The final chapter!
Chapter 10
-oOo-
"Good morning Pestilence. I have to say, I feel very disappointed. I thought we had an agreement to keep our business between the two of us? Truly, in part it is my own fault, I shouldn't have placed so much faith in you keeping your word, I was naive to do so."
The Darkness spoke as she approached the gathered group from behind, coming out from the denser woodland. All eyes turned towards the elegant young woman who ignored everyone else, looking only at Pestilence. Angered by her words, War took a step forward, halting when Death put a hand out in front of his quick tempered brother, signalling him to stop and rein in his quick temper. Horrified by the woman's words, Pestilence had all his attention focused on the powerful and beautiful figure now standing in front of him, gazing at him placidly.
"No...I mean, I didn't tell them, I swear to you Mistress. I kept my word, please believe me!"
One perfect eyebrow arched as The Darkness finally gave Pestilence's brothers a brief glance, pausing to look more interestedly at the woman standing at Wars side.
"My dear, this has nothing to do with you. I intend to visit Hell in due course. You are free to leave. Be so good as to give my regards to Lucifer when you see him.."
The daemon opened her mouth to speak, thinking better of it when she felt the binding lift away from her. Catching herself half way through an unintentional curtsey, she stumbled slightly as she turned and raced for the low grade road that passed by the bunker. Only then did she feel safe enough to return to Hell. Anxious to pass her news on to Crowley, she exited her meat suit in a curling stream of black smoke, leaving the unconscious figure of the woman she had possessed abandoned by the roadside.
-o-
The Darkness focussed on Pestilence again
"You were explaining how it is that your brothers are here with you?"
"I assure you, Madam, my brother did keep his word to you. Myself and his other brothers followed him here with neither his knowledge or agreement. To be perfectly frank, I'd rather hehad spoken to me. At which point, I would have advised against this meeting."
War took a step closer to Death's side as the woman gazed at the eldest Horseman, taking in his gaunt appearance and sharp features, her eyes taking in the silver topped walking cane, the understated elegance of his dark clothing and, finally, the dark intelligent eyes that regarded her steadily, betraying no emotion. Finally she bowed her head his way.
"I thank you for your honesty Sir. Now, if you would all excuse us, my friend and I have business matters to discuss, in private. Pest my dear, take my hand."
-o-
War strode over to the spot where his youngest brother and The Darkness had been stood. He spun around with both arms held out.
"Well? What now? Are we supposed to stand here playing with ourselves till that bitch decides to return our brother? Why was he meeting her? Death? What gives?"
"I'm afraid, my dear brothers, she wishes to get her hands on our brother's latest creation."
-o-
"Morning everybody, seems it might turn out pleasant later. Death! Nice to see you again! Is it just me, or do you look even paler than usual?...Have to say, you're all looking a little shell shocked Hope I've not missed anything?...Where's brother number four?"
-o-
Famine took the task of bringing Crowley up to speed on events and what was known of Pestilence's acquaintance with The Darkness.
"...And in case you have any doubts as to how dangerous this disease is? Consider this. The thing has the strength to have infected all four Horsemen to some degree. And if you need reminding Crowley. Appearances aside, my brothers and I are not beings of flesh and bone, we are entities...Imagine then, what it will do to every living and growing thing on this planet? And I do include within that, angels, daemons and of course, yourself. The greatest threat ever known to life on this planet is currently residing in our brother's coat pocket, and he came here with the intention of handing it over to The Darkness, in exchange for some ill conceived idea of greatness which he is craving."
Crowley's bland expression didn't waver.
"And now she has disappeared with him...Quite the unfortunate situation all round then."
At his response, all three Horsemen stared at Crowley in disbelief. Crowley sighed heavily, rolling his eyes in that Why me? kind of way, dismissing the Horsemen's astounded stares with a casual wave of one hand.
"Oh, untwist your frillies. I get it. End of all life, blah, blah, blah. So. I guess you boys had better rustle up four horses...Don't suppose anyone wants to swap do they? I mean, seriously? How is anyone expected to look dashing and debonair while they're stuck on top of a green horse? And speaking of, anyone else get the irony of green being Pestilence's colour?...No?...Just me then."
-o-
The three brothers sat astride their respective horses and settled in to watch as some yards away from them, Crowley stood eyeing up the near 21 hand, muscular green stallion, who was silently eyeing him right back. War smiled and winked at Death, who, without returning his brother's smile, looked back at Crowley, watching him with curiosity. He had never seen anyone who was not one of the four attempt to mount a steed belonging to a Horseman, he readied himself to go to Crowley's aid...Or collect his black soul, whichever proved necessary.
-o-
He was surprised to see Crowley stuff both hands in his trouser pockets and nonchalantly move closer to the watching stallion. He begin to stroll in a wide circle around the supernatural beast, looking for all the world as if he were giving the once over to a car he might consider taking for a test drive. The stallion flicked it's ears in opposing directions and turned it's great head, tracking Crowley's progress until he disappeared around the horses own rear end. The stallion swiftly turned it's head in the opposite direction, waiting for Crowley to re-appear on his other flank, and snorting in confusion when after while the short man-thing still hadn't shown.
"There now my bonny boy. You're a clever one, aren't you my handsome laddy? Knew exactly where I should be you did. It's a rare gift to be standing so close to a horse as bright as yourself my handsome boy."
-o-
The hand that confidently stroked once down the length of it's long, arched neck. and the softly spoken voice coming from the same side Crowley had set off from surprised the horse. It turned it's head quickly again, shaking the unusual man-thing's hand off it's neck and pricking both ears forward, staring hard at Crowley, listening to his tone, recognising the sounds of praise and admiration. The horse became still as stone, waiting to see what the man-thing would do next. Still praising the huge beast, Crowley looked deep into the creatures eyes and nodded, knowing that if his next action wasn't the right one, he was going to be riding piggy back. Crowley slowly raised one hand and held the flat of his palm open in full view of the stallion, then he became as still as the horse.
War looked across to Famine in confusion.
"What's he doing?"
"Shhhh!"
War turned instead to Death, who answered in an irritated whisper before War could open his mouth.
"He's talking to the beast, using the old Scottish Gaelic of the Highlands. He's asking the horse to carry him."
"Asking. A horse?"
"I'm a little rusty, but roughly translated...Magnificent beast, I would be honoured if you agreed to accept and carry me. I ask this so that, together, you and I might race with the wind to the aid of your true rider. Accept me and I will do all I can to ensure that you and he become re-united, as it should be."
War looked at Crowley again with renewed interest.
"Well. I'd never have thought the little twerp had it in him!"
The brothers continued to watch the green stallion allow the King of Hell to stroke it's neck again. Crowley moved slowly alongside the horse and, as if he was born to it, swung himself easily up and in the saddle. He waited as the stirrups adjusted their length to his legs before, looking comfortable and relaxed, he trotted the stallion back to join the waiting brothers.
"Right then gentlemen. Shall we?"
As always being the eldest, Death on his pale horse took the lead. One by one The Three Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the King of Hell were carried upwards to gallop across the dawn sky, vanishing into a high swathe of dark and foreboding clouds.
-o-
Pestilence hated to acknowledge it, but he was scared. He was alone, seeing nothing but swirling, seething, heavy charcoal and deep purple coloured clouds above, below and all around, with him somehow suspended in the midst of them. He could feel his hair and clothing reacting to the huge amount of static in the air, his skin tingled with it. The atmosphere itself was warm and with the type of high humidity that rapidly saps the strength. It felt like the build up to some forthcoming epic storm, unlike any other seen on Earth since the First Storm had gathered and rained down on the young planet. Yet, despite the broiling movement surrounding Pestilence, there was also perfect silence, the silence of waiting.
-o-
When her appearance finally ended his isolation, Pestilence wondered whether his being alone had been the better option? It was the same form chosen by The Darkness, but this version was bigger, much bigger. Glancing down, Pestilence saw that he was now standing on the flat of her open palm. The Darkness held him up to her face.
"Have you brought it my little friend?"
Despite her great size, designed to overawe and instil fear, the volume of the form's voice had not grown with it, for which Pestilence was extremely grateful, certain he would have been deafened otherwise. Pestilence found himself only being able to look the giant presence in the one eye due to her size and his nearness. He couldn't help but chance a look at her lips, and he hoped that she wasn't hungry.
"You mean the infection?"
The one eye rolled.
"Of course the infection, our agreement wasn't for a bouquet of flowers, now was it? Please don't test my patience, I can assure you, I have none."
Pestilence stood as tall as he could.
"It's safe. But I'm sorry. I can't give it to you, I won't give it to you."
The darkness narrowed her eye's in warning.
"Before you explain yourself I need you to be fully aware of one thing...All I need do is close my hand...Do we understand one another?"
Metaphorically, Pestilence recognised he had come to a T-junction and it was time to choose his direction. One way, everything he had ever wanted, including an end to the humans crawling over the face of the planet Earth. A final gift from him, a disease that would spread too easily, too rapidly for any human scientist to challenge and best. Or the alternative direction, his refusal to comply. A dead end, quite literally. His thoughts strayed to his brothers. How would they respond to his demise? Would they re-invent themselves as The Three Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Would they instigate a recruitment drive in order to fill the vacancy he left? Or, as was the case with Famine, War and himself, would something else rip it's way into existence and into Death's charge? Death, Famine, War and...Global Warming? Co2 Emissions? Waste? Nature?..."
"Your answer...Now!"
-o-
Both the sight and the thundering sound of the Four Horsemen on their fearsome steeds racing down from the heavens and crossing the skies was intended to be the most ominous sight for humanity, a portent of the coming World Apocalypse, the ultimate destruction, the final annihilation...The End. (Human writings had, at some point in time, tried to soften the impact by the addition of some promise about rising again; clearly they struggled with the whole concept of extinction). The sound effects however were not statutory. Travelling in silence also had it's benefits. and so it was that, without a sound, four imposing horses and their riders suddenly emerged through the pendulous, dark hued clouds and came to a halt facing she who was The Darkness. Seeing the sudden change of expression on the face of The Darkness, Pestilence turned to look back over his shoulder, and stared "bug" eyed amazement when he gained an unexpected new perspective on his own situation. Assuming his three brothers and...Crowley?...were still their usual size, despite looking like giants to him,
it became clear that The Darkness had not become immense in stature at all. Instead he himself appeared to have been shrunk down to the size of an average field mouse!
"Hello beautiful...I don't believe I've had the pleasure? Hope us dropping by isn't too much of an inconvenience? I've come in person to correct a slight misconception I've become aware you seem to be under. So, here I, sorry, here we are...Boys? One of you hold the horse while I go make the acquaintance of this delectable young woman?...Cheers...That's better...It feels a little more equal now I'm not looking down on you...The name's Crowley. Please, tell me, by what name does a perfect creature like you go by?"
Forgotten on her hand, Pestilence continued to gape at Crowley as the King of Hell strode up to The Darkness, his whole demeanour dripping self confidence from every pore, and held his hand out to her. Pestilence had never seen Crowley appear to be so at ease with himself, and he was relieved to note Crowley aiming towards her empty hand. The Horseman's eye's widened further when, seemingly on auto-pilot, the woman responded to his gesture, offering her own hand, which Crowley bent over and brushed with the lightest of kisses.
"Your name Madam?"
-o-
Crowley's charm offensive appeared to have run it's course when The Darkness snatched back her hand and stared at the back of it, frowning. She glared at the man in front of her and addressed him in the stern tone of command.
"I am The Darkness, bow before me!"
Pestilence saw the signs of Crowley taking an unobtrusive deep breath, and he knew. Crowley's supremely confident air was all an act, a show put on for the benefit of the entity.
Sorry love. A King bows to nobody on command, and surely you have a prettier name than The Darkness?"
Pestilence contained his urge to smile. He'd done it! Crowley had caught The Darkness off guard by referring to his status, all-be-it a title he had chosen for himself when, on spotting an opportunity he promoted himself from the role of Crossroads Daemon. Sadly, her surprise quickly faded and she looked at Crowley with distain.
"Name your petty earthly Kingdom, and I will have you watch when I destroy it."
Crowley looked puzzled briefly, then his face lit up as though he had solved that which was puzzling him.
"Ah!I see what your problem is pet! I don't have an earthly Kingdom. My bad, I was told you were a little behind the times! Allow me to bring you up to speed. Old Lucy's done, defeated, deposed and disposed of. My name's Crowley...And I'm the King of Hell... So, now I've introduced myself, I'll be having my Horseman back thank you. You see, it's supposed to be the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, not the Three Horsemen and one Riderless Nag of the Apocalypse. It just doesn't have the same ring to it, as I'm sure you'll agree?"
-o-
Initially, The Darkness appeared hesitant, undecided on what course of action to take, then she smiled broadly at Crowley before glancing down at Pestilence.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
The Darkness pulled her hand away from underneath Pestilence, leaving him in a freefall which ended abruptly when he experienced the nausea inducing sensation of suddenly springing back to full size and finding himself lying flat on his back. Pestilence froze, his eyes frantically seeking out Death's.
"I'm sorry brother. Forgive me, all of you. I wasn't going to give it to her, I was going to look for a way to...
-o-
...destroy it!"
Both the fast moving clouds and The Darkness were gone. As the three mounted Horsemen quickly slid down off their horses, Crowley looked around at the familiar scenery. A rough road with woodland to one side, and the Winchester bunker at the other, nearby a classic Chevy Impala was parked, a sleek black shape in the grey light of dawn.
"Bitch! Who does she think sh..."
Crowley's words were cut off by a panicked cry from Pestilence.
"Don't! Stay back, don't come near me!"
Crowley felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise and he turned to stare across to where Pestilence was lying at the road's edge, his helpless gaze fixed on his brothers standing a few feet away from him, brought to a halt by his warning.
"What the bloody hell is that crap he's lyin' in?"
-o-
Death strode determinedly to the side of the youngest Horseman and held a hand out to him.
"Come on Pest, up you get lad. There is work to be done, your brothers and I need you by our side."
"Oi! I asked you lot a question. Is that...?"
Leaning on the support offered to him by War, Famine looked back at the angry Crowley.
"Yes...It is indeed. My little brother's greatest creation, beautiful in it's way, don't you agree, Sire?"
Crowley stepped back a few paces, astounded by how quickly the deadly infection was spreading over the ground, instantly shrivelling and killing every piece of plant-life it came into contact with, and each contact seemed to boost the rate at which it moved and grew. Parts of the semi solid, stinking mass were already being absorbed into the soil, from where it could attack roots, bulbs, food crops, and the creatures who lived within the soil. Very soon it would find water, seeping into streams, rivers, reservoirs, oceans. It would evaporate under the heat of the sun, and fall back to earth again in the rain, each drop deadly to whatever, whoever, they touched. Children playing in parks and woodland would be playing with death, and they would carry it home to family, to school with them at the start of the week, where classrooms would have no students left to fill them by mid-week. And as creatures and humans moved relentlessly over the face of the planet, so would the infection. Angels would reach out to touch humanity, and carry the deadly disease home. Daemon would infect daemon, and a King without an earthly kingdom would return to the levels beneath, and so infect his minions. A handshake, a hug, a kiss, a playful punch, a fleeting touch on a crowded sidewalk, brothers sitting close side by side inside a sleek, black classic Chevy Impala. Every action and interaction would serve to continue the spread, until eventually, all that remained would be a dead planet, caught in silent orbit around it's sun.
-o-
Crowley's eyes flicked from Horseman to Horseman.
"Can't you lot do something? Anything?"
Death smiled sadly down on the desperate face of the Last King of Hell from astride his pale stallion.
"Yes, there is something that we can, and will, do. We will ride. The Four of us. We will ride together. We will be seen to gallop across the skies as we do what destiny requires of us. We will announce to the world that this is coming. We will foretell it, and it will follow swiftly on behind us. It is truly the only task that is left here for us...To be a portent of the coming World Apocalypse, the ultimate destruction, the final annihilation...
The End!
-oOo-
For PrawnNetwork, who sent the prompt and the request for a fic centred on the Four Horsemen. I hope I have done the theme justice for you. Chick xxx