New Chapter! Hope you all enjoy!

Word of Warning: some of you might want to have some tissues nearby just in case you're a little emotional.

It was another day at the Hazbin Hotel. Charlie was out trying to promote the hotel while everyone else was hanging around in the hotel parlor doing their own thing. Husk was serving drinks at the bar, Niffty was chasing a bug, Angel Dust, Vaggie, Sir Pentious, and Alastor were watching TV while Lincoln Loud, assisted by the Egg Boiz, was serving snacks and drinks to everyone.

"You're the most reliable of them all, boss," one of the eggs complimented the boy.

"Thanks, I'm not your boss," he replied.

Lincoln happened to catch a weird commercial the others were watching. It featured an imp trying to promote his business.

"Are you a piece of shit who got yourself sent to Hell?" the imp asked. "Or are you an innocent soul who got FUCKED over by someone else?!"

Then the commercial shifted over to a random sinner.

"After lovingly killing my wife for fucking a delivery man, you can imagine my surprise when I wound up here, after the state of Ohio killed me," the sinner said. "I really wish I could stick it to that yappy jogger who saw me hiding the body!"

Then it shifted back to the imp and his cohorts.

"Well, luckily for you," the imp explained. "Thanks to our company's special access to the living world, we can help you take care of your unfinished business by taking out anyone who screwed you over when you were alive!"

What came next was a fast-paced musical jingle about how good the imps were at going to Earth and murdering people for their clients. It also included a botched hit where a child was accidentally shot, brought to the hospital, then was thrown out a window with the imps when they didn't have any insurance.

KIDS DIE FOR FREE!

Having seen and heard enough, Vaggie turned off the TV.

"That commercial's been playing on that channel for the last few months now," Pentious said.

"The things people will do to make a quick buck," a disgusted Vaggie remarked.

"I feel like I know that guy," Angel said wondering if the imp in the commercial might have been a client of his in the past.

"Funny, I feel like I do too," a perplexed Lincoln added.

Just then, the hotel's front doors opened signaling their princess had returned.

"Welcome back, Charlie," Lincoln happily greeted his employer. "How did it–" Suddenly, he gasped in shock and horror.

"OH MY GOD!" a horrified Vaggie exclaimed when she saw what Lincoln was seeing.

The rest of the hotel denizens gasped when they saw it too. Their princess was covered in trash and rotten food.

"Hi everyone," Charlie greeted them with a smile. "I'm back."

"Charlie, what happened?" a concerned Lincoln asked.

"Who did this?!" a furious Vaggie demanded.

"Not really sure, there was a lot of them," the princess answered calmly. "But it's no big deal. I just need a little bath and I'll be okay."

The princess walked away happily humming to herself. But everyone knew she was just putting on a happy front so they wouldn't worry.

An immensely concerned Vaggie followed her while Lincoln watched them leave the room knowing that deep beneath that smile was a lot of pain and sadness.

In their bedroom, Vaggie waited for her girlfriend to be done with her shower and get dressed. A little later, Charlie emerged from the bathroom, clean and wearing a new identical-looking suit. She was still humming with a smile on her face.

"Hon, are you sure everything is alright?" Vaggie asked.

"Of course, Vaggie," Charlie assured her. "Everything's fine."

Then there was a knocking at the door.

"Can I come in?" It was Lincoln's voice.

"Come in," Charlie replied.

The boy entered the room and approached his employer with visible concern in his eyes.

"Charlie, is everything okay?" he asked.

"Don't worry, Lincoln," she tenderly assured. "This isn't the first time this has happened to me."

"But doesn't it hurt?"

The princess didn't answer right away. She took a seat by her bedroom window while a sad expression formed on her face.

"Yes, it does," she finally admitted.

Lincoln still couldn't understand why someone with so much power would let her subjects walk all over her.

"Isn't there anything that can be done about it?"

"Without proof that the rehabilitation process works, no."

"Is there anyone who can help?"

The princess sadly shook her head. "My father stopped caring about everyone long ago, so I'm afraid we're on our own."

In that moment, Lincoln noticed something he was quite familiar with in the demonic princess's eyes: loneliness. Despite the overwhelming population of Hell, there was only a handful of people whom she was very close to.

"I think I understand how you feel," he said sadly taking a seat beside her. "It can be quite lonely at my house sometimes despite my big family. I have no brothers that can relate to me."

The boy's words seemed to have gotten through to the princess. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder and looked at him with a warm smile to let him know that he was not alone here. He smiled back in response.

"But I have Clyde and my other friends," he continued in a more uplifted tone. "And I also have them," he said pointing to the readers.

"Who?" Charlie asked.

"Them," Lincoln repeated pointing to the readers again.

The confused princess looked at what he was pointing at but saw nothing.

"I don't see anyone."

"Not many people can," he explained. "But if you concentrate and look hard enough, you might be able to."

Charlie tried again. This time she took a good long look in the direction Lincoln was pointing. Then her eyes widened in surprise and excitement.

"I see them! I see THEM!" she excitedly said and waved to the readers. "Hi!"

"They don't talk much but they do listen," Lincoln explained. "So if you ever need someone else to talk to, they are always there."

"Oh, thank you, Lincoln," Charlie said gratefully and hugged the boy. "This makes me feel so much better. Now come on, we got some activities to plan today."

"Now you're talking," the bellboy agreed. He was relieved and satisfied that he was able to cheer up his friend.

The two happily left the room to plan the day. However, Vaggie stayed behind. The one-eyed manager looked over to what her girlfriend and their young bellhop were looking at a moment ago. But she saw nothing and scratched her head in confusion. Eventually, she shrugged it off and left to join the others. As long as Charlie was happy, that was all that mattered.

Later that day, Charlie and Vaggie were in their bedroom getting ready for bed. Charlie was humming happily to herself which Vaggie caught onto. She knew this kind of hum, it meant there was something on her mind.

"What's on your mind this time?" the one-eyed Hispanic woman asked.

"Oh, I'm just thinking about how much fun it's been since our little human bellboy joined our hotel," the princess replied with a smile. "Don't you think?"

"Yeah, it's been nice having Lincoln around," Vaggie admitted with a tender smile. The boy was smart, kind, reliable, and well-behaved. He was the only other person in the hotel besides her girlfriend she could hang out with and make her want to pull her long hair out.

"It's like he's practically family."

"Hold on, hon. Don't forget he already has a family back on Earth who are probably worried sick about him," Vaggie reminded.

"I know," Charlie replied with a sad frown. "I know we can't keep him forever. But hanging out and talking with him, it makes me feel like… like…"

"Like what?" her partner interrogated with a sly smile. "A sister… or a mother?"

Charlie went silent at the question and her face turned red. A look of obvious embarrassment was written all over it.

"I think it's time to go to bed now," the princess said, pretended to yawn, and hopped right into bed. "Good night, Vaggie."

"Talk to you tomorrow, hon," the one-eyed manager mischievously promised and went to join her partner.

After a day of fun and mostly friendly activities, Lincoln was getting ready to turn in. The white-haired boy had just finished dressing into his pajamas. But before hopping into bed, he had something he wanted to share with the readers.

"Yep, I still got it," he said proudly. "I still know how to brighten someone's mood. But guess what. I have a plan that will brighten everyone's day tomorrow. You see, a few days ago while I was out shopping with Niffty, I discovered the location of the Heaven Embassy. So, I snuck away from Niffty to schedule a meeting with the angels. Good thing she gets so easily distracted." Then he presented the readers with his recently cleaned convincing suit. "My convincing suit is clean and already for the meeting. Which is tomorrow! The plan is I wake up before everyone else, get dressed, sneak out of the hotel, and make my way to the Heaven Embassy."

However, the boy's excitement was interrupted by an issue that he suddenly remembered.

"Unfortunately, the others won't be happy about me doing something like this without telling them first. I don't know how long I'll be gone so it might worry them."

An image of a mildly disappointed Charlie shaking her head popped into his head.

"I know how much Charlie adores me and will be worried sick, but she'll be more understanding if it's in the best interest of the hotel and her people."

Then an image of an angry glaring Vaggie popped into his mind next.

"Vaggie will surely be cross and I don't blame her. She'll likely double my chores and limit my free time as punishment."

Finally, an image of Alastor threateningly tapping his staff in his palm appeared in his head.

"Alastor on the other hand…" This thought made him shutter. "Any punishment Vaggie can dish out is better than whatever he can come up with."

During his time at the hotel, Lincoln had learned another thing about the Radio Demon. He was a believer in corporal punishment. It was something he had learned the hard way. Lincoln rubbed his backside at the painful memory.

"But everything will be fine," the boy assured. "I will convince the angels to invest in the Hazbin Hotel, end the Exterminations, and bring peace between Heaven and Hell. Then I might finally be able to return home."

Then he excitedly hopped into bed.

"Let's see my sisters try to top this."

As he drifted off to sleep, dreams of his anticipated accomplishments played in his head like a movie theater. Coming to an agreement with the angels and ending the Exterminations, telling Charlie and the others about it and receiving overwhelming praise from them. Then when he returns home, tells everyone he knows about the adventures he's had and the amazing things he's done, and becomes the all-time celebrity of Royal Woods, if not the entire world. His parents and grandparents would be so proud, his sisters and friends would constantly sing his praises, and his rivals would be so envious. Who knows, this might even earn him an official ticket to Heaven when it would finally be his time. Oh, it was all going to be great.

The sun rose the next morning. Once it did, Lincoln woke up almost instantly.

"Dawn. Time to put Operation: Convince the Angels to Stop the Exterminations, Support the Hotel, Redeem the Sinners, Return to Earth, and Think of a Shorter Nickname for this Operation into action!"

The white-haired human wasted no time getting cleaned up, dressed in his convincing suit and horned hoodie, headed down to the kitchen to eat a quick breakfast, and snuck quietly out the front doors of the hotel. Once he was outside, the boy began confidently walking down the street as many demons began coming out to begin their miserable day.

"Time to go and fulfill this prophecy," the determined Lincoln said. "Today is going to be a happy day in Hell!"

Back in the hotel, everyone else began waking up to begin their day too. However, none of them had noticed something, or someone, was missing yet. Angel Dust started flirting with Husk, Niffty started chasing her bug, Sir Pentious ordered his Egg Boiz to make him breakfast, and Charlie and Vaggie were wondering what to do that day.

"Alright, what should we do today?" Charlie asked.

"We did trust exercises recently," Vaggie replied.

"We could try board games."

"Probably not a good idea. Remember what happened the last time we played Mammonopoly?"

Charlie cringed at the disturbing memory. "Maybe a nice little game of Checkers?"

"I have a couple ideas in case you're all interested," Angel offered with a deceptively mischievous smile.

"No!" Vaggie responded. After that incident with the BDSM dungeon, she was not going to trust any ideas from his sick mind again.

"I hate to interrupt your early morning bitching, but does anyone feel like we're forgetting something?" Husk asked.

Alastor scratched his chin trying to think what his associate meant.

"All my eggs are here," Sir Pentious replied.

"I remembered not to wear underwear today," Angel announced mischievously.

"No, it's not any of that," the bartender said.

"What do you think, Lincoln?" Charlie turned to ask her only bellhop, only to find he wasn't there.

Then everyone looked around the room to find that their youngest resident was nowhere to be found.

"Oh, that's it," Husk said realizing what he meant.

"Where's the kid?" Angel asked.

"Looks like he's sleeping in today," Vaggie replied. She looked like she was ready to march up to his room and have a little talk with him.

"Let me wake him up, Vaggie," Charlie insisted wanting to take a gentler approach.

The princess made her way up to their young human resident's bedroom and knocked on the door.

"Lincoln, are you awake?" she asked.

There was no answer.

She knocked again.

Still no answer.

Concerned due to the lack of response, the princess reluctantly opened the door.

A moment later, Charlie came running back down to the lobby.

"Guys, Lincoln's not in his room!" she informed everyone. She had an extremely worried look on her face.

"What?!" everyone gasped.

"What do you mean?" Vaggie asked confused.

"I mean he's not in his room," Charlie repeated. "He's not there!"

"Where else could he be?" Angel asked.

"Lincoln's not the only thing," Charlie informed. "His convincing suit and hoodie are gone too."

"Why would those be missing too?" Pentious asked.

"I'm betting he's gone out to do something he thinks might be really important," Husk guessed. "Without telling us."

"Like what?" Angel replied.

"No time to wonder why," Vaggie declared. "Lincoln's likely out there roaming the city all alone, we need to find him quickly!"

Without missing a beat, the hotel residents bolted out the front doors and ran out onto the streets of the city.

"Where could he have gone?" Pentious asked looking very worried.

"I don't know, but we have to find him!" an extremely concerned Charlie said. "He could be lost and feeling so scared wandering these dangerous streets!"

Lincoln was strolling along the streets happily humming Charlie's Happy Day in Hell tune to himself without a care in the world. He didn't mind how bad the streets, or the people, looked because he believed very soon he would make it all right.

"Hi there!" the boy waved to a passing demon.

The demon grunted in annoyance.

"Good morning, sir!" he greeted another demon sitting on the sidewalk.

"Watch it, kid!" he snapped.

However, the unwelcoming responses did nothing to dampen the boy's cheerful mood.

"When I first got here, all this made me feel pretty uncomfortable," Lincoln told the readers. "But not today. These people may not realize it, but I'm about to finally put an end to the Exterminations and save all their souls from oblivion. When that happens, all of Hell will be screaming my name."

"Lincoln!" Charlie called as she wandered the streets.

"Lincoln!" Vaggie called walking beside her girlfriend.

"Hey, where are ya', Shorty?!" Angel called as well.

"Where could he be?!" a panicking Charlie cried. "We have to find my sweet baby boy!"

Everyone stopped and stared at the princess in surprise and bewilderment. Vaggie had a sly grin on her face that yelled "I knew it!"

"Ugh. I mean our bellboy," she corrected herself blushing in embarrassment. "Yeah."

Vaggie, Angel, and Pentious all gave her warm smiles finding it cute that she had come to view Lincoln as a son.

"Ugh! That kid could be anywhere in this city," Husk grumbled.

"Alright, we'd better split up," Vaggie suggested. "Alastor and Angel, you're with me. The rest of you are with Charlie."

With that settled, the two teams went in opposite directions to try and find their sole human resident.

"Oh, Lincoln," a worried Charlie said to herself. "I hope you're not in any danger."

Elsewhere, Lincoln was still making his way to the Heaven Embassy. To pass the time, he decided to share some thoughts with the readers.

"At this point, I guess things aren't as bad as I originally thought they would be," he said. "I mean I've seen more of Hell than most living humans my age, or most living humans in general for that matter. Come to think of it, ever since I got here, I haven't really met anyone my own age. My closest friends are mostly people who arrived here when they were in their twenties and so on up."

Eventually, he found himself a little… lost as he walked down a very foreboding alley.

"Did I miss a turn?" the boy asked himself as he looked around. "Where am I?"

"Looking here," a sinister voice said. "Some poor little sap has wondered into our territory."

Three threatening-looking gangster demons emerged from the shadows and surrounded the boy.

"Look what we got here, boys," one of them, the middle lead one, said staring down at Lincoln.

"Lost little runt?" another one tauntingly asked.

"Do you want your mommy?!" the third one taunted pretending to cry.

"Actually, I'm trying to get somewhere," the white-haired boy politely replied. "I have a very important appointment, and I can't be late."

He was about to continue on his way when one of them grabbed him by the hood of his hoodie and lifted him off the ground.

"You ain't going nowhere, runt!" the lead thug holding said.

"You step onto our turf, you gotta pay!" the other one added.

"Now hand over your money!" the third demanded.

"Sorry guys, I don't have any money on me," Lincoln apologized.

"We'll see about that," the lead thug replied with a malicious grin.

"He's bound to have something valuable on him," the third thug said brandishing a switchblade.

It was clear these goons were not going to back off and would not hesitate to use deadly force regardless of whether Lincoln was a kid. However, instead of trembling in fear hoping someone would arrive and rescue him, the white-haired boy did something unexpected. He swung his leg up and kicked the lead thug right under the chin causing him to let go of his hoodie. Lincoln landed on his feet, then while the other two thugs were in shock by his unexpected retaliation, he leaped up into the air and landed a kick on each of their faces before landing back on the ground.

"Wow! I really should thank Vaggie for all those self-defense lessons," he commented amazed by his new skill.

"Why you…" one of the thugs angrily yelled as he recovered from his injury.

Despite his new combat skills, Lincoln knew he still didn't stand a chance against three larger armed foes. Right now, the best he could do was catch them off guard and piss them off.

"And that's my cue to leave," the boy nervously said and tried to make a dash for it.

But he didn't get far as he felt himself lifted off his feet by his hoodie again.

"You think you can fuck with us and get away?!" the lead thug angrily said as he held the boy in his grasp. "Think again, pipsqueak!"

RRRIIIPPP!

The horned hood of the hoodie suddenly ripped off and Lincoln fell to the ground.

"Uh oh!" the adolescent said as he put his hands on his head realizing his snow-white hair was now exposed.

"Wait a minute!" the lead thug said throwing the horned hood into a nearby trash can. "What the fuck is going on here?!"

"Something about this shrimp ain't right, boss," another thug said observing the trembling white-haired kid.

"He almost looks like–" the third thug began to say but then a small object fell from the sky and landed right at their feet.

The three goons looked down at the object. Then their eyes widened in horror as they recognized what it was; a small red bomb with a black skull symbol, and the fuse was lit!

Before Lincoln had any time to react, he felt someone grab him from behind, and before he knew it, he was up on the roof of one of the buildings just as the bomb went off.

KABOOM!

Lincoln felt the person who had just gotten him out of that pinch was standing right behind him. He turned around and a smile formed on his face when he saw who it was.

"Cherri Bomb!"

"Those were some bitchin' moves, kid," the cycloptic bomber complimented her young human friend. "Still need a little work though."

"Thanks for saving from those guys," the boy expressed his gratitude.

"Yeah, good thing I was close by when it happened." But then curiosity prompted her to do some investigating. "What are you doing out here anyway? Is Angie with you?"

"No, actually," the kid confessed.

"What?! Why? Even you should know better than to walk around this place alone," Cherri scolded.

"I'm trying to get to the Heaven Embassy."

"What the hell could you possibly want there?" Cherri asked confused.

"I scheduled a meeting there without letting Angel or the others know," Lincoln explained. "But then I got a little lost. Could you please help me get there? It's very important."

Cherri stared down into the pleading child's eyes. Finding the embassy of the angels did not sound like a good time for her. But looking into those eyes, those desperate puppy-dog eyes, how could she say 'no'?

"Alright," she relented. "I guess I owe you for risking your ass to save our asses that one night."

Overjoyed, Lincoln immediately wrapped his arms around the demonic woman in a show of gratitude.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" he said. "You have no idea how much this means to me or everyone else!"

The one-eyed bomb specialist was caught off-guard by this sudden display of affection. But after looking around to make sure no one was watching; she gently gave the white-haired kid a gently pat on the head.

"Don't mention it, kid," she replied with a friendly smile.

Then Lincoln released her from his hug.

"Now let's see if we can salvage that disguise of yours."

Nearby, a portly, cowlike sinner was running a hat shop. Just then, Cherri Bomb came in through the door. He did not expect to see the self-proclaimed "spunky powerhouse" enter his shop.

"Can I help you?" the shop owner asked suspiciously.

"I think maybe you can," Cherri replied in a seductive tone.

The cycloptic demolitions expert walked over to the shop owner's counter and sat on top of it. She sat in a way that showed off her curvy body. The owner's face began to turn red at the sight of this sexy young female sitting before him.

"What… exactly… can I help you… with?" the owner stuttered.

"Well, I was in the area, and I happened to be looking for something… special," Cherri said in a seductive tone and leaned closer till her face was inches from the shop owner's face.

"Something… special?" The owner was now beginning to sweat.

"Special and… big!" Cherri tickled him a little under the chin.

The owner couldn't take it anymore and eventually fainted. Cherri chuckled mockingly at the unconscious, weak-willed pervert lying on the floor in front of her. She had other ways of taking people out besides bombs. She spotted a little grey cap with red horns; it looked perfect for Lincoln. While the owner was still in a lustful daze, she swiped the cap and walked out the door.

A little later, Cherri returned to the rooftop where Lincoln was waiting. She walked up and placed the cap on his head.

"Now you look more like you belong here, kid," Cherri complimented.

"Thanks, Cherri," the boy expressed his gratitude.

"You still thinking of heading over to that embassy?"

"Yeah. I have too," Lincoln answered apologetically.

Cherri sighed. "Well, I guess I'd better go with you to make sure you get there in one piece."

"Really? Thank you so much, Cherri!" the boy responded happily. "You're doing a great service for everyone, really!"

"Don't mention it, kid," she replied with a warm smile.

Meanwhile, Charlie and her group were checking every shop they came across to see if anyone had seen Lincoln. They entered one suspicious-looking shop with neon lights.

"Excuse me, sir?" Charlie asked the owner. "We're looking for a little man with white hair."

"Is he strong?" the owner asked.

"Yes, I believe he is. He usually likes to wear orange."

"Well, then you've found the right place, my dear," the owner announced with a smile. "He's in the back room."

"He is? Oh, thank you!" Charlie replied gratefully.

She and the others quickly headed to the back of the suspicious shop.

"Hope you all have a great time," the owner called after them.

"Lincoln?" Charlie said bursting into the room she had been directed to.

However, instead of finding a small human boy, they found a short, muscular demon with horns, wings, and white hair wearing an orange speedo sitting on a heart-shaped bed.

"Hey gorgeous, looking for me?" the demon asked flirtatiously.

Charlie gasped upon seeing the demon. "That's not my baby!" she cried leaping in Pentious's arms.

"I could be."

"Oooo! I want a piece of that!" Niffty said pulling out a knife.

"Wow! Not literally!" the demon protested.

"Gimme!" the cycloptic cleaning lady yelled and began chasing the demon around the room.

"Well, guess we better start looking again," a disappointed Husk said walking out to resume the search.

Elsewhere in the city, Lincoln and Cherri Bomb were chatting about current events while the latter was helping the former find the Heaven Embassy.

"I can't believe that old fart is shacking up at that hotel," Cherri said a little surprised. "Bet it's not as much fun with him around."

"Actually, Sir Pentious is a pretty good guy once you get to know him," Lincoln replied. "Maybe you two could hang out together as friends instead of trying to destroy each other in turf wars."

"I appreciate your optimism, kid, but I don't think that's likely to happen."

"Well, I don't know when I'll be able to return home, we'll see what happens."

"You really are cute, you know that?" Cherri chuckled and pinched the kid's cheek affectionately.

After taking a few more steps, the two arrived downtown. Standing in the center was the tall, shining building of the Heaven Embassy with its clock tower. After a few wrong turns and some rough encounters, Lincoln finally made it to the Heaven Embassy.

"Well, here's your destination," Cherri said unenthusiastically. "Are you sure you want to go in there alone?"

"Yes, Cherri," Lincoln confidently assured her. "I have to. It's my destiny."

"Well, give me a call if you need anything," the one-eyed bomber said smiling and ruffling his hair. "Good luck, Linc." Then she was gone.

Now that he was where he needed to be, Lincoln walked up the steps and through the doors. The room was empty and quite, a strange change from what he was used to. He hung his hoodless hoodie and his new horned cap on a nearby coat rack and began walking toward the front desk. The boy stared in awe at the building's interior. After days of walking through the dirty and foul streets of Pentagram City, it felt so nice to see something clean and shiny for once. When he made it to the empty front desk and rang the bell. Suddenly, a golden scroll with a golden feather ink pen floated down from above surprising him a little. After signing his name, the scroll and pen floated away and one of the doors to the side opened. Cautiously, Lincoln entered the dark, seemingly empty room.

"Hello?" Lincoln called out. "Is anyone here?"

Suddenly, the lights turned on startling the boy. Lincoln looked over to find a meeting table. On the other side of the table was a chair that was turned backwards. Sitting on the table in front of the chair was a large soda cup, to the left of the backwards chair stood an exorcist with blood stains on her uniform and a stoic expression on her LED mask.

Lincoln nervously took his seat at the opposite end of the table. The meeting wasn't starting like he thought it would. He expected there would be more people and someone sitting in the chair on the other side.

"Uh… hi," he politely greeted the angel.

"Yo!" The chair suddenly turned around to reveal Adam sitting in it feasting on a platter of mini sliders.

"WAAHHH!" Lincoln yelped and fell out of his seat.

This caused Adam to start cracking up.

"Did you see that, Lute?!" he asked his right-hand woman who nodded in response.

Lincoln got up, brushed himself off, and got back in his seat.

"Hi there," he greeted the angels and waved his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Adam replied in a seemingly friendly tone.

"I'm glad we could have this meeting. There's a lot I want to talk to you about and–"

"Slow down, sport," Adam interrupted. "We got plenty of time. First, I need to make a complaint. We already had a meeting like this a couple months ago, and if you remember correctly, the time till the next Extermination was cut in half. That doesn't give us a lot of time to prepare you know."

"But wasn't that your–"

"So now we are called for this unexpected meeting here, down in this literal hellhole." He paused for a moment to take a sip of soda from his cup. "I mean, I barely had time to finish breakfast this morning and those royal c*s are nowhere to be seen."

"Actually, I was the one who scheduled this meeting," Lincoln admitted.

Both Adam and Lute stared in surprise and confusion for a moment.

"One moment please," Adam said getting out a cellphone and texted a few messages.

DICKMaster: Hi Barb

Barb: Hi Sir

DICKMaster: When you confirmed today's meeting, did you ask who I'd be meeting with?

Barb: No Sir

DICKMaster: You're Fired!

Once he was done, Adam put his phone away.

"Alright, let's get this over with."

"Well, as I was about to say–" Lincoln began only to be interrupted again.

"So, who or what the fuck are you and what do you want?" Adam asked eating a slider. "If you're asking to get into Heaven, tough luck kid."

While Adam went on, Lute became very suspicious. She had seen and slain thousands of demons in the past, but something didn't look or feel right about this one.

"Hold on a minute, sir!" she interrupted having come to a realization. "I think that's a human."

This caused her superior to spit out his snack in surprise and disbelief.

"What?! No Fucking Way! How can a still-living mortal find their way down here?"

"It's true," Lincoln admitted with a friendly smile. "I am still a living, breathing human. As for how I got here, that's a very interesting story–"

"Shut up, for a sec," Adam interrupted again. "We don't have time for that."

"But you just said we had plenty of–"

"I would like to say it's so nice to meet one of my many descendants after so many centuries." He turned to his right-hand woman. "Pen and Paper." She handed him what he asked for and began writing something on the paper. When he finished, he slid the paper down the table toward Lincoln. "Here. Have an autograph on me."

Lincoln picked up the paper and saw written on it was the name:

Adam aka DICKMaster!

"Well, nice to meet you, Mr. Adam," the boy said. Then it hit him. "Wait. Adam? Like the Adam? As in the First Man?"

"Yep, the one and only," Adam proudly confirmed and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, kid."

Lincoln couldn't believe it. He was in the presence of the literal first man in human history!

"It's an honor to meet you too…" the boy excitedly got up and walked over to shake his hand. But when he tried to grab it, his hand went through it as if it wasn't there. "What?!"

The Exorcist leader burst into laughter once again. Turns out he was using a hologram just like in his meeting with Charlie.

"Did you fucking see that, Lute?!" he asked turning to his second-in-command who stoically nodded in response. "Never gets fucking old!"

While the First Man laughed his ass off at his expense, Lincoln's excitement started to fade. He could see that this was going to be a very long meeting.

"Lincoln!" Charlie called as she and her group searched a trash-filled alley.

"Lincoln!" Niffty called out.

"Linc!" Husk also called.

Then Sir Pentious noticed a sound coming from a nearby dumpster. It sounded like someone was in there.

"Hey, I think I found him!" he called to his companions.

They all rushed over. Charlie's face beamed with excitement.

"Lincoln, are you in there, my boy?" the former kingpin called as he opened the lid of the dumpster and peered inside.

But the snake demon's eyes went wide and he gasped when he saw what was really in there. A quieve lunged out of the dumpster and latched onto his face.

"AAAAHHHHH! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!" Pentious screamed as he struggled desperately to get the creature off his face.

While Husk and Niffty tried to help out their struggling friend, Charlie spotted something in a nearby trash can. Her eyes lit up when she recognized it as the horns on Lincoln's hoodie. She believed she had finally found her only bellboy, her baby. The torn hood part sat on top of the garbage, but from her perspective it looked like they were sticking out of the garbage.

Suddenly, a demonic trash collector grabbed the can and dumped it into the back of a big dump truck. Then he got in and the truck drove off.

"Wait! There's someone in there! Come back!" Charlie called after them while chasing the truck as it drove down the street.

At the embassy meeting, a miserable Lincoln had been sitting in his seat for what felt like almost a half-hour listening to Adam, the First Man, rabble on about his sex life and make crude jokes. He was starting to see why Charlie had such a difficult time when she met with him.

"And so I said "bitch, if you think that's long, then you really need to have a look at this!"" Adam said and pointed down toward his crotch. "I mean, First Dick, Best Dick. Right?"

"How old do you think I am?" an irritated Lincoln asked.

"I don't know. 5, 8."

Lincoln stared at him appalled. He was older than that, but this guy felt it was okay to talk like that in front of people that young?! His angelic divinity was questionable.

"Anyway, who the fuck are you?"

"Me?" Lincoln asked. He was not prepared for Adam to finally be done. "Oh yeah! I am Lincoln Loud the Magnificent!" he introduced himself by pulling a long orange banner out of his sleeve and laying it on the table. The banner reads "Lincoln the Magnificent".

The two angels looked unimpressed.

"And…" Lute impatiently asked.

"I'm a magician, ghost hunter, and a detective too," the boy boasted while performing another magic trick; taking three rings looped together, then mysteriously separating them one at a time before mysteriously putting them back together again. "And I'm here with a proposition for you."

The two angels still didn't look impressed.

"I can pull animals out of hats, charm demons, and communicate with the dead," Lincoln boasted some more while making different wavy gestures with his hands and fingers to emphasize.

As the boy continued to self-publicize, Adam looked like he was starting to fall asleep until Lute nudged him slightly to wake him up.

"Alakazam!" Lincoln shouted and threw a smoke pellet onto the floor.

When the smoke cleared, the white-haired adolescent was holding a bouquet of colorful flowers in his hand. Both Adam and Lute raised an eyebrow in response.

"I have the power to influence people, even the most stubborn. For me, they move like chess pieces, and I control the board," Lincoln explained while showing off a few amazing deck shuffling moves with playing cards while also making sure not to drop a single one.

"Okay, we get that you're some 'great, magnificent magician' or whatever," Adam interrupted having heard enough. This was really starting to bore and annoy him. "But why should I give a damn?"

"I guess I should just get right to my point," Lincoln replied blushing. Perhaps he did overdo it a little. "I'm here to represent someone who has a dream that will benefit both Heaven and Hell."

"Oh boy," Adam responded rolling his eyes. He and Lute knew exactly where this was going, they hadn't forgotten the first time.

"Charlie Morningstar, the Princess of Hell, has setup this great hotel with the purpose of rehabilitating sinners to make them worthy of going to Heaven. However, she needs a little bit of support from the lighter side in order to help get the ball rolling."

"And why should we care?" Adam asked impatiently.

"Because she believes it's a better way to deal with the population issue and if you think about it Heaven would also gain more souls as a result."

"Well, if she believes that, then it's true what they say about blondes," Adam callously mocked. "They really are dumb!" He and Lute started laughing which angered Lincoln… greatly.

"You're WRONG!" the angry white-haired boy yelled suddenly. He did not take kindly to anyone badmouthing his dear friend.

This surprised and shocked his angelic guests who shot offended glares at him. Lincoln covered his mouth in shock at his own outburst. He had to be patient and keep a lid on his emotions. This was his best chance of making everything right.

"Look, I'm sorry, I…" he tried to apologize.

"Why would we want any of that filth walking around up there with us?" Lute asked condescendingly.

"Doesn't Heaven believe in second chances?" Lincoln asked in response.

"They had their chance," Lute replied.

"We don't make the rules, we just enforce them," Adam added.

"Can't the rules be changed?" Lincoln asked.

"No, they can't!" Lute answered. She sounded quite irritated by the adolescent mortal's questions.

"Are you sure?"

"Angels don't make mistakes."

"What about Lucifer?" This question caused the two Exorcists' eyes to widen. "He was an angel that got banished from Heaven, wasn't he? So, isn't that an example of an angel making a mistake?"

Adam and Lute did not answer. They just stood there glaring intensely at him from across the table. Lincoln never meant to fight or cause trouble, he just wanted to find a way to make things better for everyone. Why were these two so mad at him now? Was it something he said?

Lute started marching over to his side of the table. Sweat began to drip from Lincoln's head as she got closer with that intimidating glare. Soon she was inches from him.

"Choose your next words carefully, boy!" Lute said in a calm yet threatening tone before returning to Adam's side.

Lincoln quietly, and nervously, sat in his seat as the two Exorcists watched him with intimidating looks from across the table. These two were proving to be harder to convince than he thought. If he didn't come up with something soon, then this whole thing would've all been for nothing.

"I wonder if Charlie's having a better day," the boy quietly pondered to himself.

The aforementioned princess chased the dump truck all the way to the junkyard which was practically on the other side of the city. The truck began backing into a nearby stall with a large metal door. Inside the truck, two demonic workers were telling each other stories about their lives.

"So, I said 'listen you annoying slut! If you know what's good for ya', you'll never bitch to me like that again!'" the red-skin truck driver told his partner.

"Oh god! What did she say?" his coworker asked.

"You know my mom. She spanked my ass till it was redder than my skin."

"Whoa! That's really red!"

They didn't notice an exhausted Charlie was slowly approaching their truck. The princess huffed and puffed as she slowly walked through the foul-smelling landfill toward the truck she had been chasing. She had run for miles and miles trying to catch up with it.

Just as she was a few feet from it, the driver pulled a lever. The huge door behind the truck rose to reveal a huge dark chute so long you couldn't see the bottom. The back of the truck opened and started tilting to pour all the trash it had collected down the chute. Noticing this, Charlie's energy returned as she realized what was happening.

"Wait! Stop!" she cried but it was too late.

She watched as every single piece of garbage was dumped down the chute, and possibly Lincoln along with it, to God knows where. The panicking princess burst into the compound running through door after door and down stair after stair until she found the trash compactor room. Unfortunately, standing between her and a conveyer belt of trash was a wall with a window. Charlie pressed her hands against the glass to see if she could spot the garbage she believed her precious boy was in. She looked to the upper left and spotted the trash pile with the top of the horned hoodie sticking out slide down the conveyer belt and into the dangerous trash-crushing machinery.

"NOOO!" she screamed.

Back at the embassy, Lincoln sat across the table from Adam and Lute trying to come up with something that could work to convince these two stubborn, and arrogant, angels. Then it came to him.

"You know, you guys really should consider what I'm telling you," he assured them. "I'll have you know that I'm the One!"

"The one what?" a confused Adam asked.

Lincoln reached into his suit and pulled out a book. It was the book containing the prophecy Charlie had shown him. He opened it up and skimmed through the pages until he came across the page containing the prophecy.

"This is a famous prophecy about someone who will bring balance to the afterlife," he explained pointing to the page. "Take a moment to read it and you'll see that I'm a perfect match."

He slid the book across the table toward Adam. The Exorcist leader quietly read the page for a moment. Suddenly, he let out a gasp of astonishment. He gestured Lute to come closer and read it with him. Lincoln watched with optimism as his angelic guests read the page in the book with surprise and wonder on their LED faces. Things were looking good now.

"Once they read the prophecy and realize who I am, I'll have all of Heaven eating out of my hands," Lincoln confidently told the readers. "And Charlie won't have anything to worry about."

Back at the junkyard's trash compactor, Charlie covered her mouth and helplessly watched in horror as the pile of trash that she thought Lincoln was in moved down a conveyer belt and under a pair of metal pillars moving up and down smashing the garbage that moved beneath them. Then the smashed garbage was crushed under a giant rolling cylinder. Witnessing this made Charlie move her hands from her mouth to her head as she stared with her mouth agape. After the crusher, a pair of mounted flamethrowers blasted the crushed garbage with fire. Seeing this made Charlie run her fingers from her hair down her cheeks. The burnt trash was then sliced into pieces by a huge rectangular blade going up and down. Charlie covered her eyes not wanting to witness the horrific scene but moved a finger uncovering one eye, which rolled upward after witnessing the chopping. She was starting to feel sick. Then a demonic worker, needing to relieve himself, stood up on the conveyer belt, unzipped his pants, and began urinating into the chopped trash. Charlie had her back turned but then peeked and hurled after witnessing the disgusting final nail in the coffin.

Once she was finished vomiting, the princess turned to see a conveyer belt coming out of the trash compactor room with garbage cubes moving on it. Noticing one of the cubes looked unique from the others, Charlie rushed over and hit a button on the conveyer belt stopping it. But she thought it was already too late. The princess began tearing up as she stared at the steaming, urine-smelling cube which had the horned hood of Lincoln's hoodie sticking out of the top. She had failed. She wasn't fast enough. And now because of that, Lincoln was gone! Believing she had lost her dear friend, her reliable bellhop, and her chosen one to a gruesome fate, the teary-eyed princess fell backwards and passed out as a few demonic workers stared at her in confusion.

Elsewhere, Vaggie, Alastor, and Angel Dust were continuing their search together.

"Damn it! Where is that kid?" Vaggie said impatiently.

"You'd think finding a human in this literal godforsaken place would be easier," Alastor remarked.

Angel separated from the group to look in a nearby alley.

"Lincoln!" the spiderlike porn star called. "Fuck! Where is that kid?"

"Lose something, Angie?" he heard a familiar voice coming from the shadows in the alley.

Out of the shadows emerged his best friend, Cherri Bomb, much to his delight.

"Cherri Bomb! How are ya' doin'?"

"Better than you it seems."

"Lincoln went out this morning and we've been looking all over town for him," Angel explained.

"You're looking for Lincoln? Well, what a coincidence, I met the little tyke earlier today," Cherri said.

"Really? Where?"

While Angel was being informed by his friend about the whereabouts of his other friend, Vaggie and Alastor were still searching the area with little success.

"Jesucristo todopoderoso! Where could that kid be?!" Vaggie said growing increasingly stressed and irritated.

"This is becoming quite tiresome," Alastor said looking just as irritated.

Both were getting really tired of running all over the city looking for their only bellboy.

"Hey, guys!" Angel called and rejoined the group. "I've got some great news, I think I know where Lincoln is!"

"What?" Vaggie exclaimed in surprise.

"About time," Alastor said relieved.

"Where?"

Husk, Sir Pentious, and Niffty had been trying to catch up with Charlie after she took off after the dump truck. The two men were huffing and puffing as they walked in the direction of the junkyard while Niffty skipped happily alongside them.

"It's bad enough… that we have to search for the kid… but we don't need to run all over town looking for… the princess too," an exhausted Husk huffed.

"Are we… there yet?" Sir Pentious wheezed. He felt like he was ready to collapse.

The trio finally came across the entrance to the city junkyard where they found Charlie sitting on the sidewalk and sobbing her eyes out while holding a garbage cube in her arms.

"Charlie?" Husk said spotting her.

Miss Charlotte!" Pentious called her.

All three ran up to reunite with their friend and see what was the matter.

"Is everything okay?" a concerned Husk asked.

"Did you find the boy?" Niffty eagerly asked.

The princess said nothing. Instead, she looked at them with big, watery, puppy dog eyes and showed them the cube much to their confusion.

"Kid, that's a garbage cube," an unamused Husk replied.

She tilted it so that the horned hood would hang for them all to see. Their eyes widened when they noticed.

"Uh oh!" Pentious said.

"HE WAS SO YOUNG!" the princess bawled and embraced the cube.

A few seconds later, both Niffty and Pentious burst into tears and joined the princess in mourning what they thought was the loss of their friend. Husk, on the other hand, rolled his eyes, took out a flask, and started drinking from it. He knew something didn't look right, but knew his companions were drowning in their sorrow too much to listen right now.

Eventually, Vaggie, Alastor, and Angel arrived on the scene. Once she spotted her girlfriend, Vaggie immediately ran to her.

"Charlie, I've got good news! I think we found out where…" the one-eyed manager began to explain but then saw how upset she, Niffty, and Pentious looked. "What's wrong?"

Charlie tearfully showed her girlfriend the trash cube.

"I WAS TOO LATE!" she bawled. "I TRIED TO SAVE HIM, BUT NOW… now…"

As the princess continued to sob uncontrollably, her partner, business partner, and their first patron adopted painful looks of pity on their faces.

"Hon, that's not Lincoln," Vaggie said.

"Huh?" Charlie replied and stopped crying. "How… how do you know?"

The Hispanic woman reached down and pulled the horned hood out of the trash cube revealing that's all it was. Realizing this, Charlie, Niffty, and Pentious's eyes dried as they realized they had been crying and mourning so hard for absolutely nothing.

"Angel just told us that a friend of his saw Lincoln earlier," Vaggie informed. "They said he was heading to the Heaven Embassy."

"He is?!" Charlie asked with a new joyful smile on her face. Not only was her baby still alive, but now they knew where he was. "Well, why didn't you say so?! Let's go!"

The now-happy princess jumped to her feet and tossed the garbage cube into the air, which landed right on Sir Pentious's head. The search parties reunited into one and began heading toward the embassy to find their youngest companion.

"Hold on Lincoln, we're on our way!" an excited Charlie said.

Now that they knew where Lincoln was, this whole stressful ordeal could finally be over.

"When I find that kid, he is in SO much trouble!" a furious Vaggie declared.

At the embassy, Lincoln proudly watched as Adam and Lute finished reading the page with the prophecy. He looked pleased to see the shocked and surprised expressions on their faces believing that he had finally convinced them.

"Okay, hold on. Hold right the fuck on," Adam spoke. "Are you telling me that this…" He pointed to the book page to which Lincoln confidently nodded in response. "And you…" He then pointed to the boy who once again confidently nodded in response.

The seemingly stunned angels looked at each other. Lincoln beamed as he felt this was it; he had managed to get through to them. Now he could convince them to invest in the Hazbin Hotel and end the exterminations once and for all. However, his confidence faded as the two angels suddenly burst into laughter.

"He thinks he's…" Adam said to his right-hand before resuming his cackling.

Lute was laughing so hard she could barely speak.

Lincoln was at a loss for words.

"What's so funny?" the boy nervously asked.

"What's so funny?!" Adam repeated the question as if the answer was obvious. "I'll tell you what's fucking funny: YOU KID!" The leader of the Exorcists burst into laughter once again. "You and this shitty, so-called prophecy!"

Adam closed the book and slid it back down the table to Lincoln.

"In all my existence, I've never heard anything so stupid!" Lute said.

"This little guy and his dumb blonde princess friend actually think his existence has that much meaning!" Adam chuckled.

"What are you talking about?" Lincoln asked. His voice was filled with confusion, anxiety, and hurt. "You don't believe it? How can you guys say those things? I thought angels were supposed to be nice, and gentle, and… and cared for humans who needed their help!"

"Let me make something clear," Lute said in an icy tone. "Someone like you, who is so ignorant, so insignificant, and so pathetic, is not worthy of a single thought of any angelic being. You're presence in this realm, although unexpected, means absolutely nothing to us! You're just a forgettable little mortal brat who had the unfortunate luck of winding up down here with the rest of the trash of creation. We have better things to do than remember a pitiful disappointment like you even exists!"

The angelic lieutenant's merciless words felt like being hit by five semi-trucks all at once.

"How does it feel to know just how worthless you are in the eyes of Heaven?" Adam asked in a cruel and mocking tone and fist bumped his chief subordinate.

Each cruel word was like a dagger to Lincoln's heart. This was his first time meeting real live angels and he didn't like what he experienced. In the amount of time he had spent in Hell, no demon has ever said so many cruel and hurtful things to him. He felt himself on the verge of tears.

"Well, I think it's time to wrap this up," Adam said casually. "We have an Extermination to get ready for soon and you've already wasted enough of our precious time."

"Please!" Lincoln pleaded. Tears were starting to form in his eyes. "She just wants to help!"

"Do we look like we need her help?!" Lute viciously replied.

"Listen, kid," Adam spoke. "Let me put this in the same way I put it to your dumb princess bitch friend…"

Hell is forever the two sang as they jumped onto the table.

Whether you like it or not! Their sudden singing caused Lincoln to fall back in his chair.

Had their chance to behave better The two began walking threateningly across the table toward the frightened boy who tried to back away as much as he could.

Now they boil in the pot! Lincoln had his back against the doors with no escape.

'Cause the rules are black and white!

There's no use in trying to fight it!

They're burning for their lives until we kill them again!

With that, the two angels sent the human boy sliding across the floor and out of the meeting room, along with the prophecy book. Lincoln looked up to see Adam mockingly waving 'good bye' to him before flipping him the bird right before the doors closed.

"No! Wait!" Lincoln cried as he got up and ran to the door to stop it from closing. But he was too late.

The boy fell to his knees and hung his head.

Back inside the meeting room, Adam and Lute were still laughing over their cruel taunting of the young human boy.

"Well, that was a waste of time," a bored Adam said.

"We should report this to the Seraphim," Lute suggested.

"What? Why?"

"Something like this has never happened before."

"So what?! It's just a little, insignificant mortal child in the wrong place at the wrong time. He's no threat to anyone. Still doesn't change the fact that we need to do our job. Besides if anyone finds out that a still living human soul has found its way into Hell, what do you think they would do? They might call off the Extermination!"

"You have a point, sir." Lute agreed with her commander.

"Of course I do. Besides he's as good as dead down here anyway. Takes care of that issue."

"You're absolutely right," she praised his wisdom. "Wise and flawless. The pinnacle of heavenly enlightenment. A true angel who never makes mistakes. Unlike a certain someone!" Lute's demeaner turned to that of seething anger as she began to think of someone who did not live up to her standards of what a true angel is supposed to be.

"Yeah, but we can forget about her," Adam assured his lieutenant. "It's not like we'll ever see her again."

"We'd better get back before anyone notices we're gone."

Outside the meeting room, Lincoln was on his knees staring down at the floor in complete and utter shock and despair. He had failed in his mission. He had failed the hotel. He had failed Charlie. He had failed ALL of Hell! A part of him didn't want to return to the hotel. He knew by now his absence would be noticed and everyone was worried about his whereabouts. But now he didn't have anything to make up for it. Nothing had changed. This was a HUGE waste of time!

Tears began to drip from his eyes as Adam's words still echoed in his mind. Adam! How could that be the First Man?! The one he and all humanity descended from! He was nothing more than a cruel, homicidal, childish, self-absorbed asshole! A burning rage began to ignite withing Lincoln. He reached into his suit and pulled out the autograph Adam had given him. Then he furiously tore the paper to dozens of tiny pieces.

The boy gathered the book, picked himself up, and began walking unhappily toward the exit. But just before he opened the doors, another intense feeling of rage took over. His eyes turned black and he clenched his right fist which began to emit a dark aura around it. He let out a loud scream of frustration and threw his right fist into the wall next to him. The impact did more damage than he expected. In fact, it created a huge crack that reached all the way up to the ceiling.

Lincoln stared in shock at the damage he had done. His fist was numb and trembling, but surprisingly it didn't hurt too much. The boy's eyes returned to normal and the dark aura around his hand disappeared. Sadly, Lincoln grabbed his hoodie, put on his cap, and went outside.

After running around almost the entire city looking for their youngest companion, the hotel crew finally arrived at the Heaven Embassy.

"There it is!" Charlie breathed a sigh of relief when they spotted the embassy. "Does anybody see him?" She looked around to see if she could find any sign of their boy. After a moment, she finally spotted something. It looked like a small person sitting on the steps of the embassy with their face buried in their arms. "There he is! I see him! There he is!"

Charlie was so delighted that their search had finally come to an end. Vaggie, on the other hand, was furious.

"There he is!" she said and angrily began marching toward the embassy steps.

"Vaggie, wait! Please be gentle with him!" Charlie pleaded running after her girlfriend.

"Is it me or has Charlie been acting a little more motherly today?" Husk asked Angel Dust.

"Oh, I've noticed that too," the porn star agreed.

Vaggie ignored her girlfriend's pleas and continued to march up the steps toward the boy with a very angry look on her face. After all the stress and worry he had put them through, he was going to get a good earful from her.

"You'd better have some explaining to do, young man! Maldita sea!" the Hispanic hotel manager scolded loudly. "Sneaking out by yourself without telling us, worrying everyone to death, forcing us to look high and low throughout the whole fucking city, and now…"

As Vaggie furiously ranted, Lincoln slowly lifted his head to look up at her. The one-eyed woman's anger began to mellow down and she stopped her rant when she saw his face. Charlie and the others caught up and gasped when they saw their little bellhop's face. His eyes were red, there was flushing around them, and noticeable streams of tears running down his cheeks. It was clear he had been sitting there crying… a lot.

"Lincoln, what's wrong?" a concerned Charlie asked.

"What happened?" Angel asked equally concerned.

"What are you doing here?" Vaggie asked in a calmer tone.

"I… I…" the boy stammered before hanging his head in shame. "A few days ago, I scheduled a meeting with the angels of Heaven behind your backs."

"WHAT?!" many of them exclaimed in shock and surprise.

"Lincoln, why would you do that?!" Vaggie questioned.

"I… I thought… I…" He tried to answer but the emotions he was feeling were too strong and painful. The more he tried, the more tears fell from his eyes.

"You thought you could convince them, didn't you?" Charlie guessed putting everything together.

All the boy could do was shamefully nod his head.

"And judging by the looks of it, I'm guessing it didn't go wel–" Angel concluded but was cut off by Husk elbowing his arm. He didn't need to state the obvious.

"I… I'm so sorry!" Lincoln said and buried his face in his arms. His companions could hear his sobbing.

Charlie, who had met the two Exorcist leaders before, had a pretty good idea what had happened. Mocking her, her people, and her dream was one thing. But to drive an innocent human child to tears, how could they call themselves angels?! It hurt her heart to see her bellboy, her friend, her baby so broken like this. The others looked equally upset over the boy's miserable state. For the first time, Alastor didn't feel any pleasure from someone's suffering, and it baffled him.

"Shh. It's okay. It's okay," the princess gently assured picking the crying boy up and holding him tenderly in her arms. "Let's go home."

As the group began heading back to the hotel, Vaggie stopped for a moment to shoot an intense and hateful glare at the embassy before rejoining the others.

Everyone returned safely to the hotel together. However, Lincoln's disheartening mood did not change for the better. Even though he received no punishment for what he did today, he chose to work around the hotel extra-long and extra harder than usual. He had not told them about his short outburst at the embassy that left a huge crack in their wall. Some of the residents felt like he was inflicting punishment on himself. He snuck out to a private meeting he scheduled in secret, caused his friends and guardians so much worry, and came out of it with absolutely NOTHING to show for.

After hours of labor, Charlie and the others began to grow more concerned about the boy's emotional state. Everyone (including Razzle, Dazzle, KeeKee, Fat Nuggests, and Pentious's Egg Boiz) were quietly hanging out in the lobby watching Lincoln wipe down the counter of the bar with a very despondent expression on his face. It disturbed them, especially Charlie, to see the normally optimistic, supportive, and smart young bellboy looking so down.

"Lincoln," Charlie softly spoke stepping forward. The boy didn't respond. "I just want you to know that no one is angry with you. Nobody blames you." He let out a small sigh. "I also learned the hard way that angels can be quite unreasonable. But if we just keep trying to teach sinners to be good, I'm sure we'll–"

However, none of what she was saying was making the boy feel any better. Eventually, he threw the rag he was using to wipe down the counter aside in frustration.

"Look, don't you get it?!" Lincoln turned and snapped at Charlie. The princess and the other demons were all taken back by the boy's sudden outburst. "Let me put this in words you'll understand; I FUCKED up!" Charlie let out a small gasp. She'd never heard sweet little Lincoln swear before. "I thought for once maybe I could do something right. Something truly worthwhile! Something no one in my family could ever be able to top. But like many times before, I was WRONG! And everyone's lives are still no better than when I first came here. I… I… ARGH!" Lincoln turned away unable to face his friends any longer. He leaned against the bar and hung his head. "Just forget it," he said in a much calmer but still very unhappy tone. "Maybe I'm not the One you think I am after all. Maybe I am so worthless, Heaven doesn't have any time to even remember I exist. That would explain a lot about my life. You probably should've just chosen one of my sisters for this thing, at least then you'd have a better chance instead of wasting your time on… this."

Charlie couldn't believe what she just heard. She was so used to seeing sinners looking so down in the dumps, but a living human, a child no less, was more than she could bear. Everyone else was having similar feelings and reactions to this sad sight. The boy was hurting. Badly. Even with his perpetual grin, Alastor was also having a hard time stomaching this, which was strange even to him. The Radio Demon always found entertainment in the misery of others, but why couldn't he find any from this one?

Eventually, Sir Pentious approached the kid, grabbed his shoulder, and turned him around to face him.

"Now listen here, Lincoln Loud," the snake demon told him. "I understand what it's like to feel like you're lower than everyone else, but you shouldn't let that stop you from trying to be better. You've got the makings of greatness in you. With the right motivation, you could really put your talents to good use in spectacular ways. Maybe this hotel can help with that."

Lincoln was at a loss for words. He did not expect the former kingpin to use his own words of encouragement on him.

"I've been called many insulting names and been told many degrading things, but I never let it get me down," Angel said in a supportive tone. "You're tougher than you think and should do the same."

No one would've imagined hearing such kind and helpful words from a porn actor.

"You got more potential than you think, kid," Husk said.

"I'm more into bad boys, but you're the first good boy I've ever really liked," Niffty admitted. "I'm so happy we're friends."

That's right. She and Lincoln were friends. Despite being a psychotic demon capable of stabbing people at the drop of a hat, he knew she would never raise any sort of blade at him.

"You still have something special buried deep within you," Charlie told him. "Someday, you'll discover it."

"Then the time will come when you will use that special gift and show everyone what you're truly capable of," Vaggie added.

"And when that day comes…" Alastor began to speak. Almost everyone glared at expecting him to say something that might ruin their attempts at cheering their boy up. "I hope all of us will be there to witness the glory of you at your finest, my boy."

This was a surprise. Who would've thought the Radio Demon would go out of his way to try and boost someone's confidence instead of reveling in their misery.

Lincoln stared up at all his demonic friends and companions. His eyes were becoming watery as he listened and took in everything each of them said. They weren't just saying these things just to make him feel better, they were saying them because he needed to hear them, and they meant every word. Even after everything he put them through that day, they still did their best to show how deeply they cared for him. Demons from Hell were making him feel more special than angels from Heaven or anyone on Earth ever had.

The boy struggled to hold back the waterworks. He didn't want to cry in front of his demon friends. He had already put them through enough today. Noticing this, Charlie knelt down and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay," she told him with a comforting smile and a soft tone. She was giving him permission to let out the rest of his emotions.

Lincoln couldn't hold back anymore. He let loose and allowed his tears to flow from his eyes and down his cheeks in small rivers.

"There, there," Charlie gently said and pulled the crying boy into a warm hug. "It's okay."

The tearful bellboy returned the princess's gentle embrace.

"Todo estará bien," Vaggie said in a surprisingly soft and comforting tone as she knelt down and joined in the hug.

After a moment, both women released the boy from their hug. He looked up at them, his eyes still a little watery, but with a very grateful smile. Just then, Niffty swooped in and wrapped her arms around him. Lincoln was surprised at first, but immediately realized the psychotic cleaning lady was also doing her best to show that she genuinely cared about him too. He returned the embrace. Then the boy felt three hands gently ruffling his white hair at the same time. He looked up to see Husk, Angel, and Pentious all smiling and patting his head to show their support. Then he felt two things rubbing against his legs. He looked down to find KeeKee and Fat Nuggets affectionately rubbing their bodies against his legs. Even the animals were trying to cheer him up. Razzle and Dazzle hovered down to get closer to the boy. Lincoln noticed that their eyes weren't crossed, and they didn't have those goofy expressions. They were looking right at him with genuinely supportive and friendly smiles and gently patting his snow-white head.

The three male sinners turned to Alastor expecting him to join in the comfort party. At first the Radio Demon did nothing but stare in bewilderment. But after taking a moment to look around and make sure no one he knew was watching, he allowed himself to walk over and gently pat the boy's snow-white head.

"You still have a long way to go, young Mr. Loud," the Radio Demon said. "Don't give up just yet."

Lincoln honestly never expected to hear words of encouragement from the likes of Alastor, and a part of him felt there was some sincerity to them too. The boy finally felt his tears beginning to dry as his heart began to warm. Who would've thought a human like him could make so many friends in the depths of Hell itself?

"Why don't you go upstairs and get ready for bed?" Charlie suggested.

"But what about my work?" Lincoln asked reluctant to call it a night before his shift was over.

"We'll cover for you," Husk offered.

"Yeah, we'll take of it from here," Angel agreed.

"I think you've earned this," Vaggie said with a friendly smile.

"Best get some shuteye," Alastor said. "You have another big day tomorrow."

Hesitantly, Lincoln complied with their pleas and began heading toward the hall leading out of the lobby. He stopped just at the entrance to turn and take one last look at his supportive and caring friends and caretakers. He gave them one last smile of gratitude before heading up to his room.

The demons watched as their young human companion left to turn in after a long and rough day. Charlie and Vaggie's expressions turned to frowns of concern. Chosen One or not, they realized this whole thing was starting to put a lot of pressure on their sweet little bellboy. Pressure that a human his age really didn't need.

"That kid is too good for this place," Husk remarked taking a swig.

"You're telling me," Angel agreed also taking a swig.

Alastor observed the behavior of his fellow demons and then turned back in the direction Lincoln went. Something was puzzling him greatly.

"What is it about this little human that causing everyone to act so peculiar?" the confused Radio Demon asked himself.

Lincoln was in his bedroom, dressed in his pajamas, and ready to call it a night. He still felt sad over the day's events but was feeling much better now.

Then he heard a knocking at the door.

"Lincoln?" He heard Charlie's sweet and soft voice.

"Charlie?" he responded.

The door opened to reveal both the princess and her girlfriend, both dressed in their nightwear.

"You okay?" Charlie asked.

"Oh yes, I'm feeling a little better now," he assured. "Thank you."

However, the two women could see a hint of sadness in his eyes. Something was still bugging him.

"Is something wrong?" Vaggie asked.

"Oh, it's just…" he answered hesitantly. "I just miss Bun-Bun."

"Bun-Bun?" the confused princess replied.

"My plush bunny doll back home. Whenever I feel down, I like to hold and cuddle him. It always made me feel better. But…" He paused for a moment to wipe a tear away. He didn't want to start crying again and worry them. "But he's not here. I'm sorry. I know it sounds ridiculous."

"No, I completely understand," Charlie assured him. When she was young, she too used to do the same thing.

The princess looked over to her girlfriend as if silently asking for something with big puppy-dog eyes. Vaggie knew what she was asking and smiled showing she would allow it.

"Lincoln, why don't you come to our room for a moment?" Charlie requested.

"Really? What for?" the boy asked confused. What could they want?

Lincoln followed the two women to their bedroom. He watched as Vaggie took off her bow and brushed her hair while Charlie sat on their bed and took off her slippers. He was surprised to see that she had hooves instead of feet.

"So, what did you two want?" he asked.

"Well, since you don't have your precious little… Bun-Bun was it? …that you would like to sleep here with us," Charlie answered.

Lincoln was surprised by this.

"Are you sure?" he asked hesitantly. "Is that okay?" He knew how close they were and didn't want to feel like a third wheel.

"Of course, why not?" Vaggie assured. He didn't expect her to be okay with this.

"We figured after the day you've had that perhaps you would like some company tonight," Charlie explained.

Lincoln smiled warmly at the nice gesture from the hellish couple, but his smile slowly morphed into a frown. He sat at the foot of their bed and gazed down at the floor.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do," he said. "But I don't think it will work. I thought I knew what I needed to do, to be this chosen one, but now I feel more lost than I was before."

Both Charlie and Vaggie stared at the sad and confused boy. Cheering him up was proving even harder than trying to find him. However, a smile formed on the former's face as she came up with an idea. The princess walked over and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder causing him to look up at her.

As you go through life, you'll find out Charlie started singing.

That things don't always turn out

The way we planned The frown on her face showed how much she could relate to what he was going through.

And when you have success in your grip

Sometimes it will slip

Right through your hand

But no matter what they say she started singing in a more uplifting tone as she danced around the room.

We will never turn away

Your journey has only begun she sang while looking right into his eyes.

Stand tall, stand with pride

We will all be by your side

You are more than you seem

You're the One

Charlie took Lincoln's hand and pulled him off the bed. Then the two started dancing around the room together. Lincoln could feel a small smile starting to form on his face the more they danced. He stopped when he felt another hand on his shoulder. He looked back to find it belonged to Vaggie.

I understand so much she sang to him with a look of understanding in her eye.

That life can be filled with such He did not expect to hear her sing as well.

Unbearable pain He could see the look on her face hinted that she was remembering painful memories from her mysterious past.

And when you're at your most low

You can feel like you could go

Completely insane He could relate to that.

But don't give up, don't cry she sang in a more encouraging tone as she took his hands and began to dance as well much to his surprise.

Keep your head raised high

Your potential will show in the long run Her words were starting to make him smile again.

Through grief, through heartache

One thing they can never break

Is your drive to strive

You're the One

Lincoln smiled as he danced with the two musical women. His heart was starting to feel lighter and lighter with each verse. However, he stopped and walked over to the bedroom window and looked out at the city below with a look of concern on his face.

If there's a lot that I must be he sang unsurely.

Can I still please be me

The way I am?

Should I follow my own heart

Or am I just one small part

Of some big plan?

Charlie walked over and joined the confused boy in staring out the window.

There are those who aren't here the princess sang, she was likely thinking of her mother.

But we must never show fear

You'll shine as bright as the sun she sang turning her attention back to her little friend.

Survive through the plight

Turn darkness into light

It'll be your time to shine

You're the One

The three resumed their dance of encouragement and comfort. Soon Lincoln's smile was big and there to stay.

They may scorn, and they may fight Vaggie sang.

But that doesn't mean they're right Charlie sang next.

We're not even close to being done both women sang together.

All the wisdom attained Charlie sang.

All the strength that you've gained Vaggie sang.

Will show and they'll see both women sang.

You're/I'm the One! all three of them sang the last verse together.

With the song done, the boy and two women all decided to call it a night and climbed into the bed. Charlie lay on the left side, Vaggie lay on the right, and Lincoln lay down in the middle between the two.

"Good night, Charlie. Good night, Vaggie," Lincoln bid the two hellish women good night.

"Good night, Lincoln," Charlie replied giving him a kiss on the forehead.

"Buenas noches pequeño," Vaggie said gently patting his head.

Then all three closed their eyes and began drifting off to dreamland. However, Lincoln wasn't quite asleep yet. He noticed Charlie's right hand and Vaggie's left hand both resting on his chest. With a tender smile, the boy gently grabbed their hands and put them together. The two women's hands clasped together as they touched one another. Satisfied, Lincoln finally fell asleep.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Now you all know what comes next. This should be tough.