-Battle City Angels-
Chapter 3: Serenity's Fiery RageSerenity laid on a mossy bank as she opened her eyes. As her eyes opened she looked up into a velvet, starry sky. Serenity pushed herself up on her elbows and to her surprise she seemed to be in a pretty calm place. The bank she sat on had a beautiful river that cut right by it. The moon 's reflection bounced off the rushing water as it hit rocks and sounded like a crashing waterfall. Also, to Serenity's surprise, she was surround by black horses.
"Their so beautiful," she thought as one of them nuzzled her on the back. Serenity giggled and turned to pet the horse on the nose. Was this the Shadow Realm? It couldn't be, it was too peaceful and beautiful. Serenity hopped of the dank ground and brushed the loose pieces of dirt and grass from the back of her clothing. The horses seemed to be drawn to Serenity. Two more approached Serenity and nuzzled her on the arms.
"Okay guys! Okay! Don't get jealous," laughed Serenity as she turned and ran her hands through the manes of the other two horses. They closed their eyes as Serenity rubbed them.
"Oh, you like that don't you," giggled Serenity as they began to turn their head and lightly neigh. A baby colt pushed its way through the two larger horses. The innocent offspring reached waist high to Serenity. Its balance was off but it was interested in seeing what all the commotion was among the herd. Serenity bowed down on both knees as the colt stumbled towards her. He was beautiful – black with a little white diamond on his forehead and big brown eyes. The colt began to lick Serenity's cheek. Serenity laughed once more from the tickle and sliminess of the baby's tongue. Serenity didn't feel so alone anymore. Serenity looked up at the horses that had been drawn to her charismatic soul.
"You guys haven't seen my good friend, Mai, have you? She has long blonde hair and beautiful purple eyes. Or maybe you've crossed paths with a girl that's a little taller than me with short brown hair? Her name is Tea. I wonder where Ishizu is?" The horses just stared at Serenity as they laid next to her keeping her warm. The night cold had set in and Serenity began to shiver. The horses huddled closer around Serenity to generate her some warmth.
"Wow! These horses seem to understand my emotions and feelings. At least I'm not all alone anymore," thought Serenity as she petted the colt's head that laid on her lap. Serenity smiled. It was cold and dark and it smelled like it was going to rain as the wind blew through the dark trees. Serenity felt safe with the herd, while in the forest, but the environment still sent cold chills up her spine. Serenity rested her head on the neck of one of the other horses. She closed her eyes.
"Maybe I should get some rest and wait for morning to come," thought Serenity as she continued to rub the colt's head.
"There is no morning in this place," said a voice. Serenity opened her eyes and sat up quickly as she looked around.
"Who said that," Serenity whispered loudly as she looked past the horses into the trees and bushes.
"I did! Down here!" Serenity looked down at the little baby horse that was looking up at her with his big, beautiful brown eyes. Serenity jumped up from the ground. The horses around her were startled and awoke to look at her.
"How can you talk?! Horses never talked where I came from," screamed Serenity as she raised a brow. The baby horse laid on the ground and continued to look at her.
"I'm telepathic Serenity. My herd calls me Diamond. We knew you were a pure soul when you landed here. We were all down here at the river drinking when this nasty purple doorway, filled with lightning and howling winds, opened up right before our eyes and sent you flying out against the ground. We decided to stay here until you woke up and knew you were alright." The horse continued to look at Serenity as he blinked his big chocolate eyes. Serenity had never in her life met a horse that could talk to her through her head. It had kind of caught her off guard.
"Where am I then? Have you seen my friends? Where are they," babbled Serenity as she began to spit out questions a thousand miles a second.
"Hold on a second," replied Diamond, "you were the only one who came out of the vortex. Why are you here anyways?" Serenity let out a big sigh and her chin began to quiver.
"I came here to save my brother who was kidnapped by some nasty demon thingy! I came through the portal with three other girls but the vortex separated us. I'm really scared though! I'm in the Shadow Realm aren't I?"
"Yes, you are. That's what caught the herd off guard when that portal opened and a young, beautiful girl came hurdling out of it. Most of the times when that happens it is some big, nasty demon or sorcerer! We did, however, see Lord Necross carrying a young man over his shoulder the night before. The man had wavy blonde hair and wore a rather rugged, green jacket." Serenity's eye's widened.
"That's my brother! That's Joey! Where is he?! You have to tell me," squealed Serenity as she put her hands on Diamond's cheeks. Diamond bowed his head.
"Serenity, you don't understand, Lord Necross is the vampire lord over this domain of the Shadow Realm, granted to him by the Demon Lord of Chaos himself. I hate to be the one who gets your hopes down but your brother could be dead. Not a lot of humans make trips to the Shadow Realm often. There's no telling what Lord Necross has done to him," said Diamond as he nuzzled Serenity on the hand. Serenity stared at the damp and dirty bank, listening to the river flow through the dark woods.
"Take me to him Diamond! Take me to Lord Necross or his cave, or castle, or wherever he lives! I have to try to save my brother." At that time all the other horses awoke to the sound of Serenity's crying. One of them approached her.
"What is wrong child," asked the horse mentally. This was Diamonds mother, Sapphire. Serenity stood cupping her face in her hands trying to hide her tears. Diamond nuzzled Serenity's leg trying to comfort the crying child. Jasmine separated Serenity's hands with her nose. Serenity stared into Jasmine's beautiful blue eyes.
"I will take you to his cave. It sets in the side of Dead Mountain. It's only about an hour's journey away from here. I'll take you, but once there you'll have to do the rest on your own. I can't risk Necross hunting the herd and killing my family," said Jasmine psychically. Serenity nodded her head as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Jasmine turned to gesture for Serenity to hop on her back. Serenity jumped up swinging one leg over the horses bare back. Serenity placed her hands on the sides of Jasmine's thick neck. Serenity looked down at Diamond for one last time.
"Bye Diamond. Thanks for everything. I hope you stay safe," thought Serenity as she winked at the colt. Diamond waved his head up and down.
"You're welcome Serenity! Good luck and I'll be with you! Trust me," said Diamond in return to Serenity's thought. Serenity hugged Jasmine's neck as she began to sprint through the woods. Serenity buried her face in Jasmine's neck as the cold, crisp wind hit Serenity's face making it go numb. The wind blew Jasmine's mane into Serenity's eyes. Serenity rubbed her eyes and closed them. The air got colder and colder as Jasmine ran faster. Serenity shuddered.
"Hang on Joey! I'm coming for you," thought Serenity as she tried to warm her face in Jasmine's furry neck. Jasmine ran like a speeding bullet through the Woods of Dark Dreams, the Plains of Blood, and finally approached the outskirts of Dead Mountain. Jasmine came to an abrupt stop as she dug her back hooves into the ground throwing icy dirt up. She was at the very entrance of Necross's lair and Lord Necross stood in the very mouth of the cave as if he were expecting them. Serenity's blood ran cold, as the vampire's cold, red eyes seemed to look right through her. Serenity crawled off Jasmine giving her a kiss on the nose.
"Thank you Jasmine. I have to face this guy! I can't be a little push over all my life," said Serenity as she turned and glared at the demonic being. Jasmine nudged Serenity on the back. Serenity turned to Jasmine again. In Jasmine's mouth hung a necklace that had a beautiful diamond in the shape of a cross on it. The center of the diamond illuminated a small little blue light.
"This is the Aqua Cross Necklace. A long time ago when Lord Necross came into existence, he killed a human knight that was passionately involved with a Water Sprite. The Sprite used every ounce of Water Magic to create this relic. It's just like a cross but infinitely stronger. He can't remove it from your neck either. Only the bearer can. This relic guards you from getting bit and it negates his hypnotic influence. And if that necklace happens to be shattered in some way," said Jasmine as she dropped the necklace into Serenity's hands, "that little glowing light comes into play! It will release a tidal wave of Holy Water. Like I said, the Water Sprite forced all the Water Magic she had into that small medallion, so it is powerful. It has other secrets as well. Some I am not even aware of. It is the symbol of life!"
Jasmine turned and sprinted into the darkness turning to look at Serenity one last time. Serenity watched her friend fade into the dark night of the Shadows. Serenity latched the relic around her neck. She felt the vibrations of the magic pulse against her heart. Serenity was no longer worried about Lord Necross and his powers. Serenity walked to the entrance of the cave coming face to face with the creature that had her brother.
"You have something that belongs to me you dirty bastard," said Serenity boldly with her hands on her hips. She flipped her hair over the back of the shoulder. For a moment Serenity was ready to fight and not hold back, but she had to stay level headed. Just because she wore this talisman it didn't make her invincible. Lord Necross held out his hand to her.
"Come with me my beautiful child," said Lord Necross as Serenity looked wearily at his open gesture. Serenity walked past Lord Necross raising her head away from his open hand. Necross glared as he recognized the instrument that hung around her neck.
"Damn that Jasmine! Those Midnight Horses have no right interfering in my plans! They are in MY dominion," thought Necross as he flung his cape over his shoulder. Necross was in no way shabby looking for a dead guy! He had long black hair in which he kept a strand hanging over the right side of his face barely revealing his eye. His skin was pale and when his eyes weren't glowing red they were an astounding, neon green. In the way that most vampires wore dark clothing, Necross did not. He wore a white plate of chest armor and white wavy bottoms. Even his boots were white. What kind of fashion statement was this guy trying to make? Was he good or evil? Or could he not make up his mind?
Serenity continued through the dark cave with Lord Necross right behind her, hovering over her shoulder, looking at the soft skin of her neck and shoulder. He licked his lips but resisted. He wanted to toy with his victims. It was no fun just killing them, but he wanted to enjoy it. He wanted to savor the moment, listening to agonizing screams and muffled groans. He loved watching his prey suffer slowly and bleed extensively. Serenity kept walking, every now and then looking back over her shoulder to make sure Lord Necross was keeping his distance. Serenity finally came to a huge circle opening at the end of the tunnel. Stairs descended down to a semi-large pool of blood. Before it stood an ancient altar with a golden podium. Candles covered the wall. The opening was HUMONGOUS! Then Serenity felt sick.
Serenity looked up above the altar to see Joey bound and gagged and tied to an upside down crucifix. Apparently, Necross had fed from her brother, for there were puncture wounds all over his body spreading from his neck to his inner thigh and even his arms. Serenity screamed her brother's name and ran down the stairs in a speedy sprint. Serenity began to panic and tripped over her own two feet and fell head over heels, repeatedly, down the descending stairs until she hit the bottom, cutting her forehead as it smacked the sharp and dirty edge of the last step. Serenity groaned as her vision blurred. Serenity focused her eyes and raised her chin to only look up at Necross. How did he reach the bottom before her? Serenity pushed herself up from the dirty and dusted steps. Necross just stared into her with his bright green eyes. Serenity glared back.
"Think twice! Your stupid hypnotic mind control doesn't work on me pal," snapped Serenity as she pointed to her necklace. Lord Necross growled revealing a row of sharp fangs. He grabbed Serenity by the arm, throwing her into the wall. Serenity screamed as her muscles snapped in her back.
"Damn it that hurts," thought Serenity as she stumbled to the ground on a knee and then back up. She turned noticing some weapons hanging on a wall. She turned and grabbed a battle- axe that was nearly the size of her own body. She tugged trying to rip it off the wall but it had been in place so long it had basically rusted to the steel rack it hung on. Serenity pulled harder, pushing her foot against the wall to give her more leverage. The axe snapped loose and fell to the floor with Serenity holding the bare end of it. She holstered it in her two hands. It was really heavy. She knew that she wouldn't be able to wield it long because it would take too much of her strength. A thought struck Serenity.
"Use the axe to break Joey free! Then I may stand a chance of getting outta here," thought Serenity as she swung the axe to her left. The axe cut through the rope that levitated Joey's inverted cross over the pool of blood. Joey's crucifix fell and crashed into the pool of dark red blood. It busted to pieces and Joey floated on top of the blood, face down. Serenity grabbed her unconscious brother by the arm and drug him from the pool. She wiped the blood from his face and bent her head down to check his breathing. It was faint but still there. Serenity stood up and faced Lord Necross who stood directly behind her.
"What is the meaning of this?! Do you think this is funny," screamed Serenity as she stood in front of her brother's body, protecting it. Lord Necross smiled.
"Thank you child! You see I have already fed from him numerous times! I savored the taste of his tick blood. His screaming and pleading only made me bite harder," laughed Lord Necross. Serenity covered her mouth. Just the thought of it made her nauseas. The taste of blood! How could anyone savor that? Nevertheless, it was her brother! Serenity smacked Necross across the face. His head turned and his hair flew over his face. Serenity jerked back her hand.
"Ow!" Serenity screamed. She looked down at her hand, which was now bleeding. What happened? Necross turned back with blood stained on his teeth.
"Watch where you put that hand darling! Next time you may not draw back a hand," growled Necross as he kicked Serenity to the right of him. Serenity's head smacked into the grainy, dirty floor. She laid on the ground. She pushed herself back up on her hands only to be pushed back down into the ground. Her cheek pressed against the floor as a hand wrapped itself around her skull. Lord Necross had crawled on top of Serentiy.
"Now! I think I'll have a little pleasure," laughed Necross diabolically, "it's been so long since I've felt the soft touch of a human woman." Serenity struggled to break free but Lord Necross had her pinned and her arms pulled behind her back. He ran his hands across the breast of her shirt. Serenity began to cry.
"Please stop! Don't do this! You don't want to do this! Don't, don't, don't!" Serenity cried harder. Was her brother dead? Was she meant to lie here only to be raped by this sinful creature? Necross rubbed his hands across Serenity's bottom. He grabbed her hard causing Serenity to scream louder. At that moment Joey opened his eyes. His eyes were red and fangs ruptured form his gum line. Joey levitated to his feet. He stood with only his ripped, faded jeans on. Serenity saw him out of the corner of her eye.
"Joey! Joey," screamed Serenity as she began to choke on the tears of her fear. Lord Necross turned to see the young blonde with eyes glowing like the embers of hell.
"About time you woke up," said Necross with a smile. Joey glared back. Joey backhanded Necross, sending Necross air-born. Lord Necross flew through the air finally colliding with the stony cave wall. Serenity scrambled off the floor and ran to Joey. She stopped as she looked into his eyes. He looked at her with such hatred. Joey grabbed Serenity by the throat. Serenity felt her esophagus begin to cave in.
"Jo….ooo….ee..y! Stttt…op! I'm your sis…ter!" Serenity tried pushing words out of her mouth as Joey began to crack her windpipe. Joey stopped and released his sister. Serenity fell to the ground and began to cough, even spit up blood.
"Serenity? Sister? Where am I," asked Joey as he grabbed his forehead. It was like Joey was fighting with two selves within his body – Joey; the kind hearted, loving man – and the monster that just tried to strangle his sister. Necross appeared behind Joey, picking Joey up by the back of his neck and throwing him into giant wooden crates that sat about 30 feet away from them. Necross glared down at Serenity and pulled her up by her hair. Serenity screamed for her brother. Joey was still weak but he fought to get up.
"Let go of me," screamed Serenity as she pulled a small hand-knife from her back pocket and stabbed Necross in the abdomen. Necross didn't flinch but instead he laughed.
"Stupid girl! This does not hurt me," cackled Necross as he pulled the knife from his stomach, throwing it across the floor. He still had Serenity by the hair and was jerking her all over the place. Joey tackled Necross to the ground. He may have been in his human persona for the moment but he still had his newly vampire strength. The two creatures fought on the floor. (A/N: I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST CALLED JOEY A CREATURE! L!)
Serenity ran to the broken crates where she found a giant thick sharp piece of wood. She hadn't brushed up on her 'vampire slaying' skills lately but she remembered from legend that a wooden stake through the heart would kill a vampire and reverse all the transformations that vampire had made. That meant that if she could stake Necross that it would reverse the transformation on her brother (as long as Joey hadn't killed another human - if he had he wouldn't be able to change back to a human). Serenity grabbed the four-foot long stake and ran back to the fight. Serenity approached the two men on the floor. Necross sat on top of her brother. Joey's face was horribly clawed and blood streamed from his face. Serenity reared the stake over her head ready to plunge it through Necross's back, who sat on top of her brother. As she went to bring the stake down, Necross jumped up grabbing Joey with him. Serenity fell to the ground. She looked up to see Necross standing behind Joey with his arm around Joey's neck, using Joey as a shield in front of him.
"Go ahead Serenity! Stake me! But you'll have to go through your brother first," laughed Necross. Joey gritted his teeth and struggled to breathe.
"Just do it Serenity! Don't worry about me! Sometimes you have to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good," cried Joey. Serenity's eyes welled with tears. What should I do? Should I kill my own brother just to take out an agent of evil? What would Yugi do? That's it! What WOULD Yugi do?! Of course, Yugi would think smart. Serenity put the pieces of the puzzle together in her head.
"Please forgive me Joey! I love you," screamed Serenity as she plunged the stake through her brother. The stake tore through Joey but landed right on target with Necross's heart who stood right behind Joey using him for a shield. Blood shot from Joey's mouth and his eyes rolled to the back of his head. Serenity withdrew the stake. Necross stumbled backwards as blood gushed form his chest. Necross began to smoke. His eyes erupted into fire and he fell to the ground, disintegrating. Serenity looked down at her brother who laid motionless on the floor with blood all around him. She laid her head on his forehead and began to cry.
"Please don't hate me Joey! I had to do it," cried Serenity. Serenity prayed her plan had worked. Serenity had shoved the stake in an upwards slant, meaning, when she was on the ground she shoved the stake through Joey's STOMACH and in an angle it pierced Necross's heart. Hopefully, Joey's vampire powers would heal his stomach before he reverted back to human form. It was all a race against time. Serenity watched as the hole in her brother's stomach didn't change.
"NNNNOOOOOOO," Serenity screamed as she watched Joey lie lifeless on the ground with his blood staining the yellow dirt. Serenity kissed her brother on the forehead and rubbed his hair.
"How could I do such a thing to you? My own brother! How can I ever live with myself! What am I going to tell Mai? Yugi? Everybody! I'm a murderer," screamed Serenity as she punched her hands into the ground. She continued to beat the ground. Her knuckles tore and blood spilt onto the ground. She looked back at Joey's body. Still nothing. He wasn't coming back. Her plan had failed and she had let him down. Serenity's hands were covered in her own blood. Serenity hovered over Joey's body with her hands over her face as she bawled like a newborn baby. The blood dripped from Serenity's hands onto her brother's dead body. Then…it dripped into his mouth. Serenity heard a gasp of breathe. Serenity opened her eyes. Her brother began to glow. His eyes shot open and he inhaled a huge current of air. The hole in his stomach! Its was healing!
"What happened? How did he come back to me," thought Serenity as she stared at the glowing body with amazement. Serenity heard a noise at the top of the cave. She looked. It was Jasmine and Diamond!
"Serenity! Your brother came back to you because of that relic and your blood. The talisman represents life and YOUR blood is the connection between the two of you. It is your bloodline that gave him back life as well. You guys share the SAME blood! It is the life that carries both of you," said Jasmine. Serenity looked back to her brother who had propped himself up on his elbows. He was clean! No blood anywhere!
"What just happened? Where the crap are we sis?" Joey looked around the cave in much bewilderment. He looked to see the half melted body of Necross on the floor and covered in puddles of blood.
"AAAGGHHHHH! IT'S A DEAD GUY! COVER YOUR EYES SERENITY," screamed Joey as he put his hands over Serenity's eyes. Serenity shoved his hands away and hugged Joey's neck.
"I hope you can forgive me! I'm so sorry I had to stake you! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! I SWEAR! ….kinda," said Serenity as she bit her bottom lip in shame. Joey looked back at her.
"I remember. It's okay! You did what I told you to do. I still love you and I respect what you did sis," said Joey as she hugged her and kissed her on the head. Serenity smacked Joey in the head.
"What the crap was that for?!"
"You get skewered through the stomach and then when you come back you don't have a mark on you! Look at me," screamed Serenity as she pointed to her cheek, "Bruises!" She pointed to her head, "Gashes!" She pointed to her hand and arm, "Frickin' bite marks!" Serenity began to laugh.
"It's no big deal I guess! All things heal with time," chuckled Serenity as she pulled Joey off the floor. Joey looked around the cave.
"Uh, sis?"
"Yeah, Joey?"
"Where's the rest of my clothes?" Serenity put her hand over her mouth as she began to giggle.
"Sorry, but I think that vampire guy got rid of em! We'll worry about that later," said Serenity as she pulled Joey towards the steps of the cave. Joey glanced back at Serenity.
"How'd you get here?"
"Me, Ishizu, Mai, and Tea all came here but we got split up in the vortex. I got to find them, so come on and lets go! It's 12:30 and the author is ready to go to bed! Come on! Plus I'm ready to get out of this freaky chapter! This author has a twisted mind!" Serenity dragged Joey out of the cave where Jasmine and her herd awaited Serenity. Serenity and Joey hitched a ride with Jasmine's herd and they faded into the Shadowy night in search for their friends.
Okay, What did ya think? I hope you didn't think I was going to go and kill off one of my favorite characters now did ya? PLEASE! I don't know where this creepy chapter came from! I have been watching a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer lately! Mostly the Season 3 box set cuz it's my favorite! It has Faith! Okay! I guess only Buffy fans will know what I'm talking about! Please submit your reviews like always! 4give me for any grammatical errors cuz (like the last chapter) I'm up until 12:32 typing this! GOSH! I'm a sucker for anime! But once I start writing I cant really stop unless I run into writer's block! I need to shut up! It's Wed. night and I have class tomorrow! If I don't get some sleep I'm gonna want to axe murder my professor in the morning! Keep reading my stuff! I'll try to update soon! See ya!