Chapter 3

When people think of the child of Lucifer Morningstar, they imagine a figure cloaked in menace—a being who thrives on bloodlust and chaos, reveling in the suffering of sinners—a ruthless enforcer of Hell's cruelty, relishing every scream that echoed in the infernal depths.

That's what they expect.

And that's why Charlie Morningstar often found herself at odds with her destiny.

Born as the daughter of the Devil himself, Charlie carried the weight of countless assumptions and centuries of expectation. Yes, she had her father's piercing gaze and the aura of raw power that could silence a room. But where Lucifer's presence inspired fear, Charlie dreamed of inspiring hope.

Her goal wasn't to punish sinners but to redeem them.

Hell, to her, was a broken system. A place where lost souls wandered endlessly, consumed by their regrets, with no chance of escape. She believed there had to be a better way—a chance for redemption, even for those damned to Hell.

Standing on the balcony of the Happy Hotel, Charlie glanced out over the glowing rivers of fire that carved through the underworld. Somewhere beyond those rivers were the countless souls she wanted to save.

"You can't fix Hell, Charlie." Her father's voice echoed in her mind, a deep, mocking tone that haunted her. "It's not broken—it's perfect. It's exactly as it should be."

Charlie clenched her fists. No. She refused to believe that.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hesitant footsteps behind her. She turned to see Vaggie, her closest confidante, looking at her with a mix of worry and encouragement.

"Still thinking about your plan?" Vaggie asked, folding her arms.

Charlie sighed. "I can't stop. I know it sounds wild—trying to help sinners in a place designed to punish them—but I have to try. Someone has to."

"It's not crazy," Vaggie replied. "It's just… ambitious. You know what your dad will say."

Charlie's golden eyes softened, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. She knew exactly what Lucifer would say. He'd laugh, dismiss her efforts as naïve, and tell her to stop wasting her time.

But Charlie couldn't ignore the longing in her heart. The thought of leaving even one soul better than she'd found it gave her purpose.

"I don't care what he says," Charlie said firmly, determination burning in her voice. "I have to believe that sinners can change—that they deserve to change. If I don't, then what's the point of anything?"

Vaggie sighed, her expression softening. "You're too good for this place, Charlie. Too good for this world."

"Maybe," Charlie replied with a small, bittersweet smile. "But that's why I have to fight for it."

As she looked back at the infernal landscape, her heart was set. No matter how impossible her dream seemed, Charlie Morningstar was determined to bring light to the darkest corners of Hell.

"And hopefully, my cousins will help me out," Charlie said in anticipation. She had sent out invitations to the Sins Disciples, hoping they would come to Pride and help her with the Happy Hotel. The four of them had great skills, and when she heard what happened to them during the extermination, it made her want to help them more.

However, it was a bit tricky since her relationship with her cousins wasn't great, to say the least.

Charlie let out a long breath, clutching the gilded railing of the balcony as she thought about her cousins. Their reactions to her invitation were as varied as their personalities, and none of them seemed entirely aligned with her vision. Still, she held onto a sliver of hope. If even one of them came around, it might make all the difference.

Aika Kiryuu, fierce and unrelenting, was the hardest to reach. Charlie couldn't blame her for the bitterness she carried; Hell had a way of grinding down its inhabitants, especially those with a strong moral compass. Aika's disdain for sinners wasn't born from cruelty—it came from a place of frustration. She'd seen the worst of what Hell had to offer and had little patience for the idea of redemption.

Charlie frowned, remembering their last conversation. Aika's parting words had stung: "Not all fires can be put out, Charlie. Some things are just meant to burn."

Still, Charlie couldn't shake the belief that even Aika might someday see the value in her mission.

Motohama, on the other hand, was less abrasive but no less doubtful. His sharp business sense clashed with Charlie's idealism. To him, the Happy Hotel was a sinking ship before it even set sail.

"Show me some numbers, some results," Motohama said, adjusting his glasses with a smug smirk. "Otherwise, you're just spinning your wheels."

Charlie hated to admit it, but his skepticism had planted a seed of doubt. What if he was right? What if she was chasing an impossible dream? But even as the fear crept in, she reminded herself: Every great change starts with one small act of faith.

Matsuda, at least, had been kinder. His easygoing nature made him a rare source of comfort, even if he didn't fully believe in her plan. Charlie appreciated his support, even when it was tempered with brutal honesty. But his girlfriend, Sallie May, was a tougher nut to crack. The imp's sharp tongue and no-nonsense attitude often left Charlie feeling like a child playing dress-up. She hated the way Sallie's words cut through her confidence, but deep down, she knew they weren't entirely wrong.

Then there was Issei. Sweet, conflicted Issei. He was the most likely to support her, but even he was tethered by his loyalties. Charlie had seen the tenderness in his eyes when he spoke about Asmodeus and his unconventional family. They were his anchor in a world that often seemed ready to swallow him whole.

But Charlie couldn't give up on him. If anyone understood the value of connection and second chances, it was Issei. His empathy was his greatest strength, and she couldn't help but hope he'd lend it to her cause.

"Do you really think they'll come?" Vaggie's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She hadn't realized her friend had stepped closer, her expression laced with concern.

"I don't know," Charlie admitted. "But I have to try. If I can show them what this place can be—what we can be—maybe they'll believe in it too."

Vaggie sighed, crossing her arms. "Even Aika?"

Charlie smiled faintly. "Even Aika. She's tough, but she's not heartless. None of them are. They need to see that change is possible."

"And if they don't?" Vaggie pressed.

Charlie's gaze drifted back to the fiery rivers below. "Then I'll keep going. Even if I have to do it alone."

Vaggie shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're never alone, Charlie. You've got me—and the others. We'll figure this out together."

Charlie reached out, squeezing Vaggie's hand. "Thank you."

As the two stood in quiet solidarity, Charlie felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whether her cousins came around or not, she knew one thing for sure: she wasn't going to give up—not on her dream, not on HeHelland, not on them.

The sharp knock at the door echoed through the quiet lobby of the Happy Hotel, interrupting the serene moment between Charlie and Vaggie. Charlie's heart leapt.

"C-Could it be?" Charlie said, and without a second thought, she dashed to the door, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

"They came!" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Maybe," Vaggie replied cautiously, trailing after her. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Charlie barely heard her, throwing the door open with a bright, hopeful smile. Standing on the threshold were her four cousins, each one radiating a different kind of energy.

"Charlie!" Issei greeted warmly, his face lighting up with genuine happiness as he pulled her into a bear hug. His dragon-like tail wagged slightly behind him, a clear sign of his enthusiasm. "It's so good to see you!"

"Matsuda!" Charlie exclaimed as she hugged Issei back.

"Hey, Charlie!" Matsuda chimed in, giving her a playful pat on the head. His mischievous grin was infectious as he added, "You've been busy, huh? The place looks… well, let's say 'charming.'"

Motohama slithered in next, his snake-like tail trailing behind him. He adjusted his glasses, his eyes scanning the hotel's lobby with a critical gleam. "Well, this is… quaint. It's definitely a fixer-upper. I'll give you points for trying, Charlie." His smirk was a mix of amusement and skepticism.

Charlie forced herself to keep smiling, determined not to let his words deflate her. "Thanks for coming, Motohama. It means a lot."

Aika followed behind them, her attention glued to her phone as her thumbs danced across the screen. She looked up briefly, giving Charlie a small smile. "Hey, Charlie," she said casually before returning to her conversation. "One sec gotta reply to this."

Charlie's smile faltered just a little, but she quickly recovered. "It's great to see you all," she said, stepping aside to let them in. "Come on in! Make yourselves at home!"

The group filed in, each one taking in the lobby in their way. Issei and Matsuda admired the decorations, offering enthusiastic comments about the quirky charm of the place. Motohama slithered around, poking at the furniture and muttering about the outdated design.

Aika lingered near the entrance, still texting. Charlie hesitated, glancing at her with a mix of hope and worry. "Aika… I'm really glad you came."

Aika glanced up, her sharp green eyes meeting Charlie's golden ones. "Yeah, well, I figured I'd check it out," she said with a shrug. "Don't get too excited, though. I'm not signing up for any kumbaya circle just yet."

Charlie chuckled nervously. "Fair enough."

"Besides," Aika added, smirking slightly as she pocketed her phone, "I wanted to see my friends again since we hardly get to meet up since we actually do some work and have a life. So, at least here, I can take a break, chat with my friends, and watch you struggle to make this place work. It should be entertaining."

Charlie laughed awkwardly, unsure whether to take that as encouragement or sarcasm. Either way, Aika was here, and that was enough for now.

"So," Issei began, clapping his hands together as he looked around. "Where do we start? Got any big plans for this place?"

Charlie's eyes lit up as she launched into her vision of the Happy Hotel, her voice brimming with passion. Despite their differing attitudes, her cousins listened—some with genuine interest, others with varying degrees of skepticism.

It wasn't perfect, but for Charlie, it was a start. And that was all she needed.

Charlie's enthusiasm shone as she stepped toward the center of the lobby, gesturing for her cousins to gather around. "Okay, everyone! I've been working on this for so long, and I can't wait to show you all the plans for the Happy Hotel—"

Matsuda raised a hand, cutting her off with an apologetic grin. "Hold up, Charlie. Before you get too ahead of yourself, we need to clear the air about something."

Charlie blinked, her excitement faltering. "What do you mean?"

The four cousins exchanged glances, and Issei stepped forward, his expression gentle but serious. "We talked about this before we came here, Charlie. We all want to help you, but… well, we need to know this idea of yours isn't just a pipe dream."

Motohama slithered closer, his arms crossed as he leaned against a crooked pillar. "Yeah, look, I think we can all agree this place has potential—if potential means 'desperately in need of a miracle.'" He gestured vaguely to the peeling wallpaper and creaky floors. "But potential doesn't pay the bills, Charlie. If you want our help, you're going to need to prove this isn't just some royal daydream."

Charlie's golden eyes widened. "But I can prove it! You'll see—"

"Let us finish," Aika interrupted, her voice sharp as she glanced up from her phone. "We're not saying no, okay? We're saying we've got conditions. You meet them, we'll help. Simple as that."

Charlie tilted her head, her heart pounding. "What kind of conditions?"

Matsuda stepped forward, his usual playful tone tempered with sincerity. "We each came up with one condition for you to fulfill. It's like a test, y'know? If you pass all four, we'll back your project, no questions asked. But if you don't…" He trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.

Charlie's throat tightened. "What are the conditions?"

Motohama raised a finger. "First, you need a sponsor. Someone who can help fund this operation and, more importantly, clean up this infestation you're calling a hotel. If this place isn't up to standard, no one's gonna take you seriously."

Matsuda stepped in next. "Second, I want to see an actual plan—something concrete—for how you're going to help sinners get into Heaven. No fluff, no vague dreams. A step-by-step process."

Aika crossed her arms, her gaze cool but assessing. "Third, I want to see at least one Sinner stay here. Not because they're bribed or blackmailed but because they actually want to be here. No free-loading, either—they have to meet the conditions of the hotel."

Charlie nodded slowly, her mind racing as she absorbed their demands. "Okay… and the last one?"

Issei stepped forward, his expression kind but firm. "Last, I want proof that it's even possible for a sinner to be redeemed and accepted into Heaven. Not just stories or theories, Charlie. Actual proof."

The weight of their words settled over Charlie like a storm cloud. Each condition felt like a towering obstacle, but she couldn't let them see her doubt. She squared her shoulders, determination blazing in her eyes. "I'll do it. Whatever it takes. I'll prove to you that this can work."

Motohama smirked, snapping his fingers as a scroll of parchment appeared in his hand. "Great. Then let's make it official." With a flourish, he unfurled the contract, the ornate text glowing faintly in the dim light.

"You have until the end of next year. If you can meet all four conditions, then we will help you. Do we have a deal?"

Charlie hesitated for only a moment before taking the offered pen and signing her name at the bottom. The parchment glowed brightly, then rolled itself up and vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Perfect," Motohama said, his grin widening. "Now the clock's ticking, Charlie. Let's see what you've got."

As the reality of the deal sank in, Vaggie, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines, stepped forward, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief. "What the Hell, Charlie? You're just going to let them dictate terms like that? This hotel is your dream—not theirs!"

"I know, Vaggie," Charlie said, her voice soft but resolute. "But I need their help. I can't do this alone."

Vaggie threw up her hands. "You're playing with fire—literal fire! You have no idea how hard it'll be to meet their demands!"

Charlie reached out, placing a hand on Vaggie's shoulder. "I do. And that's why I need you, too. I can't think of anyone better to help me prove them wrong."

Vaggie sighed, her frustration melting into reluctant loyalty. "Fine. But if they start messing with you, I'm stepping in."

"Deal," Charlie said with a small, grateful smile. She turned back to her cousins, her determination unwavering. "You wanted conditions? Fine. I'll meet them. And when I do, you'll see that this dream is worth fighting for."

Issei tilted his head as he watched the exchange between Charlie and Vaggie, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Wait a second, Charlie. Who's this?" He gestured toward Vaggie with a questioning look.

Charlie's face lit up, a soft blush tinting her cheeks as she turned to Vaggie. "Oh, right! I should introduce you. Everyone, this is Vaggie—my girlfriend."

The room went quiet for a moment before Issei broke into a wide grin. "No way! That's awesome, Charlie!" He stepped forward and clasped her hands. "Congrats! And Vaggie, huh? You seem like you can keep Charlie in line. Nice to meet you."

Matsuda let out a low whistle, clapping his cousin on the back. "Wow, Charlie! It is a major step up from your last relationship. I mean, seriously, way up. No offense to… uh, what was her name again? Veronica? Vanessa?"

"Vanessa," Charlie said sheepishly, glancing at Vaggie, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Yeah, her." Matsuda laughed. "Well, anyway, good for you. Vaggie, huh? You've got a great one here, so you'd better treat her right."

Motohama leaned against a nearby pillar, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face. "Well, well, well. Look at you, Charlie. Didn't think you had it in you to land someone like Vaggie." His tone was teasing, but his sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to Vaggie. "But just so you know, if you so much as think about breaking her heart, you'll have to answer to me. And trust me, you don't want that."

Aika, who had been scrolling through her phone, finally looked up. She studied Vaggie for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, from what I can see. Charlie deserves someone like that." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But if you hurt her, I'll make sure you regret it. Got it?"

Vaggie crossed her arms, her usual sharp demeanor returning as she glared back at the group. "I'm not going to hurt Charlie," she said firmly, her voice steady and unwavering. "I care about her more than anything."

"Good," Aika said, returning her attention to her phone.

Issei grinned, his dragon-like tail swishing slightly. "Hey, no need to gang up on her. Vaggie seems solid. But just for the record—if you do hurt Charlie, you'd better start praying because all four of us will make your life hell. No pun intended."

Vaggie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Got it. Message received loud and clear."

Charlie laughed nervously, stepping between Vaggie and her cousins. "Okay, okay, that's enough! Vaggie's not going to hurt me, and I think she's officially had enough of the Morningstar welcome committee."

Vaggie smirked slightly, glancing at Charlie. "I'll survive. But your cousins are intense."

Charlie smiled warmly, reaching out to squeeze Vaggie's hand. "They mean well. They want to make sure I'm happy."

"And we'll make sure of that," Matsuda added with a grin, wrapping an arm around Charlie's shoulders. "But seriously, congrats, cuz. You've got good taste."

Charlie's heart swelled with warmth as she looked around at her cousins and Vaggie. It wasn't perfect, and they had a long way to go, but for the first time in a while, she felt like she wasn't alone in this. Together, they might stand a chance.

Scene!

Now, I wanted to be shown before the canon series begins since Charlie may have a good heart, but she's a very idealistic person who needs someone to push her out of her comfort zone, so that's why the four of them set the conditions.

They'll come back to Pride to see Charlie's progress, and granted, some may act like they don't care about Charlie, but they do. However, they are just concerned about Charlie's ideas since they aren't sure if it's even possible.

Now, which Sinner should be Charlie's sponsor?

Alastor? You can't go wrong with the Radio Demon.

Vox? A member of the V's.

Carmilla Carmine? The Angelic Weapons Expert.

Or Rosie? Sweet and nice, but a nasty bite.

And who should be the first Sinner?

Cherri Bomb?

Sir Pentious?

Or any others in mind?

Let me know in the reviews. Ta-Ta!~