Helluva Boss Pinkie AU chapter 26:Bird of Ill Omen, a helluva boss fanfic

Chapter 26: Bird of Ill Omen

At the Stolas family mansion, Octavia was sitting in her room, her eyes glued to her favorite astronomy book, lost in the celestial wonders that always comforted her. Despite everything, the stars were a constant source of solace. She didn't yet realize the dark forces that were mobilizing against her. Loona, her ever-loyal guardian, sat by the door, her amber eyes flickering with vigilance. Sol and Collin were nearby, engaged in a hushed conversation about potential security breaches.

Loona's ears perked up, catching the faintest sound from the hallway. It was a rhythmic, almost hypnotic tapping—like claws striking marble. Her instincts kicked in, and she shot a glance at Sol and Collin.

"Stay here," Loona growled softly. "I'm gonna check it out."

Octavia looked up from her book, her wide eyes full of worry. "Is everything okay, Loony?" she asked in her sweet, innocent voice.

Loona forced a smile, trying to hide her own anxiety. "Yeah, kiddo. Just a routine check. You stay put, alright?"

The young Goetia nodded, clutching her book closer as Loona slipped out the door, her hackles raised.

Blitzø, Verosika, and Barbie Wire were inspecting the outer perimeter when an unnatural darkness began to seep into the hallways. The lights flickered, and the air grew cold as shadows twisted and coiled around the ornate walls.

"What the hell…?" Blitzø muttered, drawing his flintlock pistols, his tail twitching in agitation.

Verosika's eyes narrowed, her succubus senses tingling. "This isn't just a power outage. This is dark magic."

Barbie cracked her knuckles, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Good. I was getting bored."

Suddenly, the darkness congealed into a monstrous form—a massive, shadowy beast with the glowing red eyes of Mr. Raven. It lunged at them, talons extended, but Blitzø and Barbie moved in sync, launching a flurry of bullets and blades. Verosika, not to be outdone, unleashed a powerful blast of her signature pink hellfire, the flames momentarily pushing the creature back.

But the beast was relentless, its form constantly shifting and reforming as if it were made of pure nightmare fuel. Barbie swore under her breath, her daggers having little effect.

"This thing just won't die!" she yelled.

Blitzø, ever the improviser, grabbed a chandelier and swung it down onto the beast's head, shattering it into a thousand shards of darkness. But even that seemed to only slow it down.

Verosika turned to Blitzø, her eyes glowing with determination. "We need to find its source. I think it's a projection."

Blitzø nodded. "Then let's find that birdbrain bastard before he decides to send a whole damn army!"

Loona's patrol had taken her deeper into the mansion when she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. She spun around just in time to see Mr. Raven himself emerging from the shadows, his plague doctor mask reflecting the dim light of the hallway.

"Well, well," he crooned, his voice like silk over shattered glass. "The hound of House Goetia. I must admit, I was expecting more… resistance."

Loona bared her teeth, her claws extending. "Yeah? Well, let's see how you handle this!" She lunged at him, her speed and ferocity catching even Mr. Raven off guard. Her claws raked across his chest, but instead of flesh, she hit an inky, almost liquid mass.

"Ah, a feisty one," Mr. Raven chuckled darkly, as tendrils of shadow lashed out from his cloak, wrapping around Loona and slamming her into the wall.

But Loona was not one to go down easily. She twisted her body, snapping her jaws and biting down on one of the tendrils, severing it. Mr. Raven let out a hiss of pain, the shadows retreating momentarily.

"Not bad for a mutt," he sneered, but his eyes glowed even brighter with malice. "But I have bigger fish to fry."

Before Loona could react, he vanished into a cloud of feathers, reappearing inside Octavia's room.

The young Goetia gasped as the imposing figure of Mr. Raven materialized before her. His shadowy presence seemed to suck the light out of the room, his eyes locking onto Octavia with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

"There you are, my little star," he purred, stepping closer. "Do you know what a treasure you are? What power lies dormant within you?"

Octavia backed away, her tiny wings fluttering in fear. "Who... who are you? What do you want?" she stammered, her voice trembling.

Mr. Raven tilted his head, almost sympathetically. "I want to help you reach your true potential, little one. You were born under a cosmic event, destined for greatness. Come with me, and I'll show you wonders beyond your wildest dreams."

But before he could take another step, Loona burst through the door, her eyes blazing with fury. "Get away from her, you creep!"

Mr. Raven turned, only to be met with a face full of hellhound fury. Loona tackled him to the ground, tearing at his cloak with relentless rage. But instead of blood, only black ooze spilled out, evaporating as it hit the floor.

The distraction was enough for Octavia to make a run for it, sprinting down the hallway with her little legs as fast as they could carry her. Loona continued to wrestle with the shadowy figure, buying her precious time.

"Go, Via!" Loona shouted, her voice a mix of desperation and determination. "Find your dad!"

Stolas and Stella were making their way down the grand staircase, having sensed the disturbance, when they spotted their daughter running toward them, tears streaming down her face.

"Daddy! Mommy! He's here! The scary bird man!" Octavia cried.

Stolas's eyes darkened with protective fury. "Stella, take her somewhere safe. I'll handle this."

But Stella, ever the warrior, unsheathed her hidden blessed dagger. "Oh no, lovebird. This one's mine."

Before Stolas could argue, Mr. Raven emerged from the shadows, his form more monstrous than ever, feathers bristling like the spines of a demon.

Stella smirked, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of the hunt. "Come on, you overgrown pigeon. Let's dance."

As the fight erupted in the grand hall, Blitzø, Verosika, and Barbie Wire rushed in to join the fray, determined to put an end to Mr. Raven's dark designs once and for all.

Hell itself seemed to tremble as the battle for Octavia's future reached its climax.

The tension in the grand hall reached a boiling point as Barbatos stood there in all his dark glory, the once mysterious "Mr. Raven" now revealed to be one of the most formidable Goetia nobles in all of Hell. His regal, sinister presence filled the room, his long plumage tail feathers fluttering behind him like a cloak of shadow.

Stolas's eyes widened with a mix of recognition and disbelief. "Barbatos… You were thought to have vanished centuries ago! Why are you after my daughter?!"

Barbatos's sinister grin only grew wider. "You always were a fool, Stolas. Did you really think your pathetic wards could stop someone of my caliber? Your daughter was born under a celestial event that even I, in my infinite knowledge, did not foresee. The power within her... it's enough to reshape Hell itself. And I intend to wield that power."

Stella, unimpressed by Barbatos's grandiose declaration, tightened her grip on her blessed dagger. "Enough of your monologuing, birdbrain! You want a fight? Then I'll give you one you won't forget!"

With a fierce battle cry, Stella charged at Barbatos, her blade gleaming with holy energy. He merely flicked his wrist, sending a gust of dark wind her way, but Stella deftly dodged it, countering with a series of rapid strikes. Barbatos was forced to take her seriously now, parrying her attacks with the razor-sharp edges of his feathered arms.

Blitzø, still reeling from the sight of Moxxie and Millie's IDs, snapped back to reality. He turned to Verosika and Barbie Wire, his eyes blazing with determination. "Verosika, you flank left! Barbie, take the right! We're bringing this feathered freak down, and we're doing it fast!"

Verosika nodded, her demonic wings unfurling as she took to the air, pink flames licking her fingertips. Barbie Wire grinned wickedly, her whip cracking as she darted around Barbatos, aiming to ensnare him.

But Barbatos was far from defenseless. With a flourish of his wings, he sent out a barrage of dark feathers, each one like a poisoned arrow. Verosika countered with a wall of pink hellfire, incinerating the projectiles before they could reach her. Barbie Wire used her whip to deflect the remaining feathers, sending them clattering to the ground.

As the chaotic battle raged on, Stolas couldn't help but feel torn. His eyes flickered between his fierce wife, their loyal allies, and his terrified daughter, who was being escorted to safety by Collin and Sol.

Sol, the ever-loyal hound shielded Octavia with her own body, while Collin conjured barriers of light to protect them from stray attacks. "Don't worry, young mistress," Collin assured her. "We'll keep you safe."

Meanwhile, in the back corridors of the mansion Loona, still battered but not beaten, had found her way back to the main battlefield. She skidded to a stop, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of Barbatos battling Stolas, Stella, and the rest of I.M.P.

Her heart sank when she saw the IDs of Moxxie and Millie at Barbatos's feet, a twisted grin playing on his lips. "You bastard!" she snarled, rushing forward to join the fray.

But Barbatos was ready. With a flick of his wrist, the ground beneath Loona erupted in shadowy tendrils, ensnaring her limbs and lifting her off the ground. She struggled, teeth bared, but the shadows only tightened their grip.

Blitzø's eyes went wide with fury. "Let her go, you overgrown pigeon!"

Barbatos tilted his head mockingly. "I see why my associates had such a hard time with you imps. You're annoyingly persistent."

But before he could tighten the shadows around Loona, Stella hurled her blessed dagger straight at Barbatos's heart. It pierced through his chest with a burst of holy light, causing him to let out an otherworldly scream. The shadows around Loona dissipated, and she dropped to the ground, gasping for air.

"Nice shot, Stell!" Blitzø called out, giving her a thumbs-up.

Stella smirked, wiping the inky blood off her face. "I always hit my mark, darling."

But Barbatos was far from finished. The wound in his chest began to close, the blessed knife dissolving into black smoke. "You think a mere blade can stop me?" he growled, his eyes blazing with eldritch power.

With a roar, Barbatos transformed into a massive, monstrous raven-raptor hybrid, his wings spreading wide and casting the room into darkness. His talons were now the size of swords, his beak a wicked scythe.

Stolas, realizing the gravity of the situation, summoned a circle of glyphs around him, drawing on his own celestial power. "Everyone, get back! I'm going to end this!"

But Barbatos laughed, a deep, guttural sound that sent shivers down everyone's spine. "You're too late, Stolas. The power I've absorbed will make me a god among demons. Not even Lucifer will be able to stop me!"

In the midst of the chaos, Octavia's eyes began to glow

She had been cowering behind Collin and Sol, but something within her was awakening. The fear and despair she felt began to transform into something else—something powerful.

"Daddy?" she whispered, her voice echoing in the hall as if amplified. The room began to shake, and the light from her eyes intensified, becoming almost blinding.

Barbatos turned, sensing the surge of magic. "What is this…?"

Stolas's eyes widened in realization. "No, Via! You mustn't—"

But it was too late. A brilliant burst of cosmic energy erupted from Octavia, washing over the entire room. Everyone, friend and foe alike, was thrown back by the sheer force of it.

Barbatos was caught in the epicenter of the blast, his monstrous form beginning to disintegrate as Octavia's power overwhelmed him. "No… this can't be…!" he screamed, his body dissolving into stardust.

The light slowly faded, and the room fell into a stunned silence. Octavia stood there, panting, her eyes returning to their normal soft hue.

Stolas rushed to her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "It's okay, Via. It's over. You're safe now."

But as the dust settled, the question lingered in everyone's minds: If Octavia's power was this great, what other forces might come for her next?

The aftermath of the explosive battle left the once-pristine halls of the Goetia mansion in ruins. Dust settled slowly, the air heavy with the scent of charred feathers and dark magic. The room was a chaotic mess of shattered marble, scorched tapestries, and the lingering echoes of Barbatos's monstrous roar. But as the smoke began to clear, it became evident that the threat was not fully vanquished.

Far from dead, Barbatos's disintegrating form had been nothing more than a clever illusion, a last-ditch effort to escape. Though his magic was now only a flicker of its former strength, he managed to slip away in the chaos, reforming into his raven-like shape and retreating into the shadows. With a final, hate-filled glare, he vowed revenge, disappearing through a hidden portal into the depths of Hell's most fortified strongholds.

Stella watched him go, fury bubbling within her. "Coward," she spat, clutching her blessed knife tightly. "He won't get away next time."

Blitz, already picking himself up from the rubble, spat out a broken tooth and nodded in agreement. "Damn right. We're not letting that feathered freak get another shot at Via or anyone else."

Verosika cracked her knuckles, her pink flames still flickering. "We've got a score to settle. I'm in."

Barbie Wire, still riding the adrenaline high of the battle, grinned wickedly. "Hell yeah, let's hunt that bird down and clip his wings for good."

Blitz exchanged a glance with Barbie and Verosika, nodding resolutely. "Then it's settled. We're going after him. We'll track down every last one of his hideouts if we have to."

Meanwhile, within the mansion, Octavia was trembling in her father's arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. The immense power she had unleashed left her scared, confused, and feeling more like a monster than a daughter. "Daddy… what did I do?" she sobbed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Stolas held her close, stroking her hair, his heart aching for his precious daughter. "Shh, my star, it's okay. You were only protecting us. You're stronger than you know, but that strength isn't something to fear."

Stella watched from a few feet away, her icy blue eyes softened for the briefest moment. She had seen her daughter's fear, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a pang of maternal protectiveness she hadn't known was still within her, a sheer level never before reached. But it was quickly replaced by the burning need for vengeance. She clenched her fists, torn between staying to comfort her family and joining Blitz's hunt for Barbatos.

"Stella," Stolas called out, his voice a mixture of concern and pleading. "We need you here. Via needs you."

Stella looked between her husband and daughter, her heart warring with her relentless thirst for revenge. "Stolas, I…" Her voice wavered for a moment, but then she set her jaw. "I will protect our daughter, but that thing won't stop coming unless we end him first." She turned to Blitz. "Keep them safe while I finish this."

Blitz gave her a crooked grin. "Oh, trust me, Stella, we've got your back. Go get your revenge."

Elsewhere in the mansion, Loona lay sprawled out on the cold marble floor, utterly spent from the fight. Her fur was matted with blood and soot, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Ugh, remind me never to fight some ancient Goetia freak ever again," she groaned, clutching her side.

Sol, ever the dutiful buddy rushed over with a tray. "Here, Loona, some treats to restore your strength." He offered her a bag of dog treats and a can of Red Rum, the hellish energy drink with the slogan "A punch that'll wake the dead."

Loona snatched the drink, cracking it open with her claws. "Thanks, but you better have spiked this with something strong you dork," she muttered before chugging it down.

Collin was by her side in an instant, his hands glowing with healing light as he tended to her wounds. "You did well, Loona. You kept everyone safe," he said softly, applying a healing salve to her injuries.

She gave her a tired, but appreciative nod. "Yeah, yeah. Just... don't make a big deal out of it, okay Lambchop?" Loona giving a cute pout to her boyfriend.

As the dust finally settled, Blitz gathered the ragtag group of allies in the mansion's wrecked drawing room. The firelight from Verosika's earlier inferno flickered ominously in the background as he laid out the plan.

"Alright, listen up, assholes," Blitz began, slapping a makeshift map onto the table. "We're not waiting around for that oversized chicken to regroup. We're taking the fight to him."

Verosika leaned in, her eyes gleaming. "I've got contacts who can get us intel on his other hideouts. He's gotta have more than one."

Barbie cracked her knuckles. "And I'll make sure we've got plenty of firepower to blow those places sky-high."

Stella, still in her blood-streaked gown but with her swashbuckling gear showing beneath, nodded. "He'll expect us to cower and protect the child. But instead, we will be the ones hunting him."

Stolas, holding Octavia close, looked around at the unlikely alliance formed in the aftermath of this chaos. "Be careful," he warned. "Barbatos may be weakened, but he's still cunning. He won't be easy to corner."

Blitz grinned, his eyes alight with a mix of rage and excitement. "Oh, I'm counting on it. Let's show that bastard what happens when you mess with the wrong imps."

With their mission clear, the group began to prepare. Weapons were sharpened, spells were memorized, and plans were solidified. The hunt for Barbatos had officially begun, and Hell itself would tremble before this unlikely band of misfits.

But unknown to them all, far away in his hidden fortress, Barbatos was already preparing for their arrival, gathering dark forces and ancient magics that would push Blitz, Stella, Verosika, and their crew to their limits. The battle for Octavia's future was far from over.

To be continued…..