Hazbin and Helluva Shorts II

The Future of News Part 3: Allope Killjoy

Allope paced around the living room. Her mom Katie Killjoy was running late tonight. Her stepfather Tom Trench and big sisters Tiffany and Lincoln were also out. While waiting, she helped herself to dinner in front of her tv. There was another rerun of a show from the living world. Allope thought in silence. She had wanted to visit the living world for so long. But her mother was against it. There had to be some way to convince her.

Allope didn't see her mom until it was nearing midnight. The head of 666 News was a busy woman. Katie Killjoy didn't have time for frivolous matters. Allope took her mom's coat and got a pot of coffee going. As the news anchoress drank, she got an idea. Allope knew Verosika was planning something big for her next show for the Humans. She proposed that she do her own little segment. She was already reporting on the hotel and helping them with publicity. Why not expand her horizons? Katie thought about it while she ate some heated leftovers from yesterday. It wasn't a bad idea. She finally allowed her daughter to see what the living world had to offer. Allope was thrilled and hugged her mother. In a rare moment of affection, Katie hugged her in return. At that moment, a faint glow appeared around the head news anchoress. She had done something right for once in her afterlife.

A week later, Allope was in the living world. It was Spring Break and Verosika had her show at a beach. There were so many people. Allope was on the scene and ready to go. Of course, she had asked the pop star for permission. She watched as everyone cheered when Verosika stepped on stage. Her voice was captivating. It was enchanting yet haunting. The audience seemed to be under a spell. After the show, Allope did a backstage interview with Verosika. They talked about how she had gotten started and what it had taken to get this far.

While Allope had the time, she also explored various news studios in the living world. She disguised herself as various employees and snuck around the stations. The young demon learned a lot and took detailed notes. When Allope returned to Hell, she had a lot to share with her mother. The two sat down, and she told her everything. Katie was somewhat impressed with her detailed plan. Allope had made some serious progress. She had forgotten what the living world was like after being in Hell for so long. She let her daughter join her on air for certain daily news stories. Allope was stunned. Her mother never did anything like this.

After many years, Allope Killjoy was running 666 News. Beside her sat her best friend and cohost, Oliver. The two made a great team. So much so that the others around the station occasionally joked that they would make a cute couple. It was certainly possible. And in time, it came true. Allope and Oliver did away with all the old news reporting methods and initiated a new agenda for 666 News. It was a great hit and the ratings went up. The station was more popular than before. It was rare for Katie to be proud of someone else. But she was.

Allope had accomplished one life goal. Now she had to redeem her mother. This would be much more difficult. Katie had never been the most open and accepting demon in Hell. That was no secret. Allope had talked to Charlie about her mother becoming a patient at the hotel. Of course, she was more than willing to enroll Katie in the hotel. But convincing her was another matter. One thing that hadn't changed was her disdain for the hotel. She had only allowed her daughter to report on it to get her to stop asking regularly. Allope knew getting her mother into the hotel would be nearly impossible. But she was willing to try. Katie was still her mother, after all, despite how terrible she was. Allope returned to her original personal mission to redeem her mother. She was determined to make it happen.

A note from the author

Note that Allope has her mother's last name. Since Tom Trench is the only character Katie Killjoy interacts with somewhat closely, it would be natural to assume that he's the father. However, the artist didn't indicate through Allope's design that she's related to him (ex: Tom's ashy blonde hair or gas mask). To explain her different last name, I think it makes sense that Katie had a one-night stand with some unknown man. Ergo, Allope would have her surname instead of Tom's.