Deon Morris's Story

The man stood, surveying the flames and brimstone surrounding him. His nose picked up on a specific scent. The scent of death and evil. Arthur looked around, sensing something, his one good eye peering into the darkness, and he drew his axe. "Come out, Demon! Or shall I tear you to shreds right here and now, sending you to Purgatory!?".

"Oh Arthur... You have not changed, even in death". The Demon spoke, stepping out of the shadows as he towered easily above the man. "... You are in hell I am afraid. Does it not surprise you, with the multiple sins you have committed over the years?". Arthur knew that this was none other than Rhanksar, one of the Devil's most powerful Champions. Arthur glared up at the towering demon, not flinching in the slightest. "So, it is you, Dread Champion. Most powerful of the Demons Servants. What foul purpose have you come here for, fiend?". Arthur raised his axe, and pointed it at the Demon. "I will slay you. And as for my problem of being here in the hellfire, I will leave once I destroy you, demon!". Arthur lunged forward, slamming his axe down towards Rhanksar's head. The axe hit Arthur's opponents head, but was stopped. It didn't even cut the Demon, not a single mark could be noticed. Rhanksar's eyes grew wide at this, the madness rising up again as he slowly grabbed a hold of Arthur's arm with a grip that held fast, like an iron band woven around ones arm to stop it from moving. "You prideful son of a bitch... Hehehe, you were slain by the new Archknight I'm afraid... Angel. Heard of him?". He teased Arthur, watching his expression for any signs of change. Arthur growled at this statement, and threw his free hand forward, intent on scoring a blow to the Council Members chin. His fist hit hard, but there was almost no reaction, until Arthur unleashed his soul-force straight into the demons skull, that was. Arthur grunted, and slipped out of the dark Champion's grip, and hefted his axe. "So, how long will this fight last us, Dark Champion?".

Rhanksar laughed with madness as all of Gehenna around them moved and shuddered. It was as if Hell itself was afraid of letting Rhanksar's power out. "Not long, I'm afraid. You are weak down here, Arthur. You have no power over me. I am a council member of hell, after all. I have power over hell, I am one of it's rulers in a sense. I am like a god here, you have no power over me, human. You, the strongest of humanity? If that were true, humanity would be dead. Or dying". He then moved his hand in a gesture behind him as a figure appeared and landed down, his raven-esque wings spreading out on his back as he slowly walked forward at this. "... I think you would like to meet one of my warlords. He's good at persuading people. Would you like to test him on that?". Arthur turned, and immediately lunged at the Yatagarasu that appeared before him, a grimace sliding across his face as he swung blow after blow at the Demon. "Die, Hell Raven! I shall smite you unto the deepst depths of Purgatory!". Suddenly, the Hell Raven's finger was on Arthur's forehead, and a massive weight ws pushing him down to the ground. Behind Arthur, a crater formed, followed by another one forming behind him as the Yatagarasu pulled his finger away. "... I encourage you to respect my master's wishes."

~ Name: Zelszar
Nickname: The Blood Raven
Type: Yatagarasu (Hell Raven)
Rank: S
WDL Threat Level: Destructive force of hell ~

Arthur grimaced as he felt himself being pushed down onto the ground, and he striggled to rise. "What have you done to me, Hell Raven? And what are your master's wishes!?". The Warlord folded his wings across his chest as he folded his arms across his chest. "My power, sir. If you cannot figure out what I can do, then do not ask me about it, for I shall not tell you". He then indicated towards Rhanksar. "Thank you, Zelszar". He spoke as he walked to Arthur. "How does it feel, having lost Excalibur to Angel, hmm? You only have normal weapons now, you also do not have power here in hell. As I said, I am like a god here. Now... You may not like this, but you are coming with me". Arthur had just decided to keep a dignified silence, up until Rhanksar spoke of taking him with him, which was when Arthur began struggling and shouting out obsceneties. "Curse you all, my Followers will grind you into the dust for this!". At this, four pieces of paper came out and landed around Arthur. Then one slammed into his chest as all five glowed red, followed by Japanese Kanji Symbols appearing all around them. Then, a young figure in robes emerged out of the shadows, the same a Zelszar, a Japanese mask hiding her face. The only thing that was noticeable about her was her several fox-like tails. "Well done, restraining him like that". Rhanksar said, as Arthur observed the Kitsune bow from the waist to Rhanksar. "Thank you, my master". She spoke as she then rose back up.

~ Name: Zetsubou
Nickname: The Prison Keeper
Type: Kitsune
Rank: S rank
WDL Threat Level: Unbelieveably high. ~

Arthur struggled in his confinement, a scowl upon his face. "You Kistune always were traitorous, snivelling creatures! When I escape my confines I will tear you apart with my Axe, nay, my bare fists!". Arthur struggled even harder, and swore. "When I get out!". Arthur struggled even harder at this, and grimaced. "Ohhh, such strong words~". A voice called out as a figure landed in front of Arthur and slammed down a basket large enough to fit over the seals. Then he would turn it around to see the seals now attached to the basket, with Arthur now trapped inside of it as a large glow covered the top of it, preventing Arthur from escaping. The man then kicked the basket up into the air like a soccer ball easily, kicking it around with his feet a few times as he heard Arthur's struggles before finally catching it with his hands and putting his legs down. He could see the man wore a hat over his head, but there were unusual rabbit ears poking out of it. "Good day sir~ A glorious day to come and become one of us, eh? Oh now there I go, sounding human. Oh well, it's time for you to come with us now. Or must I kick you around some more? Actually, I think I'll do that on the way back to the main man himself. Oh I can't wait to watch him put you through Hell and Hell's suffering.~".

~ Name: Larry
Nickname: The Lunar Star
Type: Lunar/Earth Rabbit
Rank: S rank(?)
WDL Threat Level: To be executed on sight at all costs! ~

Arthur, from inside the box, was shouting out obsceneties at the top of his lungs. "I WILL NEVER BECOME ONE OF YOU! NEVER IN MY LIFE OR AFTERLIFE! I WOULD DIE AGAIN BEFORE I WOULD OPENLY DO SO!". Arthur thrashed about, managing to break one of the seals, although he was tired and shocked. He then began beating on the box with his fist, intent on opening it up. Larry simply poked through the seal quickly and poked Arthur with immense strength, nearly knocking him out upon contact as he shook his head, letting out a 'tsk, tsk, tsk' as he did. "Oh dear, it seems I have diagonised a new mental condition today. It is called - the Arthur syndrome. The Arthur syndrome is where a guy named Arthur was dumb enough to actually waste his time struggling. Struggling, with what though? Stress, sexual tension, I can do this all day~". He said as he quickly put the basket upside down on his head, only barely supported by his ears. "Time to go!~" He shouted, before suddenly bouncing away with incredible speed and leaping high into the air every time, all the while Arthur felt like he would fall off at any moment.

Rhanksar chuckled a bit as Zelszar shook his head. Zetsubou merely remained quiet as the three followed after him at a fair pace. "Why did we bring him along?". Zelszar asked Rhanksar. "Because... He said he had some tricks he wanted back from the WDL". Zelszar rose his brow at this to him. "Tricks? Like toys?". Rhanksar then chuckled again. "No... The cereal". Zelszar then put his hand over his face in annoyance. They arrived back to the devil's place where Larry would strap Arthur down to the ground as he watched Zetsubou would pin him down with seals on his arms, which would start to burn him as they started to change him, giving him painful impulses as if each heartbeat would have destroyed him, but kept him alive as the process began. "Do it", Rhanksar spoke as Zetsubou stepped forward and brought down three seals over one spot, then slammed her hand down on all three of them as a bright red light covered over them, making Arthur scream out in pain as it seemed like he was being burnt to death again. "So how long before he turns to us?". Zelszar spoke, as Rhanksar smirked at this. "Give it a few...". He spoke, as Larry stood behind them, all three watching the painful process. Time passed, and Zetsubou finally stopped, walking away as she let the seals one by one fall off like wet paper. She stopped and turned to look at Arthur's new physical form as Rhanksar smirked. "How do you feel Arthur? I believe a mirror is needed...". He spoke, as Zelszar grew one and held it out in front of Arthur. "What do you see.....

Hakutaku?"

~ Name: Insight
Nickname: The Oracle
Type: Hakutaku
Rank: ?
WDL Threat Level: ? ~

The Hakutaku grinned as it took in it's new appearance, from the three horns that sat on it's head like a crown, to the massive third eye set into it's forehead. it blinked it's two normal eyes, laughing inanely at the recovery of the eye he had lost as a human. The Hakutaku still wore Arthur's robes, but his skin was paler, and the horns jutted out at a foot each. The third eye on his forehead turned red, and shot a beam of pure energy at the mirror, breaking it. "It feels good, Champion. What are we to do next?". The newly-made Half-beasts horns shrunk, disappearing, and it's third eye closed. "Until the next full moon, I will not be at full power, but I will still do as you wish". The Hakutaku kneeled, and smirked, it's hands changing into talons, and a row of spikes burst out of it's back, only to go back inside instantly. "These changes are my insight into myself, my surroundings and the living". The Hakutaku stayed on it's knee, and spoke again once it had returned to a vaguely human form. "I am Insight, for my insight goes to all". Rhanksar stepped forward and stopped before him. "Very well. Your name is now Insight the Oracle. Let it be written down from this day forth!". He then got down on his knee as he looked at him. "... Although, I am curious to ask you a question. I want to test out your new powers... So, before we do this, I want you to remember back some years. How long was it in human years...? Hmm... Ten to twelve years ago. When an unusual demon attack was made on one of the holy cities... Do you remember this incident, Insight?". Insight locked eyes with Rhanksar, a grin on his face. "I am Insight, a Half-beast. We remember and know all. There indeed was an attack on a Holy City. The Vatican. You are curious about this battle, correct?". Insight quickly coughed and grinned. "Although I may be wrong, I'm sure. There have been many Holy Cities destroyed and war-ravaged. The basis of life is death, thusly. Also, do you want to know how many Youkai and Demon are in this world right now?".

Rhanksar seemed to go into his mind before seeming to come back go reality. "Very well. Tell me how many Youkai and Demon there are. Also, Vatican sounds like it... I am curious to know about the name of the demon who lead this attack. I have one more question to ask you after this, but... It shall wait." Insight stood, brushing himself off, admiring his now young body. "Ahh, it is so beautiful to be young again, and those pestering WDL shan't pose much of a threat to us, Milord, since I just happen to know every single little thing about them. And the amount of Youkai and Demon in the world? 784,233,105,377,159 Youkai and Demon are currently on the Earth... On second thought, make that 784,233,105,377,158, one just died". Insight grinned and looked back to Rhanksar. "The Demon whom led the attack was named Gale, otherwise known as Talon. He and my previous human form fought many times, and now, what is your next question?". Rhanksar stood up slowly as he looked down at Insight with a serious expression. "... I want to know how many Nue are left." Insight's eyes glittered and he spoke. "It is hard for even us Half-beasts to gain knowledge of where a Nue is, and how many exist, but I know that there are currently....". Insight closed his eyes, put his hands together and began to hum. A red ight illuminated the area around him, coming from his third eye. Suddenly, when the bright red light was nearly unbearable, the light vanished, and Insight was standing there, a smile on his face. "There are currently three Nue alive, two are untraceable, and one is in a very peculiar place". Insight turned, and grinned. "You wouldn't expect a Nue to have infiltrated the WDL, would you?".

Rhanksar grinned demonically at this statement. "Excellent...". He said as he looked towards his warlords. "Zelszar". He said, as Zelszar gave him a salute. "You will go and find any information you can about this Talon. Zetsubou will escort you, and will interrogate anyone you wish". He said, as both nodded before heading out. "Larry... I am assigning you temporarily to be Insight's guard. Until he is more powerful, that is. But for now, he is too valuable to let die". He then turned back to Insight. "... I am giving you a personal assigment. This Nue you have found... I want it found and brought to me. I wish to interrogate it, it must know where it's friend is... One of my former soldiers. One of my... Former warlords, to be exact". He said angrily as he turned around and walked a few steps away. "... Do you have anything else you wish to tell me?". Insight grinned, and spoke. "By chance I have looked into your past, Champion. Your son was found by My Human self, idiotic as my human self was, he still knew that Sebastian was valuable. Also...". Insight looked at Larry for a second, and stepped to Rhanksar's side. "Your main challenge will be the Phoenix. If he gains power enough, he may be able to convince your son to kill you. The only problem with this is that he cannot permanently die, but I have other... solutions, to that problem, if you would hear them later". Insight laughed, and turned. "Whatever you wish to be done, it shall be done, Dark Champion".

Rhanksar nodded in silence as he put his arms behind him. "... I will be making my way back to my empire's base. My... Castle, if you would like to call it. I think you've heard rumors of it, but you will find out it soon exists. It is very large, very large in comparison to your former WDL base". He said as Larry moved to Insight's sight, idly bouncing in place. "I would like to hear these when you have the chance. Write them down if you fear you will forget them, although I doubt you will have much problems now with that... My son and the Phoenix. Perhaps we can use them to our advantage... Perhaps they will help me eliminate this foolish rebellion that has sparked. And if you live long enough... I may make you a Warlord. That is all, you both are dismissed."

With that statement made, Insight bowed, and turned, leaving the area with a smirk on his face. He turned to Larry and grinned. "I wish to observe something, not of utmost importance. We will be needing to go to the Main Academy of the Warriors of the Divine Light, which also happens to be where the Nue is located. I already know the way, mind you. After all, I am a Hakutaku now". Insight grinned, and strode off.





Deon grinned as he strode down the hallways of the Renegade's Base, but something was off. He felt... odd, after all, he had noticed that his madness was resurfacing at the worst possible time, but unbeknownst to him, it was all going according to play for a certain Puppeteer. Deon rubbed his forehead as he proceeded down the Hallways, completely focused on his own thoughts, until he walk straight into Quake, that was. Now, with Quake being a particularly tall Oni, Deon's forehead was around the height level of her neck, in other terms, Deon walked right into her chest. Needless to say he leaped backwards, and quickly put a hand up to his face, covering his nose and stifling a few laughs. He looked up to see Quake eyeing him, and then her towel fell off.

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"Oh, hey Boss-man. I was just finishing up in the shower. Looks like you bumped into me at the... 'best', time?". Quake laughed as she noticed the blood seeping out through the small gaps in Deon's fingers. "You've got to be kidding me. Are ALL Oni like you? If they are...". Quake laughed and cut him off. "You're gonna die of blood loss, are ya? Haha!". Deon just glared, and Quake picked up her towel, rewrapping it around herself skimpily, and giving Deon a flirtatious wink. "Seeya later, since we're on that Monster Train mission together". As Quake strode past him, Deon let out a sigh. "The hell is wrong with me? Why didn't i tell her off?". Deon lay back and let out a laugh that echoed through the hallway, and he grinned. "Seriously? Why was I never told about any Oni by anyone before?.... Oh, I was meant to go and get Ash, wasn't I... Heheheh.... Fucking Oni distracting me". Deon slowly stood up, his head straining as his eyes flashed. "Okay then, let's get things going". Deon took a few steps forward. "I just hope this mission goes quickly. I don't want to be fighting too much with this madness resurfacing".





Michael sat in silence as he finished the rest of his drink. His body was covered in bandages, although he seemed fine. He sighed and stood up, hesitating a second before rising up fully. "This day just keeps getting stranger... First reports of someone going berserk, then Deon fighting Quake - oh lord, that could of gotten out of control - and now that kid named Sebastian is getting his initation... What's next?" Rin grinned as she suddenly appeared beside Michael, and snatched the glass out of his hands. "Aww, I wanted the last bit, Mikey-wikey". Rin grinned and flipped over the chair, landing expertly and smirking. "So, how's our majestic half-angel leader, hmm?". Rin stood, and spoke again. "I told Quake to accompany Deon on his latest mission, I'll tell you why when you get over your shock". Michael rose a brow at her. "He's facing number 31... I know. Unless there's something I don't know about this mission, in which case... Yeah". He coughed a bit into his arm as he shook his head and lowered it back down to his side, looking at her. "You seem energetic today... Don't tell me you got a mission as well or something. And what's with all this chaos today, huh?". Rin grinned, but her smile faded, and a dead seriousness drenched her voice. "Michael, you know how Deon and Number 7 are connected, right? Frankenstein?". Rin locked eyes with Michael, and continued to speak. "You remember when they fought last, right? Well, we thought that he was killed. Apparently we were wrong".Michael blinked at her seriousness and tilted his head a little at this. "... Well he was kind of still on the list you know". He said as he sighed and shook his head. "... Alright, where is Franky? We might need to send in one of our tougher members to fend him off in case he's attacking". Rin laughed, and put a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Shut up and be serious, Michael, do you remember their last fight? How Deon was changed?". Michael nodded to her at this. "... Of course." He put a hand on her wrist. "... You don't mean it's happened again, do you?".

Rin sighed, and turned away. "Did you see what he did to those Guards that were meant to capture us? I know that they nearly killed me, but he didn't need to... you know". Rin turned back to Michael. "His eyes... they weren't his. They were, dark, cold, merciless and completely full of.... evil. They were the eyes of a killer. A murderer. A sadist. A monster, and they definitely weren't his". Michael furrowed his brows. "... I must of passed out". He said, and closed his eyes, his head tilting down a bit as he put his hands on her shoulders and sighed. "... I want Deon forbidden from entering into Eclipse's room until further notice". Rin sighed in relief. "I didn't want him to get into trouble, but I'm sure that he's aware of the fact that it's resurfacing again, which is why he's distracting himself with missions. I sent Quake along with him due to the fact that she could shut him down if she has to, with his Knockout in Three Steps trick, although he might see through it. I gave her a special something that could sedate him if she needs to use it as well". Rin let out a nervous laugh and spoke again. "I just hope he doesn't react brashly, like when he.... Nevermind, that was in his past, not something I should even know. i shouldn't have read up on his records in the WDL anyways". Rin tensed up as Michael wrapped her in a hug, placing his forehead on hers., closing his eyes. "... I know". He said, opening his eyes to look into hers as he put his head beside hers, resting their heads against each other. "... I just hope it doesn't have to come to the death solution." Rin wondered how to continue. "M-Michael, you... you're hugging me... W-Why?". Rin's cheeks reddend slightly as she felt Michael's head next to hers, and she stammered. "Y-You're too nice to be a human, you know. You're like a reincarnation of that Jesus guy, or something. Heh". Michael smiled a bit at this. "... I know". He said as he shrugged his shoulders. "... I just felt like hugging you, you know, like how you did me earlier?". He said as he pulled away and looked at her. "Why? You aren't nervous, are you?"

Rin's eyes widened, and she backed away, holding her hands up in front of her, like an embarrasing scene out of an anime. "Wha- I... Whait, I never... Wha? I never did you! What're you on about, Michael!?". On the inside, Rin was giggling her ass off, but she wanted to see how Michael would react. "P-Pervert!". Michael felt his eyes widen a bit and he hit her lightly on the head. "FOOL!" He shouted, somewhat nervous as he looked away at this. "... I didn't mean it like that....". He mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. Rin laughed and nudged Michael in the ribs. "I'm just lightening the mood a little bit, ya dumbass. Of course ya didn't mean that, haha!". Rin patted him on the back, and grinned. "So, you saw Deon and Quake fight, eh?". Michael looked at her and smiled, lowering his arms again at this. "... Yeah. It was amazing. They've both improved greatly". Rin grinned. "Mind telling me about it? I didn't get to catch all of it because of the crowd... Heh". Rin grinned even wider and launched herself onto the seat, sitting in a mildly alluring pose. "Oh come on, Mikey-wikey, don't be shyyy...". Rin laughed and adjusted herself. "Just kidding. I wanna know how they went. All the details!".





Deon had reached Ash's room, with the guidance of Asmodeus, of course. He knocked on the door before just stepping inside, with Asmodeus' permission of course. He stepped inside, first of all noticing that the room was empty. "Asmodeus, there's nobody here. Why did you invite me in if Ash isn't here?". Asmodeus just turned and shrugged. "I thought she would be here, ya know". Deon sighed. "Your blondeness must be getting to you, you're not thinking very straight at the moment. Where else could she be, then?". Asmodeus took a few seconds to think to herself, and then answered. "Oh right, she's probably at the Garage working on Umbra". Deon laughed, "Umbra, as in the motorbike? Sweet name she gave it. One more thing, Asmodeus". Deon leaped onto her and tackled her to the floor. "THE GARAGE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GODDAMN BASE!".





Illusion was bored, and it didn't help that the new Archknight, Angel D'Brightaine, hed locked her away in a jail cell in the WDL's Dungeons. She sighed and inspected her nails as she heard the footsteps coming down the hallway, coming to a rest outside her cell door. "Well, it looks like the demon filth is awake and breathing, isn't that right, Miss Demonia?". Illusion scoffed. "You couldn't even kill me if you tried, Archdouche. Trust me on that, you only beat Arthur by using assassins and trickery. And the fact that you have two eyes". Illusion grinned at this, knowing full well that Arthur had been transformed into a Hakutaku, and now had three eyes, which was more than Angel could say, at least. "Silence, flith. You have not been told to speak by our Mas-". The soldier was cut off as Illusion burst to the bars, gripping him by the throat and tearing flesh from bone and sending him flailing through the air, without a head, of course. Illusion grabbed the next guard and slammed him into the bars, watching as his head split into pieces due to the force. Before he fell, she grabbed the keys from his hands and unlocked the door, closing it behind her, throwing the bodies inside and allowing illusions to take over. Suddenly, another Illusion was sitting inside the cell, and the two guards were still patrolling as if nothing had happened.

Illusion turned, appreciating her work fully and taking her leave from the room, before ascending the stairs and finding the tip of a blade pointed in her direction. She blinked and sighed, clicking her fingers which caused all of the lights to go out instantly. All that could be seen were fangs, gunfire and a pair of glowing, rusty red eyes. When the lights clicked back on, the girl was sitting in the middle of the room, wiping excess blood off of her lips and grinning like a lunatic. "They almost always underestimate me, because of my form. Sucks to be them, I'd say". Illusion stood, laughing lightly. "It was a shame that Angel had sent a double to me, instead of actually facing me, but I have other occupations to attend to, but I think I'll be keeping an eye on this little play in the background". Illusion looked to the stairs, and seemed to glide over to them, ascending and eventually appearing on the roof.

A man awaited her, his waist length golden hair flowing freely in the wind. Illusion smirked as the figure drew his blade, which seemed to glow with a golden hue. "So, Miss Demonia. You have escaped your confines and have arrived before me, as I knew you would". The man, Angel, turned, only to see nothingness, and he stared in disbelief. "Did she just leave in the middle of my monologue?". Meanwhile, Illusion was flying away to an unknown location, her laughter ringing out through the night. "What a dick!~".





Deon had finally reached the garage, a slight grin adorning his face as he stepped through the door, the scent of oil and exhaust filling his nostrils, and he opened his eyes and his grin widened. "You're sure she'll be here, Asmodeus?". The blonde beside him grinned and nodded. "Of course. I'm smart enough to know her a bit now, and we've been hanging out a lot so I know what she likes a bit". Deon grinned. "Just don't make me have to walk all the way over to the other side of the base again". Deon immediately regretted his choice of words. "Oh but Deon, I like it when you were restraining me... Your body pressed against mine, your breath on my neck and our passion igniting into a-". That was when Deon put his hand over her mouth and sighed. "Shut up. Seriously". When Deon felt that it was safe for him to take his hand away from the busty demoness' mouth, he did so, and she let him have his peace by keeping her trap shut for the remainder of the time it took the duo to find the black-haired half demon. Deon was tempted to sneak up on her, but due to her rage-quitting when the other chick had tried to speak to her earlier, Deon decided that it probably wasn't a good idea, so he purposefully made his steps a tiny bit louder so she would be aware of his location. Another thing that Deon noted, was that Asmodeus stayed in a position where there was always something between her and Umbra, as if she was scared if the motorbike or something.

Deon leaned over Ash for a moment, then drew himself back ,coughed once, and then decided to vocalise. He grinned as he eyed Umbra, admirign it slightly, but then Asmodeus nudged him and he let out a light chuckle. "Hey Ash, since Asmodeus told me about how you and her have been training, how'd ya like to tag along with me and another Renegade on a real mission? Get some experience in or something. Don't want ya to fall behind or anything, although I doubt that'd happen any time soon". Deon grinned before noticing the two cats in the room, but he decided not to mention them at all, although it clicked in his head that they weren't exactly normal cats. "Anyways, we'll be heading out soon, so if you wana come with us, meet me in the Main Room, which is where we were before, ya know". Deon turned, and strode away, before stopping and grinning. "And you might want to move before Asmodeus glomps you, as well". With that, Deon let out a chuckle and left the room, leaving Asmodeus to deal with whatever Ash had in store for her.





The Train Station was fairly deserted at this time of night, and the man wearing the labcoat and smoking the cigarette wasn't going to get on just any train. He was looking for a very, very special train in particular, and it was due to arrive in around twenty-two seconds, as the timetable had stated. Unlike most people, who simply boarded the train to get home or to go somewhere they needed to go, this man was boarding it for a very specific reason. He had an objective he wanted done, and he didn't intend on letting anybody ruin the chance he had this time. The trains pulled up, and he grinned, stepping inboard and letting the doors shut behind him. He knew that they wouldn't open again unless the trains wanted to open the doors, which he highly doubted that it would. The man grinned as the lights went out, replaced by a glowing, pulsating red aura of sorts. He dropped his briefcase onto the ground and grinned, pulling out a camera and holding it up. He pulled his cigarette out of his mouth and dropped it onto the floor, watching it slowly die out to a cinder, and then vanish, with amusement. He held the camera up, turning it on and aiming it at himself. He grinned and adjusted his glasses, then spoke. "Hello there. My name is Doctor Stein, but you can call me Franky, if you want to. Why am I on board this cursed train, you may ask. Well, I will tell you after the Trains is done eating through your skin tissue and if munching on your skeletal system, how about that, hm?". The man deposited the camera onto the topside of his briefcase, and then the lights went out fully.

That's when the screaming ended, and the slicing sounds began.

~ ??? ~

"I don't know why I keep on doing this to myself..." The icy breath of the ice demon known as Chill, formerly the human Rob, came out of his mouth and made the air colder around him. He sat in a very special room in Kallos' base, a room made entirely out of ice. He liked it, he needed it to cool down after the rough battle he had with Sebastian and his two new friends. He had yet to see one of them was Lucy, a former close friend of his. "I don't know why I am recording this, or why I feel the need to... But I feel as if every day I must make progress on how my new life is. This would be the... Ninety-seventh one I have bothered to make. Maybe. Or is it ninety-two now...? I don't know anymore, but this one shall be to recall back to a more simple time. A time when my life was fine, and I knew a person who would change my life forever. I do, by this, mean Sebastian Thomas."

"How I remember the day we first met. How he came in, looking worried and sick, with fear and sadness in his eyes. Back then I was nicer, I was a kinder person then I am now. I quickly introduced him around, I was the first kid he had talked to, and the first kid he had made friends with. It was nice, those two months we enjoyed the little adventures we created together. But then after all the fun and joy we had, there came Lucy. Oh how I miss the way her eyes looked at me with such sweetness in them, how I long to feel the warm touch of her hand on mine again. Oh how I long for someone to bring me warmth again. When Lucy came, she told us on how we should be more weird and look at life from a different point of view. Oh how I wish I had known ahead of time what was in store for us."

"I know that as I continue to speak with a frosty tone, and my breath comes out as if it was in the middle of winter, I recall the beginning of a horrific set of events. One of them being Lucy's accident. One day she suddenly collapsed, she was as sick as a dog and blood continued to escape her mouth. So I told Sebastian we needed to help raise the money for her, and we would stand outside day after day praying someone would give us enough money for the operation she needed. As I continued to went in, Sebastian slept outside. As the operation came closer, our caretakers found it was time to talk him out of it and bring him back inside, dirty and tired as he was. Fortunately, they got enough money for her operation it seemed, though how this happened i am not sure, but she recovered quickly back to health. But this all seemed in vein, for when she grew old enough, she left us, saying she would visit Sebastian time and again. As I feel I am rushing through this log, I feel I must confess something at the end of this, and after this next part, I shall."

"It was a few months ago when it began. Sebastian started acting more selfish, always wanting more then he had. When I tried to talk to him, he told me off, and decided it was time to leave. When I talked to him again, he felt I was trying to push him down, and he ran. I watched him run through the rain, oh how I miss it when I feel something besides water coming from myself now. Everyone thought he was going through a phase, that he would return and it would be fine. I knew otherwise... I knew Sebastian. This was not him. I knew I had to do something, but then... A miracle came before me. The man with the crystal in his forehead came before me one day, and asked me if I wanted to be adopted. I refused at first, claiming I did not need a family, but he insisted. That I could see Lucy again, that we could spend time together, and that Sebastian would return back to normal and we would be friends again. I agreed. After I was adopted, he asked me if I wanted the power to change history itself. I agreed, and he did the unthinkable. He changed me into an ice demon, giving me the name Chill. So there ends the memories, and now, I shall conclude this log with my final statement..."

~ Sebastian's Story ~

"What's wrong with my head...?" He asked himself, as he tried to stand, everything around him looking... off. Things were moving that shouldn't of been, the room was tilting a little, and his body was shaking as if he had spun around in place several times. "Remember my name. Eclipse. I was once a strong proud demon before I had to fight the leaders of The Renegade. As per our deal, I am now a part of their inventory. Although they never said who could wield me, which is the best part, hehehehe... Any way, let's see how your reflexes with my basic form are." Sebastian's eyes widened as he looked over towards Lucifer, and used his fast speed ability to move in front of her, quickly taking a stance with the sword as he felt a powerful force collide into him. "Good... You can at least protect people from weak attacks." The voice told Sebastian, quickly forcing him to block against more attacks. "Good, good." The voice spoke, slowly sliding Sebastian back slowly towards Lucifer. "What are you doing Sebastian?" She asked, as he gritted his teeth at this. "Not a good time!" He spoke out, as the next blow was enough to send him flying backwards into her, making them both stumble around for a bit as a demonic laughter came over them before. "Nice moves, idiot." It spoke as he stood up, grabbing her arms and pulling her up as well. "D-don't mistake this situation. I -- I was just... Playing along with this." She said, as Sebastian rolled his eyes at her words.

"But what about attacking someone?" It spoke, as a demon appeared and quickly charged at him. His eyes widen and he quickly spun around, using the sword in his hand to slice across the demon's torso, making him split into two as both vanished. "Good enough, I guess. You were off by a little bit on the angle, but otherwise... My skills are at least having an effect on you. But now it's time to truly see... What you fear most." The voice said, as Sebastian suddenly recalled back, back to that day years ago...

+ Flashback +

The town Sebastian and his mother use to live in was nice. He was only four years old, barely able to understand anything of what was about to happen. He was walking hand in hand with his mother, who as he looked up to, smiled down at him as he smiled back and looked forward. He loved being close to her like this, holding her hand, feeling safe and sound and knowing everything was going to be alright. Then, a voice called out that would ruin everything. "DEMON ATTACK! DEMON ATTACK!!" Suddenly, everyone was in a panic, running for their lives. His mother suddenly picked up the pace, and he was almost dragged along as he found he had to run faster then he had ever had before. Then, explosions began to erupt all around the town, devastating everything that was caught within them. Buildings fell and crumbled, the ground in each being destroyed and left to rot with the corpses they held in them, demons suddenly appearing in huge amounts of numbers as they destroyed anything that got in their way.

"LET IT BE KNOWN FROM THIS DAY!" A voice boomed out across the town, as five figures now stood on the tallest building, each of them looking down upon the attacks happening. "THAT ARMAGEDDON IS COMING! THE PROPHECY IS COMING TRUE! AND I SHALL BE THE ONE TO LEAD OUR FORCES THROUGH THIS EARTH, WHEN I AM RULER OF HELL!" The figure spoke, among the figures could be seen Kallos. The others were a mystery, one of them wearing advanced armor over his body, another looking pale and wearing a cloak over her body in the way a vampire would, and the last one was completely covered in knight's armor. "FELLOW DEMONS! AS YOUR NEW MASTER AND FUTURE RULER, I COMMAND YOU TO WIPE THIS CITY CLEAN OF ALL HUMAN SCUM! LEAVE NO ONE ALIVE, TAKE NONE PRISONER, DESTROY EVERYTHING MADE BY THEM! REPLACE IT ALL WITH ONLY DEATH!"

+ Present day +

Sebastian felt weak, collapsing down on to his knees as the demon voice remained quiet. "You are a survivor, you have struggled since that day came. No... Even before then." It said, as Sebastian slowly rose up to his feet. "... I see a dangerous future for you, much more dangerous then what the phoenix has to face, though this all depends on how you all proceed through these trials." As he stood up, he felt a hand come down on his shoulder as he looked over at Lucifer. "You fainted there for a few... You look sick." She spoke, as he looked back down at the sword. "You have the potential to wield me, but you are not yet ready it seems. Place me back upon my resting place, and we will meet again in the future. That, I can guarantee." It chuckled as he walked back over to the case and set the sword down within it, Lucifer quickly pulling him back as the case slammed shut. Another chuckle came out, although Sebastian knew this one was not from Eclipse. He knew he was once again being observed by someone, or something... He couldn't see it, as he looked around the room, but he felt it. The eye had returned.

~ Michael's Story ~

"Alright, that will be enough. Lucifer, take him back to his room and show him the new equipment that will be there for him." She looked at Scott as he said this and nodded when he finished, taking Sebastian and quietly walking with him, making sure he didn't over-exert himself. "... I only hope he survives this mission." He said as he walked back to the main room, standing in Michael's place again as he took out a small little tube and inserted it into a spot, watching as the blood in it went into the machine and a map was brought up. "... Alright, let's see if I can remember all of this." He mumbled to himself.

Michael, on the other hand, felt extremely nervous. Rin was... Well, she was... His mind was getting off track, as he grabbed a chair and, rolling his eyes, placed it next to her and sat down next to her. "... I have missed you." He said, looking at her as he got a gentle smile out of it and she patted his back. "Just get on with the details, Michael. We can talk more later." She said, making him smile as he looked down at the table and tried to recall the events of the fight to her. Meanwhile, his mind recalled back to more easier times...

+ Flashback +

His master was training him with Deon, as they both were fighting as hard as they could against the Kasha leader. But in the end, he beat them both and they lay near each other, gasping for breath and struggling to regain control over themselves. "You both have obvious flaws in your strategies. Michael, you rely too much on your strength for guidance. Your mind must be kept clear and it must be allowed to flow through the fight. If you think things over and fight with more then just strength alone, you may be able to turn the tables." He closed his eyes at his master's words, hearing Deon give a little snicker at Michael being lectured. "And you, Deon." The Kasha leader turned to him, as Deon immediately fell silent. "You tried so hard to look like a fool at first. In fact, you are a fool now that I see it. But when you knew I was overpowering you, you tried to touch me, tried to get a grip on me that would allow you to turn the tables on me. Am I right?" He spoke, Deon remaining in silence at how observant the Kasha had been. "Try and remember that you need your own power before trying to take others." Michael opened his eyes at this, to hear Deon groan out in annoyance. "I know, I know... But practice will be good for the both of you. I see something in you both that I have not seen in a very long time... Perhaps once you both have matured more, you can show me what I need to learn from the new age that is coming."

Michael then recalled back to when the three were just new leaders and had control over The Rengade. All three were needed for a special assignment, the first mission that would give them all trouble. They all stopped as they saw a demon walking forward, slicing his way through paralyzed enemies, demon or human. "What is he doing...?" Michael asked, as Rin looked over at Michael. "I -- I don't know what's up with that thing... I -- I feel something coming over me, as if I --" She was interrupted at this by Deon. "Maybe you two should go and make out somewhere? I can handle this bozo~" He said, and Michael lightly punched him in the shoulder. "It's not like that, you idiot." He spoke, as Deon rubbed his shoulder. "Geez Michael, when did you grow a brain?" He teased, but was stopped as the figure came into view. "You must be the replacements... Well done, but you all look foolish." The demon said, as all three held their ground as they saw the demon take a stance. "Allow me to introduce myself... I am Eclipse, the Nightmare Bringer! Now, FACE ME!" And then he charged forward, all three of them shocked as his sword cut Michael's chest first, and then, blank.

~ Name: Eclipse
Nickname: The Nightmare Bringer
Type: Unknown
Rank: Believed to have been A rank
WDL Threat Level: Was believed to be Deceased ~

+ Present Day +

Michael was brought back into reality when he saw a soldier walking to them both and saluting. Both of them rose as the soldier kept his stance. "Scott of the Michael Division would like to see you now." He said, and Michael nodded. "Very well. Resume your daily activities." He said, as the soldier nodded before running off. Michael and Rin then walked towards the main room. "What could Scott want at a time like this, it's a little unusual for him." She said to Michael, as he sighed out a bit. "No doubt it is something concerning the kids." He said, as they both soon found themselves looking at Scott, who nodded to them both. "Glad you both made it. I have some important news to share with you." He said, indicating to the screen, as Rin rose her brow. "What's this?" She asked, seeing several red markers appearing on the map... Over the already dozen that were being shown. "I took the liberty of taking some of Sebastian's blood while he was out. After analyzing it, I have compared it and found that we currently have two others similar to him. One of them being Deon's, the other being possibly Ash's." He continued, sighing out as he looked at the screen. "So what's the problem?" Michael asked, as Scott looked over at him. "... It's a little unusual, but... It appears there are several people out on here that are identical to his blood. In other words... We may have a few children missing. That is why I have sent out a team of three soldiers each to search five locations. Once a team has searched all five locations, they return here, with or without the correct child."

~ Kallos' Story ~

"The demon has been sent to me, and we are currently analyzing it." The leader spoke, a smirk coming on his features as everyone nodded in agreement, seeming to like that they were successful. "Because of your little outbreak, you now are all on the WDL's most wanted list. Be proud, you all are very high." With this, everyone cheered out as they heard the good news. Photos furrowed his brows and tried to rise, but was stopped as Kibo put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head, to which Photos sat back down. "Now, I will list off each of you in order from least to most. Photos, you are 27. Golem, 23. Bellfoar, 21. Itzhet, 14. Kahlman, 13. Yami, 10. And Balarus, you are six. Well done, each of you." More cheering followed from this, as the leader let this go on for a few before raising his hands up to stop them. "Now then... You will be receiving a new member to your squad in a few. Once this is done, you will be my Elemental Force. Take great pride in this, for you all have a role to play in my upbringing." A dark chuckle followed as he shook his head. "It has come to my reports that Deon, Sebastian and Ash, three of the children we are looking for have joined with The Renegades. I thank you for this report, Kalh." A bow quickly came from Kalh's end as the demon leader went on.

"Devin, who was formerly with the WDL, has currently been listed as missing for the time being. Chang has been reported to be within hell's ranks, no doubt a future enemy to my cause. As for any other children, we do not know. As for demon kings, Crisis has been reported to not have been seen in hell at this time. Loki was last seen with Chang in hell, and Brenhin... Well, that bastard will get his soon enough." He chuckled again as he rose up a finger. "It is time for your first assault against the WDL, your first concern. You will place bombs around the surrounding towns, and within three days, they will be set off. If this succeeds, you will have an easy way in. Good luck figuring out who will set them up." A dark chuckle came out of him, almost turning into a laugh before the screens returned to normal, and the symbol with the eye came back on the screens.

”Why did I do all that?” Ashley thought to herself, brashly navigating the twisting halls of the Renegade base. Her head was low, and she strode with intent in her steps, making sure to hide her face from the few people she passed. She was visibly upset, but she’d be damned if she let anyone see her cry. “I mean, I know I was pissed but that was just retarded… Ash rushed past another hall… then stopped, turning and heading back down it. She wasn’t quite sure why, but she felt compelled to head down that way. ”Making a scene like that, pouncing on Claire… And to think I called Deon and Devin idiots. Ugh! Everyone already thinks I’m a bitch, now they probably think I’m partially psychotic too…” Ash grimaced some, opening up the doors she’d found and stepping into the dark room. Unnaturally fast, her eyes adjusted to the gloom – probably a natural perk of her dark affinity. Scanning the concrete shelter, she noted the dark silhouette in the centre of the room, smiling, if only for a moment. “I should have known. Guess you’re not about to judge me, are you Umbra?” Moving over to the wall, Ash flicked on the lights, further examining where she’d ended up. It was a garage, various Renegade vehicles around, along with the maintenance tools to repair them. With a bit of a frustrated sigh, she set about collecting gear up, grabbing a stool and taking a seat in front of her motorbike.

“It’s nice to know you’re worried about me… But I just need to think things through…” Mumbling under her breath, Ash placed a hand against the cool metal, before leaning forward, resting her head against the side of the frame. She’d said what she’d set out to say. Horrible as that moment was, she’d finally spoken the words to Claire that she’d harboured ever since her betrayal. It was a burden lifted from her shoulders… So why did she feel like an utter piece of shit? Why did she feel like the guilty party in all of this? No, she wasn’t wrong. Claire was the one who’d invited all this on herself. She deserved it. She’d never make up with her. She’d never forgive her. “But…” Ash murmured, holding onto her bike closely, watching the little girl in the reflection crying. “Why do I want to?” She whispered, sighing to herself as she sat back, wiping her eyes and grabbing her tools to begin her work.

“Meow.” Ash jumped a little, turning down to the two felines next to her, sitting attentively as they stared back at her. Noir and Blanca. She’d forgotten about them, almost. The family pets throughout her childhood, it was quite clear that they were more than simple housecats. Leaning down over them, Ash pointed her wrench sceptically. “So, seeing as Claire brought you here, you must be pretty special too, huh? Any more secrets in my family I should know about?” Noir simply flicked its ear, while Blanca deftly rubbed against Ash’s leg. Sighing, Ash turned back to her bike. “Whatever. Don’t tell me then. It’s not like I need to know…” Mumbling to herself again, she focused down on just… tweaking things. It wasn’t like the bike needed a tune up, but it took her mind off things. And not just Claire. It was clear Claire knew more about Ash’s heritage then she did, and it made her uncomfortable wondering if it was the same case for her mum, dad, even her other sisters. Should she have spoken to them before going off to the WDL? Had… Had Claire maybe come to take her back to her family?

Stopping for a moment, Ash turned back to the two felines, who remained patiently sitting by her side. “She sent you here to guard me, right? Either that or spy on me…” Ash reached out, petting Noir briefly. She’d always preferred the black cat, but now she knew they were actually sentient, she felt a little guilty favouring the little guy. “…Let her know… Uh… Oh, forget it…” Ashe trailed off, going back to her bike before giving a pained gasp, feeling the ends of her hair strands tugged by strong little teeth. Turning and glaring to the two, she gave them a filthy look before buckling. She couldn’t maintain a look like that with animals. “Fine. Just… Let her know I need some space to think things through. We’ll talk it over later… if she wants to, that is.” Both cats meowed this time, purring and nuzzling Ash’s legs in satisfaction with her decision. Smiling and laughing a little, she relaxed some. Sour a mood as she’d been in, she was certainly feeling herself liven up now she’d had some time to herself. Well, time with things that weren’t complicated people.

It was some time later when Deon arrived, Ash barely noticing him until he’d drawn a bit closer and given a polite cough. Glancing over her shoulder, she wiped the sweat from her, brow, smearing a bit of grime in the process before grabbing a towel and wiping her hands and face, listening in as he spoke. A mission, huh? Part of her wondered what that involved. After all, it wasn’t like the Renegades were the same as the WDL in their methods. What exactly did they do here anyway? Contemplating asking Mr. Hikari (or as he was really known as, Deon Morris), Ash hesitated as she continued to think things over. He’d seen the argument she’d gotten into with Claire… So was this his way of trying to make niceties? Some sort of weird sympathy he was trying to spread by hanging out with her? Or was it actually official business? Either way, she was grateful that he didn’t bring up the subject – She’d have probably hit him if he’d attempted either a jib or a lecture on the matter. It was surprisingly pleasant having him be so non-judgemental, consider how much of a douche he normally was. Heh, perhaps he respected her a bit more now that she’d had an outburst on par with his crazy fits. Well, for now she’d let him leave. She had her tough girl act to keep up, so she’d play disinterested for the moment. No doubt Asmodeus would try and convince her to participate, and in many respects, Ash was happy just to have an excuse to get out and do something to get her mind off things. She’d strike up conversation with her, but at the moment it was priceless seeing the big bad demon still quite petrified of her motorbike. “It’s alright Az. I promise he won’t hurt you.” Ash patted the bike, sitting up and leaning against it as she fully turned to face her. “Now before you ask, I’m fine. And I don’t need to talk about it. So instead, explain to me why you’re boss wants me on this mission? I can’t imagine he’s actually concerned about my skills, nor does he need them.”

Asmodeus grinned and plopped down onto the ground next to Ash, still ever cautious of the motorbike as she continued to keep an eye on it. "Really, Ash? Of course he's concerned about you and your skills, he IS your big brother after all, in a way, I guess. And besides, he doesn't want you falling behind, like he said. You really think he'd want you to be beaten by a baby Yukkuri Head?" She snickered, poking Ash in the ribs teasingly. "Of course, they could probably own you right now." She giggled, continuing to prod her compatriot. "Thanks for the vote of confidence..." Ash mumbled, not exactly aware what a Yukkuri Head was, but the comment about it being a baby was enough for her to realise it was an insult. "So what exactly is this mission anyway? Considering I'm so pathetic, I can't imagine it's anything important or dangerous." Deciding to play the reverse angle for the conversation, Ash's snide, sarcastic tone was still ever prevalent. Asmodeus laughed and fell back onto her back. Wiping her eyes and then sitting straight back up, she glared at Ash. "You have a horrible sense of humour, you know." Asmodeus grinned, a silly little grin. "Have you seen the movie 'Midnight Meat Train'?"
"Can't say I'm familiar with it." Ash claimed offhandedly, looking to her side as Noir hopped up next to her on Umbra, before returning a dry look to Az. She was hoping this wasn't some segue into another sexual innuendo involving 'meat trains'. Asmodeus gave Ash a look, likely confused by the scepticism she was receiving, before continuing. "It's about a Train that runs at midnight and there's a Butcher on it and he kills everyone and then it happens over and over and over and it's really gory and it gave me and my sisters nightmares. Also, Deon made us watch it because we were being annoying or something." Asmodeus visibly shivered, Ash raising her eyebrow a bit at the run on sentence, and the fear in the girl’s demeanour. Did the girl have a fear of motor vehicles or something? "The Demon Trains eats everything on it, so it should be easy for you guys to take out. Also, did you see Deon fighting Quake before? Or did you come right here?" Az continued, explaining briefly before quickly switching topics. Seemed she had attention issues at time.

“No, I didn’t see him fighting anyone. Just happened to find my way here. But more importantly, we’re being sent on a mission to destroy a train? Doesn’t exactly sound dangerous, especially if we’re not going inside…” Ash cracked her neck a bit, stretching. “Wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when it came to burning off some steam.” She continued, folding her arms as she appraised Asmodeus. The look she had was a little odd, the demoness taking a few steps away. "Of course you have to go inside of it, you need to destroy it, right?" Asmodeus turned back to Ash and giggled. "Or are you just scared of trains, Ashy-poo?" She giggled some more, poking a tongue out at Ash. Ash narrowed her eyes. “Of course not. I just thought we’d blow it up from the outside or something.” Turning away from Az, she paused a moment before smirking, looking up. “Still, you’re one to talk.” With that, Umbra violently flared its engine, rumbling the room. Asmodeus practically leapt back, letting out a short, high-pitched scream and hiding behind the closest object. She peered out at Ash and glared. "I should kill you for that!" Continuing to glare with spite she then stood up, backing away. "Well, if you wanna get beaten up by an E ranked Demon, be my guest, but if you wanna get stronger, then you should head off to find Deon and his friend." Asmodues gave Ash a slight grin, and then bolted out of the door faster than a human could move. Ash sighed, looking to Nero and ruffling his fur. Well, it wasn’t like she had anything better to do.

The Renegades Headquarters was set in the middle of a fairly populated city, and in the eyes of the public it was simply just another business building that towered four storeys into the air, although it was a bit more... clean, chic and stylish than most of the other buildings that one would come across, and it's beauty seemed almost unnatural, and some people still claim that this is a fact. The building was large enough to take up an entire block of its own, although it wasn't exactly one building, but three. The first building was the largest, and was located in the exact middle of the grounds, and it was devoted solely to comfortable living and providing rooms for each and every single Renegade, although most people would have assumed that it was just an undersized office building, although it did resemble an apartment building in certain ways, such as the clearly seen balconies and the fact that the very top floor was the room where the three leaders all lived in comfort, with their own specialised equipment and technology that was needed for them. The second building was around three quarters as large as the first, and this was the main building, which contained things such as the Control room and the numerous testing labs, the Helipad sat on top, and the Cafeteria and Sports Rooms, things such as the Gyms and Meeting rooms were placed in here, so that if someone needed to quickly dash from their house to a meeting, they wouldn't be too late, as long as they took the stairs and not the main elevator, which just happened to be broken.

The third building was the smallest, and it was around the size of a shed, and nobody knew what was inside there except the three leaders, and what lay inside were a ground of small beacons. One of them sent and recieved radio transmissions and the like, another allowed wireless internet, there was one that was connected to the satellites that orbited the Earth, and could access transmissions at will, sort of like a hacker had hacked into them if you will. Those aren't the important ones, however. What really makes these special are the two other beacons. One of them is placed in each Renegade Base, and they are all conected via satellite communication systems and can freely send, recieve and transmit information and the like to eachother. The last beacon was actually not a beacon at all, but a shield that repels the darker inclined demons. In basis, it's a forcefield that uses DNA Registration to siphon out the people inside. If you aren't on the registry, you will, oddly enough, feel as if you're pressing against a brick wall when you try to step inside. The other parts of the grounds were taken up by various things, such as the Training grounds, pPcnic area, the Pools and the Spa's, the Sauna's and the Massage Chambers, all sorts of thing you could imagine, you could put in here, but that isn't what's important. What is important, is the fact that underneath the entire complex, there was a massive building in it's own right, and that's where the majority of the real stuff was. The things upstairs were just old technology to make it look like a regular apartment and office building, and the like. Only the people that worked under there actively actually knew about the underground, and then again, not many people down there were exactly human, either.

Deon was walking past the infirmary when he noticed a few soldiers helping a young, pink hair girl into a bed, and letting her rest. Deon took the liberty of peeking inside, and he overheard mutters of 'demon child' and 'gifted', but he didn't let himself dally long, because he had shit to do. He went to the room where everyone was gathered and entered just as he heard a name. "Keilani Dreahen...". Deon thought back to the pink-haired girl and chuckled, listening in with interest. "Good job, getting her here. Nice to know you guys are still useful".



It was a bit of a while after when Deon had met Quake in the Garage, looking over the Hummer that sat there, pitch black with red highlights and a Phoenix emblazoned in both sides and a flame pattern on the hood. Deon looked over it with a grin, and spoke. "I bags driving!". Quake just grinned and patted the car. "Yeah, it was custom built for you, apparently, seen as though you're a Phoenix and all". As Deon proceeded over to the drivers seat, he grinned as he saw the interior. "I wouldn't preferred a Lambo, but whatever". Deon turned as he heard Ash's voice from behind him. "So all I have to do is keep pace, right?". Ash asked, standing by the passenger door. She wasn't fond of letting anyone take the driver's seat but her, so naturally, she'd be taking Umbra for the mission. Noir was sitting on the handlebars. Deon simply grinned and spoke out to Ash, while opening the doors. "Well, until we get to the Train station, you'll have to keep up, although I doubt that'll be a problem for my little-half sister". Deon snickered as he sat down and closed the door, eyeing the wheel, the gearbox and the pedals and taking them all in. He let out a nervous laugh and sighed. "I haven't actually driven a car for a while, waddabout you, Quake?". The Oni just shrugged, trying to find a comfortable position from which she could both see out of the window and not have her horn tearing through the cars roof at the same time. Deon grinned and gunned the engine, the beastly car letting out a roar as the doors before them opened. He looked over to the technology in the middle of the two front seats, and grinned. "Quake, set a course for that trains station, will ya?". The Oni grinned and put the coordinates in, and a bright trails of light appeared on a small screen between them. Deon shouted out to Ash. "Hey Ash, get ready for a good ride, will ya?". Deon grinned, his window fully down, and then he sped off towards his destination, pulling a drift so he didn't end up in the building across from them, and speeding down the road.

Quake and Deon grinned as they left Ash behind, speeding down the road and grinning wider as they kept going. Then, all of the sudden, from the shadows of the buildings nearby, a sleek black figure emerged, Ash pulling in front of the Hummer and quite purposefully cutting them off. Deon grinned, and looked out in front of the two. "Looks like we have a bit of a race coming on, eh Quake? Waddaya say? Maybe Ash can shout of drinks when we get back from the mission, eh?". At this, Quake grinned and nudged him in the shoulder. "I heard Michael talking about some of the specs they'd put into this thing, and apparently it's been imbued with some magical mumbo-jumbo from one of those nice Witches or something". Deon grinned, looking over the buttons and wondering what they did. "Only one way to find out! Let's see what this Hummer can do!". Deon pressed the button, waiting for a few seconds in dismay before the rear of the Hummer exploded in a shower of flames and sparks, propelling them forward faster than they thought they could. Of course, by that time, Deon has successfully gotten next to Ash, instead of behind her, and he grinned as they left her behind again. "Wonder how long this Magic NOS lasts for?".

Deon looked into the rear-view mirror, looking back for Ash to see where she went but he couldn't see her. He turned back to the windshield in front of him and- "Meow". Jumping down onto the bonnet of the jeep, a cat pressed itself up against the glass, blocking his view. Deon's brows went up in surprise as the Hummer continued on it's course, and he leaned out of the open window on his side before quickly pulling himself back inside, otherwise he would've easily be cut in half by the construction poles that were there. Deon tried to see past the cat, but then he noticed something off about it. "Is that what I think it is?". Deon had barely any time to contemplate his musing as he felt the Hummer smash through something that seemed like a blockade. Deon leaned out of the window again and saw something which made him pull back into the car and buckle his seatbelt. Nervously, Quake did the same, because if an immortal is buckling their seatbelt, you know shit's gonna go down. Suddenly, the Hummer's front sped upwards, which was when Deon hit the NOS button again, and Quake buckled her seatbelt for fear she would fly out. In a few seconds, they were in the air. Deon sighed. "At least we're in the Industrial District!". The Hummer began to fall, but after a bit the car stopped, as it felt a crane lifting it, or in fact, lifting what was under it. Deon let out a laugh, and Quake grinned and sighed out of relief. "Hurry up Boss-man, we need to catch up to her!". Deon grinned, happy now that the cat had vanished, hopefully permanently. Deon pushed down hard on the pedal, and zoomed forwards.

Deon and Quake had landed on one set of a massive halfpipe that was being towed into the air, and there were several other portions of the construction being towed up as well, which Deon used to get his vehicle back down onto the streets, although not quite where he wanted to be. He grinned as the Hummer slammed onto the asphalt of the highway, and he grinned as he saw the trains station in the distance, down below. He'd figured that the Hummer could survive the drop, and he headed straight for a broken part of the rails that stopped people from falling off. At this, Quake shouted out a 'Whooo!' at the top of her lungs, and then they broke through the rails, flying through the air and heading straight for the Trains parking lot. As the Hummer landed, Deon decided to give it a bit of style, and pulled a full 560 degree spin and parking directly parallel to the curb, although the Hummer hit the curb and broke it. Deon stepped out of the car and laughed. "Please tell me we beat her here.... Damn, I ain't fixing that damage". Deon looked over the front of the bruised Hummer and grinned. "Heh, I've got more important things to do right now than worry about a Car".

"'Sup?". The voice came from above them, Ash's bike sitting on top of the roof of the Hummer as she smirked, lounging over the handlebar. Noir was licking his paws as he also sat up there, snickering, if only a little. Deon laughed and grinned, looking up at the figure and letting out another laugh. "You owe us drinks, your little cat nearly killed us!". While Deon was happy and fairly carefree, Quake was leaning on the car like she was sick. Deon eyed her and then grinned even wider. "What's wrong Quake? Scared of heights?". The Oni didn't even look up, but the finger she gave Deon was a sign enough. Deon snickered and turned to Ash, his face serious for a second. "Get down, we have a job to do, don't we?". Deon turned away and moved to the back of the Hummer, opening the trunk and eyeing the things inside it. "Well, it seems like we're on our own this time. Bastards didn't even put my stuff in there, not that I needed it anyways". Deon closed the trunk of the car with a thump, and quickly locked the entire thing, turning to the others. "All we have to do is wait around for another... Oh, only three minutes, cool!". With a few heavy thunks, the bike slipped off the hummer, leaving a couple more dents in the hood as Umbra got to the ground. Ash gave a bit of a sigh, and spoke. "Good to see you were organised to get us here early...". Ash's normal sarcasm made Deon grin, and he watched her put her helmet on her bike. Her next sentence made him snicker a bit. "And in case you didn't know, I'm pretty strapped for cash. I don't think you guys even have me on a wage".

Deon laughed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a mound of notes that he'd had hidden the entire time. "My last wallet got burned to shreds in our little playdate with Ansgar and his goons, so I've just kept my money in my pockets. That's your, there should be around.... maybe two-fifty in there?". Deon gave Ash a smirk as she rejected his cash, and he put it back into hs pocket, and turned, proceeding up the stairs into the Train Station itself, buying a ticket and proceeding to the platform. He grinned as the train pulled up and Quake stood beside him. He took steps onto the train, and watched as it left the station. He turned to the others and grinned. "Should happen soon enough". Deon grinned as the shorter figure beside him spoke out. "So, what's the plan to deal with this thing anyhow?" Deon turned to Ash, a smirk on his face, and he was about to speak when, after a few minutes into the trip, all of the lights went out. Deon felt something... odd, and he turned around, trying to figure our just what it was that was bugging him. His demon eyes adjusted to the darkness quickly, but he still couldn't figure out what was bugging him. Deon turned to Ash, and spoke. "How well can you see in here, anyways? We have until the train reaches it's last stop before it decided to... flush out it's insides, so what do you think we should do, Ash? You're familiar with mechanics, right?".

"I'm a mechanic, sure. That doesn't mean I know anything about how a train works". She responded in annoyance, her eyes quickly adjusting to the blackness. After having used her powers, darkness like this was more welcoming then anything else. "I can see fine though. And common sense dictates we need to break the engines or controls at the front. Either that or we should de-couple the links between the carriages". Deon thought he heard Ash mutter something else, but he was a bit preoccupied at the moment, thinking over what she had just said. "Well, how about this? You and Quake go and decouple the brakes, and I'll go smash the engine?". The Oni let out a laugh and pat Deon on the back. "Not a chance, I'm the one who does the smashing here, and I'm not the one who needs protection. I'll be fine!". With that, Quake strode off, a smirk on her face and her direction in the right way. Deon turned to Ash and let a smirk slide across his face. "Well, what do we do now then, Miss Mechanic?". Ash spoke again, and Deon let out a chuckle. "It's simple really. At least, for someone with a punch like yours". Leading the way, she strode to the door between the carriages, opening it up. Stepping into the small area, she looked to the floor for a panel, eventually finding the locked compartment. "Would you be so kind?". She asked dryly, gesturing to the trapdoor. Deon chuckled and smirked, staring in the direction from which they had come. "So much for not smashing anything! Well, here goes". Deon lifted his foot, but as he was about to slam it down onto the panel, something shot out at him, hitting him in he leg and suddenly wrapping around it, pulling him from his feet and slamming him into the walls, out of the window and to his own supposed death. Deon grimaced as the wind sucked at him, but he managed to catch a hold of the ladder connected to the side of the train, and he grinned, still able to see inside the carriage. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, a small girl. She was carrying a teddy bear, and held it out to Ash in a friendly gesture. "Please, help us! I'm so scared and Mister Teddy isn't talking to me anymore!".



Meanwhile, Quake was headed for the engine room, pushing her way past human and sleeping people alike, until one man wouldn't budge. No matter how hard she tried to push past him, he kept stopping her. She sighed and rubbed her forehead, speaking in an authorative tone. "Listen buddy, if you don't get the hell out of my way, you're gonna get eaten by this train, which just so happens to be possessed by a demon". The man laughed and motioned to his friends to stand up, which they did. The man, now revealed to be a short, fat, caucasian male, pulled a knife out of his pocket and pointed it at Quake. "Gimme all of yer money, 'nd ya won' die". Quake laughed, and took the goggles off of her head, revealing the horn that protruded from her forehead, and she grinned. "Fuck off, or I'll make you". And suddenly, then all moved out of the way, because when an Oni tells you to fuck off, you fuck the fucking fuck off. With a smirk on her face, she proceeded to the engine room, and under her breath she spoke. "Bunch of pansies".



Deon grinned as he saw Ash calling out his name in concern, and he muttered under his breath. "She isn't as much of a bitch as she seems. That's good". He grinned, but a little voice in the back of his head was telling him not to get too attached, because he knew how it would end. Deon watched as Ash seemed to be startled by the child, and he focused on the child. He noticed something bad pretty fast, and shouted. "ASH! SHE'S A HUMAN, WATCH OUT!". Deon barely finished his sentence before another tendril sped past Ash, spearing the girl between the ribs and raising her off of the ground. The little girls eyes widened, fresh tears dripping down her face, and eventually they rolled back in her head, with a final departing word of "Mommy". The tendril suddenly appeared again, and then another, and another. Suddenly, the room was alive with tentacles and a lone figure emerged from the center of the room, watching as the tentacle flailed around, and threw the little girl out of the same window it had thrown Deon out of. He caught hold of her, and held her close. He really didn't want to explain this to her parents. "Fuck it, I need to get back in there as soon as possible". Deon sigh, and focused. "Mammon, of Greed! To me!". Suddenly, the intangible visage of Mammon, appeared, but before she could introduce herself, she had a young girl thrust upon her. She eyed her master quizzically, and nodded. "I'll hold onto her until you're done here, sir". Deon nodded, and climbed back towards the window, looking inside at the scene unravelling.

Ash's eyes went wide, and it seemed that she was lost in thoughts. She seemed as if she was distracted for some reason, but Deon watched Ash regain her bearings and narrowly dodge the tendrils that had been thrown at her. Deon watched as the stood, glaring at the figure and shouting at it. "You! You killed her!". Deon looked at the girl as she went forward, trying to get a hit in on the being in the center. The figure grinned, dodging her attacks with ease as it's skin-like substance sunk into the floor, which had slowly grown into pulsating flesh, and a putrid green liquid ran through it. Deon looked at the liquid, and he leaped into the room, grabbing a tendril before releasing it was a swear. He looked at Ash and shouted. "The green stuff is acid! Digestive acid, like in your stomach! Don't stand still for too long, and the tendrils are coated in it as well. It plans on digesting us, and we're already in it's stomach!". Deon dodged another tendril and leaped forward, remembering not to tuck and roll just in time, and he slid across the ground, leaping up and holding onto a pole that hung from the ceiling, and was still made of metal. "Ash, find something safe to stand on, now!".

Ash growled in annoyance, unable to get anywhere close enough to land a cut with her shadow sword. A tendril lunged at Ash, and she cut it in half, only to have the acid drip onto her sword and burn straight through it, but luckily, the sword was able to quikly rematerialise because it was made from darkness, obviously. It was then that the train switched tactic, bubbling acid oozing from the floor. Ash grimaced, looking around for something to stand on. Finding nothing, she backed up, leaping to avoid the puddles before finding herself cornered. The acid closed in, as another tendril lunged at her... And Ash was gone. Sinking into the shadows of the train, she rose up behind Deon, shouting over the noise amongst the train. "We need a plan!".



By this time, Quake had made it to the engine room, a smirk on her face as she recalled how easy it had been. She briefly pondered why nothing was coming after her or the others, but she quickly deduced that the demon had a good distraction, in the form of a flaming bird and his little demon sister. She strode over to the last door, and tried to pull it ope, but it was stuck fast. "Well duh, dumbass. Of course it's locked!". The Oni grinned, and drew her leg back. "Like that's stopped me before! ORAAA!". The door burst from it's hinges as her foot collided with it, and the Oni looked inside to find.... "This place is way too clean to be the engine of a demon train, I swear!". Quake stepped inside, and immediately noticed the figure sitting in the middle of the fairly dimly lit room. She looked around, and took a few steps forward. "Erm, hey dude! You know your train is possessed by a Demon, right?". The figure in the chair swiveled around, a smirk on their face and lit cigarette in hand. "Of course I do! you think I'd let a demon loose without knowing? I'm a Doctor, you know!". Quake took one look at the figure, his grey hair, his large glasses and his manic personality, and she took a step back. "Y-You!". The man spun around in his chair for a bit, and then slammed his foot onto the ground, a grin on his face. "So, what Rank am I now? Seventh, or something of the like?". Quake shuddered as his eyes glanced over her body, resting on her bust for a few moments, before returning to her face. "Yes, it is indeed me. The man you're Renegade Leaders fear! I am the one and only...". The Man stood, taking the cigarette out of his mouth and putting it out on his own arm. "Frank Enrique Steinbolt". Quake raised her fists, and glared. "Shut up, I have a job to do!". Frank simply smirked, and spoke again. "Then why don't you do it, Quake?".



Deon let out a chuckle as he heard Ash's voice behind him, and he swung himself around on the bars, facing her with a smirk. "Hold on a second, I didn't want to do this, but I guess I'll have to. There should be stable ground for you to land on in a second, or you can hold onto this bar to keep yourself above the ground". Deon grinned, awaiting Ash's answer. "Also, how much do you like fire?". As Ash replied, Deon let out a chuckle and let go of the bar, watching as the flesh off of the bottom wrapped around his ankles. "I'm fine thanks". Ash responded, hovering out of the shadows in the wall. When Deon mentioned fire, she seemed to panic a little bit. "We're not the best of friends". She stated hastily, grabbing hold of the bar. "But anything's better than this, so go for it!" As Ash spoke, Deon watched as the tentacles lashed out, wrapping around him. His eyes were shut, and his body was calm, a small smirk on his face. He didn't move, or open his eyes, but he spoke to Ash. "I'll be fine, just get ready to shield yourself". Deon sighed as the tentacles wrapped around him, now up to his neck, and slight sizzling sound was heard. Deon let out a chuckle, and looked over at Ash. "I wonder what's cooking, eh?". Deon would've spoke more, but the tentacles had reached his face, and he was completely covered in them.

Deon, through the small holes in the tentacles that encased him, watched as Ash set up a barrier of shadows between him and herself, and he hoped that that would be enough to stop what was coming. Deon didn't have much longer to think about it before the fluids began running down his forehead, and he spoke. "You know, for a demon that's been around for a few years, you're still pretty stupid. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have shit to do, asshole". Suddenly, a pair of flaming wings jutted out of the mass if tentacles, directly where Deon's shoulderblades would be, and a tail of blazing feather followed suit, right were his tailbone ended. Suddenly, the two seeped back into the writhing mass of tentacles, and Deon grinned. "Let's put on some nice fireworks, shall we, Train Demon?". With barely a moments hesitation, Deon wrapped himself in flames, and pushed them outwards, causing what a normal human would call a 'Controlled Explosion', although it burst through the entire room, causing the acid to bubble and boil, and then evaporate, and then the fleshy stuff that coated the floor was also melted away, and oddly enough, nothing even singed Ash. After all of the flames had finally subsided, Deon stood, checking out his burnt clothes, and he turned to the lumpy mass on the floor of the carriage. He turned to Ash, looking her over for any burn marks, and when he found none he grinned. "Good to see you're not burnt. Thanks for trusting me, by the way". Deon turned around, once again eyeing the mass, which by now was wriggling around in agony. He took a few steps away, and spoke again. "You can have the honours. You want to avenge that little girl, right?".

Ash swallowed, looking to the writing mess on the floor. Slowly, she approached, drawing up her blade. Now she had her chance. She could do it. She could end this demon's life. "I don't have the stomach for it anymore." Ash had approached Deon, and Deon glared. "You can't kill a demon that has ended the lives of hundreds of people? They all suffered more than that little girl did, and yet you can't kill them?". Deon looked down for a few seconds, before letting out a laugh and pulling Ash into a hug. "Good job. If you still have emotions, compassion, all that stuff, you're not a mindless killing machine. And would you really want to be one of them?". Inside Deon's head, that same little vocie returned. 'Well there you go again, getting attached. You know how this ends, why keep torturing yourself over and over again, Deon?'. Deon didn't know what the voice was talking about, but maybe when his memories fully resurfaced, he'd have at least some idea. He let go of Ash and grinned, patting her on the back and focusing. "Leviathan, of Envy. To me!". Suddenly, the second eldest sister appreared and nodded, both at Deon and at Ash respectively, she then went and picked up the demon and vanished. Deon grinned at Ash. "I have good news for you as well. When the little girl was thrown out the window, I caught her and had Mammon take her to the Renegade's Infirmary. Hopefully she'll be fine soon enough". Deon turned to Ash, and grinned even wider. "Come on, Quake is probably wondering where we are now, and since we've caught the demon, we won't need to derail this train".

"Ugh, get off me you sap". Deon grinned as he pushed open the door and stepped outside, Ash following behind him. He took a few more steps before noticing something was wrong. Quake had told him before they had left that she would call him when she'd broken the engine, and surely it didn't take too long to simply break a goddamn panel or two. Deon's ears picked up struggling at the front of the train, and he rushed forwards, before being confronted by a short man, the same one that had confronted Quake. He swore and tried to push past, but he couldn't get though. "Listen, I have to get through here, now!". The man wouldn't listen, so Deon gave him something to think about. "You know that Oni that cam through here before? See that bruise on her face? Yeah, I gave her that. Get out of my way". That was enough to make them man slink off. Deon turned to Ash, but kept moving. "Hurry up, Quake might be in trouble!". Deon turned, dashing through each carriage before finally reaching the driver's room. He stepped inside to find Quake on the ground, unconscious. "Fuck, Quake. Get up. You're alive, right?". The Oni stirred, but she couldn't fully speak yet. Suddenly, Deon noticed something was off, or, moreso, someone was sitting in the drivers chair, a lit cigarette in their mouth. Immediately, Deon leaped back, placing Quake out of the way. "Ash, take Quake and get to the back of the Train, and take everyone else with you as well!".

Deon grinned as Ash noticed his urgent tone, and immediately took the Oni to someplace safer, where she would probably wake up complainng about wanting some Sake or the like. Deon adjusted his footing as the figure let out a laugh that sent shivers down his spine. "Oh, why if it isn't my little medical prodigy! I'd wondered where you'd hidden your burning little soul from the madness!". Deon eyed the Doctor, and, taking no chances, immediately withdrew Mokou from his chest, and the sword spoke just as Ash reappeared. ".... Deon... That's him, isn't it? The Doctor who...". Deon shushed the blade, and glared at the man in the chair. "What are you doing here? You let that demon out for one of your experiments, didn't you!". Deon leaped forward to slash at the man, but he swiveled in his chair, grabbing Deon by the arm and throwing him back past Ash. Deon didn't bother to pick up Mokou, and he glared at Ash. "Get BACK!".

Ash stepped up, emerging out of the shadows as she watched the man, eyes narrowed. "You're not the boss of me, Deon. I can handle myself". Drawing up her shadow blade, she took a fighting stance. "So, if you want me to stay back, you'd better take the lead and deal with this guy. Got it?". Deon stood, coughing up blood. "You're an idiot, you know that? He's too powerful, even I know that. After all... he was the one who....". Deon coughed again, moving up beside Ash. "He's the one who taught me how to fight". Deon drew himself up, and glared. "Lemme guess? You're gonna say about how you don't wanna fight now, and then vanish like usual?". The figure stood, a grin on his face. "Of course, Deon. I loved playing with you, but your sister here.... She looks so...". Deon stepped in front of Ash, a look of disgust on his face. "I'm not gonna let you imagine the dissection lines on her, asshole". The Doctor laughed and grinned. "Maybe I'll cut you up again instead, hm?". Deon took a step forward, and the Doctor laughed, clicking his fingers as the two carriages separated. Even if Ash or Deon were on the same carriage as him, the chair he threw at them would've sent them back. Their part of the train was slowing down, while the Doctor's part was speeding away. Deon looked at Ash, and pulled out a phone from his pocket. "Yeah, it's me. We had an unexpected encounter while we were here... Yeah, it was him. Frankenstein".



The trip back to Base was uneventful to say the least, and Deon straight away went to sleep, on his own bed, of course. He knew that if anything happened, he'd be informed of it, at least. "Goodnight, me".



The newly elected Archknight looked out through the window, onto the shambles of the Park and it's surrounds. He sighed, and turned. "Yes, of course. I will issue it. Mhm....". A single figure entered the room, a servant whom was also a Paladin. "Sir, how will we react to this?". The Archknight turned, and spoke, burning hatred visible in his eyes. "We will sweep through the world, wiping out any and all demon scum before us. Such is the will of our creator, so it shall be done!".

~ Sebastian's Story ~

Sebastian had been sent back towards his room, upon reaching it and opening the door, inside he saw some things that were not there when he woke up. Upon the chair Lucifer had sat on previously he saw a black case. Walking over with Lucifer not far behind, he could see a handprint of some sort on there. Placing his hand upon it, the case unlocked itself as he pulled his hand back and then opened it, raising his brows at what he saw inside. Inside was some sort of suit, along with a cape and a black cowboy like hat. On top of the hat was a card, to which Sebastian grabbed and looked upon, and saw the name 'Inferno' appear on it. "Inferno?" He asked out loud, furrowing his brows as he placed it down on the bed and did the same with the hat and cloak. He then took out the suit, placing it on the bed first before lifting it back up as he tried to examine it as best as he could. Two gloves fell off as he placed the suit back down and placed them on top of the hat, scratching the side of his head at all of this.

"Yeah, Inferno, I guess." He heard Lucifer say, watching her walk over to him and grin. "Looks like you have a sweet suit to show off to the others. Hurry up and put it on, I wanna see." He rolled his eyes at this as he sighed out. "Okay, okay..." He said as he took a hold of it and raised one of his legs, beginning to slip it on as he furrowed his eyes while struggling to get into it. "Oh son of a gun, come on! Come on, the other leg, the OTHER leg! Ahhh, why don't you go up properly?!? Okay, over the arms, over the -- NO! Over the arms! Okay... Up to the neck, up to the -- DON'T CHOKE ME!!" He stopped as he looked over at Lucifer suspiciously, who was looking away at the moment. He then smiled as he looked himself over, feeling like he was wearing a shed snakes skin, until he suddenly felt it tighten on him. "E-eh?" He said, watching it suddenly change over him as it became more suitable and became more fit to his size. "... Jesus, I'm not sure what to be scared of now. The mission, or the suit." He said again, then grabbed the gloves and put them on as they did the same. Then he took out the shoes and put them on as well, sort of mentally questioning how this all fit in that case.

"Well aren't you all well dressed, Mister Inferno... I wonder why that name was there anyway." He heard Lucifer say, seeing her with a smirk as she went over to him and put her arms over his shoulders and then whispered in his ear. "You look good, 'Bastian." She said, making Sebastian's eyes widen as he could only pat her back. "U-uh, thanks..." He said, pulling away as he grabbed a hold of the hat and placed it on his head, smiling at her as he then hugged her gently to him. ".... I uh, want to make it back, you know? So that I can, uh, catch up... I just feel like I've missed out on so much suddenly." He heard her give a laugh at this and pull him tighter, seeming to grow slightly younger in front of him. "A cool thing about me is that I can shift my age to whatever I want it to be, so the others might be a bit confused when we meet them." She then pulled Sebastian even closer, making her lips right beside his ear. "Don't worry, Sebastian, you're not behind at all. I'll try and get Deon to help you get your bearings, you're his brother, and he probably likes you."

Sebastian felt himself blush a bit at this, smiling and hugging Lucifer a bit tighter at this. ".... Thanks, Lucifer.. You know, I haven't seen Ash much, but you seem to have my back always... Promise me I'll see you when I get back... I promise to stay alive." He then smiled sweetly, only to hear her growl at this. "You always mention Ash.... Sebastian, I want to know something." She then pulled her head away from him and locked eyes with him. "Do you lover her?" She asked, making him raise his brows at her. "... Love? That's a bit of an exaggeration, isn't it?" He asked her, letting go as he grabbed the cape or cloak or whatever it was, and put it on. He then eyed Lucifer with suspicion. "Are you jealous?" He asked, only to hear a haughty laugh in response as she turned around. "Me? Jealous of her? I could kill her if I really wanted to, Sebastian. I don't have any reason to be jealous!" When she turned back to look at him, her expression was completely different now, contrary to what she had just said. "I'm serious though, Sebastian. Give me a straight answer." Sebastian sighed out at this as if he were caught between two walls. "... I don't love her. It's a silly crush." He tried to tell her.

But she didn't reply at first, she just stood there when a dark aura appeared around her form, gathering in intensity and lashing out at the closet things around her, which made him step back as this happened as he was one of them. The demonic tendrils grew longer and sharper, some of them even growing spikes and spines. Before he could do anything else though, Lucifer suddenly whirled around and gave him a goofy smirk. "Well come on then, don't wanna keep your girlfriend waiting now, do we?" She then gave him a grin before speaking out again. "I bet she'll just looove your new suit!" She then let out a few giggles and seemed perfectly normal, but to Sebastian, she wasn't. He then raced out of the room without another word, somewhat ready to go on this mission now.

~ Michael's Story ~

Scott walked into the room as he was greeted with a salute as he nodded towards him at this. He then heard his words as he struggled to make sure his pain wasn't noticed by him, which he thought he did an okay job of. "Roger Bucaneg. I've read your file. My name's Scott, second-in-command to Michael's division." He started off, before moving to a nearby chair and slowly settling down in it, his bandages noticed as he refused to wear a shirt while they were almost all over his upper body, although it was more due to the pain he felt when he tried to that bugged him. "Hmm, so that means the sixth child has been found... Interesting. Keilani Dreahen... I want a file request to be made on her at once, Renegade eyes only." He told him, then he was handed the report of the incident, taking it and looking it over as he nodded to mostly himself as he looked this over. "... Suspicious. We can't set up a crime scene, so we'll probably have to send one of our demon soldiers later to examine the ruins." He said as he then heard a small beeping sound as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small cellular device, turning it on as he raised a hand to Roger before holding it to his ear. "Report. ... I see. The final child has been found, you say? Good work men, now we can call in the -- wait what? ... You all are having tea on the way over? Why are you -- ... He made it? No, why are you all having -- ... No, I do not want some when he gets here -- ... I don't CARE how good it is! Just -- ... No, wait, no -- Jim? ....Jim?" He hung up then as he growled out of frustration and turned off the device, putting it away. "Damn Jim... One of these days he's going to get himself killed!"

Michael stood in his spot with Rin as he looked over at her. "... I think this will be good. Scott said to check something while we here... Let's see what we can find out." He said, holding out his hand to the machine as Rin did the same, both calling out at the same time "A.I. Activation!" At this, the screen suddenly became a blue blank as all was quiet for a few, before an intelligent sounding robotic voice spoke out from all around the main room to them. "A.I. Awakened. Michael and Rin acknowledged. Welcome home, Sniper." It spoke as Michael spoke out at this. "Scott told us he discovered something important about the children. He told us you had information about it?" The A.I. seemed to remain silent at this, the screen popping up with numerous blank screens before they all vanished just as quickly. "Ah, yes. There is a problem... Although I failed to inform Scott correctly of what this problem was." It spoke, as Michael waited for it to continue, a map appearing on the screen with numerous red markers.

"Right... Studies show that Sebastian's blood has revealed several spots that may have devil's blood in them. We have eliminated off almost all but two..." It said, as all the markers but two were left now on the map, as Michael looked to Rin with concern before looking back at the screen as the A.I. resumed. "Reports coming in state that the 7th child has been found, the moving marker represents him coming this way." This confused Michael, who looked to Rin with this confused look before looking back at the screen. "... But that means there is an eighth child we have yet to find." He asked the A.I. "Yes. Originally, there are suppose to be only seven children. There is, I'm afraid, an extra child." It said, as Michael furrowed his brows. "Explain." He asked it. "... I will try my best to. This extra child was not born with the devil's blood, the blood was given to this child after birth. I have sent a call out to one team for them to examine the area for this remaining child. After that, I will need a sample of each of the eight children's blood to examine, compare and contrast. I only need a drop from each, I already have one. If this last child is not found... We will never know who this extra child is."

~ Sebastian's Story ~

Sebastian was now in a forest-like setting, moving past the branches and bushes as he mumbled to himself in anger. "... Jeez, no wonder the guy's hard to find. The sun's going down, and there's barely any spots of sunlight... If Scott told me right, it's a vampire I have to face. Shouldn't be -too- bad... Right?" He was unaware, that as he mumbled to himself, a pair of rusty red eyes were watching his every move. Suddenly, Sebastian heard a voice call out in agony! "Hello? Is anyone there? I need help! I've fallen and I can't get up!" He stopped when he heard the voice, looking in it's direction as he raised his eyebrows. "H-hang on!" He cried out, running towards the direction of the voice as the eye growled to itself as it watched. "Damn it kid, NO!" But all too late, Sebastian was already heading to the building. "Please, help us! We can't get out of here by ourselves!" One voice cried out, but after a few tense seconds, another one cried out for him. "Please! I have a wife and kids, and they've probably been worried for ages!" Now his blood was pumped, and he rushed inside the building, feeling the instinct to help people in need out. "Hello! Tell me where you are! Tell me if you can see me! I'm right here!" He cried out, noticing a massive hole in the shack's floor. "Thank the lord boy, could you help us out of this hole?" He then rushed to the hole, looking down inside it for the people. "Hold on, I'm right here! I'm --"

"You shouldn't have come here, boy." The voice said, suddenly two shining white objects flew out of the hole, landing near him as his heartbeat suddenly increased. He noticed they were bones, bloodstains on them as he began to shiver at this. "... Oh this is bad isn't it?" Suddenly the eyes vanished, as he could hear the ruffling of a trenchcoat behind him, as he felt his suit tighten on him then. "Oh, indeed it is. Can you feel my aura draining your life-force already, fooling human child? I hope you can, because soon enough you will be mine to feast on!" He then turned around to look upon the vampire, Drayne, who grinned to reveal his teeth at him, making Sebastian suddenly regret coming here. "... Drayne, right?" He asked, watching as the vampire grinned, grunted and nodded all at once. His bald head showed off more of his already pale skin and some of his veins, but the horror was his face. His eyes were very demonic, more then the movies depicted they would be. Around his mouth and on his neck too was the dried up blood of his previous victims, Drayne must of been one of the types Scott had informed him of, although what the difference between A and B was anyone's guess.

~ Name: Drayne
Nickname: None
Type: Vampire Type A
Rank: C Rank
WDL Threat Level: Moderate ~

Drayne's fangs slide out of his mouth even wider as his disgusting smile brought shivers to Sebastian. "Now, are you going to let me eat you peacefully, or are you going to run home to your Mother?" The vampire asked, as Sebastian couldn't take it anymore. "... I'm sorry, I have to point this out. You are nothing like the movies say, you are nasty. Very, very nasty. I can see your veins, your neck looks horrible... I do -not- want to be a vampire if I end up becoming like you -- wait, I just sealed my fate, didn't I?" He asked, suddenly horrified at his own stupidity as the vampire laughed and pulled out a severed arm from behind his back and bit into it. Once the vampire was done, he threw it into the pile of blood-stained bones. "I happen to be a Type A Vampire, one of the more brutish ones.... Sadly, not many people know that, and you won't be an exception, since I'll be devouring your flesh before long enough. I do, however, give my victims some short reprieve before their death." Sebastian quickly looked to his side as he inched towards a broken pipe. "Do you?" he asked, grabbing a hold of it quickly as he kept it hidden from Drayne's sight. "Here's mine." He said, before quickly launching it at the window and shattering it, casting sunlight down near Drayne, but he quickly vanished in the sunlight.

From the front, Sebastian's suit was suddenly torn, his form staggering backwards as he was pushed more into the darkness, a sinister noise erupted out from the room as he had no idea where it came from. Then, a noise clattered behind him, and he raced forward just as his shoulder was just barely clawed by the vampire, although the suit was even more ripped now thanks to this. He then rolled towards the sunlight as the vampire attempted to tackle him, but he moved so that the vampire got into the sunlight, an angry and menacing yell came out of the vampire as he quickly vanished again. Sebastian got up as he let out a sigh of relief, only to feel himself get kicked in the side and get sent stumbling across the floor, stopping himself as he shook his head. "Ouch... That spot is my only hope." He said as Drayne suddenly appeared in front of him, preparing to claw his face as Sebastian quickly grabbed the nearest object and held it out in front of him, the wood shattering into pieces as both were cut in the process as the pieces passed them both. Sebastian then smacked one piece of the two halves across Drayne's face, hearing him yell out as he then rammed the other one into his chest and kicked the wood, cracking it slightly as Drayne was knocked back. Sebastian then raced towards the spot of sunlight, but had to jump as the cracked piece of wood came flying at him, shattering upon impact as Drayne was about to grab him when Sebastian entered that spot again, Drayne quickly pulling his hand back as he yelled out and vanished again.

Sebastian eyed the pieces of wood left as he got up and raced towards them, only to be pushed and sent stumbling forward, then grabbed by the throat from behind as he was raised into the air temporarily only to be slammed down into the ground on his back, grunting as he felt this. He looked up to see Drayne bearing his fangs at him. "It'll take more than that to kill me, child." Sebastian struggled within the vampire's grip, gritting his teeth as he glared at him and spoke through those gritted teeth. "... You know, one more thing before you bite me. For a vampire, you are pretty STUPID!" Drayne clutched Sebastian's head in his hands, hefting him up off of the ground as he slowly started to tighten his grip and grinned in anticipation of the new meal. "I think you'd be best barbequed, I think." Drayne spoke, but then released his grip as Sebastian was sent clumsily into the ground, the vampire staggered backwards as his chest was suddenly rippling and bubbling. Then, a strange creature came bursting out of the vampire's chest, a grin on it's face as it bowed to Sebastian, seeming to not be covered in blood at all as Drayne fell backwards. "'Ello there, 'Basty-wasty! How ya doin, this beautifl night, hm?"

Sebastian quickly stood up as he could see the vampire twitching, raising his brows as he looked back to the strange creature. "... Right, I got time now." He said to mostly himself. "Come on, to the forest!" He said, grabbing the strange human-like rabbit creature and racing quickly towards the forest. "... Okay, I need something to beat that guy. Sun's almost gone, and I -- well, I got nothing to capture him with!" The rabbit-creature then grinned and shrugged Sebastian off, forcing him to get sent flying into the next tree. "Oh, sorry. Are you alright!?" She asked, and just at that time, Drayne walked out through the door. "So, it seems that my food has got a friend, although your bursting from my chest was very.. distubing." The vampire said, the rabbit-like creature turning towards him, grinning and bowing to him. "Lunatic Eyes, at yer service! How ya doin Drayne? My Mistress has something she needs destroyed, and that thing happens to be you, my ugly-as-fuck friend!" The bunny-like creature then grinned and waggled her finger at the vampire as he ran towards them. The bunny-like creature then whispered to Sebastian gleefully. "Don't do anything, he's fucked anyways." She told him, which made him raise his brows at her. "... Look, I got to capture him, so I -- wait, WHAT?! I can't kill him!" He said out loud at the sudden realization of what was going on, quickly brushing himself off. "I got no other choice." He said, preparing to go into his transformed state, but found it was harder this time. He kept trying, and raced forward as he was about to shout at the vampire when a massive red wall appeared in front of him, forcing him to stop as he looked towards the rabbit grinning at him.

~ Name: Lunatic Red Eyes
Nickname: None known(?)
Type: Lunar/Earth Rabbit(?)
Rank: ?
WDL Threat Level: Kill on sight! ~

"I ain't gonna kill him... yet, anyways... What's that, Miss? Oh, I have to? Alright then." She then turned towards Sebastian with that grin of hers. "Well, no Vampire for you, my Mistress wants him dead. And I mean dead-dead.. Also, ya can call me Luneyes, it's just a nickname I was given." She then turned her attention to Drayne, who stopped in place suddenly as his eyes wondered around, as if there were things he was seeing that didn't exist. Lunatic then grew out a pistol, a plain old Glock from the looks of it, but when she pulled the trigger, it showed it definitely wasn't one. The bullet sped it's way into the vampire's chest and suddenly vanished. The vampire then grinned at her. "Is that all you have?" He asked, running towards her and prepared to strike her, when suddenly his body exploded which turned him into a pile of blood and guts, leaving only his head intact. "... H-hey! What was that for?! I needed him alive!? Please tell me he's alive..." He asked, with little to no hope of this happening. "Well, it'll be a bit hard now that he's all over the place, but take... this, and you'll be fine. A certain Phoenix will know what it is, I'm sure." She then reached into her skirt pocket and seemed to feel around a bit before pulling out a small bottle with a faded label and handed it to him. All Sebastian could make of the label was 'Ho_r_i E_ixi_', whatever that meant. He was then patted on the back as the rabbit still had a grin. "Oh, right. You don't want that, do you? Hang on a second." She said, turning around and reaching over to grab the bald head of Drayne. "This should do, considering it's his own head."

Sebastian felt his brows raise at the sight of the head being held out for him to take like it was a gift! "... H -- he's dead though..." He mumbled, but took the head either way, putting the bottle away quickly so he could have both hands on the bald head. "Ah well, you'll be let off, the Renegades aren't as dumb as the WDL are... Oopsie, I've said too much already!" She said to him, bowing quickly to him before looking into his eyes. "Don't ever try to find me again, or you will die. Also, I'm on the WDL's Most Wanted list, if you want to know, and I'm pretty high on there as well, and I'm not even trying!" She then turned around as a portal suddenly appeared in the fabric of reality, she then stepped inside and then turned to Sebastian, her eyes turning dangerous and cold. "Sebastian. Tread lightly, or you will perish soon enough, and my Mistress doesn't want that. Not one bit." With that, the portal closed, it was almost as if it wasn't even there, leaving Sebastian alone with just the bottle and the head. He sighed out and turned around, beginning to walk back the way he came towards the Renegade base. "... Well this is a crappy day." He then turned on the suit's mic. "Hello, who's this? Rin, is it? I'm making a quick call... Actually, it's more of an update -- yeah, it's about Drayne. Yeah, I think I got some good news."

"He's dead."

~ Kallos' Story ~

Kallos sat down in his throne as he chuckled. "Interesting... I finally have a chance to prove myself. Do not fail me now, my elemental warriors." He said, and at this, a figure would appear in the form of flames as they would vanish and he would emerge from them slowly. "... Kallos, is it now?" The humanoid demon asked, as a smirk came to Kallos. "Welcome, fire demon. I trust you finished business in hell then?" He asked, to which the fire demon nodded. "Indeed. Me and my blade did some good work today, and it also seems my father is as busy as ever. But I do fear he may get in the way of your plans." He said. Kallos chuckled darkly at this. "Nonsense. Our plan will be fine, we have three days after all. Brenhin's men will be recovering, making it the perfect chance for us to destroy the WDL once and for all!" He then pointed his arm at a door, revealing a tube that was sticking out of his arm. "Chill! Bellfoar! To me!" He called out, as Bellfoar would appear while Chill would walk out of the door and walk next to Bellfoar. "You two, we have business! Prepare yourselves, you will be the ones to set up the bombs! You have three days to do this, and make sure no humans get killed in the resulting explosions. You both know what must be done... In three days, the WDL will be gone from this world!"

Pitter Patter.

Pitter Patter.

Pitter Patter.

Pitter Patter.

Pitter Patter.

~ Sebastian's Story ~

The mission was over. Drayne was dead. He still couldn't believe that, after all he had done to try to prevent someone dying, it happened either way on this mission. The first thing he did when he got back inside was sigh out and shake his head a little. "... I really hate vampires now. More then I did before as a kid." He said to himself quietly, entering into the main room as he stopped when he noticed a few Renegade soldiers. "Oi, someone give this to that Scott guy when you see him..." He then held up the head of Drayne to a few Renegade soldiers, who could only stare in shock when they saw what it was. It wasn't because it was a severed head, but more because it was Drayne's head that scared them. He then threw it lightly at two of them, who ended up stumbling around before they both caught it and quickly ran off with it, the other one just snickered and followed after them. He rolled his eyes once he was gone and sighed out again. "... Now to find Deon I guess." It would take a few minutes later to find him, who was in nothing but his boxers and socks, which made Sebastian raise a brow at him. He saw Deon wipe his eyes and let out a yawn as he stood in front of him. "Konbanwa, Sebastian. How ya doin?" Deon asked him.

"Well considering I just saw a vampire have his chest bursted open by some rabbit like creature, then getting blown into a pile of blood and guts... I suppose it would be a regular day for you." He admitted to him, remembering something as he quickly reached into his pocket. "Oh, also, she told me to give you this..." He said, pulling out the empty bottle she gave him before and handed it to him. "... I have no idea why she gave me this. Crazy rabbit demons, I suppose..." He watched as Deon grinned and took the bottle from him, but when he looked at it, his expression vanished and his eyes suddenly became lifeless, distant and cold. They stood there in silence, before Quake appeared behind Deon and wrapped her arms around him. She then rubbed her hands all over him, obviously drunk, and this brought Deon back to reality. "What the fuck woman! --" He quickly stopped. "Quake. Get your hand out of my pants, please." Quake responded with a grin and withdrew her hand, then turned herself away before turning back to them and grinned again. "Nice package, Phoenix boy." She then gave a wink before turning away for a third time and left Deon to hang his head. "Don't ever tell anyone that happened.... I'm begging you."

Deon then shook his head and looked at the bottle. "Lemme guess, the rabbit burst out of the vampire, killed him and gave you this to give specifically to me? Of course." Sebastian blinked a little in response and felt himself shuddering a little after what he saw. "... Who says I will, huh? I don't want to talk about you and her doing it any way..." He said, before then letting out a sigh. "Yeah, pretty much... Also, I know her name now it seems. Lunatic Red Eyes. Heard of her? She seemed to know about herself pretty well..." When Deon looked back at him, he saw Deon's eyes, cold and dangerous like Lunatic's had been before she left. "Of course I know her, she works for the person who ruined my life. She vanished in a tear in time and space, right?" Sebastian, confused Deon knew this, blinked three times. "... Um, your starting to scare me now. And I mean, really starting to scare me right now. What am I missing here?" At this, Deon's eyes began to feel like they were drilling into his very soul, before he turned away and ruined the moment by letting out a laugh. "I'm just screwing with ya man. You seen Luci anywhere? She just vanished when you left." Sebastian was able to let him know what had happened earlier with him and Lucifer, but stopped when Deon clutched at his chest, a few drops of blood emitting from his mouth. Sebastian felt his heart race at the sight of the blood, his mind coming back to reality as Deon spoke again. "Control Room, now." Then, he was off for said location. "Oh damn it Lucy..." He mumbled before running off after Deon, who was almost at a running pace, but was slow enough for Sebastian to keep up with him.

When they arrived at the control room, they both found who they were looking for. "Fuck. -" He said, before coughing again and sending more blood splattering to the ground. "What the heck are you doing, Lucifer?" He asked, Sebastian feeling his heart sank as she turned around to him and her eyes glazed, they were lifeless, cold and burning with anger. "What am I doing? What am I doing!?" She said to him, holding up what seemed like a piece of paper at Deon. "The hell are you doing with the contract, Luci?.... You're going to break the seal, aren't you?" And then, the other six sisters of purgatory appeared, all of them looking from Deon to Lucifer and back again in fear. It was Asmodeus who spoke up first. "W-What's going on?" She asked, before receiving the hateful gaze of Lucifer. "I'm giving our 'master' a choice. Either he reseals our contract, or I kill seven people." She said to them. Sebastian, suddenly feeling guilty, tried to hide himself among the six sisters of purgatory. "You're an idiot, you know that? What the hell caused you to act so bitchy all of a sudden, huh?" Deon asked with a sigh, as Lucifer suddenly laughed and grinned in spite. "What caused me to act like this? My Pride was destroyed, that's all. Oh, and besides, I finally realised something as well!" She then turned towards Sebastian, making him shudder out of fear. "I figured out why I left the Orphanage, Sebastian. I left because...... because I..." Her head then fell for a moment, and with a concerned expression, Deon stepped forward. Her head shot up at this, an unearthly laugh escaping her lips before she spoke out to him. "Well, I mean. I used to like you, Sebastian. I used to care about you even more than myself.... but now...... Heh... Heheheheh.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" She then fell into a hysterical laughter before focusing her attention back on Deon.

"So what'll it be?" She asked him. Deon could only sigh out and lift his hands. "You know what I have to do, and I'll do it." Sebastian's heart was already sinking lower with each moment that passed by, before he heard someone whisper to him. "Sebastian, this is a Demon's Mental Break, if you weren't aware already." He looked over at one of the sisters, who's name was Mammon, as he began to shiver from what she said. "... I -- I did this...? I could make somene break like this unintentionally..." He needed all the comfort he could get right now, as he put his arms around himself and closed his eyes. "... I can't deal with this again... Not again..." He felt the one named Mammon pat his back. "No, it's probably been built up for a long time, ever since she rejoined us, probably. Just stay quiet, alright?" Deon, meanwhile, glared over at Lucifer and walked towards her. The dark aura was around her form once again, and the tendrils lashed out at Deon as he tried to get closer to her. He stopped only a few centimeters away, and then four tendrils shot through his chest and send a massive blood bloodsplatter onto the floor, which caused Sebastian to cling onto Mammon and hide behind her as it hit some of the sisters. Deon, however, only grinned and chuckled. "So do I have to fight you in your Demon Form as well, Lucifer?" He asked, as Lucifer shook her head at this. "No, you don't deserve to see that again, Phoenix." "... God, I can't do this again." Sebastian mumbled to himself, remembering when his mother was cut on that day, during the attack. He shuddered as he could again feel the heat coming from his scars, remembering when they were made on the same day. ".... Make it stop..." He mumbled out again, loud enough for only the sisters to hear. "... Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop, make it stop..."

Deon looked briefly to Sebastian and grinned, before looking back at Lucifer and nodding. "Go on, do it, Lucifer." He said, and quickly, the tendrils pulled in different directions and tore Deon apart, leaving only bloodstains, flesh and pieces of bones and organs. Sebastian had heard it all and let go of Mammon, backing away from the sisters. "... N-n-no! What did you - why did you - I can't have... I did this to him?" He held his head as everything became muffled to his hearing. ".... Why? Why is this even happening? Why?!?!" He called out, seeming to have some sort of breakdown from all this. Meanwhile, Mammon turned to Sebastian and was about to speak, when she heard a giggle. "Oh come on Mammon, you're too kind to men sometimes. You just have to-" But then, Mammon suddenly whirled around and glared at Lucifer. "SHUT IT BITCH! YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW HUMANS FEEL!? NO, YOU DON'T! YOU'RE A GODDAMN DEMON, AND I WARNED YOU ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED WITH HUMANS, BUT OH NO! YOU HAD TO GO AND RUN AWAY BECAUSE YOUR PRIDE NEARLY KILLED US ALL!" Mammon then sighed and turned back to Sebastian, he could see a sad smile upon her face. "I'm sorry that you have to hear this, but it'll all be good soon, as long as Lucifer doesn't piss anyone else off, at least." He could hear again, was the first thought that came to his head. He frowned at her and clung on to her again, hiding his face in her shoulder. "... But he's hurt because of me... Oh god, why did she do that to him? I didn't mean to do this to her...." He tightened his arms around her, shaking as he felt like if he let go he was about to lose it... When heard a voice.

"Lucifer. Don't ever do that again, alright?" It said, and when Sebastian looked up, he found Deon standing there. He had just pulled his boxers back up and pulled a packet out of them, it was a cigarette packet. He was grinning at Sebastian, appearing to only have minor scars on his chest from where he was torn apart. Lucifer's head had gone down at this point, a single tear hitting the ground as she rushed over to him and catapulted herself into his arms. Upon impact, his smoke lit. "Easy now, Luci. I'm still injured, after all." He said to her, before looking back at Sebastian with a grin. "Don't worry about me, ever. I can't exactly die, anyways." Sebastian raised his brows at this. "... B-but... What... What did you do? Why did she make you do that?" He tried to ask through chattering teeth as if he was freezing at this point. Deon looked down at Lucifer who was clutching on to him desperately and blabbering nonsense. "I'm immortal, meaning that whenever I die, I come back again...." He said, turning to Sebastian with a grin and took a drag out of his cigarette, patting Lucifer's head, who was crying at this point. "Her stress built up to a level where she just... broke, for lack of better words. It isn't your fault either.... I don't think, anyway." Sebastian then let go of Mammon as he put a hand to his chest and fell to his knees.

Meanwhile, a male voice came to Deon in the form of a mic. "Oi, you awake? We have a problem.... It's Michael... I need you to send Satan, Asmodeus and Leviathan over to my location right now. I'm pulling off an emergency code for this." Deon then quickly turned after hearing this. "Satan, Asmodeus, Leviathan. Get to Michael, asap. I'll follow as soon as everything is settled here." He shook his head after they left and turned to Lucifer. "Luci, go to our room and get some sleep. We'll speak more in the morning." She looked at him, shaking slightly and was about to speak when he rubbed her head. "I forgive you, and so does everyone else." He said to her, and then, she was gone as well. Meanwhile, Mammon had crouched down next to Sebastian and was calling his name while shaking him. Deon then went over to them. "What's wrong now?" He asked, as Sebastian only wrapped his arms around himself again and continued to shiver. He tried to rub his shoulders for warmth as he stared at the ground only. Unable to speak at the time, he leaned into Mammon for warmth.

~ Kallos' Story ~

Kallos sat in his throne, seeming to move his hand towards Yami for an indication as he set three tubes into Kallos' back. His body then glowed bright purple for a few, as he closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Yami then backed away as he watched, Golem was taking a nap at this point. Photos and Kiba had grown quiet. Kalh merely sat and watched all of this, Itzhet was in his room meditating. "Everything is going well it seems." Kallos spoke, as Eppenos had sat down in his seat, which had been somehow expanded to fit his larger status then how most humans were suppose to look. "Now we just need to plan out the distraction... I could easily send Yami and Eppenos out to do the job, but... We need a third one for this." Kalh, at this, stood up from his seat. "Allow me, my lord. My grace and style will put those children to shame." He said, as Kallos shook his head. "... No. Not if they gather and gain up on you." Eppenos, to everyone's surprise, rose up. "I know someone who can help us out." He spoke, as Kallos turned to him. "... Who?" He asked. "Simple. The Wandering Blade. I can convince it... Right, Baphomet?" The sword, Baphomet, let out a mere growl in response that sounded like hundreds of dying souls.

~ ??? ~

"My liege, we have the reports on the children ready to go." A voice called out from one of the chairs in the darkness, the main demon in the room shifted in his seat. The Revolutionary Leader of Hell gave a smirk at this. "Show me them." He said, as he quickly turned and snapped his fingers. "Oh, Kallos isn't here today?" A voice spoke out, his cocky attitude and fast paced voice sounding throughout the room as his hologram appeared. "... You should know he will be informed later, Kappa." A feminine voice spoke this time, her hologram appearing too as the Kappa glared darkly at her. "... Still your tongue, Countess. Or maybe I should come to America and dissect your head? How would you like that, to feel my technology ripping you apart?!" The Revolutionary Leader then raised his hands. "... Enough, or I will send my warlords to both of you. Now, Kappa, you have a status report to make to Kallos later I hear. As for now though, show us the information we require." The Kappa remained silent for a moment, before letting out a sigh in defeat and pressing a few buttons. "... Very well. I will give my report on the ones we have seen in action so far. Be warned though, one of them may turn out t be --" At this, he was stopped when a fist slammed down into an armchair. "... Right. Here are the first five known children." And with that, it began with Deon's.

~ Name: Deon Morris
Nickname: The Executioner
Type: Half Phoenikoi/Half ?
Rank: S(?)
Overall Threat: Capture at any cost.
Additional Information: Deon Morris is currently one of the three known leaders of The Renegades. He was known as Hikari Scarlet when he was under the control of the WDL. Currently in possession of two demon weapons, Deon Morris in the past has slain many types of demons, some of his most notable accomplishments are several Demon Kings. Another notable accomplishment is the former demon Eclipse.
Special Power: His most unique ability appears to be where he can copy the powers of others through just physical contact. Currently this power is being examined as to the strengths and limits it can do. ~

~ Name: Chang T. Wilson
Nickname: None
Type: Half Demon(?)
Rank: D
Overall Threat: Capture on sight.
Additional Information: Chang T. Wilson was a snobby asshole who was known for getting into crimes in the past. Since his last sighting, no one on earth or hell has been able to locate him, but rumors spread he is being trained by the demon king Loki.
Special Power: None known. ~

~ Name: Ashley Clade
Nickname: None
Type: Half Demon(?)
Rank: D(?)
Overall Threat: Capture on sight.
Additional Information: Ashley Clade was known for keeping to herself before she was employed under the WDL's services and sent to it's academy. Since the invasion on the WDL, she has since left the WDL and has since been employed under the services of The Renegades. Last known sighting was of her handling The Monster Train, one of the WDL's most wanted known demons.
Special Power: None known. ~

~ Name: Devin Namach
Nickname: None
Type: Half Demon(?)
Rank: E
Overall Threat: Moderate.
Additional Information: Devin Namach was best known for being somewhat of an asshole and a smart ass to others being being employed under the WDL's services and sent to it's academy. Since the invasion on the WDL, Devin has been reported as missing and is currently being searched for by Angel, the new Archknight of the WDL.
Special Power: None known. ~

~ Name: Sebastian Thomas
Nickname: Inferno
Type: Half Demon
Rank: D
Overall Threat: Captured at all costs.
Additional Information: Sebastian Thomas was best known for being raised at an orphanage before he left it and went missing for a while before being captured by the WDL. During the last known sighting, he was reported to be missing before reappearing during the invasion on the WDL. Not known whether to be trusted or not, it is believed Sebastian is a dangerous threat if allowed to continue to grow. He has been sighted as serving under The Renegades, last sightings of Sebastian were seen fighting against Drayne, who has since been reported dead.
Special Power: None Known. ~

With the updates over, the Revolutionary Leader rose up from his spot as the holograms faded away from sight. Four figures appeared behind him, each of their eyes glowing red in the darkness as he walked out into the light from his base of operations. Outside, the sky was red as always, fire surrounded them as always, and the cries of demons being slain ran out throughout the land. "My warlords, destroy the demon kings who oppose us." He said, and without hesitation, the four vanished.

~ Michael's Story ~

Michael and Rin saw it all too quickly and it all happened way too fast for either of them to control it. The A.I. had reported significant readings from Sebastian's suit, but what he saw was the horrifying part. Sebastian's body underneath that suit was covered in demonic red symbols. To make matters worse, a demon Renegade soldier had found this and run right to them, complaining about what this all meant. He furrowed his brows and was forced to call in three of Deon's girls, who indeed did appear, which made him sigh out in relief. "... Thank goodness you are --" "AHEM!" He was stopped as he looked over at the Renegade soldier, who by now had a glare and had his arms folded across his chest. "Well? Show them already..." He told Michael, which made him growl as he turned his attention back to the computer. Pressing a few buttons, he brought up the suit's analysis of Sebastian. "... Girls, I want you to look closely at this... If you know what they mean, say it." He said, but before he could go on, the Renegade soldier came in again. "Of course they will. Every demon knows abut that monster!" Michael gave the soldier a glare this time, stopping him from ranting on, and then pressed another button. "... Right." He said, looking up at the screen, and that was when the demonic red symbols appeared on the analysis. "See?!" The soldier started. "Rin, why do you not agree with me?! The boy is a threat, and must be treated as such!"

"Ah, so Sebastian's a threat then? What a shame..." The voice said, making everyone raise a brow and look over to see... Deon in his underwear. With a grin on his face to top it all off! His head then went down and for a few tense seconds, everything was too quiet with him. "Well, in that case..." He then lifted his head up and a smirk plastered to his face. "You're gonna have to get through me first. He's my kid brother, and I don't intend on letting anyone hurt him." The three sisters who had come looked at each other and then spoke out in unison. "We'll protect him also." Rin, meanwhile, looked to the soldier and glared at him. "He's a KID, you can't kill a kid!" Michael looked back at Deon and then sighed out. "... I'm not saying we need to kill him, but... Well, these symbols... I'm sure you recongize them as well, don't you?" After he said this, the soldier intervened again. "It does not MATTER if he is a child! He carries the blood of that MONSTER in him! I am telling you now, if we do not capture him and sentence him to an execution, he will destroy EVERYTHING we have worked for!" The soldier's glare then went to Rin. "Children have died in the past, I can understand that, but this CHILD is a harbringer!" His attention shifted to Michael. "Isn't it your instinctual duty to eliminate the blood of that monster from this world?!?" He asked Michael. Michael, in return, only could look down and close his eyes. ".... We tried before, but he's too strong --" He stopped when the soldier's hand slammed down.

"DON'T GIVE ME THAT! We all could of tried, and --" "AND WHAT?!" Michael stepped in. "Have everyone DIE?! Is that what you want?!" The soldier then turned his attention to Deon. "Come on now, you must understand!" He then looked back towards Rin. "I am telling you, it is now or NEVER! We must act before it is too late!" Deon let out a sigh and scratched at the back of his head. "Yeah, didn't they say that I was the Harbringer of Death before?" He then grew a grin on his face. "And like I said, you're free to try and kill me, if you really want to have every single bone in your body broken ten times over. Be my guest." Deon then walked over to Michael and patted him on the back. "Calm down, you're meant to be the good guy out of us two." Deon turned away at this, taking his cigarette out of his mouth and blowing smoke out, as he watched it dance around on the air currents. "I'm aware of who that demon is, what it's capable of, and what it might do. But, for now, that's Sebastian out there, and I must admit, he's wearing a pretty nifty suit." Rin, meanwhile, rubbed her forehead and then glared at the soldier. "I'm out, you're free to do whatever you want, but Deon isn't joking." With those words, she left, and the soldier looked to Michael as he stood frozen to the spot with his hands clutched. "Listen to me Mi --" But Michael slammed his hands down to interrupt him. "... I'm calling a private meeting. Leave us." He looked towards the angry renegade soldier. "That's an order." He said, watching the Renegade soldier grit his teeth. "... Fools..." He mumbled, and then quickly walked away out of fear.

Michael turned around slowly as he opened his eyes and looked to Deon, a sad expression forming. "... Damn it Deon, I... I didn't think we'd have an issue like this." He said, sitting down as he put his face into his hands. ".... Damn it.... If every demon in here knows that the child has his blood in him.... Oh god help us all." Michael then felt Deon's hand on his shoulder as he banished the girls away from them. "Don't worry, we'll just keep it a secret for now, and if we have trouble in the ranks, then we'll deal with it there and then, but for now there's no need to freak out. Also, you can stop working so hard now, since me and Rin and back." Deon chuckled at this. "And besides, ya really think God above would help a bunch of Demons out?" Michael shrugged his shoulders at this. "... They say he works in mysterious ways..." He said to Deon, standing up and letting out a sigh. "... I will inform Scott to keep an eye on the suit readings from now on. I want all three of us alerted if the boy reaches critical emotional levels again... Whatever the hell just happened to him, it can't be allowed to happen again... At any cost, Deon. I know I've been working hard and I'm not as good as Scott is, but... I do know when times are needed to be called in. Even if some will disagree with it... I just never assumed something like that would ever happen to me." He looked in Deon's direction at this. "... I don't know how you can do it, but please... Don't let him reach this again. I'm going to have Scott run some tests on these symbols, but in any case... I fear that if Sebastian transforms again, he will lose control. Then again, I am talking to you... You'll find a way, you always do."

Deon sighed again and patted Michael on the shoulder. "Listen up, douchebag. If Scott was better than you, he'd be in the Leader seat right now, not you. Get it?" Deon looked away before he continued. "I'm sorry for getting caught by the WDL, as well. Rin shouldn't have come after me either." Deon then turned towards Michael and looked him straight in the eyes. "Michael, answer me honestly. How do you fell about Rin?" Michael looked at Deon and straightened his posture. "... You can take a guess, can't you? But it's not like I'm going to tell her or anyone else... Bah, listen to my own words. I'm a wreck already..." Deon laughed at this and patted Michael's back. "Yeah, she's alright ain't she? She probably feels the same way, given how you two act around eachother. And you're not a wreck, if you were you'd be on the ground crying like the little girl you are.... Anyways, how about I shout you a drink so you can loosen up a little?" Michael sighed at this. "... Thanks but no thanks. I need to keep an eye on things for now... So, how did the missions go? I hear one of your siblings went with you, while this child here went after a vampire... A type A vampire if I remember correctly..." Deon laughed and grinned at this, sitting on the edge of the table. "The mission went well. I got to fight again.... And I ran into a certain person." Michael rose a brow at this. "... Deon, please tell me it was The Nue. Medusa? Ronove, The Agent, I'll even take Miss Nuclear!" Deon's eyes suddenly grew cold and he locked them with Michael's own. "You already know who it was, so there's no point in trying to get out of it. It was Frankenstein, of course."

Michael put a hand on his face for a moment and then shook his head. ".... Lord help us all." He then removed a hand from his face and looked at Deon. "... Why now? Why of all times does he appear NOW?" Deon's eyes narrowed at this as he bit int his cigarette a bit. "You think I somehow know? He's always been there, ever since we last fought him, but he's just been in hiding." Deon then turned away and sighed. "Well, I'm off to sleep. You should get some as well, Michael. You deserve it." Deon patted Michael on the back again and stepped out of the room. But before he was out of earshot, Michael could hear one last thing. "Michael, it's back. The Madness. I'll be sleeping for a while, but I'm scared again, Michael. You know what happened when it was there last time." With that, he was gone. Michael then closed his eyes and sighed out once more. "... Two of the children are now in danger of themselves. What a nuisance... Adding work onto the work I already have to go here."

~ ??? ~

Eppenos found the location, an abandoned, old and broken looking building stood before him. He walked with stealth today, his movements quiet enough to take him inside despite in reality he was three stories high. He stopped before two old looking doors, he studied them carefully. Forced entry. A brief brawl that led inside. The familiar sensation of hatred and bloodshed he had endured many times himself in the past. He placed his hand gently upon both of them, seeming to study how well in place they were, before all too quickly pushing with violent force that it tore them down from where they were and sent them flying to the ground, and brought up for a cloud of dust around him. It didn't bother him in the least though, walking out of it as if it was normal air. Once inside, he noticed how much a wreck everything was - what had once been a normal building a few days ago had been hit by the apocalypse. Cars were destroyed, blood stains were everywhere, corpses were lying around all over the place, the usual stuff. He examined the cuts on each corpse for a brief second, that was enough for him though to know that it was here. "So... This looks like the perfect place for it to come to, perhaps... If it caused this, that is."

Just at this same time, Eppenos heard the sound of a sword being sheathed, and when the dust settled, a small child stood in the wake of the destruction and carnage it had caused. It turned to look at him, a maniac grin flashing across it's face before it seemed to 'vanish' before him. He did not move though, even when a blade appeared in front of him and went to slash his shoulder but stopped just centimeters away from his body. It was then the voice that sounded like a maelstrom of the voices of it's victims talked to him, sounding just like a demon would. "So, why are you to seek me out?" It asked him. He watched it so peculiarly and he wondered if he could perhaps make this blade his second, but Baphomet hated sharing the spotlight. Speaking of which, all too quickly Eppenos drew out his own demon weapon, who's aura clashed with The Wandering Blade's own. "You are the one with no name, but have taken the title of The Wandering Blade... Baphomet tells me of tales about you, and you are just as it described." A low growl came out of Baphomet in response, it's growls always were a mystery. It was unknown whether it was the many souls of fire demons inside it crying out in agony, or if it was Baphomet itself that called out from all these tortured souls. "We are here to hire your services... Temporarily, of course. We know of how much your hatred has grown over the years."

At this, the blade suddenly reacted by changing itself, making a surreal mouth appear along it's length with a tongue that seeped out and licked Eppenos. "You are Eppenos, wielder of Baphomet. Well met." It said, as the child that wielded it grinned deviously, his voice like gravel rubbing against rock. "Pray tell me why you are in need of my services?" He nodded at the demon's words before speaking himself. "One of my current partners, Balarus of Kallos, is in need of help for an attack tomorrow evening. There is a boy he is worried about, an unusual child who has the devil's blood in his veins. Sebastian. He needs to be dealt with tomorrow, while he is still inexperienced in the ways of fighitng in the real world. He needs you to do this, a strong and powerful demon like yourself. That all depends though... Are you up to the task?" He watched as the mouth of the blade grinned and it's tongue flapped around and salivated in anticipation. "Of course, I will take this task upon me.... What else will be happening, that day?" The child grinned at this, his eyes suddenly beginning to go dull. "Take me into your hands, and I will not try to take you over. I swear it on what I once was."

Eppenos looked at Baphomet, who merely growled in response. He placed Baphomet back into it's sheath and then took a hold of The Wandering Blade with one hand, pulling it from the child's grip before placing his other hand on it. His demon aura clashed with the demon weapon's at first, both fighting against one another before both would settle into acceptance. He was cautious though, and looked around for any signs. "Of course you do... For now, it seems you are trust-worthy. What else will be happening, well let me see... Ah yes, I will be fighting against a certain phoenix. A well known one, who holds two demon weapons in his possession. There will also be a girl there. Both are named Deon Morris and Ashley Clade. Although if you wish to know more, I will have to take you back to Balarus." Meanwhile, the child's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed into fits at the floor, foaming at the mouth before suddenly exploding and sending blood and stuff out everywhere around the room. The tongue of the blade simply licked the blood off of itself and grinned widely. "I don't want to know more, as long as you can give me another host, a stronger one. The other requirement?" The mouth of the blade then grinned, growing to almost impossible lengths before speaking again. "I want blood. Lots, and lots of blood!"

Eppenos had not been disturbed by the child exploding, and simply shook his head when he found himself covered in blood. "A stronger host... Of course. And as for the blood... You will get it. Lots of it." He said, turning around and beginning to exit the building. "Tell me one thing though... How did you come to be though? Do you even remember anything about what you once were?" He watched as the mouth of the blade vanished and felt a great weight overcome it. Slowly, the metallic surface of the sword became like liquid and then a male form came out of it. It suddenly hardened into steel and it looked like a metallic statue, albeit with incredible detail. A few seconds pass, the figure seemed in many ways like a human, aside from a crown of small horns jutting out at odd angles from it's head. Scars adorned his face and body, with half of his face being nothing but bone. The figure was only seen down to it's hips, it smirked at him. "I was a brave knight, once. I found that there was not enough blood and then I became a Demon, able to satisy my hunger for chaos and violence on a daily basis. And then I became the weapon of a feared warlord, who was killed in battle by the teamwork of two other Demons, a Kasha and a Phoenix. If I could challenge them again, it would work out nicely for me." The figure's smirk turned more sadistic as it's eyes lit up in anger. Eppenos rose a brow in response, nodding his head, as he found this unusual for a demon weapon to do. "Interesting... A Phoenix and a Kasha? Tell me then... Do they happen to be named Rin and Deon Morris of the Renegades? If they are, don't worry... You will meet them again."

The figure responded with a grin. "I knew not the name of the Phoenix, but the Kasha is the one. I want her blood, and I want it now!" It commanded at him, it's previously smooth edge suddenly became serrated and the tip shot out to a few feet longer then previously, twisting like a snake's tail and spiking up like a lollipop jammed with needles. The figure gave a final grin before sinking back into the metal. "Make sure I get their blood soon, or I will not take up the mission." Eppenos merely nodded at this. "Yes, we will get you the blood you demand for. But we need to lure them out first, remember. They will be cautious if it's otherwise... The wait though, will be worth it. Just think of all the blood you will get, and that shall be rewarding enough for you." In response, the mouth of the blade would reappear, and began to laugh maniacally.

~ Sebastian's Story ~

It had been some time now since Sebastian had left Mammon and decided to head back to his room. He had thanked her for calming him down after the... Set of events that had happened today. He took off everything about his suit except for the hat, thankful his clothes were unharmed. He quickly checked in the closet, seeing a new outfit set for him as he nodded to himself. He decided to look for a shower, taking one after ten minutes of searching. He then headed back to his room and noticed one of the new outfits in it, putting it on as he put away his normal attire. It'll be clean when I wake up, right? He asked himself mentally, thinking about the past three days. "... I'm such a fool sometimes." He said, before locking the case again just to be certain and headed out of his room, locking it too. He kept his hat on his head as he wandered the halls of the Renegade base, deep in his own thoughts as he looked at his right arm and pulled up the sleeve of it. He watched the strange red demonic symbols again, his heart feeling like it took a huge leap forward before he quickly put his sleeve down quickly and sighed, lowering his hat a bit over his eyes. "... I feel like cr -- I mean, crude." He mumbled to himself. It was by chance that he caught sight of Claire and Kane, the former was clutching what looked like a clipboard to her chest while the latter had an arm around her shoulder. From what Sebastian could make out, he was chatting away, but the conversation became more intelligible as the two forces got closer to one another. "Yeah, I think it's a great idea." Kane said to her, giving her a wink and a thumbs up.

Sebastian looked up and felt his eyes widened a bit, quickly looking back down and lowered his hat again a bit. "... Don't spot me, don't spot me, don't spot me." He said quietly to himself, and started to walk past them, however he began to take his time in order to hear what they were saying. Unfortunately his clothes slightly resembled his old ones, plus his height, however he could listen into the conversation from this. "You really think so? It's not too corny? Or presumptious of me?" Claire asked, smiling a little as she laughed. "After all, I'm not in charge here. They might get mad me taking things into my own hands." "Nonsense. I think it's brilliant. And They seem friendly here, I can't imagine Deon saying no to an idea like that." They were so deep into the conversation, they had no idea he was about to pass them. This made him stop and look at them as he rose a brow at them. "... What are you two on ab -- DARN!" He realized his mistake too quickly, shaking his head as he sighed out. "... Hi guys." He said in defeat, his head hanging a little as he put a hand on his hat. "Huh? Oh, Sebastian. Didn't see you there pal." Kane said, turning to face him as he scratched the back of his head while giving a nervous chuckle. "Is there a rodeo on or something?" Claire asked, giggling as she gestured towards the hat.

Sebastian rose a brow at this and patted his hat a little at this. ".. No, I think that guy called Scott gave it to me as part of my new combat outfit." He gave a shrug at this. "... So what -are- you two talking about any way?" He asked them. "Oh, I meant no offence by it." Claire waved her arms in embarrassment at this. "It's cute. But um, well... It's a surprise. To be honest, if I knew you were so close by I woulda zipped my lips." Sebastian shrugged his shoulders to this. "... Well then I suppose -- wait, you think this make me look -cute-?!" His cheeks then lit up bright red as he didn't know what else to do. ".... Ummm, no offence." He quickly added in, lifting his hat up a little to reveal more of his face. "... Um, well..." He started off. "... A-anything going on with you two then?" He wanted to get off this subject so badly, he wanted to not think about something with him and the word cute! Claire giggled from seeing Sebastian flush over this, for some reason to only herself she was enjoying this. "Well, other than the party we're organising-" Kane started off, only to be stopped by a slap to the back of his head, Kane winced in pain as Claire rapped her clipboard intimidatingly before folding her arms in annoyance and sighing out. "I'm beginning to think subtlety isn't your strong suit Kane... Honestly, we were just talking about it being a surprise a second ago."

"Right, right, sorry..." Kane slowly sat back up after saying this, laughing mainly at himself. "Guess the cat's out of the bag now, huh? Hopefully you can keep a tighter lid on it then me Sebastian." Sebastian nodded in reply as he furrowed his brows at this, looking down at the ground as he went into his thoughts before coming to a conclusion. "... As long as we're showing secrets, I -- I have something to confess..." He then held out his right arm towards them as he quickly pulled his sleeve back to reveal the fading demonic red symbols on his skin. "... D-do either of you know what this is?" Kane looked bewildered when he saw it, but Claire narrowed her eyes as her expression turned serious. "They're the mark of the Inferno, a symbol of relation to an ancient demon king. Naturally, he was a ruler of the flame - and by that token, it would be prudent not to go showing that around." Sebastian quickly rose his brows at this as he lowered his sleeve. "Mammon warned me not to show this to anyone... I-Inferno? But that's suppose to be my alias... I thought Scott gave me that alias..." He shivered at this, taking a step back. "... N-no. I -- I'm making things worse just by being here?"

"Hey, chill out Sebastian. I don't know what all this Inferno business is about, but know you're a friend to me, so it doesn't change a thing in my book." Kane said to him, giving him a pat on the shoulder with a grin. "I'm sure you're the same, right Claire?" He asked her. "Right..." She said, her eyes remaining hard for a moment before she finally relaxed and smiled again. Sebastian, on the other hand, placed a hand on his hat and furrowed his brows. "... U-um, I originally came to ask about Ash, but nevermind... I need to stay away now... I-if it's not too much trouble to ask... When's the party going to be?" He asked. "Well, it's not going to be for a while yet. Me and Kane were just going to head out to grab some supplies, then set up for it early tomorrow morning for everyone to wake up to. A bit of a welcome for all of us, really." Claire explained to him, holding out the clipboard. "I've got a list of things to pick up here. If you like, you can come with us. After all, We could use a spare hand, and it'll certainly help you lay low."

Sebastian sighed out a little at this. "... S-sure... It's just... I wanted you to ask if you would talk to Scott for me..." He asked while looking over the clipboard. "... I just want to know if you trust me Claire." He said to her. Claire smiled a bit again and parted her fringe behind her hair to fix it. "Well, if you really want me to vouch for you, I'd be happy to. Not that I have much authority around here anyway." She laughed at this, turning down the hall as she gestured for them to follow. "As for the matter of trust, just keep in mind I've got my eye on you. That doesn't mean I'm not willing to give you a chance however." She winked, sticking out her tongue briefly. Sebastian felt himself smiling at this. "... O-okay! Let's do this then!" He said with excitement as he was cheered up a bit now. He then grabbed one of Claire and Kane's arms as he walked a little faster at this. "Keep up, slowpokes!" He said, as he felt like a little kid at the moment.

~ Michael's Story ~

Scott was having one busy day it seemed. Anders had just completed his test with Eclipse, although he had no idea if it was a success or a failure. Eclipse was confusing that way. Nodding to Anders, he patted him on the shoulder as he began to head out with two Renegade soldiers moving in to stand by Ander's sides. "Do what you like from here, these two will help you out or try to answer any questions you may have for them." He said, before leaving Eclipse's room with the door opened. The guards would most likely close the door on their way out. He shrugged his shoulders when he got several notifications all at once. ".. Jesus christ, calm down!" He said, rushing to Michael, who was still standing by the computer. "What's happening?" He asked, as Michael shrugged his shoulders. "No idea. Sebastian's suit readings are starting to act a little funny, he may be coming down with something..." Scott furrowed his brows at Michael's words. [b]"No doubt he's making things worse by walking around. We need to get him to the medics and fast, I don't want him dying now of all times."[/b] He said, when he looked over at a soldier who just came over. "Sir, we -- we have some bad news!" He said, as Scott rose his brows at this. "Calm down, tell me what happened." He asked, as the soldier looked up at him. "It's -- it's the new child we just brought in. She's missing!"

Scott's eyebrows rose up at this as he put a hand on his forehead. "... Oh jesus." He mumbled, looking over at Michael. "Keep an eye on things here." He said, and began to walk away, when anther soldier came over. "Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt, but you have a meeting in a few." This made Scott give the soldier a questionable look. "What for?" He asked. "It's... Um, another child, sir." He said, as Scott looked around at the other soldier. Quickly, he walked over to the computer and pressed a button as it began to track for Keilani. "Send one of the men that brought her in to --" He stopped as the computer started to detect something else approaching her position. "... Scratch that. Send a doctor over to them at once." He said, watching the soldier salute and quickly race off. He then followed the other soldier into a room where he sat down in his chair and waited. At this, a young woman was brought in, one with purple hair it seemed. "... Greetings." He said, a chair being pulled open for her. "Have a seat." He said, as once she was seated he would nod to the soldier who would stand by the door. "My name is Scott. I would like to know your name as well, because what I'm about to tell you will change your entire future from here on out. If you have any questions for me, ask them at any time." He told her.

~ Sebastian's Story ~

Sebastian at this time was making his way back to The Renegade base with Kane and Claire, listening to them chat on the way there. He had two bags in his arms, he stood in the center as he then saw the base coming into view. "So... Much.... Stuff. Just for one party. You two must of chosen a big room... Did you?" He asked. "Well, we were just going to deck out the main hall. Everyone'll probably be asleep by now." Claire said as she smiled cheerfully, seeming to be content with her one bag. Kane on the other hand got the burden with a heavy multitude of different things, seeming to be buried beneath the mountain of parcels. Sebastian nodded in response to her words. "Gotcha. Hopefully, we can sneak in and start setting things up before anyone notices us." He said, looking over at Claire. "Heh, yeah. I'm glad we managed to get everything though. Music, streamers, balloons, food, drink... And the cake! That looked scrumptious." Claire said, licking her lips a little as they then headed inside. Sebastian smiled again when he heard this, laughing a little once they were inside and headed for the main hall. "Yeah, I know right? Hey Kane, how you holding up?" He asked, glancing over at him. "I'm... Good! No problems here!" Kane said, poking his head out at this while taking careful steps. He had already fallen once on the way back, he could probably make it without more trouble. Sebastian chuckled at this as he raced towards the main hall. "RACE YOU THERE THEN!" He shouted out to them, as he tried to get to the main hall first.

"Ah, Sebastian wait!" Claire called out towards him, with concern in her voice. Sebastian tried to stop at this, but ended up spinning around as his eyes widened at this. "WHOA!" He cried out, increasing his speed temporarily which ended up slamming his back into a wall. He then collapsed onto his butt with the two bags falling into his lap. "Ahhh... Yeah?" He tried to ask. Claire giggled a little at this and then dropped her bag into his lap as well. "You need to carry my bag too." She then smirked and took off down the hall, having the current advantage. Sebastian gritted his teeth as he wrapped his arms around all three and then slowly stood up. "... C-crud." He mumbled out, increasing his agility again as he raced after her with the intent of getting past her in time, but he found that difficult when he found her there. Meanwhile, Kane continued to slowly shuffle down the hall. He had enough trouble keeping his balance at a walking pace... Catching her breath in the meantime, Claire began looking around the main hall, eyeing up where she'd like each of the decorations. When Sebastian got there, he ended up sliding in and just barely stopped beside her, panting as he put the three bags down and laid down on his back. "... Don't tell me I have to do you a favor?" She smirked at this. "Hmm... I'll think about it." She said, leaning over to the bag as she grabbed some balloons. "For now, let's get started on these. I was thinking three in each corner, tie some up in the center of the room..."

Sebastian got up at this and brushed himself off. "... Alright, I just -- feel a little -- light-headed right now... Is all." He mumbled before pulling out some items out of the bag. "You sure you're okay?" She asked as she leaned down and placed a hand on his forehead to check his temperature, making him stop and shiver a little at her touch. "... At least let me help before I pass out... O-or something close to that." He tried to get out. "Nonsense. If you're sick we need to get you treated..." She said, looking at him in concern and frowned. "You should've told me if you weren't feeling well. Me and Kane could've handled this." Sebastian gritted his teeth at this. "I'm not some little kid anymore. I --" He stopped and quickly put his arm over his mouth and coughed a little. "... Oops." He said, before falling forward at this. However, Claire caught him and and held Sebastian against her chest. "Kid or not, you need help. Don't be afraid to get some support." Sebastian then looked at her and blushed a little, looking away at this. "... Fine, fine..." He mumbled out. "Now come on. I'll take you down to the medical wing." She helped Sebastian up and Claire got an arm under him to support his weight. Sebastian looked down and shivered from her touch, leaning against her a little as he felt her begin to take him away at this. While they were walking, it seemed they encountered a pink haired girl, as Kane looked around at all this with a puzzled look. "... Um, am I suppose to be happy or worried about this?" He asked them all in general before any of them could speak.

~ ??? ~

"This area is already under our control... Submit to the uprising and you will be spared, but if you do not submit, then you will be wiped out along with the rest of his forces!" His voice called out to them all as several fights were happening at once, his four warlords ending their fights. The first warlord seen was dashing in at a wounded demon king, who began gathering up his attack inside his own body. The robed figured leaped up into the air and sent in several attacks that paralyzed the demon king to his spot, as the robed figure landed in front of him. "Sorry about this... But I have to wrap this fight up for my master." He said, before quickly drawing out his dagger and stabbing it into his knee. "Burning Crack!" He shouted out, as a tear opened up in his leg as he screamed out in pain. The dagger was pulled out as he turned around and put it away, walking away as the demon king exploded into multiple flaming pieces. "The demon king Vysral is dead."

~ Name: Spirited Kami
Nickname: The Flaming Spirit
Type: Shinigami
Rank: A
Overall Threat: Very high
Additional Information: Kami is one of the Revolutionary King's Warlords. Known as the Flaming Spirit mainly for his enhanced inventory, he was once regarded as being on par to match that of Loki's power, but this sadly will remain rumors.
Special Powers: Kami has the ability to enhance any weapon he has on him, the most common one seen and used is his Dagger of Fire, Trident of Water and his Gauntlets of Earth. ~

"Your ruler, the Devil, must be shown the error of his ways. As such, I have raged war against his council and have dedicated my entire forces to wiping them out! No longer will they rule over hell, not when I'm done with them, that is!" He cried out, as a figure with a hat on flew by them. "You will fall prey to my undead now!" He said, and kicked the demon king he was fighting down into the ground. He landed nearby him as he smirked while watching the dead around him come back to life. "W-what did you do?! No, my body -- stop, ah, ah, ahhhh!!!" The figure grinned darkly and began to walk away to leave them to their feast. "Demon king Jaragar, terminated."

~ Name: Kaku
Nickname: The Sinister Shadow
Type: Kasha
Rank: A-S
Overall Threat: Destroy at all costs
Additional Informatin: Kaku is one of the Revolutionary King's Warlords. Mainly known for either bringing back the dead or his tactical battle strategies and his viciously cruel ways to end his opponents, Kaku is believed to have gone insane from experiments on himself.
Special Powers: Besides being able to bring back the dead, Kaku does not have anything else known at this time. ~

"It is time to accept your fate. You will either follow me, or you will die just like your fellow 'protectors' have today." At this, a gigantic Demon King was sent crashing into the ground by a human sized figure way too small to have taken him on. The figure rose up with a grin on his face. "Heh! Can I get an extra, please?! This Unsur or whatever his name was just the warm up!"

~ Name: Kurai Honoo
Nickname: The Oppressor
Type: Youkai Dragon
Rank: A-S
Overall Threat: Eliminate on sight
Additional Information: Kurai is best known as being one of the strongest in the Revolutionary King's Warlords. Formerly having traveled around the world and hell itself, Kurai is said to have become bored with his current way of life and decided to start taking an interest in what his ancestor's use to do for fun. Kurai is also said to have a large stash of treasure he keeps for himself, and because of this he has been known for collecting rare artifacts, rare demon weapons and anything else his master requests of him.
Special Powers: Kurai has none known at this time. ~

"You will either bow or submit, for that is the way of the future! MY future! For I am the Revolutionary King!" He said, and turned away and headed back towards his base of operations, his three warlords appearing behind him and following him while also leaving the area they had just wrecked to crumble to it's demise. "... Oi, didn't I send four of you out?" He asked, as the other three shrugged. "He must of gotten lost again... That idiot, I can go find him for you if you so wish it my lord." Kami asked, but the Revolutionary King raised a hand in objection. "No. We left our message for a pretty good while... My focus is what is happening on the human world at this time. As this war approaches, the tension up there just rises up. I wonder if Kallos will truly succeed with his plan in the end..." He shrugged and headed inside with the other three. "I guess that's up to fate."

In the aftermath of the mission with the demon train, Ash was left with a number of unresolved and uncertain feelings. She’d been unable to save the child and worse still, was even outright hostile towards her on an assumption. She could only be thankful that Deon was able to do what he did to keep her alive. Still, in spite of that knowledge, it bothered her the way things had gone. The entire situation with the monster train she hadn’t achieved anything. All she’d managed to do was run away and help others do that, while Deon and Quake ended up doing all of the fighting. Was she really that useless? She hated relying on others, but in that whole scenario, was there anything she actually could’ve done to help? She couldn’t lay a finger on that train, and when it came to that Frankenstein guy, Deon seemed to have no faith in her ability to engage him. Speaking of which, she’d always thought that Frankenstein was the monster, not the scientist. Seemed she was quite wrong on that aspect, though Deon hadn’t given her much more information other than to steer clear of him. From what she’d heard around the base, even that weedy kid Sebastian had managed to take out a deadly vampire on his own. It was kind of depressing that, comparatively, she wasn’t given the authority to go off on her own and do something like that. Not that she knew if she could.

Breathing a deep sigh, she continued to stare at the rotating ceiling fan above her, the light concealed behind it seeming to flash on and off as the shadows played over her face. The bed wasn’t exactly comfy, but it was somewhere to think over things. Part of her wondered if Claire was doing the same; not that she knew her sister as the kind to mope like she did. Still, it wasn’t like she could sleep, with the noise of Deon and Quake next door doing god knows what, it was kind of hard to relax. She didn’t like to think about it, especially with the way Asmodeus had been conditioning her; but the occasional stray thought filtered through. If it was something like that, good for them, and if it was something else, Ash was quite content not to find out. It was however, taking its toll on her patience, the frustration finally reaching the point where she decided to get up. If it was the former option, those two had stamina she’d never be able to compete with.

Stretching as she stepped out into the hall, she placed her hands in her pockets, before deciding it was a bit warm for her leather jacket, dumping it on her bed in her room as she settled on getting a late night snack. That was, if she could find the kitchen or something, as she was still yet to receive a former tour. Maybe she’d missed it after the incident in the main hall? It wouldn’t surprise her, but no doubt there’d be signs or someone she could ask about the whole thing. For now however, she’d explore on her own, wandering about the halls and past various Renegade employees. Which reminded her, she still needed to discuss with whoever did the payslips around here to forward money into her account. Another mission for when it wasn’t so late in the evening. Heading through another set of sliding doors, Ash wasn’t sure if she was getting anywhere before a voice softly filtered into her mind. It wasn’t intelligible, just some sort of off mutterings, but it was enough to make her curious as she turned through another entryway, before walking along a ramp to a more official looking set of doors.

She wasn’t quite sure why she felt so compelled to head into the room, and as she made her way inside she was a little awed by the displays. What was most eye-catching however was the ebon black blade that christened the centre pedestal, sealed within a glass case. It was ornate and delicate – beautiful, even to those without an eye for design. She was somewhat reminded of a museum exhibit, and part of her wondered if there’d be a grid of lasers surrounding it or something. Still, something bid her to approach and as she did, the case slowly began to slide away, leaving the blade open to the touch. Slowly, she felt her fingers reaching out to grasp it… Before she stopped herself, suddenly very aware that she was somehow being manipulated. Common sense and reasoning began to filter back in through the cobwebs of her mind, and she took a sharp step back, glaring to the sword and glancing about the room. Her eyes stopped and settled on another case, a gruesome looking severed head resting on a pillow. She gagged a moment and covered her mouth, taking another couple of steps back. Was this some sort of trap or something? Were people who were foolish enough to try and take the blade beheaded and put on display? A little paranoid, she hastily decided to back out of the room, but a quick analysis of the automatic doors revealed they weren’t budging. Banging on them a couple of times, no one came to let her out from the room. It seemed for now, she was trapped.

Sighing, she pushed off the door, moving back over to the sword and examining it a bit more closely. It certainly was more interesting then the trophy head in the other case, though she had to wonder why the glass had slid away like that. I mean, if they were trying to protect the blade, wouldn’t the glass be kept up as a security measure? Leaning on the pedestal, Ash gave a startled yell as it began to fall backwards, tipping over as it turned out it wasn’t fixed to the ground. With a soft clatter, the pillar hit the floor, sending the sword clanging to the floor and bouncing a couple of times. Ash winced, remaining tense… But there was no alarm. No poisonous gas filtering in the room. Seemed the place was clear. Grumbling to herself, she set the stand back up, before striding over to the sword, bending over and grasping the handle.

"Greetings, young maiden. Oh, sorry, you aren't a maid working here? Damn, disappointed... I wanted to give you an excuse to knock down that vampire's head.” The deep and dark voice made its way into Ash’s head, startling her a little as she instinctively looked over to the decapitated piece in the other display. “Yes, it's a vampire's head, sadly. An ugly one, at that. Pisses me off, but that's not why you are here, is it?” Ash blinked a little, finally recognising that the source of the voice was none other than the sword in her hand. Annoyed, she glared at it. “I’m not here for anything.” Apparently, the sword didn’t seem to care or notice her words, continuing off on a rambling tangent. “I remember the first one like... I think you'll know who this one is. ‘The Immortal’? Ah yes, he is... An interesting challenge. Then there was the boy, who was -very- easy, but I saw talent... I think he goes by ‘Inferno’ for now? One hears things-“ Annoyed by the sword’s rant, Ash began tapping it against the ground, rapping it repeatedly on the floor with little care for its wellbeing. “So you actually gonna tell me something useful or…”

The blade chuckled a little sinisterly, before Ash felt a dreading coldness run down her spine, the room beginning to swirl with darkness, fading the floor, walls, everything from sight. "Heh... You want something useful? Okay... Let's start with this~" As the whole world vanished, Ash glanced around nervously, before screaming as she felt her feet go out from under her, tumbling down into the black. Falling, falling, the endless void and the rush of the cold air around her was all she could see and feel. Steadily, the darkness began to obscure and engulf her. Up her legs, over her torso, creeping over her neck. Desperately, Ash craned her head upwards as it slipped over her mouth silencing her panicked screams before slowly covering her frantically darting eyes. In the end, she felt herself blinded in the dark, and the world went silent and senseless.

…

Unconscious, Ash slumped to the floor in the room, lying face first on the ground as her mind drifted away. Her fingers still loosely clutched the sword, as its voice aberrantly floated about the room. "... Well that's just great, isn't it? Now I have to waste more time by waking you back up. Nice going, princess." The sword gave a sigh of disdain, before Ash slowly began to rise to her feet. "Mmm, thank you for your help there. It's been a long time since she slept like that." Ash laughed a little, but it was hollow and somewhat sultry, the girl casually flicking her hair over her shoulder as she got to her feet. Darkness seemed to permeate from her body, and the calm blue of her eyes had been replaced by a deep, dark crimson… "... Well, your, well, new. Uh, yeah, they’re going to be pissed at me if you leave this room. Why don't you sit down and let's talk this over, shall we? I mean, I'm a god damn sword! Do you KNOW the weaknesses I obv-” In intense irritation, Ash swung the sword around to her face, glaring at it. “Shut up.” She seethed with a venomous tongue, before running a finger down the length of the sharp end. “Shutting up now…” The sword mumbled, Ash examining herself in the reflection of the sword. “My, the little girl’s all grown up now, isn’t she?” Playing with her fringe momentarily she laughed, tapping the sword over her shoulder as she strode towards the door. “Tell me, sword. How long’s it been since you’ve had some fun?” Grinning, she stepped up to the doors, shadows appearing from the crevices as it pulled the entryway open.

"... What are you doing? Y -- You don't honestly think -- I really have to tell you something... Something bad if you try to use me -- please tell me we're going to have some tea?!" Savouring the panic in the blade’s voice, she stopped a moment, glancing back to the case in the room. Stepping up, she made one sharp movement, vertically cleaving through the head, case and pedestal in one swift and violent motion. “Does that answer your question?” She chuckled, watching the blood trickle down the sides of the blade. "..... I would say I'm impressed, but they are going to be pissed now. I mean, you can use me, you'll start feeling your heart in pain in a few minutes.... It's all very complicated stuff from here. Although... If I may make a suggestion for you, miss...?" The blade spoke, attempting to draw out a name from its wielder. It seemed however, that it would receive no such answer. "Do go on. I'm so VERY interested in your trifling and insignificant feelings." The sarcasm was palpable as she continued her way out into the hall of the base. At this, the sinister aura of Eclipse finally unleashed itself, surrounding both itself and Ash as she could begin to feel its power flooding out. A sinister purple eye opened on the length of the blade, eying Ash. "... Why don't we head out and look for some poor demon waiting to die in a fight to the death?" It's voice was now different too. It sounded so much deeper, so threatening, so menacing, so... Much more evil.

“You make it sound so innocent.” Ash chuckled menacingly, cradling the blade for a moment as she brought it up to her face. “But the thing is, I’m anything but innocent. Tell me… Where can I find Claire Clade?” Eclipse let out a chuckle at her words, closing its eye a moment before speaking. "Do you feel the boy's presence like I can? Inferno's blood? If you can... That's where she is. Moving... Others are nearby. Are we going to cause a scene, m'lady?" Laughing in response to the blade’s ignorance, Ash pointed it down the hall. “Direct me. I intend to cause a slaughter.”

---

Travelling down the halls, the girl they encountered surprised Claire momentarily, her analytical eyes darting over her and assessing her words and the situation. Context was everything, and deriving just what was happening was generally the primary objective in every scenario to decide on the most appropriate course of action. This case was no exception, the hospital gown and the mention of how this girl had gotten lost allowing her to draw a couple of tentative, but logical conclusions. Smiling to herself as the girl introduced herself, it was always satisfying to have her hypotheses confirmed. This girl was Keilani, one of the most recently identified children. Glancing to Kane, Claire gave a small amused smiled at his slack-jawed expression. The revealing gown combined with the girl’s natural beauty made for an eye-catching moment, which Claire equally appreciated. In a refined and sophisticated way, of course. Nothing more than that. For now, it was time to be polite and reciprocate the greeting, especially with her innocent query about her patient.

“My name is Claire Clade. Behind me is Kane, and this here is Sebastian. He’s… Not doing too well, so we’re also heading to the infirmary. I’ll be happy to help you there too.” Smiling pleasantly, Claire gestured for Kane to drop the packages and take Sebastian as she moved over to help Keilani by lending a shoulder. Gingerly, she helped the girl off the wall, slowly walking her down the hall with the other two. Ironic how the girl was heading in the opposite direction of the place she was searching for – Then again, that was possibly intentional. No doubt she was a little confused, and had acted in haste after awakening in a strange and unfamiliar place.

Nearby, Sebastian didn't even seem to notice he was being taken by Kane now, seeming to be fade in and out of his awareness of reality at times. He looked over at Keilani briefly, and if he wasn't sick at the time, he would have been shocked by her beauty. But as it stood, he couldn't even concentrate on how his hand looked. He could however, hear her words; which made him cough a little into his arm. "... I don't recognize her... I don't remember her name..." His voice was in the form of a whisper, showing how weak he was. "... Someone please ask her where she knows me from. I can probably only remember --" He stopped to lightly cough again. "... That way right now." Kane knelt his head down closer to Sebastian, trying to listen in. “Sorry, what’d you say? I can’t hear you.”

Claire sighed, speaking to Keilani as her refined senses still managed to pick up on Sebastian’s words. “Well Keilani, our cowboy here is wondering if you can jog his memory. His mind’s a little fuzzy at the moment.” Chuckling a little, Claire’s laugh suddenly stopped, freezing midway as her expression froze into something of horror. Like a pulse, a shockwave of realisation hit Claire, sending a shiver through her body. It couldn’t be. She’d only felt this feeling once before. But there was no way that it could be… Soft footsteps made an approach, Claire tensing all over. Slowly, the shadow approached along the wall, until a tall female came into view. On her shoulder, a huge demonic sword rippled with dark energy, mixing and swirling with her dark aura. Red eyes hungrily stared down Claire, pure delight flashing across them. Ash smiled, finally finding her prey.

“Why hello there. Looks like you’ve got yourself some friends – Not that they look like much.” Ash laughed, eying over each of them. The casual malice in her voice was intimidating, Claire staring her down as she backed up. This was bad. Not only was it her, but she’d equipped herself with a powerful artefact. Then there were her comrades: Sebastian was basically unconscious, Keilani looked to be in not much of a better condition, and Kane’s fighting prowess could best be described as embarrassing. She wasn’t in a position to take her on, and it seemed her adversary knew it.

“We can settle this ourselves. No need to invo-“

Claire froze mid sentence as a black pulse of energy flew past her head, colliding with Kane and Sebastian to send them skidding back along the floor. Ash smirked. “There’s every need. Unlike last time, I intend to have insurance if you somehow pull off another dirty trick.” Stepping forward as she closed in on Claire, the sound of feet pounding down the hallways reached the ears of those engaged in or near the battle. Suddenly a figure appeared with tremendous speed, grasping Ash by the hand and slamming her into the wall, cracking it and sending a few bits of broken decor to the floor in a haze of dust. Deon leaped backwards, landing next to Claire, and looking to her. "Is everyone okay?..." Deon trailed off as his eyes landed on Eclipse, and his cigarette lit itself in his mouth. "Why can't you just stay sealed away for once?"

Eclipse merely chuckled at the scene unfolding before him. It was delightful, even though unknowing to Ash; her hand would now be covered by several tiny little purple vein-like things. Since they were small, it could be noted they weren't much of a threat yet, but would still be recognized by Deon as Eclipse's way of taking over someone. This was the main reason why Eclipse was picky - for almost anyone who had wielded Eclipse in the past had died. "What? I can't have my fun every now and then... But you Deon - Oh I got a bone to pick with you... Now if only this girl would attack you, unless you brought in back up. Which will be boring considering you three idiots keep telling these stupid people of my weakness..."

Casually, Ash peeled herself from the wall, cracking her back and neck as she looked to Deon. Behind him, she could see Claire stepping back, dragging Keilani with her as she attempted to protect the girl. Irritating, but her time would come soon enough. For now, it seemed she had bigger problems to deal with. “Well now, who do we have here? Oh wait, let me see…” Ash closed her eyes a moment, before laughing out loud. “Oh my, she ‘really’ dislikes you. Still, seems you’re the big bad boy around here. Well, if I can deal with you, there shouldn’t be anyone else that can stop me.” Pointing her sword towards Deon, she smiled a little. “Then again, you could always save yourself the humiliation and step aside right now.”

Deon grinned. "What's a little humiliation gonna do, eh?" Deon's grin was widening by the second. "And besides, you.... I want to see just how you tick!" A manic grin plastered to his face, Deon leaped forwards, kicking Ash in the chest and flipping backwards. "Well then, if Ash doesn't like me much, I have no reason to hold back anymore either". Deon grinned and took the cigarette out of his mouth. "I'll give you ten seconds to give us Ash back, or you'll be the one who's being humiliated." Unflinching, Ash remained completely stationary, like the impact of the kick hadn’t even affected her. Slowly, she yawned, showing complete disinterest. “Really now, that’s the best quip you have? Such a bore, really.” With a wave of her hand, the shadow at Deon’s feet rose up, grasping him by the ankles. Casually, she began striding towards him, sword poised for a thrust. “So, let’s just test how immortal you really are.” Deon sighed, a look of boredom adorning his face. "Well, hurry up then, after all, we don't have all night". Deon grinned, and his eyes sparkled. "Although". Suddenly, a set of flaming wings erupted from Deon's back, illuminating the area and banishing the shadow's grip on him. He simply stood there, waiting. "Didn't I tell you? Hurry up". Eclipse chuckled lightly at this. "Oh dear, you two seem quite bored with each other. Perhaps I can spice things up? Just make me cut him kid, and you'll see him change in the blink of an eye. Oops, have you forgotten about our first encounter already Deon?"

Ash glared a little, annoyed by the sword’s constant banter and instructions. She was in command here, and she was using it. There was no need for it to give her any such commands. Wickedly, she drew her arm back, before slamming the sword clean through and into Deon’s gut, wrenching it once in a twisting motion. It was time to see what the blade could do. If it couldn’t deal with this guy… Well, perhaps then she’d have to start trying. As the sword impaled Deon, he remained standing there, a sigh escaping his lips. "Is that it? This isn't very scary, ya know". A slight smirk grew across Deon's face as he reached out and tapped Ash on the shoulder, his eyes shining momentarily before the nightmare began. "Heh, is this it?" Eclipse, now having cut Deon, began to show him his worst fears. "Now the pain begins, Deon. You and this stupid girl are now both under my Nightmare Powers. Oh, did I forget to mention that earlier? My bad." A sinister laugh came out of Eclipse as his eye closed and vanished into the blade.

Smirking as Deon’s eyes rolled back, Ash slowly released the sword. Whatever hold it had on the Phoenikoi, it didn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. Well now, it seemed she could go back to her primary objective. Claire Clade. The girl was running down the hall, dragging Keilani with her as they fled the battle. When two super powers like that collided, there was no telling what would happen. Worse yet, if Ash had the chance, she’d come straight for her, and take out anyone in her way. This girl didn’t deserve to be dragged into all this. “Keilani, I know you’re not feeling great, but you need to find Scott, tell him what’s going on, and get to a safe place, got it?” Coming to a stop at a crossway, Claire pointed. “Just keep heading down there and get clear. Tell him Deon is fighting Ash and Eclipse. He’ll understand.” Waiting for Keilani to respond, Claire turned back down the tunnel. She’d make a stand against her here.

~ The Renegade Headquarters: Scott in Eclipse's Room ~

Scott stood there in disbelief for just a few. It only required a few minutes for him to register everything in, looking down at the head of Drayne, which he had put in here for a good reason and now it was cut and laid on the floor, to the empty case beside it. Scott's hand clutched slowly as he felt something going through his body, an emotion of such wrath that he felt he would of exploded had he not been human. He shook his head slowly, closing his eyes as he turned around and placed a hand upon his forehead, feeling the heat radiating from it. "Nothing... Change of plans." Scott told Mierya, who he had nearly forgotten about in his sudden rage. He took out his cell phone and quickly started texting, all the while his mind was quickly raging to form a plan. Once he had sent the text to Michael, he put the phone away and looked at Mierya. "I need you to go to where Michael is now, it's in the control room you briefly saw before. The one with the giant screen in it?" He said, watching her gain a confused expression as he looked away. As he looked away, an explosion came off nearby as it shook the very ground both of them stood on, Mierya would have trouble adapting to the base suddenly shaking while Scott held his ground. "No time to argue... GO!" He told her in such a harsh tone, he thought he might of seen tears start to form, though this might of just been his own mind playing tricks on him. With this done, the woman was gone, a demon was approaching him and all the while Drayne's head had vanished.

"My, my, Scott.... You've been busy. How are you, old enemy?" The demon spoke, gaining a sinister grin as he stopped and revealed his form before Scott. "... Tergun. What are you doing...?" He asked, watching the demon named Tergun gain a sinister grin on his face. "What do I want? It's called revenge, you stupid fool!" The demon spoke to him, wearing a uniform that looked similar to a human prisoner's, along with broken shackles being seen on his wrists and legs. The demon's skin looked metallic, his body stood at a mere five feet and six inches and his black hair and red eyes both made him look like a psycho. Sadly, he could not grow facial hair in the time he had been put away for these past two years.

~ Name: Tergun
Nickname: The Metal Kappa
Type: Kappa
Rank: C
Overall Threat: Capture on Sight (No longer in effect)
Threat Level: #101 on the WDL's wanted list (No longer in effect)
Additional Info: Tergun appeared two years ago leading the group he had dubbed 'The Metal Demons', who's goal was to make all machines in the country fail. Tergun's most unique ability was to be able to turn his body into metal at will, an ability he personally added instead of gained. Tergun's group ultimately was defeated and disbanded when Scott of The Renegades intervened with them, taking them down and sending them into The Renegade prison. Tergun has since been used as a prime example of how dangerous a Kappa can be and how they are always creating something new in the Demon World. ~

"I'm here to take you down, Scott Turner!" Tergun told him, seeming to walk closer as Scott moved back further into Eclipse's room. "... Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" Scott asked. Tergun, in return, gave one of his sadistic grins. "My men are waiting for me to break them out... My two year plan will finally come into play - NOW!" With that, Tergun made his move, and charged towards Scott.

~ ???, nearby a village close to the WDL... ~

"Oi, Bellfoar! Hurry up!" Chill's voice shouted out in the night, as the quick form of Bellfoar the Boom Racer came into his view. In just a short amount of time, Bellfoar had made it out of the town, stopping near Chill with a cocky grin. "What are you making me rush for, Chill? For being a guy we hired to help us out with the plan, you sure are making me want to kick your ass!" Bellfoar told him. Chill rolled his eyes at his comments and sighed, looking at the next town they were heading to. "... Whatever. I didn't ask to be hired, you know." Chill responded. "Ass! You could at least show some respect to a higher ranking demon in the group then you! I mean, I actually made the WDL's most wanted list, after all!~" He chuckled after this with such glee, his cheeks flushed a little. "Oh how I love it! To think that break out finally did it for them! I'm so happy, I could almost cry!" Chill, having had enough of this, intervened. "Enough of that foolish jibber-jabber! Remember the plan Bellfoar, we all have a role to play. Right now one of our own Shikigami is entering into the base to gain some information for us as well as a few other requirements. You may be higher then me, but you are weak in comparison." Chill then walked ahead, while Bellfoar's rage grew. "Weak...? DON'T CALL ME WEAK, JACKASS! I AM BELLFOAR THE BOOM RACER! THE FASTEST LIGHTNING DEMON IN THIS WHOLE REGION! What I don't have in strength, I make up for in speed! And that is all that counts! GOT IT?!"

+ Several years ago, during the Rebellion King's growing popularity... +

Bellfoar remembered the first time he met Kallos, who was still in his prime before the fatal fight that would bedridden him for a number of years following it. He was excited, this was finally his chance to prove himself to someone important! As he walked towards the crystal demon, his eyes lit up with such joy as he saw the demon before him. Kallos, during this time, let his looks be shown to the world. His appearance looked to be somewhere in his late twenties, his purple hair and purple crystal in his forehead stood out from everything. He looked quite amazing back then, his cape blowing behind him, his posture looking like a true leader's would and his eyes showing knowledge and the confidence this demon had. Stopping in front of him, Bellfoar saluted to him as Kallos nodded to acknowledge it, letting Bellfoar lower his arm. "Bellfoar of Lightning, eh?" Kallos asked. "NO, NO! That's what those lower lifeforms would like to believe! I am Bellfoar the BOOM racer!" Bellfoar said. Kallos' eye twitched, but he shrugged this off for now. "... Right. So, you want to join my group because...?" He asked Bellfoar. "Because you need a guy like me! Without me, there isn't a group at all! For I am Bellfoar, the fastest Lightning Demon you will see!" He boasted out to Kallos.

"... Fastest? But you are incredibly weak, are you --" "YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT!" Bellfoar cried out, a serious expression on his face as Kallos rose a brow with a puzzled expression. "... Let me explain. Do you judge a demon based on his appearance? NO! Do you judge a demon based on the weapons he wields? NOT AT ALL! You base him by his skills! If he is damn well useful, and can also prove it, he is worthy to become a KING! Do you know the tale behind my creation?! It is a tale that is both unique and rare among Lightning Demons!" As he kept on going, Kallos simply stood in silence until he came to the word demons. "... Um, I didn't ask you to --" "It all started years ago!" Bellfoar interrupted him. "You see, there was this great storm that was said to be greater then any before it! And well, as you can imagine, it was amazing to witness! All the thunder to hear, all the lightning to see, it was a great show worthy to carry me in it! Well, during that same night..."

+ The Present, Bellfoar and Chill nearing the next town. +

"... Ah jeez, it's going to rain, isn't it?" Chill asked in annoyance as he looked up at the clouds forming above them, narrowing his eyes as he could already hear the ominous thunder booming across the land. It was strange for a storm to suddenly appear during this night, but for Bellfoar, it was another piece of paradise. "Ahh, isn't it wonderful? A storm such as this to celebrate before the morning comes and my victory shall be upon me. I remember the plan in my head, yes I do Chill! But for now, let me enjoy this moment." Bellfoar said. He closed his eyes then and spread out his arms as the rain began to fall upon them, making Chill roll his eyes in annoyance. "Did I ever tell you of the time I joined Kallos when he was in his prime? I tell you, it was a wonderful day, full of charm, grace and tension! I can tell you, it wasn't easy to talk to him like I did, but oh boy, you could imagine the surprise he had on his face when he saw me..."

~ Back with Scott and Tergun's fight... ~

Things weren't looking good at first, as Scott barely had avoided Tergun's metallic punch. Tergun had calculated this already, and following one of the expected routes for a human to make, he quickly turned and aimed a roundhouse kick to Scott's head. Scott barely had time to react, and just narrowly leaned back away from the kick, obviously at a disadvantage. Tergun was a master strategist in battle, his intelligence only furthered this as he could calculate ten moves and not be stunned by the option you took. Scott was still recovering from his earlier fight at the WDL, as well as his human body being so limited. Tergun had two years to mentally prepare himself, and while his fighting style physically had decreased over the last two years, his mental thinking had only increased over time. Scott jumped back as Tergun threw two tiny little objects at him, both of them exploding near Scott and making him get sent back with smoke coming off his form as he landed on his feet and skidded back a bit. Tergun jumped out through the smoke and made his way towards Scott, as Scott pressed a button near him and the room suddenly sent dozens of lasers at Tergun. However, Tergun dodged and reflected them with relative ease, and upon reaching Scott, sent his right fist into his gut.

Scott nearly collapsed as he stumbled back, sending gas into Tergun's eyes as he did which had caught the Kappa off guard. Tergun screamed out as his eyes burned and he put a hand over them, shaking his head as Scott coughed out lightly at this and pressed another button. "I can still hear, Turner!" Tergun stated, suddenly leaping forward at him as Scott rolled to the side while two paralyzing nets were ejected and wrapped themselves around Tergun's arms, electrocuting him. As Tergun screamed in surprise, Scott got back up and panted as some of the bandages were coming off and some of the stitches were very close to re-opening. Tergun merely smirked and looked at him with confidence, even though his eyes still burnt a little. "How foolish, Scott Turner. You once again underestimated my capabilities." Tergun then broke free of the nets easily, shrugging his arms off as he walked towards Scott. "Now make this easier on yourself and let me -- me... Ugh!" He stopped as he noticed his body starting to stumble. "Something wrong, Tergun? I thought you were going to come after me?" Scott said. Tergun turned towards him and growled, leaping at him as he formed blades at the ends of his fingers. "Tough luck, Turner!"

Scott watched carefully until the right moment, then pressed another button as he leaned away from him, getting a few cuts on his right shoulder but worth it as the same gas but at a larger quantity was blown straight into Tergun's body while it was in mid-air. Tergun screamed out in pain as he hit the ground, rolling around as he felt the burning all over now. "W-what have you done to me, TURNER?!?" Tergun asked as Scott smiled a little, putting a hand over his new cuts that Tergun had made on his shoulder. "Surprised, Tergun? I'm not, to be honest. You thought you were clever back then when Deon and Rin vanished, leaving The Renegades without two important leader figures to guide them. I always have prepared for the day a demon outbreak would occur in this base, so... I rigged every room accordingly." This made Tergun's eyes widen as he struggled to get up. "For example, there is this one you are in right now, Eclipse's room. I have outfitted it with a deadly gas to only to demons with an unusually high defense. You chose the wrong day to fight me, Tergun. I allowed you to attack me before so that I could get an understanding of how weaker you have gotten over the past two years you have been locked away. I admit, you are smarter and more sharper then were back then, but you are in an environment only I can win in. The gas that I have been sending into you, by now, has started to leave a burning feeling on you, right? I know I cannot win as long as you possess such a body..." At this, Tergun had enough, and charged in his rage towards Scott. Scott sent his right fist into Tergun's stomach, bruising Scott's knuckles in the process, but also cracking Tergun's metallic stomach. "WHA --?!" Was all Tergun could get out as he collapsed.

"... So I weakened your metallic form with the gas. You didn't notice it when I released it in your face, but the metallic structure around your eyes was actually weakening because of the gas. The more gas I also send into you, the more it will start to make your metallic parts burn up kinetic energy, making you more exhausted every attack you make. I have outfitted this room if ever the chance came up that Eclipse should escape, but I did not think of having to have it used on you. You remember Eclipse, right? How lucky for me... That you based your current metallic body based on a sword's own blade structure!" At Scott's words, Tergun screamed out. "TURNER! I refuse to admit..." And at this, he charged for another attack, leaping at him as he returned his hands back to normal and hardened the metal on them both as he clutched them into fists, ready to strike them into Scott's chest. "... THAT YOU ARE SMARTER THEN -- UGH!"

He was interrupted this time by Scott, who sent a kick into the side of Tergun's head and caused it to break like his chest, while also bruising Scott's foot under his shoe. Tergun was sent collapsing to the floor as he stumbled around and hit a wall, laying there as he struggled to stand. "... Face it, Tergun. You have regressed too much to be able to stop me now." Tergun once again rose up and charged towards Scott, sending a quick punch at him despite the weight that was being dropped on it now. "SHUT UUPPPP!!!" He shouted and sent his quick punch into Scott's wounded shoulder, smirking as he saw Scott winch for a second, but was cut off as Scott punched him in the face with his other fist. Tergun was sent back at this as blood came from Scott's fist, Tergun's metallic skin breaking off as when he hit the floor, the rest of it breaking off as well, leaving Tergun unconscious with his normal Kappa form. Scott sighed out and lowered his arms to his sides, watching Tergun's form. "... I don't have time to deal with the likes of you. I have more important things to take care of... Sorry. Maybe next time, you'll be smart enough to try to escape first."

~ Meanwhile, in the control room with Michael... ~

Michael, at the time, was preparing to head off to bed after a long day's work. He sighed out and looked at the screen with a content little smile, turning around as he began to walk away when he felt the vibrations of his cell phone go off in his pocket. Reaching into it and pulling it out, he looked at the text he had gotten from Scott, and his eyes had widened at what he had seen.

'Eclipse is loose, gather up all the children at once. I also have figured out who the extra child is, but we'll talk more about that after this. For now, do what you must to get this done!' - Scott.

Michael had little time to react to all of this, suddenly panicking as his heart felt like it was being grabbed by someone! He quickly put the cell phone away and ran back to where he just was, slamming his hand down on a red button as the entire base had a certain red glow to it now with a feeling of urgency over them. Alarms began to go off, he could hear the sounds of soldiers rushing through the building who began to rush for weapons. To others like Rin, Quake and the Seven Sisters though, it meant they had to go to him. Now.

Rin had ran out of her room at the sounds of the alarms, she was still in her sleeping gown and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She then made it to the room fairly quickly, finding herself beside the towering figure of the Oni that Deon had fought earlier. "What is it, Michael?" She asked him. Michael let out a sigh and closed his eyes at this, shaking his head lightly. "... Emergency code number 104 has been activated." He told her, opening his eyes again as he looked at the screen. "... He's free." Rin's hand crept it's way up to her mouth as she gasped from the news, she knew exactly who he was talking about. "We need to find Deon, he's the only one of us not here so Eclipse might already have him!" She went to turn on her heel, but was stopped when a strong hand was put down on her shoulder. "He'll be fine, pussy-cat. He IS the Leader of the Rogue division for good reason, ain't he?" Michael, meanwhile, closed his eyes again as he continued on. "... Worse still, is the one who's supposedly wielding him." Quaked turned to Michael at this. "Who? One of the Children?" She asked the obvious.

Michael only nodded in silence at this, Quake sighed out at this and let go of Rin. "Let's go, Rin. We gotta stop Eclipse asap." Quake said, and went to step out of the room when Michael opened his eyes and turned to them. "... Wait a minute. I need one of you to stay behind here and another one of you to go to where Deon is. That same will be for the sisters, except the one going can only take four while the others remain here." Rin sighed from all of this. "Quake, you're a better fighter than me, you go." She spoke up. Quake then grinned and turned. "Of course, I'm gonna beat him up for making me miss sleep. Laters." With those words, Quake was gone. In the background, a giggle could be heard. "I still need to get Ash back for scaring me with her bike, among other things. I'll go as well." Asmodeus said to them, and before anyone could respond she was off bouncing behind Quake. Michael shook his head a bit, being thankful that Quake and Asmodeus were at least volunteering to go. He hoped they would make it in time, but things got out of hand. "... Now if only the other sisters would appear. I have a special assignment for them." And then, on Que, they giggled behind Michael. "We've been here the entire time, Mikey. Waddaya want?"

Michael sighed out a bit again, turning around to look at them. "I need three of you to go after Quake and Asmodeus to handle the Eclipse situation. He's free, and the entire place is in danger. The rest of you, I need you to gather up all the children and keep them safe at all costs. That includes freeing whoever is in Eclipse's control." All of the girls nodded in response and then vanished, leaving only Michael and Rin left. Rin let out a giggle at this. "Oh man, look at me. Always prided on being ready, and I'm standing here in my pyjamas while you're wearing proper clothes." Michael smiled a little at her words. "I was about to go to sleep, to be honest... Although I find it ironic, how we're always paired together... Um, don't take that the wrong way -- I didn't mean it like -- like -- um..." He stopped at this, having forgotten the crisis at hand for a moment. Rin merely giggled and put her head on his shoulder. "Oh come on Michael, is that really that bad?" Rin then grinned and poked her tongue out at him. Michael blinked a little at what she was doing and looked over at her. "... N-no... Not at all." He managed to mumble out, looking back at the screen. He suddenly found himself conflicted, to act upon this chance or to resume the mission at hand?

Rin closed her eyes slightly as her cheeks reddened. "So Michael, what's next?" She asked him. Michael once again blinked at this out of confusion as his heart leaped a little at this. He looked over at her, trying his best to avoid her cheeks. "... W-w-what do you mean next?" Rin's arm lazily found it's way to rest upon Michael's other shoulder, as she sighed in content. "You're an awesome standing post, ya know that Michael?" She said, letting out a tiny giggle at this. "And..." She started. Michael was blushing a bit as he stared at her hand. "... And?" He asked her, placing his hand on hers gently. He felt himself conflicted again until... "Zzzzzz." She was snoring! Her full weight fell on Michael as she shifted slightly and grinned in her sleep. "Fiiiiishies~" Michael in confusion blinked and sighed as he looked at the screen. "Excuse me..." A voice suddenly called out, a voice that made Michael get chills sent down his back and made him tense slightly. He looked over to see a figure in the shadows. "How did you...?" He tried to ask. "I have my methods, Michael." The figure responded back to him, leaning against a wall and taking a bite out of an apple in his hand. "What a wonderful thing, this planet is..."

Michael narrowed his eyes a bit at the figure's casual tone. "Who are you...?" He asked, the figure looking at him with serious eyes now. "I'm quite offended that you don't know anything yet, Michael... Perhaps my name will give you a little rememberance?" Meanwhile, Rin's ears fluttered, and her voice slithered out lazily into Michael's ear. "Michael, don't touch me there, it tickles!" She then suddenly fell to the floor and threw into a fit of laughter and tears. "O-Oh god, Mikey, s-stop tickling me! Nyahahahahaha!~" Michael suddenly turned to Rin and widened his eyes. "What did you --" He started to ask, but stopped as he looked over at the moving figure, who stepped out of the shadows at this. "..... I-impossible." He said, as the figure's angelic wings spread out from his back at this as it sent out feathers throughout the room and Michael suddenly had a feeling of peace from him. At this, Rin's cheeks grew slightly pink and she let out a moan. "M-Michael..... you're such a nice guy and.... mmph.... I-I..... ununh...." Then, her eyes snapped open as she looked around in fear. "W-what happened to me?!" She asked, as her cheeks grew even redder at this and she tucked herself into a ball on the floor, her tails went whipping around wildly.

Michael closed his eyes from this and sighed. ".... Oh geez... This was a bad time to be having a dream, RIN!" He said, hitting her little form lightly as he indicated to show some attention and concern towards the stranger, quickly turning to the figure like nothing had happened just now, he was lucky the figure didn't see it. "I am sorry to interrupt, but..." The figure said and bowed from his waist, before then raising it back up to look at him. "... I am Gabriel, of the New Angels." Gabriel said, which made Michael felt himself frozen to the spot at this. "... And I am here to train you to join our ranks."

~ Renegade Headquaters: Michael in the Control Room... ~

Michael stood there in shock of the scene before him, Gabriel and Mierya had his attention for the moment it seemed. Glancing between the both of them at this, his mind went blank as he felt... Off for a moment. Something pulled at the back of his head, urging him to do something and put an end to it. But he ignored it, looking over at Mierya at this. "Scott, huh?" He said, turning his body fully towards hers at this. "I am Michael. Michael A. Malachim... You were sent here at a request for all of the Seven Children to be brought here... Although it seems we only have you here at the moment." He then turned and walked towards the computer, beginning to type into it as the screen quickly as it showed up with another child's face and a profile. "If you don't mind, I would like to sit you down and ask you about a few things... I'm sure this hasn't been an easy day, but I assure you, after this... Well, you can rest easier knowing tomorrow things will be easier for you all." Michael sat down at this, turning around to look back at her. "If you don't mind telling me a few things about yourself before the other children get here..."

Gabriel slowly retracted his wings as he looked over at the newcomer, seeming to wait until Michael was done to then raise a hand and make a tiny light appear for a few seconds before making it go away. A feeling of clam, peace and ease rushed towards her at this, although whether she would accept it to calm herself or not would be entirely up to her. After all, all this trouble for a new one in the works was quite troublesome. "Please child, do not be afraid of me. I am Gabriel of the New Angels, I will do you no harm. I represent humanity's kindness, after all." He said to her in probably the most calming tone she would ever hear. Gabriel then seemed to look a little more worried at her. "You mentioned Scott, did you not? I thought I sensed some tension coming from his way... That, and the obvious explosion." He then turned towards Michael. "Mind checking on that for me real quick?" He asked. Michael then spun around quickly and input a few things before letting a map show up, a red spot glowing near Eclipse's room went on and off. "Oh no... It seems someone broke into the prison and destroyed the entrance. I hope he's alright..." He said, turning back around as Gabriel sighed. "I do hope you got out of there in time, young lass."

~ Meanwhile, at the scene with Ash and Eclipse... ~

Sebastian felt horrible at this. His vision was fading in and out as all he could mostly see at this point were blurs and such, his body shaking violently a little at this as he could tell he was starting to submit to something he couldn't understand. As he struggled to get up from the sudden attack that had hit him and Kane, he placed a hand over his stomach and forced his legs to stand, even though he felt like they were about to give in at any moment. His breathing had increased, his heart beat was going off the charts and his body felt like it was on fire. He looked over at where Deon and Ash were to find Ash having stabbed Deon with the demon sword Eclipse, and Deon just stood there, helpless. He coughed a little into his arm as he then looked over in the direction Kane was, raising his right hand slowly and pointing one of his fingers towards a nearby door. He closed his eyes tightly for just a moment, almost going outcold in that one instant alone. "... P-please..." Was all he could call out towards him. This was when his shoulders were grasped and he was suddenly hoisted from the ground, momentarily making him feel like he was going to puke out right there. Quake grinned over at Kane, who was still beside them and poked him in the shoulder at this. "Listen up, Kane. Get Sebastian to a safer place, maybe the Infirmary or something, but you gotta get him there fast, alright?" She asked him, then shoved Sebastian into his arms. She the turned to Ash as she walked towards them with a grim look on her face. "Well, looks like Deon's little sister was weaker than I expected. Not good at all." Quake's fists clenched at this as she glared at her. "Bring it on, you've started this, now you're gonna finish it. With me!"

Kane could only nod in response to the Oni and hoisted Sebastian up as best as he could. He stumbled for a moment before then proceeding to run down the hall Quake had come from. He could just vaguely hear Quake challenging Ash behind him, but he didn't stop to see how it all was going to go from here.
~~~
“I’m not exactly interested in dealing with a girl passing off as a Unicorn. Why don’t you go shove that horn up your ass and then I’ll deal with your fat ugly face, hmm?” Ash spoke out with a sickly sweet voice, but the words she said harshly contrasted her intentions. But it seemed Quake wasn't taking it seriously in the slightest, so she started to stride in the direction Claire had went. Quake stood in place until Ash stepped to her side, which was when she shot her hand out and went to hit Ash in the side with it. "How about I shove my horn up your ass instead, bitch?" Quake then turned to look at Ash, but only after stealing a glance at Deon to see if he was okay. From what she could see, he was still standing, but didn't look like he was in need of help. It was this glance that caused her to fail to notice her fist went clean inside of Ash and was now lost in swirl of darkness. She then casually turned to Quake with her eyes flashing red. As Quake tried to pull her arm free from it, she felt as if it was stuck in solid concrete, finding no give or yield. "Lose something?"
~~~
Sebastian could only feel Kane tugging him along, closing his eyes tightly again as he felt something wrong again with his body. When he opened his eyes, he could barely just make out the door he had pointed to just a few ago. It was somehow a stroke of luck that he managed to find a figure literally forming into shape right in front of them. He felt his throat and voice were too weak to be able to tell Kane about the attacker, so he did the only thing he could do for him; push him out of the way as the figure charged at them. The next thing Sebastian could only feel was a sudden pain in his chest and back that made Kane's yell of surprise be completely blocked out as his eyes widened slightly from this realization of pain, looking down to see... Five claws piercing through his chest, one had even nearly gotten through his heart. He felt stone-like, even as the claws were pulled out of his body, a liquid-like shape reforming them into a blade as it quickly backed away, the only thing he could make out was that it had no legs. It was at this he collapsed onto a nearby wall and violently began to cough up blood, as the liquid creature launched itself in for another attack at Sebastian. Kane had been roughly shoved to the ground, turning in time to see Sebastian getting pierced. His eyes had widened in horror at this sight, watching the liquid monster retreat momentarily and quickly drew up to draw his katana. As the creature made to attack Sebastian, he stepped in between the two and cleaved the blade arm, having saved Sebastian from possibly the next fatal blow.
~~~
Quake's brow rose as her arm was lost in darkness, and she grimaced when she tried to pull it free. "What is this? Concrete? Well, you do know, right?" She then grinned and her eyes quickly flashed! "I CAN BREAK CONCRETE WITH EASE!" At this, Quake gave a mighty tug and swung her arm around, pulling it free from whatever Ash had done and quickly leaped back with a slight grin on her face. "Well damn, she's definitely stronger now. What do I do?" She asked herself, seeming to not notice her arm now dripping black with a viscous liquid. She also didn't seem to notice where Ash had been punched it was like nothing had even touched her. She could barely hear what Quake said next, as it was inaudible to all others but herself, and she saw her straighten up. "Well, let's do this properly then, shall we?" She asked, Ash had watched her patiently and listened to her challenge. "Your resolute to fight me, are you?" She asked, sighing as she shook her head. "Very well." And with sudden ferocity, Quake found her own right fist slamming into her own cheek, which sent her careening into the wall. Even after this, her own arm would continue to attempt to pummel at it's owner.
~~~
Sebastian felt weary at this time, he was unable to tell what had even happened to Kane, hoping he was alright and didn't get hurt like he had. He closed his eyes quickly when he heard the blade suddenly being stopped, and then... His hearing lowered. His eyes quickly opened as he realized he was suddenly lost. He could hear it slowly coming back, but it was already going fast. He then looked to the door from before and stumbled towards it, seeming to not notice Kane dealing with the demon as he opened the door and struggled to breath. He then took one last glance at where he had saw Kane before looking inside the room. "... Sorry. I can't go." He mumbled to mainly himself, although he hoped Kane could still hear it, before then wandering in and closing the door behind him, briefly locking the knob at his. Meanwhile, the Shikigami withdrew itself from Kane as it reformed into a more humanoid shape after this. it then walked closer to Kane ,and the closer he got, the more Kane could see it's jelly-like body. Barely able to be seen in it's chest were the two main parts to a sliced up head that looked to be being put back together in it's stomach-like area. "... If you do not allow me entrance into the room, I will have to take you out as well." It told him. Kane remained determined however, his eyes narrowing as he hunched down, blade at the ready. His body posture was all the message that was needed for it. It took the answer pretty well, narrowing it's eyes at him as it quickly reformed it's right arm into a more hammer-like shape and, raising it above Kane, aimed to slam it down on him, as it's jelly-like substance hardened!
~~~
"OOOOORAAAAA!" Quake shouted out, quickly leaping forward as she threw another attack in the direction of Ash. It was bad that her other limp was stuck in darkness, but she had barely managed to stop herself from being beaten so far. "Dammit." She mumbled. "Idiot." Ash mumbled, her hair extending quickly around up and around her as it formed into a wall of pinpoint spikes. Quake quickly found herself being thrown into the air as her eyes opened in shock, before the tendril of Ash's hair drove her into the ground and shot through her body. A gasp left her lips before she began to cough up blood and curl into a ball on the floor. "God... God dammit...." Was all she could get out at this. Withdrawing each of the hair strands from Quake, Ash sighed as she fondled her hair between two fingers. "I dunno if these red highlights are really me..." She rubbed the blood between her fingers and examined it momentarily, before leaving Quake to wallow in her own blood. All the while she headed towards Claire and, unknowingly another child, a song was just finishing as another fight nearby had quickly ended just as it had started...
~~~
Sebastian looked around the room as his blood fell to the floor and was making a mess as he stumbled over towards what he thought was the controls and began to grit his teeth. "... A computer? Then.... I can --" He stopped to cough up blood violently onto the floor as he gasped weakly afterword. ".... Got to.... Find it." He mumbled weakly now as he quickly began to try out all the buttons he could find in reach on the keyboard, unknowingly turning on the speakers. Kane had rolled to the side of the hammer as it hit the floor and he could send in a counter attack the heavy blow with with a quick sweeping strike at the torso. As the shikigami watched it's hammer hit the ground, it reformed it's arm back to normal as it began to unharden until it was then stuck in the torso. It slide back a little but stopped itself just as quickly, but Kane now felt something getting sticky. The sticky feeling was beginning to be a problem, for it would put down pressure on to him as time passed, and after a few steps back, Kane would take a moment to investigate what this was as he glanced at himself. He found a piece of the shikigami's own body now stuck on him, but just as quickly as finding this, the shikigami rushed in for another attack, now having it's fingers formed back into blades and they were all aimed at Kane's head.

Kane ducked swiftly at this and whipped his jacket off to remove the liquid pieces on him as he then threw it over the shikigami. He then took the momentary solace in blinding the creature, reaching his sword as he then muttered a prayer and ran his fingers up the blade before setting it alight and swung it once. A small fireball was aimed at his jacket, and upon contact, lit it up, setting the creature also on fire. Sebastain had done it, but he quickly noticed his breathing getting rapidly heavier. His heart felt like it was starting to fail on him, and he could only keep himself awake for a few more minutes as he continued to bled out. He gripped his chest lightly as he looked at the screen. "... Please.... Mother... Help them..." He mumbled, then pressed a button as music began to play at this moment. While the music was starting up, the shikigami screamed out as it was set alight and let out an inaudible scream, trying to shake it off and get the fire off. It rolled around on the ground as it stopped after this. It sizzled for a while and twitched slightly as it laid there with a burnt jacket. Pushing this off, it quickly formed into a ball the size of a basketball before weakly rolling away as the lyrics began to start.

~ Fly me to the moon. And let me play among the stars. Let me see what spring is like, on jupiter and mars. In other hands, hold my hand. In other words, darling kiss me. ~

"Do you like music, Sebastian?" A voice asked, as the young Sebastian laughed a little in reply as his mother smiled weakly, looking to the wall as unseen memories began to play in her head. "... This is a very special song to me, you know. Your father always use to say it was our song. The song that brought us together." She sighed out sadly, as Sebastian grabbed a hold of her hand and looked up at her with a gentle and sweet smile as the music played. His mother looked down and smiled, although he could see it in her eyes, the tears that were begging to come down again.

"You're not getting away!" Kane yelled and then lunged forward. Moments later, he then hit the floor and slipped on the tattered remains on the ground. The shikigami stopped and looked over at Kane, reforming suddenly into a snake-like shape. "Your friend is going to die in a few minutes from blood loss. I would worry about getting to him then me." With a sinister smirk after these words it quickly made off to escape with no one seeming to to be able to stop it. The only thing left of it would be a trail of goo it left behind.

~ Fill my heart with song, and let me sing forever more. You are all I long for, all I worship and adore! In other words, please be true. In other words, I love you. ~

Sebastian felt weaker, his blood was making a puddle underneath his feet as his ankles shook. Blood fell from his mouth onto the keyboard now as he felt paralyzed to the spot. I never meant.... To do this to you all.... I..... His thoughts were interrupted his heartbeat was skipped, and his chest burned with pain! He clutched what he could, but found his hands too weak. He heard the song, as tears fell down from his face. A sad smile was brought on his face. His mother. Ash. Claire. Lucifer. Chill. Kane. Deon. He thought himself a monster, and they were willing to sacrifice themselves for him? So why couldn't he... Try to do the same?

~ In other words, hold my hand. In other words, darling kiss me. Fill my heart with song. And let me sing for ever more. You are all I worship and adore. In other words, please be true. In other words, I love you. ~

Sebastian's body couldn't take it anymore, he felt himself slowly slipping. Was this how his mother had felt when she was dying? Was his very presence the only thing that brought her joy from the pain? Blood replaced the tears at this, as he took a step back as his heart skipped another beat.

All went quiet.

All was growing dark.

His hat fell to the ground.

His body collapsed on to it's back, his mind now blank, and his eyes growing dull, a sad little frown on his face.

His last thought before he faded into the world of darkness and began to enter into the stage of dying, was that someone heard that song and heard his prayer.

With that... Only a loud thud could be heard from the room to all around it. Blood escaped underneath the door.

The song was over.

And so also were his chances lowering of surviving.

Kane burst into the room at this time, and found himself looking at the dying Sebastian. His eyes were now only filled with horror as he quickly rushed through the blood in his way as fast as he could and stopped nearby, falling down onto his knees as he grabbed Sebastian and lifted him up, checking for any signs of a pulse on him. Meanwhile... "Dammit Ash, you stupid fucking bitch! Making me miss my goddamn beauty sleep because you ca- Wha?" Asmodeus observed the scene in front of her. Quake laying on the ground, coughing up her own blood, and Ash walking away as if nothing had even happened. Asmodeus didn't bother to even talk to Ash, because her primary concern was Quake. She picked the Oni up, hoisting her over her shoulder and nearly losing her balance, before taking off down the halls, in the direction of the infirmary.

"Well shit, it's as gloomy as ever in here, it seems. What a shame...".

Deon looked around, a smirk gradually growing wider across his face as he recognised the scene being played out before him. Deon grimaced slightly as the bat hit the girl across the face again, crimson liquid splattering across the floor as she finally grew deathly silent. It was obvious though. Nobody could survive fifty hits to the head with a Baseball Bat, nobody Human anyway. Deon shuffled forward, remembering the last time that he was in the Nightmare World, and the hole he'd fallen through. It didn't exactly matter though, since no matter which way you went, you ended up at Eclipse's Home. "What a pain in the ass this place is.. I was happy going on with my life without seeing that scene again. Fucking asshole". The irritation in Deon's voice was plainly obvious, and even the most dimwitted person could've caught on to it. Deon took a few steps forward, and the vision vanished, replaced by a plain, red brick road. The reason said road was red was not because of the dim lighting, or Eclipse having painted it red. 'Well, not with paint anyway', Deon mused to himself, his grin slightly broadening. He took measured paces forward, before another nightmarish vision encompassed him, this new one taking place several months later. It was probably the scene he hated the most.

Deon's senses were barraged with the scent of dampness, dim lighting flickered around the basement on the Mansion, the scent of rot and decay surrounded him, thinly veiling the smell of burning flesh and flames. The cold, bare stone walls, engraved with intricate ornamental images and pictures, encircled a figure, strung up by chains and spikes and suspended over a seemingly bottomless pit. Deon remembered that he'd always figured that if he did ever fall, he wouldn't ever stop. The figure's face was heavily scarred, and his body was covered by naught aside from an improvised loincloth that was wrapped around his waist and hung down past his thighs. A door opened in the farthest corner of the room, spilling the colour of crimson and the smell of exotic spices and alcohol into the room. Two figures proceeded inside, followed by a group of assorted others. The two ladies, both seeming to be around his age, were grinning widely. The one with the blue hair, the figure recognised immediately, whereas the other girl was unknown to him, but it seemed that she somewhat knew who he was.

"Oooh, it seems like our new plaything is awake, doesn't it, Sis?". The man in the chains growled, and tried in vain to pull himself free of his bindings, and obviously it didn't work very well. "What do you two want? If you don't want anything important, let me go. Or I'll make you pay for not letting me go". The figure with the blue hair grinned, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she moved over to the chained male, and ran her finger from his stomach to the bottom of his chin, before leaning in precariously close and whispering into his ear. "Oh, but I haven't even tested you out to see if you'll break yet, Mister Big-Bad Phoenix". Something about the way her voice let of a certain sweetness, but failed to fully conceal the threatening tone that was layered underneath it irked both Deon and the Prisoner, or moreso both Deon's. At this point, the Chained One began to fidget uncomfortably, and the Executioner did the same. After a few seconds, the two girls giggled and left the room, the blue-haired one pausing momentarily before exiting the door, and, as if she knew he was there, winked straight at the spectating Deon, and he recoiled out of shock, before watching her finally mouth something and leave through the door, shutting the light out and plunging the room into dimness again. When Deon was there, in that hellhole, he'd never known who she was looking at, or what she mouthed to them, but now he knew just who and what it was. "I see you, Executioner".

Deon's smirk faded even more when the scenery shifted once again, and he found himself viewing the numerous tortures and injuries that had been inflicted on him by the blue-haired girl. Her name evaded him, kept elusive by the fog that formed a barrier between his memories and fears. He knew that if he was gonna do what he was gonna do, he needed to shrug off all the bullshit that was surrounding him and move on. He had his mission, and he needed to complete it before he lost all of his sanity. Another few steps took him to the darkest place yet, and his foot hit something metallic. His arms flew to shield his face as the lights suddenly clicked on, and the figure behind him took a few steps back as well. "Damn, this place is bright all of a sudden!". Deon turned to her and grinned. "Well, when we get back you might be able to join the Renegades. We could use your help". The girl just grinned, and turned back to him. "What's that!?". Deon turned just in time to see something moving out of the darkness of a corner of the building. "Dammit, the security drones have already found us!". And as if on queue, a small beam of light whizzed past Deon's ear, singing the side of his head slightly. "Dammit!".

Deon flipped, barely dodging the small particles of matter that were aimed straight at his chest. He landed on his feet from his maneuvering, pushing himself forward with tremendous speed and leaping into the air, checking the room for targets. He grinned as one of the Mechanical opponents moved from behind a fairly large device, which Deon figured was a holding tank for some sort of liquid or gas. Instead of facing the robot head on, Deon ducked and rolled, propelling himself across the floor and narrowly avoided the hailstorm on light particles that threatened to pierce him. Mid-roll, he felt his senses sharpen, and from the tattoo on his chest he withdrew a single item, a small, round object that looked very much like a Grenade. Maybe that was because it was a Grenade? As the object was thrown from the Phoenikoi's hand, it sailed through the air in an arc, seeming to slowly grow brighter and brighter as it flew across the room, landing next to the container and the robot. The robot ceased it's firing, staring down at the small object that let out a few beeping sounds, before exploding into a hail of light and sound, a pillar of flame spiraling out of it and blinding Deon as he rolled away, behind a small, fractured wall of concrete.

Deon's face left the security of the barricade for a few moments, before he grinned and signaled to his partner, who was cautiously looking out from the place she had hidden from the Security Drone. She let loose an embarrassed grin and rubbed the back of her head. "Nice moves out there, Mister.... Uhh, I feel like I'm kinda useless when they pop up, ya know? It sucks but... yeah". Deon grinned and pat her on the back as he walked past her. "You'll get a good amount of training with the Renegades, ya know. We need someone as good with Demonology as you on our side, to be honest". Deon turned to the girl and handed her his Revolver. "Take this, and maybe we can get some target practice in while we're here, eh?". He let out a chuckle and turned away again, stretching his arms and shaking the nervousness from his mind. "You've been helping me for.... 8 months, and I still haven't found a way to repay you, ya know. I'm sure I'll be the one feeling useless when this is all over, Kid". The girl behind him gave the weapon in her hands a good look-over before handling it as a trained person would, although she did have a habit of humming as the two proceeded down the passageways that riddled the facility. In the nightmare World, Deon only stood, his eyes twinkling slightly. "God dammit".



Meanwhile, the Deon that walked with his companion through the dark, musty hallways and passages of the supposedly abandoned facility was on edge, as if he knew that something horrible was coming up. He didn't know what, but he felt that if he spoke about it or even said anything, he'd lose his confidence. The little confidence that remained, anyway. Deon took a step, but stopped midstride, which caused his companion to bump into him accidentally, and a small stream of apologies erupted from her mouth, as if she needed him to know that she was sorry because she knew something bad was coming up too, but Deon's hand shushed her fairly abruptly. He peeked around the corner, staring into the massive room just beyond, his eyes widening at what lay at it's core. "Whoa.... this place is... Whoa". The girl that was with him leaned onto him for balance as she peered past him and into the room beyond, a whistle coming from her mouth as she took it all in. The two stepped inside, looking around. Everything was dark, but you could easily make out the stasis tubes that lay scattered around the room, on and in the walls, and some were even hanging from the ceiling and were embedded inside the floor. The two quickly overcame the awe of the amount of capsules, and their attention turned to the main object in the room. In the Nightmare World, Deon was on his knees, shouting at the top of his lungs. "DON'T GO NEAR IT! CHECK YOUR SURROUNDINGS YOU FUCKING IDIOT! DO IT!".



Deon looked around the room, and his companion pulled out a small device that showed their objective, which was located right in front of them. She took a few steps forward, in awe at the machine in front of the two, and Deon couldn't help but feel a welling of happiness and.... 'And what? It's almost as if something is.... telling me not to go near it. Telling me to stop her, but I... I can't. I have to finish the mission!'. Deon sighed, and he gave his partner a grin and a thumbs-up. "This is it, Mister Phoenix. After this we'll have clear sailing until someone figures out who was here last. Think we should make it easy for them and write 'Deon and Alex were here'?". The two of them laughed for a few good minutes, and when they had both calmed down, Deon let out a final chuckle and spoke up. "Well, should we get things done here, Partner?". The female next to him grinned and gave him a thumbs-up in return, and everything seemed like it'd be going good from there, it honestly did. Sadly, whenever it seemed like that for a Deon, a certain someone had to ruin it for him.



Alex's real name was unknown, as was a lot of things about her at that point. As a child she'd been forced to work for her Father, a corrupt man that held anyone aside from him in disregard and hate. He thought of his own family, his wife, sons and especially his Daughter as insects that he could torture and abuse, both mentally and physically, any time and anywhere. He was different in the way he treated Alex though, oh yes. The day she was born, she was raised to be her father's perfect little slave, a pet even. He had ingrained it into her very conscience that she was made to be his pet, his dog, an animal that he could force to attack anyone. She was the Dog on the 'Beware of Dog' sign, the perfect servant, but she hated it, and she hated him. Due to this treatment, her other family saw her as, well, nothing except an animal. They fed her scraps from the table and never made her food of her own, her bedroom was nonexistent, and she was forced to sleep outside in the full force of the elements. Eventually, she scavenged enough materials to build herself a small house which she decided to build in the largest, tallest tree in the backyard of her family's Mansion. After her Father caught wind of this, though, he decided that his little 'Pet' was becoming too free and happy, so he decided to tighten her leash. Every day, when Alex awoke, she was whipped for what seemed to be an eternity, all over her body. When she was done with her chores, and she hadn't done them well enough, she was given ten whips after being drenched in freezing water with no clothing to protect her whatsoever. Her Family didn't care enough to do anything about the abuse she went through, but a kindly man that passed through the town on a Bird-watching expedition saw the happenings, and immediately called the police, whom arrested the father and placed him in jail for a few years.

Ten years later, Alex was living comfortably with her new foster parent, Mr Jonathan Mark, when she returned home one night to find a man stabbing Mr Mark repeatedly with a Butcher's Knife in his Kitchen. Alex hasn't admitted what happened next, but the mysterious assailant was uncovered to be her abusive Father, who had tracked Alex and Mr Mark down to his Chicago Holiday-Home and had decided to exact his revenge. There were two corpses found at the scene, one was Mr Mark, the other was anonymous until the DNA was proven to be Alex's Fathers. At this time, Alex was 16 years of age, and she'd been given a large amount of money from Mr Mark's inheritance and will. She decided to travel, following his passion for Birds and avians in a peaceful and caring manner, and she eventually came to care about any and all animals, from Birds and Cats to Frogs and Octopi. However, her primary focus remained on avians and other beings that ruled the skies. Everything changed when she was investigating an abandoned ruin on top of a mysterious Mountain in Japan, where she was confronted by a girl with wings like a Crows, and a camera and speed unlike anything Alex had ever seen. This was Alex's first meeting with a Tengu, and a peaceful one at that.

Alex stayed with the Tengu for many days, and the two exchanged information about their lives and how they'd come to be in the Temple. The Tengu was from a distant area of Eastern Japan, which she said was 'farther North than any human could ever reach'. This interested Alex greatly, and she asked about that place. The explanation was quite odd, and only made Alex even more determined to start researching Tengu and other beings that the Tengu had called 'Youkai'. Alex asked about such things, and the Tengu gave her answers in the form of a book. The book itself was old and slightly faded, but could still be read with ease. Alex stayed up at the Temple for an unknown amount of days and nights, before suddenly reappearing in Venice, with no verifiable records to date or show her traveling there. She brought a Studio there and began purchasing books on the Occult and Demons, although this was tempered with her interest in birds and avians. One word seemed to elude her though, a Youkai of unimaginable power if given the determination and integrity to wield them. The word was barely audible when the Tengu had muttered it, but now Alex was sure of the word. The most rare and misunderstood of the Youkai, capable of gaining any power one could imagine. That Youkai, was little more than a Hell Raven.

By the end of that year, Alex had reached the age of 17 years, and began to study further into the Occult, putting pieces together and finally creating a list of Artifacts, from Demon Weapons to Dimensional Gates, information on Demons and incident reports. With her fascination of birds, she found an interest in the exploits of a certain Phoenix, due to his nature of being based on a bird of legend, and his success at his missions and activities. He had also lived longer than a lot of demons, so that spoke relatively well of his power level and skill. She would've set out immediately, but something stopped her. A booklet in the Newspaper spoke of how 'Nuclear Physicists discovered new source of Energy' and how it could be used to stop the harming of most animals. Alex immediately enrolled in the nearest University to learn more about said subject, Nuclear Physics, and she began a new objective. A year had passed, and Alex figured that she'd gained enough knowledge to throw her University Career away and go and hunt down the Phoenix. It was a daunting task, considering the fact that he was fairly unpredictable, and it was by pure chance that she'd been in town when the Phoenix had vanquished a demon that had infested the waters of Venice. After finding the injured Phoenix after the fight, and somehow managing to carry him to her studio without much hassle, she started counting her lucky stars.

She came home the next day to find the man looking over her notes with a sort of pseudo-interest, and he welcomed her back by name when she entered, as if he'd known her for a long time. "Well, you've been stalking me for so long I'd figured you be alright with a bit of familiarity, Alex". The girl put her groceries down on the counter and strode up behind the man, looking at the wall as well. "So, was I right?". The man just eyed her and grinned. "For the most part, yeah, although I didn't go straight to the Maldives after slaying Khyron, actually. I had a three month break". he found it pretty funny when she set out to correct her mistake almost instantly, but Alex didn't. He spent a few days with her, and she gradually became close to him, to the point where they could speak freely to each other about subjects such as Youkai and the Demon World. In fact, it was fairly refreshing to not have to keep all of her thoughts bottled up inside of her all the time. It was then that the Phoenix, whom she now knew as Deon, told her about his Organisation.

"The Renegades are an Organisation that are a lot like the WDL, 'cept for the fact that we don't go out butchering people for not being Christian or Catholic... I didn't know they actually did that. Either way, we kill the bad Demons, give the good ones a good life, and leave the neutral ones to their own devices as long as they don't get anyone killed or go evil on us". Deon smirked at Alex as he took a bite of the apple she'd tossed him before she sat down to read a new book she'd gotten. As the day went on, Alex knew more about the Renegades than any normal Human probably did, and she was also learning about the location of several new artifacts and objects that could be important to the Renegades in destroying the current Devil. The two had successfully gotten the Cursed Scythe, and had destroyed a gate that lead straight to Gehenna in Mosambique, but the third location had Alex squealing in glee. Deon looked over the page with a quizzical look on his face, and his brows rose even further when he read the location. "No way, is this a....".



"Nuclear Reactor". Deon looked around, making sure that, once again, there wasn't anything in the room to stop them. "So what does this thing... 'do'?". Alex turned to him, a grin on her face as she took a few steps forward. "Well, the Grimoire said that this thing is basically a Daemonic version of a modern-day Nuclear Reactor Core, so.... take a guess". She giggled a little bit and turned to Deon, who was crouching and going through the pack that he'd brought with him, pulling out one thing after another and scattering them onto the floor. Alex looked over these things with a slowly growing smile as she realised that Deon was pretty nervous, his fingers slipping over or through things and letting said things fall onto the ground carelessly. She stifled a laugh as Deon threw her an apple, and she caught it, biting into it with relish. "This is pretty good, where'd ya get it?". The Phoenix just winked at her and put his finger over his mouth, before standing up with a small device in hand, which he quickly passed to Alex. The girls eyes widened at this, but she seemed to remain calm, aside from her breathing being slightly faster and rugged. She turned, a twinkle of deviousness in her eye as she took steps toward the reactor Core. She stopped a few meters away, as she felt something cause the ground to begin to tremble below her feet. She turned to Deon, who stood, sword in one hand and gun in the other, facing a figure silhouetted by the shadows, it's face hidden from sight. It seemed like Deon knew this figure, and like two embers piercing through the night sky it's blood red eyes that seemed to be blazing with amusement and sadistic intent swept over Deon and landed on Alex. That gaze was enough to stop her from even breathing.



"It's good to see you again, Deon. How's life?".

That voice... It seemed so familiar to Alex and both Deon's, and the one in the Nightmare World sighed, knowing very well what was coming. He stood, swaying slightly as if he felt sick. Not the type of vomit-sickness, but the sickness that one feels when their nervousness and anticipation have reached that one level, the level where you just want it to stop so your heart will stop pounding and you can breathe easily again. This wouldn't be happening until the ghastly vision was over, it seemed. Deon ground his teeth in anger, and he swore that if he ever ran into that figure again, he would sacrifice anything to destroy them. Back in the Core, Deon and Alex both took a step back, as if an invisible force was forcing them to retreat unless they wanted to endure some slow, agonising death. Deon swore under his breath, and Alex's mind was racing. "You! You're the one that locked Deon away! Who tortured him for 500 years! What the heck do you think that you're doing here, bitch!?". Those crimson eyes once again swept over Alex, and a grinning mouth like that of the Cheshire Cats quickly appeared, forming the features of a young lady, around Alex and Deon's age, smiling dangerously as her bloody eyes penetrated their souls. Deon shifted his stance slightly, and threw himself forward, firing a barrage of bullets straight at the girl. Said girl simply grinned, and the bullets stopped midair, frozen in some sort of force-field that couldn't be seen by the naked eye.

Deon grimaced as the bullets sprang straight back towards him and his companion and using his speed, he managed to block or deflect every single one of them. The girl grinned, and spoke. "Oh, how long has it been? Our last playdate was cut short, I'm aware. I'll make up for that right now, shall I? After all, you've been a bad, bad boy~". She didn't get a reply, well, not a vocal one at least. What she did get, however, was a vanishing Phoenix. She tilted her head to the side in confusion, and spoke again. "Ooh, a new trick, I see. It doesn't matter, as I'm sure you're only stalling for time. Unfortunately, I don't exactly have much time. How about this, then?". Alex felt herself flung backwards by an invisible force, and she slammed into one of the poles that held up the roof above the Reactor Core. As the girl with the blue hair went to finish her off by throwing her into the pit, a figure grabbed her from behind, throwing her into the nearby wall and freeing Alex from the invisible hands that bound her.

Deon strode over to the hole in the wall, where the girl was embedded. He grinned, holding his gun to her forehead before speaking. "Have you gotten weaker?". The girl simply smiled at him, a feigned innocence overcoming her features. It was quickly replaced by a sadistic sneer of triumph. "Have you gotten dumber?". Deon turned, but was sucked back to the wall by something that he couldn't even attempt to resist. He felt his grip on the flooring go, and his back hit the wall with a crunch, although there was something between him and the wall still. His eyes widened as he felt her fingertips tracing the tattoo that adorned his chest, and slowly, but surely, his shirt began to unravel itself at her touched, eventually rotting away into nothingness. A teasing voice fluttered into his hearing, breath bore down on his neck. "If I don't want you to be wearing a shirt, you won't be wearing a shirt, Slave". Sudden pain tore its way across his chest, in the exact same place that the girls fingertips had traced his tattoo.

Deon tried in vain to move, to push himself away from the hauntingly alluring fingers that ran themselves across his body, stretching to almost inhuman lengths to trace the pattern onto every single cell that made up his flesh. He knew that he couldn't get away with brute force, because the 'Witch' had somehow manipulated gravity to pin him to the wall. His eyes widened as something began to form in front of him, a tiny hole in the very air before him slowly grew larger and larger. He began to struggle, fearing the horrible beast that might emerge and tear him apart with it's cavernous, gaping maw. Instead of a massive, demonic head throwing itself, howling and frothing at the mouth, through the Gap, something much more scarring emerged. Hands. Hundreds upon thousands upon millions of hands, extending into arms, all rushed out to meet him rubbing themselves against his legs, his arms, his chest, even his back was somehow being violated by the horrible, unearthly hands. He struggled in vain, but then help came from an unexpected source.

"Get the fuck offa him, bitch!". The voice shattered Deon's mental fog, and he threw himself upwards, finding that he was crouching in the middle of the Core Room, the girl simply bent over him and covering his eyes with her hands. She look up as Alex ran over, the piece of metal in her hands being swung upwards with surprising force, sending the figure that clung to Deon into a tailspin in the air, and landing on the floor with a thud. Deon coughed a few times, before finally standing and turning to the blue-haired girl that had screwed with his mind. He growled, his sword practically flinging itself into his hand, and his gun appearing in his other. He grinned and spoke. "Nice game, sadly though, you are getting weaker". The girl stood, brushing herself off with nary a scratch or bruise to be seen.

Alex grinned, hefting the pole in her hand and swinging it around a little bit. "You passed out after you shot at her, and judging by how that turned out, I wasn't gonna fire at her unless she was distracted or something". The blue-haired girl smiled politely, and bowed. "Well, you've definitely proven yourself to be quite a nuisance, Miss Mark. Unfortunately, I don't have time to 'play' with you, and besides...". The girl cracked her neck, and her eyes began to glow. "I have a habit of erasing any nuisances straight away".

Instead of toying with her prey, the girl cut straight to the point. Raising her hand and pointing at Alex, a repeat of the prior scene occurred, with the younger girl being sent backwards into one of the poles that held up the ceiling of the Core Room. Deon, prepared this time, ran forward straight away, throwing his sword straight into the girl and tearing himself upwards, which in turn shot the girl straight through the roof and left debris falling down through the holes she'd made with her 'exit'. Deon chuckled, turning around to find Alex sitting near the pole and slowly getting to her feet. Deon grinned and gave her a thumbs-up, but he was suddenly thrown up and backwards with such force that he was sent through several rooms, ending up rolling away on the precipice of the canyon that lay outside that Facility. Deon stood, rubbing his eyes as several spotlights shone on him, and he sighed. "Fucking Drones!".

Deon leaped from the ground, his rage slowly growing inside as he swung, cleaving the Drone clean in half. He used the momentum from his swing to pull his pistol from his chest, landing on the wall and shoving his sword through it for a foothold. He stood, observing his opponents as they circled around both him and their fallen comrade. The Phoenix grinned, and put both of his weapon away. "Let's do this then, shall we?". Deon leaped, throwing his weight into his fist and throwing said fist into the 'torso' of one of the Drones, his hand passing through it with the crunch of metal and the sparking of flames. He twisted in midair and flung the broken robot at the second robot, landing on a rock that was wedged into the ground. Light beams whizzed past his ear and he flung himself forward, but stopped midroll to dig his hands underneath the bottom of the rock. He grimaced as the weight of the rock resisted him, but eventually he broke it free from it's earthly prison and held it above his head, a grin sliding across his face. Deon didn't waste any more time in spouting out some monologue, after all, his audience were robots.

*Boom*

Deon reentered the room cautiously, but once his eyes adjusted to the darkness he realised that he hadn't needed to. The blue-haired girl stood in front of him, with Alex suspended in the air next to her. Deon immediately pulled his blade from his chest, and the girl 'tsk'ed at him in disapproval. "Oh, come now Deon, I'll tell you what will happen next. If you can cut me, make me bleed or even give me a bruise, your friend will not be thrown into the Reactor Core. If you fail this task by the time she's directly above it, however, then I'll be dropping her into it, deal? After all, someone as strong and as handsome as you would surely be able to pull off such a feat~". Deon didn't reply, and this only made the girl's grin widen. "Is that how it is? You're not gonna speak to cute, little old me because of the past? Tsk, tsk, tsk, such an old man you are! Remaining in the past isn't good for someone as lively as you, Mr Big-bad Phoenix~".

Deon simply sighed and nodded his head, and the girl grinned, sending Alex on a course straight towards the Core. Deon sprung straight into action, slashing at his opponent and getting her across the stomach, the size and power of his blade catching her and sending her crashing once again into the wall. Deon leaped backwards and planted his sword in the ground as he felt gravity suddenly change it's course. He was once again being dragged towards the wall, but he wouldn't let go or be defeated. Instead, he let go with his left hand, pulling the remaining gun from his chest and pulling himself up to sit on the blade. When he had positioned himself well enough, he reached out and his second gun flew into the hand on his right. "Bring it on then, Devil!". Deon squeezed the triggers as fast as his fingers could allow him to, sending a maelstrom of bullets and explosions straight at the girl who sat in the wall. Unholy screams of pain and glee could be heard amongst the chaos, and it was even working Deon up into a rage. Bullet after bullet hammered down into the wall, but the wall could only take so much before it finally broke. Suddenly, the wall collapsed as it would've, and it fell backwards, colliding into the wall behind it as it was pushed down by the barrage of bullets and the pure, unbridled pulling force of gravity. Eventually, Deon let his guns drop to his sides, and Gravity returned to normal. He let out a laugh and sat up, his eyes searching the room for Alex. She was still there, floating above the concrete flooring, and not anywhere near the Core. As Deon stood, a figure stepped back in through the hole in the wall, and Deon growled. "What's wrong, Deon? You're losing your touch~ After all, I'm still unharmed, and you're running out of time!~".

Deon stood, dropping his Guns and letting an unholy growl emanate from his vocal chords, spreading through the room and making his already boiling blood begin to erupt with fury. He leaped forward, abandoning his weapons and thoughts, reducing himself to his most primal instincts. he growled again as he thrust his hand into the chest of the girl, gripping her shirt and pulling her down to the floor, sending cracks through the concrete and a wave of demonic energy throughout the Facility. Deon lifted the girl up, repeatedly slamming her into the ground face-first until he grew weary of it, and he grabbed her by the ends of her hair and threw her, threw her straight through the walls that he'd been thrown through and he watched as she sailed straight over the precipice, only to reappear almost instantly standing there, beckoning for him to come closer with an alluring finger. Deon place his hands on the ground, now on all fours and began to growl.

The unearthly growl filled the room, the halls and the entire Facility, and Deon was physically changing. His teeth grew sharper and longer, and a tail flicked out from his lower back. Two flaming horns of the most extravagant red and blazing orange, mixed together to form horns that looked like fire erupting from the boys face appeared as well, and his eyes turned completely crimson. Two jet black wings burst from his back, tinged slightly crimson with the horns on them being flames themselves. The shirt he had worn had vanished, and in it's place was his tattoo, growing to cover his entire torso and back in a blanket of shadowy flesh. The girl simply grinned at him, and beckoned for him to come and hunt her down once again with the same finger. "This is new, so I guess I'll let you entertain me for a while, shall I?".



The sound of limbs smashing against limbs filled the air, the sounds of the ensuing battle spreading throughout the area. Deon lunged again, ignoring the slashes that had been flung at him, and he grinned savagely as the force of his hits sent his opponent backwards slightly. Landing on the ground, he placed both of his hands flat on the concrete flooring and slowly let electricity form around his arms. He stood slowly, watching the sparks dancing in the palms of his hands before drawing his arms back and then throwing them forward, straight at the girl before him. The girl only raised her finger as the arcs hit her shield, and a devilish grin slid across her features. As the raging storms finally ceased, the girl simply grinned wider and pointed at Deon, and suddenly the latter gasped in shock. He stumbled backwards, clutching his face as if someone had shot him through the eye. He lifted his hand away and saw the blood dripping down it. His eyes rose back to his opponent, and she clicked her fingers.

"Gaaaaaaaaah!". Deon stumbled backwards as the left half of his face exploded, sending blood and chunks of bone flying across the floor and half way up the walls, all the while Deon simply clutched the area that was missing, blood dripping down onto his shoulders and eventually pooling on the floor. Deon stood there for a few moments, before he grunted. His regeneration boosted to their normal levels, and his face was soon fully reformed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He locked eyes once again with his opponent, and she grinned. Malice and a false innocence both seemed to emanate from that ghastly, horrid mockery of an expression used in a kind, caring gesture. Deon swayed slightly, but remained determined not to fall to his knees. "Just why are you even here? Does it entertain you to see me suffering like this? Do you really like watching other people's pain so goddamn much!? Aren't you a Member of the Mirage Orchestra!? You Witches are meant to be kind to your fellows, and not... not this! If anything, not even those bastards at the Animalia Sanctaris would take you in!".

The words reverberated throughout the room, echoing down the empty corridors and out into the night sky. Deon's eye was once again bleeding, the crimson liquid spilling down his face and once again pooling on the floor. His opponent simply stood there, her eyes slightly wider than he'd expected them to be. In all honesty, he'd expected her to just laugh at him or throw him through another wall. Everything was just.... too quiet. Deon shifted his stance, and stopped holding his breath in. He dropped to his knees, clutching at his bleeding left eye and panting in barely contained gasps. He looked up to see what the girl was doing, but she still stood there, her face shrouded in shadows and her right hand gripping her dress so tightly that her knuckles were white. Deon stood, remaining silent so to not provoke her, as he'd learned in the years he'd been imprisoned. He quickly turned away, and proceeded over to the floating form of Alex, who seemed to be unconscious.

He grinned as he stood under her, and he reached up to grab her, his hands wrapping around her waist. He pulled her down and she went limp in his hands, as she was sound asleep. Deon sighed and turned, only to see the very thing he hadn't wanted to see. The girl had resumed her haughty, fear-inducing stance, her finger tapping on her lip as she pouted at him. "Well, since you can rebound so well from Physical pain, how about.... this!". Suddenly, Alex was torn from Deon's hands, an action which awoke her from her slumber as she felt herself pulled through the air with speed befitting that of only magic. She looked around, dazed from her magical unconsciousness, and when she remember what was happening, she rubbed her forehead and sighed. "Fucking hell, guys". Deon's eyes narrowed as the blue-haired girl grinned, and with her other hand, she forced him to one of the poles near the Core, restricting him with mystical chains that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Deon shook his head as he looked back at the two figures heading to the Cores surface. At the edge, the blue-haired girl stopped, and from the corner of her eye she took in Deon's expression when he realised what she intended to do. He pleaded, and when that didn't work he swore and raged, and when that didn't work he began to slowly tear himself free of his bindings, tearing carvings into his flesh and causing the chains to rub against his bones once the flesh was gone. Eventually, his blood once again polled onto the floor, his arms had been worn down to breaking bone where he'd struggled against his bonds. He raised his his head again, to catch the eyes of the sadistic girl before him. "Maybe if you're polite, I'll think about letting her go alive". Deon began to plead again, but it proved to be fruitless,. His tormentor simply shook her head and grinned. "You know the magic words, why not just say them?". Deon's eyes widened and he almost growled, but the thought of Alex being tossed into the Core stopped him. He let his head drop to his chest, and after a few minutes, he raised it again. "... Please, milady. Let Alex go, and I'll do whatever you want me to. Anything, I swear, just let her go, Mistress". The girl simply chuckled and spoke again. "I've thought about that, and you know what?... I think....".

Deon pleaded with his eyes, but when he saw the girl raise her hands, he realised that... "I think, it's time for you to learn a lesson, Slave!". And with that, she tossed Alex into the Reactor Core. A high-pitched scream left the human girls mouth as she plummeted to her demise, and soon enough her screams and the shouts of her companion joined together, shortly combining with the maniacal laughs of her murderer. As Alex fell, everything that had lead up to this rushed through her mind, her love of Birds and Nuclear Physics, her interest in the Occult, her fateful meeting with Deon, and now some old enemy was coming to ruin that all. She knew that somehow, this fall, this plummet into the core of the Reactor wasn't the end. As she hit the ground, she looked around in vain for a way to escape, but as her eyes adjusted to the darkness at the rim of the platform, she saw the grinning figure of the blue-haired girl clicking her fingers. And that was when the Core erupted with light, sending a charge straight through the roof of the Facility and emitting a shockwave strong enough the cause the ground around it the crack, sending the building crashing down below the Earth on which it sat, leaving nothing but a crater in it's place.



Deon didn't even blink as the pale, feminine hand caressed his face. The voice sounded distant, but like that of a caring mother or lover. Deon looked up, and what he saw couldn't have been any farther from the truth. As her finger went to poke him on the nose, he lashed out, clamping it between his jaw and biting down as hard as he could. He almost jumped for joy when he saw the girl trying in vain to pull her finger out from his jaws. He grinned even wider when he heard her gasps of pain, and when he finally let go he saw that her finger was red, blood seeping from the lacerations that his canine teeth had carved into it. He grinned savagely, and spat more blood into her face, before she began to speak. He didn't focus on her words at all, instead he began to hear a faint rumbling sound, and wondered what it was. Suddenly, the ruins of the Reactor Core exploded in a flash of brilliant light. Deon turned, unable to shield his eyes, but when the light dimmed he nearly cheered. A figure stood a few meters away from them, facing away. Suddenly, said figure turned and faced them, her now red eyes piercing through both of their souls. "So, blue bitch. Am I gonna have to break your molecular structure, or are you gonna get the heck outta here before I have to erase you?".



Tense moments passed as Deon grinned, the blue haired girl glared, and Alex, newly reborn as a Hell Raven, all stood still, not even moving for a second. Suddenly, the two girls vanished, appearing halfway between their prior locations, each attempting to push the other back. Alex's arm was encased in some sort of mechanism, and honestly Deon couldn't wait to see what it could do, or even was, for that matter. Suddenly, the two vanished again, reappearing a bit further away, trading blows as if they were on equal power levels, but Deon knew that the blue-haired girl was waiting for an opportunity to kill her opponent again. As they fought, Alex didn't let her friend gain a mental advantage either. "What's wrong? I thought you got rid of nuisences, bitch? Don't tell me you screwed up again!". Her tone was all too cheery for the situation, but both Deon and Alex's opponent could tell she wasn't just playing around. Suddenly, the girl faltered, and Alex pushed her arm-cannon down onto her, sending her flying into the ground and bouncing into the walls of the crater they'd made. By this time, Deon couldn't even move, since the chains that bounding him stopped his life-force from flowing properly. Suddenly, two pairs of hands seized the chain and pulled, snapping them in half and sending Deon to the floor. "Heh.... thanks, Alex.... So you're a Yatagarasu now, eh? Not bad...". Alex grinned at him, holding up her right hand as the cannon reappeared suddenly, and she turned to face her opponent. "Sit back and watch this, ya big wimp". Deon would've jabbed back, but he was too busy trying to coax his life-force into circulating through his entire body. He looked up just in time to see the blue-haired girl stand up, but Alex was ready. Suddenly, the panels on the arm-cannon lifted up, exposing the barrel of the weapon. A ball of something indiscernable to Deon began to form in front of it, and suddenly it increased in size. While the ball got larger, Alex began to speak.

"Fusion levels stable; Nuclear levels also stable.
Particles Charging; 12% Complete.
Stabilizers activating, 47% Active.
Stabilizers Active; 26% Charged.
Acquiring Target; 43% Charged.
Calibrating Distance and Angle of Shot; Distance Complete; Angle found.
Energy Outputs at Maximum level; 69% Charged".

At this, the barrel of the cannon began to glow, and slowly but surely, electrical currents began to move around it, creating an awesome image of a charging barrel.

"78% Charged.
Activating Demonic Transitionalisms; DT's Active.
85% Charged.
Engaging Anti-Magic Shields and Shield-Breakers; Shields Up.
97% Charged; Shield-Breakers Engaged.
100% Charged, All statistics stable. Ready to fire at will".

Alex spared one last moment to grin at her companion, and suddenly.... Boom. And suddenly, the entire world was covered in white.



Deon rubbed his eyes as the vision faded, and he glanced around. He took in the vision of the path again, leading up innumerable stone steps that even he couldn't see the top of. He sighed and strode forward until he reached the bottom of said stairs and he grimaced. "Seems like someone copied 'The Stairs' from that place in Makai. Ah well, we can't all be original. Only problem is that I have to climb these things". Deon sighed, and began to trudge up them, encountering no obstacles or problems on his way. It was almost as if he was being guided up these stairs by someone who had something rather... sinister in mind for him. He didn't notice it, but his journey up the steps became drastically shorter, and he found himself standing in front of a door again. A door he had seen before, and he had gone inside before. He sighed and raised his leg back, readying himself for a kick. He pushed forward with force, and sent the door flying into the wall behind it. "Eclipse, show yourself you asshole!".

~ A room in the hospital area... A brawl between Shikigami and Transformed Anders begins! ~

As if the situation weren't dire enough, a fight had broken out between the Shikigmai and one of the seven children, Anders. As Anders got closer to the shikigami, he uses his jaunt ability to appear behind the shikigami, and then turned to swing his makeshift club at it. The shikigami, however, had noticed Anders using his ability and spun around to catch the club and stab the tips of it's claws into it, it's arms now having returned to a more human look. "Ohh... Are you letting up, Devil's Child?" It taunted him, but Anders simply smiled at the shikigami. Anders quickly moved back to his bed and sent three chains at the shikigami, all of them spread out so that it would be harder to avoid them. But, the shikigami saw through this, and letting go of the club, reformed one of it's arms into a shield and placed it in front of itself as the chain hit the shield. It then quickly moved out of the way of the other two. "I am beginning to see through your moves..." It taunted him again, as Anders picked up a larger shard of his broken guitar while still smiling. "That won't help you for much longer." He said, and then chucked the shard at one of the lights, shattering it in the process. The shikigami chuckled in response to this. "Trying to cover up your movements? Ah... Then let's do this right."

The shikigami picked up the two unconscious guards and then threw them at the door, watching as they hit it and broke right through it. It then shot out more of it's liquid to cover the entrance of where the door use to be. It then started to drip a little, before starting to send off liquid from it's own body and spread it across the floor. "... What will happen if you can't move with your feet?" It then watched as Anders jumped onto the bed to avoid the liquid coming. "I was always really good at that the floor is lava game." He then fades into the shadows, shooting out a projection at the shikigami, but vanished before it could hit. The shikigami smirked as it already knew who would win. "Illusions, huh? Do you not notice my body? I am a rare form of water demon... The Jello Demon! My ability is to be able to copy any shape or form as I please, and another one of my abilities is to also solidfy any body part I choose. Do you get it? I can easily fill this room with jello the size of a pond. Darkness won't help you... I am the better fighter here. You are but a newborn in the way of me. Unless you'd like to prove otherwise?"

~ Name: The Jello Demon.
Nickname: The Jello Shikigami
Type: Water Demon (Jello)
Rank: D
Overall Threat: Cunning from the sidelines, dangerous to any mortal it encounters. Must be captured if seen.
Threat Level: #257 on the WDL's wanted list
Additional Information: The Jello Demon, true to it's name, is a water demon who, instead of being made out of water, is really made out of jello. It is unknown how this came to be, but it is believed that around a hundred years ago it was created as a result of a demon's blood being part of the ingredient to make it. Once the jello was made, The Jello Demon was born. Being different from the rest of it's kind, it decided to become a Shikigami and would soon be employed under the services of Kallos. While it is a D ranked demon, it is very useful to it's master with it's unique abilities and unique body. ~

Anders then used his jaunt ability to a shadow that was behind the shikigami and sent three chains at it. Two of them hit the Shikigam's main body, the other hit the liquid that was being spread across the floor, although it more or less was being dragged along with it now more then anything. The shikigami once again chuckled. "What do you plan to do? I told you.... I'm Jello!" It then pierced holes rapidly in it's arms and chest, making a total of nine as each hole would release liquid like a broken pipe, adding to the already increasing liquid in the room. "Let's see... Nine holes. That means you have to seal nine different spots on my body at the same time. Or are you going to try to kill me still?" "I will kill you, now that the chains are attached, its only a matter of time." Anders responded, vanishing again as he reappeared back on the bed with another smile. "I'll give you credit though, it takes alot to get me to smile this much." The shikigami then narrowed it's eyes at him. "Now what are you on about? The chains are pointless... They cannot harm liquid." It told him firmly. "They won't harm the liquid, no, i'm going for something a little more vital than the stuff that makes up your body, something that not even your liquid form can protect from my chains, something you need to function." He then sent two more projectiles that seemed to almost hit the shikigami, but didn't. It was more like he was just teasing him now...

The shikigami rose a brow at him. "Oh? And what would that be, Devil's Child?" It asked him. "Its kind of sad that you can't figure it out, considering the clue i just gave you. and i can't just tell you, that would be stupid, its the biggest flaw in all action movie villans. they always reveal how their plan works." The Shikigami blinked at this. "Movies? Is that a human device? But I think I know what your on about... Sorry to dissapoint you. But a water demon doesn't function the same as a human. For you see..." It then grabbed a hold of one of the chains and started to spread out it's liquid across it, doing the same to the others. "... My body doesn't have a heart. I'm all water, punk!" It told him confidently. "You may not have a heart, but water dosn't just controll it self, also, i'm not a punk, i'm a goth, there is a very big difference there." Anders told the demon. The shikigami then tapped it's head lightly and split it open. "See? Nothing but water... You have no idea how to fight me." It then reformed it's head back in one piece. "I need to end this... NOW!" It then blasted out more water at him, making it so that the water was up to it's waist. "How about that?!? I've nearly filled the room with just about my liquid! The bed will be consumed and then YOU WILL!" It exclaimed to him. "You have to think some how." Anders said to it, as he leaped from the bed directly towards the shikigami.

The shikigami, in response, spread out it's arms as it chuckled. "Then try me!" It taunted him as he leaped. "One last chance! Or you will drown!" It told him, watching as he neared. As Anders got close enough, he touched the demon in order to try to send impulses throughout his body, to which the shikigami merely smirked at this action. "My, my... I don't know what your trying to do, but..." It then formed a spear-like shape as the liquid exited out of the hole in it's chest and sent it piercing through Ander's stomach. "... You are so slow~" It taunted him, grabbing a hold of the spear and pulling it out of him as it watched Anders put a hand to his wound. He then jaunts out of the room before he could fall into the liquid below him. The shikigami absorbed all the liquid back into him as he phased through the liquid covering the door's entrance. "... What a pain. But... Time to die." It then changed it's right arm into a blade again. "Any last words?" The shikigami asked him. "Thought you could see through my moves?" He then laughed before the jaunt pulls him back into the room. The shikigami rose a brow and smirked, tapping the liquid that sealed the door's entrance. "... Fool. You should of been more careful!" It's holes then closed up as it looked at Anders now trapped in the room. "My prisoner... How lovely~" The shikigami stated, before then heading off towards the control room. "Now... To do what I was meant to do. Assassinate the Half Angel!"

~ Meanwhile, in the control room, unaware of the intruder closing in on them... ~

Scott dragged along the defeated body of of The Metal Kappa, who was currently unconscious whilst being wrapped in chains that restrained him if he awoke. As he approached the control room, he stopped as the doors opened, and he walked inside to see three figures. He let go of The Metal Kappa once he was inside, laying him down on his back as he looked over to see Michael and Rin on one end and nodded to them. Then he looked over and saw... Someone with angel wings?!? This freaked him out for a few seconds, before suddenly he felt... Calmer. Gabriel looked over at him with an apologetic look at this. "I apologize in advance for not warning you sooner." Gabriel spoke, as he walked over and held out his hand. "I am Gabriel, of the New Angels." He said to him so calmly and with ease. Scott looked down at his hand with confusion as he blinked and took his hand slowly, shaking it as he put his other hand on the side of his head. "You look injured... Allow me." Gabriel said to him, holding his hands as a bright light surrounded Scott briefly, as all his minor wounds started to heal. "My god..." He said softly to himself, watching the glow fade away and Scott feeling much better now! "... I -- I thank you..." Scott said out of amazement, to which Gabriel smiled and merely nodded in response.

"How touching." A voice called out to them, as from above a liquid form fell upon them and reformed. The Jello Demon grinned demonically as it looked at them all. "An intruder? So... I assume you are the one who freed Tergun?" Scott asked him. "Indeed I am, if that's the metal punk I freed earlier that you are referring to! I am the Jello Demon... Nice to kill you all. Now, if you'll just stand still for a few..." The demon said, Scott gritting his teeth as he looked to see Drayne's fully restored head in it. "... I need that head." He mumbled to Gabriel. "So it shall be." Gabriel said, walking forward towards the demon as Scott backed up slowly. "Scott, what are you --" Michael started, but was interrupted. "Listen to me Michael, take Rin and get out of here now." He said to them, as Michael rose a brow. "What are you --" He stopped as Scott glared a little. ".... Ok." Michael said, quickly taking Rin's arms out of surprise and dragging her away before she could complain. Scott then looked forward at the demon. "Foolish angel... Get out of my way, now!" It spoke, as Gabriel stopped in place. "... No response? FINE!" It shifted it's fingers into blades as it moved forward at the angel, only to be stopped as Gabriel's hand struck into the Jello Demon and pulled out the head of Drayne, throwing it to Scott, who luckily caught it in time. "You... Will pay for that." The Jello demon mumbled as it backed away slightly.

Gabriel glanced over at Scott at this chance. "I need you to get out of here... What I'm about to do is almost strictly forbidden." He said to him, as Scott's eyes widened at the thought of what happened before one time with Michael. It was on accident, of course, so it didn't count against him. After all, he was still developing to control his powers. "... You mean you can -- you have control over THAT?" Scott asked, shocked at what Gabriel could do then what Michael did. "... Okay, I'll leave it to you then." He said, before quickly rushing off. Gabriel looked back to the Jello Demon at this. "... I believe it's time we both got serious, don't you agree?" He asked him, to which the Jello Demon furrowed his eyebrows. "What are you --" But at this, he was interrupted when an angelic light surrounded Gabriel's form as his wings fully spread out. The Jello Demon stopped momentarily, seeming to be overpowered by this as lights began flickering on and off throughout the base. Michael stopped briefly to protect Rin from this holy force, most of the Renegade demon soldiers were put off by this immense holy power. "So... I underestimated you." The Jello Demon managed to get out, as Gabriel narrowed his eyes at him. "You did. That was your mistake, and the best part is... I can concentrate the main power of this on you and not anyone else. If anyone will die from this... It'll most likely be you."

~ A meeting between high ranking demons begins... The rebellion's leaders meet in a special way! ~

The Revolutionary Leader sat down in his throne as he relaxed all tension from his body, seeming to concentrate now on three other chairs. Immediately, three figures appeared as they looked like they were holograms of some sort, only you couldn't make out much detail from them besides the tones in which they spoke. "Ah... Finally time for another one, eh? I see Kallos has been able to fit us into his busy schedule." The more intelligent one spoke first, seeming to tap it's fingers gently against each other. "A lot better then what can be said of you, short one." The countess spoke out next, as the intelligent one glared over at her. "Watch your tongue there, countess. Otherwise you may find it --" They were both interrupted as the Revolutionary Leader raised a hand to stop them. "Enough bickering. It is time we do this now. Kallos, give me a full report on the children." Kallos shifted at this, the tubes sticking out of his body could be barely made out. "Deon Morris is the same as always. Although currently, our spy reports he has been subdued by Eclipse." The intelligent one shifted at this uneasily. "That annoying sword? How did he get out?" He asked, as Kallos looked over at him. "I'm getting there." He responded, before looking back towards the Revolutionary Leader. "Sebastian Thomas nearly died tonight by our own spy. The children are very weak it seems... They are still at human level." The Revolutionary Leader nodded in response.

"Devin Namach is still missing, although whether he is being held captive by the WDL or is just simply on the loose is unknown. It is fully possible he is also dead since no one has seen him in a while. Chang T. Wilson is believed to be under the same category. Ashley Clade appears to have gone berserk, from what our spy has told us, she is also the one who freed Eclipse. It also seems they have three new children with them. From what our spy has told us from looking at some reports, he has discovered a few names. Keilani Dreahen. Anders Agni. And finally, Mierya Nightless. All of these names were confirmed because someone had written them down on paper. Keilani's was medical, Anders and Mierya were for recruiting." The Revolutionary Leader closed his eyes at this. "We will keep an eye out for them as well... But there is a problem with your report, Kallos. That means there are eight children in this world instead of the normal seven. Care to elaborate this for me?" He asked Kallos, who looked at him calmly, already having the answer as the Leader opened his eyes. "We believe there is an extra child, sir." The Leader rose his brows at Kallos. "An extra? Who?" But before he could go on, the intelligent one stepped in. "It is obviously Deon Morris. After all, he was not born of the generation the others are in. It only makes sense then." The Leader then shifted his eyes back to Kallos. "Who do you believe it is?" He asked him, as Kallos closed his eyes slowly while he thought. "... We believe it to be Sebastian Thomas. Both have had strange readings in the past, Ash's readings are normal compared to them."

"I see. Where is the spy now?" The Leader asked Kallos. "He is currently facing off against one of the New Angels." He confirmed, as the Leader nodded. The Countess looked over at the Leader. "New Angels? They sound like pansies to me." She said with a laid back tone, almost insulting them as it were. "The New Angels are a group of the former highest angels in heaven's ranks. They are all half angel, it is unknown how they are this way, but it is believed that they are the children of an angel each before they died." Kallos rose his brows at this confirming from the Leader. "Some of the angels are dead?" He asked in surprised. "Yes. Someone killed them, and now they have passed on their ranks to the New Angels. That is why they exist. We only have a few confirmed kills though... Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. Camael and Sataniel have been missing." The intelligent one chuckled at this. "The rumor is pretty funny, how one of their own betrayed them and they succumbed to a deadly poison. Quite interesting... You would of expected better from them." He licked his lips at this. "You really are disgusting." The Countess commented to him. "So, I wonder... What happens if a child does die?" Kallos asked them. "That's easy." The intelligent one spoke. "They go back to they're creator." The Countess shook her head at this. "I thought they went to Purgatory?" The intelligent one smirked at this. "They have the devil's blood in them. Unless they were directly descended from him, which is an ill possibility, then they will make him more powerful until he dies. THEN they go to Purgatory." The Leader sighed at this. "Whether one is right or not does not matter right now. Kallos... I have a special job for you to do. It involves giving those Renegades... A little warning. I want all of the children alive and safe, if not, well.... Someone will die by my hand."

~ The brawl between Jello Demon and Gabriel of the New Angels! Who will emerge victorious?! ~

"This is going to be interesting then..." The Jello Demon said, extending his arms out as they formed into multiple blades. "Let's do this then!" He said, and came charging right for Gabriel. Gabriel sighed as he closed his eyes and held out his right had. "Sorry, guys... I got to hurt you for a second to defeat him." He then furrowed his brows as a ball of light was casted towards the Jello Demon. "Heh! What's that suppose to do to me?!? I can just --" But all at once, the ball of light collided with the Jello Demon as it left him stunned, a bright light engulfing him as his scream howled loudly throughout most of the entire base. The light sent out a holy radiance throughout the entire base, nearly making almost every demon stop as if a heartbeat had skipped. "Incredible..." Scott noted to himself. "Gabriel's holy powers are powerful enough to do THIS? ... I hope the children are alright, otherwise... I just hope this stops the Ash situation, or... God damn it, this is NOT my day!" He stated before continuing on. The Jello Demon struggled as liquid dripped down his body rapidly, he struggled to move as he felt enormous pain. "That won't be enough... That won't be enough to hold me down, angel! You will have to do better then that!!!"

"Is that right? Then I will need to take extreme measures... Prepare yourself, Demon. You are about to experience the most terrible pain you have ever felt." The Jello Demon's eyes widened, but before he could even move, Gabriel was already on the move. "Heaven's Restraint!" He called out, as light portals opened up around the Jello Demon and holy chains wrapped around his body rapidly, restraining him to the spot as he struggled to get free, but could not even morph to get out of them. "N-no! Wait! D - don't kill me! You can't kill me! You are an Angel, right?!?! RIGHT?!?!? YOU AREN'T MEANT TO KILL, YOU ARE MEANT TO BE HUMANITY'S KINDNESS!" The Jello Demon cried out in misery, as Gabriel narrowed his eyes at him. "I will not kill you... But. I know you nearly killed a life here today. And so... I will unleash my second weakest attack upon you." Gabriel then held his hands out in front of him as light began forming in front of him. The Jello Demon continued to struggle, his eyes widening as he saw the attack forming. "N-NO! T-T-T-T-THAT COULD KILL ME! AND EVERY OTHER DEMON IN HERE! YOU ARE MAD! MAAAADDDDDD!!!" He continued to shout, as for that moment alone, Gabriel... Turned dark. His expression became very serious and stern, his eyes piercing into the demon's eyes as he was held frozen to the spot. "Exactly... I wish to not see any more pain and suffering here. That is why... I am willing to risk knocking out every demon in here!!!" And with that, Gabriel closed his eyes for the upcoming attack. "Heaven's.... Rage." He spoke the words, and a beam of light was sent hurling at the Jello Demon. His stomach area was pierced clean through by the light as he lost consciousness at this point. A bright light enveloped the whole control room, and bright holy light quickly dispersed through the entire base. The outside of it glowed as it could clearly be seen in the night. It lasted for a total of three minutes before finally stopped, with the Jello Demon laying collapsed on the floor, twitching every now and then as Gabriel narrowed his eyes at him. "... Have a good night's sleep, monster." Gabriel turned to the monitor briefly, to see that every demon in the Renegades had survived the attack.

~ Confrontation! Dark Ash and Eclipse meet face to face! ~

Eclipse stood in the 'Center' of the Nightmare World. He wore purple robes over his body as he made himself look as royal as possible. He looked human, if it wasn't for those demonic eyes. "I already know someone is already in my world... Besides Deon. This one feels familiar." He spoke to mostly himself, seeming to be alone in his mansion-like place as he sighed out. "Better to go and investigate then let this person cause trouble. I can't have that, the stupid bitch would have my head if I failed to keep this world as it is..." With that, Eclipse 'vanished' and 'reappeared' outside in the Nightmare World, standing on the 'ground' as he looked around the 'area' he was in now. "So, where is this intruder? The person is around here somewhere, I know that for sure..." The place he was in now was made of pristine metal and benches with various breaker tubes and the like were scattered about. There were similar microscopes and other sorts of technical equipment that were on display, though jagged and fearful shadows tended to stretch from them in the haunting light of the laboratory. He then heard the faint sound of glass being tapped that came from a corner in the room. When he walked over into there, he found Ash, who was examining a test tube in scrutiny.

"My, my..." Eclipse mumbled to himself as he walked over casually to where Ash was. "... Oi, you are the one from earlier. Why don't you do me a huge favor, and go shit yourself now?" He said, all the while remaining calm as he did. "... Unless you aren't available for an appointment?" At this, he then brought a big smirk on his face, revealing his demonic fangs. "You don't scare me, fear monger." Ash told him, returning the tube to it's place in the rack. "This may be your world, but you're as petty and pathetic as always." Eclipse slowly shook his head at this. "Such confidence. Why don't YOU be the ruler of this damn place then?!? Oh, I forgot... You aren't a demon weapon, and even if you were, you would be pathetic compared to me." He told her, his smirk fading rather quickly at this. "... So, I wonder... What would you do if I showed you a few 'disturbing' facts to light?" He told her. "I have better things to do then rule over this dump." Ash seemed to reply casually, ignoring the rest of his comments as she strode away from him. Eclipse merely chuckled. "... Then, how was it to watch that young man die again?" He asked, as his smirk slowly returned to his face. "... Or how was it to find out your sister cheated on you? Does it make your blood boil? Does it make want you... Want to hit me for knowing your inner fears?" He began laughing like a madman at this. "... I should probably explain myself. In this place, I am god of this world. I see all of my victim's fears... And my, what a pleasant thing Deon is goig through again~ But, here's my little thing... I don't tell other people what I've seen, no matter who they are. Now, unless you want me to dive deeper into your inner fears... I am going to assume I have your attention on me now."

Ash, however, laughed at this. "You misunderstand. That's her fears." Turning, her eyes flash red at this. "Not mine. Tell me, what do you see in the depths of my fears, hmm? Or perhaps does it frighten you that you can't?" She then returned her own superior smirk, seeming to think she was in control of the situation right now. Eclipse laughed again at this. He quickly stopped himself this time as he glanced over his shoulder at her. "You aren't like Inferno, who's blood was created from the devil's own, and passed down through several generations of a family. I know your type... A newborn demon who's in way over her head and gains control over a weaker territory in order to avoid the big boys. I know what you are scared of quite easier then a human's, contrary to popular belief. You seem powerful, but in reality, you are unbalanced. You fear becoming one with your host because you do not wish to fade. You also are cunning, keeping away from death's door. But you also focus too much on power, and your powers are out of control as they are... Hell, the girl gets better performance rates then you do! Ah-hahahaha, YAH-AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA! If you'd like to show me otherwise though, we can do this all night my dear... Because I can keep going all night about what you fear. This is the NIGHTMARE world for a damn good reason! Tell me... Do you get off when you are in pain, are you afraid of not being in control? To feel the pain your host goes through as she fights her own battles, while you stay behind in the shadows in your true form... I wonder how big you are."

Ash simply smiled again. "Your guesses are amusing, but I'm afraid you can't startle me." Taking a seat on one of the benches, she absentmindedly played with a syringe she picked up. "Still, you're quite pathetic. If you're so powerful, then you shouldn't be concerned about little old me. Go back to the rock you crawled out from under before I get bored with you." Eclipse shook his head again as he chuckled at her response. "You two are the only ones I've had in the Nightmare World for ages... And amusing? I think I'm right here... Unless you have proof you are older then you seem. Until then, well... I'm going to have my fun. I was going to taunt that girl just now, but you've taken her away from me. So... I have to do it to you now." He told her. "Your taunts need some work." She told him, chucking the syringe and embedding it into the wall. Eclipse rose a brow at her. "So... What do you call yourself, dark spirit?" He asked. "That's a stupid question. Honestly, you're not very bright, are you?" She replied. Eclipse crossed his arms over his chest at this. "Explain. You look like the girl, yet you aren't really her." He said to her. "Why should I explain myself to a washed up loser like you? It's not like you're actually any threat to me." She laughed a little to herself as she turned to the nearby bunsen burner and fiddled with it to get it to light.

Eclipse snapped his fingers at this as, in an illusion, Ash's left arm started to bleed and soon, it would fall off, the arm looking like it had been severed. "... Nightmare World. Ruler of it. Hello? A newborn demon like you can't begin to even comprehend the years of pain and suffering most demons go through!" Not reacting in the slightest, Ash slowly pulled up her arm and watched the blood pool on the bench. "Tsk, what a mess..." Reaching over with her other arm, she made a sharp wrenching movement removing the rest of the limb and casually tossing it to the floor at Eclipse's feet, as he watched it fade away. Black ooze then began to secrete from her shoulder and flowed down to form a new arm in it's place, outfit and all, with no injury in sight. Eclipse shrugged his shoulders at this, the blood fading away. "So you avoided the nightmare... What a lovely surprise you are so full of. But... I must tell you that, well... Your stays in the Nightmare World are not that exciting, and I must expell you and Phoenix boy back to the real world. You don't mind, of course, do you?" He asked her. "Do as you will. It's of little consequence to me how you stroke that ego of yours." She told him, hopping from the bench and strolling past Eclipse, stopping once she was level with him. "But do bear in mind, I'm not so easy to get rid." Moving onward, she waved over her shoulder. "As he once said, the ash will always remain."

Eclipse rose his right arm up slowly as he cracked his neck. "... Ah, but you of all people should know... Once I let you back into the real world, every demon stronger then yourself will be hunting you down until the day you down. You are a danger, young lady..." He then lowered his arm and laughed. "... I'm just kidding! You can stay as long as you like really... Someone else can do the pain in the ass job of finding you and eliminating you." He then began to walk away. "... Besides, you are one of the devil's 'children' ..... Although I will tell you, there is a much greater threat to you then you realize. And you left him to recover... Want to know his name?" He asked her. "Names mean nothing to me." She stated simply, fading as she stepped through a doorway and into the laboratory.

~ Old nightmares! Sebastian's struggle in his own mind! ~

~ Lost.... I feel.... Lost. What is this feeling? Why have I never felt it before? I've lost so much blood... It was all over me. It was all over the controls. It was all over the floor, forming into some kind of puddle. My own pond. My own tomb. I hear voices... I hear Kane. And I hear someone else. I don't know who that is. I... Feel so lost. Like I'm inbetween worlds. Is this... What it feels like... To nearly die? I feel... So much better now. But... I feel... Like something's missing...
Maybe something IS missing.
What.... Is -- is that you?
Yes... It's me. I came to check on you. You nearly died back there, you know.
I don't care.... I just wanted to save her.
Oh, so you still want her, huh? It's always been about her, hasn't it? Right from the moment Arthur took you in, and then tried to make you all dogs. Now look where you've all ended up. Dogs. Miserable hunters meant to track down and kill demons. How pathetic. You have no free will of your own.
Who says I don't?
I'm not saying it's going to happen... I'm saying it has. Perhaps... A little dive into your memories will help you out? ~

It was a hot day for the orphanage... We were outside, the three of us. Rob, me, and Lucy. Lucy was my left hand, Rob was my right. Had I known this meant so much more, I would of found it funny then. But now, I find it tragic. Rob had hair, he wasn't blue. Lucy was... Still human. I was the first to talk. "Have you ever thought of the future?" I said. I sounded younger back then, looked younger too. Adults always said I looked too cute for my own good. I hated the attention I got from that. "The future? Of course I have. You aren't dying, are you?" Rob asked. He was... So nice back then. Him and Lucy were true best friends, no matter what happened, we stuck together. "Of course he isn't!" Lucy spoke up next. God do I miss seeing her like this, before she was... Crazy. "... You aren't dying, right Seby?" She asked me. "Of course not!" I replied. "It's just... I wonder if there's someone out there for me. That's all." Lucy and Rob both rose a brow at me. "What?" They both asked at the same time. "... A girl, okay!" I admitted to them. Both blinked at me... And laughed. "Don't laugh!" I tried telling them. "Rob, you can talk so easy with girls it's not even funny! And you, Lucy, you hang out with guys all the time!" Lucy punched me roughly in the shoulder. "Says who?" She asked. "Says the two guys you always hang out with." Rob interjected, laughing a little. At the time, they thought it was a joke, while I blushed for a few minutes. But then...

Soon it became me and Rob at the orphanage. It was cold this time, probably because the fan was on or something like that. I stared outside at the oncoming rain falling onto the ground. I felt... Lonely. "What's up, little man?" Rob asked me, hanging me a glass full of orange juice. I took it, and drank half of it quickly. "Whoa now!" He called out to me. "Drink slower, it'll help keep the taste in." He told me, raising a brow when he saw me just nod. "... You miss her?" He asked me. I sighed out and stood up. "Of course I miss her!" I admitted to him. "You two were all I had at this place, and now... Look at it. We're the only ones left of our group! Can you believe it?!" I told him. It was unfair... Everyone else had gotten adopted. Everyone but us. The outcasts. The loners. The non-normal people. "I could." Rob said, taking a slow sip of his juice. "... What's that mean?" I asked him angrily. "Well..." He started. "... Have you ever thought about what's beyond our grasp?" He asked me. "... If this is pay-back for that one time --" I started, but... "No. I'm serious. Demons, angels, humans... We are but the weakest part in this role! I mean, come on! Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like, to be well known for taking down one of the highest demons in the world?!?" He asked me. "... I think more of my personal life then my overall life, ok?" I told him. "... Still on about the girl thing. Why do you want a girlfriend so bad?" He asked me another question. "... Why?" I started. ".... Because... I want to know what love is like. How my mother felt when she was with my father... Something like that. Call it cliche if you want... But... It's how I feel."

~ Then that fight happened.
I don't want to remember it.
You have to. It was a big important part in how you came to be here.
I won't!
You won't?
I refuse...
Very well. But remember this... There is more then just Ash you know. Two more children have been found. And they are both females. Remember this, as you wake up in that bed of yours... And remember. I am always watching. After all... I only have one eye to do it with. ~

. . .

~ Deon and Eclipse, the reunion of two old foes! ~

Eclipse had just returned to his home as he cracked his neck slightly as he sighed out. "What a bitch..." He commented, walking over to a chair and sitting down in it. His attire consisted mainly of purple robes to make him look more royal then he already was. "Oh well, let her do as she wishes. I don't care anymore. I try to help warn her, and what does she do? 'Oh I can handle it all by myself, I'm sooo gorgeous that way!' BAH! Makes me sick that she even exists still... Oh well, she'll be defeated soon enough. That's MY revenge to HER!" He then laughed demonically. All at once, his door flew right open and slammed into the nearby wall, breaking through it as the leg of it's destroyer rested upon the floor. Deon stepped inside as his feet hit inside the room with a thud. His cigarette lit up in his hand as he looked around. "Eclipse, show yourself you asshole!" He demanded. The sound of three slow claps came to his ears then. "... You'll have to pay for that you know." He commented. He then stood up from his chair with a sigh out of annoyance. "Oh Deon, Deon, Deon... So quick, so rash, so... Dull! What business do you wish from me this time? Or... Is it me who wishes to know business from you?" He chuckled at this. "It was fun watching that scene again... Of the girl dying, being reborn into a demonic entity... Oh and the ending was SO priceless!" He chuckled darkly again at his own taunts.

Deon, however, simply grinned at him. And... That was it. Eclipse rose a brow at this action. "Did I go too far or something, young phoenix? I would of thought you would of been happier... Considering it is early morning now and all." He waited for a response, a taunt, a joke, something. Yet he got nothing. Only his eyes locking with Deon's. Eclipse blinked. ".... O..k then, don't answer me. Be as weird as you want, it makes no difference to me." Still he got nothing. Deon's hands were beginning to move unconsciously, his fingers being the starting point, twitching and moving in unknown patterns. His hands also began to clench and unclench at unknown points, his grin widened and the flame on his cigarette flared now. Eclipse sighed at this. "Oh dear... Insanity lost again, is it? How many times do we have to go over the same thing every time?" The fire in Deon's eyes sparked at this, and he cracked his neck. "Oh come on, Eclipse. You honestly didn't expect this to happen? Oh come on, have you really grown this dull?" Deon grinned again and his eyes widened, and out came the madman's laugh. Eclipse couldn't help but shake his head. "... I thought you were better then this." Deon's eyes widened as he hit the highest pitch in the laugh he could go, and dropped forward suddenly so that his spine was bent at a 90 degree angle. He looked up for a moment to lock his own maniac eyes with Eclipse's calm and calculating ones. "What's wrong, Eclipse? Can't handle it? You reap what you sow, right?"

Eclipse shrugged his shoulders at this. "I could honestly restrain you at any time, to be honest... I just don't yet because you seem to be torturing yourself rather then helping out others... Oh, but wait... I just remembered. You shouldn't be going crazy when someone very close to you is dying right now." All at once the sound of a blade being drawn emitted throughout the room as a cut appeared on Eclipse's neck, the sound reverberated throughout the room and Deon was now behind Eclipse, with a grin so wide that he could be mistaken for a Cheshire Cat. "Heheheheh, you let your guard down sometimes, Eclipse!" No blood came out of Eclipse's wound as he stood there, looking down at it. He pressed two fingers against it and closed it, sealing it as he sighed out, his form fading in and out for just one second, but Deon didn't seem to care too much, after all he didn't even bother to think something might of been up. "... No wonder she's so interested in you." He spoke. ".... And you don't seem to care whether that stupid oni you like dies from blood loss or not. Oh well, I can tell she's already dead anyway. Being dragged off like the corpse she is now... Oh, and what's this? More blood... Coming from one of your brothers it seems. The youngest... Yes. He was pierced, and he's lost so much blood now.~" Deon's grin slowly faded at this, and simply remained in the spot...

Eclipse then drew his iconic sword out and pierced it through Deon's back without hesitation, smirking as he did. "... Oh Deon, you are such a bastard. Allow me to... Show you what I mean." He told him, and then slowly pulled the blade out of Deon, who allowed this or try to resist. Deon, all at once, began to fade from the Nightmare World. "... I will allow you to return, if only to stop that crazy bitch from wrecking me like she did that vampire's head." He chuckled and sheathed his sword. "Enjoy watching Sebastian and Quake die... I know I will~" Deon growled at this. "Hey Ash, beat the shit outta him for me, will ya?" Eclipse grinned at this. "Ash?" He asked him. "I don't think you know where Ash is. The Ash I met a while ago just went to kill people... The Ash in the real world is going to kill people. And the Ash you know... Is being held captive! If you really want to be a hero for once, then just knock the stupid bitch out! Otherwise, Quake WILL die! You no longer have the time, reality is against you now! She is testing you here... Wanting to see if you will harm a sibling or not! Are you willing to harm her in order to stop her?!?! After nearly killing Sebastian and Quake?! Or.... Will you let the next person to die... Be Rin?" He chuckled at the fun, Deon's lower body was now gone, only his upper body remained. "... I wonder though. She seems to be very interested in your actions, your choices, how you affect the future of others. Rin, Michael and Scott all follow by morals... They never kill an innocent under evil influence unless that person is impossible to bring back. You were always the brute Deon... Think about it. You are nothing but a monster in your own right. I wonder.... If you killed this woman, would they hate you? Oh, who am I saying, of course they would! You would be hated among the Renegades! Ah-ha... Well, ta-ta~ I won't be able to see you off on your adventure most likely, but... I will be watching. Always~" And with that, Deon was back in reality... Eclipse having exited out of his body and fallen on the floor. "... Ow, ow, OW! Rough landing!"

“What’s wrong Claire?! It’s like you’re not even trying to fight back!” Ash grinned maniacally as she flew forward, her arms eclipsed in black shadowy claws as she made a series of violent sweeps. Darting her feet backwards, Claire did her best to catch her breath. She WASN’T trying to fight back – This was her sister Ash! All she had to do was hold out until Keilani could snap Ash out of her trance. She was strong. Ash had inner strength. All she needed was a nudge, and she’d discover her own power. She had faith in that. All she could do was give her the time to do so. Ducking behind an overturned table, Claire stayed only a moment before diving to the side as it was ripped in two. It was a heavy strain on her powers to keep using them like this, but she only needed to hold out a little longer. Focusing a moment, she analysed each of the variables and made her decision, darting to the left before ducking and sliding, slipping past the rain of shadows that came from the floor intending to skewer her. Any moment now, he’d be here.

Removing her glasses, Claire decided to take a chance. She couldn’t risk overstraining herself, so she’d just have to make due for a few moments longer. Weaving back and forth as she parried the series of strikes from Ash, she paused as she watched her sister jump back, turning to face one of the other halls as if hearing something. Had the conflict inside of her become that distracting, or was it something else? Remaining on the defensive, she watched as a wall of shadows rose, cutting off the corridor Ash had travelled down. Was she trying to keep someone out, or trap her in? Claire remained completely uncertain of which, until the tremendous crashing sounds of Deon reached her ears, the Phoenikoi busting in through the side wall, his arms wielding strange gauntlets that emanated a malignant energy.

"At this rate, the entire complex will be going down. Ah hell, why do I care so much, anyway!?" Claire watched Deon look about the smashed room, rubbing his head and breathing in his cigarette. "Sheesh, Ash. What the heck did you even do? Oh right, you're not exactly the normal Ash, are you?" Slowly, Ash’s claws began to reform into her hands as she rubbed them together, before tossing her hair to the side as she turned to face Deon. “Nothing… Yet. Though I see that good for nothing sword fulfilled my expectations. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to stay out of my business, would you?” Ash looked unamused as she watched Deon, ignoring whatever banter Eclipse attempted to instigate.

Deon let his hands drop to the ground, and he look down. "Oh, of course. I didn't mean to interrupt you, miss. I was just checking on things, that's all." His tone was apologetic and conveyed something like a touch of submission. A few moments passed before he jerked his head up and laughed, eyeing Ash and blinking. "In all honesty, I'd rather be asleep right now.... Buuuut, I can't just let you kill Ash's sister, can I? After all, I'm technically your big brother, and Claire's too." He grinned, flexing his arms and cracking his neck. "Is there any point in asking you to come quietly, or is this a 'I won't stop until I get my revenge' type of thing?"

“She’s my Sister. I think I have the right to do what I want with her.” Ash stated simply. “But, if you’re going to get in my way, I suppose I’ll have to deal with you. It’ll be a pleasure to wipe that cocky smirk off your face.” Deon continued to hold that stupid grin, plainly speaking his mind with an air of confidence. "Well, since you're so confident about winning this fight, there's no need for me to hold back then, is there?" Stepping up towards her steadily, he gave Ash the finger. "That was for wrecking my car with Umbra." Arriving a mere body’s length from ash, he simply stood there, before blowing some smoke straight into Ash's face. "Hurry up then, I don't have all day." Waving her hand to dispel the smoke, Ash remained where she was, letting Deon’s shadow rise up behind him and form into its shape. Deftly, it darted forward, attempting to coil around his biceps and restrain him. Unmoving, Deon seemed unfazed by Ash’s manipulation, grinning as the shadows wrapped themselves around his arms as he spat out his cigarette and let it fly past Ash, landing over near the wall. Yawning as Ash had the shadows rip him onto the floor, he continued with the smarmy attitude as he was pinned down against the ground. With a single boot, Ash stepped on his chest, narrowing her eyes at him in annoyance. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay down.”

Deon laughed, maintaining that cocky smile as he decided to make a jab at Ash. "I bet you love being on top of me, don't you, Ash?" Deon snickered and his grin widened, but otherwise he seemed calm, as if he was waiting for the right moment. Ash however, had had enough of his tongue. Within moments of speaking a shadow wrapped over Deon's mouth, silencing him completely, and even masking that Cheshire grin of his. “Now, where were we?” Ash stated in satisfaction, turning back to Claire. Returning her gaze, Claire looked to Ash, having taken the time to get some much needed rest and recuperate her abilities. Standing up calmly, she retrieved her glasses once more, focusing her gaze on the dark copy. Seeing time flow past her, she could only smile as she saw the options. Casually removing them as Ash made her approach, she did nothing to avoid her grasping arm grabbing the front of her jacket, lifting her up off her feet. “Decided to give in, have we? Well, that just makes… Everything…” Ash began to hesitate, blinking a couple of times before closing her eyes, as if deep in thought. Around Deon, the shadows receded, if only slightly, as her attention was focused elsewhere…

---

No words filtered into Ash’s mind. No feelings, no sensations. The world was silent, cold and empty. The void consumed her, suppressing everything but her despair and loneliness. And then… Softness. Warmth. A rhythmic beating… It was all so strange. In a world with nothing, these odd new phenomena brought startling clarity and focus. Desperate for contact, she latched onto those new feelings, craving them for solace. This gentleness… Just… Who was it? No one but Claire had ever…-! Like a shockwave, a new sensation accompanied the embrace, radiating from her forehead. The sincerity of the gesture, and the care with it… The blankness began to fade from Ash’s expression, her eyes slowly looking to see just who was kneeling in front of her. Dimly, she thought for a moment that it was Claire but… This girl… Who was she? Mouth slightly agape, she listened in wonder and confusion as she continued to speak, savouring the soft touch caressing her hair.

"You're not alone anymore. I'll be there for you from now on."

Blinking twice, Ash didn’t know what to say. She’d never been good at expressing her feelings or anything, and most of the time she acted like she didn’t need anyone. Right now however, after escaping the solitude of depression… She didn’t know what else to do. Leaning forward, she embraced Keilani, doing her best to hold back and hide the tears she felt, clenching her eyes shut. She had no idea why this girl was here, why she cared or anything. But the fact was she did care. She was here for her. Ash needed that more than anything else right now. If this girl was willing to stay with her… She wouldn’t be alone…

“How touching…”

Ash froze, her eyes going wide, as that fearful voice of sweet sarcasm filled the air. It was her voice. Staring down at the black floor below, she stepped back and stumbled away from Keilani in panic as it opened, a massive looming red eye staring at her and encompassing much of the floor. Narrowing slightly as it locked onto Ash’s gaze, it seemed to be enjoying itself as the voice filled the room once more, the eye slowly floating up into the air to watch over the three beings in the realm. “This truly is momentous. Little Soot found herself a friend amongst the darkness…” A mouth and second eye formed, floating into the vague outline of a face as it circled them, coming to a stop by Ash’s ear as it whispered.

“But… how can you trust her...? What if she turns on you like your sister did?”The mouth warped into a grin, acting as devil’s advocate as Ash turned to face Keilani with a somewhat horrified expression. Steadily, she began to take a step back from her. “What does she want from you anyway? There’s no way she’d be nice to you for no reason…” Continuing her steady whispers to breed fear, the bodiless face continued to swirl around Ash, influencing her decisions and perspectives. “Once she gets closer to you that’s when she’ll hurt you. Hurt us… We can’t have that. Keep her away…” Ash held her head and clenched her eyes shut, shaking violently.

“Stop it! Shut up! Shut up!” Ash screamed at the taunting voice, receiving only laughter in response. “You know it’s the truth. This is what you fear. I’m you, and you’re me. You can sense it, and that’s why you’re so afraid. You can’t deny it.”

“No no NO! I’m not you! You’re not me!” Ash lashed out, attempting to strike the floating face futilely. The mocking laughter continued, darting this way and that as it continued to speak its mind. “Aren’t I? Wasn’t it you that wanted to kill him? Wasn’t it you who wanted revenge against Claire? Didn’t you crave the chance to put that cocky Oni in her place?” With a yell, Ash gave another violent lunge, this time catching something. Slowly, she found herself holding the neck of her nemesis, the dark and twisted version of herself, still derisively looking down at her. Staring each other down, Ash felt the tears running down her cheeks again. Before gradually, gently, she released her grip, bringing her hands to her side as she kept her head downcast.

“You’re right.” She murmured softly, her fists trembling. “You’re right about everything.” Turning her head up to lock eyes with the dark mirror, Ash glared fiercely. ”I am afraid of letting her get close to me. Of what might happen if I do. And back then, I wanted Jim dead for humiliating me like that. Claire betrayed me, and I wanted nothing more than to have her suffer like I did… But even if that’s what I felt deep down inside, that’s not what I really wanted!” Her lips curling into a bit of a smile, Ash brought her fist up, examining her hand a moment as she opened and clenched her palm. “Even if that’s what I felt in the heat of the moment… I regret your… … My actions those days. I understand now who you are - What you are - and I don’t need you. Even if you are a side of me, whether that be my fears or dark desires… I’ll make my own choice whether to embrace them or not.”

“Hmmph, look at you. Acting like you’re so smart. Well fine, do what you want. See if I care.” Turning on her heel, Dark Ash began to stride away, fading and becoming one with the darkness. “Just know you can’t get rid of me.” Watching her go, Ash nodded, mumbling softly under her breath. She stayed there a moment, staring at the spot where the shadow of herself had left. Finally, she turned back to Keilani, forcing a wry smile. “So, you said there are people waiting for me, right?”

---

…Deon slowly stood, not daring to make a sound. As he began to stalk forward, he also began to grin. Having broken Ash’s restraints, it was the perfect opportunity to take her down. As he slowly stepped forward, he was quick to close the gap, lining up to strike. A palm, aimed straight into Ash's back was all he'd probably need, and he grinned as he pushed it forward, closer to its target. His hand hit Ash, but only for a moment before it passed clean through her due to the abilities he'd copied off of Illusion. As soon as his hand passed through Ash and reached Claire, it resolidified and grasped her collar. Suddenly he pulled backwards, bringing Claire through Ash with him and safely passing her through her opponent. When he was done, and his arm was out of Ash, he spun around. His left leg hit Ash in the ribs with a crack, and sent her flying into a nearby wall. After Deon finished his pirouette, he turned to Claire, a look of concern on his face. "Hey, are you alright? You're not too hurt, are you?"

“J-just what do you think you’re doing?! That’s Ash!” Claire fumed, pushing herself free from Deon as she hurried over to her sister, now buried within the rubble of the nearby wall. Argh, this idiot! Ash was about to regain control, and then he went and did something reckless like that! Using her psionic powers, Claire began clearing the debris, finding her way to her sister. Deon simply stood and rubbed his forehead. "Well, thanks for the thanks. Next time I'll just let you get hurt or something, ya know. Just don't get angry at me if someone snaps your neck. And besides, your sister's already shown an AMAZING amount of control, don't you think?" With that, Deon left the room.

Uncovering Ash, Claire gave a sigh as she remained asleep and unconscious. Assumedly, Keilani had been successful, and when next she was up, Ash would be back in control of herself. She’d probably be sore, and the two would have a lot to talk about… But the important thing was that she was alright, and no one had really been hurt. She wasn’t sure where Keilani had gone to hide, but no doubt Blanche had brought her back to reality by now. She’d make the effort to personally thank her, but for now, she needed to get Ash somewhere more comfortable. Heaving her sister over her shoulder, Claire began carefully picking her way through the mess of the room, aiming to take her straight to the infirmary…

---

It had all happened so fast, Kane hadn’t known what to do. Sebastian was dying from a critical injury, there was that strange liquid demon having disappeared to gods no where, and he had no idea what to do! There was so much blood all over, and he had no medical training and and…

“Don’t move him.”

Kane froze as he heard the voice behind him, turning slightly to see just who it was. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any recognition of this girl, but that didn’t matter. It was someone else, and from the sounds of things, she was here to help. Acting near instantaneously on her instructions, he helped open up Sebastian’s shirt to allow her better access, watching in helpless worry as he was useless in a scenario like this. The girl was continuing to mutter to herself, and the situation sounded grim. With grievous wounds like that, it wasn’t entirely surprising, but it was still a hard blow to take. He’d let Sebastian down, he was going to die. Punching the ground once in frustration, the shocked voice of the girl brought his attention back to reality. What he saw made his eyes go wide.

It was beautiful, a soft silvery wisp of light emanating from the girls palm, shimmering in a wave like a velvet curtain. Kane could only watch in fascination as the lacerations over Sebastian’s body began to disappear. She… She was healing him! In stark amazement, Kane could only give a cheer as his mystery doctor spoke in utter bewilderment. She didn’t seem to know what she’d done, but he didn’t care. “You’ve done it, you saved him!” Giving her a pat on the back and a grateful shake of her shoulders, Kane immediately regretted the latter action as her eyes went slack, and it looked like she’d lost her sense of equilibrium. Holding her upright, Kane asked what was probably a dumb question.

“Are you alright?” Keeping her in the sitting position, he heard her mumble something about being tired before she fell slack, Kane forced to catch her before she hit the floor. Whatever she did, it must have completely worn her out. Gently, Kane placed her onto the floor, looking around the room. Well, with both of them unconscious, he couldn’t exactly haul them to the infirmary. He needed help – but he wasn’t about to leave them alone in case that thing came back. Sighing, he took a seat watching over them. Hopefully everything with the others was alright…

Deon walked down the hallways, running his forehead and stumbling slightly. He reached the end of the hallway, and thing began to... change. He didn't know what was happening, or how it was happening. Heck, he didn't even know if it was real or not. He fell to his knees, clutching his chest as a ghosty form began to appear in front of him. It's blue hair and red eyes stood out from the rest of the figure that was constantly blurry, and Deon couldn't stay focused on it for too long. as he looked aroun, the walls of the hallways became dark and damp, mould spreading through it and eventually dripping down the walls. The mould turned to liquid, black steaming liquid, and it slowly built up on the floor. The roof and walls were covered, and the liquid was slowly drippind down onto him. He looked down, and began to laugh at a barely audible volume. The liquid began piling up, and his eye started twitching. He almost allowed himself the short reprieve of giving in, but suddenly a voice came from the real world, and the Madness; the dark, oily madness that had nearly drenched him in itself, had receeded. "We've found him, sir!" An unfamiliar voice caused the madness to move back only a small amount, but then came a voice Deon knew belonged to Scott. "... Keep your guns ready, men. Remember, stun, not neutralize". Deon snickered as the madness began to move towards him again, feeding off of the anxiety that had just built up slightly. Suddenly, Scott came into view, and the illusion shattered with the sound of breaking glass. "... Deon? Can you hear me?". Scotts tone seemed to be one of concern, but had a bitter edge to it that reminded Deon that if he didn't cooperate, he would be locked away. He couldn't let that happen.

With a sigh, Deon stood. His eyes opened and locked with Scotts, and he rubbed his temples in frustration. "It's all good. I'm just tired, that's all". He attempted a smile, but whatever he'd given must have been slightly inane looking, because some of the soldiers stepped back cautiously and kept their weapons aimed at him. Deon simply cracked his neck, and pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. "So, what did you want, Scott?". Deon's grin faded as Scott began to ask his a question, but Deon's attention was focused more on the patterns that had begun to trace themselves across his vision. He tried to listen to what Scott had said, but by the time he'd gotten his attention back, more patterns began drawing themselves, back and forth across his vision. He began to see letters and numbers, the most common of these being 'M', 'A' and 'D'. Deon began to sway, before he caught himself and shook his head clear. He refocused just as Scott was halfway through his sentence. "Sorry, what did you say?".

There was a buzzing sound at the edges of Deon's senses, moving slowly in it's mission to overwhelm all. Deon rubbed his head, but managed to remain mostly focused on Scott's words. He grinned slightly as he caught the full sentence, and he sighed. Scott seemed to sigh, and Deon thought of his words, his question. "... The Eclipse event. I need to know who it was that broke him out and what happened". Deon blinked a few times, and spoke. "Oh right, that. Basically, Ash broke him out and she used him to seal me in the Nightmare World, while she hunted down Claire. I found Eclipse in the Nightmare World, because he'd been stabbed through me. These Gauntlets.... are him". Deon rubbed his eyes, and yawned, while Scott seemed to have trouble believing that Ash was the culprit, all evidenced by his shocked expression and his choice of words. "Ash?". Deon nodded, and spoke again. "It wasn't the actual Ash though. It was too.. dark. As well as too powerful.... How is everyone, anyway?". Deon locked eyes with Scott, and continued. "Is anyone seriously hurt?". Deon's mind was fully clear of all of the Madness now, and he felt like he would be able to hand le anything Scott said.

Scott remained silent however, and that silence stopped Deon in his tracks. Was he keeping something from him? Was someone dead!? Deon's thoughts raced as he tried to figure out who it could've been, but suddenly his mind was fogged up. It became harder to think, as if something was telling him that he knew the answer, but he would have to get the real answer from Scott. Deon once again locked his eyes with Scott's own, and spoke in a voice that was practically dripping with venom. "Tell me". Deon's eyes stayed the same as Scott sighed and spoke again. "Sebastian almost died of blood loss, but has miracously recovered somehow... Gabriel has reported in that he's captured the one responsible for it. There is, however, the matter of Quake...". Deon's brow rose, and he grabbed Scott by the collar, roughly pulling him towards him. "What happened to Quake? What's this 'matter'? Tell me".

As Deon pulled him close, Scott didn't seem to react much, aside from sighing and blurting out a sentence. A single sentence with an ironic pause in the middle, just to make Deon's anxiety go that little bit higher. Deon's ears pricked up as Scott spoke, and his stomach nearly rolled over with dread as he stopped halfway through. "...Asmodeus came in with her body. She says Ash did a good number on her earlier, and well....".

Deon's eyes widened slightly, and the hairs on the back of his head pricked up.

"...There's a chance she won't make it."

Rin

Against the release of Gabriel's powers, Rin was nearly knocked out and she was definitely powerless. Luckily, she had her of (half) angel to protect her. Michael held her close as Gabriel's power was unleashed, and she pushed herself deep into his chest to avoid the searing pain that the Angel's power brought. After a while, when Gabriel's power had settled down, she looked around the area. Michael let her go, and she looked around in case any danger remained. "What a mess...". He mumbled. Rin, after following her intuition and finding no threats in the immediate area, she turned to Michael, her head down and her eyes focusing on the floor. "T-Thanks, Michael. For saving me, I mean. If you hadn't have pulled me.... yeah, thanks". She coughed awkwardly, and turned. The Hallways was pretty much fine, aside from the smell of singed flesh and burning. Rin turned to Michael, and grinned. "Sooo.... what now?". Rin's eyes locked with Michael's, and he spoke. "... I'm not sure. I don't know what's going on right now". Rin tapped her chin, and spoke; "Maybe we should check on Gabriel and the others, since the Control Room has camera's pretty much everywhere". Rin made a turn to the door, but Michael stopped her. ".... You'd die if he still has his powers unrestrained." Rin grinned, and spoke. "I have a feeling that he's restrained them, so I should be alright". With that, she strode forward and pulled open the door, and Michael said something about Kasha behind her, before following her inside.



Rin took a deep breath as she prepared herself for the worst, which wasn't actually that much to be honest. She took one last breath, and then opened the door to her Uncle's Quarters. She stepped inside, making sure to close the door behind her, and she caught the end of a sentence he had been mumbling to himself. She moved quickly, but her Kasha body stopped her from making any sound she didn't want to make. So she found herself standing behind a man whom she thought of as everything someone could find good in a person. Her Uncle, one of the current Leaders of the Renegades. She prepared herself, and then she spoke. "Excuse me, Uncle". The slightly timid voice from behind the older Kasha seemed to struggle through the air, much more than Rin would have wanted it to. "Erm, I was just wondering about something.... Well, two people, actually". The Kasha Leader slowly looked over at her and gave her a gentle smile. He then fully turned around to face her and put his cane into position. He placed one hand gently over the handle lightly. "... Ah, Rin. Speak away then, my child". The girl looked away for a moment, but suddenly looked up. "Tell me about Deon and Michael! I wanna be strong like them, and protect people from... From my Family!". The girl dropped her head again, and sighed. "I'm just so weak, and I can't even cut through wood with my claws".

In reality, Rin had spent months trying to cut through a tree trunk with her natural claws, but they lacked the cutting edge of the other Kasha, and she was frequently made fun of for it. She always got tense when she was asked to help with cutting things or with chopping up vegetables for dinner without using a knife. The only thing that had kept her going, trying to get stronger, were two people. Deon Morris and Michael Malachim were both top of their respective classes, and they even spoke to her on occasion without it being an insult or a taunt. She'd walked past them and they'd smile at her like they were friends, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep up with them on the battlefield. One time, when she'd been being bullied for being so weak by some of the strongest people on Campus, Deon had taken the hits for her until her Uncle had arrived to break up the fight. She remembered it clearly. How the bullies had pushed her against a wall, intent on doing... god knows what to her, but suddenly a voice came, toxicity basically rolling off of it's tongue. The guys had left Rin alone, and she was thankful until one of them grabbed her by the neck.

Of course, it didn't end there. The boy agreed to trade himself for her, and the sounds of bones cracking and blood splattering, along with the images that were burned into her brain, still tormented her to this day. After an hour of the torture, Michael and her Uncle had found them and stopped the fighting, and the Phoenix boy was taken to the Infirmary. Rin thought he had died, but she learned that he was immortal the next day when she found him laughing it off as if it hadn't happened. Rin's brows furrowed, and she blinked a few times before looking up in shock at the man who was laughing at her. "Oh Rin...". He sighed, raised his hand and continued. "... I never believed any of my family would find me here. But you are different from them... You have good intentions, while they have fallen into corruption. It is why I was banished in the first place... But still, Deon and Michael are special conditions. Everyone knows about Deon, and, well... Let's just say Michael has a gift. A powerful gift. But you.... You will need to be trained."

Rin looked at her Uncle again, and spoke. "Tell me more about Deon first! He's technically the strongest, and if it was just a physical contest, I'd want to be able to keep up with him. I'm already faster than Michael, maybe stronger too. I wanna know everything about them, just in case either of them screw up and turn evil". The words her Unclespoke next made her wonder just who, or maybe even what, Michael was. "Michael cannot be corrupted". He told her firmly, patting his hand gently as he rubbed it. ".... His heart is blessed. Unlike Deon's... But very well, I will tell you. But... To know your friends, you must know the risks you must take. You must earn the right to know... Are you prepared for the training I have in mind? Even if it almost kills you?". Rin took a few moments to consider his offer, her mind was racing. What could possibly be so dangerous that it could kill her? After a few tense minutes, the younger Kasha looked up. "I'll do it!".

Of course, she'd wanted to do it, not only because she'd be able to incapacitate them if she needed to but she also wanted to grow stronger so she could repay Deon for what he had done for her. She wanted to get close to them, and to be friends with them and be able to protect them from harm as well. She knew that her journey would start here, but she still wasn't prepared for what happened next. Her Uncle smiled and pressed a button. "Ladies, ...Come in here for a moment". He then released it and put his hand back on top of the other. "I think I should intoduce you to two people Michael and Deon haven't fought or will not be trained by... They don't need it. But then again, they will miss out." Rin turned as the two figures entered the room. One was obviously a Shinigami, from the enchanting beauty all the way down to the skulls adorning her weapons and her massive Scythe. The other was yet another woman, her brilliant red hair was hidden underneath a green cap with a golden star on it, and a grin on her face. "So, waddaya need, 'Unclee Kasha'?". The second girl laughed, and her eyes blazed as she suddenly turned serious. "If ya didnt know, you're staring at a Dragon Youkai, Missy".

The Kasha leader looked at them. "Ah, ladies... Introduce yourself to my niece, would you kindly?". The Dragon Youkai jumped at the chance, but before she could speak the Shinigami laughed and spoke. "Just call me Lady Death, everyone else does anyway. I'm a Shinigami, blah blah blah. You get the picture". The Shinigami grinned at the Dragon and gestured for her to speak, with a smirk on her face all the while. The Dragon Youkai grinned, and nodded. "'Bout time, anyways... I stopped using my real name ages ago, but you can call me the 'Red Dragon'. Everyone else does anyway". She laughed, and Rin nodded. "I-It's nice to meet both of you...". Rin's eyes opened in shock, and she spoke. "You mean I get to train with two of the Leaders of the Renegades!?". Rin turned to her Uncle, and spoke again. "I just wanted you to tell me about Deon and Michael, that's all...". A voice from behind her, belonging to Red, froze her in her spot. "What, are we not good enough for you?".

The Kasha Leader laughed lightly at this. "And I told you. You must earn the right to do this... That is why you will be trained specially. Just like Michael is being trained by me, and, well.... We all know what Deon's doing. Ladies, are you up for this challenge I present to you?". He asked Lady Death and Red Dragon. Red grinned and nodded, and Lady Death just seemed to remain the same aside from a small tilt of her head. Red grinned and spoke again. "Only problem is..". She locked eyes with Rin, her grin broadening. "Are YOU ready for this challenge?". Rin's eyes dropped once again for a moment before she caught sight of Deon and Michael walking past the room, laughing. She grinned, a determined glint in her eye, and spoke. "Ready as I'll ever be!".





".... There's nothing that can be done about it, Deon. She has to make her own choice now about whether she lives or dies. I'm sorry about the chains restraining you, but... Well, nearly killing someone doesn't look good in our situation". Scott told him, as three Renegade soldiers grabbed a hold of three poles sticking out of the collar on Deon's neck. Deon struggled, and was promptly zapped with a buzz-baton by one of his restrainers. He growled and bared his teeth. "When I get outta this goddamn thing, you're all FUCKING DEAD!". He struggled more, growling and huffing but eventually the constant hits from the baton stopped him. He sigh and let his head fall forward, and he growled. "I'm sticking to that. I'll throw all of you into a Ravine somewhere in Germany". Scott narrowed his eyes at him. "Keep that up and I'm locking you down in a water cell tonight". He told him, as Scott and the Renegade squad followed along, a few Renegade soldiers forcing Deon to walk alongside Scott. "... Funny, you don't seem to be worried at all for Eclipse." Deon simply grinned and spoke. "Scott, you do know that I could bury you right now, in all honesty, right? I mean come on, sure... I'm not at my best right now, but I could snap your spine with ease. Trust me, I've done it before". Deon began to snicker lightly, his eyes widening in manic excitement, before he clenched them shut and calmed himself down. "And if you keep up YOUR attitude, I'll lock you in the cemetary tonight".

Scott stopped at this, making the other stop as well in worry. "... Hold him". He said, as the three soldiers pulled the poles enough to keep Deon restrained enough as Scott walked in front of him. He opened his right palm to reveal a demonic marking formed from blood on his hand. He narrowed his eyes as he slammed it into Deon's forehead, making red lines appear on him. Deon's eyes widened as his body was wracked with the pain of being drowned in a pool of Holy Water. He gnashed his teeth together and growled, after the ten seconds were up, and he growled again. His breathing came heavily, and his eyes were blazing. "I swear, Scott.....". Scott pulled his hand back and pulled out a glove, putting it over his hand. "You can thank Asmodeus for giving me a drop of blood for that. Besides... I have a meeting to go to tonight, Eclipse is being restrained and will be under lockdown until further notice. After tonight's incident, I take no chances...". He stated, walking further as the Renegade soldiers dragged Deon along. ".... You know what they'll want, Deon. The Exorcists will either want Ash to be publically executed by them, or... For us to strip you of your rank and place you under arrest until further notice. And you know Angel will be there in the morning... Waiting for either you or Ash to walk into that room. If I have to choose between killing Ash or risk you being trialed... You know what I will go for".

Deon grinned at Scott, and spoke. "Only one problem with that plan, Scott". He grinned wider, and locked eyes with the man. "What if I kill everyone here beforehand?". With that, he laughed his madman laugh and didn't stop, not even when Scott began to send the pain through his body again. In fact, he laughed harder at that point, and his eyes were wild. The static and the Symbols had returned again, and he knew what they meant. Deon laughed as Scott spun around, not bothering with his glove but instead striking a golden knife into his chest, and Deon felt the sweet, burning sensation of holy water slide into his cut from the tip of the blade.

"... I didn't want to have it come to this". He said, as he clapped his hands.

BULLSHIT, YOU INSIGNIFICANT HUMAN FUCKER. I'LL CUT YOU UP AND ROAST YOUR SKIN AND EAT IT!

"Restraint!". Deon lay on the ground, cackling with savage glee as his eyes widened and his pupils dialated. His tongue shot out of his mouth and began to flick around in the air, and he laughed even harder as his old restraints were replaced by newer golden ones. Holy chains, something that even he wouldn't mess with.

THEY WANT YOU DEAD, DEON. YOU KNOW THAT AS WELL AS I DO! COME ON, JUST BREAK OUT AND EAT THEM ALIVE, ROAST THEM! BARBEQUE THEM! BURN THEM UNTIL NOTHING IS LEFT BUT... ASH! GYAHAHAHA!

Deon didn't struggle as his arms and legs were bound by the viscious chains that cut and slashed at his skin as they twirled around him, intent on sealing him inside of them and ending him, crushing him into oblivion and making it seem like nothing had happened. Eventually, he was enclosed in nothing but gold, and this was when it occurred to him that he wasn't going to get away with what happened before. Or did it?

Maybe so, Phoenix, but first you should TEAR THEM APART AND EAT THEM! LOOK AT YOURSELF, YOU'RE ALREADY DROOLING AT THE THOUGHT OF THEIR TENDER FLESH AT YOUR LIPS, THEIR BLOOD FLOWING DOWN YOUR THROAT! YOU WANT IT, YOU WANT IT SO MUCH! YOU LOVE THE SCREAMS AND THE TEARING SOUNDS! THE SOUNDS OF ENTIRE ARMIES BEING OBLITERATED, AND THEN THE SOUND OF YOU CRUSHIGN THEIR HOPES WITH YOUR JAWS, YOUR BLOODSTAINED FANGS CUTTING THROUGH FLESH AND BLOOD LIKE NOTHING! YOU WANT IT! YOU WANT IT! YOU WANT IT!

Suddenly, the pain shot through him. A thousand times the pain he had suffered from the hits Scott had given him, all combined into every single cell in his body. He began chanting it, the horrible repetition that circled in his head. He wanted it so badly, it'd been ages since he'd had it. He wanted it. He wanted it. HE WANTED IT!

"I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WAANT IIIIIIITTT GYAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I WANT THEIR BLOOD RIGHT NOW, I WANT THEIR SCREAMS AND THEIR MOANS AND THEIR FLESH RIGHT NOW! GIVE IT TO ME! GIVE ME WHAT I WANT, OR I'LL TAKE IT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YES! WE WANT IT! WE WANT IT! WE WANT IT! WE WANT IT! WE WANT IT! GIVE US YOUR FLESH AND BLOOD, YOUR SCREAMS OF AGONY AND YOUR MOANS OF DESPAIR! WE WANT IT GIVEN TO US NOW, OR WILL WE HAVE TO TAKE IT!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Deon finally knew what those symbols meant, although he'd had a nagging feeling about what they had meant. Even now, all he could hear was the static, and all he could see were those symbols and the nonsense scribblings of the Madness. He felt damp, wet and cold, and he knew that the Madness had gotten a grip on him. No matter what happened now, it would only get worse as time went on. He grinned wider, and realised what he was seeing. The letters seemed to arrange themselves before him, and he finally saw them for what they really were. A message to him, and only him. Sent by the one who had instigated this madness inside of him. He grinned as the first word appeared, being 'Puppeteer'. The other? 'Madness'.





From inside the chains, Deon could hear Michael and Scott outside of it, conversing about him. It didn't irk him that much, considering the fact that he was focusing more on keeping a lid on his craziness and trying not to let himself shout out anything else that could get him into more trouble. After all, he was going to be prosecuted by the five most powerful Exorcists soon enough, and hopefully he'd make his escape then. On the outside of the chains, Scott looked over at Rin. "Anything to say on the matter?". He asked her. Rin simply sighed, and shook her head. "I don't know what we can do... How did he even end up like that, anyway?". Scott shrugged his shoulders. "I believe it has something to do with the Eclipse and Ash teaming up thing..." Rin sighed, and spoke again. "Is that ALL you can think of? I mean REALLY!? Did you say anything to him? Do you provoke him at all? You should know the signs of his madness, we've gone over it hundreds of times, yet he's still gone crazy on us!". Rin went to speak more, but a voice from inside the chains cut her off. "You know, Rin. Madness is infectious, and you seem like you're getting a bit... 'crazy'... with the way you're yelling".

Suddenly, new voices reached Deon's ears, and a grin slowly spread across his face. "That will be all...". All Deon knew was that he was being dragged closer to the screen, or wherever the voices were coming from. "... He was going mad when I found him. That's it". He whispered before looking at the screen.

"Have you made your decision yet, Renegades? You know what we request... We have already gotten the report on the situation that broke out tonight". Scott narorwed his eyes at this. "I know, from me...". He stated with a hint of regret.

"Of course you did. Now then... We have talked over some things, and have decided on two things. Ash's execution, or Deon's trial. The choice is yours alone".

LOOK DEON! EVEN SOMEONE YOU CALL A 'FRIEND' HAS BETRAYED YOU! LOOK AT HIM, BANISH ALL GOOD THOUGHTS OF HIM FROM YOUR MIND, AND THEN LET YOUR ANGER SEEP IN! YOUR RAGE, YOUR HATE! LET IT ALL COME IN AS USUAL! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! TEAR HIS SKIN OFF, AND THEN BEAT HIM WITH HIS OWN FLESH! FORCE IT DOWN HIS THROAT AND LET HIM KNOW THE PAIN YOU'VE HAD TO ENDURE THESE 1,300 YEARS! BEAT HIM WITH HIS BONES AND STRANGLE HIM WITH HIS OWN INNARDS, AND ENJOY YOURSELF WHILE HE SCREAMS IN AGONY!

Suddenly, the voice from the chains returned, this time laden with sarcasm. Those who knew Deon's face would guess that his smirk was wide and devilish, and those that knew him well knew that things could easily get back fast. "You guys are suuuch gooood Exorcists! Surely you won't need to put little old me on Trial? Or are you all just too scared of me?".

Deon heard the sound of footsteps, and realised that two people had left the area for a bit. He grinned as the last voice, which he recognised as Michael's, shouted out at him. "That's enough Deon! Control yourself, for everyone's sake!". Just before the two other wer out of ears reach, Deon heard Scott say something, and he grinned to himself. Scott sighed. ".... Rin, come with me for a moment". He said, quickly taking her arm and pulling her away from where they could be heard. "... I told him about Quake". Rin nodded, and spoke. "Oh, this is to be expected then. The combination of lack of sleep, stress and the revelation about her must've set him off. He'll probably be better tomorrow, but now we have a... 'situation' on our hands. Get Michael to come over here now, too". Through all of this, Deon remained eerily silent.

Scott looked at the screen. ".... I'm afraid I can't do that. They won't allow him to leave until he makes a decision". Rin sighed, and nodded, heading back into the room. "I know what we can do".

"So Michael... What will it be? The death of a Devil's Child? Or... The Trial of a Renegade Leader?".

Michael, too, went silent.

And then, everything changed.

Rin was about to speak, when a tremendous howl swept through the room, cutting her off and knocking everyone down. The chains rattled, and the voice from inside spoke out again. "Lemme out now, Michael! Let. me. OUT!". Deon struggled inside his chained prison, and Rin watched as a person entered the doorway. "Well, it seems like I've arrived at the perfect time, haven't I, Mistress? Oh, I'm assured I have, milady". The figure paused for a moment, before grinning. "Indeed, I shall grab him immediately. I have also freed Eclipse again, just as you said I should. In fact, I have him with me right now". The man grinned, and strode up to the golden chains, a smirk on his face. "Milady, could you perhaps open a portal right now for me? Many thanks". With that, a massive, swirling hole appeared, and a figure stepped out. Her Rabbit Ears marked her clearly as a Lunar Rabbit, and she held her hair out of her face in the force of the wind. "Hurry up and get him through, before your powers run out!".

Rin tried to stand, but her feet were constantly kept under her by the force of the wind. She looked up just in time to hear a random soldier call out for Gabriel's help, and the Angel complied. "Very well....". He said, appearing in front of the man as he narrowed his eyes at him as his wings spread out to their full wing span. "... The sword will not leave this building". The man sighed, and spoke again. "Oh, it's an Angel. I never dreamed I'd see one such as yourself in my lifetime. Please, call me Ronove. This lovely lady here is Luna, although I'm sure you all know her better as 'Lunatic Red Eyes' or something of the sort. Please, get out of the way, kind sir".

"Number 26 and Number 12 on the Wanted List... You are in my way". Gabriel said, aiming a hand at Ronove. ".... The sword. Now". He said, being once again very serious. "What? What are you doing, Gabriel?!?" Michael called out. "The New Angels have always been in an alliance with us. Ever since Rapheal made the deal official. Why, today he visited Angel and got acquianted with him. They seemed to get along well.... Don't you agree, Angel?" The voices on the screen spoke again, somehow managing to stay above the ragining torrent. Suddenly, Angel's face appeared, smiling broadly. "Oh hello there, Phoenix! It looks like you're right where you're supposed to be. Tied up and about to be obliterated. I'll save you the speech since we'll be seeing eachother soon enough. After all, Gabriel is VERY capable!".

Deon groaned, and jabbed back. "Yeah, I bet he's very capable of shoving even more things up your ass than you've already got up there, right? Whoa!". Deon felt himself lifted off of the ground, and he began hovering in the air. From Rin's view, Luna grinned and her eyes flashed red for a moment. And suddenly, the torrent stopped. Ronove spoke, dropping Deon and speaking again. "I guess I'll allow you the priveledge of fighting me, Master Gabriel. Now, shall we dance?". Ronove grinned as Gabriel spoke again. "Fight? No... I aim to destroy yo --".

Suddenly, the chains around Deon vanished. He blinked a few times, clearing his head and looking around, He caught Scott's eyes, his entire expression telling Deon to run. To run away from Gabriel, the Exorcists and to leave it all behind. Deon didn't know what he was meant to do. Did he escape with Luna and Ronove? Did he stay and help the others? Or did he just bolt from the room and vanish from everyone, slowly letting the madness take him over? Before Deon could act though, Gabriel's hand was pointed at him. Deon grinned and spoke. "Oh, did you forget? I'm not exactly killable. Not even your 'God' can end me, dumbass". Deon grinned even wider, and held his hand up in the air, as if in defeat. "Alright, take me to your Leaders". Deon's grinned spread across his entire face, and he winked at the others. He knew exactly what he needed to do here.

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. ".... No prisoners". He said, before finding something being sprayed out from Eclipse's form. "What in the --". He stopped as he felt himself itchy suddenly, while Ronove would find his hands beginning to feel like they were burning. "N-no! What is this?!?! A trap?!? Why did it go off now?!? Curse the mechanics!".
"Mechanics?". Eclipse spoke out in a teasing tone. "No. What you two just got was some pretty power stuff. I have an opinion of my own you know, Ronove. I'd recommend leaving me, unless you want to lose those pretty little hands of yours~". A chuckle ran out at this, Eclipse had been enjoying the drama, and now, he got to kick in it! "Curse this sword!". Gabriel called out again, unaware that his target was now free to go.

"Gabriel, come to your senses and kill the phoenix already!". Deon sighed, and rubbed his forehead. "Oh man, doesn't ANYONE listen to me? You CAN'T kill me! Sheesh, dumbasses". Deon grinned, noticing his chance. He dashed forward, and while Gabriel was distracted, he flicked his right leg forward, a savage grin on his face as it connected with the Angel's face head on, and sent him through the wall and to the other side of the base. Deon put his foot down and grinned. "I've always wanted to hit an Angel, and I've also wanted to hit Angel. It's a win-win situation, I guess". Deon looked at the screen, an even savager grin on his face. "Yes Angel, that means I'm coming for you next!". Angel recoiled from the screen, obsceneties blaring out of his mouth as he ran out of the room, shouting for soldiers to get to the Renegades Base. Deon simply grinned at the other figures on the screen, gave them the bird and then turned away. He crouched and picked up Eclipse, and went over to the portal. "Let's see what's down the rabbit hole, eh?". With that, he vanished inside it, followed quickly by Luna and Ronove.

Gabriel, at the last moment, burst through another part of the wall and aimed both hands at the portal as the three ran for it. "HEAVEN'S DESTRUCTION FIVE; THOUSAND SPEARS OF CHRIST!" At his command, one thousand lights formed in front of him as he sent them all at the portal. The three had only five seconds, and the lights were closing in fast. Three, two, one... All the lights collided at the same time, creating a semi-explosion that was only as big as the portal. Gabriel landed and his wings vanished, as he narrowed his eyes. ".... Well I'll be.... They are fast". He remarked.

The smoke had cleared, the portal was gone. And so were they.

"I see....". The exorcist called out to the remaining observers, knowing full well they were Rin, Scott and Michael. ".... Tomorrow we need to talk. Morning. Make sure you bring a representative for the one named Ashley Clade. As of right now I am declaring Renegade Law by temporarily stirpping Deon of his Renegade Leader Rank. Also... WDL soldiers will be watching over the Base tonight for any activity. They find something strange and they will respond without delay. Oh, and Angel... IF you can hear me, clear your schedule for tomorrow morning.

Because you will be there in person to keep an eye on things during the meeting tomorrow. That is all, Everyone is dismissed to rest!"

The screen went blank, and all was silent as Gabriel walked away from the scene.





Deon stood, looking around the lush Gardens that he stood in. Beside him stood Luna, and on his other side was Ronove. Deon turned, and spoke. "Thanks for saving me back there. I... don't know who you are or why you did save me, but thanks anyway". Deon looked around, wondering where he was. Suddenly, a hand appeared in his shoulder, belonging to Luna. "Don't worry, you're safe here. Nobody can find this place unless the Mistress wishes for them to. And the Madness will be kept away from you here too". Deon briely wondered how she knew about his madness, but he figured it would have been pretty easy to see. Deon sighed, and went to speak, only to be cut off by Ronove. "Please, do not wait for us. You will find your room in the Mansion, and if you ever need help, just call for me or Luna". With that, Ronove bowed and vanished. The Lunar Rabbit didn't leave though. She seemed as if she wanted to stay with him for a while, so Deon asked if she wanted to walk with him. "Sure, I might as well. I mean, your room is across from mine anyway, I think. I can show you there as well if you want". Deon simply nodded, a grin on his face.

After a few minutes of walking, the pair had made it to a mansion. It was beautiful. It seemed to be a fairly large building, almost as if it was meant to be a home for any and all demons who were banished to Purgatory or something. What a funny thought that was, Deon mused to himself. The doors opened as soon as they approached them, held open by two red men who seemed to be content with their life and job. Deon bowed slightly and proceeded inside, but something stopped him. "Who's that portrait of, Luna?". The rabbit turned and smile, before looking at the picture. "She's the one who asked us to get you. She cares about you, you know. She's the Mistress of this Mansion, in short".

Deon's eyes widened as he took in the picture, and it all came flashing into his head. His mouth hung open slightly, and a single drop of sweat dripped down his face, and fell to the floor. The portrait was beautiful, and even more so was the girl depicted in it. Deon swallowed, his mouth suddenly becoming dry. He took in the features of the girl, the slightly above average bust, the blue hair and the red eyes, all along with her pale skin. Deon knew what he was looking at, who he was looking at, and he finally found a name. Well, two names. One from memory, and the other from the plaque underneath the portrait.

~ Aftermath: A hard decision to make! ~

Silence. That was the only way to describe the feeling in the room, after Deon had gone off with two of the most wanted demons. Gabriel stood there, wings slowly entering his back, his expression still showed anger at the loss of the capture of Deon or Eclipse. Michael and Scott turned to the screen, where the remaining four figures seem to not be paying attention at the moment to them. This quickly changed after a few minutes. "... So, with that, I think we will leave you to rest and think about tomorrow. If I were you, I'd have the others stay -far- away from the meeting as much as possible." The oldest exorcist spoke, he was sort of speaking like the representative for the other three. He was strong, if he had been the one arriving instead of Angel, things would be different. Angel was younger, more reckless and more willing to kill off without listening to reason. This exorcist however had once respected the former three leaders of the Renegades, enough that at times, the three of them could convince him to see past a few things. It made Scott angry on the inside, but the decision had already been made, and the Renegades seemed more in trouble then ever now with Deon finally gone.

The screen finally died and Gabriel closed his eyes. He turned around as he opened his eyes, looking at Scott and Michael with sorrow in his eyes. "If it helps you both, I could go looking for any that are still mis --" He stopped as he sensed a holy presence in the building. "No..." He mumbled, Michael stopping as it came over him as well. Scott furrowed his brows. "Soldiers, investigate!" He called out, as the three human soldiers saluted to him before rushing off. "Over there! Go that way!" Michael called out to them as he saw them rush off into the direction he pointed out. He took in short breaths as Gabriel furrowed his brows. "It's gone..." He said. "What is?" Scott asked, looking between Michael and Gabriel. "Forget about it... It's nothing." Michael said to him, making Scott raise a brow. "If you say so... Alright Gabriel. I need you to round up anyone who's still out there. If you find any of the children, lead them back here, alright?" He asked him. "Will do." Gabriel responded, quickly rushing off at this, leaving only Michael and Scott to wonder...

Michael closed his eyes and sighed out as he shook his head. "Five..." He said, Scott looking over at him. "We only have five of them now... Eight children, damnation! An extra child... Two of them are probably dead, Deon's gone now... Our chances of keeping them safe are falling!" He cried out, putting his face in his hands as Scott looked over at him. "Rin wouldn't want to hear this from you..." He told him. "Rin's off going to check on Quake! Of course she would not want to hear this from me, we've all lost Deon!" Michael cried out to him. Scott furrowed his brows at him. "Would Deon want to hear this from you either? He did it because he had no other choice... To die or to escape, what other choice was he given?! The five most powerful exorcist in the world were watching over us, ordering one of the most powerful entities to fight!" Scott stopped and sighed out, putting a hand on his forehead. "... We need to search for the others." He said to Michael. "... I'll go search near where the Jello Demon was last spotted. I'll see you later..." Michael said to him before beginning to walk off. Scott sighed out as he looked to the screen at this. "... Why couldn't we get more help when we need it most?" He said before heading off.

~ The Jello Demon's only chance! An uneasy alliance! ~

The Jello Demon struggled to move as the hole wasn't exactly healing. The attack Gabriel had sent through him had effected him drastically, time seemed to have paused for him as his mind closed itself off to rest. Once he had awoken, he had no idea what time it was anymore. He groaned out lowly, seeing no one in the room... Except one voice came out. "Well, what a coincidence..." The metallic voice rung out to the Jello Demon, it's eyes widening as it slowly looked over at the chained up body of Tergun, who grinned at the defeated sight of the one who freed him. "Y-you... Aren't you --" The Jello Demon tried to ask. "Yes, I am Tergun. I am the Kappa who you freed from his prison, I am the Kappa who did as you asked and distracted the Renegades with my appearance. I am the Kappa... Who can save you." The Jello Demon looked at him with caution. "In exchange for...?" He started. "In exchange for my freedom, you will be healed and can go back to your so called master. I know you are clearly a Shikigami, who couldn't do well as a regular water demon due to being made of jello. You are infamous after all, a rare sight to see these days. The WDL will pay a hefty reward for someone like you... Of course, I can't get that reward. But if the Renegades turn you in, you will die... So, deal?" He asked with an uneasy smile. "... Very well." He said, extending his arm out as he formed claws and sliced off the chains with ease, before retracting his arm and his claws turned back into fingers.

Tergun chuckled as he stood up, watching the rest of the chains fall off with ease. "Impressive... I had heard your abilities were well developed, but to go this far... I'll need a sample of you first." Tergun said as he walked over and got on his knees, taking a tiny piece of jello off of the Jello Demon before putting it away in a tube. "Excellent. Now... Let's begin, shall we?" The Jello Demon narrowed his eyes at him. "Just heal me already... I hear you aren't good at keeping to your word." Tergun chuckled again at this. "You heard right. But... I do keep to a promise. So, no more talking, this... Will take a bit." Tergun said before beginning to work on healing the Jello Demon.

~ Kane's burden, an idol appearing before him! ~

A Renegade squad of ten was searching out, being led by one of the Renegade's more higher ranking. They were searching for anyone who was still missing, including the children. As they neared Kane's position, he could hear the faint footsteps grow louder. Remaining silent, he drew his blade out and was prepared to ambush the enemy if they got close. He was about to spring out into action when Mireya's sudden scream caused him to give a loud and fearful scream as well, jumping and turning back to her in panic. "Sir, did you hear that?" One of the soldiers in the squad asked the one leading the squad. "Yes I did... Could you investigate that?" "Of course sir." The soldier responded, the squad then moving out into the same area where Kane's room was and began looking around the area. "If anyone needs assistance, speak up now! We are of the Renegades, we are part of Rin's division!" Upon hearing it was the Renegades, Kane sighed in relief and sheathed his sword. "Yeah, over here! We've got a couple of, uh... Injured, I think?!" Kane said to them, not entirely sure whether the purple haired girl was injured or not. At his call, the squad entered in, three of them guarding the outside of the room while the other seven went in and began to look over the two. "The boy appears to be suffering from major blood loss... But... I can not find a single wound on him! Incredible... Whoever did this is certainly gifted in medical knowledge!" One of them said about Sebastian's case. "The woman appears to be merely suffering from over-exhaustion... Handle her with care, guys! We don't want to send her into some sort of panic attack!"

"Well done." A familiar voice spoke out to him, the figure walking into the room and stopping before Kane. “I am glad to see someone was brave enough to watch over these two while nasty events occured... Thank you for you support. May I ask your name?” The person standing over him turned out to be... Michael. "I.. I-I... I uh... Uh... Mah-" Kane stammered incomprehensibly as he stared at his idol. Michael merely blinked a bit by his behavior. “Tongue twisted, are you? I understand... From the amount of dried blood I see here, you must of seen some scary things. Everything’s fine now though.” His eyes wondered around the room at this. “... Were there any others with you then, sir?” He asked him. "N-No sir! Well uh, actually, wait, there was Keilani Ash and Claire!" Kane's mind was remembering more of what happened, he had been so distracted by Sebastian that he had completely forgotten the situation from before. Michael rose a brow as he head some names. "Ash Claire? Keilani Dreahen? Hmm... Do you have any way of contacting them?" He asked.

"N-no sir! Ash attacked us and well... I don't know where they are now." Michael sighed out from the news. “Damnation to that Eclipse... I suppose you have recovered enough to speak. What is your name then?” He asked Kane. "Kane sir! Kane O'Reilly!" Kane said, saluting stiffly as he did his best to show formality. Michael nodded at this. “I’ll remember it. Kane, I need you to do me a favor from here. Do you mind watching over things here while I look for your friend?” Michael asked Kane. "Of course sir! Anything you ask!" Kane remained rigid as Michael smiled at this. "Thank you." Michael said to him, before then turning around. “I’m counting on you to do this...” He told Kane before walking out of the room. "Of course sir!" Kane remained frozen, even as Michael left out of sight. The Renegade soldiers saluted Michael as he passed by them, before returning to their normal duties, but they watched Kane carefully from here... "Take the two back to the infirmary once they are well enough. If anyone finds Keilani, I want them in the same room. On different beds, of course, but I want them close. I don't want them turning up missing..." Michael said to the three soldiers outside the room, each of them saluting to Michael as he walked off...

~ The unusual team! ~

The Jello Demon rose up from his spot as he looked down his chest, which was now good as new. "My word... That stuff really does work." He commented, to mostly himself. Tergun smirked as he watched the Jello Demon begin to move again. "Yes, it is quite extraordinary what we can do sometimes... But we must leave now, if we want any chance of getting back to your master." The Jello Demon looked at him cautiously, but then heard multiple foot steps approaching. "This way! Go, go, go!" Many voices shouted out towards them, with both demons looking in the direction they were coming from. "Shoot... They came too early!" Tergun exclaimed. "You, lead the --" He stopped as he turned to look at where the Jello Demon was, only to find nothing there now. "No, he... He betrayed me?!?!" Tergun stated to himself, gritting his teeth as he quickly began to run away from the scene. "How dare that creature... Even though I would of experimented on him, I -- ugh... His master. That damn master of his! He knew something was up, didn't he?!?! Is he trying to mess with me, is he trying to make Tergun the Metal Kappa look like a fool?!?"

After running for some time, Tergun stopped and leaned against a wall, gasping for breath at this point. "Damn my luck... They haven't given up yet -- I'll give them that... But -- wait..." Tergun stopped himself as he looked over his shoulder to see a figure walking away with something. "... Who is that? I don't know either of them... But wait. Maybe -- yes... That foolish demon left me behind, but I can still get this girl and the other one! Yes... I can smell it from one of them. An unusual blood... It smells rare." Tergun's cunning mind quickly sprang into action. His mind began working out many ways he could surprise this person -- but then, a sudden jolt of pain sprang him back into reality! He grabbed his arm as he watched it shake slightly, gritting his teeth as he did. "Curse that Turner... I will get him back for that. But first... My new subject!" With that, Tergun began making his way towards the girl's position. The girl had pink hair and looked similar to the other black haired girl she was carrying. Tergun had to play it cool for now, otherwise the surprise would be ruined. Meanwhile... A liquid form of a creature watched him from a distance, narrowing it's eyes at him as it quickly slithered away. It's plan had worked, the distraction was going to make a scene, and that was all it needed to get back to it's master. Tergun's role had indeed gone back to what it originally was meant to all along.

~ A nasty surprise for Claire! ~

With caution, Claire was filing through the halls, Ash was slung over her shoulder and she was heading towards the infirmary. In the distance, footsteps of a single person could be heard, but her focus remained on Ash's health above all else. She turned to head down another corridor as a voice came out at this. "I'm surprised you aren't armed..." A voice spoke out from behind. "It could of protected you better..." It told her. "I wasn't exactly prepared for this." She admitted. She didn't turn though and continued to carry Ash. “Perhaps you need some... Assistance, then?” It asked her. The foot steps were getting closer at this, and since she didn't turn around, she couldn't tell who it was. "She'll be fine. Just needs some rest." She commented towards the mysterious person. “What about you? Perhaps I...” At this, she felt a hand rest on her shoulder, the mysterious person stood behind her now. “... Need to give you some help after all?” It asked her again. "I can take care of myself... I'm not really that hurt at all." She responded, keeping her focus on Ash and not this person. “Too bad.... It’s your life.” Tergun said to her, a smirk on his face as he tightened his grip on her shoulder. “Now... You will put her down, or... I crush your shoulder. Do we have a deal?” He asked her. "You will release my shoulder, or I will make sure you regret it." Claire told him, at this point she had stopped walking. “Ohhhh ho-ho-ho-ho-ho! Scary lady, are you? You don’t scare me... Why, I laugh at you! I was going to have some fun, but... I could just kill you instead. Real easy too...” Tergun said with such confidence, even in his weakened state.

With sudden ferocity, Noir leaped from the shadows and bit into the wrist of Tergun with deep fangs. “YOOWWWWCCHHH!!!” Tergun shouted out in pain, backing up a bit as he aimed to hit Noir, but Noir let go quickly and got away from Tergun's hit. “WHY YOU PEST! That’s it... Your dead. YOUR BOTH DEAD FOR THIS!” Ducking downward, Claire's leg kicked backward as she did a variation of the vertical splits, kicking Tergun clean in the face as it sent him flying back. Spit left the Kappa's mouth as he landed roughly on his back, twitching a bit. Noir hissed once, urinating on the Kappa as Claire ran with Ash down the hall, Noir following her. “How dare you, you fucking little -- AGH!” Tergun was suddenly pinned to the ground by Renegade soldiers as they quickly restrained him. “Take him back to a cell! Make sure the cell is refined this time!” Scott shouted out, watching as Renegade soldiers raised Tergun from the floor. “YOU ARE ALL DEAD! YOU HEAR ME, SCOTTY BOY?!?! DEAD!” Tergun shouted out before he was dragged away from sight. Claire stopped as she reached the next turn, not far from the infirmary now. "Good Boy Noir. You did great there." She smiled at the cat, hearing it meow pleasantly before it scampered off down to another part of the hall. Scott walked over to Claire at this. “Are you alright then...? I trust he didn’t do too much in his current state?” He asked her.

"I was prepared to deal with him if it was necessary, but I appreciate your assistance." Claire told him, sighing as she adjusted her grip on Ash before continuing to walk. Scott walked with her as he looked over Ash and rose a brow at her condition. “What happened to her...?” He asked Claire with some caution. "Deon plowed her into a wall when she was regaining control. She's just got a bit of a concussion is all. I'm taking her to the infirmary." She told him, hefting Claire up a little as she quickened her pace. “I’m Scott, if you don’t remember... I don’t think I caught your name before though. Mind telling me it?” He asked her, looking ahead to see the infirmary close now. "Claire. Claire Clade." She told him, turning to the infirmary as she quickly found a bed for Ash to lie in, taking note of Quake and the other injured. “Ahh.... Well, I know this is kind of sudden, but... Do you mind doing me two favors?” He asked her. "Depends on what they are." She told him in response. “Well, first... I need you to represent Ash tomorrow for a meeting... And second, I need you to start training Kane and Sebastian.” "Represent?" Claire asked. She then closed her eyes. "Wait... I see. Yes, that will be fine." She nodded before opening her eyes. Scott blinked at this. "Do you even know what's happened...?" "I have some idea... Though you can confirm the details with me. I... Have some time." She then took a seat by Ash's bed and crossed her legs.

Scott sighed and sat down at this. “Very well.... Earlier, there was an explosion. It was caused by Gabriel. I imagine you remember the WDL... Well, there are four other Exorcist organizations similar to it. Each of them has a leader - they are known as the five most powerful exorcists in the world. Deon was in trouble earlier, it was either he got on trial or Ash be sent in for execution... We all had to make a tough decision, but we had to choose Deon’s trial over her execution. Two demons then showed up, one of them holding Eclipse. The exorcists somehow got control over Gabriel and had him go to fight the demons... This didn’t go so well, and the three escaped... Now Angel is coming here by morning... And there’s going to be a meeting. If things don’t go well for us... They will take Ash away. Plus.... They want the Extra Child, and they think it’s Ash...” "So I'm to represent her in the trial and attempt to prove what exactly?" She asked. "That she was manipulated." "As long as the trial is fair, that shouldn't be a problem." She admitted. Scott looked at her with a risen brow. "One of them is the WDL's new leader... I think that says a lot about what they're going to try to do tomorrow. Plus, they wanted Deon dead for some reason... Must be because Arthur failed to make him under they're own control." He told her. "So you're indicating to me that they'll do whatever it takes to win the case?" She asked. Scott sighed. "That... And get power over us."

"If worst comes to worst, I will be getting Ash out of here. You understand that, right?" She asked. Scott nodded. "Of course... But if you do, take Kane and Sebastian with you. Also... The Extra Child I mentioned. You know of the Seven Children already, I assume?" "I do." Claire responded, but made no guarentee on Kane and Sebastian. "We believe, after many translations of ancient demon writings and many clues we've gotten before... The Seven Children are keys, in a sense. They are the only thing that can stop Hell and it's forces for good. They carry the Devil's Blood, they are, in a way, immune... But this Extra Child is different. Legend holds that, if an Extra Child was born... This child would go on to be a key for the apocalypse. The Child's powers could grow to such an extent, that he or she could become... The next ruler of Hell." Claire laughed an honest laugh at this. "And they honestly think that's Ash?" She asked. "I know it isn't her." Scott told her. "If that's the case, why don't you submit that as evidence in her trial?" She asked. "Because they themselves do not have facts... They're only guessing it's her because of this recent incident. That's why I need you to stand in her place... To defend her, to prove she is innocent, that she is one of the original seven..."

"I get it. You need me to defend her to cover your own secrets. It's a calculated risk, I assume." "... I'm sorry to put you in this position. But you already know the corruption the WDL has..." He admitted. "I'll do what I can. That's all I can promise." ".... I also need to tell you.... I've found out who the Extra Child is." "Don't think I haven't done some investigation of my own." Claire smirked at this, sitting up. "I have my own ways of finding things out." Scott blinked again. "So you know too then?" He asked. "Naturally." Scott smiled a little at her response. "... Looks like I made the right choice in having you train the two after all. Anything you would like to tell me then before I go?" "You need to work on your security." Claire told him, giving him a quick glance over the shoulder. Scott chuckled a bit from this. "Right... Is that all then?" "I'll detail anything else you need to know in a dossier for your desk. For now, I hope we can have a quiet night until morning..." Scott nodded at this. "... Anyone with demon blood is also not allowed to go outside... WDL guards and all. They'll be guarding the outside of the base until Angel arrives in the morning... I just hope we make it tomorrow..." "Have a little faith in your people. We can manage this." Claire stated, standing up at this. Scott took out a plastic bag and put it down near where she had just sat. "Take that with you... It'll allow you into a few places normally no one would go. It has a feather in it... An angel's feather. You can go visit the injured and ill with this as well... I best be going as well. Also... Faith is what we need most." He said before leaving the room. Claire nodded and thanked him before taking the parcel.

~ The end of a day... ~

Sebastian was in a dream of sorts. A dream of a memory. His mind was sent back to that day... The day the attack happened on the poor city. His mother had grown up in that town, her name... Something Adam. Why couldn't he remember? And her last name was not that of his father's... Something Thomas, probably. He would probably forget once he awoke... He had no idea when that would be, he felt his body was being moved... Perhaps some place to rest? Who knows... He felt himself being laid down somewhere, his dream was repeating itself... That memory came to him over and over again, and he felt hot. He probably had a fever of some sort. He knew he had lost a lot of blood, they would probably try to make him recover somehow... His mind then went back to that day, it was a horrible day for all.

* ... *

Young Sebastian awakened, as if right on cue, to witness a horrible event. His mother stood in front of him, wounded and tired, her body had been beaten with so many bruises to show. In front of her stood Balarus of Kallos, back then he had no need for tubes in his body. Kallos was at his prime here, and back then he was just referred to as Balarus it seemed. His partner stood in the background with two other figures, one of them who's name was never mentioned back then. The other was known as Countess Cecilia. The partner's name was Kergun the Mechanical, who was sitting in some sort of mechanical device that had several spider-like legs. Balarus narrowed his eyes at the woman and spoke words, but he couldn't hear anything. It was at that moment Sebastian saw the unforgivable... His mother was struck down by his scythe! Sebastian's mouth opened as he shouted out for his mother as she collapsed. More talking... He couldn't make anything out. He felt himself stand up and race towards Balarus, only for his chest to get cut by three blades instead of one... He collapsed, his mind fading in and out as the... It came. Only two words came to his head...

Shadow Guardian.

With this memory slowly fading, Sebastian rested on for the day, waiting for the morning. He wouldn't wake up probably util the morning... He was on the center bed, the other two were reserved for Keilani and Mierya.