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Chapter Text

Long ago, the third human created, Eve, bit into the Apple of Knowledge and unleashed an immeasurable force of Evil onto Creation. Spreading its influence with the essence of Havoc, Malice, Chaos, and Sin.

This story is NOT about Evil!

It's about the aspect of Entropy, the lack of predictability!

Funny thing about Entropy is, it's a measure of disorder. It's neither 100% Good nor 100% Evil. It adds and takes away power on both sides at random. 

It's something that CANNOT be controlled, nor excluded. 

But what if there was a way it could manifest?

(31 January 1945, Heereveen, Friesland, The Netherlands)

It was the high point of the famine plaguing the German-occupied provinces in the Netherlands. Vernacularly called 'The Hungerwinter' (Hongerwinter in Dutch), it drove civilization to the brink as food and fuel were in short supply, and the cold, harsh winter persisted. Not to mention the German occupiers were becoming more and more desperate for any advantage as the Allied forces slowly cornered them. The failed efforts of the Allies during Operation Market Garden in Arnhem kept the Nazi's from losing a crucial buffer between the enemy and their homeland in Germany.

In summary, the Dutch citizens became weaker, while the German occupier became cruelest.

Such is the case in the household of a 7-year-old boy named Jacobus 'Jacob' van Klaver.

Jacob wasn't aware that the reign of Nazi-Germany was slowly crumbling down. Or that the entirety of Holland is hanging on by a thread.

All that he knows is that her mother is getting sicker and sicker from the cold. And the man living with them, 'a friend of the family' as Mama said, is getting meaner and meaner.

Jacob knew that winter is not fun when there's not enough food or warmth, but this is getting ridiculous!

But Jacob had no fear!

According to Mama, winter should be over in March. Tomorrow, it'll be the 1st of February. Then it's only one month till the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Then everything will get warmer, and so will Mama!

31 days plus one. He can handle it.

Besides, Jacob has his favorite book to pass the time!

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", by Lewis Carroll. It was a gift from her Mama when she came back from 'England'. Mama said he should read it to practice his 'English' for when he can go 'back to school' again. 

He doesn't know what any of that means, but the pictures and drawings were fun to look at! Especially the guy with the big hat drinking tea!

He always kept it under his bed because Mama told him to.

Perhaps, the next 31 days plus one could be an adventure too! "Jacob's Adventure in Winterland".

Nice ring to it!

He saw the small stove was out of wood. No wood, no fire, no fire, no warmth.

Well, that's not good!

He got up from the floor, placed his book by the stove, and put on his winter clothing. Sure, they were a bit tattered and felt thinner than yesterday, but what of it?

"Mama, I'm going outside to get wood! I won't talk to strangers and keep my head down, just like you taught me!" he called out to his mother. She's been awfully quiet. She must be resting!

He got outside, and the cold wind bit at his tiny body. But he doesn't waver! He braved the harsh weather and walked the whole length through the big city and back, looking for anything that could spark a fire. Wood, twigs, maybe some shrubbery! If he was lucky, he could find a dried tulip! Those always tasted the best when the day is extra cold!

Of course, he wasn't stupid! When big groups of people were ahead, he hid and stood still till they passed. Especially the ones wearing the helmets and carrying 'guns'. He doesn't know why, but Mama said so, so he will do so.

In a stroke of luck, he found a stick in an alley! It was weirdly shaped, with a big metal can on the top and a pin on a cord sticking out at the bottom. 

Happy at his find, he turned home! 

Back home, he was about to call out he's back when he saw the family friend sitting by the burning stove.

The family friend still wore the black overcoat and black as he always does.

Jacob stepped forward to greet him till he saw what was burning in the stove.]

His book.

"Hey! That's my book! You're burning my-".

"SHUT-UP!" the family friend yelled, snapping around to him. "You had paper this WHOLE time and didn't burn it!? It's freezing outside! Dumpkoff", he said, turning back to warm his hands.

"I'm telling mom!", Jacob said, turning around to do so-".

"She's dead".

Jacob froze. He stood still, the weird stick in hand, the cold still sticking to him.

"What?".

"She's been dead in her bed for two days, you stupid idiot. I had to throw her out or she'll stink up the place", the family friend said coldly.

Jacob ran to Mama's room. He's lying! Mama's not dead! She's right-

Jacob gasped. Mama's bed was empty. More than that, it was all gone! The mattress, the wooden bedding, everything! It was gone!

The world, his world, fell under the boy's feet. His stomach was acting weird. He couldn't breathe. Despair clenched around his neck, burning like a hot iron as he clenched the stick.

But then, just like that, that feeling was gone.

"He. Hehe. Hehehehehehehe. Hahahahahahahaha. HA-AH-HAHAHAHAHA!", he laughed as he trudged downstairs.

"What are you laughing about?! Have you finally gone mad, Jacob!?" the family friend said conceitedly.

"We're all a little bit mad", Jacob said, his innocence, his merit, no more. A whole new person seems to have taken him over. His once blue eyes were now crimson red, and a heart-shaped mark formed on his right cheek. "I'm just ahead of the curb", Jacob said, pulling the pin from the bottom of the stick. "Oh, and another thing, 'Papa'...".

The family friend shot up from his seat at the sudden address and saw the boy holding a stick hand grenade.

"Jacob has left the premises, so you've got me. Call me Jack", the boy said before throwing the grenade at his father.

BOOM!

The entire room was engulfed in flames and ruin as the grenade exploded, killing Jacob's father on the spot. But Jack? He was completely unharmed.

Jack dusted off the debris of himself. "Fathers. Always blowing a fuse", he said, chuckling. He turned around towards the door. The house was barely holding it together as it was.

"Now, if you don't mind me, I have somewhere to be! Somewhere, I'm sure we'll be meeting again soon enough. Or maybe not, because your German friends made a LOT of enemies down below. Can't blame 'em if they beat me to the punch. But that's how it is. Bye!" Jack said, shutting the door. 

The house crumbled into a heap. No one would ever know why. Nor would anyone notice the small boy heading towards a frozen lake and take a swan dive into the cold water. Drowning and freezing the mortal flesh. 

But what dwelled in his husk, it would live on and take on a new form in the fiery abyss.

(Ring of Glutton, present day)

In a small cafe, somewhere in Guttony, a middle-aged demon was sipping from his tea while reading the newspaper.

This demon had the same brown curly hair his previous 'vessel' had. His red eyes and heartmark on his cheek remained the same. After a lot of going through looks, he had the right fit. A tailored jacket with heart-shaped buttons, colored in red, black, white, and yellow. His necktie and pants similarly align with the color scheme and include heart patterns. His decorative collar resembles a heart as well. To top it off, a black and white hat with a red band rested on his head.

This snazzy manifestation was clearly an Entropy original.

Another sip from his tea, and the demon spotted an interesting article.

Princess of Hell fights back! Redemption Hotel attacked! Extermination canceled! First Man Dead! Radio Demon into hiding?!

"Wel verdomd", the demon said. "All this and I've missed it!" the demon exclaimed, putting the newspaper down. He reached into his jacket and pulled a deck of playing cards. He shuffled the deck in fancy hand movements. He pulled out 4 random cards, placing them on the table.

"Ace of Spades, Ten of Diamonds, Seven Clovers, and Jack of Hearts", the demon said. He clapped his hands the cards were gone. "Looks like I'm heading to Pride. Maybe we're getting the gang together!".

A waiter walks by. "Sir, you've been here for 4 hours. Ready for your check?".

"Check?!", the demon balked. 

(Jack van Harte): The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of other things,

Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, and cabbages and kings!

And why the sea is boiling hot, and whether pigs have wings!

Calloo-Callay, to Pride today!

(Jack van Harte, throwing a bar of gold out of his pocket onto the waiter's feet): We're cabbages and kings!

Jack whistled a merry tune and ignored the waiter, cursing at a bar of gold crushing his feet. Jack felt there was Entropy afoot, so he must be ahead!

The End!

Chapter Text

(Dead Men's Desert, Ring of Wrath)

In a ring of constant sunheat, lack of water and food, and wild animals, you'd think no living thing could survive here longer than two days.

You're correct.

No LIVING thing could survive here. 

So if you spot a cliffside in Dead Men's Desert, and you see a 17th-century frigate entirely made of skeletons and sodden/rotten wood, FLOATING on said cliffside, you can safely assume there's no living thing on that ship.

Cause the crew of the Bonely Marrow, 199 men, are all dead as well.

Okay, not exactly dead but not really 'alive'.

It's a nasty sliver in between.

Especially for the captain of this ship.

Jane SilverHawk

Allow the writer to explain by rewinding!

(1712, 12km from the Coast of Jamaica)

23-year-old Jane Hawk was the esteemed daughter of first mate James Hawk. With no other family but his father, Jane practically grew up on the ship James helped to command, the Roger Jove.

Normally, a woman on a ship was considered bad. Not only were women perceived as less than capable of handling the harsh sea-life, but it was also bad luck.

But James always said the ship was christened on the day of Jane's birth, and had returned to harbor safely on the day of Jane's baptism. Thus, ít was a sign that Jane and Roger Jove were connected by the Lord himself. With Jane always on board, bad luck will NEVER come to the crew.

For the past two decades, that has proved to be correct. No sudden storms, no plundering pirates, not even a boot of cargo out of place. 

But then, on the 12th of May, just as the Coast of Jamaica rested on the horizon, Jane knew bad luck would catch up. Because she just heard a rifle went off and killed an albatross in the sky by accident. 

A VERY bad thing to do.

The crew sprang into a panic at the sight of the dead bird on the deck, but the captain yelled louder.

"Calm yourself, men! Nothing bad is gonna happen when we're THIS close to home! Besides, we have a lucky charm of our own, the first mate's daughter. Right?", the captain narrowly asked his first mate.

James, eyeing the dead bird, with its eye twitching towards him, nodded wordlessly, looking pale.

"Good. Now, who's the dimwit who shot without command?! Speak up!" the captain demanded.

James took Jane by the arm to the front of the ship. He pulled something out of his pocket and placed it into Jane's hand. It was a rosary

"Jane, stay here till we're home and pray. Whatever you do, do NOT drop that rosary!".

"Dad, it's just a bird. They die all the time-".

"FOR GOD'S SAKE, Jane!" James snapped, but breathed in to compose himself. "You are the ship's grace. As you have been for 20 years. Please, think of the crew".

"The crew!? What about me?! I am your daughter, not some relic on a boat! I can't do this anymore", Jane yelled, looking at the rosary.

"Here, you take this STUPID thing and pray", she said, shoving the rosary into James' chest.  

"Why, you-".

SPLASH!

Something came out of the water and towered over father and daughter. A huge (bonely?) tentacle, half as long as the masts.

"A KRAKEN!?", one crewmember yelled, and hell broke loose!

All the crew members were made to arm themselves. Axes, harpoons, guns, swords, whatever works to ward off this behemoth.

Except James. He fell to his knees. Looking sullen and defeated.

"Fools. The Lord has sent it to punish us. Our lack of faith has angered him-". 

"DAD, SNAP OUT OF IT!" Jane said and slapped him across the face.

James got out of his stupor and looked at his daughter. An awful idea came before him from desperation.

"The Lord giveth and taketh", he said and grabbed Jane by the arm.

"Dad-", Jane could say before his father dragged her closer to the railing. Closer to the tentacle.

"TAKE HER! TAKE HER BACK AND SPARE US!" James yelled to the tentacle, shoving Jane in front.

"DAD?!?".

"JAMES, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?! GET BACK HERE!" the captain yelled across the ship.

The top of the tentacle sprouted and formed into a huge skeletal hand. It swooped in and snatched Jane up. Jane tried to grab onto the rosary in his father's hand, but it snapped.

Jane could only scream in terror before the appendage pulled her underwater. Like that, she was gone.

The captain looked over the railing in horror. With balled fists, he turned to James, grabbed him by the collar, and punched him. 

"You, sick, BASTARD! Your own daughter?! How could you?!".

James swiped the blood from his lips. "The Lord was angry. He demanded tribute".

The captain punched him again. "You shut your f*cking mouth! Men, to the brig with him! Once we're on Port Royal, this dog is heading straight to the gallows!".

"Um, captain?".

"What?!".

The crewmember pointed, and everyone turned. A singular, dark cloud started to form above their heads, thundering.

CRACK-KOOM!

A lightning strike struck the main mast where it stood, and all what's left of it was a charred mess.

The captain and the rest of the crew look at their burning mast and the cloud that was no longer there.

"WHAT!?", the captain exclaimed in utter confusion and appal.

The Roger Jove would sink that day in 5 minutes, prompting the crew to head for the save-boats and drag James' sorry ass to the gallows for being a paranoid piece of sh*t.

(Elsewhere...)

THUM! Thud!

Jane felt herself launched out of the water and falling to the floor. She coughed out the water she had inhaled. Before she could even comprehend what had just happened, she looked up to see a peg-leg and a boot.

On skeletal legs.

She looked further up and came face to face with a pirate. Or what would look like one if one were stripped of his flesh to the bone. They wore an aristocratic hat that ended in a ponytail, covered by a blue tricorn with a golden feather. A blue coat with iron cuffs and a red bandana around his neck, and grey pants with a gold-buckled belt and a single black boot on his right foot made him sophisticated. He had a hook to boot, too!

Their one red eye and an empty eye socket narrowed along a smug, sadistic grin.

"Well, I'll be shived. A lass lost at sea. You don't have those anymore these days, except when they're thrown overboard! Har-Har-Har-Har!".

Along with him laughed other LIVING skeletons, all dressed like pirates.

"But where are my manners?" the captain said, taking off his hat in a dramatic bow. "I am Captain Dread. Welcome on board the Bonely Marrow!".

Jane looked around. She was on a frigate. Entirely made of bones, skulls, and various other horrific ornaments.

"Wh-what is this?! Where am I!? You bring me back to the Roger Jove THIS INSTANT!".

"No can do!, wee lass. This is your new home! Whoever gets on the Bonely Marrow catches, stays on the Bonely Marrow. Till the end of time!".

"Go to hell!" Jane yelled.

Dread grinned evilly and brandished his sword. A cutlass that was more of a blue, glowing material than it was steel.

"Where do you think we are, lass?".

Jane's horrified expression egged Dread to continue. 

"I know it must be a lot to take in, but you see, the Bonely Marrow LIVES. Its mystical powers breach the mortal sea to catch the most foul souls to add to the crew and sustain its lifespan. And you? Heresy to your God? That's more than foul", Dread said, eyeing the broken rosary. "Granted, I was hoping I'd get to see the look on that rat James Hawk", he said offhandedly, sheathing his sword.

"What?" Jane said without any other emotion than shock.

"Yes. He had escaped the Bonely Marrow 23 years ago. Ever since, the ship's been hunting him. Time and time again, he slips out of reach. Almost as if he was protected by something. Or, SOMEONE".

Jane's fist began to ball.

"Oh well, we all felt the ship was CLOSE this time, so we're on the right track".

Jane stood up, looking sliently furious.

"Call off the hunt. Now".

Dread narrowed his eyes. "No one can call the Bonely Marrow of her hunt".

"FINE!" Jane said. 

She rushed Dread and yanked his sword out of the scabbard.

"You WILL tell the ship to stop the hunt, before I use this!" Jane said, pointing the sword at Dread's throat.

Dread laughed condescendingly. "Or what? I'm cursed. No man can kill me".

Jane almost lost her drive. But then she figured it out. "Exactly".

"Huh?".

SLASH!

Jane swung and slashed Dread across the stomach. The captain dropped his knees, holding his guts in pain.

"WHAT THE-", Dread said in shock and pain. He turned to his crew. "GET HER!".

But nothing happened.

The crew just looked at each other in confusion and surprise.

"What are you morons standing there for? ATTACK HER!", Dread commanded.

One BIG skeleton pirate with only big boots walked up to Jane. "You've just attacked one of ours", he stated seriously and intimidating.

Jane was sweating, dreading that her luck had truly run out.

But then the skeleton smiled brightly and said, "Good job! He deserved it!", giving her the double thumbs up.

"WHAT?!", Dread yelled. "I AM THE CAPTAIN OF THIS SHIP! YOU NUMBSKULL!".

The skeleton turned to him and said, "Oh shut yer yap". He turned to Jane and whispered, "He's not REALLY the captain. He's just a bit...". He whistled like a cuckoo.

"Ooookay?" Jane said, almost dropping her sword. `But, then who is?!".

The skeleton twiddled his thumbs. "We don't really have one. Sorry. This ship just does what it does".

"Like Hell it is!" Jane said, stomping to the unmanned steering wheel.

"She's gonna steer the Bonely Marrow!?", one skeleton said. 

"She's insane! No man has ever succeeded in commanding her! The ship's magic will kill her".

The big boot skeleton rubbed his chin. "No man indeed. Though I wonder...".

Jane dropped the sword to grab for the skeletal wheel with both hands. It did NOT look clean. She manned up and went for it! It was cold. Icy to the touch.

Suddenly, it moved on its own, trying to escape her grip.

The entire ship moved in sudden directions. Strange blue magic whipped at Jane to let go, but she didn't.

"Oh no, you're not!" she said, gripping the wheel harder and turning it with all her might.

She spotted the sword and got an idea. She picked up the sword and stuck it between the pokes, so it got stuck.

This allowed Jane to further control the wheel. After what felt like forever, she got the ship under control. Bamboozling the skeletal crew.

Big Boot shook his head, walking up to Jane. "Now I've seen everything. A woman taming the Bonely Marrow. You've got guts".

"Thanks, I think. So, which way to Jamaica?".

Big Boot sucked air between his teeth. "Yeah. Like Dread said, only the ship can get to the mortal realm. And we're in Hell, so...".

"I'm stuck...", Jane said, dropping to her knees. She looked at her hands, which were partly skeletal thanks to the ship's magic. "I'm stuck like this", she said, completely drained.

Big Boot put a comforting hand on Jane's hand. "Hey, it's not THAT bad. You should see the people stuck in the Pride Ring".

"The what?" Jane asked.

"The Pride Ring. Sinners go there after death, and that's where they stay. But since we're cursed, we're technically not sinners. So we can go anywhere in Hell we like. Plus, we don't need to eat, rest, or sleep!

"Right. Now what?".

Big Boot thought of something. 

"Well, it's like I said: We don't have a captain, and the ship seems to listen to you. Maybe you could...?".

 Jane shot up. "ME? Captain? But I don't know anything about being captain!".

"We're all sailors here. We can teach you. Plus, the ship repairs itself, so it's not like you can screw up THAT bad".

A deadpan look had Big Boot laugh nervously. "ANYWAY, we're all stuck in here. Might as well make the most of it. What do you say?" Big Boot asked, holding out his hand.

Jane looked at the sword, then her hands. She then spotted the broken rosary on the floor ahead. 

She picked it up, eyed it with all sorts of emotions...

Then threw it as hard as she could off the ship.

She let out some puffs. Coming down from that high, he turned to Big Boot. "Fine. I'll be captain. On THREE conditions".

"Shoot".

"ONE: No more snatching souls from the mortal realm. People will join my crew the old-fashioned way. TWO: You will tell EVERYTHING me about this world. And THREE: I need something to wear, like a pirate. And that guy's hook", she said, pointing at Dread.

"WHAT?!", Dread said in the background.

"It's a deal, captain...?" Big Boot held out his hand.

After much contemplating, Jane shook Boots' hand, stating, "Silverhawk".

(Dead Men's Desert, Ring of Wrath, present day)

Centuries later, the new captain of the Bonely Marrow grew up from a frail adolescent to an adult woman. The ship's magic transformed her into the skeletal pirate she is today. All that's left from her humanity was her red brown hair and copper eyes.

She had the proper outfit for a pirate, too! A silky crimson bandana beneath a black, gold-trimmed pirate hat, framing her white lace shirt with puffed sleeves and a frilled collar. Over this, she donned a long red waistcoat richly decorated with gold embroidery, cinched at the waist by a black sash. Her fitted red leggings and tall black heeled boots give her a commanding silhouette, while black gloves add a touch of refinement. Around her neck hangs an amulet resembling an animal’s tooth tied with a black string. 

Hanging on her belt at the hip was the very hook from the wannabe captain Dread. Silver made a point to always carry it as a weapon, a memento of that fated day, and as a warning.

Silver Hawk is the captain of this ship. Anyone thinking otherwise shall meet the sharp end of her sword, made of cursed steel. Cursed steel doesn't kill the soul like Angelic steel; it keeps malforms them. 

So you'd best think twice before crossing this pirate!

"Captain! Captain!", a crewmember ran to the captain with a scroll in hand.

"At ease, Cill", Silverhawk said. 

"This scroll was addressed to you! It has news from the Pentargram!" Cill exclaimed, giving her the scroll.

Silverhawk eyed the document. As she unfurled it, she recognized the handwriting, AND use of Dutch.

"Jack. What is that tulip-munching yardbrain planning this... time?" she said as her annoyance turned to confusion, and then alert. 

Immediately, she commanded her crew, "Men, we're setting a course to the Pride Ring! There's a big score to gain, and I'm not passing that up! TO PENTGRAM CITY!".

"Ay!", the crew yelled in agreement and went to work!

Silverhawk went behind the steering wheel and turned the ship to fly to the infamous heart of the Pentagram, which was currently at the cusp of dangerous change.

It's not like the wilderness of Wrath, nor the treacherous seas, but that fortune favors the bold.

And like hell, Silverhawk backs away from a change of weather THIS time!

The End

Chapter Text

(Envy Ring, Octvolt Lawership)

Octvolt Lawership is a quaint business located in the lower underwater parts of the Envy ring. These parts are for creatures who prefer the dark, privacy, or inconspicuity. 

The building itself is less of a building and more of a grotto. It was chiseled and decorated with bones to shape a beast most definitely primordial.

While newcomers would be nervous coming here, the locals find it comforting that their troubles can be remedied at a place this far away from prying eyes. The natives of the Envy ring DO have a mean habit of snooping around. Mostly for gossip, blackmail material, and for kicks.

Luckily, the sole employee and boss of this establishment knows how to deal with that.

His trusty trident, magic, and an attitude of 'Get in, donate or get the f*ck out'.

It's a cutthroat business for Otto Octvolt. Luckily, he has developed thick skin to endure it.

And all it cost was one heart and a half.

Like actual octopi, Otto has three hearts. How does one lose one heart and a half?

That would be the ailment of love.

(Elementary School for Hell's Royalty, Pride Ring, 30 years ago)

As the heir to a minor royal family, young Otto's prospects were not that great compared to more prominent ones. With great effort, lots of money, and more bargaining, Otto was enrolled here to become a proper demon royalty. To make good on everything, Otto swore he'd do his best. Even if he was weak in the knees and felt like he's gonna throw up the moment he set foot on the school grounds on his first day.

Of course, it wasn't a vote of confidence when his aunt kicked him out of the limo and took off without as much as a 'Good luck'.

Why his aunt? Because his parents put him into her care before vanishing a year after Otto was born.

(The author has no time to unpack ALL of that)

With but a backpack on, Otto channeled his nonexistent bravery and headed inside the big building. His new life awaited!

Immediately, he tripped.

THUD!

On the floor, his nonexistent bravery almost turned to existent despair, but then!

"Are you okay!?".

Otto looked up to see what that melodic voice was and saw it was a girl in a red suspender dress, almost her age!

Her fair skin, white as porcelain, her eyes red as her rosy cheeks, and her long blonde hair made her look like an angel!

At least, Otto would admit that were angels not the bane of demons. He had been prepared to distinguish actual angels from the tomes and books his aunt had. Though there was the ONE exception to an enemy angel-

Wait, she asked a question! Quick! Answer!

"I-I'm okay", Otto said.

Properly, answer PROPERLY!

Despite hurting from the fall, he got back on his feet and straightened his purple sweater vest, and fixed his spectacles. "O-of course I am!".

The girl tilted her head funny, like she was seeing right through him. She looked down at his scraped knees. It made him far more nervous than the previous situation. So what he naturally said was:

"Stop staring! It's rude!".

The girl squawked like a bird and held her hands placatingly. "Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to! Your knees looked a bit hurt. Nothing wrong with that, but uh! Oh, I know!" she said. She took off her own backpack, which was decorated with ducks and rainbows. She pulled out a Band-Aid with a smily apple logo and applied it to Otto's knees. "There! All fixed!".

"Wha-What are these!?".

"They're band-aids! SPECIAL band-aids! They'll fix your knees in no time!".

"For... me?", Otto said, utterly befuddled. 

"Do you like them?" the girl asked Otto with big eyes, and now Otto's in a crisis!

On one hand, help ALWAYS, ALWAYS comes with a price. A condition, a clause, a favor, or a loophole. It was one of the few useful lessons his aunt taught him.

On the other hand, this girl didn't offer her help. She just gave it to him just like that, WITHOUT anything sketchy. Certainly not something his aunt does. 

Otto realized the girl was waiting for an answer!

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, SAY SOMETHING!

"Ye-", Otto said high-pitched. He cleared his throat and said, "Yes. They're... red. And apples. I like apples".

Apparently, that was the right thing to say cause the girl's face glowed up. "Me too! Especially the caramel apples Dad always makes!".

Otto then realized that this entire time, he didn't know her name. Neither has HE introduced himself!

"I'm Otto. Otto Octvolt," he said, bowing. Again, thank you. They're... red like apples", he said, still looking to the floor.

YOU'RE SHOOTING WITH THE SAME ANSWER!?!

"I know, right?!", the girl answered excitedly.

NICE SHOOTING!

The girl gasped lightly. "Oh, right", she cleared her throat and did a curtsey. "Charlotte Dante Inferno Magne Morningstar. But friends call me Charlie!".

Charlie. Even the name was melodic-

MORNINSTAR!?!?

His three hearts were pumping overtime with anxiety! Th-there's no way that THIS GIRL could be-

"Charlie?!".

Charlie turned. "Hi, Dad!" she said, waving. 

Otto turned and UNHOLY MACKEREL.

Walking through the school halls like he wasn't who he was, Lucifer. King of Hell, Sin of Pride, Fallen angel #1.

AND HE'S COMING OVER HERE!

Lucifer lifts Charlie under her shoulder and supports her on his hips. 

"There's my duckling! Ready for your first day of school?".

"Yes! I even made my first friend! This is Otto!", Charlie said, casually introducing Otto to the BIGGEST celebrity in all of Hell.

Otto was SO WRECKED with nerves, he didn't know how to address Lucifer, who was NOW LOOKING AT HIM.

So Otto bowed again, this time so deep he almost fell over while yelling, "WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL, YOUR MAJESTY!".

He didn't dare look up cause otherwise he'd pee, nor retract his statement cause he's been only here for 10 minutes!

But then he heard Charlie giggling.

Otto didn't know if he should be incredibly offended or incredibly happy. All he knew was that his three hearts were pumping like crazy.

Lucifer chuckled. "Thank you for the welcome, kid. See you around. Say bye-bye, Charlie", the king went walking away with Charlie still on his hip.

"Bye, Otto!" Charlie said, waving goodbye.

Otto, still reeling from ALL THIS, waved back robotically.

You just met the king

You just met the king and his daughter, the latter of whom is at this school, where you are too.

YOU'RE GOING TO THE SAME SCHOOL AS THE PRINCESS OF HELL-

WAIT, HE'S GETTING LATE FOR CLASS!!!

Otto ran like hell to find class!

Coming to class late by 10 minutes would've been mortifying if it weren't for the fact that, yet again, Charlie was there too! Casually waving to Otto!

WHAT THE W.T. FUDGEBAR-

(10 years later)

The next ten years came by and went. Otto had learned REALLY quickly; all his classmates had been of high royalty. Besides the princess, of course.

All of them seemed to gravitate around the princess. No doubt to score points with THE royalty. Yet the only ones Charlie talks to willingly are the two children of Frederick von Eldritch, Seviathan and Helsa.

And for some reason, Otto too.

Otto could FEEL everyone glaring daggers at him every time Charlie invited him to hang out. He could understand anything but Charlie, cause she always answers Otto's Why with:

"We're friends, silly".

Every time, that seems to hurt. Or at least cause a reaction to him and his 3 hearts. Sweaty palms, mood swings, distracted senses, stinging sensations, feelings of inadequacy. 

First, he thought it was the flu. But he had the flu before, and it NEVER felt like this. Then he thought it was an allergic reaction to something Charlie wears specifically, but that wasn't it either. When he reached high school, it dawned on Otto that he had, in fact, had a crush on the princess for over 10 years. 

That makes it SO MUCH worse!

Not only does this throw a potential wrench in Otto's carefully crafted, perfect academic gears, but he also KNEW it wouldn't just work. The princess and he, a minor noble, were just too different.

Now, getting rid of this irrational reaction, which proved to be fruitless. Just when he thought he had accepted things, a "Hi" or a smile from Charlie would throw him through a loop.

It only got worse after PUPERTY came in.

Otto became more out of focus as his demonic powers reacted erratically to his emotions. To his absolute horror and envy, it made Charlie, who was already kind and genuine, and talented and everything a demon would kill to be, grow up to be more and more beautiful! 

Nearing the end of high school, prom was coming, and Otto knew enough was enough! He couldn't stand it any longer! He had to rid himself of these accursed feelings ONCE and for all! Even if it killed him!

With the money he saved up, he bought chocolates and flowers. Not to ask Charlie out for prom, mind you! But to give Charlie a consolation prize in case Charlie becomes disgusted with him when he tells her.

He REALLY didn't want to, but he had NO choice. This whole thing would drag Charlie to the depths with him.

Just when he spotted Charlie holding hands with Seviathan, he saw CHARLIE holding HANDS with SEVIATHAN. And they were HUGGING and...

KISSING!!?!?

CRACK!

Otto's heart broke in twain. One of the three, at least. He quickly hid before they could see him. Otto held his heart in denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and acceptance.

He got beaten to the punch. Of course. Like Otto was the ONLY demon to have the princess on their mind. To see her for her.

Perhaps, this was for the best. Seviathan's the higher royalty. The charmer, the best. Better than Otto.

"Well played, Seviathan. Well played", Otto spoke, disposing his gifts in a garbage bag. Even if he felt like one of his hearts had just died.

(Present day)

Another 20 years passed. Otto had long congratulated Charlie and Seviathan on their relationship and wished them the best at graduation. Even though the couple looked more out of it than when Otto first caught them.

The jitters must have worn off for them. Woopdie-do.

Otto went back to the Envy Ring and studied law. Charlie's words about helping people and second chances inspired Otto to drop his nobility and become a lawyer.

Turns out, he was pretty damn good at it, AND the Envy Ring had plenty of demand for a good lawyer.

Plus, it pissed off his aunt hard enough to let him out of the house PERMANENTLY. 

Bonus!

Otto didn't just study law, though. He studied history, arts, literature, philosophy, magic, and combat!

His job brought him far and wide across the 7 rings of Hell. Unbiasedly defending his clients, regardless of age, gender, race, or spot on the social ladder. This makes him VERY feared among the higher-ups. 

He has some battle scars from trials by combat to prove it!

Aside from some friends he made, he had a solitary life. Away from everything. And he was content with it, even when sometimes his broken heart hurts and another one yearns for, well, SOMETHING!

But he paid no heed.

True demons have no need for feelings. No need for schemes. No need to rely on anyone. That is how a TRUE demon should be.

That has become Otto's life motto, as he's now a different demon than 30 years ago.

He still has the same swirl of silver and purple hair, but ditched his spectacles for contacts. His dorky sweater vest has long been replaced by a black leather suit strikingly accented by vivid purple linings and rows of circular suction-cup motifs running down the sides of his jacket and pants—evoking the tentacles of an octopus. The jacket flares 'dramatically' at the hem, and beneath it, he sports a deep indigo dress shirt, unbuttoned at the collar. This is to show he is confident. A large, ornate belt buckle draws attention to his waist, while glossy black dress shoes complete his polished look.

He was looking through some documents when his radio spoke about the latest extermination. He aimed to pay no mind till this part:

"In a twist, the extermination is stopped dead in its tracks and canceled indefinitely, thanks to the effort of the Hazbin Hotel! Hosted by none other than Princess Charlotte Morningstar!".

Otto swore he had a heart attack as that name came up, and he turned to the radio to listen more!

"What's more, Charlie seems to be in a SEXUAL relationship with a 'former' exorcist! Who would've thunk-".

A trident pierced the radio. Otto pulled the weapon out. He may be composed outward, but on the inside, he was ABSOLUTELY LIVID

10 minutes later, he announced that Octvolt Lawyership will be closed for the time being.

The locals know that's code for 'Otto's on a warpath'.

Otto will get to the bottom of it and strangle Seviathan for screwing up THE ONE GOOD THING THIS BAD.

The End

Chapter Text

The High Council, consisting of the 7 Virtues, was in a tumult.

Their most promising angel (and brother), Lucifer, was just banished alongside the first woman, Lilith, after the two committed the worst felony in Heaven imaginable.

Tempting one of the first humans to eat the Apple of Knowledge.

Not even the aid of the Higher Seraphim could stop primordial evil seeping into the world. All the Council could do now was damage control. Keeping the evil out of heaven.

One such measure was the creation of the Synthetic Angels. Artificial angels, created with the sole purpose of smiting the wicked and plunging them into the fiery pit.

All in the collective image and design of the Council itself. 

This way, the chance of rebellion is slim to none.

The result was the first model: A small, slim angel with skin so white, it counts as albinism. Her silver hair in a bob cut added to the purity.

The council named her Penny. It was to humanize her to a degree when she's clearly not. Delicacy would be a must ro continue the line of Synthetic angels.

However, the Synthetic angels would never get beyond one

(Outpost)

Penny was stationed at an outpost by Michael personally. She was given a simple order.

"Stand guard, no matter what. Not until the Council orders the task done".

 Without another word, Michael left. 

Silently, Penny stood guard. With nothing but her black armor, a sword, and shield, and a pocket watch.

The pocket watch was specifically gifted by Cassiel, the Archangel of Time. Since the Archangel couldn't participate in Penny's creation, Penny's comprehension of time was lackluster. Hence the gift.

Penny stood. She checked her pocket watch. 5 minutes had gone by.

She stood. She rechecked her pocket watch. 10 minutes.

This continued and stretched to hours. Has it been days? Weeks? Month?

Normal people couldn't have been able to tell cause the sun was always up at this outpost. Sometimes it was slightly dimmed, other times it shone brighter.

Luckily, her pocket watch was imbued with Cassiel's blessing. So she could 'sense' time passing by.

It was currently the eighth hour on day 36, 524.2198. That's 6 hours away from staying on her post for a century.

A century where absolutely nothing happened. No order from the council, no intruders. Nothing.

But she didn't as much as an inch out of place. According to her creators, she has no need or desire for food or rest like regular angels do.

Which is weird because she feels tired. Very tired.

But every time, she feels her pocket watch ticking in her pocket. A constant reminder she has a duty. A purpose. A purpose-built.

Tick, tick, tick!

Surely, the Council knew exactly what they were doing. Without question.

Tick, tick, tick!

She is an angel.

Tick, tick, tick!

Angels don't make mistakes.

Tick, tick, tick!

Even if she was artificially made, it works the same! She was made for this!

Tick, tick, tick!

Right?

All of a sudden, fatigue hit her. Her eyes drooped to a close, and she fell forward into a slumber.

(Ring of Sloth, Bel Tower Sanctum, present day)

Precisely 19 centuries and 8 hours on this day, Penny Dule, former Synthetic angel, fell asleep.

She awoke in this very small, barren sanctum, in a corner of the Sloth Ring.

She'd surprisingly made peace with the matter. Evidently, she was not made for Heaven. She quickly adapted to her new life as a fallen angel and the sole keeper of the abandoned sanctum. 

No one in this ring had bothered to look here.

It was a coincidence that her existence became known to 9 eccentric people. Or was it a coincidence?

All she knows is that they sure make this new life... interesting.

Her appearance was very much the same, with only her wings and halo gone. Only now, she wears a long black over-dress with rich crimson lining, including a slit in her pleated skirt that reveals the crimson underside when she moves. Over her shoulders drapes a matching shoulder-cloak also edged in red, and her waist is cinched with a black belt accented with crimson detailing. Beneath the overdress, she wears a vibrant magenta underdress, all paired with fishnet stockings and high-heeled black shoes with buckles.

No one would suspect someone being an angel walking around in Hell if they wear black, purple, and red.

The only clue to that would be the pocket watch she still has with her. It no longer has Cassiel's blessings, for obvious reasons. But Penny still felt... attached to it.

Aside from being dragged into antics by her friends, she never leaves the comforts of her home.

But when she heard the latest extermination got kicked to the curb, she felt compelled to go. Especially when her pocket watch started to tick again.

Whatever awaits, only time will tell.

The End

Chapter Text

While Hell is perceived as 'The infernal place sinners go', it is ACTUALLY part of a bigger plane of existence.

The Underworld.

Throughout history, it has had many names and stories tied to it. The purpose of the Underworld differs in each story. 

In Ancient Egyptian mythology, the Underworld is the path to the Afterlife, fraught with judgment and danger.

In Norse mythology, the Underworld or 'Hel', is where warriors go who died of natural causes. Not the happy place, Valhalla, where you go when you die honorably in battle.

In Greek mythology, the Underworld is the final destination for mortal souls. The realm of Divine Judgement, Reward, and Retribution. 

There are three important regions of the Underworld.

1. The Elysian Fields, reserved for heroic souls
2. The Asphodel Meadows, reserved for ordinary souls 
3. And Tartarus, where only the most wicked of souls are sent.

The third one, Tartarus, is considered the 'Hell' in Greek mythology. So it should be reasonable that when one goes to Tartarus, they actually go to the SAME Hell reigned by Lucifer Morningstar, along with the other 6 Sins.

And that's where the main character of this chapter comes in!

(Hades' Palace, the Underworld, Ancient Times)

To make sure nothing and no one from Tartarus/Hell escapes back into the Underworld, the god ruling the Underworld, Hades, had to choose a guardian.

It couldn't be Cerberus because he already guarded the entrance to the Underworld. He was NOT gonna ask his brothers for help because they were either too busy (Poseidon) or a disaster waiting to happen (Zeus).

He thought about making a mortal a demigod and making THEM the guardian, but that was too much work, not to mention a headache when that inevitably backfires.

To clear his head for any inspiration, he took his signature bident and strolled through his kingdom.

In a clearing overlooking the Styx, Hades sat on a nearby rock and supported his head on his hand. As if the river of the dead would come up with an idea first.

Before he could think that he got nothing-

WHEEEEEEEEEEH!!!

A massive howl sounded throughout the realm. 

What in Olympus?!

It came from the Styx!

Hades shot up and followed the wailing to the edge of the river.

There, he found the source of the wailing. A basket, with a baby inside. Very much alive.

The god of the Underworld was at a loss for words.

As far as he knew, nothing alive, or at least mortal, comes down here or from the Styx. Only dead souls, gods, or other Underworldly creatures.

Upon close inspection, it was a girl. Their lightish blue skin was one clue that it was not human. The other was that their blue hair was actually blue fire.

It's not a harpy, not a Keres, and CERTAINLY not a copy of Empussa because it doesn't have the other horrendous features.

The baby wailed again, and Hades sighed.

"Gaia, have mercy on me", Hades said before taking the baby out of the basket into his arms, supporting the head of course.

"It's been a while since I last held a child", Hades said as he went back to his palace. 

He can already hear his wife gushing curiously by the time he gets there. 

(1800s)

In a dark room, a woman stood. She wears a formal, underworld-themed ensemble dominated by vibrant shades of blue, with her hair appearing like living flames, echoing her master's/father's image. Her skirt is decorated with gold patterns that reflect Hades’ motifs, giving a regal, infernal elegance. She carries a fan adorned with both a skull and a star, reinforcing her connection to the underworld, while the rest of her costume is composed of elegant, flowing fabrics with sharp lines—combining stately dignity with flair.

She got into a battle stance and readied herself. Ahead of her stood a massive iron gate, supported by pillars made of bones, alit by torches.

The gate burst open, and a massive, monstrous boar charged at her.

She opened her fan, gave it a coordinated strike, and a powerful flame shot out.

FWOOSH!

The boar got off balance and tripped, becoming a rolling boulder. The woman dodged by just stepping aside. 

Another monster comes out of the gate, a centaur, charging with a spear and sword.

THCF!

The woman jumped to the side to evade the spear throw. The centaur turned around and charged with his sword.

The woman jumped onto the spear like a springboard and catapulted at the centaur. Out of her fan, she pulled a sword and made for a sword clash...

Only to phase through the attack!

As soon as she fully flew through the centaur's sword, she stabbed her sword into her enemy's back. Making a massive gash, sizzling with fire.

The woman saw the centaur crashing due to the great wound. But then she saw the boar coming back at her!

She fired a powerful blast, not to attack, but to move her out of the boar's path! 

She rolled onto the floor, almost tripping up, but she recovered. 

The boar and the centaur were back up.

She readied herself to go again-

"That's enough", a voice ordered.

The centaur and the boar vanished. The room went alit, revealing it to be a training room. The woman turned, and Hades walked to her.

"But Master, I barely got to fight them!".

Hades crossed his arms and said, "Good. This lesson isn't about getting into a fight and winning against multiple opponents. It's getting into a fight, and staying alive against multiple opponents". 

"But I only fought two!", the woman said.

"Ah, yes. But that wasn't the case when you started, was it?".

The woman pouted. "The point being?".

"The point being, a fight can ALWAYS change when you least expect it. An ambush, multiple enemies, or unknown territory can change the victor from certain to not. Which will apply when you go to the Tartarus".

"It can't be THAT bad", the student said dismissively.

Hades sighed. "If only that were the case", the king lamented before waving a hand. A fire burst and formed a map of Tartarus. More commonly known as Hell.

"Long before us gods called it Tartarus, it was known as 'Hell'. Unlike here in the Underworld, Hell never had a ruler or king. The only ruler was Ancient Sin, and the Evil predating. That was, until an angel fell from the Heavens along with a human. They divided Hell into 7 kingdoms or 'rings', ruled by them and 6 others according to the 7 Sins. But even after 2000 years, all the realms have become weary of Hell's growth and the threat it manifests. To the point, the Heavens began culling wicked souls yearly".

The student tightened the grip on her fan.

The culling, or Extermination.

She knew the souls sent to Tartarus were bad. The worst of the worst. The likes of which DESERVED to rot. But to kill them even after death? 

That's too far! 

"Can't you do something about it?".

Hades shook his head. "That is beyond my jurisdiction. As God of the Underworld, I cannot interfere with souls once they're in Tartarus. Neither can any other god. The Heavens made it abundantly clear that Hell is under their pantheon only. However,.." Hades turned to his student. "We gods have a knack for using loopholes in exact words: A god can't interfere with mortal souls in Tartarus. But a daemon can. That's where you come in".

Hades changed the map to a part of Hell that was pink with floating islands. 

"I have spoken with one of the ring-lords, Belphegor. She's agreed to let you stay in her kingdom, known as the Sloth Ring, as a consultant, representing the goodwill of the Olympian Gods. Belphegor had always been curious about our medical expertise".

The student put the pieces together. "And this training is to prepare me for the unexpected".

Hades smiled approvingly. "Exactly. Not everyone in Tartarus would welcome strangers openly".

"... Can I ask something?".

"Go ahead".

The student opened her fan and nervously covered her mouth. "Why do we go so far to meddle with their business? I know what happens in Tartarus is not right, but doesn't it go against our sense of order?".

Hades held his chin in thought. That is a good question.

Why go so far, circumventing the rules established for centuries, eons even, just to meddle with other people's business?

"I would say it's in our nature as gods, but that's more of an answer from my brothers. No, we go so far because that's what an heir does: We don't do because we're born 'right'. We do to do RIGHT by our birth. We take what we are given and give it to others who are not so fortunate. We extend our wisdom, our strength, and our hope beyond our borders, against all odds and adversaries. Even when it doesn't please a few".

The student soaked up the words.

Doing right by our birth

She wasn't born a goddess. She knew that she was found by the Styx as a baby. Hades told her so. Yet he, one of the Big Three of Olympus, had taken her in and raised her like his own.

And yes, it took a long time and great effort on her part before the other gods on Mount Olympus accepted her as Hades' adoptive daughter.

Only Hermes, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Demeter, and Dionysus did so from the start without question. 

(Granted, Demeter did more for her daughter's sake, and Dionysus was drunk like always.)

So in the end, does she deserve to do this task? Can she measure up to the godly duty given to her?

Is she worthy of representing the Gods?

Hades seems to think so. He personally trained her, taught her, and loved her along with his wife.

Never had he doubted or questioned her choices. Neither did he let her doubt herself. 

She wasn't born with all this, but it had been given to her. Like an heir.

Perhaps it's time to pay it forward.

She closed her fan. "I understand. By my birth, I shall fight", she said resolutely. She then hugged Hades. "Thank you, Dad".

Hades returned the hug. "Anytime, dear". 

(Ring of Sloth, Office of Urban Medicence, Sloth Ring)

Mespyra, adoptive daughter of Hades and Persophene, is head of the Office of Urban Medicence. Of course, she had to disguise herself to blend in. A simple illusion gave her the horns of a Baphomet, which goes nicely with her fiery hair.

So far, it has been quite an experience in Tartarus. Humbling, even. It certainly helped her see she was grateful Hades had found her and not the unsavory types.

Sure, she still had a duty to fulfill. Mainly, keep an eye on any abrupt changes in the hierarchy. This led to some fights, a few bruises, and a lot of scorch marks.

You should see the other guys, though.

She even made some friends. Sure, they were some of the most annoying, infuriating lot in all of Tartarus, but they saved her life a couple of times, and a goddess never leaves a debt unpaid.

So when she heard about the aftermath of the EARLY Extermination, she knew her friends would get involved. Probably get themselves killed.

So after writing a quick report to her father about recent events, she packed her things and took the nearest elevator to the Pride Ring!

The End

Chapter Text

(Lust Ring)

It was a dark night in the Lust Ring. The air was humid. The sky was cloudy with a chance of rain. The streets were bare, emptied of Hellborn who tried to get somewhere warm and dry.

One imp, tried so by going inside an obscure, small shop. A signboard hung above the entrance, reading "Zharat's".

The inside was like walking into a bazaar, MUCH bigger than it looked on the outside. The walls were covered with wall rugs and carpets of various Arabic designs. Trinkets and do-dats, strewn around on shelves and hung on racks.

*POOF!* 

Red smoke surprised the imp, making him cough.

"Salaam and good evening!".

The imp looked, and his eyes bulged!

Before stood/hovered a most beautiful woman in a flowing dress in deep red and black tones, which she proudly displayed on the red carpet. Her hair mirrors the costume’s flair—long, dramatic, flowing, and two-toned in red and black. Her look was completed with elegant makeup and accessories that highlight the dress’s bold palette against her red skin, giving off both glamour and attitude. 

"Welcome to my humble shop! I am Zahrat al‑Qātil, but Zahrat is just fine. Oh my, oh my, you looked soaked! Come, come, let's warm you up!". 

The woman floated behind the imp and pushed him further into her shop. The way her dress moved with her whole body had the imp, gulping nervously.

She definitely wasn't a succubus, but that didn't make this any less suspicious!

She got the imp to sit on a comfy couch. A fire appeared in a puff of red smoke.

"There! That should warm you up", Zahrat said. She turned to the imp. "I know what you're thinking", she said, and she put a finger to the imp's lips when they tried to speak. "Don't say it! I know EXACTLY what goes through that little mind of yours! You're wondering what such a beauty as myself is doing hiding in this corner of the Lust Ring!", she said, dramatically enuncating with swaying movements. 

The imp, looking respectfully, said nothing.

"Well, I am a djinn. A creature of mystery!" she said, flicking a flame to life with a finger. She got REALLY close to the imp's face, looking alluring. "Enchantment", she said huskily.

"And the finest merchandise on this side of Lust!", she said showmanly, throwing her arms up with confetti and sparkles. She snapped her fingers, and a strange cylinder appeared in her hands.

"Now, this may look like your average adult toy. It is, but it has more than one way to remedy your needs! It has storage compartments, a spyglass function, a salt-and-pepper shaker function, and is a great coffee maker if you have the beans for it!", she said, ending on a taut laughter.

She banged the cylinder on the floor. "Can it break? It ca-", Zahrat said before the object broke. Awkwardly throwing it away, she said, "I got more of them in the back".

From behind her back, she pulled out a small, plain box.

"Oh, look at this! Only 5 of these exist in the entire world! The Box of Deux Ex Machina! Watch!".

She opened the box, and a sign reading 'Scammer!' sprang out, pointing at Zahrat. She quickly closed the box. "Ah, must be an off-day!".

The imp stood up to leave. Zahrat got in their way.

"WAIT, DON'T GO! I can see you're more of an 'exceptionally rare' type of imp. Allow me!".

She reached into her sleeve and pulled out three tarot cards. Specifically, the Star, the World, and the Tower.

"Yes, many in the mortal realm claim these cards can tell the future by three signs! The Star means renewed power. The World presents fulfillment, and the Tower a momentous change. It could mean a great destiny awakened that changes the world as we know it, or maybe yours!" Zahrat said, ending by pointing at the imp.

Who was long gone during her spiel.

"Where'd they go?" she asked. She sighed in defeat. "That's the 57th customer! What am I doing wrong?!".

She floated aimlessly around.

"I am a Djinn! I fulfill wishes! Wantings, desires! It's Lust's whole thing! People should be crawling in by the dozens! I need a change of scenery, stats! My credibility is on the line! At this point, I'll take the Pride Ring to set shop".

An idea hit her.

"Ah! Now there's an idea!".

She snapped her fingers, and the entirety of her bazaar was gone in a red puff of smoke.

In its place, a note that says "Zahrat's moving to Pride!".

The End