"I will not be coming. End of discussion"

"Please Charon! you're a judge down here so I'm sure you'd be a perfect person to help plead our case to heaven! Hell needs you! we need you! I need you!"

"Charlie, Heaven has terrified hell for centuries so I'm sorry if I'm not exactly thrilled to go to where they live". She had to catch me in the middle of looking over a case.

"Charon, please. I could use all the support I can get for this. It took a lot of convincing for my dad to set this up. Please? We really need you", Charlie pleaded. Setting a file down I leaned back in my chair deep in thought letting out a tired sigh. The whole time she was giving me puppy eyes. Looking to the side my old self was looking at me in my reflection. Perhaps it's time to stop running.

"*Sigh* fine, I'll come but don't expect me to be happy about it". In a moment of pure joy she jumped over my desk hugging me.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! ok! let's go!", she said quickly running out of my office. Couldn't help but chuckle at her behavior. Thinking about how such an innocent soul has formed in hell could warm ones.

Getting up I grabbed my trench coat along with my sidearm. Never know when you're in heaven. Walking to my door another thought passed through my head making me stop. Reaching around my neck I grabbed a necklace that many didn't know I wore looking at what hung from it. Looking at it my mind went back to what reminded me of the worst mistake I've ever made. A mistake I regretted making ever since I made it to hell.

Meeting Charlie in the lobby I saw Vaggie would also be joining us. Not too much of a surprise but this will be interesting if she's joining us. Guess we both are facing our pasts head on. Lucifer was here as well to help open a portal to Heaven along with seeing us off along with the rest of the hotel. Seeing we were ready I walked up standing next to Vaggie and Charlie.

"I won't be able to help you once you get there. You'll be on your own", Lucifer said worriedly. Charlie hugged him, still keeping an optimistic view.

"I'll be fine dad. I've got vaggie and Charon with me. We can do this"

"Good luck", he said, opening the portal. Vaggie and Charlie walked through but I held back for a moment.

"Don't worry Lucifer, you have my word not because of my deal with your daughter that I'll protect her to the best of my ability"

"Thank you Charon. If there's anyone who can protect my daughter from Heaven you'd be the one. *chuckles* thinking about what your probably going to do to them brings me some joy along with settles some of my worries"

Walking through I met Charlie in amazement seeing Heaven's gate for the first time. Vaggie looked at it uninterested as I did. At the same time I glared at it having so many memories flooding through me making my anger boil so much that my demon form started to show itself but I quickly took a deep breath calming myself down. Walking up we were greeted by St. Peter.

"hi, welcome to heaven! Can I get your name please?", he said, pulling out a book.

"Oh, uh uh uh Charlie Morningstar", Charlie responded. Peter looked through the book of souls. Honestly I think his reaction to finding out who her dad is will be very entertaining.

"I don't seem to see your name on my list here. That's so odd"

"uh my dad got me this meeting so maybe try....Lucifer....Morningstar?", she said uneasy. Sure enough his reaction was entertaining.

"ohhhhh fuck *nervous laughter*. Oh yikes am I right? Are you sure you're in the right place?"

"Yes, we have a personal meeting with the seraphims of Heaven would be my guess, mister Peter", I said towering over him. He looked up at me with a bead of sweat forming.

"St. Peter, we'll take it from here"

"Greetings Daughter of the Morningstar. I am Sarah the high seraphim of Heaven". Unknown to anybody I was glaring at her knowing thinking about what she did to Corax. She just sat on the side lines letting him be cast down to hell along with being the one to pass his sentence. Even his own siblings sat on the side lines and watched. Emily was jumping in excitement meeting us which made my mood a lot better.

"hi I'm Emily! the other seraphim. though you can call me M, emy, E. whatever you want. I go by whatever. Welcome to Heaven. Oh! and you are?", Emily said taken back by my look. Being polite I bowed slightly introducing my self to her again.

"My name is Charon, I'm an overlord in Hell who goes by "The Judge". I'm here to help represent miss Charlie and Vaggie for their case"

"A judge in hell? now that is interesting", Sera commented. 

"Well if maybe you actually saw what happened down there you would know. I handle cases for sinners and hell born alike. Everyone who goes through my doors has a promise of a fair trial. A promise I hope Heaven can keep as well"

"You will be heard. Now, we should head in", Sera said very well noticing my Jab. As the doors opened to heaven Peter began to sing but while everyone was distracted I slipped in my mist form slipping away. 

While in mist form I travelled through Heaven getting high above it I saw where I needed to go. Traveling through a window I reformed in my physical form in a hallway. Taking a moment I straitened my tie and suit. Wanted to look presentable for this next part. Walking down the hall I came to a stop in front of a door that looked like it hasn't been open for centuries. The door still had it's holy glow but the paint was peeling and the door was barely holding it's shine. Holding my hand up I knocked on the door. Taking a moment no one answered. Knocking one more time I got close to the door and spoke.

"Meta, it's me", I said softly. Still no answer.

"Meta, please open the door. I...I just want to talk. Please". I heard the shuffling of feet behind the door but still no one answered. Letting out a small sigh I leaned against the door feeling defeated before I slid down with my back against the door. Laying my head back I began to sing.  

https://youtu.be/hexZ5hwia08

"Please, Open the door. Nothing is different. We've been here before. Pacing these halls, trying to talk, over the silence". Hearing the sound of someone sitting behind the door I could feel the other person on the other side. At least she's listening.

"And Pride, sticks out its tongue. Laughs at the portrait that we've become. Stuck in a frame, unable to change, I was wrong". Everything around us except the door slowly began to fade away. The figure behind the door was all black.

"I'm late but I'm here right now. Though I used to be romantic. I forgot, somehow. Time can make you blind". Now me and her were in a dark void with little to no light.

"But I see you now as we're laying in the darkness. Did I wait too long? to turn the lights back on?", I sang as we both looked down. Standing up I stood still leaning against the door while she stayed sitting down. Turning around I stood straight and continued singing toward the door.

"Here, stuck on a hill. Outsiders inside the home that we built. The cold settles in, it's been a long winter of indifference. Maybe you love me, maybe you don't, maybe you learn to and maybe you won't". The dark figure soon stood as the door slowly began to vanish as I sang now both of us standing across from each other. Now we looked at each other both tense.

"You've had enough, but I won't give up. on you", I sang while holding my hand out. She took it as small stars formed around the void bringing some light. Pulling her gently close we began to dance around in the void slowly as more stars formed lighting the void.

"I'm late but I'm here right now and I'm trying to find the magic. That we lost, somehow. Maybe I was blind", I sang with black tears coming down from my eyes. Holding her close I stopped for a moment looking at her as I knew she too had tears even if I couldn't see her.

"But I see you now. As we're laying in the darkness. Did I wait too long? To turn the lights back on?". She put a hand to my cheek as I leaned into it trying to feel the warmth I once felt.

We soon continued to dance in the slightly lit void dancing to the beat of the Piano. We both felt so many different emotions going through the other. All I felt was pain, anger, and sadness from her. All because of my choice. What I would have done to make sure I didn't hurt her. One thing I never intended to do. one of the worst things I've ever done and something I never went a day without thinking about and regretting.

"I'm late, but I'm here right now. Is there still time for forgiveness?", I sang looking into her eyes as we continued to dance. Slowly some of the stars began to vanish.

"Won't you tell me how? I can't read your mind. But I see you now. As we're laying in the darkness. Did I wait too long? To turn the lights back on?". As we danced we got closer to each other to a point we were almost able to kiss. But we both were held back by an invisible force to break the gap. That it be due to some unknown force or fear to start something that has already ended or just needed another spark to bring new life.

"I'm here right now. yes, I'm here right now. Looking for forgiveness". The stars finally vanished, returning us to a dark void. We stopped in the darkness just both staring at each other.

"I can see, as we're laying in the darkness. Yes! we're laying in the darkness", I sang. She took a step back as I tried to follow but was stopped by an invisible force that was the door.

"Did I wait too long? To turn the lights back on?". The scene vanished, returning us to where we were before. Me standing in front of the door with her on the other side. Leaning my head against the door I felt black tears going down my face.

"I'm so sorry Meta. It might not mean anything now after all the centuries of pain I now see I put you through but i want you to know. I regretted what I did to you. I was swallowed by my self pity and depression after what they did to Corax. You tried to reach me through it and be there but I ignored you. Didn't just ignore you but neglected your feelings and how you felt. I didn't deserve your love and I don't now". Reaching around my neck I grabbed my necklace taking the object that hung off it. Kneeling down I set the ring down by the door.

"Goodbye, my sweet Meta. Hope you can find the true happiness you deserve". Looking at the door I shifted back into my mist form to find Charlie and Vaggie to prepare for the case.

-------------------------------------

You would think being a Judge for centuries in hell would make you immune to being nervous for a case. This time it's different. I'll be pleading all of Hell's case to heaven to bring an end to extermination day. Along with convincing them that sinners can be redeemed. For Charlie and Vaggie I kept a confident look.

We were currently sitting at a table to sit the three of us. Above us were multiple balconies with most of Heaven's council. Right across from us in her own Balcony was Lute, hopefully Adam doesn't show up. Above everyone else is where Sera and Emily were seated. Heaven, always used to looking down at people. Suddenly Adam walked past our table, great. He did come.

"Oh no, not him again", Charlie said, noticing Adam's entrance.

"What up baby, saw that you went to my manager. Low blow Karen", he said, flying up to Lute's Balcony.

"We are gathered here...". Just before she could finish she was cut off by the appearance of another angel next to her. She appeared with a quick bright light and many other Angels were surprised by her arrival including myself.

"Who's that?", Charlie asked.

"Just as Hell has seven deadly sins Heaven has their seven virtues. That is the oldest of them Vretial, Virtue of temperance. Surprised to see her here"

"Good day everyone", she greeted with a friendly smile.

"Lady temperance!? You need not be here....:

"My younger brother was sentenced to hell for harboring the same ideas as Charlie. I owe it to him to listen". She's right, she does owe it to Corax. One of her fellow Virtues.

"As I was saying then. We are gathered here today to determine whether or not a soul in hell can be redeemed into the heavenly realm by means of this Hazbin hotel. Princess Morning star"

"Thank you Seraphim", Charlie said standing up."*Clears throat* Webster's dictionary defines redemption as...."

"Objection! Lame and unoriginal", Adam interrupted. Standing up I was ready to counter the objection but Sera stopped me.

"Sustained, no further dictionary references please". Gritting my teeth I sat back down. This is not how a court case should be run. Either side should be free to plead their case as they wish. Sadly I'm not the judge here.

"Right, ok". Charlie kept shifting through her notecards but I have a feeling they all had definitions.

"If you have actual evidence then show it already", Adam interrupted once again becoming impatient.

"We have a patron right now! Is making Incredible Progress!", Charlie shot back.

"Who?"

"That would be mister Dust who has been at the hotel almost since its creation. He's been clean from drugs for a few months now and has begun to develop sympathy for his fellow Hotel Residents'', I chimed in.

"oh yeah the porn demon. he's totally worth being redeemed", Adam sarcastically stated. He also graced us with what a five year old would call a "Raspberry". Letting out a long sigh I began to start regretting coming here more.

"If you know so much, then what do you think it takes to get into heaven?". Now we're getting to the real question here. Adam was caught off guard trying to answer her question. Seems we caught him. Good job Charlie.

"Everything ok Adam?", Sera asked.

"Give me a fucking minute!". Adam turned away for a moment writing something down. Is he...making this up? Suddenly he sent us a golden piece of paper. Taking it into my hands I read it out loud.

"Act selfless, don't steal, stick it to the man? you can't be serious", I said handing it to Charlie and Vaggie.

"This sounds like a fucking joke", Vaggie commented.

"ugh yeah, it's what got me here. Didn't it, right sera?", Adam defended. Adam looked toward Sera for help who also looked hesitant and not sure with her answer.

"He was the first human soul in heaven"

"Your honor, even if that may be true it isn't an adequate defense", I countered. Sera gave me a small glare which I returned with my own. Sadly she can't see it.

"Well, I bet angel is doing all those things right now"

"Then let's fucking see it bruh", Adam said. Suddenly a giant magic ball formed in the middle of the room. Me and Charlie walked forward ready to present our evidence.

"your honors, may I present exhibit A"

The ball soon began to show Angel at a club with Husk, Nifty, Sir Pentious, and Cherry Bomb. Wasn't aware those two knew each other. As the scene played out Angel was talking about how work has been running him ragged. Which led to him ordering a strong drink.

"Do you need to see more? The porn star chose a night of debauchery. That's not a soul worthy of heaven", Adam began to argue.

"Objection, are you really telling me you've never had a drink with friends at the end of a hard day?"

"uh, we don't have hard days. It's fucking heaven bitch. You're seriously going to sit there and pretend like this behavior is ok? what do you think?", Adam said, with his last question pointed toward Vaggie. She seemed to squirm unsure how to answer. He tried to black mail her, how predictable.

"Everyone has their own way of letting off steam. I'm sure many angels in heaven get tired from performing their duties. So they must have some way to relax. Like meditation, music, tea, and many other ways. Going out for drinks with your friends is very similar. It shouldn't demonize a sinner if they do the same", I defended earning many nods from the angels. A glare from Adam, Lute, and Sera.

"Angel will make good decisions. Come on we have to keep watching", Charlie chimed in.

"She's right, we've only seen merely a few moments of this outing". Sera and Emily were whispering with each other for a moment. Knowing Emily she's supporting it. Vretial watched everything closely keeping a calm look.

"Very well, the court will allow it", Sera said as the scene continued to play out.

"Fu...amph!". I covered her mouth to stop her from swearing. They would look down on that.

The scene continued and to say I was proud would be an understatement. Angel kept a drunk Nifty out of trouble from stealing and out of trouble. Even better he ran into his boss Valentino who wanted to try and hire nifty. Angel told him off earning him a slap but he didn't back down. Guess Valentino didn't learn his lesson. I'm more than willing to teach him again but that's for another time.

"You see! He did everything on your checklist! He was selfless, stopped nifty from stealing, and he stuck it to that moth man!", Charlie said excitedly.

"Uh well uh, why isn't he here then!?", Adam countered. This led everyone to ask the same question. All the angels seemed unsure how to answer that question. Wait, no. It can't be.

"Wait, none of you know what gets someone into heaven?!", Charlie said, getting angry.

"This questioning stops now! We know when a soul arrives. We know when we pass divine judgment. It is our job to ensure these souls stay safe", Sera said, stopping her. Hearing this made my grip on the arm rests of my chair hard, splintering them. Looking up I saw Emily unsure as she summoned the list Adam made.

https://youtu.be/TXcb49xSYuo

"But she was right, sera. She showed us a soul can improve. He saw the light, sera. checked all the boxes that you said would prove that a person deserves a second chance. Now we turn our backs, no second glance", Emily sang flying around. She was defending us. She always knew what the right thing to do was.

"It's not as simple as you think. Not everything is spelled in ink", Sera sang trying to make Sera understand.

"It's not fair, sera"

"Careful Charlie, keep a cool head"

"no! don't you care, sera? That just because someone is dead, it doesn't mean they can't resolve and change their ways . Turn the page, escape infernal blaze". As Charlie sang different scenes of Angel dust played on the ball. At the end the ball showed fire.

"I'm sure you wish it could be so, but there's a lot that you don't know", Sera continued to argue.

"What are we even talking about? some crack whore who fucked up already. He blew his shot like the cocks in his mouth! this discussion is senseless and petty", Lute now sang. Soon she pulled her helmet back on as Adam and Lute flew above us.

"There's no question to be posed. He's unholy. case closed. did you forget that hell is forever?", both sang, landing on the ball. The ball itself showed sinners burning in hell fire. Seeing it made my anger worsen.

"A man only lives once, we'll see you in one month. Gotta say I can't wait to...."

"Adam"

"Come down and exterminate you!". The idiot, he just revealed Sera's biggest secret. The reveal showed on all the angels' faces including Emily's.

"wait, what are you saying? Let me get this straight. You go down and kill those poor souls?", Sera sang, landing looking at the ball. It continued to show sinners suffering.

"You didn't know?"

"Guess the cat's out of the bag"

"What's the big deal?"

"Sera, tell me that you didn't know!", Emily sang. Sera flew into the air singing on her way down to emily.

"I thought since I'm older, it's my load to shoulder"

"no"

"You have to listen! It was such a hard decision. I wanted to save you the anguish it takes to do what was required", Sera said with a crazed smile. The red light behind Emily made her look worse. Didn't help that the fire reflected in her eyes. Seeing all of this unfold made everything flash to a different scene. Corax's trial, I shook my head though trying to ignore it along with my rising anger.

"To think that I admired you! Well, I don't need your condescension. I'm not a child to protect! Was talk of virtue just pretension? was I too naive to expect you to heed the morals you're purveying", Emily sang. Hearing her made me proud.

"that's what the fuck I've been saying!", Charlie said taking her hands. Both suddenly jumped on top of the ball singing together.

"If hell is forever then heaven must be a lie! If angels can do whatever and remain in the sky! The rules are shades of gray when you don't do as you say. When you make the wretched suffer just to kill them again"

"I was told not to trust in angels", Charlie sang looking toward Vaggie. Now this secret will show itself.

"By her?", Adam asked.

"HA! she should know"

"We should go", Vaggie pleaded.

"no! don't you see? we've come so close. Look at them fighting, they're at each other's throats", Charlie sang. Sure enough all the angels were arguing which amazed me. Corax couldn't get them to this point. We could actually win.

"Don't you act all high and mighty. Did you ever think your little girlfriend might be a liar?", Adam said heading to the ball. Vaggie pleaded with him not to say anything else but he ignored it revealing her secret.

"What's the fuss? why hide the fact that you're an angel, just like us", Adam sang, as the ball showed vaggie when she was an angel. As expected Charlie was surprised and shook.

"I'm sorry but this court finds that there is no evidence souls in hell can be redeemed", Sera said giving her decision.

"he....hehehe...hehehehehehe....hahahahahahaha!!!! Why am I surprised? your status quo is challenged and what do you do? You destroy what challenges it even when they're right. It's what happened to Corax and now it's happening again. Heaven continues its lies and hypocrisy. You continue to ignore that sinners can show redeemable traits even when it's shown to your face. it's pitiful", I said glaring at her.

"Silence, a sinner such as your...."

"NO! YOU WILL BE SILENT SERA THE HIGH SERAPHIM OF HEAVEN!", I said standing. The room suddenly became cold and darker. Many of the angels including Sera were surprised by my sudden outburst and power. I slowly rose into the air as the ball now began to show frost forming over it.

"For years I've watched sinners suffer in hell. Not to top the fact that I've seen souls make mistakes that have damned them to hell! To know that not even heaven nor hell knows what makes a soul damned or ascend infuriates me! The thought of souls being damned for making one mistake before their death makes me furious! this system is flawed!"

"Who are you? what gives you the authority to judge heaven?", Sera said, overcoming her fear.

"Who am I? Who am I!?". Now flying over the ball my form began to shift and change. "To mortals I was called many names. Anubis, Igbo, Somali, Charon, and many more. To heaven I was known by only one. Azrael, Angel of death".

"If our father could see this now he would weep. We shall be on our way but I will pass a warning onto you all. Move against the Hazbin Hotel and you will see why I am called "The Judge" in hell and why I am the fourth horseman of the apocalypse. Be warned", I said, opening a portal for Vaggie and Charlie. Looking at me with surprise I nodded my head toward the portal signaling them to walk through. We were done here. As they walked through I landed about to walk through but was stopped.

"Azrael, wait! you know if you return to hell, you'll never be able to return. Please, reconsider this. We all missed you during your time away. Please, come home", Sera pleaded. Turning toward her I gave her my answer.

"You all missed me? really. More lies, I only know a few who truly missed me. Ever since I existed I was the black sheep of heaven. Every angel looked down on me and feared me. All because I was made the angel of death. An Angel to help souls pass on until my job was no longer needed for unknown reasons. I will admit I do have fond memories in heaven but Heaven is no longer my home. Hell is and if you seek to destroy it I will destroy you. Goodbye Sera, hope we never see each other again", I said as I walked through the portal but stopped just in front of it.

"Wait! my brother, Nathaniel. Is he ok?", Vrestial shouted, breaking her silence. Stopping, I answered her knowing that Corax would like his sibling to at least know he's doing well. Even if they sat on the side lines and watched.

"He's fine, goes by Corax now and is an overlord like me. Goodbye everyone and remember my warning. Court adjourned"