Chapter 48: Angel
I struggled harder in his grip. "What did you do with Michael?"
He smiled. "He's in his own mind. He doesn't know it yet, but I've trapped him there within his own mind. He's not coming back." Anger filled me, and I kicked him as hard as I could in the gut.
He bent over, and loosened his grip. I was able to break out of his grip. I fell to the ground, and landed on my feet. I quickly ran towards the others. "Guys, we have trouble!"
Zidane turned to me. He looked concerned. "What is it Vivi?"
I was about to tell him, but then I heard Angel yell, "You bastard mage! You're only delaying the inevitable!" I turned, and saw him unsheathe Michael's normal sword.
Zidane was shocked. "Vivi, what's wrong with Michael?"
I tried to explain quickly because Angel was running at us, and he was closing in fast. "That's not Michael. It's some guy named Angel. He's taken over Michael's body, and imprisoned him within his own mind. He's trying to kill me." Zidane was shocked further, but before he could say anything, Angel jumped into the air.
He was heading towards me. He shouted "Ryu Tsui Sen," and descended towards me. Suddenly, a huge ball of white and blue energy sailed past me, and struck Angel in the chest. I turned around to see that it was Eiko who had done it. She had cast a Holy spell to save me. I quickly turned back to see Angel hit the ground. Despite the spells power, and the fall to the ground; he got back up easily.
He looked at Eiko. "You little brat, you'll die for that" he sneered.
Zidane spoke. "Why do you want to kill Vivi, and why have you taken Michael's body?"
He spoke. "Oh, I'm not going to kill JUST Vivi. I'm going to kill all of you!" This shocked Zidane.
Dagger spoke. "Why?"
He turned to her "Ever since Michael arrived on this world, you have all been a thorn in my side. You most of all" he said, pointing his sword at me.
Freya spoke. "Why are we a threat to you?"
He spoke. "Because when he's around you, he starts to feel positive emotions. Emotions of happiness, compassion, affection, love" with each word he said, he sneered, and it was most prominent on the last word.
Eiko spoke. "So you don't want him to feel happy?"
He shook his head. "No, not just that. Before he met any of you, he was a lonely teenage boy. He had no one to turn to except his master, but that was hardly enough. He was extremely miserable, especially after Mary died. It was when his loneliness and misery was at its peek that I was created."
Amarant spoke. "He created you?"
He nodded "yes, he was completely unaware of my presence, though."
I spoke. "So, you're a part of him?"
He nodded. "Indeed I am. I slowly worked my way through his body, but when I reached his mind. I was stopped by a light. The light wasn't coming from him, that light had diminished long ago. I knew that I couldn't overcome this light. It was too strong. I had no choice, but to wait. Eventually, I managed to break through the lights defenses a little at a time, but something happened that I didn't expect would happen. Michael was sent here, and it was here that my plans began to fall apart. With every friend he made, every happy memory he had, his own light grew stronger."
Freya spoke. "So, we're a threat to you because of this?"
He nodded. "Yes, for the first time in over a year, he felt wanted. You probably have no idea how much he cares about all of you. He'd probably give his life for any of you if he knew he had to. As his positive emotions grew I was pushed away. I was getting desperate. It was at that moment that a miracle happened. For some unknown reason, the light that was defending him gave itself over to me. I devoured the light, and it became a part of my being. Finally, I was free to enter Michael's mind, unimpeded. Eventually, I imprisoned him within his own mind. He doesn't know that just yet, but when he does, it'll be too late."
The glow in his eyes brightened. "I WON'T LET ANY OF YOU TAKE HIS BODY FROM ME!" He charged at us. We readied our weapons, and prepared to fight the possessed body of our friend.
Freya jumped into the air, and threw her lance at him. He quickly rolled to the side, and avoided it. When Freya landed on the ground to retrieve her lance, Angel swung his sword at her. Freya saw the attack coming, and dodged it, but she couldn't dodge his follow-up kick. Freya was stunned, and Angel was going to strike her with his sword. I knew I had to do something. 'Michael, forgive me' I thought. I cast a Thunder spell at him. The spell hit him in the chest, and he fell to the ground.
Freya retrieved her lance, and retreated back to us. Angel got back up to his feet. He looked down at the burn mark on his shirt. He looked at me, and smiled an evil smile. "What's the matter, Vivi. Too afraid that you might accidentally kill me?" His words angered me, but I knew he was right. I couldn't kill Angel without killing Michael, too.
Amarant threw a 'Wing Edge' at Angel. Angel quickly dodged the attack by stepping to the side. He extended his hand, and managed to catch the 'Wing Edge' as it sailed past him. He threw it back at Amarant. Amarant quickly ducked, and managed to avoid his own bladed disk. Michael extended his hand, and cast an Aerga spell on Amarant. Amarant was sent flying through the air. He hit the ground, but was slowly getting back up to his feet.
Angel charged at us. Zidane decided to charge as well. Right before they were about to cross blades, Zidane jumped into the air. He landed behind Angel, spun around, and swung his 'Angel Bliss' at his back. Angel saw the attack coming, and brought his sword behind him. He blocked Zidane's blow, spun around, and kicked him in the gut, hard. Zidane doubled over, and Angel was about to deliver the final blow with his sword.
That's when I saw another Holy spell sail past me. Angel must have sensed the attack, because he quickly leapt out of the way. Zidane wasn't as fortunate. He ended up getting hit by the spell instead. I heard Eiko's horrified gasp. Zidane fell to the ground, unconscious.
Angel was running towards us again. Quina quickly cast a Frog Drop spell. The frog fell from the sky, and was heading towards Angel. Angel looked up into the air, stopped, jumped into the air, and executed a "Ryu Sho Sen." His sword went straight through the frog, and he emerged from the back of the frog, covered in frog blood, but he appeared to be unharmed. The frog drop had failed. Angel quickly cast a Waterga spell on Quina. Quina was engulfed by the water and began to suffocate. The orb eventually burst, and Quina fell to the ground, gasping for breath. She eventually lost consciousness.
Angel turned his attention towards us again. Dagger decided to attack. She summoned Bahamut. Bahamut descended from the sky, and flew towards Angel. I thought Dagger was crazy to summon Bahamut against Angel. I turned to her "Dagger, no! Michael's still in there! We can't kill Angel without killing him, too." Dagger's resolve began to waver, and so did Bahamut's. That was all Angel needed. He jumped towards Bahamut, and executed a "Kuzu Ryu Sen." Bahamut was struck in all nine places. He cried out in pain, and fell to the ground. He faded back to the spirit world. Dagger was shocked. Angel cast a Thundaga spell at her, and she flew through the air. She hit the ground, and fell unconscious.
Steiner and Freya decided to team up against him. Freya jumped into the air, and Steiner charged at him. Steiner jumped and executed an 'Iia Strike.' Angel easily blocked his strike with his sword, and punched Steiner in the face. While Angel was distracted with Steiner, Freya threw her lance at him. He sensed the attack, and managed to jump away in time to avoid it. As Freya descended towards the ground, Angel uppercut her in the face, before she touched down. Freya was sent flying through the air. She was unconscious before she even hit the ground.
Steiner recovered from Angel's punch, only to get punched again. That was when Angel thrust his sword at Steiner's chest. Steiner saw the attack, and managed to avoid it. He knocked Angel's sword from his hands, and punched him in the face. Angel stumbled, but quickly recovered. He punched Steiner in the face again, and cast a Waterga spell on him. When the water orb exploded, Steiner fell to the ground, unconscious.
Angel picked up his sword, and was about to finish Steiner off. That's when I saw another 'Wing Edge' sail past me. It was heading straight for Angel. Angel sensed the attack, spun around, and cut the 'Wing Edge' in half with his sword. He glared at Amarant, and cast another Aerga spell at him. Amarant went flying through the air again, and this time, he hit the side of the castle. He fell to the ground, unconscious.
Eiko and I were the only two left. He smiled at us. "They didn't put up much of a fight. They must be too afraid that they actually might kill me. What you all fail to realize is that your friend isn't coming back."
His words angered me. "You're wrong, Michael's stronger than you. He will be BACK!"
He chuckled. "Ah, the words of a delusional child. Cling on to what ever beliefs you want. It won't change the fact that Michael isn't coming back. Or the fact that you're both going to die." Before I could say anything, he charged at us.
He grabbed me by the neck, again. I struggled in his grip, and this time, he made sure that he held me far away from him. However, he completely ignored Eiko.
"Let go of him, you monster!" She jumped up, and hit Angel in the head with her flute. Angel released me and grabbed his head. He turned to Eiko.
His eyes flared up. "WHY YOU LITTLE BRAT!" He kicked her in the face, hard. She flew through the air, but before she hit the ground, Angel ran up to her and caught her by the throat. He held her up, and looked at her. "Do you have any idea how much that hurt?" Her nose was bleeding, and she started to struggle against Angel's grip.
I slowly rose to my feet, and saw that Angel had Eiko at his mercy. He was strangling her. Anger filled me "STOP! Leave her alone!" He turned his head towards me.
He smiled. "Or what? Are you gonna hurt me with another weak spell? Pathetic mage, you don't even have the guts to save your own girlfriend." He began to laugh.
I snapped, and cast a Thundaga spell at him. He was surprised by my attack. In his shock, he let go of Eiko, but he couldn't dodge it in time. He was hit by the spell, and was sent flying through the air. His sword also went flying through the air. He hit the ground, and didn't move. I ran to Eiko.
"Eiko, are you alright?"
She coughed, and nodded. "Yeah, don't worry. Thanks for saving me, Vivi." My spirits lifted when I saw her smile at me. She began to cough again. I quickly sat her up.
Once she stopped, she looked at me. "Did you get him?"
I nodded. "Yeah, but…what if I went too far I mean what if he's-" I was cut of by an angry roar.
I looked up, and saw that Angel was back up on his feet. His teeth were barred, and his eyes were glowing a brighter shade of red. He was furious. He charged towards us. I got up, but he was already on top of us. He grabbed both of us by our necks. He tightened his grip on Eiko's throat; she was suffocating. When she stopped struggling, he threw her body to the ground.
He looked at me. "Any last words before I kill you?" I thought about this for a moment. I didn't care what he said. I knew that I could free Michael. I just had to reach him. Suddenly, an idea came to me.
"C-can I sing a song?"
This surprised Angel. "You can sing?" I nodded.
He laughed. "Fine, go ahead and sing. This should be good for a laugh." I sang the song that I hoped would reach Michael; the song that symbolized our promise to each other.
I was singing in the cave that Angel had left me in. I was enthralled by the music. I just couldn't stop singing. I don't know how long I've been here, nor did I know where Angel had gone. 'I'm sure he's meeting the others. There's nothing for me to worry about' I thought. That's when I heard a voice.
"Maaaaaay iiiiiiiiit beeeee an evening staaaaaaar shines doooooown upooooon yooooooou. Maaaay iiiiit beeeee when darknesssss faaaaaaaalls youuuuuur heaaaaaaart will beeeee truuuuuuue. Yoooooou waaaalk a lonleeeeey roooooad oh, how faaaaaaar you aaaaare frooooom hoooooooome."
I stopped singing, and listened to the voice. 'Who's voice is that? It's not Angel's voice, but it does sound beautiful. Wait that song' realization all of a sudden crossed my face. 'Vivi! He can sing? When? How?' I thought. That's when I felt a pain in my right hand. I looked at the palm of my hand, and saw the scar from the cut I had given myself when Vivi and I became blood brothers. Suddenly, I realized what this meant. 'Vivi's in danger. I have to get to him, fast' I thought.
I ran towards the entrance to the cave, but a steel gate kept me imprisoned. 'What? What's going on here? Why did Angel lock me in here' I thought. I heard Vivi singing again.
"Mooooooooooornieeeeeeeeeee utulieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Belieeeeeeeve and you willlllllll fiiiiiiiind youuuuuuuuur waaaaaaaay. Moooooornieeeeeeeeeee alantieeeeeeeeeeeee. A proooooooomise liiiiiiiiives withiiiiiiiiiiin yooooooou nooooooow."
His voice gave me new strength. 'I don't have time for gates. I have to help my brother' I thought. I banged on the gate, but it wouldn't yield. 'Okay, that didn't work, then how am I-' suddenly, it came to me. 'Of course, this is my mind. If I want this gate to disappear I just need to concentrate' I thought. I concentrated on the gate, and it eventually disintegrated. I smiled 'well, that was simple enough' I thought. I quickly left the cave, and tried to find Angel. While I was running I heard Vivi sing again.
Maaaaay iiiiit beeeee the shaaadoooows caaaaaaaall will flyyyyyyyyyyy awaaaaaaaay. Maaaay iiiit beeee yooooou jouuuurny ooooooooon toooo liiiiiiiiight the daaaaay. When the niiiiiight is ooooveeeeercooooome you may riiiiiiise toooo fiiiiind the suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun.
I knew that I had to hurry. Eventually, I decided to close my eyes, and concentrate on where Angel was. I eventually felt his presence, and I warped myself there. On the way there, I heard Vivi singing again.
Mooooooooooornieeeeeeeeeee utulieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Belieeeeeeeve and you willlllllll fiiiiiiiind youuuuuuuuur waaaaaaaay. Moooooornieeeeeeeeeee alantieeeeeeeeeeeee. AAA proooooooomise liiiiiiiiives withiiiiiiiiiiin yooooooou nooooooooow. AAAA proooooooomise liiiiiiiiives wiiiiiiiithiiiiiiiiiiin yooooooou nooooooooooooooooooooooow."
I had finally arrived at my destination. I saw Angel; he was looking through my bodies eyes. I walked up to him. "Angel, what's going on?" He turned around; he seemed startled to see me. I looked out of my eyes, and saw what was going on. My eyes widened, and I gasped in horror. Vivi was being strangled by my own hand.
I turned to angel, fury in my eyes. "What is the meaning of this? I thought you said you were going to see my friends! What have you done to them?"
He spoke. "They are a road block for you, Michael. When they are gone, you can finally be the man you want to be."
I shook my head. "No, if they die, then I'd rather die with them! How dare you attack my friends!"
His voice grew steely. "Your friends are holding you back, Michael. Trust me; this is for your own good. Don't forget that your father sent me to you for a reason."
I shook my head. "I doubt that this is the reason! I won't let you harm my friends or my brother anymore! I want you out!"
He smiled. "You can't get rid of me, Michael. You never can, and you never will."
I smiled. "Oh, really, well you forgot one thing."
He spoke. "And what's that?"
I smiled. "You're in my mind. I control everything here, and I want you OOOOOOOOOOUT!" I entered a meditative state, and concentrated on getting Angel out of my mind.
Angel hadn't killed me yet. He seemed to be distracted by something. His grip started to loosen. I hoped my song had worked. Suddenly, he began to scream.
He let me go, and I fell to the ground. I looked up, and saw him clutching his head with both hands. He was walking around screaming as if he was in intense pain. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" he bellowed. Eventually, he fell to his knees. He continued to scream.
The others got up from their unconscious states, and saw the spectacle before them. They didn't know what was going on, but I knew. My song must have worked. Michael was free, and he was fighting Angel.
Eiko walked towards me. She spoke "what's happening to him?" I couldn't help but feel happy.
I smiled. "Michael's free."
Suddenly, Angel looked to the sky and let out an ear-piercing screech. There was a blinding flash of light, and I saw a dark figure get hurled away from Michael's body. The light faded away, and I saw that Michael's body was on all fours. I approached him, hesitantly. "Michael…" he turned his head to me.
His eyes weren't red anymore, they were normal. I also felt no danger from him. He smiled. "V-Vivi…hey…" I smiled; his voice was back to normal. Michael was in control of his body again. That's when he collapsed to the ground.
Before I could get to his side, I heard another familiar voice. "No! He's mine!" I spun around, and saw a figure in a black cape wearing a black suit get up from the ground. He also had glowing red eyes; it was Angel.
He looked at us. "His body is mine. It should have been mine a year ago."
I looked at him with pure hate. "Stay away from him!" Angel started to move towards him. I lifted my staff, and cast a Firaga spell at him. My spell hit him in the chest. He flew through the air, and hit the ground, hard.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Stay away! You won't harm my brother ever again!"
Angel got up, and looked at me, than he looked at everyone else. They were all ready to fight him. Angel looked frustrated. "Fine, you win this day, but I'll be back, and when I do come back; I will kill you all, and take Michael's body." He jumped over to Michael's normal sword, and picked it up. Before anyone could do anything, Angel disappeared in a flash of light.
I turned back to Michael. He was unconscious. I turned to the others. "Guys help me get him to the ship." Steiner picked Michael up, and brought him back to the ship.
He placed him in one of the cabins. After I made sure he was resting comfortably, I turned to Zidane. "What do we do?"
Zidane thought for a moment. "We have no choice. Michael may need medical treatment. We're gonna have to go back to Lindblum."
I nodded. "Okay. I'm gonna stay with him, okay?" Zidane nodded, and walked away.
I walked into the cabin, and sat in a chair that was next to Michael's bed. I looked at his sleeping figure. 'Michael, I wish you were up right now. I want you to comfort me like you always do. I want you to hold me in your strong arms again, but most of all Michael…I just want you to be alright' I thought. I held his hand. 'Don't worry, Michael. I'll take care of you, brother, until you get up. I won't let anything hurt you again.'
Here's a new ability
Distress Signal
WhenMichael isfar away, and Vivi is in trouble,his scar will react to the danger. Likewise, When Vivi is far away, andMichael's in trouble, his scar will react as well.