Chapter Text
A month after the party Lucifer had made a date for the meeting at the hotel. Mammon was sitting in a large gaming room. He was wearing a large grass green hoodie and had just beaten his old record for the first Kingdom Hearts game. When Queenie appeared in front of him, Mammon gently laid the game controller on a small black table.
“Come on big guy…” Queenie said, flying on to Mammon’s stomach after he sat back in the chair. “We promised Al and Lucy we’d be there.”
“I can think of other things we could be doing…” Mammon said, rubbing Queenie’s wing.
“Oh no you don’t…I want to check on my people at the bar. I also need to check on The Jackpot, if it makes you feel any better you can pick on my ex while we’re there.” Queenie said, flying back to the floor.
“Husk right…the one who called your squeaks pointless and annoying. The one who tried to drain your bank account. The same one who is now owned by Alastor.” Mammon said, standing up.
“Yeah, that’s the one…” Queenie said, looking away from Mammon.
Mammon reaches for Queenie’s face and gets her to look at him. “I’ll get changed.”
After Mammon got changed he took himself and Queenie to the hotel. Nobody else was there except for Lucifer, Alastor, Charlie, Vaggie and a ton of other sinners. The sinners all stared at Mammon and Queenie. Queenie was on Mammon’s shoulder like usual, but then Mammon gently removed her. Mammon held Queenie in front of himself like a child would to show their parents their first trophy. Mammon then placed Queenie down in front of Lucifer as everyone watched. His heart racing, worried about whatever would happen when the others showed up. Worried about Charlie trying to redeem Queenie about Queenie realizing that she could do so much better. Of Satan doing his usual flex, of being alone again. Worried Lucifer wouldn’t like Queenie just because she was a sinner. Mammon could almost hear his own heartbeat the room was so quiet.
Mammon swallowed hard. “Luci, this is Queenie…” Mammon said, as he gently stroked Queenie’s wings.
Lucifer at first just looked at Queenie, Lucifer wasn’t used to a Mammon that didn’t make it a show. Or didn’t just jump right into a talk about money, Mammon finally looked broken. Deep down Lucifer knew it was because of what Beelzebub had done at the party. Lucifer hadn’t been told or shown everything, but he knew enough. Just by looking at how Mammon and Queenie were right now. Lucifer knew that Mammon actually cared for the sinner. The only sin besides Satan that he doubted would ever find a good partner for themselves. But Mammon had found one, even if Queenie was a sinner she made Mammon happy. And for Lucifer that was what actually mattered, he could make his peace with the rest. Once Lucifer got closer to Queenie, he surprised everyone by hugging her. Lucifer was happy that his duck making partner had finally found someone. In truth Lucifer stopped spending so much time with Mammon because Mam just seemed so much stronger and so much more independent than the others. Like Hell could fall apart around him and Mammon would be the one working to figure out how to either fix it or to at least slow the break. Lucifer thought back on how Mammon was as a kid, even in Heaven Mammon was always trying to make people happy. But then after being in Hell for a few years. Something had happened Lucifer had never found out what, but Mammon was never the same. In fact he seemed to put some distance between himself and the other sins. And Mammon would never let Lilith get anywhere near him.
“Thank you for looking after Mammon.” Lucifer was surprised when Queenie returned the hug.
“Don’t worry…I won’t be what breaks him.” Queenie said, releasing Lucifer from the hug.
Lucifer moved away nodding, Queenie walked past him and walked up to Alastor. Her and Alastor hugged, the hug seemed to last forever. They pulled free of the hug and smiled at each other. Queenie’s antennas had picked up on the smell of blood coming off Alastor. Both old and somewhat new, Alastor’s usually forced smile seemed lighter. He seemed lighter, like something in him had finally given way. Alastor winced when Queenie touched his arm, the same arm Shok. wav had bitten.
“Don’t worry my dear, it’s just a scratch…” Alastor said, his smile tightening.
“Just do me a favor…don’t disappear like that again.” Queenie said, feeling Alastor tense as Charlie approached.
“Oh wow, so you’re Queenie, your wings are so pretty. You’re so pretty, welcome to the Hazbin Hotel. Where redemption is POSSIBLE!” Charlie almost screamed as she hugged Queenie.
Queenie felt like Charlie was trying to break her ribs. Queenie noticed everyone else flinched from the hug even though they weren’t the ones getting squeezed to death. If Twilight Sparkle was the princess of friendship, then Charlie was the princess of trying to kill people through hugs. Queenie was so grateful when Mammon appeared behind her and then Charlie turned her attention to him. Charlie quickly jumped into Mammon’s arms while Queenie tried to catch her breath.
“Uncle Mammon, I’m so happy for you!” Charlie screamed, wrapping her arms and legs around Mammon the best she could.
Queenie watched them lightly laughing, then she spotted Husk at the bar. Queenie’s back stiffened as she walked towards the bar. Husk’s back was to Queenie so he didn’t see her till she had sat down in front of him. Husk turned to face Queenie as she stared at him from her seat. Husk ears fell back, he looked at Queenie like he had just seen a ghost. Husk’s nose took in Queenie’s scent whether he wanted it to or not. But Husk could also smell Mammon’s scent on her. The sin’s smell was faint, but it was there. If Husk hadn’t known better he would have sworn the scent was mocking him.
“So you haven’t paid off what you owe yet…you’re having one hell of a losing streak.” Queenie said, letting the left side of her hair drop in front of her eye.
Husk dropped the glass he had been holding, the moment the glass hit the floor. It shattered, Husk then saw Mammon behind Queenie. Husk stared at the massive sin, Mammon leaned over the bar. Charlie, sensing the tension, appeared next to Mammon.
“You know Husk, Uncle Mammon actually has a lot of the same powers you do.” Charlie says as her eyes almost bounce between the two.
“Oh really…” Mammon said, standing over Husk.
“Hey, how about you two put on a show together. It would be just like the old days…” Charlie said, almost bouncing up and down with joy.
“Um babe…I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Vaggie said, gently pulling Charlie away. ‘I love her, but Charlie really needs to read the room.’
“Look princess I really don’t think…” Husk started, but was interrupted by Mammon.
“No, I think it’s a good idea.” Mammon said, with a wicked grin spreading across his face.
All the sinners in the hotel had started to chant ‘show’. Queenie stared at Mammon, worried about him aggravating his old injuries. Queenie also knew that Mammon wasn’t going to back down. By asking Mammon to put on a show with Husk, her ex. Charlie had pretty much started a war and the worst part was she didn’t even know it. Charlie had run to Lucifer, but even he could tell this was a bad idea. But Lucifer wanted to make Charlie happy, despite everything. Alastor watched Lucifer, it was clear that he wanted to step in but decided against it. Queenie noticed the tired ‘he won’t listen’ smile that before Mammon she herself used to use.
“Look, we don’t have to do this.” Husk said, putting up his hands. “You’ve already got the girl, what more do you want?”
“To punish you, for everything you’ve said to my Queen. For every dollar you took from her and never paid back. And for this…” Mammon said, slamming a poker chip onto the bar. “Did you really think you could use my symbol and get away with it? Do you even know why Greed exists in the first place? Why some people's luck goes sour even with my power backing them?” Mammon said, removing his hand from the chip exposing the greed emblem cut into the back of the chip. “My power only respects and works for people who are willing to work. I will not reward people who steal from those they ‘love’.” Mammon said, noticing the now broken glass of whiskey on the floor. “You’ll have to earn the spotlight…”
Husk watched as Mammon picked Queenie up and placed her onto his shoulder. Husk looked down at the poker chip, the chip that had once been his lucky chip. He had found it the day he came to Hell, it wasn’t till a year after he became an Overlord. That Husk found out the symbol on the back was for the sin of Greed. Part of Husk knew he should have given it back, but it had brought him so much luck. The drinking had started so small, Husk had been anxious about the chip. And the fact that his latest partner had walked out on him didn’t help. She was scared shitless when she saw the symbol. And didn’t want the power of Mammon himself coming down on her head. Husk had laughed it off at the time, then Queenie showed up. At first things were great, but then his drinking got worse. Husk when he was sober didn’t mind the squeaking too much. Drunk was a very different story, Husk was convinced that Queenie would never leave. And then he stole Queenie’s money and some of her souls. That had been her breaking point, before he knew it he was on Alastor’s leash. Queenie had asked Alastor to take Husk's soul because she didn’t want to look at him again. Husk had never till now figured out what had happened to the poker chip. Mammon slamming it onto the bar had made Husk remember. He had bet it, the day Alastor had won his soul. The chip had been in the last pile Husk had played. Looking back at it now, Husk remembers Queenie was always playing with it. Hell he would put it in his coat pocket and the next time he saw it. The chip would be with Queenie and they hadn’t spent anytime together that day. Looking back it was like the chip was choosing Queenie. Like it was trying to tell Queenie where she really belonged. As Husk watched the pair, he realized that Mammon treated Queenie better than he ever had.
After the stage was set the show had started. Husk opened with a simple bouquet of flowers and Mammon surprised everyone by producing a field of flowers. They all looked plane enough, all the flowers that grew in Hell, Earth and Heaven. But in Queenie’s hands were beautiful roses, black, purple, pink, green and in the center was a golden one. The middle of the gold one was almost crown shaped. Queenie smiled and breathed in the flower's scent. Mammon then pulled out his old guitar and started playing the song Can You Hear Me Now. The notes appeared gold and green in color along with dollar signs. Husk was unable to answer back; he just watched as the notes floated around the room. Alastor realizing what Mammon was doing covered all the lights in shadows. Just so the only light in the room was coming from the music notes. A beautiful neon green glow filled the room, the crowd looked around in awe.
Lucifer looked around, he remembered Lilith had never liked Mammon’s playing. She thought that it was too aggressive, looking back Lucifer now knew that Lilith just didn’t like sharing the spotlight. Mammon meanwhile could sense an all too familiar magic outside the hotel. Outside golden green chains wrapped themselves around the building. Lilith had arrived and as she reached for the door the chains had slapped her hand away. Lilith stared at the chain as she held her now cut and bleeding hand. Mammon, the only person besides Belphegor and Leviathan that had never trusted her. Mammon was also the only one who could sense her magic. After what she had done and said to him all those years ago. Mammon had needed someone to help him with his own nightmares. But instead Lilith had yelled at Mammon and told him to grow up. She had also locked Mammon in his room, it was meant to be an hour. But Lilith had gotten a drink and checked on the others. And she had forgotten about Mammon. Till the next day when Asmodeus asked where he was. Belphegor had looked at her that moment and cried. That was when Lilith remembered what she had done and Mammon was never the same after that. At first Lilith thought he had made the chains because he was still angry. But no Mammon was punishing her for everything, he was protecting them. Especially Charlie after she was born, Lilith hadn’t liked how much time Charlie had spent with Lucifer and Mammon. She didn’t want them to make Charlie weak, more Lucifer than Mammon. Charlie had somehow inherited Mammon’s determination and stubbornness, she had also inherited the need to save people. Lucifer had always tried to be more like Mammon, but he had always fallen short. In a way Lilith had always been a little afraid of Mammon's power. When he was in the right state of mind Mammon had an endless ambition. Always thinking of new ways to make money, ways to grow his empire once he had it. Always thinking of how to help Lucifer feel better about whatever was bothering at the moment. Mammon always knew how to bring a smile to everyone's face.
Inside Husk had used his rings to turn the notes into spotlights. Mammon produced a massive carnival game like hammer and under him a giant golden green ball appeared. An evil grin on his face, Mammon started to roll the ball. Mammon could hear his heart pounding in his chest. Asmodeus and the others had shown up as Mammon started rolling around the room. Hitting the rings with the massive hammer, it had split them apart. The rings fell to the floor with a series of clans, Husk was trying to avoid getting hit by one. Had disappeared into his hat, Mammon pulled off his own hat as he stopped the ball. Mammon’s antennas had picked up on Husk magic or rather the magic for making deals. It was the one piece of magic he had granted the very first Overlords. Mammon found it so fast that it had actually surprised him. Mammon jumped on the ball and launched himself into the air. Then massive neon green wings shot out of Mammon’s back, they looked worn out and beaten. Some of the feathers were missing and had been replaced with almost golden electricity made ones. The back side of Mammon’s wings were also a bright golden color. Mammon grabbed Husk as he reappeared, Husk stared at the massive sin. Then Mammon noticed Satan talking to Queenie, he then threw Husk at Satan.
“I’m not impressed, you’re just an overgrown imp who needs to be knocked on his ass.” Queenie, seeing Mammon throwing Husk, tried to fly away.
“Oh no you don’t you little whore!” Satan screamed just as Husk landed on the back of his neck.
Once Queenie was free of Satan’s hand she flew to Mammon. Who was now leaning against the wall holding his knee. Queenie kissed Mammon and landed on the floor in front of him.
“Are you okay?” Queenie asked, starting to rub Mammon’s knee.
“Yea…I just twisted my knee when I landed.” Mammon said, watching Queenie.
Satan then threw Husk back at Mammon, but Alastor’s shadow tentacles grabbed Husk mid air. Alastor then went full demon and stood face to face with the dragon. And Satan actually cowered especially after getting the very strong smell of death coming off Alastor. Alastor didn’t back off till he noticed Lucifer trying to hide. Alastor returned to normal and went back to Lucifer’s side. He then helped Lucifer to his feet, the sinners hadn’t noticed they were still watching Mammon and Queenie. Alastor watched as Mammon forced himself to stand on his leg. Their eyes met and they both nodded to each other as if to say they understood each other. Charlie had finally realized that she had fucked up. Husk was still on the floor almost too scared to move. Beelzebub had picked up Mammon’s hat, tears fell from her eyes as she did. Queenie had flown to where Bee was and was hovering in front of her for some time. Before finally Queenie grabbed Mammon’s hat out of Beelzebub’s hands. She then flew away before Bee could say anything, making sure her wing slapped Bee’s face. Making sure one of the knives hidden in her wings cut Beelzebub’s face.
Ozzie was going to confront Queenie, but then he noticed Mammon’s antenna. Beelzebub had told him about what Belphegor had shown her and Leviathan. Fizzarolli was also staring at Mammon, he then watched as Queenie placed Mammon’s hat back onto his head. Making sure not to hurt Mammon’s antennas, Fizz also noticed how Mammon was looking at Queenie. Fear, fear that Queenie would leave and choose someone else. She didn’t, instead Queenie returned to Mammon’s shoulder and gently leaned against his head. Fizz knew that look all too well, after all he himself had had it on his own face one too many times in the past. Hell, there were times when Fizz would still catch himself making that very face that Mammon had. Then Charlie walked up to the couple and Queenie gave her an icy stare.
“Word of advice, never pretend to know people.” Queenie said, her voice was so cold that it could have frozen water. “That drunk cat over there…” Queenie said, using her foot to point at Husk. “Is nothing like your uncle, especially in power. I suggest that you actually learn about us sinners and the sins that you call family. Every demon has a rainbow, but we also have trauma. Mammon has a ton of it due to those people.” Queenie said, pointing to Satan, Ozzie and Bee. “Your father has it due to Heaven, you and your mother.” She watched Charlie carefully. “Tell me do you know the price of everything?”
Queenie started to sing.
There’s a price just to live
A price to trust
A price to love even when it hurts
Do you know the price?
Queenie flew up into the air and stayed above Charlie.
The price to the pain people cause
The price for all your own actions
There’s a price to everything
Do you know the price?
Queenie flew to the other sinners as they nodded to what she was singing.
There’s a price just to live
A price to trust
A price to love even when it hurts
Do you know the price?
Queenie stared at Bee and Ozzie as she flew higher.
The price to be ourselves
The price just to be
There’s a price for everything
Do you know the price?
She flew back to the spot just above Mammon.
The price to the pain people cause
The price for all your own actions
There’s a price to everything
Do you know the price?
Queenie sang as she stared once more at Ozzie, Bee and then to Satan.
To love and have it taken
The price of a broken heart
The price to all the pain
Do you know the price?
Queenie sang as something that looked like glitter fell from her wings. Alastor knew what it was right away as did Mammon. Alastor quickly put up a shadow shield around himself, Lucifer and Charlie. Baxter despite being curious about the glitter had grabbed Niffty and hid. Cherri, Vaggie and a few others did the same. While others weren’t so lucky, everyone else fell to the floor paralyzed. Mammon had managed to protect Leviathan and Belphegor from the glitter as it fell. All Mammon felt from the glitter was a small tingle as it landed onto his body. Mammon noticed something else, Queenie and her wings looked bigger. The fur around her neck looked like it was made out of spikes.
Asmodeus was protecting Fizz from the glitter that continued to fall. Fizz noticed Queenie’s antennas were much longer and now looked more like whips. The air in the hotel felt like knives hitting everyone's flesh. Fizz found out why the glitter wasn’t glitter at all; it was very small particles of glass. Mixed with some kind of powder, Fizz watched as Queenie went back to Mammon.
Queenie had returned to normal as she landed. “I’m sorry…but I can’t stand people who act like.” Queenie looked back at Charlie.
“That acts like it’s all rainbows and unicorns.” Levi said, with a sad smile.
“Charlie’s been like that since she was born. But the biggest problem is that Charlie doesn’t understand her own people or world.” Belphegor said, laying her head on Mammon’s shoulder.
“Sadly, Lucifer is partly to blame.” Mammon said, staring at Charlie. “He didn’t want her to know about what got sinners here. Lilith didn’t want Charlie to be involved with sinners. The book about the fall, about life here is nothing more than a fairy tale.” Mammon looked back at his wings as they went into his back.
Charlie was quiet during the meeting as Lucifer and Alastor chewed Satan, Asmodeus and Beelzebub out for what they had done. Mammon and Queenie gave them the facts that they knew about Blitz and Stolas. Belphegor filled in the rest, Mammon explained about Loo Loo Land after Satan mentioned it. He also told them that the place no longer belonged to him. And that the place had burnt down and was no longer his problem.
“But I would like to put a Lu Lu World in every ring. If it’s okay with you Lu?” Mammon said, stroking Queenie’s wing.
“I would like that…you were right.” Lucifer said, looking at Mammon. “It was unfair to build just one.”
Mammon said nothing, he just let it sit. “I also think we should talk about the whole Blitz and Stolas thing.”
“I’m…”
“I swear Satan if you say ‘I am the law’ one more time. I’m going to give you the shock of your life.” Mammon said, as lightning appeared around him and Queenie. “I’m done…I won’t let you or others push me around. I’m done holding back, if I have to I’ll walk away. And leave all of ya with the fall out.”
“Go ahead…you’re weak, you have no real power.” Satan said, as his phone went pinged.
Everyone else's phones soon followed, their apps were down and all deliveries were cancelled. Satan looked at Mammon like he had just stabbed him.
“I think…it’s my turn to take a break.” Mammon noticed the fear and felt Queenie who was sitting next to him hugging his arm. “It won’t take eight years, but it’ll be long enough. Don’t worry Lu, Levi, Bel…I’ve left your apps and deliveries alone. Also Lucy, I need you to sign this…” Mammon said, sliding a contract to Lucifer.
Lucifer and Alastor looked it over before signing, Alastor handed it back to Mammon himself. The contract was for the new Lu Lu Words, as Alastor handed it back. He noticed the notes app on Mammon’s phone open. Mammon had written ‘Take care of him’, Alastor wrote back ‘And you take care of her’. The two reached for each other's hands and shook, making a silent deal. Lucifer decided Stolas’ sentence would be cut to twenty years. Blitz was fined and made to take classes on how to make a human form. As for Stella and her brother, they would be forced out with nothing but each other. As everyone was getting ready to leave Queenie had gone to get her flowers. Mammon stood near the bar waiting for her when Satan walked up to him.
“So you think you’re special because you found a new whore?” Satan laughed. “Look at you, do you really think someone like her? A beautiful woman…could ever want someone that looks or acts like you. You’re nothing more than a joke, you’re still a child. Hell doesn’t need you or Greed…”
“We’ll see…just one thing, how are your people going to get their meat to where it needs to go?” Mammon said, looking Satan in the eyes. “I control all the trucks for shipping and butcher shops that process the stuff. There are very few farms that still do it in Wrath. Not to mention who’s going to provide lumber, I own and run all the lumber mills. I also own all the steel mills too..”
Mammon stared at Satan for sometime before singing.
While you were building muscles
I was making a name for myself
You ruled with fear
I ruled with hard work and ambition
While you were destroying
I was building and creating
Mammon tilted his head and just stared at Satan before moving closer.
While you were building muscles
I was making a name for myself
You will never understand what you took
I’ve always fixed what you broke
Mammon looked around the room.
While you were building muscles
I was making a name for myself
You ruled with fear
I ruled with hard work and ambition
While you were destroying
I was building and creating
Mammon let out a heavy sigh.
I’m tired of fixing
I’m tired I’ve doing all the work
Tire of you three taking
I’m tired of being a joke
While you were building muscles
I was making a name for myself
You’ve built muscle
I’ve built an empire
I’ve been cruel it’s true
But I can openly admit it
But you and Lilith will never do that
While you were building muscles
I was making a name for myself
Mammon stopped when he felt Queenie land on his shoulder. Mammon looked at her for sometime, before gently rubbing his face against her. Mammon also saw a Sloth bag in Queenie’s lower right hand.
“What’s the matter, does Mam need a little help in the bedroom?!” Satan said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Queenie laughed and almost doubled over. “Oh please, my favorite jester does very well for himself. Unlike you with your little pencil eraser of a dick.”
Everybody in the hotel started to laugh, this of course pissed Satan off. He lunged at Queenie, she flew up and stabbed Satan’s hand with a knife. Mammon had dodged and punched Satan in the stomach. The punch landed hard along with a ton of electricity. There was then for the first time ever a Hell quake. Satan fell back and the electricity wrapped around him making a chain. The people around the hotel looked scared, Mammon stood over Satan and kicked him. The quake happened again, Queenie flew back to Mammon’s shoulder.
“Are you Okay?” Queenie asked, stroking Mammon’s cheek.
“Yea…you?” Mammon asked.
“I’m fine…sorry about that.” Queenie said, noticing how tired Mammon looked.
“Don’t be, it would have happened one way or another.” Mammon looked at her. “So you really think I’m better than this big red shit head?” Mammon said, with a raised eyebrow.
Queenie gently poked him. “I’m pretty sure you’re at least bigger despite your weight.” She said, lightly teasing Mammon. “And for the record…you are also better in bed than Husk. But it also helps that you don’t have barbs on your fucking dick.”
“Och…” Mammon said, with a light tired laugh.
Lucifer approached them. “I know you already had plans to take time off, but…”
“Don’t worry Lucy, I know this means that I can’t have anything to do with you guys for a while. I can live with that…plus it was worth it.” Mammon said, placing a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder. “It was good to see you again…now my beautiful gem here has places to go.”
Lucifer nodded and waved as they disappeared into the smoke. He then looked down at Satan, Lucifer decided to leave him tied up for a while.