And we're back, sorry for the long hiatus for this short book, I've just been working on other things for both ADJ and other stories. About halfway done with the second chapter for Zer0 Ambition. Anyways I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far, we're near the end of the first act. I honestly' don't have an idea how many chapters there are gonna be, I just have the overall plotline, dialogue, and what happens in the Doc so I have no idea how many chapters this story will make. I doubt twenty...ten maybe? It all depends since these are like four thousand words long.
Eh, who knows. Regardless let's get onto the story. Again, I won't be responding to reviews until after the story is done since it helps make the chapters less longer and more time to focus on writing. I'm not ignoring everyone, I'm just saving my responses until the end.
Well. Enjoy!
Chapter Three: Heaven's Shadow Part Three: Dine with the Devil
(A Devil's Justice)
"..."
"...Ragna?"
"Hmm?" Ragna's head shot up, looking up into Diana's curious eyes. Looking around, Ragna found himself sitting at the restaurant with Diana sitting across from him. It had been some time since they had left the apartment and had now arrived at the restaurant. It was similar to the one Ragna had dined and dashed with Ghia'ta, some of the more regal patrons seem to have something against him but with Diana they were lost in her figure. He couldn't blame them, he was lost too but for other reasons.
He didn't know why, but he felt like something was coming, almost like a storm was approaching. Call it a gut feeling, maybe his demonic powers had some sort of sixth sense or something, but he felt like something was coming. Maybe he was overreacting, it might just be the bug in his stomach…..wait, thinking about bugs did not help. Shaking his head, he realized Diana was still waiting for some sort of response…one he had no idea what it was. Realizing he was being rude, Ragna cleared his throat and offered Diana his warm smile.
"Oh, sorry Diana, I've just been thinking that's all." Ragna said, rubbing the back of his head.
"...Is it about what my sister said before?" Diana asked, frowning at the hybrid. She figured Ragna had overheard her sister, and was hoping it didn't affect him greatly. Ragna didn't respond at first, a small sigh escaping his throat, not openly admitting that it did hurt what Donna said. Could he even deny what she said? Did…..did Diana still agree? It seemed by her silence that she might have, which did make Ragna feel even more guilty.
"She was out of line, you know." Ragna's head shot up, looking at the Amazon surprised by her sudden statement.
"I apologize for her behavior, what she said was out of line and unnecessary after what you and the others did for my home." Diana said. Ragna noted that she never corrected what Donna said, but decided to not push it as he nodded in return.
"It's fine Diana, I'm kind of used to it." Diana was curious on what Ragna meant, confused as she did not see any malice for Ragna. Sure Green Lantern was stern around him but the man didn't like her either, perhaps it is something she doesn't see.
"But uh, anyways, we should change the subject." Ragna suggested, tapping his table nervously just as the waitress came by with their waters.
"...Right, so after everything that has happened Ragna, what do you plan to do now?" Diana asked, sipping her drink while Ragna contemplated her question.
"I mean….just go back to school, go on patrols, back to the norm." Ragna shrugged his shoulders.
"...Really? That's it?" Diana asked, quite shocked at something so simple.
"I mean what is there to do?"
"Ragna, you defeated Hades, this is more than a big deal. Is there really nothing you plan to change now?" Diana asked. Ragna rubbed his chin in thought, if he was being honest he didn't think much about the future, but she did have some point to it. He did need to address some things, such as to what Atrocitus warned him about, the threat of the Paladins…..and theone who took everything from him.
The King of Majins.
"...Nope, nothing that comes to mind." Ragna lied, chuckling in amusement as Diana facepalmed the table.
"I never really think of the long term of things, Diana. I just….live in the moment I guess, what happened with Hades was a big deal sure, but it's over now. When the next villain shows up, I'll be ready to protect you and the girls, and everyone in Redgrave." Ragna said, guzzling down his water. Diana could see what Ragna was getting at….but it was strange.
"Well, obviously there is us now."
"Us?" Diana asked, not understanding what he meant.
"Yeah, we can take this time to get to know one another and become closer like friends do." Ragna said, smiling up at the Amazon Princess. Now that everything has settled down, now could be a good chance to get to know Diana better. He already knows a bunch about her sister, but now he wanted to know more. Though he also felt like anything home related will be a hard topic to speak of so soon, so he might need to work around that. Regardless, he needs her to see the brighter side of humanity, or man at least.
"I…..I would like that." Diana admitted. She was hopeful they could change things around, honestly she didn't know if it would work but she was willing to try. Though she wondered if they would still stay friends with benefits, still a strange title for her, as he continues to date Ghia'ta. She didn't want to intrude on their relationship just because of her sexual needs, ones that Ragna greatly fills in…amazingly. She shook her heads of such thoughts, focusing on keeping conversation with the hybrid.
"So…I guess I should ask what do you plan to do now, Diana?" Ragna asked. The Amazon took a moment to reflect, since she had much to think about. She looked down at her own palm, imagining the lightning that surrounded her during the fight with Hades. It brought so many questions….and so little answers. Besides that, what's next? Perhaps heroism is what she was for, after all she had to show the world who Wonder Woman was.
"I suppose like you I shall continue working as a hero." Diana said.
"See?! I told ya it works out." Ragna said, smiling at the princess, Diana returning the smile. She felt a small tug in her chest, her heart beating just a bit faster for a split second.
"And obviously I'd have to go back and teach at your school."
"Oh…right….crap we probably missed a lot of school work." Ragna paled, Diana nodding in agreement.
"...Oh cool they have a buffet here." Ragna remarked, gesturing to the large row of food out for everyone to eat. Diana made note of the delicious food here on the menu and buffet, before her eyes traveled over to the group of people dancing, the music playing in the background. It reminded Diana of the nights her sisters would dance in celebration.
"You like the dancing?" Ragna asked, noticing that the Amazon Princess hadn't taken her eyes off the group.
"Yes, while it seems different from home, Amazons enjoyed dancing the night away." Diana mused, a small smile on her lips.
"That's cool, I wish I knew how to dance." Ragna said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Really? But I saw you let out a celebratory dance after defeating the Imperium."
"I wouldn't have called that dancing. I mean, sure I can do a few moves that you see in movies, but I'm so awkward with my hips. Just like how I get stage fright without the mask on." Ragna mused. Diana wondered why Ragna would have such simple problems, considering what he fights with on a daily basis. Dancing and singing should be trivial work for Ragna….perhaps he needed a push.
"Well, Ragna, maybe we can remedy that."
"Hmm?" Ragna looked up as Diana stood from her chair and offered her hand.
"Oh….OH! N-No Diana, it's not necessary, I'm fine really!" Ragna shook his head, but Diana let out a small sigh.
"Ragna, I have seen you take on creatures twice your size, criminals, and gods themselves. Surely you can handle a little wave of your hands and hips, allow me to help you." Diana offered, smiling down at the hybrid. Ragna hesitantly looked between Diana and her hand, unsure of what to do. He wasn't afraid to speak what came to mind…..when he was with friends, or be far more flamboyant as he loved being. But history showed some people did not like that side of him, so he reserved it for his Auntie and those close…..and when he wears the mask. A side of him ignored all forms of reason as to why he should do this, slowly reaching out for the Amazon.
THUNK
Ragna and Diana's hand shot back as an arrow made of golden light struck the table.
"...Did your sister follow u-!"
KA-BOOM
The arrow bloated before releasing an explosion of golden light and flames, leaving a large crater inside the restaurant. Screams filled the street and building, while afar Lero stared at the destruction he had caused, a bow of light in hand. Behind him the Angelos floated awaiting his order, stoically staring at the building below. He had been following the two as soon as he left with the three Angelos, tracking them through the small cross he had slipped on them when they ran into him on the street. The time was now to kick things into action, while Sofia and Aris were enacting their side of the plan, he would set his in motion.
"Deal with the Son of Sparda." Lero ordered, he Angelos flew past him down towards the streets below. Back in the restaurant, Ragna coughed and gagged as he tasted dirt in his mouth, clothes torn, smelling smoke and blood in his nostrils.
"D-Diana?!" Ragna called out, trying to wave the smoke aside as he searched for the Amazon.
"Ragna!" Diana appeared from the clouds, latching her arms around him. Ragna did everything in his power to now look down at Diana's torn clothes, revealing pieces of her bosom, sure he has seen it already but it's called common decency.
"W-What happened?" Ragna called out, drowning out the screams and panics.
"I don't know, are you hurt?" Diana asked, checking for any injuries.
"I….I don't th-Ow." Ragna muttered, looking down at his arm, noticing the burn mark that was slowly healing. His eyes widened as he had recognized the deadly energy: Holy Light. Ears flickering, Ragna pushed Diana aside as a silver spear stabbed the ground where they stood, the hybrid hero looking up to see….angels? They appeared in armor with shields and spears, landing on the ground in front of Ragna. The hybrid stood his ground as the strange angelic creatures stared back at him with emotionless gazes, unnerving him. None of them were on Diana, all three were focused on him and only him. He could hear people crying behind him, and knew they would get hurt if they fought.
"Diana." Said Amazon turned to Ragna, his eyes focused on the three strange creatures.
"I'll keep them distracted, get my gear, while you get everyone to safety."
"What? Ragna do-!" Ragna disappeared in a red blur, jumping over the creatures and out of the hole the explosion made, soon followed by the creatures. Diana was about to rush after Ragna, only to hear more crying behind her, seeing several civilians injured or stuck under rubble. She took a deep breath, hoping Ragna would be safe, and chose to trust him at this moment. Reaching for her shirt, she ripped it off revealing her suit underneath, reaching behind and pulled out her boots…she'd rather not explain where she kept her crown.
(A Devil's Justice)
"Help me! Help me!" A woman cried out as a hulking figure stood above her, hand slammed against the wall.
"Hang on, lady!" A red blur appeared catching the woman as the figure smashed the ground where she last stood, he looked around for the woman only to see her across the alleyway. Right in the arms of the Speedster Flash, smirking at the woman in his arms.
"Oh my god, Flash!" The woman cried out excitedly, hanging onto the speedster.
"Don't worry hotstuff, you're safe now." Flash said cockily, ignoring the charging titan, only for a green wall to stop it in its tracks.
"Really? Do you need to flirt right now?" Green Lantern grunted as he floated down to the street below, glaring at the speedster. He regretted choosing today as the day he teamed up with the Flash…..but he did set up a schedule for the group.
"What? I'm just calming down this lovely civilian." Flash said, shrugging his shoulders. The titan broke through the construct charging at the two heroes, the woman screaming in panic. GL constructed a spring trap that once the titan stepped on it, launched him into the air.
"What you should be doing is getting her out of here." GL ordered as the behemoth crashed nearby.
"No, wait please! That monster has my purse!" The woman cried, pointing to the small object in the titan's hand.
"I got it." With that Flash placed the woman aside as he dashed towards the purse. He slipped his hand around the handle, grinning as he ran around the behemoth, however to his shock the man had a tighter grip than he thought. Flash grunted as he was jerked back, the large man standing over him with the purse in his massive palm. He roared as he lifted a fist into the air, only to be tackled by a garbage truck construct, sending him flying.
"I had that." Flash grumbled, dusting himself off.
"Yeah, I could tell you 'got it'." GL retorted, walking past the speedstar and over to the construct. From the truck a fist exploded from the side, shattering the construct as he charged at the space cop. GL constructed several barricades, but to his surprise the man bulldozed right through them. Before he could tackle GL, a spray of water blasted him in the face, GL looking over his shoulder to see Flash leaning on a fire hydrant.
"Watch out for the blast zone!" Flash joked while GL formed a large cannon construct, blasting the man into the wall, where he did not get up. Flash turned off the hydrant with the equipment he quickly borrowed from the nearby Fire Department in Central City, standing beside GL.
"...Really? Blast zone?"
"What? It was funny." Flash shrugged, before grunting as the woman wrapped her arms around his chest.
"Oh thank you Flash, thank you!" The woman cheered, pulling the speedster in a tight hug.
"No problem, hot stuff." GL rolled his eyes at the hero's antics, before hearing a beeping coming from his ring. He saw that it was time for the League meeting, looking over to see Flash writing on a piece of paper with his autograph on it, rolling his eyes.
"Come on, the sooner we take this guy in, the faster we can get to the meeting." With that GL had called in the cops. It took some time, but the Central City Police Force arrived with a large SWAT van as several officers walked out with several large cuffs big enough to chain the brute down. They dragged the silent and willing prisoner, GL staring at him with his arms crossed, while Flash flirted with the saved pedestrian.
"Come on, let's go." GL said, grabbing Flash by his suit and dragging him along.
"Call me gorgeous." Flash said, flashing her a smile, despite not handing her his phone number. GL constructed a spacecraft in the middle of the street as civilians cheered for them, Flash waving and winking at them, before he felt a strange itch on his back.
"Hey, can you construct a back scratcher for me?"
"Get in dammit." GL grumbled, pulling Flash into the ship. Many civilians watched as the craft took off into the sky, soon walking away going back to their regular schedules. All but one, the woman staring off to where they left, her smile turning into a disgusted sneer. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the paper with Flash's signature on it, spitting on the paper before tossing it away. She began making her way down the street where the SWAT Van had turned, searching for the vehicle and who was inside. It took her sometime, but her eyes landed on the prize: The SWAT Van completely decimated, the large behemoth standing on top of it, his eyes turning to the woman.
"...Trap…placed?"
"That's right, my Love, those foolish heroes have no idea what is in store for them." She said, walking up and taking the behemoth hand in hers, kissing his finger.
(A Devil's Justice)
Diana grunted as she lifted a pillar off a civilian's leg, letting others drag him out before she dropped it. She searched the restaurant, seeing that everyone had either ran for safety or were pulled out as the sounds of sirens echoed in her ears. Knowing everyone was safe, Diana flew into the air searching for Ragna, hearing the sounds of gunshots echo in the air above. She looked up to see the hybrid hero dancing around the three winged knight creatures, their lances missing him by inches. She would've joined him had she not heard the sound of something flying in the air, quickly lifting her braces up to deflect the attack. She watched as a golden arrow spun in the air, exploding once it hit the side of a building.
"That was aimed for you, Wonder Woman." Diana turned to see a…..man, standing on the side of a building. He wore white garbs with a red cross, his features obscured by the hood, his arms pulled apart with a golden bow in hand. Diana glared at the man just as he fired another arrow, reaching out and catching it in her hand, crushing and balling it in her fist, the explosion minimized in her palm.
"Who are you? And how dare you attack us." Diana seethed.
"I would apologize, but I do not pity pagans and heretics. Besides, the arrow was not meant to kill you specifically, Wonder Woman. Then again it was only wishful thinking it would so easily kill the Son of Sparda." He said, turning his attention to the hero fighting the Nero Angelos, before turning back to Diana. The Amazon was shocked, this man knew who Ragna was…unless he…her eyes looked at the cross before glaring at the man.
"You're one of the Paladins."
"Indeed, but not of Magnus' faction who I am sure the hybrid has informed you about." Diana said nothing, clenching her knuckles. Ragna did indeed tell them what had happened that night, well at least who they were up against, not how he defeated them. All she knew is that they had hurt Ragna, deeply, and she made it her duty to make amends with the hybrid. Perhaps one of them was taking care of those that hurt him.
"I'm sure you expect me to answer your questions, but I leave those for my La-" Lero jumped back as Diana slammed her fist into the wall he stood on, leaving a hole.
"I don't care who you are anymore. All that matters is you're the enemy!" Diana roared as she flew after Lero, who disappeared in a flash of gold everywhere Diana struck.
"Come and face me, Coward!"
"Fighting you would be suicide, Pagan, for even I know my limits." Lero said from the side, staring across from Diana. He knew his strengths, and they were nothing compared to the Amazon, but his speed and ability was his advantage.
"But I know one thing, your god's might are nothing in the Light of the Lord." Lero proclaimed, summoning his golden bow and pulling the string back as three arrows appeared, releasing them. Diana lifted her arm up to block the arrows, only to be shocked as they moved of their own will around her. Diana quickly flew into the air with the arrows right behind her, the Amazon trying to distance herself between them.
She flew towards Lero, but the Paladin easily disappeared from her sight, standing on top of the building while Diana flew around. She turned around and stopped mid-flight, grabbing one arrow and clutching it in her hand, flying at mach speed into the sky. She turned around and pulled her hand back, twisting the arrow like a small javelin. Once another golden arrow appeared from the clouds, she threw the one in her hand, the golden light piercing the sky as the two arrows collided. Lero had to cover his eyes from the blinding light that pierced the sky, was there a second light nearby?
"That had you got?" Lero looked up to see Diana glaring down at him.
"No…I believe I shot three arrows." Diana's eyes widened, before yelping in pain as something pierced her. Looking down, she saw the golden arrow in her shoulder, yet she saw no blood as if the arrow was not physical. Despite this, she could do nothing as she was consumed in a golden explosion. Lero shielded his face, watching as Diana slowly flew towards the ground, crashing onto a truck.
"DIANA!"
(A Devil's Justice)
Ragna smirked under his mask as he slammed his boots into one of the knights face, knocking it into the sky. He was glad he had kept his gear in a backpack behind the restaurant just in case…also because they had the meeting later tonight. Sure, it would upset Ghia'ta, but she'll thank him once he saves the day with Diana. Though he wondered what these creatures were, though that could be another time. He pulled out Jekyll and Hyde, blasting off into the air with the two right behind him. He slammed onto the one he had knocked before, jumping off and landing on another nearby building as sirens rang below.
The knights dashed towards Ragna, lunging forward with their spears, golden light illuminating them. Ragna twirled his pistols before charging them with rage and love, firing off multiple rounds. An explosion rocked the building, but to Ragna's surprise, the Knights were merely held back, none of them showing any sign of being in a haze due to Love. They merely looked back at Ragna and charged, the hybrid hero jumping over them and slamming his boot into one of their backs, knocking it into the other two. His eyes widen at another explosion not of his own, looking up to see a golden light, followed by another one a few seconds later. This time his eyes widened in horror seeing Diana fall towards the ground from the cloud.
"DIANA!" Ragna shot over to see a strange man in white robes disappear in a golden flash. Ragna growled as he shot towards the building where the man and Diana were, hoping he could reach her in time. However, he was struck in the back by a golden blast, knocking him across the roof of the building. He growled as the holy energy burned against his demonic side, but disappeared as Ragna slowly shrugged it off. He looked up just in time to see the three knights charging at him.
(A Devil's Justice)
"How the fuck are you gonna find this bastard in a big place like this?!" Enzo cursed, Bayonetta ignored him as they passed the lights of Redgrave City. It had been an hour or so and they found no sign of her target, but she had no doubt they would show up, she just needed-
KA-BOOM
"What the fuck was that?!" Enzo cursed as a golden light pierced the sky, Bayonetta tipped her glasses with a smirk. She didn't sense any angels….but that holy energy was all too familiar.
"That my dear Enzo, was our dear friend I believe." Bayonetta said as she leaned forward.
"Great, now what the fuck are you gonn-OOF!" Enzo grunted as his car jerked forward. Enzo looked up to see Bayonetta standing on the hood of his car.
"Now this is where we part ways, dear Enzo. See you back at Rodin's." Bayonetta said, slamming her foot into the hood of the car. The force blasted the car into the sky, spinning across the air towards one of the buildings. Meanwhile, Ragna growled as the three Knights charged at him, spearheads aimed towards him.
"UN-BE-FUCKING-!" Ragna's eyes widened in confusion as a car slammed into the three knights, blasting them into different buildings.
"LIVEABLE!" A voice cried out as the car went flying into the sky.
"...What just happened?" Ragna deadpanned, before he swung his head to the side as a bullet flew where his head originally was.
"Fast little one aren't you?" Ragna jumped back and turned to face the one who spoke, eyes widened to see a very tall woman in black clothing standing on the opposite end of the rood, a red pistol in her hands and….heels? Bayonetta got a good look at her target: Red coat, blue jeans, red domino mask and respirator, and a flicker of white under the hood. While he didn't look like it, she sensed the dark energy resonating within him: Demonic. Powerful at that. He was the Agent of Darkness his employer spoke of.
"I must admit, you're much shorter than I expected." Bayonetta mused, ignoring Ragna's deadpan expression.
"And….you are?" Ragna asked, before Bayonetta unleashed a hail of bullets. Ragna quickly held up Jekyll and Hyde firing several rounds that slammed into hers, the smushed bullets bouncing on the ground between them. Bayonetta smiled at Ragna, leaning forward and winking at him before aiming her guns back at him.
"Let's just say someone wants you dead, little Agent of Darkness, and they hired me to deal with you." Ragna's eyes widened, looking over where Diana had crashed, staring back at the woman. Could these two forces be in cahoots, working together to take him down? And what did she mean by Agent of Darkness? Him? He looked back and glared at the woman, a dark aura surrounding her being…..demonic?! Yes, whatever it was, she had the aura of a devil around her. Ragna growled under his breath as a red energy shot out of him in a menacing aura, demonic in nature.
"There it is, that's what I've been looking for. Now then…" Bayonetta smirked, twirling her guns and aiming them at Ragna. The hybrid hero twirled his pistols and held them gangster style, aimed at the woman, dark energy surrounded the two individuals as they prepared for the fight.
"Let's rock, Baby!"
(A Devil's Justice)
Well that was another fun more mellow chapter before the big fight happens. Here we are folks, the prelude to the fight between Ragna Redgrave the Son of Sparda and Bayonetta the Umbran Witch. Again I should reiterate this is Pre-Bayo1 Bayonetta so as far as I am aware she only has her Witch Time, and Summons. She is using Handguns until...well let's not worry about that.
I'm leaving a lot of things said between Ragna and Diana unaddress in this story cause most of the development is in the volumes. Not saying I can't have development in these short stories, it's just not the main focus so to speak. I told a bit about it with Saiya on Discord (Which we should do soon btw) without spoiling much. Bayonetta 3 is out and I got it, it has been a blast so far. Granted I'm only on Chapter...Four I believe. I just finished the first part of the...Chinese Bayonetta universe? B2 Bayonetta is what she is called. Been fun with the lore of the verse being explored and these new weapons are fun. Yes...Oh yes the weapons. I am gonna have some fun.
You know I've been thinking of actually publishing a book, I've been working on this one not long, or merely it's an idea that has been in the back of my head for a while. No official title yet, but something akin to Cryptid Hunting Tales or Cryptid Hunter. Essentially the first book a series of short stories following my character Daven as he travels the world killing cryptid monsters and mythical beasts, all the while keeping it a secret from the rest of the world. He does so uner a lie to his Fiance/Wife Darcy in a...Pre-Covid world I haven't decided the time placement. Nothing to crazy, like no magic aside from...well I'm still working on the rules. I hope to finish it at some point next year. Alright with that out of the way I hope everyone enjoys the chapter, until next time.
Zer0the0mega108 out!