Mercy Sparx Pov:

"Seabrook. For humans, they called it the perfect community where it was the best place to live with no problems whatsoever. For zombies, werewolves, and aliens? They called it the perfect paradise after they came together to show humans that they weren't monsters and were the same as everyone else. But for demons such as myself? It's a middle finger to every dark entity, deranged killer, or anyone who believes in the old ways that creatures like them should rule humanity that endure it. I mean I don't give a crap since I lived in an interdimensional plane where angels, demons, and the souls of the deceased lived without worrying about anything. However, I got drafted to hunt rogue angels on Earth and learned about forces that desired to make Humanity into its plaything. So when they heard about a town that wants to bring humans and monsters together? It's not a pretty sight, especially about one who heard about a trip to hell that happened a year ago. I don't know when she's coming, all I know is that Seabrook is going to regret opening its doors to everyone from the outside world."

Zombie Town-TZ's Nick Knacks Lounge

It was a subtle afternoon at Tiki Zombie's lounge with the owner setting up a karaoke session to help boost its popularity in Seabrook and not as a haunted place for people to get cursed objects. Right now inside the lounge were the occasional visitors including Zed and Addison who brought Bucky, Willa, A-Spen, Goon, Mist, and Mercy Sparx who was invited to learn what it was like to hang out with ordinary people.

"I still don't get why you invited me here, Addison. As school president and the most popular student at Seabrook High, I should be hanging out with my Acys and trying to boost my popularity. It's started to dwindle."

Bucky questioned his reason for being here since the school president wasn't the type to hang around the strange and unusual. Addison was the reason for bringing her cousin over to Tiki Zombie's lounge since it was for a reason.

"Because I want you to meet our new friends and see they aren't dangerous, I mean. When they're not fighting supernatural forces that want to hurt people. Other than that, it's good to hang out with other people."

The cheerleader informed her cousin about wanting him to meet the others who he'd been avoiding since they were like Revenant. With the exception they wouldn't care of punching someone in the face without showing any remorse. Bucky looked over to see the not-so-talkative Goon hanging out with Mist who were looking at songs they could sing together since they started dating after the Valentine's Day party at Seabrook High.

"Everyone already knows how 'great', you are already back at the school. The least you could do for your adoring fans is to let them breathe a little."

Willa joked at Bucky about how his popularity was drowning everyone at Seabrook since they had to attend the school again after A-Spen's stardust tantrum that caused them to become seniors again. Bucky rolled his eyes at the comment since he wanted to be praised by everyone at Seabrook High before he had to leave and go off to find something else that would put him in the spotlight.

"Sometimes the spotlight is never a good thing. Especially when you're forced to go on stage and perform like a puppet."

Mercy interrupted Willa's joke since she was in the somewhat same position as Bucky in being all popular. However, the demoness's position was different since she was forced to make herself visible to everyone when it came to her work. Her response caught the Seabrook High student's attention since they never had the chance to talk to her since she came into town.

"Does that statement relate to your current occupation in working for the people that Tiki calls 'Higher Ups'? Which he's refused to tell anyone about due to their secrecy?"

A-Spen is the first to ask Mercy Sparx a question about her job which seemed similar to Revenant's and the others who worked at Sentinel to establish peace amongst the creatures that visit Seabrook. She looked over at the alien thinking that it was an idiotic thing to say since the last thing they needed to hear was who exactly her bosses were. More importantly, the work she does is something no one else can handle in Seabrook.

"What I think A-Spen is saying is we don't know much about you. And the people you work for might have a reason for you coming here, all we're just asking is how did you get this mystery job of yours."

Addison asked to prevent Mercy from breaking something since most of them didn't know what she was capable of since they hadn't seen her action. The outsider could see that it wasn't their fault for them to be curious about her background since they'd managed to learn a thing from Goon after he started opening himself around Mist. Taking a sip from the beverage Tiki Zombie gave her as well as everyone else when they offered to participate in the karaoke session to help support the lounge for everyone to visit. Mercy decided to share a bit of her past with the gang since they wouldn't stop until they got something from her.

"Alright, I'll make it brief. My job is almost like Rev's and that group who helps monsters either settle in Seabrook discreetly or send them home if they desire to cause trouble for the town. My job? It involves tracking down certain individuals who like to screw around with humanity, don't know why the Higher Ups wanted a devling like me. Either way, I've been at it for nine years now."

Mercy described her role as a supernatural bounty hunter, which set her apart from Sentinel and others who had found ways to foster peace between Seabrook and the creatures that came to town. Mercy's job involved sending back the threats that refused to embrace peace, returning them to whatever plane of existence they hailed from.

"I came here because of that trip Zed and Revenant took since it could have stirred up trouble for the Higher ups, however, it didn't. But they told me I can't leave because it might draw attention."

She concluded her story about why she had come to Seabrook and why she felt compelled to stay. Her tale included Zed and Revenant's journey into the afterlife. The zombie athlete rubbed the side of his head, recalling the promise he and Revenant made not to share any details from their trip to hell, where they had gone to plead with Lady Death not to take Revenant's soul after he nearly lost his life a second time.

"You mean Hell? Right? As in the place where almost every type of monster and nightmare comes from? And maybe your home before coming here?"

Bucky asked in a nervous tone since Bucky wasn't the type to follow trouble like Addison does in the pursuit of making peace amongst everyone. Mercy glared at the school president's question as it resulted in the woman changing her human appearance to her true demon look. This caused him to pass out on the couch since he'd never seen her when she wasn't disguised, the girl rolled her eyes at him as she changed back to her human look.

"Lightweight. I was going to say I came from Sheol, it's a place between Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. Nothing but demons minding their business and trying to act normal, like that even exist in this place."

Mercy corrected the passed-out president about where she came from since not all demons came from the inferno. They could see how it was a touchy topic and decided to leave it at that and thanked Mercy for sharing a bit of her occupation with her as they looked over to Mist and Goon who couldn't choose a song to sing.

"Can anyone choose a song? So far most of the selection is either from Seabrook or songs that I don't know if they're cursed or out of date. Does anyone have something to sing?"

Mist spoke out if there was a song they knew that would be suitable for them since it would take a while for anyone to come up with a song. Mercy rolled her eyes at what the gang considered a 'dramatic' moment as she offered to sing for them since they wanted to be her friends rather than people wanting to keep an eye out on her in case she got into trouble.

"Let's go, Mercy!"

Zed called out with the zombie clapping his hands for the demoness to show support as his friends did the same which embarrassed Mercy since she was doing it to make the karaoke session happen. Pulling out a disc from her jacket that she kept on her for special occasions, Mercy placed it into the machine and was ready to sing. Only for her to be interrupted by Tiki Zombie who rushed into the lounge with his phone and prepared to record the first song of the night.

"Sorry. I was helping Dae out with some homework she needs it finish tomorrow morning, anyway. Thrill us."

The Tiki-headed man stated that he was going to share it online to help promote his establishment in Seabrook. Ignoring TZ and the others, Mercy heard her disc playing as she listened to the guitar playing in the background as the devling imagined herself back in Sheol. Where she enjoyed herself and caused trouble with no consequences but was forced to come here to Earth.

"Hide, before the floodgates open. Can we just lie here 'til it's all over? I hear the violence coming, turn and run."

She started her song at a slow pace to build up momentum leaving everyone surprised at how soft Mercy was singing. Slowly moving back and forward as if she were possessed, Mercy was allowing the song to guide her and not looking at the words on the screen as she knew the lyrics by heart.

"Inside, you build your walls but can't forget the hate you hide. You hide, damned to finally meet you in the afterlife."

Mercy called out before deciding to change into her demon form to continue her song. Unlike how she changed in front of Bucky a minute ago, she made her transformation dramatic with her human form disappearing before them. The peaceful expression that Mercy had on her face was replaced with an aggressive look once her demon side was out in the open.

"The afterlife! Save me from this pain and fill the hole inside! You wonder why I'm all out of tears to cry. Today I'm not, not afraid to die"

Announcing to them about not being afraid of dying for what she'd been through during her time around humanity. The gang didn't know how to react to Mercy's choice of music as it left them contemplating what each of them had experienced while living in Seabrook. Mercy noticed how her song was affecting them as she continued with her singing.

"Breathe, I think you're finally broken. If we don't die here, we'll always be hauntеd. I feel the panic and everyone watching lies to me."

Instructing them to take a moment to breathe as well not feel overwhelmed with the choices they made to continue living their lives. Gripping the microphone tightly, Mercy glared at the crowd as she imagined herself staring at the creatures she'd hunted on the road alone without anyone to help her out.

"We've all been used and sold out the truth for sick fantasy. I'm holding on to one belief. I'll see you in the afterlife!"

Calling out that she'd be seeing everyone in the afterlife once their time was up. They watched in utter disbelief at how Mercy was pouring her emotions into the song as they couldn't imagine a demon having so much emotion kept inside of them.

"Save me from this pain and fill the hole inside! You wonder why I'm all out of tears to cry. Today, I'm not afraid to die"

She told them again as Mercy went to her pocket and pulled out a lighter that wasn't like anything they'd seen before. It showed a small fireball as well felt like it was something else entirely as Mercy opened the case and showed a small fire appearing before them.

"No one hears me pray for my revenge. Oh, nothing's gonna wash away these sins. I'll bathe in the fire, no more wounds to mend. We all die in the end, but I know who I am!"

Mercy cried out as she ignited the fire around her which made everyone jump at the sight thinking she was going burn the place down. Only for the fire to remain around Mercy as it was a supernatural-like flame that remained close to the devling. They watched Mercy continuing her singing while doing a fiery dance at the same time without burning the place to the ground.

"So judge me in the afterlife! Save me from this pain and fill the hole inside! You wonder why I'm all out of tears to cry. Today I'm not, not afraid to die."

Calling out how she was not afraid of what would happen as Mercy made the fire retreat back into the lighter as she closed it. Speechless at the sight and Mercy's control over the fire, the devling puts her lighter away before staring back at the gang.

"I'm all out of tears to cry. Today, I am not afraid to die."

Finishing the song in a soft tone before putting the microphone on the stand and noticing how quiet the room was. Mercy felt a bit embarrassed at how she might have gone overboard with her singing, but it was quickly stopped by Bucky waking up to see Mercy in her demon form and passing out again. She heard applause from Goon who enjoyed Mercy's singing and making Bucky faint again.

"Encore."

He encouraged Mercy to do it again but was stopped by Mist as the gas girl couldn't imagine what the devling would do next if she sang again. The others quickly join in on Goon's applause, while it wasn't their songs that were upbeat. Mercy's song made her stand out from everyone, which was one of the reasons why anyone could visit Seabrook, to let their true selves out and for everyone to get to know the person, whether they were a human or something entirely different.

Night Time-Grammykins' Griddle

The afternoon went away with the full moon rising over Seabrook. Half of the residents were either heading off to bed preparing to enjoy the next day, while the other half embraced the night life since it was a peaceful moment where things would settle down and nothing extravagant would happen. Right now at a small dinner was Revenant who was eating a small slice of pie and enjoying the classic music that was playing.

"Bree. If you had told me that your parents owned a diner, I wouldn't have believed it. But the photo of your grandmother says it all."

The zombie spoke out about how he never knew that Addison's best friend had a diner in Seabrook and didn't tell anyone about it since the establishment wasn't grand like the others in town. Coming over from behind the counter was Bree with a cup of milk for Rev since she was handling the night shift with Bonzo.

"My grammykins passed it down to my parents when she passed away. For a while we've been keeping it afloat, but with so many establishments opening in Seabrook with exotic foods. It'll be a miracle to keep this place running, this is the only place Bonzo can share his creative cooking skills with the customers."

She explained that the diner needed more customers if it was to stay in business. Looking over in the kitchen, Rev saw Bonzo working behind the grill flipping burgers with a smile as he was making orders for customers.

"Bree, if you needed help then you could have gone to Addison. Zed, even me. All of us got your back, including Sentinel since the food there is terrible."

Revenant offered Bree ideas on helping her parent's business stay alive and let them make a profit. The cheerleader smiled at the suggestion since it could help the diner, but it didn't make her smile since there was more to her dilemma.

"That's if you can have everyone come in tomorrow morning for a breakfast rush and be able to pay us the amount of money I need to pay for all the debts my grandma worked up during her time cooking here."

Responding to Revenant's suggestion as the zombie was confused as to how much money her parents owed if they planned on keeping the diner. Noticing the questionable look on his face, Bree pulled out a receipt to show how much they owed. Revenant adjusted his glasses to see if it was true since it left the zombie shocked at how much money was required.

"Big."

A voice called out from behind as it came from Bonzo who was able to respond for Revenant since it would take a large amount of money to pay for it. Bonzo informed Bree that he'd be right back after taking the deliveries out on his bike, his girlfriend nodded before waving her boyfriend off to handle the orders.

"I might not be rich. But at least I can do is help out."

Revenant told Bree as he handed her thirty dollars from his pocket since he'd been saving it to take Wynter out on a movie night. Hopefully, she'd forgive him for helping out a friend of theirs. Bree thanked him for the help as she went back to cleaning up the diner since there weren't that many customers in the building. The zombie continued eating his pie as he didn't hear the door opening up to show a new customer entering the diner.

"Pardon me dear, but is this diner still open?"

The visitor spoke out as Bree looked over at the new customer as it was an adult woman wearing what could be described as a Victorian style dress. Bree offered her a seat but was taken by surprise when she noticed the one's face having a set of stables on her. Doing her best to not stare, Bree brought her over to a seat near Revenant as she went behind the counter table to offer her some pie.

"You might not know it, but you're helping my friend keep this place up. I just looked at the bill about the amount of money she needs to keep the diner open, whatever you plan on paying her should help out, even if it might not be enough."

Rev complimented the woman on supporting Bree's family diner since she'd need all the support she could get before it closed for good. She said nothing but pulled out from the side of her dress a small bag that sounded like coins jingling inside of it, offering it to Bree as payment. The cheerleader opened it to reveal that the payment for the pie was a set of solid gold coins, Bree and Revenant were speechless at the gold seeing how it didn't look fake or show any signs that it came from another country, they were real.

"I have another bag with me to offer if you allow a few minutes to talk to the zombie. I promise it won't take long."

The stitched face woman offered another bag of gold to Bree in the chance she could speak to Revnenat without anyone watching them talk. Bree was unsure if she should do so since she was getting a suspicious feeling from her, Revenant nodded to Bree to take the gold since it could help out the diner. The woman smiled before handing another bag of gold coins to Bree before the cheerleader walked out of the diner leaving her and Revenant to talk amongst themselves.

"I don't suppose you're a visitor who wanted to check out Seabrooks for the sights, right?"

Revenant questioned the woman as he noticed that his necklace was not glowing, indicating she was neither supernatural nor a threat. She gave him a brief smile before finishing her plate and standing up from her chair, allowing him to take her in with his gaze.

"Allow me to properly introduce myself, darling. I am Mary Lovecraft, the inspiration for all things horrific and nightmarish. And I have come to Seabrook to bring back the meaning of the word, monster."

She formally introduced herself as Mary's right arm started to jolt around before transforming into a large green tentacle, she sprouted two more tentacles from her right side. Before Revenant could react to the suddenly transformed human, Mary grabbed him by the tentacled and started thrashing him around the diner as she slammed him on the tables and ceiling. Letting go of Revenant to allow him to realize what he was up against, the zombie looked up to see the woman staring at him with a prideful look on her face.

"Do not worry, I won't kill you. There are important matters to have settled first before we get to the good part, you might want a history lesson from your new friends about who I am."

Advising Revenant to speak with the slayers that made Seabrook their new home since they might have encountered Mary Lovecraft. They looked at the door to see it open showing Bree who was shocked that half of her parent's diner was half destroyed by the swift roughhousing.

"Thank you for remaining outside. I hope this place keeps going, I hate seeing old things vanish into obscurity."

Mary Lovecraft complimented her before handing Bree the second bag of gold she promised before making the cheerleader step out of the building. Unable to respond to the mature woman's response due to her staring at the three tentacles that were attached to her body, Mary made her way out of the diner and vanished into the night. Bree managed to get her senses back as she noticed Revenant having trouble standing up since the last crash might have almost broken his back, the cheerleader went over to assist him.

"Who was that?"

She asked Revenant about who Mary was to what kind of creature she was since Bree had never seen something like her before in Seabrook. The zombie was unable to reply to her since he was speechless at what the woman was, leaving Revenant to question the new residents in Seabrook and figure out what Mary Lovecraft was and what she meant by reviving the word 'monster' in town.

'The song used for this chapter was 'Afterlife' by Evanescence, all rights to the song belong to her and the writers who helped make it. Introducing to the story is Mary Lovecraft, the sentient hyperconcept. If you have any questions about what will happen next, I'll respond right away. See ya soon!'