Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the "Sailor Moon" series. This goes along the lines of the original series, but an alternate dimension. Trust me, eventually, my knight will meet the scouts. Patience is a virtue, so awaiting that moment won't be so bad. REVIEW!!
Warning- Lewd content on Alan's part, mild shounen-ai, since only one party is sort of willing.
Chapter 7
My Friend, My Enemy
~ Mansion in the Forest ~
-The Dark Abode of Prince Viper-
Viper paced about his latest toy, a real steal he'd bought with the meaningless Earth currency he'd acquired using humans to satisfy his desires. It was a simple enough device that entertained the stupid youths of the human race, all the energy rich teenagers he loved to dip into to praise the Dark Goddess and Lord Specter. It was an arcade game, much the same as any other one he had viewed in his quick visit to the local arcade in Tokyo, Haitsuchi's Arcade Heaven. It was run by a young man, very tall, lanky, and what Viper interpreted as light brown hair, eyes so sickeningly happy, it made his teeth ache. He would be the one Viper would play with, his link to more energy, more bargaining tools with Lord Specter
He leaned across his toy languidly, as he would with a lover, and licked at the glass video screen. He flitted out his forked tongue, rubbing a lone finger across his left fang. It drew blood, but he just laughed and flicked the blood on the screen. The screen came to life, a pair of red eyes appearing amidst the static. They narrowed wickedly, then a mouth of pure blackness formed beneath them, grinning up at Viper.
"I exist only to serve the Dark Universe, Prince Viper. What is your bidding?" it asked, its voice like nails on a chalkboard. Viper grinned back, patting the screen delicately.
~ Haitsuchi's Arcade Heaven ~
"Damn, I can't believe I lost at the auction. That game was voted most popular in the world. I can't believe some rich jerk bribed the auctioneers into getting it. I just can't stand rich brats." Alan fumed, downing an entire strawberry soda down his throat.
Gary was leaning against the wall, watching his brother with mild amusement. It was just a stupid arcade game, Snake Syndrome, and it was incredibly popular. Gary hadn't been surprised that Alan wasn't able to get it, any video game buff with a ton of cash and the balls to be seen buying the thing would have been after it. Alan had invited Gary to the auction, at his parents' request. Alan only got to show Gary how overly stressed he could be when a blonde guy with red eyes bid a cool million for the game.
Gary had pitied the poor idiot, wasting so much money in something that was barely worth that amount. That and the guy made Gary's stomach sick, the air about was so unnatural Gary felt numerous waves of nausea hit hard, so bad that even fresh air wasn't enough to stop it.
"Stephen isn't a rich brat at least. That's one good thing about the rich folk, Stephen's one of them." Gary coughed, a slight stab of pain erupting in his stomach.
Alan grunted and grabbed out another strawberry soda, chugging it down faster than the last one. Gary didn't like these stomach problems he was having, they'd been happening more recently.
'Maybe Stephen's cat has rabies and I'm feeling side effects. This really isn't helping my college work any either. I nearly dissected my hand yesterday. Maybe I'll go to the doctor, then they can help me feel better. Nah, it's just bug, I'll be just fine. I'm more worried about my brother….losing out on this arcade game has really pissed him off. I've never seen him so down….but at least he's hitting the soda, not beer.' Gary thought. Then a headache hit, making Gary slump his head over, rubbing his fingers over sore temples.
Alan seemed to notice this and frowned. "Go home already. I know that look, you feel sick again. Try and listen to your big brother for once and see a doctor about your pains. You're worrying Mom and Dad more and more when you try to act tough. Why can't you just stop being like this?" Alan chided.
Gary sniffed at Alan, then turned to leave. "I can't….and I won't tell you why. You wouldn't understand what I am going through. Stomachaches are the least of my problems. I'll see a doctor if you stop pining over that stupid game. Good night." Gary huffed, disappearing out of the room.
~
Alan waited a few minutes until he heard the door shut, then grabbed a beer hidden amidst the soda cans. No one liked to see him drink, especially family. Stephen had caught him once and made him regret it by getting drunk himself to make Alan stop. It didn't work, Stephen had a very high tolerance for alcohol as he'd been used to drinking fine wine at his parents parties. Also, Stephen hated beer, his comment to that being it tasted like animal spit. Stephen had cheered him up, and Stephen had only been 13, illegally drinking too. That kid always was able to make Alan smile, even when Stephen wasn't smiling. He always had enough time to talk with Alan and improve even the worst of moods, all except his own.
Stephen had been very distant lately, only confiding in Gary and Gary wouldn't say much to Alan except to mind his own business. Alan sighed, wondering what his young friend and Gary talked about, then grimaced in thinking it had nothing to do with anything serious. Stephen wasn't the type to take anything seriously or pay attention too much of anything but his own thoughts.
Alan left the room and went on thinking about Stephen, how the guy could blatantly be so involved in his own thoughts he never saw the mob of girls pressed to the glass outside the arcade drooling over him or the girls staring at him from their eating booths. Stephen was a greater friend than a customer grabbed, but still, so long as Stephen was within view, the girls stayed until he left, popping money into games and soda machines mindlessly. He felt bad for them, as Stephen had no idea they were there.
"Heh, give that kid a few more years and he'll want to notice. Heck, if he noticed much of anything he'd know that….." Alan started to say when the door opened, a few burly men loading an emerald green and black arcade game into the arcade.
Alan watched them put it in the place he'd reserved for Snake Syndrome, one he'd probably have to move another tedious change machine into without the game being bought. Then he saw what game it was, the green letters all shaped like virus patterns and snake bodies.
"Snake Syndrome?? But how? I lost the auction!" Alan breathed, touching the screen tentatively, then drew his hand back. It felt unnaturally cold.
"I had a change of heart, Alan Haitsuchi. You like?" said a slick voice, the same voice that had made the bid for one million dollars.
"You….you….your Victor Stanton. The billionaire kid….but why? You spent a cool million on this game. Why give it to me?" Alan gaped, watching the blonde with the red eyes approach him. Alan couldn't move the moment their eyes locked, as if he was in a trance.
"Why not? I have enough money to rule the world ten times over, so what's one game? Go ahead, plug it in." Victor let out smoothly, letting his hand touch Alan's left cheek lightly, the coolness of his skin prompting Alan to move. Alan did as he was told, the screen filling with the game's title and a flashing white line of words asking for coins to be inserted. A swarm of emerald green snakes was behind the title, all eyes red as blood, just like Victor's.
"Play it, Alan Haitsuchi. Play it for me." Victor giggled, but Alan felt like listening. It was a harmless request, really, play the game. 'Yes, play it once, what will it hurt to play it once. I own this place…..I can jack it so I can play for free. Yes….free….so free….'Alan thought lucidly, taking the joystick in his hands.
Alan played the game, dodging armies of killer snakes of all species and some that were suked up with cyber parts or attached to other animal bodies. It was fairly simple, all he had to avoid was getting hit by their bodies or attacks, his little human hero just had to dodge those and he was home free. It was so simple, but there were so many levels, so much hand eye coordination was required, but Alan couldn't take his eyes off of the screen, he couldn't stop playing no matter how many times he died in the game.
With each death, he grew more determined, more addicted, his eyes starting to grow dark rings under them, the eyes glazing over, and a vein was throbbing on his forehead. He was like that for hours, levels spiraling higher and higher until he reached the final level, to battle the King Viper. His mouth curled into a feral grin as he went to do battle, his mind not caring about anything else.
~
Viper smiled at his prey, so easy to manipulate, so weak. 'So human….I had you pegged as a weakling when I saw you at the auction as Victor, me the boy millionaire who has his sights on nearly everything. If they only knew who I really was, Prince Viper of the Dark Universe, stealing the emotional energy of these pathetic creatures. This one is no different, his mind was desperate for this game, he wanted some extra money, for whatever reason I don't really care and he's too proud to ask anyone for help.' Viper thought, licking his lips as Alan beat the game King Viper, cheering to himself on the pointless feat.
'Easy pickings, now he's my slave. You may think you are defeating the Lord Viper, but in fact, you're emotions have infected you with my power, my essence. You are my energy sucking slave now, Alan Haitsuchi. Everyone that touches this game will give you their delicious energy….they I will just suck you dry of them, and the slaughter will begin anew. Lovely!' Viper thought, smiling at the dark look in his slave's eyes, the matching grin of pure evil reflecting off his face.
"Have fun, Alan Haitsuchi, have all the fun you never get to have because of family and the people you thought were your friends. They don't care….they are all out to steal your money. You know that, don't you? I'm the only one that cares." Viper said slyly, smirking suggestively at Alan.
Alan nodded roughly, still smiling wickedly. "Yes, all of them, but they'll have to pay me back for all the times I bailed them out….all the pain they gave me, all the time I wasted on their worthless lives. Yes, I'll teach them a lesson….Sir Victor." Alan replied, his voice throaty and deep, unlike the sickly cheerful tone he'd had earlier. Viper just smiled, it was an improvement. Perhaps he would take Alan back to the dark Universe once the operation was completed, he'd make a wonderful addition to his collective of warriors.
'Hmm, perhaps my own knight, like Xeno is to my sultry sister Raven, only this one won't charm my pants off like Raven did to him. Love is for weaklings, the humans. I only love power, she's forever my loathsome bride. Hmm, if Alan proves to be a valuable addition, I just might make him my personal knight. Won't that put a leech up my sisters' panties, I sincerely hope.' He thought, regarding Alan with insane eyes.
"Best you do, Alan Haitsuchi, or you will be punished, severely. Bring me the energy of your customers….make sure they all get a free play on this game, one touch is all they need and they belong to us. Don't worry about the other games, this is the only one that gives off a free try. You have to make money to stay in business and you must stay in business for that game to be played. Understood?" Viper said casually, sounding as if he said it everyday.
Alan gave another rough nod, almost grunting as he did so. He had made fists with his hands, like he was preparing for a street fight, his teeth gnawing ferally. Viper's grin deepened. 'Let the games begin….' He mused, then laughed maniacally, his terrible laughter echoing throughout the building and through the deserted streets.
~ 1 Week Later ~
"Ah, feels so good not to be grounded anymore. I can finally have some fun this week….and get back to my sessions with Gary," Stephen breathed as he walked down the sidewalk, Cyrus by his heels," This will also give me plenty of time to get back at Casey for getting me grounded in the first place."
"It's not Casey's fault you flunked your math test. You told me it was all part of your plan to keep your grades below A's, since you were back to getting A's again. That's really flawed logic, kid, what you call a plan of sacrifice is only hurting you." Cyrus scolded quietly.
"I am keeping my B and C grades for Gary's sake. The sacrifice is sort of worth it, I'm not exactly getting D's or F's. Dad won't feel obligated to support the tutoring stuff unless I am getting C's or B's. I was a little too busy stuffing my face that night after coming home from the tutoring session to recall that the little larva goes through my things if she finds them…." Stephen grumbled, feeling like kicking Cyrus," Little pulled a dirty trick in showing him a cute picture of a duck, then my bad test. Maybe I should stick to getting C's on tests, F's seem to rub my father the wrong way. Mom could care less, but Dad….you should have heard him rant that night."
Cyrus meowed gently, sticking his little nose up at Stephen. "I heard him five blocks away. And you've only told me about his threats every day that you were grounded. You should be thankful your mother isn't as passionate in punishing you as your father is. She's the reason you were only grounded for a week, not thrown out of the house with only the clothes on your back until learned some respect like your father wanted. At that rate, you'd never get to go home." Cyrus commented snidely.
Stephen gave Cyrus a dirty look. "Very funny. Boys are always expected to do more than any human can do naturally, why can't girls get that kind of treatment too? We're all human, just different parts on our bodies. We all have the same thing in our heads, brains. Equality is something that goes right down the toilet around here, especially in my house. Casey just butters those idiots I call parents right up with her fake sweetness. Heck, we should send her after Viper, he'd probably be too traumatized to fight anymore."
"It's your destiny to fight the dark Universe, Stephen, not your baby sister's. You're being too hard on her, she's only a child. She'll grow out of it and you can tease her about her behavior in front of her boyfriends as suitable revenge. Be a patient for once, right now the Dark Universe is your main goal to do battle with, not your little sister! Focus, fluff head." Cyrus yowled. The cat had no time to blink when Stephen snatched him off the ground and shook him like a can of soda. If Cyrus wasn't going on an empty stomach, he might have thrown up on his sleek fur.
"I'd rather get even with my sister, it's safer than all this fighting crap. It's not like the Dark Universe has gotten any closer to home than that Virule creep that attacked Cici. Viper may think he's great, but he hasn't grasped the simple concept of seeking me out. I'm lucky at that, if he tried a door to door salesman scheme, he might have found me. At least he doesn't stray too far from his fake business fronts, be thankful I scope out all the new shops in town for your benefit." Stephen replied, rapping the cat on the head a few times.
Cyrus growled a bit, his nose wrinkling up in a very irate manner at the young man. "Get a clue, Stephen, your spying is for the world's benefit to go on existing, not for just me. Why can't you show a little more responsibility with your job?!"
"I don't see any paychecks coming my way, do you, kitty cat?" Stephen chuckled.
"Cute….oh hey, look! Isn't that your friend Gary over there? He looks…strange." Cyrus piped, looking ahead again with wide eyes.
Stephen followed the cat's gaze, looking almost like an innocent child inspecting something new, then a bright smile crossed his lips. It was Gary, the back of him facing Stephen. He was wearing his usual maroon suit jacket and black jeans and shoes. He was sitting on a black and crimson lined motorcycle, looking off to left at something. "Cool motorcycle, I didn't know he owned one. Heh, I guess he does a live a little," Stephen said, then started running for his friend," Gary! Hey Gary!"
Gary seemed to stiffen a bit at his name being called, his head angling to the side ever so slightly, but not enough to look at Stephen. As Stephen got closer, Gary rather violently looked back to the left, as if hiding his face from Stephen.
"Gary? Hey, what's wrong? I'm sorry I wasn't at the sessions and all, but I got grounded cause of my baby sister. I wasn't allowed to use the phone or anything the whole week. Don't be mad." Stephen coaxed, but Gary shook his head.
"It's not that. Angela….told me in her own way that you got grounded….while she flirted her butt off. She's isn't the reason I'm not looking at you. It's….it's nothing really….I'm just….it's nothing." Gary said, but the hurt was apparent in his voice.
Stephen crept a little closer, grimacing when Gary moved his body a bit to avoid Stephen's gaze. After a few tries, Stephen got frustrated and was ready to jump his friend to see what he was hiding, then an idea popped in his head. He grinned wickedly, and Cyrus took note of it with worried eyes.
"I hope you always land on your feet too, Cyrus." Stephen whispered, still grinning. Cyrus would have asked what Stephen what he was up to if Gary wasn't so close, but Stephen didn't give him the chance as the young man threw him up in the air and over Gary's head. Gary made a strangled sound as Cyrus landed and embedded his claws into his pant legs and teetered backwards. Stephen quickly rushed in, even as Gary tried covering his face instead of trying to regain his balance, and held him up in his arms. Gary managed to hold himself up by wrapping his legs around the front of the motorcycle. Stephen wasn't done yet as he supported his friend's head against his stomach, then mercilessly attacked Gary's unprotected ribs with the oldest childish trick he could think of, tickling. Gary started sputtering and laughing, trying to muffled it and keep his hands on his face, but it wasn't working. As his hands ripped away from his face to guard his ribs, Stephen's eyes widened, his fingers freezing the moment Gary's hands touch his.
Gary's cheeks were both red, but not from laughing. They were bruised too, a little blood leaking from his mouth. He looked as if he had been slapped or punched multiple times. There were some bruises on the sides of his neck too, as if someone had tried to strangle him. Stephen suddenly felt guilty about invading this bit of privacy, then it turned to rage as he stared down at the friend he held up in his arms against the motorcycle. He wanted to tear the person who did this apart.
Gary looked a little flushed none the less to be in such an awkward position, and as Stephen was realizing, it was uncomfortable too, but he couldn't help but stare at the bruises on Gary's face. He finally shook off his initial shock and lifted Gary back up into a sitting position, but when he circled around to the from of the bike Gary didn't hide his face. He still looked a bit flushed, but in a more depressed manner. "I'm sorry, I didn't think….who the hell did this to you? Tell me, and I'll go kick his ass." Stephen replied, anger rising in his voice.
"You can't do anything about it….not the way you're suggesting. And, I know you won't do it either, you won't be able to bring yourself to get back at the guy that did this to me. Even I can't….not until I know why he did it." Gary let out, rubbing his bruised face, then his legs where a quivering Cyrus was stuck. He rubbed the cat's back gently, coaxing him out of his initial hysteria of being thrown in the air and positioned the cat neatly in his lap.
"Why won't I be able to do it? Just tell me who hurt you." Stephen exasperated, clenching his fists angrily. Gary lowered his head a bit, then looked back off to the left and pointed right at the arcade, Alan's arcade. "What? Is the guy who did it still in there?" Stephen asked.
"Yes and no….it was Alan. He did this to me when I walked in….and no one tried to stop him."
"ALAN DID THIS?! I don't believe it, he couldn't have hurt you. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body….how could he even hurt his own brother? That's crazy!" Stephen rasped, his voice and eyes trembling at the news. Gary shrugged, his sad look deepening.
"I wish I was wrong, but it happened. I just walked in and he said he need to discuss something with me, then socked me in the face. I begged him to stop, but he dragged me in the back room and beat on me the entire way. I thought he was going to kill me….I had to kick him in the groin to get away. I asked people for help, practically screamed for it, but not one person wanted to help me." Gary replied, shaking his head
Stephen gulped at the story, unable to fathom what he was hearing. It didn't sound like Alan, it sounded like a monster, and the customers sounded worse, yet it all seemed familiar to him. "What did they do, why wouldn't they help you. What could have been so damned important that they couldn't help you out?
"It was the games, all they wanted to do was play their damned video games. They started to yell for Alan where I was, some even tried beating me up too. All they wanted to do was play those damned video games and thought I was trying to interrupt them. Of all the insane things, they wanted to play games and let Alan beat me bloody. I don't understand what's happened to him….he's changed, not just with trying to beat me" Gary replied, shaking a bit," He was smoking when I saw him and had beer bottles all over the corridor that leads to the back room. He smelled of beer too. Alan never drinks and he hates smoking. Our father smokes and Alan always tell him to put his cigarettes out when we have get-togethers. He's not acting like himself, something is really wrong with him, Stephen, and it scares me. Ever since that auction and that rich guy gave him the Snake Syndrome game….Alan has seemed different, but never this bad."
'Snake Syndrome, rich guy? Viper? It could be him….only he could change such a nice guy into a monster. God no, not Alan, how dare that snake in the grass freak hurt my friends with his sick games!' Stephen thought harshly.
"Stephen….?" Gary asked suddenly, breaking Stephen's thoughts apart. He looked at his beaten friend as apologetically as he could, then looked off at the arcade. "I'll help you figure out what's wrong with him, Gary, and I won't try and hurt him, unless he tries to hurt me. He's my friend, and he was always there for me. Its time for some payback so we can have the old Alan back, ok?" Stephen told him, getting a nod from the dark-haired youth.
"I can't go in there with you….he….said a lot of terrible things and threatened to do a lot more if I showed my face there again. I can't go or he'll….I don't even want to think about what he'll do to us both if I enter the arcade. I'm sorry….I'll try and sneak in later on. Maybe…." Gary replied, looking away all ashamed, Stephen gave a him a slight smile and patted his friend's shoulder, startling him. Gary looked up at him, him mouth parted slightly, almost curious.
"It's perfectly all right. I can take care of myself. I've been in more fights than Alan has. If he tries anything, I can at least knock him out or stun him long enough to restrain him….I won't pick a fight or anything, I'll just try and talk to him, but since you're already out here, just watch my back from the window. Call the cops if he goes too far or his cheering squad joins in. That's all I ask, as a friend, that ok?" Stephen said evenly, squeezing Gary's shoulder for reassurance.
After a minute or so, Gary nodded. "Alan's lucky to have you as a friend….so am I. Sometimes you are too good for your own good." Gary commented quietly, so soft that Stephen felt his voice would be lost if he said it any louder.
"Good, before you start window peeping, call up Ray," Stephen spat out," His number is 0454-3478, ok? He can call Angie. I am still trying to forget her number after she tattooed it on my hand with her pen. After that, make sure I'm not dead or anything."
Gary frowned at him. "That's not funny."
Stephen just shrugged and gave off an impish smile. "Just trying to lighten the mood, Gary. Trust me, everything will be fine, now get cracking with that number." Stephen replied, then ran off, Cyrus already waiting by the arcade in the distance.
~ Haitsuchi's Arcade Heaven ~
Stephen walked in, being as quiet as a mouse, though he doubted he would have been noticed if he'd been screaming bloody murder. The arcade was drunken mess, literally. Kids his age and under were drinking beer and smoking.
'Alan would flip if he was behaving normally. He strictly forbids this in his arcade. I remember when he got those punks who sent one of the new friends on a dare to smuggle beer in here. Alan banned those guys for good for the stunt and destroyed their beer to boot. Damn Viper, you're going to pay for ruining my friend's life like this.' Stephen thought angrily, striding in past the drunken teens, every single one of them practically glued to a video game. Most of them were holding onto the controls for dear life while others were slumped across tables and the floors by games, being stood on by those playing the games. It was if the game were more important than helping the passed out drunks.
Stephen moved a little closed to one such player, a young girl with brittle looking braids, as if she hadn't fixed her hair in days. He nearly threw up on her back. The girl wasn't standing on the young man under her, she was standing in him. He wasn't bloody or anything, it was like he was made of brittle glass. His stomach was shattered open, several pieces of skin shattered off his arms and face. 'Like a porcelain doll, I don't feel anything from him….and barely anything from her. He was drained, oh God. Alan, they made Alan steal energy for them.' Stephen thought fearfully, gagging a bit as he backed away. He never expected to bump into anything.
"Hi Steph, how long have you been here?" Alan drawled out sweetly, the foul air of vodka tonic and beer wafting across Stephen's senses. He knew the scent well, it was the normal combination at the few dinner parties his parent's took him to. He didn't like the way Alan was fingering him either, on his sides and butt. He didn't like it at all, so quickly he went forward and whirled around, taking in the ghastly sight of what his friend had become.
Alan had black circles under his eyes, sweat all over his body. His shirt was filthy, stained with days of sweat and food spatters. He looked like a wino in an apron, but stronger in his blood-shot eyes. Stephen's stomach hurt, twisting in violent icy knots. He could feel Alas was practically teeming with evil energy. Stephen didn't need to look at him to see that, but it helped. He smelled like drunken junkie, he looked it. He had to gather Alan hadn't slept wink in the whole time he'd been affected, but it didn't seem to affect him physically. He was standing upright, a beer in one hand and a smoldering cigarette in his mouth, ash dust caked on the side of his mouth as if he'd let it burn all the way down.
His normally lanky body looked a little stockier, some veins protruding from his arms and one on his forehead. He had a sleazy looking smile plastered on his face, wavering on a snide little smirk as insanity flashed through his eyes. Alan was also oozing testosterone, looking more dominant the longer Stephen stared at him, and disgustingly charming. It made Stephen feel small, but still angry deep down. His friend's life was being ruined, he was killing people all for Viper. 'I can't transform and kill him, I just can't. Even if he survives, he'll know my secret….then he'll be a target. I'll have to fight him like this, as Stephen Tsukikage. The others will be here soon….I won't have to fight long, I hope.' He thought, so immersed in them he barely noticed that Alan had moved.
Stephen tried to back up as Alan was now only a foot away from him, but he rammed into the sickly looking female player. She growled at him, and Stephen felt a wave of nausea wash over him when he saw her face fully. Her face was sunken in, she looked as if she hadn't eaten in a lifetime. She was filthy too, her clothes stained with mold and dust, as if she were mummy just drudged out of an ancient tomb. The sight of her made him lose him balance and he fell right back into Alan's waiting arms. He heard the brief shattering of glass before he hit, and a few shards of the beer glass sticking into the back of his right arm.
'Trapped….god, he was never this strong, ow….!' Stephen's mind screamed as the choke-hold and arm twist he was placed in made him cry out in pain. When it stopped he opened his eyes slowly and found Alan leering at him, still holding him tightly against him. Stephen gathered he was being held up in the air when he couldn't feel the floor anymore, his eyes swerving away from Alan to look to the girl for help. His heart sank when he saw she had gone right back to playing her game, her arms starting to shrivel.
"Don't mind the stick girl, she's a little involved with Cytron Commando, like her footstool was. I'm so glad you could make it, Stephen. I can't wait to add you to my collection of dolls. You'll be my most beautiful one….then I'll your little friends too….all on Lord Viper's wall of…souls. Heh heh heh…." Alan let out lucidly, pecking Stephen on the cheek.
"Alan! What on earth is wrong with you? Stop that!" Stephen gagged out, feeling another kiss touch the tip of his ear. 'I'm going to feed Viper his ass when I catch him. This is humiliating….I hope…Ow….Alan doesn't remember this.' Stephen prayed, trying to squirm, but it only seemed to egg Alan on. He bit his neck and made Stephen cry out, but he didn't waste the chance to get free this time. As quickly as he'd shouted, he brought his foot backwards and rammed his heel into Alan's groin. The scream from Alan was very high pitched, but he loosened his grip on Stephen long enough for him to wriggle free, stumbling away as he brought his hand to his neck.
Warm blood met his hand, Stephen's icy blue eyes trembling with fear as it started to flow faster. There wasn't a hole there or anything, it just hurt terribly, the sudden loss of blood making him dizzy. 'Maybe I should have waited….God, why is the room spinning. Uck, should have waited for the others….why won't it heal? Is it the dark energy….is it too strong? I wish I could transform, but I can't risk hurting Alan with my powers…or revealing myself to everyone….still…ugh, trapped.' He thought, his thoughts blurring along with his vision.
As suddenly as his vision cleared, many hands grabbed him, ripping and tearing at him. His shirt was torn off and many fingers started giving him scratches, blood oozing from the slim wounds. He punched and kicked at them with all the strength he had, but the dizzy spells were getting the best of him. Soon he was being held in place, a smirking Alan approaching him. "Guess you finally learned how to fight, for a spoiled rich pretty boy. Time to put you in your place, money bags, with me. Take him to the game. Let him feel the power of the Snake Syndrome. Let him join us….for the glory of the Dark Universe. Do it and you can play forever!" Alan laughed, his eyes alive with red flames. He slapped Stephen a few times, ordering the gamers to hold his head up to improve his aim.
Stephen moaned in pain, blood leaking from his mouth as the sting of Alan's cruel hand upon his cheeks ripped through his flesh. Stephen wanted to cry, his friend, the guy he trusted, the one who helped him, healed him and tolerated him, he was beating the living crap out of him the entire way to the game he spoke of. The arcade game that was glowing a dark emerald green, eyes of blood red and gaping, drooling jaws facing him on the screen. He couldn't force the tears out, he felt his blood freeze as the drooling screen jaws snapped at him hungrily, Alan laughing maniacally all the way.
When they reached it, the gamers leaned his face close to the screen face. It licked its tooth-ridden lips, staring up at Stephen with the most vile gaze, dead and unforgiving, pure evil. "Give us a kiss, beautiful. Give yourself to the Dark Universe!" it giggled, its voice all bubbly and deep.
Stephen gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, fighting the many hands that pushed him towards that horrid thing.
CRASH!!!!
Stephen felt his body jerk, the hands falling away slowly. The shattering he heard still echoed in his brain, he could still hear the sound of the breaking glass. He thought it had been the face on the screen eating his head, his screams being the source of the noise, but it wasn't. Slowly, still sore from the scratches and slapping he'd been through, he turned around, the gamers filing away from him and back to their games. As the sea of sunken and brittle faces dispersed, he saw one remaining, but it was a beaten face, with sunglasses on, still teeming with life.
"G….Gary? You….saved me?" he let out, unable to process the information properly, still fighting back his dizzy spells. Gary gave off a sheepish smile, lifting his right hand up to show Stephen two broken beer bottle necks, some of the glass cutting into the flesh of his slim and pale fingers. Gary tossed them to the floor, right next to Alan's unconscious body, a little blood leaking from Alan's head.
"When I saw him bite you….I figured he wasn't kidding around. I went to the trash bin and got these bottles to throw at him so you could get away, but by the time I got back…well, you were…ahem….being swarmed. I had to sneak in when his back was turned or they would have gotten me too and it'd be too late for us both," Gary explained, then eyes the gamers," I don't get it though. Why aren't they attacking?"
Stephen shrugged, feeling chilly suddenly at his lack of having a shirt, not to mention embarrassed. Angela and Ray would get here eventually, and that meant the maniac would see him shirtless again and tackle him. He was enough pain already, he didn't need her adding to it.
Gary was staring at him too, making Stephen wrap his arms around his bare chest, the uncomfortable silence getting to him. 'And I have to destroy this game without Gary seeing….Moon Knight. Alan won't stay out forever.' Stephen thought.
"I guess if he's not barking orders, they have no reason to stop gaming. Uh, why don't you go in the back room and call the cops….where there aren't any junkie gamers around. They can get the hoodlums out of here." Stephen said quickly.
Gary nodded, but with uncertainty. "Ok….that sounds like a good idea. I'll…get you a towel or something, then I can take care of your wounds, specially that hickey Alan gave you."
With that Gary ran off, looking back once, a bit pensive, then disappeared from Stephen view. As soon as his friend was gone, Angela and Ray walked in, their eyes bulging the moment they saw him. Angela got a suggestive look on her face briefly, then her eyes filled with concern. "What happened to you, man? You and Cyrus have a disagree….eeement. What the hell happened to Alan?" Ray spouted.
Stephen shook his head rapidly, looking at his friends sternly. "Never mind that, you two get to the backroom and keep Gary in there! Block the door from the outside with your bodies if you have to. Viper's gone too far this time, no one messes with my friends!" Stephen ordered.
Ray started a moment at Stephen's tone, but then nodded and ran for the backroom. Angela smiled sweetly at Stephen and started towards him, but to Stephen's relief, Ray came back and dragged her off with him.
"Maniac….time to put you in your place, Snake Syndrome. No more plaguing the minds of innocent teenagers seeking entertainment, and no more fucking with my friend! You're toast!" Stephen announced, grabbing at his pendant forcefully," Moon Sword, Transform!!!!"
In a flash, he was in his silver armor and white tunic, his silvery helmet hiding his face from all, but no one was even looking at him. Moon Knight smiled at this, delighting in the frantic shouting of the face on the screen. It was yelling for help, but without Alan, as Gary had been so kind to prove, they were just gaming zombies. They were just worthless without their master, puppets without the puppeteer.
"Time to say good-bye, ugly. In the name of the Galaxy, I will destroy you! Celestial Beam! HAH!" Moon Knight shouted, slashing his sword at the clattering game. As soon as the beam of light hit the screen, the thing inside let out an unholy wail before it crumbled into ashes.
The gamers were screaming as the Snake Syndrome game was destroyed, grabbing their heads as their energy flood from Alan and the game back into their bodies. All but the shattered husks were restored to their normal healthy bodies, letting their tired forms falling onto the floor.
Alan stirred after that, but didn't get up. Moon Knight knelt down to his friend and set him against on of the nearby games, yanking the dangling cigarette out of his mouth and stomping on it. He brushed off Alan's tired and filthy face with his gloved finger best he could. Alan's eyes fluttered open slowly as Moon Knight managed to clean off the cigarette ash off of his mouth.
Alan stared at him, the bloodshot eyes now clear and happy again, yet a little dazed and confused. "You're….You're….I don't believe it….you're…."Alan tried to say, but someone else finished for him.
"….the Moon Knight." It said, the soft and nasally tone drifting to Moon Knight's ears like leaves on the wind. He turned around, seeing Gary looking at him in total bewilderment. Moon Knight stood up, looking to the stunned Alan back to Gary, then started to walk right past the young man in sunglasses.
He didn't want to say anything, his voice might give him away. Gary knew his voice well enough and so did Alan. He looked off to Gary's right after he passed by him, seeing Angela and Ray looking at him with sheepish smiles. He smiled back at them and wagged his finger, then went for the door.
"Wait!" Gary's voice floated to him again, making Moon Knight stop and turn his head slightly toward the young man. "Where's my friend? Where is Stephen Tsukikage?" he asked forcefully, showing Moon Knight his clenched-gloved fist.
Moon Knight panicked mentally, thinking Gary knew it was him, but then he was able to process the questions. Gary had left him as Stephen Tsukikage to call the police, and only Moon Knight remained. Moon Knight smiled and bowed to Gary as politely as he could, to show secret thanks for Gary's concern for him. "I healed him….and sent him home. The game tried to kill him after you left. He is safe. Trust me," Moon Knight replied, making his voice very soft and whispery, knowing if he made it deep he'd sound ridiculous and fake," I must go now. Farewell."
As quickly as his words ended, Moon Knight ran out of the place, leaving everyone behind. He heard Gary call out again, but he didn't stop. He didn't stop until he was too far away and was able to duck into an alley. He changed back, his wounds already starting to heal.
He didn't want to think about the fight anymore, he only wanted to think about Gary and Alan, the friends he had nearly lost because of Viper. "Viper," Stephen grated out, clenching his fists tightly," You're dead meat, no one messes with my friends! Do you hear me! NO ONE!"
~ Mansion in the Forest ~
-The Dark Abode of Prince Viper-
- Night -
"DAMMMMMMNNNNN!! Moon Knight did it again! Another brilliant plant laid to waste! Argh, it was my last chance….damn, no, I can still make good on this yes. I'll do what I should have done in the first place, killed him myself! Yes, that will make Lord Specter very happy. Heh, heh, eh, heh, heh…." Prince Viper ranted, pacing about his dark abode frantically, and giggling insanely the more he spoke.
He shook a bit as he started to laugh, his crimson pupils flitting in his sockets dangerously fast. The laughter filled his hideout, loud enough to wake to dead to run for their undead existences.
"Yes, ah hahahahahaa haa!! So lovely! If you want something done right, DO IT YOURSELF!" he cackled, lighting crackling outside as his wild laughter filled the mansion, filtering outside to infect and chill the souls of the animals that dared to hear it.