At last, I've finally found it in me to write a new installment of my Striker's Little Girl AU, I legit didn't think I could do it. This'll be the first time Striker and Maria meet I.M.P.; just a heads up, Maria is five years old at this point.

Hope you like it ^^

"Hey, wait, come back!" Maria giggled as she jumped up and down trying to catch a butterfly. "I just wanna play!"

The insect seemed to be playing along with her as it kept flapping up and down before landing on a rock just about a couple feet in front of her. The impling crouched down into a pouncing position just like the lion cub in the movie she'd seen with daddy last night.

"Mighty hunter has cornered her prey."

With a little growl, she crept slowly for a couple of steps before leaping up onto the rock. Unfortunately, the butterfly flew away and was gone in an instant. Maria wasn't really disappointed, she just watched it go as her tail wagged.

"Maria!" She yelped only to see Striker and Bombproof coming towards her. "What are ya doin' out here, girl?"

"Sorry, daddy... I was only playing..."

"Princess, I told ya before, yer not ready to be out in the fields on yer own." Striker gently scolded. "And weren't you supposed to be pickin' apples with Sallie?"

"We were... fell again..." The impling pointed down at her scrapped knee.

With a little kick in the ribs, Bombproof kneeled down so Striker could pick her up and sit her on the saddle before standing back up.

"Well, don't you worry about that, nothin' we can't fix." He gave her a little kiss on the cheek, bringing back her smile. "Lucky for you, the boys said they got things under control so we can head back just in case Joe and Lin need us."

Right on cue, Joe's voice called for him.

"Ready?"

"Ready!"

"Hang on tight, baby girl!"

With a whip of his tail, the two rode Bombproof to the entrance of the ranch. Maria cried out happily as she held onto the horn of the saddle. Her father's chest pressed against her protectively the whole way.

On arriving, they saw not only Joe and Lin but three more imps and a hellhound.

That's right! They mentioned their daughter would be coming over for the Harvest Moon Festival. Then the other one next to her must be her husband.

"Well, howdy!" Striker greeted them tipping his hat. He dismounted and approached the woman. "Oh, lookie here! You must be the famous Mildred! Heard some good things about ya from yer folks, little lady!"

Mildred giggled as they shook hands. Then he was introduced to her husband, Moxxie, and their boss, Blitz. Despite taking a good look at the former, Striker couldn't quite tell what it was about him that Joe, Lin, and the rest of the family disliked about him. Maybe he needs to see for himself.

Maria stayed close to Bombproof as her father chatted with the newcomers. The one called Moxxie, however, seemed to catch her interest. She heard a lot from the boys about him, but they weren't very nice things. It bothered her, to say the least. But why? What was wrong with him?

Almost before she realized it, she started walking up to them. Once Blitz spotted her, she squeaked and hid behind her father's leg.

"Well, hi there, kiddo! The name's Blitz- the 'O' is silent- and who are you?"

Striker stepped aside petting her shoulder. "This little darlin's my daughter, Maria. Go on, baby girl, say hello."

Maria gulped and waved shyly. "H-hi..."

"Hello, Maria." Moxxie spoke softly, bending down to her level. "You look very pretty."

The impling blushed, very flattered. "Th-thanks... I like your bowtie."

"Aww, thank you."

Okay, she liked him already! Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Y'know, you boys should enter the Pain Games!"

"I heard games! What games? I'm in!"

"Every Harvest Festival, there's a competition to be the roughest, toughest bastard in Wrath!"

"Yeah, wish I could play!"

"Millie, you know you get too carried away."

Maria didn't really pay much attention to adults' conversations. She took notice of the hellhound scrolling through her phone and tried to approach her. Unfortunately, one growl from her when their gazes met made her back away instantly. Probably must be one of those who just doesn't like people so it's best the impling keeps her distance.

Striker, meanwhile, seemed a little intrigued when Moxxie declared he'd enter the games much to Joe's amusement.

"Sorry, boy, but I don't think sensitive thespian types would last very long in the games."

"I was born here too! I have some fight in me!"

Striker placed a hand on Moxxie's shoulder. "Huh, well then, little fella..." He points to a large boar sleeping in the pen. "Why don'tcha help me wrangle one of them hogs for dinner?"

"Simple. Watch me!"

He was just about to pull out a gun but Striker stopped him at once.

"Nah, with these." He tossed him his knife and a rope. "Bullets can't pierce the shell. Ya gotta get the knife underneath and pry yerself an openin'."

His father taught him that when he was about Maria's age; in fact, he taught him a LOT about what weapons to use if necessary. True, guns would get the job done, he was not opposed to using one himself. Still, one shouldn't rely on them all the time. Case and point, a hog's hide is hard as stone. It has to be brought down the old-fashioned way.

Judging by Moxxie's suddenly petrified expression, he was clearly not thrilled with the idea.

Striker was already beginning to see why his bosses weren't so fond of him.

"Daddy... is he really gonna kill the piggy?"

Striker couldn't blame Maria for sounding concerned. She seemed to like Moxxie, despite himself feeling a little amused at his wimpy demeanor.

"Well... he's gonna try anyway."

"But daddy, what if-?"

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I already get the feelin' I'll have to finish the job."

He turned out to be right after all. Moxxie had managed to catch the hog around the throat with the lasso but he ended up striking the hard part of its hide thanks to his weak grip on the knife. This startled the animal awake and it was now running around the pen trying to buck him off.

"Daddy..."

"Stand back, baby girl. Let an old pro show 'im how it's done."

With that, Striker leapt into the pen and landed on the hog's back, pushing Moxxie out of the way. Maria's eyes went wide as she watched him twirl the knife in his hand and bring it down right into the hog's neck. The animal let out one final screech of agony before dropping dead to the ground.

Striker's chest swelled with pride hearing his daughter clapping and cheering for him as he picked up the hog and slung it over his shoulder.

"Oww... my clavicle."

Striker looked down at Moxxie rubbing his neck like he'd just broken something.

Yep, that settles it, he's a wimp alright.

"Don't worry, little one... ya never stood a chance."

With that, he and everyone else headed towards the house to prepare the hog for dinner. Well, everyone except Moxxie, Millie, and Maria that is. The two female imps stayed by Moxxie's side as Millie bandages his arm.

"Are you okay?" Maria asked concerned.

"You don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine." Moxxie tried to sound reassuring despite the physical and emotional pain. "I'm just sorry I couldn't handle it."

"If it'll make you feel better, you handled it better than I ever could."

Moxxie couldn't help but smile a little at the impling's kind words. How in the hell could such stuck-up asshole like Striker possibly be the father of this sweet little girl?