When the main stage had still been dark, Alastor's shadow had found Angel. It relayed its findings back to its master, receiving an immediate response wreathed in ice cold static:
Sweep the studio. Learn every nook and cranny.
It mutely giggled in malicious glee to itself as smaller shadow creatures gathered to assist. These were locals to the area and had grown bored of the comings and goings of this place but it was the most excitement they typically saw. They'd picked up on Alastor's presence, eager to get in on the fun. This wasn't Alastor's favored hunting grounds. This was new and exciting, and they eagerly shared their intimate knowledge of Valentino's studio and clubs with Alastor's shadow who relayed the knowledge back to its master.
A new command came through their connection:
Get ready for a show.
Alastor's shadow silently reveled in evil delight. It had been far too long since the last grand performance. It was about time Alastor reminded those beneath the Pentagram that the only reason he wasn't running the place himself was due to lack of interest, not power. The Radio Demon's shadow shifted into the shape of a stag with red eyes and a grinning mouth. The small shadow creatures mutely cheered, darting about in their eagerness to join in the carnage they all hoped would follow.
---
Alastor walked with calm, confident strides towards Porn O Studios. He began humming along with a jaunty little tune that he'd come up with years ago as the radios across Hell began crackling with his arctic rage. His song hissed within the static, a hint that a major broadcast was potentially coming.
♪♫ Hello, it's nice to meet you! Can you tell me where I am? I don't know how I got here But I think I'm starting to understand. ♪♫
---
Across town Vox was suddenly inundated with virtual blackouts spreading rapidly across Pentagram City like an invisible tsunami. Anything using a wireless signal was suddenly jammed and unusable. Digital transmissions that typically flowed freely through the air died. His electric empire wasn't completely crumbling, but it would take hours to get things back to normal once the cause of these "blackouts" stopped.
He plugged himself in directly to the network via cable connection and started seeking the source. It took only a few moments to determine the cause. Had Vox's body possessed actual blood rather than coolant, it would've gone ice cold when he heard the song near-hidden in the static:
♪♫ I don't belong among the angels, But, darling, that's just fine with me! The things I did up there were high school, But now I'm going for my degree! ♪♫
Vox made sure to keep it very, very quiet, but the fact was that the wireless signals that flowed across the Pride Ring were ultimately Alastor's to command. Cellular signals, wifi, even television broadcast signals, they all ultimately relied on radio waves. And Alastor knew it, him having toyed with the radio waves as wireless technology grew ever more popular. Alastor had no interest in the modern conveniences piggybacking on his signal, but he liked to periodically remind Vox through localized virtual blackouts that he was well aware that, ultimately, Vox needed him.
Vox made a map of the virtual blackouts, searching for the epicenter. Had he any saliva, he would've choked on it as he saw just how massive the signal interruption truly was. It was all sweeping outward from one area but not one that Vox would've expected: the heart of Valentino's territory.
"Oh fuck. Oh fuck!"
Without thinking, Vox disconnected the wire giving him a direct connection to the internet and pulled out his cellphone, dialing up Valentino to warn him. Belatedly, he remembered the lack of cell signal and cursed his lack of foresight in keeping an old fashioned handset nearby for just such emergencies. He could hear his employees panicking just outside his office as his empire shuddered. It'd take ages to push past them all, get to his car, and drive to the studio.
He prayed that Velvet was with Valentino. The three V's tried to stick together for a reason: The old overlords had fallen one-by-one as Alastor had wiped them out during his grand entrance to Hell. Valentino, Vox, and Velvet as a united front was a deterrent even to the older demon. Over the years, Alastor had gone largely quiet, occupied with more solo interests and performances. Vox now realized he and his fellow V's had gotten complacent, no longer constantly in each other's orbits. The deterrent was no longer effective.
And now the Radio Demon was on the warpath.
---
There was a long line of sinners outside Porn O Studios. It was easy to tell which demons had been in Hell the longest as they immediately picked up on the crackling radio static and the music weaving in and out of it:
♪♫ Hey! Sorry but you just got in my way! I promise, honey, I can feel your pain! And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit, Does that make me insane? ♪♫
Those who hadn't been in Hell as long were initially excited as the line got significantly shorter from suddenly fleeing demons. They attempted to call friends to tell them that the wait wasn't as long as normal only to find that there was no cell or wifi signal to be found. And then they heard the malevolent static and faint jaunty music, realizing that something Very Bad was about to happen.
The security guard outside the studio watched as the line vanished in moments, paling in horror as the humming deer demon emitting static and music approached. He tried his walkie talkie, but the signal didn't go through. So he did the reasonable thing: He fled inside and started shoving his way through the unaware throng in an attempt to reach his boss to warn him.
---
Behind Angel, a shadowy stag with red eyes stepped in front of the neon pink spiderweb lights. It grinned maliciously at Valentino. The bass music began warping as static and the faint echo of a completely different song began slowly overpowering it.
♪♫ Haven't been the same since I expired, But that doesn't mean that I plan to retire! And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire! ♪♫
Unaware of the approaching hellstorm that was making its way down town, Angel's provocative performance was still in full swing. All eyes were fervently on him. However towards the entrance of the club, a small disturbance was brewing as someone tried to push their way through the throng of demons. Curses and muttered swears caught the annoyed attention of the moth. Reluctance to tear his gaze from his prized pet Valentino turned to see what the fuck was going on. This better be important or someone was getting their asses culled for interrupting. Spotting his bouncer shoving his way through the crowd caused the moth's grin to twitch in mild confusion. The fuck?
Looking white as a sheet the shaken security guard fell at Val's feet, puffing between his words to catch his breath, "Boss, we're in deep shit. The Radio De-"
The poor thing barely got a word in edgewise before the pulsating beat warped into some ole ragtime shit and the inky black deer shadow morphed menacingly on stage behind its performer. A befuddled murmur fell upon the patrons thinking this was all apart of the show but Valentino was suddenly on his feet. The grin he once had was now replaced with a sour grimace. He knew exactly what this shit was. After all this time, why now did the Radio Demon decide to make a move against him? He had fucking balls to come waltzin' in his turf. If he thought he was going to have an easy fight, the deer had another thing coming. Val's pointed teeth were clinched in fury as red smoke seeped between the cracks.
It took awhile for Angel to notice that the music had shifted. The drugs had enveloped him in a happy haze. Rolling around on his back, feeling the beat through his skin, his eyes fluttered open to see a dark figure looming over him. A... deer? Fuck him, he must be high as shit. He swore that Alastor was the farthest thing on his mind, right? But something felt off. The money stopped flowin' and he sat up to see Val on his feet and glaring. Oh shit.... this was real. And Val was real pissed. Angel had only seen his pimp act like this a handful of times and it was never a good sign for things to follow.
Alastor stepped into the club, humming along with the jaunty tune now playing across every speaker. He stood, framed in the doorway, effectively blocking escape. The light behind him darkened as more shadow creatures came to join the fun. He could sense more of his army lingering in the shadows of the building, their giggles ringing in his head.
The shadow stag moved to step carefully over Angel, placing itself between him and Valentino per its master's silent order. Lightbulbs began to burst as the shadow creatures gleefully tore them from their sockets and hurl them to the ground, the only illumination coming from the spider web and the menacing grins of the Radio Demon and his shadow.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything~" he purred. "But I had urgent business, you see."
Simultaneously all the patrons' head snapped back around to see the eerie glow of a menacing sneer. The Radio Demon. The club erupted in panicked buzzing as the realization their peep show had come to an end and saw that the only exit was blocked by shadow. They were all stuck like sheep in a slaughter house. Through dulled senses, the whole scene felt like Angel was viewing the chaos through a filtered lens. Even though it was happening it just didn't feel real. Like he was completely disjointed from his own body.
In stunned silence Angel's eyes were glued on Alastor the moment he walked in. Everything else faded off into the background noise. Why? Why was he here? Angel thought he slipped out without anyone noticing. Fuckin' Val and his pimp mobile. If Angel wasn't so toasted right now, there might have been a twinge of shame having the deer see him in such a sorry state.
"...Ala...stor?" His faint crackled voice probably never reached the deer's ear over the ocean of noise, but it definitely caught the attention of the Big V.
Through it all, Valentino stood firm clenching his fists into tight balls. He had heard through the grapevines the staticy bitch moved into the hotel that Angel was hidin' out in. But he never thought he would be touchin' things that ain't his. More crimson smog curled from his teeth as she anger rose.
"You got some brass balls walkin' in here bustin' up my shit." Valentino's raspy voice hissed dangerously, "You ain't the only one who got friends." Red eyes gleamed as his men sprung from the wood work, weapons in hand. Even the two female demons who were showering Val with affection were suddenly armed. "I ain't a patient man so I'm only going to say this once. Get the FUCK out or I'll make you."
Alastor's ear twitched in time with his shadow's as Angel called his name. Honestly, he hadn't seen the spider this bad off before. Not that he'd been beaten black and blue again but the drug haze...he'd never seen it that bad on Angel before.
It pissed him off.
But still he smiled, the crowd parting like the Red Sea as he walked towards the stage, still talking. He was deliberately turning his back to Valentino, insulting the man in his own territory.
"I'd be happy to leave your establishment. And I will. Once I've collected our wayward patron. Not a moment before."
One of Valentino's security made the mistake of rushing Alastor from behind, a knife poised to strike.
Alastor whipped around, long leg lashing out to send the man tumbling into him as he swept his claws up. There was a loud crack of shattering bones as Alastor's claws penetrated the guard's chest and grasped the heart. He then proceeded to effortlessly rip it out.
"Thank you for the snack," he purred before biting into it as casually one would an apple.
Alastor's shadow bent its head towards Angel, grinning at him.
Fucking disrespect this motherfucker was givin' him in his own joint. This was not going to stand. With so many eyes on the moth, if he let someone, even the Radio Demon himself, walk all over him he knew there was hell to pay. People be musclin' in on his turf thinkin' he's gone soft, weak. His street cred would be in the shitter. But when his fool of a guard suddenly attacked, everyone of his men lurched as Alastor ruthlessly ripped out the demon's heart. Visual sweat droplets formed around the moth's brow as his sneer twisted in discomfort.
"That doesn't belong to you." Valentino ground out. "He leaves when I say he can leave. And he's not done makin' up for all the lost revenue he's been skippin' out on payin'. So unless you plan on takin' his place and shaken' that ass of yours, Angel Cakes ain't goin' no where."
Meanwhile Angel has having some weird trip right now. He knew words were being said around him but they were just muffled sounds. He stared up at the shadow deer, which to everyone else was fucking scary as shit. But like some Disney fairytale princess his response to the murder deer was to reach up and stroke it gently on it snout as if it was one of his magical woodland friends come to help him sew a dress for the ball so he could fuck Prince Charming.
"I don't own him, no," Alastor cheerfully agreed. "But I don't like it when people break my toys." He turned his head to look directly at Valentino, grin widening to feral proportions. "If anything, Valentino, you have me to thank for him being able to take the stage at all after your last...session."
His shadow blinked in surprise as Angel stroked its snout. Well, this was a new sensation. Kind of pleasant, too. Though Angel probably wouldn't have been as appreciative. The shadow was ice cold to the touch.
Alastor could feel his magic itching to be unleashed. He always kept himself so tightly compressed. It would feel so good just to stretch...
It wasn't no secret that Angel has been touched but millions of different strangers' hands but something about known' that he had his grimy mitts pawin' all over his property pissed the moth beyond words. It was about control. He decided who got to touch 'em. His brows knitted tightly together broadcasting his utter distaste. But then... Valentino's whole demeanor shifted. It started out small but a vibrating laugh erupted from his gut in a plume of red mist and it shook the room. His men gave eachother weary glances as they chuckled along, unsure what their boss found so amusing about... any of this.
As the laughter fades, Val levels a sneer towards Alastor, "I see whats goin' on here. You've gone soft. Ain't that fucking precioussssss....." His voice trails as he makes steps down off his pedestal towards the main stage. "You fail to realize what power you think you have don't mean shit. He knows who he belongs to." Valentino's head snapped towards Angel as he barked. "Angel! Get that ass over here."
The ice cold form of the shadow deer actually felt... pleasant. The drugs were making his skin boil. But his dream bubble burst as the sharp snarl shook him from it, grounding him back to reality. Angel flinched, retracting his hand and turned to stare at Valentino.
"Y-yes Val." Angel stammered on autopilot, scrambling to his feet in an attempt to side skirt the shadowy obstruction.
The shadow deer silently pawed the stage as it kept blocking Angel from passing.
"Soft? Me?" Alastor began laughing at the idea, the sound unhinged. "Everyone knows I'm there to watch its denizens shoot for Heaven and fall back into the fire pits of failure! Angel himself was there when I told the princess."
Alastor turned to start walking towards Valentino, popping the last of the heart into his mouth as he did so. He swallowed.
"Hell is so boring. The hotel is such a delightful new source of entertainment. It's no fun when someone uninterested in the game interferes."
Alastor allowed his tight grip over his powers to loosen, its influence starting to spread across the club as black lighting bathed the room in neon shades. Deer motifs that had never been present before made themselves known. It wasn't much...yet...but he was giving a warning.
But simultaneously he was digging at not just Valentino but the three V's in general, arguably Lucifer as well. Hell and all its eternal torments was boring. Meaning the three V's didn't make things even slightly interesting. No, it was the often-mocked Princess of Hell and someone like Angel Dust that had peaked his interest.
And Alastor was known not to take kindly to those who went after things he saw as his.
Valentino's eyes shifted, glancing at the new shitty decor the Radio Demon decided to plaster his walls with. Speaking of the three Vs, where the fuck were they? He figured by now Vox would have gotten his shit together and called in the Calvary. Guess he had to keep stalling for time.
Making his way all the way down to the main stage Val paused with a hum, tilting his head at Al. "You don't sound all too convincin' to me. You spoutin' bullshit while your actions are spinning a different yarn." Val huffed snickering to himself. "I didn't know what Angel Cakes was muttering during our last private session. But seein' ya up close its all makin' sense to me. You must be 'Smiles', huh? Bet you didn't know he was cryin' for ya."
Quivering with anxiety, Angel was still trying to claw his way to Val's side. All he could think about was not wanting to be punished for going against his pimp's wishes again. Fuck, please don't beat me. Please don't r... Unable to worm his way past the murder deer Angel just plastered himself against its inky fur, clinging to its icy cold neck as he shivered.
"An annoying little nickname he came up with. Honestly, it's no better and no worse than 'Radio Demon' in my eyes." He then gave a careless wave of his hand. "But you're not really trying to bait me. You're attempting to stall for rescue, aren't you? Waiting for Vox or Velvet to realize something's wrong and come to your rescue? Or maybe for the sinners here posting frantically about how they're trapped with the Radio Demon in Valentino's club to grab their attention?"
Alastor gave a confident bow.
"By all means, my dear moth, call Vox. Call Velvet. Call both if you like!" Alastor's grin widened as red eldritch symbols floated about. "But I do wonder, do you know how that blasted little contraption works?"
Valentino's cocky sneer contorted as Alastor hit the nail straight on the head. Though he wasn't lying about the porn star sniveling the demon's pet name between sessions. And he was curious to see the other demon's reaction to the news. But his what he got was underwhelming and it pissed him off. He was growing bored of their pissing match.
"I ain't waitin' on nobody. Your voice is startin' to pluck my last nerve. Its time for you to leave."
The moth inhaled sharply, his chest swelling with the murky air of the club. In one giant breath the room was suddenly filled in murky crimson mist, which those mouths unshielded sucked into their lungs. The pleasant poison. Angel, whose face was currently buried in the shadow beast's fur was spared. One by one the demons' eyes flashed glowing red and they turned a pointed glare at Alastor.
The shadow stag moved its head to keep Angel's head pressed into its "flesh". The last thing its master needed was Angel going mad as well.
Alastor didn't flinch, continuing to smile as the crazed crowd circled him. He swept his hands to either side, spinning on the tips of his toes.
"By all means, ladies and gentlemen...!"
Hell began to glitch as Alastor released his tight grip on his powers, drinking in the energy of the radio waves under his control. Tears in reality opened up, tentacles surging forth as shadow creatures pounced. Alastor himself summoned his microphone, gleefully singing along to the music of mayhem and screaming.
Under the irresistible allure of the moth's toxic pheromones, the mass of mindless patrons threw themselves at the mercy of the Radio Demon. They armed themselves with what ever they could find. Broken bottle, legs of chairs, anything that wasn't nailed down was turned into an improvised weapon. But they were no match for the overwhelming power emitted from Alastor. Not that Valentino expected much from his makeshift hoard.
The men who were standing at the ready clicked off their safeties and unleashed a hail of gun fire aimed squarely at the demon. Though in the mass carnage, it was unavoidable mowing down some of their clientele in the process. The club was smeared in their colors filling the room with the bitter scent of iron. With how things were going, Valentino didn't like his odds. But like hell he was going out like some punk ass bitch.
Alastor allowed his shadow friends and tentacles to take care of the small fry. He teleported directly to Valentino, grinning like the demon he truly was.
Honestly, this was intoxicating: Going into the heart of an overlord's territory, slaughtering whatever defenses were thrown at him, and then confronting the overlord directly. The radio waves sang in time with the bloodshed, glowing neon wisps in the black light. Every radio in Hell and every wireless device with a speaker began to broadcast the carnage. It had been so long since his broadcasts had been anything like this. (Were his listeners panicking? Were they diving for cover? Did the other overlords start to tremble with the realization that the Radio Demon might've been spending his time planning a new purge?)
He had to give credit where credit was due: Valentino wasn't going to cower in a corner. Some of the old overlords had done that when faced with such overwhelming power. Amusing but still disappointing, really.
In a matter of minutes, the once ritzy ass club was being reduced to shambles. Bullets riddled the walls with holes, and the dance floor was covered in a sea of mix-match entrails. Even if they made it out the other side, the haunting broadcast was going to cast a dark shadow over the establishment. This was going to hurt his bottom line.
Valentino flashed his glowing teeth as the radio demon teleported in front of him. It royal pissed him off seeing that smug ass grin on his face. This was his place. The cane in his right hand wasn't just for show and with a flourish, he unsheathed the long silver blade with a metallic ring and he held it out in front of him.
"You crossed the wrong motherfucker. I hope ya know you ain't doing shit to help little Angel Cakes. I'm goin' work that ass twice as hard to make up for this." Val spat back heated before charging Alastor.
Alastor was in full demon form for the first time in quite some time. Black voids gazed into Valentino as viscous black fluid dripped from them and his openly-grinning mouth.
For a brief moment, Valentino's men stood still staring at their boss in the claws of the Radio Demon. As if they were waiting to see the moth's fate. The the lull didn't last long as what was remaining of the hoard of demons all converged on their leader.
Val, was definitely not having a good day. How could he let this asshole get the better of him? Strike him right in the middle of his home. This was the greatest insult. Was this really how he was going to be snuffed out? Fuck him. He was going to be defiant till his last breath.
"Go.... fuck yourself..." Val managed to squeeze out as blood trinkled down the corners of his lips. "I'm not.... your bitch."
Alastor darkly chuckled. Then he snapped his head forward to lock his jaws on one shoulder, ripping the arm out of its socket. It tasted vile. He spat it out and prepared himself to dismantle Valentino piece by piece, readying himself for the next strike.
There was a shift in the frequencies. Alastor plunged both himself and Valentino into the ice cold unending darkness to avoid the blast of electricity that surely would've struck Alastor. When they emerged, Alastor was back to his original size though his fingers were buried deeply into Valentino's guts.
Vox was breathing heavily as he held the spark he'd used to gather energy and direct where it would go.
"Good evening, Vox," Alastor said pleasantly. "A real shame."
Sharp fangs tore into the moth's flesh giving the radio demon what he asked for. Valentino lets out a blood curdling shout as one of his limbs was severed from his body. Still fresh, the nerves in the arm made it flop on the floor like a dying fish, adding to the blood soaked carnage. There wasn't much time for Val to process the lost when he found the world around him vanish into inky black twilight, his whole being felt like it was submerged in an icy chill that rattled him to his core.
When the colors came rushing back so did the agonizing pain. But worse than his missing arm... through his blurred vision he could see the culprit that made the deer halt the attack. Vox. Not his fucking day. Having to be seen in this state. Val weighed the pros and cons of this sudden rescue.
"About... fucking time..." Valentino choked, blood bubbling at the corners of his lips.
Taking the opportunity of Alastor's distraction, the blade was still in his good arm and he swung it again aimed at the claws that held his guts tightly in an tempted to brake free so he could put distance between them.
Vox stared, momentarily stunned by just how badly-injured Valentino was. The moth always seemed so strong and imposing but right now...
The shadow stag nudged Angel's head, trying to prompt the spider to look and see Valentino's current state. Look and see that he wasn't as invincible as the moth liked to pretend.
Alastor hissed in pain as the blade struck his claws, clenching tighter on his victim. He re-focused on Valentino.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you~" His eyes narrowed, pupils disappearing as they started to glow. "You want me to let your insides go? Certainly!"
Vox's threw up a hand, knowing that any attack he threw Alastor's way would just prompt the deer to do it that much faster. "Don't!"
Still tightly gripping Valentino's inside, Alastor ripped his hand away, taking as many innards as it could hold on to with it. Blood and viscera poured out of the gaping hole now in Valentino's middle. However, Alastor held him upright with a hand on his shoulder.
That was it. That was the last bit of Valentino's fight in him. As the radio demon ruthlessly eviscerated him, a guttural cry reverberated off the halls of the club. The blade in his hand fell to the stage with a clang and the king fell silent. His secondary hands clutched desperately at his opened wound trying in vein to stuff his entrails back inside like some busted party pinata.
The encouraging nudge from the murder deer coupled with the blood chilling scream, Angel lifted his head for the first time since the slaughter started. It all hit him like some bad trip. The sight of the demon slurry that coated the floor didn't shock him. Death was just a part of life down here. Hell, he's killed and murdered countless tortured souls himself. But the sight of his abuser defiled in such a gruesome way sent a shiver down his spine. His emotions were muddied through his drug filled haze. Was he excited? Scared?... Sad? Regardless of how much he fucking hated the limp dick bastard now, he couldn't deny the feelings he once held for the asshole. To see someone he thought to be untouchable brought to their knees... It really struck a cord on how powerful Alastor really was. So fucking hot. But there was that lingering fear that clawed at the back of Angel's mind. Alastor was only one man. And he just kicked the beehive of the Three Vs. No way that they would ignore this transgression against one of their own.
Releasing the deer, Angel staggered over to Alastor to drape his arms over him, burying his face into his hair. "I want to go home, Alastor."
Alastor released Valentino as he turned his head towards Angel. He wanted to reassure the spider that everything would be all right. (How strange!) He knew he'd just declared war on the Three V's. Doing so would put all the other overlords on high alert. All of Hell would be on high alert:
The Radio Demon hadn't been weakening all this time like some believed. He'd just been waiting, an apex predator biding its time. He wondered if Lucifer would call the Goetic demons to the palace again to brace for an attack that would never come. He had no interest in ruling -- him abandoning the territory he could've easily claimed proved that -- but Lucifer was a proud man (appropriate) who believed that someone would attempt to overthrow him like he attempted to overthrow his Father millennia ago.
"You can have him!" Vox blurted out, saving Alastor from having to say a word. "Just take him! And this!"
It didn't fail to register with both media demons that Vox was using what limited control he had over the radio waves to summon a digital copy of a soul contract to hover in front of Alastor. It glitched and sputtered until Alastor loosened his control over the wireless signals enough for it to solidify into parchment.
"It's not the real deal -- " They both knew that, but Vox was clearly trying to avoid punishment from Valentino. (A reflex? Alastor was no fan of Vox but seeing his rival cowering at someone other than him made him want to stomp one fine dress shoe down on the moth's head.) " -- but it's a copy for you to look over. Knowing you, you'll find some loophole Val missed. Just...just put things back, take him, and leave. We'll call it a draw."
"And by 'put things back', you mean...?" It didn't do to leave things undefined.
"Just clean up your changes to the decor and let go of the wireless." Vox didn't have a way to swallow but Alastor was sure he would've done so.
"I expect that once Valentino heals he'll come for Angel."
"Probably," Vox said. He looked down at the ruins of the moth. His circuits glitched as they failed to process that the pimp had been brought so low and Alastor hadn't even broken a sweat doing it. (Angel wasn't the only one under Valentino's thumb much as Vox refused to admit it.) "But it'll take a while. I mean...look at him."
Alastor didn't need to look. He knew it gave him plenty of time to look over the contract. Find a way to annul it. "I told him that I didn't like people breaking my toys," he said playfully.
When the support form Alastor's hand was lifted, the moth's body crumpled to the main stage like a ragdoll boneless. Motionless Valentino's mangled body remained there as the two demons spoke.
Angel's skin was still buzzing from the drugs and the feel of Alastor's hair tickled his nose. Did he always smell this good? What shampoo does he use? Man he was warm. He should just hold him here as along as he could- Wait? Contract?
Lifting his head from its cozy spot on top of the radio demon's head, Angel's eyes locked on to the scrap of paper in his claws. That was-! His heart leapt in his chest which he was pretty certain Alastor could see through the back of his head as he turned a confused stare at Vox. When did he get here?
"Wh-... Why are you helping me? Ya know Val is going to be pissed if he finds out."
It was definitely awkward supporting Angel this way. It wasn't terrible, but...how could that possibly be comfortable? After all, Alastor's antlers had to be poking Angel.
Vox shook his head. "Don't take it the wrong way. I'm not helping you. I'm trying to get rid of him." Vox pointed at Alastor who gave an unrepentant, feral grin. "Like I said, it's not the real deal, but it'll at least let him finagle a way around the terms so at least this bullshit won't happen again. At least for a while." The TV demon looked to Alastor warily. "'Cause sooner or later you're gonna come for Val anyway, aren't you?"
"Possibly!" Alastor chirped.
"I can't let you do that."
"We'll see." Alastor reached out to take the copy of the contract, tucking it neatly into his jacket. "But as for your terms, I'll let you call this a draw. I really don't care either way on that front. I'll even set things right. Save one thing."
"What is it?"
Alastor pointed.
Vox followed Alastor's finger to where a rather prominent deer skull hung over Valentino's "throne". It was like planting a flag...or perhaps a constant reminder of the guillotine poised over the moth's throat. Regardless, it would be visible to everyone in the club every time the lights came on, a grim reminder that even though it was officially called a draw, Alastor had won the altercation.
"...Tacky but fine. Once the signals are back up, I'll call a car to take you both back to the hotel."
"Good man!" Alastor snapped his fingers, doing exactly as he agreed. Every cellphone in the building went off as Alastor relinquished his hold on the necessary frequencies. He looked to Angel. "Come along, my dear. Let's get you back so you can rest, hmm?"
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
My turn to ramble on and on it seems.
Sweep the studio. Learn every nook and cranny.
It mutely giggled in malicious glee to itself as smaller shadow creatures gathered to assist. These were locals to the area and had grown bored of the comings and goings of this place but it was the most excitement they typically saw. They'd picked up on Alastor's presence, eager to get in on the fun. This wasn't Alastor's favored hunting grounds. This was new and exciting, and they eagerly shared their intimate knowledge of Valentino's studio and clubs with Alastor's shadow who relayed the knowledge back to its master.
A new command came through their connection:
Get ready for a show.
Alastor's shadow silently reveled in evil delight. It had been far too long since the last grand performance. It was about time Alastor reminded those beneath the Pentagram that the only reason he wasn't running the place himself was due to lack of interest, not power. The Radio Demon's shadow shifted into the shape of a stag with red eyes and a grinning mouth. The small shadow creatures mutely cheered, darting about in their eagerness to join in the carnage they all hoped would follow.
---
Alastor walked with calm, confident strides towards Porn O Studios. He began humming along with a jaunty little tune that he'd come up with years ago as the radios across Hell began crackling with his arctic rage. His song hissed within the static, a hint that a major broadcast was potentially coming.
♪♫ Hello, it's nice to meet you!
Can you tell me where I am?
I don't know how I got here
But I think I'm starting to understand. ♪♫
---
Across town Vox was suddenly inundated with virtual blackouts spreading rapidly across Pentagram City like an invisible tsunami. Anything using a wireless signal was suddenly jammed and unusable. Digital transmissions that typically flowed freely through the air died. His electric empire wasn't completely crumbling, but it would take hours to get things back to normal once the cause of these "blackouts" stopped.
He plugged himself in directly to the network via cable connection and started seeking the source. It took only a few moments to determine the cause. Had Vox's body possessed actual blood rather than coolant, it would've gone ice cold when he heard the song near-hidden in the static:
♪♫ I don't belong among the angels,
But, darling, that's just fine with me!
The things I did up there were high school,
But now I'm going for my degree! ♪♫
Vox made sure to keep it very, very quiet, but the fact was that the wireless signals that flowed across the Pride Ring were ultimately Alastor's to command. Cellular signals, wifi, even television broadcast signals, they all ultimately relied on radio waves. And Alastor knew it, him having toyed with the radio waves as wireless technology grew ever more popular. Alastor had no interest in the modern conveniences piggybacking on his signal, but he liked to periodically remind Vox through localized virtual blackouts that he was well aware that, ultimately, Vox needed him.
Vox made a map of the virtual blackouts, searching for the epicenter. Had he any saliva, he would've choked on it as he saw just how massive the signal interruption truly was. It was all sweeping outward from one area but not one that Vox would've expected: the heart of Valentino's territory.
"Oh fuck. Oh fuck!"
Without thinking, Vox disconnected the wire giving him a direct connection to the internet and pulled out his cellphone, dialing up Valentino to warn him. Belatedly, he remembered the lack of cell signal and cursed his lack of foresight in keeping an old fashioned handset nearby for just such emergencies. He could hear his employees panicking just outside his office as his empire shuddered. It'd take ages to push past them all, get to his car, and drive to the studio.
He prayed that Velvet was with Valentino. The three V's tried to stick together for a reason: The old overlords had fallen one-by-one as Alastor had wiped them out during his grand entrance to Hell. Valentino, Vox, and Velvet as a united front was a deterrent even to the older demon. Over the years, Alastor had gone largely quiet, occupied with more solo interests and performances. Vox now realized he and his fellow V's had gotten complacent, no longer constantly in each other's orbits. The deterrent was no longer effective.
And now the Radio Demon was on the warpath.
---
There was a long line of sinners outside Porn O Studios. It was easy to tell which demons had been in Hell the longest as they immediately picked up on the crackling radio static and the music weaving in and out of it:
♪♫ Hey!
Sorry but you just got in my way!
I promise, honey, I can feel your pain!
And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit,
Does that make me insane? ♪♫
Those who hadn't been in Hell as long were initially excited as the line got significantly shorter from suddenly fleeing demons. They attempted to call friends to tell them that the wait wasn't as long as normal only to find that there was no cell or wifi signal to be found. And then they heard the malevolent static and faint jaunty music, realizing that something Very Bad was about to happen.
The security guard outside the studio watched as the line vanished in moments, paling in horror as the humming deer demon emitting static and music approached. He tried his walkie talkie, but the signal didn't go through. So he did the reasonable thing: He fled inside and started shoving his way through the unaware throng in an attempt to reach his boss to warn him.
---
Behind Angel, a shadowy stag with red eyes stepped in front of the neon pink spiderweb lights. It grinned maliciously at Valentino. The bass music began warping as static and the faint echo of a completely different song began slowly overpowering it.
♪♫ Haven't been the same since I expired,
But that doesn't mean that I plan to retire!
And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire! ♪♫
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Looking white as a sheet the shaken security guard fell at Val's feet, puffing between his words to catch his breath, "Boss, we're in deep shit. The Radio De-"
The poor thing barely got a word in edgewise before the pulsating beat warped into some ole ragtime shit and the inky black deer shadow morphed menacingly on stage behind its performer. A befuddled murmur fell upon the patrons thinking this was all apart of the show but Valentino was suddenly on his feet. The grin he once had was now replaced with a sour grimace. He knew exactly what this shit was. After all this time, why now did the Radio Demon decide to make a move against him? He had fucking balls to come waltzin' in his turf. If he thought he was going to have an easy fight, the deer had another thing coming. Val's pointed teeth were clinched in fury as red smoke seeped between the cracks.
It took awhile for Angel to notice that the music had shifted. The drugs had enveloped him in a happy haze. Rolling around on his back, feeling the beat through his skin, his eyes fluttered open to see a dark figure looming over him. A... deer? Fuck him, he must be high as shit. He swore that Alastor was the farthest thing on his mind, right? But something felt off. The money stopped flowin' and he sat up to see Val on his feet and glaring. Oh shit.... this was real. And Val was real pissed. Angel had only seen his pimp act like this a handful of times and it was never a good sign for things to follow.
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The shadow stag moved to step carefully over Angel, placing itself between him and Valentino per its master's silent order. Lightbulbs began to burst as the shadow creatures gleefully tore them from their sockets and hurl them to the ground, the only illumination coming from the spider web and the menacing grins of the Radio Demon and his shadow.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything~" he purred. "But I had urgent business, you see."
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In stunned silence Angel's eyes were glued on Alastor the moment he walked in. Everything else faded off into the background noise. Why? Why was he here? Angel thought he slipped out without anyone noticing. Fuckin' Val and his pimp mobile. If Angel wasn't so toasted right now, there might have been a twinge of shame having the deer see him in such a sorry state.
"...Ala...stor?" His faint crackled voice probably never reached the deer's ear over the ocean of noise, but it definitely caught the attention of the Big V.
Through it all, Valentino stood firm clenching his fists into tight balls. He had heard through the grapevines the staticy bitch moved into the hotel that Angel was hidin' out in. But he never thought he would be touchin' things that ain't his. More crimson smog curled from his teeth as she anger rose.
"You got some brass balls walkin' in here bustin' up my shit." Valentino's raspy voice hissed dangerously, "You ain't the only one who got friends." Red eyes gleamed as his men sprung from the wood work, weapons in hand. Even the two female demons who were showering Val with affection were suddenly armed. "I ain't a patient man so I'm only going to say this once. Get the FUCK out or I'll make you."
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It pissed him off.
But still he smiled, the crowd parting like the Red Sea as he walked towards the stage, still talking. He was deliberately turning his back to Valentino, insulting the man in his own territory.
"I'd be happy to leave your establishment. And I will. Once I've collected our wayward patron. Not a moment before."
One of Valentino's security made the mistake of rushing Alastor from behind, a knife poised to strike.
Alastor whipped around, long leg lashing out to send the man tumbling into him as he swept his claws up. There was a loud crack of shattering bones as Alastor's claws penetrated the guard's chest and grasped the heart. He then proceeded to effortlessly rip it out.
"Thank you for the snack," he purred before biting into it as casually one would an apple.
Alastor's shadow bent its head towards Angel, grinning at him.
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"That doesn't belong to you." Valentino ground out. "He leaves when I say he can leave. And he's not done makin' up for all the lost revenue he's been skippin' out on payin'. So unless you plan on takin' his place and shaken' that ass of yours, Angel Cakes ain't goin' no where."
Meanwhile Angel has having some weird trip right now. He knew words were being said around him but they were just muffled sounds. He stared up at the shadow deer, which to everyone else was fucking scary as shit. But like some Disney fairytale princess his response to the murder deer was to reach up and stroke it gently on it snout as if it was one of his magical woodland friends come to help him sew a dress for the ball so he could fuck Prince Charming.
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His shadow blinked in surprise as Angel stroked its snout. Well, this was a new sensation. Kind of pleasant, too. Though Angel probably wouldn't have been as appreciative. The shadow was ice cold to the touch.
Alastor could feel his magic itching to be unleashed. He always kept himself so tightly compressed. It would feel so good just to stretch...
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As the laughter fades, Val levels a sneer towards Alastor, "I see whats goin' on here. You've gone soft. Ain't that fucking precioussssss....." His voice trails as he makes steps down off his pedestal towards the main stage. "You fail to realize what power you think you have don't mean shit. He knows who he belongs to." Valentino's head snapped towards Angel as he barked. "Angel! Get that ass over here."
The ice cold form of the shadow deer actually felt... pleasant. The drugs were making his skin boil. But his dream bubble burst as the sharp snarl shook him from it, grounding him back to reality. Angel flinched, retracting his hand and turned to stare at Valentino.
"Y-yes Val." Angel stammered on autopilot, scrambling to his feet in an attempt to side skirt the shadowy obstruction.
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"Soft? Me?" Alastor began laughing at the idea, the sound unhinged. "Everyone knows I'm there to watch its denizens shoot for Heaven and fall back into the fire pits of failure! Angel himself was there when I told the princess."
Alastor turned to start walking towards Valentino, popping the last of the heart into his mouth as he did so. He swallowed.
"Hell is so boring. The hotel is such a delightful new source of entertainment. It's no fun when someone uninterested in the game interferes."
Alastor allowed his tight grip over his powers to loosen, its influence starting to spread across the club as black lighting bathed the room in neon shades. Deer motifs that had never been present before made themselves known. It wasn't much...yet...but he was giving a warning.
But simultaneously he was digging at not just Valentino but the three V's in general, arguably Lucifer as well. Hell and all its eternal torments was boring. Meaning the three V's didn't make things even slightly interesting. No, it was the often-mocked Princess of Hell and someone like Angel Dust that had peaked his interest.
And Alastor was known not to take kindly to those who went after things he saw as his.
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Making his way all the way down to the main stage Val paused with a hum, tilting his head at Al. "You don't sound all too convincin' to me. You spoutin' bullshit while your actions are spinning a different yarn." Val huffed snickering to himself. "I didn't know what Angel Cakes was muttering during our last private session. But seein' ya up close its all makin' sense to me. You must be 'Smiles', huh? Bet you didn't know he was cryin' for ya."
Quivering with anxiety, Angel was still trying to claw his way to Val's side. All he could think about was not wanting to be punished for going against his pimp's wishes again. Fuck, please don't beat me. Please don't r... Unable to worm his way past the murder deer Angel just plastered himself against its inky fur, clinging to its icy cold neck as he shivered.
"...Please.. Please don't..."
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Alastor gave a confident bow.
"By all means, my dear moth, call Vox. Call Velvet. Call both if you like!" Alastor's grin widened as red eldritch symbols floated about. "But I do wonder, do you know how that blasted little contraption works?"
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"I ain't waitin' on nobody. Your voice is startin' to pluck my last nerve. Its time for you to leave."
The moth inhaled sharply, his chest swelling with the murky air of the club. In one giant breath the room was suddenly filled in murky crimson mist, which those mouths unshielded sucked into their lungs. The pleasant poison. Angel, whose face was currently buried in the shadow beast's fur was spared. One by one the demons' eyes flashed glowing red and they turned a pointed glare at Alastor.
"Get him." Val buzzed as chaos descended on Al.
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Alastor didn't flinch, continuing to smile as the crazed crowd circled him. He swept his hands to either side, spinning on the tips of his toes.
"By all means, ladies and gentlemen...!"
Hell began to glitch as Alastor released his tight grip on his powers, drinking in the energy of the radio waves under his control. Tears in reality opened up, tentacles surging forth as shadow creatures pounced. Alastor himself summoned his microphone, gleefully singing along to the music of mayhem and screaming.
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The men who were standing at the ready clicked off their safeties and unleashed a hail of gun fire aimed squarely at the demon. Though in the mass carnage, it was unavoidable mowing down some of their clientele in the process. The club was smeared in their colors filling the room with the bitter scent of iron. With how things were going, Valentino didn't like his odds. But like hell he was going out like some punk ass bitch.
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Honestly, this was intoxicating: Going into the heart of an overlord's territory, slaughtering whatever defenses were thrown at him, and then confronting the overlord directly. The radio waves sang in time with the bloodshed, glowing neon wisps in the black light. Every radio in Hell and every wireless device with a speaker began to broadcast the carnage. It had been so long since his broadcasts had been anything like this. (Were his listeners panicking? Were they diving for cover? Did the other overlords start to tremble with the realization that the Radio Demon might've been spending his time planning a new purge?)
He had to give credit where credit was due: Valentino wasn't going to cower in a corner. Some of the old overlords had done that when faced with such overwhelming power. Amusing but still disappointing, really.
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Valentino flashed his glowing teeth as the radio demon teleported in front of him. It royal pissed him off seeing that smug ass grin on his face. This was his place. The cane in his right hand wasn't just for show and with a flourish, he unsheathed the long silver blade with a metallic ring and he held it out in front of him.
"You crossed the wrong motherfucker. I hope ya know you ain't doing shit to help little Angel Cakes. I'm goin' work that ass twice as hard to make up for this." Val spat back heated before charging Alastor.
Vox in next tag...
Then a pair of monstrous claws grabbed Valentino from behind, one digging into waist while the other was around his neck.
"̴̪̮̠͓̈́̀͗I̸̬̾̀̌̚ ̸̛̈́͊͌̎͜͜t̷̛̟̫̄̀͝o̷̞͕͈͍͌l̷̡̡̈́͊̕̕d̸͈̬͒̅̄ ̴̰͚͕̊̊y̵̱̽̓̚͝ō̴͔̥̭̤̏͋͋ű̶̹͊͝.̵̣͈̯͌.̶̤͖̌͛.̷̺̞̩̖̰͑I̴̭̍̎ ̶̲̣̹͗d̷̢͔̩̥͕̄͂o̷̫̿̈́͋͛ņ̴̭̣̬͕̇'̷̨͇͖͚̿̈́̿t̴̢̯̘̝͒̅̈́̎̊ ̷̧̹̿̇l̸̤̲̺͙̓̓̐̓ȋ̶̲k̴̖͋e̶͓̲̓̀̄ ̷̛̼̘̰̳̜̀̋̂͛i̷͙͑̔̔͜͝͝t̵͈͂͒̔͐͗ ̷͙̟̼͑w̸̪͓̠̐̄͌̊̚h̸͎̖͓͎͎̄̐̽e̶̛͚̗͙̔͂͊n̵̪̹͘ ̷̦̖̲̯͑͑o̸̗͕̖̳͗̐͌ṭ̵͔͕͇̐h̴̹̞̦̱̍e̶̲̻͎̓̔͊͛͝ͅr̵̳̘͛̓̀s̶̹͝ ̶̯̹̞̩̊̏̈́̾b̷̡͎̮̠͙̔r̸̻̭̝̒̂̓͜ḛ̵̽̓̅ạ̴̄k̶͙͖͖̰͍͘ ̵̧̓̆̈̈͠m̸̝͕̭͂͜ỹ̷̨̯͈͘͠ ̸͉̑̒͋̚ẗ̷̨̧̞̺̯͝o̴̥̹͛̈́͂̑ÿ̴̯̙̹́̏s̸̪̒̊͝.̶̢̫̳͉͘͜.̸̯̯̺̈.̴̡̼̓̕̕"̴͖̞̀͗͠ͅ
Alastor was in full demon form for the first time in quite some time. Black voids gazed into Valentino as viscous black fluid dripped from them and his openly-grinning mouth.
"̴̼̿̄ͅY̴͎̙̫̳̼̎̆͛̉ȍ̸̩̗̃̋͒͝ú̵̧̩̥̣̀͆ͅ'̴̗̙̈́̊͝r̷̡̛̈́̆̉͘e̶͍̠̞͙͊ ̴͍̤͇͇͝a̵͙̋̋̏͋͝ ̷̠͇̜̳̰̒̚p̷̮̤͎͋̉ͅe̵̛̥̯͆̃͋̊r̴̘̀̆̇̀f̸̮̉̇ọ̵̙̞̊r̸͉̥̤̍̚͝m̷̱̬͚͎̌̃͜e̵̥̻͔͂r̶̯̱̰͌̾̕,̴̨͍̅͂́ ̸̹͍͗̃͋̈t̶̻̻̣͖̓̚o̷̞̣̱͔̽̏̀̀͝ơ̵̯̌͌̄,̶̞̇̄ ̸̢̢͇̔ầ̷̗̓̀ͅr̸̮̯̘̅̅̑́̚e̸̡̺̽͛̄͝ǹ̸̲̫̞̜̏͂̑'̵̫̪̟̰͖͛͊̀̄̚t̴̟͙̗́̉ ̴̫͙͇̬̰̈́͋͂ÿ̵̝̟̺̙̔o̴̡̘̲̞̿̉͝ú̸͍͈̦̞̀?̶̹͔̣͍̦̋ ̵̜̥̫̬̍͛̈͘͠E̷͔̬͘ň̸̹̬̩̜̳̽ţ̵̡̺̬̋̾̆́͒͜ẻ̶͉͛͊͌͠r̵̤͙͚̜͐̓̕͜ṯ̴͕̫̻̑ą̷̣̹̖̈́̂̀̈́̎i̵̘͇͝n̷͓̈́̄ ̴̼̫͓̘̜̒ţ̴̲̻̭̺̿ḩ̶͇̍̀e̷̙̣͙̤͗̌͛͠ ̴̱͛g̴͍̪̓o̴̹̲̿͊ó̸̧̢̮̈́͐̾̚ḑ̴̱̜̮̿̄ ̷̡̡͇͖̉̆͋̑̕l̸̘͈̦̹̱̂̄̊í̶̢̙s̶̨̮̗̩̐̿͗̉͜t̵͉̒̔̕é̵̛͚̣̬́̏͠n̸̗͓͎̺͔̊̏͝e̵̢̨̙̲͙͂͒͊ṛ̵̥̲͍̑̋͜ś̸̠̦͈̍̾̍.̸̠̖̟̹̣̎̒̊̅͌.̶̢̱͍͓͐̇͘.̶͙͊"̶͓͗͋͋̄̈
He clenched his claws farther into Valentino's guts.
"̵̨͙͐.̶̫̈.̵̠̙̺̜̍̏̀̂.̸̝̬̄̑͐͠a̴̪̪̥͊̎ͅn̶̙̦̲̟̜̕͘d̷̢̛̒͂ ̶̧̛͇̱̍ś̴̮̈́c̸̛̰̠͍͗̄͜ͅr̵͉̪̖͉̃͗͆ḙ̸͍̬͖͊̅a̸̝͚̳̗̽̐̐̈́̔m̵̢̛̻̠̰̀́͂̕ ̸̨̡̹̤̳͂̈͒͝f̵̨̲͂͌̏͑o̷̯͇̾̔r̵̡̼͚̘͓̋͆̿̑̀ ̷̧̲̤̣̊͐͑̚ṁ̴͓̳ẹ̶͔̓̏.̶̖̉̈́̂"̸͔̫̿̋̈͘͠
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Val, was definitely not having a good day. How could he let this asshole get the better of him? Strike him right in the middle of his home. This was the greatest insult. Was this really how he was going to be snuffed out? Fuck him. He was going to be defiant till his last breath.
"Go.... fuck yourself..." Val managed to squeeze out as blood trinkled down the corners of his lips. "I'm not.... your bitch."
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There was a shift in the frequencies. Alastor plunged both himself and Valentino into the ice cold unending darkness to avoid the blast of electricity that surely would've struck Alastor. When they emerged, Alastor was back to his original size though his fingers were buried deeply into Valentino's guts.
Vox was breathing heavily as he held the spark he'd used to gather energy and direct where it would go.
"Good evening, Vox," Alastor said pleasantly. "A real shame."
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When the colors came rushing back so did the agonizing pain. But worse than his missing arm... through his blurred vision he could see the culprit that made the deer halt the attack. Vox. Not his fucking day. Having to be seen in this state. Val weighed the pros and cons of this sudden rescue.
"About... fucking time..." Valentino choked, blood bubbling at the corners of his lips.
Taking the opportunity of Alastor's distraction, the blade was still in his good arm and he swung it again aimed at the claws that held his guts tightly in an tempted to brake free so he could put distance between them.
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The shadow stag nudged Angel's head, trying to prompt the spider to look and see Valentino's current state. Look and see that he wasn't as invincible as the moth liked to pretend.
Alastor hissed in pain as the blade struck his claws, clenching tighter on his victim. He re-focused on Valentino.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you~" His eyes narrowed, pupils disappearing as they started to glow. "You want me to let your insides go? Certainly!"
Vox's threw up a hand, knowing that any attack he threw Alastor's way would just prompt the deer to do it that much faster. "Don't!"
Still tightly gripping Valentino's inside, Alastor ripped his hand away, taking as many innards as it could hold on to with it. Blood and viscera poured out of the gaping hole now in Valentino's middle. However, Alastor held him upright with a hand on his shoulder.
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The encouraging nudge from the murder deer coupled with the blood chilling scream, Angel lifted his head for the first time since the slaughter started. It all hit him like some bad trip. The sight of the demon slurry that coated the floor didn't shock him. Death was just a part of life down here. Hell, he's killed and murdered countless tortured souls himself. But the sight of his abuser defiled in such a gruesome way sent a shiver down his spine. His emotions were muddied through his drug filled haze. Was he excited? Scared?... Sad? Regardless of how much he fucking hated the limp dick bastard now, he couldn't deny the feelings he once held for the asshole. To see someone he thought to be untouchable brought to their knees... It really struck a cord on how powerful Alastor really was.
So fucking hot.But there was that lingering fear that clawed at the back of Angel's mind. Alastor was only one man. And he just kicked the beehive of the Three Vs. No way that they would ignore this transgression against one of their own.Releasing the deer, Angel staggered over to Alastor to drape his arms over him, burying his face into his hair. "I want to go home, Alastor."
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The Radio Demon hadn't been weakening all this time like some believed. He'd just been waiting, an apex predator biding its time. He wondered if Lucifer would call the Goetic demons to the palace again to brace for an attack that would never come. He had no interest in ruling -- him abandoning the territory he could've easily claimed proved that -- but Lucifer was a proud man (appropriate) who believed that someone would attempt to overthrow him like he attempted to overthrow his Father millennia ago.
"You can have him!" Vox blurted out, saving Alastor from having to say a word. "Just take him! And this!"
It didn't fail to register with both media demons that Vox was using what limited control he had over the radio waves to summon a digital copy of a soul contract to hover in front of Alastor. It glitched and sputtered until Alastor loosened his control over the wireless signals enough for it to solidify into parchment.
"It's not the real deal -- " They both knew that, but Vox was clearly trying to avoid punishment from Valentino. (A reflex? Alastor was no fan of Vox but seeing his rival cowering at someone other than him made him want to stomp one fine dress shoe down on the moth's head.) " -- but it's a copy for you to look over. Knowing you, you'll find some loophole Val missed. Just...just put things back, take him, and leave. We'll call it a draw."
"And by 'put things back', you mean...?" It didn't do to leave things undefined.
"Just clean up your changes to the decor and let go of the wireless." Vox didn't have a way to swallow but Alastor was sure he would've done so.
"I expect that once Valentino heals he'll come for Angel."
"Probably," Vox said. He looked down at the ruins of the moth. His circuits glitched as they failed to process that the pimp had been brought so low and Alastor hadn't even broken a sweat doing it. (Angel wasn't the only one under Valentino's thumb much as Vox refused to admit it.) "But it'll take a while. I mean...look at him."
Alastor didn't need to look. He knew it gave him plenty of time to look over the contract. Find a way to annul it. "I told him that I didn't like people breaking my toys," he said playfully.
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Angel's skin was still buzzing from the drugs and the feel of Alastor's hair tickled his nose. Did he always smell this good? What shampoo does he use? Man he was warm. He should just hold him here as along as he could- Wait? Contract?
Lifting his head from its cozy spot on top of the radio demon's head, Angel's eyes locked on to the scrap of paper in his claws. That was-! His heart leapt in his chest which he was pretty certain Alastor could see through the back of his head as he turned a confused stare at Vox. When did he get here?
"Wh-... Why are you helping me? Ya know Val is going to be pissed if he finds out."
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Vox shook his head. "Don't take it the wrong way. I'm not helping you. I'm trying to get rid of him." Vox pointed at Alastor who gave an unrepentant, feral grin. "Like I said, it's not the real deal, but it'll at least let him finagle a way around the terms so at least this bullshit won't happen again. At least for a while." The TV demon looked to Alastor warily. "'Cause sooner or later you're gonna come for Val anyway, aren't you?"
"Possibly!" Alastor chirped.
"I can't let you do that."
"We'll see." Alastor reached out to take the copy of the contract, tucking it neatly into his jacket. "But as for your terms, I'll let you call this a draw. I really don't care either way on that front. I'll even set things right. Save one thing."
"What is it?"
Alastor pointed.
Vox followed Alastor's finger to where a rather prominent deer skull hung over Valentino's "throne". It was like planting a flag...or perhaps a constant reminder of the guillotine poised over the moth's throat. Regardless, it would be visible to everyone in the club every time the lights came on, a grim reminder that even though it was officially called a draw, Alastor had won the altercation.
"...Tacky but fine. Once the signals are back up, I'll call a car to take you both back to the hotel."
"Good man!" Alastor snapped his fingers, doing exactly as he agreed. Every cellphone in the building went off as Alastor relinquished his hold on the necessary frequencies. He looked to Angel. "Come along, my dear. Let's get you back so you can rest, hmm?"
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