Two Months, that's how much longer we have until Heaven's next extermination. In that time I've made arrangements to keep my people safe along with other arrangements for future plans. For right now I sit in my room enjoying my coffee in my robe and black silk pajamas with Miss Mayberry as she drinks tea in her normal attire. We both were going over case files that needed my attention. Shuffling to another file I let out a long sigh before setting the file back down.

"I have told the Imp numerous times that the case is done and there is nothing he can do to change it or I. Even if he asked for an appeal or retrial it won't change anything. Who even spends that much money on horse riding lessons? that it be there's or someone else's", I said annoyed.

"Can't say sir, guess I'll do the same as last time?"

"Yes, but push his next request back seven years this time. three was too nice for the last one. Seems I ran out of coffee. Need to stretch my legs anyhow. Probably best I check in with the others anyhow", I said standing up. As I stood up I grabbed my cup heading to the main lobby.

Walking through the halls and down the main staircase I came across everyone looking at something in the sitting area. Their looks all ranged from confused, worried, and excited. Heading down I looked at what they were all staring at to find what could accurately be called a mess. Hearing steps behind me I looked over to see Vaggie.

"What's going on?", she asked. I just looked back toward what we were all seeing. To say it's a mental breakdown would be an understatement.

Charlie currently had the whole sitting area turned into a theory board. Multiple papers with writing and hand drawn were stuck to the walls with red string attaching some. Charlie meanwhile was zipping all over the place rambling. Her current state of dress pointed toward getting no sleep as her hair was a mess and her sleeves rolled up. More proof was shown with her bloodshot sleep deprived eyes. She could also be on a caffeine high as well. Looking at my cup I decided against more coffee for now.

"Yikes", Angel said, joining us.

"Hey, Charlie. You...good?", Vaggie asked.

"Nope! Not really! I've been up all night trying to figure out why the hotel isn't working!! We've done trust falls, we've tried sharing our feelings. We only have a couple of months before the angels come! Hahahahahaha!", she said as she went full demon for a second. This is not a good look for her.

"And at this rate...."

"Maybe it's time", Vaggie said, cutting her off.

"No"

"To ask"

"Don't say it!", Charlie begged.

"your dad"

CRASH!

Everyone's attention quickly shifted to me. They all looked at me as I stood still before looking down at the broken mug that used to be in my hand. She wants to call her father? Now that sounds like a terrible idea. Seems dropping my mug also broke Charlie out of her rant.

"Charon, you ok?", Husk asked, confused why I dropped my mug. Shaking myself out of my thoughts I looked down at the broken mug.

"Sorry about the mess, I'll clean it up. Must have gotten stuck in my thoughts again. Do we really need to call Lucifer here? I'm sure miss Charlie can figure it out with a little more time"

"As much as I love your support for Charlie Charon we need every advantage we can get"

"He let the extermination happen to begin with! They just had a meeting and said go ahead and kill everyone. Wait! That's it!", Charlie said having a realization. Wonder where this is going.

"Kill everyone?"

"Works for me", I commented, earning stares.

"No, he could get me a meeting heaven!!", Charlie said excitedly.

"Absolutely not! Miss Charlie, I understand your willingness to help redeem sinners. To a point that I'll admit I've even begun to believe that it may be possible again but talking to heaven will not help you. They were the ones to choose on a whim to start these exterminations and it's why my best friend Corax was sent fully to hell because he too wanted what you wanted. He still believes in it but no longer has the energy and drive to make it a reality. Heaven will not listen to you"

"You don't know that! Maybe if I go above Adam because he isn't in charge of heaven and I can change things for the better by pleading my case!"

"Miss Charlie...they...they just won't", I insisted. Careful with what words were said.

"I'm sure there has to be some Angels who will listen", Charlie said walking off. She pulled out her phone looking through her contacts. She hovered over her dads hesitating.

"What's the hold up? you got daddy issues or something?", Husk said.

"No! we just...have never been close. After he and mom split he never really wanted see me. he calls, sometimes but only if he's bored or like needs me to do something", Charlie explained.

"Daddy issues", Husk comments with a smile.

"Well I'd like to mee the big dick in charge", Angel says with Nifty chiming in after.

"The ultimate bad body hehehehehehe. I bet he's scary", she said, holding a knife. Thankfully Angel was able to take it away from her without issue. Charlie went back to looking at her phone but just before she pressed the call I held her wrist.

"Let me warn you, I miss Charlie. If you go down this path seeking council with Heaven. There will be consequences. Heaven is not the holy moral place you believe it to be. Even the light can hold darkness in it. With this in mind, do you still wish to travel down this path?". She looked back at her phone deep in thought before looking me straight where my eyes would be with determination.

"yes"

"Then I won't stop you", I said letting go. She pressed the call as I walked away heading back to my room.

Walking in, Miss Mayberry was still going through files. Heading into my closest I changed into my normal suit minus the sports jacket and trench coat. Walking out, Miss Mayberry watched me with careful eyes as I sat down across from her.

"Everything ok sir?"

"For now but if you don't mind I would like some time alone with my thoughts. I'll go through these files as well. Just make sure no one disturbs me", I said, picking up a file.

"Of course sir, wish for me to open the balcony doors?"

"Yes please. I'm sure I'll be enjoying a few morning smokes. Thank you miss Mayberry". Opening the file I looked over the contents. Starting from where I left off earlier.

"Will do, sir. I'll be back in an hour to check on you", she said leaving.

As the door closed I snapped my fingers summoning a box next to me. Reaching over I opened it to show it was a box of cigars. Taking one out with a lighter and cutter I cut the end before lighting it. Once it was lit I put the cutter and lighter back before de-summing the cigar box. Taking a long puff I let smoke out feeling my nerves settle down. Snapping my fingers once more I summoned an ashtray before setting my cigar down on it. Leaning back I let out a tired sigh.

"What a predicament I have found myself in"

Lucifer Morningstar, Charlie's father. The first and original fallen Angel who is the king of hell. One man I hoped to never meet again. Not due to fear but for more personal reasons. Knowing Charlie she'll most likely invite her father here and I have a feeling he'll accept that invitation. He has no reason not to. With these circumstances now our meeting may or may not happen. Again I wish for the latter.

Setting the file down I took a moment to revel in my thoughts. Leaning back with Cigar in hand I found myself dwelling on old memories. Memories I haven't thought about in centuries. Ones that bring happy feelings and ones that bring bad ones. The worst reminding me why I am here now. Why I chose to become what I am. Finishing my cigar and burning what was left in a black flame all that was left were my thoughts. Looking toward the window I looked over pentagram city before my reflection started to change to that of a human with half his face a skull with the other having its skin returned with an eye.

"Come to torment me again? I grow tired of your haunting. When will you leave me in peace?". All my reflection did was give me a kind smile that irritated me. Lighting another Cigar I spoke again to a reflection of my past self.

"Guess no time soon then. Here I began to believe the ghosts of the past were beginning to pass on to. Finally leaving with the past. Maybe I'm wrong? Maybe I've finally begun to lose it. Lose myself in the past. A past I've denied ever existed all these years as I made a future that was mine. A past that now decides to punish me for neglecting it all these centuries. It may be time to face my past. What says you?". Looking back toward my reflection it was gone. So it taunts me now. How annoying.

Knock Knock Knock

"I wish to not be disturbed", I answered while picking up another file. Apparently they ignored it because my door was open. And the person who did it was the one I wished NOT to see.

"Sorry Charon! I told him not to go in", Charlie said walking in after him. She was very embarrassed. Lucifer on the other hand had a big smile on his face.

"Sorry Charlie but I just didn't feel like not seeing one of your friends. Charlie was telling me you're another overlord helping with the hotel like that other rather annoying fellow Alastor", Lucifer said with a fake laugh. Seems Alastor got under his skin, not surprising. Setting the file back down I gave Lucifer my undivided attention and when he took a moment to actually look at me his smile faltered for a quick second.

"King Lucifer, what a surprise", I said, taking a puff of my cigar.

"Charon, the overlord known as "The Judge" Charlie tells me". There was a tense air between the two of us that Charlie didn't seem to catch onto.

"Again Charon we are soooooo sorry for bursting in while you're working. I know how you take your cases very seriously. We'll just get out of your hair now", she said, grabbing her dads arms.

"If you don't mind Charlie I would like to have a private conversation with mister Charon. Should only take a moment". Charlie seemed unsure if this was ok. I gave a friendly nod to show it was it was.

Charlie nervously walked back out into the hall. Closing the door behind her the room fell into silence. Setting my cigar down in my ashtray I stood up walking up to Lucifer. Lucifer did the same before we both stopped in front of each other. He rested his cane right in front of him as I looked down at him and his smile. His smile dropped before he spoke.

"Now isn't this a surprise to find you here"

"An appropriate response"

"So, it seems you were...."

"I chose to be here", I said, making his eyes go wide.

"You chose to be here? HA, thought I'd never hear the day", he said looking at his cane.

"You don't get to judge me Lucifer. Not...one...bit", I said glaring at him. He just chuckled before walking over to one of my paintings admiring it.

"Oh please, I meant nothing by it. Just thought you would be holding on to those old ways. What? wasn't too fun being...."

"DON'T EVEN! Everyone knows what happened to you both up there and down here. Corax wasn't too far to fall like you as well. At least he's still not given up on his beliefs, just lost the drive and energy to make it happen. While you gave up on everything you believed in and willowed in your self pity all these centuries. So hold your tongue when it comes to judging me!", I said, slipping into my full demon form for a second. Lucifer just held that damn smirk.

"I know my daughter believes in this pointless dream of redeeming sinners but surprised to see you doing so as well. What changed?". As he spoke he looked out over Pentagram city with a smile. Looking out from a distance I could also see the city with some smoke rising from it most likely from a turf war.

"They died but surprisingly have decided to live once again. Your daughter did that. She somehow touched the very soul that has become dark and corrupted over time and brought light. Light in a sinner's soul, never heard of. Perhaps the reason all these years no one was successful in redeeming sinners was because what it truly took was a pure soul. Uncorrupted by the lies and the hypocrisy of Heaven and the corruption and debauchery of hell. All it took was a kind soul". Lucifer just continued to look out at the city no longer with a smile. I could tell he was thinking over my words but knowing him he's denying the truth that may be behind them.

"Doubt a soul such as that could measure up to good old heaven. You speak about my fall and Corax's as signs that you'd need a lot more than that to change heaven's mind. It's hopeless, a complete waste of time", Lucifer said with a smile.

"If you were here to see your daughters work even you would be able to see that it's not a far fetched as an idea as many believe"

"Their sinners...

"Charon, I go by Charon now"

"Charon, their sinners. The most vile beings that Humans have to offer. Why do you think they end up in hell? They surely aren't here for a vacation I can assure you *Chuckles*. All sinners do is disappoint as they lie, cheat, steal, backstab, scam, etc. There is not hope for redemption for them"

"I think differently. The man Angel dust that you met downstairs has been clean of drugs for over two months now after not going a day without having some drug in his system. He also has begun to care for others in the hotel and how they feel. Now doesn't that sound redeemable? To add to that I've been living among sinners for centuries and I've seen these redeemable traits come up from time to time. While you were in your home sulking. Sinners aren't that different from winners. Always hated that name", I said, lighting a new cigar. Lucifer just chuckled in amusement. He walked over to the door to leave but stopped once the door was opened.

"Fair Warning Charon, Heaven's wrath isn't a pretty one", He spoke before walking out. As the door shut I walked out onto my balcony looking up at heaven with disdain.

"Your right, but neither is mine"

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