2. REVENGE

Meanwhile, somewhere beyond the confines of the material world and the ghost zone, a sinister plan was in the making.

"I trust you've finally mastered the power I've granted you" the firm and severe voice echoed around the nothingness that was most of the Limbo. The palace-like construction that once had been standing layed around the two figures, now as pieces of rubbish, destined to exist as forgotten ruins in someone's memory for the rest of eternity.

"You better believe it, Reina..." The other one responded as he crushed a large piece of rock with his hand. "Who would have thought it? I actually got friends on the other side..." He commented, his words tinted lightly with the witty banter from his former self.

"Our partnership, if you remember, is only temporary" The voice came again, as impersonal and authoritative as before. "Once I get my revenge and get my hands on the vito, you'll be free to go and do with this power whatever you like." Then she added in a more disdainful way: "in the meantime, you better show more respect for the one who granted you your freedom. Unless you want to go back to your 'cozy' prison, Phantom" the ghost grunted in annoyance, but decided to amuse her by kneeling on one leg like an ancient knight would have done.

"But you would still need someone with my power to actually do this, wouldn't you? If you had wanted to put me back there you would have done it already, right? Unless, of course, yu no longer are capable of doing it…"

"Silence, you insolent!" She yelled and pointed her silver staff at him, making him fall to the ground. "Mind your tongue, I might not be able to kill you, but you can still suffer"

"As you order, my queen" was his condescending answer, she responded with an indignant sound, like resting importance to his attempt to mock her.

"Don't forget you owe me. You're bound to me by your own word" She declared and then called in a more calmed voice: "Blue." and a girl dressed in black ragged clothing appeared.

"Did you call, mother?" She asked with a slight bow of her head and her eyes closed.

"How are things on the earthly plane?"

"Everything is tranquility, there are no angels or devils worth mentioning." She responded without hesitation. Reina arched an eyebrow in surprise, this was just too perfect. However, one can not be too cautious.

"What about Archam and Temptel, and Raph and her friends?"

"Both professors are still at the academy. Moreover, Raph and Sulfus have left the academy"

"Left?" Reina stopped in her tracks and let out a mocking, cruel laugh. The little angel and her devil boyfriend had ran away? "Where to? I doubt they'll be going to Angie Town or Sulfuric City. They'd be erased from existence, just like happened to Tyco and Sai."

"For what I heard, mother, their ancestors were not erased, but took the Path of Metamorphosis instead, which Raph and Sulfus have done as well." Reina laughed out loud.

"The Path of Metamorphosis?!" She exclaimed, very much amused with the mention of something she considered as mythical as the touch of king Midas "Do they really think they can actually become human? Oh, of course they do, if they didn't they wouldn't be searching for the impossible. And their friends?"

"They continue their studies in the academy, the quarrels between the group of devils and that of the angels remain in the normal side." Responded.

"Excellent." Declared Reina. "The high and low spheres can't interfere, the second highest and lowest authorities are not concerned, those pesky young angels and devils won't tusk their noses where they're not wanted…"

"What's the plan, mother mine?" a hopeful Blue pleaded as she came to her mother's side.

"Very simple, Phantom!" She called the ghost and the elder woman placed a hand over the other's shoulder: "This is the moment. The eyes that see it all are not looking this way right now. Do as I taught you.

"As you say…" The ghost grunted his answer with annoyance of being treated as a child, but he corrected himself and displayed another fake sign of respect as he had done before by bowing and saying: "My Queen" He left the muggy gray space that was used as creation's prison. As he flew towards the portal that connected this plane with that where Earth existed, a thought came to his mind and made him smirk. His red eyes sparkled and a rather giddy feeling filled his mind as he considered the facts: he had perfected his new powers, and he was stronger than what he had let Reina see during his stay in Limbo, he could easily overpower her any moment (she was nothing without that staff of hers, if only he could get his hands on that thing…), and also, he was now able to go to Amity Park.

The moment his part of the deal was fulfilled, he would be free again.

Finally free…

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