Chapter Text
The interview was a disaster. She had been laughed at by Katie Killjoy, her one client, Angel Dust, decided to get into a gang war with his arsonist of a friend, she and her girlfriend, Vaggie, decided into a fist fight with the reporters, (though, she would admit that it was satisfying), and they drove to the most recently opened hotel, which wasn't not exactly condition either, in shame. Safe to say that Charlie Magne Morningstar, the Princess of Hell, has had better days. She clutched at her hair when she had to listen to Vaggie and Angel bicker, and the spider-like sinner's cliche personality was not making the atmosphere any less toxic.
If she still had it in her, Charlie would've decimated Katie: she could've broken her jaw and crushed her windpipe over her own table, she could've smashed her on the wide screen, electrocuting her ass until her head exploded, she could've even just jammed the pen she stole into her throat and watched the reporter bitch die a slow painful death.
Heck, she could've done all three, since sinners respawn.
But she was not that person anymore…she swore she would never be that person again.
There was a lot going on in her head as they made themselves at home inside the decrepit building that was meant to be Charlie's new place of business. The "Happy Hotel" she named it, though it didn't look so happy. It was just a summer palace that was abandoned by the royal family until Charlie decided to make use of it. But now, it felt like no one was going to come within a square inch of the place as Charlie left another message to her absent mother.
She wanted to hear her voice, or that of her father's. She wanted to have the comfort that she once had with family. But there were things that felt like they would just never feel the same. There were few options for her, none of which felt like they would turn this business around so easily. However, that's when there was a knock on the front door, much to Charlie's surprise. But what shocked her more was who she answered to. Alastor, the Radio Demon, vanished for 7 years, just showing up now.
Much to Charlie's surprise and Vaggie's dismay, Alastor offered to be a business partner and help run the hotel. It was all so that he could have a little bit of entertainment after so long, but Charlie and Vaggie knew he had a different agenda in mind that he wasn't talking about. Perhaps he took them for fools and thought them easy to manipulate. They both knew the history behind Alastor, though shrouded in mystery, and knew better than to take any "arrangement" made with him as beneficial.
Vaggie begged her girlfriend, the Princess, not to trust, let alone make a deal with the Radio Demon, knowing fully that he cannot be redeemed, but the untold power he possesses that had vanquished many other Overlords in the past makes him a deadly adversary.
At this moment, Charlie simply took her girlfriend's hand off of her and gave her a smile before returning to confront Alastor. She already had another idea in mind and was ready to become desperate enough to blindly accept any help from the sketchiest sinner around.
She lives by the words "You don't take shit from other demons", and takes them to heart very seriously.
"Alastor, as…kind as it is of you to want to help out, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to say no."
"Oh, is that so?" Alastor asked. Though he hid it well, he was honestly quite surprised at Charlie's rejection.
"Yep. I…already have someone else in mind who would be willing to pick this place and get its project going the way it should be."
That wound up catching Vaggie and Angel's attention, wondering what, or who exactly, Charlie was talking about. Still, Vaggie was even more surprised, maybe even a mixture of terrified and…impressed when she saw Charlie ushering Alastor out the door.
"With that in mind, I really have a lot to do in order to get this place into shape. So if you're not really going to be a part of this project, I must ask you to leave," she says as she pushes Alastor out. "Good day, Alastor."
"Now, hold o-"
"I said good day!" And with that, she slams the door in her face. Alastor took a moment to process what had just happened. He had hoped that the Princess would've been ever so willing to find a friend in him and allow him to work on this project with her together. But it seems that he is now going to find an alternative means of "entertainment" as he taps his cane and teleports away from the hotel.
All the while, Charlie took a deep breath before looking over to see Vaggie and Angel, having some very stunned expressions on their faces. Regaining her posture, she stood up tall and had a semi-serious expression on her face.
"...I need to make a few calls." She said, "Be ready to leave in about a few minutes."
She walked past them, and the two stood there, still processing what had just happened. Vaggie had to hand it to Charlie for standing up to Alastor and just giving him a big "F-U" to his face before kicking him out. Though she wasn't too sure if this was a death warrant just signed or a blessing in disguise.
Angel still didn't know too much about Alastor other than what Vaggie told him…and the fact that he looked like a "Strawberry Pimp". Had Charlie not kicked him out so soon, he would've made a move, but that wasn't happening now.
All this was a lot to take in as they soon found themselves back in the limousine, driving through the streets until they came across a corner avenue of Pentagram City. They looked to see that they were parked in front of a large, triangle-shaped tower that had a large plaza in front of it with a guard gate.
"Uh, Charlie? This is the biggest real estate company in the city." Vaggie said.
"Yep, that's where we're going." Charlie replied as they got out. Vaggie and Angel Dust shrugged as they followed her. The camera that was at the gate turned to face Charlie, who had a stern expression on her face, before both doors opened.
The path to the front door had two lines of warriors, demonic beings that neither Vaggie nor Angel Dust had ever seen before. They look vaguely human, wearing a tattered tasset around their waist and a pale, grinning mask, and they all carry a pair of swords in their hands.
As Charlie walked down the path, the warriors bent their knees and kneeled before the Princess, chanting, or rather roaring, something in a demonic language.
"Vaoan Zirenaiad" they said in a demonic language.
Vaggie and Angel Dust were taken back by these beings, but Angel couldn't help but walk over to one of them, trying his luck.
"I see these guys are fans of skins." He remarked, "Do they wear anything under those robes, or-URK!"
Provoking one of the guards made them instantly point one of their swords, which just so happened to be angelic steel, at the spider's neck.
"Angel, stop messing around for once. We won't be long." Charlie said in a serious tone before she continued on, while her friends, who were still not used to the way she was at the moment.
"Charlie, how do you know about this place? Or those…things?" Vaggie asked as they arrived at the door.
"They're the Elite Guard." Charlie replied as she pulled out a card from her pocket and slid it through the electronic lock on the door. "They're ordered to address the Royal Family with the utmost respect and loyalty."
"Someone here works for you and your family?" Vaggie asked as Angel caught up. "You think they'll help us with the hotel?"
"They have to…"
And with that, Charlie and the other two walked into the main lobby of the tower, where they walked over to the main desk…or what appeared to be a giant tube that covered the main tube. Charlie gave it a knock before a cover slipped out of the way to reveal some eyes.
"...What can I do for you, Your Highness?" a gruff voice asked from someone at the front desk.
"...I'm here to see your boss." Charlie stated simply, sounding a bit reluctant about it.
"...Alright. Give me a moment." The sound of a communicator can be heard. "Hey, boss?"
"What is it?"
"Uh, Princess Charlotte just walked in, and she wants to see you, sir."
"...Alright, send her up."
The call ended as the unseen receptionist looked back at the Princess and her friends before saying, "Take the Express Elevator and head up to the top floor. His office will be up ahead; you can't miss it."
"Thank you, Thorp." Charlie replied as she walked over to the elevator. Vaggie and Angel looked at each other with rising confusion before following her.
"Always a pleasure, Your Highness." Thorp said before sliding the cover back and remaining hidden at the front desk.
The three entered the elevator and Charlie pressed the button for the top floor. All the while, the atmosphere, especially around Charlie, just seemed to be getting more tense and…complex.
"Charlie, are you going to explain to us what the fuck we're doing here?" Angel Dust begrudgingly asked. "I mean, this is a cool-looking place, but there's some shit we're not telling us, and I for one hate being kept in the dark."
"We're here to see someone I know, who just so happens to be the Owner and CEO of this company, and I can promise that will help us renovate the hotel, get it going properly, provide us with anything we need, and so on."
"But who is it though?" Vaggie asked. "I know all about the other overlords, but…I've never even heard a thing about the guy who owns this place."
"Let's just say he's…familiar…with my family."
"Does that mean…you own him? Or does your daddy own him? Or-?"
"I try not to think about it."
Not a word was said as the elevator just felt very uncomfortable. Pretty soon, they got out on the top floor, where a pair of double doors led to the main office. Taking a deep breath, Charlie pushed through the doors and led her friends into the office, where it was quaint and cozy, but still relatively for a CEO's office. It was a circular shape in a black color, had two sets of four, thin, rectangular, and red-tinted windows on the walls, and as for the main desk, it practically acted as the border of the room between the guests and the boss, and had a computer screen, a plant, some papers, and what looked like a double barrel m1911 sitting on top. The farthest wall had an array of weapons; high-powered, semi to full-automatic, but specifically an exotic selection of firearms.
The CEO, the man whom Charlie was here to meet, was inspecting some of the guns before he turned his head to see his guests, and put down the gun he was holding before turning around to face him completely. He was dressed in a dark business suit, had dark grey skin, black eyes with glowing red pupils, black hair that reached his shoulders, but was swept back, and a set of curled, purple colored horns sticking out of his head.
"Charlotte…" He said in a simple, yet welcoming tone. "Come in. Have a seat."
"Hey, Jack." She said as she walked over to the opposite side of the table. The demon known as Jack folded his hands in front of him. Charlie gave him a weak smile as she said, "Thank you for meeting with me. I was hoping we could talk about something important."
"Think nothing of it, Charlotte. You know I'm always here to help."
"Jack, we've been over this. You can call me Charlie."
"...You know, I can't."
Since this was getting awkward, the other two who were present decided to make themselves known as Angel Dust leaned forward and got close to Charlie's side.
"Uh, ain't you gonna introduce us to this hot, handsome, rugged-looking pal of yours, Char-Char?" Angel said, amusingly, earning a glare from Vaggie.
"Uh, right. This is…Jack. Jack, this is Vagatha, my girlfriend and business partner."
Vaggie was surprised that Charlie called her by the name that she gave her when they first met. She didn't even like it herself, since it didn't make any sense, but Charlie made it work in her own cute way. Jack merely nodded to her and extended a hand.
"Pleasure to meet you." He said as Vaggie hesitantly took his hand.
"And…you as well, I guess." She replied.
Charlie got to introducing the other one, the Spider-Sinner, who couldn't stop himself from giving Jack a sly, flirtatious look. "And, this is Angel Dust. My business's first guest and client."
"Hey there, Handsome. Bet you've seen me on the big screen, or thinkin' about me at night-"
"Angel!" Vaggie growled for a split second before she gave Jack a nervous smile. "Don't mind him, he's, uh…"
Jack merely eyed Angel Dust up and down, stone face, before merely replying "...Charmed." Didn't even offer a handshake like he did with Vaggie. "And then, he turned to Charlie and said, "I…saw the interview on the News. I'm…really sorry about that, Charlotte."
"O-Oh…it's okay, Jack. Really…" Charlie tried to sound sincere.
But that is when Jack tells her, "You know…You're always welcome to the forces we have at our disposal. Just say the world, and we'll leave Miss Killjoy a stingy corpse, live on TV for all to see."
Once again, Vaggie and Angel exchanged looks as they began to wonder just who the heck this guy was. He sounds like an Overlord, with goons at his beck and call, but was apparently appointed by Charlie and the Royal Family? They were not getting this as they continued to listen as Charlie raised her arms.
"No! No-no. Don't worry about that, Jack. It's fine." Charlie insisted, being the pacifist that she was. "I was just wondering…if you would be able to promote the hotel. Renovate it, get the word out on it, and just…make it the way I want to be."
Jack stood there in a thinking pose with his hand to his chin before replying, "That's…kind of asking a lot, Charlotte. I…would be willing to help you out with anything, but…this business idea of yours…it's a bit of a long shot, don't you think?"
"Well…you have worked on businesses like these before." Charlie intercepted.
"And…you know very well what those businesses are really for, though, don't you?"
"I-! I…I haven't forgotten, Jack. But that's why I came to you. You're the only one whom I can trust to make my business, my dream…look exactly how it's supposed to be. You can pick it up and make it possible."
Jack looked unconvinced, though, shaking his head. "I'm just not sure, Charlotte…You're asking a lot."
As they listened in, Vaggie was still skeptical about this "Jack", but found him considerably more reasonable than anyone else she knew of in Hell. He was viewing Charlie's plan for the Hotel realistically, and she could tell that he was seeing it as a fool's hope. She knew that he would not accept any deal Charlie made with him unless he got something out of it, and that's something she despised. Especially since this guy apparently worked for Charlie's family, and yet would clearly not answer to her as one with such loyalty to should.
Vaggie was about to tell Charlie that this was a waste of time and that they shouldn't bother with this guy. But what she wasn't expecting was for Charlie to stand her ground and pull something out of her pocket. A small, thin, circular piece of gold; it almost looked like a coin, but the way Charlie opened it up almost made it look like a pocket watch or a compact mirror. However, now glass or gears were seen on the inside. Just a…red stain.
"Oh…you brought the marker." Jack said, melancholy, as Charlie put the red spot in the disc close to his face.
"Jack…this is your blood." Charlie said, albeit with her voice beginning to tremble, yet staying strong. "You know…as well as I do…that you are bound…to the oath you've sworn."
"I am aware, Charlotte." Jack replied. "Your family has been waving that in my face for years. You don't have to remind me."
And that's when Charlie got up close to his face and said, "Do this for me…and I promise you…I will honor my family's end of the marker…and set you free."
That made Jack raise his eyebrows.
"That's…a big step, Charlotte." He said. "...You sure your family would approve?"
"It doesn't matter. This is my decision, and you're my only hope." Charlie said in all seriousness.
"...For a hotel?" Jack asked, and the seriousness was gone with that remark.
"Just-!" Charlie was about to snap until she regained herself. "...Please. Do this for me, I'll put my blood on the marker, completing it, and you'll be free of all debt."
Jack took a moment to think about it, sitting down and having his eyes drift to the things set on the table: his pen holder, his papers, his telephone, and the double-barreled pistol. That's where his eyes stayed before getting up and making his decision.
"...Alright, Charlotte." He said. "...I'll help you with your business..."
"...That's great! Thank you, Jack!" She exclaimed, happily, in high spirits as she turned to show her beloved smile to her friends.
"On one condition…!" Jack, however, interrupted, having another thing to say. "I'll help renovate your business, IF…and only if…you do something for me, Charlotte."
Charlie's face fell to utter horror, as if she knew exactly what Jack had in mind.
"...No."
"I want you to come back."
"Jack, please. No." Charlie looked ready to break into tears, shaking her head as she backed away.
"You'll be reinstated…and you'll have missions. Missions that only I will give you, and you will accomplish to the best of your abilities."
"I can't go back, Jack." Charlie's voice was breaking. "I'm not that person. You have any idea what I went through to get out of this?!"
"...I helped you with it, remember?" Jack retorted. "And I know you're not the same as before, but that's not what I'm asking…"
Still, were Vaggie and Angel in the dark about what was happening, going in between the two in front of them. They just continued to listen.
Stepping away from his desk, Jack walked over to the window, which had a decent view of the outskirts of Pentagram City, which is where he lived, and where his tower was located. It wasn't as lively as downtown, but it was quieter, easier to breathe. It was more…considerate.
"Look out at this district." Jack said. "...There was a time when all of Pride used to be like this. The only thing that was loud was the voices of people who screamed through the streets. But at least there was no…heavy turf wars…no toxicity. Just people…who failed…and chose to wallow in their misery. That's what Hell was…" He turns and points to Charlie. "That's what you, your father, and all the others in your family had made of this place."
Charlie looked down as she listened; tears were coming down her face, dripping onto her shoes.
"Where the weak and the filthy suffered…but the strong…and the evil…had thrived. But now…now, there's no distinction…no difference…" He then turns back to the view of the window and looks further beyond his district; a faint sight of those neon light signs that are all over the city can be seen. "Look beyond this place…see all those…flashing lights…those crowded streets…and those damn turfs…those sinners who thought they could rise above the ranks and make a name for themselves…without answering to anyone else…are overstepping their bounds."
"Hey, Jackie. You mind skippin' a bit to the goddamn point?" Angel remarked, having just about had enough of being oblivious. "I mean, I'm all for a good storytellin', but what does this have to do with-"
"SHUT UP!" Jack roared, taking Angel and Vaggie back and getting the spider to immediately shut his mouth. "I wasn't. Talking. To you."
Vaggie was just about ready to rip this guy a new one as she readied her spear, but Charlie raised her arm and stopped her from going any further.
"Charlie, what are you-"
"Don't." She said. "Just…don't…"
"Charlie…"
"...Let him talk."
And with that, Vaggie reluctantly backed down as Jack continued. It seemed like he decided to make the notion plain and simple.
"...The power struggle that has been happening around this city has been going on for too long. And the reputation of the Royal Family is hindered enough as it is, with your father reclusive and your mother's disappearance. Only you, Charlotte, can bring it back up."
That made Charlie look up again as she wiped away her tears to look Jack in the eye with all seriousness…yet defiance.
"That's why I need you to come back. Do this…and I'll provide your business with everything you need: renovations, promotions, even clients…You'll still have to do your work, make connections, not just with the family, but with those who are currently thinking less of you. You need to make sure that they get the message. That you…are a force to be reckoned with."
Charlie closed her eyes and was taking deep breaths, trying her best to keep it together as she processed this. No matter how much...satisfaction…and pride…to be who she was before…she wanted to be someone else entirely after years of being feared. She wanted to be more than a monster…more than a demon.
"That's all I ask…Charlotte. That's the deal I make. Otherwise…I'm bound to you and your family anyway."
And she opened her eyes once more to look at Jack with utmost seriousness, her eyes were those of contempt…but her decision was…
"...Are my things still here?"
"...Right where you left them." Jack replied as he relaxed in his seat. "I'll make calls and send some people over to your establishment right away. Believe it or not…a lot of other people wanted to step away like you had…this…might be their escape."
"Okay. Thank you, Jack." Charlie said, her voice was still shaky as she reached for something on the table. Turned out to be a small knife. "A…pleasure d-doing business with you."
The marker was left open on the desk. Charlie took the small blade and was about to bring it over to her thumb…but Jack grabbed her before she could do the job.
"Not yet." He said.
Without a word, Charlie put the knife down, turned her back on him, and began to walk away. Vaggie and Angel began to follow her out, feeling the most uncomfortable they've ever felt before, not sure what to think about all this.
"You'll get your first mission…sometime this week…" Jack told her before he grabbed the gun from his desk. "...Charlie-"
That made the Princess freeze where she stood as she slowly turned back to look at Jack once more. The demonic man merely tossed the double-barreled m1911 to her, and she caught it perfectly in her hand.
"Welcome back…and good hunting…Your Highness."
And with that, Charlie took her 'souvenir' and headed out of the office, with Vaggie and Angel trailing behind her. Getting into the elevator, she pressed the button for the basement, meaning they weren't going home just yet.
"...That's a fancy ass gun, Charlie." Angel remarked, breaking the silence. "I mean, a double-barreled pistol. I never thought something like that could exist. And even if it did, that shit would be fucking killer on the wrists."
"What are you even planning on using that thing for, Charlie?" Vaggie asked, feeling more tense and concerned for her girlfriend. "What is going on?"
Charlie checked on the gun, pulling out the mag to see that it was loaded before putting it back in and cocking the weapon.
"...Business."