On the fifth day of the flight, even the most stubborn gave up — no one turned on The Scrubs anymore. The remote lay on the floor, and the screen streamed only darkness.
Now everyone had one favorite show: Poker Table in Hell.
Hell's dust clung to the windows. Demons screamed outside. And they calmly played poker.
[Note: we should really get some board games. This team is not built for binge-watching.]
Then, suddenly, demons flashed on the Sin Map — dozens of marks… hundreds… thousands… A million. Red dots lit up like open sores.
"Incoming!" John jumped from the table, scattering the cards. "Autopilot, cut the engines!"
The air screamed as the plane plunged like a stone from heaven — then, with a thunderous crunch, folded in on itself, turning into a train.
The floor-bolted furniture held through the jolt. Mary nearly toppled from her seat, but Jane caught her in time.
"Cap, what the hell?!" Cain stared at his cards like they'd betrayed him. "I had a royal flush, goddammit…"
"Playtime's over," John scanned the team. "We've arrived. Up ahead — the Infernal Kingdom."
"Finally!" Mary threw her hands up. "I can't wait to go shopping!"
"We're on a mission," Jane reminded her. "No distractions."
"Agreed," John nodded. "To demons, we're meat — and a way out of Hell. Once we cross those gates, they'll come for our souls."
"What about your friend?" Mary folded her arms. "The one in the red suit. You said he's some hellish trader, making deals between kingdoms."
"Damon's a half-demon," the demonologist corrected. "His soul's harder to take. Plus, he's got a trade agreement with the demons. They give him hellish goods, he brings them earthly ones. Killing him isn't profitable. Killing us is."
"So what's the plan, boss?" Cain asked.
"We walk in and demand an audience with the king. He's got what we need. The most important thing." He fixed a stern look on the jokester and the schoolgirl. "Do not wander. And I'll do the talking. Understood?"
Cain and Mary sighed but nodded.
"I don't trust you," John narrowed his eyes. "Jane, keep an eye on them."
She nodded seriously — her promises could be trusted.
"Gear up," Rider said, heading for the cockpit. "We roll out in five."
John stopped short, stumbling slightly. His heart kicked into high gear.
The demons' positions on the Sin Map had changed. Just a second ago, they were in the city. Now they surrounded the train.
"Holy fucking shit," Cain whispered, staring out the window.
There was no better way to put it. Demons were closing in from all directions — like a swarm, like a disease. They hurtled toward the train: fairies with blade-wings, octopuses with eyes on their tentacles, dragons with mouths on their bellies… All of them shared the same dark blood-red skin and gaping maws packed with goblin teeth — monsters born of the abyss.
Souls from across the universe end up in Hell — and then adapt to the local fauna. That's why they all looked different.
A giant demon scratched the roof with a claw, forcing everyone inside to cover their ears.
"Come out," the giant demon's voice boomed from outside. "Before I peel you open like a can of beans."
The whole team turned to John, the infallible leader.
[Stop looking at me like that. We're screwed. I'm panicking too. I've just learned not to show it on my face.]
"Let's not keep the gentlemen waiting," John tied a red tie around his neck like armor. "You gotta look sharp, no matter the situation."
"Can I stay inside?" Mary peeked through the curtain nervously. "They're all so scary…"
"You're coming with us," Rider said firmly and tossed her a jacket. "Every one of those creatures can teleport, and this fancy machine of ours doesn't have even basic protection against teleportation spells. You're safer with us."
They stopped at the door to the outside.
"Cain," he turned to the brute, "once we're out there, go to eight o'clock and destroy anything in your path. But don't you dare charge blindly or swing your fists like a maniac. We're not cornered rats. We're hunters stepping into our prey's den. Remember that, Cain. Dignity isn't a luxury — it's armor."
"Got it," crimson energy pulsed around Juggernaut like angry steam.
[I've noticed — when danger's breathing down our necks, Cain doesn't argue or joke. That's a real soldier.]
"We move in the following formation," John continued issuing commands. "Cain leads, cutting the way forward. I'm right behind, navigating and adjusting our route. Mary stays directly behind me — no straying. Jane brings up the rear and fries any rats trying to sneak up from behind. Prioritize the giant — we can't let him take our transport. Understood?"
They nodded.
Taking a deep breath, John opened the door.
A blast of burnt air hit them. Beyond it — a hellish blur of claws, hissing, and inhuman voices.
Juggernaut charged ahead, disintegrating everything in his path. Souls evaporated with no screams, no echoes — true soul-death sent demons scrambling. The slower ones were crushed under his iron boots.
Ghost Rider followed close behind, a black beacon guiding them through the swarm of horrors — toward the goal, where the demon king waited. He lashed out with his chain at any creature bold enough to spit acid their way.
Lady Phoenix wasn't cracking jokes anymore. She walked silently, almost brushing John's back, like trying to hide in his shadow.
Thunderheart put on a lightning show — striking down a thousand demons in one heartbeat. No one dared follow after that.
They moved in an arc and reached the front of the train — where they were expected.
John ordered them to stop and stepped forward to negotiate.
King Belasco sat on a throne of black basalt, like it was a pedestal for his ego. His gaze gleamed with mockery, like a blade that had just tasted blood.
A crimson robe and a golden crown. Aside from short horns and red skin, Belasco looked human. Probably a warlock from Earth before death — maybe even a former Sorcerer Supreme, three thousand years ago.
"Charming," John kept his hands in his pockets, playing it casual.
[Can't show fear. Show weakness, and we're shredded. I need them to think I'm in control.]
"The king himself came to greet me," Rider smirked. "And brought a whole army. I'm flattered."
"How could I ignore such an invitation?" Belasco traced a finger over his brow with aristocratic flair. "Destroying my grazing fields is quite the bold gesture."
[Tch. Knew our stunt wouldn't go unnoticed. Gotta keep up the style.]
"We're not some pathetic mages licking your ass for scraps of knowledge," John scoffed. "We're the kind who can wipe your kingdom off Hell's map. I trust you've realized that by now."
The devil's gaze sharpened. The demons growled like dogs sensing their master's mood shift.
"Heh. Bold," Belasco grinned, revealing a row of sharp teeth. "You're quite the interesting new champion of my dear brother Mephisto."
[Oh? So they don't know I ditched Mephisto yet? I can work with that.]
"And your company is fascinating, Ghost Rider," Belasco's gaze crawled over the others. "An Avatar of Cyttorak. Even Odin's squire. Mmm, how did you all end up together?"
"We all work for Mephisto."
For a moment, the arena froze. Even the demons fell silent. Belasco didn't move an inch, but his gaze turned razor-sharp.
"Do you now?"
"Yeah, yeah, horn-head," John lied like he breathed. "While you were busy rallying an army of red-assed clowns, your brother was smart enough to hire real gangsters. And by the way, your math sucks. There are four ass-kickers here. Standing behind me is the embodiment of the Phoenix."
The devil's greedy gaze locked onto Mary. She didn't flinch — met his stare with bored indifference, not a trace of fear. Good girl.
"And why exactly did Mephisto send you to me?"
"To reclaim what's his," Rider stepped forward. "The soul and body of Lady Phoenix belong to Mephisto. Which means the M'Kraan Crystal belongs to Mephisto. We know you stole it."
Belasco's tense expression slowly relaxed into something serene.
"For a moment… I thought you'd come for my treasure. Shame. That would've been more fun."
He yanked a chain — and a figure slipped from behind the throne. Blonde, tangled hair. Fingernails bloody. Torn fabric hanging from her shoulders like shed skin. Illyana.
Her lips were cracked like dry earth, eyes darting like a starving mouse cornered by cats.
John felt the air thicken beside him, ozone creeping in. Jane hadn't moved, but lightning was already twitching at her fingertips.
[Please… hold it together. It's not time for Paladin Mode just yet.]
"As you can see, she's human-born. Like all of you," Belasco continued in a cordial tone. "I was beginning to think you came for her."
"What do you want with that kid?" John asked.
[All devils are arrogant bastards. They love to brag. Maybe this'll work.]
"I'm glad you asked."
[Worked.]
"She's my key to freedom," Belasco said with relish, tugging the chain to drag the girl closer. "She's got a unique mutation — she can open portals specifically to this circle of Hell. You get what that means? She's a mortal, genetically bound to this place. And she's from my planet. That makes her the perfect vessel, capable of containing all my power. Just needs a little more preparation."
Illyana stepped out of the shadows. She wasn't fully human anymore. Her skin had a reddish hue, like Belasco's. Short horns peeked through her hair.
"Look," Belasco hooked a claw under the golden amulet on her neck. Two of the five blood-red stones pulsed with slow, ominous light, like heartbeats. "When all the bloodstones are filled, the vessel will be ready. I'll walk the Earth freely — and leave an astral copy here to preserve my Hellish power."
[Smug bastard already has it all figured out...]
"Congrats," John scoffed. "Honestly, I don't care. I asked out of courtesy. I'm here for the M'Kraan Crystal."
"Of course," an icy lockbox appeared in his hand, with a pink gem glowing inside.
[Even from here I can feel the magic in that thing. Serious artifact.]
"I don't need it," Belasco tossed the lockbox in his palm. "Picked it up on my way to Earth for the vessel. Couldn't pass up a free opportunity. I'm sure you understand."
"Yeah, sure. Hand it over."
"Not so fast," the devil wagged a finger like scolding a naughty child. "I found it. That deserves… let's say, a little compensation."
"You're a thief. What you deserve is a kick in the ass," John said flatly. "Mephisto sent me with a warning. Return what you stole — or it's war between realms. And as you've noticed, the four of us can easily wipe out your cannon fodder. So… what's your answer?"
Belasco grimaced like he bit into a lemon.
"I admit — well played. You've boxed me in," the devil sighed and pressed a hand to his face. "But you missed one little thing. Mammon told me you lost Mephisto's protection."
Belasco smiled.
"You're alone. There's no war coming. And for killing you, Mephisto will thank me."
The demon hordes surged forward.
[Fuck… And things were going so well.]
/////
1800 words.
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