Third Person P.O.V.:
Daten City, a town clinging to the threshold between Heaven and Hell. Where the peace of it's human inhabitants is regularly tempered by foul tempered evil spirits. This city is protected by two guardians, angels sent down as punishment for their crass behavior. Their objective is to obtain spirit coins by defeating ghosts, once they gain enough, they will be let back into Heaven. Neither they, nor their handler, know of the trouble they are about to encounter.
Near a church at the top of a hill, a small and stupid green dog is struck by lightning. A black reverend with an enormous afro hits the dog with a mallet, causing him to cough up a small slip of paper. After he is done reading he sounds a siren, waking up a petite blonde who was trying to sleep in after a long night of sex with a milkman, and a shapely girl with pale skin, and blue hair with pink highlights, who sat up, registered what was going on, and attempted to fall back asleep, pulling the covers over her head. Soon, both girls, plus the milkman, are sent downstairs on a couch, landing on top of the green dog.
"Having a good morning, Panty," asked the reverend.
"That's your cue to go, sweet cheeks," said the blonde girl named Panty, as she waved to the milkman and stretched as he left while saying he'd call her. She merely yawned in response.
"And how are you feeling this morning, Stocking?"
"Fuck off," said the blue haired girl as she flicked some of her hair aside. "Don't talk to me until I've had my goddamn sugar." She then proceeded to take a bite of a strawberry cake she had sitting in her lap. The two girls sat on a couch, Panty snoring, and Stocking sucking away at a sugary drink as the reverend stood nearby patiently. He waited a few seconds before speaking.
"Heaven has blessed us with a clue that should lead us to another ghost to take out! Listen up!" He then started digging in his afro for something." He pulled out the slip of paper spat out by the dog earlier and showed it to them. "Water Closet! That means bathroom!" The only response was the small green dog constantly yelling 'Chuck'. The reverend was about to pull on a rope to reveal a monitor, when another bolt of lightning struck the dog. It spat out another slip of paper, which the reverend read. "What?! The ghost is already destroyed?!"
"Does that mean someone is doing our job for us," asked Panty. "Sweet, that means we can sleep in." Another bolt of lightning struck the dog, drawing Panty's interest. "Huh, busy day for Chuck, huh Stocking?"
"Yeah, it's been a while since he's been hit three times." The reverend read the slip of paper Chuck spat out.
"It seems Heaven has decided to send you bitches some help! Great! Maybe this new angel can actually give a fuck about their job!" Another bolt of lightning hit Chuck as he tried to sneak a bite at Stocking's cake. This time, Chuck just spat out a line of smoke that appeared as a word to the three of them. The word read 'Nephilim', "What?! A Nephilim?! Why the hell is Heaven sending one of those?!" A fifth bolt of lightning and this time a voice came out.
"Because I said so," said the voice. "No backtalking Garterbelt!"
"Did God just speak through Chuck," asked Stocking. "This must be important."
"I don't care," said Panty. "Less work for us means more fun for me." There was a knock at the church's doors.
"That must be the Nephilim," said Garterbelt. "Chuck! Get the door!" Chuck saluted and ran to the door, only to be squashed as it was kicked in. A man with short white hair, wearing a dark blue, sleeveless duster over a pair of dark faded jeans and a dark grey shirt with combat boots and a pair of sunglasses. He looked to see what the door hit and shrugged. The three of them watched as he walked over to them.
"One shitty ghost dead. And someone is two ghost coins richer. Catch cutie." He said as he tossed the coins at Stocking. The girl blushed when she realized the stranger was talking to her and barely registered that the coins were in her hand. He made his way to Garterbelt and gave him a two fingered salute.
"Phoenix Mason, codename; Duster, reporting for duty."
"A soldier?"
"Yes sir, in more ways than one. I was sent here because there is something now on this planet that the Anarchy Sisters can't handle alone. My job is to assist them in any way I can, and they, in turn, will then help me take down my target."
"Them help you?! Hah! That'll be the day!"
"All it takes is the right motivation. I'll figure out what that is later. For now, I need a place to stay."
"YOU CAN STAY WITH ME!" Shouted the sisters, who glared at each other when they realized what the other just said. Duster merely smiled as he faced Stocking. She blushed when he winked at her.
"There is a spare room next to Stockings. You can stay there. Just don't bother me while you're here!"
"I make no promises." He made his way up the stairs, ignoring Garter's glare and Panty's lustful stare. He glanced back at Stocking and caught her eye. She blushed and looked away quickly. Duster just smiled and kept climbing the stairs.
"You bitches get the day off! Looks like Duster took care of things for you!" Stocking ignored him as she looked to where the Nephilim boy had gone.
As Duster made closed the door to what was now his room, he pulled out a small device and placed it on the ground. "Call Gallio." He said. Instantly, a holo-screen appeared from the device and showed a room filled with multiple gadgets in various stages of development and a man in the immediate foreground, a girl about the age of 8 standing next to him.
"Oh," said the child as she looked up from what the man was working on. "Hi Daddy!"
"Hey, Alma!" Duster smiled, grateful for his adoptive daughter. "Gallio, how's my new weapon?"
"Coming along slowly, it's a very sophisticated design you asked me to complete."
"It's based on the guns used by Angels and Demons on this world. It should convert my own spiritual energy into a nonlethal blasts for mortal beings unless I view them as an enemy, and damaging shots for anything of a supernatural origin."
"I get it, it's just going to take some time. Until then you'll have to stick to your initial weapon to handle the ghosts, and any poltergeists that may appear."
"I know, by the way, has the Fate Note told us who is here?"
"No," said Alma, fiddling with a blaster and hiding it behind her back when it goes off, nearly hitting Gallio. She chuckles nervously as he grunts and goes back to his work. "Whatever they're doing to hide from the Fates and Eternity, it's damn effective."
"Alma…"
"Sorry. But you have to admit, you are a bad influence, despite trying to set a good example."
"Do as I say…"
"…Not as you do. It's a bit hypocritical isn't it?"
"How much did you teach her," asked Gallio.
"The basics for kids," said Duster. "But remember, she is psychic. And because she's grown up with me, she's managed to retain more information. She's probably the smartest 8-year-old in the Metaverse."
"Not probably," she said. "I am the smartest."
"She's definitely the humblest," said Gallio. "I'll keep you informed on the weapons progress. Don't bother with regular check ins."
"Don't call us, we'll call you," said Alma smiling. "Bye, Daddy!" She waved as they cut the connection. Phoenix 'Duster' Mason smiled as he collected the holo-projector. He was starting to decorate his room when he heard a knock at the door. He went to it and found a grinning Panty on the other side.
"Can I help you," he asked her, already guessing what she wanted.
"I've got an itch you can scratch." She said seductively. She tried stepping into the room, only for him to keep her out.
"Pretty sure you've probably got something to do that for you. And in case you didn't get the hint, let me make it clearer for you." He shut the door in her face. He heard her growl and stomp away and smiled as he heard her door slam. "Oh, this is going to be fun." He finished decorating his room as he heard another, more timid, knock at his door. He saw Stocking on the other side, blushing lightly and seeming a bit shy. "Yes?"
"Me and Panty were going shopping at the mall, I was wondering if you wanted to go with us."
"Hmm, spend the day with a beautiful girl and her annoying sister?" He made it seem like he was thinking for a few seconds before smiling at her. "Sure, I'll go. Just don't expect me to carry anything, not unless you're willing to go out with me and be my girlfriend." Stocking just blushed darker and tried composing herself before replying.
"W-we j-just met though." He smiled as he leaned in closer, making her blush even more.
"Doesn't mean we can't get to know each other." He turned around and went to get a hat from his bag. She noticed a symbol on the back of his duster. It looked like a pair of wings behind a sword and a lion in front of the blade of the sword, all colored white. She was about to ask about it when she saw a picture of him with a little girl standing over the corpse of what seemed like a dragon.
"Who's that, your sister?"
"Hmm?" He looked where she was pointing and smiled. "Oh, no. That's my daughter, Alma."
"Y-you have a daughter…" she said, sounding a bit depressed. "I'm sure you and your wife must be proud."
"Not married. Alma is my adopted daughter. Been raising her alone for 8 years." He smiled with pride at the picture. Stocking saw him and smiled slightly.
'He seems like a great father. I hope I can meet her. W-wait! What am I thinking?! I just met him, and I already want to meet his daughter?! What's wrong with me?!' She smacked her cheeks to control the blush she felt coming. Duster turned to her and smiled, putting a red beret on his head, covering most of his snow-white hair.
"Ready to go?"
"Y-yes!" After meeting up with Panty, the three started to go to the mall. Phoenix stopped as he saw Panty's car, See Through.
"Yeah, I'm not getting in that thing."
"Why the hell not," said Panty.
"I've got my own ride." He whistled loudly, and a whinny sounded. A horse made of shadow galloped from the shadow of the house and stood next to Duster. "Easy boy, easy." He smiled as he patted the horses side. "Ladies, meet Shadowmere. My trusty steed, given to me by my teacher, a while ago." Stocking walked slowly. Shadowmere looked at her for a second before bowing his head, allowing her to pet him. She smiled as she pet the shadowy horse.
"He's beautiful." Shadowmere stamped in annoyance. "Sorry, handsome." He merely snorted, feigning indifference. Stocking giggled as Phoenix rolled his eyes.
"Vanity will be the death of you, old friend."
"Your horse is cool, and all," said Panty. "But won't he be a bit conspicuous in the streets?"
"Don't know which I should be more impressed by, the fact that you made a good point, or that you know what conspicuous means." Stocking laughed as Panty glared. "And relax, Blondie, Shadowmere chooses his horse form as default. I've learned he can take the form of different vehicles, he doesn't care as long as he gets to run. Shadowmere, cycle mode please." Shadowmere reared back and whinnied as he changed into a black motorcycle with silver accents and red headlights. Duster smiled as Shadowmere whinnied again, this time sounding like a motorcycle engine. He climbed onto the horse and held his hand out to Stocking. "Care to join me?"
"S-sure." Stocking took his hand and climbed right behind him. As soon as she adjusted her dress, shadows formed around her head, making a helmet. She saw the same thing happen around his head.
"Hold on tight," he told her. "He likes going fast."
"What do you..?" She shrieked and wrapped her arms around his waist as Shadowmere reared back and took off.
"Hey," shouted Panty as she started See Through and took off after them.
"Tell me which way to go," he shouted over the wind at Stocking.
"O-ok! Next left!" Duster continued driving, following Stocking's instructions. In just a few minutes, they got to the mall. The helmet left Stockings hair and she noticed she wasn't suffering from helmet hair in Shadowmere's mirror. "That was fun!" Shadowmere revved and Duster smiled.
"Shadowmere thanks you." They saw Panty pull up to the space next to them.
"How did you manage to get every green in the city, while I got all the reds?"
"Just lucky," said Duster, smiling. Panty grunted in frustration and walked to the mall.
"Come on Stocking!"
"We'd better not keep her waiting," said the Gothic Lolita. "She'll just get angrier and more annoying."
"Alright," said Duster. "Let's go."
Stocking's P.O.V.:
I followed Duster into the mall, wondering who exactly this Nephilim was. He was a gentleman, and he didn't drool over my sister even once since we'd met, not like most other guys. He was different. All I knew about him was that he was a Nephilim, half Demon and half Angel, he had a daughter and was apparently a loving father, and he was apparently drawn to me over my sister. He didn't mind following along as we browsed store after store. I was only a little bit annoyed when he refused to carry things for us, but then his words from earlier came to mind and I blushed again.
"Hey," said Panty. "You're a guy escorting two hot girls in a mall! The least you could do is carry our stuff!"
"What's in it for me? And don't say a night with you. It's not worth it if you're the one offering Blondie." I couldn't help blushing as I heard the implied sentence that he might reconsider if it was me offering. I shook my head and tried clearing my thoughts of that line of thinking. We continued into the mall, Panty flirting with any guy she came across, regardless of if they had a girl with them or not. Duster stayed by me the whole time, we talked about random things and kept walking, he even bought me a few sweets when I was torn from talking with him and looking at my favorite sweets shop.
We met back up with Panty, who had just finished a fling with a guy in the restroom, at the food court. He ordered me more sweets and got himself a pizza. "So," said Phoenix as he took a bite of his pizza. He finished eating it and looked us. "What can you tell me about Daten City?"
"This place is a shit hole," said Panty, a strip of bacon dangling from her teeth from the burger she was eating. "full of ghosts, and despair. Lots of cute men though."
"Yeah, don't care about that last part. How are so many ghosts popping up?"
"This city was built near a hell portal," said Stocking. "Evil thoughts and emotions basically affect humans as they die and corrupt them, turning them into ghosts."
"Oh, great. Better reconsider bringing Alma here then, that much despair isn't good for her."
"Who's Alma," asked Panty, "Your girlfriend? Better hope she doesn't catch you flirting with my sister."
"Alma is my daughter, she's a high level psionic, her empathy is high enough that she can feel multiple peoples feelings at once, it tends to overwhelm her if I don't help her out whenever I can if she's surrounded by people."
"You have a daughter," asked Panty. "So you were married."
"He wasn't," said Stocking. "I asked him the same thing before we left. Alma's adopted. I just don't know how you came to adopt her, Duster."
"Her mother's family was known for their psionic abilities in certain circles. Alma's birth mother died in childbirth, along with Alma's twin sister. This meant that all that power was absorbed by Alma herself. When she was only a few months old, her father noticed strange things happening. Toys he placed out of reach somehow in her arms when she came back into the room, things she didn't like pushed away as she cried.
"Eventually he learned of her mothers family secret and proposed to use her to start psionic experiments at his company, not caring if it would bring harm to her." I watched as his anger started growing, he crushed the can of soda in his hand as he told the story. "I saw what the experiments were. Taking genetic samples from blood, skin, and bone marrow, putting her in severe pain. Putting her in extreme isolation to not harm anyone with her powers. I even saw plans to artificially impregnate her when she was old enough to see if they could replicate her abilities. If her powers grew out of hand…" I noticed he was starting to tear up behind his sunglasses. I could already guess what they were planning to do based on his reaction alone. I rubbed his back, letting him know it was alright. Panty was a bit slower and asked.
"What were they planning to do," she asked. I glared at her and saw her face full of fear and confusion. She'd already guessed but asked anyway.
"They were going to kill her!" Everything around us seemed to stop, that's how quiet it had gotten. Duster was shaking in anger, dredging up emotions I'm sure he'd have rather kept down. He started crying more, his anger rising. "She was nothing but a test subject to him!" He slammed his fists down on the table, causing massive dents. "I had to save her, and he had already proposed his plans for her to his superiors. I did the only thing I could think of." I noticed his shoulder showing blood red tattoos now, tally marks. "I hunted down all of them, regardless of their lives. They wanted to use her for immoral experiments, with no regards for her health or safety."
He removed his sunglasses, and I gasped as I saw his eyes. One was silver ringed with red, the other looked like a silver clock, most likely why he was wearing sunglasses in the first place. "You killed them all." Said Panty. Shock on her face. I looked at our new partner and saw his face harden.
"I did more than just kill them, I made them suffer. Tortured them for every year they'd have harmed her in any way shape or form. I made them scream, and once I got to her father, I burned him alive." He fingered a jeweled locket he wore. He started calming down and looked at us. "I made it seem like I was her only living relative and adopted her afterwards." He sighed and replaced the sunglasses. "She's been the only light in my life since then, because of her, I haven't given in to the vengeful bloodlust since. But once something happens to her, I know I'm going to snap." He grew quiet after that, calming himself down, repressing his emotions. I needed to find some way to help him deal with his emotions, I would help him. I heard a commotion behind me and looked to see a few high school boys harassing some girls.
Duster's P.O.V.:
To be honest, I probably could've handled that differently, but every time I think of Harlan Wade, and the way every version was set on using every version of Alma, I get angry. After my little episode, I needed to vent, that's when I noticed the high school students. I growled internally. "Excuse me," I told the girls as I stood up. "I'll be right back." I walked over to them as one of the boys trapped a girl against a wall and attempted to feel her up out of other peoples view. 'Fucking bastard.' I grabbed his hand and pulled him from her, twisting his arm around his back. I looked at the girl, smiling kindly. "You can go miss, I'll handle him and his friends."
She nodded gratefully and her and her friends ran from the food court. I tossed the boy to his friends and wiped my hands as he glared at me. "Don't you know who I fucking am?!"
"You're a little dickless fuckboy. One who's got nothing better to do than harass girls just because you think you can. Let me guess, lots of money, powerful family, friends who can help you fight me, yada, yada, yada. I've heard it all before. Let me skip to my part. I hate guys like you. Entitled pieces of shit who think they can buy their way out of any situation. Well, I've got news for you, you sheltered fuck bucket, not everyone has a price. Now, you've only got two choices," I grabbed my duster and turned it into a shield with blades all around it. "You can fight me, and ultimately go home bruised, beaten and broken, all of which will be done in self-defense, mind you, or you can run.
"Please remember that either option means you have no dignity afterwards, while only one has you leave with no dignity, and broken bones. So," I grinned darkly at them as they sweat in fear and the leader pissed his pants. "what's it going to be boys?" They scrambled over themselves as they ran from me, afraid for their lives. I sighed as I turned my shield back and put my duster back on. "Damn, they were smart for fucking rich perverts." I rejoined Panty and Stocking and sighed. I felt Stocking put her hand on my shoulder. I smiled kindly at her. The girls that were being harassed came up to me.
"Thank you, sir." Said the girl who was pinned to the wall. She bowed to me gratefully as her friends did as well.
"It's nothing. I just did what anyone should do." They smiled at me and left after the girl I saved kissed my cheek and left her number. I shook my head, chuckling softly as Stocking pouted. Deciding that there was nothing left to do at the mall, I bought Stocking more sweets, getting a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek as thanks. We climbed onto Shadowmere and followed Panty in See Through back to the church. As we got back, I climbed onto the roof, Stocking behind me. We watched the stars in silence until she fell asleep, using me as a pillow. I got up, picking her up in my arms, and carried her to her room. I laid her down on her bed and tried moving away, only for her to wrap her arms around my neck and pull me down to her, trapping my face in between her breasts. I tried to get up, but she only hugged me tighter.
'Great, not fully complaining but my hearing is gonna be shot when she wakes up. Problem for later.' I stayed awake, trying to move out of her arms several times during the night, only to be met with more constrictor strength hugs. When she finally woke up, she yawned and noticed her stuffed cat, Honekoneko, beside her instead of in her arms. I tapped her arms, blushing as she woke up. "Hi, can you let go now? I've been stuck here since I put you back in your bed last night. You're deceptively strong you know?" She screamed and slapped me out of her bed in embarrassment.
I groaned as I hit the wall next to the door. I turned to Stocking.
"Again, deceptively strong." She blushed and rushed to me.
"I'm sorry! You scared me!"
"It's fine. I just need to remember about that next time."
"N-next time?!"
"Uh… I mean…" Now I was blushing. Stocking got out of bed and guided me to the doorway.
"I need to change. Can you…"
"Oh, uh sure." I stepped out of the room and went down to the church. Garterbelt saw me as soon as I walked in.
"There you are, Duster. There's a message for you from Heaven."
"Oh, yeah? What's it say."
"Get a job and become a teacher!"
"Really?"
"Yes."
"And the girls?"
"They've got something else to handle." He looked behind me. "Stocking! We've got a speedy ghost for you and your sister to deal with! Get your slut of a sister and go!"
"She's not here."
"Dammit! Duster, go with Stocking! She needs all the help she can get with this one!"
"On it boss." We went outside, and I whistled. Shadowmere galloped over and snorted. I helped Stocking onto him, climbed on myself, and we took off after the car chase that was going on. Shadowmere kept pace with the ghost possessed car as it caused several cop cars to spin out and start a massive pileup. "Whoa! We gotta take this thing out now! You want to handle it or should I?!"
"Will Shadowmere let me take the reins?!"
"Yes!"
"Then you handle the ghost! I'll keep up with you!" I handed her the reins and stood up behind her. I jumped onto the car, holding on for my life.
"Hey! Get off me!" shouted the ghost. I slipped off my duster carefully.
"In the name of the light, and the court of the shadows. Vanquish my enemy eternally bound to this mortal plane. Awaken the weapon of this forsaken warrior. Unleash the fury of Heaven and Hell! Repent corrupted soul, for your face a Nephilim Assassin!" My duster turned into a shield which hooked onto my arm. I slammed the shields blade into the head of the ghost, slicing the car in half. The ghosts head fell to ground as I flew off the bisected car and onto Shadowmere as Stocking pulled of one of her Stockings, changed it into a katana, and stabbed the head as we rode past. "Hah! Take that bastard! Whoo!" As I celebrated, I didn't realize where my hand ended up, nor did I notice Stockings heavy breathing as my hand had landed on her breast and my arm was binding her own arm to her body.
"Duster…"
"Yeah? What's u…" I looked at her and blushed heavily. "Oh! Sorry! I didn't…"
"Don't say another word and squeeze harder."
"Uh… what…"
"Just do as I say!" I nodded and did just that as the heavenly gong sounded. I caught the ghost coins as Stocking brought Shadowmere to a stop in a forest. She pushed me to the ground and climbed on top of me.
"Are you ok?"
"I-I sort of have a fetish. And you kinda triggered it."
"What kind of fetish?" She blushed and hid her eyes behind her bangs. She stammered and said something softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you."
"I said I have a BDSM fetish!" we both blushed as she screamed.
"I-I see. And when I did what I did…"
"You triggered it." She leaned down, breathing heavily. "Can you help me?" I sighed and snapped. Roped kunai appeared attached to my arm as my duster appeared on my back again. I smiled as I used magic to expand the ropes and toss them around Stocking before suspending her in the air. She squeaked in surprise and pleasure at what was happening. I smiled as I walked to her.
"You sure?" She didn't say anything. She just nodded, breathing heavily. "I'm afraid you need to talk if you want me to continue." She blushed darkly as I tightened the ropes.
"P-please! Please keep going!" I smiled and kissed her.
"As the lady commands."
As we got to the compound, Stocking was sighing in satisfaction, hugging my arm. Garter looked at us as we walked into the church. "Good work taking out the ghost, you two. Have either of you seen Panty?"
"Nope, she's probably screwing some random John again," said Stocking. She sighed happily as she hugged my arm. Garter looked at me.
"Duster, you've got a visitor."
"Who's visiting me?"
"She said she's your daughter."
"Alma's here?!" I asked, worried about how the negative energy surrounding Daten City would be affecting her. "Where is she?!"
"She collapsed a little bit after she got here. I laid her down in your room." I bolted up to her, worried, Stocking trailing just behind me. I opened the door to my room and saw Alma lying in my bed holding her head. I scooped her up and held her close, traveling into her mind to help separate her own thoughts and emotions from the negative ones seeping in because of the Hell Gate.
I kept her close, singing one of her favorite songs to calm her down. Soon, Alma started feeling better as the negative emotions were purged from her mind. Her skin turned from the ashen grey she had when I walked in, to a pale white. She opened her eyes and saw me singing. "Daddy!" She hugged my neck and started sobbing. I held her close, whispering to her that she was alright. Stocking stood nearby, knowing not to do anything yet.
"Alma, what are you doing here?"
"I came to give you more information I found out. I asked the Fate Note to track anyone the Losers would see as potential allies. It showed me two red girls with horns and a weird man. I came to tell you, but the negative energy overwhelmed me almost as soon as I landed."
"Did anyone come with you?"
"No. No one knew I'd even left." I sighed and held her close.
"Please, please, please, do not do this again. Not until I've trained your mind to block out other thoughts first. I know it's a part of who you are, but you need to learn how to better sort out your own thoughts from others. I've helped you as much as I could, but I'm not a telepath." I wiped tears from her face. I slipped my necklace onto her. "Here, wear this. It's gotta a small shielding charm on it to block out all external mental influences. It'll also work on your own so that you can block out the negative energy." She opened the necklace and saw the smaller picture of the one on my nightstand. She smiled as she looked at it and wiped another tear from her face.
"You're totally crying in the picture. I can see it now."
"I've told you already, I'm not crying."
"You're crying." She smiled as I rolled my eyes. I hugged her as she laughed. I noticed Stocking and smiled.
"Alma Mason, meet my new friend, Stocking Anarchy."
"Don't lie," said Alma. "I know she's your new girlfriend." She smiled as we both blushed. Stocking cleared her throat embarrassed.
"Stocking Anarchy, this is my daughter, Alma Mason."
"It's nice to meet you, Alma."
"Nice to meet you too. Hopefully you can get him to stop acting like an idiot."
"Quiet you, or no sweets before bed." Stocking gasped and hugged Alma to her.
"How could you be so cruel!" Alma smiled evilly, seeing a huge opportunity. 'Oh, you little mischievous devil. Don't know if I should be disappointed or proud.'
"He grounds me from sweets for the smallest things. Please make him stop," she told Stocking, putting on her best puppy look. 'Proud. Definitely proud of her manipulative tactics. Well done, Alma. Using one of my girlfriends against me.' Stocking glared at me.
"A child shouldn't be denied sugar at all! It's God's gift to this world!" She handed Alma a key and smiled. I have a hidden stash of sweets in my room, it's protected by my stuffed cat, Honekoneko. Have as much as you want while I have a chat with your father." Alma looked like she'd just been told there was a hidden treasure, which technically it was in their eyes, and hugged her. Stocking hugged her back, kissed the top of her head like a mother would, ushered her out the door, and closed it before turning to me. I gulped when I saw the look in her eyes.
"Stocking?"
"Yes?" she started walking to me after locking the door. I tripped onto my bed as I backed away from her. She climbed on top of me.
"What are you doing?" She smiled and leaned closer to me.
"I see myself in Alma. I want to give her a sibling."
"Uh, Stocking? Isn't it a bit early to be…" she kissed me, silencing me and removed my duster.
"Shut up and fuck me."
Alma's P.O.V.:
I hid as many sweets as I could in the PipBoy Gallio made for me and smiled. 'Thank you Stocking, though if I guessed right, I should be calling her 'Mama Stocking' soon.' I heard a thump next door and blushed. 'Very soon. Guess I woke something in her. Focus Alma. You came here for two reasons. Reason one is done, now on to reason two. Time to get a new weapon for myself. Now, what should it be? Angelic or Demonic? Decisions, decisions.' I thought to myself as I wandered around the church, eating a piece of cake and loving how sweet it was.
"Hey kid," said Garter. "You feeling better?"
"Yeah, Dad was able to help me. I'm such an idiot. I should've known this world was had so much negative energy. I wasn't thinking as I came down here."
"You mean you didn't know?"
"I'm a human adopted by a Nephilim at a young age, most of my time was spent with my Dad on his travels. He always protected me from areas with negative energies. Said it would turn me into something… evil. Me especially, because of my abilities. Telepathy, empathy, telekinesis, medium, just about the only thing I don't have is seer abilities. Thank god for that. I never want to run the risk of seeing my death." I sat at a table as I spoke with the minister.
"Now I see how badly it does. It's so easy for the darkness to slip in. Now I wonder how Dad does it, going day after day, fighting enemies with hearts and souls almost as black as the abyss. How hasn't he lost himself?"
"You're how," said a voice from the hall. I turned around and saw a blonde girl in a red dress. "He'd almost given up. He saw what your birth father was going to do to you, and he'd almost given in to that darkness. He'd rounded up all of the people who agreed with that bastards plans, and he made them suffer. Then he went to you, adopted and raised you. He told me and my sister himself, you were his light. You brought him out of the darkness. You're how he makes it. He found something to hope for, something to fight for. He found you."
As she was telling me something I'd heard already, I teared up. Dad had told me I was his light, shining his way from darkness when I was 5 years old, just before I convinced him to teach me to fight. I didn't understand it at the time. I thought it was something every father tells his daughter. But hearing it then, from the mouth of a complete stranger, it took on a whole new meaning. Dad liked telling people how he saved me. But now, I understood. The story he tells people, about him adopting me, raising me, and becoming the pride and joy of his life. He wasn't just telling people how he saved me from a horrific fate, he was telling people how I saved him. Me, the baby he adopted, took care of, raised, and called his daughter.
I knew then why he kept me from those places and worlds now. He didn't want me to fall to the same darkness that almost consumed him, that he claims still threatens to consume him. He was afraid that if I fell, he wouldn't be able to save me. When he and Stocking came down an hour later, I hugged him. All the fear I had vanished in that hug, all the despair I felt after encountering all of those negative thoughts turned into hope. Dad was always telling me how powerful I was. I never believed him. I thought he was just boosting my ego. But when I hugged him then, it was like a beacon.
From what Gareth said he saw from his throne, this world lit up brighter than ever. It even broke past whatever the Losers were using to cloak themselves, if only temporarily. Not only that, but several ghosts that appeared in the Prime World, never came to be here. My emotions had reshaped the reality of this world, and the destiny of it's inhabitants. And they'd done something else. It was something I'd wanted for a while. Somehow, both me and Dad had felt it. Reality warped around me and changed my blood to a mix of my mothers and his rather than Harlan Wade's.
Suddenly a heavenly gong was sounded, and light shined around Panty. Heaven coins appeared around her. I watched as she looked extremely surprised. "What? How..?" I watched as the annoying green dog, Chuck, was struck by lightning and jumped back.
"Is that normal?"
"Yes," said Garterbelt. He pulled out a slip of paper from Chuck's mouth and read it. "Well, congratulations are in order Panty."
"Why," she asked confused.
"According to this, you're only one coin away from returning to Heaven." Panty stared at Garterbelt, shocked. I looked at Stocking and saw her smiling at her sister. Dad turned to me.
"Was this because of you?"
"I don't know."
The next morning, I woke up in Stockings room, she let me sleep there, opting to sleep with my Dad. Very subtle I know. I took a bunch of cookies from Stocking's hidden stash and went down to the church. I saw my Dad wearing a suit and held back a chuckle. He saw me and rolled his eyes. "Alright, yuck it up." I started laughing as he finished putting on his tie. "Yes, yes, I know. I look ridiculous."
"I think you look handsome," said Stocking. I finally noticed she was nearby and sat in her lap, eating the cookies. I smiled up at her as we ate the cookies. I looked at Dad.
"So, what's with the monkey suit?"
"'God' is sending me to investigate a school. Apparently there's something there I should check up on."
"You need to remove the sunglasses, Dad." He frowned as he remembered he had them on. He took them off, revealing his unusual eyes. "Didn't Gallio make contacts to cover those?"
"They can't cover it anymore. And the new ones don't work, my eyes just shine through."
"How did your eyes become like that," asked Stocking. I looked up at her.
"It's a long story involving one of Dad's…"
"Kurumi," said Dad as he turned to her. "She's the one I told you about last night. The one sharing my soul. I'm sure you'll meet her soon." I watched as he went over and kissed her, pulling her close. I smiled and drew the scene in a journal. "And she'll really want to meet you as well." I fake gagged and smiled as they gave me a look. Dad gave Stocking one last kiss, kissed me on the head and went to his new job. I gave the drawing one last look over before smiling and putting back in my PipBoy. I saw Stocking's sister Panty come down stairs, seeming very different.
"I thought you were out with some guy again," said Stocking.
"No, I've just been in my room, drinking. I only need one coin. One more coin and I can go home. But, what did I do?"
"You pulled me from what could've been a very dangerous downward spiral into despair. My powers are affected by my emotions. If I had slipped into a dark state of mind, my powers would've brought nightmares to life, when I'm angry, holes rip in reality when I use my powers to their fullest extent. But when my emotions are pure, when they're strong enough, like when you told me what my Dad said, my powers alter reality for the better. It's a theory Dad had when he saw exactly what I could do. I think you may have proven it, but I'm not sure. I'd have to ask 'God' about it." Panty looked off in the distance, thinking to herself. Suddenly, she went up to her room, and never came back out.
"Is she ok," I asked Stocking.
"She'll be fine. She's not used to acting selflessly. I'm sure she'll be back to her whorish attitude later."
"Language…" I told her as I walked into the kitchen.
Duster's P.O.V. (One week later):
Thanks to Lucy's blessing, I was hired on the spot and was set to start teaching a week later. I'd been unable to do anything about my eyes but decided not to care. I decided just to hide the clock and concentrated. The clock changed into a red ringed silver iris, giving me a slightly evil look. I shrugged and went to the only academy in town. 'Yeah, that's staying under the radar. Guess hiding in plain sight is better than nothing.'
When I arrived at the school, immediately I could feel the presence of a ghost. 'Oh, right the Queen Bee. That one's fucking original.' I made my way to my new classroom and saw it was full well-behaved students. I did the rollcall and found three students missing. 'The Queen Bee, and the Daemon Sisters. Wonder where those three are. The ghost I can leave for the Anarchy Sisters to deal with. But the Daemon Sisters are another thing. In every iteration I know of, both sides are evenly matched, par for the course when it comes to Angels and Demons in most universes.' I went through the lesson plans with no incident occurring until lunch. I was making my way to the teacher's lounge when I heard a familiar voice harassing girls. I smirked and grabbed my duster from my inventory and turned it into a shield. I held it in front of the wall the boy from the mall was about to slam with his palm.
He pulled his hand back in pain and turned to yell at who put the shield there and saw me. I also saw the girl from the mall there as well and smirked. "Mr. Yamashita. Apparently, my lesson at the mall didn't quite get through your head. Let me give you another lesson then." As he recognized me, he paled, remembering my warning. The girl, whose name I learned was Asuka Ishida, blushed when she saw me. "Mr. Yamashita, if I find you harassing Ms. Ishida again, you're suspended. Do I make myself clear?"
"Y-y-yes sir!"
"Good, then get out of here." I watched as he ran off. I shook my head and rubbed the bridge between my eyes. "Ms. Ishida, if he tries anything like that again, I want you to report it to me, understand?" She nodded blushing and I held out the slip of paper with her number on it. "And I believe it's inappropriate for a teacher to have a students phone number." She nodded, took the paper, and ran off. I sighed as I made it to the main lobby and saw a limo pull up outside. 'Well, I already know who that is. Time to face the enemy' I stood by the entrance as a red carpet rolled through the lobby, crushing a boy with red hair covering his eyes. 'Oh right, him.' I picked him up. "Mr. Rock, perhaps next time you could consider stepping to the side rather than running in the same direction of an incoming object."
"O-oh! You're right sir!" I heard Scanty and Kneesocks enter behind me, talking about the ghost they planted in the cheerleaders somehow dying. 'Was that because of Alma?' I turned around and saw them about to enter the teachers lounge. "Scanty and Kneesocks Daemon, I presume?"
They turned to me and put on their best 'teachers pet' look. "Oh, hello. You must be the new teacher," said Kneesocks "Yes we are the Daemon sisters, I am Kneesocks."
"And I am Scanty."
"We're…" they both started before I interrupted them.
"…late. School started three hours ago." I wrote slips for both of them. "Detention, for both of you. I'm disappointed. You both have high marks, perfect grades, yet you show up late." Both girls grew quiet when they heard the word detention. "And don't go into the teachers lounge. It's against the rules." Hearing that, both Daemon sisters back away from the room. I remembered Brief and looked at him. "Getting hit by that carpet is technically assault. Do you want to file charges?" The sisters must have threatened him because he declined. I turned to face them, suspicious.
"The two of you better not be late again. I am not a lenient teacher." The rest of day went without incident. I managed to place bugs on both Daemon sisters which would activate as soon as they got home. I got back to the church and found Alma there alone. "Where is everyone?"
"Garter's doing something weird across town, Panty and Stocking are hunting a ghost."
"Good, then we can track the Daemon sisters. I placed a bug on each of them. Hopefully, they'll lead us to Corset, who is most likely the one the Freaks will try to recruit. Scanty and Kneesocks may be demons, but they respect rules and regulation. Once we tell them the Laws of the Multiverse, we'll get them on our side. We can't let the Freaks gain allies."
"Agreed. Which drones did you use?"
"Delta and Theta." I handed her a controller and we waited for the drones to come online. Once they did, we activated their Stealth Drives and flew them around the mansion. When we found nothing, I sighed. "Dammit. He's not there. At least now we have eyes on the enemy. Find a high perch overlooking any entrance. I'm going to do one last sweep before setting Delta down."
"Got it. And Dad?"
"Yes?"
"No peeping."
"I am not a pervert. Just go and then you can raid Stockings stash." She smiled and did just that, after setting Theta down on a perch overlooking the main foyer. I flew Delta around trying to see if the thermal lens could catch anything. The only thing I saw was two silhouettes embraced on the bed in the Daemon sisters room. Sighing, I set the drone down above the bedrooms doorway and set the motion detection system on. I joined Alma in the kitchen as Panty and Stocking walked in. I looked at them. "There you two are." I went up and kissed Stocking. I looked at Panty. "Did you get the last coin?"
"No. I let Stocking get the kill. Letting her catch up." Stocking smiled as she hugged me, not caring.
"I need your help. Both of you. I encountered two girls at the school."
"What's the matter? They flirting with the teacher?" asked Panty.
"They're demons. I'm pretty sure. Red skin, horns, worthier-than-thou attitude."
"And you need our help, why?"
"They may lead to my target. But until I can confirm that, I need a few extra sets of eyes on them.
"Have you called the others," asked Alma.
"No. Tsukiko wouldn't be able to defend herself yet, the Council can't leave, and Kurumi would…" I stopped talking as I saw Kurumi walk in, wearing a schoolgirl uniform, her hair covering her clock eye and let down in two pony tails over her shoulder. I stood there like an idiot as I watched her.
The others turned, and Alma smiled, waving at her. Kurumi smiled and waved back, using her innocent demeanor. "I would what, Phoenix?" I started stammering like an idiot as she walked over to me, smiling. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Alma drawing me. 'You could help me, kid' I forgot Kurumi could read my mind when she was close.
'There's nothing to help you with, I'm not going to bite. Much' I blushed hearing her in my mind.
"Christ, why do you do this to me?"
"Because it's fun." She giggled cutely. She turned and bowed to the sisters. "Nice to meet you, my name is Kurumi Tokisaki." She smiled at them.
"This is Kurumi," asked Stocking. "I was expecting something different."
"Then why don't I show you how I really am?" Shadows covered her, and she was back in her Spirit Dress. Revealing her clock eye. "I'm the real, Kurumi Tokisaki. And you must be the girl that caught Phoenix's eye." She said as she went over to Stocking. Stocking blushed as she licked her cheek. "You have a nice taste. Just like the others."
"Kurumi, stop teasing her. How did you know to come down here?"
"There was a light that engulfed this World. Soon after, the Fate Note found the location of one of the escapees. Wasn't able to identify who it was. Just that they were in the city hall."
"Which means they have been in contact with Corset."
"Who's Corset?" asked Panty.
"Guy who wants to destroy the world. Evil rival of Garterbelt." I said. I turned to Kurumi. "How did you get here?"
"Millennium Falcon." She looked outside and I saw the iconic smuggler ship. I turned to Alma.
"Alma, to make sure you don't get affected by this world too much, I want you to take the Falcon back to the Citadel. Once you arrive, have Gallio contact me."
"Ok Dad." She gave me a hug and went to get more sweets from Stocking's stash.
"Should you be letting her fly that thing," asked Panty.
"She's a better pilot than me."
"She's what, 6?"
"8" we both said. She hugged Kurumi and Stocking and went to the ship, waving behind her.
"Bye Mama Stocking, bye Mama Kurumi!" I turned and saw both girls blushing. I could practically hear their hearts skip a beat from her words. I smiled slightly until Panty leaned closer to me.
"Having a kids really helped with the dating scene huh?"
"Shut up."
"Being a dad must be a real panty dropper…" I growled and trapped her in a headlock.
"Shut up, shut up, shut up."
"Can't breathe…"
The next day, I was grading the papers from the day before when I heard a knock at the door. "Come in." I looked up and saw Scanty Daemon in the doorway. "Can I help you, miss Daemon?"
"Yes. I wanted to ask if there was a way to get rid of those detentions for me and my sister." She said, leaning over the desk and showing a small amount of cleavage. 'For a stickler for the rules, she sure likes to twist them.' Soon my communication device chimed, I checked it in its cell phone form and saw Alma's name. I smiled and looked at Scanty. "One second please." I answered the phone on speaker phone. "Alma, shouldn't you be at school?" 'She should be able to pick up my tapping on the table and know our signal.'
"I was feeling sick, Auntie Sarah said I could stay home today." I saw Scanty straighten herself as she heard Alma on the other side of the call. Her surprised look was enough to tell me she hadn't expected me to be a father.
"Put Sarah on." I waited a few seconds and heard the Manifestation of Magic come on.
"Hello?"
"Is she really sick, or did she play you like a fool like last time?" I could slightly hear Alma writing quickly to tell Sarah what was going on.
"Checked her temperature, 101. Told her to stay. Figured you'd want to know so I had her call you." 'Nice acting Sarah.'
"Alright. I'm trusting you, but if she's managed to trick you…"
"Please. An 8-year-old trick me? What do you take me for?"
"She can get you just by calling you her favorite aunt, and you know it." I could hear Alma sniggering in the background and glanced at Scanty, making sure she didn't notice. "I have to go now, I have a student besides me. I'll talk to you later. Put Alma on so I can say goodbye." I waited a few seconds before Alma came back on. Try not to give your aunt too much grief."
"Who me?"
"Yes you. Love you, Alma."
"Love you too, Daddy." I heard her make a click sound to make it sound like she'd hung up and put my 'phone' down. I turned to Scanty. "Sorry about that. What was it you were asking me, Ms. Daemon?"
"Oh, um. I was asking if there was anyway to get rid of our detentions." I noticed she wasn't as flirty as before and smirked inwardly.
"No I'm afraid not. Other teachers may give you and your sister leniency for being the Mayor's daughter, but I will not. Students must follow the rules, and if they break those rules, there must be punishment. Do I make myself clear?" I asked her as I projected my commanding aura towards her. Her demon physiology must've been affected because she blushed and rubbed her thighs together.
"Y-yes sir! If you'll excuse me!" She quickly left the room and I pulled the communicator back out.
"Did the scan go through?"
"Yes," said Sarah. "Her memories are scanned. How did you come up with this plan, again?"
"I didn't Alma did. She knew you'd be the best person to ask."
"Flattered. So, how are you scanning her memories?"
"A few of my travels had me incorporating technology in my body, more specifically, my limbs and head. Surprisingly, they work well with my magic, no adverse side effects or brain damage." I made my body twitch violently before returning to normal and acting like nothing happened. Sarah just stared at me with a blank stare, unamused. "Damn. Thought I'd freak you out with that."
"I'm not Denise, I'm not gullible."
"Told you so," said Alma.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sarah, can you go through the memories and see she's seen anything?"
"Not like I got anything better to do."
"Alma, go bug Gareth."
"Ooh! New plaything!" She grinned, evilly, and ran off.
"You're abusing Gallio's mute function, aren't you?"
"Oh, hell yes. I never got a chance to fully annoy the bastard before the Infiltration, and now, I've got a partner in crime to help me."
"You are terrible."
"So I've been told, countless times. Oh, speaking of time, remind my original self to ask Kira to help with the item swap across time."
"Do I want to know?"
"Simply put, Eternity ensured that the PipBoy was swapped with itself from another point in time to make sure that I had help in my travels and combat when I was changed."
"There's still a lot you haven't told us, huh?"
"Of course, Sis. Gotta leave somethings a mystery."
"Like your magical studies?"
"Oh, gee, look at the time!"
"Phoenix… did you actually practice it yourself?..."
"I… may have cheated and used a Harry Potter world as a testing ground before applying it to myself."
"You!…"
"Gotta go, Sis! Bye!" I hung up the communicator and sighed. "Problem for the other me to deal with." I stood up and popped my neck. "Time to get to work, and try and find the Freak."