MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE :D. Sorry for the slow update speed, but lot of things happened in past months that have only just settled down.

This story is NOT finished or abandoned, so thank you for your patience in waiting.

As a member of the Goetia family, Stolas's childhood had been filled with near-constant reminders of how much better he was compared to most denizens of Hell thanks to his superior breeding.

Only he never really took to that lesson despite his father's best half-assessed efforts.

Since his mother's unfortunate passing, he couldn't recall if it was due to angelic arms or from a rival demonic family, he had been raised by Imps since Paimon couldn't be bothered to look after his countless progeny.

Which meant that despite the constant admonishments to treat Imps as far lesser than himself, he always treated them with courtesy. Even if he had to adopt a slightly more aloof attitude once he became the head of his branch of the family.

But he very much doubted that his kidnapper cared about how he treated others since it had become rather obvious that he was as narrow-minded in his viewpoints as most members of the aristocracy.

"You know, I've run across my share of marital disputes. Hell even caused a few in my time. But I have to hand it to you blue-bloods for finding new ways to screw each other over. I mean usually, you just use those you deem lesser than yourselves to fight your battles, always targeting things like your wealth or privileges before you go for the kill. But to go directly for a killing blow? I didn't think you inbred morons had it in you."

Despite knowing full well that he was at a disadvantage, lacking both the time and power to overcome his divine bindings without risking immediate and probably lethal retaliation, Stolas nevertheless kept his tone dry as he addressed his captor.

"And I for one find it remarkable that despite your clear disdain for members of my class, you still go crawling to them to fund your rather violent lifestyle. So, you'll to forgive me if I am not terribly interested in your op…"

Hissing in pain as he experienced the less-than-delightful sensation of holy steel piercing his shoulder, Stolas felt a small sense of satisfaction as he stared into the less than happy expression of his kidnapper.

"If I were you, I keep that beak of yours shut."

While wincing a little as Striker literally started twisting the knife, the bound Goetia couldn't help the smirk that was spreading across his face as he glared at the snarling Imp.

"This isn't the first time I've been stabbed with something long and hard while tied up. And between you and me, Blitzy does a far better job than you ever will."

Letting out a slight groan as Striker lived up to his name by forcing him to the ground, Stolas couldn't help but continue needling the Imp.

"He also hits much harder."

Bracing himself for another blow, Stolas found himself experiencing the familiar pangs of insecurity as Stiker proved himself to be more than just a violent brute.

"Then it's a shame that he sent his lackeys to save you instead of coming himself. But then again, considering you've already paid him for satisfying your pathetic needs, I'm not surprised that he's less than interested in saving your bird ass."

Doing his best to keep his expression from showing just how much that comment had affected him, for it touched on an issue that he wasn't prepared to confront, the bound Goetia managed to come up with what he thought was a respectable retort.

"I assure you, when it comes to dealing with minor nuisances, Blitzy's little helpers are more than capable of acting in his place."

The angry mumbling was expected.

The smirking sneer was not.

"Then I suppose once I finish with you and your so called rescue party, I'll just have to find a way to add your little lizard protégé. The brat's got debt he has to settle. And I fully intend to collect. And speaking of debts, why don't we start working on yours."

Stifling the urge to cry out as Striker once again stabbed him with his dastardly angelic blade, Stolas silently prayed for Blitzy's little helpers to quicken their rescue.

Not just for his sake, but also for their son.

…..

While he never failed to treat each mission with the seriousness it deserved, even if it did more often than not result in some teasing from both his family and employer, for this mission Moxxie was the textbook definition of focus.

Not just because it involved the rescue of one of the more benign powerful figures in his life, but also because he and Millie were about to have a rematch with the Imp that had dared to threaten his family. And while Millie was more than ready to chop Striker into numerous tiny pieces, he knew that his wife's desire to wreak bloody vengeance on those that wronged her loved ones tended to make her just a little more reckless than usual

Which was the last thing they needed to do since Striker was, as much as he hated to admit it, more competent than their normal quarry.

Meaning that not only would they have to be on guard for any underhanded tricks he might pull to offset their advantage in numbers, but also any attempt to finish off the Goetia Prince.

"So how we gonna take this fucker out? You distract while I stealthily get in position to drive my axe in his spine? Or do you want me to lure him into the perfect position for you to blow his head off?"

Though he was pleased to hear that his wife's bloodlust was controlled enough to allow her to at least recognize that they would have to be clever when taking out the cowboy Imp, Moxxie nevertheless shook his head in the negative.

"I think he'll be expecting that. One doesn't target a member of Hell's ability unless their suicidal or insanely prepared. And say what you want about Striker, but he doesn't seem like the type to take his own life."

His words earning a sharp nod from his better half, the white haired Imp frowned in consideration as he tried to come up with a suitable strategy to take out Striker.

Individually, he knew their chances were poor since Striker was not only a skilled assassin but also more muscular and enjoying the advantage that came from fighting on a ground of his choosing, with a helpless hostage to . Which meant that their best, and perhaps only chance for success was taking on the mustache wearing Imp together at the same time.

A not impossible challenge, but one that was made just a touch more difficult due to the fact that they were still getting used to once again fighting as a duo instead of a trio.

One of the many, but rarely talked about downsides, of having their son enrolled in a boarding school.

Last year it took about 2 weeks before they got back into the rhythm of having their child serve as a much appreciated extra set of hands. Which meant that they weren't quite the well-oiled murder machine.

But they would have to make do.

If only because there was no other choice.

….

Savoring the delicious flavor of her tea with all the grace a member of her class could show, Stella felt her regal expression morph into something else as her brother leaned across the table like the gossping hen that he was.

"Sooo, that little cowboy assassin. Was that you"?

In another life, she would have matched Andrealphus's question with a response that revealed just how much she enjoyed tormenting her former husband.

But since the past few years had seen some efforts to maintain the bridge that was now fully destroyed, the white-feathered noblewoman could only respond to her brother's inquiry in a curt manner.

"I did yes. Permanently removing that embarrassment from my life seemed the best course of action if I am to rebuild my side of the family's reputation. So I hired a professional."

Taking another sip of her tea, Stella fought the urge to roll her eyes as Andrealphus reacted to this piece of information in his usually eccentric/slightly disturbing manner.

"You naughty minx you. Good to know that despite the years you have spent with that buffoon, your mind is as sharp as you are attractive."

While she was used to her brother praising her appearance, it still unsettled her since she was never sure if he was teasing, or actually flirting with her.

Something that would PERHAPS have been acceptable if they were cousins, but as siblings it was not.

Not that she could put a stop to it since Andrealphus was both more powerful than her, and currently had the connections she needed to rebuild her status in the wake of Stolas's foolishness. But since he never did more than make comments, and possessed a degree of narcissism that was enough to rival even the King of Pride himself, Stella did nothing.

And it was well that she did since her brother revealed the scheming mind that had allowed him to rival their father's accomplishments.

"But you know, while I fully support the decision to finally be rid of that pathetic plant loving owl, if he were to die now, all of his possessions, his legions, and any remaining influence he may have will go not to you but to Via."

Shooting her brother a slightly challenging glare, for such a thing had occurred to her, Stella took secret delight in seeing her response ruffle his feathers.

"Yes, So what?"

Unfortunately, her show of dismissal proved to be too much for her brother.

"BECAUSE YOU BEAUTIFULLY CURVACEOUS IMBECILE! IT MEANS THAT IN THE EVENT OF STOLAS'S DEATH, YOU WILL GET NOTHING! NO INCREASED POWER, NO WEALTH, AND NO STATUS!"

She disagreed with her brother's argument since she would indeed get something from her ex husband's death.

But she doubted that Andrealphus would see it as a boon since he was never effected by Stolas's embarrassing indiscretions.

And once again, she was proven right.

"Call your little hired killer and tell him to stop right now! We can come up with another way to get control of his possessions without them automatically going to your daughter. Though it will take time."

While she truly had no issue in Octavia claiming her inheritance, if only because she was now certain that she had the potential to be molded into the image of a proper Goetia princess, Stella knew that it would be a waste of breath to say this to her brother.

Which meant, for the time being, her idiot of a former husband was allowed to continue breathing.

For only as long as it took to find a means to both appease her brother and get what she truly wanted.

Stolas no longer being in a position to damage the status of her and the rest of the family.

…..

While his demeanor was normally improved by the fact that he could end the day while enjoying the endless bounty that was provided by the school's kitchens, Harry's current mood could only be called volatile.

For not only was he told that he would have to put up with the bleached moron thanks to Blitzo's refusal to give him a discount, but that his parents nearly died in their efforts to rescue his favorite teacher.

It had taken some time to coax the full story from Loona, mostly because she was still highly agitated over her trip to the vet and wasn't exactly in the proper mood to be sociable. Which the draconic preteen viewed as perfectly reasonable since getting injected in the ass and having to wear a cone was not something that put one in a good mood.

But in the end he got all the details.

Stolas had been kidnapped by that asshole cowboy, and his parents had to fight to save him.

All the while he was stuck here, learning material that he had either learned some time ago or was so idiotic that he wondered just how far the curse of inbreeding had affected the Wizarding population of Great Britain.

It was only the fact that both his parents and teacher were ok that allowed Harry to control his desire to put a bullet in the smiling blond idiot.

But even though they were ok, he was still pissed enough that it wouldn't take much to set him o..

"Hi Harry! I was wondering if now would be okay to take a picture?! I understand that I might have been too eager this morning. My dad's always telling me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So I'm wondering that since it's the evening you can.."

Crunch

While it wasn't his usual method when dealing with an annoyance, Creepy was not as much as an asshole as Malfoy, or as irritating as Granger. Which meant that he deserved a much lighter punishment for entering his personal bubble.

It might have been over the top, and it would no doubt earn him some disproving looks from his so called professors, but in the grand scheme of things, destroying a camera wasn't that big of a de…

"Potter. While I surprisingly can find sympathy for your actions, if only because Mr. Creevy is behaving in a manner that surpasses even the most idiotic occurrences of your father, destroying another students properly will cost you 20 points from Hufflepuff, and detention with a professor of my choice."

Shooting the greasy haired bat a glare, idly wondering if anyone had ever tried to see if the grease in his hair was flammable, Harry fought down the very real urge to shoot his potions professor as he revealed his punishment.

"I think the next two weeks helping Lockhart process his fan mail will serve as a useful reminder of the consequences of drawing attention to yourself. I shall inform him that you will begin tomorrow."

Harry was understandably less than thrilled with this concept, but it could have been worse.

The fact that he wasn't the only one to lack respect for the DADA teacher was comforting. Even if it was Snape. Plus, the bat's sudden arrival ensured that Creepy wisely fled from the scene without further comment.

So it could have been better.

But it also could have been a lot worse.

…..

Authors Note

So will end it here for now. Originally was going to upload on New Years, but decided to give you all an early Christmas gift

Since I didn't really change anything to the overall plot line of 'Western Energy', didn't seem that important to concentrate on the fight scenes, or anything beyond the characters themselves.

Stella of course in this story is not quite as vicious as her canon counterpart, mostly because it was being written before the show started focusing on her personality, so will keep it as I have envisoned her. Ruthless and elitist, but cares for family in the cutthroat society of Hell.

Next chapter will probably see the Chamber plot moving forward, so brief time skip with summary of what has happened.

And yeah.

Please review, no flames. Also thank you for the numerous offers I have received to commission artists for my stories but not in a place to do that right now.

Til next time.