So it's a deal then

.+Chapter 25+.

"Oh, I wish my mom were here to see this," Charlie murmured, her eyes soft as she watched the gathered group.
Y/n sighed, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Well... she chose her place. But hey, at least you've got a front-row seat now."

Before the moment could linger, the hotel doors burst open. Sir Pentious strutted out proudly, decked in a ridiculous Victorian-style British army uniform, his chest puffed, and his grin wide.
"Fear not, damsels! I shall have the staff ready for victorious combat!"

Y/n blinked, startled. "What in the hell are you supposed to be? Some kind of snake cosplayer?"

The snake demon straightened, snapping a sharp salute. "General Pentious, reporting for duty! I'll turn those rapscallions into soldiers in no time at all!"

Charlie, to her credit, tried to smile. "Thank you, Pen."

Y/n muttered under her breath, shaking their head. "We're doomed."

Niffty came darting across the hotel's entrance like a bullet, eyes wide and sparkling as she skidded to a stop in front of Pentious. "What can I do to help?"

Pentious lit up. "I'm glad you asked, soldier! The base requires fortifications. Reinforce the southern wall! Dig a moat around the perimeter to prevent a ground assault!"

Y/n raised an eyebrow. "Uh... we don't even have a moat. Or a perimeter. Or walls that won't collapse in five seconds."

Niffty blinked rapidly, clearly lost.

Charlie quickly tried to simplify things. "How about this if you see an angel, stab it!" She handed Niffty a small blade.

The maid brightened. "Oh! Stab!" Her eyes darted around before landing on Angel Dust a few meters away. "Stab! Stab! Stab!" She charged toward him with the knife.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" Angel yelped, scrambling up a pole in panic.

"Not him!" Charlie shouted desperately.

Y/n stepped in, hands up, trying to intercept Niffty. "Easy! Easy! Uh... maybe just aim for the other...uh...targets?"

Niffty veered off in search of other victims while Angel executed a smooth flip and landed beside Charlie, Vaggie, and Pentious, glaring daggers at the little maid.

Vaggie stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding, echoing like a drill sergeant. "Listen up, sinners! We've got twenty-four hours before it begins. Let's get to work!"

Y/n muttered, rubbing their temples. "Twenty-four hours... and we're supposed to be ready? Fantastic."

Charlie clutched Alastor's microphone, tapping it nervously before speaking. "Hello? Testing? I want to thank everyone for coming. Even people who aren't staying here yet..."

Cherri Bomb elbowed Angel and smirked. "Look, I can't resist a fight, okay? Especially when I get to tag team with this fuckhead." She wrapped an arm around him. Angel smirked proudly.

Y/n leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Oh, yeah, tag-team... great idea. Nothing says 'we might survive' like spontaneous fighting duos."

Charlie's voice rose, full of desperate hope. "Tomorrow, this hotel will face its enemies ready to defend itself and win!"

"Yeah! Tell 'em, baby!" Vaggie cheered beside her.

Y/n added, raising a hand dramatically, "And if we don't win... let's at least go down swinging, preferably without anyone accidentally stabbing me."

Charlie nodded fervently. "Yes! And we are going to win! But in case we don't, I want you all to know that getting to know you has been the biggest honor of my life. Whatever redemption really means... I know you all tried. I've seen the good in all of you, and it's well, I I just... I love you all. So live tonight however you want, because"