Case #1-The Grim Reaper and the Devil

One week before Crimson attacked Zach and Nestant town…

Ding ding.

The bells hanging above the dark wooden door to the bar jingle as the door swings open, revealing the form of a tall man with blue eyes and slicked back black hair in an open black dress shirt and dress pants with a dark brown -almost black- shining dress shoes and a leather belt, with a fancy silver watch on one hand, and multiple rings on the other.

That man is Grim Reaper, Head of the Reapers, and ruler of Purgatory.

The bar is dimly lit with a strange, red lighting. The bar has red walls and a wooden floor with an orange hue. In the corner is a piano, where a man with horns is playing soft music. The other customers are drinking quietly. The bar is known as Hell's Bar, and is a bar from Hell. Literally.

"Grim, welcome," the bartender softly says with a smile as he looks up from wiping a glass to greet his frequent customer. "The regular?"

"The regular," Grim answers with a sigh as he takes a seat at the counter on a bar stool, right next to a man with a long goatee, tan, curly ram horns, and a long red tail that ends in a pitchfork shape. He's wearing a red suit top with black dress pants.

This man is the Devil, Satan.

Hello, Grim," Satan smirks as he picks up his glass and takes a sip. "How are you?"

"Same as always," Grim answers as the bartender places a drink in front of him. "And you?"

"Great as always," Satan smiles.

"What did you call me here for?" Grim asks as he raises an eyebrow at the multitude of empty glasses before Satan.

Satan tracks Grim's eyes, then laughs once he realizes what he's staring at. "Don't worry about those!" Satan laughs. "You know it takes a lot more than this to get me drunk."

"I know," Grim replies as he takes a sip of his drink.

"I heard that you've been having some trouble with your son lately," Satan begins to say as he puts down his drink and pulls out a cigar, placing it in between his lips. "Want one?"

"No thanks," Grim replies as Satan lights his cigar. "Not today."

"Zach's quite the disobedient one, eh?" Satan asks as he pulls his cigar out of his mouth, exhaling a toxic puff of smoke.

"I've always had issues with that boy," Grim sighs as he takes a drink. "Ever since he learned who he was. What about your daughter, how is she?"

"Eh, same as always," Satan shrugs as he takes another drag of his cigar. "She's too obedient, it's almost boring."

"Too bad we can't switch kids," Grim says with a sarcastic chuckle as he takes another drink. "I feel like a terrible father."

"Well…maybe we can?" Satan suggests with a smirk, causing Grim to look up from his drink.

"What do you mean…?" Grim asks as he puts his glass down.

"Well…maybe I exaggerated a bit," Satan admits as he pulls out his cigar. "You want Zach to take after you as the Head Reaper, don't you?"

"Of course I do," Grim answers, leaving his drink alone. "Look at what happened last time someone other than me was in power. They committed a massacre. If Zach doesn't become the Head Reaper…then I'd be scared for the safety of the world. And my son."

"What if I told you that I have a way to convince Zach to become Head Reaper?" Satan asks as he takes a drink.

"How?" Grim asks, perking up at last. Satan has got him ensnared on the hook.

"You've been the Head Reaper for over a year now, probably longer than any other Reaper has been in charge, I presume," Satan begins to say as he sets down his drink as well.

"You're correct," Grim replies.

"And these days…I heard you've been slowing down a bit," Satan continues. "Running out of Soul Energy."

"If a Reaper uses too much Soul Energy, it'll start draining their life force," Grim explains.

"And that is why you need Zach to take charge?" Satan asks.

"That is correct," Grim replies as he picks up a glass and takes a sip of his drink. "Where are you going with this?"

"I'll send my daughter, Crimson, after Zach," Satan begins to say. "Crimson will best Zach in battle and destroy some of Nestant Town in the process. This will cause Zach to realize his weakness, and see that if he wants to be able to protect his home, then he'll need the strength of the Head Reaper to do so. I'll be willing to play the enemy in this plan, as long as you give me some of your territo-"

Before Satan can finish, Grim slams his glass back onto the bar counter, shattering it to bits. The bartender trembles.

"What's the matter, Grim?" Satan smirks. "Not willing to give up some of your territory? Didn't realize that you were power hungry like I am!"

"If you so much as lay a finger on Zach…" Grim growls. Grim's head then shoots upwards, staring daggers into Satan with his fierce, soul colored eyes. "I'LL KILL YOU."

The atmosphere in the bar is heavy.

"Come on, Grim!" Satan laughs. "You know I wouldn't actually kill Zach! This plan will benefit us both. You get to retire, and I get the territory I want."

"While I would trade everything I own for my son's life in a heartbeat-" Grim begins to say as he stands up to face Satan. "I would also trade anything to not give you any more power. You don't need to play the enemy in this plan. You are the enemy."

"Oh?" Satan smirks.

"Sorry for the glass," Grim mutters as he reaches into his wallet and pulls out a bill, tossing it to the bartender, who greedily snatches it out of the air. "See you, Satan," Grim grumbles as he turns around and strolls out of the bar.

Satan watches Grim go with that same smirk on his face. But, once Grim exits the bar, Satan lets out a roar and slams his fists on the table, causing the bartender to flinch as the shattered glass on the counter goes flying.

"THAT DAMN GRIM!" Satan roars as he swipes a hand at the bartender, who is instantly engulfed in maroon-red flames. The bartender screams in pain as he melts to a pool of liquid flesh and boiling blood on the floor. The other customers scream and rush out of the bar, all except for the piano player. "DOESN'T HE KNOW HOW GOOD MY DEAL WOULD BE FOR THE BOTH OF US?!" Satan roars as he slams his fists on the table again, and this time, he shatters it in half. Satan reaches up and grabs his hair, then rubs his hands down his face.

"It's alright, master," the piano player says as he stops playing. "Our plans are still in motion."

"I know, Pisces," Satan sighs. "I'll just have to gain some Reaper territory my own way…"

***

Present time, directly after Grim defeated Crimson… 

"SATANNNN!!!" Grim roars as he slams through the doors of Hell's Bar, dragging his large scythe alongside him, its blade dragging across the ground, causing a hideous metallic screech and sparks to fly off of it.

All of the customers scream as they flee the bar (the new bartender included), all except for the horned piano player.

"Hello, Grim," Satan smirks as he takes one more sip of his drink before turning to face the Reaper. Even more glasses surround Grim than last time. "How was the battle?"

"DON'T TOY WITH ME, DEVIL!" Grim roars as he continues storming towards Satan. "I TOLD YOU WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU TOUCHED MY SON, DIDN'T I?!"

Grim stops before Satan, panting heavily.

As for Satan, he sets his glass down then stands up to face Grim. Satan's body begins to grow and expand, powerful muscles grow from within his skin, ripping through his suit top. Satan's skin turns red and hardens, like a boar hide. Powerful black claws sprout from his fingernails and toenails, as two more arms push their way out of Satan's muscular chest. A second pair of eyes opens up underneath Satan's first, one red, one blue, one green, and one orange.

Grim and Satan stare each other down. Slowly…Grim lifts his scythe and places the blade to Satan's throat.

"You know what would happen if we fight, right?" Satan smirks, his voice lower and more ominous than before.

"I know," Grim growls through clenched teeth as he allows for his scythe to drop to the ground, shattering the floor of the bar. "And that's why I'm pissed off. While all we can do is sit here and talk, our children were out there killing one another!"

"I know," Satan replies. "Zach put up a much better fight than expected. He may have won if you didn't intervene."

Grim growls as he clenches his hands into fists.

"Is the life of your "son" more important than the fate of the world?" Satan smirks as he stares down his nose at Grim.

Grim stares up at Satan for another moment, before spinning around and balling his hands. "No," Grim answers. "He's not."

 And with that, Grim exits Hell's Bar. Never to return to his usual drinking spot ever again.