Within a flash Lucius found himself standing in the middle of a room with piles of rubber ducks all around it. He saw so many of the little bath toys he first thought he was in a bathroom, but it looked to be a workshop of some sort. He noticed the pictures on the walls next. The pics all sorts of frames both big and small mostly consisted of Lucifer and what had to be, Princess Charlie at various ages. There was a woman in them that was a lot taller than Lucifer in them with curved horns on her head, yet she looked human with long hair stretching down from her head.
"Here we are kid! Welcome to my home!" Lucifer stretched out his arms in welcome for the child. It had been far too long since he graced his home with anyone let alone a child. This was very exciting for him, and he just knew what to do to make his home something that the boy will be talking about for ages to come. He adored Lucius's curious nature as he looked around the entire room and even marveled at the rubber ducks picking up one from the floor. It wore a top hat and with a monocle on its left eye.
"Thank you, your highness. But if I may ask why do you have so many of these?" Asked Lucius holding up the rubber duck and squeezed gently letting out a squeaky quack from it.
"Well, I find them quite adorable. I simply love the little ducklings and how they start so off in life from their egg's and how they grow into something to marvel. To fly without fear. To grace the lands and attract anyone to watch as they play and to feed them. I always found them to be some of the gentlest of creatures created for the world of man. I simply like making my own craft from them." Explained Lucifer quite nervously. He had yet to ever tell anyone about his apparent obsession. One would say he is rather nuts for spending time crafting endless lines of rubber ducks that come with special features and tricks. But for Lucifer that was not the case. No one really knew but he was fighting a sever depression for a time. Ever since his wife had left him and with Charlie pursuing what he once believed an impossible dream he just stayed in recluse only calling on his daughter or anyone if he was in need or needed to attend a meeting but all else he would stay secluded in his home nearly driving himself to the brink of insanity creating endless amount of rubber ducks just to appease anyone in his vivid imagination.
Lucius found his explanation rather odd. This was the King of Hell. The embodiment of all Evil as the good book claims. The One who was exiled to Hell after he gave the forbidden fruit to the first humans. And he liked making rubber ducks? It was absurd to imagine. Not that there was anything wrong about the bath toys but for someone like Lucifer to enjoy them so much he creates so many of various types and designs just for the fun of it? It almost made the boy laughed but he remained silent. He was standing with the most powerful of all Hell itself. If he makes one poor move or upsets him in anyway he did not want to even think of the consequences. He did worry that maybe the spell that conceals his true self would not work on the King given to his powerful nature of being the fallen angel. But it seemed to hold, and he wanted to make sure he kept up appearances to ensure that Stolas would not get in trouble. He owed the Prince everything and despite all that's happened since he was brought to Hell, Stolas been more of a father to him than anyone else has and would not do anything to upset him or get him into trouble.
The Boy placed the rubber duck on a nearby table overfilled with more of the bath toys and tried to withhold his laughter. He cared little for bath toys but with so many around him it was hard to hold it in.
Lucifer grinned amusingly at the child. It seems his take on the enjoyment of making little plastic squeaky toys was more than approving.
"Do my designs amuse you, child?" Asked the King with his teeth gleaming through a soft smile.
Lucius turned around putting a hand behind his head scratching it nervously. "Well, your majesty…I just never expected this at all. I think they are all quite remarkable I…"
Lucifer came over kneeling down and pulled the boy close to him. "Hey, remember kid there is nothing to expect here. Only the unexpected. Let me show you something else." With a twirl of his cane Lucifer led out a red aura that enveloped the entire room and the boy found himself standing in what had to be a tent so vast that it stretched out in a great diameter and around them various items popped into view. From Jungle Gyms to a long tight rope above with a safety net among so many other variant pieces of equipment and objects that Lucius realized what had happened.
"You transformed your room into a circus!" Gasped the boy in amazement. He seen plenty of Stola's magic by now only just little variants and what Alastor had shown with his unique power but to make an entire room become something that would have utterly destroyed it yet it didn't appear to be damaged in anyway only that everything was made in a ginormous tent leaving plenty of room for the two occupant's to use for their own reasons.
"That I did Kid!" Nodded Lucifer giggling through his teeth. He just loved to show off his power at times. "Now its time to have some fun. Would you like a suggestion?" He asked.
Lucius didn't know where to even begin. He never was in a circus before. The closest he had ever been was seeing shows on the television. "I really don't know, your majesty. I'll do what you deem the best option." Replied the boy which made Lucifer nearly squeal in delight.
"Then I say Rubber Duck parade!" Beamed the King holding out his cane and arms and out from the front of the tent came a marching band of man-sized rubber ducks each with an instrument in their little wings squeaking with every step as they drummed and blew into their musical instruments playing out a circus theme.
Lucius gasped in amazement as the ducks all marched around playing the theme of the circus echoing it across the tent with beats of drums and blowing of flutes and horns as they marched past him until they all went to the other side of the tent vanishing from the sight of the only occupants.
Lucius clapped his hands as that was the most amazing thing he seen yet. He never would have imagined seeing a rubber duck band. The King of Hell itself was actually someone quite…fun. Would he have actually believed it if someone told him? Was Lucifer truly not everything that people from the world above always believed or was this simply a ruse? Lucius didn't have time to think as, Lucifer tapped his cane twice on the floor and more rubber ducks appeared around them turning the inside of the big tent into a multitude place of games.
There were many booths with all sorts of carnival games. From throwing darts to shooting hoops and even a bobbing for a rubber duck game.
"Wow! How are you doing that?!" Gasped the boy seeing how the tent was filled to brink with so many games and there were even wandering carts led by more man-sized ducks wheeling around fresh food and cold drink.
"What can I say, kid? With pure angelic power one has the ability to create what one desires!" Snickered the King fiddling with his cane before putting a hand over the boys shoulders. "Come on! Theres a lot to be had! Lead the way, kid!" Lucifer insisted gently pushing the boy forward wanting him to take charge. The King would provide but what kind of host would he if he didn't allow him some free roam?
Lucius went to the nearest game which was a shooting a basketball three times for a prize. He stood at the line of the game booth and giggled as the big rubber duck pointed to the three balls on the counter then at the hoop a few feet away. The Boy picked up the first ball and shot it, but it went too high but, Lucifer behind him flicked his finger and caused the ball to drop into the net with a swish.
The Boy cheered at his success unknowingly that the King standing behind him was assisting in his poor skills at the game, but he wanted the child to enjoy himself and happily assisted him in getting the next two balls through the nets with, Lucius having no idea that his skills at shooting a basketball were in great need of improvement. After the final ball went through the night there was a wave of lights across the booth with a triumphed music playing.
"I did it!" Cheered the boy.
"That you did, kid!" Laughed Lucifer petting the boy on top of his head and the rubber duck handed the king a prize which was a giant rubber duck handing it to the boy.
"Its all yours!" Lucifer winked at him and Lucius only laughed. The Big rubber duck was quite the prize, and it seemed every prize around the booths were nothing but more rubber ducks of various sizes and types with little outfits and items on them. But that was just fine. He was having fun and if Lucifer of all demons was giving him a place to have fun who was he to deny such a fun little prize or to the many others he could win?
The Two carried on venturing to every other game booth they could go to. Lucius tried the water squirting game filling up a balloon till it popped playing besides, Lucifer who only pretended to be poor at the game letting the boy take in the fun.
Next was throwing darts which Lucius indefinitely was not too good at just like the other games. Lucifer thought perhaps he should least let the boy have one time to fail as it seemed he was enjoying himself all the same. But when he threw the first dart at one of the balloons lined up in a row he missed but threw it with such force at a angle that it bounced of the board and came straight back to him falling down on upon his head but, Lucifer was watching and caught it just before the tip fell on his head.
Lucius looked up and realized his mistake and shivered. "Oops. Sorry." Apologized the boy.
Lucifer only grinned at the boy throwing the dart with pin point accuracy at the very balloon the boy missed. "Hey, no accidents will happen with you as long as I am around kid. Let's do something else. How about rides? Would you like that?"
"Boy would I!" Cheered the boy. He couldn't believe the very King of hell is offering him so much. The moment he was brought here he had been getting more than what he was given back on earth. He would never shun Stolas for all that he did for him. If it wasn't for him he would not even be alive. He was more of a father than anyone ever was. Which made the boy realize something. He had been calling Stolas by his name as was insisted upon since they both were properly introduced but would it be alright if he called him what he was to him? Maybe it would be good to ask that sometime but then, Lucifer spun around with arms and can out and the booths disappeared leaving only the food carts and what appeared next was a series of carnival rides with tent above having disappeared leaving a red sky and, Lucius could see what awaited him now.
Lucifer kneeled down to him pointed out to the lot all around. "Take a look, kid! Rides and rides galore! All for you to explore! I implore to find something you adore!" Chuckled the King and Lucius looked up to him with a smile.
"Did you mean to actually rhyme there, your majesty?" Pointed out Lucius making the King realize his small mistake.
"Guess you caught me red-handed! I guess I am going to be branded." Lucifer playfully mocked putting the apple of his staff against head and it sizzled to the boy's concern but all that came from it was just a tiny streak of smoke and when it went off the King's forehead there was nothing.
Lucius breathed a sigh of relief. He would have hated to see anyone be hurt and Lucifer smiled warmly at him. Seeing him concerned for his well-being showed how much the boy had a care. A Nice little child and this was the most fun he was having in a while. The Many years had been dull and depressing but after he helped out his daughter and rebuilt the destroyed Hazbin Hotel he has been seeing brighter days all thanks to his daughter finally showing him that dreams are worth fighting for even if they may seem impossible. And to have a pure-hearted child in his home to share in all sorts fun activities had made him very lively again. It certainly reminded him of the days when Charlie his precious daughter that he cherished more than anything was around Lucius size and age.
Thinking of those happy memories made Lucifer smile warmly. He was glad to be giving Lucius a fun day but a day like this reminded him of a cherished memory. He had to give his thanks to Stolas for allowing him to do this.
"Come on. Let's go the carousel first!" Insisted Lucifer lifting the boy up to his shoulders and carried him over to the carousel which Lucius just shook head at the site of the animals one rides on. They were all rubber ducks, of course. All the same the merry melody as he rode on the rubber duck was delightful under, Lucifers watchful eye.
He handed the boy a cup of soda and little bag of popcorn when the ride ended and after the quick quench of thirst and the fill of the sweet buttery popcorn they headed for the playground next where a jungle gym awaited the boy to climb all over from inside and out and held himself upside down with, Lucifer joining in.
Laughter between them filled the air as the joy was spreading out as the King and the child were having the best of times but then entering from the door that opened from the pocket dimension created by, Lucifer it was none other than his daughter Charlie who had come when she received a text from her father calling for her presence in their family home.
"Dad I…oh!" Gasped Charlie when she noticed her father's workshop had been completely changed into an amusement park. She then heard laughter through the carnival noises and followed the sound to its source only to see that it was her father standing on top of a jungle gym in a little playground acting like a monkey in front of the boy, Lucius. It was true! He was babysitting the son of Prince Stolas. And to see her father act just like a child in front of the boy was quite funny.
Behind everything her father was. He truly had a child's heart. He always made her smile and believe in something grand even if that vision in him was lost in those year and to see him act like a primitive earthly animal made her laugh.
Lucifer stopped and peered out to see that his daughter had finally made it. "Charlie!" He cried happily hopping off the jungle gym and spread out his angelic wings and soared over to her and embraced his daughter twirling in the air with, Lucius watching from the playground.
Again, marveling over the display Lucifer's power. He had six wings! He had not done a lot of research on the King of Hell yet but to see him with a total of six wings. That was extraordinary! When Lucifer came down with his daughter next to the boy, Lucius graciously bowed to her.
"Hello again, Lucius!" She smiled kneeling down and gave the boy a hug and he hugged her back. Lucifer watched with a soft smile. Normally he would not like most who dared think to touch his daughter but for special ones like the girlfriend she had and for the boy they were an exception.
"Hello Charlie! Glad you could make it here!" Grinned Lucius.
"Dad asked me to come. How could I say no? Seems you're already having a ton of fun." Said the Princess.
Lucius nodded. "Yes! We've been playing games, and we did a ride, and I don't know what to do next?"
"Might I suggest arts and crafts?" The Princess suggested and Lucifer clapped his hands together.
"Excellent, Charlie! What do you say, kid?" Asked Lucifer.
"I'd love to!" The Boy replied and the two took his hands and led him to a new tent conjured up by the King which had tables filled with all the material needed for any assortment of crafting and all the tools needed.
They spent an hour together making fun pictures of family and friends. One of which the boy made a very delightful piece of Charlie and her father together hand in hand. It warmed both their hearts that, Lucifer framed it and when that was done he had another idea in mind.
"Let's dance kids!" With a wave of a hands a disco ball appeared in the tent and the surroundings turned into a glassed floor with a jazzy beat playing around.
Immediately Charlie and the King began to dance around the boy, and he eventually bobbed to the jazzy beat. Twirling and cartwheeling letting the music drive him. He was laughing and enjoying himself having a time most wonderful. He came to a realization that everything he was ever led to believe in from the world above just had to be wrong. This was Hell where sinners go but the King of Hell itself was treating him far better than any human ever did. Same went for his daughter and of course, Stolas. So much he had doubts on and all that he believed had come into question. Was it deceit or was it just a half truth? What was the purpose of everything that was ever told? Is there really plain good and evil or is it all a mix?
As he continued to dance his mind was racing with so many questions that he could feel something growing inside of him. He was becoming emotional and more alive than ever but that was causing something to awaken. Lucius realized that whatever was happening it was the same thing back in that room in the Greed Ring when he was with, Stolas on a business meeting with Mammon.
He began to spin around going out of control to the point where dizziness was taking over, but it wasn't from the spinning as he tumbled backwards, and Lucifer stopped dancing and saw the boy falling backwards.
"I'll catch you!" Assured the King but just as the boy fell into his arms Lucifer's eyes went wide when the boy's eyes suddenly went white then red, and he broke from his arms and spun around with a dark red aura appearing around him.
"Dad, what's happening?!" Cried Charlie running to her fathers side as they watched Lucius's form was changing. His appearance went from that of a goetia to something else. It looked to be a demonic form but unlike any Charlie had seen but to, Lucifer he knew what it was and that frightened him immensely. He drew out his wings getting ready to defend his daughter but then a voice came out from the entity.
"HELP….ME…." A Booming voice of a child cried out. "Make…it stop. Don't leave me!"
Lucifer and Charlie realized that Lucius was not in any control of what was going on. He was not like what they were led to believe but he was in danger if this got out of hand as everything around them was being blown around or being pulled in.
"We have to help him, Dad!" Charlie pointed toward the entity. Charlie could see flashing red and white eyes showing remorse and sadness. Lucius was no direct threat, but he was scared and helpless.
Lucifer nodded he would hate to have to end a soul that was not one to destroy simply because the soul was something more that just a normal soul. It seemed this Goetia was not one after all. But that of a mortal.
Lucifer braved the vortex coming from the boy flew next to it holding his daughter in his arms.
"Its alright kid! Don't be scared! Relax! You're not in any trouble!" Assured the king as best he could though the winds picking up around him made it hard for him to flap in place and keep his daughter steady in his hold.
"Lucius!" Called Charlie is soothing voice. "Its okay! Its alright! We're here! Don't let it take you over! Your alright! Relax!"
"Charlie? King Lucifer?" Cried out boy in booming melancholy tone.
"Yes! Its us, kid! Ease yourself! Clear your mind and be whole again! Be your real self! Do not be afraid of it!" Called Lucifer knowing full well at this point Lucius was not exactly what he truly was. It was a deceit but given to the boys nature it was something of a sinister sort, but this was a lousy situation for there a lot of explanations to be had but first he had to get the boy under control before something worse could happen.
Lucius deep within the entity that was consuming him heard their voices. He was terrified and helpless. He understood that he may have just ruined Stolas plan. He did not mean to do it, but he couldn't help over what was happening. He didn't understand it, but he heard what the two were telling him to do and shut his eyes and tried his best to calm down. He breathed in and out and suddenly everything went silent. The Winds stopped blowing and he could feel himself whole again.
Lucifer and Charlie settled back on the ground when the winds died down and everything around them was laying in a large mess. They looked at each other in surprise. This was a completely unexpected turn. Lucifer was the one who was the most shocked of all. He knew it! He knew something was odd about that boy. He had been tainted by the Eldrich. But how was that possible? His Angel kin have kept those abominations in check for all this time. There had been rumors about zealots over the many millennium, but the boy certainly was not one of them. This was very peculiar, and he needed the real truth now.
"Lucius?" Called out Lucifer as the smoke around them dissipated and when it did he and his daughter saw the boy on floor curled up and crying. His Goetia form was gone, and they saw not feathers but skin. He was human! A Mortal! Another great surprise. All that happened just now made more sense, but they had to handle the poor child who was frightened out of his mind now.
Charlie went over the boy getting on her knee's next to him. She brought him into her arms and held him gently. "Shh…shh…Lucius its okay. Your okay." She assured calmly holding him against her chest rubbing his back softly as he wept.
His cries turned to sniffles shortly and when he finally opened up his eyes Lucifer sat down near his daughter looking at the boy curiously. He did not show any anger, but his eyes were saying he was rather upset over the deceit that he believed he was attending a Goetia boy and not a human mortal.
"Kid…I know you been through a great deal. But I must ask that you tell me the truth. The Real truth. Please." The King asked calmly for the boy already has been through too much and he knew full well how fragile mortals were especially children. Clearly the boy had no idea about the entity he had become. He was tainted somehow and that was something that Lucifer would have to figure out how it happened but what he wanted to know now was the truth on why a mortal child is in the care of one of the Goetia princes?
"Okay…I'll tell you everything. Please don't be angry. I am sorry for everything. I didn't mean for any of this to happen." Whimpered Lucius and Charlie put a hand on his face giving him a soft smile.
"There, there. Its not your fault." Assured the Princess holding him close though she too was greatly concerned. She seen many demons unleash their true forms upon others before but that was something else entirely. She was both curious as she was concerned. But the boy did not appear to be a real threat. Just overly frightened.
Lucifer smiled too. This boy was not like most sinners. He could sense he had a good heart about him but right now he needed the truth and when, Lucius was calm enough to explain he told the King and his daughter every detail of his life and what led to him being brought to Hell.
Lucius explained the best he could not shredding on any detail. From when he was orphaned to the time when he was taken in by a cruel couple that left him to die in his burning bedroom. But Stolas had come and saved him and brought him to his palace where he welcomed him to be part of his family casting a spell from his Grimoire to hide his true appearance so anyone who had not seen his human form would be none the wiser.
After a few hours of boys explanations Lucifer was rather upset that he was deceived like that but given to the boys history and that of his mortal self it would call for such measures to hide him. Charlie, however, was having her heart broken over the child. How could anyone be so cruel to a sweet boy like him? To live in a poor condition to be put through an even grimmer one. The Child had suffered so much and for Stolas to save him and give him a better life though one in Hell is not exactly the most ideal, but he had the best of intentions. It certainly is not one to look over but how to go about this now would be up to her father.
Once the boy had finished his explanation he remained in Charlie's hold looking up at Lucifer worried over what he would say now. Certainly, Stolas is at great risk for doing such a deed but, Lucifer with a finger to his chin was deep in thought.
"Please…your majesty. I beg of you. Don't punish Stolas. I know he might have violated the laws, but he did everything to save me. He has treated better than anyone has. He's given me a home and a family. Don't hurt him…please." Begged Lucius and Charlie stroked the boys hair. He really was scared for the father figure he had giving her father a sad look. Though it can't be simply overlooked for the Prince's actions what he did, he did it for the right reasons.
Lucifer frowned. This boy had nowhere else to go. Certainly, he can't send him back to the mortal realm with no one to care for him. And with the eldritch having tainted him it was best to keep him somewhere that he could keep an eye out on, and he would need assistance controlling his emotions and lessons are needed to keep his inner power in check. Another incident like this would be catastrophic.
"Very well. You shall remain under Stolas. You have my blessing in that, boy. And he won't be in any trouble." Said the King though his face showed he was worried if he was making the right choice, but his daughter smiled warmly at him as that was a decision she accepted and, Lucius smiled widely.
"Thank you, your majesty!" Lucius thanked but the King put up a finger.
"However, given to your…state you will need some help. You have to learn to keep your emotions in check and understand that what would resulted in a disaster just now means you need to take very special lessons in keeping yourself from being overwhelmed." Explained Lucifer.
"But how?" Asked the Boy with Charlie letting him go and they both stood up. Lucifer put a hand on his shoulder, and they disappeared in a golden flurry and all three found themselves back in, Stola's study. Lucius still never got over how incredible that was to be able to go anyplace just by a wave or snap of a finger.
"Well seeing how your quite adept in crafting and dancing I think there is a few that can give some proper lessons. I will arrange meetings with the other sins and see to it that you all can meet, and discretion will be a must." The King explained with a kind smile. "Not to worry only those I choose will have the truth as I can trust the secret will be kept and I believe the two best choices to assist in your lessons will be, Asmodeus and his partner Fizzarolli."