shouted.

"What?! Kidnapped?! By who?!" Moxxie shouted on the other end.

"The staff and patients at the clinic I was going to for therapy! I think they're being mind-controlled by Dr. Web!" Loona shouted. "You have to get here and help me! I don't know what they're going to do to him!"

"Okay, let's call the police and-"

"I already called, and they didn't believe me!" Loona shouted.

"Alright, look, just let me get Millie-"

Suddenly, Millie's screams were heard on the other end, making Loona's blood turn ice. She heard Moxxie running to help before he got attacked as well. There was a long silence on the phone before the sound of moving bodies made Loona quickly turn her phone off. This was bad. From the sound of things, Moxxie and Millie got kidnapped by more of the brainwashed goons of Dr. Web. The woman was serious about this.

Loona didn't know what to do. She was this close to panicking. Her Uncle, Moxxie, and Millie all got kidnapped in less than thirty minutes and were being dragged off to God knows what. She needed to save them. Loona had to save them. She was not going to lose her family again. Never again.

But she had to get help. The police were useless, leaving only three other people who could help her.

Getting her phone out, Loona texted Collin, Keenie, and Cletus to come to her house at once.

"...And that's what happened," Loona finished outside her front door, three members of C.H.E.R.U.B. looking at her with shock and worry. Loona couldn't help but let out a small sob as she covered her eyes with her hands. "This is all my fault..."

"No, Loona. It's mine," Keenie said as she walked over to her friend and hugged her. "I was the one who suggested this to you. If anyone is to blame, it's me."

"Keenie..." Loona sobbed. "I want my family back."

"We're going to get them back, Loona," Collin said as he comforted her by hugging her and smiling. "We're going to save them."

"Right," Cletus said with a commanding tone. "We're going to have to do this ourselves. Based on what Loona told us, it's clear the police won't believe us, and we don't have time to try to convince them. We'll have to put up a full-scale assault on the clinic and rescue Loona's family."

"But we don't have weapons," Collin pointed out.

Loona just smirked and flew to a nearby bookcase, where she pulled out a copy of the King James Bible. A mechanical noise was heard as a part of the wall opened up via a sliding door, revealing a room stocked with all sorts of weapons ranging from guns to blades to explosives. The three cherubs were surprised by how well-armed the household was with the hidden weapons room. Loona smirked and folded her arms. "Uncle Blitz always believes in being prepared."

"Well, that's going to make this easier," Cletus said with a whistle.

"I call the A.K.!" Keenie shouted with glee as she rushed inside.

Loona was about to gear up as well until Collin called her over. "Loona, check this out."

She flew over to her crush, holding a letter he had found on the floor addressed to her. One side had her name on it, the other saying "Open Me." Loona opened it, revealing an invitation to the "Tea Party" Dr. Web had told her about a few days ago. The social gathering for all patients to get to know each other. With it also was a Queen of Hearts playing card. Loona looked at the letter:

The Queen of Hearts invites you, dear little hound

To a party that will make you spellbound

Should you wish to see your loved ones again

You'll come willing for tea, alive or dead

Growling, Loona crushed the note and walked inside the weapons room before grabbing a shotgun and pumped it. "She wants a party? I'll make it a bloodbath."

"... Ugh, why do I feel like I just went six rounds in bed with Stolas while drinking that Bee-elzejuice stuff?" Blitzo moaned as he felt his skull pounding. He shook his head and looked around only to see that he was in some kind of… really messed up place that made him think he was dreaming again. Or having a nightmare.

The entire place was set up like a garden with giant playing cards in random locations. Mirrors of all sorts were set up while floating objects ranging from clocks to stuffed animals circled above. The grass was checkerboarded like a chess game, and the trees were curved and split apart in many different directions. Below Blitzo, a giant table filled with tea cups and other accessories lay, along with strange hats everywhere. Weirdly shaped, missed-matched chairs lined up and down the table. In the center of this giant madhouse, he hung up by a rope like a chandelier. He saw what appeared to be guards dressed in red and white knight armor, holding lances and halberds while standing still by the giant cards. They were angels like him and a few demons, but they all had green glowing eyes.

"What kind of freakish fantasy did I wake up to?" Blitzo asked himself as he realized he wasn't alone and felt two other people tied up with him. "Hey! Wake up!"

"Ugh," Moxxie moaned. "Is it morning already?"

"What the heck happened?" Millie asked as she looked around. What the funkin' waggle are we?"

"No idea, but we gotta get out of here," Blitzo said as he struggled to get out of the rope with his angelic strength, only it glowing a bright yellow. Recognizing it, he cursed. "Dammit. Rope made from a Tree of Woe. We're not getting out of this easily."

"Can't feel any of my knives. Bastards must have taken them all," Millie cursed.

"Let me guess. Green glowing-eyed angels?" Blitzo asked, and the two nodded. "Same here. Wonder what all this is about?"

Suddenly, a horn played a fanfare, and a little cherub dog in a playing card page's outfit walked out with a scroll before reading it. "Presenting her Majesty! The Queen of Hearts! Dr. Web!"

The three watched in disbelief as mind-controlled angels carried a golden throne on which Dr. Web was sitting, poised with dignity and arrogance. She was dressed in a classic "Queen of Hearts" outfit of ruby red and darkest black, with hearts decorated all over the hem of the dress and a golden crown on her head. In her hands was a scepter with a red heart jewel as big as her head. The spider even had a red webbing cape around her neck as she lifted her chin up.

"... I was right; she is an insane quack," Blitzo said as the "queen's entourage" stopped and lowered her majesty to the ground, where she walked towards the front chair at the table.

Dr. Web grinned, "Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here." She said, signaling over at the page.

The page moved the chair back so she could sit before she had some servants dressed in the weirdest of hats and outfits pour her some tea and offer a few scones. She enjoyed the delights briefly before looking up and smiling at the three. "Are you enjoying the party up there?"

"Let's down, you crazy eight-legged freak!" Millie screamed in fury.

"Sorry, but we need more guests for the upcoming tea party. It's not a party without having my patients here with me… and yet, I'm missing one," Dr. Web said with a smirk.

"Leave my niece out of this, you psycho witch!" Blitzo glared with utter hatred.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that," Dr. Web said, glaring at Blitzo. You and your little girl know too much, and I can't have you ruin what I have going for me."

"Why are you even doing all of this?!" Moxxie asked. "You're a doctor! You're supposed to help people! What kind of angel are you?!"

"Oh, I'm not an angel. At least, not a normal one," Dr. Web said as her skin slowly started to turn red and black, her fangs grew, and her eyes became slit and black. Her halo disappeared like a puff of smoke as black wings flared behind her. The three gasped upon seeing that Dr. Web was no mere angel.

She was a fallen angel.

"You see, I used to be an Exterminator like your friend here," Dr. Web said as she looked up at Blitzo. "I took pleasure in my work. Specifically collecting the hearts of Greed Demons. Oh, those were the days I enjoyed so much. I retired, of course, and wanted to set up my clinic, but it wasn't doing very well. I mean, being run by Heaven, Free Health Care, and all that. I needed something special to make it work. To make it stand out. So I figured, why not try to rid people of their greedy desires? I had so many hearts of the Greed Demon Lords I've killed in the past that I had enough for everyone."

"... But you've been corrupted by them," Blitzo narrowed his eyes. "Exposure to Greed Demon Lord hearts does that to those who remain too close to their vicinity for too long. That's why they're destroyed at once, so they don't cause lasting damage to those surrounding them. You have so many; keeping them for years has warped you."

"I might have… changed a bit thanks to them," Dr. Web giggled as she sipped her tea. "What can I say? It's eutrophic and wonderful—like nothing you've ever felt before. All your desires come alive. All that energy will keep you going for weeks. All those wondrous feelings of your biggest wants and needs before you? And let's not forget learning their deepest, darkest secrets. It's intoxicating to construct a Wonderland of my own."

"So why expose others to this?!" Moxxie demanded.

"Oh, I figured out a way to siphon the energy from the hearts of others who use them," Dr. Web said as she moved from her chair and walked towards them. She summoned a web from her hands and used it to draw up from it with her eight legs. She smirked at the growling three. "It's like bringing in flies to a trap. They come to me seeking a means to be free from their desires and greedy behavior, and I grant it to them. They get to confront their deepest wants and needs. In exchange, I feed myself on their energy and grow stronger. It's a win-win! Of course, the sad side effect is that long exposure to the hearts makes them become my slaves to my whims. Eventually, they fade away until there is nothing left. But regardless of the outcome, at least they are free from themselves like they wanted."

"You sick and twisted cunt," Blitzo snarled. "When I get out of here, I will squish you."

"Oh, I'm afraid that's not going to happen. See, I'm going to suck you dry with these," The insane spider said as she drew three green glowing demonic hearts that were still beating despite being no longer connected to the bodies of their owners. "I am rather curious about what desires and wants you three have deep inside your subconsciousness. But don't worry. It will be a pleasurable life for a few years before you eventually die. So think of it as an endless, beautiful dream. One you will never wake up from."

The three struggled against their bonds as she laughed and got closer to them...

"Well, another successful mission!" Moxxie said as he, Millie, and Blitzo exited the portal and returned to the H.O.P.E. H.Q. Loona had some lemonade for them as the three cheered and clanked glasses. "Ah, that hits the spot."

"Great job, team, but especially great job to you, Moxxie," Blitzo said with a wink. "Without you? We never would have saved those kids."

"All in a day's work for a servant of the Lord," Moxxie proudly claimed.

"Serving the greater good! That's my boy!"

Moxxie gasped as he turned around and saw his father and mother smiling warmly at him. "Mom! Dad! When did you get here!"

"Oh, just now. Wanted to see how our son was doing at his job," His father said as he walked over and hugged him. "I have to admit, son, I was a bit uncertain about you having this job and giving up our family tradition of being in the choir. But after hearing about your exploits and seeing your work in the news? I have to say that I was wrong. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad," Moxxie sniffed and rubbed a tear from his eye. "That means a lot to me… it's all… I ever wanted to hear you say..."

"Mom! Jamie ate all the bacon!"

Millie sighed as she flipped another pancake that landed on an already huge stack. "I got more cooking, sweetheart! Don't worry!"

She balanced the plate and went to the dining room, where her eight kids, Joseph, Matthew, Alex, Lisa, Jamie, Willa, Moria, and Michael, eagerly awaited. With them were plates full of eggs, bacon, sausage, bread, butter, and a good, wholesome breakfast for her family to enjoy. "Alright, kids! Dig in!"

The eight of them cheered and began to feast with gusto. Occasionally, they argue about who gets how much and flick food at each other. Millie just chuckled with amusement as her husband came over and kissed her. "Everything good, honey?"

"Everything's perfect… just as I always wanted..."

This was it. The big day he had been waiting for. He could hardly believe that it was finally here, but he had finally done it. He wore his white tux as Stolas, dressed in red and blue, held his hand as the priest began to start the wedding. All his friends and closest comrades were here with them. He eyed the white and blue redeemed demon who now held the most beautiful white wings and halo, gazing at him with sea-blue eyes that had such love. To the side were the flower girls, Loona and his future daughter, Octavia, sporting the same color scheme as her father with her own set of wings and halo. The two girls had tears in their eyes as their father figures prepared themselves to make them one big happy family.

"Is this everything you ever dreamed of, Blitzy?" Stolas whispered to him as the priest continued on.

"Yeah...everything..." Blitzo whispered back.

Loona was confident in one thing - if there was anywhere in Purgatory that Dr. Web might have had her party, it was at the clinic. Yet, as soon as they got there, curiously, they found the front doors were locked. When they spotted some patients going around the building and into an alleyway, they realized they would have to get in differently. They spied from above to see them knock on a door and hold up a playing card before being let inside.

"There's a light over there," Collin pointed out to one of the skylights.

The four of them floated over there and peered down at something… Truly unexpected.

Below them, they saw a tea party unlike any other. There was a long table where Dr. Web sat at one end while it was filled with patients. Yet, as they looked closer, they noticed something rather disturbing. Everyone held a glowing green heart, seemingly oblivious to everyone around them. Cracking the skylight window a little, they heard a mixture of voices of those who were lost in their own world.

"I miss you so much-"

"- a whole house of my own and no one's gonna take it away-"

"Yes, I will marry you-"

"- Thank you so much."

"I accept this award-"

And dangling between them and the table, they spotted Blitzo, Moxxie, and Millie. All three slumped over asleep, but Loona spotted that they all had a beating green heart in their hands.

"You know," Cletius commented, "When I woke up this morning, this is not how I imagined the day would end."

Loona narrowed her eyes at the doctor. She was about to rush in when Collin stopped her.

"Wait, hang on! What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm going to save my uncle."

"I get that, but what exactly are we to do now? Clearly, everyone down there is brainwashed. Even if we went in gun-ho, there is still a small army of people who might be innocent. I don't know if even those guards down there are in control of themselves."

"Oh… oh shoot," Kennie lowered her AK, "I haven't even thought of that. But we can't just get captured either."

Loona looked between them and the doctor. "It's her that's in control. Everyone else won't attack us if we get to her first." She looked over to Collin, "I hate to say this, but you might be right on something - not everyone down there probably isn't aware of what they're doing, at least with the patients there. I'm not too sure about the staff. So how about this? We go in as fast as possible and corner the doctor to release everyone. We'll have to stay close together so there's no sneak attack. As this is more of a hostage situation, try not to fire at anyone at the table but at the staff if they get too close. If you have to kill, only do so when absolutely necessary."

The three cherubs looked at her wide-eyed. "What?" Loona asked.

"You sound like a general there," Cletius said.

"Hey, I played plenty of first-shooter games, and I've been around Uncle Blitz long enough to figure out my own strategy. So have your weapons out, let's get in quickly, stay close to me, and shoot only when you need to, got it?"

They nodded.

Turning the safety off her shotgun, Loona raised her paw and gave a countdown. Three… Two… One… Smashing the skylight, the four of them dove in. Flying as fast as they could toward Dr. Web before anyone could react. Loona raised her gun towards the psychotic bitch who sipped her tea. Stopping right in front of her at the head of the table, Collin, Kennie, and Cletius were back to back, aiming their weapons at the surprised guards.

"You have somebody of mine," Loona growled.

Dr. Web looked up. "Ah, Loona, you came after all! I was getting worried you won't show up. Tea?"

Loona pumped her shotgun, "Don't you get smart with me; you kidnapped my uncle!"

"You really shouldn't point guns at those who invite you to parties; it's not polite. And look, you also brought more guests with you. Next time, you ought to let us know so we can have more seats for them."

"We're here to stop you." Collin said, "So let everyone here go, and no one gets hurt."

Dr. Web giggled. "Why, aren't you Collin? Loona spoke a great deal about you, and I can see why. You're encourageable. In fact, Charlie, come here." Her white rabbit secretary, carrying a teapot, rushes to her side. "Charlie, would you say Collin fellow has such a loveable face?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Charlie said blankly.

Smirking, she waved for one of the guards carrying an ax to come over.

"I dare say that he would be a better choice to tend the front desk, don't you think?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"So you won't mind if he took your place, would you?"

"Not at all, Your Majesty."

"I thought so," she said to the guard, "Off with her head!"

In a split second, the guard swung his ax and swiftly brought it across. Much to the cherubs and Loona's horror, the angel bunny's head tumbled off her shoulders, along with the rest of her body and teapot.

"Holy crap, lady!" Collin swore, "What is wrong with you!?"

"What's the matter? Don't you want to run the front desk? There's an opening now."

Loona thrust her gun in front of the doctor's face, "Okay, Web, I'm up to Jupiter with your batshit insanity! Now you're just pissing me off!"

The guards around them tried to move forward, but Dr. Web raised a hand to halt them.

"Really? Why, Loona, I'm hurt. And here I thought your therapy was going so well."

"You said you wanted to help me. You said you could get me to be mature - and instead, you had me hallucinate, kidnapped my uncle, and now I have to come to save him."

"But your therapy-"

"They're not real doc! They're just dreams."

Doctor Web laughed with amusement, "Are you the dreamer, or are you merely part of someone else's dream? That was the question that Twiddle Dee asked Alice-"

"Dammit Doc! My life isn't some storybook!"

Finishing the rest of her cup, she set it down on the table. "And why can't it be? Yours, in particular, is a beautiful story. A story where once you were ostracized, you're being taken seriously. Where once you were certain that no one would be insane enough to be with you, you can have a boyfriend who loves you back. Where once you were left alone and abandoned, a child crying for help, yet none came. Instead, you can have everything you've ever wanted. Really dear, who wouldn't bite their father figures for the dream of having someone like Collin say I love you? Where else than your own private Wonderland."

"Loona?" Collin asked, wide-eyed. "Is this true?"

Of course, Loona was embarrassed - every insecurity, every fear, every deep-seated secret she had kept hidden was exposed. The worst part, this thirty-one flavors of a psychotic bitch did so right in front of the very person she didn't want to hear. In a way, she knew that this must be the Doctor's way to let her guard down, probably to be shocked and embarrassed enough to not react.

Instead, she got angry. She held the gun right at her forehead. "Now you listen, Doc, and you better listen well; before I blow your brains out, you overlooked one important thing about me."

"Do tell, and what is that?"

"Yes, I'm insecure. Yes, I'm aware that I'm the lonely, crazy bitch that chases after something I probably won't have. And yes, I love Collin - but I'm not willing to jump headfirst into a fantasy because you make it so appealing. If I'm going to have any of that, my uncle's respect or Collin's love - I want it to be real. You don't have to tell me that my desire to be his future wife is bad or to have a family that will respect me is selfish - I already know that - but no matter how good you make it out to be, I won't live in that lie anymore. No dream can compare to the real thing."

Collin blinked, "Wow, Loona… You really mean that?"

Loona looked over her shoulder. She didn't say anything, but her face said it all Of course I do, dummy!

Doctor Web clapped her hands, "A wonderful breakthrough, yet I'm afraid it's still a moot point. Though before you shoot me, would you have the good sense to at least let me say a few last words?"

Loona narrowed her eyes. "What is it?"

"Catch." Dr. Web tossed something up at her from one of her many hands. Loona's instincts took over to catch the vaguely ball-like thing in the air before she realized what it was. She jumped, caught it, and hovered there - still.

"Loona?" Kennie asked. Seeing what Loona caught - a glowing, beating green heart.

Loona dropped the shotgun onto the table.

Dr. Web smirked, "As for you three, it is rude to come to the party uninvited." With a snap of a figure, the entire room (except for Loona) dropped what they were doing, all turning to the doctor. With a wicked grin, she said, "Off with their heads!"

The guards drew their weapons, and the guests grabbed whatever they could to pounce on the three cherubs.

"Oh crap…" Cleitus said as the room descended into chaos.

Loona was sure this was familiar… No… This is familiar. How she got here, she didn't know, but the house in front of her reminded her of her…

She blinked. No. Not reminded… it was! There was doubt about it. From the sunset colors of the street to the white and gold houses of a neighborhood in Heaven. And this house in particular… Two stories. Four windows at the front, with the front door in the center. A weeping willow to the left and a sundial on the right. And the mailbox that says…

This was her house. Her family's house. At first, she was confused about why she was back here until she saw a figure in one of the windows. She let out a soft gasp… because she recognized that silhouette anywhere.

Rushing towards the front door, she flung it open and spotted her. In the living room, a snow-white angelic wolf cherub with blue eyes and a white dress turned away from the T.V. She smiled at Loona with loving eyes. "There you are; I was going to come over to pick you up. Did Collin drop you off already?"

Loona couldn't believe it. "Mom?"

It was just as she remembered her.

"By the way, how is Collin? Is he-" Loona hugged her.

"You're back! You're really back! Where've you been?"

"I haven't gone anywhere… Hey, what's wrong?" Loona's Mother held her gently, "Why are you crying?"

She looked up, tears in her eyes, "I've missed you so much."

"Okay, I got the stakes on the grill," a third voice called out, and the backdoor closed shut. "Hannah, is Loona back yet?"

Loona's jaw dropped. Over by the kitchen, she saw her dad there. He was as tall as other Archangels with silvery fur and various scars from his Extermination work. He had a toothy grin and a crescent moon tattoo on his neck, and his golden eyes glittered in the light. He was setting a pair of thongs on the table and walked in with an apron wrapped around him. "I think we'll have dinner in about twenty... Everything okay, Loona?"

She couldn't take this. Having her mother back was one thing, but seeing her dad — her living dad — there… was too much. She rushed over, tackling him in the biggest hug she could muster. And she couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

"Loona, sweetie, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" He looked up at his wife, who was just as confused as he was. "Are you hurt?"

She smiled, "No…" She looked up at him, tears running down out of pure joy. "I'm so happy that you're both here."

"It's alright, sweetie," Hannah said, enveloping her as the two Cherub angels were embraced by the bigger papa of the family. "It's okay; we're not going anywhere. We're all here."

"That's right," Loona's father nodded. "We're fine. We're about to have some perfect stakes for dinner."

Loona was too happy to speak. She didn't want them to leave her — not now or ever. She had never felt so relieved and overjoyed in her entire life.

So much so that she didn't pick up on a few details.

She was so happy that she didn't notice what was playing on the T.V. with its volume turned down low. She was so happy that she didn't see C.H.E.R.U.B. fighting for their very lives among an army of brainwashed patients and guards. She didn't notice the fear in Collin's eyes, turning towards the screen. Nor did she ever see the subtitles.

-Loona! Loona wake up! Wake up!-