THE NEXT MORNING
Vaggie sat in the small makeshift camp she had set up, her expression dark and full of frustration. The rifle she had planned to use sat next to her, but she couldn't bring herself to grab it. She just stared at it, her fingers twitching but unwilling to touch the weapon.
"This isn't what I signed up for," she muttered under her breath, running a hand through her hair in frustration.
With a sigh, she looked away from the gun and started packing her gear. She grabbed two pistols from her bag, the cool metal comforting in her hands as she checked each one. She carefully holstered them before turning to the two swords that were leaning against a nearby rock. The first was ordinary, but the second...the second glowed faintly with a soft, magical light.
"Just in case," she whispered to herself, securing the glowing blade to her back.
She took a deep breath, telling herself to be ready for anything.
"Let's do this," Vaggie muttered, the weight of her decision settling heavily on her shoulders.
With a final glance at her makeshift camp, she turned and started walking toward the ranch, her boots crunching against the dry earth as she moved forward. She didn't know what she was walking into, but she was determined to see this through—whatever "this" was.
RANCH
Millie stepped out of her and Moxxie's room, her robe snug around her and her toiletries in hand. She hummed a tune under her breath as she made her way toward the bathroom. But the sound of another door opening caught her attention.
She turned her head to see the door to Sallie May's room slowly creak open.
Millie froze, her eyebrows raising as she saw who stepped out. It wasn't Sallie May.
It was Loona.
Her fur was ruffled, her tail dragging slightly behind her, and her expression screamed "I can't believe I did that." She stopped mid-step when she locked eyes with Millie, who was standing there, her mouth slightly agape in surprise.
A smirk began to grow on Millie's face as the realization hit her.
"So that's what Sallie May whispered to you yesterday," Millie teased, her voice low but full of amusement.
Loona's ears flattened, and she raised her hands in a panic. "Don't tell Blitz! Please, don't tell him!"
Millie held up her hands in mock surrender. "Relax, sugar, your secret's safe with me." Her smirk grew wider as she leaned in slightly. "But I gotta ask...how was it?"
Loona's face turned beet red as she glanced away, the memories of the night before flashing in her mind. She bit her lip to hide a small smile. "...It was actually wonderful," she admitted softly.
Millie giggled, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Well, I'll be damned. Guess it's time to go update those status pages of yours, huh?"
Loona groaned, covering her face with a hand. "Ugh, shut up, Millie." She hesitates, looking at Millie uncertainly. "Are you sure you're okay with this? I mean...Sallie May and me...doesn't that, like, bother you?"
Millie let out a huff, crossing her arms. "Course not! I ain't one to get between love—or whatever the hell that was." She winked, making Loona groan again. "Besides, Sallie May's her own person. You two will just...have to see where it goes."
Loona nodded slowly, her expression softening. "Thanks, Millie."
Millie waved it off, turning to head toward the bathroom. "Just don't make it awkward at breakfast, alright? I got enough on my plate without having to play family counselor."
Loona chuckled softly as Millie disappeared into the bathroom. She ran a hand through her still-messy fur, sighed, and started heading back toward her own room, muttering to herself, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
RANCH - BREAKFAST TABLE
The dining room was filled with the sound of utensils clinking against plates and cheerful chatter. Everyone was enjoying the hearty breakfast spread, with Sallie May occasionally sneaking smirks at Loona.
Loona, however, ate awkwardly, trying to ignore the subtle glances Sallie May kept throwing her way. Sallie May, clearly amused, tilted her head as if in curiosity. Spotting Loona's hand resting on the table, she reached out to grab it, but Loona quickly pulled her hand back, giving her a pointed look.
Loona mouthed, "Later."
She added a small, reassuring smile, which made Sallie May chuckle quietly before smiling back.
But Loona's expression suddenly changed. Her ears perked up, and her nose twitched as if catching something. She stood abruptly, turning her head toward a specific direction.
"Loona? Where're you going?" Blitz called, confused by her sudden movement.
Loona didn't answer. She walked purposefully out of the house, her enhanced senses guiding her.
Stepping onto the wooden porch, Loona's ears swiveled as she listened intently. She crouched down, her nose close to the floorboards. The faint sound of breathing and the subtle thud of movement reached her sensitive ears.
Her lips curled into a snarl. Without hesitation, she balled her fist and punched a hole through the porch, the wood splintering loudly. Her hand shot into the hole, grabbing at the unseen intruder.
With a fierce growl, she yanked the figure out, dragging them into the open.
"Gotcha," Loona snarled, her claws gripping tightly as she lifted Vaggie out of the hole.
Vaggie squirmed, coughing from the dust and dirt. Her face was marked with scratches, her clothes dirty from crawling under the porch.
Loona's eyes narrowed. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
Before Vaggie could respond, Loona pulled her roughly into the house and tossed her onto the floor. The clatter of Vaggie hitting the ground silenced the room. Everyone at the breakfast table froze, their expressions shifting from confusion to shock.
"Answer me!" Loona demanded, standing over Vaggie, her claws flexing.
Vaggie groaned, slowly getting to her feet. Her hand slid into her pocket, pulling out a small, round device. With a flick of her wrist, she hurled it at Loona's forehead.
The device burst on contact, releasing a jolt of electricity that crackled loudly.
Loona cried out in pain and collapsed, twitching as the electrical current spread through her body.
"Loona!" Blitz yelled, his chair scraping loudly as he jumped to his feet.
He took a step forward, but Vaggie whipped out a sleek pistol from her belt and fired into the floor.
The sharp crack of the shot reverberated through the room, and Blitz froze as the bullet left behind a glowing, molten hole in the wood.
Vaggie's voice was calm but cold. "Angelic bullets," she said, holding up the gun for everyone to see. "Courtesy of an angel named Lute. Had them custom-made for me. These bullets can kill any Hellborn demon...permanently." Her icy gaze flicked to Loona's unconscious body. "Even Hellhounds."
She turned the gun on Blitz.
Blitz's hands went up defensively. "Wait! Stop! What do you want?!"
"You," Vaggie said flatly. "I'm here for you."
Joe stood slowly, his hand gripping the handle of the knife he always kept at his side. "You're on my ranch, lady. You'd better start talkin' fast before I throw you out myself."
Vaggie spared him a glance before refocusing on Blitz. "Do they even know what you've done?"
Blitz's shoulders slumped, his head lowering in shame.
Joe looked at him, his confusion growing. "What's she talkin' about, Blitz?"
Vaggie didn't wait for him to answer. "Blitz and his crew are wanted fugitives," she declared, her tone sharp. "His outstanding charges include nearly 5 million counts of murder."
The room fell into stunned silence, the weight of the accusation sinking in.
Moxxie and Millie exchanged worried glances. Joe and Lin stared at Blitz, their faces a mixture of horror and disbelief.
Blitz remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Vaggie's tone grew colder. "Blitz unknowingly delivered a bomb to a human city. That bomb wiped out every single soul there—men, women, children. He was arrested, interrogated, and shown the remains of those he killed."
She turned her piercing gaze to Millie. "I know you remember those pictures," she said icily. "Especially the ones of the children."
Millie's grip on her fork tightened, her expression faltering as old memories surfaced.
"Blitz pled guilty, agreeing to let his friends go free in exchange for his life. He was set to be executed by an angelic blade, but someone bombed the courthouse, killing 13 more demons in the process."
Vaggie's voice cracked as she added, "My girlfriend, Charlie, was among the injured."
Blitz finally looked up, guilt written all over his face.
"You escaped," Vaggie continued, her anger rising again. "And now, every one of you is wanted. Including this family for harboring you. But I'm willing to let them off...if they hand you over to me."
Moxxie slammed his hands on the table, standing abruptly. "You've got some nerve," he growled. "Threatening Millie's family, barging in here, and then trying to call it mercy?!"
Vaggie glared at him. "Stay out of this, Moxxie."
But he didn't back down. "Is this really about justice?" he demanded. "Or is this just revenge for what happened to Charlie? After everything Blitz did to try to save her, is this still not enough for you?!"
"Shut up!" Vaggie yelled, her voice breaking.
Moxxie grabbed Millie's knife and drove it into the table with a loud thud. The blade sank deep into the wood, its hilt trembling from the force.
The room froze as everyone stared at the knife.
Moxxie's voice was low but seething. "Never threaten me, my wife, her family, or my friends again. Or you won't be the only one seeking revenge."
Millie darted to Moxxie's side, gripping his arm tightly as she saw the simmering rage in his expression. "Mox, stop," she whispered urgently, her voice trembling.
Vaggie turned her attention to Blitz, her gaze hardening. Even Blitz looked taken aback by the fire in Moxxie's eyes.
Vaggie exhaled sharply, her expression briefly softening with regret. "I didn't want it to come to this," she muttered under her breath.
She spun around and kicked Blitz's chair hard, sending him sliding across the floor. Before anyone could react, she grabbed the edge of the table and flipped it with a deafening crash. Moxxie, caught off guard, was launched into the air and hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Sallie May leapt to her feet, her knife flashing in her hand. She lunged at Vaggie with a fierce growl, but Vaggie grabbed her wrist mid-swing, wrenching the blade from her grasp.
"Nice try," Vaggie growled, tossing the knife aside.
She shoved Sallie May backward, pinning her against the wall. Then, with terrifying precision, she began landing punch after punch, her fists slamming into Sallie May's ribs and face.
"Stop it! Stop!" Millie screamed, running toward them.
Vaggie hesitated, her fist hovering mid-air as she turned to look at Millie's tearful, pleading expression. Her breath hitched, and after a moment, she released Sallie May, letting her fall limply to the floor.
Joe rushed to his daughter, scooping up her unconscious body. His face was a mask of fury and heartbreak as he carried her to the corner of the room, Lin following closely behind.
Vaggie straightened, her breathing uneven. She didn't look back at Millie but walked toward Blitz, her gun back in her hand. "You're coming with me," she demanded, her voice low and dangerous.
Blitz didn't respond. His eyes were wide, fixed on something behind Vaggie.
A feral scream erupted from Loona as her claws tore into Vaggie's side. Golden blood splattered across the floor as Vaggie let out a choked cry, her knees buckling.
"Get away from him!" Loona snarled, her claws sinking deeper as she lifted Vaggie off the ground.
Gritting her teeth, Vaggie swung her body forward, flipping over Loona and breaking free of her grip. She landed behind Loona and, with practiced speed, locked her into a chokehold.
"You should've stayed down," Vaggie hissed.
Loona thrashed, growling in frustration as she tried to pry Vaggie's arms away. The air was forced from her lungs as Vaggie drew her pistols and fired point-blank into Loona's sides.
The bullets tore through her flesh, and Loona let out an agonized roar. The pain fueled her fury, and she slammed her head backward, landing a devastating headbutt on Vaggie.
The impact sent Vaggie staggering, giving Loona the chance to grab her by the shoulders and hurl her with all her strength. Vaggie's body crashed through the wall, leaving a gaping hole as she landed in the dirt outside.
Loona dropped to her knees, clutching her bleeding sides. Her ears flattened as she forced herself to her feet, her breaths shallow and ragged.
Blitz ran to her side, his face pale with worry. "Loony, are you okay?"
"I'll live," Loona grunted, wiping blood from her mouth. "But I've got to end this."
"Wait!" Blitz's voice cracked as he reached for her arm. "You're hurt. Don't push yourself."
Loona turned to him, her expression softening for a moment. "Usually, this is where you'd stop me from doing something stupid."
Blitz's hand fell to his side, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Yeah… usually. But this time, there's no other choice."
He placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice trembling. "Be careful, okay?"
Loona nodded, her resolve hardening as she turned and leapt through the hole in the wall, her claws ready for another round.
Moxxie groaned as he pushed himself to his knees, Millie helping him to his feet. "You okay, Mox?" she asked, her voice thick with concern.
"I'm fine," Moxxie muttered, though his hands shook slightly.
Millie looked toward her parents, who were tending to Sallie May. Lin pressed a damp cloth to her daughter's bruised face, her hands trembling. Joe stood protectively over them, his grip tight on his knife as he kept his eyes on the hole in the wall.
Blitz glanced around the room, taking in the wreckage and the terrified faces of Millie's family. He rubbed the back of his neck, a wave of guilt washing over him.
Maybe I should've left when they told me to, he thought bitterly, his ears drooping.
Vaggie stood in the middle of the open field, her stance steady, both pistols reloaded and aimed. The wind whipped at her hair as her golden blood shimmered faintly against her side. Across from her, Loona stalked forward, her eyes blazing with fury. She stopped just far enough for a charging run, her claws flexing.
Vaggie held her ground, though a flicker of unease crossed her face. "I don't want to fight you, Loona," she said, her voice firm but tinged with apprehension. "I'm just here for Blitz."
Loona growled low, her muscles rippling under her fur as the bullets lodged in her sides pushed out and clattered to the ground. Her wounds sealed themselves shut in seconds, and she straightened, baring her teeth. "I don't fucking think so," she snarled.
Vaggie's eyes widened slightly. "Uh… uh oh."
Loona crouched low, her claws extending fully, their gleaming edges catching the light.
"Fuck!" Vaggie hissed, realizing there was no way to avoid this. She planted her feet and muttered, "Alright… fuck it… let's just get this over with."
Loona leaned forward, her predatory instincts taking over. "Let's fucking go," she growled.
In a flash, Vaggie kicked up a cloud of dirt, cocking her pistols and firing. One bullet struck Loona in the shoulder, but it barely slowed her. Letting out a feral roar, Loona dropped to all fours, charging at full speed.
Vaggie fired again, her shots narrowly missing as Loona zigzagged toward her with terrifying agility. The Hellhound leaped into the air, claws flashing, and with a single swipe, she sliced both of Vaggie's pistols in half.
"Shit!" Vaggie cursed, throwing the broken guns aside. She reached for her sword, pulling it free just as Loona lunged. At the same time, she kicked upward, dislodging her second blade from its sheath.
Vaggie deflected Loona's slashes with precision, sparks flying as claws met steel. She managed to parry one attack, but Loona's speed was relentless. A claw raked across Vaggie's arm, tearing her jacket and drawing a golden streak of blood.
Loona lunged for a killing blow, but Vaggie caught the claws on her blade, twisting hard to try and snap them. Loona growled, retracting her claws before delivering a savage punch to Vaggie's face, sending her staggering.
Before Vaggie could recover, Loona stabbed forward again, but Vaggie deflected the blow, pivoting and slicing deep into Loona's side. Loona didn't flinch; she roared and lashed out with her other hand, forcing Vaggie to block and disengage.
The two circled each other, blood dripping from both as they exchanged blows. Loona's claws tore through Vaggie's defenses, but the demon fought back with equal ferocity, slashing Loona's arm and spinning behind her to slice across her back.
Loona howled and spun around, catching Vaggie's blade in her bare hands. Blood ran from her palms, but her grip was unyielding. She wrenched the sword downward, disarming Vaggie briefly.
Vaggie flipped backward, snatching her swords from the ground as Loona charged again. Their clash resumed with vicious intensity, blades and claws colliding in a deadly dance.
Finally, Vaggie found an opening. She dodged a swipe, twisted, and drove her first sword into Loona's chest. The Hellhound let out a guttural snarl, but didn't stop. Loona lashed out again, forcing Vaggie to plunge her second sword into Loona's side.
With both swords buried in her, Loona refused to go down. She grabbed Vaggie by the collar, dragging her close as they grappled. The two struggled against each other, gritting their teeth, blood and sweat mingling as the fight wore on.
Vaggie broke free, flipping backward and landing an acrobatic kick to Loona's face. The impact staggered Loona, but she recovered almost instantly, just in time to see Vaggie draw a small knife.
Dodging another swipe from Loona, Vaggie lunged forward, stabbing the knife into Loona's shoulder. Loona roared in pain but retaliated with a devastating headbutt. The impact sent Vaggie sprawling to the ground, dazed and gasping for air.
Before Vaggie could rise, Loona pounced, her claws driving into Vaggie's shoulder and pinning her down. Loona leaned close, her voice a deadly growl. "So you can heal like an Angel. S let's see you grow your FUCKING HEAD BACK!"
Vaggie's eyes widened in panic. "Wait, wait, wait! I can fix it!" she blurted.
Loona's claws paused, hovering over Vaggie's throat. "Fix what?"
Panting, Vaggie said quickly, "I can't personally fix your family's problems… but Stolas' grimoire could!"
Loona's anger faltered, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Vaggie seized the moment. "The book—Stolas' book—has powerful spells. Time spells! We could go back! Stop Blitz from taking that job! Save the city, your futures… even fix Charlie!"
Loona stared at her, her breathing heavy, claws still poised to strike. Slowly, they retracted, and Vaggie's wounds began to close.
"You'd better not be lying," Loona snarled, grabbing Vaggie by the arm and yanking her to her feet. "If you are, I'll make this worse."
Vaggie nodded frantically, coughing as Loona dragged her toward the house. Blitz turned toward the sound of approaching footsteps, his jaw dropping when he saw them. His gaze flicked from Loona to Vaggie—and then to the two swords still embedded in Loona's body.
"Uh… Loony," Blitz said, pointing awkwardly, "you've got something sticking out of you."
Loona glanced down, her face twisting into a frustrated grimace. "Oh, for fuck's sake," she muttered.
STOLAS' MANSION
Stolas wandered through the grand halls of his recently reacquired mansion, the echoes of his footsteps mingling with the soft rustle of servants unpacking boxes. The mansion's interior, though familiar, felt hollow as its belongings were slowly returned to their rightful places. Ornate furniture, gilded frames, and elaborate decorations were carefully arranged under his silent watch.
He stepped into a newly installed elevator, its sleek design standing out against the mansion's otherwise traditional aesthetic. As the doors closed, the faint sound of familiar footsteps drew his attention. He turned his head just in time to see Octavia, her sharp gaze fixed on him. She said nothing, her expression filled with unspoken anger, before continuing down the corridor without a word. Stolas watched her go, his posture tense, until the elevator doors slid shut.
The quiet hum of the elevator accompanied him as it ascended. A soft chime signaled a notification on his phone, and he glanced at the screen. The message read: "It was a bust. Still searching for him." His grip tightened slightly on the device before he slid it back into his pocket.
When the elevator doors opened, Stolas stepped out into a dimly lit hallway. The top floor of the mansion was noticeably sparse, the walls bare save for faint outlines where pictures once hung. His taloned feet moved silently across the plush carpet as he made his way to his bedroom.
The door creaked softly as he pushed it open, revealing a room that felt more like a shell than a sanctuary. Most of its furnishings were gone, leaving only a single dresser and his bed, its once pristine sheets faintly coated in dust. The air carried a faint mustiness, a reminder of the time it had been left untouched.
Crossing the room, he brushed his hand over the bed's surface, the dust clinging briefly to his feathers before dispersing into the air. He sat down heavily on the edge, the mattress sinking slightly under his weight. His gaze lowered to the floor, where faint scuff marks told stories of past movements and moments long gone.
The silence of the room enveloped him, broken only by the muffled sounds of activity elsewhere in the mansion.
RANCH
Loona stood in the barn, her phone in hand as she reread the message she'd just sent to Stolas: "It was a bust. Still searching for him." She let out a heavy sigh, her eyes flicking to Vaggie, who sat bound in rope, her hands and legs tied securely. The former overlord of the turf wars glared back at her but made no move to struggle.
Turning her gaze toward the window, Loona spotted Blitz sitting on the porch, his posture hunched, head lowered in visible shame. Nearby, Sallie May pressed a bag of ice to her head, her face bruised but her expression soft, offering an assuring smile to Millie, who stood protectively at her side.
Loona turned back to Vaggie, crossing her arms. "Alright," she said sharply, "explain this spell you're talking about. The one that can fix everything."
Vaggie's gaze shifted, her voice steady as she began, "Stolas' grimoire isn't just a book of known spells; it contains secrets—hidden spells that few have ever seen. On the very last page, I saw the words 'Time Spell.' It could be a real spell… or a fluke. But if it's real, then it's powerful enough to rewrite everything."
Sitting nearby, Millie perked up. "If that spell's real," she said, her tone laced with hope, "we could go back. Stop all this chaos—the trial, being on the run… everything could go back to normal."
Loona narrowed her eyes at Vaggie. "Why the hell are you even working with Stolas? He's the one who sold us out to the Judges!"
Vaggie's jaw tightened, her expression unreadable. "Because I'm hunting the real person responsible for planting that bomb at the courthouse. Stolas gave me a lead—one that brought me here. I thought Blitz might've been behind it."
Loona's laugh was harsh. "You're crazy if you think Blitz planned that from a jail cell he couldn't escape from. You saw how broken he was. Even if he had planned it, do you really think he'd have gone through with it after hearing Charlie or that angel—what's her name? Sera?"
Vaggie hesitated, then shook her head. "No… probably not. But now I'm questioning why Stolas sent me here at all."
Moxxie, sitting with Millie, chimed in. "How did Stolas even know where we are?"
Vaggie's answer was grim. "When Stolas restrained Blitz during the chaos, he planted a tracker under the hood of your van."
Loona's eyes widened, and without another word, she stormed out of the barn. Blitz, noticing her movement, followed her as she headed for the van parked a short distance away.
Once they reached the vehicle, Loona yanked the covers off and popped the hood. Sure enough, a small beeping device was attached to the underside. She ripped it free and held it up. "It's a tracker," she muttered. "Stolas knew where we were the whole time."
Blitz's face darkened as he snatched the tracker from her hand. With a growl, he threw it to the ground and stomped on it until it shattered. "Fuck him! Fuck!!" he shouted, slamming his fists on the side of the van.
Loona leaned against the van, arms crossed. "So why did he only send one person after us? He always knew where we were—why not an army?"
Blitz shook his head, his thoughts visibly churning. "I don't know," he muttered, then paused. "But Vaggie's telling the truth about the spell."
Loona frowned, taken aback. "Wait, what?"
Blitz hesitated before explaining. "I remember something about that book… about the last page. The word 'Time.' If I saw it and Vaggie saw it too… it's gotta be real."
Loona straightened, her expression hardening. "Then let's go. Fix everything that's happened. Let's get our lives back."
Blitz hesitated, glancing back at the ranch. "What if we don't remember anything once we've changed the past?"
Loona shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe we'll forget."
Blitz's gaze softened as he thought back to the moments they'd shared here—the warmth of dinner, the quiet pride he felt watching Loona play the guitar. These were some of the happiest memories he'd had in years. "Maybe I don't want to forget."
Loona blinked, surprised. "You don't even want to try?"
Blitz exhaled slowly. "Of course I do. But… we've had some good memories here. If we do this… they'll be gone."
Loona looked back at the ranch, her own memories of laughter and fleeting happiness flashing through her mind. She lowered her head. "Yeah… they were amazing."
The two sat down, their backs resting against the van. Loona broke the silence. "I don't want to spend the rest of my life running. I want a life—a real one. I want to find someone who can actually tolerate me for me."
Blitz smirked faintly. "With your personality, good luck."
She snorted but continued. "And I don't want Moxxie and Millie going through this. And I don't want you running forever, either. If we can get to that book… we can fix it. All of it. We could be normal again. Aggressively normal. But normal."
Blitz was quiet for a long moment before he nodded. "Yeah… I'm sick of feeling sad all the time."
Loona smiled faintly. "Same." She leaned into him, and Blitz wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a side hug.
"Alright," he said softly. "Let's go back in time."
Loona smirked, her voice laced with determination. "First, we need to figure out how to sneak into Stolas' mansion… while being wanted in the city."
Blitz groaned, baring his teeth in frustration. "Oh, geez," he muttered, then grinned slyly. "You know what… I think I know how."