Here it is at last!

The chapter dedicated to Overture. I am grateful for the feedback and hope to hear more. Just like with TvFan2244, the next chapter will have an original plot.

Hope you all enjoy.


Once upon a time, there was a glowing city protected by golden gates known as Heaven.

It was ruled by beings of pure light. Angels that worshiped good and shielded all from evil.

Lucifer was one of these angels. He was a dreamer with fantastical ideas for all of creation.

But he was seen as a troublemaker by the Elders of Heaven. For they felt his way of thinking was dangerous to the order of their world.

So, he watched as the angels began to expand the universe in their ways.

From the dust of Earth, they created Adam and Lilith. Equals as the first of mankind, but despite this, Adam demanded control and Lilith refused to submit to his will. She fled the Garden.

Drawn in by her fierce independence, Lucifer found her, and the two rebellious dreamers fell deeply in love.

Together, they wished to share the magic of Free Will with humanity, offering the Fruit of Knowledge to Adam's new bride, Eve, who gladly accepted.

But this gift came with a curse.

For with this single act of disobedience, Evil finally found its way into Earth. With it, a new realm of Darkness and Sin and the order Heaven had worked to maintain was shattered.

As punishment for their reckless act, Heaven cast Lucifer and his love into the Dark Pit he had created, never allowing him to see the good that came from humanity. Only the cruel and the wicked.

Ashamed, Lucifer lost his will to dream.

But Lilith thrived, empowering demonkind with her voice and her songs, and as the numbers of Hell grew so did its power.

Threatened by this, Heaven made a truly heartless decision:

That every year, they would send down an Army, an Extermination, to ensure Hell and its sinners would never rise against them.

But Lilith's hope remained, and her dream was passed down to their precious daughter, the Princess of Hell.

Charlie closed a red book with the entitle The Story of Hell in golden letters. She held a floating black key with a red circle and a black heart in its center on the handle in her hand.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll make you proud," she promised grasping the key with a look of determination on her face.

She was sitting on a sofa looking out of her bedroom window at the burning city that had recently suffered from another Extermination. Sitting beside her, was her new bellhop, Lincoln Loud, whom she had just read her story to.

"Is that why you put this hotel together?" Lincoln asked concerned. "To help save your people from… this?" He pointed to the partially burning city outside the bedroom window.

"Yes," the princess sadly confirmed. "The latest extermination happened not too long ago. You were lucky to have missed it when you came here." She dreaded the thought of what could have happened to this poor child had he arrived as the last extermination was going on.

When he first got here, Lincoln was shocked by the state the city was in. After learning he was in Hell, it seemed to have made more sense to him. However, learning the truth behind so much of that death and destruction proved to be more disturbing than he could have imagined.

"I know they're not the nicest or sanest of people, but how could angels do this?" From what he had heard back home, to Lincoln, angels were supposed to be the good guys compared to demons. But to hear that they come down once a year to mercilessly cull a large portion of Hell's population. Demon or not, that sounded inhuman.

"And that is why I need to make this hotel work, so I can show them there is another way and change their minds," Charlie said putting her hand on the sad boy's shoulder and giving him a reassuring smile.

"I want to go home, more than anything," Lincoln admitted. "But I promise I will do whatever I can to help you find a way to help your people. However, I'm not sure what exactly I can do to help with something like this."

One thing Lincoln always felt pride in was his ability to find ways to help those around him, family and friends. However, saving people stuck in Hell from genocide was a bit of a tall order. He wasn't sure if he was up to the challenge.

"Lincoln, I'm sure whatever you do will be amazing," Charlie reassured him putting her hands on his shoulders.

The white-haired adolescent looked up at the demonic tuxedo-wearing princess who stared down at him with a warm and encouraging smile. He still could find no trace of deception in her eyes. Every word she said she truly meant it. Though he had just arrived at the hotel, she had already earned his trust and admiration.

Charlie was sweet and optimistic, probably the nicest person in all of Hell. Her behavior toward him made her seem like a motherly/older sister like figure. She cared for her people and wanted to make a better future for them. He never would've thought someone this compassionate would be the daughter of Lucifer. Then again, he hadn't met her father and from what he heard from the story he sounded like a misunderstood being.

The two shared a warm embrace.

"Charlie?" Vaggie said startling them.

Charlie dropped the key she was holding which transformed into KeeKee, the one-eyed cat, who scampered away much to Lincoln's surprise.

"Oh, shit. Did you hear all that?" Charlie asked feeling a little embarrassed.

"Uh, yeah. I was right there," Vaggie warmly confirmed and pointed toward the bedroom doors.

"Sorry, I get pretty worked up after an extermination happens," Charlie said looking out the window. "The story helps, and I thought he should know."

Vaggie chuckled at the adorableness of those two. "Don't worry. I enjoy your theatrics."

"So, how's the room?" Charlie asked Lincoln about the room she had given him to sleep in.

"It's not bad," he shrugged. "At least it's bigger than the one back home."

"How big is your room back home?" Vaggie asked curiously.

"It used to be a closet."

Both Charlie and Vaggie were surprised to hear how small this boy's personal living area was back on Earth.

"How is your family financially?"

"Don't know exactly. But in a home like mine, you take what you can get. We only have one bathroom."

Both hellish women were intrigued and amazed at the human child's optimism. From what he said, it sounded like life back home was difficult yet he somehow found ways to appreciate it and desired to return to it.

"Well little man, why don't you head downstairs and see if the others need anything?" Vaggie suggested.

Lincoln stood up and saluted her. "Right away, ma'am," he acknowledged earning another warm chuckle from the Hispanic woman.

Vaggie was a little stricter than Charlie. She always made sure there were tasks for him. She also had quite a violent temper, especially when it came to the antics of some of the hotel's more uncooperative denizens. Thankfully she rarely lost her cool with Lincoln, though he always felt he was walking on eggshells around her. Despite that, she seemed to have a bit more sense than the others, trying to keep things in order and do things in the least chaotic way possible, traits Lincoln could relate to. However, he could also sense hiding underneath all that was something dark and sad.

Lincoln waved 'goodbye' to the two women as he left the room. Once he was gone, Vaggie's warm smile turned into an uneasy frown.

"You still think he could be the One?"

"I'm still not completely sure," Charlie admitted. "But I have this strong feeling telling me it's true, and unlike the other ideas I've had that have failed, I believe this one will work out."

"Well, if it is true…"

"Then he may be our best hope." Charlie gazed out the window with a hopeful expression.

"Are you okay?" Vaggie asked concerned.

"I'm fine," Charlie reassured her girlfriend who sat down beside her. "Just thinking, you know. Family stuff."

"Did you hear from your mom yet?" Charlie shook her head in sadness. "Oof. How long has it been now?"

"Not that long," Charlie reassured. "Only… seven… years," she said less enthusiastically. "Off doing something important, I'm sure." She stood up and looked out the window again. "But this kingdom was something she really cared about. Something I care about."

"Well, at least you aren't alone."

The two women held each other's hands.

"I just hope what I'm trying to do here will work. What he will do here will work."

"It will," Vaggie assured Charlie tenderly putting her hand on her cheek. "I have faith in you."

KeeKee leapt into Charlie's arms.

"Have faith in Lincoln too, Vaggie," Charlie requested to which her girlfriend smiled at.

"Alright, come on," Vaggie said standing up with an intrigued look on her face. "Alastor says he has something to show us."

As her girlfriend left the room, Charlie looked back out the window when she heard the bell from the Heaven Embassy in the center of the city ring loudly. She knew this was the signal that it would be another year before the next Extermination came again, a thought that she dreaded every year. She got up and left to join the others.


Well, hello there, you wayward sinner! A video recording of Alastor talking to a sinner sadistically stabbing another sinner who stopped and looked up in confusion.

Do you like blood, violence, and depravity of a sexual nature?

Of course you do, that's why you're in Hell!

But what would you say if I told you there was a place to stay that had none of that?

Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel, a misguided path to redemption! Founded five days ago by Lucifer's delusional daughter, Charlotte Morningstar!

A clip of Charlie standing in front of the hotel nervously waving to the camera while Angel Dust appeared behind her pulling the two-fingers over the head prank with all four arms.

Come place your fate in her inexperienced hands as she tries to work through her daddy issues by fixing you!

Here we offer FUN THINGS, such as somewhat functional staff and 24-hour PEST CONTROL.

A drunk Husk is seen passing out on his bar counter while Niffty was chasing a bug around with a needle.

CUSTOM ROOMS,

A toilet in a bathroom was shown.

And just look at this tacky parlor!

A clip of the lobby was shown with a support beam falling from the ceiling and landing on a table scaring KeeKee away.

Enjoy riveting conversation with our singular resident, and around the clock service from our only bellboy, who happens to be a real live human who was unfortunate enough to wind up here before he even had a chance to expire!

Angel was shown sitting on a couch minding his own business before flipping off the camera. Then it showed Lincoln trying to see if the passed out Husk was okay until he noticed the camera on him and a look of confusion formed on his face.

WOW!

All this and more at the Hazbin Hotel!

Your last desperate attempt at salvation starts here!

A message in big letters appeared at the bottom of the screen that read:

CALL NOW!

OR DON'T! I DON'T CARE!

WE STILL DON'T HAVE A WORKING PHONE!

"So, what do you think?" the smiling Radio Demon proudly asked turning off the television.

Charle, Lincoln, and Vaggie all sat together on the couch shocked by the commercial they had just witnessed that was not only poorly misleading but also very offensive to their nature.

"I'm sorry. What the fuck was that?!" Vaggie angrily asked.

"Vaggie!" Charlie exclaimed appalled by her girlfriend's aggressively foul language while covering Lincoln's ears.

"Sorry," the Hispanic manager sincerely apologized.

Then Charlie turned to her business partner. "Uh, yeah. One note, Alastor," she said as sincerely as she could be. The Radio Demon's eyes narrowed a little while his fingertips slightly scratched the top of the TV a bit. "I mean, first off, thank you so much for making this. Seriously, oh amazing. But, um, maybe the tone is a bit… off." His eyes narrowed a little more. "We want people to want to come here. This makes it look, um…"

"Bad," Vaggie bluntly finished the sentence. "The word you're looking for is bad."

"Funny. I was going for hilarious," Alastor replied shamelessly.

"Lincoln, what did you think?" Vaggie asked their bellhop for his opinion.

"Well, to be honest, it's not the worst commercial I've seen," the boy said honestly while also trying to stay on Alastor's good side. "But it could be a little better."

Alastor, the Radio Demon, was a bit of a hard person to read. Lincoln found him creepy and hard to trust. His perpetual smile made it difficult to know what exactly he was feeling, if he felt anything at all. Sometimes, he seemed to care for the happiness and well-being of the other hotel residents in his own twisted way. Other times, he seemed to take enjoyment in their misfortune. He gave off a very intimidating presence that demanded respect and could very well do a great deal of harm to anyone who crossed him.

"It didn't explain anything about how we're trying to save demons from extermination, which is the whole fucking point. Also, I would suggest leaving out the part of our bellhop being a human. There's no telling how they will react to that news. It could put Lincoln in danger."

"Vaggie and Lincoln are right, Alastor," Charlie agreed. "The commercial was to let sinners know we are trying to help them, and it might not be a good idea to not let all of Hell know about Lincoln's presence here. At least for now."

"Well, my dear, I haven't been active in Hell for some time, and everyone remembers me from my radio show, the proper medium to express oneself," Alastor argued. "But you insisted on this noisy picture box advertisement," he said in a slightly annoyed tone and tapped the television with his microphone staff. "So, I had a little fun with it."

Also, because he arrived in Hell in the year 1933, Alastor was a bit old-fashioned and disliked anything that was made after his mortal demise.

"Oh, fun?! You had a little fun with it?" Vaggie angrily retorted and stood up. "Well, this is not what we want to represent us."

"Back home, my friends and I formed our own middle school news team," Lincoln explained to add to Vaggie's point. "So, I know what people like to see, and this isn't it."

"When you showed up here a week ago, you told us you would help run this hotel. Instead, you're mocking us. Nobody's gonna wanna come to a place that a powerful overlord like thinks is a waste of time."

Lying on another nearby couch, Angel Dust raised his hand catching everyone's attention.

"What?" an annoyed Vaggie asked the hotel's first and only patron.

"If'n you're filming a commercial," Angel suggested sitting up and holding a bottle in his lower left hand. "Can I suggest you take better advantage of the talented celebrity you have right here?" He proudly pointed to himself with his other three hands.

"Angel, you're a porn star."

"A famous porn star. I'll have the horniest sinners knocking these walls down to get in."

Angel Dust was rude, crass, and full of himself. He was homosexual and proud of it. Prone to flirting with the male residents, making sexual comments and jokes, getting under the skin of more temperamental residents (particularly Vaggie and Husk), and even pulling occasional pranks. While most of his behavior didn't resonate well with Lincoln, there was never any real malice to his mischief. Just like Vaggie, Lincoln could also sense he was hiding something dark and sad underneath his conduct.

"We are not filming a porn as a commercial," Vaggie said.

"Why not? Sex sells don't it?" He winked. "I swear if you film me going at it with Mr. Fancy Talk Creepy Voice here," he said pointing to Alastor. "You'd be rolling in participants willing to stay at this tacky hotel."

"Never going to happen," the asexual Radio Demon chuckled before declaring with a slight twitch in his eye.

"Thank goodness," Lincoln said relieved.

He had no issue with anyone's sexuality, but the thought of those two unlikely characters going at it together brought unsavory thoughts. Thoughts that he now sought to push out of his head in some way.

"Angel, I appreciate you wanting to use your… special skills to… um… attract folks to the hotel," Charlie said trying to be as sincere as possible. "But I really don't want to exploit you… in that way."

"Oh please, baby. This body was made to be exploited," the spider demon boasted while caressing himself and doing suggestive poses. "I got the arms, I got the stamina, I got the legs, I got the lung capacity. Oh, I got the legs! The gag reflex, the holes, the chest fluff everyone thinks are tits."

"Can we try to keep this PG-13 or lower? There is a child present," Vaggie demanded gesturing toward Lincoln.

"Oh please," Angel scoffed. "I'm sure he's snuck a peek at his neighbors while they were getting it on. Right squirt?"

"What?! No!" Lincoln denied blushing.

The porn star stared at his insistent face for a moment. "Really?" he asked surprised and tilted his head in confusion when he saw no sign of lying. "No sneaking Playboy magazines with your friends or buying those stripper pens with those pictures of women on them and their clothes come off?"

"No."

The boy's lack of lechery genuinely surprised the spider demon. "You know, when I was your age, I snuck a few of those things for myself for some "educational" purposes."

"I thought you were more into guys," a confused Lincoln pointed out.

"Never said they were ladies," Angel replied with a grin.

Charlie chuckled nervously as the conversation was becoming more and more uncomfortable. Then her phone started ringing. The ringtone sounded like circus music. Her phone screen had a picture of a duck wearing a top hat and a bowtie. Beneath the picture was a message that read DAD IS CALLING.

"Hold that thought," Charlie said picking up her phone. "I'll be right back."

The princess got up and walked away from the group. A concerned Lincoln watched as she left. He noticed that she looked a bit nervous about answering this call. Once she was far enough, she took a deep breath and answered her phone.

"Hello, Dad?"

While Charlie was on the phone with her father, the group continued trying to figure out ways to get more patrons.

"Hey, I have a question," Angel said. "If Freaky Face over there is so powerful, then why can't he just make people stay here?"

"Oh, trust me, I can," Alastor replied smiling sinisterly, clenching his fist threateningly, and making his small antlers grow bigger.

"I can believe that," Lincoln said with sweat dripping from his head.

"Why do you think I'm here?" Husk joined the conversation while cleaning bottles at his bar. "You actually think I'd be cleaning bottles and listening to you fucks bitch and moan all the time if he wasn't forcing me?"

Husk was grouchy and preferred to spend most of his time drinking and gambling and not socializing with the other residents. However, unlike Angel and Alastor, he was a bit more approachable. He didn't appear to like or hate Lincoln's presence, he just tolerated it.

"I like being forced," Niffty admitted.

"Keep that to yourself, Niff."

Niffty was spontaneous, often doing things on impulse without restraint. She was one of the shortest demons at the hotel, around Lincoln's height. She seemed very unhinged as she delighted in chasing and killing pests around the hotel, a bit too much sometimes. While Lincoln liked how friendly she was, he also found her just as creepy as Alastor. So much that it made him miss his sister, Lucy, more than he already did.

"What? You don't love being here with me, Whiskers?" Angel flirtatiously teased the bartender.

"Call me Whiskers again and I'll jam that bottle down your throat," Husk threatened.

"Kinky!" Angel replied excitedly. "Come on, keep talking dirty."

"This would make for a really weird episode of The Dream Boat," Lincoln commented watching the two demons interact.

"The what?" Angel asked overhearing the boy's comment.

"The Dream Boat, it's a dating show my family and I like to watch at home."

"Interesting," Angel said intrigued. "What do you say, Husky-Poo? You be captain and I be first mate? We can hoist the main mast together."

Husk growled annoyed.

"And I think I just made it worse," Lincoln said wishing he had kept his mouth shut.

Vaggie sighed in annoyance before interrupting the childish conversation. "Angel, let Husk do his job. And no, we can't force sinners to stay here. They need to choose to."

"I'm choosing to be here, and I think it's all stupid," Angel bluntly admitted. "We're in Hell, toots. That's kind of the end of the road, ain't it?"

"Well, maybe it doesn't have to be. Just because nobody has made it out before doesn't mean it's not possible."

Lincoln couldn't help but give a hopeful smile as he listened to Vaggie's argument. Ever since he got there, he has had to put his faith in their redemption hotel project working because if it was possible for a sinner to get out of Hell to go to Heaven, then perhaps the same could be true for someone to go to Earth.

The porn star got up and put his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, whatever means I can keep crashing here rent-free," he said with a deadpan look on his face. "Crack is expensive."

"Maybe we could add a few things that might make people more interested in coming to the hotel," Lincoln suggested.

Everyone's attention was now focused on him.

"Like what?" Vaggie asked.

"Perhaps some entertainment like music, games. I could do a magic show. I am the fifth best junior magician in Royal Woods, Michigan."

The demons all looked at one another with doubtful expressions. Eventually, Angel decided to be the one to tell him.

"No offence, kid," he said trying not to be too hurtful in shooting down Lincoln's suggestions. "But after seeing what guys like Smiles over there can do, I don't think anyone will be interested in a –"

"Now hold on," Husk interrupted with a look of intrigue on his face. "Let's see what he's got."

Lincoln beamed with delight. Finally, someone was interested in one of his talents. This would be a chance for him to show off what he was capable of.

"Okay, here's a trick I've been practicing," the young white-haired bellhop excitedly said.

He took a handkerchief out of his suit and carefully placed it on the coffee table. Not flat but folded in a way that made it look like a tall tower.

"Okay. Now…" he looked around for something else to use. Then he spotted the beer bottle Angel Dust was holding. "Angel, can I borrow that for a sec?"

Reluctantly, the spider-like porn star handed the kid his bottle. Everyone watched as he walked over to the hotel's entrance, opened the door, and threw the bottle outside. After closing the door, he returned to the coffee table.

"This better be good, twerp," Angel said annoyed. "Because you just threw away my drink before I was finished with it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lincoln replied with a confident smile.

Then he grabbed the folded handkerchief and pulled it away revealing the bottle he had just thrown away much to everyone's surprise.

"Whoa!" Vaggie exclaimed.

"Holy shit!" Angel also exclaimed.

Even Alastor tilted his head in amazement.

"Is that mine?" a surprised Angel poked the bottle to make sure it was real. Then he grabbed it and sniffed the head. "It is mine!"

"How did you do that?" Niffty asked amazed.

"Sorry Niffty, but a magician never reveals his secrets," Lincoln told her.

"Not bad, kid," Husk praised the boy's talent. "Not bad at all."

Lincoln blushed as everyone praised him for his trick. It felt good to have the spotlight every so often.

"I bet you must be quite the celebrity back home, shorty," Angel commented.

Lincoln's happy expression suddenly turned glum, and he hung his head. "You'd think so."

Everyone took notice of his change in mood.

"Something wrong?" a concerned Vaggie asked.

"It's just… back home, people find the rest of my family more special despite the things I can do," the depressed boy answered.

It was then the demons realized what was wrong and felt pity for him. Angel felt especially bad because it was his comment that made him feel this way.

"Lincoln," Vaggie said gently putting her hand on his shoulder. "Life isn't always easy. Sometimes we don't know if we'll ever amount to anything. But that doesn't mean we should give up. Take this hotel, people don't believe it will work, but that doesn't stop Charlie. And I'm sure if we keep working at it, we'll eventually find out how to make it work." Her words managed to bring a smile to Lincoln's face. "You just need a little more confidence and probably a little less hair dye."

The boy's smile turned to confusion as he placed his hand on his white hair. "This isn't dye."

"Really?" Vaggie said surprised. She found it baffling for a boy his age to have naturally white colored hair.

While everyone was talking about new ideas for the hotel, Charlie was finishing her phone call with her dad, and she seemed really happy about what they talked about.

"Yeah, I can. Totally. Yeah, I'll head over there right away. Okay," she finished. Then hung up and gasped and giggled in excitement. "Yes… YES!" It was like she had heard the best news ever. "Vaggie! Holy Shit!" she frantically called her girlfriend.

"Ah!" both Vaggie and Lincoln exclaimed startled.

"What?" the one-eyed Hispanic woman asked.

"Get over here!" Charlie mumbled and waved for her girlfriend to come to her. The look on her face was one of pure excitement.

Vaggie sighed and stood up.

"What is it?" Lincoln asked curiously.

"Don't know," she said. "Stay here. I'll find out."

Lincoln watched as the hotel manager walked over to speak with the princess in private. He wondered what that phone call from Charlie's dad could have been about.

"What's going on?" Vaggie asked.

Charlie had to take a couple deep breathes to calm her nerves before she could explain. "My dad just called!"

"Did you tell him about Lincoln?"

"No, not yet. I'd like to let him know when I'm sure he is who I believe he is. My dad already got enough to deal with, like Mom leaving." For a moment, her tone was sad but soon turned back to overjoyed. "But he said that the leader of the angel army wants to meet! He asked if I could go instead!"

"But-but, the extermination just happened," Vaggie said suspiciously. Something didn't seem right. "What could they want this soon after-"

I can do this Charlie began to sing hopefully. Somehow I know it!

I'll get Heaven behind my plans!

There's just no way I could blow it

Not this once in a lifetime chance!

To change their minds and touch their hearts

Or whatever angel have!

"This could be bad…"

Cheer up, Vaggie!

This could be swell!

Something tells me that today will be a happy day in Hell!

"Okay, but just don't sing to them."

"That bitch is halfway down the street!" Angel informed the nervous hotel manager that the happy singing princess had already walked out the doors. Lincoln, Alastor, Niffty, and KeeKee were there watching as well.

"Is she–?" Vaggie asked growing even more nervous.

"Oh, she's dancin'!"

"Ugh, no!"

"Good luck, Charlie!" Lincoln called after her.

Charlie made her way down the burning, damaged street full of dead or miserable demons singing and dancing cheerfully.

"Hi, mister!" she waved to a demon holding a newspaper and a spoon full of meth.

"Go fuck yourself!" he yelled back.

A demon from an apartment window sang about a fire that was burning his soul. An impish demon standing on the back of a bigger, fatter demon sang delightfully about shoving barbed wire into the other demon's hole. A demonic executioner with an axe sand about doing what was required and that everyone had their role.

I'm not doing well! sang a sinner with a sword embedded in his eye.

Another shitty day in Hell! sang a group of demons.

If I can show them the dream I've dreamed!

That any soul can change!

Those angels' minds are hard to change Vaggie sang from the crow's nest of the ship that was part of the hotel.

Then they will know everyone can be redeemed!

From the evil to the strange!

They're bloodthirsty and deranged! Vaggie sang again. She sounded as if she was trying to warn her girlfriend.

I can hear all their stories. The lost and displaced!

And I know that they're more of an acquired taste!

But if I open the door and I give them a place!

At my Hazbin Hotel!

It'll be a happy day in Hell!

Charlie then hitched a ride on the back of a moving truck.

I will tell them I have found the One!

That was said one day would come!

And though he may not look it at a glance

I know he will bring change and balance!

They will never give him a chance! Vaggie sang one more time.

The truck took Charlie to multiple parts of the city such as the porn studios and Cannibal Town.

From the porn studio. Where the cinephiles go

To watch award-winning demon bukkake shows!

To the cannibal town. Where they don't wear a frown

'Cause… she sang but then her song was interrupted when blood from a corpse being feasted on by a group of cannibals shot into her eye.

"Holy shit! Oh my gosh! WHY?!" she exclaimed in disgust.

And I don't give a crow that. His brains got in my eyyyye!

'Cause I know I can spare them. From Heaven's genocide!

I can do this! I just know it!

I'll get Heaven behind my plans!

I will tell them I have found the One!

That was said one day would come!

There's just no way! He could blow it!

Not this once in a lifetime chance!

To change their minds–

And touch my parts! a fat, four-armed sluglike demon interrupted opening his trenchcoat and exhibiting his naked body.

"Uh… no thank you. I'm just gonna…" Charlie politely declined. Fulfill my destiny!

I can already tell…

Today is gonna be a fuckin' loud and happy day in Hell!

The excited and hopeful princess ran up the stairs to the front doors of the Heaven Embassy while the hellish denizens in the streets continued to wreak havoc and debauchery.

This was it; the chance she had been waiting for. She would explain her project to the angels and hopefully they would be reasonable enough to understand and give it a try. Also, if she could tell them about Lincoln and the possibility of him being the One, it could improve her chances of working out an agreement with them.

"Hello?" the princess said as she opened the golden doors and entered the golden building. However, it looked as if the whole place was deserted. "Hello?" She walked toward the front desk. Everything inside was clean, shiny, and quiet. A little too quiet. "Hello? Creepy…"

She walked up to the front desk, which was also empty, and rang the small golden bell. Instantly, a golden scroll and feather ink pen flew down and appeared before her. The scroll read:

Heaven Embassy

Sign In

"Oh, okay…" Charlie said as she took the pen and signed the scroll. "Also creepy."

Once she had signed in, the scroll flew away and a pair of twin doors slid open. The room behind the doors was dark and quiet.

"Uh… hello?" Charlie nervously entered the dark meeting room. "Is anyone here?"

Suddenly the lights turned on to reveal a big table. At the end of the table opposite Charlie sat an angel eating what looked like a plate of ribs. He wore a white robe with golden sleeves. In the center of the robe was a big blue 'A'. On his head, he wore a helmet with an LED mask and horns. Floating above his head was a golden halo.

"'Sup," he said greeting and startling Charlie.

To his left stood another smaller angel. She wore the grayish uniform of an Exorcist, one of the angelic warriors tasked with conducting the yearly exterminations, but it had noticeable blood stains on it. She also wore a helmet with an LED mask and horns. She had an 'X' on the right eye of her mask. Floating above her head was a black halo. She had a stoic expression on her mask.

"Holy shit!" the surprised princess exclaimed and fell to the floor. "Hi," she politely greeted them as she got back up and readjusted herself. "I'm Charlie. My dad asked me if I could meet you."

"Yeah, I know," the Exorcist leader replied eating another rib.

"Okay. Well, it's nice to meet you."

"Totally, nice to meet you, too," he said offering to shake Charlie's hand.

However, when the demon princess tried to touch it, her hand went right through his revealing he was actually a hologram which in turn freaked her out.

"Ha! I fucking got you!" he teased her before turning to his fellow angel. "Did you fucking see that?"

The Exorcist nodded while keeping her stoic expression.

"Good shit."

"Uh… so, wait," the confused Charlie tried to understand. "You aren't here?"

"No, you think I'd come down there?" the Exorcist leader said before bursting into laughter. "No, I mean, I love the vibe, totally, I love your tunes. Pretty fucking hardcore, don't get me wrong. But it's such a bummer, man! Everything down there is just so 'eugh', ya know?" He let out a disgusted chuckle. "Ew."

Charlie knew this guy was NOT going to be a lot of fun to talk to. Whoever this guy was, he seemed like a bit of a troll who didn't take things seriously. Despite that, she still made an effort to be polite. Surely he was a relatively reasonable person deep down. "Right. So, I'm happy we got this opportunity to meet. There's a project I've been working on that I really want to talk to you about, as well as a certain someone that I think you might want to know about-"

"Hey, hey, hey, slow down. We got time," the Exorcist leader interrupted. How about we get to know each other a little. How about some lunch? You hungry? I got you." He offered her some ribs from his plate. "Here's my personal favorite. You'll love it."

Wanting to stay on this guy's good side, Charlie thought it best to accept what he was offering.

"Uh… thanks," she said gratefully and went to take a piece of rib, but just like when she tried to shake his hand, her hand past right through the plate of food which was also a hologram causing him to burst into laughter again.

"I got you again, bitch!" he laughed mockingly. "Fuckin' hilarious!"

Charlie made a small unamused chuckle at the Exorcist leader's pranks as she realized that this meeting was not going to be as fun as she originally thought it was going to be.


Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Vaggie had gathered the workers (including Lincoln) and residents of the hotel to discuss fixing the issue with the poorly misleading commercial Alastor had made. Angel Dust was staring seductively at Husk who glared back at him.

"Okay, so, Charlie is dealing with something very important," Vaggie addressed the group. "So, while she's gone, we are making a new commercial. One that represents her vision and what we're doing here. So, we need a camera. Alastor?"

The Radio Demon snapped his fingers and a camera appeared in her hand. However, it was an old folding-type camera from the 1930s, not suitable for recording videos.

"A video camera?" the hotel manager said unamused.

Despite his distaste for modern technology, Alastor reluctantly adhered to Vaggie's request. He snapped his fingers again and this time a video camera appeared in her hands, albeit one that was in poor condition.

"Alright, let's do this!" the Hispanic manager said satisfied. Despite the condition of the camera, she was going to take what she could get.

"Um… Vaggie?" Lincoln asked.

"What?"

"Since you don't think it's a good idea to expose the only human living here in the commercial, I was wondering what I can do?"

Vaggie thought for a moment before coming up with something. "You said you and your friends formed your own school news team, right?"

"Yes."

"That means you've worked with cameras before."

"Correct."

"Why don't you help me with putting what we record together so that it looks good?"

Lincoln beamed at the prospect of making himself more useful. If he could help make a good commercial for this hotel, which was owned by the Princess of Hell no less, things would not just look up for him, but everyone there as well. Everybody wins.

"Thank you so much, Vaggie!" The boy couldn't control himself and gave his one-eyed superior a big hug of gratitude, much to her surprise.

"Whoa! Settle down," she said gently pushing him off. "I need you to stay focused for this."

"Right, sorry, you can count on me," Lincoln promised and tried to make himself look professional.

Vaggie couldn't help but smile at him. She never thought she would meet someone almost as endearing as Charlie.

A little later, Husk was standing behind his bar counter holding a script while Angel Dust was sitting on one of the stools. Vaggie had the camera ready to film them with Lincoln standing by her side ready to assist.

"And… Action!" Vaggie gave them their cue.

"Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel," Husk read from his script. "Can I help you with anything?"

"I've been a bad boy," Angel said flirtatiously. "And I need a big, strong daddy to put me in my place…" The porn star sat on the counter in a seductive pose. "On the path to redemption!"

The catlike bartender groaned and continued to read his script. "Well, you come–"

"Oh, yes!" Angel moaned with pleasure.

"…to the right place."

"Cut!" Vaggie said having enough of this scene and stopped recording. Lincoln was facepalming and shaking his head in disgust. "Okay, Angel, I need you to be less horny if possible, and Husk, can you maybe not have the script in front of your face?"

"Not very professional looking," Lincoln added in agreement.

"I ain't no actor!" the bartender angrily responded. "I can't memorize this shit!"

"Would it help if I held up cue cards for you to read?" Lincoln suggested.

"Or we could improv this shit, baby cakes," Angel suggested placing his hand on Husk's face. "Rrawwr."

Having had enough of the horny porn star's advances, the irritated bartender shoved him off the counter. "Whoops." He then got out a bottle and started drinking.

"Husk, come on," an irritated Vaggie said.

Lincoln groaned at how poorly the filming of the new commercial was going. "I hope Charlie's having better luck."


Back at the Heaven Embassy, the demonic princess wasn't fairing any better. She still hadn't gotten a chance to talk about her hotel or Lincoln. Instead, she had been listening to the leader of the Exorcists boasting about himself and his sex life. He was complaining about a time when a virtue chick wanted to get it on with a drummer rather than him, Adam. He paused for a moment to eat a rib. "So, anyway, then we fucked, and it was awesome. What'd you do this weekend?"

Then Charlie realized something. "Wait, your name is Adam? Like the First Man Adam? That means you… Oh…" Suddenly she realized why her mother left her first husband. "That explains so much."

"I know, I fucking rock."

Realizing who she was talking to, the princess decided to try a new approach. "Well, Adam, sir. Mr. Adam, sir."

"Call me, Dickmaster."

"Adam." Yeah, she was not going to call him that. "You seem like a smart… well, strand up guy."

"Uh-huh."

"And I know you are the leader of the angels." Perhaps if she appealed to his ego, which was very big apparently, then she might have a good chance of pitching her project. "And you are a big thinker, a revolutionary, a– a genius!"

"I mean, your words, babe," he said flattered.

"Who would really love to put his name on something."

"Fucking love putting my name on shit! Shit's the best!"

This was good, she was getting him hyped up.

"It's the solution to our biggest problem, and I have found someone who can help!"

"Oh, Herpes. Yeah, that's a bitch. But at least you found Dr. Jenner, so that's a good start."

A little derailment, not a big issue.

"What?! No, our other biggest problem! And a different someone!"

"Oh… uh… ugly people? Garth Fisher? Math? Albert Einstein? Global Warming? Nah, wait, that's Earth's problem. Arnold Schwarzenegger?"

Charlie stared at Adam with deadpan annoyance as he tried to figure out what she meant. Not only was he arrogant, but also ignorant. Guess that's another reason why her mother left him. She hoped that the others were faring better back at the hotel.


Back at the hotel, things were still not any better. After Husk and Angel Dust, Lincoln and Vaggie decided to try their luck with filming the hotel's cleaning lady, Niffty. She was much more cooperative than the others so this should be easy. First thing they needed to do, was to turn her attention away from chasing and trying to stab bugs to death.

"Alright Niffty," Vaggie said trying to get the little lady's attention. "Niffty."

"Niffty," Lincoln managed to finally get her attention. "Vaggie needs you to do something."

"Okay. What is it?" she asked eagerly.

"Your line is "We have the cleanest rooms"," Vaggie explained. "Okay?"

"Got it. I'm ready," the smaller one-eyed girl acknowledged.

"Action!" Vaggie said and started recording.

However, instead of saying the line, Niffty just froze and began to stare blankly at the camera. No breathing or blinking, just staring. Both Vaggie and Lincoln looked puzzled by this unusual behavior. Lincoln hid behind Vaggie a little, he was so creeped out. Angel Dust was also there and even he found this creepy.

"Uhh, cut," Vaggie said and stopped recording.

The moment the camera stopped rolling the little cleaning lady snapped right back to her cheerful self. "How was that?"

"Well, Niffty, you actually have to say the line," Lincoln told her.

"Alright, let's roll again," Vaggie said.

"Ok!" It seemed like she understood what she was supposed to do now.

"Action!"

Vaggie started recording again, but Niffty froze and stared just like she did earlier much to Vaggie's irritation and Lincoln's nervousness.

"You're doing great, Vagina," Angel smugly whispered irritating Vaggie even more.

"Cut!" She decided not to try it again. "Alright, uhh maybe we can try to fix it in post."

"Do you even know what that means?"

"I'll figure it out!" she angrily snapped.

However, the porn star gave her a doubtful look.

"I can help you understand what that means, Vaggie," Lincoln offered trying to calm her down.

"Thanks Lincoln, you're the only one who has been any help so far," Vaggie complimented the young bellhop while also glaring at everyone else in the room.

Vaggie and Lincoln left the room to see if they could try and make something relatively good out of the things they recorded. Before closing the door on his way out, Lincoln caught one last glimpse of Niffty smiling at him and creeping him out. They both walked side-by-side together down the hall.

"Jeez, and I thought Lucy was creepy," Lincoln said looking back.

"Who?" Vaggie asked curiously.

"My sister back home."

"She builds really advanced technology and she's creepy?"

"No, that's my other sister, Lisa," Lincoln corrected.

"Oh!" Apparently, he had more than one sister.

"You okay?" Lincoln asked concerned. He had noticed that this whole ordeal had been very frustrating for Vaggie.

"It's just so nerve-racking having to work with a bunch of crazy fu…" she cleared her throat to prevent herself from swearing in front of him. "Idiots."

"I know how you feel; it's the same for me back home," Lincoln replied sympathizing with her plight. "Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one in my family who makes any sort of sense. But the problem is often no one listens. What is being the voice of reason if no one listens to you?"

"Took the words right out of my mouth, kid," Vaggie agreed managing a small smile. It was nice to talk to someone who she could relate to. "The fact that Charlie is in a meeting with the angels is making this day extra stressful."

"How so?" Lincoln asked.

"Because angels can be very unreasonable and unwilling to change their minds."

"How would you know that?" He still couldn't understand how angels could be cruel and unreasonable.

Vaggie's eye widened at being asked that question and her expression become nervous and uncomfortable.

"Uhhh… because… I've seen enough exterminations to know, okay," she answered. "Just take my word for it."

It was clear she wanted to end that part of the conversation. Lincoln didn't ask anymore, but he looked at her suspiciously.

"How about we see what we can salvage from the videos we recorded and put this commercial together?" he suggested to lighten the mood.

"Now that sounds like a great idea," she agreed smiling.

"We recorded a lot so there's bound to be some footage we can use."

Both of them sat together in a dark room in front of a broken TV watching the poorly edited shots of the commercial. Vaggie groaned in frustration. Lincoln groaned in agreement with her frustration. It seemed as though his optimistic thinking was wrong this time. Vaggie buried her face in her hands while Lincoln gently patted her on the back.

"Seems like you're having a bit of trouble there, hmm?" Alastor appeared and asked in a mocking tone.

"Este pendejo," Vaggie grumbled. "Why are you even here?" After all the trouble she went through for nothing, this was the last thing she needed.

"For the entertainment," Alastor answered shamelessly while his shadow made mocking gestures and facial expressions. "I came here because I love seeing wasteful souls struggle to accomplish something meaningful and fail spectacularly, like you both are doing now. Good job!"

"We worked really hard on this!" Lincoln angrily snapped.

"That's what makes it so entertaining."

Lincoln glared disapprovingly at the Radio Demon. At that moment, he didn't care how powerful or intimidating this guy was, it wasn't fair to mock and belittle those who worked hard to try and achieve something important. Especially, when they fail. That's kicking them when they're down.

Vaggie, who had had enough of Alastor's crap, stood up and decided to turn the camera onto him.

"And here is Alastor, the egocentric piece of shit that–"

But as she began to record, the video began to glitch violently. Vaggie dropped the camera when it started to spark. She grabbed Lincoln to keep him safe.

"I wouldn't try that, my dear. This face was made for radio," he said in an almost threatening tone.

Both Lincoln and Vaggie were intimidated by the Radio Demon's display of power. But the latter wasn't going to let him push them around anymore.

"That's it." It was time to put her foot down. "I don't care who or what you are. If you're staying here, you're going to make this work. The kid may not have any powers but at least he's trying to make himself useful." A flattered smile appeared on Lincoln's face. "Which is more than I can say for you, because it won't be so "entertaining" to watch over an empty hotel, will it, shitass?"

Lincoln stood by Vaggie's side putting on an unintimidated face to show his support.

Normally overlords of Alastor's level of power rarely let anyone get away with talking back to them like that. But he found this amusing and impressive.

"Fair enough," he conceded. "I'll tell you what, let's make a deal."

"You think I'm that stupid making a deal with a demon like you?"

Deals. The sound of that peaked Lincoln's interest. He knew what deals were back home, but could they mean something much more powerful in Hell.

"Not for your soul, just a simple deal," Alastor assured. "I do this for you, and you never ask me to engage with this frivolous television technology ever again."

Vaggie sat in her chair thinking. It was clear she was having second thoughts about letting Alastor help with this. Lincoln wanted to help but he wasn't sure what else he could do. He was only human after all.

"Or… Charlie can come back to absolutely nothing," the Radio Demon said adding more pressure to the decision making. "Your choice."

Vaggie frowned. She had a feeling she wasn't going to like this, but at this point, she was desperate.

"Fine," she conceded. Then she picked up the camera and handed it to Alastor.

"Vaggie?" Lincoln said concerned.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," she assured him.

With a little demonic spirit magic and a clap of his hands, Alastor made the camera disappear.

"Now then!" He snapped his fingers and transformed the hotel room into a film set.

He teleported the hotel's other residents into the room, conjured ink demons to act as the film crew, and gave everyone stylish clothing that looked like they were from the 50s.

"What can I do?" Lincoln asked eager to help.

"Well my boy, since we all think it would be risky to let all of Hell know of your presence here, why don't you continue to act as assistant director," the Radio Demon suggested. His tone of voice sounded a little more sincere this time.

"Really?" he asked excited and overjoyed.

He looked at the other hotel members who all smiled and nodded in approval. Then he looked to Vaggie who also smiled and nodded in agreement. Putting on a determined smile, Lincoln nodded back assuring them he would not let them down.

"Alright everyone," Vaggie said with newfound confidence. "Let's make a fucking commercial."

"Looks like things are finally starting to look up for us," Lincoln said to the readers.


Back at the Heaven Embassy, things were not looking up for Charlie. The Princess of Hell sat in her seat looking exasperated at having to listen to another of Adam's sexist rants about women and his masculinity. Now he was complaining about a previous date he had where she complained about him making her pay the check.

"NO!" Charlie finally had enough. "Our shared problem of overpopulation in Hell! And I found someone who can help with that!"

"Ohh." It seemed like Adam finally understood. "Well that's not a problem. We got that covered." And was still being an ignorant jerk about it. "Lute, how many demons did you kill this year?" he asked the Exorcist by his side.

"Got a good 275 this year, sir," the angel known as Lute replied in a professional tone.

"275?!" he responded impressed. "Woah! Badass! Awesome job, danger tits! Pound it." He raised his fist to do a fist-bump with her.

"Uh no, not awesome!" Charlie disagreed appalled at how they were treated the slaughtering of demons like it was some kind of sport. "Those are my people. You know that, right?"

"Oh yeah," Adam replied as if feeling sympathy for her. "That must suck for you!" Then he burst into laughter.

Charlie couldn't believe how callous they were acting.

"But these are souls. Human souls just the same as the ones you have up in Heaven."

"They are not the same," Lute said coldly. "They had their chance and they earned damnation."

"You're wrong," Charlie insisted. "Sinners made mistakes, sure, but everyone makes mistakes."

"Angels don't make mistakes."

"You really think that?" Charlie wasn't liking this angel's fundamentalist, holier-than-thou attitude.

"I know that."

"Yeah, I've never made a mistake in my fuckin' like," Adam arrogantly agreed.

"The only reason you're still here is because daddy gave you and your hellborn kind a pardon from an Exorcist blade," Lute said approaching the princess menacingly. "How does that feel, to know how little you matter?"

Charlie sank back, hurt by the angel's ruthless words.

"Oops, almost out of time," Adam said. "Guess we should get into it."

"Oh fuck!" Charlie realized this was the moment she had been so painfully waiting for. She got out of her seat and rushed over to the two angels so they could have a better look. "Okay, I've got a lot to get through, and not a lot of time and I feel like you weren't hearing me before, so here it goes."

She cleared her throat and started singing a fast paced reprise of her song before while showing colored pictures of her plans. She sang about Hell's out of control population, how it's a bad situation that's taking a toll, but if they could rehab sinners and cleanse their souls at her Hazbin Hotel while an unimpressed Adam and Lute listened.

"Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself! Right Extermination!"

I know you guys fly down just to kill once a year

And it must be annoying to schlep all the way here!

If they join you in Heaven, that trip disappears!

That chore will be gone!

Because I have found the On–

Let me stop you right there, save us all precious time Adam interrupted starting his own song.

If what you're suggesting is letting them climb…

Up the ladder, oh, they'd rather cross the Pearly Gates?

"Well, uh–"

Sorry sweetie, but there's no defyin' their fates!

He jumped onto the table.

'Cause Hell is forever

Whether you like it or not!

Had their chance to behave better

Now they boil in the pot!

'Cause the rules are black and white!

There's no use in tryin' to fight it!

They're burnin' for their lives until we kill 'em again!

"Okay, but there's someone–" Realizing her hotel project wasn't enough to convince these angels, Charlie tried to inform them about Lincoln's existence hoping that might get them to listen.

Just try to chillax, babe

You're wasting your breath

Did I hear you imply that they don't deserve death!?

Are they winners? Are they sinners?

'Cause it's cut and dry

"Well actually, if you take a look–"

Fair is fair, an eye for an eye!

He flew up into the air revealing his golden wings.

And when all's said and done!

There's the question of fun!

And for those of us with Divine Ordainment…

Extermination is entertainment!

Lute flew up and danced alongside him while Adam continued to fly around the room making guitar sounds. As Adam began singing again, the two angels summoned four golden Exorcist mirages that surrounded Charlie.

"Where did all you people come from!?" she said as she backed up against the door to the meeting room.

The angels continued to sing their condescending song.

"Wait, listen–"

For his climax, Adam summoned a golden guitar.

Fuckin' Hell is forever

And it's meant to suck a lot!

"I found the–"

So give up your dumb endeavor

'Cause you don't have a shot!

Charlie's eyes began to glow red, horns began to protrude from her head, and one of her drawings began to burn as her anger rose. How could these cruel, bloodthirsty fiends call themselves angels?!

Long as I got your attention

I guess I should probably mention!

That we've made the determination!

To move up the next Extermination!

Adam presented her with a scroll that read: Fuck You I Do What I Want!

"What?!"

Can't wait a whole year to slaughter those little c**ts!

I know it's just been a week, but we'll be back in six months!

With that, the princess was thrown out of the meeting room.

"Wait, you–" Charlie tried to get to Adam but the doors of the room closed. The last thing she saw was his smug grin as he continued to play on his guitar. "Shit!" She slammed her fist on the door in frustration. The meeting that she had been looking forward to for so long did not turn out the way she had dreamed it would. The angels were heartless, close-minded psychopaths. They wouldn't listen to her hotel idea. They wouldn't even give her the chance to tell them about Lincoln Loud, the little lost human child she found, the One.


Back at the hotel, everyone else was excited and satisfied. Except for Husk who looked like he didn't care either way. They had done it. They had made a better commercial that explained what their goal was. They were all gathered in front of the television waiting for their princess to return and see it.

"So, you guys think she'll like it?" Lincoln asked excitedly.

"Kid, that broad likes practically everything," Angel said.

"By the way, Vaggie, about what you and Alastor were talking about earlier," Lincoln curiously inquired.

"You mean deals?" Vaggie answered. "In Hell, making deals can be a very dangerous thing. If you're not careful about who you make a deal with, you could lose everything, including your very soul."

"Damn right," Angel surprisingly agreed. It was rare for him to agree with Vaggie on anything.

"Words of wisdom," Husk also agreed.

"Seems there's a lot about this place I don't know about," Lincoln said.

The boy felt lucky to have stumbled upon this strange hotel when he did. Without any knowledge of how things worked in Hell, other less friendly demons would have surely taken advantage of him. Just one mistake and he could lose everything.

"Don't worry, kid," Husk assured putting a hand on his shoulder. "We'll teach you everything you need to know to survive in this literal hellhole."

The white-haired adolescent looked around and saw that everyone around him were giving him reassuring smiles letting him know that they would look out for him and he was in good hands.

"Thanks guys," Lincoln said with a grateful smile.

Soon enough, Charlie returned to the hotel. However, the princess's expression was not one of joy or satisfaction. It was one of sadness and defeat. She wondered how she could break the bad news to everyone.

"Charlie!" both Lincoln and Vaggie said and ran over to welcome her back. The latter hugged her girlfriend.

"How did it go, did they listen?" Vaggie eagerly asked.

"Oh, uhh… they sure did, hear it, but…" the princess nervously fibbed a little.

"Come here, there's something you got to see," Lincoln told her.

"We have something exciting to show you," Vaggie said leading her girlfriend over to where the rest of the hotel denizens were waiting.

"What's going on?" she asked confused. They seemed really happy and excited about something.

"You'll see," Lincoln promised.

"Alastor pulled some strings and it's about to air," Vaggie said.

"I pulled a few limbs too," the Radio Demon joked.

"Wait, the commercial?" the princess asked surprised. "You all made a new one?"

"Yeah, one of my better performances if I do say so myself," Angel said sincerely.

"We all pitched in to make it but I think a special mention goes to this little guy right here," Vaggie explained putting a hand on Lincoln's head.

"Me?" the boy responded surprised. "But I barely did anything, Alastor is the one who made it all possible."

"True, but you worked the hardest out of everyone to help make this possible," Vaggie warmly said.

"She has a point," Alastor agreed.

"That's our little assistant director," Angel said endearingly.

"Nice hustling, kid," Husk complimented with a smile.

"You were great," Niffty said.

Lincoln smiled and felt a few tears develop in his eyes as he was praised by everyone around him. He felt a hand on his head and looked up to find Charlie looking down at him with almost watery eyes and a proud smile. It had been a while since he received any praise for anything, and it felt good to have it again. He never thought he would get it from demons from Hell, but he was still happy to accept it.

"That's… that's amazing," Charlie said beaming with happiness.

"Shh, it's starting," Angel shushed.

Everyone's attention was now focused on the television screen. This was it. Now they would see all their hard work pay off. Hopefully this would make people start to take them more seriously and give the hotel a chance.

The commercial had now started. Everyone, except for Lincoln and Alastor (who was glitching during the scene), appeared standing in front of the hotel entrance dressed in the clothes Alastor had provided.

"Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel–" Vaggie began before she was interrupted by the logo of 666 News with a Breaking News report.

Vaggie, Charlie, Angel, and Lincoln all began to voice their anger and annoyance at all their hard work being interrupted. Charlie's eyes turned red and horns began to protrude from her head. Lincoln groaned and laid on his back covering his eyes with his hands. Alastor and Niffty were the only ones that didn't look bothered by the news interruption, the former taking pleasure in the displeasure of the others.

"Breaking news in Hell today," said Katie Killjoy, the tall, slim, big-headed head anchor woman of 666 News. "We have just received word from the Heaven Embassy that the next Extermination is happening sooner than ever before. Do you know what that means, Tom?"

"No, what does that mean, Katie?" asked Tom Trench, Katie's gas mask-wearing co-anchorman.

"It means we're all royally fucked!"

It then showed footage of the Heaven Embassy. The sound of people screaming was heard as the number of days on the golden clock tower to the next Extermination reduced from 358 to 176.

Everyone, except Alastor and Niffty, sat up with horrified expressions on their faces. They now had even less time to prepare for the next heavenly massacre.

"Wait, what?" Angel said shocked. "Why?!"

"Charlie, what happened?" Vaggie asked.

The princess sadly hung her head for a moment before summoning the courage to confess.

"I'm afraid the meeting with the angels didn't go as well as we hoped," she admitted.

"Yeah, that's obvious!" Angel said pointing to the TV.

"Charlie, is everything going to be okay?" Lincoln asked looking up at her with concerned eyes.

The demonic princess stared down at the scared human boy. Then a warm smile formed on her face.

"Yes, Lincoln," she assured putting both hands on his shoulders. "Everything will be okay as long as we have hope. And hope is something we do still have." Then she planted a kiss on his forehead making him smile. "Tell you what, how about you do a few things around the hotel to take your mind off of all this."

"Like what?"

She thought for a moment before getting an idea.

"I know. Razzle! Dazzle!" Charlie called and clapped her hands.

Two horned and winged goatlike demons with goofy expressions flew into the room and hovered before the princess. They were both around Lincoln's height and wore matching suit coats with red bowties. One had dark red fur while the other had light red fur. The one with the darker fur had large circular pupils while the lighter furred one had vertical pupils like a reptile. These were Razzle and Dazzle, servants of the Royal Family and Charlie's personal assistants and bodyguards.

"Show Lincoln to my office room and have him alphabetize the books," she instructed them.

The two flying demons led the boy out of the lobby while the others waved to him as he left.

"I thought you already alphabetized the books, hon," Vaggie pointed out.

"I know, I just needed to have a word with all of you in private," she admitted.

"Is it about the boy?" Alastor inquired. "Why else would you have him leave the room?"

"Yes, it is," Charlie confirmed.

"You think it's a good idea to tell them now, Charlie?" Vaggie asked realizing what her girlfriend's intention was.

"Tell us what?" Angel asked suspiciously.

"Yes," Charlie replied undoubtedly.

She now had everyone's undivided attention.

"As you all found out today, my meeting with the angels didn't go well. Not only did they not take my hotel project seriously, but they didn't give me a chance to tell them about Lincoln."

"Why would you want to tell them about him?" a confused Husk asked. "They never cared how many sinners they've slaughtered, why would they care about him?"

"Lincoln is our bellhop, and he's also the only living human to wind up in Hell after all this time," the princess explained. "However, while doing some late-night reading, I found something that made me realize there may be more to him and his presence here than we thought."

The other hotel residents raised their eyebrows showing their interest.

Charlie reached into her suit coat and pulled out a book.

"I found this book the same night Lincoln first arrived at the hotel," she explained. Then she opened it and skimmed through the pages until she came across the page she was looking for.

While Charlie was explaining things to the rest of the hotel, Lincoln continued following Razzle and Dazzle down a hall toward the princess's office. Along the way, he tried to create friendly conversation with them.

"So, is it fun working for Charlie?" he asked. "How's the pay?"

Neither of them answered. They just continued flying with the same blank, goofy expressions.

"Hello?" Lincoln asked again.

They still didn't respond. Guess they weren't the talking type.

Back in the lobby, Charlie closed the book having just finished reading the page to her companions. Most of them had doubtful looks on their faces about what they just heard; some didn't know what to think.

"So, you think this kid… is the One?" Husk asked trying to make sense of everything.

"We're not entirely sure yet," Vaggie said. "But it is a possibility."

"Does he know?" Angel asked.

"No, we'll tell him when we think he's ready."

"So none of you tell him about this, please," Charlie instructed.

"You have our word," Alastor complied.

"Thank you all so much for understanding," Charlie said gratefully.

"Charlie, can I speak with you for a moment?" Vaggie asked.

The two women walked away to speak privately leaving the others to contemplate what they were told.

"Did you buy any of that bullshit?" Angel whispered to Husk.

"If it's true, then I'm a newt king from a land of frogs," the bartender replied.

Alastor turned his attention in the direction Lincoln had gone. A look of intrigue on his perpetually smiling face.

"I'm not sure they believe us," Vaggie said. "What if it's a mistake?"

"We'll find out eventually," Charlie replied. "But if the prophecy is true, then our new bellhop may be our best hope of bringing balance to the afterlife."

Lincoln was hard at work checking to see if the books in the office room were alphabetized. However, the work did nothing to take his mind off the news report he had just heard.

"Why would they move the Extermination to an earlier date?" he wondered to himself.


Elsewhere, a golden drone hovered above an area of the city that had been demolished during the last Extermination until it found what it was searching for: the headless body of an Exorcist.

In another room, Adam was sitting at his desk with a projector projecting an image of the headless body on a screen on the opposite wall. Lute was standing next to the screen.

"We found the body, sir," she informed her superior. "They've never managed to kill one of us before. We should just go down there now and destroy them!"

"No, no," Adam responded. "We can't risk them catching on. But don't worry, when we come back, there won't be a demon left alive to pull a stunt like this again!"

Then he slammed his fist down onto the projector destroying it making the room completely dark with the exception of his menacing glowing smile.


P.S. I will be working on the next chapter for X-Louds which should be soon.