Chapter Text
Charlie looked down at a row of flowers as she gently whisked them with water, rowing the watering can deliberately around.
She hummed to herself, a solemn look flickering in her eyes as she tried to keep a happy smile for her kingdom.
Distant chatter clattered around the kingdom. Charlie picked her head up at the sound of the balcony doors flinging open. She turned, meeting a frazzled Vaggi.
“Vaggi?” Charlie blinked.
Vaggi caught her breath. “Charlie—”
"The lost king has arrived!” guards shouted from outside. “Lucifer Morningstar has returned!”
Charlie felt her stomach drop. In an instant, she dropped the watering can as it clattered to the ground. She raced forward towards the balcony, heart pounding as loud as ever. Vaggi stepped out of the way for the princess.
Charlie caught herself on the balcony’s railings and looked out over the crowd of people frantically until she finally landed on one, small blond angel, grinning sheepishly at an overwhelming number of citizens surrounding him and a familiar criminal.
Vaggi tightened a grip on her spear. “Alastor is with him,” she muttered and raised her weapon. “We have to—”
Charlie moved her hand out towards the spear and slowly guided it down. Vaggi blinked, looking up at tears beginning to well in the princess’ eyes.
“Dad…” her voice broke into a wavering whisper. Vaggi set her spear to the side, resting it against the railing. She walked up to Charlie’s side and gently wrapped a hand around her waist, leaning into the princess.
“Haha—okay—woah!” Lucifer scrambled around as people shouted with burning questions and cries of celebration. “Uh—easy with the broken wings, okay?” he grinned nervously. “They’ll grow back. I think,”
Alastor nudged Lucifer out of the way with gentle hands on his shoulders. Niffty sped by their feet, watching closely with a grin.
“Your… highness,” A Morningstar guard stepped up front, mouth agape and words lost.
Lucifer wasn’t sure how to respond either. The guard looked up at Alastor and immediately tensed. “Your majesty—!”
“Woah, easy now,” Lucifer put his hands up. “This one’s with me, alright?” he smirked, looking around the antsy crowd of people. “He’s done with harming the kingdom. Right, Al?” he nudged him with his elbow.
Alastor grinded his smile. “Right,” he nodded. “Of course,”
The guard narrowed his eyes.
“Do forgive me about your comrades,” Alastor hummed. “It’s not as if they were useful, anyhow,”
“You—!”
“HAH—Okay!” Now was Lucifer’s turn to nudge Alastor out of the way. “Look, meeting all of you—again—is great, really,” Lucifer nervously rambled. “But, I just want to see my daughter.”
The guard relaxed, reluctantly looking away from Alastor’s spiteful smile.
“Can you do that for me?” Lucifer asked.
The guard nodded. “Anything for our king Morningstar,” he suddenly knelt to the ground, one hand on his chest.
“Oh,” Lucifer blinked. “Right, I forgot about this…” he laughed awkwardly.
The guard stood up hastily. “Come with me,” he nodded towards the castle. “The princess… has been waiting,”
Lucifer swallowed nervously. Alastor tangled his fingers with Lucifer. The angel squeezed his hand, taking in a sharp breath and urging himself to follow the guard.
The two were instructed through the castle, climbing up golden stairs and trekking over soft red carpets. Lucifer glanced around in awe, memories flashing in his head at every corner he turned.
Every step felt like a tug at his heart strings when he would remember seeing Lilith’s face somewhere, or helping Charlie walk through the halls as a baby.
He sniffled, clinging closer to Alastor.
The guard opened the princess’ door with his spear. Then turned, motioning for him to go inside. “She’s just beyond the balcony doors, your highness,” he said.
Lucifer shakily breathed. “Thank you,” he anxiously stepped forward. The guard watched Alastor walk in behind him with narrowed eyes. Alastor simply grinned, knowing the guards couldn’t do a thing now that their king commanded them not to.
Lucifer stopped right at the door. He looked up at Alastor for confirmation.
“Well, Lucifer,” Alastor softly spoke. “This is your moment,”
“I’m… terrified,” Lucifer weakly laughed. “For.. eighteen years, I—I thought she was gone,” his voice wavered, threatening to break. “And—and now,” he looked ahead. “I get to see her.”
Alastor smiled, gently putting a hand on his shoulder.
Lucifer breathed in and then nodded to himself. He took a step forward and ever so carefully twisted the knob.
The doors cautiously slid open. A ray of sunshine beamed forward and Lucifer’s gaze fell onto the princess and her wife who slowly turned around.
Lucifer’s hand fell.
Charlie’s widened eyes stared back.
Lucifer’s mouth fell open, but to no avail did any words come out. He brought a hand towards his lips as tears began to swell up in his eyes.
Charlie blinked through a tear filled gaze as well. She stepped out of Vaggi’s grasp and charged forward, just as Lucifer did the same.
They met half-way, scrambling into a tight and warm embrace, falling to their knees onto the balcony’s marble flooring, squeezing each other, never wanting to let go. Never again.
“Dad,” Charlie shakily gasped.
Lucifer squeezed harder. “Charlotte,”
The sun warmed their embrace, reflecting off their faces like a glistening halo. Charlie cried harder, she moved her hands up and met the absence of wings. “Dad—” she weakly said. “Your wings–”
“Shh, I know,” Lucifer gently responded. “It’s okay. I’m okay,”
Charlie slowly moved back, hands still grasped to Lucifer’s shoulders. “I,” she laughed weakly, trailing off.
Lucifer smiled, gently cupping her face. “My sweet little girl,” he said. “Look at you,” he brought them closer, touching his forehead to hers. “Look at how much you’ve accomplished,” his voice wavered heavily. “I’m—I’m so proud of you.”
“I knew you were out there,” Charlie commented. “I just—I knew—something—someone took you but—but I could never…”
“Hey,” Lucifer gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “It’s okay,” he consoled. “I’m here now.”
Charlie sniffled. “I know,” she glanced up, teary gaze finally falling on Alastor. And she smiled. “Alastor,”
Alastor hummed.
“Thank you,” she said. “For… bringing him home,”
Alastor felt something odd flutter in his chest. He turned away, hoping to not get roped into the familial nonsense. “Ah yes, well,” he glanced away. “It’s all thanks to the grip your father has on a frying pan,”
Charlie blinked, smiling amused but also, very puzzled.
“Thaaaat’s a story for another time,” Lucifer laughed awkwardly. “Oh, Charlie, I can’t wait to hear everything you’ve done!” he helped her up, hands grasped into hers. “You’ve turned this kingdom into something I never could have, sweetie,”
Charlie leaned into his touch. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said. “My hope that… you were out there, watching from… somewhere,” she laughed softly. “I knew I couldn’t give up.”
“That’s my girl,” Lucifer’s voice broke, more tears streaming down his cheeks.
“If.. only Mom was here,” Charlie said. Lucifer looked down, the false memories of the tricks Roo played on him flashing like a storm in his mind. “Would she… be proud, too?”
Lucifer met her gaze and smiled. “She’d be so proud of you, sweetie.”
Charlie sighed. “Thank you, dad.”
She then turned, motioning for Vaggi.
Vaggi sputtered in her steps, awkwardly moving forward. “Dad,” Charlie slipped her hand into Vaggi’s. “This is… Vaggi,” she said. “My… wife.”
Lucifer’s jaw dropped. “You—you’re—you have a—” he looked over at Alastor through widened eyes and then back at his daughter. “You’re married!” he beamed excitedly. “Oh my golly, I can’t—I can’t believe I had to miss this!” He stepped forward, hugging Vaggi into a tight embrace.
“She’s so pretty, you’re—wow!” Lucifer scrambled through his words. Vaggi laughed nervously. “Thank you, um—sir,” she smiled as Lucifer stepped back. “It’s… a pleasure,” she said. “To… finally have you back in the kingdom.”
“It is a little weird,” Lucifer glanced around. “I mean, I had no idea I was a king thanks to Root’s weird mind control thing,” he pointed to his head. “And now—now it’s all coming back to me and just—wow!” He laughed loudly. “I can barely comprehend it all,”
“Yes, but I’m sure you’ll step up to your throne in no time,” Alastor hummed, strutting up to his side.
Vaggi’s eyes narrowed. “Alastor,”
Alastor met her gaze. “Captain Morningstar,”
Vaggi frowned. Alastor’s grin tightened.
“Guys,” Charlie warned cautiously.
“Easy now,” Lucifer put a hand in front of Alastor as if to back him down. “It’s alright,” he grinned towards Vaggi and Charlie. “I already told all the guards Alastor here is no harm!”
“Oh,” Charlie blinked. “Is—uh—really?”
“Really?” Vaggi snarled.
“Yep!” Lucifer nodded proudly. “He’s—uh,” he swallowed, suddenly feeling very flush. “You know, because—because he helped me and—and everything uh—”
Charlie glanced between the two of them, dots slowly connecting in her head as Lucifer slowly intertwined his fingers with Alastor’s.
She blinked.
Then gasped.
“Oh my god,”
Vaggi’s jaw dropped in sheer shock.
“It all just happened so fast, you know, I mean—” Lucifer nervously started to ramble, squeezing Alastor’s hand. “The—the heat of the moment when you’re being murdered by a force of evil wearing your ex-wife’s face it’s—”
“Lucifer,” Alastor interrupted. “I think the princess gets the point,”
Lucifer nervously blinked, glancing over at a gaping Charlie. “Um,” Lucifer awkwardly laughed, fumbling with his hands. “So…”
Charlie sniffled, smiling brightly. She lunged forward, tugging Vaggi along with her. “Woah—!” Vaggi stumbled. Charlie grabbed all three of them into a tight hug, squeezing everyone’s shoulders.
“I love you, dad,”
Lucifer’s shoulders fell. He sniffled loudly, tears returning to his eyes. “Oh, Charlie,” he leaned into the hug. Alastor let his smile relax as he slowly wrapped his hands around Lucifer and Charlie. Vaggi sighed playfully towards Charlie and snaked her arms around her and Lucifer.
The sun glistened, sparkling perfectly around the small family, as if Heaven was celebrating the royals themselves.
“All rise for King Morningstar!”
The kingdom shouted in cheer. Celebratory drinks clinked together, balloons popped into the sky as red, gold and white confetti fell over just about every corner of the streets.
“Yep,” Lucifer clinked a class with Alastor. “It’s all coming back to me now,”
Alastor sipped his drink, humming in satisfaction. “Prepared to be a king again, my dear?”
“Maybe,” Lucifer chuckled. “I’ll be here and there, you know,” he glanced over at Charlie who was giggling and dancing with Vaggi. “But, this kingdom…” his eyes glossed over with fondness. “It’s hers.”
“Shying away from your responsibilities already?” Alastor smoothly teased, leaning in close. “How irresponsible, your majesty,”
Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Someone needs to shut that mouth of yours,”
“Is that so?” Alastor tilted his chin up, meeting the king’s eyes.
“Yeah,” Lucifer slightly turned, wrapping his hands around the back of Alastor’s neck. “Your king demands it.”
“How inviting,” Alastor laughed darkly, closing the gap between the two of them as their lips met and eyes fluttered shut.
The celebration for the lost king’s return went on for three days.
It was loud, chaotic, but most importantly, oh so welcoming.
Charlie and Lucifer worked together to set up a memorial for the late Queen Lilith. Every day, citizens would light candles in her remembrance, bring flowers and kneel to the woman that once ruled the great Pride Kingdom.
The kingdom was less tense with outsiders thanks to Lucifer bringing Alastor in as his partner. The entire Has-Been Inn now frequented the kingdom, laughing with Charlie and owning up to their crimes by being put to community service work by Vaggi.
Vaggi exclaimed that they deserved severe punishment—but Charlie insisted that they could change for the better. Despite pulling an entire jailbreak, the princess was more so thankful that they freed Alastor to save her father, even if the way they went about it resulted in a good chunk of her guards injured or—well, you know.
Speaking of the Has-Been Inn, it was more popular than ever!
More people frequented the bar, dancing, laughing and singing about their hopes and dreams and what they might be able to accomplish one day.
Husk wasn’t too fond of the amount of drunkards he had to tend to, but watching them dance around like lunatics was at the very least entertaining.
Niffty was welcomed into the kingdom as the Lieutenant of the Morningstar Royal Guards, thanks to Alastor and Lucifer insisting that she helped them quite a lot on their travels.
Vaggi was hesitant, but was pleasantly surprised to see how efficient the little lady was at dealing with criminals and runaways.
Also, she enjoyed being the head maid for the castle, going crazy about how it desperately needed her cleaning expertise.
The Vees weren’t sentenced for their crimes, thanks to Charlie’s kindness, but they were forced—or instructed—to clean the Has-Been Inn after every party filled night.
Any time Vox attempted any sort of escape or convoluted plan, Alastor was already one step ahead of him to keep him in check.
If there was one thing Vaggi was grateful for about Alastor being in the kingdom, it was his ability to strike fear into other criminals from doing anything too violent. That and making the king happy, she supposed.
The last night of the celebratory festival carried on. Alastor and Lucifer laced their hands together under a glowing lantern, throwing it high in the sky in celebration of the kingdom being able to rebirth properly with the return of their lost royal.
They shared one more kiss under a sky full of twinkling stars, bathing in the warmth of one another, completing the dream they both chased after so far.
The red jewel sparked underneath the dome of a glass case. It shined bright, surrounding the glass in dark fog until it sputtered and was sucked back into the necklace.
“Another attempt to escape,” Baxter muttered, writing something down on a notepad. “Fail: 25!”
Niffty peered into it on the other side, giggling mischievously. “Keep trying,” Niffty whispered. “You’ll keep failing.”
“I must say,” Baxter adjusted his goggles. “I’m quite surprised Sir Alastor instructed me to keep a watch on this… root of evil,” he hummed, tapping the glass with his quill.
“He trusts you!” Niffty grinned widely.
Baxter deadpanned, “I severely doubt that,” he said. “But, this is quite the interesting phenomena to watch.” he peered in closer, watching the dark magic flicker in anger. “It’s as if it’s gasping for holy light.”
“Holy light?” Niffty blinked curiously.
“Yes,” Baxter nodded. “You see, without evil, there is no good.”
Niffty tilted her head.
“The root of evil exists because of the holy angels,” Baxter explained thoroughly. “King Lucifer fell, which resulted in the evil craving his holy upbringing.” he smirked, proud of his deduction. “Without his wings, the root of evil desires something else to empower it.”
“Oooh,” Niffty leaned against the glass, her uncovered eye glinting with mischievous intent.
“Not to fear, though,” Baxter looked back down at his notepad. “It won’t be escaping any time soon unless another angel magically falls from the sky!” He laughed heartedly, then went quiet.
Niffty looked around just as Baxter did, as if they were waiting for something to happen.
Baxter shrugged. “You can leave now, dear Niffty,” he said. “I presume the castle needs you.”
“Okay,” Niffty backed up and grinned widely. “Bye smart boy!” she waved and zoomed out without another thought.
Baxter hummed an unknown tune under his breath as he scribbled his quill against the notepad, slowly prancing out of the room. He turned the light off, shutting the door closed and locking it an extra three times after making sure every trap and magical alarm was set in place.
The red jewel flickered, darkness festering in its attempted wake.
Nothing slipped out of the glass, for now.
The kingdom remained in its happily ever after.