Loona the Caretaker

Guns Can Help

While still struggling a little bit, Cody was still slowly getting the hang of using those two axes Fizzaroli was more than kind enough to reward him with, and he managed to do a considerate amount of damage on some practice dummies.

"Think of this as a good workout." said Blitzo. "All the calories you're burning with all this."

Cody stopped and panted from all the swinging he did with his axes in hands. "Exercising by killing innocent people?" he asked. "I don't know if I would call thag an exercise, it's more of a killing spree. Something like Grand Theft Auto."

"We don't kill innocent, peoole." Loona said. "At least, not we're aware of."

"Yeah we just get the job done." said Moxxie.

"And we're doing your world a favor, sweetie." Millie added.

"Yeah, thinking of it as a way to help population control." Moxxie added.

"I thought that's what viruses and worldwide diseases were for." Cody said.

"Yeah but that takes a looooong time." Blitzo rolled his eyes. "The last big disease that killed a large chunk of the population was in Europe with the Bubonic Plague... and the world wasn't even that populated that time!"

"Look, I do like these." Cody pointed, looking at his new weapons. "But... I don't want to kill anyone."

Loona sighed and walked up to him, and got on one knee. "I get it. You won't have to kill innocent people. But..."

"But what?" asked Cody softly.

"Down here, you're going to have to kill someone since many people down here were sent here from the sins they committed - killing innocent people included."

"This is nothing to do with cruelty said Vortex. "this is self-defense and saving your own life."

"And it's a good reason to use those axes." the female hellhound noted.

"She right." Moxxie said. Then he let out a sigh. "I can't believe I just that though."

"Don't let it get to you." said Millie.

"Now now." Blitzo said. "I told you, we're all family here."

"Oh here we go." said the employee of the month. "Not this again."

"Come on, Mox." said Vortex. "Let him have this. At least he cares about his employees."

"Right you are, Texy. Right you are." Blitzo said.

"Even though he makes fun of me a lot of times?" asked Moxxie, looking unamused.

"How can I not?" said Bltizo. "You, Moxxie, just need to learn how to loosen up and not always have a stick up your ass."

"I don't always have a stick up my ass!" Said Moxxie.

"Uh, yah, you do." said Loona.

"Look, are you sure I don't have to kill innocent people?" said Cody. "I don't want Jesus to be mad at me or cast me away from heaven. If I don't go to heaven, that means I will never be able to see-"

"Cody." Loona gently grasped his shoulders. "Don't worry. you won't kill innocent people."

Everything was quiet for a moment, and Cody took a small breath. "OK." was all he can say in reply.

"I'm sure Christ will understand if you had no choice but to kill someone." Loona continued. "Like Charles Darwin said: survival of the fittest."

"I know." he got himself a sweat rag to wipe his forehead. "I need a break. Like some lemonade."

"Coming right up." said Millie. She was more than happy to give the boy a nice cup of it with ice cubes.

Cody was more than happy to take some big gulps of his drink. "I lost track, how long have I been using these?"

"For about... thirty minutes." Vortex.

"But hey, sweating is good." Blitzo pointed. "Sweating means you're making progress."

The boy felt his arms begin to ache a little from all that swinging from those two weapons. He would try to think of it as "feeling the burn" inside of him.

"You know what," said Loona. "Maybe you should learn how to use a gun, too."

"A gun?" asked Cody.

"Yeah." said Moxxie. "Another good way of self-defense."

The kid looked a little unsure about that kind of idea. This wasn't exactly the world of Grand Theft Auto or Red Dead Redemption. "Well my grandpa said i should use it since the world can be dangerous."

"He's not wrong." said Millie.

"It can be a good idea. You can't let anyone down here let you know you're vulnerable to anything. You have to stand up for yourself." Loona said. "And we can find a gun just your size."

"Well, alright." Cody said. "I mean, all I can do is just cripple them, right?"

"totally." said Tex. "There are some things worse than death anyway. And if you ever find yourself camping somewhere in the wilderness, those weapons can come in handy for survival."

"Good point." Cody said.

"So it's settled." Blitzo said. "Time to help you learn how to use a firearm, kid." he gave Cody a rough pat on the back.

It took a while, but Loona finally managed to find a gun fit for Cody's size. A small revolver that wasn't very heavy to handle. "Perfect." she said, giving the weapon to her human friend.

"So what do I use it on?"

"On that target right over there." Loona pointed her right finger. "Keep your aim steady and don't stress yourself out."

"Got it." The boy went up to the gun practicing station and lifted the revolver, aiming it at the target. It was still like an apple ripe for the picking.

"Now, just relax and concentrate. Be the gun." Loona said. "Think about nothing but the target."

Cody did just that, and steadily aimed it at the bullseye part. He clicked the cock and took a breath so he can wait at the perfect moment.

When he pulled the trigger, the gun had a powerful kickback and hit his face like after stepping on a rake, and fell on his ass.

The noise was as loud as a cannonblast, and Cody got back on his feet to see what happened. The shot was two rings above the bullseye, and it could have been perfect.

"Quite a kickback." said Moxxie.

"Well, he's still a kid." said Blitzo. "Most human parents don't really teach their kids how to use guns... unless they are big game hunters or joining the military."

The kickback left a little mark on Cody's face, like a slap. "You ok, Cody?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Loona. That packed a punch."

"Don't worry, you just need more practice." Loona encouraged