Chapter Text
Alastor is illuminated by the fallen, blinking “On Air” sign lying in the wreckage of what was known as the Hazbin Hotel. The “N” on the sign struggles to stay lit as Alastor creeps towards the door. His usual grin is still there, but something is different in his eyes, there's a mixture of pain and true determination in place of his usual smirk.
He rips open the door to his radio tower that miraculously is still in somewhat decent condition. His hand returns to his chest, trying to cover the deep gash from Adam’s angelic weapon. Blood pulls from between his fingers, but he doesn't seem to acknowledge it as he hauls himself into the room.
“Great Alastor, altruist, died for his friends?” He scoffs, hands smearing blood across his face as he makes his way to the radio controls.
He lays his broken microphone on the control panel, his red eyes glowing with a look of pure mania, “Sorry to disappoint that is not where this ends,” his claws leaving deep gashes in the wood of the panel.
Turning away, he clutches his chest, “I’m hungry for freedom like never before,” the feeling of desperation rushes through him as he paces towards the hatch again, his hands finding his hair. He pulls at it slightly, trying to ground himself.
“The constraints of my deal surely have a back door,” He pulls slightly harder, panic showing on his face, his smile slightly drooping.
He drops to his knees, the blood loss finally catching up to him, his voice wavering slightly, “Once I figure out how to unclip my wings…”
His hands fall, his vision going staticy as he fights unconsciousness. “Guess who will be pulling all the strings,” he says under his breath, eyelids falling shut as his body lands on the wood floor with a dull thud.
The radio tower falls silent, the “on air” sign finally flickering out as blood begins to pool around Alastor.
On the other end of the battle. The Angels have retreated after the death of Adam. The rest of the gang are left to pick up the pieces. Sorting through the wreckage, Husk picks through what is left of the bar, hoping to recover some of the alcohol. Everyone could use a drink after a devastating incident like this.
Charlie reaches her hands out to a terrified KeeKee, “There, there, its…” she sighs, stroking the cat's soft fur, “it's okay.”
They both survey the wreckage, Charlie’s eyebrows knitted in concern. There’s barely anything left of the hotel they had worked so hard to build.
Angel Dust cheers as he is reunited with fat nuggets, the two running towards each other as the pig jumps into his arms. This brings a smile to Charlie’s face and she steps towards them. Her smile falls and she stops short as she notices the crumpled banner at her feet.
“Happy First Week Sir Pentious!” it reads. The memory of Sir Pentious’s death machine being instantly evaporated with him in it by Adam plays in her mind.
She sets Keekee down, her hands hanging limp in defeat, remorse and guilt taking over. Vaggie sets a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.
“He did it for us,” Tears flooded her eyes as she kneeled down, putting a hand on Sir Pentious’s name on the banner.
“The ultimate sacrifice” She looks around at the wreckage again, “He gave me his trust and look how we paid the price.”
Lucifer stepped closer, unsure if he should try to comfort her or not.
Her voice wavered, “All this bloodshed could’ve been avoided if I had convinced heaven to work together. I took a hotel and destroyed it, I know I could've done better.”
He finally stepped up, placing a hand on her shoulder, “Come on little lady, why the frown?”
She avoided his gaze, arms crossed.
“In the last ten thousand years, you’re the first to change this town.”
Lucifer pulled her to her feet, “You can do this, now I know it. You've changed my mind, you've touched their hearts Found the good in souls gone bad. The stage is wrecked, the crowd is gone. But by God, Charlie! The show, it must go on.”
As he spoke, his words finally started getting to Charlie. She started finding the inspiration to take this guilt and self doubt, and turn it into motivation to fix things. She gave him a determined nod, and set her sights on the rubble.
This was the first step in the plan to rebuild.