Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Halloween was fast approaching. The trees around Winter Falls had already turned bright yellow and orange. Each morning, a thick blanket of fog would roll past the Deetz Victorian era home and descend into the town below. Despite the death and decay, the ever gloomy Lydia, was beginning to perk up. Halloween was the one time of the year when her brand of insane was in vogue. It was the one day where she was considered 'normal' and could even feel like that. Even if her best friends were the ghosts that lived? -stayed- in her attic.

On one of those crisp mornings, Lydia found herself up way too early for a normal teenager and was unable to go back to sleep. She quietly crept up onto the roof. Only to pause briefly and smile at Barbara and Adam. They were 'asleep' (or whatever ghosts do); floating in a cuddle pile. They were nestled arm in arm, hovering about three feet off the cushions of the couch. It was saccharin sweet to look at.

Lydia left them be. She climbed out of the window to the tiered roof; before plopping down on the slates. The chilly morning air blew through her pajamas. Lydia pulled her knees up to her chest. She shivered in the cold. Maybe she should have brought a blanket.

She looked out towards the town. Asleep and still; apart from one small cube van. It weaved through the Main Street and out to the fields nearby.

Lydia could feel a tingle watching the van. Goosebumps shivered down her spine. She didn't even need to look up at him as Beetlejuice materialized behind her. The ghost looked like a mad stray dog. His hair was all bristled with fiery red tips (it was cool that his hair changed color like that with his mood). His lips twisted into snarl; baring his uneven fangs.

Lydia quirked an eyebrow.

"What's got your panties in a twist this morning?" She asked.

"Something's going on." Beetlejuice replied.

Lydia looked back to where the truck disappeared, "Yeah? Someone's moving in, I guess."

"Judging from the geriatric population of this town, the only time new real estate opens up is if someone dies."

His arm grew long. It snaked down the roof to point through the window Lydia had climbed out of.

"See Exhibit A and B."

Lydia rolled her eyes and giggled, "Ok, point taken." She then turned her attention back up at Beetlejuice, "What do you it is then?"

Beetlejuice shrugged, "Dunno. But they've been driving around all night. Two Men in Black looking motherfuckers would jump out and look around. Then go on their merry way. I don't like it."

Lydia was skeptical. To say the least. Beetlejuice was a known sociopath, after all. Though, this was… off for him. The lively ghost was too stiff. Not angry. Per say. That wasn't the right word for it. Lydia couldn't place a finger on it.

She patted BJ's back to at least settle his overwhelming energy. The demon's shoulders relaxed. Just a fraction. Good enough for now.

"I'll talk to my dad. Maybe he'll know what's up." Lydia spoke. She pushed herself up onto her feet, adding, "I can assume that you'll be up here spying on them?"

"Of course. I am the town creep, after all."

To prove his point, Beetlejuice's noodle arm booped Lydia's nose playfully. The girl snickered. She swatted it away as she began to climb back into the house.

"I've got to get ready for school. See ya, BJ. Have fun being a creep."

"Later, Scarecrow."

***

There was something going on alright. On every telephone pole Lydia rode past on her bike; there was a public notice. Some government body was testing some sort of magnetic...thing. The phrasing was all word jargon. Just official sounding bullshit that didn't really mean anything. Or make any load of sense. At least, to Lydia anyways.

Lydia kept riding home from school. On the way, she noticed that the flyers were everywhere. On billboards and in shop windows. Bright yellow for people to notice. Just like the leaves on the ground.

She rounded the corner to start her journey up the hill home and there it was. The cube van. Two people in black suits, just as Beetlejuice described, were posting a notice on the pole that led to her house.

Lydia stopped, watched the two at a distance, before she hopped off her bike. She walked it over and put on her best 'I'm friendly' smile she could muster.

"Hey, excuse me?"

The two suits stopped their chitchat to look at her. One was a pale skinned man that looked like he had never gone outside in his life. The other was a woman with curly blonde hair with a more tan complexion. Both looked unamused that Lydia was even talking to them. Though, it was hard to tell with their faces hidden behind sunglasses.

"Hi." Lydia tried again, "I live up the hill."

She even pointed to the house. The pair looked up at it. Then back at her. So, Lydia continued.

"I've seen your flyers all over town. Not much happens here. So, I was wondering if I can ask-"

"What's going on?" The man stated. Matter of factly.

The teen didn't like his tone. Yet, Lydia pushed on.

"Yeah. If you don't mind."

"We're testing a new animal tracking system." This time it was the woman that answered, "We released a raven with the tracker and we are following its movement. The frequencies from the tracker may affect your TV or cell phone if it's close by."

"It's only going to be a few days. Then we will end the test and be on our way. Oh, and if you see it, please do not approach it." Said the man.

"The bird?" Lydia questioned.

"And do not call animal control." Added the woman.

Lydia must have made a face because the two agents exchanged looks. The man went into his jacket pocket. He gave Lydia a business card. All it had was a number. No name. No department or organization. Just a number.

Lydia scrunched up her nose. If this wasn't a huge red flag, she might as well be colorblind. She pocketed the card anyway.

"Call us if you have any problems."

"With the bird?" Lydia asked again.

The pair nodded.

"Ravens are some of the smartest animals on the planet." The man said.

"We don't want you to get hurt." Added the woman.

Hurt?

Lydia didn't like anything about this. She gave a quick nod of understanding towards the agents. She slipped her leg over her bike and got her foot on the pedal.

She kicked off and said, "Ok. Thanks." Before heading up the hill.

For once, maybe Beetlejuice was right about something.

Chapter Text

Adam was looking over the card as Lydia told her tale of her little misadventure with Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Barbara quietly worried as Lydia explained, "I'm telling you guys. There's something messed up happening. These guys are doing something-"

Barbara's cold, yet gentle, hands stopped Lydia from her pacing. The teen hadn't noticed that she was putting tracks in the carpet. Barbara gave her a weak smile as she settled.

"We believe you."

"More than believe you." Adam interjected; still studying the card, "Beetlejuice even filled us in on these weirdos."

Now that was surprising.

All three ghosts were at least friendly with each other. After Beetlejuice's little murderous rampage over a year ago, that is. However, the demon would still go out of his way to mock and tease Adam and Barbara. Out of love, of course. They were one big happy family after all, but that didn't mean there were certain things that BJ kept from the Maitlands. Lydia was positive this would have one of them.

Lydia was pulled from her thoughts as Adam let out a little laugh of triumph. He was holding the card up towards the light. Happily doing a little victory dance while doing so.

"I knew it! It has a watermark!"

"Adam! Brilliant idea!" His wife chirped.

He, in return, puffed up his chest with pride and said, "Oh, you know, took a bit of detective work and using the ol' noodle!"

"What does it say?" Lydia came to join him.

Adam leaned down to help her see and explained, "Here, Lydia, tilt it like this. Now hold it like this. That's right. See? It's see through at this part right here. Let's see what it says… D-H-O-R-K-S...?"

"Dorks?" Lydia raised an eyebrow.

"That's...an unfortunate acronym." Barbara mused.

Adam added, "It really is, isn't it?"

"Maybe it's all some viral marketing stunt?"

"In such a small town?" Lydia said.

"Stranger things have happened. Remember that killer clown thing?"

"Good point, honey." Adam nodded.

Lydia hummed and looked back at the card; still not convinced.

She would have been on that boat her adoptive ghost parents were sailing; if something didn't stick out like a black and white sore thumb. Beetlejuice wouldn't have been acting so weird if it was something that simple. Hell, he would have been opening fucking with them if it was something that stupid.

And yet…

"Speaking of killer clowns," Lydia poundered out loud, "Where is my killer clown? I haven't seen Beetlejuice since this morning."

The Maitlands looked at each other in brief confusion. Then collectively shrugged.

"You know what, I haven't seen him since this morning either." Barbara said.

"That's very unlike him…"

"I'm sure he's fine, Lydia-"

No sooner did the words leave Adam's mouth, there was a series of loud, but short pops. One right after the other.

Out of instinct, Adam pulled his adoptive daughter away from the attic window. Lydia screamed as a few more gunshots ripped through the night air. There was an unholy screech. Something between a cry of a crow and an almost human voice that sent shivers down the young girl's spine.

From the corner of her eye, Lydia saw a huge black...something flying past the window. Quickly followed by a familiar voice yelling, "SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!"

"Beetlejuice?!"

Lydia scrambled out of her hiding spot (under a table). Pushing past Adam and Barbara in the process. The girl opened the window to witness the chaos below.

It was the two idiots from before. Pistols in hand and trained, not on Beetlejuice, but the thing behind him. Lydia could barely make it out. The creature's black feathers blended it in with the night's shadows. Lydia could tell that it was hurt. It lay crumpled on the ground in a twisted mess of feathers and limbs from where it crashed into the lawn. It's form was protectively wrapped around what looked like an old book.

As the two agents closed in on BJ and the monster. Lydia could barely make out what he was saying over the armed pair as they yelled at it to stay down.

"-Come on, babes! You're a god damned Goetic demon! You can take a few bullets!"

The creature whimpered in protest and snapped its beak-like jaw. Though, it did move to try to get up.

"STAY DOWN, YOU DEMONIC FREAK!" One of the pair yelled.

Despite being half the creature's size; Beetlejuice was protectively hovering over his friend. The D.H.O.R.K. agents readied their pistols one again. Aiming square in the middle of Beetlejuice's chest. That's when Lydia figured it out.

They couldn't see him.

They were aiming to kill his friend.

"Beetlejuice!"

The ghost snapped his attention towards the window.

"LYDIA, SAY MY NAME!"

"BEETLEJUICE!"

It was like a bomb went off. Every light that was in the house exploded. All at once. Plunging everyone into darkness. The D.H.O.R.K.s shot, but in the flashes of the gunfire, Beetlejuice's huge fangs reflected back at them. He became the demon they were so afraid of.

The Maitlands pulled Lydia back into the safety of the attic as screams, both human and demonic, echoed all around the house. Both of the ghosts went to speak before Lydia cried out, "You need to help me get downstairs!"

"What's happening, Lydia?!"

"Is that Beetlejuice?!"

"Please!" Lydia begged, "BJ's friend is hurt and we need to get the first aid kit! I can't see shit in the dark!"

Adam and Barbara shared a split second look before a decision was made. In unison, they nodded and took each of Lydia's hands.

"Ok, kiddo. We got you." Adam said.

"Just hold on." Barbara added.

All ghosts had some sense of where they were in the dark. From normal old night to the pitch blackness of the Void, all ghosts could see. Something about the 'truth of the universe'. Or some bullshit like that.

Lydia learned that trick early from meeting Beetlejuice; creeping on her while she slept. Big, reflective eyes would catch what little light was there. It admittedly scared the shit of her. Some deep primal fear of wolves in the dark.

As the Maitlands helped her weave through the house, Lydia couldn't help but to think back on that. Maybe Beetlejuice wasn't being a creep then. Maybe he was just making sure she was ok…

There was another crash. Something was thrown through a window downstairs. Adam visibly jumped.

"No! Those are the original Victorian!" The ghost had to stifle his protest by clamping his hands around his mouth.

Lydia and the Maitlands were about half way down the stairs to the first floor, before the girl found what broke. Looked like Beetlejuice threw one of her father's cars through the window. How the hell was Lydia going to explain this to her dad?

Then Lydia noticed something else. Or the lack of something, that is. The noise. The sound of screams, roars and unloading of guns. For a split second. A very tiny moment. Lydia had thought the worst had happened to Beetlejuice.

Lydia bolted out the front door, without much thought for her own safety. Yet, just as fast, she slammed her boot heel down in the dirt to stop herself from skidding into the scene she had come upon.

The cube van had been abandoned in the middle of the front lawn. The D.H.O.R.K. assholes were nowhere to be seen. As if, they had vanished into thin air. All that was left were two slowly fading magic rings; illuminating the grass.

Lydia didn't have much time to process that (not that she could). The two demons standing before her were a bit more of a priority.

The bird one was standing at its full height. It was tall. Taller then what Lydia originally guessed. At its full height, it hardly looked like the shaking, shivering thing that she saw struggling to stand. Long talons traced over lines in a spell book as it spoke in language completely alien to Lydia's human mind.

Coiled around the bird-like demon was a much larger beast. It's form was harder to discern. It was all limbs and teeth; some human but mostly animal. It was both slimey and hairy. Claws, insect legs and tentacles writhing in rage.

Lydia had to force herself to speak. Her voice was tiny in disbelief; "...BJ?"

"Shit."

Beetlejuice snapped back to his normal form as if nothing happened. Worry was written all over his dumb face.

"Lyds! I'm so sorry! The car didn't hit you right?! I didn't scare you?! Right?! I know that shit fucks you breathers up sometimes!"

Lydia relaxed. It was hard to be scared of this blubbering idiot. He looked like a puppy that got into something he shouldn't have. Or one that peed on the carpet. She reached out and squished his cheeks.

"I'm fine, Beetlejuice. Seeing dad and Delia make out is way worse. Yuck."

The demon gave a chuckle and a smirk. Lydia knew that would have perked him up. Beetlejuice blew a playful raspberry.

"Yeah, yuck. Don't say that. God, now it's in my head."

There was a coo. Both Lydia's and Beetlejuice's attention turned to the creature. It's shoulders folded in on itself. Yet, it's lips had wobbled up into a weak smile. Then it's knees gave out.

Beetlejuice was quick. His arm stretched out to catch his friend before they hit the ground. It was shaking once again in the ghost's hold. Lydia watched the wave of micro emotions flicker across his face; rage, pity, sadness. It was like he was having a hard time to even pick an emotion to feel.

Beetlejuice's mood ring hair settled on purple. Depression.

"Oh, babes… what did they do to you?" He whispered, too quietly to hear. As if he was saying it to himself.

Though, his eyes narrowed at a clunky radio collar that hung around his friend's neck. One of those ones that researchers use to track animals in the wild. Yet, it looked too heavy to be worn around a creature's neck that was so thin. Through a snarl, Beetlejuice grabbed the thing in his claws. With a few pops of fire magic, he ripped it clean off.

Beetlejuice scooped up his friend almost effortlessly. The demon merely rested its head against his jacket's shoulder.

"Lyds," He addressed her, bringing her attention back, "I'm assuming you and the Maitlands got your dad's first aid kit, yeah?"

"Yeah. It's in the house."

"Cool. Cool."

Beetlejuice began to float towards the house. Probably not wanting to move his friend around too much. So, Lydia followed. Her eyebrows knotted in stern confusion.

"Care to fill me in?"

"Lydia, this is Null." The ghost introduced. Rather stiffly. "Null, this is Lydia. Now both of my best friends have met."

Best friends?

"I thought you said you didn't have friends before me."

"Well, uh, you're my new best friend. Here. In the Living World." He explained as best he could, "Me and Null go waaaaay back. Like, back before my banishment back. Back when the Black Plague was still the hot new thing for you guys here."

"That's far back."

"Yeah..." Beetlejuice spoke quietly. His mind lost in thought, "Haven't seen them in that long too. Not really expecting all of this, to be perfectly honest, kid…"

Lydia nodded. She looked back at the patch of grass where those magic rings were.

"Did they kill them?"

Beetlejuice shook his head, "Nah. Not their style. Null just teleported them somewhere. Hopefully on the other side of the planet. Somewhere that it would be a pain in the ass to get all the way back here."

He chuckled. A familiar dark smirk twisted over his fangs. Lydia had seen this one before at their 'wedding'.

"Those idiots are lucky Null's so nice. I would have killed them, if they let me. Null hasn't changed a bit..."

This was the first time Lydia had seen the demon speak so fondly of someone from his past. There was more here. A story left untold, but Lydia didn't question him about it. Not yet at least. Lydia could drill him for more information once Null was patched up. She simply nodded back and opened the door for him.

Chapter Text

"What happened?"

Charles and Delia were staring at the makeshift emergency room they had stumbled upon. They had decided to treat themselves for a night out. A nice little date to get away from the literal haunted house they were living in.

What they returned to was a car through a wall, several broken windows, all the lights dead and a lanky, bird...thing curled up on the couch. An oozing wound had been bandaged. Yet, the sticky black substance seemed to be tracked all over the first floor of the house. From the front door all the way to the living room.

Lydia's father looked like he was going to have a nervous break; while his date cautiously looked over his shoulder.

"Not the good couch…" Delia muttered.

"Dad," Lydia filled in, "This is Null." She gestured to the bird demon on the couch, "They're a friend."

"A friend?" Charles repeated.

His daughter nodded, "Those assholes in the van got them. They're hurt and sick and don't want to hurt us. We're just trying to get them home somehow."

"Home? The Neitherworld?"

"Something like that-"

"Null's from Hell, Chuck." Beetlejuice finally spoke.

Charles blanched, "Hell? As in actual Hell?"

"Yup."

Null had fallen asleep on the couch as soon as the Maitlands had tended to their wounds. Not that Lydia could blame them. They did lose a lot of, what the teen could assume, was blood. Apparently, demons could bleed. Who knew?

Beetlejuice had explained that Null was technically alive. So, technically they could bleed. Though, the inky black tar they bled was not what she was expecting. Though, this was the first time Lydia had ever really dealt with demons.

Beetlejuice had been unusually quiet since Adam and Barbara wrapped Null up. BJ had taken like a hawk to watch over them. He was sitting on the floor beside them. One hand holding theirs and snarling at anyone (the Maitlands mostly) getting too close.

As Null rested, Beetlejuice was flipping through the pages of their spell book.

"Null is a Keeper of the Crossroads. The Opener of Doors." Beetlejuice explained in a fake (and rather snooty) English accent, "A guardian between the Veils. The patron for hedge witches, mediums and spiritualists alike."

"...Ok? And what does that mean?" Charles was almost too afraid to ask.

"They can walk through planes of existence. Between here, the Neitherworld, Hell, Heaven and beyond." Beetlejuice then chuckled. His tone suddenly shifted darker, "If you thought I was scary, you haven't seen anything yet. Wait until their boss comes."

Beetlejuice finally settled on a page and stood. He clapped his hands together and smiled brightly.

"Who's ready to summon a Demon Prince!?"

Every other mouth in the room screamed no.

Beetlejuice grumbled, "Well, too bad. We're summoning him anyway. Just deal with it."

"In the house?" Charles was trying so hard not to have this happen, "You're going to be summoning a demon here?"

"Technically, you already have two demons in your house, Chuck." Beetlejuice pointed out.

Without much of an explanation of what he was doing, Beetlejuice began moving furniture and kicking up the rug to get the floorboards underneath. Lydia helped with the more delicate objects. Beetlejuice wasn't about to be careful anytime soon.

"Ok, let's see if I can remember how to do this…" The demon was muttering to himself. He scratched at his scruff as he began to plan things out before him, "Shit. Maybe I should have paid more attention when they showed me. Trial by fire. Literally."

He dug through the pocket of his suit coat. Then pulled out a single piece of chalk. Beetlejuice got down on his knees and began drawing out a large circle on the floor. Slowly and carefully. As if he would fuck it up if he didn't.

Poor guy looked like he was as lost as the rest of them.

Lydia couched down next to him, "What do you need, Beetlejuice?"

"Uh..." He looked up at her, "I'm gonna need some stuff. Candles and shit."

"Ok. What else?"

"I don't want him to kill ya. All of you need to pitch in something. Something important to you. Demons like to trade and he's no different."

He turned his attention to Delia, "You're into that New Age hocus pocus, yeah? You're gonna bring me the biggest and shiny rocks you have."

Then Beetlejuice looked over to Charles, "You got some of your wife's old jewelry. I know you do, you sentimental bastard. Gimme some of that."

"You are not taking Emily's jewelry!" The man protested, "Not to simply give it away to some demon from the pits of hell!"

Beetlejuice growled. The familiar crimson red began to seep through the green of his hair. The demon stood. He shoved the end of his stick of chalk square against Charles' chest.

"I'm TRYING to make sure that you don't end up DEAD! Like your WIFE! Hell is SO much worse than the Neitherworld, Chuck!" Beetlejuice threatened, "If you don't fucking do this and that demon rips your soul out; who is going to be looking after Lyds!?"

There was a long and uncomfortable beat of silence between the two. Both were too stubborn to back down from the other. Though, they were soon reminded what they were even fighting about.

There was a soft sound as Null shifted on the couch. All the yelling had woken them up. Big, yellow eyes watched them and all that red rage disappeared from Beetlejuice's frame.

Lydia took the opportunity to gently slip her hand in her father's. She gave it a squeeze.

"Mom would have been happy to know that something that simple helped, dad…" She whispered.

Charles sighed softly, but slowly nodded, "You're right… You're right."

He planted a kiss on top of his daughter's head. Lydia gave him a weak smile and hugged him. She knew that he was still having trouble with all this. He couldn't say her mother's name for the longest time after she'd died...

He was moving forward, at least. Slowly, but surely. Charles gave Lydia one final squeeze, before finally letting her go. Lydia couldn't help, but gave him a little nod of encouragement. Charles nodded back. Then took Delia's hand, before both disappeared upstairs to gather the things Beetlejuice needed.

In the meantime, the demon had returned to his circle; adding glyphs and lettering. Clearly, he had found a regained focus in trying to get his friend back home.

"Lydia, I'm gonna need something from you too." He spoke in a low tone, "Did you develop those photos you took the other night?"

"The ones of the super moon? Yeah. I've got them in the dark room. They didn't turn out the way I wanted them to, though. Is that ok? Will that work?"

"If I know the old bastard well enough, he would be absolutely delighted. Bring one. Your favorite one."

Lydia giggled softly. She patted his back and said, "You are going to have to tell me about your time in Hell after all of this. This sounds so cool. Promise?"

Beetlejuice huffed a chuckle. He smirked with his crooked fangs, "For sure, babes. Perfect bedtime story. Don't tell your dad though. Our little secret."

Lydia couldn't help, but to laugh again. She pushed finger to her lips; shushing the demon playfully. Beetlejuice winked. Then drew an 'x' over his lapel. Right over where his heart would have been.

She didn't need much more of an answer. Lydia nodded and headed towards the basement stairs where her dark room was. The Maitlands took that as their queue to go and gather candles.

It took about 30 minutes for everything to be settled. Delia brought a sizable geode from her collection. The purple crystals inside refracted the dim candle light like twinkling stars at twilight. With a sigh, Charles gave up a brooch of a raven that he had kept locked away in a box up until this point.

"I bought it for her in Boston…" He murmured out loud. Just loud enough for the others to hear. "On a business trip. Emily wanted to come along, but she was pregnant with you at the time."

Lydia smiled at that, "But we all did go to Boston eventually. That was the year she was Edger Allen Poe. Remember?"

Charles chuckled, "You were so scared of her. She had to take off the costume to convince you it was her under it."

"It was a pretty good costume. Fooled me."

Lydia kneeled down to put her photo in with the rest of the pile. Beetlejuice added the last few touches; three old coins in a currency Lydia didn't recognize. One for each of the three ghosts.

"Loose change for the boatman." Beetlejuice said in a low tone.

He then brought his attention back to Null. They had been silently watching from their spot on the couch. Lydia didn't think those big yellow eyes blinked once. It was almost unsettling. It made their face almost impossible to read.

But she could read Beetlejuice like an open book. His posture was stiff. His face wore a sulk. Bits of purple returned to his hair. Beetlejuice finally let go of the breath he was holding and made his way back to his friend's side.

"Hey bird brain… Long time no see…"

Null gently bumped their head against his chest. Beetlejuice's hands hovered at his sides for just a moment, before he wrapped them around the other demon's shoulders. Hugging them close.

"We're gonna get you home. I remembered how to use your book." He chuckled weakly. Beetlejuice smiled, but it wasn't genuine. It was lopsided at best. "Told ya I was listening."

Null's feathers ruffled. Their shoulders bobbed in silent laughter. They stick their long, pointed tongue out for good measure. Beetlejuice retaliated by blowing a raspberry of his own.

"Ok, you big turkey," He spoke as he let them go, "Here comes the fun part. Even washed my hands for you. Feel special. I've been saving that for someone I like."

Once again, Null silently laughed. They settled down back on the cushions. Their talons pulled back the bandages to expose the weeping wounds and sticky, bloody feathers. Even from her spot near her father, Lydia could tell that Null was still very much in pain. Their claws trembled and eyes screwed shut as Beetlejuice dipped his own claws in the wound. Soaking them in blood up until the second knuckle.

"Thanks, babes."

He gave Null a quick peck on the forehead and quickly got to work. Beetlejuice returned to the summoning circle, completing it as he painted Null's blood around it.

A word in the English alphabet.

S-T-O-L-A-S.

Beetlejuice snapped up onto his feet as soon as he finished. His eyes flashed as he looked towards the rest of the group.

"Ok, hold onto your asses! This is gonna be a bumpy ride! The Living behind me! The Dead get waaaaay back! That Soul Box thing was the kiddie pool! Welcome to the open ocean!"

There was little time to prepare. Lydia, her father and Delia were ushered behind the demon. Beetlejuice let out a protective growl at whatever the hell they had just brought into their world.

The flames of the candles flickered out. Then reignited in a crimson red. The whole house trembled as a shadow circled the group like a hungry predator. A ring of eyes watched the group from every darkened corner.

"Who dares summon me with the blood of my kin?"

The living humans huddled together out of fear. The floorboards ebbed. Some nails popped.

"Me, a very Prince of Hell? Do you wish to be dragged down with me?"

The shadow that stalked them suddenly leaped forward. The room went dark as a set of four glowing eyes stared down at Beetlejuice.

The light returned as quickly and standing in the circle was the demon. Much like Null, he was bird-like like on towering limbs. However, instead of being like that of a raven; the one that Beetlejuice summoned was an owl. Dressed in royal regalia and fine jewelry.

The owl's gaze narrowed and he spoke, "Shoggoth."

Beetlejuice meekly waved. He gently scooted the collection of semi stolen items with his boot causing a clattering sound to ring out in the silent room.

"Hey there, Stolas. Long time no see. And it's Beetlejuice now."

Stolas barely glanced down at his tribute, before standing up straight to his full height.

"Where are they?" Stolas's voice was cold. Commanding. "Where is my kin?"

And for the first time since they came inside, Null made a noise. It was the same animal-like speech Lydia heard earlier when they were casting the spell. This time more melodic and quiet.

Stolas's feathers ruffled up. His eyes widened as he hurried towards the couch.

"Null! Oh, my dear, what did those nasty little creatures do to you?! They took your clothes! Barbaric things! Just look at your feathers! They're all broken..."

Null cooed softly as Stolas nuzzled them.

"Do you have your grimoire? Is that why you couldn't come home? They took it from you? You have it now though, yes? Ah, good! Very good… Let's get you back home."

As Stolas coddled his wounded kin; he merely flicked a wrist to open up a portal with his own magic. Lydia barely got a peek inside. What she expected was fire and brimstone. Seeing that these two demons were the real deal. What she saw seemed to be lavish palace walls. It reminded her of French Rococo. Maybe Louis XIV was a demon too.

Lydia didn't have much time to think about how much that would have made sense before a stream of small, red Imps poured out of the portal. All of them dressed in white medical coats. They looked like tiny nurses. They swarmed the couch, looking Null over and chattering among themselves.

It would have been cute, if one hadn't shoved past the rest.

This one looked different compared to the others. Her features were sharp. Her shoulders were broad on top of a stocky body. It was like this one worked for a living compared to the others. She reminded Lydia of a bearded dragon more than the fawn like Imps before it.

And this one came out swinging. Armed with a bat filled with nails. She shrieked like a cat that was bathed and swung at the first thing she came across. Which was Beetlejuice.

"WHOA! IZZY IT'S ME!" He yelled.

Beetlejuice's body split in two to clear the weapon. That didn't stop the Imp from just trying to wail on him.

"I know, ya pathetic excuse for an Old One!" (Lydia was surprised that the little demon has such a thick Southern States accent. Was that Georgian?) "I KNEW IT WAS Y'ALL SNIFFING 'ROUND AGAIN!"

"Oh shit."

Another Imp popped his head in through the portal. He was so much taller than the others. Huge horns towered and circled around his head like a goat's.

"Sorry Stolas. She got away." The Imp's eyes locked onto Beetlejuice. He smiled and waved, "Oh, hey Beetlejuice. How's the banishment going?" He then looked around with a long, impressed whistle, "Looks like you've got a good thing going on here. Haunted house. Good vibes. Works well with you."

"Hey Blitzo-"

"It's Blitz. The 'O' is silent now."

The Demon Prince let out a frustrated sigh. Lydia couldn't help, but to giggle at the situation. Looks like herding Imps were like herding cats; irritating and nonsensical. She kind of felt bad for the guy.

Stolas flicked a wrist and the little Imp (Izzy, if Lydia remembered correctly) was suddenly floating off the ground. Her bat vanished into the void. Izzy floated past Beetlejuice. She hissed. He growled.

Blitzo snickered, "Ooooh~ You're in trouble now."

Izzy hissed at him too.

Hundreds of years old demons everyone.

"Really, now." Prince Stolas scolded, "I can't simply rescue a dear friend without you Imps going after each other's throats."

He plopped Izzy down next to the couch. Null thrilled happily and scooped the Imp up to cuddle. The Imp was happy to bury her face in Null's feathers. Izzy was muttering apologies under her breath. Though, it looked like Null was just happy to see her again.

Lydia could have sworn she saw a flash of something in Beetlejuice's eyes.

Meanwhile, Prince Stolas was looking through his little pile of treasure. The demon's talons inspected each piece as he spoke, "I am assuming that you want some sort of payment, Shoggoth? You did a fine job rescuing my Keeper."

"Break the curse." Beetlejuice was almost too quick to answer. Lydia was only kind of upset. She couldn't blame him though. He did just spend several hundred years invisible to most.

Stolas laughed.

"You know full well that even I can't break Shub-Niggurath's wraith. The Old Goat's magic can only be disenchanted by herself. I'm a Demon Prince. Not a miracle worker."

In his talons, he was being ever so careful with Lydia's polaroid. He looked over it fondly; tracing the moon's outline with a claw. Prince Stolas glanced around the room and asked, "Which one of you humans took this?"

The teen raised her hand, "Me, your Highness."

Stolas smiled; grinning from ear to fluffy ear.

"It warms my heart to see that you humans up here still find the beauty in my full moons. I am charmed, really. Thank you for your tribute, little one."

He slipped it into his vest's breast pocket. His fingers snapped and the rest of his offerings disappeared. Prince Stolas clapped his claws together. It was back to business.

"Shoggoth, you must give me an answer quickly. As much as I enjoy being here in the Human World, I have things to attend to in Hell-"

"Yeah, we were in the middle of a pretty good fuck session when all this shit started to go down." Blitzo commented blandly from the portal's mouth; simply looking at his claws. He pointed to Izzy, "This little lesbian busted through the palace gates like a bat out of Hell. Like actually. I've seen it. Pretty impressive."

Izzy blanched. Prince Stolas, on the other hand, floofed up and giggled like a schoolgirl. So, this is where Beetlejuice's sense of humour came from. Explained a lot actually.

Beetlejuice, however, grumbled. His fists clenched. He was clearly upset that he was still unable to return to either Hell or the Neitherworld. Though, yellow eyes flickered over his shoulder towards Null on the couch. His eyes weavered in thought, before he sighed.

"Just… Get Null home. Fix them up." Beetlejuice said, "You should know that there's humans up here hunting you guys. Dunno who they work for or anything, but it's fucked to say the least."

Stolas's eyes merely narrowed at this information. Blitzo stumped a boot into the floorboards and snarled.

"Satan's tits! Was it those shitheads again?! We fucking slaughtered a whole building of those guys last time! It was the coolest thing we did up here and they're still after us?!"

"Enough, my love." Stolas spoke. That commanding tone returned.

Blitzo steadied a bit, but his teeth were still beared.

"Oh! Prince Stolas!" Out of the corner of the room, Adam started going through his pockets, "It sounds like that you guys have met these guys all before, but this might help! They gave us a phone number. I don't know if you have phones in Hell, but I hope it's something."

The ghost offered the card that the D.H.O.R.K.S. gave to Lydia. Putting a smile on the teen's face.

"Good thinking, Adam."

Prince Stolas's eyes widened. He crossed the room in three strides of his long legs and carefully took the card from Adam.

"Oh hell yeah, we have phones in Hell!" Blitzo enthusiastically yelled, "Let's track down those assholes!"

Blitzo puffed up his chest and marched back through the portal. The team of Imps took this as their opportunity to leave as well. They chattered among themselves before gathering around the couch. With an organized heave, they lifted up the couch with both Null and Izzy on it and wobbled towards Hell.

"Not the good couch…" Delia protested in defeat.

Stolas put the card in his breast pocket, "Once again, I must thank you, Shoggoth. You have done me a great service this night. I will not forget it."

"I didn't do it for you. I did it for Null." Beetlejuice stuffed his hands in his pants pockets, "Just make sure they live. And that they come back here to visit and whatever."

Stolas laughed. His coy smile returned. From ear to fluffy ear. He tucked his hands behind his back as he made his way towards his home.

"Oh, I don't think I could even stop them if I tried. They are the Opener of Doors, after all. There's no place in existence that you can't hide, Beetlejuice… Now that you have shown them it."

Stolas stepped through the threshold between their two realties. The gates of Hell closed, leaving behind three humans, two ghosts and one demon. All living in a haunted house. The cold Fall breeze blew through the holes in the walls and the broken windows.

Yet, everyone was alive. Or at least, 50% of them.

Lydia didn't bring up any of this to her classmates the next day. How could she explain it anyways? That her demon best friend fought off the government and they summoned literal demon royalty? Yeah. That wasn't about to fly anytime soon. So, her father just made something up. Gas leak and explosion. The town just rolled with it.

Lydia, her father and Delia stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in town while the house got repaired. The Maitlands and Beetlejuice kept to themselves in the attic while the work went on down below. Again, ever full of surprises, Beetlejuice didn't cause any problems. The poor guy seemed more mopey than usual. Lydia chalked it up to missing his friend. Though, she didn't push. Beetlejuice's faded purple hair was more than enough to convince her to give the demon his space.

About two nights later, Lydia was awoken from a silver white glow coming from the night table. At first she thought it was a notification on her phone, but as her eyes adjusted to the dark, it was a magic circle. Slowly fading back into the wood.

In the middle was her mother's brooch. Lydia chuckled softly. She took it in her hands. Fingers glided over familiar edges and then held it against her chest.

"Thanks, Null..."