II

"I hate everything," a boy with deep brown hair and striking blue eyes fiddled with the blade hanging from his waist, the black spikes sprouting from his head easily distinguishable as demon horns. He wore a black leather jacket with a red crest on the breast of the jacket, depicting demon horns and a bloody sword.

"Join the club, Aries," a girl grumbled. Her thick black hair hung down to her waist as she leaned against the brick wall, picking at her nails. She wore the same jacket as the boy, Aries.

"Shut up, both of you," a third figure murmured, standing near Aries. His light brown hair stood out against the dark coloring of his five other companions. "The King will chop your heads off, and then he'll make me clean everything up."

"Lazy ass," another girl grumbled. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, the purple streaks even more obvious than normal.

The raven-haired girl jumped when the large obsidian doors they had been waiting outside of opened to reveal the King's throne room. "Enter," a booming voice commanded, and the six figures walked inside, shrinking to one knee. Two figures rose before the others; the raven-haired girl and a boy with gleaming black hair and electric blue eyes.

"Your Majesty," the boy bowed his head. "You've summoned us."

The King nodded. "Indeed, Shawn. I have news to share with all of you. But first things first," he opened his arms, "how is my Hellguard doing?"

The girl shot the boy, Shawn, a confused glance, but answered evenly, "very well, Your Majesty. You treat us well."

The King nodded. "That I do, Gemma, that I do." He shook his head. "Now, to the news that I must share. As you know, Celestia is hosting the Winter Ball this year." The six figures grumbled. They didn't think highly of the polished white-and-gold kingdom in the sky. "Well, the Queen of Celestia has informed me that there will be no mischievous or destructive antics during the Ball and that you will avoid the angels as well as you can," he explained. "You are attending as the Hellguard, not a guest. And if you disobey... well, the punishment is up to me, I suppose." The King's slash of a grin gleamed in the dim lantern light.

Shawn's eyebrows raised. "Of course. I will be sure to keep my guard on a tight leash, Your Majesty."

The King nodded. "Yes, please do. I would hate to lose one of my beloved Hellguardians." He waved his hand. "Dismissed."

The remaining kneeling figures rose to their feet and the Guard exited the throne room. When the doors closed behind them, the light-brown-haired boy turned to his peers. "Executed? Doesn't that seem a little harsh? Why not, I don't know, give us a spanking?"

One of the other figures, with short, choppy blue-grey hair, stared at him. "Sam," they started, "do you really think the Queen of Celestia, ruler of angels, would take time to spank six naughty demons?" Her uptilted eyes glinted in the dim light.

Samuel shrugged. "I don't know, Asha," he drew out their name mockingly. "Those asshats probably have tons of time on their silk-clad hands."

One of the other girls, the blonde one, spoke up. "Both of you need to shut the fuck up or I'll slit your throats." Asha and Samuel immediately closed their mouths.

Gemma chuckled, fist-bumping the girl. "Nice job, Libby. Now, what do you say we all go get some food?"

A chorus of hell yeah's and whatever's echoed around the chamber and the group made their way out of the castle, walking down the cobblestone roads until they reached a pub with a sign hanging above them that read Hella's Kitchen. Gemma walked up to the bar and a sour-faced old man met her immediately. "What can I do for you and your troupe today, Gemma?" he rasped.

Gemma narrowed her eyes. "Five large pizzas and six sodas, Gary," she replied easily.

The man, Gary, nodded, gesturing to an open booth near the door; the only open one. The Guard's booth, reserved just for them. "Take a seat," he turned away, starting to the kitchen to give the Guard's order to the cooks.

Asha fiddled with one of the two obsidian knives hanging from their waist. "Are we supposed to wear fancy shit to the Ball?" he asked out of the blue.

Samuel shrugged. "I don't care. I'm wearing this no matter what," he gestured to the black leather jacket and black jeans they were wearing; just like the rest of the Guard.

Lizbeth flicked her purple-streaked hair over her shoulder. "I'm not." the rest of the group turned to her. "What? I'm wearing something much more... intimidating," she grinned, blue eyes gleaming.

Shawn arched a brow. "You won't be wearing any of that." Lizbeth opened her mouth to object, but Shawn didn't let her interrupt. "The King sent me attire for us. You will be wearing that."

Gemma stuck out her lower lip. "Dammit, Libby and I were gonna be matching!"

Shawn shrugged. "What a shame," he gave her a pointed look, sarcasm dripping from his every word. Gemma stuck her tongue out at her leader but said nothing more. Aries chuckled at their constant bickering, glancing up at the bar in hopes he would see a waiter with their food.

Soon enough, a tall, willowy girl approached their booth cautiously, carrying trays of pizza and sodas. "Here are your five pizzas and six sodas," her voice shook slightly as she placed the food onto the table. "Have a wonderful day," the girl ducked her head and scurried away, much to the Guard's amusement. All citizens of Hella knew who they were, and they were terrified.

"Thank the King," Asha grumbled, snatching a piece of pepperoni pizza and stuffing it into her mouth.

"Jeez Asha, you eat like a pig," Aries teased, poking his friend in the arm.

Asha smacked it, shoving his face away. "It's not like you're any better, Aries," they spat.

Aries shrugged. "Yeah, I won't argue with that," he admitted. Asha smirked at their victory, returning her attention to her pizza.

Lizbeth was sipping her soda idly, watching a young man that was sitting at the bar. "Whatcha looking at, Libby?" Gemma asked her friend, trying to follow her gaze.

"That hot guy over there," Lizbeth replied, pointing subtly to the man.

Gemma's eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Not my type, but he's got a great set of arms," she commented, returning to her slice of pizza.

Samuel just rolled his eyes, chuckling. "You know, for being feared across Hella, you two act just like a pair of teenage girls sometimes."

Lizbeth arched a brow. "We are a pair of teenage girls. And Asha's a bonus because she likes us more," she added with a grinning glance at Asha.

"What?" Asha asked, frowning when she saw everyone's eyes on her. "Weirdos," they muttered, taking another bite of his food.

Aries chuckled, chugging the rest of his soda. But the laughter faded when the young man from the bar approached their booth. The pub slowly went silent. No one ever approached the Guard's booth.

"Hey," the young man greeted them. He had sandy blonde hair and dull blue eyes, almost grey. "I'm Roger."