Once again, with feeling: I don't own anything in here, except maybe
some stupid one-liners and such. Everything else...belongs to
someone else. I think that about covers it.
Chapter Three
Vandalizer wore a grim smile as he took in Spawn's presence, and what this meant. /So, the General knows about the Crystal...he must, he's not the type to chase after every Hell creature that appears on Earth without reasons.../
The Senshi were beginning to get that feeling of being completely out of their normal element – first Demons, now a strange creature in a black costume with chains and skulls like he was out of some kind of bad horror movie.
"Is this how you 'further the cause of Hell'? By scaring little girls?" Spawn's sardonic remark cut into everyone's trains of thought. "I think it's incredibly pathetic...just like you, you sack of shit."
"You're entitled to your opinion, General." The Phlebiac crossed his arms over his own chest, and kept his eyes locked on Spawn's. The Imps were still surrounding the scouts, but waiting for their master's command.
There was a long stretch of silence....
Then the Vandalizer leapt up into the air and came down towards Spawn with one leg extended in a downwards kick, as the Imps rushed their intended prey with all their speed.
Almost as one, the Senshi and Spawn moved out of the way, narrowly avoiding injury. On his part, Spawn back-flipped, the Vandalizer's foot striking the ground and cracking it. The Phlebiac blinked, before Spawn slammed his right fist into the green face, following with his left, then his right, then his left leg in a spin-kick that sent Vandalizer sprawling.
As for the Senshi, Sailor Jupiter caught one of the Imps by the arm and threw it at the others, scattering them like bowling pins, which wasn't lost on the teen. "Strike!" she whooped, before ducking under a claw swipe from an Imp that snuck up on her. "That wasn't very nice, y'know," she muttered, grabbing it by both wrists and tossing it over her head to land on a nearby park bench, where it made a few gurgles.
Vandalizer shook off his stupor, and growled at Spawn, "You won't interfere with our plans, you maggot-infested walking corpse!"
"I've heard that one so many times I've stopped laughing." The Hellspawn tackled the Greater Demon and slammed his head into the other's nose. Vandalizer howled, one hand flying up to his nose and the other slammed into the side of his attacker's head, flinging him away.
"Damn you, Simmons! You'll roast for this!!" Vandalizer flipped up from the ground into a fighting stance, while Spawn just stood and waited for the next move.
"Just shut up and fight," the former assassin supplied helpfully before his cape shrunk in on itself and reformed into the battle-axe Agony. The two went at each other again, exchanging kicks and fists before finally drawing back their left fists at the same time and slamming them together, an act that caused a miniature whirlwind to pick up and blow away the last of the still-conscious Imps.
"Woah! That's something you don't see everyday!" Mars commented, her arms in front of her face as the green-tinted winds pounded at her and the others.
When the wind died down, Spawn was standing alone, his eyes narrowed and glowing a burning red. "Damn it! WHERE ARE YOU, BASTARD?!"
Looking around, the Senshi realized that the Imps were also long gone.
"Well, that was...different," Jupiter blinked, scratching the side of her head. The others, wearing the same look on their faces, nodded their agreement. Spawn decided to try calming down...after kicking some trees over first.
"COWARD!!" he screamed into the night sky, before using an unfortunate statue as a punching bag. After it had been reduced to dust, his eyes had returned to their normal green color, and his breathing was more even. Finally, he turned to the wide-eyed girls, and spoke. "Hasn't anyone ever told you it's dangerous after dark?"
"Hey! Don't treat us like we're children!" Sailor Moon fumed at him, before squeaking as he glared her down with all his impressive might. "Eep."
"Sailor Moon, don't antagonize the very large, very dangerous...man-thing, or whatever he is..." Venus whispered into her ear. Spawn snorted, and turned his back to them.
"Yeah, meatball-head. He looks kinda tough," Mars tugged on one of Sailor Moon's pigtails, smirking a little at the whining sound the blonde made.
Spawn began rubbing his temples, muttering softly to himself. /I don't think I can put up with much more of this.../ he was thinking darkly, fighting off what seemed like a headache. Finally, he turned to face the Senshi watching him.
"....You can handle yourselves...so you're not normal children...that doesn't mean that I'm going to treat you like adults...Get lost, okay?" he said firmly, glaring at them.
"Oh, really Spawn – don't be so hard to get along with," Mammon's voice interrupted as the man walked up in his usual strut, his hands behind his back. "You may find out that you've been jumping to conclusions..."
"Great. Now what?" Spawn threw his arms up in the air, disgusted. "Don't tell me we need these...whatever they are."
"Hey! That's rude!" Sailor Moon huffed.
"Now, now...everyone relax..." Mammon's tone was a soothing one, meaning he was back to playing mediator. "This is no coincidence, this meeting. It is essential to our plans, Spawn!"
"...Fine." The Hellspawn crossed his arms back over his chest, frowning heavily beneath his mask.
"What? No storming off like last time?"
"...."
"I'm glad you're finally seeing the light," Mammon began pacing slowly, one hand rubbing his chin. "Now, it's time for introductions, I do believe: I am Mammon...this is my charge, Spawn." He turned to face the Senshi, and cleared his throat.
"Oh, sorry! I'm Sailor Moon. These are my friends, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mars, and Sailor Venus," the future ruler smiled sheepishly. Little waves and nods were offered to the two visitors.
"Excellent. Now, I know that this situation is a very puzzling one. I myself was shocked when I realized the full implications some days ago. However, I also realize that in order to successfully solve and myself will need your help, Sailor Moon. I also would like to apologize for his...language...Even in death, old habits are very hard to break." Mammon paused, letting his speech set in before continuing. "I am sure you are all very much aware that there is more to the world...no, existence, as we are told as children, and what we learn in schools. What I am about to say may surprise you, and it may not. Angels are real, Heaven is real...as are Demons and Hell. They have been locked in war for countless centuries, since the dawn of Man, fighting for dominion over all. Needless to say, they are both deadlocked. Herein lies the problem; in an attempt to gain some edge over their adversaries, the Lords of Hell created Hellspawn, tortured human souls inhabiting bodies of rotting flesh and necroplasm. Every time a Hellspawn appeared on Earth, it was a signal that Armageddon was fast approaching...and so Heaven sent its Angels to destroy the Hellspawn as they appeared. The last Hellspawn to appear in four hundred years is standing behind me. Hell thought that by courting him, they would finally defeat Heaven..."
At this point, Venus raised her gloved hand. "Uhm, excuse me for the interruption..."
Mammon shook his head. "Quite alright, child. Speak your mind."
"Well, I'm just feeling that there's a 'but' coming on in this story of yours..." she continued. The gentleman smiled graciously.
"That's quite astute of you, my dear. There is indeed a 'but'. Hell thought that by courting him, they would finally defeat Heaven...BUT they didn't count on his anger, and his stubborn refusal to accept the destiny they forced upon him. Spawn seeks to regain his humanity, or at least not lead the armies of Hell in their dark crusade, with some small help from myself. I am his 'guardian angel,' his 'Jiminy Cricket,' you could say. I am helping him to choose his own path, to be the one to ruin Hell's plans once and for all. In short, to stop the Armageddon Agenda. We have only been partially successful, however."
"What do you mean?" Sailor Mercury watched the speaker closely, scrutinizing his face, trying to see if his was trying to trick them. Her scans showed that his body temperature was normal, his blood pressure steady, and not an ounce of stress in his voice.
"Roughly three months ago, Heaven, or at least a faction of Heaven, tried to defeat Hell by using a Necroplasm-powered weapon to destroy BOTH Hell and the Earth. Spawn stopped the weapon, and reversed its affects. The event was fortunately contained to the New York City area, due to a short supply of Necroplasmic energies. If they had succeeded, we wouldn't be here to tell the tale."
"Wait, time out here," Jupiter made a T with her hands, and blinked twice. "Heaven...tried to destroy the planet? That's a little hard to swallow."
Mammon sighed. "It was their view that it was better to wipe out everything, instead of risking retaliation from any survivors from their attacks. But that's beside the point...Spawn stopped it, those responsible for the plot lost their positions, and the world is safe. Or at least it WAS."
"Was? What do you mean, it was?" This came from Mars.
"Well, there are still those who believe that the end of the war, and the Final Armageddon, are nigh. Both sides are preparing for the final conflict in secret, or at least attempting to. However, they are too even in number, and strength. Furthermore, without the weapon or Angel Station, the space platform the weapon was mounted on, a new weapon is needed to tip the scales in Heaven's favor. The Lords of Hell, of course, aren't very likely to take this sitting, as they did last time. They too are after a mighty weapon, since neither side can resolve the S-Factor in the conflict." Mammon put his hands behind his back again, and paced faster.
"The S-Factor?" Mercury repeated, tapping a finger against her chin. "What would that be?"
This time Spawn answered. "That's what he likes to call me sometimes...He think it makes it easier to swallow. I think it's a load of bullshit, but since no one asks my opinion before trying to kill me, I don't give a damn."
"Oh," came her reply before she fell silent.
"Then something occurred to both sides: the weapon they sought was not of modern origin...rather, it has existed for five millennia, and it will have a very significant effect on the outcome of the war..."
"You don't mean..." Jupiter put in.
"Seriously?" Mars blinked.
This basic sentiment was shared by all the Senshi, and Spawn had that old sinking feeling he'd been having a lot since his rebirth as a Hellspawn.
"Yes, the Imperium Silver Crystal is indeed the weapon of which I speak," nodded the sage being. "The creature you were confronted with tonight was the Vandalizer, one of the five Phlebiac brothers, creatures born in the fires of Hell itself. There are four of them involved in the plot, but if the fifth, known as the Violator, becomes involved, things will most certainly escalate beyond even our combined skills, experience, and capabilities." It was at moments like these that Mammon seemed like a drill sergeant, pacing back and forth, sharing information about the end of humanity like it was a lovely chat about something simple.
"What do you mean?" Sailor Moon blinked, barely following along with the very long-winded speech. Mammon made a low sigh, and began again.
"The Violator, though not the strongest, is the most capable of causing chaos and destruction to break out. He is the Phlebiac assigned to make Spawn the General of Malebolgia's army, but he secretly wants the position for himself. If he obtains the Crystal, he will have the power he so desires, and will proceed to lay waste to both the Realms of Man and Angels."
"This is getting over our heads here...its one thing to fight off the Negaverse, and the Heart Stealers...but Heaven and Hell?" Jupiter had a look of complete mesmerization on her face. "It's insane..."
"She's right, Mammon. If you'd told me this much sooner, I would've told you to shove it. You sneaky..." Spawn growled, and started muttering curses under his breath, all of which Mammon ignored.
"I do understand it sounds completely overwhelming, but all we have to do is safeguard the Crystal long enough to learn the plans, then dismantle them. We've done it before, and we can do it again!" Mammon slapped his hands together, looking over the assembled group.
"You mean I'VE done it before," Spawn cut it. "And you know what? Once was MORE than enough. I nearly lost my head so many times it wasn't funny! Not to mention how I almost ended up a part of that damned beam! And now you're asking me to work with these...these...children?! You've completely lost it, haven't you?!"
"What makes you think we'd want you around, you arrogant, self-centered..." Sailor Mars burst, before Jupiter slapped her hand over the other's mouth to quiet her down.
Mammon groaned, and rubbed his forehead. "It looks like this is going to take longer than I thought...."
Chapter Three
Vandalizer wore a grim smile as he took in Spawn's presence, and what this meant. /So, the General knows about the Crystal...he must, he's not the type to chase after every Hell creature that appears on Earth without reasons.../
The Senshi were beginning to get that feeling of being completely out of their normal element – first Demons, now a strange creature in a black costume with chains and skulls like he was out of some kind of bad horror movie.
"Is this how you 'further the cause of Hell'? By scaring little girls?" Spawn's sardonic remark cut into everyone's trains of thought. "I think it's incredibly pathetic...just like you, you sack of shit."
"You're entitled to your opinion, General." The Phlebiac crossed his arms over his own chest, and kept his eyes locked on Spawn's. The Imps were still surrounding the scouts, but waiting for their master's command.
There was a long stretch of silence....
Then the Vandalizer leapt up into the air and came down towards Spawn with one leg extended in a downwards kick, as the Imps rushed their intended prey with all their speed.
Almost as one, the Senshi and Spawn moved out of the way, narrowly avoiding injury. On his part, Spawn back-flipped, the Vandalizer's foot striking the ground and cracking it. The Phlebiac blinked, before Spawn slammed his right fist into the green face, following with his left, then his right, then his left leg in a spin-kick that sent Vandalizer sprawling.
As for the Senshi, Sailor Jupiter caught one of the Imps by the arm and threw it at the others, scattering them like bowling pins, which wasn't lost on the teen. "Strike!" she whooped, before ducking under a claw swipe from an Imp that snuck up on her. "That wasn't very nice, y'know," she muttered, grabbing it by both wrists and tossing it over her head to land on a nearby park bench, where it made a few gurgles.
Vandalizer shook off his stupor, and growled at Spawn, "You won't interfere with our plans, you maggot-infested walking corpse!"
"I've heard that one so many times I've stopped laughing." The Hellspawn tackled the Greater Demon and slammed his head into the other's nose. Vandalizer howled, one hand flying up to his nose and the other slammed into the side of his attacker's head, flinging him away.
"Damn you, Simmons! You'll roast for this!!" Vandalizer flipped up from the ground into a fighting stance, while Spawn just stood and waited for the next move.
"Just shut up and fight," the former assassin supplied helpfully before his cape shrunk in on itself and reformed into the battle-axe Agony. The two went at each other again, exchanging kicks and fists before finally drawing back their left fists at the same time and slamming them together, an act that caused a miniature whirlwind to pick up and blow away the last of the still-conscious Imps.
"Woah! That's something you don't see everyday!" Mars commented, her arms in front of her face as the green-tinted winds pounded at her and the others.
When the wind died down, Spawn was standing alone, his eyes narrowed and glowing a burning red. "Damn it! WHERE ARE YOU, BASTARD?!"
Looking around, the Senshi realized that the Imps were also long gone.
"Well, that was...different," Jupiter blinked, scratching the side of her head. The others, wearing the same look on their faces, nodded their agreement. Spawn decided to try calming down...after kicking some trees over first.
"COWARD!!" he screamed into the night sky, before using an unfortunate statue as a punching bag. After it had been reduced to dust, his eyes had returned to their normal green color, and his breathing was more even. Finally, he turned to the wide-eyed girls, and spoke. "Hasn't anyone ever told you it's dangerous after dark?"
"Hey! Don't treat us like we're children!" Sailor Moon fumed at him, before squeaking as he glared her down with all his impressive might. "Eep."
"Sailor Moon, don't antagonize the very large, very dangerous...man-thing, or whatever he is..." Venus whispered into her ear. Spawn snorted, and turned his back to them.
"Yeah, meatball-head. He looks kinda tough," Mars tugged on one of Sailor Moon's pigtails, smirking a little at the whining sound the blonde made.
Spawn began rubbing his temples, muttering softly to himself. /I don't think I can put up with much more of this.../ he was thinking darkly, fighting off what seemed like a headache. Finally, he turned to face the Senshi watching him.
"....You can handle yourselves...so you're not normal children...that doesn't mean that I'm going to treat you like adults...Get lost, okay?" he said firmly, glaring at them.
"Oh, really Spawn – don't be so hard to get along with," Mammon's voice interrupted as the man walked up in his usual strut, his hands behind his back. "You may find out that you've been jumping to conclusions..."
"Great. Now what?" Spawn threw his arms up in the air, disgusted. "Don't tell me we need these...whatever they are."
"Hey! That's rude!" Sailor Moon huffed.
"Now, now...everyone relax..." Mammon's tone was a soothing one, meaning he was back to playing mediator. "This is no coincidence, this meeting. It is essential to our plans, Spawn!"
"...Fine." The Hellspawn crossed his arms back over his chest, frowning heavily beneath his mask.
"What? No storming off like last time?"
"...."
"I'm glad you're finally seeing the light," Mammon began pacing slowly, one hand rubbing his chin. "Now, it's time for introductions, I do believe: I am Mammon...this is my charge, Spawn." He turned to face the Senshi, and cleared his throat.
"Oh, sorry! I'm Sailor Moon. These are my friends, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mars, and Sailor Venus," the future ruler smiled sheepishly. Little waves and nods were offered to the two visitors.
"Excellent. Now, I know that this situation is a very puzzling one. I myself was shocked when I realized the full implications some days ago. However, I also realize that in order to successfully solve and myself will need your help, Sailor Moon. I also would like to apologize for his...language...Even in death, old habits are very hard to break." Mammon paused, letting his speech set in before continuing. "I am sure you are all very much aware that there is more to the world...no, existence, as we are told as children, and what we learn in schools. What I am about to say may surprise you, and it may not. Angels are real, Heaven is real...as are Demons and Hell. They have been locked in war for countless centuries, since the dawn of Man, fighting for dominion over all. Needless to say, they are both deadlocked. Herein lies the problem; in an attempt to gain some edge over their adversaries, the Lords of Hell created Hellspawn, tortured human souls inhabiting bodies of rotting flesh and necroplasm. Every time a Hellspawn appeared on Earth, it was a signal that Armageddon was fast approaching...and so Heaven sent its Angels to destroy the Hellspawn as they appeared. The last Hellspawn to appear in four hundred years is standing behind me. Hell thought that by courting him, they would finally defeat Heaven..."
At this point, Venus raised her gloved hand. "Uhm, excuse me for the interruption..."
Mammon shook his head. "Quite alright, child. Speak your mind."
"Well, I'm just feeling that there's a 'but' coming on in this story of yours..." she continued. The gentleman smiled graciously.
"That's quite astute of you, my dear. There is indeed a 'but'. Hell thought that by courting him, they would finally defeat Heaven...BUT they didn't count on his anger, and his stubborn refusal to accept the destiny they forced upon him. Spawn seeks to regain his humanity, or at least not lead the armies of Hell in their dark crusade, with some small help from myself. I am his 'guardian angel,' his 'Jiminy Cricket,' you could say. I am helping him to choose his own path, to be the one to ruin Hell's plans once and for all. In short, to stop the Armageddon Agenda. We have only been partially successful, however."
"What do you mean?" Sailor Mercury watched the speaker closely, scrutinizing his face, trying to see if his was trying to trick them. Her scans showed that his body temperature was normal, his blood pressure steady, and not an ounce of stress in his voice.
"Roughly three months ago, Heaven, or at least a faction of Heaven, tried to defeat Hell by using a Necroplasm-powered weapon to destroy BOTH Hell and the Earth. Spawn stopped the weapon, and reversed its affects. The event was fortunately contained to the New York City area, due to a short supply of Necroplasmic energies. If they had succeeded, we wouldn't be here to tell the tale."
"Wait, time out here," Jupiter made a T with her hands, and blinked twice. "Heaven...tried to destroy the planet? That's a little hard to swallow."
Mammon sighed. "It was their view that it was better to wipe out everything, instead of risking retaliation from any survivors from their attacks. But that's beside the point...Spawn stopped it, those responsible for the plot lost their positions, and the world is safe. Or at least it WAS."
"Was? What do you mean, it was?" This came from Mars.
"Well, there are still those who believe that the end of the war, and the Final Armageddon, are nigh. Both sides are preparing for the final conflict in secret, or at least attempting to. However, they are too even in number, and strength. Furthermore, without the weapon or Angel Station, the space platform the weapon was mounted on, a new weapon is needed to tip the scales in Heaven's favor. The Lords of Hell, of course, aren't very likely to take this sitting, as they did last time. They too are after a mighty weapon, since neither side can resolve the S-Factor in the conflict." Mammon put his hands behind his back again, and paced faster.
"The S-Factor?" Mercury repeated, tapping a finger against her chin. "What would that be?"
This time Spawn answered. "That's what he likes to call me sometimes...He think it makes it easier to swallow. I think it's a load of bullshit, but since no one asks my opinion before trying to kill me, I don't give a damn."
"Oh," came her reply before she fell silent.
"Then something occurred to both sides: the weapon they sought was not of modern origin...rather, it has existed for five millennia, and it will have a very significant effect on the outcome of the war..."
"You don't mean..." Jupiter put in.
"Seriously?" Mars blinked.
This basic sentiment was shared by all the Senshi, and Spawn had that old sinking feeling he'd been having a lot since his rebirth as a Hellspawn.
"Yes, the Imperium Silver Crystal is indeed the weapon of which I speak," nodded the sage being. "The creature you were confronted with tonight was the Vandalizer, one of the five Phlebiac brothers, creatures born in the fires of Hell itself. There are four of them involved in the plot, but if the fifth, known as the Violator, becomes involved, things will most certainly escalate beyond even our combined skills, experience, and capabilities." It was at moments like these that Mammon seemed like a drill sergeant, pacing back and forth, sharing information about the end of humanity like it was a lovely chat about something simple.
"What do you mean?" Sailor Moon blinked, barely following along with the very long-winded speech. Mammon made a low sigh, and began again.
"The Violator, though not the strongest, is the most capable of causing chaos and destruction to break out. He is the Phlebiac assigned to make Spawn the General of Malebolgia's army, but he secretly wants the position for himself. If he obtains the Crystal, he will have the power he so desires, and will proceed to lay waste to both the Realms of Man and Angels."
"This is getting over our heads here...its one thing to fight off the Negaverse, and the Heart Stealers...but Heaven and Hell?" Jupiter had a look of complete mesmerization on her face. "It's insane..."
"She's right, Mammon. If you'd told me this much sooner, I would've told you to shove it. You sneaky..." Spawn growled, and started muttering curses under his breath, all of which Mammon ignored.
"I do understand it sounds completely overwhelming, but all we have to do is safeguard the Crystal long enough to learn the plans, then dismantle them. We've done it before, and we can do it again!" Mammon slapped his hands together, looking over the assembled group.
"You mean I'VE done it before," Spawn cut it. "And you know what? Once was MORE than enough. I nearly lost my head so many times it wasn't funny! Not to mention how I almost ended up a part of that damned beam! And now you're asking me to work with these...these...children?! You've completely lost it, haven't you?!"
"What makes you think we'd want you around, you arrogant, self-centered..." Sailor Mars burst, before Jupiter slapped her hand over the other's mouth to quiet her down.
Mammon groaned, and rubbed his forehead. "It looks like this is going to take longer than I thought...."