Raging Demon Reaper
Disclaimer: I don't own Grim Tales.
The Richmaster- Thank you and I'm not surprised- The bird is funny!
tylermech66- In response to the Jack review- yes, it would and probably will. XP
Cf96- Oh, she'll be getting hints, bt I don't think she'll figure it ot for a bit longer.
detrametal- Yes, yes it is. In order: I actually considered having Junior himself do it, but decided to capitalize more on the fact that Wrath is his stand in at times. As for Jack, while size is debatible, that is the image I was going for. The nature of Junior's ability will be a matter of debate and speculation in the Underworld- I'll let that speak for itself. As for Jack, yes, we do need more of him, and we will.
Yeah, after you just stick Mini to the front of your own name and dub your child that, you lose all rights to call yourself original. And don't worry, yo'll see more of the Eagle- and he gets a name this chapter! Temproary one, admttedly. And Wrath, i weighed a few other options, my own and ones presented in reviews, but this was the one that ended up fitting best.
Welcome!
nightmaster000- He's a battle hungry ghost that just found out his kids are going to be raised by one of the most badass family in the afterlives and their big brother just proved that he's still, in Dan's words, "Prince Badass". So, yeeah, Dan's a bit happy about that. XP
Yep. This is probably a lot like if Grim got his backbone fixed back during the Grim Adventures- Mandy would be more than a little alarmed. And ,you're right, she might not know or really believe Demongo's past.
Good question on all accounts, one Junior probably isn't ready to answer yet. Don't let the peaceful moments fool you.
Junior's wondering the same thing about the eagle, hence why he suspected it MIGHT be his father. Oh, Junior is already well versed in that lesson, even if the universe(or me) keeps reminding him of it.
Aros001- Bingo, got it in one. That is the signifigance of Junior's rage induced logic to impuse Death upon the Deathless.
1. Yep.
2. Technically yes. Actually, totally yes, I just have my own spin to it.
3. Yeah, while I'm not christian, Jesus is a figure I never felt comfortable dragging into my works- I think that because most of my family is christian, even if they're not very church-going or anything like that. But, no, Hellwood is not Under-Hollywood- maybe in another fic, that or Underwood. Though...Traitorous/Redeemed Devil as Junior's father...Goddamn that's a good idea! I might just take that!
4. Something like that, yes.
5. Ohh, he blames Junior's father for many, many things. As does everyone.
6. Hmm, good theories.
7. You're right on that last bit, it takes a certain amount or bit to trigger it, but that's not why HIM is immune.
8. Yep.
9. Very true on unpredictability being dangerous.
10. Yep.
11. Hehe, might make an omake of that one day. But yes, the general answer is correct
FLARECROWN-Don't worry, Grim and Jack's mysteries are a gradual unraveling deal as oppose to Junior's puzzle of a father. And yes, it is hilarious, no matter how many times you imagine it.
asadakala- My responses: Yes, glad to hear, one of those is correct, good guess on messiah, you when a prize- Hellwood IS a group, maybe on Aku, yes but that's not all he can do, yep, true, not wrong on Mandy being proud, not wrong about the eagal, and yes he'll be able to handle it.
coldblue- Answers:
1. Again, Bingo. This is one of the more straight forward questions and answers, I'll admit, with little to no alternative motive.
2. One of the first, yes, and he is indeed very old. And that is a damn good theory on Kare, but unfortunately no.
3. Hehe, you'll see.
4. Hmm, you're not too off, and te bit about marriage isn't off unlikely to at least come up.
4(2). You...Okay, its scary that you knew that- Yes, Lord Traitor had a hand in HIM geting Mimi.
5. Hehe, you're somewhat right. There is a bit of selection that goes into what he gets, to his evoltuion, its the logic behind it you have to figure out.
6. Close, but again HIM is not Ker.
7. Again, its likely that the prospect will come out, but that not why Chi was freaking out about.
8. True.
9. Not wrong, on any account.
10. Junior is learning to accept the terrifying image he unintentionally created for himself, with HIM's help of course. And yes, Junior is trynig to figure out where he stands in general, family included.
Eh, take you pick, either way it amounts to Junior still caring about Grim enoguh to stick up for him. Yes, Mandy and Junior are a bit of a powder keg right now. Yes, Dan is probably actually happier about his kids being under the same roof as Junior than Mandy. Violent Respect- sounds like a metal song.
Eh, more like Wrath of Grim Junior. And thank you for the joke about Mandy and Minnie not being able to cook- I don't know about Mandy, but Minnie will have kitchen issues. XP Yes, Lord Traitor is the Godfather of Chi- not sure if I stated he was Mimi's, have to recheck that. And yes, a meeting of Junior with either or both of those girls probably won't be smooth.
Questions:
1. That will be answered later- its a plot point, so I can't really give it away now.
2. Don't worry- fear powers or not, Junior has his ways of terrifing people
3. Hmm, possible. Haven't put much thought into them yet- YET.
As alway,s love your reveiws!
Al Baker-Yes, yes I know this, but he wasn't sentient until the age of samurai. So, if we classify that as his birth, we can consider Aku very young, relatively.
Omegas Prime- Never watched Gravity Falls. But I'm glad you like it and yes, I love that scene too. It's like '...Wait...is he?' "Hey are you-" *WINGWHACK!* "WTF!" Lol, sorry, had to.
DPSS- Eh, RDR's calm moments are marked by a touch more levitity and humor compared than its dark moments. That and Junior is getting annoyed by said complex. But on that note, I am trying to keep it from seeming ridiculous. Wether or not I succeed is up to debate. Still, glad you enjoyed it.
1. Exacta mundo!
2. Yep! Was wondering who might find that.
3. Possibly.
4. Hehe, not a bad guess.
5. Yes, yes he is.
6. You're on the right track.
7. Oh, that wouldn't help him in this case. There's a reasoni t does'nt effect him.
8. Yes, yes, and all around yes.
9. Eh, can't really confirm or deny this one.
10. I know- the QTPs are best guess mainly. And you guys have some damn good guesses.
11. Thank you for this answer, it inspired part of this chapter.
Regular Speak
Thoughts and Flashbacks
Demonic or Animalistic Speak
Demonic or Animalistic Thought
It had been a relatively quiet week since the kitchen incident. Junior had busied himself in the time being by finding out exactly what the Undernet thought of him at the moment, among other things, while his clones and Wrath continued training Minnie; So far, he knew one thing. While some of these rumors were a little off- 'unless I somehow forgot fighting Cthulhu and eating a swarm of harpies'- he realized something else distinctly wrong with the ones that were right. To be exact, they were tooright.
There were details in them that were too precise, too spot on. Like the number of blades of his Abominable Scythe or exactly how many clones amplified Wrath's beam against Nergal Junior or that four vampires helped the one wolfman save Jack or even the too-close rough estimate of how many royal guards survived or...hell, one of them mentioned that original robot as the Pumpkinator! While there were variables and mistakes- 'and how would I have been able to breath ice? I think fighting Uncle Jack would have been a lot easier if I had that!'- There were also repeated constants that spoke of a firsthand account- or a front row seat.
HIM. Definitely, definitely HIM.
While Junior might be jumping the shark on the matter, HIM was the only one he knew of so far that was keeping surveillance on him. His mother couldn't really benefit from it in this light, as it made Junior look more like a rogue element than an actual member and ally of the Grim Clan. The only other person Junior could think of with this much info was Clockwork, but given what his dad told him and what Minnie read about the Time Ghost, he wasn't one for gossip. Still, even if HIM wasn't the only one behind this, he definite had a claw in it and was undoubtedly fanning the other rumors- 'I have not dethroned or enslaved Mom, or Minnie for that matter! Universe, enough with the Incest jabs! And who the fuck is this Jade Chan I supposedly married?!'- But what the red devil had to gain from this, Junior still wasn't sure yet. Though, if Junior had to take a leap, it was to tarnish his mother's fierce and invincible image she had projected onto the Underworld. But it couldn't be just that. Just like the Eagle definitely wasn't just an eagle.
Speaking of which...
"Stephanoaetus Coronatus," Junior commented as he reclined in his computer chair, his feet prompted on the desk and using his axe-less tail to type on the keyboard. Having eyes all over his body had some advantages.
The eagle gave a curious squawk from on top of the computer screen, leaning down to look at a page on Infernopedia, the underworld's Wikipedia, on a species of eagles, "That's what you are- or look like. I'm not going to guess who or what you really are at this point," Junior explained, getting a tilted head from the avian, to which he shrugged in response, "Hey, I need a name for you and you refuse to answer. Since I have no intention of calling you Eagle forever and you don't approve of Tweety or Birdy-" Junior paused to see the dark and evil aura surrounding his feathered companion, but was unphased by it, "-I have to get creative. Which, if I take after Mom, doesn't bode well for me," He finished with a sigh as he sat up in the chair.
This creature continued to be a complete mystery to him. However, he- the bird made it very clear he wasn't a she or an it- had been a bit of fresh air for the young hybrid. The eagle didn't seem to care that Junior could eat his soul for dinner, or that Junior was even a Prince of the Underworld and the Heir of Death. The avian acted like he was...normal, he supposed. Or normal for the Underworld. Maybe even a friend. Though, Junior didn't have any delusions that this thing wasn't somehow connected to HIM or his father, but he appreciated the company for now. He'd deal with whatever agenda the bird had when he got a better grasp of what it might want.
"Hmm, you're also called a crowned eagle apparently. Not surprising," Junior mused, ignoring the bird proudly raising his crown-like feathers for a moment, "Says the species is from Africa and...Unholy fuck, you're a monkey killer," Junior stated in surprised interest, causing the eagle to shrill in shock, nearly slipping off the monitor. "No, I'm not making that up. Come see for yourself," Junior retorted, able to read the general mood of the bird at this point. In response, his acquaintance glided onto the Demon-Reaper's shoulder, looking at the screen in interest. And indeed, one of the crown eagle's most common prey was primates. "...Ever eaten a monkey before?" Junior asked curiously, getting a head shake, "...Want to?" Junior asked with a small smirk. The eagle looked annoyed, but lowered his head a bit, "I'll take that as a maybe," Junior deduced smugly, getting a smoldering glare from the green eyed bird.
Both perked up in surprise when a knock came at the door. They glanced at it, then each other and shrugged. The crowned flier jumped off Junior's shoulder to fly over to his shelf of collectables before standing perfectly still. So far, no one had noticed the bird perched up there. The rarity of his room having visitors may have had more to do with that than anything else though. "It's unlocked!" Junior called, wondering who was paying him a visit.
"Good day, mine Brother," MiniMandy greeted with a smile as she came into the room with her arms behind her back.
"Minnie?" Junior greeted in surprise, but still welcomingly, "I thought you'd be heading down for training," he noted with a head tilt.
Minnie allowed her smile to turn a bit sheepish, "I twas in hopes that ye would deign for us to have a reprieve from training, just for a mere day, Master Junior." she requested humbly.
Junior raised an eyebrow at that: Minnie had been training every day for the past week, upwards of five hours a day. While she certainly wasn't at the same level she had been with the Nergal, she had improved in leaps and bounds compared to the first day. Her arrow firing speed had shot up to three arrows a second, with a personal goal of five per second. Her accuracy took temporary setbacks as she increased her speed, but quickly adapted to aiming as quick as she could load an arrow.
They even started training runs where a given number of his clones- the regular ones without tails, Minnie was not fighting Wrath any day soon- would try to tag, or 'kill', Minnie before she could shoot them in the heart or head. To make it fair for now, they couldn't shape shift. Minnie was a bit hesitant at first to attack facsimiles of her brother, but after seeing Junior rip a random clone into pieces and have it reform seconds later, she got the idea that her shooting them was a minor inconvenience at best. They currently had it set up that after she won five rounds, he would add another clone. Until she lost five times, then the scoreboard was reset. She was, currently, trying her second set of rounds against a team of five clones.
All in all, she had made great progress, as far as Junior was concern. Still...
"This have anything to do with the whole 'try different weapons' thing I had planned out for today?" Junior asked, curious and concerned.
"Nay, Brother. Nary a motive save a sister desiring the company of her elder sibling," Minnie assured, her smile growing wider as she brought her hands forward, "And I come bearing gifts!" She added on, holding up a plastic bag of sandwiches.
"...Did you make those?" Junior asked as he eyed the bag suspiciously.
"Brother, I am quite capable of performing such a simple task without incident," Minnie retorted, crossing her arms with a pout.
"What'd you break?" Junior asked flatly.
"W-what!? Brother, thy shame me! Nothing was damaged in my attempt!" Minnie denied, looking away in a huff.
"Okay..." Junior relented slowly, "...Than why did Wrath just find the brand new peanut butter jar split in two?"
Minnie stiffened, looking down as she tapped her foot against the floor, "I...mayhaps hast tried to remove the preservation seal with a knife and that mayhaps somehow concluded with the container cut in twain. I...am stilt unsure of how I managed such a...feat," She confessed in embarrassment.
"...I'm starting to think the kitchen just doesn't like you," Junior stated in bewilderment as he hopped off his chair, "That or you're just too good with a blade for anything less than dismemberment," He joked as he slipped the bag from her, pulling one out to give it a sniff.
"Tis not poison, Brothe." Minnie assured grumpily.
"Minnie, in all likelihood, poison to me will either be like drugs, alcohol or..." Junior trailed off with a blush.
"Or what, mine brother?" Minnie asked, looking up in curiosity at his pause.
"...Nothing, nothing!" Junior said hurriedly, as he took a quick bite of the sandwich.
"...Were thou thinking 'aphrodisiac?'" Minnie asked with a small smirk, making him swallow uneasily before glaring at her lightly.
"...I can always skip right to ten clones, Minnie. Or give them stun-cannons," Junior warned evenly, still blushing as he continued to munch on the meal.
Minnie smiled despite the horrible image of either scenario running through her heads, turning to wrap her brother in a hug, "I missed ye, Brother," she said softly.
"Minnie?" Junior asked in surprise as she pulled back with a sigh, but continued to smile.
"True, thine duplicates art linked in mind as well as body, but even thine Great Wrath doth not compare to the original. And I meanst that as more than solely due to thine limited ability to speak through thine other bodies, even if that plays a great and heavy role in it," She explained with a longing yet happy tone.
Junior blinked as he processed her words, realizing that he hadn't spent much time with her, in his main and speaking body at least, since the training started and thus, hadn't talked to her much beyond what Wrath grunted out, "Sorry, Mins, just...just got a bit side tracked," Junior apologized.
"Now, now, nary of that, dear sibling. I came to enjoy thine company, if ye wilt hath me, not cause some needless trip of guilt on thine part," Minnie said, placing her hands on his shoulder with a smile, both apologizing and trying to cheer him up.
Junior's red eyes met her single grey one for a moment, before he smiled in fond amusement, "Sure, I think you've earned a little break," He joked lightly.
"How generous of you, Master Junior," Minnie shot back playfully, pretending not to notice his tail perking up a bit.
"You ever going to stop calling me that?" Junior asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'll consider it on the dawning of a day in which ye no longer hath need to temper thine true power in a match against mine own, Brother," Minnie said with a tiny smirk.
Junior considered those words carefully before dropping the matter, "So, any ideas on what to do?" He asked uncertainly before frowning, "And if you say twister..."
"Brother, I'd prefer to witness thine counterparts partake in such a game, if only to see the tangled mess it twould create," Minnie joked before looking a bit nervous, "Actually, I was wondering...?"
"Yes?" Junior asked with a head tilt.
"Mayhaps ye could teach me how to properly play a video game?" Minnie asked sheepishly, pointing to Junior's TV and game system.
Junior looked between the game and his sister several times before grinning, "Minnie, you have officially entered MY domain," He stated ominously.
'...Why doth I hast the sudden sensation of dread?' Minnie thought as Junior quickly got to work turning the console on and looking for a game to start her out on, "...May I make an inquiry, Mine Brother?" She asked after a moment.
"Sure?" Junior answered with a raised eyebrow, not looking up from his work.
"Is thine winged friend going to join us?" Minnie asked with a curious head tilt. Junior and the eagle both nearly fell over at that. Actually, the eagle did fall over, landing on his feathered chest before squawking in disbelief as Junior face palmed, "Twas I not supposed to take notice of him?" Minnie asked, looking between the two in confusion.
The eagle snorted with an eye roll as it glided down to the bed and started using its beak to tug and pull a sandwich out of the forgotten bag of snacks. Junior just shook his head as he returned to setting up the game.
Meanwhile
"It's official," Mandy said in annoyance, leaning on the doorframe to Grim's personal study.
"Congrats on anoder little bastar," Grim retorted without looking up from the various amount of paperwork.
"Not that, Bonehead: Your son confirmed that a week ago, twins at that," Mandy retorted with an eye roll.
"...Junior did wha now?" Grim asked in surprise, furrowing his brow.
"Apparently he can sense when conception takes. And how many. And their genders. And their eye colors," Mandy listed off idly, holding up a finger for each point, before looking thoughtful, "Hmm, then again, he was still an infant when I had Minnie...is that a Reaper-thing, a Demon-thing or a Demon-Reaper-thing?"
"How abou we jus label it a Junior-thing?" Grim answered with a sigh, "So...wha's official den?"
"The guards are scared shitless of Junior," Mandy answered as she sat on the edge of Grim's desk.
"Hmm, I'ma stook between two comments: Eider 'An de Sky outsie is red like HIM's ass, and ye're a scary bitch. Tell me someding I don't know.' or 'Dem and half de aftalives, wha else is new?' Can't really decide which is betta." Grim mused in mock thought, getting a slap upside the head for it, "Watch it woman! Ya mess up dis pile and we migh restart World War Dree!" Grim scolded with a glare.
"Before our marriage, I would have never believed that," Mandy commented, lacking any interest, "I'm serious, though."
"So am I," Grim said, tossing her an IPhone with a skull print on the back.
"...When did you get an IPhone?" Mandy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Junior won it on some online game a while back. He was goin ta give it ta ya, but dought I'd need it more, fer some reason," Grim answered with a shrug, "Go ta de Undernet, should be a tab open dere."
Mandy's eyebrow raised just a bit more at that, but did as requested, "...Why the hell hasn't anyone told me about this?" She asked with a seething scowl.
"Oh, I don't know? Maybe no one wanted ta walk in on ya doin de nasty wid de ghosty? Maybe some of us were jus happy ta be home in one piece?" Grim asked sarcastically, with a glare at Mandy, "An maybe de res of us have been eyein de powder keg between ya an Junior?"
"...Is there something you want to say to me, Grim?" Mandy asked coldly.
Grim rolled his eye sockets at that, resting his chin in his palm, "Have ya even checked up on yer kids since Junior broke de Phantom's legs, again?"
"Junior's been sticking to his room and Minnie's been heading down to her old training room." Mandy answered simply.
"Is dat all?" Grim asked, unimpressed.
"...Is there more?" Mandy asked slowly, cautiously.
"Quite a few dings, but ya can ask yer kids about dat if ya wan: I'm not playin messenger and secretary between ya two and de guards will avoid dat job like a plague. Or, ya know, you on yer period," Grim answered with an amused smirk.
"I don't have a problem with Junior, Grim. He has problems with me," Mandy pointed out bluntly.
"No, YOU don't have problems wid yer son, but de Bitch Queen DOES have issue wid de Demon-Reaper," Grim corrected knowingly.
"Now you're just babbling nonsense," Mandy denied, looking off to the side...
And stared right into the eyes of Wrath.
"Fin wha ya were lookin fer, Son?" Grim asked, seeing Mandy tense up for a moment.
Wrath nodded as he came out in front of the desk, "Thanks," he growled out with a long, rolled up scroll held over his shoulder.
"What is that?" Mandy asked levelly.
"Obviously he be de 'head clone.' Though, Junior's callin him Rage or somedin like dat," Grim answered with a shrug.
"Wrath," the duplicate corrected offhandedly.
"I didn't me-" Mandy started before blinking, "Seriously, Wrath? And "I'm" the unoriginal one?" She asked in annoyance.
"Yes," Wrath answered bluntly.
"He's gotta point, Woman. I mean, sure, 'Junior' is one ding, but namin yer daughta literally as yer "Mini-Me?"" Grim's smirk probably could have cracked a jaw bone if he wasn't a reaper.
"Great, now you're both double teaming me," Mandy said with a sigh, getting a growling groan of annoyance from Wrath, "What's wrong with you?" She asked with a scrunched brow, "Has he been here this whole time?" She asked, looking to Grim over her shoulder.
"Until jus now, ya," Grim answered smugly, making Mandy twist her head back around, finding Wrath gone.
"That's going to get old real fast," Mandy muttered with a sigh, "What, exactly, did you just give him?"
"Eh, some old scrolls on how ta use weapons," Grim answered with a shrug.
"Weapons?" Mandy repeated curiously.
"Dings you happen ta be fond of, if I'm not mistaken," Grim added on playfully.
"Why didn't he just ask me?" Mandy asked, almost sounding and looking surprised.
"He made it quite clear he doesn't trust us at de momen," Grim reminded.
"Seems to trust you," Mandy retorted instantly.
"No, I jus be stayin out of his way widout avoidin him all together. Found Wrath stumblin aroun de library, looking fer somedin on spears and swords, so I took de boy here and told him ta snoop aroun over dere, where I keep some 'dead' or 'lost' knowledge I picked up over de ages," Grim elaborated.
"...I thought you were busy feeling lost over what happened in Halloween Town?" Mandy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Dat has less ta do wid Junior an more ta do wid meself," Grim answered with a sigh and a wave of his skeleton hand, "Besides, not like I haven't done worse fer worse reasons."
"I get the distinct feeling all you reapers are hiding things from me," Mandy commented in annoyance.
"Don be changin de subject," Grim scolded, pointing a finger at his wife, "I neva wanted Junior ta fin out abou his sperm donor, but like wid Minnie, I wasn't tryin ta outright hide it. DAT was all on you, woman," Grim pointed out.
"...You still haven't found him, have you?" Mandy asked slowly.
"Yer teacha turned de worlds upside down, leaves me wid a huge mess, an doesn't even have de curtesy of ownin up ta it," Grim muttered darkly, "An yer still changin de subject."
"Well, your spine is extra stiff for once," Mandy commented, shaking her head with a small, momentary smirk, "...You have any advice?"
Grim blinked at that, looking at Mandy oddly for a moment before shrugging, "Advice ya will take, ya mean? Junior issue wid ya isn't goin away. Yer issue wid him, wid de Demon-Reapa? Dat's wha ya gotta deal wid firs."
"...Grim, you know how I deal with issues like that," She reminded slowly.
"An how do ya bet Junior is goin ta 'deal' wid it when ya try?" Grim answered meaningfully.
"...You're crazy," Mandy said coldly, "How could that possibly help?"
"Helped wid Jack and me," Grim admitted with a shrug, "We stepped on each oder's toes an claws more den once. Jus be glad ya an Junior aren't likely ta cause tiny apocalypses. Well, ya bod are, bu...ya get wha I mean."
"Do I want to know?" Mandy asked, blunt yet curious.
"Eh, well, we hada spat by dis old riva called Sarnus- or Sarno, whicheva. Point is, when we were done...long story short? Sarnus flows drough a certain city in Italy," Grim admitted sheepishly.
Mandy stared at him for a moment as she found the appropriate words, "Pompeii was collateral damage to a brotherly spat between you and Jack?" She asked slowly.
"Ugggh, Apollo and Aphrodite whined fer ages abou dat," Grim muttered darkly.
"I'm sure Hephaestus wasn't happy abou it either," Mandy commented idly.
"Naw, naw. Little Hephi enjoyed blowin off steam. He was a still bit pissed at his wife at de time for sleepin wid Aries," Grim explained pointedly.
"...Are you trying to scare me or flirt with me?" Mandy asked stoically.
"Eider, if its workin," Grim answered offhandedly, "Now, unless yer goin ta hump my bones, I got work ta do."
"Wai, seriously?" Grim asked in surprise when Mandy didn't move an inch.
Meanwhile
"There is a game crafted in the likeness of the Divine Comedy?" Minnie asked curiously as the game started up, "Hmm, these artisans, or which so ever the proper title might be, hast good taste if nary else," Minnie mused as the logos popped through the screen.
"Designers, Story Writers, and Programmers: This is more one of your plays in terms of who the credit goes to- a lot of different people help make these things," Junior explained offhandedly, "Come on, Minnie, I know you know how to work modern technology."
"That I do, but that doth not equate to an intimate knowledge of how such things operate." Minnie admitted.
"Well, if you like this, you'll love God of War," Junior said with a smirk.
"Oh? There is a game featuring Aries or Mars? Or perhaps the Norse Pantheon?" Minnie asked curiously.
"No, you were right the first time. Its Greek, but that's for another time. Now, my dear little sister, its time you got better equated with Hell," Junior said with a wicked smirk, getting a raised eyebrow from Minnie.
Thirty Minutes Later...
"BY LUCIFER'S BEARDED BALLS! WHY HATH I NAUGHT BEEN INTRODUCED TO SUCH GLORIOUS ENTERTAINMENT BEFORE NOW?!" Minnie screamed in delight and awe, pausing the game as her Dante-Avatar landed on the shores of Acheron.
Junior rose an eyebrow at her reaction. His sister, after a few minutes of fumbling with the controls, had turned into a fairly decent noob. However, she was also a very enthusiastic one, "Geeze Mins, you haven't even reached the first real boss fight and you're already fangasming over this stuff," He noted, partially weirded out and partially curious. Even with all her memories and knowledge, Junior had no way of guessing how she'd take the prospect of video games, even if he figured she'd like Dante's Inferno. He certainly didn't expect her to enjoy it this much.
"What?! Brother, surely ye jest! I hath slain a pirate-mockery of our esteemed father and tamed a great beast of hell! Surely that must be a significant achievement and measurable progress!" Minnie protested, looking at him in shock and...excitement?
"Uhh, not really. The Asterian Beasts become more common as you go down, and you can skip the reaper fight after you beat the game once," He explained before smirking, "And there are nine circles of Hell, Minnie- you only just entered Circle Zero."
"...Again, why hath thine hidden such treasures from thine dear sister!?" Minnie asked, shaking him by his shoulders.
"I thought you were more into the whole medieval style stuff! I thought you'd just roll your eyes at it like Mom and just go practice for a play!" Junior countered, Minnie suddenly bringing him to a stop and staring into his eyes, "...Minnie?"
"My dear, precious, wonderful, elder Brother...With all due respect?" She started off sickly sweet before scowling, "In thine own tongue: Screw that!" Minnie declared, equal parts angry and happy at this new discovery, before turning back to the game and unpausing it.
Junior blinked, repeatedly. Even Wrath, elsewhere, paused in his walk to blink at the strange scene that played out in Junior's room. He just sat there, watching his sister play, an absolutely adorable expression of happy and determination on her face, the look completed by her sticking out her tongue absently.
The eagle absently flew onto Junior's shoulder, pecking him lightly in the head, giving a curious squawk before nodding to Minnie, "No, no, I didn't know she'd be this into video games. I thought she might be annoyed by the 'liberties'' they took in turning Dante into a crusader and all that," Junior answered absently. The eagle glanced toward the screen, seeing Minnie die to a few minions and pests, shaking his head as a line from the Divine Comedy appeared on the screen, signaling the player death. "Yeah, she's the noobiest of noobs right now, but she seems to be in love with it for some reason." Junior admitted with a shrug.
"Whilst I know naught what this title of 'noobiest of noobs' means, I can summarize it equates to my skill in this game, or lack thereof," Minnie called with a small smirk as Junior looked sheepish. "And to be most frank, I am more entertained by the story behind the game than the game itself. Tis like being able to take part in the grandest of stories, in a manner greater than any play could allow. Here I am, as a sinful crusader, armed with the scythe of Death himself and a blessed cross, seeking to reclaim the soul of my beloved from the grips of Lucifer himself!" Minnie declared, truly enwrapped with the game and tale, "And these creatures one must fight in their quest! Truly inspiring. Hell itself should take notes...or perhaps Mother should," Minnie said with a dark, scheming smirk that Junior never remembered her having, even in her memories or dreams.
"...Creepy. Very creepy Minnie. And not to get too into myself, but coming from the Demon-Reaper, I think that's saying something." Junior commented with an amused look. He absently noted the game version of Charon giving its 'Abandon All Hope' lines as they talked.
"Brother, I canst make many, many a joke about thine tentacles if ye wish," Minnie warned absently.
"You use to have them too!" Junior protested.
"And now I doth not," Minnie countered without missing a beat.
"You're rather snarky when playing video games," Junior noted with a raised eyebrow.
"And you're rather cute when Nergalized," Minnie retorted, blinking as she dropped down a hole filled with imprisoned soul and saw a black goat-man hybrid, guarding some kind of devise, "...A Hell-Satyr?" Minnie asked in confusion.
"Guardian Demon. Another commonality you'll have to get used to," Junior explained neutrally.
"Ahh, I see." Minnie acknowledged, playing as an awkward silence filled the room, "...I doth not mean to imply your skeleton or human form is unattractive. If my words were taken as such, I apologize," She offered in concern, wincing as the second guardian and the minions killed her.
"That's not it, Minnie," Junior assured with a sigh through his nose.
"As I suspected, but didn't desire to assume," Minnie said with a bit of resignation, "What do you want to speak about-"
"What are you doing, exactly?" Junior asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Doth thou not have a guess from mine memories?" Minnie asked evenly, not even looking at him.
"My best guess is that you're trying to make sure that I know without a doubt that there are those in the castle that care about me, because you worry about how clearly or poorly the memories and experience pass between the clones and me," Junior summed up. "You're also worried that my new acquaintance here may or may not be influencing me in a subtle or magical manner," He added on, jabbing a finger at the eagle, who blinked in surprise at the comment.
"...Doth not take mine words for ill, Brother, but I find it rather unnerving to be read so well and in some ways, I miss how thee was formerly a...I believe "knucklehead" would be the right term," Minnie said with a sad yet amused look.
"In fairness, it took me a while to piece it all together. I didn't want to interrupt your fun either," Junior explained with a shrug, "I'm not mad, Minnie, for the record."
"I know," Minnie acknowledged, stilling smiling forlornly.
"...You're scared that I plan to leave one day," Junior commented knowingly.
"I canst hardly blame ye if thou wished such a thing," She answered in mirthless amusement.
"Then stop," Junior all but ordered, making her blink and look at him in surprise, "Unless Mom or me does something stupid, I won't be leaving anytime soon," He assured solemnly.
"But...?" She asked, sensing there was more.
"But even if I do, you're a damn idiot if you think I'm going to abandon you," Junior finished with a glare.
Minnie went wide-eyed at that glare, practically feeling the heat of his stare. That was definitely their mother's glare, "...I hast no idea how to respond to that," She said honestly and awkwardly, the bird watching on in interest.
"As I said, you're an idiot," Junior repeated bluntly.
"That ist WHY I hast no response," Minnie retorted in annoyance.
"Because you're an idiot?" Junior asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, ye art the first to dub me as such!" Minnie corrected in frustration.
"I'm well aware," Junior asked, tapping next to his right eye, "I thought it was a bit overdue."
"Well, what doth that make ye than!?" Minnie shot back with a glare, balling her fists into his covers. The eagle rose an eyebrow, looking cautiously at Junior as if debating how much longer he wanted to stay on the hybrid's shoulder.
"Well, you're only a year younger than me, meaning your memories kind of doubled my mental age, so...I guess that makes me half-idiot?" Junior mused in mock thought.
"Now this tis about the cute comment, is it not?" Minnie asked in a low and leveled tone.
"You're only now figuring that out, Mins? Do try to keep up with me, Dear Sister," He instructed with a small, playful smirk.
"You're an ass," Minnie stated with a glare, dropping her speech for a moment, making the bird lean back in surprise and worry, "So...art we good, as thou would say?" Minnie asked with a sigh.
"We never weren't. Just, next time? Come to my room because you want to play a game or have fun or if you need something. Don't do it because you're afraid I'll leave if you don't," He requested.
"I wilt keep that in mind, Mine Brother," Minnie said with a tire smile, "...On that note, doth thee have a spare one of these Stations of Play?" Minnie added on with a hopeful grin.
Junior stared at her for a long moment before blinking and grinning wickedly, "Multiplayer, here we come," Junior whispered in delight.
The eagle looked between the two Grim siblings, hardly even sure what to make of that exchange. However, if he had the means, or been at the keyboard, he might have asked them: "What was Mandy on when she had you two?"
Meanwhile
HIM was just a bit annoyed.
It had nothing to do with Mimi hissing at him for interrupting her ooVooDoo call with Chi- He wasn't positive, but he was beginning to think Mimi was finally getting her periods. She usually wasn't that vocal.
It also had nothing to do with Mandy, who hadn't been doing much besides taking stock of the situation and licking her wounds.
What was annoying HIM had to do with the frozen laptop on his desk.
"Do I even want to know?" He asked as he sat at his desk, glancing up at the figure laying on the couch with an icepack over his head, a white longcoat over his body as a blanket, and his feet prompt on the other end.
"Oh nothing, just an intense game of minesweeper," The teenager answered, groaning from an apparent headache.
"Minesweeper?" HIM asked evenly, clearly skeptical.
"Very intense," The white cloaked male answered with a chuckle followed by a pained hiss, "More to the point, I needed to distract myself from the sudden climate shift between here and home- you know I hate coming here, Himmy!"
HIM facepalmed, or faceclawed, at that, "If you were just about anyone else, I'd skin you alive for calling me," HIM muttered to himself.
"You couldn't do that at all unless I WAS someone else, so it's a moot point," The youth countered with a bland tone.
"Why is it whenever you get annoyed via headache, you have the uncanny ability and the unwavering desire to make everyone else in a given area suffer the same fate?" HIM asked in exasperation.
"Because misery loves company? Speaking of her, I got to see how she and Tangi are doing," He mused idly as he sat up, looking at HIM with deep red eyes, his silvery white hair poking out from under the icepack, "Back on the topic of the laptop, I checked around before I broke it- It seems the Demon-Reaper is quite famous now...and married, according to some of those stories. Is that true? Cause if it is, I'm going to be very pissed at you- crashing his wedding would have been the best entrance-introduction I could give!" He said, somehow grinning and glaring at the same time.
"...You need to lay off the fanfiction," HIM advised with a raised eyebrow, "And no, he's not married- and if he was, it would be to his sister."
"...When you say that, you mean MiniMandy, right?" The seeming albino asked slowly.
"Wha- Of course I mean her! Why would he marry one of the sisters he doesn't even know!?" HIM yelled in annoyance.
"Himmy, if you don't tone it down, you're going to have to remodel or replace everything in a mile radius," HIM's couch-guest warned, rubbing his forehead, even as a grin worked onto his face.
HIM sighed, long and hard. "So...what do you think of your little brother so far?" He asked curiously.
A chuckle accompanied the response, "Assuming you mean Grim Junior? I think the kid needs to get laid."
"He's eleven," HIM reminded offhandedly, raising an eyebrow.
"...Did YOU really just say that?" The white haired male asked in amusement, "No, did a Lord of Sin, a literal devil that tortures the shit out of his own daughter really just try to draw some hypocritical line in the ground? Kare, whatever would dear old Dad say? What's next, you slipping back into your crossdresser persona and fighting off school girls again?"
"...Watch yourself, Boy," HIM warned, red waves rippling around his form, the lava in the area rippling and bubbling in reaction, "You are not your father. Not even close, Astronomanov. Don't think you can act like him and get away with it."
"Must you call me that?" The crimson eyed teenager said with an eye roll, even as he started to sweat, "Really, my mother's maiden name?"
"She never married," HIM retorted coldly, still glaring.
"Riggggght," he responded awkwardly, before coughing and grinning anew, "Well, all the same, stop your growling, HIM. Dad may have wanted you to keep an eye on me, but the reverse is also true- "I" am supposed to keep an eye on you. After all, he'll be very annoyed to come back and find all his efforts of coaxing you out of that shell had gone to waste."
HIM all but snarled at that before he reigned in his anger, knowing the boy wasn't wrong and doubtfully lying. "All your father's tongue, none of his charm," The demon muttered, leaning on his cane thoughtfully, "That does sound like him though. Still, Grim Junior has caused quite a stir now, even if I helped the ripples travel faster."
"And?" The question came with an eyebrow raised in amusement, "...Oh? Is this about Uncle Aku's little plan?"
"Hmm? How did you figure out what his plan was?" HIM asked curiously, seeing the boy's knowing look.
"HIM, my dad is one of the most cryptic fucks to grace all the planes of creation- and that's counting everyone and thing in all the afterlives- and the past decade down here with you hasn't been a lot different. Saying that Aku's plan is to, quote "use the rumors to drive a political wedge between Junior and Mandy" unquote, is practically plain English for me at this point," The albino answered with an eye roll.
"Fair enough, but no. How long do you think before one of your other siblings makes themselves known to Junior?" HIM asked curiously.
"How long has it been since Halloween?" the Son of Lord Traitor asked mischievously.
"About ten days," HIM answered with a raised eyebrow.
The grin definitely should have split the boy's face, "Then in about negative ten days."
"...Wait, what?" HIM asked, his eyebrows scrunched in confusion
"Oh? Didn't you know Kare? One of them was in Halloween Town that night," The Godson of Kare explained smugly as HIM went wide eyed, already trying to figure out which sibling was being referred to, "Whether my little brother knows it or not, he did have a sibling at his side through all of the that night. And to answer your next question, no, the rest of his family probably isn't aware of that."
HIM hummed in thought as he processed that, a dark smirk on his face, "Things are indeed stirring. Let's hope your father is one of them."
Meanwhile
Junior rose an eyebrow as his mother came into his room without knocking, "So, we having weekly visits now?" Junior asked in confusion, seeing his mother looked a bit...tired, but she definitely wasn't upset at the moment. In fact, she looked relaxe- "I hate that I can tell that you just had sex just by body language," Junior admitted with a twitching eyebrow.
"After Halloween Town, you're prudish over that?" Mandy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Mom, you and Minnie shared a bath more than once," Junior pointed out, the memories engraved in his mind.
"Your point?" Mandy rebutted without pause.
Junior sighed, knowing he wouldn't win on this topic and just wanted to banish the images of his mother doing the skeleton that was his father, "So, need something?" Junior asked curiously.
"No, just...," Mandy paused before looking back to the door and turning back to her son, "WHY did Minnie just ask if we could install a new TV in her room while carrying your PS4?" She asked slowly.
"PS3, actually. And as it turns out, Mother, your daughter has a newly awakened love of video games," Junior explained with a chuckle and a small smile.
"...Is it sad to think that we might have avoided the Halloween Town incident if I had just bought Minnie a random game to spark a shared interest with you?" Mandy asked slowly, looking a just a bit annoyed by the topic.
Junior sighed at that with a roll of the eye, "Trust me, I've been thinking similar things," He admitted in annoyance, "So...you getting her a PS4 of her own?"
"Not to sound cheap, but why don't you two just share?" She asked curiously, thumbing at Junior's consol.
"Multiplayer- Minnie agreed she's not a fan of splitscreen," Junior explained with a shrug.
"Can't blame that, really. I'll order one for her when...you know what, tell me when she doesn't suck at playing in general and I'll give it to her." Mandy suggested with a shrug.
"What makes you think she sucks at it?" Junior asked curiously.
"If she doesn't, you must be the greatest teacher in the Underworld." Mandy retorted with an eye roll of her own, Junior narrowing his eyes at the wording, "..."
"...Was there something else?" Junior asked with a tilt of the head.
"Anything else interesting happen over the week?" Mandy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Few things. Mainly helping Minnie get used to that body of hers," Junior answered vaguely, "And I stumbled across some of the things being posted about me on the Undernet..."
"I recently became aware of that myself," Mandy confirmed evenly, getting a distant look for a second, "...Anything you want to talk about?"
"Just one, at the moment." Junior answered idly, "Who the actual fuck is this Jade Chan people think I married?"
"...Someone you probably wouldn't mind being married to," Mandy commented with a smirk.
"Well, at least it's not some vague insult. Is she hot?" Junior asked in interest.
"Very, and no, not in the flaming way," Mandy assured, "You didn't look her up at all?"
"Was kind of distracted by other things, and later Minnie." Junior elaborated with a shrug, "So...officially scared shitless?"
"Completely," Mandy responded with a nod, pausing for a moment before adding on, "Congratulations."
"Hmm? On what?" Junior asked curiously.
"The soldiers of Death are terrified of you, all the afterlives are talking about you and half the underworld is scared of the mere rumor of you," Mandy explained evenly, "If nothing else, you have a better reputation at your age than I did."
"Not a bigger kill count?" Junior asked morbidly.
"You're more than halfway there," Mandy elaborated offhandedly.
Junior hummed to himself at that, "Thanks, Mom."
There was a twitch on Mandy's face, but even Junior wasn't sure what it was, "Well, before I leave I just have two questions." Mandy stated plainly.
"Your castle, fire away," Junior prompted, waving her to go on.
"Does Minnie know about the rumors?" Mandy asked curiously.
"Not that I'm aware of." Junior answered, curious.
"Well, since you have her memories, asking you might almost be as good as if she did. The second question is what do you think about the rumors of you enslaving me and/or her?" Mandy asked evenly.
Junior stared at her for a moment before blinking in surprise, "You...You're serious?" Junior asked in disbelief, "You're asking me THAT question?"
"You asked about Jade Chan, it shouldn't be surprising I want to talk about the rumors regarding me," Mandy countered without missing a beat.
"Is this you trying to ask me if I like the idea of it?!" Junior asked, still very alarmed.
"...Junior, why are you freaking out?" Mandy asked, her brow scrunched together in confusion.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe it's because my mother is basically asking me what I think of her and my incestuous sister in slave leia outfits?!" Junior pointed out with a glare.
"...I never mentioned any outfits," Mandy corrected in confusion.
"Okay, first thing, now I'm just imagining you both naked and chained to the throne! Second? You obviously didn't read the comment section! Someone wrote a VERY graphic story of what they think happened!" Junior explained, appearing to hyperventilate a bit.
Mandy stared at Junior for a moment before walking forward...and pushing his chair out of the way so hard it almost fell over. Junior jumped out of it, almost instinctively, landing on all fours in his Nergalized form on his bed, his axe-tail swishing ominously overhead.
He blinked when he realized his mother was ignoring him, leaning over to type at his computer. While several of his eyes couldn't help wandering over her bent over form, he was mainly curious as to what she was doing. Jumping back into the chair, he used his tail to gently push him forward, the chair sliding near Mandy's side. If Junior noticed her tensing for an instant, he didn't choose to acknowledge it. Instead he stared at the screen, his demon face blushing as his many red eyes went wide.
"There. Watch some videos, order a callcubus, a call-succubus if you don't know, or something else that floats your boat or even buy a sexslave for all I care," Mandy shot off in one breath, "As long as you don't order too much, I'll cover it. Just...find a way you want to deal with THAT soon," Mandy all but ordered with a sigh, "I have no desire to see you go insane from your libido rather than your rage, Son," She explained as an afterthought.
"I...I have no words. And no, I'm not thanking you for this- it's way too awkward at the moment, even if I wanted to." Junior said, putting his face into his claws and groaning.
"Agreed," Mandy assured, a bit exasperated herself.
"...And in answer to your question, Minnie will be having wet dreams, night and day, about them the moment she finds out," Junior commented evenly.
"If there was ever a perfect time to get over your incest issues, this would probably be it," Mandy pointed out.
"You don't know the half of it," Junior muttered, wiping a hand over his face.
"...And you?" She asked curiously.
"Enslaving Minnie is somewhere between redundant and unnecessary. Enslaving you is probably between oxymoronic and regular moronic," Junior answered in annoyance. "Are you quite done now?" He asked snappishly.
Mandy, wisely, took that as the frustrated libido of a readjusting hybrid preteen talking and headed to the door, "Oh, and if you need to explain anything you buy to Minnie, just say her gender-shifted Nergaling is giving your libido issues. That'll either shut her up or get her off your figurative back," Mandy offered casually before closing the door.
"...My mother just basically told me to get laid and gave me a fucking blank check just to do that," Junior summarized with a sigh as he sagged into his chair, de-Negalizing as he did. He rose a high eyebrow as the eagle walked out from under the bed, giving him a few curious squawks. "I'm not telling her about you until she notices you," Junior elaborated, getting a tilted head. "No, I just want to see how long until she notices I have a guest she doesn't know about. So, if you get tired of hiding, just sit on my shoulder and let the sparks fly," He offered with a small smirk.
The bird just shook its head before flying up to the desk, looking at the screen...a bit too intently.
"No woman, immortal or otherwise, is going to do you unless you get bigger, turn humanoid, or turn her into a bird herself," Junior shot down instantly, the eagle hanging its head in resignation, "...Wait, can you NOT change form?" Junior asked with a raised eyebrow. The bird glared at him, for being right or for snooping, Junior wasn't sure, "Hmm, interesting," Junior murmured, eyeing the avian as it looking at the keyboard conspiringly. "Don't try it, Stephanos," He warned, Negalizing his hand into an appendage of claws.
The eagle blinked, looking at Junior oddly, "Like I said, I'm unoriginal. So you're going to live with that name until you give me another." Junior answered to the non-verbal inquiry, "Now step away from the keyboard- some of those women are traps," Junior warned, Stephanos going pale and green as he back pedaled off the desk, falling on the floor with a screech. Junior chuckled, looking back awkwardly at the screen, "...I have no fucking idea what to do right now," He said blankly. Stephanos sighed a bird-sigh as he flapped back up to Junior's shoulder...
And wing whacked his head off.
Junior, effortlessly catching his head and repositioning it, glared at the avian before sighing, "You know what? I needed that, so I'll let it go," He said begrudgingly. Stephanos used his wing to pat Junior on the back of the head in some show of support, "...Regardless of what I do, I am soooooooo deleting my internet history after this," he decided, the crowned eagle nodding sagely at his words, "Would you get mad at me if I got a catgirl?" Junior asked slowly.
Stephanos used his wing for a makeshift facepalm at that question, not even sure what he would say to that one.
End of Chapter
Well, there it is, the fourteenth chapter of RDR! Another of the more lighter chapters, but its ebbing back towards stormy times if you know where to look. Anyway, Junior has a suspicious and curious yet friendly relationship with the Eagle, now called Stephanos until a more proper title is given by someone that knows who/what he is, Minnie is turning into a gamer, Grim's spine is showing and Mandy seemed to enjoy it, Junior needs to get laid, apparently, and we met a currently nameless brother of Junior.
On that note, we have yet another Son of The Traitor who is completely unafraid of HIM, to the point of calling him nicknames and pissing him off without concern. And while I didn't give you much information on him, I did pretty much give you all who his mother is. And he seems to be enjoying his little brother's feats.
Next up, I kindo f figured that Minnie would love the plot in video games and, as a ballarina and play actress, would enjoy such an indepth 'preformance' that a game allows you to do. Futher, Junior calls her out on her concerns without them ever being brought up, unnerving her a bit but reassuring her that even if he leaves, he's not abandoning her. Also, that skill level with the bow isn't unrealistic in real life- top archer can fire three in 0.6 seconds.
Grim and Mandy have a bit of a spat, revealing that Jack and Grim indirectly(mostly) destroyed Pompii, and Junior has a minor freak out over Mandy asking THAT question, and Mandy uneloquently repeats the mystery brother's words: Junior needs to get laid, or soem relief at least. I have no idea WHERE the whole bit with Junior and that website is going yet.
So, for QTP: Is Jade Chan going to make an appearance? How is Aku going to put a wedge between Junior and Mandy? How many siblings does Junior have and why was one at Halloween Town that night? How dangerous is Junior's brother and what's his intentions in all of this? Considering his history as a parent, why is HIM so leniant with his godson? Why did Mandy ask THAT question? Is enslaving Minnie really 'between redundant and unnecessary'? What is Junior going to do with that website? What is Grim suggesting Mandy do to 'deal' with her issue with the Demon-Reaper? Will the day come when Minnie considers not calling Junior her Master?
And, for fun, will Stephanos ever eat a monkey or deal with a catgirl?
ATTENTION: Want your guys' thoughts on something. I'm currently considering doing a series of about a dimension hopping, Psuedo RDR-Junior. By this I mean a Junior that is limited only to the powers he has as of the end of the Halloween Battle of RDR: The clones, Wrath, the nergal, a few ghost powers, obviosu the reaper powers, the Rage Mode, etc. However, he lacks the mysterious bio-father or secret paternal siblings, the overly distrusting attitude to his family(not to say he trusts them completely), is far less truamatized, and etc. He may or may not be on neutral terms with HIM- I kind of like that, to be honest.
So, to be blunt, a lighter AU of RDR-Junior that is either helping his Dad with some Death-related issue, helping his mother conquer a new world, or otherwise exploring or stumbling into a new place that has to deal with a Raging Demon Reaper.
PS Also considering a side story of Minnie and RDR Junior playing video game- unlike Pseudo-RDR, this would be more of a comedy sidestory for RDR than an AU. Like an Omake.
PSS I'm a bit late on these, bt I kept missing them for a while:
100th Alert: Drexan
100th Favorite: Elemental Medadragon God
Congrats guys! And I'll be sure to shout out the 200th ones sooner.