"They did what?!"

Octavia winced upon hearing both Loona and Stolas scream simultaneously when Reginald informed about what had happened to both Blitzo and Moxxie. The Head Butler, to his credit, remained calm and collected despite the glares he was getting from the two and cleared his throat again. "Blitz and Moxxie both left in the I.M.P. van and drove off. They are going to the Wrath Ring to get Moxxie's wife and bring her back. Or so Blitz insisted from what he told me before they left."

"He's going to do that while Moxxie's terrorist brother is still out there looking to kill him?" Loona groaned as she facepalmed. "Why is my dad such a dumbass all the time? He's not even mentally well enough to defend himself!"

"I'm surprised Moxxie even let Blitz drag him out of here," Octavia said as she recalled the state of the former living weapon the past few days since Milie left for her home. "Then again, this is Blitz."

"He seemed to be just as determined to go as Blitz was," Reginald answered.

"He does know I am one of the most powerful magic users in the nine rings, yes?" Stolas grumbled while rolling his eyes. "I could have just easily opened a portal to the household."

"You know my Dad," Loona sighed drastically. "Once he puts his mind to something he'll be so focused on it he'll ignore everything else."

"So, should we do anything?" Rachmiel asked with concern on his face.

Stolas pulled out his phone and started texting on it. "I'll leave a text so that Blitzy knows that when he's ready to return, all he has to do is let me know, and I'll bring them home. I just hope nothing happens on the highway while they drive there."

"Knowing Dad? He'll be the more dangerous threat with his driving," Loona pointed out before heading out of the room with Octavia in tow.

Once it was just the three of them, Stolas decided to put up a minor privacy ward and turned to a confused Rachmiel. "Well, since you are also in the room, perhaps I shall let you know that your services are requested elsewhere besides my establishment.

"I'm needed back at home?" Rachmiel asked in surprise.

"No," Stolas shook his head, "more like there is another location in Hell that I have agreed to help with as per my agreement with Metatron. What do you know of Princess Charlie and her Hazbin Hotel project?"

"Very little," Rachmiel answered as he rubbed his head. "I know she's been a big advocate for trying to end the Exterminations for a long time and that most don't take her seriously. Her hotel is some kind of redemption program, yes?"

" Yes, Princess Charlie has started such a place to help sinners and demons find redemption and access to Heaven," Stolas explained as he levitated a glass as Rachmiel poured some wine. "Seeing as you are an angel, it is believed that you might have a means to help with the program. Disguised, of course. The only ones who will know you are an angel are Princess Charlie and me. Well, also my ex-wife, but that's another story."

"But I've never trained for such things," Rachmiel pointed out with a nervous smile. "I mean, angels believe in the concept of forgiveness, and we've preached it, but I have never been part of a redemption process or any of its classes. What if I give the wrong advice?"

"Well, you know at least the basics of getting a soul into Heaven. Not to mention what God looks for regarding a redeemed demonic soul. It's been hundreds of years since the last one, and nobody really can remember what to do. So any little information will help. An evaluation of what they are doing right and wrong is a start, plus I'm sure you can always contact someone from Heaven to get an idea on how the process should be done to help," Stolas said as he drank from his glass.

"Do they have anyone willing to work for redemption?" Rachmiel asked. "You can't force someone to accept such a thing. They have to mean it in their hearts."

"There are two residents that are "technically" trying. One is a famous porn star named Angel Dust, while the other is an Overlord named Sir. Pentious."

"I see," Rachmiel said with a nervous expression. Obviously, the idea of helping a sexual deviant and a former murderous gang lord earn a means to access Heaven was a challenging and scary process. However, Rachmiel took a deep breath and nodded. "Well, I'll do what I can to help out."

"Excellent, I'll make sure that Princess Charlie is notified that you've agreed." Stolas narrowed his eyes and kept his tone sharp. "However, your main duty is to focus on healing Blitz. Understood? Whatever you are going to do at the hotel, do not let it interfere with your main mission of helping Blitz. If I see that this distracts you, I'm pulling you out of it. Understood?"

"I understand," Rachmiel said with a slight nod. "I'll do the best I can."

"That's all I can ask," Stolas said as he waved his hand. "You may go."

Rachmiel did so, leaving Stolas to sit on his couch and rub his forehead. "Between taking care of Blitzy, Moxxie's situation, m y new allegiance to Heaven, keeping Rachmiel hidden from the rest of Hell, helping Princess Charlie, and dealing with Stella, it's a wonder my head has yet to explode from all this complexity."

"I did say ruling would be quite a headache as you got older, Prince Stolas," Reginald said with a smirk to his charge, who gave a deadpan expression back.

"Is it too late to run away and join the priesthood?" Stolas joked before sighing and looking up at the ceiling. "The things I do for the people I care about."

"A sentence similar to that your father said regarding you and your mother," Reginald chuckled before looking at his Prince proudly. "You act more like him every day. I'm sure he would be proud of you."

"Even if it was all for an male Imp and not the wife he set me up with?" Stolas questioned.

"Well, maybe not right off the bat, but I'm sure your mother would have convinced him. She had quite a talent to do so," Reginald shrugged before taking his leave.

Stolas sighed and continued drinking his wine while hoping nothing terrible would happen to Blitzo and Moxxie on their way to wrath. I swear that Imp of mine is so unpredictable. One minute, he's moping in his room; the next, he's got the energy of a Dalmatian and is ready to burst out to bring his favorite couple back together. I just hope he knows what he's doing.

Still, if there was one thing Blitzo was known for doing, it was helping those he cared about when the chips were down. Stolas knew losing people he loved was one of Blitzy's biggest fears. Even if they never died, the idea of losing them scared him deep inside. It showed how big of a heart he had buried deep in that cynical and brazen personality.

And one of the many reasons why Stolas loved him.

Just be safe, Blitz. You too, Moxxie...

***

Moxxie could say a lot about Blitzo and his driving, but at least the Imp assassin was fast. Speed limits apparently didn't exist in Blitzo's world, as he just ignored them and sped down the hallway so fast that a cheetah would think he was crazy. There were already several crashed cars, burned rubber tires, and ruins of a blown-up gas station that had been left in their wake. Thankfully, Hell didn't care about speeding laws, accidents, or highway violence in that manner, so there was no worry about being pulled over and arrested. That didn't mean Moxxie wasn't scared about the van ending up as his metal coffin if Blitzo didn't drive better.

"Chicken nuggets, Mox?" Blitzo asked as he held out a box of nuggets he had purchased at a local WacDonalds drive-through twenty minutes earlier.

"I have a feeling that if I eat something, I'm gonna throw up, Sir," Moxxie said as he gripped his seat.

"Eh, fine by me," Blitzo said as he dumped a few more into his mouth before tossing the empty box over his shoulder. Grabbing his drink, he took a few sips before sharply turning to the next lane while cutting off another car. One that had to hit the brakes so hard it veered off course and fell into a ditch. "So, have you thought about what sort of fancy romantic speech you're going to give Millie to get her to come back home?"

"Not really," Moxxie admitted as he leaned back and looked outside the window. "I mean...what can I say?"

"Gee? I don't know? I'm sorry I lied to you, Millie? I love you? I promise to be truthful? Fuck me so hard you suddenly are gonna have twins? That kinda thing?" Blitzo pointed out.

"I highly doubt that the last one is going to be useful, Sir," Moxxie said with a deadpan expression.

"Well, at least it's something than doing jackshit," Blitzo argued while rolling his eyes. "Look, Moxxie. Millie loves you. I've seen it enough times to know that she doesn't hate you. She's just confused and worried. You need to make sure she knows that you're sorry and that you still love her. And that no matter what, you are not going to abandon her. She needs to see that, despite you being a bio-manufactured freakish weapon of death and destruction, you're still the same theater-loving nerd who's a total wuss who loves getting pegged by her every Friday night."

"...Despite the crude and embarrassing means of which you said that, Blitz," Moxie sighed. "You're right."

There was one thing that Moxxie had learned during his rebellion against his family: there were things worth fighting for. Right now, he needed to fight to get his wife back. It was a fight that wasn't going to require bullets or blades, but words and emotions. His most genuine feelings made clear for Millie to see. Moxxie couldn't let his fear of what he was, what he had done, or what others might think to get in the way of what he wanted: his wife and their baby.

Conviction flowed through Moxxie's being as he soon turned to Blitzo and nodded. "Alright, sir. I'm ready."

"That's good because we're an hour away, and I'm hoping Millie's parents got spare gas so I'm not wasting another thirty bucks on fuel on this thing," Blitzo said as he took the next exit.

However, unknown to the two, a nearby car was parked by the side of the road—a simple black car that didn't look any different from any other car. With it being on the side, most assumed the driver was having car problems or taking a nap before getting back on the highway. In truth, the Imp inside was waiting—waiting to report if one car out of hundreds crossed a certain exit to get to the more rural side of Wrath.

Upon seeing it, the Imp pulled out a phone and started to call his superior.

***

In an isolated area of Wrath, somewhere in the middle of the ring, a series of trucks and cars were driving through the dusty plains between the mountain areas. They were driven by Imps who were new and familiar to the cause they had joined. Those returning felt like they had life in their veins again for the first time in years. It was like they had been reborn, and this time, they were determined to ensure their efforts didn't die again. For the newbloods, there was a sense of excitement and purpose to their lives in an unknown future. An escape from a world where their only possible outcome was a life of servitude to the other races.

It was all thanks to one person—one Imp who gave them the hope they needed to rise from the ashes of despair. He was currently in the lead car's passenger seat, watching the environment pass by with empty thoughts in his head.

"We're approaching the location now, sir," The driver said, getting the leader's attention.

ACDD-110109200512, aka Tyson, nodded and waited silently for them to come to a halt. He got out of the car and looked around the establishment. Years of abandonment had caused it to look rusty and covered in foliage, but the doors were still strong. If this underground bunker facility was half of what Tyson researched, then the inside would be well preserved.

"Get the doors open," Tyson ordered as his men went to work to pry the large facilities doors.

"So what is this place again?" His driver asked as he watched the men get to work.

"Originally? This was a research facility to study the tectonic plates in Wrath for environmental research, such as earthquakes and hell shakes. It was also a place for mineral and soil research. Later, it became a stage for testing various farming and environmental equipment. It was left to rot after the company that owned this facility went under in 2007," Tyson explained.

"This is going to be our new base?" The driver asked.

"Yes, but it will also be where my big plan to announce our comeback shall begin," Tyson said as he began to watch the doors slowly open up. "First, we need to get the facility up and running. Once the doors are open, I want a security team to sweep the opening levels. Then, start setting up lights and generators to power the place. See what level we need to be to deal with power. We'll handle the rest after we get power to work."

As the doors opened, Tyson's cell phone started ringing, and he activated it. Placing it on his ear, he asked. "Yes? Yes. Okay. Any others? No? Good. Contact the mercs you hired. Send them there."

"Something wrong, sir?" The driver Imp asked.

"No, just my brother going to find his wife. I plan on giving them a reunion present," Tyson said as he hung up the first call and called in a second. After some ringing, it was picked up. "Yes, it's me. He's crossed into Wrath. You help me deal with them. My brother is to remain unharmed and alive, but the spouse and her family are yours to do with."

Hanging up his phone, Tyson turned to the driver and nodded. "Come on. Let's see what we've found.

***

In the middle of a biker's bar in Wrath, one of the most local and notorious biker gangs was currently having a good time at their favorite spot to drink and shoot the shit. This gang was an all-Imp group, each of them criminals who either did hard time or got away with their crimes. Outside of Wrath, they held no influence, but those who lived in the ring knew them very well: The Scarhorns.

Like their namesake, every one of them had scars on their black and white horns, each carved up for a specific reason. Most were for kills. The good ones. Not some pansy-ass timid couple begging to be spared while getting robbed on the road. They were the ones for avenging one of their own killed by a cop or taking the head of an enemy biker gang leader. Some were for honorable acts the gang saw as good for the overall group, like scoring a good deal or helping a fellow biker out when they needed you most. Others were done as memories and bets, like for how many bitches they fucked or tricks they did with their bikes.

Their outfits were black leather jackets with spikes on the shoulder pads and various patches on them. The biggest one is the design on their back, showing a pair of Imp horns crossed in an "X" formation and a blade between them. Their numbers ranged all over, but this specific group was thirty in number, all of them veterans of the gang. While they were drinking, smoking, playing cards, chatting, and slapping the asses of any of the wrenches serving them in the establishment. One of them, a small snake-faced looking fellow with more white in his horns than black, came out of a phone booth and made for his group leader, a large balding Imp with big goat-like horns that had black nails pierced into them. His scared and grizzled face looked semi-pleased as one of the barmaids was down below, giving his "exhaust pipe" a good cleaning.

"Hey, Boss?" The snake-faced biker approached his leader's table and got his attention. "That was the word. He said to head to the farm. Save for the one that he told us about keeping alive, we can kill whoever we want. We can even play with the females if we want."

"Let's hope they can suck dick better than th is bitch," Boss said as he used his tail to move the maid out of his lap and got up, zipping his pants. Whistling, he got everyone's attention. "Alright, we got the word. Load up and make tracks."

While some bikers moaned about being put away from their drinking, others were smirking at the chance for real excitement. Two of them walked over to the room and started bringing out cases of guns and ammo they stored here as a supply run. Shotguns. Assault Rifles. Machine Guns. Pistols. Grenades. Everything they would need to tear shit up good.

Once they were armed, they all started making for their bikes. Their Boss revved his motorcycle and signaled to ride as the thirty-man bikers made off for their target.

***

The farm came into view, and Moxxie took a deep breath as Blitzo put the van into park. He had already prepared himself for what he would say to Millie and her family. He didn't know how much she told them, but chances are they would just ask him to leave. Fuck, he wouldn't be surprised if they didn't want him near Millie because they'll just assume the worst of him. Like fucking always. Usually, Moxxie would try to get along with his in-laws as best as possible despite their overall dislike of him, but he wasn't going to put along with that crap. Not this time.

Getting out, he saw Millie's parents and siblings approaching him. Joe and Lin were leading the group, looking stoic at the very least. They were followed by Rodney, Billie, Trent, Stan, and Sally-May, who, save for the last one, were glaring at him. Moxxie sighed and motioned for Blitzo to stay behind and let him deal with this. Walking forward, Moxxie stopped as the entire family stood in place. "Joe. Lin. Everyone."

"Moxxie," Joe said as he folded his arms. "What brings ya here?"

"I'm here to talk to my wife," Moxxie replied. "To apologize and explain a few things."

"How about ya just drive back to the city and let us deal with our sister," Trent grumbled, his gray working gloves making lists every so often. "Unlike you, we don't make her cry."

"Besides, she might not even want to be your wife any longer," Billie, the tallest of them, said back.

"Has she said that, or is that just the same thing you've been hoping for ever since we got married," Moxxie asked with a raised eyebrow. "Until I hear it from Millie, I won't believe it. And I'm not leaving until I talk to her."

"I think you seem to forget this here is mah property, Moxxie. And I don't have to let you on it," Joe warned as he narrowed his eyes. "Now ya might be married to my daughter, but yer not family. Ya never have been. There was always something about ya that I didn't like, and considering mah little girl came home with tears in her eyes, I guess I was right about that? Wasn't I?"

Moxxie said nothing; he just took a deep breath to calm himself. "Look, I don't know what Millie told you. Yes, I lied to her. I lied about my past. It's nothing I am proud of, but I moved on from it. I just tried to protect her, and that's it. But now I will be honest and want to talk to her. So, please, Joe. Let me see my wife."

This time, Lin stepped forward. "Look, Moxxie. In this family, we keep to the truth. Ya has never been honest with us; why should we trust ya?"

"...Fair, but I'm not taking no for an answer," Moxxie said as he stepped forward. "I am going to talk to Millie. That's all I want. If she wants me gone? Fine, but I do not care what the rest of you think. Yes, I lied, but have you ever tried to make me part of this family? I get it. I'm not Wrath born. I'm not from a farming family. I lived in a city. But all my attempts to try and be nice to you guys have always ended up with you arguing with Millie about how I'm not good enough or that she should divorce me. You think I don't fucking listen to what you guys are saying?"

"Well, tough shit. Yer not good enough for our Millie. Not then and not now or ever!" Rodney growled as he walked over and stared down at Moxxie, who showed no fear. "You think I'm not afraid to hurt ya for hurting my sister? Guess again you-"

"Rodney, you and your siblings have never scared me at all," Moxie rolled his eyes. "I've only pretended to be intimidated because I've dealt with worse than an overprotective brother who thinks he's hot shit but can't do the math to save his life or his taxes."

That got Rodney pissed as he looked ready to swing at Moxxie before noticing Blitzo. "Yer gonna let yer employee talk like that to us?!"

"Personally? I'm finding this 'take no shit' Moxxie behavior both adorable and amusing," Blitzo answered with a grin.

Now the entire family was pissed as Joe, gritting his teeth, walked over to Moxxie and glared at him. "Nah, ya listen here, ya city trash possum-faced son of a bitch. Bad enough, you made my daughter cry, but to insult mah boy? Give me a good reason why ah shouldn't punch yer lights and damn the relation we have via your marriage to Millie."

"...I'm a genetically altered child soldier created by my parents, who happened to have been the Leaders of the Imp Resistance Army. I have been trained since I was created to kill and be the perfect assassin. I have killed multiple targets ranging from political figures to outright military officers. I know a hundred ways to hurt, main, cripple, or even kill you and your family right here and now, and half of them are with my bare hands. I have personally taken part in the wiping out of the I.R.A., including the deaths of my other genetically altered siblings, who I personally ended. I have mastered every type of gun you can imagine, and I know every bone in the body's breaking point. I have survived countless do-or-die missions and killed so many people I can fill your farm with graves. I am a living fucking weapon, Joe," Moxxie said as the entire area went dead quiet. "Do you really want me to turn the safety off and show you that I'm not a skinny-ass bitch? Because I am this close to making you one of mine."

Blitzo grinned upon seeing Millie's family's pale and shocked faces and made a mental note to try and incorporate the speech for himself.

"...Okay, I was way off as to what you lied to Millie about," Sally-May said softly as she looked a bit frightened and disturbed at Moxxie.

"Hold on! Let me get this straight!" Lin said as she rubbed her head and pointed at Moxxie. "You...you of all people...are I.R.A."

" Was I.R.A.," Moxxie corrected. "Like I said, I was a living weapon mad e in a lab by the leaders to be one of their assassins. I left the organization and helped take it down. That's what I lied about. That's what I am. There you go. Whole story. Now get out of my way."

Joe seemed to regain his courage while putting a hand in front of his wife, and his sons soon looked ready to charge. "If you think I'm going to let some terrorist freak of nature come one step closer to my daughter you-"

"PA! STOP!"

Everyone turned to the left to see Millie slowly walking forward. Her eyes were not focused on anyone but Moxxie, whose gaze turned gentle upon seeing her. Nothing was said as she and Moxxie stared at each other for a long time. Rubbing her arm, Millie sighed and said, "I was wondering when you were going to come."

"...Sorry I didn't come sooner," Moxxie whispered apologetically.

"Yeah, I had to get his sorry self-hating out of bed when it was clear he wasn't going to get his cock up to come to find you," Blitzo said with a smirk. "Welcomed, by the way."

Moxxie rolled his eyes before gazing back at Millie. "Can we talk? Just the two of us?"

"...Sure."

"Millie, I don't think-"

"Ma," Millie held up her hand. "This is between him and me. Please."

Nobody said anything as Millie guided Moxxie away from the group, which was left to wait in silence.

***

Millie brought her husband to the back of the house so that nobody could interrupt them. Along the way, she kept rubbing her stomach before taking a deep breath and turning around to face her husband. "Alright, Moxxie. What did you want to talk about?"

At first, Moxxie said nothing. But upon thinking of what Blitzo said, he realized he had to be fully honest. "Millie, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I lied to you. I hurt you. And I risked your life because of it. All because I was afraid of losing you. And ashamed of myself."

Millie didn't say anything, so he continued with his eyes closed. "Millie, I'm not normal. I wish I was. I wish I was a normal Imp, but I'm not. Much as I try to deny it, I'm a created weapon of death that was forced to become a killer at a young age. I don't think of myself as anything but a freak of nature. Something that shouldn't have been born. I honestly sometimes thought of just killing myself before I met you and Blitzo because I had nothing to live for. But when I met you guys, I fell in love with you? I felt like I was actually "Moxxie" again, not the number I was given upon birth."

Slowly lifting his sleeve, Moxxie looked at the numbers and letters that would forever be tattooed on his skin. "This name...is a name I curse...a name I wanted nothing to do with. I didn't tell you anything about it because I was afraid you'd hate me or be disgusted by me. I didn't want to lose you or Blitz or Loona or anyone I came to care about since my freedom. I hid it not just because I didn't trust you to handle it well but because I was afraid you wouldn't."

He then reached for her hands and looked deep into her eyes. "Honestly, Millie, I sometimes feel like I am unworthy of you. I've done so many terrible things back when I was in the I.R.A. Things I always felt guilty for. I mean, sure, we're demons. We kill regularly, but sometimes...sometimes there are things go too far. I broke limits. I never learned those limits until I was on the other side. When I tasted true living with my adopted parents. And with you."

A tear dripped down his cheek. "I never wanted to lose you like I lost my adopted parents. I always just wanted to protect you, but I didn't trust you with the truth. And considering how much I do love you, I am sorry for not doing that. But I promise I'll be truthful. About everything. Every little detail of my life. Not just for you but for our child. Because even if it means opening those old wounds again and coming to terms with my past just to make our family work? I'll do it without any hesitation. I love you, Millie. Now and always. Whatever we face, even my brother, I want us to face together."

Slowly, Millie squeezed his hands, and he waited with halted breath for her to say something. Instead, Millie wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Moxie froze for a second before a warm smile appeared on his face, and he hugged his wife back. The two soon kissed and felt their hearts melt upon feeling each other's familiar taste again. Whatever divide had been in the hearts for days was instantly mended, and both felt whole again. Millie even felt her baby jumping around in her stomach as if knowing that his parents had made up.

"...I missed you," Millie said with a big smile.

"Me too," Moxxie replied before kissing her again. "So what now?"

"Guess we gotta tell my folks the truth," Millie answered with a small smile.

"Yeah, I get the feeling that..." Moxxie paused as he noticed something in the distance that made him worry.

"Something wrong, hon?" Millie asked as she gazed in his direction and saw that a large dust cloud on the road was coming towards the direction of the farm. "Is that a dust cloud?"

"No," Moxxie muttered as he pulled out some binoculars in his coat. He looked through them and winced upon seeing what it was. "Not a cloud at all."

"So what is it?" Millie asked.

Looking closely at the armed bikers heading towards them, Moxxie only said one word. "Trouble."