Chapter 18:Collino and Looniette
Collin had barely finished wiping the last of his tears when the door to his apartment flew open. Keenie and Cletus, his fellow C.H.E.R.U.B operatives, floated inside, their faces stern. They had clearly been briefed by Lionhart on Collin's progress—or lack thereof.
"There you are," Keenie snapped, folding her arms. "We just heard from Mr. Lionhart that you're getting soft, Collin."
Cletus, his older brother figure, hovered beside her, shaking his head in disappointment. "You're supposed to be gathering intel, not making googly eyes at a demon girl."
"But..." Collin started, trying to find the words to explain the complex feelings swirling inside him. But Keenie cut him off.
"There are no 'buts,' Collin!" she hissed. "We're angels. We're superior to these filthy creatures. They're beneath us, and you're risking everything by letting your emotions get in the way."
"If you fail," Cletus added, his tone grave, "Lionhart's gonna make us all sorry. You know what he's like. He doesn't tolerate weakness."
Collin's eyes welled up again, but before he could utter another word, Keenie and Cletus began to sing, floating up into the air, their voices harmonizing in a hauntingly beautiful yet stern melody.
Song: "Keep Your Heart in Check"
(Keenie sings, floating gracefully around Collin, her wings glowing)
Keenie:
You're an angel, can't you see, you're on a sacred quest,
But you're letting those dark feelings put your soul to the test.
These demons down in Hell, they're nothing but a blight,
So why would you let them fill your heart with fright?
(Cletus joins in, his voice deep and resonant, adding a layer of ominous warning)
Cletus:
They're monsters, through and through, don't let their tricks deceive,
Remember who you are, don't you ever dare believe—
That they're anything but vile, wicked to the core,
And if you keep on faltering, you'll fall forevermore!
(The two circle Collin, singing in unison now, their voices rising in intensity)
Keenie Cletus:
Keep your heart in check, don't let it steer you wrong,
You're an angel, pure and true, where you belong!
Hell's a terrible place, full of liars and thieves,
So keep your focus sharp, don't be deceived!
(Keenie swoops closer, her voice softening but still stern, trying to reach Collin's core)
Keenie:
You're better than this, Collin, don't let them bring you down,
Remember our mission, don't let yourself drown.
It's responsibility that keeps us flying high,
And if you give in to feelings, you're saying goodbye.
(Cletus lifts his arms, the light around him growing brighter as his voice booms)
Cletus:
Heaven's counting on you, don't make us all fall,
Keep your eyes on the prize, we can't risk it all!
These demons are trash, they'll drag you to the ground,
So cut out your feelings, before you're Hell-bound!
(The two of them finish the song together, voices ringing with finality)
Keenie Cletus:
Keep your heart in check, don't let it steer you wrong,
You're an angel, pure and true, where you belong!
Hell's a terrible place, full of liars and thieves,
So keep your focus sharp, don't be deceived!
(As the last note fades, they hover back down, watching Collin with expectant eyes.)
Collin stood there, his heart heavy, the melody of the song echoing in his mind. He felt torn, his feelings for Loona battling against his duty as an angel. The words of Keenie and Cletus cut deep, reminding him of the high stakes and the consequences of failure.
"I... I understand," Collin mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. He wiped his tears, trying to steel himself, but the conflict in his heart remained. He wanted to stand up for himself, to argue that Loona wasn't like the others, that she had shown him kindness and made him feel something real. But the weight of his responsibility crushed those thoughts.
Keenie nodded curtly. "Good. Now pull yourself together. We can't afford any more slip-ups. Remember why we're here, Collin. We're angels. We're better than them."
Cletus patted Collin on the shoulder, though his grip was firm. "Stick to the plan, little brother. We're counting on you."
As they left, Collin collapsed onto his bed, burying his face in his hands. "I'm sorry, Loona…" he whispered to the empty room, his heart aching with the weight of his impossible situation.
Meanwhile, across town at the I.M.P Headquarters, Loona was pacing nervously outside Moxxie and Millie's room. She had knocked earlier, and now she waited, unsure if she should just barge in or walk away. But she knew she needed advice, and there was no one better to ask than her big brother and his wife.
The door creaked open, and Moxxie peeked out, raising an eyebrow when he saw Loona's flustered expression.
"Loona? What's up? You look… uh, different." He smirked, stepping aside to let her in.
Millie was sitting on the bed, her eyes lighting up when she saw Loona. "Hey there, Loona! What's going on, how did things go?"
Loona shuffled into the room, her usual tough exterior cracking as she struggled to find the words. "Uh… well, good? there's this… thing though," she mumbled, her face flushing bright red.
Moxxie's smirk widened into a grin. "Oh? A thing? Do tell." He exchanged a knowing look with Millie, who was already beaming with excitement.
"Yeah, he's… cool. Like, really cool," Loona stammered, sitting down on the edge of the bed and fidgeting with her hands. "I don't know, I've never felt like this before. It's like my heart's doing flips every time I see him, and I can't even talk right when he's around."
Millie squealed in delight, clapping her hands together. "Aww, that's adorable! Sounds like someone's got a full on crush!"
Moxxie nodded sagely, trying to keep his teasing in check. "So, who's the lucky guy? Someone from school? Its that new guy you told us about right?"
Loona nodded, feeling even more embarrassed. "Yeah, he's the transfer student. His name's Koolin. He's got these cool horns, wings, and this whole bad boy vibe, but… I don't know, there's something about him that just…" She trailed off, unsure how to put her feelings into words, "Like he is hiding something."
Millie leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Have you told him how you feel?"
"Kinda," Loona admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. "I asked him to hang out yesterday, and we had a good time, but… I don't know what to do next. I've never been in this situation before."
Moxxie chuckled, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Loona. You're doing great. Just be yourself, and everything will work out. If he's really as cool as you say, he'll like you for who you are."
"Exactly!" Millie chimed in. "And don't be afraid to show him that you're interested. Guys like it when a girl knows what she wants." Millie patted Loona on the back and winked at Moxxie.
Loona smiled, feeling a little more confident. "Thanks, guys. I just… didn't know who else to ask. Blitz would make it weird, and Barbie… well, let's just say she's not exactly the relationship type."
"Anytime, sis," Moxxie said warmly. "We're here for you, no matter what. Just remember to take things at your own pace. And if this Koolin guy gives you any trouble, you know we've got your back."
"Thanks," Loona repeated, genuinely touched by their support.
But just outside the door, Barbie was leaning against the wall, a sly grin on her face. She had overheard the whole conversation, and she knew exactly what she was going to do with this juicy bit of information. "Wait till Blitz and Verosika hear about this," she whispered to herself, already planning how she would drop the bombshell.
As she slipped away, Loona finally felt a sense of calm wash over her. She had a plan now, and with Moxxie and Millie's encouragement, she was ready to tackle whatever came next with Koolin.
Little did she know!
Collin remained seated on his bed, his heart weighed down by the harsh words from Keenie and Cletus. He replayed their song over and over in his mind, each note a reminder of his duty as an angel and the consequences if he failed. The more he thought about it, the more conflicted he became.
He liked Loona—a lot. But he wasn't supposed to feel that way. He was a cherub, a being of Heaven, meant to be above such earthly desires, especially for a demon. But Loona wasn't just any demon; she was different. He saw something in her that he couldn't explain, something that made him feel… human.
But the fear of falling—of being cast out of Heaven—was always there, lurking in the back of his mind. He could lose everything if he gave in to these feelings. Yet the thought of never seeing Loona again, of pretending she meant nothing to him, hurt more than he could bear.
As he lay down, staring up at the ceiling, tears welled up in his eyes once more. "I'm sorry, Loona," he whispered to the empty room, the words barely audible as he struggled to contain his emotions. "I wish things were different… but I'm too scared to make them different."
Barbie zipped through the corridors of I.M.P Headquarters, excitement bubbling up inside her. She could hardly wait to spill the tea about Loona's new crush. Bursting into Blitz's office, she found him leaning back in his chair, feet propped up on the desk, absently doodling on a piece of paper.
"Hey, Blitz," Barbie called, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
Blitz looked up, eyebrow raised. "What's got you all giddy, sis?"
Barbie sauntered over, plopping herself down on the edge of his desk. "You're not gonna believe what I just heard. Our little Loony? She's got a crush."
Blitz's expression instantly shifted to one of intense curiosity. "What? On who? I need to know so I can make fun of her in the most embarrassing way possible."
"Some new guy at school," Barbie revealed, her tone dripping with delight at the prospect of the chaos that was about to unfold. "Name's Koolin. Loona's all flustered over him, asking Moxxie and Millie for dating advice. It's adorable, really."
Blitz sat up straight, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Oh, this is too good. Verosika's gonna love this. We have to make sure this gets blown way out of proportion. We'll see how Loona handles a little 'help' from her dear old dad and favorite auntie."
Barbie laughed, clapping her hands together. "Exactly what I was thinking. So, what's the plan? We tease her? Maybe give Koolin a little talk?"
Blitz rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, we'll play it by ear. Maybe a little teasing, maybe we 'accidentally' run into him when they're on a date. I'm sure Verosika can cook up something too. Let's just see where this goes."
Loona, meanwhile, had returned to her room, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. Moxxie and Millie had been so supportive, but now she actually had to do something. The thought of making the next move with Koolin terrified her, but she also felt a strange excitement at the prospect.
She sat down on her bed, pulling out her phone. Staring at the screen, she hesitated before opening her messages. Should she text him? What would she even say? Every option she thought of felt either too forward or too awkward.
Taking a deep breath, she started typing:
Loona: Hey Koolin, I had a great time yesterday. Wanna hang out again sometime?
She stared at the message, her thumb hovering over the send button. "C'mon, Loona, it's just a text," she muttered to herself. "What's the worst that could happen?"
With another deep breath, she pressed send. Immediately, she regretted it, tossing her phone onto the bed as if it had burned her.
"Ugh, why is this so hard?" she groaned, flopping back onto the bed. All she could do now was wait for his reply—and hope she didn't completely embarrass herself in the process.
Back at his apartment, Collin's phone buzzed, pulling him out of his spiral of self-doubt. Wiping his eyes, he picked it up, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the message from Loona. He read it over and over, his mind racing.
He wanted to say yes. He wanted to see her again. But the warnings from Keenie and Cletus rang loud in his ears. He hesitated, his fingers trembling as he typed a response.
Collin: Hey, Loona. I had a great time too. Let's definitely hang out again soon.
He hit send before he could second-guess himself, immediately feeling both elated and terrified. What was he doing? Was he really about to go through with this?
As the message was delivered, Collin's resolve began to crumble. He cared about Loona more than he was supposed to, and the fear of what might happen if his superiors found out was crushing. But for now, all he could do was wait and see what the next day would bring, caught between his duty as an angel and his growing feelings for the one person he was supposed to avoid.
The next day, Loona was heading out, her heart pounding as she thought about meeting Koolin again. Blitz and Barbie were already a step ahead, having concocted a plan to 'accidentally' bump into Loona and Koolin on their next outing.
Verosika was already in the loop, and they were all looking forward to watching the fireworks. Little did Loona know, her well-meaning family had no intention of letting her navigate her first crush without a little chaos.
As Loona left the office, unaware of the mischief her family was planning, she couldn't help but feel both nervous and excited. Maybe this was it—the start of something new. But with her chaotic family involved, anything could happen.
And as for Collin, as he prepared to meet Loona again, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go terribly wrong. But despite his fears, he was determined to see this through, no matter the consequences.
Loona's family were not the only nosey ones her friends little Via the 5 year old Goetia princess, Sol the dorky sherbert colored 10 year old hellhound in a yellow rain slicker and big round glasses, Cadpig another 10 year old girly-girl dalmatian hellhound and Ballin a female chunky Orca shark demon who dressed like a punk who likewise was 10 years old were also invested following Loona too and bumping into Blitz, Barbie and Verosika while they were tailing Loona and Koolin.
So many people cared about Loona and wanted to help in their own ways.
Show Loona and Koolin going Bout Imp City to a bunch of cool kid hang out places being followed and helped by Loona's various friends abd family members, it all being very awkward abd silly, though Loona and Koolin are having a wonderful day.
Blitz, Barbie and Verosika intending to create a little chaos abd both tease and embarrassing Loona by crashing her date.
Loona's heart was pounding in her chest as she stood outside her house, waiting for Koolin to show up. She had spent more time getting ready than she would ever admit, trying to strike that perfect balance between looking cool and not looking like she was trying too hard. When Koolin finally arrived, floating just above the ground in his signature leather jacket, Loona felt her breath catch in her throat.
"Hey, Koolin," she greeted, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. Her tail swished nervously behind her.
"Hey, Loona," Koolin replied, flashing her a smile that made her heart skip a beat. He looked just as cool as ever, but there was something about his eyes that seemed a little more… timid? Loona brushed off the thought, figuring she was just imagining things.
They started walking through Imp City, heading toward the first cool-kid hangout spot: a skate park where demons of all shapes and sizes were showing off their skills. As they walked, they talked about school, music, and whatever else came to mind, both of them secretly thrilled at how easy the conversation flowed.
Unbeknownst to Loona and Koolin, they were being closely followed. Blitz, Barbie, and Verosika were hot on their trail, trying to stay out of sight while planning how to best disrupt the date in a way that would be just embarrassing enough for Loona to remember forever.
"This is gonna be good," Blitz snickered, rubbing his hands together. "She'll never see it coming."
Barbie smirked. "You think she'll cry? Maybe we should have tissues ready."
"Nah," Verosika chimed in. "Loona's tough. But she'll definitely blush, and that's what we're going for."
But they weren't the only ones keeping an eye on the young couple. Loona's friends—Octavia, Sol, Cadpig, and Ballin—had their own little stakeout going on. The four of them had spotted Blitz and his crew trailing Loona and decided to join in on the fun, determined to make sure Loona's date went smoothly, no matter what kind of chaos her family tried to stir up.
"We gotta keep an eye on them," Sol whispered to the group, adjusting her big round glasses. "If Blitz tries to mess things up, we'll step in."
"Loona deserves to have a nice day," Cadpig added, her tone firm. "No one's ruining this for her."
Ballin, the punk orca shark demon, cracked her knuckles. "I'm ready to throw down if I have to."
Octavia, the youngest but no less determined, nodded. "We'll make sure Loona has the best day ever!"
Loona and Koolin arrived at the skate park, the sound of wheels on concrete filling the air. They watched a group of demons doing tricks, Koolin's eyes lighting up with interest.
"You ever skate before?" Koolin asked, looking over at Loona.
Loona shrugged, trying to act casual. "A bit. You?"
Koolin grinned. "Not really, but it looks fun. Wanna give it a try?"
Loona hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, let's do it."
They rented a couple of boards, and as they started skating around, it quickly became apparent that neither of them was particularly good at it. They kept wobbling and nearly falling, laughing at themselves and each other. The awkwardness melted away as they focused on trying not to fall flat on their faces.
Meanwhile, their respective followers were scattered around the park, doing their best to remain inconspicuous. Blitz, Barbie, and Verosika were lurking behind a large half-pipe, while Loona's friends were perched on a nearby bench, whispering amongst themselves.
After an amusing but clumsy attempt at skating, Loona and Koolin decided to head to the arcade. The bright lights and loud sounds greeted them as they walked in, the smell of greasy food and the buzz of games filling the air. Koolin's eyes widened with excitement as he looked around.
"You ever play any of these?" he asked.
Loona nodded, pointing to a fighting game. "That one's my favorite. Wanna try it?"
They spent the next hour playing games, competing fiercely in the fighting game (which Loona won), then teaming up to shoot zombies and race go-karts. They were both laughing and having a blast, any nervousness forgotten as they enjoyed each other's company.
But their fun didn't go unnoticed. Blitz, Barbie, and Verosika had slipped into the arcade too, sneaking around behind various games and occasionally causing little "accidents." A misplaced token here, a sudden power surge there—nothing too serious, but just enough to make Loona and Koolin glance around in confusion.
At the same time, Loona's friends were working behind the scenes to counteract the chaos. Octavia used her wings to subtly push buttons or pull levers, fixing things just as quickly as Blitz's crew messed them up. Sol kept watch, signaling the others when something needed to be corrected. Cadpig and Ballin distracted the arcade staff when Blitz tried to set off any bigger pranks, making sure Loona's date stayed on track.
As the day drew to a close, Loona and Koolin made their way to the last stop on their impromptu tour of Imp City: the Ferris wheel. It was one of the tallest attractions in the city, offering a breathtaking view of the chaotic, neon-lit landscape.
They bought their tickets and climbed into one of the carriages. As the wheel started turning, carrying them higher and higher, a comfortable silence settled between them. Loona glanced over at Koolin, her heart doing that weird fluttery thing again.
"This was fun," Koolin said quietly, looking out at the city below. "Thanks for hanging out with me today, Loona."
Loona smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Yeah, it was. I'm glad we did this."
But as they reached the top, the Ferris wheel suddenly jerked to a stop. Loona's eyes widened, and she looked over the edge of the carriage, spotting Blitz, Barbie, and Verosika at the control booth.
"Are you kidding me?" Loona groaned, recognizing them immediately.
Koolin, though a bit confused, chuckled. "Is that… your family?"
"Unfortunately," Loona muttered, feeling her cheeks heat up. "They're probably here to embarrass me."
Koolin's laugh was genuine, and he leaned back, seemingly unbothered. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm having a great time, even with the sabotage."
Loona couldn't help but smile at his words, her earlier embarrassment fading as she realized Koolin was just as chill as he appeared to be.
Back on the ground, Loona's friends and family finally converged. Octavia fluttered over to Blitz, pointing a small, accusing wing at him.
"You better not have ruined their date, Uncle Blitz," she scolded, her tiny face stern.
Blitz grinned, ruffling her feathers. "Just adding a little spice, kiddo. But don't worry, they seem to be enjoying themselves."
Barbie leaned in, whispering to Verosika. "I think we may have underestimated that Koolin kid. He's taking this all in stride."
Verosika nodded, arms crossed. "Yeah, he's a lot cooler than I thought. Guess Loona's got good taste, just like her mommy."
Sol, Cadpig, and Ballin joined them, all of them relieved that Loona's date hadn't been completely derailed.
As Loona and Koolin finally stepped off the Ferris wheel, hand in hand, their entourage scattered, pretending they hadn't been spying the whole time. Loona shot her family a glare, but there was no real anger behind it—just exasperation and a little bit of amusement.
"I'll deal with you guys later," she muttered as she walked past them, her hand still clutching Koolin's.
At the end of the day, Loona and Koolin found themselves standing outside her house. The night was calm, the chaos of Imp City quieting down as they lingered on the doorstep.
"I had a really good time today, Koolin," Loona said, feeling a bit shy now that it was just the two of them.
Koolin smiled, that shy but genuine smile that Loona was starting to adore. "Me too. Thanks for… you know, hanging out with me."
There was a moment of silence, neither of them quite sure what to do next. Finally, Loona leaned in, giving Koolin a quick, awkward hug. When she pulled back, she was blushing furiously, and so was he.
"See you at school?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah, see you at school," Koolin replied, his heart racing.
As Loona walked inside, her heart still pounding, Koolin floated away
Loona closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment to collect her thoughts. The day had gone better than she could've hoped, despite her family and friends' interference. She let out a small sigh of relief, a smile creeping onto her face as she replayed the day's events in her mind.
But as she turned to head to her room, she found Blitz, Barbie, and Verosika waiting for her in the living room, all wearing matching grins.
"So… how was your date?" Blitz teased, drawing out the last word as he leaned casually against the couch.
Loona rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "It was fine. No thanks to you guys."
"Oh, come on, we were just making sure everything went smoothly," Verosika chimed in, her voice dripping with mock innocence.
"By sabotaging the arcade machines and stopping the Ferris wheel?" Loona shot back, narrowing her eyes at them.
Barbie shrugged, a mischievous smile on her lips. "We were just making sure you had an unforgettable time."
Loona sighed, exasperated but not entirely annoyed. "Well, mission accomplished, I guess."
Blitz smirked, looking at Loona with a hint of pride. "You're growing up, kiddo. You handled all that pretty well."
Loona blinked, surprised by the genuine tone in his voice. "Uh, thanks, I guess."
"So… are you gonna see him again?" Barbie asked, her tone more curious than teasing now.
Loona hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I think I will."
Verosika smiled, her teasing demeanor softening. "Good. You deserve to have some fun, Loona."
Before Loona could respond, the door burst open, and her little friends—Octavia, Sol, Cadpig, and Ballin—came barreling in, chattering excitedly.
"Loona! How was it? Did you have fun?" Cadpig asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.
"We were watching, and it looked like you were having a blast!" Sol added, adjusting her big glasses.
Loona couldn't help but smile at the enthusiastic group. "Yeah, it was… it was a lot of fun. Thanks for looking out for me, guys."
Ballin grinned, giving Loona a playful nudge. "Anytime, Loona. We got your back."
Octavia fluttered over, wrapping her tiny wings around Loona in a quick hug. "I'm glad you had a good day. You deserve it."
Loona felt a warmth in her chest, surrounded by the people who cared about her. "Thanks, guys. Really."
Later that night, Loona lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her mind was buzzing with everything that had happened that day, from the skate park to the Ferris wheel, and finally saying goodbye to Koolin. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she remembered the awkward hug they shared.
"I'm really doing this," she murmured to herself, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She wasn't used to letting people get close, but something about Koolin made her want to try.
As she drifted off to sleep, Loona couldn't help but feel grateful for the people in her life—her chaotic family, her loyal friends, and now, maybe even Koolin. It was messy, and awkward, and a little bit crazy, but for the first time in a long time, Loona felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Meanwhile, Koolin was floating lazily above the city, a dreamy smile on his face as he replayed the day in his head. Despite the strange interruptions and the odd looks from Loona's family, he couldn't shake the warm feeling in his chest. Spending time with Loona had been everything he'd hoped for and more.
"She's really something," he said to himself, thinking about her quick wit, her awkward but endearing demeanor, and the way she made him feel just by being around.
Koolin wasn't sure where things were going, but he knew one thing for certain: he was excited to find out.
As he floated down toward his home, the city lights twinkling below, Koolin felt a sense of contentment settle over him. Whatever came next, he was ready for it.
And maybe, just maybe, he was ready to let someone in.
To be continued…..