Shade and a Vampire Chapter 14
Okay, now, I would like to make a few announcements. Firstly, HAPPY NEW CANON CHAPTER! Ahem. Sorry, don't know what came over me there. Anyway, it seems that the big fight is turning out to be at least a little bit similar to the earlier chapters of this. Secondly, as for the minor OCs mentioned earlier in Hellhole prison… I figured they weren't going to work out, and they weren't going to play a part in the main plot anyway, so I have cut them out of their mentionings. Anyway, now that that's over, its time for chapter 14!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rosario+Vampire
Everyone stared at the small silver cross. None had thought that it would ever be seen again; that it lay somewhere under the rubble of Yokai Academy. All thought that is, except for one…
Akasha looked at her daughter, who was staring at the floor. Not meeting anyone's gaze, she said:
"I found her just before we got captured. I… I couldn't just let her go. But if I put it on, then they would have noticed and tried to remove it. They would have killed her…"
Akasha put a hand over her daughter's shoulders. With the other, she held out the cross to Touhou and Tenmei.
"Have a look. See if it still works." The men took it, one tapped the gem, and they both began examining the complex geometrical threads flowing around it.
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Shade was sitting in a bar at that time. He didn't order anything, as he didn't want to be spitting hot tar all over the table. That would get him into a fight, and then he'd have to hospitalise someone.
He was however, smoking. It technically wasn't food or drink, and besides, it reminded him of home. He lay back in his seat, relaxing a little and letting the fumes fill his lungs. Aaah. Just like the smoke over the pit of Tartarus. He could practically hear the roars of rage from the imprisoned creatures.
His mind drifted to the seraph. He hadn't been that much of a challenge. But, if Lucifer was right, then God would send reinforcements. And ordnance. And maybe even heavenly beasts. He shuddered. Oh, the smell…
But none of that would matter if they found out why he was here. He had a purpose, as every escapee from hell did. And if they found it and used it against him… The prospect didn't bear thinking about. He threw the cigarette in the ashtray and stood up. He'd better find somewhere to sleep for the day. It had been a long night.
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Gabriel stirred in the pool of his own blood. He twitched, spasmed, then gave a weary groan and sat up. He felt around for his head, greased the stump with some golden blood, then reattached it. His neck hurt like hel- No… Hurt like heck. He picked up his equipment. They appeared unharmed… The demon probably was in such a rush to escape he forgot to destroy them. In any case, it was a skilled one. An Archfiend… He had not been warned. It would take him weeks to track the demon now… He dusted off the mirror, and concentrated.
The mist behind the glass began to clear, and soon he was looking at the hulking form of Metatron. Clearly not pleased at playing receptionist, he was looking even more grim than usual.
"Yes?"
"I would like to speak with our master. It concerns my mission."
"Is it important?"
"Yes."
"Very well."
Metatron disappeared from view, and golden light streamed from one side of the picture. Then, the wise, benevolent figure of God stepped into the frame. Gabriel bowed his head.
"Rise, messenger of justice." said the oldest voice. Gabriel did so.
"I am afraid that I have disturbing news, my lord. The demon to which I am giving chase is nothing other than the Archfiend. He carries significant power. He even managed to defeat me."
"Then why do you remain?" Gabriel opened his mouth, then paused. Why was he still here? Mercy was not a common demonic characteristic, and any creature that managed to claw their way up to the rank of Archfiend did not get there by sparing people. His fate was completely up to the enemy, and yet he was still here…
"I do not know, my lord. Perhaps he was in a hurry… Anyway, I require more information on my target. Can you send me his mortal record? Or any espionage data? Some extra ordnance would be much appreciated too..." Gabriel began to notice that his master's face was not the radiant, kind one it had been moments ago. He seemed to be in contemplative silence, his brow furrowed, and his eyes looking away from him. "My lord…?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Gabriel." The old and kind expression returned, and Gabriel forgot his doubt completely. "However, I do not have any data I can give you on that particular… abomination. His file is restricted." Gabriel frowned slightly.
"Oh…"
"But I can send you ordnance and backup. The latter will take time to prepare, though, so sit tight for the moment. Have a look around the area. It can't have gone far."
"Of course, my lord."
"Very good. Good luck." The connection terminated.
God sat down on his throne, stroking his beard with the tips of his fingers in contemplation. This was unfortunate. The Archfiend walked the surface world… And even more worrying, he had beaten Gabriel. Further still, it had spared him.
That particular Archfiend… He was the one with a past… If Gabriel found out about the origins of his quarry, it could have serious repercussions.
Anyway, he had to organise support for Gabriel. He waved a hand and a small golden screen appeared, floating in the air in front of him. He scrolled through the menus, selecting various weapons, including hammers, swords, guns, and heavier weaponry to be sent down via meteor. He paused over the tab that said 'Holy Beasts'. No. Only as a last resort. Then he called up various Angels not on active duty. It pained him to do so, but in order to keep Gabriel in the dark, they would require some special treatment…
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Shade walked down into a dark alleyway, casually elbowing a person who had been creeping around behind him for a while. He had a knife in his pocket. He did a little transformation to his face, then said in his best Demon voice,
"RUN."
The man ran away, yelling like a lunatic. He'd recover in a week or two. Probably. Shade closed his eyes and examined the mans mind as he ran. No, definitely. Short attention span.
He turned his head back down the alley, scanning the walls. There! Exactly what he was looking for! He walked several metres down, placed a hand against the wall, looked both ways, and sank through the surface into cavernous darkness.
An old, bearded tramp sitting barely two metres away regarded this with vague interest. He got to his feet, drinking long and hard from a whisky bottle, then shattering it on the ground.
"I tole 'em, I tole 'em…" he muttered to himself, eyes revolving wildly in his skull. "Bugger… buggerbuggerbugger. Lady Brandy is leaving town… I tole 'em…"
He staggered away, his drink (and dementia)-addled mind spouting more gibberish, warding people away as he made his way to a small, inconspicuous-looking building which currently housed several of the most powerful native warriors on the planet. It also had well-stocked booze cellars.
There. Sorry again for late updates. Exams are being a bitch. Anyway, please leave a review, it helps me escape from my prison of insecurity… PEACE OUT!
Theonewhodidnotdoit leaves the scene…