Helluva Boss: Mastermind

 

 

Snow was gently falling around the magnificent ice palace of Marquis Andrealphus. The palace was structured like a three-layer cake with sharp snowflake structures off to the sides with diamond designs inside. The clouds swirled above it in the red-black sky.

 

Inside the palace, an imp butler with white hair, small striped horns and wearing an ice-colored suit was pouring hot tea into a white cylinder cup. Andrealphus took the cup and gracefully sipped, his pinky in the air. He was a white peacock demon with glowing teal eyes, a white snowflake on his furry teal feathers, and a teal and white crown on his head. He wore a long dress-like robe colored teal at the bottom, then white, then light purple. Ice encased a nearby window and an ice light fixture off to the side glowed teal.

 

“You seem in good spirits, today,” Andrealphus remarked to his sister and lover Stella.

 

The butler placed another cup of tea on a snowflake plate in front of Stella.

 

“Oh yes!” Stella exclaimed, lowering a pink lid onto the table that had a small gold crown with “bitch” on it. The swan demoness wore her gold crown and light pink dress. “Stolas has had his heart shat on by that little imp cretin he was seeing!” She giggled.

 

“Oh?” Andrealphus wiggled an eyebrow, leaning in to hear more.

 

Stella continued as the imp poured her tea. “Yes, I believe he finally learnt that that filthy little beast was only using him to gain access to his grimoire!”

 

Andrealphus sipped then froze.

 

Stella cackled and Andrealphus coughed and spat out his coffee on the imp. The poor imp butler was frozen in ice on the spot, him slowly sliding to the side in his block of ice.

 

“Fucking moron!” Stella added.

 

“Gain…gain access to…” Andrealphus coughed some more. “…to his what?!”

 

Stella waved her hand. “That fancy book thing.”

 

Andrealphus pushed out his hands. “D-d-d-n-no, no, wait, wait, wait, wait! Stolas was letting an imp use his Goetia given grimoire, and you didn’t tell me?”

 

“Why do you care?” she droned.

 

Andrealphus put a hand to his face. “Because! We have been trying to figure out a means to usurp your horny ex-husband’s power, and this whole time…”

 

Ice crept along the walls…

 

“…you knew about the incredibly illegal thing he was doing…”

 

Blocks of ice covered the walls and the chair Andrealphus had been sitting on…

 

“…and you didn’t think…”

 

Andrealphus angrily crawled onto the table, ice forming below…

 

“…it might be a good idea…”

 

White feathers and two plumes with white and teal snowflake designs sprang out behind him as he angrily morphed into his more demonic form. His top feathers had five teal diamonds on them and more plumes with the snowflake shapes on the ends.

 

He spread out all his white peacock feathers and white veins bulged in his teal eyes.

 

“…TO LET ME KNOW?!”

 

Stella leaned in, firing back. “WELL DON’T YELL AT ME!”

 

Andrealphus glared as Stella calmly slurped her tea.

 

She glanced at him. “Now you fucking know.”

 

Andrealphus lifted his head and scowled. “You…are…so lucky you are hot, Stella!”

 

With his nose in the air, the peacock strutted away as Stella slurped again.

 

0 0 0

 

 

Loona tossed and turned in her bed. She couldn’t sleep. Ever since Blitzo and Millie’s last mission at the haunted hotel, some of her worries were beginning to resurface.

 

A vivid nightmare played in her mind, a horrific dream unlike others she had had before. It felt like some ominous warning.

 

I.M.P. headquarters was demolished before her eyes by spiked balls on chains. She spotted Millie crying into Moxxie’s arms on the sidewalk, Blitzo looking up heartbroken. They were surrounded by figures with dark robes, and they were soon tied up in dark chains. She found herself in chains and a metal nuzzle over her mouth with her colleagues Millie and Moxxie. They were inside an infernal courtroom with a tall ceiling and a crowd of other demons in the stands. A shadow figure of a demon with giant bat wings and spikes along his back pointed an accusing claw at Blitzo. Blitzo was standing in handcuffs next to a menacing robed figure. He somberly put his head on a chopping block and the figure raised the ax. The crowd gasped as black blood splattered on the ground and Blitzo’s head rolled to a stop in front of her, red and yellow eyes staring blankly. She then felt herself and her colleagues being pushed closer to the edge. A white royal peacock gave them a menacing smirk. Moxxie, Millie and Loona screamed as they were shoved off the cliff and down into a lake of lava below.

 

Loona woke with a start, her breath shaking.

 

“Dad?” She looked around and got up. Everything was normal in their apartment. There was her adoptive father sprawled out asleep on the couch.

 

Loona sighed with relief, then collapsed back onto her bed.

 

 

0 0 0

 

At I.M.P. headquarters, Blitzo absentmindedly squeezed a toy of Moxxie in his hand. He sat at his desk in his worn striped chair with spikes along the side.

 

Blitzo raised an eyebrow as he faced forward.

 

“So the four of you aaarre…remind me again?”

 

A young imp with thick white hair in a long bang smiled at Blitzo, holding a piece of paper and wearing a white suit with a black necktie. Standing beside him was a tall female imp with a heart necklace, a yellow shirt, and a white pointed tail. Next was a short white-haired imp wearing a blue sweater. Finally, there was a pink succubus with long white hair, pointed dark horns, small wings, purple shorts with a white star and a white shirt with horns on it.

 

“We’re interns, sir!” he explained in greeting. “We’re looking for cool businesses to work for!”

 

He stepped forward and placed a piece of paper onto Blitzo’d desk. It was stained with a coffee ring and on it was a crying imp face drawing and a note: “Dear I.M.P. man, Please, please PLS hire us. Love Me.”

 

 Blitzo grabbed the paper, crumpled it, and tossed it aside. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what interns are, I’m not an idiot, okay?” He placed his head on his hand. “But I can’t really afford new employees at the moment.”

 

Blitzo moved a finger toward one of the hidden red buttons under his desk.

 

“Oh, interns work for experience, sir,” said the white-haired imp.

 

Blitzo paused. “Come again?”

 

“Experience!”

 

Blitzo put a finger to his chin and then smirked. “Ohh, you mean for free.”

 

“Experience?” asked the imp.

 

Blitzo smiled and leaned across the desk. “Well, I can’t argue with free, kiddo! You’re hired!” The young imp grinned with excitement as Blitzo shook his hand. The other teen imps and the succubus were also excited.

 

Moxxie burst into the room. “Sir! You need to see this!”

 

Just then, a loud voice yelled from outside. “COME OUT! WE’VE GOT YOU SURROUNDED!”

 

Blitzo and Moxxie peered out the window from the blinds.

 

To their horror, a dark portal formed in the air, turning into a black circle surrounded by crimson clouds sparking with red lightning. A large yellow Sauron-like eye blinked open with an upside down cross in the center and a fury of dark robed figures zoomed out of the portal. The lower trails of their robes were stained with red blood.

 

One figure guard held up a scroll and read from it.

 

“Employees of the illegal business I.M.P., you are hereby arrested for breaking demon law, surrender yourselves!”

 

A holographic image appeared with mugshots of the four members. Loona appeared happy in her dark pink shirt with an upside-down pentagram on it. Moxxie cried with wide eyes as he stood in an orange jumpsuit holding “6984” number. Blitzo stood with a matching orange jumpsuit with a drooling face holding his number “6983” upside down. The last one was a snarling Millie in her old assassin look.

 

Bold red letters appeared on screen: “YES YOU!!” and “UNDER ARREST!”

 

Another robed figure with sharp teeth and a glowing red mouth mocked, “YOU GUYS ARE IN DEEP SHIT!”

 

“Blitz, what are we gonna do?” asked a frightened Moxxie.

 

Blitzo covered his mouth and sat on his knees, too scared to move.

 

“YOU CAN’T ESCAPE!”  yelled another guard.

 

Blitzo in a panic gripped Moxxie’s face hard with his hands.

 

“QUICK! HIDE EVERYTHING!”

 

Loona sat at her desk as Blitzo leaped onto her desk.

 

“Hey!” she barked.

 

Blitzo spotted a poker game on Loona’s screen. It read “Pot: $690.” Loona had 19,220, another player had 30,860, another had 18,900, another had 15,720 and the last player had 7,420.

 

Blitzo clicked on a tab: “Main Menu,” “Options,” “Scoreboard,” “Exit,” and “Delete Search History.”

 

Blitzo clicked on the “Delete Search History” tab. A loading icon popped up, “Deleting Search History…”

 

Blitzo rapidly clicked a “FASTER” button at the bottom. The line was almost white and complete…

 

…until an error message appeared: “Operation Broken ;( FUCK U!!”

 

In response, Millie crashed the computer into exploding pieces and electricity with a swing of her ax.

 

The imps raced around in a panic. Moxxie struggled to carry a tall stack of papers in his hands.

 

“COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!” called a guard.

 

Moxxie stumbled and the papers fell to the floor. He scurried on his knees, trying to pick up as many as he could. Tears fell from his eyes.

 

“WE ARE GOING TO BEAT YOU!” added another guard.

 

“WHAT?”

 

“BUT ONLY A LITTLE!”

 

“WHY ONLY A LITTLE?!”

 

“LORD SATAN’S ORDERS!”

 

Loona stood up and growled at the commotion from outside.

 

Moxxie zoomed away as Loona bellowed “FUUUCCCKKK!”

 

Loona pulled open a drawer and spotted papers, a paper that read “target list,” a horse drawing, a sad sun drawing, and a brown beer bottle. She bit off the cap and poured the liquid onto the papers.

 

“THERE’S NOWHERE TO RUN, YOU LITTLE RED SHITS!”  threatened another guard.

 

Loona took out her lighter with the I.M.P. logo on the side.

 

She paused and gasped softly. Tears came from her eyes as she spotted a picture of all four of them. Blitzo and Millie were smiling and covered in blood. Moxxie looked at Millie, red blood in his hair and Loona looked off with a grumpy look. The caption read “FIRST JOB DONE!” with a heart next to it.

 

“Fuck.”

 

Loona grabbed the picture and stuffed it under her shirt. She pressed the top metal part of the lighter, but no flame appeared.

 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” She tried again and again, slamming her fist in frustration.

 

Millie entered an old worn-out bathroom. A sign read “Do not flush, non-peepee poopoo.” Scribbles on the stall read “Blitz sukd ur mum here,” a horse drawing and a face with x eyes and a tongue out. Another sign read “Wash your hands! Or don’t! I don’t care!”

 

Millie stuffed a bunch of socks, hats, and clothing into an old toilet.

 

Another guard yelled. “WE ARE GOING TO BEAT YOU! BUT-BUT ONLY A LITTLE! MAY-MAYBE A LOT!”

 

Millie pushed down the stuff with Blitzo’s rifle and flinched as sewer water splattered into her face. She flushed it and grinned…but froze as the toilet started to overflow.

 

“JUST COME OUT!” yelled a guard.

 

Back in the main room, Blitz waved his outstretched hand, telling Loona to hurry up with the lighter.

 

“I’M TRYING! I’M FUCKING TRYING!” she replied.

 

Blitzo took the lighter and dropped it into the drawer. They both backed up as a column of flame burst upward. Blitzo grinned with both thumbs up and Loona gave a thumbs up, too.

 

Near a refrigerator, poor Moxxie was trying to shred a pile of paper into a shredder. Moxxie’s eyes grew wide as he tried to unjam it. He yanked onto the paper, but he fell backward. He pounded on the jammed papers. His eyes widened and he cried in frustration.

 

“THE SHREDDER IS JAMMED!” Moxxie screeched.

 

Blitzo took out a container of food in his mouth labeled with Millie’s name and spotted another container labeled with Moxxie’s name. He spat out Millie’s container and raced over to Moxxie.

 

“THEN FIGURE IT OUT, MOXXIE!” Blitzo yelled, shoving paper into Moxxie’s mouth.

 

“COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!” yelled another guard.

 

Blitzo carried Moxxie out of the room. He opened the door to the hallway. Millie raced to them. Blitzo placed a limp Moxxie into Millie’s arms. Loona followed close behind Blitzo. They exited the room as red smoke hovered behind. They raced toward a window and froze as red electricity crackled outside.

 

Blitzo’s face fell as a spiked shadow approached. He raced back and shoved his employees to the ground just before the window shattered. A spiked ball with a yellow eye came bouncing into the hall. Red smoke spewed from the spikes around the ball, causing the I.M.P. members to cough violently. Blitzo broke a glass window with his elbow.

 

“C’mon guys,” Blitzo choked.

 

“Blitz, they will see us!” cried Moxxie, putting a hand on his shoulder.

 

“Well, we can either run, or we can face the music,” Blitzo replied.

 

A group of the hooded guards stood outside the door. One of them checked his watch on his wrist. They spotted the silhouettes of I.M.P. in the red smoke.

 

“THERE THEY ARE!”

 

The guards screeched and pulled out black and red rope. They let the rope fly and they caught their targets.

 

They looked down at the tied-up group.

 

“Uh, is this part of the job?” asked the white-haired intern imp.

 

The guards looked at each other and screeched. Another one pointed in the distance toward a parking lot.

 

“THERE! THE VAN!”

 

“Get. In. The. Van!” Blitzo urged as he carried a curled-up Loona over his head. “Hurry, hurry, hurry!”

 

Moxxie opened the door.

 

Millie and Moxxie piled into the back, Loona brushed her hair out of her face and Blitzo sat in the driver’s seat.

 

He fiddled with his car key: the one with a gold horse keychain with a unicorn horn and small wings. He put it into the ignition.

 

“Okay, c’mon, c’mon, we got it.”

 

He pulled up the clutch and straightened the overhead mirror.

 

“Where are we going?” Moxxie asked.

 

“Anywhere but here,” Blitzo replied, turning back toward them. “Get ready for a life on the run, gang!”

 

The engine revved up, the headlights blinked on. The van zoomed forward…

 

…before Blitzo accidentally crashed it into a pole. The windows were shattered. The front was damaged with smoke coming out of the engine. Everyone had their heads lowered. One of the wheels rolled away.

 

An awkward dreadful silence.

 

“I fucking hate you so much, Blitz!” glowered Moxxie.

 

“FREEZE, CRIMINALS!”  called the guards. More demons with different colored lit candles on their foreheads and bat wings, were dressed in red police uniforms with upside down crosses in eye designs on their caps. The police force trained their pistols and guns on the cornered I.M.P. members.

 

They yanked open the door and captured them one by one. One grabbed hold of Blitzo and manifested black handcuffs on his wrists. More robed figures manifested manacles on Moxxie and Millies’ arms. They yelled and strained to reach each other before being pulled away. A large red and black collar was on Loona and a matching muzzle was on her nose.

 

 

0 0 0

Double doors showed the symbols of each of the Seven Deadly Sin Rulers. Above the door was Lucifer’s red sigil with ominous cracks in it. It was flanked by six angel wings, three on either side and on top was a snake and an apple. A skull with four long horns was for Satan. A large honeybee with honeycomb designs was for Beelzebub. Hearts among flames was for Asmodeus. Sleeping eyes on clouds surrounded by a larger eye was for Belphegor. A bug with a slithering long tail was for Mammon. Finally, four large tentacles was for Leviathan.

 

Blitzo was dragged into the room, flanked by two reaper guards.

 

“Come on, guys!” he protested. “This is…this is all just one big misunderstanding.”

 

They dragged him to a small table under a spotlight.

 

“Uh, is this about the orphans? ‘Cause they were already sick to begin with.”

 

“SILENCE!”

 

Large hooves shook the ground.

 

Blitzo fearfully looked up at an imposing figure. The cavernous infernal courtroom lit up. Glowing lava poured from black cauldrons hanging on chains into large torch-holders, creating orange-red flames. Smaller black candles with red-orange flames hovered below. Loona, Millie, and Moxxie were chained to another platform, a small hovering cliff. One of the reapers had an upside-down red cross on his collar.

 

Before Blitzo in the spotlight near a red and black throne rose King Satan himself. Behind him sat the six Deadly Sins (minus Lucifer). Lucifer’s throne in the background was empty save for a rubber duck, a spider-web and a note: “BRB, Five Minutes.”

 

Satan spoke in a low rumbling voice, clenching his thick fist. “We are here to sentence the criminal imp…Blitzo.”

 

The King of Wrath, Satan posed like a demonic bodybuilder. His skin was crimson red, matching his vast red bat wings extending from his back. Yellow veins spread along his muscled arms and wings. He had a long thick dragon-like tail, red and yellow with spines along the top and a point at the end. He wore black boots, long black pants, a dark undershirt and a black torn vest with dangles on the bottom. His collar was red with a barbell design on each side. A red cross was on his yellow chest. Four stern yellow eyes peered from his red dragon-like face. Two small striped imp horns were in the middle and two longer curved horns stretched upward, adding to his imposing look. He emitted masculinity and nobility.

 

“A-actually sir, the ‘o’ is…” Blitzo began nervously.

 

Satan glared down at him and snorted close to his face in warning.

 

“Totally there!” Blitzo squeaked. “You nailed it, great job.”

 

 

 

In the stands sat the other Deadly Sins. The King of Greed Mammon, the fat green jester with a dollar sign on his yellow necktie sat bored, picking a coin out of his ear. The King of Lust Asmodeus sat in the back, with his yellow eyes, and flaming blue hair with a bull and a ram head on either side. He sat concerned, wearing a maroon-colored suit and his top hat. The Queen of Gluttony, Beelzebub sat by Asmodeus. The party fox had glowing flowing honey-colored hair and was wearing a black short shirt with a white heart on it and a red vest with yellow flaps on the sides. The sleeping Queen of Sloth, Belphegor was a white sheep with floppy ears, a pink candle on her head and large purple and black eyes along her furry neck. She sat sleeping, a snot-bubble visible from her nose. The Queen of Envy, Leviathan sat by Mammon. She was a being with two heads: a cynical purple serpent head on the right with glowing green eyes, thick purple and white hair, glowing with green tentacle spots on the ends. The left head was the more playful one, with white skin, black eyes with teal iris, long white and pink hair down her back and round earrings on her white fin ears. The two-headed twin wore necklaces and a black shirt with an exposed hole in the center and the comedy-tragedy white heart symbol on either side. They also held a long cigarette in their hand. All of the Sins’ sigils glowed red on their chairs.

 

Andrealphus posed on a high balcony, standing next to other Ars Goetia members. One wore a jeweled robe with three teal candles on his bent head. One had a horse-like face with four red eyes and wings. One slender horse with a black crown, red eyes, a cape and a purple suit stared at his phone. One had a deer face and antlers and wore a dark blue naval outfit with a gold star badge. Another member had a yellow bird-like appearance.

 

Vassago, the red parrot posed with more Ars Goetia members on another balcony. He had a white face, red feathers and wore gold pointed sunglasses. He wore a red suit with a gold star on the collar along with white gloves. Two purple and gold feathers pointed out behind his head. Tall white heeled boots came up his slender legs. He looked like a cross between a movie star and a pirate. He also spoke Spanish and was close to Stolas.

 

There were the other Ars Goetia: a crow with red hair, a black crow wearing a crown, bowtie and fancy black suit, a tall leopard with magenta eyes, a small goat with red eyes, another bird-like demon and a brown serpent-like demon wearing a black bowtie and white suit. There were more: a skull wearing goggles, a pink and teal peacock, a figure with a dark and purple flaming face with bull skulls, another deer with fire on his head, a black bird with a red suit with a flaming face, a tall white bird wearing a small crown and magenta suit, and another crow demon with lava in his mouth. One demon had a yellow pyramid head like Bill Cipher.

 

Satan pointed an accusing claw at the other I.M.P. members.

 

“You and your crew are on trial for stealing a powerful Goetic heirloom for undocumented personal use in the mortal realm. How do you plead?”

 

“N-not guilty, Your Infernal Honor,” Blitzo replied in a shaking voice. A camera made of black cavern crystals hovered near him. Blitzo felt even more vulnerable now.

 

“Oh, is…is this about the book? Ha! I didn’t steal that thing! I mean, I tried, right? But since when is attempting a crime illegal? This is Hell, am I right?”

 

“Always,” Moxxie glared.

 

“Point is,” Blitzo continued. “It was given to me, okay? I was allowed to use it.”

 

“OBJECTION! LIES!!” bellowed Andrealphus. “Your Honor…”

 

Andrealphus waved his arm and slid down an icy slide with icicles underneath. “…speaking on behalf of my aggressive attractive sister…”

 

Asmodeus, Satan, Belphegor, and Beelzebub all raised their eyebrows in bewilderment.

 

Andrealphus pointed at Blitzo. “…I must testify that this BRUTISH imp did indeed steal Stolas’ precious grimoire to use in the mortal realm. And Stolas himself not only let him, but also allowed Blitzo to force himself upon him!”

 

“HEY! I DIDN’T FORCE SHIT!” Blitzo protested before he was muted by a chain around his mouth.

 

Andrealphus posed. “Unlike a responsible and handsome Goetic demon such as myself, Stolas was too weak and ashamed to come forward about it. To allow himself to be seduced by such a common imp, then to gleefully divorce Stella to boot…”

 

Andrealphus posed some more. “Oh, the travesty! The horrendous drama!”

 

Several royal members muttered.

 

Andrealphus strode forward and shoved Blitzo so hard that he flipped over his stone stand. “This vile hideous imp has put his kind to shame! Committing such hardened acts to GAIN THE UPPER HAND AGAINST OUR NOBLE CLASS!”

 

Whispers and a few gasps echoed in the chamber.

 

“That isn’t what happened!” Moxxie protested, banging his fists against his stone stand.

 

“SILENCE!” Satan roared with a fiery snort.

 

“Um, Satan?” asked a small flying advisor demon, Yogirt, who flew near him. He wore black robes with a red upside-down cross on them, a small candle on his head and had his arms folded. He had bat wings and straight horns.

 

“Sorry. W-what did we say about negative energies in our mind temple?”

 

He folded his hands and did a meditation pose.

 

“Yeah, remember to take deeeeep breaths,” he told him.

 

Satan breathed heavily and lowered himself onto his red stone throne, doing meditative poses with his hands. “Right, yeah. Continue.” Satan waved a hand and Yogirt gave him a thumbs up.

 

Andrealphus cleared his throat and strolled across his magic ice bridge.

 

“I’d like to add, Your Honor, that in addition to his unspeakable actions with our dear beloved Stolas…”

 

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!” called Vassago. “Where is Stolas, anyway? Can’t he speak on this himself? ¿Qué carajo?” (“What the Hell?”)

 

“He…” Andrealphus began, “He has not been informed of this trial.”

 

“Qué?” (What?)” asked Vassago, zooming toward Andrealphus on a golden flying star. “Why not? If this involves him, then he should be here, no? No puedo creer… (I can’t believe…”) We need to summon him at once!”

 

“Okaaaay, Vassago!” groaned Andrealphus. “Shut the fuck up.”

 

Vassago angrily jabbed a finger into Andrealphus’ chest. “¡No! me voy a callar pendejo arrogante!” (“No! I will NOT shut up, you arrogant idiot!”)

 

Andrealphus let out his feathers in anger. “Stella and I didn’t want him put through the trauma of facing his aggressor.”

 

Vassago stomped away.

 

Andrealphus smirked, “Who might I also add…dramatic pause…” He pointed at Blitzo, “…PLOTTED TO HAVE HIM ASSASSINATED!”

 

“What?!” muffled Blitzo. The Goetia glared down at him.

 

Yelps and gasps rose from the crowd.

 

“Puta madre…”(“Motherfucker…”) Vassago swore.

 

Belphegor blinked around before lowering her head and falling asleep.

 

“That wasn’t him!” Moxxie countered. “We don’t know who wanted Stolas dead, but it wasn’t Blitz!”

 

“Oh?” Andrealphus turned around. “Well…perhaps we should ask…”

 

He snapped his fingers, and a platform rose up from the shadows.

 

“…THE HITMAN HIMSELF!”

 

Striker grinned menacingly, posing in a white cowboy vest, dark pants, a red undershirt and a red cowboy hat. His tail rattled and he casually spit out a straw stalk in his mouth. A white scar was over his eye from the explosive attack in Greed.

 

“…who has agreed to give us his testimony in exchange for immunity,” Andrealphus finished.

 

“It was him, alright,” Striker drawled. “Paid me to kill the precious Goetia to cover up what he was doing with the uhh…”

 

Striker looked around and read words from his hand. His hand read “Gremwhore/Grim-war/Gripper/Grimage/Book/Bombproof vet after trial.”

 

“The um…”

 

Striker looked up at Andrealphus. “Line?”

 

“The grimoire!”

 

“Yeah, that.”

 

“WHAT?!” Blitzo spat out the muzzle over his mouth. “Look, I’m an assassin, okay? If I wanted to kill Stolas, I WOULD’VE DONE IT MYSELF A LONG TIME AGO!”

 

More cries and gasps from the crowd.

 

Moxxie cried into Millie’s arms. “We’re gonna fucking die!”

 

Blitzo gasped. “Hang on, that’s not what I meant…”

 

A metal muzzle was placed over Blitzo’s mouth.

 

“What a disappointment,” Satan remarked.

 

Satan turned to the Sins and the crowd. “Why don’t we take a vote? Who wants to listen to hours of testimony?”

 

Asmodeus, Vassago, and Beelzebub raised their hands, as did Millie and Moxxie. Loona reluctantly raised hers.

 

“Who wants to kill this imp bastard and go home for lunch?” Satan smirked.

 

Everyone else raised their hands.

 

Striker winked and grinned again before being lowered down, tipping his hat.

 

Andrealphus gave Blitzo a smug smirk. “You should’ve stayed in your place, imp.” He walked down platforms of ice. “You see, this is what happens when lesser demons try to step out of line!”

 

Blitzo flinched as Andrealphus pressed his icy high heel into his forehead. He smirked again and vanished with a wave of his cloak.

 

Satan glowered. “For the treacherous crimes of stealing a Goetia’s grimoire for illegal use, bringing harm to a Goetic prince, and accessing the mortal coil without clearance or procedure…”

 

Satan pointed a claw. “…you, Blitzo, and your crew are hereby sentenced…”

 

Satan stood up, “…TO DEATH!”

 

Blitzo and his crew gasped in horror.

 

Satan continued. “…and due to your bold actions against the laws of Hell, your execution will be broadcasted across the Seven Rings, to remind all of imp kind why our power must never be challenged again.”

 

A mother imp was washing dishes with a baby and a boy imp in the room. The TV blinked on, and the family looked over. At a bar, Verosika, Wally Wackford, Emberlynn Pinkle and several succubi were talking at a table together. Purple neon hearts decorated the walls. Three TVs blinked on, and they glanced up.

 

An imp family with a grandma imp knitting, two queef dogs, a guy eating popcorn and two kids in the front row sat to watch, all gasping. Three imps sat on a couch and watched: two white-haired males and a female with short black hair and thick eye lashes.

 

Fizzarolli was eating a bowl of cereal near a Wally Wackford “Wacky Charms” money-themed cereal box. He slurped out of a curly straw. Fizzarolli gasped. Verosika gasped as well, looking up in concern. The TV showed Blitzo chained up.

 

Fizzarolli frantically texted Asmodeus:

 

Fizzarolli: “How long do you think this will take?”

Asmodeus: “Dunno, they usually don’t last long. I might not b back for lunch, tho.”

Asmodeus: “You can order smth if you want, don’t wait for me.” (purple heart emoji)

Fizzarolli: “YEAAAH BITCH! I’m getting a whole sushi boat for myself and there’s nothing u can do to stop me!”

Fizzarolli: “See u on TV” (blue heart emoji)

Asmodeus: “Love you BB” (purple heart emoji)

 

Fizzarolli: “OMFS (OH MY FUCKING SATAN!) OZZIE! DO SMTH! OZ!”

 

Asmodeus looked at his phone, then up with concern.

 

 

“Your Honor,” Asmodeus raised his hand. “If I may speak on behalf of the imp. Blitzo is my lover Fizzarolli’s best friend. For all the times I have known him, he has shown no dishonorable act toward me or any royalty for that matter. Stolas and I…we may be different, but we’ve worked together well in the past. We’ve had peaceful talks…unlike some around here…”

 

He rolled his eyes at Mammon.

 

Beelzebub added her thoughts, too. “I’ve known the little guy, too! He’s a wild card, but fun to hang out with! He may indulge in overdrinking, but I’ve never seen him kill or force himself on anyone!” Beelzebub looked at Loona with concern, hoping she would get free.

 

Satan pretended not to hear them.

 

Mammon flirted with Leviathan, plopping himself next to her. “Hey, Levy! After we celebrate this imp’s death, let’s go out, huh? Out on the town, what do you reckon?” He moved his fingers forward in a walking motion. The white left head smiled, while the right purple serpent head glowered, rolling her eyes. Leviathan got up and moved her chair away from Mammon, much to the disgust of her white head.

 

“At least I don’t hang out with lower class phebs, like Bee and Ozzie up there,” Mammon scoffed.

 

Stolas was watching his “HELLUVA NOVELA: SEASON 2” show when an ad for “Wally Wackford’s Wacky Charms” cereal appeared with a muffin and juice: “$99 only!”

 

“LIVE: BREAKING NEWS! GRAB LOTS OF POPCORN! CUZ ON TONIGHT’S PROGRAM WE GET TO WATCH THIS GUY’S HEAD GO CHOPPY CHOPPY! STAY TUNED!!”

 

Stolas spat out his Beelzejuice and coughed. “Oh, my Lucifer!” he panicked. “What are they doing?!” He raced to the courtroom as fast as he could.

 

0 0 0

 

 

 

 

The ground rumbled and a half-circle execution block appeared in front of Blitzo. He struggled against his chains and muzzle.

 

“No!” Blitzo cried as two reapers appeared behind his employees.

 

“Not them, Your Highness!” Blitzo cried, stepping forward. “It was me, it was all me! Y-you can’t expect to teach anyone a lesson by killing all of us!”

 

Satan stomped forward and leaned forward. “YOU DARE TRY TO TELL ME HOW TO PUNISH?!”

 

“Uh, Satan?” Yogirt pipped up again. “Heh, sorry. You know what, you’re acting kind of red with anger, yes? Deep breaths again, clear away the negative vibes. Try some meditation…realign your charkas…yes?”

 

Blitzo continued. “Look, all that Hell is gonna see is you executing imps and a hellhound who are just trying to do their job!”

 

He glanced at them. “I’m the rogue here, not them!”

 

Moxxie moved out of the reaper’s grip. “Blitz, what are you doing?”

 

Satan sighed. “Fine. I created imp kind to be my obedient servants anyways. I see no reason to punish the dutiful.” He spoke in a low voice. “Just axe the mouthy one.”

 

Blitzo froze, eyes wide. “Oh shit, I did not see that coming, look, I’m sorry, Mox, I did everything I could…”

 

“You know he means you, right?” Moxxie asked.

 

The reaper growled as he laid a clawed black hand on Blitzo’s shoulder. Blitzo slumped. “Fuck me.”

 

The reaper removed the chain around Blitzo’s neck and steered him toward the execution block. The reapers released Moxxie and Millie and soon vanished.

 

“Do you have any final words, imp?” Satan asked as he sat down. “We’ll pretend to care.”

 

Blitzo blinked his eyes shut, tears threatening to fall. “All I was trying to do was rise above the stupid fucking place YOU ALL FORCED US INTO! Treating our kind as nothing more than dirt to stomp on! My people enduring mockery and misery for centuries…you should’ve known some of us would get tired of that shit!”

 

“Your Highness, please!” called Millie. “Blitz just…”

 

“Mox, Mils, stop,” Blitzo responded.

 

“We can’t let them do this to you!” Millie choked.

 

Blitzo looked downcast. “This big, red bitch, never planned on hearing us out. Just…”

 

Blitzo looked up at a sad Loona, his eyes growing wet with tears, he choked, “J-just take care of Loona for me.”

 

Moxxie cried, tears falling. “No! I can’t look, Millie!”

 

More chains manifested and latched onto a new black collar around Blitzo’s neck inscribed with the red Sin sigils. The weight forced Blitzo onto his knees. He took big shaking breaths as a menacing executioner with bloodstained black robes manifested a giant deadly black axe with red eyes on the blade. Flames glowed in the dark void of his face.

 

Moxxie cried into Millie’s arms. Blitzo slowly lowered his head onto the execution block. Loona whimpered and turned away.

 

The axe was raised higher. Blitzo turned his head to look at his crying friends. Millie bravely eyed Blitzo, letting him know he was not alone.

 

“I love you guys,” Blitzo whispered, tears in his eyes.

 

The axe sliced down, and everyone gasped…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Ow, my holy neck,” muttered Yogirt. A lone feather fell down onto Blitzo.

 

Blitzo looked up, stunned to see…

 

“STOLAS?!”

 

The owl prince was back, manifesting a starry tear in reality, and blocking the axe.

 

“WHAT IN MY OWN HELL IS THIS?!” Satan roared, grabbing onto Yogirt.

 

Stolas used his magic to break Blitzo’s chain. “I’m about to explain everything in the only way I know how…” he said with a serious look…

 

“…song!” He posed with a hand over his heart.

 

Blitzo face-palmed on the execution block.

 

Vassago stood up and clapped for Stolas in a little dance. “Yes! Yes! ¡Cántalo, baby!” (Sing it, baby!”)

 

Satan sat bored, releasing Yogirt.

 

 

Stolas began his song.

 

“I came down just as soon as I heard of the imp

Stood accused of a devilish crime”

 

Stolas magically conjured rock stepping stones as he walked above the lava.

 

“Could it be that a worm such as this half a brain

Could concoct such a plot so sublime?”

 

Blitzo glared at Stolas as he continued.

 

“Does this fool deserve the flame?

Or is someone else to blame?”

 

Stolas posed with his cape obscuring his mouth like a villain. “Like who, you ask?”

 

He strolled on the cliff, waving an arm.

 

“Some kind of mastermind

A mind behind the plan!”

 

He raised his arms dramatically and flames shot up. He wandered around the Ars Goetia.

 

“Some villain’s grand design

To use the book

To breach the world of man!”

 

Stolas raised his hand in a pose toward the cavern ceiling.

 

“Could he be roaming free?”

 

He knocked over Mammon’s block tower of naughty words.

 

“Scheming more mastermindery?”

 

He hovered around Leviathan and moved to Asmodeus and Beelzebub.

 

“Will he rest?

Who knows what he may unleash?”

 

He morphed into his red and black demonic owl form, rising into the air. He swooped over the Sins, waking up Belphegor.

 

He lowered and morphed back into his regular form, cupping Blitzo’s chin.

 

“Next, do you execute this little wretch?”

 

Blitzo seethed after Stolas turned around.

 

“Pat yourself on the back, close the case

Let this imp take the blame, take the flame

Let his name light a fire in the hearts of his race!

Why it’s more than I can bare…”

 

He spun around.

 

“I must make all of Hell aware!”

 

“Fuck it!” Stolas raised a fist.

 

“I am the mastermind, the hand that holds the strings!”

 

Satan snorted and glared at Stolas. Stolas continued.

 

“No simple imp of mine could master the disaster

Oh, it stings!

That you thought

You had caught the schemer of the schemes I wrought!”

 

He spun and pointed at Satan.

 

“I confess!

It was me and I have no regrets!”

 

 

A starry universe scene played in Stolas’ mind and Blitzo’s. The owl somberly lowered his head.

 

“I have regrets

Why am I throwing my freedom away

For this idiot?”

 

Blitzo glared at Stolas. “Hey!”

“What have you done?”

 

“I would rather be dead,” Stolas proclaimed “…than to live without you by my side!” Risking his neck for the imp he loved was a definite step out of his comfort zone.

 

Blitzo lamented in answer: “I can’t live life without you by my side!” Stolas was his hope to help him access the mortal realm previously and despite their falling out, Blitzo couldn’t bear to lose another person in his life.

 

 “So, if it keeps you alive!” Stolas declared, for he knew that Blitzo could never escape the execution otherwise.

 

Blitzo gasped and strained against his chains. “What are you doing?! I don’t deserve this!”

 

Stolas sang, “I am the mastermind, the master of my fate!”

 

Golden feathers flew among Stolas, similar to the ones in Blitzo’s older hallucination of being chained to Stolas. Stolas was leaving the comfort of his world, his cage of royalty, bravely venturing out into a lonely unknown.

 

“I realized too late!” Blitzo replied.

 

“Sure as the stars have shined,” sang Stolas, looking up at the stars with a hopeful expression.

 

Blitzo called, “Don’t give your life to clean my slate!” just as Stolas belted at the same time: “I give up my life to clean your slate!”

 

Stolas declared, “You’re my light!” He stared into the crimson and sapphire galaxy, realizing that now he had a new responsibility; no matter what, he would help keep Blitzo alive.

 

Blitzo choked and sobbed, “You’re my heart!” After so long closing off his heart to others, he finally could admit that Stolas was his heart…that he represented that deep love and friendship Blitzo had been searching for all his life.

 

Blitzo and Stolas lamented and sang together. “Only death can render our love apart!” Shooting stars flew overhead.

 

Satan chuckled and scoffed, bringing them back to the courtroom. Smoke flew from his mouth.

 

“Well, isn’t that adorable? We have been betrayed by one of our own. A Goetic demon. Your hubris has gotten the better of you, Prince Stolas.”

 

Satan stood up and stomped his hoof in authority, cracking the steps as he sang.

 

“I am the mastermind, and here I am the law!”

 

“He is the law!”  chorused the other Sins.

 

“I’ve ruled the endless dark

Since long before the golden angel’s fall…”

 

Satan conjured a light image of the six-winged Lucifer in his hand. Asmodeus and Beelzebub shared a look, knowing that Lucifer was the first ruler instead of Satan.

 

“So you see…”

 

Satan’s eyes lit up in orange-red flames.

 

“…next to me, your master plans look so small…”

 

Satan conjured explosions throughout the courtroom that shook Blitzo and Stolas.

 

“Little mice!”

 

Flames shot up in front of him. Satan leaned in and breathed menacingly, towering over Stolas and Blitzo.

 

“When you break my rules…”

 

He conjured chains that violently bound Stolas by his arms and neck. He now had a black collar with the Sin symbols on his neck. Mammon and Andrealphus grinned in triumph.

 

Satan finished in a long booming voice. “You…pay…the…priiiicccceee!”

 

Satan then sat on his throne, pointing at the imps and hellhound. “Release the pawn!”

 

The chain unlatched around Blitzo’s neck.

 

“Stolas of the Ars Goetia,” Satan growled. “YOU ARE A DISGRACE!”

 

Blitzo stumbled and raced over with an outstretched hand. “No! No, th…”

 

Blitzo grabbed onto Stolas’ red cape. “Stolas, you…you can’t! You can’t do this!”

 

Stolas turned away.

 

“Stolas, please!”

 

Blitzo found himself being dragged away by the guards. “GET THE FUCK OFF ME!”

 

He struggled from their grip. “Stolas!”

 

A manifested rope caught around Blitzo’s neck, dragging him back. His hands were bound in manacles.

 

“Fucking… use your powers! Do something!”

 

Tears spilled from Blitzo’s eyes. “STOLAS!”

 

Blitzo was shoved onto the ground, the chains vanishing.

 

“AH! LET ME BACK IN!”

 

The doors slammed shut, the glowing designs fading.

 

He pounded against the door in vain.

 

“WOW! This is a sturdy door!”

 

He punched it and waved his wrist in pain. “Ow! My supple wrist!”

 

Blitzo sobbed, lowering his head until Moxxie put a hand on his shoulder. “Sir! Sir!”

 

Blitzo turned around to find all his employees crying in relief.

 

They all embraced in a group hug.

 

“Dad!” Loona cried.

 

“You’re here!” exclaimed Moxxie.

 

“Don’t you ever do that to me again, you fucking idiot!” Millie added.

 

The four assassins let themselves be warmed by their hug, all of them thankful to be alive.

 

 

Octavia watched TV, “Hell-G Network” labeled at the bottom. To her horror, she saw Stolas somberly lower his head onto the execution block. She raced from the room, only for Stella to block her way.

 

Stella closed her eyes and held out her arms. Octavia rushed into her mother’s arms, sobbing with twittering bird cries. Stella rubbed her daughter’s hair…and revealed a hidden evil smirk.

 

Stolas was about to be gone forever…and now all his royal assets and his daughter were now hers!

 

‘Mother knows best,’ she thought.                                  

 

0 0 0

 

“Uhh…what’re you doin’?” Satan asked.

 

“Um…” Stolas began, standing up. “I mean…aren’t you going to…you know…” He made a motion of sliding his finger across his neck, “…execute me?”

 

“Hah! Aw of course not! You are a Goetia.”

 

“But I committed a heinous crime.”

 

“Yeah, you did. But, you are demon royalty sooo…your life has actual worth.”

 

“So…” Stolas added, “Uh…” He pointed to the door. “Can I…can I go then?”

 

Satan burst into laughter, holding onto his knees.

 

“NO! Ooh, ooh. No. no. You still definitely fucked up, we just need to figure out a fitting punishment for you.” He moved his fingers together.

 

“Might I suggest something, Your Majesty?” Andrealphus grinned and slid over to Stolas on his ice slide. He lowered a finger and burnt away the chains binding Stolas’ arms. The reapers vanished.

 

“I think you should banish this shameful excuse for a prince and allow someone else to take over his legions. Considering the heir isn’t yet of age, I’d be happy to volunteer. After all, I’m everything he is, but NOT a deviant piece of shit!”

 

Andrealphus sneered next to Stolas.

 

“Yeah, that works,” Satan replied, standing up.

 

 “STOLAS!” Satan, announced with authority. “I HEREBY STRIP YOU OF YOUR STATUS, YOUR POWER, AND YOUR TITLE…”

 

Andrealphus hovered around Stolas, grinning triumphantly. “YESSS! YESSS!”

 

He let out a final “YESSSSS!” tearing off his coat and posing on his knees.

 

 “…FOR THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS!” Satan finished.

 

 “WAIT, WHAT?!” Andrealphus asked in shock. One hundred years was only a few minutes in the long Goetia lifespan.

 

Satan conjured five magical giant golden rings, with the Seven Sin Sigils glowing on them in pink.

 

The rings lifted up Stolas, black electricity zapping around him. Stolas’ eyes turned black, and he writhed in pain. He could feel his power and energy being zapped away, all the magic sapped from his veins. The rings soon dropped him to the ground in a heap and hovered back into place, lowering out of sight. His royal hat and crown toppled away. His red cape was torn.

 

Stolas moaned weakly, his red eyes now having white pupils.

 

Satan added, “You will have to live amongst the citizens of Hell and revel in your own failings!”

 

 “But what about my daughter?” Stolas weakly asked.

 

Andrealphus bore a look of haughtiness.

 

 “She’ll be safe and sound…with her mother. The wholesome parent!”

 

 “I guess that settles it!” Satan called. He cleared his throat and clapped his hands. “Court’s adjourned, time for lunch!”

 

Mammon cheered. “Yeah! It’s fucking lunch time!” He leaned down and stuffed his face full of green chicken legs and green meat in vats. Green liquid spilled onto the benches. Asmodeus and Beelzebub looked disgusted.

 

Andrealphus moved his face upside-down, taunting Stolas one last time.

 

“Buh-bye Stolas! Enjoy horny jail!”

 

0 0 0

 

Meanwhile, Blitzo was still pounding on the doors.

 

“YOU! UH-UGH, YOU OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT-AHH!”

 

Blitzo was shoved away as the doors opened. Two reapers carried the limp Stolas and tossed him roughly to the ground. The doors slammed shut. The light from the setting sun peered through the windows and banners with the Sin symbols lined the hall.

 

“Stolas?” Blitzo asked, concerned, trying to help him up. “What happened in there?”

 

Stolas sat up. “I…have been banish-ed…”

 

A cup of coffee hit Stolas on the head. An imp janitor had thrown it and was flipping Stolas off near his cleaning supplies.

 

“You suck, Stolas!”

 

Blitzo flipped him back. “Hey! Fuck off, fuck-o!”

 

Stolas shrugged, standing up. “No, it’s fine, Blitz. I’m okay.”

 

“You need a ride home,” Blitzo noted.

 

Stolas stared at the floor, trying not to cry. “I…have no home now. Everything I have is gone.” Everyone looked up at him sadly.

 

 

Blitzo stepped forward. “Look, come with me, alright? Let’s get you out of here, n’ you’ll need a place to stay.” He gently took Stolas’ hand and led him out of the hall. The others followed.

 

 “Yeaaah, let’s not do that again,” Millie remarked once they got outside. Millie and Moxxie got into an old yellow taxi. Moxxie somberly waved goodbye from the window.

 

Blitzo couldn’t believe what he saw next. Imps were cheering from the apartment windows. A female imp wearing green with missing fangs and black hair held up a banner with a male imp with messy white hair and a black shirt. The banner read “WE LOVE BLITZ!” with a cardboard piece over the ‘o’ and the red heart in the middle with horns on top. The buildings were decorated with large purple metal horns and purple eyes in the walls.

 

It was the complete opposite of the Halloween Blitzo hate party. Now for the first time, he was being hailed a hero!

 

Blitzo waved self-consciously.

 

 “Ah, Thank you everyone! Thank you. Gracias.”

 

A few imps booed and threw food at Stolas. He was dumped in green slime.

 

 Blitzo glanced over. “But-okay-the-throwing? Not necessary, heh, ‘kay? Thank you.”

 

 

0 0 0

 

Loona flicked on the lights in Blitzo’s apartment, also holding Blitzo’s golden horse key.

 

Blitzo led Stolas in and closed the door. A wooden “Welcome” sign was over the door. Stolas looked around the room.

 

Stolas spotted the striped wall covered in pictures and drawings. Sticky notes of horse drawings were everywhere. A red demonic horse statue posed on the desk. Loona’s adoption certificate was in a frame decorated with horns. Blitzo’s face was inked out in giant portraits of his employees and a smaller picture of his smiling sister, Barbie Wire.

 

Stolas’ head hit a black ceiling fan, and he nudged it back in place. Red light peered through the blinds near an old TV by the couch. A potted plant was next to the TV.

 

Loona placed the keys on the table and turned to Blitzo.

 

 “Hey, um. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

 

They shared a warm hug.

 

 “I love you, dad.” Loona smiled.

 

Stolas stood with a somber look. He was reminded of his own daughter and how he had left her behind. He desperately wished that he was back in the palace, sharing an embrace with Octavia. With all his heart, he wished that things were back to normal.

 

“Come on,” Blitzo said to Stolas after the hug from Loona. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” He led him to the bathroom and started a tub for him.

 

 

Stolas, though depressed, felt safe in Blitzo’s presence. Six red spotlights shone down on them. The wall tile was black and red. Stolas sat in the bath, and let Blitzo wash his feathery back with a washcloth.

 

“Here we go, here we go,” Blitzo smiled. Stolas flapped his lips.

 

“Here you are,” said Blitzo, washing along Stolas’ head. “Some nice agua.”

 

Blitzo heard a knock on the door. He got up. Loona came in and with a small smile, had a folded sweater for Stolas in her hands. It was a white and red sweater with a red paw print on it. Blitzo gave her an appreciative smile.

 

Blitzo glanced behind him and pulled Stolas’ head out of the water.

 

“Oop! Try not to inhale the water.”

 

Blitzo closed the door. Then he opened it again to check on Stolas.

 

 “Yeah, try not inhaling the water.”

 

He closed the door again.

 

Stolas let out a long, depressed sigh.

 

 

Blitzo smiled as he looked at his phone.

 

“INFERNAL NEWS: VICTORY FOR I.M.P.! In a surprising turn of events, today’s live execution became the stage for a theatrical revelation! Prince Stolas’ live confession revealed I.M.P.’s CEO Blitzo was being framed for illegal use of a Goetia’s grimoire and harming the upper-class prince. After Stolas’ admission of guilt, the members of I.M.P. were released unharmed from the courtroom, making them the first hellborn to ever survive after being sentenced to death by a deadly Sin, a historical feat.”

 

There was a Walley Wackford icon at the bottom, smiling and next to him read “HATE ADS? Deal with it. This is the world we live in.”

 

Blitzo swiped to the right and to his delight, he had almost a hundred new emails. Demons right and left were looking up to him, asking him about getting hired at I.M.P.!

 

“I want someone dead”

“Are you hiring?”

“You’re a legend!!!”

“Is that the real Blitzo?”

“How do I join I.M.P.?”

“NEED ASSASSINS NOW!”

“HIRE ME PLZ!!”

“Do you only hire imps?”

“Need your services asap!”

“Let me work for you!!!”

 

Blitzo looked up as Stolas came out of the bathroom. He slouched forward, a brown towel falling off his head. He wore Loona’s sweater. Blitzo took his hands and helped him sit on the couch.

 

“Thank you, Blitz,” Stolas said sadly as Blitzo covered him with a dark blanket decorated with horseshoes.

 

“Thank you, Stolas,” Blitzo added, looking away for a moment. “For saving my life.”

 

“Always,” Stolas answered, exhausted.

 

Blitzo turned around and noticed flashing lights through the blinds.

 

“Hey, Stolas, I…” he began. But Stolas was already fast asleep.

 

Blitzo chuckled softly, glad that Stolas was okay…at least on the surface.

 

He stroked his head of feathers, noticing a gray streak. He took a breath and gently kissed Stolas’ cheek.

 

Blitzo then plopped onto a round purple cushion and contently watched the fireworks from outside. There were flashes of yellow, blue, green, red and purple, mesmerizing to see. “Blitz” and “IMP” banners hung outside from the windows.

 

Blitzo smiled again, content to enjoy this historical moment.