Hell is Better Loud!(The Loud House X Helluva Boss X Hazbin Hotel)

[2 Days Ago- Lincoln's Return to Hell]

Calling the last few days exhausting would be a simplification. After he constructed a rebuilt district in Pentagram City, Lincoln Loud declared himself as the newest Overlord and everything in the new district as his territory. Surprising IMP, none of the Overlords questioned his words and recognized the child as Hell's youngest Overlord, taking the privilege away from Velvette. To celebrate, an official party would be held later tonight at Carmilla Carmine's home.

The meeting was adjourned and Lincoln returned to the Hazbin Hotel to inform Charlie and the others.

"YOU BECAME AN OVERLORD!" Vaggie freaked out at the news.

After everyone got acquainted to Lincoln's new appearance, as well as his new pawns, he told how he was responsible for the rebuilt district and his declaration. Although everyone was surprised, Vaggie was the only one who responded with anger.

"Young Man, you disappear for days without telling anyone where you were going! Now, you return and nearly started a turf war when we're so close to the Extermination!" The one-eyed woman scolded the child.

"Let's be understanding, Vaggie." Charlie calmed her girlfriend down. "Lincoln, what you're trying to do is very dangerous. And, you're just getting used to Hell, maybe after a few years you'll be ready for the responsibilities of being an Overlord."

"Thank you, Charlie and Vaggie, for being worried about me. But I've given this a lot of thought and preparation." Link reassured them.

While everyone was focused on their conversation, Niffty scurried closer to Lincoln and reached for his hair, pulling out a handful. "For my collection." She said when everyone caught her. "So Seme~"

Exasperated, Vaggie relents. "Fine, but no wagging wars or doing depraved acts. You know what, if it's something you think Alastor would do, don't do it."

"You have my word." He smiled, then Lincoln rushed in to hug the power couple. "Sorry, I've just... I really missed you all in the time I was away."

"Ah~" Charlie happily returned the hug. "We missed you as well!"

"Yeah..." Vaggie patted his back, giving a light smile. "We did."

[1 Day Ago- Lincoln's Return to Mewni]

The next day, once he got things settled in Hell, Lincoln returned to Mewni to tell his friends what he did in the last year. To make things less awkward, everyone gathered in the garden to speak.

"You went back in time!?" Marco beamed. "That sounds amazing! No wonder the Commission was after you."

"Lucky for me I have a silver tongue." He bragged before getting serious. "I'm sorry I put you all through that. I'm not sure why my future-self, or past-self now, but I think it'll make sense one day."

"We're all just happy your safe, Lad." River slapped the boy on the back.

"Dad is right!" Star gave him a hug. "Friends have no debts."

Everyone continued talking and having refreshments, then Moon walked away. Knowing he had words for her, Lincoln followed. After the former Queen turned the corner, Lincoln appeared in front of her.

"Lincoln, sorry, I didn't see you." Moon apologized.

"It's okay, Lucy had the same issue." He thought humor would make what he had to say easier. "Moon... I spoke to Queen Sky."

The mention of that name stopped her breath. "I see... what did she say?"

"She told me that... she wasn't proud working with Mina to commit treason, and that if I never forgave you for that day she wouldn't think less of me, because she understands that you don't deserve to be forgiven."

Moon didn't give an immediate response. "I see."

"But she also said, that she loves you, and there is no force that will ever stop that." Lincoln nearly cried. "She said that she is proud of everything you've done for your home and your family, even if you made mistakes. She said I didn't have to forgive you... but I amchoosing to forgive you, because we've both been haunted by that day, and you can't heal without forgiveness." He thought of Charlie. "A great woman taught me that."

Sentimental, the former queen also cried. "She must be if she could convince you to forgive me."

"I hope you can meet her one day... oh, Sky also wanted me to tell you, Comet misses you. And me, I am proud to have you in my life."

Thankful, Moon hugged the boy tightly for a minute before returning to the garden.

Alone, Lincoln watched the garden from the entryway when he noticed his new Pawns. Venus was complimenting Star on her wardrobe while Vesper told the story of how she brought the kingdom out the Dark Ages. Crescenta was playing with little Meteora while Luna spoke with her mother and Globgor in private. This arrangement was unusual, but if he could bring his friends this happiness, then every bit of struggle he endured in the dungeon was worth it. After everything, Lincoln was preparing to leave when Eclipsa addressed her relatives as they followed the boy.

"Wait, you can stay here." She offered to let them live in Butterfly Castle. "I'd say this has been your home longer than mine." Moving in closer, she looked at Luna. "I want you to stay."

Smiling, the pink-haired girl approached her mother. "Thank you, but this castle... it doesn't feel like home to me anymore."

"We feel the same." Venus agreed. "I have a lot of good memories of this place, but they feel more like a dream."

"This kingdom already has it's rightful Queen." Vesper smiled at her great-grandmother. "It doesn't need anymore."

"Plus, we can come and see you all anytime you want!" Lastly, Crescenta spoke. "We could visit every week? Every few days? Every other day? Every day, if you want?"

Luna offered her hand, crying. "I want us to be in each other's lives again. Even if there are more occupants." She looked at her step-father and half-sister.

Crying in return, Eclipsa accepted. "I want that, too."

[Present]

Fluttering his eyes awake, Lincoln looks at the canopy over his bed. Now that he was an Overlord, he moved into the penthouse he build in the arena. It was a large space, able to house all his Pawns and more. One of Lincoln's favorite rooms was, of course, his bedroom. He slept on a giant, circular bed that had a hemisphere canopy that covered the entire bed; this helped him sleep because it felt more cozy after sleeping in a linen closet for so long. His room had a ceiling that illuminated to match the time of day, with model planes he hung up himself like his old room. Between the bookshelves he kept stock with some of his favorite reading material was a retro big screen TV in HD with a neighboring record player, and a cone fireplace near the bed. The last piece of furniture was a desk that his computer rested on. Having a busy day, he got out of bed.

The one thing he liked about his new living arrangement, it came with his own bathroom. After taking a long shower, Lincoln got dressed in a new outfit; to feel reminded of his best friend Clyde, the white-haired boy had a blue and orange, horizontal stripped polo made. Along with a pair of sky blue jeans with patches over the knees, pink heart over the right with a green spade over the left. Lastly, a pair of black sneakers with two red 'H's on the outer sides. All dressed, Lincoln looked into the mirror; he had changed so much, but he still recognized himself.

"Ready for battle?" Phasing through the door, Etheria greeted him.

"There should be no fighting, but I do have a battle ahead of me." Link finished combing his hair.

Famished, he went to the dining table on a lower section of the penthouse, finding Martha had already prepared breakfast and everyone was eating.

"Why didn't you wait for me?" He asked, not angry but annoyed.

"You slept in." Venus answered. "Which is odd, because I remember you being an early riser at that age."

"We've been over this before." Wiping her mouth, Luna answered. "Memories of Lincoln before the road aren't real."

"Are you sure? Because I have vivid memory of me and him as children, and we're running through the market square at dawn after swiping honey cakes from that baker who overcharges."

"Wasn't Real!" All the pawns responded.

Eating, the white-haired boy listened to the conversations around the table, nostalgic of his sisters. Once the final bite was consumed, Lincoln pulled out his pill organizer Jill brought from the kitchen. Opening today's compartment, he took the three pills kept inside. Then, in one swallow, the boy took the medication he needs three times a day.

"Now that you bring it up, why do you take those pills?" Martha asked, curious why the child started taking them.

"They're just something to help me stay regular." Lincoln answered, his tone heavy. "Remember, today is a big day for all of us. Jill, did you and Martha get everything together like I instructed?"

"Your contact, Mr. Shall, made our documents at standard rate, but when we told him to include an additional four people at last minute, the final price was almost three times what was agreed." Mrs. Mayberry was still pissed. "The property you asked for was no problem, although I'm curious why you would need a condemned train station, or why I needed to use your blood to renovate it the other day."

Link smiled. "Everything will make since once I talk to Carmilla." He turned to Luna. "Are you ready for your mission?"

"It will be no issue." She accepted. "Jill will be there as well."

After breakfast, the team went to their assigned duties for the day. Luna and Jill left for Earth where Lincoln will meet up with them later. Vesper and Venus would be working on assigning living arrangements to potential Sinners and Hellborns that want to move into the new district; they'd be working along with Stolas, as a favor, supervising in case any of the residents tried to start trouble. Crescenta would be working with IMP on Lincoln's behalf, while Martha is looking after the Hazbin Hotel. Finally, Lincoln waited for Carmilla and her daughters to arrive for their morning meeting.

"Carmilla." Lincoln bowed to welcome his fellow Overlord and her family. "Was Zestial not able to make it?"

"My friend is doing other important work in my stead. Now, where is this 'arrangement' you had planned?" She got to business.

Lincoln invited his guests in and showed them a secret elevator hidden in another part of the arena. They took it down to the last level, where the secret to getting Sinners to Earth lied. To their surprise, it was a white subway train waiting in a vaulted, underground terminal.

"Here it is, Señora, the train to your salvation!" The boy proudly declared.

"You answer to saving my family's lives is an underground railroad?" Carmilla doubted him.

"The second part, yes." Lincoln pulled out three toy passports from his pocket, then bit off a piece of his thumb to smear blood on the toys. He did an incantation as the passports took form, showing that each now possessed an ID picture of Carmilla, Clara, and Odette. "First phase of my plan required building a train station, one on Earth and one here in Hell. The second phase, I needed to make passport for you to leave."

Carmilla took the three passports. "You're telling me if we have these passports, we can go to Earth?"

"Well, there are a few limitations." Mischievous, he explained. "Like how all passports come with a visa, the ones I assigned to yours are travel visas. Which mean, you can go to and from Earth at your leisure, but your power will be restricted; meaning, you can't make deals or use magic up top."

Satisfied, the ballerina smirked. "It seems you've thought of everything. I'm a fair businesswoman, so I will considered our agreement completed,if you prove these actually work."

"I would never dream of deceiving you." He continued smiling. "In fact I needed to go to Earth for other obligations. However, I ask you keep this in strict confidence; imagine the panic if everyone learned about my little secret?"

Demonstrating the effectiveness of his magic train, Lincoln opened the door for his guests and clapped his hands. "Mac, please, take us to Mount Royale?"

Materializing before Carmilla wearing a conductor's uniform, the magical AI, Mac, got the train moving. It continued forward until it reached a tunnel, the train kept moving until the pitch black tunnel gradually turned into a white light. A few minutes later, the train came out a tunnel on Earth in Mount Royale, NY, a large town in Northern New York state in the Adirondack Mountains region, close to the Quebec boarder. When choosing the ideal location for the Earth station, Lincoln decided on Mount Royale for how easy it would be bring in groups without people taking notice. Because the town was within vicinity to a ski resort, and a day's drive from New York City and Albany, people could appear unexpectedly and say their 'visiting from out of town' without drawing suspicion.

The station the train pulled into was small, but it was far enough from any congested area that there wouldn't be any worry about locals. Mac stopped the train, letting Lincoln, Carmilla, and her daughters depart. Hesitant at first, the arms dealer took the first step and nothing happened. Returning to Earth after so long, she held her daughters close as they observed their surroundings.

"Mira eso... I almost forgot water was blue." The first thing they saw after so long was the lake beside the tracks.

Respecting their moment, the boy waited a minute before speaking. "Did I deliver as promised?"

Turning away, Carmilla answered. "You did. I suppose we should return now."

"You sure?" Lincoln stared at the lake with them. "I can't make you return. A minute, or a hundred years, you decide."

The news was unexpected, Señora Carmine stared at the lake once again, then at her daughters. Crying softly, neither Clara or Odette had a word to say. "You're right." Letting the tears run down her face, she looked back. "We can stay as long as we want."

Creating a two way passage between Hell and Earth was easy, the trick came with protecting its secret from both the powerful bodies of the afterlife and the United States government. Lincoln did this, with assistance from his Pawns, by creating a company that owned the land the tracks and station was built on; but before that, he needed to create a fake company President, Atticus Spade; the first name came from a character in a book he read, and the surname from the secret identity of Ace Savvy, Spade Nifty. And to give Atticus Spade proof of existence, Lincoln created a son, himself.

"I'm telling you, this is a bad idea!" Sideria told him again.

Unlike the other Butterflies, Sideria, Helia, and Etheria hadn't gained physical bodies, requiring them to stay confined in their chess pieces. Furthermore, only Lincoln could see or speak to them. And right now, they were trying to dissuade the white-haired boy from overcomplicating his plans.

To keep the station secured, the Spade Conglomerate bought the land, giving the pretense of only using it for a bee sanctuary. However, to keep an eye on everything, the team would need to create a base in Mount Royale. Volunteering herself, Jill took on the new public identity of Matilda Vern, the new teacher at Royale Preparatory Academy. Additionally, Luna would be attending the school as students; Luna would be 'Luna Gardner', a 6th grader who skipped ahead two grades. Also, Lincoln would become 'Lincoln Spade', Atticus Spade's adopted son that's receiving homeschooling because of 'health' concerns.

"The biggest problem, won't someone who knew you before all this recognize you?" Sideria spoke as Lincoln finished getting the base security system set up.

As part of Lincoln Spade's backstory, his father had him moved to a town like Mount Royale to get the boy exposed to nature. The Tudor revival house serving as his cover's home was built on the bee sanctuary up hill from the Spade Station, the family's private train station built on the property for their own exclusive use. For added security, a series of advance surveillance cameras were put up around the property along with a smart system linking all base functions to Mac.

"I already have that problem solved." Finished, Lincoln pulled out his yellow sunglasses and transformed them into black, full-rim glasses before putting them on. "Presto, instant disguise!"

Waiting in the living room, the three ghosts didn't look impressed. "Are humans stupid?" Helia asked.

"I know it may seem ridiculous, but these glasses will work." Link defended. "Some time ago, I got a mask from the dungeon that protects the wearer's identity, then I combined it with my aviators." He turned to the audience. "Read back and see if I'm lying." He then went back to the ghosts. "Trust me, I'm the 'Man with the Plan', patent pending."

With a flip of switch, Mac was now integrated into the smart house. 'Everything is major, Lincoln!' The AI spoke from the house speaker.

"I still don't understand how having a talking house is less scary to humans than ghosts." Etheria left for the library.

"Try to get along with Mac, please?" Lincoln implored. "I really installed him to make things easier for your three."

Because the three unformed chess pieces didn't have bodies, they couldn't interact with the physical world. To make things easier, Mac could turn on the TV for them, play an audio book in the library, or any other request they asked. At first, the white-haired boy wanted to tell the others about the ghosts, but Helia, Sideria, and Etheria told him not to; they didn't want the others to be more worried than they already were when their pieces didn't revive them.

Wanting some air, Lincoln decided to go out for lunch and see more of Mount Royale. Sideria was watching business news on the couch, Etheria listened to an audio book about the history of Mesoamerica, and Helia walked through the flower garden. Before he left, Link took a look at their pieces on the chessboard he set up at the base; he sad at failing to help his friends.

"See you all later!" Announcing his departure, Lincoln pulled out his skateboard; another creation of his own, pretty normal but the deck art had the word 'Devil' written in cursive with the 'l' made out like a tail and horns on the 'D'.

Taking the dirt road off the property, the boy had a peaceful stroll under the trees until he reached the main road that leads into town. Free to skateboard, Lincoln took off just like he would do back in Royal Woods. Passing through the houses and features of Mount Royale, nostalgia for his old life crept into Link's brain. No matter how many roads he's taken, across the world and others, the streets of his hometown are always in the back of his mind. Lincoln has hope he'll be able to return one day, but as time marches forward those thoughts become more like a childish dream. Before he realized it, the white-haired boy reached downtown.

It was obvious Mount Royale was bigger than Royal Woods, but reaching downtown gave a wider perspective. While not as big, downtown was a lot like the cities Lincoln saw in his traveling. Continuing on foot, he passed by a lot of stores, restaurants, etc., as he wandered aimlessly until he overheard two teens talking about the release of the new issue of David Steele. Excited, Link runs toward the local comic book store. Catching the store in his sights, he completely ignored the other kid jogging up a flight of stairs. Both distracted, the two collide; Lincoln didn't suffer any recoil, but saw the other kid about to fall backwards down the stairs. In an instant, he used magic telekinesis to prevent the tragedy without anyone noticing.

"Holy Shamoley!" Pretending to be shocked, he checked on his peer. "Sorry for nearly giving you a tumble. Are you okay?"

The jogger wore a coral sweatsuit with grey running shoes, and the hood of their hoodie covering their face. Once the hood was lowered, the jogger was shown to be a girl with a warm skin tone, sandy blonde hair, eyes as blue as the ocean, a light blush on both her cheeks, and three freckles under her eyes like Angel Dust. Shocked at first, she swiftly pulled out her earbuds before speaking.

"No, it was my fault, I shouldn't have been so distracted!" She quickly apologized. "I was just heading back to school from the pool."

"The pool?" It was then Lincoln noticed the gym bag on her shoulder.

"Yes, I'm apart of the school swim team, but our pool is out of order. In the meantime, students with special permission can use the nearby pool during P.E." She looks at the white-haired boy. "Excuse me, but why aren't you in school? You're not skipping, are you?"

Lincoln laughed. "No, I'm homeschooled... for health reasons. I actually just moved to town this morning to the Lucky Spade Bee Sanctuary."

"Bee sanctuary? The one that refurbished the old train station?"

"You know about it?"

"My whole family does! We're your neighbors, we live in the house right across the lake from you." Displaying good manners, she offered a handshake. "Hi, I'm Kai Neu."

"Good day, Kai. I'm Lincoln, Lincoln Spade."

To apologize for his involvement in their 'fender-bender' Lincoln offered to walk her to school, but after he grabbed something to eat before taking his medicine. As they walked, Kai told him about her family while he ate a hotdog. Once he finished, he asked if they could pause for a minute while he took his pills. Curious, Kai politely asked what his medication does.

"I hope it's not a sore subject, but why do you need to take those?"

Lincoln stared at his meds for a moment before speaking; one orange and black, one orange and green, one orange and pink, each was something he needed to take to stay regular. "A few weeks ago, I started having problems... these pills are made to keep any... complications from happening."

Kai said nothing as the boy she'd just met swallowed his medicine. Although he didn't say it, the empathetic girl could see their was pain and sadness in his eyes.

The two resumed walking until they reached the school gate. "This is my stop, Royale Preparatory Academy."

"What are the odds?" The boy laughed. "I have... I was going to attend, but I needed to withdraw. I always wanted to see more of the school grounds."

"Well... the school is having a carnival tonight. You and your family should join us."

"That sounds fun, but I a previous engagement tonight." Lincoln rubbed the back of his head. "But I might be able to leave early." He walked away, then turned to wave goodbye. "See you later, Kai!"

The anticipation of the day finally came. It was time for the party to celebrate Lincoln's induction into Hell's Overlords caste. Unlike usual commencements where the demon being celebrated hosts the party, an ally of theirs is hosting it in their honor. Carmilla Carmine had made sure to invite every Overlord in Pentagram City and those from across the Pride Ring. To her amazement, everyone she invited was in attendance. The only thing left was for Lincoln to make his appearance.

In another room, Lincoln had just finished changing into his new Sinner clothes. Taking inspiration from both Alastor and Carmilla, the boy decided on a black outfit with white pinstripes. To be specific, he wore black pants with white stripes along with a matching double-breasted waistcoat, a white long-sleeve dress shirt, black and white tap shoes with taps made of angelic steel, black fingerless gloves like Moxxie and Millie wear, and a skinny black tie done in an Eldredge knot. To check himself, Lincoln stood in the body length mirror. Despite the confidence he showed when he rebuilt the new district, fear an unease consumed him now.

"Very dapper, but don't forget!" Alastor moved in closer to raise the corners of the boy's mouth. "You're never fully dressed without a smile!"

Once his Uncles fingers left, Link's mouth returned to its worried expression. "Do you really think I can do this, Uncle. Dazzling an audience is one thing, but going up there and facing so many Overlords... what if I'm not enough?"

"Lincoln, Dear Boy, do you think a common waif could rise to prestige in so little time?" The Radio Demon tried to put the boy's mind at ease. "Always remember, even if you don't think you stand a chance, a smile can throw off anyone. A smile is a tool that can inspire loyalty, orfear."

Taking a deep breath, Lincoln closed his eyes and cleared his mind. Another minute later, he had a big smile on his face. "Now I'm ready!" He cracked his knuckles. "Just wait 'til they hear my new Overlord name. I decided to base it off my own interests and my parchment for turning toys into weapons with my blood."

"You're gonna turn heads out there!" Alastor encouraged.

Hell's Overlords were gathered for the cocktail party; but since the guest of honor was a child, Carmilla made it an all mocktail event. Husk, having brought his own booze, poured a swing into his glass. Meanwhile, Niffty was being restrained on a leash by the sphinxlike demon to keep her from causing problems at the party.

"Greetings, Hell's Sovereign Overlords." Carmilla stood on the platform to address the party. "As you all know, we are here this evening to congratulate the newest addition to our ranks. Someone who I hope can live up to the reputation of his predecessor. Isn't that right, Velvette?" Smug, the ballerina raised a glass to her fellow Overlord.

Velvette stood with the V's, practically fuming with anger, raised her glass to maintain her group's image. Standing beside her, Vox and Valentino raised their glasses in clear fury masked by strained smiles.

Meanwhile, Alastor manifested on the podium to present her with a note card. "Don't mind me, I just wanted to give notice of a little change in script."

Carmilla read the note, surprising a laugh at what it said. "He's certain about this?" She whispered to Al.

"Why so shocked? I think it's a wonderful idea!" Alastor left the stage, giving Vox a fleeting glance as he joined Husk and Niffty.

"Forgive the hiccup, but our program will resume as planned." The arms dealer continued. "It is with great honor I introduce the newest Overlord among our ranks." As she spoke, Lincoln swaggered through the crowd. "He's time in Hell has been brief, but he has made his existence known across Pentagram City. Ladies and Gentlefolk, I present you the youngest Overlord in Hell's history..." Link stood beside her as she told his new name. "The Ultimate Master of Games... Playboy!"

When he smiled in triumph, Lincoln was met with a horde of laugher coming from across the room. To his surprise, he didn't know what was so funny. To explain, Carmilla walked him off the platform to talk in private. When she finished, Lincoln turned bright red with embarrassment.

"Dang it!"

As the party continued, the newly titled 'Playboy' joined Alastor and his hotel friends as he introduced himself at the party.

"You really went with 'Playboy' as your new name!?" Husk nearly died laughing. "Oh, I haven't laughed like this in forever!"

"It was supposed to be pun on my use of toys and games in magic!" The boy tried to defend. "How was I supposed to know it was also the name of an adult magazine!?"

"Don't feel too bad." Alastor comforted. "I'm sure people won't make a big deal of it."

To rub salt in his wounds, Velvette appeared and pulled the boy into her live stream. "Hey there Followers! It's your #Bitch live at the event of the season! The V's and these losers are here to celebrate our newest Overlord, Playboy! Oh, isn't he just adorable!?" Velvette snuggled the uncomfortable boy close. "I know, it seems this little cutie has been breaking hearts all over Hell! If you want more details to bring fulfillment into your worthless lives, make sure to like and subscribe! #Newbie#NewEra#LadyKiller#Shota#Bitch"

Now that her stream was over, Velvette let the boy fall to the floor. "Wonderful presentation, Kid's Meal, but next time tell me before hand so I can get everyone's reaction!" She finished posting. "Oh, look at this, only been out ten seconds and I got a million views! No wondering sharenting blows up!" She dropped a business card for him. "Tell me when you're ready to step into the 21st Century and I'll give you a good deal on an outfit in exchange for some posts."

After the social media Overlord left, Lincoln picked himself up and rejoined his group. "Is it too late for me to un-change my name?"

"No, I'm afraid that ship has sailed!" Alastor patted his shoulder. "Think of it this way, all publicity is good publicity!"

Frustrated, Lincoln picked up a mocktail and checked the time. To his joy, he could make it to Kai's school carnival before it's over. Without telling anyone, Lincoln slipped out the party and opened a portal back to the base in Mount Royale. Noticing that he was still wearing his Overlord attire, he quickly changed into the clothes from this morning. After that, he went to the school by portal he opened a short distance away.

From the music and screams of joy he heard from around, the carnival would be something special. Lincoln entered from the front gate and saw that the school rented a roller coaster, a Ferris Wheel, and a tilt-a-whirl for the carnival. Walking through the gates, he passed several food stands and trucks selling tasty treats. After the fiasco in Loo Loo Land, the white-haired boy was hesitant to visit amusement parks; but this little carnival reminded him of everything he loved about them. A little hungry, Lincoln went to a churro stand but was distracted when someone called his name.

"Lincoln!" Catching the boy, Kai called his name.

"Kai!" He ran over and saw his new acquaintance.

She was dressed differently; she now wore a blue off-shoulder top with light blue frills, a white skirt, tube socks, and blue toe-loop sandals with brown soles; along with her hair done in a ponytail. With her was three other girls; the oldest looked about Leni's age, she had big, brunette hair done in large twin-tails, she wore a crop-top with blue jean-shorts, brown boots, and a green scarf. The other two were twins with different colored eyes, one had green and the other had pink, who looked a little older than Lola and Lana. The green eyed on dressed casual, Asian esthetic clothes; while the other dressed more modern in all pink.

"I'm really happy you could attend the carnival!" Kai smiled. "Let me introduce some of my sisters. This is my big sister Taylor, and my little sisters, Olivia and Sophia."

"Nice to meet you, Lincoln." Taylor gave a kind smile and a friendly wave.

"Hi, Linky!" Olivia, the bubbly twin with green eyes waved enthusiastically. "Kai told us about you."

"I thought he'd be less tacky." Sophia, the stern twin, criticized.

"Sophia!" Kai was embarrassed. "I'm sorry, my little sister can be overtly direct."

"It's no issue, I have a thick skin." The boy brushed it off. "Now, let's enjoy the night!"

The four Neu sisters showed Lincoln every ride and attraction at the fair. They went on the carnival rides, through the haunted house, laughed in the house of mirrors, and when it came time to play carnival games. As they walked through the street of carnival games, the white-haired boy grossed the others by eating a slice of pizza with mustard, hot fudge, and sauerkraut. Kai questions his weird taste in food, but Lincoln gets back at her by making her laugh so hard that soda squirts out her nose. After he finished laughing, the boy noticed an interesting balloon darts game.

"Step up for the chance to win!" The game attendant called. "Five darts, hit five balloons, you win the grand prize!" He gestured to a large plushie of a narwhal. "What do ya say!?"

Confident, he paid the fee. Lincoln took his stance, and with great precision, popped five balloons with ease.

"Cool!" Olivia applauded, along with Kai and Taylor.

"It's nothing, just a trick I learned." He acted humble, but then Link started feeling warm. "Oh, sorry, but I need to sit down and take my medicine."

Taking a break, the four sat at a picnic table so Lincoln could take his pills. First, he got out one full bottle and an empty bottle from his pocket, but then left to get some water. Once he was gone, a small creature appeared from its hiding spot in Olivia's robe.

"Quizy! You can't be out right now." The little girl tried to hide the baby quezerra.

"Why did you bring him?" Sophia tried to help, but Quizy was too slippery.

Curious, the green creature saw the pill bottles. "Stop! That's not yours!" Kai tried to stop him, but the little monster swallowed the bottle with pills in it. "No!"

While this happened, Lincoln got some water, but on his way back he was approached by Luna. "Lincoln! We have a problem!"

"What is it?" He was worried.

"I got a call from Crescenta. Apparently, your imp friends got themselves in trouble on a job. She didn't give any details, but said they needed help in Albany."

If it's so bad that I.M.P. and one Pawn wasn't enough, Lincoln understood it must be trouble. "I'll head there alone." He handed her a project he's been working on, a card to perform spells. "You gather the others and tell them to return to the arena. If things get too bad, I'll call for help."

Not wasting time, Lincoln ran back to get his medicine. He saw the Neu sisters acting strangely, but he was in too much of a rush to pay attention. "Sorry, but I need to go now." He picked up one bottle but didn't find the other. "Where is... I can't focus. If you see it, please bring return it?"

Kai tried to stop him, but the boy ran off too quickly for her to reach. "This can't be good." She didn't know what those pills were for, but it is never a good thing to keep someone from their medicine.

[Albany, NY- Later]

"YOU COCK-SUCKING, MOTHERFUCKERS!" Driving like a maniac through the streets of downtown Albany in a stolen car, a battered Blitz cusses out the people pursuing IMP while Crescenta tries to shoot them from the passenger window. " 'A SIMPLE HIT', HE SAID! 'KILL THE BASTARD WHO KILL ME', HE SAID! I swear, if we get out of this alive, I'm gonna kill that client myself!"

"Try to drive evenly, Blitz!" Crescenta yelled. "It's hard to fire with so much swerving!"

"Sorry, Queen Butterface! But I can't focus with half my team wounded in the back!" The boss looked back and saw injured Moxxie and Millie were; Mox, covered in bruises, tended to his wife while trying to keep her awake.

"Our target was supposed to be an ordinary guy, a former sailor, but not... that!" Moxxie was freaking out. "Our plan was simple, catch him having dinner with his wife and take him out without anyone noticing!"

"Hate to break you ball, Mox, but if there is one thing we could learn from Lincoln, nothing is ever that simple!" Blitz responded. "Where the Hell is that kid?"

Crescenta looked around for any signs they were still being followed, but just when she thought they were in the clear, the car began glowing a faint pink. "We gotta leave the car!"

Understanding the problem, Blitz unlocked the doors and helped Crescenta lift M out the back. As the car was being levitated, IMP heard their pursuers in the distance. Catching sight of an empty mall nearby, the leader signaled for his 'temp' to follow him. Making it to the door, they were stopped by the security lock.

"Damn anti-burglary alarms. Cover your ears, Queenie." Blitz was prepared to shoot the door, but his temp put a small device on the door that hacked the security controls. "Oh, well that works, too."

Hurrying inside, they tried to find a good place to hide, settling on the food court. Crescenta placed Millie on the table and pulled out emergency medical supplies. Taking action, she applied some magic ointment and gave the imp woman some painkillers. With that, Millie would stabilize but unable to move for a while.

"Sorry, it's all I can do." The brunette apologized.

"It's not your fault she's like this." Moxxie accepted, comforting his beloved.

Before they had a chance to rest, a crash came from the glass ceiling. IMP looked up and saw their target had taken a more beastly appearance. He was a tall man with white hair done in a small ponytail, and a beard with a mustache; he wore a blue suit, and his once regular brown eyes now became orange with black sclera, his canines became sharper, and now had strange marks on his face with an eye formed on his forehead. When he saw IMP, he snarled and made tight fists. Unfortunately, he wasn't alone; a silver-haired woman in a lilac dressed levitated down covered in a mystic aura stood beside the bearded man. Then, three more people appeared; one was a teenager, and the other two looked roughly Lincoln's age.

"Mother, Father, who are these creatures?" The teen girl asked; she had dark hair and looked serious as death. She pulled out a sword.

"I don't know, Merida." The father answered. "They've just been trying to kill us."

"Understood." The teen, Merida, got a cold glare in her eyes. "Shall I save everyone here the trouble, and eliminate them myself?"

"Wait a cotton pickin' minute!" Not having any bullshit, Blitz gave ranted. "You shit for brain, unlucky, strong argument for abortion ass bitches don't know just how much shit you're in! You think just because we had to go on the retreat, that we're at your mercy!? Well, I got news for you, Beast and Belle!" He pointed to the parents. "Right now, as we speak, the most dangerous S.O.B to ever exist is on his way to kill every last one of you! And he's no pushover, you hear me!? This guy is a stone-cold killer! When he was but 9-years-old, he killed his own teacher for lookin' at him funny! He's so tough, he only eats apex predators! He's so dangerous, to find the names of all his enemies, you just need to check the list of extinct countries! He's so powerful, when he declared war on this bitchass country, the cock-sucking President got on his knees and begged, 'Oh, Sir, please have mercy on our weak, worthless lives?, right before our guy punched the bastard so hard he was sent into yesterday!" Blitz walked up to the father. "So let this be a warning. Either you can walk away now and go back to your worthless, fucking lives; or my guy can come here and exterminate you and your woman here, right before he turns your dumbass, dead ass, bitch of children into mincemeat!"

Enraged, the bearded man punches Blitz in the face; the force sent the imp flying, but Crescenta caught him. The man was about to continue, but was stopped by a white rose that found itself imbedded in his arm. He and everyone else looked at where the flower came from, finding a devil boy wearing an all white gakuran whistling on the second floor railing.

"Seriously, Blitz, how have the three of you survived this long without me?" Acting cocky, Lincoln stands on the railing before jumping down between his friends and the others.

"Well, it's a good thing I have you for a Junior Partner." The imp laughed, spitting blood. "Good work, Partner. But I'm docking a month's pay for being so late!"

The boy laughed. "A month's pay of nothing, is still nothing, Boss." He checks sees Moxxie and Millie, although they're happy to see him they are in no condition to fight.

"Hi, let me introduce myself." Lincoln addressed the angry humans. "Call me... Playboy, and these are my friends-"

"Hold it!" Blitz paused everything. "Did you just say, 'Playboy'?" He didn't restrain his laugher. "Of all the names you could have given yourself after becoming an Overlord! You chose to be called, 'Playboy'!?"

"Blitz! Later!" Link went back to the target. "I can see that we've caused you a great inconvenience."

"Inconvenience!?" The man was still infuriated. "I wanted to take my wife, Allison, out for an evening away from the kids. I got my hair trimmed, book a reservation on special place to us, and just as we were eating dinner, these maniacs try to kill us!"

"Listen, I get must be the guy we were hired to kill? And we are truly sorry for that."

"Hired to kill me?" The man questioned.

"Try to understand, Buddy-"

"My name is Franklin..." He growled.

"Listen, Frankie, you mind if I call you 'Frankie'?" Trying to keep things light, Lincoln acted casually. "Frankie, let's make a deal. I know, you think I'm gonna give you a 'Faustian bargain', but I want to make this simple. You let me and my friends leave, we'll cancel the hit put on you."

"Who put a hit on my husband!?" Her telekinesis getting stronger, Allison was angry.

"I'm sorry, but there is this thing called assassin-client confidentiality. If I told you it could get us in trouble with the union, and that is just whole other can of worms. So, this is what I suggest; you let us leave, and in return, we never make any contact with your family again, we cancel the hit, and I cancel the spell."

"What spell?" Franklin asked, then looked at his arm, pain coming from it. "This flower..."

"Yes, a little trick I picked up from a troublesome, strawberry-haired girl. If I don't cancel that in under an hour, you'll die." Playboy offers a hand. "We have a deal?"

Franklin looked at his arm as his wife and children gathered around him. "Will you continue to kill innocent people?" Without saying a word, the devil boy looked down. "I see, then I'm afraid we can't let you go."

Understanding what that meant, the older male's family got ready for what was about to happen. Lincoln looks around and sees what he was up against; Franklin, Allison, the intense girl, Merida, a girl with red hair, and a dark-haired girl with different colored eyes. His friends might have been fooled by thinking these people were ordinary humans, but Lincoln could feel there was more to them. Acting nervous, Lincoln stretched his arms as a distraction; channeling magic, he constructed a black and white dome over his friends.

"We don't have much time!" Lincoln quickly opened a portal. To help, he picked up Moxxie while Crescenta carried Blitz and Millie through the portal. However, before he could cross, the shield gave out from the outside's attacks. "Sorry, Boss."

Seeing no other option, Lincoln through Blitz into the portal and closed it. Realizing his odds of winning will low, he took the collapsing spell as a cover to flee. Knowing it was only a matter of time before they captured or caught up to him, the boy pulled out Hustle and Bustle, his twin magic guns. Just as he expected, he was caught in Allison's telekinesis as the others surrounded him.

"I would prefer to not have to kill a child." The mother said, sternly.

"A child? For all you know, I could be older than Yoda." Using his guns, he sent a flurry of bullets in all directions; distracted, Allison had to drop the boy. "Listen, we got off the wrong foot, but I truly don't want to kill you all." Without thinking, Lincoln's body dodged Merida's sword strike from behind. "But Like Millie told me, 'Killin' folks is fine if they try to kill ya first'."

Although he saw it as underhanded, the boy fired at the two other girls and to distract their parents. "K'lynn! Sony!" Franklin blocked the shots with his body, but his skin absorbed most of the blasts. "You'll pay for that!"

"WAIT!" Yelling loud enough to shatter nearby glass, Lincoln help up a coin before them all. "If you make another step, I will unleash the power of this! The Coin of Annihilation!"

"Coin of Annihilation?" K'lynn questioned.

"One of my most dangerous creations. If this coin should leave my hand for any reason, it will be used to summon a horrific beast capable of leveling all of New York state. Despite my impressive power, even I would not be able to control the terrifying creature that it will unleash."

"You're bluffing." Merida didn't believe him. "What idiot would do something so self-destructive?"

Snickering, Lincoln's eyes went cold as Merida's. "I've been sent to Hell and came out a demon. In my journey across realms, I have seen, learned, and done things that would make the faint of heart drop dead at my feet. I know the game we plan is decided by beings your pitiful, mortal minds can't even begin to comprehend. I've played this game, and that is why they call me, 'Playboy'." He ready his hand. "I'll give you a head start." He flipped the coin high into the air.

The family looked into the air as the coin flipped. They watched as dazzling light emerged from the coin, then swiftly extinguish as it hit the ground. Everyone shielded their eyes and prepared for what was to be unleashed, but after few seconds and nothing happened they opened their eyes. The family looked around and saw that the boy was gone, and the Coin of Annihilation he used was a simple game token.

"He made us all look like idiots." The girl with different colored eyes, Sony, spoke frankly.

"He did. I said he was lying, and I still fell victim." Merida rubbed her temples.

"Where could he have gone?" Allison tried to find him. "I tried to read his mind earlier but it was impossible, like I was picking up static!"

Franklin looked at the rose, it was turning red. "Allison, we need to call Arie and Magi." Understanding her husband was right, Allison pulled out her phone and called their other daughters.

Taking advantage of the distraction he created, Lincoln ran off and hid in a toy store in the mall. Under normal circumstances, the boy would have created a portal to safety, but his magic was more unstable then usual. He knew the reason, he hadn't taken his medicine. In his rush, he wasn't able to take his medicine at the carnival, and after using so many spells without his pills, he was not himself. Now that he found a good place to rest, he took deep breaths to control the energy in his body; it was a vital step to be calm when he takes his medicine. He pulled out the his only bottle, but it was hard as his fever was high and he was sweating heavily.

"Talk about the family that slays together?" He addressed the audience. Opening the bottle, it only contained one each pill he needed. "Looks like my luck is changing."

Before he could take his meds, some kind of holo-whip wrapped around his waist and pulled him out of his hiding spot. "G'day Mate!" The person who captured him was a teen girl with dirty blonde hair wearing futuristic armor. "You must be the Playboy my pop spoke of."

"And you must be someone who's really into Neon Genesis, am I wrong?" He masked the surprise with humor.

"Personally, I prefer Gundam. Now, why don't you lift the curse on my dad and maybe we'll give you some lollies." She spoke in an Australian accent.

"A tempting offer..." He bought himself time. "But I'll have to refuse." Link used barb magic to break free by whistling to disrupt the electric whip. When the blonde girl saw he was free, she pulled out an orange lightsaber. "Hey, Nice color, I got mine in yellow." He pulled out his magic lightsaber he made for his demonstration for Carmilla.

"I don't like you, but this a chance to ripper to pass up!" Finding themselves having fun, the two began a lightsaber fight straight out of Star Wars. After a few minutes of playing, the two decide to get serious. "Wish I could play longer, but my family needs me!"

Using a device on her belt, the blonde girl threw a metal ball that expanded into a electric net; thinking quick, Lincoln shifted into a mouse and escaped the net and ran off.

"Wanker!" She yelled at him as he made off, then bent down to pick-up the other saber. "I'm keeping this!"

Sneaking off into a clothing store, Lincoln returned to his Sinner form, smoke coming from his mouth. "I'm running out of time." He reached for the pills in his pocket, but before he could take them, someone interrupted him.

"Aren't you supposed to take medicine with food?" She asked.

"Ideally, yes, but I can't waste..." Lincoln looked up, and saw girl close to Luan's age who had drown hair with tips colored a lighter shade. "You're one of Frank and Allie's kids, aren't you?"

"Ding Ding Ding, what has the contestant won, Magi!? An all expenses paid trip to the Moon!" She then magicked a large boxing glove and uppercut him. "Rock em' Sock em' Arm!"

Landing in the ceiling, Magi made a joke at his expense. "Why don't you 'hang' around, my parents will come 'ceiling' you in a bit! Haha!"

"And I thought one Luan was a handful." Link knew that this would be a problem; after he pushed himself out the ceiling, the boy dusted himself off on the ground. "You like playing games? Rock, Paper, Scissors! Go!"

Following the energy, the two played a round. "Rock Paper Scissors!" Magi threw scissors and Lincoln, paper.

"Scissors beat Paper, I win!"

"In the game, yes." What she didn't know is that Lincoln was performing a spell while she was distracted; with limited magic, he caused every piece of paper in the shop to wrap around her like a trap. "In real life, I win."

As he ran off, Magi broke free from the paper trap and followed after him. When the boy reached the woman's changing room, he entered an empty booth to hide. Not a second later, Magi appeared at the door and pushed it open.

"AWWW! PEEPING TOM!" On the other side, Lincoln pretends to be girl changing clothes when someone bursts in.

"I'm Sorry! I was looking for someone else!" The Egyptian-coded girl closed the girl before leaving. "Wait a second, that's not how changing rooms work!" Storming back to the booth, she barged in but found it was empty. "Where did he go?"

As she looked around the room, on the wall mirror, the reflection of Magi was acting independently. While the real Magi searched under the bench, the reflection smugly watched. Magi got back up and saw something strange about the mirror; as the reflection followed every silly gesture the girl made, when the brunette looked closer, the reflection pulled her into the mirror as the copy jumped out. His plan complete, the reflection revealed himself to be Lincoln in disguise.

"You got me!" Magi gasped, finding herself now trapped in the mirror. "I'm trapped! This is a first."

"Don't worry, someone just needs to pull you out." Lincoln leaned at the door. "I would, if you'd make adeal?" He offered his hand.

"Hmm... I'll be patient." She sat at the edge of the mirror prison.

Looking for another good spot to hide, Lincoln became a mouse and moved through the air vents. On his way out, the white-haired boy made it outside before his body returned to his Sinner form, this time he was smoking heavily and collapsed to his knees. Suffering in great pain, he reached for his medicine once again but found it difficult to keep his fingers from trembling.

"I'm running out of time." It took some time, but he finally removed the top.

"I didn't know you still had to take medicine in the afterlife." Staring down at him with a blank expression, the girl known as Sony spoke beside the boy.

"Lucy... No, you're the daughter... Sony?" Intense burning continuing, Lincoln was in no condition for fighting. "Please, just give me a minute for my medicine... I'll break the spell, just let me have my medicine?"

The first pill was about to touch his lips, but then Sony swatted it out of his grasp. "You don't seem to be a Shadow Beast."

Lincoln looked up, seeing her eyes for the first time; they were orange, but the left had a green symbol in it that he didn't recognize. It was more than her eyes' appearance, but also her gaze that caught his attention. "You... are just like me."

"I am?" Sony tilted her head.

"Some people... have eyes that clearly say... they've had to kill for survival." Using up the last of his strength, the boy couldn't move anymore.

Picking him up by his collar, the girl dragged him through the wall. "I hear a lot about demons, they inspire many Shadow Beasts. But as I look at you know, you're not even that scary."

Appearing beside the girl, a ghostly, draconic head spoke. "Oh my, are you growing soft, Tinker Bell? Not like you to let someone live."

"I need him alive to save my father. After that, I'll end him."

"Even though he's not a Shadow Beast? My, that would be a first for you." The head hovers over Lincoln. "Not that older than you, either. Children these days are growing way to fast."

"Leave him!" Sony demanded, then continued walking.

Waiting inside the mall, the rest of Sony's family are worried as the flower on Franklin's arm has become more red than white. When the black-haired girl arrives dragging a white devil, the others run up to check on them.

"Sony, were you hurt!?" Allison inspects her daughter. "You seem normal, is he...?"

"No." Merida checked the boy's forehead, he was burning to the touch. "How is he still alive?"

"Forget that! Make him undo his curse on Dad!" K'lynn lifted Lincoln by his collar. "Do what we say, and I promise what happens to you next won't be too painful!"

Meeting her gaze, Lincoln said the only thing he could. "Your... body... metal."

After those words were said, the child burst into a bonfire of white flames. Fearing for her daughter's safety, the silver-haired Allison pulled K'lynn out of the fire, showing that the child's body truly was metallic, leaving her head unaffected. As the family watch the child burn, the flames turned an ominous deep red. Everyone was away from the fire, but the heat could be felt no matter how far they scattered. At the moment, the family thought with the demon's death, the spell would break; when Franklin looked at his arm, the flower was one petal away from being red.

"No... this can't be happening!" K'lynn saw her father's arm.

"Oh, it's happening, Missy."

Everyone looked at the fire, and saw that the boy who was burning to death had now stood to his feet. With a snap of his fingers, the flames shrunk until they only covered the boy's figure as he transformed. Where was once a white gakuran now modified; the uniform was now black with red lining, the jacket now became a long coat, the hat covered the boy's eyes. Ornamenting the uniform was neon green stitches along the seems and large sewing pins the protruded from all over, both made of magic light. The child himself also changed; his hair had turned black and any demonic features hat vanished.

"What is this?" Lincoln looked around, annoyed. "Nevermind, I more important matters than this." He walked away.

"Stop!" Franklin appeared before the child. "We still have unfinished business, Child! Release me!"

The boy looked up, his eyes remained the same. Uninterested, he continued walking without response.

Fed up, the rest of the family surrounded the boy. Franklin went beast mode, Allison levitated, Merida pointed her sword, Arie pulled out her lightsaber, K'lynn conjured four pink spectral arms, and Sony took on another form, becoming a tall shadow being. Surrounded, the was only one response the boy could give, amusement.

"Alright, you've captured my attention." From the shadows of the mall appeared scores of umbrakinetic humanoids, all clad in black futuristic cyber armor with reddish-orange light weapons. "Let's see if you can keep me entertained."

"THERE YOU ARE!" Calling from the mall entrance, it was none other than Alastor in a human form. "Haven't I told you before!? No being out on your own past sundown!"

"Uncle?" Once he saw a familiar face, the boy's attention shifted. "How are you here?"

"Why the bus, Dear Boy!" The former radio host moved through the shadow summons. "Children these days, once they get old enough to tie their shoes, they think they know everything!"

"You are this creature's... Uncle?" Allison tried to read his mind, but the man's shadow grabbed her by the neck.

"Now now, My Dear, that would be an invasion of privacy." Alastor threatened the mother, causing Sony and Franklin to shift focus. "I see my Nephew has caused some trouble for you. As token of my apology, why don't we just correct our mistakes and leave amiably. Nephew?"

Huffing, the boy folded his arms. "F-fine." With a snap of his fingers, the summons vanished and the rose on Franklin's arm withered away.

"Good boy." Alastor patted his head. "Now, what do we say when we make a mistake?"

Lincoln looked at the family, pissed. "I'm Sorry, Okay?"

"SORRY!" K'lynn stormed toward him. "You try to kill my family, you burn off my skin, and I don't even know where Magi is but I suspect you're to blame! After all that, you think saying 'I'm Sorry', will make everything OKAY!?"

Unfazed, he gave a simple answer. "I'm very sorry."

"There we go!" Alastor applauded. "What do we say, let bygones be bygones?"

Merida pointed her sword, answering in her parents place with a protective glare. "If you or him ever come near me or my family again, I will cut your head off and hang it from the porch as a warning to others like you."

"Oh, she's a keeper." The smiling man nudged his nephew. "We'll leave. Just remember, the next time we meet...it's dinner time.Nephew, could you do me a tiny favor before we depart?"

Cracking his knuckles, Lincoln performed the incantation and a blinding light ignited.

The last hour was a blur. When Franklin, Allison, and their children looked around they saw they were in a mall after hours. From their condition, they were fighting someone who burned off K'lynn's artificial skin. They saw on of their own was missing, Magility, and so they went looking for her. Finding her younger sister tapped in a changing room mirror, Merida pulled her out after the younger teen told her how to set her free.

"How did you trap yourself in mirror?" Annoyed, Merida asked.

"I didn't! Someone trapped me inside! He looked like... well, he was... I don't recall." Magi rubbed her head.

"I know who you mean." The older girl clenched her fist. "Apparently he did something that erased everyone's memories of him. I still remember we were trying to get him to break the spell, but anything about the entity has been erased."

"Oh..." She understood now.

"Quiet." Merida covered Magi's mouth; analyzing her surroundings, she felt something was amiss. Pulling out a knife, she hit the shadow of a mannequin. "Nevermind."

Elsewhere in Albany, sitting on a park bench, Lincoln and Alastor were watching the two sisters with the boy's modified version of the All-seeing Eye spell. Watching from the shadows, the feed was cut when Merida attacked the shadow. As his uncle laughed, Link giggled at the human's instincts.

"Sorry you had to come pick-me up, Uncle." He apologized. "How did you get to Earth in the first place?"

"Why you sent me of course." Alastor displayed his passport along with a letter Lincoln from the future wrote. "Apparently, killing that family caused a lot regret for you later on. But enough about me, why the hair?"

Lincoln pulled out his empty pill bottles. "In here, I keep pills that prevent me from becoming this. Think of it like my version a lobotomy. When I take the pills, I'm weaker."

"Than why take them?" None of it made sense to the Overlord. "It would seem going without medication would be for the best."

Before the dark-haired Lincoln could answer, the pizza delivery arrived. Feeling hungry, the two ordered some pizzas and sides. "Over here." He walked up to the delivery guy. "Before you go, what's your name, age, and your immediate family?"

Confused, the delivery guy found no issue with telling the child. "My name is Dylan Pratt. I'm 16 years old. And I live with my mother and two younger brothers."

"Thanks." After he accepted the food, the alternate Lincoln pulled out a pistol and shot Dylan Pratt in the head. Going on like nothing happened, he walked back to Alastor.

"All that just to avoid having to tip?" The Radio Demon made light of the meaningless killing.

"When I become this, I release myself from any limitation I impose. You know, patience, mercy, compassion, all those little things." He pulled out a slice. "The only way for me turn back to the regular me is to kill someone."

"Thank you for the explanation, but it doesn't answer why return to your usual self." Alastor had a slice as well."

"Being like this makes life boring. I'm basically an Id with no Superego. I only feel desire, never satisfaction." He checked his smartphone. "It'll take sometime for me to turn back. Also, I might have some memory loss when I go 'white hair' again. Can you remind me to send that guy's family an apology?"

"Don't worry." Using magic to make the body disappear, Alastor reassured the boy. "I'll take care of everything."

[BUZZ] [BUZZ]

[BUZZ] [BUZZ]

Jolting awake by the sound of the alarm clock, Lincoln looked around and saw he was back in his room at the arena. Looking back, he didn't remember anything after he left the carnival.

"My pills... NO!" Terrified by what he might have done, the boy dashed out his room to find answers. His wish was granted by the sight of his great uncle cooking breakfast with Angel Dust and Husk sitting at the table, alone. "How many did I kill last night?"

"One." Alastor answered, fixing the boy a bowel of oatmeal with a few sausage links. "Don't worry, I told Martha and she sent a notice to his family with an anonymous donation."

Heartbroken, leaning against the wall was the only thing keeping Lincoln on his feet. This was why he always made it a responsibility of taking the pills; he can survive spontaneous combustion, but the fact he killed someone without remembering was what terrified him. Catching that the kid was fucked up, Angel made a joke.

"So, you're a brief man. I would have bet boxers." Laughing at his own joke, Husk and Alastor glared at the spider demon. "Come on, it's therapeutic to laugh!"

"Don't be angry with Angel, I should have been more responsible." Defeated, Link took a seat at the table.

"You didn't do everything wrong." Alastor showed the letter and passport. "As fun as killing is, one must have standards."

"Listen to him, Kid. No matter how well you try to be responsible, there are still things you can't control." The winged-cat agreed with the Radio Demon. "The 'other you' came to the bar last night and said he wanted a rum and coke. I told him off, and he threatened to skin me."

"Yeah, it was hilarious!" Angel laughed. "You said you'd turn him into a 'bald pussy'! I would have liked to keep him around if he didn't threaten to crush me into a paste and feed me to Fat Nuggets."

"What this jackass keeps interrupting me from saying is you did everything you could to keep your worse aspects restrained." Husk thought of his own past mistakes, and everything he hears patrons talk to him about at the bar. "Trust me, that alone does more good than some people can even try."

Grateful, the boy gave Husk a hug, and the alcoholic demon didn't push him away. Lincoln returned to his room rejuvenated for another day. A tiny smile on his face, the cat demon waved him good luck; meanwhile, Alastor and Angel looked at the old bartender with wide grins.

"What? It would have done no good to let someone that dangerous loose." Husk went for the exit.

"Your so sweet, Daddy~" Angel Dust teased. "Can you make me feel better?"

Changed into an alternate outfit. Lincoln now wore white t-shirt under a red pullover sweater that had a stag face design on the chest, khakis, red sneakers, and his disguise glasses. Ready to face a new day, he opened a checkered portal to the bee sanctuary. He appeared in the Tudor's Great Hall; worried for his team, he searched and found them eating breakfast in the dining room.

"Lincoln!" Relieved to see he's safe, Jill ran to hug the boy. "I heard from Alastor... I'm so sorry about what happened."

"You did nothing wrong." Sorrowful, he addressed his Pawns. "None of you did, I shouldn't have gone alone and definitely not without taking precautions. My own shortsightedness lead to this, and I have to live with that and move forward. Which brings me to something I want to discuss... in a week; we resume dungeon crawls."

"FUCK YEAH!" Martha cheered. "I've been out for so long I was worried I'd go crazy!"

"You said it." Luna agreed. "After hearing you go on about some of the stuff you've seen, I was getting restless."

The Pawns all spoke in agreement. As they talked, Link saw the ghosts of his other pieces nearby. Helia was standing beside her mother, Venus, while Etheria and Sideria played around with their invisibility. Seeing so many happy faces, the memory of Kai and her sisters reminded him he left without explaining himself. Hoping to make up for at least one offense he did last night, Lincoln left to go apologize to Kai Neu; lucky for him, she lived in the house on the other side of the lake.

Following the dirt road around the lake, the white-haired boy came across a beautiful craftsman home that reminded him of his own in Royal Woods. Lincoln caught himself in a daze and went up to the front door. He knocked twice and waited for an answer.

BOOM!

A small explosion came from inside along with the sound of people scattering throughout the house. A short time afterwards somebody answered the door.

"Sorry for that!" It was a tall man with white hair done in a ponytail and a full beard.

"Down here." Lincoln spoke, bringing the man's attention to him. "Hello, Sir. I'm Lincoln Spade, I'm here to see Kai Neu."

"Oh, you're the new friend she was talking about!" The man patted the child's back strong enough to give Lincoln, who was far from a weak human boy, recoil. "I'm Kai's Dad, Franklin Neu. Come on in. Welcome to the Neu House."