Chapter 18: Messing With The V's

My phone vibrates, a text I was waiting for hitting my inbox, making my grin grow as I read it. "Looks like we will have company, one moment." I say to everyone, pulling on the contract chains to summon the Night twins.

They pop out of the shadows right as, Charlie concerned, was asking. "But the extermination just ended how are th-" It only seems to take a second for it to click. "Oh!"

"You were saying, hun?" I send her a smile. "Never said they were getting here the old fashioned way. This here is Midnight, and her brother Nightmare. Like Dex, they are contracted to me. They are part of the same team, and are here to provide some background vocals." I inform.

The information about their contract seems to ruffle the cat demon's feathers a bit, though not enough to say anything, as he downs his booze.

I snap my fingers, changing into the clothes I had set out. A black corset style top, with fishnet sleeves, and a royal blue rose design on the bodice. A pair of tight black shorts, fishnet tights, and new pair of custom combat boots, that came almost to my knees. A cropped black blazer finished the look.

"That looks more like one of my fits, than yer usual getups, frosty." Angel commented from his spot, cuddled up on one of the sofas with a... pig?

I give him a raised eyebrow. "A pig?" Then in response to his comment, I add. "Every outfit has it's use, I simply don't like ruff textures, or tight clothes for daily use. It's easier to move, in more comfortable, durable, clothing. Especially during hunts, and fights."

Angel's eyes flickered to Husk, for a moment, mumbling. "Do I wanna know, what she meant by 'hunts'?"

The drunken cat demon looked at me, then at Alastor, before looking back at Angel, giving him a simple. "Nope." Then taking another long drink.

Alastor shadows himself to my side, and looks at me, taking in the change in clothes, opening his mouth to say something, only to shut it, as Dex, starts projecting the V's broadcast.

I had explained earlier, that Dex filters everything that comes through, so there was no risk of hypnosis from Vox.

We all face the projection, watching the show.

[Vox & Valentino]

"I'm back and I'm beaming, broadcast streaming

Right into your head with my mass machines (Hello)

And everything you want's in the palm of my hand

But you know how it is, there's supply and demand (Hahaha)

But I got a new peripheral (An-an-and I'm being literal)

If you're in my way, then I'm gonna make it physical (Hmm)

The last guy who tried was an analog horror

Kicked him to the curb (Now he's out to slaughter)"

Alastor's eye twitches.

"I am your everything, 'cause everything is me

There's no going back to what you were

Log in and you will see (Oh, you will)

Every data point about you's mine to do with what I please

There's no stopping this expansion

Technological disease"

"Now here at VoxTek, you all are our concern

Trust us with your security, your data, what you earn

It's not like there's competitors who can beat me or these bars

And if you don't like it, tough shit

This is what we are"

"Pay attention

This is what we are

Hear that, old timer?"

"Don't touch the dial, come stay a while

'Cause, babe, I've got a show (Oh, boy)

Of the ruling class, I've got the finest ass

'Cause I'm the one they call "Papito" (Valentino, hahahahaha)

I don't care if you've got a preference

To how you want to treat me with reverence ("Yes, daddy")

You're gonna do what I say, every which, every way

And it won't be nice or slow"

Oh? Now that's interesting. My eyes narrow on the screen, my ears and tail fur standing on end, and flicking angrily.

"I'll make you shine like diamonds

'Til you want me like a drug

There's no goin' back to what you were

Come give me all your love

Put your hands around my body, baby

Let me feel your lust

Sign your name and give your soul to me

You'll fit me like a glove (Hahahahaha)"

The growl that sounded from Alastor's chest, was only audible to me.

"Get down for me, show what you got

Work it out with how you flaunt it

Better keep yourself together

Don't you scream unless I want it

But misbehave or get all brave

And I'll have you seeing stars

'Cause Daddy V. has killed for less

This is what we are"

"Do you feel it?

This is what we are

Oh yeah"

I jump up on the stage, taking my spot, and holding up my hand as a signal for Dex to get ready.

[Valentino & Vox together]

"I'm gonna make it all official

The pentagram is now our sigil

And now that Heaven is a no-show

Here's something everyone will soon know"

"In a vacuum of power

Hell is now ours to devour

The Overlords of the hour

We're gonna take our positions

And put you into submission

'Cause there'll be no competition

Now hear our ruthless ambition

This is what we are!"

I drop my hand laughing as Dex cuts their feed, everyone's screens now showing me, on stage. The beat still playing from the V's little number, Dex remixing it on the fly, as I sing a verse myself.

"Oh, I think it's such a shame

Your bars, all the same

You think I am tame

Come on, say my name

Don't know you've lost the game

With this you will exclaim

This fight will end in flame"

I stomp my foot sending out flames in all directions, as the musics tempo winds down.

"Oh it's time, and soon they'll all know

How you V's, are all a shit show

This is what you are"

My eyes flash as I finish the notes, glowing with my power as my tail sways behind me. Through the tall windows, the cities lights could be seen flashing before dying out completely.

The music cuts, and I let my power recede as I smile, talking to the audience. "Well then. Since I've interrupted your usual after extermination broadcast, I'll treat you all to two songs I have prepared with my associates.

After a quick introduction from Midnight, and Nightmare, we continue on to the next song.

[Snow & Midnight]

"Baddest do what the baddest do

The baddest do we the baddest ooh

Baddest do what the baddest do

The baddest do we the baddest"

Snapping my fingers to summon more flames as sing the next part.

"Coming at you live real, real wild

Here to light it up

Set the world on fire

Gonna break the rules

And hearts in twos

'Cause that's what the baddest do

Never going back

Nah not that

Diamonds on drip 'cause I came to make a splash

Gonna break the rules

And hearts in twos

'Cause that's what the baddest do"

"I spit heat I melt your face off

Disappear I'm your eraser

In the cut just like a razor

Murder business

Where my blazer?

I got all the boys on me

I got all the lines on ring

Knock 'em dead turning heads

I got all the eyes on me"

I flick the label of my blazer. The next set of lyrics, I kick off the stage, floating for a moment due to ice in the custom space in the soles of my boots.

"So keep your eyes on me now

And what you see will lift you off the ground

A level you've never reached

I see you really wanna fight with me

We got it all in our hands now

So can you handle what we're all about

We're so tough

Not scared to show you up

Can you feel the rush now"

Midnight appears from the shadows behind me, dancing around the stage as she sings backup.

"Gonna break the rules (down, down, down, down, down, down)

They can try it but we're gonna wear the crown

And hearts in twos (round, round, round, round, round, round)

'Cause that's what the baddest do

We go hard

'Til we get it, get it

We go hard

We so in it, in it

We popstars

Only winning, winning now

Ain't nobody bringing us down, down, down, down"

"Sorry for the bad news sorry I'm so bad

Only took a minute for me to get what you had

Sorry for the bad news know it makes you sad

I'll be there for a minute baby

You should pack your bag

I'm doing damage, went just how I planned it

I do what I want when I say

Yeah I'm making the news but that ain't nothing new

To live on the edge of insane"

I swirl my finger in the air by my head.

"Coming at you live real real wild

Here to light it up

Set the world on fire

Gonna break the rules

And hearts in twos

'Cause that's what the baddest do

Never going back

Nah not that

Diamonds on drip 'cause I came to make a splash

Gonna break the rules

And hearts in twos

'Cause that's what the baddest do"

"Gonna break the rules (down, down, down, down, down, down)

They can try it but we're gonna wear the crown

And hearts in twos (round, round, round, round, round, round)

'Cause that's what the baddest do

We go hard

'Til we get it, get it

We go hard

We so in it, in it

We popstars (we popstars, popstars)

'Cause that's what the baddest do"

"Baddest do what the baddest do

The baddest do we the baddest ooh

Baddest do what the baddest do

The baddest do we the baddest"

As the song ends, I quickly snap away my blazer, masking it in flames. Nightmare switches places with his sister, and we keep the ball rolling. Going straight into the next song.

[Snow & Nightmare]

"No halo

Baby, I'm the reason why Hell's so hot

Inferno

Baby, I'm the reason why bad's so fun, Hell's so hot

Oh so"

The dancing that I do is enough to have Alastor's eyes widen, and his smile tight, as Angel cheers quietly.

Nightmare sings his part walking around me, as I watch him with predatory looking eyes, making them glow with power for effect.

"Terribly like terrible, she's the villain

One as sweet as caramel, she's my saint

Think I'm getting butterflies, but it's really

Something telling me to run away"

I make a pushing motion towards Nightmare, who acts like he stumbles back and scrambles out of frame.

"No halo

Baby, I'm the reason why Hell's so hot

Inferno

Baby, I'm the reason why bad's so fun, Hell's so hot

Oh so"

"Na-na-na-na-na-na, yeah, yeah, yeah

Na-na-na-na-na-na, yeah

Bad's so fun, Hell's so hot

Oh so"

He sings stalking back, repeating the earlier actions.

"Manic like a chandelier, crack the ceiling

Marie Antoinette 'cause she's lost her head

Falling for exteriors, as appealing

As they might be, I know I'm afraid"

"No halo

Baby, I'm the reason why Hell's so hot

Inferno

Baby, I'm the reason why bad's so fun, Hell's so hot

Oh so"

"Ah, ah

Ah, ah, ah, ah

Ah, ah

Bad's so fun, Hell's so hot

Oh so

Na-na-na-na-na-na, yeah, yeah, yeah

Na-na-na-na-na-na, yeah

Bad's so fun, Hell's so hot

Oh so hot"

I lick my lips at the end, and jump off stage as Dex ends the broadcast, allowing all of the devices previously protected, to fall prey to Vox's tantrum.

"Whoooo! Who knew you was hidin' that, under the posh facade." Angel of course, was too excited to keep it down any more.

Alastor walking up next to me, glaring slightly at my clothes, snapping his fingers so my outfit changes back to one of my normal cargo pants, and t-shirts.

"I do believe this suits you more, my dear."

"Thanks, Al. I was going to do that in a moment." I give him a small sincere smile, before turning to face Angel. "Like I said earlier, everything has a time and place. While I do prefer my normal attire, a change was necessary for the show. People are more likely to respect someone who is both ruthless, and smartly dressed." The shorts hadn't been super short, simply shorter, and tighter than my norm. I hitch my thumb back towards Alastor. "Exhibit, A."

Alastor's smile twitched for a moment, like he was trying to hold back a laugh.

Charlie bounces over, dragging a drowsy looking Vaggie, behind her. "It looked, and sounded amazing! Really. Buuuuutttt..." She trails off like she's trying to find the best way to say something.

Vaggie comes to her rescue, picking up where she left off. "But, it seems pretty dangerous to keep provoking the V's. They are Overlords for a reason."

I level my gaze on the two. "I'm well aware that they are Overlords, and all too familiar with their power. I issued the challenge with a purpose. I was going to wait a while before making a splash, but people like them are not simply going to 'let me go'. So why not simply make my power truly known, and snag my own seat at the Overlord's table."

"That's just plain stupid."

I cock my head. "Oh? The drunken kitten finally speaks? Shouldn't you be halfway comatose by now, you're on your second bottle." I sass back. "Look, I hold far more souls, and skill, than you know. I don't simply rush in blind, I have a team for info, a team for recon, and many, many more. Only a would run into something completely blind."

"Yet you feed contracts to your contracted souls." Alastor inserts.

I snap my gaze to him, my glare obvious. "A strong team, strengthens you in the long run. I've told you that before. If someone someone has the information, and a decent strategy, a pawn can fell a king." My glare turns into a smirk. "Lucky for me, I also have power on my side."

"It's too dangerous, and the hotel's reputation could take a hit." Ah, so that's what was really bothering Vaggie.

"The shows I've done have gained traction with the sinners, so doing a concert here at the hotel eventually, would be a wonderful boon to the place. The effect will only be stronger once I'm an Overlord. Sinners will simply be tripping over themselves to join your efforts." I wave off her concerns.

"She acts like a lazy cat, but she's nearly unstoppable in combat." Midnight pipes up, looking at her nails.

I flip her off.

"Yo, boss?"

"Yes, candy?" I look over my shoulder at Nightmare, who was doing his best to dodge Angel's wondering hands. "Need help with the bubblegum spider?"

Angel twitches at the nickname.

"Nah, I can always put him to sleep if it gets too bad. I was just wondering, if you were gonna feed us for our efforts? It's been over a week since we ate any of your cooking." The pastel haired man said, only half joking.

I laugh. "Of course, I wouldn't send you off hungry. And if I send leftovers, you better share them with all of the teams." I level the twins with a stern gaze. "Last time, it all 'mysteriously disappeared' before you got back to base." I cross my arms under my chest.

They both smile sheepishly. Midnight, ducking behind her brother as she says. "It was his idea!"

At the same time her brother said. "It was her idea!"

I look at them unimpressed.

"I'm surprised, it seems you treat your souls more like your children, little fox." Alastor inserts, watching the interaction with interest.

I snort, putting my hand up to keep to spit, and snot from flying. Unable to contain the laughter. "They practically are kids, Alastor. They were only twenty one, when they died, and Dex wasn't much older, only a couple of years."

"If they're kids, how old was you when ya died, toots?" Angel pipes up.

"Thirty two, old enough to have a more mature mindset. Did all of you think I was some kind of young thing?" I laugh into my hand.

Angel shrugs. "Kinda? It's sorta hard to tell with demons."

"I worked in childcare, and retail for most of my working years. I also was the primary caretaker for my brother in my teens, and my ailing father in my twenties, while others worked." I close my eyes to hide the blank stare of painful memories, rolling my neck out of habit, before I open them again, my mask firmly back in place. "It became second nature to take care of those who need it." I move away from the small crowd towards the door, calling out behind me. "I'll go get breakfast together. Go take a nap if it's needed, or find somewhere to hangout."