Legions massive paws pounded the asphalt like thunder but slowed to a stop once the carnage grew thicker, knowing the cause would be in sight soon. Dara's voice called to her but she didnt need her to speak to know what she felt.

"Miss Legion..wait..stop so i can check on that innocent..."

Legion stopped on command and lowered her body to help ease the fall of Dara from her back. It was a lengthy way down and she didnt want little Dara to hurt herself. Legion and Duos's head were focused down on the man who spoke to them, whilst Treaos was watching something more interesting. A woman in a red dress and heels. That must be the host of the shard. Legion gave a smile--there is no hell like a womans wrath. Clearly she was a force to be reckoned with if she had acess to explosives and--

A building crashed down in the west side of the city and blackened the already dark sky with billowing clouds of gray smoke. Legion turned her body towards it and awaited Daras return. "Miss Legion...you heard the man--we have to go westward. We have to stop that woman..."

Treaos seemed to be pulling Legion, stretching out her neck in the direction Dara was now focused on. "Is that....William?" She asked, unsure of herself. Legion turned her head to see the devil standing in a fountain of boiling blood. She couldn't mistake the smell--it was William. Legions gaze darted back to Dara as she moved towards him. Half of her wanted to stop her, whilst the other half wanted to go with her, Legion was the only reasoning. To signal the womans end, in hopes of gaining her attention, Legion lowered her head and pulled back to let slip a howl. The sound traveled through the buildings and drowned out the sounds of screaming. There was silence as the howl faded into the distance and Legion made her stand, snapping at Treaos as she did so.

"Keep. Your. Focus. Demonic head of ours. We have a shard to retrieve."
"Leeeeegionnnn.....haaaaa....William issss sooooo-"
" William is no longer- A devil stands in his place. We must take back the shard before any more innocents are slain. These streets are painted in blood as it is...
"Dara is to much focused on her beloved to help, we will have to take it on our own. Hannah--are you staying or going?"

~~~~

The woman was reloading the belt fed minigun when something sent a deep chill down her spine. A howl--here? Wolves weren't known to roam metroplois streets. The sound made her curious and she slung the fully loaded minigun on her hip, walking swiftly towards the sound. When she walked past the dying, she'd pause to stop her heel through their neck, smear the blood on their clothes and continue her walk.

"Perhaps I'll get a new fur coat today..."

William looked over as he heard his voice being called. He gasped, raised his arm to cover his eyes, and took a step back. It was Dara, but he couldn't look upon her. She was an angel. Too pure, too holy. He walked over to her, still shielding his eyes. "Yes... It's me..." He had felt happy up until Dara had showed up. Now that he knew that he couldn't look at her, he hated his new form. He looked past Dara and spotted Legion. Dous had a similar glow about her like Dara, Treaos glowed a deep red, Legion didn't have anything about her. "Wait.. Let me hurry them up." His ears barely caught Hannah's words. She slid down off of Dous and jogged over to them.

"I have to say, That's a very hot look for you." Hannah said as she leaned forward and gave her brother a quick hug.

Will's face scowled and his eyes closed in pain. "Please, don't touch me... You're part human, it hurts."

Hannah jumped back, biting her lip. Then she looked Dara with a giggle. "Guess you better not either, might give him a heart attack." Her joke failed to lighten the mood. "... Well come on, we have to get the shard."

"I can see her... She coming for Legion, from over there." He said and looked to the west. "Girls... I'd like it if you could sit this one out, all of you are to important to me to risk you being killed..." His words were soft, gentle even. As if he felt that if he spoke to loud they would blow away like the child. He started walking away, slowly, softly.

He watched the ground infront of him as he walked. It was strange to see the world in this body. It was the normal world, but he would get flashes of it burnt, licked by the flames of hell. Was he getting glimpes of the apocolypse? Maybe his powers had an upside. Lucifer could talk into the mind of his underlings. Why shouldn't he be able to. Treaos would hear him, Legion might, Dous wouldn't. 'Legion, Treaos, Please don't join in on the fight. I don't want you getting hurt. I know it's a stupid thing to say, but I've grown to love you and I can't risk you...' Next, the woman. She was being tainted by the shard, the shard was tainted by Lucifer. 'Come and get me bitch.'

Treaos's ears pivoted to better hear the sultry voice in her head. Her smoking black eyes growing more powerful as He influcened her, by letting her hear his voice. Legion was half listening as she was only half evil and of course, Duos was oblivious to the words of the Devil.

"'Legion, Treaos, Please don't join in on the fight. I don't want you getting hurt. I know it's a stupid thing to say, but I've grown to love you and I can't risk you...'
Buut Siiiiire...haaaaaa...weeee liiiiive to fiiiiight...haaaa...fiiiight foooor theeee shaaaarrrrrrds....
I didnt know a devil could be richeous. Drop the hero act, our sole purpose is to protect. Were the ones whose lives dont matter. Try to kee up William--or should I call you Lucifer..

Legion hated being told what to do and she hated when man acted like heros for the people they loved. There are no heros in war--only fools. Legion was the only one here who was allowed to be a fool, her life didnt matter so long as Dara got the shard. Legions mighty paw stood in front on William and she walked right over him towards the essence of the shard. The fire from Duos' eyes erupted and engulfed her entire body in a deep red flame. Black smoke poured from Treaos' gaze and flooded the ground she walked on. Legions maw lifted, revealing her layers of sharp teeth and all three growled low and deep as the woman turned the corner...

~~~~~

The clicking of heels stormed down the street as the devil in the red dress carrying firearms and grenades in her prada purse came around the corner. She stood standing, leg half cocked, showing off one of her gorgeous legs with a lit cigarette resting on her lower lip.

"Well, well, well, what have we here? A handsome man and his mutt. I was looking for a slave and rug...it must be my lucky day."

She took a long drag of her cigarette and flicked it off to the side as she adjusted the minigun on her shoulder. She aimed for Satan and the gun began its metallic hum.

William sighed as Legion walked over him. She could be hurt, she could cause pain to Dara by getting hurt. He couldn't, The devil couldn't be hurt. He walked under Legion and then out infront of her. "Please don't call Legion a mutt, she's more deginfied than your shit." He said calmly, just loud enough to be heard over the hum of her gun. As he finished bullets poured out and sliced through his flesh. Will didn't try to move, or just stop them. She obviously didn't know what she was dealing with.

Finally the clip ran out. Will stood, his body riddled with bullet holes. "When you're in a playground, you don't pick on the big kids, they pick back. Or, even worse, you don't talk back to the teachers, they send you to the principle. And then, if you're stupid enough, you curse out the principle. He expells you." The holes grew back, glowing red as they did. "So, I'm going to have to expell you." Will raised his hand, pointing it to a highrise. Explosions went off on the groundfloor, quickly it leaned over and crashed down upon the woman. It hit the ground and shook the city. "Are you ready to give up?" Will asked looking at the remains of the skyscraper.

Dara stiffened, balking slightly from William's new form. She hadn't wanted to believe he was the anti-christ...but seeing him. Such irreffutable proof. She looked away as he walked by, wondering if it were her imagination or if when he passed she could truely feel her wing singeing. She tucked it tightly against her back and turned to face Legion as she howled. Dara clapped her hans over her ears as the sound shattered through the air..seeming to suck all other sounds from her ears. And then...the woman appeared. Dara felt the shard singing to her as if it were the pulse of her own heart. It throbbed with murderous hate. Made her stomach twist up sickeningly, a small short gasp escaped her lips. And then--the weapon fired. Dara knew she had called out but her voice was lost under the ring of gunfire.

She squeezed her eyes shut --and when they opened again, William stood in the same spot as before. Unmoved. She gave a small exhale of releif. But--this was her fight too. In a blink she was beside him, back straight, wing open. She was the image of the Gaurdian she once was--yes missing a wing--yes dressed as a mortal--but a strange radiance seemed to ripple from her skin. Silver and brilliant. For a moment, Dara's violet eyes flashed silver and the pure silver marking on her otherwise tainted wing glowed fiercely. She was a Silverwing--she had to remind herself. This was her duty.

"Listen to me...this is not what you want. I know this is not your true self--your are possessed...fight it. I know you can..." Dara called to the woman in a resounding feminine voice across the destroyed space between them. As she spoke--Dara searched inside of herself for the miricle she would need. She had used quite a few for the wounded innocent--but she had just enough to purify and heal if need be. She had at least that. She glanced at William beside her who seemed to be squinting. "Do not kill her--you understand? No matter what happens. The shard is already very tainted....killing her would only make it more difficult to purify..."

The bullets ripped through William, but Legion did not move, nor did she block the path between William and the possesed woman. Legions eyes stared off around the woman, trying to sense something. It was odd, she had a different aura about her...not like the others she had seen possessed by the shards ways. Duos glared with white fire eyes down at the woman, ears erect and her face emotionless while Treaos allowed drool to pool on the ground where her head lay. All this murder was making her power hungry as with the shard in reach, Treaos could almost taste it. Without warning, William sent a building crashing down behind the woman and yet she did not move.

The woman simply giggled as the smoke from the rubble consumed her form and blotted out her shadow in clouds of dust.

"If I cannot kill you...."

The sound of metal releasing from metal could be heard and the small thumping of something landed just in front of Dara. Two grenades.

"I'll take her life instead."

Along with the two grenades came the whirring of the mini gun and Legion only had a split second to react. She leaned her head down and swept Dara gently onto her muzzle, lifting her up and away from the danger. As the grenades detonated next to William, who could handle the explosion, Legion leapt backwards where Hannah had been standing an crouched her body down to sheild her from whtever shrapnel would come their way. The ring of gunfire could be heard and now the bullets burried themselves in Legions right side. She could handle a few hundred of them, as the shards that she kept in her system would filter them back out of the holes they created. However, it didn't stop the pain from rippling through her body. Legion clentched her teeth down as the bullets dug themselves into her flesh, but as long as Dara and Hannah were safe, Legion's pain was insignificant.

~~~~~~~

The gun finally sent out a volley of clicks as the second belt of bullets was emptied. She tossed the heavy gun aside and withdrew her desert eagles from her purse, holding them out in front of her...waiting for the devil to try something. The dust cleared, revealing the three-headed dog laying on the ground with blood pouring from the holes carved into its side. The angel was nowhere to be found and she could only assume the dog had protected her.

"Aw, I'm sorry, did I hurt your bitch? Gee, Satan. I was aiming for the angel. Your damn mutt got in the way...what a shame..."

Dara heard the clink of something metal and only had the time to look down, eyes widening at the sight of the two grendades. She felt as if for a moment--the world held it breath and time stood still. Dara heard the grenades ticking like living things breathing with metallic lungs,and looked up, puffing out her chest fearlessly as the woman raised her weapons. What gave her the right to be so brave? And in a whisper--like a long forgotten motion--Dara said,

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me..."

And as if called forth by this--Dara was suddenly aloft. Her eyes widened further. Flight? She hadn't that gift any longer. And then--she felt the furr beneath her and realized, Miss Legion has swept her up atop her nose to protect her. The rattle of gunfire exploded in her ears before they came crashing to the asphalt again. Hannah was below them--and then--everything went loud...and silent very quickly. Her ears rang and her vision went blurry from the impact of the sound. All the while--Dara panicked--worrying for Will and Legion's safty. Dara wasn't sure if she were screaming or if it were Hannah. Hard to tell. And when the rubble ceased falling, Dara, trembling stood, making a rather brave show. Oh...as she witness the horror this woman wrought--how she wished for he other wing. For the power of God on her side again. Her human half faltered--aching to destroy the evil that was attempting to detroy her and her loved ones. Her fist clenched...and the mortal side wanted to scream--hand me a gun! But Dara kept silent, biting the inside of her cheek. She looked to Legion, worried, calling to her and patting her face.
"Miss Legion! ARe you alright?! Do you need to be healed? Please! Be ok..."

Not kill her! What was she thinking! This woman deserved death more than he did. It was his right as the devil to kill, innocent or not. Why should he purify the shard anyway. Why could he take it for himself like Legion. He should at least have one. Grenades tinked to the ground infront of them. His mind went still for a moment.

Then the most horrible pain came like to his head. He clutched his head and crouched down. A high pitched scream of agony ripped from his mouth. What was this. Was Lucifer taking back his power? It soften for a moment, he could hear Dara praying. Stop! Stop! Stop! He shouted in his head, only more screams passed through his lips. Finally Legion wisked her away to safety. The agony stoped, only the anger was left.

"No.." He stood up, slowly he stretched out his tattered wings. "She will die..." He walked to her, to him it left like it was normal. The trees had slowed their swaying, leaves took forever to reach the ground. He hed slowed time? No, he must just be moving faster. He was infront of her, he slowed himself down now. He reached up and took hold of the pistols in her hands. They melted under his touch.

"Go to hell, please." Raw satanic energy exploded from him, sending the woman back. It blinded him temporary, he couldn't see what had happened to her. He was still holding back, wanting to at least attempt to keep her alive. He still couldn't bring himself to hate the woman.

Legion jaw was clentched shut in the pain. The bullets were trying to crawl their way from the holes they burrowed into, thanks to the shards. Legions focus was on Dara and Hannah, they were screaming, yes, but who wouldn't be. Not even the bravest of souls could have kept from expressing the fear of death, or the surprise of something unexpected. When it was all over, Dara, keeping her brave demeanor, gave comfort to Legion by running her hands through the fur on her nose. When Legions ears stopped ringing, she could hear Dara's sweet voice.

"Miss Legion! Are you alright?! Do you need to be healed? Please! Be ok..."
We are fine Dara...

Was all Legion could think to say. Reassure Dara that she was allright. Trembling as the bullets pushed themselves out of her mucles, Legion wearily stood to shelter both Hannah and Dara. The bullets made their way free from her skin and all one hundred or so fell to the ground, creating a symphony of sounds, like metal rain. With this type of firepower, it was dangerous to continue in the fight, the woman knew better than to fight William--she'd go for the weaker of the group...and more so--she might attack Dara and her one wing. If anything happened to that wing...Legion couldn't bear the thought. All she had accomplished would have been for naught if Dara ever became mortal.

William is right...we cannot fight. Our sole purpose is to protect and if anything should have happened because we were not able to save you...we could never forgive ourselves. She-

The woman was thrown back by William but surged from the rubble like some crazed beast. The shard was black and Legion could see it in the womans head...thats why she was acting so forcefully...with such intent. The shard had foun its way into her logical thought and therfore fueled her urge to kill, making it seem logical to the woman, but insane to everyone else. The womans face twisted and her body contorted to make way for something more--beastly. The shard was chainging her...but how? Legions heads lowered to the ground and her body arched up. Her nails dugs into the asphalt like dirt as the three-headed guardian stood protecting her charges.

The womans skin ripped away to reveal red fur. All her human anatomy gave way to something more catlike and the beast, half the size of Legion, charged for Dara. Legion growled low and deep, bearing her teeth for the attack. Just as the hell cat was within reach she leapt upwards and dug her claws onto Legions back, swiping and ripping her skin. Legion stamered in her steps but moved out of the way of hurting Dara or Hannah. Treaos and Duos were snapping at the beast, while Legion felt the pain and tried to release the demonic cat from her. She slammed her back into buildings, bucked up like a horse but the claws only sank deeper into her flesh. This was no ordianary possesion. The deadliest of sins had to have been fueled by something much more than the shard. Treaos finally caught hold of one of the beasts arms and ripped her from Legions back, tossing her like a rope toy into a building. Legions steps faltered, flesh hanging from her back and her words rang out with pain, but sincerity.

WILLIAM. DO NOT LET DARA OUT OF YOUR SIGHT. THE POSSESSED MEANS TO TAKE HER WING--HER MIRAC-

Again, the cat came rushing for Dara from the rubble until Duos snapped down on its back leg and pulled it back. The cat turned and sank its claws into Duos's face, clawing at her eyes. Duos holwed and her head flaied in pain as Legions head tried to free the cat from her face.

William sighed as the woman got up again. Why couldn't she just die? She had turned herself into a feline. Now she was after Dara. Now he could hate her. Keep her away from Dara? Hell, Couldn't get to her then could she?

"Leave her Alone!" Hannah's inraged yell ripped through Duos's screams. Hannah had a steel pipe in her hands, she slammed it into into the head of the cat.

"Hannah!" Will yelled and was there in a blink. He shoved her away and grabed the cat by the by it's tail. He spun around and through the cat, sending it into the upper floors of a building. "Stay out of this!" He yelled. "Hannah you're out of your league!"

"I don't care! I'm not going to stand by and let my friend get hurt!" Hannah glared at her brother.

"You're place isn't in this battle! You're a halfbreed and you know you're place!"

The sharp clap of a hand against skin rang out. "Don't you dare call me that!" Hannah screamed, her voice breaking. Tears welled in her eyes.

William looked away. "I'm taking her into hell..." He said to everyone. He walked up to Legion, he took Dous' large head into his arms. "I'm sorry.." He couldn't heal her wounds. He let go of her and walked toward the building that he had threw the cat into. "You can follow if you feel the need..." He raised his right hand and the earth began to split infront of his feet. A rift opened to hell. The building fell straight down into the hole, sending it crashing into the burnt floor of hell.

He glanced back over his shoulder at the girls, then stepped off into the rift. His tattered wings flapped as he plummeted toward the dry crispy surface of hell.

His feet landed with a crunch. It was miles up to the rift, there was no way she could get back to earth. "That dress made your thighs look fat." Will said looking at the second building he had destoryed.

~*~*~*~*~

"Come on, I'm not letting him have all the fun." Hannah ran over to the rifted and leaned over, looking down into it. A shrill, musical whistle came out of her mouth. She jogged back over to Legion and Dara. "I got us a ride down.. Are your wounds okay now Legion? Duos?" She asked, placing a hand on her snout.

A dragon fly up out of the rift and landed infront of the trio. He lowered it's powerful head and sniffed Legion. "Is that you Legion?" It asked in it's deep voice. "We've missed you."

Dara sighed with releif when Legion answered her and pressed her cheek to the Wolf's nose. But the relief did not last long. The building neaby collapsed as William brutally threw the woman into it. Dara's heart sank--that woman would surely not have been able to survive that. Her wing drooped slightly.

William is right...we cannot fight. Our sole purpose is to protect and if anything should have happened because we were not able to save you...we could never forgive ourselves. She-

And then...Dara realized how wrong she had been. This woman...her shard was far worse than Dara had ever imagined. Out of the rubble a great beastly creaure rose. A demonic feline out for blood--the blackened shard sent waves of a sickening pulse through the air. Rending Dara's heart with each breath the woman took. It was too dark. Then the charge. Dara heard Legion growl and then--chaos. Defensively Dara opened her wing--like a swan ready to break a coyote's neck. But Legion took the brunt of the creature's fury. Too much motion for Dara to keep track of. But...enough to make her feel weak. Defenseless. Oh--how she longed for her sword again! Finally, with great difficulty, Legion managed to free herself of the creature--but looked the worse for wear. In agony she called,

WILLIAM. DO NOT LET DARA OUT OF YOUR SIGHT. THE POSSESSED MEANS TO TAKE HER WING--HER MIRAC-

The cat was suddenly upon her--as if she were no more than a little bird waiting in a cadge for it to swallow. Instinctively Dara knelt and touched the ground and a barrier, glowing and silver rose as if from nothing. It was fragile looking--and bubble-like but managed to cover herself and Hannah at once. Luckily, she didn't need it. One of Legion's heads snagged the creature just in time. Dara let her barrier flicker out. Legion's head cried out as the cat went for it's eyes--and unexpectedly, Hannah lunged, crying out.

"NO! HANNAH!" Dara was close on the girl's heels. But William was faster. The cat was tossed aside as if it were nothing--downing yet another building. Dara winced, it would take more than a single miricle to clean this mess up. There was a silence as a slap rang out...and William sulked off to the underworld. All this was happening so quickly. Dara felt so useless--watching as William decended to Hell, taking the cat with him. Hannah insited on going of course...Dara stood there, numb. SO useless. Though she did quickly move to LEgion's side to tend to her wounds. Skin hung off in odd places, blood every where. Gently, Dara stroked her nose and closed her eyes--summoning the strength. It took longer than usual...summoning that familiar tingling warmth--but she could feel it working--spreading from her fingertips Into Legion--finding each wound, cut, bruise and broken bone...anything she could mend...some things would be missed. But missing a wing she didn't think it was too bad. Two of her white feathers drifted from her wing..disintigrating before they even touched the battle scarred ground. Dara opened her eyes with a sigh. Tired. She hated being half mortal...hated it with all of her. She was so weak..helpless...she would have to fix that. She couldn't have everyone having to save her all the time--that was her job!

"There...that should be a bit better..." She had been so absorbed by her healing she hadn't heard the dragon land. Her wing snapped open in surprised, nearly knocking her off balance. "HANNAH! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"

“What’s wrong Dara, You look like you’ve just seen a dragon or something.” Hannah smiled over to her friend. “He’s a dragon, and he’s very self centered. So don’t call him that, his name is Huey.”

“Oh, it’s quiet alright Hannah, I don’t mind… much.” He said, and his eyes flicked over to Dara. He leaned down.

Hannah hopped up onto Huey’s back, sitting between his wings. “Come on, it’s a smooth ride.” She chuckled slightly and leaned down, holding out a hand to Dara.

Dara flushed a little, abashed at herself and let her wing droop over her shoulder as if it were a feathered cloak.

"D-dragon...right..." she breathed nervously. "Huey...i'm awful sorry. This is my first acquaintance with a dragon...and..i was just a tad--startled is all." Dara explained bashfully. She eyed the dragon warily when Hannah offered her hand to her. Unsure. After what just happened--would it be wise for her to follow after William and the former woman? She looked to Legion for reassurance or affirmation..even a warning--but the wolf still seemed out of it after the brutal assult. She was on her own. Dara inhaled deeply and put her hand into Hannah's. She wanted to go. Had to. It was part of her job. That shard had to be purified--who knows what might happen if William touched the shard...he might become affected by its taint as well...and Dara knew she couldn't allow that to happen. Cautiously, she swung herself up behind Hannah looking determined.

"Let's go get that shard then.."