The awakening was something far more than Millie had ever anticipated. Ever since she and her husband tried to take down Striker and were caught by humans hiding out in that apartment, she quietly prayed to Satan that her fury would be unlike anything they had seen. That changed when the married couple woke up to find Loona caring for her and Moxxie. Once her head began to clear up, the duo asked about their whereabouts and why they were under the care of humans. Then they were given the knowledge that they had been put into a deep coma and taken away. So the Hellhound reached out to I.M.P.'s only sinner employee and weapons repairman to search for her. Much to her surprise, they had brought over a famous gay porn star and the girlfriend of Lucifer's daughter. It was a sweet notion that Railtracer would have his own set of connections to pull, just to rescue two imps.
What occurred after was a long introduction with a group of people who had been watching from the shadows and intervening on their behalf once the rescuers were lured into a trap. As soon as they were free, she and Moxxie were brought over into a secret safe house for a Heaven-based organization known as the Department of Purgatory. The name alone sounded incredibly bureaucratic, even by the standards of Hell. What truly caught Millie's attention was Loona's expression as she conveyed her shock at the revelation of information she had been allowed to release.
Heaven had been watching over their assassination business, a concerning matter given the great authority that the Hellborn did not understand. If they intervened against them, Blitzo would be ruined and his relationship with Stolas would cause a great mess. What surprised her was that this department was surprisingly open with their non-involvement, only that they reached out to them due to an investigation of theirs and a coincidence of matters. Ever since the crew encountered C.H.E.R.U.B, she had been wary of earning Heaven's ire. Yet, Loona's looks of animosity towards Railtracer didn't ease the woman.
The Russian sat across from her and presented his left wrist to the table. She took a glance at his arm to find that there had been a strange black bracelet on him as he reached out and removed it from place. A blink of an eye later, the supposed sinner who was wearing a gas mask over his face and a Soviet uniform was replaced with a dark-haired human in a grey turtleneck sweatshirt. The imp could not summon her words as shock took over before Angel Dust stumbled upon them and chimed in on their conversation, revealing that he had been disguised as a sinner. The truth sat across from her but disbelief just couldn't comprehend that someone so innocuous could be part of a whole far greater than any Hellborn would grasp.
She was not alone in reacting to these developments occurring in what seemed to be a lunchroom. As Angel Dust and Vaggie flanked the Hellborn to their left, Moxxie finally spoke up. He always proclaimed himself to be a rational being who liked to explain more about an issue in a sophisticated manner but this was not that day. "You fucking lied to us?"
Millie looked across from her to see what the human had to say in return. She could see that her husband's words stung him. A look of shame as his tired eyes of Railtracer's true form maintained eye contact, carrying a pain that he never revealed to the other employees of I.M.P. "Moxxie-"
"Blackguard," He cut him off, angrily while clambering out from his seat to take his first few steps across the table, "We trusted you. How could you deceive us?"
"It's part of my job as an investigator. Until recently, we have to maintain the secrecy of our existence to the rest of Hell." Answered Railtracer, if that was even his name, "Even if I wanted to, my department would make sure there would be consequences."
Millie had been so focused on the man across from her that she failed to see a bearded man, wearing a uniform of black and white camo, approach their table from the far side of the lunch room. The moment he spoke, his Russian accent appeared. "I suppose everyone here is having a fun conversation."
"Huh? This isn't your business." Moxxie turned to find the stranger standing behind their former coworker and crossing his arms.
"Artyom and I knew each other back when he was alive," He answered, revealing the man's identity as he towered over those present in the room, "So it is my business to chime in on his behalf."
She sensed that these two carried a relationship. "I take that you two were friends."
"We were. Artyom and I fought in the same outfit together. At some point, I died and he married our commanding officer's daughter." It was weird to see him casually address their coworker. Then again, they never did properly hang out with the man formerly known as Railtracer.
"Then why was he going undercover?" The wife asked of him, hoping to learn more about these Heavenly souls. There were few reference points to help connect the logic of why they were deemed important, given that I.M.P. had been breaking the rules for some time, "I know Moxxie is a bit hostile about it but is there anything you can tell us?"
"I can't say any specifics but it's a matter that we have to personally solve. His father-in-law, my former commanding officer in life, was killed at a scene. So really, we're trying to avenge him."
"Uhlman!" Artyom turned to face the man with a scowl, "Are you even allowed to tell them that? What would Tony say?"
His response was a small chuckle as he shook his head at the question before directing his gaze upon his friend. "I'll handle that problem. Right now, your friends have some questions they want answers to. As much as the department hates having a bunch of assassins prematurely sending souls to the afterlife, they're innocents who were caught up in our affairs."
"I don't believe Heaven would help a couple of imps out. Don't you guys see us as the embodiment of evil?" Moxxie expressed his disbelief as he took in this newfound information.
"You're the embodiment of sin, not evil," He replied as he walked back and forth from one side of the lunchroom to the other. His hands reached over to his head, stroking his beard while speaking his mind, "Besides, when you operate long enough in Hell, you tend to notice the little things that make people… well… people."
"That's hard to believe."
"Perhaps I don't but it's a better perspective than the holier-than-thou types who think all of you are abominations who should be put to the torch," He ceased his stride and exhaled. Uhlman lowered his head, "Who could blame them? It's so easy to judge the denizens of Hell for what they are than face the complex reality. Such is how things are to both the living and the dead."
"You can say that again." This time it came from Artyom's lips but he seemed sincere in his remark.
The lights began to flicker as everyone in the room looked around. She couldn't help herself but felt that should not have happened. Then her ears heard someone's fast-paced footsteps in the nearby hallway. An open door to her right revealed a man rushing past the lunchroom before it was followed by inaudible yelling elsewhere in the building. The imp did not know what to make of it; yet, a cold chill could be felt across her body.
"I don't about any of you but I have a feeling that is not a good sign."
Artyom and Uhlman were the first to properly leave the room and make their way towards the commotion. Millie began to observe the others with Angel Dust and Vaggie reluctantly chasing after the servants of Heaven. Those who remained were the employees of I.M.P. and Blitzo's daughter.
"Well, should we follow them? It seems like a big deal if it got their attention." She chimed in, looking at her husband and coworker.
The man whom she loved shook his head at the situation. "I don't know, dear. After what just happened, I'm not inclined to care at this point. Railtracer or whatever his name is. This isn't our concern."
"You sure we can go back to the way things were? They know that we know about them. All of us have a target on our back and there is nothing we can do about it."
A tapping of footsteps approached the room as Artyom stood in the doorway the two imps and the Hellhound turned to see a look of worry on his face. It was a rare moment to see a side of him that they had yet to find out but it did little to comfort Millie. What was it that changed his expression in such a way? "Do any of you know where Blitzo is?"
"What's it to you?" Moxxie replied, holding back his disdain for what might seem to be a traitor in that sense of a word, "Are you trying to tie up loose ends?"
"It's much worse than that. We just got news that our headquarters is under attack and we can't do anything about it," He answered while his eyes glanced over to the Hellborn present in the room. His throat gave signs of a swallow before Artyom continued, "We also got word that Pride is about to be attacked. Try to find Blitzo but if you have anyone close, get them out here as quickly as possible."
"What the fuck is happening?" She was not alone in that thought.
"Unfinished business, one that has escalated." Came his reply.
Waiting for an interview at 666 News was both a thrill and a fearful endeavor. Verosika had to face the camera and look into the whole of Hell itself as Katie Killjoy interviewed her on live television. Where the Hellborn and sinners saw her as an enthusiastic anchor to keep the audience enthralled with her guests. Once she was away from prying eyes, all that the succubus could see was an unapologetic asshole looking for an excuse to insult her interviewees. Especially, when it came to the man beside her in the gas mask trying to keep up with her antics.
She would have to face the woman once the interview with Asmodeus, the sin of Lust, and his boyfriend were done talking to her. Despite the symbol of a sin openly discussing his relationship with an imp, Katie still had to 'Kow-tow,' as the damned described it, to him given that he came all this way from Lust to deal with the worst of humanity. After all, everyone who was present knew that he sat at the same table as the ruler of the Dark Realm itself.
Those four sat ahead of her with a round table separating Asmodeus and Fizzarolli from Katie Killjoy and Tom Trench talking to each other about their relationship. There had been rumors floating around that they were in a full-fledged couple rather than being a one-time fling. If there was one concept that everyone in Hell understood it was power. That was how you moved up from the lowest dregs of society and anything that detracted from that foundation was to be despised. Regardless of what sin a demon adhered to, everything was to be sacrificed for that glory.
The words being spoken on the set with the eyes of the camera and their crew were ignored as she felt like a hypocrite. Katie's eyes revealed a devious and opportunistic look underneath the expression of a caring news anchor who appeared to care about those important enough to raise the ratings. The Verosika anticipated the time when it would be her turn when she would talk about why she was helping Princess Charlie of Hell when it was clear that no one truly gave a damn about redemption. She would truly say that it was for the money and the glory of being sponsored by some of Hell's highest; yet, Verosika sensed the shame if she said it.
"Hey, are you okay?" She heard Kiki's voice whisper to her from behind.
Looking over her shoulder, the dark-haired succubus was standing with her sinner thief who had stolen her car that one time. She couldn't talk too loud on the set so she made sure to lower her voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking what I'm going to say."
"Just make it quick and simple."
"Are you also ready to receive Katie's questions?" Pavel asked. Although the pop-star didn't ask for his thoughts on the matter, it was helpful, "It helps ease the pressure. Believe me."
His girlfriend turned to him with a look of surprise on her face. "What would you know of answering questions?"
"I was a major in charge of a detachment of soldiers. Dealing with hard questions and responses was one of my responsibilities among shooting shit and making sweet love to beautiful women."
"You're lucky that I like you enough to tolerate that." She replied, flustered with his words.
"Then how about this?" He leaned in to steal a kiss from Kiki's lips, leaving her surprised and embarrassed, "Would you tolerate that?"
Verosika smiled at their banter as she returned her gaze to the current interview still happening on live television. Here, she planned her own way of handling the sinner should the news anchor act like a bitch. Until then, the succubus listened to how Asmodeous was handling his dildo business.
The symbol of Lust spoke, loud enough for the microphones to hear his insight. "We make the finest of sex toys and with Fizzarolli by my side, he helps me with the designs if you know what I mean."
"You know I wasn't asking whether or not he's helping you with your business." Replied the annoyed Katie Killjoy.
"What was the question again?"
"Is it true that you and Fizzarolli are more than just a fling?" She asked while stealing a glance at her coworker sitting at her side, "Rumor has it that you two are a couple based on our sources. How would the rest of Hell look at this dynamic if this is true?"
"To be frankly honest, I think they can go fuck themselves," The demon answered, offended at the implications as his cyborg imp expressed a gracious smile, "They can judge me forever but at the very least I'm getting - as some sinners would say - be having some bussy to myself. If anything, I think they're just jealous someone ain't going down on them."
The pale-faced woman rolled her eyes at his response. She expressed absolute disgust at the nature of the conversation before her voice made it known. "So you're just another queer? Why am I not surprised."
"Maybe you should be getting some. Clearly, you haven't had one since you got here. Based on what I'm seeing, you that desperate to hit on Tom." Asmodeus was in a joyous mood after his words seemed to have an effect on her.
"You know what, get the fuck off my set! I don't need this from you."
Fizzarolli burst out laughing as he leaned back on the stool before looking at the camera. "Aw, the sinner needs some cock. Maybe you should buy Asmodeus' products where it'll satisfy you until you're in Heaven!"
The succubus couldn't help herself from smiling at their humor. Repressed sexual tension was bad for the mind and she too enjoyed their toys. So to see a sinner get flustered that she needs some time to herself or find someone willing to entertain her desires of the flesh was poetic. Unfortunately, Verosika couldn't partake in their laughter as Asmodeus and Fizzarolli rose up from their seats and left the eyes of the camera lens. She was up next as the face of Lust and his partner made their way towards her. Soon they stopped in front of her as the clown broke off to talk to her.
"Verosika, nice seeing you here! What are you here for?" He asked, she couldn't tell if he was genuinely curious or not.
Telling him about the concert at the Hazbin Hotel would raise eyebrows but what could be worse than showcasing one's love to a significant other? "I had a concert at Charlie's hotel. Now everyone's wondering why I did it there."
"The princess?" He was taken aback by the answer and stood before her. The imp was about to speak but unable to before he shrugged his shoulders, "You probably have your reasons. Have fun fucking with Katie!"
All was said and done as they departed from their company and went on their merry way. If she had any thoughts about those two, it was that she was glad they were happy together. To find happiness in Hell was a rarity and the few times that spark ever came to her was with Blitzo and Railtracer. Hopefully, they'll continue to maintain that for as long as possible.
Katie screamed in a rageful roar as she threw her mug across the room and watched as it killed a pink bunny sinner standing behind the camera. To say she was angry with the outcome was an understatement until she finally yelled out at the crew. "Cut to the commercials!"
She would be a handful and once the advertisements on television were over, the pop star would have to confront the whole of Hell once more. Behind her, someone's phone rang as she turned around to see Pavel answer the call. His robotic head was lowered as someone spoke up; yet, the succubus recognized her boyfriend. A cold chill ran down her spine but the woman didn't know what to make of it. Then her gut began to churn as if the uneasy feeling was related to the conversation the sinners were having with each other. It wasn't until a few minutes later that he finished and ended the call.
"Was that Railtracer?" Maybe there was a reason for that.
The Russian nodded his head as he slipped his phone back into his pockets and stole a glance from Kiki. "We need to leave, now."
"Leave? We're about to start my interview." He was acting all strange but she couldn't put her finger on it, "Why do we need to leave?"
"Something bad is going on and my comrade says it's not safe here. I'm going to trust his instincts on this one."
The lights began to flicker a minute later. Everyone stopped and looked around as the spread of confusion took over. Then darkness filled the room as people began to turn on the flashlights on their phones. Katie Killjoy announced an order in spite of it. "Okay people, there's nothing to be afraid of. It's probably Sir Pentious with the power grid."
"This is not a coincidence." He added as if the Russian was foretelling the dark events soon to pass.
"Alright, we'll leave," Verosika replied as she led the way while stealing a glance over her shoulder to find Kiki's and Pavel's footwear whenever her flashlight shined on their legs, "I can make a new appointment later."
The trio made their way out of the building that was 666 News through the poorly lit hallways and staircases. As time passed and they descended towards the ground floor, there seemed to be a growing panic and fear arising from both the staff and sinners looking to make a name for themselves. At times, the power would briefly return before shutting down in a blink of an eye. Perhaps her gut sensed a great and terrible event but if that was the case, what would be the cause of it? Pavel seemed to hold a great 6th sense or maybe he knew someone who had connections and Railtracer was one of them. She would have to hold a conversation with her boyfriend once they met up.
By the time they arrived at the entrance level, their shoes tapped against the marble floor until they stepped outside and the heels met concrete. The popstar's car was parked out front, ready to be driven when she noticed that her companions seemed to stop following her. She looked back to see their faces look up at the sky with the former Russian officer express absolute horror before he uttered his words. "Chyort."
What could possibly distract them from leaving?
Verosika followed where their eyes were focused on and joined them in observing the crimson sky. Any other day would have been normal but this was entirely different. The white dot where Heaven was had seemed to leave a lasting impression on her as she saw trails of silver specks fast approaching Hell. There had been times when she would witness the exterminators come down from the skies to unleash their great and terrible task upon the sinners of the Dark Realm. Yet, it was different to see these great ships accelerate towards Pentagram city in a pace far beyond any denizen would understand.
Great engines ignited as they began to slow their descent into the city. Never would she find herself to be standing a site that was so awe-inspiring; yet, terrifying at the same time. "Why are they coming here?"
"I'll drive but you two better have a safe place where you can hide out," Pavel ordered as the two girls saw him rush over to the driver's seat and reach behind the wheel while the succubus women eagerly slipped into the soft cushions of their vehicle, "Call your dad, I think he needs to know we're all in for a wild night."
Once their seatbelts were tightened, they drove away into the city as she reached for her phone. Maybe V1 knew something about this?
The I.M.P. crew had broken off from Artyom's company and it was probably for the better. Moxxie was angry with him and he honestly didn't know how to defuse that reaction. Loona and Millie were probably trying to make the best out of their situation as they drove off to find Blitzo somewhere in Pentagram City. He hoped that they would find somewhere safe in response to the rogue Holy Army elements that had launched their unsanctioned attack on Hell itself. It couldn't have been a coincidence given their recent discovery.
He looked at his mirror to see Vaggie and Angel Dust were sitting in the back. Expressions filled with worry as they looked outside the window. Who could blame them? After all, they were witnessing a glimpse of Heaven's forces far beyond what was showcased on the yearly exterminations. Meanwhile, Tony sat in the passenger seat beside him organizing the safehouses across the major urban center for sinners by phone. While the Department of Purgatory maintained its Hellside appearances, it was only a matter of time until the denizens of Hell noticed a convoy of Mrs. Mayberry's car and dozens of black SUVs rushing towards their destination.
The Courier and Azrael's second-in-command ushered in new orders on an open channel. "Masquerade compromised. Hostiles are approaching Pentagram City. All Purgatory Investigators and Gendarmes, rally at the Hazbin Hotel. I say again, rally at the Hazbin Hotel. Defend the VIP at all costs."
"Is Charlie the VIP?" Vaggie asked as the former Polis Ranger maintained course on the road. His M4 Carbine resting across his lap while hearing the conversation.
"Yes, unfortunately. The same guys who ambushed you at the mansion are trying to get at Lucifer. What better way than to start with his daughter."
"How many guys do you think are going to show up?" Her tone was different than how he usually saw her. The fierce independence she displayed toward others replaced with the sound of vulnerability, "Should I call her?"
Tony lowered the hand holding his phone as he turned around to see the sinner sitting directly behind the driver's seat. "I know you two are close and I'm pulling everyone I can find. It might be a good idea."
"It ain't my business but why does it sound that you're not going to have a lot of guys protecting the hotel." Inquired the spider behind the aid to Azrael.
"Not too long ago, my guys we're being hunted. The investigators are the department's eyes and ears in Hell and someone didn't want us snooping around."
"Fuck," Angel Dust replied, surprised by the response, "Shit must be bad in Heaven if you guys are having a civil war."
Someone's voice on the phone cried out, alerting everyone in the room. "Hostile gunship, it sees us!"
Artyom looked ahead to see the Hazbin Hotel tower over the parts of the city. They were closing the distance as they approached but their car was never in the general vicinity of Charlie's residence. He could feel the windshield vibrate due to the sounds of a low-flying helicopter rushing overhead from behind. With blades cutting through the air, he saw the war machine painted in olive green rotate to face the vulnerable department convoy. The sight of the chain gun's barrel underneath the pilot's cockpit and missile warheads evoked terror in the Russian that they were helpless against that firepower.
"Defending the Hazbin Hotel is a top priority, our lives are secondary!" The Courier replied to his phone before turning to him, "A lot of our guys are going to die but we have to push through and hard. I hope you've brushed up on your driving."
The SUV ahead of their car had opened a hatch atop their roof as a Gendarme in ballistic protection and Kevlar vest manned the minigun turret. Like a saw buzzing through solid oak wood, the weapon fired and sprayed out tracers into the sky, attempting to land a hit on the Holy Army aircraft. A missile was launched from its side as the heat-seeking warhead whistled into the convoy and struck the vehicle in a fiery explosion taking his coworkers to final end of their existence. Yet, the explosion had flipped the car over, leaving an opening for them.
"Go!" Tony commanded and Artyom obeyed pushing Mrs. Mayberry's car to its limit. The lack of armor protection did little to comfort him, causing his thoughts to quietly pray to God to grant him the luck they needed to save the princess to the bitter end.
Soon the rest of the gunship's arsenal was unleashed upon the Archangel of Death's servants. As rounds and missiles indiscriminately roared at the unrelenting number of vehicles, the convoy progressed at the cost of casualties. Heaven-based military-graded hardware was produced from the rooftops of these vehicles in an attempt to down the enemy who seemed untouchable; however, each act of valor was met with a resounding death. Every effort to break the attacker's advantage was one less body able to defend the redemption hotel. Nonetheless, it was a race against fate as bystanding sinners and Hellborn on the sidewalk were caught in the throes of combat.
An upcoming intersection was being approached as Angel Dust informed them. "After those lights, it's a straight shot across."
Hearing that, his foot pressed forward as the engine was pushed to its limit. While the screams of missiles brought havock behind his car. Just as they were about to pass through, a red impala sprang out to his left and collided against the rear end of the vehicle. The driver's concentration broke as the Russian used every fiber of his being to tighten his grip on the wheel as the party spun out of their lane and found themselves crashing into a parked car by the corner store.
Artyom took a brief moment to steal a look at his disoriented passengers, all three groaning and gathering their minds from the impact. Then he turned his attention towards the intersection, on the other side of the road, only to find four men and women wearing uniforms clad in blue and white step out of their car. Each one equipped with ballistic protection and blessed firearms.
The rest of the convoy came through as the ambushers fired upon the armored SUVs. He would not permit that as the ex-soldier removed his seatbelt and raised his assault carbine and fired from the driver's seat. In semi-auto, he fired his first shot, which landed in someone's face as their comrades were taken aback by the return fire. The next three shots made their way by the surprised assailants, who fell in quick succession to the old habits of the former Polis Ranger as spent cartridges bounced off his blessed Kevlar vest.
He soon tried to revive the engine's ignition; yet, the spark that led to it's roar had devolved into a whine. Accepting that Mrs. Mayberry's car was dead, he unlocked the car and stepped out to the intersection, hailing for someone in the convoy to acknowledge him.
Three had pressed onward before a fourth vehicle acknowledged his signal by slowing down. Out from the front passenger seat, a bearded man in a boonie hat stepped out in a British army uniform and a blessed MP5 slung over his shoulder. "Are you mad?! Didn't you get the order?"
"Tony's in the car," He bluntly told him, "The others are sinners but one's Charlie's girlfriend and the other is her guest."
"Alright lad, I'll see if I can fit'em." The Englishman answered as he rallied the others from his car to join him. Three men in black uniforms stepped out with gas masks strapped to their faces and were quick to their feet as they rushed over to Mayberry's sedan and carefully helped them out of their seats.
The same helicopter that harassed the convoy had flown over with its latest missile payload targeting another SUV passing by. As smoke and fire erupted around them, the British and Russian soldiers glued themselves to the ground.
"Bloody Apache!" Swore the stranger as he pointed to the back of his vehicle, "There's a Stinger in the trunk. Help me nail this bugger!"
They quickly ran over to the back of the car and opened the trunk, revealing black cases of weaponry perfectly stowed away. If he wasn't concerned by the helicopter's incessant attacks on the convoy, Artyom would have been impressed by the organizational skill and the Department of Purgatory's inventory. Then the Englishman reached inside and pulled out a long black case before he carefully placed it on the ground and opened the locks. Once the top was removed, he was presented with what he would consider a very elaborate tube. "What the Hell is this?"
"My answer to our problem, step aside!"
It wasn't long until Artyom obeyed as the soldier pulled the weapon out from the black foam where it rested. He watched as the man rested it over his shoulder and looked up at the sky to see the helicopter make another pass at the rest of the convoy from behind. The Russian heard the weapon activate and produce low beeps from its systems the longer he focused his aim on the gunship. Then the beeping gradually grew in frequency as time passed by, a fascinating weapon for a post-apocalypse survivor who didn't have any experience in it. Once the sound transformed into a monotonous tone, a missile was launched out into the air for a brief moment before gravity was about to pull it down. Everything changed when the missile ignited and soared into the crimson sky with a smoke trail revealing its existence.
The helicopter released a series of flares as it broke off from unleashing another series of attacks. Yet, the missile trailed towards its destination with great haste while the assailants appeared to be making their maneuvers away from the counterattack. Despite their efforts to fly away, they combusted in a fiery explosion as it broke in two, with the remaining parts descending to the ground. "Finally, we won't lose more to those buggers."
"Not the right time for introductions but I appreciate your assistance," He expressed his gratitude as he walked up to the stranger who aided him in such a dire circumstance. His hand extended out to the unknown soldier, "My name's Artyom, investigator at the Hazbin Hotel."
"I hear you're the lucky lad who slept with Verosika Mayday. Captain Price, former Special Air Service, Gendarmes." His reputation within the Department of Purgatory seemed to be growing, just not in ways he'd expected.
Tony's voice reached out to them from behind as the duo turned to see their superior and the two sinners being helped into the SUV. "There's a lot of us for a carpool. Unless someone's willing to make space or hang from outside, someone's got to catch a ride or hoof it on foot."
Angel Dust and Vaggie were too important to leave behind and Tony was too important for an active warzone that broke out inside the Dark Realm. None of this was ideal but Artyomm was used to making the best out of the worst situation. "I'll go on foot since I know the way to the hotel. Go ahead."
"We'll see you there then," He turned to the rest of the Gendarmes and nodded his head inside the car, "Someone give me a status on convoy strength! We lost a lot out here."
As the trunk and the doors began to close one by one, the Russian stood still before catching Vaggie's gaze. She seemed to have a look of worry on her face after he resigned himself to such a fate; yet, he smiled back at her and readied his M4 Carbine. Then the moth broke their silence. "Mayberry's waiting for you. She'll want to know."
She closed the door as the car rejoined the convoy after two SUVs drove past them. He didn't hesitate to start jogging on the concrete towards the Hazbin Hotel, the weight of protection and ammo to supplement the would-be engagement against the rogue Holy Army soldiers. Helen's name reminded him of the task at hand and surely she and Verosika would have questions for him once this was all over.
He would make a lonely trek to his destination but with conviction to carry himself through. Just like the old times when he was just a mere Polis Ranger.
Lucifer would have spent time in the royal garden with his wife to reminisce about their first meetings. That would never come to be as news of Holy Army airships were brought to his attention. In light of such news, he had ordered an emergency meeting with his closest advisors who could afford to visit the royal palace. Fear would rule both the lowest and the highest ranks of the Hellborn for the sign of Heaven's forces launching an invasion was enough for many to worry about their own wellbeing. He would tolerate such a reaction as they had grown complacent about the exterminations being exclusive to the sinners.
Lilith stood by his side as he strode through the halls of his home with soldiers and servants frantically running to and fro with great haste. Then they approached the meeting room with two imps in crimson armor standing outside, both immediately opened the door for him as he pressed himself inside for the situation at hand. Only two of his sins were present on his left flank - a four-armed clown-like creature representing Hell's greed while the other person was a crossover between a fox and a bug to reflect on the insatiable hunger. Then to his right an Ars Goetia was present, none other than Paimon himself.
He would address the obvious by focusing on the more powerful aspects of his kingdom. "Mammon and Beelzebub, you two are the only ones who have reported in. Where are the others?"
The symbol of Gluttony pulled out her phone and showed him a series of text messages from the ruler of the Lust, "Asmodeous was just leaving 666 News so he's on the ground in Pentagram City. Right now, though, he's trying to get-"
Soon the clown interrupted her on the conversation, raising his hand like a schoolboy. "Asmodeus is getting a close friend of mine out of danger!"
"Then what is the status of the others?" Lucifer continued to question as was his right as the ruler of Hell. He needed to know the whereabouts of the other sins if this threat from Heaven was genuinely going to press their advantages against him, "Where are they?"
"I… we don't know," Mammon answered as the sins produced a gallic shrug, "I wish we knew but it seems like we can't get any reception to them at all."
Then Paimon spoke up on the matter. "It might not be a coincidence that the Holy Army may have jammed our communications, specifically ours, to prevent command and control. As of right now, I've been ordering runners and even risking using civilian communications to reach out on what's going on."
"Keep reaching out, they need to know what has transpired. Now then, do we know the whereabouts of the Holy Army forces being deployed against us?" If they could isolate and contain the enemy, it can give the legions of Hell more breathing room and time to rally against the sudden hostilities.
The atmosphere of the room shifted as Lilith spoke from behind his back, trembling with a phrase he had not considered from her lips. "Dear… I think they're going for our daughter."
He turned around and saw her reveal her phone's screen to him. His wife grew worrisome as the ruler of the dark realm stepped forward to see various live news about the enemy converging on the Hazbin Hotel. The cane in his hand tightened with a grip that would have broken bones of a mere mortal but this came with the understanding that his beloved daughter was at the mercy of the enemy. He could have aroused a burst of anger had it not been for the live footage of a convoy of vehicles approaching Charlie's home while engaging with Holy Army troops. Among all the various images of warfare being committed, he noticed a lone recognizable figure running and coordinating with the people from the convoy. "Railtracer?"
"Sire?" The Ars Goetia asked him from behind. He was a fool to have forgotten that perhaps Heaven didn't sanction this, "Is there something wrong?"
"No, I think we have a brief moment of hope. Do you have any available troops to send, Paimon?"
"Yes, do you intend for me to rescue the princess?" He wondered.
He shook his head at the conclusion that Paimon had brought himself to for the truth needed to be revealed as he returned his full attention to those at the meeting table. "There are forces being fielded by my brother, Azrael, the Archangel of Death. They may be on an interception course to protect my daughter and you are to reinforce them as soon as possible."
"Archangel?! You mean to tell us that Heaven's trying to help?!"
"Yes," Lilith revealed to the others, "Azrael has been paying us a visit recently but someone's been targeting Charlie to get to my husband. We can all quibble this over after we deal with whoever authorized this shitshow."
"No argument from me, I'll see if I can reach out to people who could help. I know one of the guys who lives at the Hazbin Hotel." Beelzebub remarked as she reached for her phone and scrolled through.
The power and wifi connection to the rest of Hell was acting strange. Charlie would have dismissed it entirely as sinners causing problems to her hotel if it wasn't for Alastor informing her with her powers that it was not it. As sirens blared outside the walls, the princess was confused by the occurrence since this year was too early for an extermination. Yet, the alarms throughout the city continued to instill a terror she was all too familiar with. Whatever would cause it would nonetheless force the heiress to confront the scenery of sadistic bloodshed by those who called themselves servants of God.
She had been standing alone in the lounge area, trying to flick through the television screen before the sounds of Alastor's footsteps and microphone stand tapping against the carpet made their way inside. The Radio Demon walked in from her left while his face seemed disinterested in current events as if there wasn't a problem to begin with. Then again, he held absolute distaste for television so it wasn't surprising before she returned her gaze to the television.
He spoke on her insistence to see a connection. "You know, staring into the static isn't going to make it work no matter how much you try. Radio is less likely to have such a hassle."
"Unlike you, I actually try to get with the times," Charlie replied as the corner of her eye caught wind of the overlord's face riddled with annoyance. It was the one time she could get a word jab against him as he regained his formality.
"I will say, if this is a genuine extermination occasion, shouldn't we be looking for our compatriots?" Alastor asked as she ceased her efforts with the television remote and tossed it to the couch on the right. Perhaps another time but what was certain is that Angel Dust, Vaggie, and Railtracer were still out there, "I hold no love for them but your redemption candidate is indeed out on the streets."
Ruthless he might be, there was some pragmatic logic in his words. There was only one way to solve this and it involved looking for them. "You're not wrong. I don't know where Razzle and Dazzle are but if I'm out there, the exterminators won't touch them. Care to join me?"
"Quite the proposition but I wish to retire. My old wound from our friend at the Department of Purgatory is flaring up. If you permit me to be honest, it's the closest I've ever experienced to pain."
A small and lithe figure rushed into the room as Charlie and Alastor turned to see Nifty stop by the doorway. "Your highness, we got visitors outside our front door."
"Visitors?" She was perplexed by the development given the situation outside her home. Who could ask to join her hotel at this time? "Who is it?"
"Well, you got to see for yourself. There's a lot of people wanting to come in."
It did not take long for the trio to leave and make their way towards the nearest elevator. As they descended through each floor, they all caught a glimpse of the world outside. Dozens of heavily armored airships hovered over Pentagram City, lording over those at their mercy. Missiles and rockets were launched from the urban streets, only to be met with large caliber cannon fire as various airborne vehicles descended from underneath their hide. Helicopters were deployed into large formations alongside exterminators swarming the skies with their blessed spears in hand. For all of its impressive power that Heaven brought before her, this was not their standard operating procedure during the exterminations. There had to be a reason for this to happen since it was out of their character.
Soon the Radio Demon pointed his finger towards movement approaching the Hazbin Hotel in great haste. A convoy of black SUVs ignored traffic laws and drove through each intersection like a snake crawling through a forest. "Odd, isn't it? They are coming and I have a feeling it is not to discuss about the credibility of your plan."
The royal studied the vehicles closely as they gradually lowered themselves to the ground level. When the convoy was just outside of the hotel, the series of vehicles halted before the passengers and drivers stepped out to reveal humans approaching the front of the building wearing a vast collection of militarized equipment. She recognized some of their style as it reminded her of Tony's introduction that fateful night. "It's the Department of Purgatory."
"Well, no wonder why my wound was hurting," Alastor mused to himself before she heard him cackle with laughter, "It will be satisfying to exact a little revenge."
Their vision was about to be cut off as the elevator began to slow down upon approaching the ground floor. Yet, off in the distance, Charlie caught sight of one of the airships exploding into a massive fireball. It had been broken in two with the debris descending into the city itself. Before the shaft's decorative layout blocked her view of the outside world, the princess managed to catch sight of a blue robotic figure with wings leaping out from the flames. In it's hands was a massive gun that had unleashed a blue stream of light from the barrel before the shot began to reflect four times in different angles until it landed on another Heaven airship. To witness Verosika Mayday's adoptive father in action was quite different from the stories that were told about it.
The elevator came to a halt and a bell rang out inciting the doors to slide open. Then the princess and her entourage navigated through the hallways towards the main hall to the front. Upon arriving, they saw Husk and Mrs. Mayberry standing in front of the door before his cat-like ears perked up and they both turned around to see her. He looked terrified but then his expression shifted to relief. "You guys have no idea how many sinners are out there. Also, the Tony guy we met earlier is here."
"He's here?" If is the same guy, he better have questions to the confusion she was witnessing, "I hope he's not the cause of the extermination."
"Well, do you want me to let them in?"
If people sought for her safety, she had no right to deny them that comfort. "Yes. We'll talk with Tony on what he has to say."
The cat-like sinner with wings and the teacher unlocked the door. It swung open like a river upon a breaking damn as they stepped aside. About a hundred various sinners rushed inside in a great stampede, each damned soul pushing those in the front to move forward. This sea of terrified humanity began to settle down upon as their oncoming numbers slowly dwindled upon entering the front door.
Those who caught her eye were surprised upon seeing the royal before she would grant them a comforting smile, a way to ease the tension of the sinful seeking her company. Once the final stragglers made their way inside the building, she mentally prepared for the next matter at hand.
A relaxed lean figure approached the door with hands resting on his belt as the familiar stranger returned to her personal domain. Two holstered revolvers revealed the cowboy-like iconography of Tony himself as he spoke through his speakers. "Ma'am, I know this isn't the best of circumstances but we don't have much time."
"What is going on and why are you here?" She asked of him as the princess straightened her spine and the resolve of what she would have to face. The sight of an early extermination outside her front door involved a number of questions and perhaps this servant of Heaven could answer, "Are you the one responsible for this extermination.
"No, Miss Morningstar. Now I know my superior would give me Hell for this but they are actually targeting you to get to Lucifer. The Department of Purgatory is here to make sure that doesn't happen."
"Who's attacking then?!"
He shook his head but then his next words revealed uncertainty. "I don't know but they're desperate enough to try it right here, right now. Will you let my guys in and help fend them off?"
"Exterminators? Do you really think we aren't ready to face off against their kind?" Alastor assuredly remarked.
"It's not them I'm worried about. Now will you let us in or not?"
If what he said was true then Charlie didn't have much of a choice to refuse his help. Her previous encounter with him had been strange and shady; yet, he was upfront with his intentions. Perhaps the same would apply here? "As the daughter of Lucifer, you have my permission to protect this hotel as you see fit."
"Thank you," He turned back and gestured for the others to come inside. Tony walked into the hallway as dozens of heavily armed soldiers in ballistic protection immediately ran inside, each of them carrying black boxes inside. Then the man issued orders to those who have yet to enter, "I want heavy weapons and platoons on each floor. Spread yourselves out and try to cover the skies and the streets."
Two oncoming people managed to slip inside the line of people making their way past the leader of the convoy before the heiress recognized the pink fluff of her hotel candidate. Here, he stepped out of line to greet the entourage with a smile on his face upon seeing her. "Gosh, it's good to see you darlings again."
"Angel Dust, you're alive!" Nifty shouted as she jumped up to wave her hand at him.
"Of course I am. These nice military guys liked what they saw and couldn't pass down an ass like mine."
Out from behind the homosexual spider, Vaggie appeared with a blessed spear in hand. She looked tired but her return was a relief to the princess herself. "Where were you guys? I was about to head out and look out for you."
"We were brought into an abandoned estate out of Pentragram but got ambushed. If it wasn't for Tony and his guys, I don't think we would have made it out alive." The moth answered as the two embraced each other into a hug.
Mayberry spoke up with a worrying look. "Speaking of which, where is Railtracer?"
"Oh, you're talking about Artyom," Tony casually implied as he rejoined the princess and her mostly reunited members of her hotel, "He's on foot but he's going to catch up and rendevous with us."
"Uh? You know him?"
He turned to the sinner teacher with his helmet's glowing red gaze and nodded his head in confirmation. "Yes. Long-story short, he's one of the department's investigators. I won't get into it as I know all of you will have a lot of questions for him but now is not the time."
"What exactly is the issue?" Charlie wondered, hoping it would ease any problem that would arise from her home.
"Namely, your temporary residents. I know you let these sinners in but this place is going to turn into a warzone in a minute. They are not safe here."
They wouldn't stand much of a chance out there, even if she compelled Alastor to throw them into the streets. Her heart was too compassionate about their well-being. "We can't kick them out if that is what you're asking."
"I knew this was going to happen," His hands clenched into a fist before she heard his breath through the rebreathers, "Can you at least put them somewhere else? I don't want them to be caught in the line of fire or get in the way."
"I can get Nifty to do it." It was a reasonable request and fortunately for him, the Hazbin Hotel had a basement that was large enough to comply.
A man shouted from outside the hotel. "Contact!"
Gunfire erupted as the princess and Tony ran to the front of the building. The armed men and women who were standing outside and beside their cars had their backs turned towards them as each raised their firearms barrels up high. She looked up to see a small of army of exterminators descend upon the parked convoy, rushing into the storm of bullets. Some were struck down and fell to the ground with an agonizing scream while the rest landed on the ground and caught the soldiers in melee.
Spears pierced and stabbed the soldiers who weren't quick enough to survive the initial onslaught. Then heiress eyes widened, taken aback by the defenders skill at disarming their foe's main weapons in hand-to-hand combat and drawing pistols to kill them in close range. The human beside her barked a command as he rallied them by waving his hand, "Drop everything and get inside! I need everybody here!"
An exterminator landed in front of them. Charlie heard a haunting giggle while expressing a sadistic smile as the assailant gleefully ran towards the entrance spear in hand. The holy blade glimmered for a brief moment until Tony reached for his revolver and fired, fanning the hammer three times. Much to her surprise, she had watched three round riddle her stomach before falling over to the lawn, writhing in pain. The armed Gendarmes closest to the hotel were quick to rush inside as ordered but one stepped over to the wounded exterminator.
"Bloody bitch," He swore in an English accent as he readied his submachine gun and fired off a three-round burst into the head, golden liquid spilling out and staining the dirt. Then he looked up at them in a gas mask and gave them a nod before swiftly running into the building.
More servants of Purgatory, once briefly free from the throes of combat, ran inside. Despite their ability, the several hundred of exterminators were overpowering and outnumbering those who have yet to retreat inside. Some found themselves impaled by multiple spears, others who retreated were ruthlessly struck from behind - a gruesome scene of slaughter she would never forget as the last few dozens made it past the main entrance. The rest of the exterminators descended to the ground and stood tall.
It was different seeing one of their kind but immensely imposing to have this many stand outside the Hazbin Hotel. They didn't press the advantage, rather, they stood on the street and sidewalk as if compelled to let the remaining survivor's take the time to foritfy the defenses.
"Charlie, it's not safe here. I think you should go with the sinners downstairs," Vaggie whispered from behind, her hand grabbing ahold of hers as the princess reluctantly stepped away from Tony at the front door.
He reached for the handle and was about to close it shut but the atmosphere shifted as a brief golden flash erupted from the ranks of the exterminators. She wanted to fall back and do what her girlfriend asked but her mind held the morbid curiosity to witness what horror that was in store for her. Feet shuffled as Angel Dust rushed to the front while loading his Tommy gun. Mrs. Mayberry then appeared as she loaded shotgun shells into the chamber and joined the servant of Heaven by the door. His revolver still remained in his grip, placed by his side. Then came the commotion of Nifty ushering the sinners downstairs from behind while the army of exterminators remained outside.
A loud but fair voice rippled from the ranks of Heaven's lethal killers. "Well, well, well. I am delighted to see the Hazbin Hotel with my own eyes."
"Who is that?" Asked the princess.
"Adam, the first man and the father of humanity," Tony answered plainly as he closed the door, "If he's here then we are fucked beyond all belief."
"What can we do against him?"
"Not much. Half of my men are dead and the rest of our equipment is littered on the lawn," He turned his head towards her and Vaggie, "A lot of people are going to die but it's going to be us. I need you and everyone you care about to head to the basement and hole up with the civilians."
The voice of the first man snapped them out of their conversation as everyone in the hallway heard him on the other side. "I know you Purgatory bitches are hiding in there but here's a deal. I'll spare every one of your fucking lives if you hand Lucifer's daughter over. You and the rest of the sinners will all be safe and we'll be on our way."
"Maybe he'll spare all of you if I try to talk to him," She didn't want any bloodshed nor the innocents to stain their island of refuge, even if this representative of Heaven had dark intentions in mind, "Open the-"
She reached out for the doorknob but Tony swatted her hand and shook his head. "I know that man personally. He despises every one of your kind in Hell, Adam will not adhere to his deal."
"I'm not hearing a response! If that's the case, I won't show anyone any mercy," Thus, came the ultimatum and the window of opportunity to spare the Hazbin Hotel from the violence was gone. What came next was clearly going to end in violence, "Alright then, Exterminators, att-"
He was interrupted when the sound of a car roared and violently incited screams of terror and surprise from the warrior women who were about to engage. Gunfire erupted with a commanding female voice calling them to the fight, "It's a live one!"
"Kill that motherfucker, it's only one guy!"
"Stuff me with a dick and call me a willy, it's Railtracer." Hearing his name caught the princess by surprise. After the latest revelation that he was one of Tony's agents, she didn't think he would come to their aid in such a dire situation.
Tony leaned closer to the homosexual porn star and looked through the small window on the left side of the main entrance. "What's he doing?"
"He's driving donuts and shooting the exterminators. They're trying to kill him but he's just too good."
"We got to help him!" Mrs. Mayberry cried out as she opened the door and stepped outside with her shotgun in hand.
"No, don't! It's not safe out there!" The cowboy-like man tried to reach for her; yet, she was too quick for his arms to grab her clothing.
With the entrance open, Charlie caught a glimpse of the first man in a smooth gold and white cloak as his head was similar to that of the rest of the exterminators. Yet, it was more ornamental with gold on the tips of the horns. Then came his golden wings as he floated in the air and pointed at the driving sedan circling the parked convoy with dozens of the angelic killers swooping in to kill the driver. The man who was once seen as a sinner, was maneuvering the wheel with one hand while the other fired a pistol at those who tried to take his life. Each exterminator was shot in a few meters but one would have the misfortune of coming at the Russian from the front in an attempt to impale him in the chest. Railtracer would quickly spin around as the eager assailant found herself smacked against the tail of the car's rear end.
The teacher began to fire one shotgun shell at a time against the army present outside the Hazbin Hotel. Yet, she only drew attention as Adam turned the gaze of his black mask upon Charlie with an evil smile before he pointed in their direction. "Kill that bitch and leave no survivors except for the princess. I want her alive."
Two dozen flying enemies charged forth as Mayberry attempted to thwart their attempts but then Vaggie released her grip on the royal's wrist and ran past her. The first attacker swooped in to stab at the forefront sinner until the heiress witnessed her girlfriend lung forward and clash against the oncoming exterminator with her polearm. They found themselves dodging each other's quick jabs with the tips of their spears while Railtracer's lover took a few steps back reloading her weapon.
Another three made their way into the vulnerable shotgunner before Angel Dust and Tony stepped out firing their guns. The spider unleashed long sweeping the air with bursts of automatic fire as the servant of Heaven drew his other holstered revolver and dual-wielded both pistols, carefully picking off each one who flew idly for their next attack.
She wanted to help them but being Adam's target made her realize the horrible dilemma she was facing. Those who lived within her hotel and dared to fight on her behalf were at risk but being the target itself caused Charlie to hold off on rushing forward. It made her feel helpless but also useless at protecting her people.
Alastor casually walked past her, stopping at the doorway with his microphone in hand. He looked over his shoulder and stole a glance from her. "I see that you are conflicted but allow me to provide you with my services."
The Radio Demon looked ahead of the army faced before him with great shadows being summoned into the very fabric of reality. Hundreds of voodoo-like apparitions simmered to life as they grew into the shape of imps before charging forward at the Heavenly host. They jumped and leaped as their claws swiped and stabbed at the hundreds who have yet to commit themselves. In response, the invaders lunged and stabbed at those who stood in their way before this was followed up by gunfire coming from the hotel itself.
The Gendarmes had let loose their automatic firepower as the glass windows were shattered in the wake of the counterattack. Those who were on the second floor had begun to pick them off one by one. It was rather shocking given how used the princess was to seeing the exterminators have free reign over the sinners with little to no resistance. But the imagery of their invincibility being broken gave her a brief glimpse of hope that they could see another day despite Tony's haunting words earlier.
One flier managed to get in close to Railtracer's sedan and bust the windows with her fist. She immediately struggled with the man at the wheel but his control over the vehicle revealed to wane as it wildly spun. For a brief moment, the Russian managed to shoot his attacker in the chest and moved her away from his window. He stopped the car in front of the lawn and began to reload his pistol before stepping out and firing on the incoming horde that threw themselves at Alastor's overlord constructs and the residents of the Hazbin Hotel.
Adam's expression revealed a furious look as he pointed his exterminators to press forward with the offensive. Yet, the atmosphere of the scene changed when a brief flash flickered beside the father of humanity with a being's height towering over the creatures of Heaven. Clad in a mix of silver, gold, and blue for its armor as blue flaming wings were erected from the warrior's back - the new arrival was beyond everything that Charlie had known about the small white dot in the sky. She saw the first human once again, to see his absolute terror as he immediately bowed towards him.
An enchanted voice commanded the scenery in which the floating knight-like angel revealed his displeasure. "Why haven't you completed your task? Kill everyone and take the princess. Lucifer needs to be brought out of his palace."
"I'm trying! The Department of Purgatory got here in time and is holding back Lute's girls from breaking through. Just give me a bit of time." While there were genuine concerns in his voice, the damned royal couldn't help but sense that he was trying to excuse himself from his failures. Nonetheless, her stomach sensed a storm she could not avoid.
"We don't have time," The angelic figure drew both of his swords and turned to the hotel itself. Despite his armored helmet hiding his eyes, Charlie could sense the man's gaze upon her, "Press the attack, I want no witnesses."
All it took was a single blink as the princess of Hell watched the terrifying holy specter descend close to the ground and fly across the lawn with inhuman haste. The speed was unnatural as if he was phasing through reality rushing into the throes of combat. One shadow imp jumped at him but a quick swipe from one sword arm was enough to slay it from existence; yet, the princess could see that the construct was disintegrating and writhing on the ground. Alastor approached him, summoning a dozen more to stall the advancing warrior. However, the mysterious being lunged for the Radio Demon sheathing one blade before grabbing ahold of the sinner by the neck and slamming him into the pavement. What shadows that existed in the combat had disappeared, freeing the occupied exterminators onto the remaining defenders. She could hear his voice gasping for air. "Who are you?"
"I am Gabriel, Archangel of Judges and I am here to destroy Lucifer and his rule over all of Hell." His answer invoked a terrifying aura, one that the heiress had not felt before.
"Your highness, run!" Screamed Alastor as he attempted to claw the armored gauntlet holding him down.
The archangel looked up, staring at her through the door before releasing his grip on the Radio Demon and approaching her in a menacing stride, ignoring the overlord he had incapacitated. Charlie slowly stumbled back from the front entrance, looking over her shoulder for a way to escape him. Her heartbeat pumped at the situation at hand before Husk appeared from a doorway to her left, swinging a bat at the armored warrior. Yet, it was not enough as the cat with wings found his weapon caught by Gabriel's grip before his hand clenched into a fist and crushed the bludgeon into splinters. The sinner was taken aback before he punched back into the room, yelling out until a loud crash could be heard.
She turned and sought safety in the hallway to her left before the girl found herself sprinting for her life. The place she once called home had now become a labyrinth in the situation that led to her becoming pursued. Fear took over as the royal retreated deeper inside the building while the archangel menacingly chased after her in a slow walk. Looking ahead, she saw the hallway lead into an atrium with one of Tony's men arriving with his assault rifle raised. He shouted in a Ukrainian accent. "Go, I'll hold him."
A brief flash of white light appeared above the man before Gabriel descended upon him with a golden spear. Charlie froze where she stood as the unknown protector became a victim with his chest being impaled and a blood-curdling scream was released from inside. Crimson splatters spilled around the area as the angel twisted his polearm and left a mess of a bleeding man on the ground. As he pulled his weapon out, he looked up at her with his armor stained with blood. His voice revealed a horrifying truth of what kind of nightmare was happening to her. "This is the fault of your father, had he not betrayed the Holy Father and been thrown into the depths of Hell, I would have called you niece. Yet, his sin was too great and terrible to ignore."
"Bad boy!" Nifty appeared from behind as she rushed at the archangel with a pin cushion raised, ready to stab him. He raised his foot high and leaned forward while he kicked backward, tossing the small sinner back as she landed on the ground. The girl tried to lift her head but then succumbed to the floor.
"I wonder if he even told you the truth or even the fraction of its worth to you," He continued confidently brandishing his spear before it dematerialized out of thin air, "Then he married Lilith, the demonic wench you call a mother but I know her kind."
"Is this why you're doing this? To properly wipe us off once and for all." Charlie stood her ground, knowing full well that escape wasn't on the table. She would try to fight him off, even if she was indeed unmatched.
"Yes, but this is to avenge the brothers that Lucifer has slain. That is the price for the queen of the succubi and so I am here to return the favor by starting with you."
Gabriel was about to pass by a hallway to his right when two of Tony's people jumped him. One was a woman in a black jacket and jeans with red hair covering one side of her face and another was a jaded man wearing Adidas sweatpants and a brown jacket. The woman's arms began to transform, mechanically revealing two blades that were built into her limbs while the man brandished a submachine gun. Both attempted to stop him but the archangel reached for one of the two swords by his waist and slashed at one of the woman's arms off. The man swore in Serbian as he unleashed his entire magazine on the foe but the heavenly killer merely pointed his weapon at him and a brief white energy erupted from the sword's tip, vaporizing the shooter until all that was left of him was ashes and dust. The woman attempted to bring her other arm to strike at his armor; yet, it was all in vain when Gabriel knocked her off her feet and stomped her head, revealing a gushing red collection of blood and brain matter.
Charlie heard him laugh before he continued to walk towards her. "There will be no escape for you, Charlie 'Magne' Morningstar. I will make sure you see your father die."
She wasn't much of a fighter and didn't believe in violence; yet, the princess felt the urge to resist. Right here, right now, the Princess of Hell would make her father proud. It was a sad thought, enough to break out into tears, knowing she wouldn't get a chance to say goodbye to her parents. "I won't go quietly."
"Good, this will be satisfying." His tone seemed humored by her words.
The archangel pressed forward while the royal anticipated his next move. As he passed by a closed door to her left, automatic gunfire erupted from inside the room, tearing apart the wooden finish. White flames rippled through the air as Gabriel winced the rounds had on his armor, revealing burnt marks across the silver glint. Then he lept back as his wings flapped, balancing his landing.
A great kick knocked the destroyed door into the hallway before Charlie was taken aback by Railtracer's arrival. In his famous gas mask, his military green Russian fatigues were covered in layers of ballistic protection and kevlar. It would do little against the foe who dispatched Tony's men amidst the fighting; nonetheless, she felt relieved by his arrival. He stood in front of her while his assault carbine was aimed firmly on the leader of the Heavenly host. "Your highness, are you alright?"
"You're no match for him. I just saw him kill three people in this hallway." She explained to him after the events she just witnessed.
"She's right," the archangel replied as he drew his second blade, "What makes you think you'll be the one to stand against me when I have killed so many before you?"
"I know but this is a personal matter and I've been waiting to kill you since the last time we met." Railtracer answered with a hint of hatred being held back underneath the gas mask. All of which was directed at her foe.
"Do tell me this, what exactly have I done that has earned the ire of a mere sinner?"
The Russian shook his head and reached for a bracelet on his wrist, removing it from place and tossing it to the side. In a brief flash, the form of the sinner she was familiar with revealed a human-like appearance but his face remained underneath his helmet and gas mask. "The convoy attack and the diner, remember that."
"You were the witness. The one who survived and was kept hidden by Azrael himself," His head was erected but it was clear that he was taken aback by the revelation. Then his next words were flared with anger and rage, "Then it is time I finished what I started!"
Gabriel's wings flapped as he flew towards the human. Railtracer fired upon him but then the archangel began to maneuver and teleport from one side of the hallway to the next as he closed the distance at an alarming rate. Bullets whizzed past him before the assault carbine clicked empty inside the chamber, unlike the Gendarmes that Charlie had seen outside the hotel, her protector's right hand extended out and seemed to reach out as if trying to hold onto something.
None of this made any sense as the princess mentally prepared to transition into her true demonic form. A tornado of fire spurred around her as a trident appeared in her hand while she quietly prayed for the masked man to still be alive when the transformation was done. As the flames flickered and disappeared, what she saw was the archangel performing an overhead swing upon the only man standing between himself and the Princess of Hell.
The post-apocalypse survivor's hands seemed to appear as if he was holding something being swung to anticipate a strike. Yet, there was no weapon in his grasp until an elaborately decorated Zweihander materialized into reality, glowing in a golden aura clashing against the dual blades where steel struck steel. It was both surprising and terrifying that someone she once thought was a cooperative member of the hotel was capable of such.
"A service weapon attached to a soul like yours. You must be an angel slayer," That last sentence sent a chill into the very core of her heart, knowing that there were people renowned for killing the servants of Heaven. Soon he quickly pushed Railtracer back as a flurry of blades attacked from various angles in swift succession. The Russian tried to fight back, attempting to parry each blade but the supernatural speed of the archangel was too much for him as his reaction was too slow to keep up. Then Gabriel's swordsmanship managed to take the weapon out of his hands before he kicked back and landed on his back.
With nothing left to spare her friend from the blade, she charged forward thanks to the powers of Hell she had been born with. Just as the archangel was about to strike him down, her trident clashed with his blades. She made small jabs at his breastplate as her foe tapped his swords away from his torso. Charlie attempted to lunge for a deep blow but he teleported to the side of her weapon, using his swords to deflect her weapon and slide his weapon along the shaft, causing her hands to lose her grip. A brief moment later, he shoulder-charged the heiress as she found herself knocked back into a cabinet as books were knocked out of place and landed on her head.
"I must admit, this was surprisingly a good attempt but you are neither Lucifer nor Michael."
The victor stood proudly in the hallway as the defeated combatants were left on the ground. She looked ahead to see Railtracer at his mercy while he reached for a sidearm in his holster. Yet, he never had a chance to pull it out as the armored warrior quickly cut a wound into the sides of both his arms, causing him to scream and yell out.
"To ever think you had a chance against the likes of me?" He added with arrogance in his voice, scoffing at what had transpired by the Russian who dared to stop him. "I am blessed by the light of the Holy Father, you are beneath me."
He sheathed his swords before his hands reached the ceiling before his spear materialized into his grip. It would be an execution as Charlie began to plead out for her protector's sake. "Don't kill him!"
"You are in no position to make me and I am in no mood for mercy."
She heard a small pop behind her the princess turned her head to what caused the origin of the noise, only to see a grapple hook launch past her and embed itself into Gabriel's back. He screamed at the latest surprise attack before a blur of blue, red, green, and gold flew past her and came into contact with the archangel himself. Once it had impacted him, the would-be executioner was knocked forward before a red arm attached to a blue robotic figure extended into his spine until a loud forceful blast knocked the holy killer forward.
Her eyes couldn't believe what had saved them as the grapple hook and the red arm were retracted back to its side. V1, the infamous machine created in Heaven, came to the rescue while wielding a green-tinted revolver at its side. To think that Verosika's adoptive father would be the one to stop the menace that hunted her. Soon the archangel turned around and confronted it with anger from within. "You… machine… you have no right to interfere with my affairs!"
"You have lost," It answered in its robotic voice, "Just not realized it."
"We'll see." He replied as the terrifying opponent charged towards the machine, teleporting across the room in quick jumps.
In response, V1's blue arm was quick to toss up four gold coins in the air and immediately fire upon the nearest one with its revolver. A golden trail left the barrel and immediately contacted the first one, it reflected, being redirected onto the next coin. One-by-one, the 'bullet' left a trail mid-air before the final reflection found the shot focusing on the oncoming angel attempting to destroy what had made the Hazbin Hotel. As it made its mark, a great explosion erupted in the hallway Gabriel found himself flying backward until his wings fluttered once more.
Once he had regained balance, the archangel found himself huffing underneath his armor with blood seeping out before he returned to the ground and knelt on one knee. For a brief moment, he looked at the ground while the machine slowly approached him. Then his voice gasped for air before a hand reached to his helmet. "All forces, I am ordering an immediate retreat. Fall back to the extraction, exfiltrate by any means necessary."
The machine brandished another gold coin but instead of using it for another shot, it tossed it in the air and waited for the object to return before repeating the same process once again.
"To be defeated and mocked by a machine… and held back by a mere saved," The silver that once encompassed his armor had transformed into crimson as he stood back up and slowly floated above the ground. His hands clenched before the rage from his heart revealed itself, "YOU INSIGNIFICANT FUCKS, THIS IS NOT OVER!"
A white flash exploded before Charlie's eyes as Gabriel regained her sight and found that he was no longer present at the hotel. In a way she felt relief that her pursuer was gone, no longer after her. She would have to reward Verosika and her father once this was over. She looked at the blue war machine stop tossing the same coin in the air before it turned around, revealing the yellow 'eye' staring into her soul. The long look at one another changed when Railtracer groaned as both of his hands reached over for his arms covering the bleeding from the cuts he received. Seeing him at a moment of weakness spurred her to rise from the broken furniture her back rested against as she rushed over to his aid.
Author's Note: Whoa… 13k. I normally don't try to reach over the 10k word count but this chapter might be an exception. Now I originally wanted to post this before the first season of the Hazbin Hotel show but a bit of procrastination involving strategy games and studying got in the way. Then again, this chapter was a huge endeavor given how many important scenes I had to bring to this one update. It's quite clear that this whole story and a ton of its concepts will be declared non-canon at this point since the crossover fic is set in-between the post-Pilot/pre-Episode 1 timeframe - no War in Heaven, Rosie isn't French, Lilith isn't in Hell, Lucifer doesn't act like a nobleman, Adam isn't a complete asshole, and God's existence isn't exactly present… yet. If you intend on sticking around, I will see this fic to the end but there's bound to be inclusion of stuff from the first season in the future chapters.