Chapter 2: The Proposition
As Goku entered the Hazbin Hotel, he was immediately struck by how unique—and oddly cozy—it looked. The lobby was decorated with faded Victorian wallpaper, worn-out armchairs, and chandeliers that gave off a strange crimson glow. The space was elegant yet somehow unsettling, like it was caught halfway between a ballroom and a haunted house.
Charlie led him to a couch, gesturing for him to take a seat. "So, Goku," she began, a bit of excitement in her voice, "I run this hotel as a way to help the souls of Hell find redemption. It's... a work in progress," she admitted with a sheepish smile, "but maybe with someone like you here, we could make real strides."
Goku nodded, listening intently. "So, you want to help everyone here... find peace? That sounds like a great mission!"
Vaggie, who had been standing nearby with her arms crossed, gave him a doubtful look. "It's not as easy as it sounds. You're dealing with the worst of the worst down here, and they don't exactly want redemption."
"But they have you both helping them, right?" Goku said cheerfully, clearly undeterred.
Before Charlie or Vaggie could respond, the doors swung open, and a loud, theatrical voice filled the room. "Did someone say redemption?"
In strolled Angel Dust, his high heels clicking against the floor, his arms crossed with a smug grin. His eyes immediately landed on Goku, and his expression shifted from curiosity to something more mischievous. "Well, well, well! And who's this cutie?"
Goku blinked, tilting his head. "Uh... hi! I'm Goku. Nice to meet you."
Angel Dust sauntered over, one eyebrow raised as he looked Goku up and down. "Oh, honey, you're adorable." He gave a sly smile. "Tell me, are you single?"
Goku laughed, scratching his head. "Well, yeah! I just never really thought about dating much."
Angel Dust's grin widened. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Charlie, clearly trying not to laugh, nudged Goku and cleared her throat. "Angel, don't scare him away already."
"Oh, I'd never!" Angel said, feigning innocence, though his wink suggested otherwise. "But don't mind me, Goku. I'm just here to make things a little more... exciting."
Vaggie rolled her eyes. "Don't listen to him. He's just here because he can't stay out of trouble for five minutes."
Goku simply laughed, finding Angel Dust's bold personality oddly refreshing. "No problem! I can tell you're a fun guy," he said with a grin.
Charlie clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention back. "Anyway, I have a proposal, Goku. Since you're here, would you like to stay on as a... special guest? You'd be helping us, and I think you might just inspire a few residents to give redemption a try."
Goku's eyes lit up. "I'd love to! I'm always up for helping people, even if they're... from Hell!" He let out a hearty laugh, his positivity seemingly brightening the room.
Vaggie glanced at Charlie, lowering her voice. "Are we sure this is a good idea? He doesn't know what he's up against."
Charlie smiled, a glint of determination in her eyes. "I think he might be exactly what we need, Vaggie."
Just as they were discussing the plan, the doors creaked open again. This time, the room grew quiet as another figure entered—a girl with spiky pink hair and an outfit that looked like it had survived an explosion or two. She gave them all a suspicious once-over, her red eyes narrowing.
"Oh, look," Angel Dust sneered, "it's Cherry Bomb. What's got you here, Cherry?"
Cherry Bomb scoffed, barely acknowledging Angel as her gaze landed on Goku. "I heard there was someone new in town causing a bit of a stir." She tilted her head, sizing him up. "So, you're the tough guy who's just wandered into Hell?"
Goku blinked, waving at her. "Hey there! I'm Goku. Nice to meet ya!"
Cherry's eyes glinted. "You don't look like much, but you might just be interesting enough to keep around. Let's see how strong you are." Without warning, she pulled out a small, round bomb and tossed it toward him, her face lighting up with a wild grin.
Charlie and Vaggie gasped, while Angel Dust leaned back with a chuckle, clearly entertained.
Without missing a beat, Goku caught the bomb in his hand, examining it curiously. "Oh, a little bomb! Cool!" He looked up at Cherry with a bright smile. "I don't think this is gonna hurt me, though."
Cherry's smirk faltered, her eyes widening as Goku crushed the bomb in his hand, extinguishing the explosion with no more than a puff of smoke. He laughed, unfazed. "So, what do you like to do for fun?"
Cherry stared at him, taken aback for a split second, before she broke into laughter. "Oh, I like you. Maybe you're not as boring as the others around here."
Charlie breathed a sigh of relief, and Vaggie shot Cherry a warning look. "We're not here to blow each other up, Cherry. Try not to scare off every guest we get."
Cherry shrugged, though she couldn't hide a spark of interest as she looked at Goku. "Eh, he seems tough enough to handle it."
Goku just grinned. "Yeah, no worries! I've faced a lot worse. I bet we could even have a pretty good fight if you wanted!"
Cherry's eyes lit up at the mention of a fight. "I might just take you up on that, Goku. See if you're all talk."
As the banter continued, Goku felt a thrill of excitement. He hadn't expected Hell to be anything like this, but it looked like he was going to fit right in. Between Charlie's mission, Angel Dust's antics, and Cherry Bomb's wild energy, it seemed like there'd be no shortage of adventure here.
And with that, Goku had unknowingly begun to make an impression on the inhabitants of Hell. What started as a simple stay was about to become something much more thrilling—and he had no idea just how much he was going to shake things up.
