Sympathy For The Devil

Ch.7 Confinement, Escape, & Run!

In a cell at the police precinct, Sparda sat on an uncomfortable cot still clutching his side which was still injured. He refused any medical attention for obvious reasons, and was now sitting in a puddle of his own blood.

"You should really let us treat you. Your bleeding like crazy, you could--''

"Die." Sparda filled in for Taylor. He felt a little heavier than usual, but otherwise was still conscience. "You only want me to stay alive long enough for conviction." Sparda said, not looking at him.

He was going to have to break out of here soon. They took the amulet, and he couldn't have something so important in the hands of a human for so long. Furthermore, in the hands of a human that could turn it over to demons that were working for Mundus. That wouldn't be good at all.

"I want to find the real murderer. And whoever it is, I know they have something to do with you. Look, we can put you in protective custody. All, we need from you is a name." Taylor said, trying to reason with him.

Sparda chuckled.

He looked up into Detective Warren Taylor's face and laughed loudly. It sounded so absurd. Protective custody? As if they could protect him against Mundus's hordes. Taylor sighed, turning away from the bars. He walked away, realizing he wouldn't get anything from him.

Sparda leaned against the cold stone wall feeling like his strength was being sapped away. His eye lids started to get heavy and he couldn't move around much without feeling too heavy.

"How far have you fallen, brother? Look at you, being held in a cage like an animal by human's. You can't even move." Sparda heard someone say. That voice was familiar, it chilled the blood in his very veins.

"Hades." Sparda said, opening his eyes.

Walking into the light from the street lamps outside, Hades revealed himself. He looked like Sparda, but with neck length hair and was a little taller. Hades shook his head in disappointment.

"Dear brother, you're not even worth killing in a state like this. You're the last of the rebellious devils. What to do with you? I was order to bring you back, dead or alive, but…well, why not make this into a game?" Hades said, a little smile playing on his lips.

Sparda lifted his head to look at Hades. "If you're here, then the cracks in the seal are bigger than I thought. I'll have to fix that." Sparda said, ignoring Hades previous comments.

Hades stared at Sparda, a look on his face he couldn't quite describe.

"You know, it's because of you that I have this." Hades said, pulling his shirt apart to reveal a tattoo on his chest. It was some kind of ancient symbol.

Sparda looked on with disinterest not really caring about his predicament.

"You see…ever since you left, we've had it the hardest." Hades said, anger filling his voice.

Sparda then glared at him. "Your just selfish. You knew what Mundus was doing to…us all. And you knew it was only a matter of time before he moved on to someone else. You knew, all his plans and yet you did nothing. Why? So you could save your own skin!" Sparda barked in anger.

Hades was insane if he thought he could evoke sympathy from Sparda. He didn't have sympathy for the helpless humans 2,000 years ago. Why would he even dare to think he could get that kind of treatment from his brother?

Hades glared at Sparda.

"You think I knew? You think I was trying to save myself? Sparda, if I was going to save myself, I wouldn't have stayed with Mundus. You have no idea what it is he does to us. Our own mother--''

"Shut up!!" Sparda yelled.

He didn't want to hear a thing Hades had to say about their mother. He was well aware what it was they did to the family's of traitors. Walking closer to the bars until Hades touched them, he pulled the bars apart far enough for there to be a gaping hole.

Sparda stared at him, apprehensive. Hades stopped within mere inches of him, staring down at him. Kneeling down to one knee, Hades pulled away Sparda's bloody hand from his wound. Being accustomed to pain, Sparda kept his face neutral.

Hades sighed, reaching into his pocket for a few green orbs. Placing the orbs on the wound, Sparda's body immediately absorbed them. It did little to heal him, only to stop the bleeding. Now, Sparda would have to do the rest in order to heal himself.

Hades looked up into Sparda's face wondering what was going through his mind now. "I won't take you back. But I will bring that amulet to Mundus. I will reopen the portal." Hades said, leaving.

He disappeared into the shadows the same way he came in. Sparda waited a minute before he pushed to his feet. About time he made his escape.

Staring at a stack of papers, and drinking steaming hot coffee in a Styrofoam cup Taylor wasn't prepared for both the intruder and fire alarms to go off. He stood, dropping his coffee knowing that it had something to do with Julian Luna. Running out of his office, he spotted Parker running towards him. "What the hell is going on?!" Taylor yelled, looking about as people made their way to the stairs. "I don't know, but I bet it's got something to do with Luna!" Parker yelled over the loud din of the alarms. Taylor nodded. "Come on! We gotta check Luna's cell!"

When they got to the holding pen, Sparda wasn't there. The bars were pulled all the way apart, and bloodied footprints were leading away from the cell. Taylor stared at the bars then at Parker as if he could provide any answers. "That necklace…he's probably after that! After all, why else would go back to his house?!" Taylor said, running towards the evidence locker. Parker followed close behind.

In the evidence locker room, Taylor quickly found Sparda's amulet. He grabbed it feeling a bit relieved that it was still here. Although, not much at the memory of those bars pulled apart.

He was just about to leave, when he turned around and a gun was shoved in his face. Parker on the other end, glared at him.

"What are you doing Tate?" Taylor asked, staring at him with confusion on his face.

"I'm taking that amulet, that's what."

"Why? What are you going to do with it?"

"I'm going to bargain with it. This amulet…hehehe, for anything I want! You see, this is what binds them. If I give it to them, then I set them free and that means I'm in their good graces." Tate said, sounding a bit delirious.

Taylor stared at him still confused and shocked. With the gun still pointed at him, Tate inched forward and snatched the amulet from his hands.

"Who's they, Tate? Who are going to give it to?" Taylor said, keeping his cool.

"Who the fuck do you think?! I'm giving it to his brother! Luna's brother, or whoever the hell he is!" Tate said, inching toward the door.

"Luna's brother? What's his name? Can you tell me that?" Taylor asked, hoping to not anger Tate anymore.

He was already antsy, and he knew from past experiences already that you shouldn't piss off a hostage taker. Not to mention, he was the hostage. Tate laughed, and lowered his gun just a fraction of an inch.

"Sure, why not. It won't matter. By the time the human race figure's out what happened, they'll look like last week's leftovers. His brother's name is Hades. Hades is under orders from Mundus. And Mundus…well, Mundus get's what he wants." Tate said, a look crossing his face as if he just realized what he was doing. Taylor didn't know exactly what was going on, but he knew for sure that it was a bad idea for Tate to give that amulet over to this Hades.

"Tate…look at me." Taylor said, gaining his attention again.

Tate stared at him, a look of regret crossing his features. "I don't want to die."

Taylor shook his head, a little alarmed but kept calm. "Tate, you're not going to die. I can help you. You don't have to give them that amulet." Taylor said, taking a step forward.

"You don't understand. I already made the deal. If I don't give them this amulet…then I die." Tate said, shaking his head.

Taylor stared at him. What was so special about that fucking thing anyway?

"I'm sorry Warren, but it's better to be in the devils hand than in his path." Tate said, lifting his gun and firing. "Think of it this way, I'm saving you the pain and anguish of going through what the rest of them will have to." Tate said, walking away.

Taylor's side was bleeding, and he gritted his teeth against the pain. He thought of what could drive a man to such lengths to shoot his own partner. He wonder what happened to the oath Tate took when he became a cop, but what was really bugging him was Julian Luna's true identity.

Blending in with the shadows as best he could with the blinking lights, Sparda swiftly made his way to the evidence locker. He figured that would be the place where they kept the amulet.

Turning a corner, he saw Tate Parker coming from a doorway, holstering his gun. Turning, he saw Sparda staring at him.

"What are you doing out of your cell?!" Tate said, playing ignorant, but it was too late. Sparda already saw the amulet, thus alerting him.

"You?" Sparda said, as realization dawned on him.

Tate ran the other way, not waiting for another word. He ran towards the stairwell. He went up while everyone else went down, Sparda right behind him. Getting to the roof of the building, Tate threw the door open running outside. Sparda followed after him, but stopped in his tracks as he saw Hades.

Hades and two other demons waited on the roof top. Tate went over to him.

"Well, I got you what you wanted and then some." Tate said, gesturing towards Sparda as he caught his breath. Hades looked over at Sparda with a smirk on his face. He then looked over to Tate, holding out his hand for the amulet.

"Don't give it to him!!" Sparda screamed.

Tate glared at Sparda, ignoring him. "I've kept my end of the bargain. Now, you--''

"It's already done, Detective Parker. Everything you asked for." Hades said, his hand still out. Tate sighed handing over the amulet.

"No!!" Sparda yelled. He charged Hades, but was knocked back to the ledge on the other side.

"So sorry little brother, but I do recall telling you that I would take this amulet to Mundus. Just be glad that I don't intend on taking you to him as well. Our family's suffered enough because of you." Hades said, turning the amulet over in his hand. Sparda stood, glaring at him. "I won't give it back to you, but…your always welcome to join me. Think about it. You, me, our family. We could take back our dignity, and slay the king. What do you think about that?" Hades said, staring at Sparda.

The two demons standing next to him stared at Hades back, wide eyed.

"You wouldn't dare betray His Majesty!" The demon to Hades right said sternly.

"No, he wouldn't. He's bound by spell. If he did betray Mundus, than he would suffer excruciating pain before being tortured then killed." The demon to Hades left said.

Sparda stared wide eyed at him. "Is that it? You don't want me to join you, you want to take that spell off. That's what that mark was. A spell. A human spell!" Sparda said, finally realizing it. Of course, that tattoo looked ancient because it was ancient human magic.

Hades clenched his hands, and gritted his teeth. In one swift movement he beheaded both demons without even breathing. He glared at Sparda. "Oh, of course. That's the only reason why I want Mundus dead. Because he put spell on me! You gullible little bastard! If it hadn't been for you, than I wouldn't have a curse put on me! Our family wouldn't have suffered so much shit if you hadn't rebelled!" Hades yelled, his eyes turning red. Sparda glared at him.

"Don't you mean 'you wouldn't have suffered'." Sparda said, between clenched teeth. "Don't give me a bullshit speech about how 'our family' was wronged. You don't give a shit about anyone, but yourself. You didn't then and you sure as hell don't, now." Sparda said, returning the glare Hades gave him.

Hades stayed quiet for a few moments. "If anyone's selfish here Sparda, it's you. Not me." Hades said, as two Devil Knight's formed behind him.

One grabbed him as the other approached Sparda. Sparda backed away, but soon realized there was nowhere else to go.

"Your coming with us, traitor." The devil said, in a deep voice.

Sparda looked down at the street below. There were quite a few people, and if this devil was the kind of devil that Sparda thought he was then he wouldn't follow.

This is going to hurt, Sparda thought as he jumped. His stomach lurched as someone's black car came closer and closer. Hope they got insurance, Sparda thought as he smashed into the roof of the car.

Glass along with bones shattered, and Sparda's wound started to bleed again. He rolled off of the car, groaning in pain, onto the pavement. A car rolled up alongside him as people began to crowd around him. The passenger door swung open and showed Eva behind the wheel of a grey camero.

"Get in!" She yelled. Sparda crawled over to the car, dragging his broken body inside shutting the door.

Sparda woke up feeling like he was detached from his body. That all changed, of course, when he felt cool small feminine hands touching his side. Without thinking, and more out of reflex he grabbed the hands of the individual that was touching him.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you." Eva said, removing her hands from Sparda's.

He looked about the room noticing how small the room was. There was only one bed(which he was currently occupying), one window, a night stand, two doors(one presumably leading to the bathroom), a in wall sink, and a chair.

"Where are we?" Sparda asked, moving to sit up. Eva removed a bandaged from his side where his wound once was. The skin beneath was unmarred, and without blemish.

"Where at a hotel near the outskirts of the city." Eva replied, crumbling the bloodied bandage and throwing it away. Sparda grunted.

"Couldn't get better accommodation's, I guess." Sparda said, about to get up but realizing his clothes were missing. "What'd you do with my clothes?" Sparda said, sighing. Apparently, she had already seen him naked if she was taking care of him.

"Threw 'em out." She replied, flatly.

"What?" Sparda said, growling.

"Calm down. What the hell were you gonna do? Walk around in bloody clothes all day? Besides, I got you some new ones." Eva said, grabbing a bag and pulling out a pair of faded blue jeans, and a white t-shirt. She tossed them over to Sparda, turning around to let him get dressed.

Despite already having seen him naked, she was modest enough to turn her back. Sparda smirked at her squeamishness. Once he was dressed, he walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder to turn her around. Eva turned, looking up at Sparda.

"Look, I'm sorry for before. I…it was just…it's been awhile since I've had my ass kicked like that, and I guess I was just kind of mad. I didn't mean to take it out on you." Sparda said, apologizing for earlier.

Eva shrugged, rolling her eyes. "Is that what it was? Cause it seemed to me you were pissed off about something else. Who was that devil, anyway?" Eva asked.

Sparda shook his head. "I didn't know him, but it was likely…" Sparda trailed off wandering if he should tell her.

"Likely what?" Eva asked, staring at him.

Sparda sighed, sitting down at the foot of the bed. He gestured for her to sit, so he could tell her everything. If she was going to be involved with him anymore, than she deserved to know. "I…think that the devil that attacked you was actually sent by my brother. Right before I went to your place I went back to the Hilton Hotel. I was their searching for anything that the cops might've missed."

"And you found?" Eva inquired.

"I found a family crest. My family crest. After seeing it, I thought of you." Sparda said, blushing a little at how that sounded.

Eva smiled. "Because whoever was watching you also knew I was hanging around you. Which probably was that devil, right?" Eva said.

Sparda nodded. "Who's Zalera?" Eva asked.

Sparda tensed. She couldn't keep her mouth shut on that subject any longer because whoever she was, after that devil mentioned her Sparda flew into a rage. Sparda looked up at her. He sighed, growling.

"Zalera…is my mother." Sparda said, looking away from her.

Eva didn't know what to say to that. She remembered back to what the devil said about her, and felt sorry for him. "Sorry, I asked." Eva said, shaking her head.

Sparda gave a weak smile. "It's…all my fault, really. I should have taken them with me instead of just leaving them behind." Sparda said, kicking himself mentally.

Eva stared at him for moment before, sighing and changing the subject. "So, tell more of what's happened so far. Why were you at the police station?"

"I got arrested. I went back to my place to get something and when I came out the cops were there." Sparda said, explaining flatly.

"What was so important that you went back to get?"

Sparda stared at her. "The amulet."

"Amulet?"

"The key to the Underworld." Sparda replied.

Eva blanched, losing all color in her face. "You have it, right?" She asked, a little shakily.

Sparda looked away. "You have it, right?!"

"No, I don't have it--''

"How could you not have it?! Oh, shit! You have a plan for getting it back, right? Please, tell me you have a plan for getting it back?" Eva said, a little hysterical.

Sparda looked up into her face, noting the fear in her eyes. Low level demons she could handle. A devil she could hold her own. But against a legion of demonic armies…the entire human race was doomed!

She stood, and turned away from Sparda looking out the window. Right now she just needed to calm down. It wasn't going to help either of them getting hysterical. "I'm sor--''

"No, don't apologize. Just finish telling me what happened." Eva asked, turning back to him.

After Sparda finished telling her all the details of what had happened up to now, Eva had a seething look of anger on face.

"That slimy pig!" Eva shouted, referring to Tate.

Sparda looked up at her sharply. He wasn't sure what to expect from her, but an outburst wasn't one of the things on his lists to expect. He smiled anyway.

"I can't believe the selfish nerve some people have," Eva ranted, pacing back and forth. "If I see that pig bastard ever again, I'm gonna shoot his balls off!"

Sparda raised an eyebrow, but laughed it off all the same. Most woman now a day's made threats against the male genders genitals. It shouldn't surprise him to hear it from Eva, but the way she said it made you believe she would actually do it given the chance.

Eva stopped pacing a moment to face Sparda. "By the way, before you came to my place that devil was going on about something."

"What?"

"He was calling me your woman. Why? What've you been telling people?" Eva said, glaring at him.

Sparda blushed, covering his face with his hands. "Aww, crap! He said that?"

"Yes."

"Damn. Look, I haven't said anything to anyone, but that-that means…if he thinks…"

"If he thinks what?! Stop babbling and just tell me!"

"He thinks you're my wife! And if he thinks that, then so does Mundus!" Sparda yelled.

He was trying to think of a more subtle way to tell her that in the Underworld, she was his wife now. Eva stared at him, her mouth wide open. Her mouth opened and closed several times.

"I had nothing to do that, so save your anger for later." Sparda said, looking away from her shocked face.

Eva sat down again, not sure what to say. Devils had a weird way of doing things. "So, because I was hanging around you…"

"Afraid so. Sorry, I guess." Sparda replied, rubbing the back of his neck lamely.

He wasn't very good with women, and he was beginning to feel like a child more often now that he kept saying sorry. He shouldn't be feeling sorry. It's not like he went around saying, 'This is my girlfriend.'

Eva rubbed her face, shaking her head. "This is just stupid. Well, start brainstorming because we need to stop Mundus from opening that portal." Eva said, slumping in her seat. Sparda started at her again.

"We?" He said, puzzled.

Eva looked up at him. "Yeah. We. What's wrong with that? You don't want my help?" She asked, glaring at him.

Sparda shook his head. "No, it's not that. It's just…we? You would actually be willing to help me?"

"Of course, any sane human being who knew of the events to come would want to stop Mundus from taking control. I don't even want to think of the how this place would look if Mundus took over." Eva said, crossing her arms around herself.

Sparda smiled at her. "Unfortunately, not all humans are like you. Mind if I ask you something kind of personal?" Sparda asked.

"As long as it's not to personal, and I reserve that right not to answer." Eva said, sitting forward.

Sparda nodded. "What got you into hunting demon's? Why do you do it?" Eva paused. She tilted her head to think of a answer for him.

"As for the why, I do it because…well, I want to protect people. It sounds kind of stupid I know I could've done that by becoming a cop, but cops can become victims as well. A badge can only protect you for so long. And as for what got me into it. I had a little brother. He was my only real family. My mother died when I was little, and my father…I hated that man. All he ever thought about was money, and carrying on the family 'legacy'. My stepmother was a bitch, and my stepsister…there's no word to describe how much I hated her.

Anyway, my father the greedy money grubbing bastard that he is, ends up owing an ass load of money to an associate of his. One day this associate shows up to our house ready to collect on my father's payment. Of course, my father doesn't have the money so, his associate tears the house up looking for something valuable. And of course, he finds it. My house back then was like a museum. We had vases and paintings and sculptures. He took it all. I personally didn't care for any of that shit as my room was stark.

Anyway, he comes back the next day still wanting to collect on the debt. When my father doesn't have anything else to give, he gives the only thing he can. His soul. It must've been six months later, because slowly he started to change for the worse. And then, just like that he turns into a demon. He kills my stepmother, my stepsister, and…my four year old little brother. And all while I was hanging out with a friend." Eva explained.

She felt nothing for it now when she spoke about it as it was a long time ago. It didn't bother her as much when she talked about it now, especially when she talked about it with Sparda. She felt she could trust him a little now. He was still a jerk though.

"A devil did this?" Sparda asked.

Eva nodded her head. Sparda was about to open his mouth to apologize for something that he shouldn't be feeling sorry for, when Eva held up her hand. "Would you stop apologizing every time you hear something depressing. Jeez, don't you understand this world is depressing." Eva said.

Sparda smirked. "Yeah, whatever."

"So, about the amulet?"

"We have a little time before the seal is broken completely." Sparda finally said.

"How much time?"

"A couple of days, maybe."

"Oh, is that enough time to get it back?" Eva asked.

"With some help it should be. I'm going to have to call in a favor from some friends." Sparda replied.

"I thought Hades said he got all the devils that participated in the rebellion?" Eva inquired, cocking her head to the side.

"He did. But just because he got those at the hotel doesn't mean he got every single one." Sparda said, smirking.

Elsewhere in the Underworld

"Hahaha! I finally have it. And I have you to thank, Hades. So gracious you are to present me with this gift, yet…where is Sparda?" Mundus asked, the amulet in hand.

Head bowed low like an obedient little servant Hades responded, "He got away, your Majesty. I apologize."

"Hmm…he got away you say. Funny that, my devil knight's tell me he was within your grasp. Why is it then that he so easily slipped away, Hades? Are you to incompetent to catch a child? Your own brother?!" Mundus bellowed, angrily.

"No, your Majesty. Please, give me another chance and I swear I will find him." Hades begged.

Mundus scoffed. "No, I don't think so. Besides, I think I want to catch our little traitor myself. Begin preparations to unseal the portal. Our time to rise has finally come, Sparda." Mundus said, smiling. He was finally going to take revenge on that devil of his. But at least…he would have him back. Sparda was his, no one else's. And most definitely not some human females! He was going to torture the wench that stole his Sparda away.


Author's Note:

Now I have to admit this chapter was well worth the time it took!

Here it is, Lady's and Gent's! The chapter you've all been waiting!

Sympathy For The Devil Chapter Seven! Woot Woot!

Also, to clear up any confusion: Even though in the game they didn't mention Sparda's family nore did they mention if he had a brother or not, I would like to remind you all that this is just a fanfiction. That means all flames will be burned at the stake, praise will be worishped on a shrine, and any constructive critism will be written down in a memory log and viewed over many times until I've gotten it into my brain.

Anywho, I would like to thank Luna Dagger, and Stanic-Park of Madness for sticking with me this far and giving me all the advice and encourgment thus far! Luv you guys!

R&R, Plz!