Chapter Thirty-Seven
Author's Note: I never knew just how creepy Ragozine looked…ScarletEbon has just uploaded fan-art for him, and it actually scares me a little. I must have a darker mind than I previously thought. Also, the long-awaited ShadAmy art on Chapter 33 is up, as is an art of Amy's Heroic form! Yayness!
Anyway, let's see how some of the minor characters are doing.
-- -- -- -- -- --
"Miss Vahtri, when's my big sister gonna be back?" Mikael whined as he tugged on Vahtri's multi-colored apron. Vahtri had agreed to keep an eye on Tahra's little brother for a while longer. With finals over, she could easily keep an eye on the hyperactive and inquisitive little hedgehog.
"I'm not sure when she'll be back," Vahtri replied, "but she'll be back, I promise." Satisfied with his answer, the nine-year-old settled down. When he returned to his sitter's main chamber, his eyes took notice of a portrait of a much younger Vahtri, apparently with her parents. The father was a large, dark grey echidna, and next to him was the mother, a sweet-faced echidna colored like moist earth, bedecked with the same jewelry the daughter was now wearing.
"Are these your mom and dad, Miss Vahtri?" Mikael asked. Vahtri came over and glanced at the portrait, and affirmed that it was the truth.
"Yes. My mother was taken away by the Judgment not long ago, and my father disappeared about ten years ago. They were both such wonderful people. I've been living in this house on my own ever since."
"Tahra said that our mom and dad were killed by those bad guys in the big white tower too…in fact, I was there…it was scary."
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to…"
Mikael was extremely glad about this. His experiences in the Tower of Judgment were not ones he would wish to go through, nor would he wish them on anyone else. He had seen all of the fiendish work that the Judgment, the Black Arms and the other servants of the Meteor Parasite firsthand. He had met all of the fiends personally...and he got a good look at Geddon himself, and heard his voices…
"Nazo…"
"L-lord Geddon! W-what solicits this visit?"
"I trust everything is going well."
"There have been many failures, but I do have something special for you."
Geddon turned one of his many heads toward Mikael and stared at him with a single unblinking eye. Five pairs of horns, curved like a great bull's were upon his head, which was colored like vomit. A pair of great insect-like mandibles completed the horrible picture. What was worse was the voice came from it…it was the voice that would pierce at the very soul of Mikael's big sister.
"Soooo, little one, are you enjoying yourself?"
"Uh, no…" Mikael retorted.
"Goooood. Now hold still, this won't hurt…much." Geddon opened up his jaws a little bit, and pressed the tips of the mandibles into Mikael's arm, piercing his veins like a syringe. He injected something into the boy's bloodstream. Geddon released his grip, and the wounds shut before bleeding could start.
"Wh-what did you do to me?" Mikael demanded.
"Oh, you'll see in time," the Meteor Parasite cackled.
Mikael never figured out what was injected into him, but he feared the worst. Thankfully, he was able to get his mind of that when his eyes fell upon another picture…a photograph of her and Knuckles, except younger. Both appeared to be lightly dusted with flour, and seemed very happy.
"Is that…you and Knuckles?" he asked.
"Yeah…we were good friends, then." Vahtri had a dreamy look in her eyes when she said this.
Mikael laughed. "Vahtri and Knuxy, sitting a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Knuckles with the baby carriage!"
Vahtri didn't seem insulted in the least by this. She had already done the k-i-s-s-i-n-g part, and the love part. Now the final piece was needed...
-- -- -- -- -- --
Cream was counting her lucky stars. The demon lord who was holding her prisoner was practically eating out of the palm of her hand, and all she had to do to keep him placid was slink all over him. Sure, she may have been objectifying herself, but at least it kept the fiend busy. The soldiers also found her enticing as well, and she could get them to do just about anything she wanted, short of outright rebellion against their leader.
As she spent more and more time around Leawdak, she noticed things contrary to his original nature, as if someone else was there…fighting for control. She had heard that Armeil was once a good being. If she could convince Tails to turn away from the Judgment…maybe there was hope for the angel yet. She just had to coax him out. And soon she got her chance.
As Cream turned to leave his room one day, she heard him grunt and groan, as if in pain. The demon was holding his head and shaking it, trying to force something back into his mind. As she watched, the faint image of a dark blue echidna, decked with great white wings, seemed to be exuded from the demon's body.
"Damn you…why won't you stay down!" the demon cried. "Damn it…" It looked like Leawdak was losing control, signified by the increasing opacity of the dark blue echidna. Using the demon's body, the other spirit raced over and lay before Cream.
"You…rabbit! Help me!"
"How can I help? Are you…"
"Yes, I am Armeil…the real Armeil...not the leader of Judgment…"
Cream wasn't sure how to react. This had happened before, but never had the "real" Armeil been able to take control. This one seemed to have good intentions.
"What can I do?"
"Dagger…desk…aim…neck…"
Cream glanced around. There was a small table with a few papers on it, and indeed, there was a dagger. It had a serrated, curved and orange blade, with a black hilt and handle. She rushed over to the desk, snatched up the dagger, and thrust it straight into the back of Leawdak's neck. The demon screamed in pain, furiously flapping his wings. The dagger began to glow white, and it looked like a dark blue lump was being forced out of his back. Moments later, the lump pushed its way out, revealing the same dark blue echidna that had spoken to her moments before.
Leawdak pulled the dagger out of his neck and rose to his feet. The wound instantly healed, but his pride was severely damaged. A look of insanity was in his eyes. But before he could react, the dark blue echidna leapt between them, and grabbed Cream's hand.
"Chaos Control!" The two disappeared from the room, and found themselves several miles away.
"You…you saved me…" Cream gasped.
"There is no need for gratitude. Let me be brief. For six thousand years I was under the control of my own darkness. But recently, I finally saw the horror of my doings, and struggled to break free, but failed. That dagger was the only thing that could free me, and now I am, thanks to you."
"You're…Armeil?"
"Yes. My darkness is still fused with Leawdak, so he is also me. For now, I must find my fellow Seraphim and beg for their forgiveness. Judging by our position, I believe that the nearest one is Milos…
Tails…Cream thought happily. Through a stroke of incredible luck, she had managed to escape the clutches of the demon lord, and also gained the friendship of another of the Seraphim.
"Perhaps we should head to Westopolis first…" Cream suggested. "I have friends there who would benefit from your assistance greatly."
"If it helps me atone for my crimes, then let it be so…"
-- -- -- -- -- --
A knock on the door interrupted the work of Vector and Charmy, who were recuperating from yet another attack by Judgment grunts. They had been part of a small unit of rebels, fighting against the despotic rule of the angels. Their resistance's effect was minimal at best, but it kept their attention away from the mostly helpless citizens.
"Charmy, get it, would ya?" Vector said. Charmy buzzed over to the door, and opened it. His jaw dropped open.
"Cream!" he exclaimed.
"Hey, Charms. Glad to see me?"
Charmy flew in a loop with excitement. "You betcha! Who's your friend?"
"You wouldn't believe if I told you," Cream replied.
"What's with the ruckus, Charmy?" Vector said as he came over. "Well, it's the rabbit…and why is there an angel behind you?"
Armeil decided to introduce himself. "Believe it or not, I am Armeil, one of the Seraphim…at least, I was."
"So, are you gonna join us, then?" Charmy asked.
Armeil nodded. "Yes…to help atone for the crimes I have committed."
"This is so sweet!" Charmy chimed. "We got a big-time angel on our side!"
"Yes…but I'll have no control over my old minions, and my power has been reduced. Still, I should be a major help. I know the Tower of Judgment like the back of my hand."
"Well, welcome aboard, I guess," Vector said, and presented his hand. Armeil stared at it blankly.
"What? Haven't you ever shaken hands before? Just grab my left hand with your own left."
Armeil did so, and the two shook hands.
"Welcome aboard, Armeil…"
-- -- -- -- -- --
"You poor thing," Vera cooed to Regal as she fondled his head quills. Regal had a large entourage of girls, but Vera, a grey bat with a bust rivaling Rouge's, was his first favorite. Unbeknownst to him, Vera had a dark secret…and it would change him forever.
"Everything I've worked for, Vera…" Regal whined, "…my popularity, my stellar grades, all of it is coming apart! All because of my cousin and that Sonic character! He made a fool out of me!"
"You want revenge, don't you, Regally-poo?" Vera said. She had found her opportunity. The master would be pleased. "Y'know, there's a way."
"That's wishful thinking…Regal here is all washed up."
Vera began the approach. "Didn't you always do what you do to please your grandmother?"
Regal was clueless. "Yeah…what's your point?"
"Don't you want to do things your way? Live by your own rules?"
"Get to the point, Vera."
"Let's say I know someone who can get you that kind of power really quick?"
Regal was getting interested. "You've gotten my interest."
"How about I introduce you to him?" Vera said. She took a pendant from between her breasts, rubbed on it, and stuck in Regal's ear.
Well, well…this is certainly an interesting mind, came the voice, a clown-like one.
"Who are you? Are you the one who can get me power?" Regal asked fervently.
I am…but if you wish to serve me, never question my identity.
"Besides power and all, what other benefits do I get?"
Power is the only true benefit. Everything else comes from power.
"Heh…works for me. I'm tired of this environment anyway."
You are making a wise choice, Regal. For now, I'll give you a small amount of increased ability, just to test you. Serve me well, and I'll give you more.
"Just get on with it, whoever you are!"
The voice chuckled. Now, this may sting a little…
A stinging feeling coursed through Regal's body for a few seconds.
Welcome to the winning side, Regal, the voice said when the sensation stopped.
"Thanks, boss." Regal said with a grin. Vera plucked the pendant out of his ear.
"C'mon, Vera…we're out of here. I have to get to know this boss of yours." The two left Regal's room and prepared to make their escape.
"Tahra…and Sonic…you WILL pay for humiliating me. As will everyone…no one laughs at Regal the Great and gets away with it…"
-- -- -- -- -- --
"Regal and Vera are missing!" Vahtri exclaimed when she overheard the current gossip from one of her friends the next day. "But…why do you think they would just leave?"
"I dunno, but I'm glad Regal's gone," her friend, a rabbit, replied. "He was a real jerk, thinking he was better than everyone. The only reason he got good grades was that he cheated whenever he could. The teachers would look away because he's a grandson of the high priestess. Regal always took the easy road."
"Maybe he was insecure, like he was always trying to please someone," Vahtri sighed. "But I won't miss Vera. She was so full of herself…how could she flaunt her own body like that!"
"I know Vera said she was just independent," the rabbit replied, "but you're right…she took it way too far. And I heard rumors that Vera had something really insidious to hide…like she was a spy for some infernal organization."
"That's crazy talk!"
"I heard her talking to someone invisible while in the bathroom once…talking about all this weird supernatural stuff. I don't want to go into the details. Besides, we'll be late."
Vahtri rolled her eyes. "…Late for classes? Don't be silly. Finals are done…the entire week is free from classes!"
"Oh, that's right…how could I be so stupid!"
-- -- -- -- --
Author's Note: If you can't figure out the significance of the first portrait...you aren't reading hard enough.
