1920s New Orleans was a
vibrant place full of jazz, music, and a blending of various cultures. Good
food and music were the few things that could bring the rich, the poor and
everyone in between together. A few times during the year, like during Mardi
Gras, people could forget their ordinary lives and just lose themselves in
their minds and in the moment.
Of course, reality would
rear its ugly head once again, and the people would go their separate ways. The
rich lived in the well-maintained Garden District, surrounded by mansions, ivy,
elegant clothing and luxury. In contrast, the poor and working class gave up
many hours to earn enough money just to feed their families. That is, if they
were even lucky enough to have jobs. Women and non-white individuals had it
worse in comparison to the privileged white men.
Within New Orleans,
there is an infamous tale that nearly everyone knows. One that, at first
glance, seems like a myth to frighten children or to keep troublemakers in line.
But this tale is aimed not just at children…and it’s all too real. It serves as
a warning to anyone who might easily be swayed down the wrong path.
It is the classic tale
of the Shadow Man.
The Shadow Man in
question is Francois Keith Facilier, more commonly known as Dr. Facilier. He is
noticeable by his dark brown skin, slender build and graceful moves. He wears
purple and black and carries a cane. His suave personality and silver tongue
could convince many people to believe him. Many individuals thought their
wishes would come true after seeing the shady businessman, only to find
themselves grow old or hairy or have bad luck follow them around. All the
while, Dr. Facilier would smirk and count the coins in his hands. His violet
eyes are full of greed, reflecting his selfish nature. Dr. Facilier is
notorious for scamming people, making deals, and smooth-talking his way out of
almost anything.
Born June 4th,
in New Orleans, Dr. Facilier grew up in a poor household. Due to his background
and the constant racism in his life, Facilier grew to be envious of the rich
early on in his life. Ironically enough, his mother, Clementine, had royal blood.
Her father (Facilier’s maternal grandfather), Louis was a king of New Orleans,
making her a princess. Clementine was also royal in that she was a descendent
of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Clementine was a beautiful
black woman who worked tirelessly to help with her son’s future. She had fallen
in love with David, her dark-skinned husband. Clementine fell from grace before
Facilier’s birth when her lovely estate was ransacked and burned by jealous
criminals. She was soon forced to start her life from scratch. She eventually
met a chef named David, fell in love and got married to him.
Interestingly enough,
Dr. Facilier’s maternal grandmother was none other than Mama Odie, the blind
Voodoo priestess who was born in 1729! (She’s 197 in 1926, older than Marie
Laveau) (Mama Odie knew Marie Laveau during her lifetime and they collaborated
on magic rituals!) Her expertise in Voodoo magic and spiritual bond with Marie enabled
her to live as long as she did.
Facilier’s parents lived
in a poor area near the bayou swamp. Over time, David became alcoholic and
distant from his son. He was drafted into World War One and was killed in
battle. Single and alone, the innocence that Clementine had was eventually
gone. Clementine sought the wealth and luxury she had previously enjoyed. She
desired it so much that she went to Mama Odie for guidance. Mama Odie told her
that she and Dr. Facilier should enjoy the pleasant modest life they had.
But that wasn’t good
enough for either of them. Not with the daily struggles and up-turned noses
from royalty and the better-off.
Clementine instilled a drive for greed into her
son early on. She taught him that life simply was not fair, and that the
wealthy whites always got their way. Facilier was upset that those like Prince
Naveen and Eli “Big Daddy” La Bouff could enjoy their lives without laborious
work or discrimination. Before long, Clementine got so desperate that she went
to the dark Loa to seek their aid. They offered her wealth and a chance to
start her own business. Soon enough, Clementine was running her own parlor where
she read people’s fortunes and offered them their fantasies for money. She even
went as far as becoming a mistress to a few of her male clients in exchange for
a heap of money and jewelry.
Facilier learned of her
tricks at a young age and she taught him the art of acting and manipulation.
For a while, Clementine was content on watching other’s lives dwindle away
while she could feel the satisfaction of being recognized and respected once
again. (She made sure that those who ransacked her house had eternal bad luck).
Like his father, Facilier’s mother also became distant from him, even slapping
him when he misbehaved. Her son had become nothing more than a business
assistant to her.
But her new life and
magic powers came with a steep price. It wasn’t long before she fell gravely
ill. Her skin got wrinkled like a raisin and her hair straggly like old grass.
She had misused her powers and the price to pay was her own life. She soon
passed away to Guinee and all that was left of her was her shrunken head, which
Facilier kept in his emporium. Now the young man was left to fend for himself,
with only the knowledge from his mother and the hungry stares of the evil
wooden spirits watching him. Despite his mother being abusive, Dr. Facilier
still missed her at times.
Not long after that, Dr.
Facilier formed an alliance with the dark Loa, specifically to Baron Samedi and
Met Kalfu. The wealthy had insulted him and ruined his life for long enough. He
also wanted to continue his mother’s legacy, doing what he did best.
Why work hard when other
people could do the work for you?
He started to dress and act like Baron Samedi,
hosting musical numbers and parties in his name. Grand-Mama Odie tried to
reason with her grandson, warning him that getting involved with the Loa would
only bring disaster. She also reminded him of the true nature of Voodoo and
Hoodoo; a cultural faith based on ancestor and saint reverence. But Facilier
just laughed it off, calling her an “old senile mambo.” Facilier was too far
gone after being persuaded by the cunning shadows to make a deal. His own
shadow (Reilicaf) took a life of its own, reflecting his true emotions and
intentions. Mama Odie found peace and connection to the spirits and her snake
pet in the swamp, the place she called home. Mama Odie knew that there was no
point in fighting him…unless he intended to cause harm to New Orleans. (She was
powerful, but she didn’t want to harm her grandson or cause further harm to
others. She decided to let him learn his lesson).
(Possible
Twisted Tale book “Almost There” What if Tiana made a deal with Dr. Facilier?
by authors Lim, Braswell or Calonita)
(“Disney
Chilled: Fiends On The Other Side” book by Vera Strange)
AU: Takes place before
Princess and the Frog
Jamal, an African
American boy has lived in his twin brother Malik’s shadow all his life. Malik
has a fan club, and always gets chosen in science class and gym class. Jamal
feels invisible…not even his parents seem to notice him. He doesn’t even enjoy
his jambalaya and ice cream. One day, Malik gets a trumpet from his grandmother
and Jamal gets a skull necklace with beads and feathers. She leaves him a
message that the skull necklace would protect him from the shadows. Jamal
misses the bus and hides from Corton and his gang of bullies behind a dumpster.
He soon runs into Dr. Facilier who offers him a chance to be popular. The red
eyes from the skull glow in warning, but Jamal feels compelled to walk into the
emporium. Dr. Facilier presents Jamal with a tarot card showing him proudly
holding a trophy. Jamal fails to notice the image of his brother cowering in
the shadows. Jamal runs to leave, the voodoo dolls watching him.
Dr. Facilier torments
Jamal with tarot cards, nightmares and shadows coming after him, even Jamal’s
own shadow. Jamal’s grandmother appears
in a dark dream, chiding him of his choice. A tarot card reading “Death”
appears by his feet. The shadow man arrives to his house one night and demands
the necklace in order for him to get his wish. Jamal considers offering something
else valuable. With sinking guilt, Jamal steals his brother’s trumpet and gives
it to Dr. Facilier. The villain laughs and vanishes.
The next morning, Jamal
finds that his parents don’t remember Malik. He looks and sees pictures of
himself being successful at school, instead of his brother. He is class
president and has fans asking him to sign yearbooks. He soon finds out that
Malik was turned into a shadow, unnoticed by anyone except him and his skater friend
Riley. Malik is furious at his brother for stealing his trumpet and being so
foolish. Riley says that her grandmother has the same necklace that Jamal has.
She leads the group into the bayou swamp where her grandmother lives. But Dr.
Facilier sends his dolls and shadows after them. They nearly get eaten by possessed
alligators when Riley’s grandmother throws dust to break the spell and save
them. In the house, Riley’s grandmother reveals the same necklace that Jamal
has. She reveals that Dr. Facilier used to be part of a magical order with her
that used magic for good. But then he became fascinated by dark magic and soon
tried to stop them. His dark magic killed Jamal’s grandmother, who had hidden
under dark veils and wanted to protect her children.
The dolls burst into the
room. Riley and her grandmother hold them off with magic as Jamal and Malik
flee. A hurricane forms above them. They enter a clearing and soon are face to
face with the shadow man. Dr. Facilier’s shadow arrives and strangles the
shadowy Malik. Jamal begs him to let him go but Dr. Facilier demands him to
hand over the necklace. Jamal realizes, too late, that Riley and Malik had been
his true friends all along. Riley’s grandmother warns that Dr. Facilier will be
unstoppable if he gets the necklace. Riley steps in to help with her staff but
the dolls pin her down.
Jamal realizes that if
he breaks the necklace, Dr. Facilier will lose his soul. Dr. Facilier then says
that if he dies, then Malik will vanish forever, as he is the only one who can
reverse the curse. Malik is about to get eaten by Dr. Facilier’s shadow. Feeling
pity for his brother, Jamal gives him the necklace in defeat. Dr. Faciler grins
and grows taller in power, eyes red. Jamal then demands that he release Malik…only
for him to become a shadow as well. Dr. Facilier laughs, saying that he didn’t
promise Jamal that he would save him. A hurricane devastates New Orleans and
Dr. Facilier briefly becomes a mayor, doing martial law. He is able to make
decisions and plans to take over New Orleans. Jamal and Malik remain unnoticed
by their parents who live a life without their children. The brothers begin to
fade as Dr. Facilier laughs and says, “Now you know what it’s like to lurk in
the shadows…forever!”
Mama Odie eventually
breaks the spell and brings down Dr. Facilier’s rule after the city recovers
from the hurricane. But Jamal, Malik, Riley and their grandmothers remain dead.
(“Princess
And The Frog” by Disney)
1926
The Loa grant the witch
doctor Facilier dark magic and he uses it to swindle the citizens of New Orleans
for easy money. He “grants” wishes and poses as a shady businessman. Despite
his magic powers, Dr. Facilier still struggled financially and wanted to seize the
La Bouff fortune. He plots to use Naveen and Charlotte’s union to seize their
fortune. However, if Dr. Facilier failed to properly pay the Loa back, he would
lose his soul. Still, he was willing to take that risk.
At his parlor, he offers
Naveen freedom while offering Lawrence a chance to live the life of a prince. He
reads their Tarot cards, and Naveen fails to see the green lily pads in the
background. Naveen is turned into a frog and Lawrence becomes a copy of Naveen
through a talisman. Dr. Facilier planned to murder Eli “Big Daddy” La Bouff as
Charlotte and the disguised Lawrence got married, the two villains would then
split the money 60-40. Dr. Facilier wanted to become the most powerful man in
the city.
Later on, Dr. Facilier
asks for help from his “friends on the other side” after Naveen’s blood runs
out from the talisman. Dr. Facilier offers the dark spirits the souls of the
citizens as payment, and he soon gains an army of shadow demons to track down
the heroes.
Naveen escapes and grabs
the talisman, saving Big Daddy. Dr. Facilier kills Ray and creates an illusion
of Tiana’s restaurant to try and persuade her. Tiana breaks free and shatters
the talisman. The spirits enter the cemetery and drag Dr. Facilier to the
Voodoo spirit world (Guinee) to be tormented forever.
(“Murder
On The Air” by Kathy Prior 42)
(“Hazbin
Hotel” by Vivziepop)
This is where the story
of Dr. Facilier should end. He was a man green with envy over the lives of the
rich. His desire led him down the path of evil and darkness. He almost had
Tiana and New Orleans under his control, but thankfully Tiana, Naveen, Ray, the
crocodile and the others saved the day.
But not many people know
that Dr. Facilier wasn’t alone. In fact, there was a second Shadow Man that existed
in New Orleans. But who was it?
The obvious answer would
appear to be Dr. Facilier’s shadow. But that’s not the case, despite it being
an actual man of shadow. The man was actually a physical man.
No, it wasn’t the Axeman either, though the
other man was a serial killer…perhaps even worse than the Axeman himself.
Not only did this Shadow
Man exist…he was also Dr. Facilier’s younger distant cousin.
Dr. Facilier had a
father and a royal mother, Clementine. Dr. Facilier’s grandmother was Mama Odie.
Mama Odie had a twin black sister named Odette, a woman of Native American
descent who revered Yemaya. She was also related to Marie Laveau. Odette didn’t
live as long as Odie (She lived long due to magic and genetics) but shared her
feisty personality. Odette died long before the 1920s but not before she gave
birth to a few children after marrying Mathis, a jazz musician. Her favorite
child was a girl named Antoinette Loretta Duvalier. She followed in her
footsteps, becoming a well-known Voodoo priestess and doing good deeds for the
community.
Antoinette enjoyed her
life, but also faced discrimination and a hard job. She was pressured to marry
and meet societal expectations. To have a more stable life, she married a white
French man, named Armand Louis Moreau, who was equally in love with her.
Armand’s parents did not approve of the interracial marriage but Armand pledged
his devotion to his wife. The couple then had a French Creole son on January 24th,
1896…a boy named Alastor.
Alastor grew up in New
Orleans, raised by his father and mother. As a young child, he was exposed to
the wonders of the woods and secrets of the swamp. Although his family was far
from rich, he was still able to live a fairly comfortable life. He had short
brown hair, brown eyes and medium brown skin. He would often wear glasses,
bow-ties and suspenders. Although he, too was jealous that the rich lived
better off, little Alastor mostly pursued his passion for music and theater
early on. He especially enjoyed all the festive holidays like Mardi Gras, All
Soul’s Day, St. John’s Day, Christmas and more. In their innocent days, Alastor
and Dr. Facilier got along well as little boys.
As time went on, Alastor
started to be bullied by his peers for his heritage and “feminine” interests.
It wasn’t uncommon for boys to throw rocks and mud at him, calling him
“Chocolate Boy” or racial slurs. They would pour cold water on him, telling him
to “wash off.” Playing musical instruments and doing theater were the only good
parts about school. Whenever Alastor would get sad, his mother would tell him,
“You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” He learned to appear happy and
confident as much as possible, after all, “boys don’t cry.” Alastor and his
mother were inseparable. Antoinette taught him how to make jambalaya and Creole
meals, how to sew Voodoo dolls, do rituals and play music. They would dance
together to the gramophone. In contrast, Armand wanted Alastor to get into more
“masculine” interests like sports, hunting and girls. But Alastor wasn’t
interested in anyone as he grew up. Alastor got through the days by working
hard and smiling like he had no care in the world. Louis Armstrong and his
mother were his lifelong role models. He was a happy, go-lucky kid who
respected his ancestors and rolled along with life.
But events built up over
the years that would led to a traumatic event. Armand grew tiresome of Alastor,
even calling him a “mixed bastard of sin.” Armand went to church more and felt
more pressure to conform from his parents. He started hitting and beating
Alastor whenever he misbehaved. He would chide his wife for not having the
house clean enough or for not having dinner ready. Alastor learned hunting and
taxidermy from his father, and also how to shoot a gun. But aside from hunting
trips in the winter, their relationship was distant and strained.
One fateful night around
ten years old, Alastor caught his father hooking up with another woman behind
his mother’s back. Furious, Armand stomped into Alastor’s room and proceeded to
molest the little boy. Alastor’s mother came in to comfort him and wash him up,
but Alastor was adverse to touch ever since. Antoinette couldn’t do anything,
as Armand was the head of the household. To the delight of Armand’s parents,
Armand declared his divorce to Antoinette, where he would take most of their
stuff and leave Antoinette and Alastor in poverty. After beating his son,
Armand was about to rape his sleeping wife to “teach that whore one more
lesson.” But before he could, Alastor snapped. With shaking hands, he takes a
riffle and shoots his father square in the chest. This startles Antoinette
awake. Alastor quickly hides the body outside and Antoinette never knows what
he did.
Alastor grew up and
completed school. As a teen, he collected bugs, swam in the creek, befriended
gators, hunted and hiked. He also enjoyed the Picture Show, going to as many
shows as he could. He began to smoke and explore more death-related rituals and
the dark Loa. His also let his dark brown hair grow long, up to his chin.
As a teen, he meets Dr.
Facilier again. Facilier reads Tarot cards and offers Alastor the chance to
become a jazz musician, his dream he had for a while. Alastor almost gave in,
but remembered what his mother told him: “Ya don’t take shit from other hobos.”
Alastor declines and instead wants to help Facilier live a better life…by
becoming part of a jazz band for a Fet Gede celebration, earning him some money.
But Facilier is too involved in his dark dealings. He tricks Alastor and says
he’ll help, but ends up stealing his money instead. Alastor, fascinated by
Facilier’s magic, wants to try it. But Alastor had used Voodoo practices for
good (combination of Rada and Petro), so he couldn’t do dark magic or any magic
in general. Dr. Facilier calls his cousin weak and mocks him for being naïve
and not taking his offer. Alastor storms from the parlor, humiliated, and vows
to surpass his cousin one day.
In 1912, Alastor
witnesses the Titanic sinking in the newspaper. A hurricane arrives in New
Orleans, but Alastor and his family rescue other people and recover. Alastor
decides to let a cruel policeman drown instead of helping him.
World War One arrives
and Alastor is drafted. While there, he witnesses his comrades die next to him.
He is part of the team that operates radios for communication. After returning
home, his interest in radios increases and he begins crafting his own.
Sadly in 1918, the
Spanish Flu occurs, resulting in the death of his beloved mother. No doctors
are willing to help. A heartbroken Alastor is left to bury his mother in the
cemetery next to his grandmother. In a fit of rage, Alastor kills criminals at
night in disguise, earning him the Vigilante title. Alastor was no longer
connected to his ancestors, his Voodoo magic turning Petro red. Alastor trailed
down the dark path, leading him to practice the stereotypical evil Voodoo
portrayed in media. He even began placing curses and hexes on people, wearing
alligator teeth on a necklace.
Soon, it was just him
and a life of poverty. Alastor nearly commits suicide but then remembers Dr.
Facilier. In desperation, Alastor goes to him and agrees to his deal.
Met Kalfu, Baron Samedi
and Furfur embed Alastor with powerful Eldritch magic to use in the afterlife
should he win. (But these Loa weren’t the traditional Papa Legba, Kalfu and the
others Alastor had revered in the past. These beings were pure evil.) In order
to assure his powers, they tell Alastor to offer human souls to them, which he
eventually does. His powers would increase, the more souls he collected. Alastor’s
faith and heart breaks as he loses his connection with the genuine Loa and the
saints of his youth.
Alastor offers his soul,
afterlife powers and money to Dr. Facilier and the Loa if Dr. Facilier is able
to achieve his goal of being wealthy and powerful. But if Facilier fails, then
Alastor gains Dr. Facilier’s powers and servitude. Both men shake hands, along
with their sentient shadows. There was another factor to the deal: The man who
dies first would automatically lose. Alastor quickly leaves before Dr. Facilier
gets any ideas.
The luck magic, coupled
with hard work, enables Alastor to be a bandleader and gain fame for his work. Per
agreement, Alastor gives Dr. Facilier some of his money to continue his dark
work. The intrigued CBS arrive to interview Alastor about his performances in
1920. They hear of Alastor’s expertise in fixing radios and creating a crystal
radio set of his own. Alastor is eventually interviewed and hired as a radio DJ
in a low-class position. Playing the same songs soon got boring. Alastor didn’t
put the effort into his music only to be stuck with more racism and a lower
status. The higher ups were loudmouths standing in the way of his goal.
So he decides to
eliminate them instead.
Alastor would soon be
known as the greatest radio host in the city…and the Louisiana Lunatic serial
killer. He takes great care to avoid the Axeman, and even writes a similar
letter that he made, telling people to play jazz at night.
1920s
The Roaring 20s begins,
the peak of Alastor’s life. He basks in wealth and fame, drinking liquor, bitter
coffee, and flirting with women. He meets flapper performer Mimzy who quickly
becomes his best friend. Mimzy falls in love with Alastor but he doesn’t feel
the same way. They nearly have sex but Alastor refuses. Mimzy wants to marry
Alastor and go on extravagant tours around the world. But Alastor prefers peace
and quiet in the wilderness. Mimzy is saddened at this but they still remain
close friends, performing and dancing together.
Mimzy accidentally
drinks a poisoned drink set by Alastor that was meant for a womanizer rapist he
was watching. He is heartbroken over his friend’s death. He doesn’t want to be
tied down and he thinks his sexuality is something that is wrong with him. (The
term asexuality didn’t exist and he remembers when his grandparents suggested
he be put in an asylum).
During the Roaring Twenties, Alastor
begins his killing spree of racist men, rapists, and criminals. He is called
the Vigilante and the Louisiana Lunatic and kills his victims in various ways.
Guns, knives, axes, traps, and fire were some of the many tools he used. Alastor
spares women and children.
Alastor flirts with women and
manipulates them because it’s fun to do. People who made deals with him often
found their money stolen by him. Many women are charmed by Alastor but Alastor
doesn’t get intimate with any of them. He enjoys dancing with women and being
on stage. Alastor lavishes in wealth, buying new red suits and top hats, a
fancy red car and a microphone cane with golden deer antlers.
On the radio, Alastor tells dad
jokes (especially radio-themed ones) and describes the deaths of his victims in
detail. No one suspects that he is the killer until much later. Alastor also
pulls pranks on people for fun (thumbtacks, kick me signs, soap in drinks,
whoopee cushions, plastic doorways). Before the end of every program, he plays
his favorite song, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile.”
1926
(The
events of “Princess and the Frog” take place.)
Dr. Facilier’s shadows
capture Alastor and Dr. Facilier steals some of his stuff. Dr. Facilier mocks
him and says that he’ll get to watch all of New Orleans fall. Alastor is
shocked by the betrayal and his cruelty. Before Dr. Facilier can kill his
helpless cousin, the shadows arrive with the frog Naveen. Alastor uses the
distraction to escape. (Alastor couldn’t bring himself to kill his cousin). Dr.
Facilier is dragged into the Voodoo spirit world by the Loa after failing to
keep the talisman intact. A victorious Alastor grins as his cousin is dragged
away screaming. Alastor is more than happy to announce his death on the radio.
The other Axeman’s
letter:
Hell,
1929
Esteemed
Mortal of New Orleans: The Louisiana Lunatic
They
have never caught me and they never will. They have never seen me, for I am
invisible, even as the sound waves that surround your earth. I am not a human
being, but a demon from the hottest hell. I am what you Orleanians call the
Louisiana Lunatic. Down here, I’m the inevitable Radio Demon.
When
I see fit, I shall appear and claim other victims as I see fit. I alone know
whom they shall be. No clues will be left behind, save for what you might hear
on the next broadcast.
Tell
the police and the racist, elite scum of the world to beware. Let them try not
to discover who I am, for it’d be better for them not to have been born than to
incur the wrath of the Louisiana Lunatic. You’ll have a deer in the headlights
look and won’t have any idea what hit you until after it’s too late.
Undoubtedly,
you Orleanians think of me as a monster and murderer. But if I wanted to hurt
anyone else here, I would have done so already. If I wished, I could pay a
visit to your city every night. I could kill every one of your best and worst
citizens, for I am in a close relationship with the Shadows of the Other Side.
At
6:06 pm next Friday night, I am going to pass over New Orleans and then visit
those in Hell. I am going to make a little proposition to you people. Here it
is:
I
am very fond of jazz music, electro swing, and jambalaya. I swear by all the
Loas and deities that I will spare those who can provide me with some great
entertainment when I visit. Word of warning, I can read you people like a book,
and see into your very souls. Anyone foolish enough to challenge me will have
their corpses consumed and their screams muffled by the lovely sound of jazz
bands jamming the night away.
I
have been, am, and will be, the worst spirit that ever existed in fact,
fantasy, or the realm of Hazbins.
Smile
and stay tuned!
1929
The Great Depression comes into
effect as well as the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Alastor enjoys reading about
the chaos in the newspaper. People frantically sell their stuff and beg for jobs
and money. He also enjoys seeing the orphans suffering homeless in the streets
as it reminds him of his better off status. He also finds children annoying and
undisciplined, a leftover trait from his father.
But soon, things take a downward
turn. Alastor begins to lose money and food, his former glory days over.
Alastor hoards radios and radio furniture in his house. He grows bony thin and
his eyes have bags under them. Alastor grows unhealthy due to lack of food, and
(almost!) resorts to cannibalism. He also fears losing his radio audience due
to the prospects of TV. He meets Russian born Vincent (Vox), an ABC
broadcasting company CEO who taunts him for his race and career. They get into
a fight but victorious Vox leaves, saying to him that his days are over.
Alastor becomes depressed,
cutting into his skin for rituals or just to taste his own blood…to feel
something. His self-inflicted cuts add to the scars on his back and body from
his dad and struggling criminals.
1929
Alastor finds an abandoned baby
in a dumpster and briefly takes care of her. The Japanese baby is Nerissa
Nefuti, also known as Niffty. Niffty is placed in an orphanage where she gets
adopted by a picture bride and her husband, who travel to their home in
California.
1933
Alastor becomes more careless
with his killings, and is soon discovered by police in 1933. The police sends
dogs after him, a German Shepard, a Pit Bull, and a hunting Black Lab dog. As
he runs, he is bitten by a rabies infected dog in an alley. Alastor races through
the snowy woods, experiencing painful headaches, and hallucinations of drowning
and his parents being killed as deer. The police dogs bite at his legs but he
shakes him off and runs some more.
A deer hunter spots him,
thinking he’s a deer at first. He is fearful and disgusted by the madman who
rushes at him head on. The hunter is Vox’s friend and Vox smirks. Alastor’s
insane eyes beg the hunter to finish him off, as he didn’t want to be arrested.
The hunter almost shoots him but finds he can’t do it. Vox then shoots Alastor
between the eyes and his body falls. (Video Killed the Radio Star). The dogs
bark and maul at Alastor moments before the gunshot. The police arrive and see
the hole in his forehead, his glazed eyes, bloodied clothing and frozen smile. Alastor’s
body is promptly burned, his belongings destroyed and his radios given away to
an antique shop. His death is announced on his own radio station by none other
than Vox before it, too, is done for. Many of his fans are saddened but the
majority of New Orleans is relieved that the killer is gone. Vox is hailed as a
hero before he returns to his job in another state.
Think that’s the end of
Alastor’s story? Think again!
(“Hazbin
Hotel” by Vivziepop)
Alastor arrives in Hell
and becomes a red deer-like demon with sinister red eyes. With his human
memories still intact and his new powers granted to him, he soon terrorizes
Hell and broadcasts his massacres on the radio. This earned him the title of
the Radio Demon. His shadow (Rotsala) had a life of his own, behaving much like
Dr. Facilier’s sinister shadow sidekick. Alastor also has a microphone staff
that allows him to broadcast anywhere in Hell. Alastor, too has singing friends
on the other side.
(Dr. Facilier eventually
becomes a snake demon and Alastor’s helpless slave in Hell. Hence how Alastor
became a “ripoff” of Dr. Facilier)
His parents are
different as well. His father Armand became Neleus, a cruel black dog demon
with large antlers. (Referencing Alastor’s fear of dogs and his father) His
mother Antoinette became Poena, a humanoid red doe who can travel between
Heaven and Hell.
(The
events of the Alastor Prequel Comic and the Hazbin Hotel Pilot Episode take
place.)
Alastor strolls around
Hell, flirting with Victorian women and indulging in the act of cannibalism,
thanks to his mentor Rosie. Alastor protects women from evil men but also
doesn’t like strong-willed women who disagree with him or break the old
societal standards. He reunites with Mimzy and they share a dance. Vox becomes
a ruler over television, becoming Alastor’s powerful rival. While Vox seeks
power through evolution, Alastor is content to be stuck in the past. (Alastor
hates Vox, not just because of their differences in technology). Vox was also
Niffty’s abusive husband.
Alastor makes deals with
the cleaning cyclops Niffty and the alcoholic cat demon Husk. Both of them
protect Alastor and do tasks for him in exchange for safety and comfort.
Everyone runs away at the sight of him, leaving him with no real companions. (He
misses his mother dearly, and will do anything to reunite with her). Alastor
grows to dislike people in elite authority positions, and finds it hard to
express his true feelings to anyone.
Feeling bored and lonely
over the decades, Alastor seeks out a new form of entertainment. Alastor knows
that Vox could overpower him easily if he doesn’t seek new alliances. Alastor
witnesses Charlie, the princess of Hell on TV talk about her plan to redeem
sinners by opening up a hotel. It is her hope that demons can become better
individuals so they can go up to Heaven and be safe from the yearly
exterminations that take place in Hell. Alastor visits said hotel and offers to
help. He meets Charlie’s girlfriend Vaggie, and Angel Dust, one of the hotel
clients. Alastor fixes up the hotel with his magic and summons Niffty and Husk
to his aid. He almost convinces Charlie to make a deal with him. Charlie
instead orders him to help her out. The two share a dance before Alastor
protects the hotel from another villain. Everyone knows that Alastor is up to
no good, but Charlie decides to give him a chance.
So there you have it:
the two Shadow Men of New Orleans were once innocent boys who each wanted
freedom, love and better lives. Alas, their choices along with their circumstances
made them the popular shady showmen they are to this day. Is it unknown if
these men can be redeemed or if they even want to at all. The two tales merge
into one, with the most disturbing message of all. We all have shadows inside
of us, and sometimes it doesn’t take much for a person to turn evil. Whether it
be a slimy snake in the shadows or a dancing demonic deer, one can never be too
careful when dealing with the darkness.
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