https://youtu.be/NyVYXRD1Ans

Absolute darkness. A beat echoed from the floor beneath their feet. A shimmer of excitement flickered across the faces of the gathered guests.

Hidden demons began to sing.

"Whoa, oh, oha oh!"

Then, a single narrow spotlight goes on, revealing Stolas in a ringmaster's outfit. He wore a top hat, cane, red swallowtail coat, and shiny black boots.

Lucifer quickly grinned at the prince's choice of apparel much like his own.

Stolas's back was to the crowd, alone. His head was bowed, the top hat casting his face in shadow. He lightly tapped the cane on the floor, setting the rhythm, and Hell worked its magic. Stolas struck a pose. Around him, many seated royals started stomping their feet to the beat of the music.

"Whoa, oh, oha oh!"

Stolas took another pose, his boots clicking against the floor as the crowd stomped along with the rhythm.

"Whoa, oh, oha oh!"

Stolas began to sing.

"Ladies and gents, this is the moment you've waited for."

"Whoa, oh, oha oh!"

"You been searchin' through the dark, your sweat soaking through the floor."

"Whoa, oh, oha oh!"

"And buried in your bones is an ache that you can't ignore."

He reached up and ran his claws over the brim of his top hat. He released it and allowed his hand to drift downward to rest on his cane.

"Takin' your breath." He tosses the cane, catching it after it twirls in front of him.

"Stealin' your mind." He opened his hand, letting the cane drop before snatching it out of the air again.

"And all that's real is left behind."

Stolas turned and walked between the tables, sending his coattails out to trail in his wake. Spotlights illuminated his path.

"Don't fight it, it's comin' for you, runnin' atcha. It's only this moment, don't care what comes after."

He slid to a halt between two tables, motioning in front of him with his cane as a spotlight came on where he pointed.

"Your fever dream, can't you see, gettin' closer."

He pointed at a different angle, where a second spotlight lit up. Then he spread his arms, the third and final spotlight erupting directly in front of him. A stage magically appeared in the room.

"Just surrender, cause you feel the feelin' takin' over."

He leaned forward and bobbed slightly to the beat. Then, he slightly tossed his cane, grabbed it, and took off at a run.

"It's fire, it's freedom, it's flooding open."

As he ran, four decorated horse demons entered in rich red and gold armor, their hooves matching the song's rhythm. They marched behind Stolas, perfectly timed to the beat.

Meanwhile, a number of shadowed figures gathered in the center of the performance stage.

"It's a preacher in the pulpit and your blind devotion (Oh)"

A series of lights suddenly flickered on, revealing several demons in colorful and strange outfits. Each demon stood on raised platforms, striking elaborate poses and moving in flowing gestures. Stolas continued his march toward the center stage.

"There's somethin' breakin' at the brick of every wall that's holdin' (Oh)"

In the background, shadowed figures rode the majestic, armored horses around the stage. A few demons on stage held torches high above their heads, the flames casting flickering shadows as the spotlights slowly faded into darkness.

"All that you know, so tell me, do you wanna go?"

Suddenly, the room exploded into light as four imps with torches spat fire into the air, creating arches of flames. The stage lights flashed on, showing everyone. In the back row, a pair of demons tossed rings high into the air, effortlessly catching them.

The imps used the Baphomets as springboards, launching themselves into the air to be caught by waiting Hellhounds.

"Where it's covered in all the colored lights"

A puff of smoke erupted on the side of the stage, revealing an imp strapped to a spinning wheel. Sparks flew as the wheel turned. Another imp stood across from the wheel, grinning as they hurled knives, each blade narrowly missing the limbs of their partner. Stolas walked past as dancing imps swirled in the background.

The imps twirled ribbons of fire, the Baphomets spun massive, glowing hula hoops, and the Hellhounds breathed streams of flames.

"Where the runaways are runnin' the night"

An imp with impossibly long legs strutted onto the stage, a smaller Baphomet perched on their shoulders. Stolas bent slightly, moving beneath their towering legs before straightening up beside them.

"Impossible comes true, it's takin' over you"

The Baphomet performed a front flip off their partner's shoulders without missing a beat, landing on a wooden lever. The impact launched a succubus high into the air. Her wings fluttered as she spun gracefully above.

"Oh, this is the greatest show"

#

Smoke filled the room, curling around the tables and cloaking the entire ballroom in an eerie mist until suddenly—

"Woah!"

Stolas burst out of the smoke as he sprinted forward. To his left and right, horse riders galloped alongside him. Behind them, a line of performers rushed to the center of the room.

"Colossal we come, these renegades in the ring!"

The performers followed Stolas's lead, flanking him with two majestic Hellephants, their tusks adorned with golden trimmings. Acrobats balanced precariously atop tall poles and danced along high wires.

"Woah! Where the lost get found and we crown 'em the circus kings!"

A flash of light enveloped the scene, and in an instant, Stolas was surrounded by his fellow performers.

"Don't fight it, it's comin' for you, runnin' at ya!"

As the song intensified, the performers erupted into a frenzy of flips and acrobatics. Fire breathers let loose streams of flame that cut through the smoky air, while the Hellephants reared up on their hind legs.

"It's only this moment, don't care what comes after!"

Dancers encircled Stolas, their movements synchronized, creating a swirling vortex of color and motion around him. A group of demons atop a large barrel juggled bowling pins with effortless skill, their rhythm perfectly in sync with the music.

"It's blindin', outshinin' anything that you know!"

The acrobats, tethered by long, sturdy ropes held by other demons, bounced and flipped high above the stage. Each leap sent them soaring, their bodies twisting and turning in the air before they landed with practiced ease.

"Just surrender 'cause you're comin' and you wanna go!"

White petals began to rain gently down as Stolas spread his arms wide. The crowd gasped as several ropes lifted acrobats skyward, spinning through the air. Trails of golden sparks spiraled behind them, creating a dazzling display that lit up the dimmed room. Among them, other performers hung from trapeze swings, swaying in time with the rhythm of the music.

"Where it's covered in all the colored lights! Where the runaways are runnin' the night!"

A stocky imp entered, riding atop a baby Hellephants that lumbered across the stage. The imp waved enthusiastically to the crowd, eliciting a chorus of laughter from children and adults alike.

"Impossible comes true, intoxicatin' you! Oh, this is the greatest show!"

On the ground, acrobats leaped through a series of hoops that appeared as if by magic, each jump more impressive than the last. Their movements were fluid and precise, each landing met with applause from the captivated audience.

"We light it up, we won't come down!"

Not to be outdone, a pair of hellhounds charged onto the stage, leaping through flaming hoops with fierce intensity. Their dark fur contrasted sharply with the bright flames, making their stunts even more thrilling to watch.

"And the sun can't stop us now! Watchin' it come true, it's takin' over you! Oh, this is the greatest show!"

Two Hellephants balanced on their hind legs while another pair stood on their front legs. Around them, horses galloped. The demons danced with wild abandon. Above it all, a lone acrobat swung, tracing wide arcs through the air.

"It's everything you ever want (Hey, hey)

It's everything you ever need (Hey, hey)"

And it's here right in front of you (This is where you wanna be)"

In a fluid motion, Stolas removed his top hat and handed it to the Hellephant closest to him. The Hellephant passed the hat to the acrobat soaring above.

"This is where you wanna be (Hey, hey)

It's everything you ever want (Hey, hey)"

The hat was then dropped from the acrobat's hands to a performer below, who caught it and passed it to the next. The hat continued being tossed and handed from one performer to another, rolling over shoulders, spinning on fingertips, and even balanced on the tips of feet, as it made its way across the stage.

"It's everything you ever need (Hey, hey)

And it's here right in front of you (This is what you want)

This is where you wanna be (Hey, hey, hey, hey)"

Finally, the hat completed its journey back to Stolas. He caught it with a flourish, placing it back on his head as he dashed into the shadows at the edge of the performance. This allowed the spotlight to shift back to the other demons, who continued their vibrant dance.

"Where it's covered in all the colored lights

Where the runaways are runnin' the night (Oh, oh, yeah)

Impossible comes true, it's takin' over you (Hee)

Oh, this is the greatest show

We light it up, we won't come down

And the sun can't stop us now

Watchin' it come true, it's takin' over you"

Suddenly, both Stolas and Danny, dressed in matching ringmaster outfits, sprinted from opposite ends of the stage. They slid into the center on their knees before getting back up.

In the audience, Stella and Octavia's eyes widened in surprise as they glanced toward Danny's now empty seat. The children seated around him were just as startled, their attention entirely captured by the unexpected twist in the performance.

Seeing her friend up there dancing with a wide smile seemed to bring everything together to the birthday girl.

"This is the greatest show!"

The master and apprentice twirled to the front of the group, their bodies moving with the rhythm as though the music itself was guiding them. In the back of Danny's mind, there was a sense of letting go, of trusting the flow that seemed to pull him along. Stolas glanced upward as a new spotlight revealed a group of acrobats soaring through the air, twisting and flipping.

A large hoop of fire descended from above, and the imps quickly lined up. They launched themselves through the blazing ring, spiraling through one by one.

"Where it's covered in all the colored lights

Where the runaways are runnin' the night"

Stolas and Danny mirrored each other's movements, bending one leg up while twirling an arm in a graceful arc. Their legs swung back in a half-circle across the ground, their full bodies following. Just as they turned away from the crowd, they kicked up their left legs and jumped into the air, spinning 180 degrees before landing smoothly on their right legs, top hats securely in place. They then returned to a relaxed "T" position.

"Impossible comes true, it's takin' over you

Oh, this is the greatest show!"

Two imps swung down from high wires to land beside Danny and Stolas. The ringmasters held their canes behind their heads with both hands as they kicked their feet to the beat, the energy of the performance building with each passing moment.

The imps began stacking themselves atop the shoulders of the towering Baphomets, forming human pyramids that reached skyward. Hellhounds circled the base of the pyramids as the imps balanced at dizzying heights.

"We light it up, we won't come down

And the walls can't stop us now"

Stolas and Danny hopped into a squat, twirling their canes around their heads before catching them in their right hands. They spread their legs apart, both hands gripping the cane at the center, then with a quick hop, brought their feet together as they pointed the cane downward, matching the direction of their outstretched left arms.

Watchin' it come true, it's takin' over you

Oh, this is the greatest show!"

The duo brought their hands and canes together, shifting the cane to their left hand. They took a wide step to the right, their arms curling upward while pressing the cane to the ground. The background dancers followed their lead, moving in a wave that echoed the ringmasters. Stolas and Danny placed their right hands over their hearts before extending them outward again.

At the pinnacle of the pyramids, imps flung themselves into the air, their bodies spinning and twirling in the spotlight before being caught mid-flight by Hellhounds. Others flipped gracefully from their Baphomet perches, landing precisely on the stage.

As they landed, the Baphomets formed a circle and began spinning faster and faster until they became a blur of motion.

"'Cause everything you want is right in front of you

(Oh, this is the greatest show)

And you see the impossible is comin' true"

Stolas and Danny gestured to everyone in the crowd with the cane in their right hands before hopping from their left and right foot to the beat.

(Oh, this is the greatest show)

And the walls can't stop us now, yeah

(Oh, this is the greatest show)

(Oh, this is the greatest show!)"

Stolas and Danny crossed their legs, lowering themselves into a turn before facing each other, extending their top hats outward.

"Oh, this is the greatest show

Oh, this is the greatest show

Oh, this is the greatest show!"

The spotlight shifted, revealing a massive cannon on the side of the stage. The crowd gasped in anticipation as imps began to clamber inside, readying themselves for the finale. Baphomets took their places at the cannon's massive cranks, their muscles tensing as they prepared for the grand finale.

"Oh, this is the greatest show (Oh, this is)

Oh, this is the greatest show (This is)

Oh, this is the greatest show (The greatest show)

Oh, this is the greatest show (This is the greatest)

Oh, this is the greatest show!"

With a resounding boom, the cannon fired, launching the imps high into the air, spinning and flipping across. On the other side of the stage, the Hellhounds leaped up, catching the imps before landing back on the stage.

Stolas and Danny moved through the performers, arms wide, directing the show's final moments. Each time they pointed to a demon, the performer struck a different pose, contributing to the grand crescendo. After a full circle, they adjusted their top hats and slid backward dramatically. Dropping to their knees, they watched as imps cartwheeled in front of them. They spun across the stage from a kneeling position, ending in a standing position at the very front.

For a moment, there was silence. The room seemed to hold its breath.

Stolas and Danny's smiles began to strain. Was it not good enough?

Then the first round of applause began, and it came from the Morningstar family, Lucifer and Charlie in particular. They beamed with happiness at the affair. On the side, Lilith gave her modest clapping.

"Oh, my gosh! I loved it! Everyone was amazing!"

Lucifer chuckled at his daughter's enthusiasm. "Quite the performance, there. I approve!"

Then, like a dam breaking, the rest of the room erupted. The guests leaped to their feet, clapping and cheering wildly. The younger demons jumped up and down excitedly while the more refined guests exchanged impressed glances before joining in the applause.

Octavia cheered her heart out to her father and Danny.

In contrast, Stella and Andrealphus rolled their eyes and clapped bitterly if only to fit in with the rest of the royals.

Danny relaxed his pose. Giving a sincere bow. His heart beat even faster than when he first met the King of Hell. Performance anxiety was a hell of a feeling her slapped himself out of backstage. He took a breath and waved to everyone.

Stolas straightened, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths as he soaked in the crowd's adoration. A small smile tugged at his lips. He raised his cane in the air, twirling before bowing to his audience.

"Thank you, thank you, one and all!" Stolas's voice rang out clearly over the cheers, filled with charm and showmanship. "What a spectacular night this has been! I trust the entertainment was to your liking?"

The crowd roared even louder in response. Stolas chuckled softly, bowing once more.

As the applause continued, Stolas glanced at the table where Octavia sat.

She smiled brightly. "That was great, you two!"

His apprentice followed, and Stolas walked over to his daughter and sincerely hugged her. He smiled when she gave one to Danny as well. "We have the approval of tonight's princess, and that's all a father really needs."

Lucifer applauded at the sentiment while pulling Charlie into a side hug. He stood and spoke. "Well, well. That was quite the spectacle. I must admit, I didn't expect it."

Charlie grinned. "This was one of the more exciting parties I've attended in a while." Not many in her social circle tried to go for pizazz.

Danny and Stolas straightened. "Your Majesty. We're honored."

A smile grew on Lilith's expression when she stood as well for the first time in a while. "Your effort clearly shows."

Stolas chuckled softly. "I'm glad you think so, Princess. Honestly, we were... a little out of our element."

Danny rubbed the back of his head. "It was a grueling month or so to get this all ready."

Octavia gaped. "You guys were keeping this from me for a month!"

Lucifer raised a brow. "Out of your element? Please, Stolas. You looked like a natural. The kid wasn't bad, either. Might even be on par with the training performances at Lu Lu World ."

Danny turned bashful.

Stolas blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the compliment. He gave a humble nod, feeling a warmth of pride in his chest. "Thank you. That means a great deal coming from you. My apprentice and I deeply appreciate it."

Lucifer waved a hand. "For what it's worth, you both did well."

Danny and Stolas breathed a breath of relief before sharing a hug themselves.

"I suppose years of watching the circus have finally paid off," Stolas said with a wry smile. It was too bad he never saw Blitzo. "Alright, we'll be having an intermission before the next event, so please, mingle among yourselves and have a good time."

Soon, the room calmed down, and idle chatter continued as before.

#

AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Charles, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Salo Guzman, Traiton Moses, SonicSonicsSonic, KA012, Monkey, Tapion, Roger Cornejo, Dragon lord, JJsouza09, Alexander SegreLaw, Red Rasher, I am lord dems, Ajax Roranson, and trey hill!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you did, please follow or review/comment. See you guys in the next chapter.

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