I'm not sure what to say, so I won't say anything. Oh, and, ShadeyMike has my full permission to use my character, Malice, for his story, Locked Up. Only he can use Malice.

Chapter Six: Doombringer

She looked absolutely stunned. It was a bit of a shock for me too, but I knew they'd be back. A new emotion now entered my body: fear.

Fear for my daughter and wife's safety. Sure, I didn't care if they got me, but it mattered now. I had something to lose. I have my wife and daughter I could lose, and if I am lost, then they will never be the same. It was not a good feeling.

"Raven, I'm going to have to go after him, you know that right?"

"Why? They haven't done anything to us-"

"Yet. Pain will come for us. So I'm going after him as soon as possible." She closed her eyes, a tear appearing under one. "Hey, don't worry. I'll be back. But I'm going to wait until tonight."

"I'll come with you." She said.

"No. Someone has to stay and watch Alex."

"She's old enough to look after herself."

"Raven, as in all wars, life goes on. She can't stay alive by herself for long. And face it, I'm a better fighter, and I've dealt with Hell's minions before. You haven't. My mind is made up." I explained. She seemed to at least come to her senses. She nodded, tearfully.

Later Alex woke up and we told her the news. She reacted closely to Raven, except she understood sooner. We went on as usual; that is, until dinner. Two things happened then. The first was Alex made an announcement. She stood up and cleared her throat

"Mom, Dad, I have to tell you something." She said, almost unsteadily. "VJ and I… are getting married." She sat down almost immediately, and looked down as well. I had expected it soon, and I'm not sure if Raven did, but she spoke first.

"Honey… that's great. When is it going to be?" She asked.

"Yeah, when's it gonna be?" I asked, moving to Alex and hugging her.

"In a week. Everyone is invited." She replied.

"I'll send the invitations." Raven said.

"Thanks mom." Alex got her plate and went to the kitchen.

"What are we going to do?" I asked, frantically.

"Tell her the truth." Raven responded. I nodded, and went to tell Alex. I had to leave now, or waiting would eat me from inside-out. I found Alex in her room a few minutes later and sat down on her bed.

"Alex… I have to tell you something." I began. "I have to leave tonight to head off Hell's first General, Pain. I have to leave. Now." I kissed her, and then got up to leave.

I didn't run into Raven as I left the house and was swallowed by the night.

It was the next day I caught up to Pain. He was still at the portal. I entered his 'throne room' defiantly.

"Who dares to come before Pain?" He boomed.

He was a very intimidating demon. He stood at 100 ft. and he was a pitch-black demon. His red eyes glared out from under a spike-filled cowl. His arms were muscle-bound and ended in 5 fingers with sharp endings. His legs were just was muscular and were reverse-joint. He had massive wings and a tail that ended in a number of sharp spikes.

"The Dark One." I said, my voice reverberating off the walls.

"Insolent runt! You will be crushed like the maggot you are." He boomed once again. He ran swiftly forward and attempted to crush me with his palm. I, however, swiftly dodged to the left with a tuck and roll. As I landed, I jumped at him and landed on his shoulder. Letting my primal instincts take over, I began to bite and slash at his skin.

He, however, reached up and tried, unsuccessfully, to grab me, and roared as I continued to cause him pain. He sent a burst of fire along his body, forcing me to move, or get scorched. I landed only a couple of feet away from his left foot. I rushed forward and, realizing traditional fangs and claws wouldn't do the job, pulled away from him to think.

What will break through his skin? My claws can't. That's definitely not good. Think! Think! Mmm… I wonder if…? I guess it's my only choice. I have to use Doombringer.

And with that, I reached into my consciousness and pulled out the legendary blade, Doombringer. Kneeling down and letting the sword rest on the ground before me, I began to pray. When the sound of it reached Pain, he roared with agony and redoubled his efforts to get to me. But the prayers were too much for him. However, he knew that I couldn't attack with Doombringer and pray at the same time.

I soon finished my prayer to keep my wife and daughter safe, and clutched Doombringer as I rose. I moved forward with the sword. I moved with singular purpose, and my eyes blazed with hatred. Every step had a reason. Every movement was planned. Neither of us spoke, but then Pain broke the silence.

"That cursed sword cannot save you from death, maggot!" He said, his voice near deafening.

"It's enough to beat you." I retorted, my voice, once again, rebounding off the walls to create the effect I was speaking much louder than I really was. It was an odd feeling, to be facing Pain again.

Without another word, I swung Doombringer with my all the bile I could summon, and fire erupted along the edge and was shot at Pain. It hit him and seared the skin where it touched. He roared again and slammed the ground, which threw me into the air and backwards, against the wall. I heard a bone crack. I got up and used my shadow powers to create illusion, and began to circle Pain, while in the illusions. He couldn't tell which was which.

Before he realized I was in front of him, I jumped up and slashed his face with Doombringer. He reeled in panic, but crushed me with his palm. I couldn't move. But I pulled myself together, literally and metaphorically, quickly. For Pain had reached back for another swipe. I threw myself to the side and stood up. He was about to strike again, I could tell.

He slammed the ground and I was once again thrown up into the air. Now I was getting pissed off. Time to end this battle here and now. I used the shadows to hold him down. I slowly walked to him and I could see the fear in his eyes.

"Fool. I am only the first of seven. My brothers will avenge me." He said, softly. I plunged Doombringer into his heart, and his eyes rolled back. But I had forgotten one thing, as it were. His body would combust upon death.

"SHIT!" I cursed, and began to run away from his body, but before I got far, it exploded, and I was impaled in too many places. Pain was…. Too much… I can't… think…

/Raven's P.O.V./

I had followed Malice against his wishes. I knew he'd be hurt and need someone to help him. But the scene inside the abandoned building made my mind spin. Malice had several bones sticking out of his skin. As well as his left arm, left leg, and right leg were pinned up against the wall, with Pain's teeth or bones. Malice's right arm had been completely torn off. The skin on his back had been completely ripped off, as well as the skin on his pinned arms and legs. His head was tilted back at a grotesque angle. It looked like his neck was broken. His eyes were sunken down in their sockets. His blood flowed freely from his veins, and it looked like every bone in his body was broken.

I actually had to leave, because I was going to puke. Recovering myself, I tried to go back in, but I got sick once more. I called to Robin mentally and told him where I was.

Within the hour he was here. He looked inside and had to do the same as me.

"Raven, I've seen madmen slice women and children to pieces, I've seen people tortured in ways I didn't think possible. But this takes the cake. This is the worst. He's been sliced open so many times I'm surprised he isn't brain dead now." Robin said. "Let's get him out of here now."

I nodded, and put together a makeshift gurney. Well, I tried to, but it didn't look like one.

But it still carried him. Robin and I took Malice to the hospital as quickly as possible, and awaited the doctors to do their work…

/End Chapter/

You know the drill.