I have returned! *Smiles triumphantly* I write waaaay too much... Newayz
Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men Evo but I own Azriel
Wings of Shadow
White snow covered the concrete sidewalks of the town of Bayville. An old man sat at one of the benches of the park, feeding the birds crumbs of bread. He grinned a toothless smile and watched the birds gobble up the food. He looked up for a moment and waved cheerfully at a young man walking briskly through the park.
"Happy Holidays, Sonny." The man barely acknowledged him and continued to walk away. He heard the old man muttering something about the rudeness of kids these days. One more thing to repent for. He turned on an unused dirt road and quickly made his way to a small church on the outskirts of town. It was old and battered, the wood rotting away. It looked ready to collapse at any second. Pigeons roosted on the small, dirty cross that was perched on the roof. A nightingale warbled reproachfully at the man as he walked by. The man noticed none of these things and threw open the wooden double doors. He dipped his hand in the holy water and quickly crossed himself before making his way to the altar. He kneeled in the middle of the tiny church and gazed at the statue of Jesus. The wood used to carve him had also begun to rot and holes now filled his sunken cheeks. Gold filigree flaked off from the crown of thorns. Only the eyes contained any life, seeming to bore into the very soul of the man that stood before him. The man crossed himself once again.
"Forgive me, my Lord, but I have sinned." He cast a furtive glance to see if anyone else was around. Only shadows and rot gazed back into his haunted blue eyes. "I cannot stop myself, but I continued to cheat on my wife. I know it is wrong but I crave the feeling of a new woman every time. My wife confronted me this morning about this. I was drunk, another sin, and in a fit of rage, I broke my whisky bottle over her head. I think she is dead. Oh Jesus, guide me! Help me repent!"
"The Lord does not waste his time on those who do not deserve His love. Judgment be upon you." A large sword suddenly appeared above the young man, slicing his head off. Blood flew everywhere, splattering across the pew. The sword wielder calmly lit a candle nearby him and wiped his sword on the body of the young man. Flickering light caromed off his face, revealing short blond hair cropped close to his skull. He was unshaven, with a day's growth of beard adorning his face. The light reflected off a large silver cross hanging over his chest. A khaki trenchcoat covered his six foot frame. A maniac gleam showed clearly in his sapphire-blue eyes.
"Was that truly necessary, Caspar?" Caspar directed his gaze at the balcony, making out another tall figure dressed the same way. The new man's long blond hair fell to the middle of his back. Circular glasses covered and slightly obscured his ice-blue eyes. His face was clean-shaven. He lifted his silver cross from his chest and gently kissed it.
"Amen." Caspar scowled before doing the same.
"Amen. You take all the fun out of this, Balthazar." Balthazar wrinkled his nose in disgust at Caspar and did not reply. Instead, he looked at the rows of seats for the parishioners.
"Melchior?" A third figure with closed eyes, dressed the same as the other two, stood up. He brought his cross to his lips and kissed it as well.
"Amen."
"You seem worried." Melchior's eyes shot open to reveal milky white, pupil- less eyes.
"I sense a taint. The air reeks of it. Something is coming. A great evil comes to our city, disguised as a human. He must be Judged." He ran a white gloved hand over his bald head. Caspar grinned happily.
"Goody. I've been dying for some fun." Balthazar ignored him again and looked at Melchior and kneeled before the statue of Christ.
"By the will of our Savior, let this one be Judged."
"Let this one be Judged." Repeated the other two. All three got to their feet at the same time.
"What is this wolf in sheepskin's name?"
"Azriel Dracul. Son of the demon Dracula."
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Rogue closed Dracula's diary and made her way to her bookcase. She carefully placed it on a stand and turned away, suddenly bumping into something.
"Kitty, Ah swear..." Rogue's scorching words died in her mouth as she stared into crimson eyes.
"Miss me, Rogue?" Azriel chuckled and gave her a brief hug.
"Azriel...?" Rogue stared wonderingly at him. It had been a full year since they had parted ways. Azriel chuckled.
"Close your mouth, Rogue. You look like a dying fish." He bowed quickly to her before walking out of the room. A mental summons echoed into Rogue's brain as the Professor asked them to come to the main living room. She rushed out of her room, stopping to catch her breath at the living room. The X-Men were gathered around, lounging on sofas. Scott turned to Logan.
"What's this about, Logan?" Logan merely shrugged his shoulders.
"Beats me, Bub."
"I think it might have something to do with me." Both whipped around to find Azriel calmly sprawled on the couch, his arms draped comfortably around Amara's and Jubilee's shoulders. They shrieked and jumped away in surprise before catching their breath.
"Jesus, that scared the shit out of me!"
"My poor heart!"
"Santo Cristobal!" As everyone struggled to calm their pumping hearts, they finally registered who was sitting on the couch.
"Az!" Kitty cried happily and wrapped Azriel in a tight hug.
Az?
"Kitty, I can't breathe..." Kitty let go immediately, although the goofy grin on her face remained. Everyone rushed over to wrap him in tight hugs or warm handshakes.
"It's awesome to see you again!"
"Can I borrow your car?" Scott walked up to him and stared coldly at him.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have a kingdom to rule?" Everyone stopped talking to watch the staring contest between the two.
"I'm taking a vacation. I finished forming a treaty with a vampire coven near Uzbekistan. As a result, the Shah's son must rule in my place for one month in order to gain ruling experience. I left some orders so he doesn't bring my castle down on his head and decided to come here and spend the holidays with you all." Jean came rushing down the stairs.
"Sorry Professor, but I was in the shower...Azriel!" She squealed and wrapped him in a tight hug.
"Hey Jean. Long time no see."
"How long are you here for?"
"A month. Thought I'd spend Christmas with you." Jean smiled and hugged him again.
"A few of us were just on our way out for a cup of coffee. Care to join us?"
"Sure. I just need to talk to Scott for a second." Scott felt his arm clamped in an iron grip and Azriel steered him out of the room.
"What's your problem?" Scott didn't answer, instead casting glances back at the living room. Azriel followed his gaze and realized what was going on.
"So you and Jean, huh?" Scott whipped his head around.
"How did you know?"
"It's kinda obvious. Relax Scott. I have absolutely no intention of stealing her from you. In fact, I'd like to offer my congratulations." Scott visibly relaxed.
"Thanks. When I saw you, I...I guess I got scared. She means everything to me." They both gazed at the red haired beauty. Azriel chuckled and quirked an eyebrow.
"Not to mention she has a fantastic body." Both adults shared a laugh. "So how's college?"
"Different, but a lot of fun. I still teach a bit here but mostly I'm a college student. Mutant segregation has died down quite a bit since you left. We saved a governor here, took out a convict there and bingo. They're finally starting to accept us."
"That's good."
"Are y'all comin' or do ya need some prahvacy?" Azriel chuckled as Scott turned red.
"We should get going. You coming?"
"Nah. I got a lot of homework I need to do before Winter Break ends and I want to get it done early on."
"Ok. We'll hang out when I get back."
"Sounds cool." Azriel clapped Scott on the shoulder before striding away.
"Coming, girls! Coming!"
No patience whatsoever
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"So he was all like ya gotta go out with me! And I was so like loser, get out of my face!" Kitty and Jean laughed aloud. Rogue silently nursed a cup of black coffee. Jean looked at her seriously.
"You seem down. Something wrong?" Rogue shook her head.
"It's nuthin. Ah'm fahne." Blade casually walked over to the table and dropped a small bag down next to his chair. His eyes widened in surprise and mirth as he looked at the multitude of huge shopping bags.
"You girls buy the entire mall?" Jean took another sip from her cappuccino
"Almost. What have you got there?
"Just another book that looked interesting." Azriel looked at his watch. "What time were we planning on leaving?"
"Seven. Why?"
"Because it's eight thirty." The girls screeched and began to furiously grab bags.
"We'll miss dinner!"
"Logan's gonna kill me for being out so late!" Azriel chuckled as Rogue calmly downed the dregs of her coffee and threw it in the garbage before picking up a medium sized bag. Azriel picked up his coffee and bag and took a sip, wincing at the temperature.
"Relax. We'll be back in no time." Azriel's ears suddenly pricked up. "You girls go ahead. I have something to take care of." He set his coffee and bag on the table and began to walk briskly away. The girls watched in puzzlement.
"I say we follow him."
Azriel continued to walk out of the mall and into a dark alleyway.
"Who are you? Show yourself."
"Azriel?" Azriel's eyes widened as Jean, Kitty and Rogue followed him into the alley.
"What are you doing?! RUN!" White papers rained down, creating a huge ellipse around the four. A long spear suddenly slammed into Azriel, cutting right through his heart and erupting out of his back. Silver knives impaled the palms of his hands. Kitty screamed and tried to run, but was stopped as a tall man dressed in a khaki trenchcoat appeared in front of her and smashed her head. She dropped unconscious to the ground with a soft groan.
"Kitty!" Jean screamed and tried to telekinetically knock over the man. To her horror, the man acted as if nothing had happened and walked up to her. He grabbed her neck and poked her stomach with a huge sword.
"Your demonic powers have no effect in this holy circle."
"Caspar!" Caspar groaned aloud and swiftly knocked Jean unconscious. Rogue screamed and ran to her aid, but was assaulted by another man with milky eyes. Although he seemed blind, he blocked Rogue's punches and kicks with surprising ease. He grabbed Rogue around the arm and tried to bring her down. In retaliation, Rogue bit his ear and hung on. Instead of his powers weakening, he remained hale and hearty.
"You have no power over us. We are the Chosen of God, sent to cleanse this world of evil." Melchior rapped Rogue on the head. The last thing she saw was Azriel roaring as knives impaled him all over.
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Rogue stirred on the ground. Her bleary eyes opened and she groaned aloud, finding herself in an old, run-down church. She noticed she was tied to a pillar. She screamed and tried to break free. The rope cut painfully into her wrists as she struggled against it.
"It's no use. We have no strength here. Our powers don't work." Rogue turned and saw Jean in a similar fate. Kitty sat roped to another column, still passed out. Rogue looked at herself. Her clothes were ripped all over and she could feel a large bruise on the back of her head. She coughed and spat out a mouthful of blood. "That's not the worst of it. Look." Jean pointed with her chin toward the altar. Instead of the statue of Christ on the cross, Azriel hung. His wrists were impaled to the cross on two silver daggers. The pike also anchored him, jutting out the back of the cross. He breathed shallowly, still out cold. Below him stood the three priests. One casually raised a whip covered in silver and dealt a sharp blow to his face. Azriel's eyes shot open and he stifled a scream of pain.
"Ah. The Dragon finally awakens. Welcome to our home. I am Balthazar. This is Caspar and Melchior. We are the three Chosen of God, sent to wreak His divine justice upon those tainted by Satan." Azriel smiled and spat on Caspar's robes.
"Doesn't that get a little old?" Caspar gave an inarticulate roar and attempted to rip Azriel apart, but was arrested by Melchior.
"This one must suffer," he intoned in his deep, gravelly voice. "The taint must be driven out before he is killed." Balthazar only raised the whip and brought it back down. A loud scream rent the air.
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Rogue awoke again a few hours later to Azriel's continued screaming. Kitty was up also, her head miserably wedged between her legs as she tried to drive out the screams. Tears began to flow from her eyes.
"Az..."
"Don't. Don't y'all dare crah!" Kitty looked up at Rogue in astonishment. "Think Azriel's crahyin' up there? Nah, he's toughin' it out. Don't ya dare dishonor him bah crahyin." Kitty's eyes widened in wonder before growing ever larger in horror. Directly over Rogue stood Caspar. He gave a lecherous grin and grabbed the tattered remains of her shirt, ripping them off. Rogue screamed and tried to bite at him. Caspar pushed her head back with one hand and began to fondle her with another. His eyes narrowed in sadistic pleasure as he watched his victim buck under his ministrations.
"Caspar! Do not defile yourself!" Caspar got up and gave Rogue a murderous grin.
"You got lucky this time. But not next time." He smiled maniacally and walked back over to the altar to watch Azriel's torture.
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A stained glass frieze at the very back of the church depicted a beautiful angel. She was covered with many layers of dust, but her perfect cream skin and her glowing wings and halo caused the glass to shine with an otherworldly light. Gray eyes held an infinite sadness as she stretched her arms out beseechingly for something. A single drop of water passed from her eye down to the floor.
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It is long into the night and the moon is up. I tried to transform but the minute I became more vampiric, the power of this damned cross burned my very soul. I suspect there is silver inside. The whip cuts at me even now. I scream loudly, my throat raw, and twitch from the terrible gashes it leaves in my skin. They are breaking me. I do not know how much longer I will be able to survive. These priests are very skilled at torture. At one point, I saw the one called Caspar reach for Rogue. I lost it then and became fully vampire. The cross nearly destroyed me and I barely managed to revert back. Then the whip came down even harder, each stroke digging past flesh and muscle to strike bone and sinew. It is however, the spear that harms me the most. I recognize it as the Lance of Longinus, the legendary spear used to pierce Christ himself.
They are breaking me.
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Rogue stood alone in a room of total blackness. It's been more than a day, she thought. The professah won't be able to fahnd us. We're gonna dah. Ah don't wanna dah. Azriel...
"Azriel..."
"Rogue, wake up." Rogue's head snapped up. Her eyes locked with Jean's. "You were dreaming and moaning something. What did you say?"
"Nothin." Jean gave a small shudder.
"I don't know how much longer I can take this. My powers are gone, but I'm still empathic. I can almost feel Azriel's pain. He's going to die soon. There's nothing we can do." Jean's shoulders heaved as tears wracked her body. "We're all going to die."
"Don't say that."
"It's true. Be realistic, Rogue. Azriel's going to die and then so are we."
"Azriel will save us." Jean scoffed at the thought.
"Bullshit. He's powerful, but they've taken away that power and replaced it with pain. No Rogue. We're going to die. Very, very soon."
"How about right now?" Caspar stood over Rogue again and hefted his sword. "Time's up, bitch. And just because I couldn't have you, I think I'll kill you first." Azriel's head snapped up at those words. His eyes remained closed and he stared sightlessly at Caspar.
"You monster! We're not the demons, you are...augh!" Another crack of the whip sent the cat o' nines directly over Azriel's mouth.
"Silence." Balthazar nodded at Caspar, who gleefully brought his sword to bear. He lunged forward, stabbing Rogue in the stomach. She screamed in pain and collapsed, fainting from the pain. Balthazar gave an annoyed glare at Caspar.
"I wanted a CLEAN swing, not a wound. She'll bleed to death." Caspar smiled widely.
"Yep." Balthazar dealt a sharp blow to Caspar's head and raised his sword high over his head.
"You shall feel no more pain." His sword swung in a glittering silver arc toward Rogue.
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When Rogue was stabbed, I was so furious, so mad. But I didn't change. There is no rage left within me. Only an infinite sadness that threatens to drag me into its black depths. What reason do I have left to live? We're all going to die anyway. I let go of my tenuous grip on life and fall into that vortex of sorrow.
Something is wrong. I should be dead. But my heart beats with a new strength. I draw my power, not from rage, but from sorrow. I feel the power rippling through me as I understand what I have transformed into.
I am Azriel Dracul, the Angel of Death. I am the Darkangel.
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A roar that shook the very foundations of the run-down church arrested Balthazar's sword. He and the other two priests stared in mute wonder at the glowing body of Azriel. With a powerful tug, he ripped the daggers from the wood. They slid wetly from his hands and clattered to the floor. He next wrapped his bleeding palms around the shaft of the spear and pulled on the Lance of Longinus, ripping it from his body. As he fell from the cross, huge black raven wings exploded from his shoulder blades and flared, catching air currents. Azriel beat his massive wings a few times, bringing him to hover just above the floor of the church, the Lance of Longinus clutched in his right hand. He turned to the cross and pointed a finger at it. The cross shattered into splinters and the silver core hidden within suddenly melted and floated to Azriel's body. It entered his ravaged frame and raced through his bloodstream. To the priests' visible amazement and growing horror, the wounds they had inflicted stopped bleeding and close up, leaving Azriel perfectly whole. He raised the Lance and muttered a few words. Before their very eyes, the holy lance shimmered and began to change form. It morphed into a magnificent glaive. Melchior stared at it in horror.
"The Silence Glaive. The weapon of God's messenger of death." Caspar cast a fearful look at Melchior.
"Who is this guy?!"
"He is the Darkangel, the Angel of Death. The singular most powerful of His servants to ever exist. We have lost."
"Bullshit! The Darkangel's a legend!" Caspar gripped his sword and raced at Azriel, screaming. Azriel easily parried the blow with his left hand before swinging the glaive. Caspar's severed head sailed through the air, impacting the pew. Azriel wordlessly met the other two's gazes. His eyes had returned to a shade of gray. Behind them lived an infinite sadness. His gaze threatened to swallow the fearful priests whole. He raised his glaive and beckoned. Melchior gave a cry of fear and sprinted for the door. With a snap of his wings, Azriel was on top of the hapless priest. He raised the Silence Glaive and brought it down, splitting Melchior straight down the middle. He turned his gaze back to Balthazar. Balthazar raised his sword, steeling himself.
"Die!" He raced forward and swung at Azriel, who blocked the blow with the shaft of his glaive and slashing down. Balthazar deftly stepped out of the way and lunged again. The battle continued for several minutes until Azriel grew tired of it. He flew backwards and leveled the glaive, pointing it directly at Balthazar. A sphere of pure black energy erupted from the tip and smashed into Balthazar's chest, burning his body to a crisp. He gave a piteous wail before collapsing into a pile of ash on the ground. Azriel calmly walked over to Jean and Kitty and cut their bonds before throwing the Silence Glaive into the air. It shimmered once and disappeared entirely. He stepped over to Rogue and cradled her head against his chest. He leaned down and kissed her as if they had been ardent lovers. Rogue gasped as life flowed into her once again and the wound on her stomach healed. Azriel pulled off his tattered shirt and offered it to Rogue.
"It's not much, but it'll cover you." She took it gratefully and pulled it on before kissing Azriel passionately. After a few moments, he broke the kiss.
"Jean, can you fly?" The three girls gasped as they felt their powers returning.
"Yeah, I think so." Azriel looked at the doors of the church. They exploded outward.
"The way is clear." The four X-Men strode out and breathed the crisp cold air. Azriel scooped Rogue into his arms and beat his magnificent wings.
"We'll see you at the mansion." He beat his wings once more and rocketed toward the Institute. Rogue sighed in contentment and laid her head on his chest, careful not to let her exposed skin touch his. She wondered whether she would ever be able to kiss another person again, but was infinitely glad her first kiss had been from Azriel. She snuggled against him and sighed again. This is true bliss, she thought.
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A single tear of blood slipped from the face of the angel. Her eyes held a hint of happiness in them as she watched Azriel stride out the door with the three girls.
Live long. May you ever be happy, Azriel.
My son.
The End
Wings of Shadow
White snow covered the concrete sidewalks of the town of Bayville. An old man sat at one of the benches of the park, feeding the birds crumbs of bread. He grinned a toothless smile and watched the birds gobble up the food. He looked up for a moment and waved cheerfully at a young man walking briskly through the park.
"Happy Holidays, Sonny." The man barely acknowledged him and continued to walk away. He heard the old man muttering something about the rudeness of kids these days. One more thing to repent for. He turned on an unused dirt road and quickly made his way to a small church on the outskirts of town. It was old and battered, the wood rotting away. It looked ready to collapse at any second. Pigeons roosted on the small, dirty cross that was perched on the roof. A nightingale warbled reproachfully at the man as he walked by. The man noticed none of these things and threw open the wooden double doors. He dipped his hand in the holy water and quickly crossed himself before making his way to the altar. He kneeled in the middle of the tiny church and gazed at the statue of Jesus. The wood used to carve him had also begun to rot and holes now filled his sunken cheeks. Gold filigree flaked off from the crown of thorns. Only the eyes contained any life, seeming to bore into the very soul of the man that stood before him. The man crossed himself once again.
"Forgive me, my Lord, but I have sinned." He cast a furtive glance to see if anyone else was around. Only shadows and rot gazed back into his haunted blue eyes. "I cannot stop myself, but I continued to cheat on my wife. I know it is wrong but I crave the feeling of a new woman every time. My wife confronted me this morning about this. I was drunk, another sin, and in a fit of rage, I broke my whisky bottle over her head. I think she is dead. Oh Jesus, guide me! Help me repent!"
"The Lord does not waste his time on those who do not deserve His love. Judgment be upon you." A large sword suddenly appeared above the young man, slicing his head off. Blood flew everywhere, splattering across the pew. The sword wielder calmly lit a candle nearby him and wiped his sword on the body of the young man. Flickering light caromed off his face, revealing short blond hair cropped close to his skull. He was unshaven, with a day's growth of beard adorning his face. The light reflected off a large silver cross hanging over his chest. A khaki trenchcoat covered his six foot frame. A maniac gleam showed clearly in his sapphire-blue eyes.
"Was that truly necessary, Caspar?" Caspar directed his gaze at the balcony, making out another tall figure dressed the same way. The new man's long blond hair fell to the middle of his back. Circular glasses covered and slightly obscured his ice-blue eyes. His face was clean-shaven. He lifted his silver cross from his chest and gently kissed it.
"Amen." Caspar scowled before doing the same.
"Amen. You take all the fun out of this, Balthazar." Balthazar wrinkled his nose in disgust at Caspar and did not reply. Instead, he looked at the rows of seats for the parishioners.
"Melchior?" A third figure with closed eyes, dressed the same as the other two, stood up. He brought his cross to his lips and kissed it as well.
"Amen."
"You seem worried." Melchior's eyes shot open to reveal milky white, pupil- less eyes.
"I sense a taint. The air reeks of it. Something is coming. A great evil comes to our city, disguised as a human. He must be Judged." He ran a white gloved hand over his bald head. Caspar grinned happily.
"Goody. I've been dying for some fun." Balthazar ignored him again and looked at Melchior and kneeled before the statue of Christ.
"By the will of our Savior, let this one be Judged."
"Let this one be Judged." Repeated the other two. All three got to their feet at the same time.
"What is this wolf in sheepskin's name?"
"Azriel Dracul. Son of the demon Dracula."
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Rogue closed Dracula's diary and made her way to her bookcase. She carefully placed it on a stand and turned away, suddenly bumping into something.
"Kitty, Ah swear..." Rogue's scorching words died in her mouth as she stared into crimson eyes.
"Miss me, Rogue?" Azriel chuckled and gave her a brief hug.
"Azriel...?" Rogue stared wonderingly at him. It had been a full year since they had parted ways. Azriel chuckled.
"Close your mouth, Rogue. You look like a dying fish." He bowed quickly to her before walking out of the room. A mental summons echoed into Rogue's brain as the Professor asked them to come to the main living room. She rushed out of her room, stopping to catch her breath at the living room. The X-Men were gathered around, lounging on sofas. Scott turned to Logan.
"What's this about, Logan?" Logan merely shrugged his shoulders.
"Beats me, Bub."
"I think it might have something to do with me." Both whipped around to find Azriel calmly sprawled on the couch, his arms draped comfortably around Amara's and Jubilee's shoulders. They shrieked and jumped away in surprise before catching their breath.
"Jesus, that scared the shit out of me!"
"My poor heart!"
"Santo Cristobal!" As everyone struggled to calm their pumping hearts, they finally registered who was sitting on the couch.
"Az!" Kitty cried happily and wrapped Azriel in a tight hug.
Az?
"Kitty, I can't breathe..." Kitty let go immediately, although the goofy grin on her face remained. Everyone rushed over to wrap him in tight hugs or warm handshakes.
"It's awesome to see you again!"
"Can I borrow your car?" Scott walked up to him and stared coldly at him.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have a kingdom to rule?" Everyone stopped talking to watch the staring contest between the two.
"I'm taking a vacation. I finished forming a treaty with a vampire coven near Uzbekistan. As a result, the Shah's son must rule in my place for one month in order to gain ruling experience. I left some orders so he doesn't bring my castle down on his head and decided to come here and spend the holidays with you all." Jean came rushing down the stairs.
"Sorry Professor, but I was in the shower...Azriel!" She squealed and wrapped him in a tight hug.
"Hey Jean. Long time no see."
"How long are you here for?"
"A month. Thought I'd spend Christmas with you." Jean smiled and hugged him again.
"A few of us were just on our way out for a cup of coffee. Care to join us?"
"Sure. I just need to talk to Scott for a second." Scott felt his arm clamped in an iron grip and Azriel steered him out of the room.
"What's your problem?" Scott didn't answer, instead casting glances back at the living room. Azriel followed his gaze and realized what was going on.
"So you and Jean, huh?" Scott whipped his head around.
"How did you know?"
"It's kinda obvious. Relax Scott. I have absolutely no intention of stealing her from you. In fact, I'd like to offer my congratulations." Scott visibly relaxed.
"Thanks. When I saw you, I...I guess I got scared. She means everything to me." They both gazed at the red haired beauty. Azriel chuckled and quirked an eyebrow.
"Not to mention she has a fantastic body." Both adults shared a laugh. "So how's college?"
"Different, but a lot of fun. I still teach a bit here but mostly I'm a college student. Mutant segregation has died down quite a bit since you left. We saved a governor here, took out a convict there and bingo. They're finally starting to accept us."
"That's good."
"Are y'all comin' or do ya need some prahvacy?" Azriel chuckled as Scott turned red.
"We should get going. You coming?"
"Nah. I got a lot of homework I need to do before Winter Break ends and I want to get it done early on."
"Ok. We'll hang out when I get back."
"Sounds cool." Azriel clapped Scott on the shoulder before striding away.
"Coming, girls! Coming!"
No patience whatsoever
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"So he was all like ya gotta go out with me! And I was so like loser, get out of my face!" Kitty and Jean laughed aloud. Rogue silently nursed a cup of black coffee. Jean looked at her seriously.
"You seem down. Something wrong?" Rogue shook her head.
"It's nuthin. Ah'm fahne." Blade casually walked over to the table and dropped a small bag down next to his chair. His eyes widened in surprise and mirth as he looked at the multitude of huge shopping bags.
"You girls buy the entire mall?" Jean took another sip from her cappuccino
"Almost. What have you got there?
"Just another book that looked interesting." Azriel looked at his watch. "What time were we planning on leaving?"
"Seven. Why?"
"Because it's eight thirty." The girls screeched and began to furiously grab bags.
"We'll miss dinner!"
"Logan's gonna kill me for being out so late!" Azriel chuckled as Rogue calmly downed the dregs of her coffee and threw it in the garbage before picking up a medium sized bag. Azriel picked up his coffee and bag and took a sip, wincing at the temperature.
"Relax. We'll be back in no time." Azriel's ears suddenly pricked up. "You girls go ahead. I have something to take care of." He set his coffee and bag on the table and began to walk briskly away. The girls watched in puzzlement.
"I say we follow him."
Azriel continued to walk out of the mall and into a dark alleyway.
"Who are you? Show yourself."
"Azriel?" Azriel's eyes widened as Jean, Kitty and Rogue followed him into the alley.
"What are you doing?! RUN!" White papers rained down, creating a huge ellipse around the four. A long spear suddenly slammed into Azriel, cutting right through his heart and erupting out of his back. Silver knives impaled the palms of his hands. Kitty screamed and tried to run, but was stopped as a tall man dressed in a khaki trenchcoat appeared in front of her and smashed her head. She dropped unconscious to the ground with a soft groan.
"Kitty!" Jean screamed and tried to telekinetically knock over the man. To her horror, the man acted as if nothing had happened and walked up to her. He grabbed her neck and poked her stomach with a huge sword.
"Your demonic powers have no effect in this holy circle."
"Caspar!" Caspar groaned aloud and swiftly knocked Jean unconscious. Rogue screamed and ran to her aid, but was assaulted by another man with milky eyes. Although he seemed blind, he blocked Rogue's punches and kicks with surprising ease. He grabbed Rogue around the arm and tried to bring her down. In retaliation, Rogue bit his ear and hung on. Instead of his powers weakening, he remained hale and hearty.
"You have no power over us. We are the Chosen of God, sent to cleanse this world of evil." Melchior rapped Rogue on the head. The last thing she saw was Azriel roaring as knives impaled him all over.
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Rogue stirred on the ground. Her bleary eyes opened and she groaned aloud, finding herself in an old, run-down church. She noticed she was tied to a pillar. She screamed and tried to break free. The rope cut painfully into her wrists as she struggled against it.
"It's no use. We have no strength here. Our powers don't work." Rogue turned and saw Jean in a similar fate. Kitty sat roped to another column, still passed out. Rogue looked at herself. Her clothes were ripped all over and she could feel a large bruise on the back of her head. She coughed and spat out a mouthful of blood. "That's not the worst of it. Look." Jean pointed with her chin toward the altar. Instead of the statue of Christ on the cross, Azriel hung. His wrists were impaled to the cross on two silver daggers. The pike also anchored him, jutting out the back of the cross. He breathed shallowly, still out cold. Below him stood the three priests. One casually raised a whip covered in silver and dealt a sharp blow to his face. Azriel's eyes shot open and he stifled a scream of pain.
"Ah. The Dragon finally awakens. Welcome to our home. I am Balthazar. This is Caspar and Melchior. We are the three Chosen of God, sent to wreak His divine justice upon those tainted by Satan." Azriel smiled and spat on Caspar's robes.
"Doesn't that get a little old?" Caspar gave an inarticulate roar and attempted to rip Azriel apart, but was arrested by Melchior.
"This one must suffer," he intoned in his deep, gravelly voice. "The taint must be driven out before he is killed." Balthazar only raised the whip and brought it back down. A loud scream rent the air.
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Rogue awoke again a few hours later to Azriel's continued screaming. Kitty was up also, her head miserably wedged between her legs as she tried to drive out the screams. Tears began to flow from her eyes.
"Az..."
"Don't. Don't y'all dare crah!" Kitty looked up at Rogue in astonishment. "Think Azriel's crahyin' up there? Nah, he's toughin' it out. Don't ya dare dishonor him bah crahyin." Kitty's eyes widened in wonder before growing ever larger in horror. Directly over Rogue stood Caspar. He gave a lecherous grin and grabbed the tattered remains of her shirt, ripping them off. Rogue screamed and tried to bite at him. Caspar pushed her head back with one hand and began to fondle her with another. His eyes narrowed in sadistic pleasure as he watched his victim buck under his ministrations.
"Caspar! Do not defile yourself!" Caspar got up and gave Rogue a murderous grin.
"You got lucky this time. But not next time." He smiled maniacally and walked back over to the altar to watch Azriel's torture.
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A stained glass frieze at the very back of the church depicted a beautiful angel. She was covered with many layers of dust, but her perfect cream skin and her glowing wings and halo caused the glass to shine with an otherworldly light. Gray eyes held an infinite sadness as she stretched her arms out beseechingly for something. A single drop of water passed from her eye down to the floor.
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It is long into the night and the moon is up. I tried to transform but the minute I became more vampiric, the power of this damned cross burned my very soul. I suspect there is silver inside. The whip cuts at me even now. I scream loudly, my throat raw, and twitch from the terrible gashes it leaves in my skin. They are breaking me. I do not know how much longer I will be able to survive. These priests are very skilled at torture. At one point, I saw the one called Caspar reach for Rogue. I lost it then and became fully vampire. The cross nearly destroyed me and I barely managed to revert back. Then the whip came down even harder, each stroke digging past flesh and muscle to strike bone and sinew. It is however, the spear that harms me the most. I recognize it as the Lance of Longinus, the legendary spear used to pierce Christ himself.
They are breaking me.
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Rogue stood alone in a room of total blackness. It's been more than a day, she thought. The professah won't be able to fahnd us. We're gonna dah. Ah don't wanna dah. Azriel...
"Azriel..."
"Rogue, wake up." Rogue's head snapped up. Her eyes locked with Jean's. "You were dreaming and moaning something. What did you say?"
"Nothin." Jean gave a small shudder.
"I don't know how much longer I can take this. My powers are gone, but I'm still empathic. I can almost feel Azriel's pain. He's going to die soon. There's nothing we can do." Jean's shoulders heaved as tears wracked her body. "We're all going to die."
"Don't say that."
"It's true. Be realistic, Rogue. Azriel's going to die and then so are we."
"Azriel will save us." Jean scoffed at the thought.
"Bullshit. He's powerful, but they've taken away that power and replaced it with pain. No Rogue. We're going to die. Very, very soon."
"How about right now?" Caspar stood over Rogue again and hefted his sword. "Time's up, bitch. And just because I couldn't have you, I think I'll kill you first." Azriel's head snapped up at those words. His eyes remained closed and he stared sightlessly at Caspar.
"You monster! We're not the demons, you are...augh!" Another crack of the whip sent the cat o' nines directly over Azriel's mouth.
"Silence." Balthazar nodded at Caspar, who gleefully brought his sword to bear. He lunged forward, stabbing Rogue in the stomach. She screamed in pain and collapsed, fainting from the pain. Balthazar gave an annoyed glare at Caspar.
"I wanted a CLEAN swing, not a wound. She'll bleed to death." Caspar smiled widely.
"Yep." Balthazar dealt a sharp blow to Caspar's head and raised his sword high over his head.
"You shall feel no more pain." His sword swung in a glittering silver arc toward Rogue.
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When Rogue was stabbed, I was so furious, so mad. But I didn't change. There is no rage left within me. Only an infinite sadness that threatens to drag me into its black depths. What reason do I have left to live? We're all going to die anyway. I let go of my tenuous grip on life and fall into that vortex of sorrow.
Something is wrong. I should be dead. But my heart beats with a new strength. I draw my power, not from rage, but from sorrow. I feel the power rippling through me as I understand what I have transformed into.
I am Azriel Dracul, the Angel of Death. I am the Darkangel.
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A roar that shook the very foundations of the run-down church arrested Balthazar's sword. He and the other two priests stared in mute wonder at the glowing body of Azriel. With a powerful tug, he ripped the daggers from the wood. They slid wetly from his hands and clattered to the floor. He next wrapped his bleeding palms around the shaft of the spear and pulled on the Lance of Longinus, ripping it from his body. As he fell from the cross, huge black raven wings exploded from his shoulder blades and flared, catching air currents. Azriel beat his massive wings a few times, bringing him to hover just above the floor of the church, the Lance of Longinus clutched in his right hand. He turned to the cross and pointed a finger at it. The cross shattered into splinters and the silver core hidden within suddenly melted and floated to Azriel's body. It entered his ravaged frame and raced through his bloodstream. To the priests' visible amazement and growing horror, the wounds they had inflicted stopped bleeding and close up, leaving Azriel perfectly whole. He raised the Lance and muttered a few words. Before their very eyes, the holy lance shimmered and began to change form. It morphed into a magnificent glaive. Melchior stared at it in horror.
"The Silence Glaive. The weapon of God's messenger of death." Caspar cast a fearful look at Melchior.
"Who is this guy?!"
"He is the Darkangel, the Angel of Death. The singular most powerful of His servants to ever exist. We have lost."
"Bullshit! The Darkangel's a legend!" Caspar gripped his sword and raced at Azriel, screaming. Azriel easily parried the blow with his left hand before swinging the glaive. Caspar's severed head sailed through the air, impacting the pew. Azriel wordlessly met the other two's gazes. His eyes had returned to a shade of gray. Behind them lived an infinite sadness. His gaze threatened to swallow the fearful priests whole. He raised his glaive and beckoned. Melchior gave a cry of fear and sprinted for the door. With a snap of his wings, Azriel was on top of the hapless priest. He raised the Silence Glaive and brought it down, splitting Melchior straight down the middle. He turned his gaze back to Balthazar. Balthazar raised his sword, steeling himself.
"Die!" He raced forward and swung at Azriel, who blocked the blow with the shaft of his glaive and slashing down. Balthazar deftly stepped out of the way and lunged again. The battle continued for several minutes until Azriel grew tired of it. He flew backwards and leveled the glaive, pointing it directly at Balthazar. A sphere of pure black energy erupted from the tip and smashed into Balthazar's chest, burning his body to a crisp. He gave a piteous wail before collapsing into a pile of ash on the ground. Azriel calmly walked over to Jean and Kitty and cut their bonds before throwing the Silence Glaive into the air. It shimmered once and disappeared entirely. He stepped over to Rogue and cradled her head against his chest. He leaned down and kissed her as if they had been ardent lovers. Rogue gasped as life flowed into her once again and the wound on her stomach healed. Azriel pulled off his tattered shirt and offered it to Rogue.
"It's not much, but it'll cover you." She took it gratefully and pulled it on before kissing Azriel passionately. After a few moments, he broke the kiss.
"Jean, can you fly?" The three girls gasped as they felt their powers returning.
"Yeah, I think so." Azriel looked at the doors of the church. They exploded outward.
"The way is clear." The four X-Men strode out and breathed the crisp cold air. Azriel scooped Rogue into his arms and beat his magnificent wings.
"We'll see you at the mansion." He beat his wings once more and rocketed toward the Institute. Rogue sighed in contentment and laid her head on his chest, careful not to let her exposed skin touch his. She wondered whether she would ever be able to kiss another person again, but was infinitely glad her first kiss had been from Azriel. She snuggled against him and sighed again. This is true bliss, she thought.
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A single tear of blood slipped from the face of the angel. Her eyes held a hint of happiness in them as she watched Azriel stride out the door with the three girls.
Live long. May you ever be happy, Azriel.
My son.
The End