The Isekai Sinner

“Alastor, good of you to join us,” Carmilla Carmine greeted, a cold, predatory glint in her eyes. “Your insight could be invaluable to us today.”

Alastor chuckled good-naturedly and went to his seat beside Rosie. “Well!” he purred. “I do enjoy when one of my many talents is recognized.” Rosie tittered happily next to him while a mixed chorus of amusement and exasperation from around the room. Alastor had to bite back the manic laughter coiling in his chest. As much as he had settled into the domestic, friendly atmosphere of the hotel, he still basked in the occasional chaos he could find, especially if he was the catalyst of it. 

Patience…

“I don’t know, Carmine,” Vox sneered. “Alastor has reduced himself to the position of Royal Guard Dog. If it goes against his master’s wishes, he probably can’t tell us a thing about the rumors.”

Alastor turned to the end of the table where all three Vees were sitting. Vox was man-spreading in his chair, his screened face smug and entitled as always. Velvette was sprawled over her seat, playing with her phone, alternating between selfies and scrolling away, not even looking up. Then there was Valentino, his gaze locked on Alastor with a scowl that was as pointed as it was ugly, his arms crossed like a petulant child. 

“Ah, this must be a special occasion,” Alastor crooned mockingly. “All three of you have graced us with your presence. My my! Miracles in Hell…”

Vox spluttered and glitched. “Yeah, like you make it to every meeting!”

“Oh, but I do, old chum!” Alastor laughed, his smile taking on a sharp edge. “Some of us take all of our responsibilities seriously, no matter how tedious they may be. Then again, I have always been known to multitask quite well, so I suppose it is unfair to hold you to the same standard.”

“You fucking-”

“Gentlemen!” Carmine snarled, shutting up the idiot box. “Let us focus on the issues at hand.” She turned to Alastor, eyes narrowed. “As the Overlord with direct access to the Morningstars, I am sure you are aware of the rumor spreading about a new Magne?” Alastor nodded once, smile not faltering. “Can you confirm if it is true, and if so, how it will affect the Sinner population?”

Alastor sighed dramatically. “Oh, yes, the Magne. I should have known that was the concern you wished me to shed some light on.” He leaned back and expected his claws in a show of boredom. “How dull.”

“Hah!” Valentino laughed, leaning forward, smug and leering. “Papa Diablo kept you out of the loop as well, didn’t he? Couldn’t trust his loyal bitch with such precious secrets, hm?”

Alastor growled under his breath, more of a rumble in his chest really, but otherwise didn’t show any reaction. He glanced at Valentino from the corner of his eye, then turned his attention back to Carmilla. “His Majesty has given me a statement to share regarding the matter, as I was quite certain that it would be touched upon today. He has confirmed that he has, indeed, granted the title to a lucky demon, who is currently being prepared for their introduction to the Court and, later, to the general population.”

“Yes, but who is it? Which Hellborn was selected?” a newer Overlord asked. Alastor had not been introduced, nor saw a reason to be at this point. Unless they were a heavy-hitter, maintained their status for a few years, and stayed out of his way, he didn’t see a need to grow overly familiar. 

“I am afraid that their identity is being withheld until their debut.” Alastor turned his attention back to Carmilla. “We will all be made aware of their identity and breeding in six months, though the exact date is currently pending. I shall, however, keep you updated as the Royal family makes their decisions.”

Rosie tittered again. “My, how exciting! Think of all the drama, my dears!” Alastor grinned at her. Of course, Rosie already knew everything, as did he, but she was always good at playing it up for those out of the loop. After all, no one had found out about his involvement with Lucifer, had they? He smiled at the thought. It was always good to keep a trump card up his sleeve, for now.

Carmilla nodded as she took in the information. “And how it will affect us...?”

“I do not believe I am seasoned enough to comment on that particular matter.” Alastor turned to Zestial. “I don’t suppose you have some lived experience with such things?”

Zestial hummed. “Thou art correct; I have been in Hell for quite some time.” He turned to Carmilla. “I do not think we require concern, old friend. Magne of the past enjoyed privileges, yet few cared to wield any true power. I have naught any recollection of their interaction with Sinners at all. We have nothing to fear of them, as long as we refrain from interacting with them.”

Alastor smiled a bit wider as Carmilla relaxed. This was perfect if he could only encourage them to take Zestial’s words to heart! If Vox and his cohorts continued to target Stitches, then once she made her debut, they had one more reason to give the Overlord Council to turn on the Vees! It would take some gentle guidance to ensure that they remained steadfast in their opinion to not mess with the Magne, to pass an accord to make it a rule among them, but he had six months. 

He would make it happen, to protect his Little Vixen’s future...

“We will allow the topic to rest for now, then,” Carmilla agreed, turning to other pressing topics. Alastor listened attentively, but his mind also wandered to what was taking place at the hotel. Stitches was there, resting after her morning’s treatment, but it was Lucifer that his thoughts were concerned with. Not that he doubted the King’s ability to carry out his mission.

He just hoped it would go as smoothly as his confrontation with Vox after the meeting….

____________________________________________________________________________

Lucifer was very much doubting his ability to carry out his mission. King of Hell? Maybe, but in name only (for now), and he was far from the crafty diplomat many expected him to be. He was a man of action: see a problem, throw some powers at it, and celebrate by making pancakes. But when it came to being subtle and dealing with other people? Yeah… why the fuck was this his mission again?

“Dad, relax,” Stitches whispered, leaning on him more than necessary as he helped her to the couch in the lobby. For her part, she was to play up being weak and sickly to get the attention of the spies that Charlie had gathered downstairs for an “activity”. They would then “catch” the spies in the act, and Lucifer would deliver a nice juicy warning, a barely veiled threat. “You know the script, Charlie has everything set up, and we are going to crush this!”

“If I don’t fuck up my lines….” he muttered.

Stitches huffed a laugh, keeping her voice low. “No matter what happens, just keep smiling. Don’t let them smell your fear.” She squeezed his arm. “Charlie and I are both there for backup. Just pretend it is a performance under the big top at LuLu World.” She gave a devilish smirk. “If all else fails, we’ll post a funny edit of your fuck up on Sinstagram!” She snickered at his unamused expression. “We’ll go so viral, it will break the internet for days!”

Lucifer rolled his eyes and pinched her side playfully. “Very funny. Now shut up and act all weak and helpless.”

“One damsel in post-distress, coming right up!” she purred, and her body crumpled into a barely conscious stupor as they got close to the couch, moaning in pain. She raised her voice so the room could hear it. “I don’t want to be down here. Just take me to my room, please, Your Majesty.”

Lucifer gave a sympathetic hum, also raising his voice. “You have been couped up there too long. Even your doctor said that you needed some fresh air, so lay here and enjoy it. You know you might not be able to much longer, seeing how we can’t reverse the damage.”

Immediately, the room of spies perked up, some less subtle than others, but all of them forgoing Charlie’s lecture to listen in with intent. Lucifer hated even pretending that Stitches was seriously injured or dying, but he had to admit, it was a brilliant plan. If the Vees were trying to get their hands on her, the spies would freak out at the news and slip up. He just needed Charlie to-

“What is this!?” Charlie growled, snatching away one of the more obvious spy’s phone. The small demon protested lamely, but Charlie quickly scrolled through it. Her demonic features started coming out as she glared down at the Sinner. “How dare you!” she spat.

That’s the signal.

“Char-Char,” Lucifer called out, leaving Stitches to approach her, “what’s wrong, sweetie?”

Charlie looked up at Lucifer and tossed the phone to him, much to the small spy’s dismay and the nervous tensing of the other Sinners present. “Tammy took a photo of you and Stitches, which is against hotel policy to take pictures without consent. But when I came over to ask her to delete it, I saw that she was getting ready to send it to Vox.” Charlie’s eyes narrowed down on the woman who was beginning to shrink in on herself. “It looks like she has been spying on us for the Vees.”

“Y-your Majesties!” the little ewe begged. “I can explain! I was forced, he owns my soul-”

Lucifer barked a humorless laugh and rolled his eyes dramatically. “You are really going to try to lie to the Devil? I’m the Father of Lies, I can tell when someone is lying-” not completely true, but he was pretty accurate, usually “-and even if I wasn’t, I can see the chains of deals!” That, however, was completely true when he wanted to. He may not be able to know exactly who was on the other side of the chain or what it pertained to, not without touching the chain and summoning the contract from the records room at that palace, but he could see the chains. He could even tell how deep the deal went, whether or not a soul was involved, all with a simple willingness to see it. 

And this little lamb demon had no chains.

“You are willingly working for the Vees,” Lucifer stated. “Admit it, and you can go pack your things and check out of the hotel with the option to return to when you decide to actually give redemption a chance. Continue to lie, and you will be thrown out and barred from coming back.”

Charlie, keeping to script, did not protest. It was an idle threat; the Hazbin Hotel was all about forgiveness and second chances, so Charlie would never permanantly bar someone from coming back, if they were serious about changing. But the spies didn’t need to know that.

“I-I…” Tammy hung her head and nodded. “Your right, I came here to spy on Stitches. It was an easy gig, and-”

“Oh?~” Stitches purred, smoothly standing up and making her way over, to the shock of the spies gathered. “Interesting… I wonder what the Vees could want with little old me?” She smiled at the Sinner and leaned forward, her eyes full of mischief. “Perhaps you can tell me?” she asked sweetly.

The ewe gulped and shook her head. “I’m sorry, I really don’t know…”

“What do you know?” Stitches cooed. “If you want to stay at the hotel, I am open to it, as long as the owners and staff are. I would never want to get in the way of someone’s redemption. But, I need proof that you are ready to leave the Vees and their pay. So, give me something to work with.” She smiled sympathetically, and leaned back, giving Tammy room to breathe. “Or, keep your silence, and go pack your bags, if you would rather stay in their employment. I know how hard it is finding stable work, and if you plan on remaining in Hell forever, I wouldn’t want you to sacrifice your income.”

Lucifer was both proud of his daughter’s skills and a little overwhelmed at how good she was with the manipulation. Alastor would proud, and even though the Radio Demon often commented on the similarities between Stitches and Lucifer, when it came to strategies and weaponizing words, she definitely was Alastor’s kid. He giggled internally, wondering when the two of them would admit that their bond was more than a mentor and a protegie. 

Tammy started crying in relief. “I wanna stay! You are all so nice here, and I want to go to Heaven and be with my kids again!” She raised her chin defiantly. “I am not the only spy here! I don’t know who the other ones are, but I know the Vees have sent quite a few! I can help find them all!”

Lucifer grinned viciously as the spies in the room started sweating. “Oh, we would be happy to gain whatever insight you can provide us. Though, we already have our suspicions on who the others are…” Stitches and Charlie joined him in slowly meeting the gaze of every spy there, vicious grins meeting terrified faces. “I would suggest that any spy who wishes to cut ties with the Vees and extend their stay here come forward and see Charlie in her office. Those who can’t or won’t…” He let his horns, tail, and wings appear as he lowered his voice to a growl. “I suggest you leave the hotel before I make you.” 

Satisfied with their captivated audience, he grinned and clapped his hands, returning to his usual countenance. “I think we can call the activity done for the day!” he chirped cheerily. “Charlie, Stitches, would you care to join me in my suite for some tea? I think we should give everyone 24 hours to make their decisions, and we need to discuss the list of known and suspected spies. Tammy, would you follow us as well?”

Tammy nodded vigorously and trailed behind them as they left the spies behind, Lucifer summoning a portal to his rooms. As the portal closed behind them, Lucifer laughed and dropped into a chair, the tension of the mission falling away. “Did you see that!?” he cheered. “Unholy FUCK that went well!”

Stitches smirked and sunk into the loveseat, Charlie following her lead and helping her lay down with Stitches’ head in her lap. The doll demon was looking much more exhausted now that the excitement was over. She sighed contentedly and closed her eyes as her older sister started carding through her hair. “I told you it would work,” she teased. “You all thought it was crazy to plant a fake spy, but I knew the Vees weren’t smart enough to keep all their people informed of each other.” She glanced at the sheep-demon, who was standing next to Lucifer blankly. “Dad, you gonna keep it around indefinitely or…?”

Lucifer glanced at it and flushed slightly, coughing to hide his embarrassment. “Oh, right!” He closed his eyes and focused. The sheep demon shimmered, shifting into it’s real form as one of Lucifer’s clones, then melted away into golden dust as the atoms and consciousness remerged with Lucifer. He opened his eyes and stretched. “Ugh, that was a long two weeks! I haven’t had to keep up a clone that long in ages!”

Charlie laughed. “At least you didn’t have to do it 24/7, just a couple hours a day. I can’t imagine that would have been comfortable otherwise.” She looked down at her sister in awe. “I still can’t believe you had started planning for this two weeks ago!”

“Char!” Stitches gasped in mock offense. “I would never come up with such a detailed plan in two weeks.” She smirked and closed her eyes, leaning into Charlie’s palm. “I have been playing with the idea for months, ever since Dad explained how his clones work when he used some to help decorate for your last party.”

Lucifer shook his head, smiling with pride. “Your foresight is truly something, Duckling.”

Stitches hummed, half-asleep. Charlie and Lucifer shared a fond look, and Lucifer summoned a blanket over his exhausted youngest while his oldest kept playing with her hair. He glanced at the clock. If everything went well, Alastor would be home in an hour or so, and then they would know if his missions went well too. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Alastor was very satisfied how well his missions were turning out. The Overlord Council was mullified for now, and he had the added bonus of possibly getting them to pass an accord, making it impossible for the Vees to touch the Magne without repercussions from the Council. Now, just a few streets away from the meeting, the Vees were posturing in front of him, providing the perfect (and planned) segue into his final mission: subtly threatening them to back off.

“Ah, if it isn’t my old chum and his cohorts!” Alastor chuckled, leaning on his cane nonchalantly. “What can I do for you, my irritable fiends?”

Vox grinned. “Oh, I just heard a little rumor that one of your guests was the victim of a rather unsavory course of events! Shame really. Then again, when you sneak down to a different Ring, bad things tend to happen…”

Alastor sighed dramatically, and looked at his claws, tightening his hold on his shadow. The thing was practically vibrating with rage, but allowing it to react would ruin everything that Stitches had set up. Patience, you fool, he chided internally, knowing the shadow would at least feel the emotions behind it, let this play out as intended. He glanced up at Vox and raised an eyebrow. “Blaming a woman for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, Vox? My, how low brow. I suppose next you will be commenting on her outfit? Really, I thought we were more evolved as a species!” He turned fully to him and gave a vicious smile. “I much prefer to put the blame on those who attack those who are vulnerable, not with the one who was attacked. I find that predators are so much more entertaining to tear apart.”

Vox’s screen flickered, so briefly, it was barely noticable. Unfortunately, the bulge growing in his pants from Alastor’s threat was impossible to miss. Alastor cringed internally, loathing how this disgusting cretin was so “down bad” for him, as the newer Sinners liked to say. Only one person in all 3 realms was allowed to yearn for him, and Lucifer would certainly be hearing about this! Watching his little Ducky fly into a possessive fit was always entertaining, and the thought of his partner exploding into his full, glorious form was enough to keep him from trying to castrate the TV head here and now. 

Valentino scoffed. “We supposed to be intimidated by you, papi? Perhpas if you kept a tighter leash on the little bitch, she would find herself better off.” He took a puff from his cigarrette and blew it out in what was, supposedly, a seductive manner, but it just made the moth look desperate. “I would be more than happy to take the sweet thing off your hands, teach her some manners.”

Alastor’s eyes narrowed, and it was taking everything within him to not launch himself at Valentino. The suggestion that he would ever allow this digusting insect near his Little Vixen was infuriating! He wanted to gouge out the moth’s eyes for ever looking upon her, tear out his tongue for daring to speak of her, and rip off his hands for fantasizing of touching her. Stitches was his responsibility, his project, his student, his dau-

Alastor twirled his cane and let the microphone play a laugh track as he regained his composure. “Oh, yes, I imagine such a rare specimen would be quite the boon for your… business ventures.” Alastor kept his tone friendly, but laced the last part with unfiltered distaste. “However, my good fellow, I regret to inform you that as a guest at the Hazbin Hotel, she falls under the jurisdiction and protection of Princess Charlotte, and, by proxy, the King of Hell. As the Princess’s hotelier and business partner, that also puts the young demoness under my protection, as Overlord.”

“Hah, yeah right!” Velvette scoffed. “You know that the Council doesn’t recognize any Overlord’s holdings in another’s terf, and since, by your own admission, the Morningstars have claim over the hotel, you can’t mark it as part of your territory!”

Alastor tutted. “Now now, Miss Velvette,” he lectured, “if we aren’t allowed to claim that which belongs to Lucifer and his family, then no one’s territory could be claimed. After all, this is his realm. In a way, he owns us all.” He sighed and leaned on his cane again, giving the three a lazy smile. “But you will notice that I simply said it was under my protection, not my territory. As is well known, I have little desire for land holdings, beyond my radio towers. No no, I would find no entertainment in something so boring as managing properties. I can, however, lend my power and support to those I choose to, and for now, that happens to be the Hazbin Hotel and those within. Should you or those you work with happen to find themselves trespassing, I am within my rights to dispose of the trash however I see fit.”

The Vees exchanged a glance as suddenly, all three of their phones started ringing and buzzing. From the looks on their faces, Lucifer’s mission must have been a success. Seeing no reason to keep them distracted any longer, he laughed maniacally and let his form change, growing into the “eldrich horror” that everyone feared. Velvette gasped and clutched her phone to her chest. Valentino yelped and hid himself behind Vox. Vox stared up at him with a mix of irritation and lust.

“Stitches the doll demon is not any of your concern.” Alastor growled. He narrowed his dial eyes at Vox. “I may not be able to do anything to you over her, but I assure you, His Majesty is under no such restrictions. If she falls to harm once more by your hands, he has the evidence needed to destroy everything you have built.” He lowered his voice to a whisper, focusing his eyes on Vox with glee. “His Majesty would love to know how Sinners can travel to the other Rings. Seems that someone has set up quite the underground smuggling operation. The information he has been digging up has led to quite the electrifying theories. I, of course, am aware of who runs the entire outfit, but I woud hate to ruin the fun by having to reveal what I know about it, don’t you agree?”

Vox’s screen froze, and his cohorts shared a glance that confirmed Alastor’s suspicions, and more importantly, Stitches’ theory. Alastor knew Vox had access to the other Rings, always had. TV and Radio both used air waves, after all, and for all the ways that Sinners were magically and physically kept from sneaking to the other Rings, the wards were in need of a tune up. While Alastor was content with staying in Pride and had never bothered exploring the other Rings, Vox had always been too curious and full of himself to refrain. Getting caught could lead to serious consequences, hence why Alastor had always avoided it, keeping the option in his bag of tricks, but only as a last resort. 

It had been Stitches, however, who had brought up the possibility of Vox, with support of the other two, accessing and spreading their influence through the other Rings, especially after her drugging. Finding evidence would be tricky, but by revealing that it was an issue Lucifer was looking into and inferring that they were already implicated in it would make them believe that there was evidence. It had been a risk, playing this card to make them back off, but Stitches’ had insisted that it was worth it.

Alastor’s pride in her instincts was overflowing as he shrank back to his usual stature, dusting off his his shoulders and straightening his clothes.

Vox cleared his throat, drawing his attention back to the cowering trio. “I suppose we both have things we want to protect,” he hedged, his glitching screen giving away his unease. “You keep Lucifer out of our more-” he waved his hand around as though searching for the right word “-hidden business practices, and we will give your little pet Sinner a wide berth.”

Alastor wasn’t happy with the vague perameters, but if he pushed too much, he risked Vox redoubling his efforts against Stitches. After all, when it came to getting under Alastor’s skin, he would risk everything just to poke at a weakness. If he realized just how much Alastor claimed the little doll demon, he would stop at nothing to harm her to get to him. 

“Oh, I suppose I can be convinced,” Alastor shrugged. “Add that no more deviant drugs will be involved in any further explorations with those living within the hotel, and you have an agreement. I can forgive many of your deplorable attempts at messing with what you see as mine, but I will not abide things of a sexual nature, certainly not when consent is breached.” 

Vox immediately agreed, grabbing the other two and zapping away. It itked how similar Vox’s powers were to his own, like using his electricity to move about at a quick, nearly unstoppable way, just like how Alastor used his shadows. However, in the wake of his victory, he decided not to dwell on it. As Alastor strolled back to the hotel, he hummed happily, spinning his cane, looking forward to hearing how the others had done.

____________________________________________________________________________

“FUCK!” Vox yelled as they zapped into the meeting room of their tower, slamming his fists on the table.

Valentino growled. “We aren’t seriously giving up on getting my doll, are we? Those putas can’t ju-”

“Shut up, Val!” Velvette snarled, drawing Vox’s attention too. She crossed her arms and cocked her hip. “I warned both of you not to take this shit too far, to be smart, and you fuckers didn’t bloody listen, so now we do this my way!” She took out her phone and started typing away furiously. “Neither of you make another move against that Sinner, not until I clean up this mess. Recall all the spies at the hotel, they are freaking the fuck out because Lucifer and his brat threatened them. We stick to only observing for now, and if you have any scheduled attacks planned, you call them off, NOW!”

“But-”

“Vox, finish that sentence, and I will feed you to your own shark!”