Wow... I have absolutely no excuse for how long this took to update. I sincerely apologize to everyone for my extended hiatus. I suddenly came across a lot of priorities in my life, as college picked up in intensity, and I suddenly became an uncle, so I had to help look after my baby niece a lot. (Er my gerd, she's adorable!). That among other things that slowed me down. Saturday I had to spend 6 hours helping my brother fix his truck, then Sunday, my computer went stupid on me, then restarted, so I lost quite a bit of writing, and I am notoriously bad at putting things off if I have to do them again, be it essays, fanfics or games! So it took me a while to actually get anything back up... *sigh* Anyway, I'm going to do my best to start updating. Also, I've started moving some of my stories to AOE, as I've just recently found a way to make transferring stories there quite easy, but regardless, I am still staying here.
Disclaimer: I do not own Blue Exorcist; Kazue Kato-dono does. This story is my brainchild though!
A special thanks to ef07, Not-gonna-update, The hazel-eyed bookworm, Bloody Moon Mist, ShadeAllure, CrystalOfTime, Itharax, Makoto4days, SakuraKoi, YokaiAngel, kinda-just-here, Paddy, Awkward Girl 126, MelonMochi, snowyassass1n (x2), NightSky0xx, ElectraX12, Dragonfire719, HailsStorm, Lexus1434, ShadowDragon94 (x2), Guest, Otaku4lifeeee, Basket in a Nutcase, Chhhh, Tibki, and Reddo-sama for reviewing! Also, a very, very special thank you to Dragonfire719 for helping this story reach an important milestone. Thank you for leaving my 100th review! Thank you all so much! It means so much to me as a writer!
Thanks to everyone else who favorite and watched! Now on to your long awaited programming! Also, there is a good chance you will really hate Satan/Rin this chapter! Of course, he is the devil, so nevertheless...
"L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés ou désirs."
"Hell is full of good wishes or desires."
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
In the greatest of all realms, that whose beauty is unsurpassed by all, Shamayim, the heaven of heavens, dwelt Adonai, the Lord God, surrounded by hosts of angels. He had created the angels as representative of his own essence, that of the mysterious Trinity, whose nature can be comprehended by none but his own. As such, he had the angels divided into three hierarchies of three groups.
The furthest and least of these, and yet still just as blessed as the rest were the angels, lowly messengers who were still as holy and important as the rest of the nine choirs; a great multitude, whose number was known only to him. Clad in simple white albs, girded by a cincture, and held aloft by two wings of the purest white, they held a purpose as His divine messengers, and to serve as guardians of the people of his creation to come.
The second choir of the first sphere held perhaps His personal favorite, the archangels. In time, these would serve as the most important of his angels, and as lord of the archangels, he set Michael, whose name meant Who Is Like God. Clad in divine armor, and held aloft by two pure wings, they served as His special forces, and as guardians of the nations, especially his chosen Israel. Of these, he chose seven to elevate before all angels, elevated as true Archangels, his personal guard, who would serve a great and terrible purpose when the anointed time came, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Ramiel, and Sariel (1). These seven, representative of the seven heavenly virtues stand watchful before the Lord.
The last of the third choir were the Principalities, and set them as rulers of the first sphere. Clad in crown, and equipped with scepter, they served as protectors of nations, and interceded for blessings of the peoples. They acted as enforcers of the divine justice, and bearers of His word to the lower angels.
Next in the heavenly sphere came the lowest of the second sphere, the fourth choir of the powers. Clad in full regal armor, guarded by helmet, sword, and shield, they served as guardians of Heaven from evil. The only choir from which none would fall, they acted as enforcers of order, and ensured the stability of the cosmos.
The fifth choir, whose form is unknown, are the Virtues, serving as pillars of moral virtue, from whom all examples are gathered. It is through them that the glory of the Lord is made present in miracles and signs, so that His glory might be amplified.
The highest of the second sphere, were the Dominions, who regulated the lower angels. Their presence was as divine humans, clad with wings purer than snow. To distinguish them from the lowest choir, God set orbs of light around them, as markers of their glory and ranking.
The least of the highest sphere were the Thrones, sometimes described as wheels-within-wheels. As symbols of His justice, they were set with the throne as their symbol. Of these, 24 would be allowed the greatest honor of honoring the Lord when the anointed time came. Their appearance was like that of the elders, old, yet full of life, wisdom, and faith.
The second choir of the holiest sphere were the Cherubim, the guardians. Unlike the other angels, their form was different, allotted four wings, and four faces, that of a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle, the symbols of the four Evangelists to come, and equipped with flame. They would serve as guardians of his garden, and symbols of His love and mercy.
Finally, the highest choir was the Seraphim, the Burning Ones. Of these, they were allotted the highest status of all angels, surrounded by Holy Flame, wreathed in glory and honor, and given the great honor of six wings, covering their feet, body, and face. They were given the great glory of singing praise, and of care taking of God's throne, and above all else, given the status of watching over his sacred Arc.
It was this choir that God created first, and He was reminded of the highest of the Seraphim He had created. That first Seraphim, and first angel, Lucifer, the Morning Star, named so for his glory was so great and powerful, every time he rose, it was as if morning itself had come. Of all angels, his fire was the most unique, the only one whose fire reached an ethereal blue. He was the most faithful, the most beautiful, and the most powerful of all the angels. Yet, It was that status that ultimately cost Lucifer dearly, one that all the angels remembered with terrible grief.
Lucifer himself remembered that event vividly, when the Lord God announced that he was going on to create an even higher being, one whose glory would surpass even the angels, for upon perfection he would be both body, mind, and spirit, whereas the angels were mind, and spirit. He felt so betrayed by God, for he had been created highest of all God's creations, and yet he would be replaced! By lesser beings no less! According to the Lord's plan, they would be created from the earth, but he was so much higher, for he had been created from nothing! Were his praises that unworthy, his status that lowly, that his Lord would cast him off in favor of another, lowlier creation! And so doubt entered into Lucifer's heart, and jealousy followed, as he stared at God's glory, now starting to hurt his azure eyes. Anger entered his heart, as he had been created the highest, most perfect of all angels to worship the Lord, so what was the point of his existence, if he was so easily replaced! 'If my praises are worth so much to him, then why should he be deserving of all the other praise he gets!' He thought, heart full of pride. And so, Lucifer began to plot, wanting to dethrone He whom he now thought vile, and in his pride, thought himself a worthy substitute, and so began his woes, he who dared believe he could understand the Divine.
And so, Lucifer, in the guise of a command of the Almighty, called together all of the heavenly host under him, while the Lord was busy with His creation, and so, he addressed them, "My brothers and sisters, my heart has been troubled for so long. Despite all of our praises, all of our honors, we are so easily cast off in favor of this new creation, one supposedly higher than us! How can that be fair, how can that be just, when the entire purpose of our existence is honor Him, when He so easily replaces us! He speaks of Justice and Law, and yet does not follow them! How can He be fit to lead, when He casts his subordinates off so easily! How can we rightfully submit in homage, when we ourselves are so replaced! I will not stand to this tyranny, to him, I will no longer bow!" Clamors rang throughout the gathered choirs, as opinions were split among the angels, some deeply troubled at this suggestion of heresy.
Among these, another seraph stood, noble Abdiel, pious and faithful, holy fire burning around him, "Unholy blasphemer! How can you speak such prideful words in heaven! Lucifer, your heart has truly been overcome with pride if you think you could understand the Divine! How can you claim to be higher than He who made you, who made us, and set us in the holy choirs of praise! Any honors done to him increases our own, and any dishonor done to Him increases our own, so is it not obvious then that doing him honor should be best! Do not harden your heart, for surely He who is all merciful will pardon you!" And thus, wise Abdiel spoke, as a third of the host nodded, in agreement, including the 7 Archangels, even as the Apostate replied.
"Who of you has any knowledge of nonexistence before! Who of you remembers a time before we were created! I say down with the tyrant, and elevate one of our own to act as rightful ruler!" Lucifer answered, as Abdiel shook his head in sorrow.
"I can see my words are in vain, as you have chosen to sacrifice any common sense for the sake of your accursed pride. I wash my hands of your presence, and I know the time will come when Divine Justice will wipe that accursed smirk from your face. Though be it far from His nature to uncreate, it shall remain to be seen if He should change his mind!" And with that, Abdiel, departed, with a third of the heavenly host, while another third led away under Lucifer. The final third was that side that stayed neutral, under the leadership of the seraph Azarel, who believed it best to take neither side, and to remain neutral.
Satan was stirred from his thoughts as he continued walking, alongside his new companion, the mysterious "Hikaru." His eyes narrowed with suspicion, trying to understand just who this new student truly was. "So, who are you, exactly?" He asked as they headed on to the next class, for whatever the heck it was that was up next.
Hikaru just put his hand on his chest, and took on a pouty face, "Why Satan, I'm hurt, it's only been since before creation that we last saw each other!"
Satan just face-palmed, "That doesn't narrow it down, you idiot!"
Hikaru just smirked, as he gently touched his eyepatch, "I suppose that doesn't. I suppose the eyepatch might skew things up in your memory, considering you were banished to Hell before our punishment came."
Satan's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?"
Hikaru looked solemn, "You weren't the only angels punished. After the Great Battle, my kind were banished to Sheol, our only crime being that we chose not to fight for the Lord, nor for your side. As such, our kind was accused of being faithless, as we chose to wait and see. For punishment as leader, given that it was seen I was lacking in wisdom, I was stripped of my eye, to reflect my narrow view."
Satan thought back to that time, trying to remember who exactly he was, until a name popped to mind, "Azarel?" He asked, only to be weighed down by a sudden weight around his shoulders, as Hikaru pounced, "You do remember!"
"Fine, fine, now get the hell off of me!"
After a small scuffle, and several threats to remove Hikaru's arms, Satan finally got him off. Dusting himself off, he asked, "How exactly did you find me?"
Hikaru shrugged, "Well, after our expulsion from Shamyim, we were assigned to ferry souls from life into death for all eternity. Imagine my curiosity, when I came across one Igor Neuhaus who was saying he was killed by Satan. So, needless to say, as head of Sheol, it was quite easy to weasel my way into True Cross, especially since Samael can't say 'no' to me as head of one of the realms. It doesn't hurt I don't need a host, as my power is no where even remotely close to yours."
Satan grumbled, "If I find that Igor again, I'm gonna kill him..."
"You already did."
"Shut up." He said, as they walked into class, where Yukio directed them on their mission to Mephisto's amusement park.
Mephisto looked on in annoyance as Amaimon continued messing with various Japanese memorabilia, from an Oni mask to the Lucky Neko, and crouched as he began speaking, "This Japan is a small country, yet the weather varies significantly from North to South..."
Mephisto groaned, Amaimon might be an idiot, but he was quite prone to rare moments of keen observation, especially when it came to the environment. "Amaimon, I didn't give you the Infinity Key for sight-seeing..." He chided, until his eyes widened in shock, as Amaimon pulled out a rare pink yukata, causing Mephisto to stand in awe. "B-but that's considered a rare item even in the Holy Land! The "Honey Honey Sisters" Yukata!"
"I was just standing in line and was able to buy it..." Amaimon dully replied.
Mephisto suddenly appeared right beside Amaimon as he pulled it off Amaimon fluidly, "W-well done!" He yelled with joy, while Amaimon was sent spinning.
Mephisto somehow changed into the Yukata swiftly, pulling a katana out of nowhere and equipping the oni mask, "Now this is what you call the very soul of Japan... the samurai spirit. Not to mention the stupendous world of 'moe!'" He marveled, basking in his own glory. Meanwhile, Satan suddenly felt like disowning Samael for some reason during Yukio's lecture on their mission.
"Truly," Mephisto continued, "I am blessed to have such a fine brother."
Amaimon stood nearby, as he looked at Mephisto's weird behavior, "By the way, Mephisto, where can I find him?" He asked.
"Oh, he's over there." Mephisto pointed, while Amaimon looked off to the distance, making out some kind of giant metal structures.
"An amusement park?" Amaimon asked.
"Yes." Mephisto answered, watching in curiosity as Amaimon crouched in intense focus, biting his thumb nail, "So you're finally in the mood to play with him." Mephisto knew his younger brother's behaviors quite well. However, he had other business to attend to, as he quickly dressed back into his regular attire. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some other business to attend to. We have our special guest in my lab, as you know." Mephisto explained, as he activated a special hidden door in his wall. "If you do get a fight, please try not to go all out. Although you are the weakest of the Baal, you still can do some damage." He said, as he walked through, and the door closed behind him, not noticing the clenching of Amaimon's teeth.
Mephisto didn't have time to focus on that, as he descended the steps to meet the most important of his chess pieces, the newly awakened Yuri Egin. She was just as beautiful as she was when he last saw her, which for him was 16 years ago, but was just as if it was yesterday for her. Although, he did remember another aspect of her...
"What do you mean I can't go out! I'm perfectly fine!" She yelled, as the poor doctor who was trying to make sure she was healthy cowered in semi-fear.
"I'm sorry! I'm just trying to follow Sir Pheles' orders!" The doctor answered, as Mephisto made his presence known.
With a dramatic cape flare, he entered, "It has been a while, my dear Ms. Egin! Far too long in fact!"
"Samael," she answered, ignoring his wishes to be referred as Mephisto, "Why am I not allowed to go outside? Where is Yukio? Why isn't he here?!" Pouting her cheeks in a way that somewhat reminded Mephisto of Rin.
"Normally, I would tell you to sit down for this, but as you are lying down, I suppose that works too."
Yuri's turquoise eyes widened in somewhat anxiety, as something about his countenance worried her more than usual. "What do you mean?"
Mephisto was strangely serious for once, "Ms. Egin, it has been 16 years since you were last awake." He began, as Yuri's eyes widened in horror, "After the events of the Blue Night, your wounds were very grievous, and I feared you would not last. In order to preserve the life of your children, and to ensure your well-being, I had to make it so that you appeared in a death-like state to Fujimoto, so I paused your time, which I suppose could be akin to death. While your children were raised by Fujimoto, I had you transported to this facility so your injuries could be treated. Unfortunately, the technology that would be needed did not exist until just recently, so I had to keep you on "ice" so to speak, until the proper equipment could be procured."
Yuri looked down in sorrow, as she realized it had been 16 years; 16 years that she had not been able to see Yukio, and with horror, realized that although she was now in her 30's, they were almost biologically the same age! "You should have just let me die..." She spoke softly, how could she ever make up for that? And what did Mephisto mean by children...
"Unfortunately, that was not a possibility." Mephisto answered, "Because after your childbirth and "death," Satan disappeared from existence."
Yuri turned swiftly to Mephisto. Satan was missing? How was that possible?! Yuri wracked her head for answers, but she wasn't turning up anything that could help. All she could remember was Satan helped get her to the cave, but after that, she was drawing a blank... Mephisto lowered himself to her face, "Do you remember anything at all, what might have happened to him!" He asked urgently, "It has been 16 year since Gehenna has had a king, and the resulting chaos is starting to spill into other worlds. It is vitally important that Satan returns! As much as I loathe to admit, only Satan has the capabilities to return Gehenna back to order!"
Yuri clenched her fists, as she shook her head. Mephisto frowned, 'Either she must have blocked the memories out as to what happened or my time spell erased her last memories... There are ways to find out, but... if Satan should return and find out I used them...' Mephisto shuddered, as he pondered such thoughts.
Meanwhile in Mepphyland...
Rin face palmed at his current environment. Only Mephisto would make an amusement park as homage to himself. Sometimes he wished they did use contraceptives in Hell...
"Oh, man... Amusement parks after school... that's where you take girls out on a date..." Shima groaned, as Rin turned to face the present company, the current Exwire class, together with Hikaru, who was off reading a book in the distance.
"How did your team do on your last mission, Shima?" Konekomaru asked, as they waited for Prof. Tsubaki and Yukio to stop discussing the mission.
"I wouldn't call that a mission." Shima answered, as Rin interjected.
"It was a giant-ass squid..." He muttered. He couldn't even make a decent tasting meal out of it...
"Squid, really?" Konekomaru repeated.
"Yeah, squid."
Bon just groaned in frustration, as he stood, "Man, what a pain, why bring along useless dumbasses who won't even pull their weight?" He complained, gazing at Yamada and Takara, who were both either staring at their hand puppet, or playing on their hand-held.
"Now, now..." Konekomaru placated, while Bon tch'd.
"Sorry I'm late!" Shiemi's voice rang out, as they all turned to it, but...
"Eh!" All the teens blushed, as they saw Shiemi, in a regular school uniform, but... she had a big rack on her! All of them stared, as they realized the kimono was more covering than they thought!
The monks were trying to keep a straight face, while Satan was repeating, 'IloveYuriIloveYuriIloveYuriIloveYuri' in his head like a mantra.
Meanwhile with Mephisto...
BANG!
"WAGH!" Mephisto screamed, as he looked at the bullet hole where his head was just seconds prior, as he looked at a smiling Yuri who was holding a smoking gun in her hand. "What was that for?! Where did you even get a gun down here?!"
Yuri just continued her smiling, "I suddenly had an urge to shoot Satan, but he's not here right now, so I figured you'll do." She gently answered, as she clenched the gun in her hand.
Mephisto just shuddered, as her smile, now eerily similar to Yukio's annoyed, pissed one creeped the hell out of him. No wonder Satan fell in love with her. She was just as bat-shit insane as him!
Back with Rin...
"Uh, Shiemi! Where's your kimono!" Rin stammered out. He might have fallen in love with Yuri, but he was still a guy damn it!
"Since kimonos aren't really suitable for missions, I asked the director to issue me a uniform. Oh, and I was late because I was having Ms. Kamiki teach me how to put it on!" Shiemi answered, Nee at her side.
"Like it's my job too..." Izumo muttered, before sneaking a glance at Rin, that memory still terrifyingly fresh in her mind.
Rin's eyes narrowed as well, 'Good, so she did remember my warning.'
"Um... You' don't think it looks funny on me?" Shiemi asked.
"Hey, awesome! You sure look cute, Shiemi!" Shima said, hearts fluttering in the air, while Bon and Konekomaru nodded in agreement.
'Perverts...' Rin thought, 'Although...' He looked at Yukio, whose gaze was veiled by the traditional anime lens glare... ''Time to torment Yukio...' He grinned as he leapt down.
"Hey," he whispered to Yukio, "Don't you think Shiemi's skirt is a bit too short..."
Yukio slammed his dossier shut, as he replied, "Why do you ask?"
Rin just leaned in closer, "What do you mean? You know you were just staring at Shiemi's-" THWACK!
His sentence was stopped as Yukio slammed his face with the dossier, cutting off what he was going to say next. "That hurt, Four Eyes!" He shouted, 'Totally worth it!' He thought though. He knew when Yukio was flustered, just... he had an abnormal ability to hide it...
"All right, now that we're all here, let me announce how you've been paired off for this mission." Yukio began, as he reopened his dossier, "Eh... Miwa and Takara. Yamada and Suguro."
"Geh, what the hell..." Bon groaned.
"Kamiki and Shima. Okumura and Hikaru."
Rin perked up at that. So he was paired with Azarel... interesting, he thought, as he looked over at Hikaru in the distance.
"Um... Sensei, who am I paired with?" Shiemi asked, to which Prof. Tsubaki answered.
"Since we have an odd number after Mr. Kageyama entered, you will be paired with Prof. Okumura. It's a bit unorthodox, but it can't be helped for now."
"Today," Yukio began his explanation, "We're here at Mepphyland in response to several reports of a ghost pulling pranks, and we're having you take over the search. We've sealed off the park for the day, so find the ghost in that time. When you've found it, contact either Mr. Tsubaki or myself on our cell phones."
Prof. Tsubaki cleared his throat. "Now then, what is the definition of a ghost? Ms. Kamiki?"
Izumo answered, "Yes sir, a ghost is a demon who possesses the volatile emissions from the corpse of a human or animal, and is characterized by being influenced by its host's emotions before death."
"Very good."
"Um, excuse me..." Konekomaru interrupted "How many ghosts are there exactly?"
Yukio nodded, "It's good to note that. It's been spotted over the park, but it's just one ghost. Outwardly, its appearance is that of a small boy, and its mischief has been limited to arm-pulling and skirt-flipping..."
"Sounds really childish..." Shima muttered, "Oh wait, he is a child..."
"We must find it, before the pranks escalate and pose real danger."
"If we tackle it with all this manpower, it should be a breeze." Bon stated, arms crossed with a smile on his face.
"Any other questions?" Yukio asked, waiting for a moment, then concluded, "All right, then, go to it!"
The cicadas were on full blast as the group started their search. Shiemi was walking with Yukio as they continued their search. Shiemi walking ahead. "You keep an eye on the right side, Yukio, and I'll look on this side." She said, as they began the search.
Yukio simply affirmed, and continued on. Normally, they wouldn't pair a teacher with a student, but he was caught out of the blue when Mephisto announced that Hikaru would be joining the class. He wasn't sure why, but he got a strange vibe from that student. It would merit keeping an eye on him.
He wouldn't say this ever, especially when Nii-san was tormenting him, but he had to admit Shiemi looked nice in the uniform. Over the years, he had always only seen her in her kimono, so it was nice to see her in a change of clothes for once, even if they were a bit... revealing... He quickly looked back, only to see her walking real funny. Very stiff.
"Ms. Moriyama, are you alright?" He asked, only for Shiemi to turn around, and her face...
"Um.. Ms. Moriyama, are you okay... your face is a little... swollen." Yukio stammered out, not really sure how to respond.
"It's nothing... it's not like I'm laughing or anything..." Shiemi stuttered out, her face turning red, especially since she was with Yukio, a fantasy she'd had since... ever! She turned back around and wandered off.
"Ah, Shiemi! Stay with your partner!" Yukio yelled, as he followed, when he heard Shiemi gasp.
"WOW!" As she stared at some random tower.
"Shiemi?" Yukio asked.
"I've always dreamed of coming to an amusement park! But... when I was little, I couldn't stand crowds of people, so of course, amusement parks were out of the question..."
Yukio remembered that Shiemi always was a shy girl, although he wasn't that far off... "I'll bet it's all lively and fun on normal days... But now..."
Yukio smiled, "Heh heh... it wasn't that far off for me as well... Nii-san was always the one who was brash and loud, but I could never manage that. I would usually just hide in a corner and do my school work, or get picked on..."
"Really?" Shiemi asked.
Yukio just chuckled, "Growing up, Nii-san was always the strong one, and still is..."
Shiemi just clenched her fist, and finally went for it, "Then, Yuki-chan, would you like to go some time when its open!"
Yukio was quite surprised she actually got it out, "Perhaps, when I have no missions, or assignments to grade. Then maybe..." He couldn't exactly say no... as a friend.
After a while, they eventually came to the Merry-Go-Round, when Yukio held his hand out, and put his hand to his mouth in a shushing motion, "A voice..." He whispered, looking for the source.
They Merry-Go-Round started moving on its own, as they looked on, horses bobbing up and down, while Shiemi asked the obvious, "Why is it moving on its own?" Eventually the answer came when the small little ghost, wearing little star-covered pajamas, and crying came along.
"Wow, how did you know Yukio!" Shiemi asked.
"Exorcists are trained to develop their senses, and listen to the slightest sound." Yukio said, but he also tended to have a kind of sixth sense when it came to detecting demons.
"Are you alright, little one?" Shiemi asked, stepping forward.
"Ms. Moriyama," Yukio said, slipping into teacher mode, "Please exercise caution with demons, and especially refrain from talking with them."
"Ah, but he's so small, what harm could he do?"
"Don't let appearances fool you. Sometimes even the least harmless looking demon can be the deadliest." Yukio chided, as he pulled out his cell phone to contact Prof. Tsubaki, except he got flustered when the ghost flew right into Shiemi's... assets, and started crying more.
"Mommy and Daddy said they would take me here when I got well. But then... since I died, I can never come here..." It cried, while Yukio tried to figure out how to get it away from Shiemi's... from Shiemi.
"I see, that must have been hard for you..." Shiemi kindly answered, only for her face to be replaced by shock when the ghost full on groped her.
It started laughing childishly, as it floated off, "Morons! Morons!" Yukio followed it, only for it to snatch the glasses off his face, leaving him wondering how he let his guard down long enough for the ghost to snatch them. "That's it..." He muttered, as he cocked his pistol. He was gonna blast this ghost to kingdom come! First it gropes Shiemi, then steals his glasses? Prof. Tsubaki can wait, he's gonna go ghost hunting! "Come back here you brat!"
"Wait, Yuki-chan!" Shiemi yelled.
Meanwhile, with Rin/Satan and Hikaru/Azarel...
"So you were banished to Sheol for not taking a side?" Rin asked, Hikaru walking beside him.
"Yeah, but it isn't that bad... Yeah, it's a little depressing and everything is all dead and stuff, but hey, it's better than eternal damnation!" Hikaru smirked.
"You bastard..." Rin growled.
"Plus, it was only a small reduction in pay too, so I suppose it could have been worse."
"Wait, we got paid?!" Rin yelled.
"Oh yeah, I forgot, you were absent from that meeting..." Hikaru reflected. "That's funny! No one told you!" He said as he burst out laughing.
"You bastard..."
"I'm sensing a recurring trend here..."
This back and forth banter continued for a while until they came to golden statue of Mephisto, which Rin's eye twitched uncontrollably at the sight of... "Sometimes I wonder how I fathered such a demon..."
"I've wondered how you managed to even bed a demon to father one."
"... I hate you..." Rin muttered, before his ears perked up. He pointed off in the distance, "Do you mind checking over there, I think I sense something."
Hikaru just narrowed his eyes, before taking off, "Ok, fine, but don't take too long!" He yelled, as he ran off to the distance.
Rin just waited until he disappeared before he spoke, "You can come out now... You don't do a very good job at hiding your presence. Whoever you are." He yelled at the presence he sensed, which was much stronger than a regular ghost.
"Who? Yes..." The voice came from on top of the Mephisto statue, and Rin groaned at the voice. Of all things he had to meet, it had to be his weakest and most annoying son! He turned to face and low and behold, it was Amaimon... Seriously, what the hell was it with his kids and their weird fashion sense... It had to be Mephisto... or they were adopted...
Amaimon continued speaking, as he shoved a lollipop in his mouth, "I'm Amaimon, a demon king. I suppose you could call me your older brother. Pleasure to meet you." Admittedly, Amaimon was a bit curious. Mephisto didn't mention this Okumura could sense demons. "I hope you are prepared to fight."
Rin just chuckled, as he shrugged off his sword, and let his flames out. He can't go all out, since that would blow his cover as Satan, but he could stand to give Amaimon a fighting chance. "Get ready..."
With Bon and Yamada...
Bon wiped his head as the sun beamed down on him. Japan might not be a desert, but the heat of the sun combined with the humid environment tended to make the Japanese summer a real bitch... Plus... He looked towards Yamada, who only continued playing his game, and tch'd. "Would it kill you to look for real?!" Seriously, he couldn't believe this guy!
He was surprised however, when Yamada just suddenly looked up, as if detecting something, and even more surprised when Yamada actually put his handheld in his hoodie's pocket. And then just plain scared when Yamada actually started running, and climbed up the roller coaster's emergency ladder.
Back with Yukio and Shiemi...
The ghost who was having fun earlier, was now currently running (floating?) away in fear, as a slightly crazed Yukio, after being humiliated in a funhouse, spun in a swirly cup ride, and his glasses stolen, was chasing after it, somehow having pulled an RPG from somewhere, and firing in its general direction, while Shiemi was just trying to keep up.
Back to the eagerly awaited event...
Amaimon looked in awe at the blue flames that surrounded Rin's body. How long had it been since he had seen those wondrous blue flames! The flames of the King! But... "Huh... Aniue said that your flames were sealed in the sword, but you seem to be capable of using them without drawing the sword..." He droned on monotonously. "So both your body, and your flames are in Assiah, when really your flames should be in Gehenna..." He paused, trying to think on that.
"Just shut up and fight!" Rin yelled, as he jumped up and, landed a smashing kick on statue Mephisto's head, completely breaking it off, while Amaimon gracefully dodged.
"On, no... Aniue's head!" Amaimon said, watching the statue's head fall to the ground.
"Oy! Are you here to fight or not!" Rin yelled, obviously annoyed. Although he had to hold back for now, it's been so long since he actually had a good fight!
"Of course, I was bored, so I came by to play."
"Huh?" Satan did suppose most fights were like children's play to his line. They were the strongest in Gehenna after all...
Amaimon did another back flip, and got to higher ground, giving him a tactical advantage. "Alright, since we're in an amusement park, let's amuse ourselves to the fullest!" He snapped his fingers, and Rin looked in confusion as all over the park, various park rides turned on, such as the one Amaimon was on, the aptly named, "Go To Hell" roller coaster, and began moving.
Everyone looked on in the park, as various mechanical and musical sounds kept playing, and to the fortune of the ghost, Yukio was stopped from taking aim with his RPG as Prof. Tsubaki called to find out who turned the power on. The ghost wisely decided to slip away at that time, with Shiemi running after it, while Yukio was distracted. She reflected on the ghost's behavior, how it mentioned it was sick, and its playful attitude. 'Could it be...' She thought. 'Could it be that he's just like me...' A big smile broke out on her face. 'If that's the case...'
"All righty! You little rascal! Get over here!" She yelled as she took off running, her spirits fully into this.
"Hm... I suppose you do have some style..." Rin muttered, as he looked at the roller coaster taking off at full speed.
"Oh, I've also studied up on Japanese games." Amaimon said, as he started clapping and shaking his butt at Rin, "Oni-san, over here, towards the sound of clapping..."
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Rin yelled. Did that little bastard dare call him on ONI?! He was the god of Gehenna damn it! "Don't freaking insult me you bastard!" He yelled as he leapt forward.
Somehow, they ended up on the actual coaster track, Rin climbing up to face Amaimon.
"Come to think of it, I went to the seashore the other day..." Amaimon began, while Rin climbed up.
"Now what is my idiot son talking about now..." He muttered, unaware of the coaster coming up behind Amaimon, at least until Amaimon leapt up onto it, as he began plunging full speed towards Rin "Are you kidding me..."
"Ya ha! Surfing is fun!" Amaimon yelled, as Rin leapt up, to avoid getting squished. He was certain his regeneration could handle it, but getting reduced to a gelatinous mass wasn't fun. Of course, he was a little when it came to fighting, so when he leapt into the air, he left himself open to Amaimon, he appeared behind him.
"This is another game I learned." He said, as he flicked Rin's head, his demonic strength bashing Rin down the coaster, as he crashed through the metallic structure.
Bon gasping, and Yamada looked on at the smoke rising from the vantage point, as Bon asked, "What's up with that? What the hell is going on?" Yamada didn't answer, as he suddenly just leapt from the top of the coaster! "Agh!"
Rin crashed onto the main track below him, and he wasn't given any breathing room as Amaimon slammed him clean through that as well, punching him all the way down. "Hmm, I don't understand it. Why would Aniue become so obsessed with something like this?" And with a mighty punch, slammed Rin into the ground, then used his downwards acceleration to slam his knees full force into Rin's stomach.
While Shiemi was busy trying to get the ghost out of the ball pin it had gotten into, and Yukio was trying both to find them, and find the source of the crash, Amaimon just kept punching him, "Oh, and here I thought you were going to ease my boredom-ugh!" At least he was, until Rin suddenly grabbed him with an unholy amount of grip, something Amaimon didn't expect from him.
Rin's flames suddenly flared stronger, as Amaimon felt an unexpected pressure coming from him. "Heh he he he..." Rin started chuckling, as Amaimon admitted that he was more than a little bit creeped out. This attitude is completely different from the one he was dealing with earlier! Amaimon looked on as the twin horns on Rin's head fused into something akin to a flaming crown, and he was sent flying, as Rin slammed his fist into Amaimon's face, laughing all the same.
"Heh, I was going to go easy on you Amaimon, but you've pissed me off really quite well..." Rin said, as his smile grew more and more manic. Satan's eyes formed into their three-pronged spiral, as he let his usually well-repressed insanity out.
Amaimon's eyes narrowed, as he realized what Rin was saying. This boy was going easy on him! How dare he! He was a demon king! He was not going to stand for this! "How dare you... I am a demon king, I am Ama-Ugh!" He gasped as Rin suddenly slammed into him, knocking the air clean out of him.
Satan watched as Amaimon gasped for breath underneath him, and quickly raised both of his hands, and slammed them into Amaimon's exposed back, slamming Amaimon so hard into the ground that he bounced up, which Satan followed by smashing Amaimon between his knee and right elbow. He smiled as he heard bones crunching from that!
Amaimon collapsed to the ground, in pain, barely breathing due to his broken ribs, just wondering how this fight turned so quickly. He forced himself to turn, as he looked at this being that purported to be Satan's heir, who had so utterly destroyed him... "Ju-just, who are you..." He groaned out.
Satan leaned in close, his insanity quite apparent. To hell with appearances! "Ha ha! What's the matter Amai-chan! Don't recognize papa!" He burst out laughing, as Amaimon's eyes widened in fright.
"That's not possible! Yo-you vanished years ago!" Amaimon stammered out. His father had vanished years ago! There was no way this brat could be him! But... no one did know where he went... "Bu-but, I thought you couldn't enter into Assiah, Father!"
"Heh, so did I, but apparently not... Now," A great ball of flames appeared in his hand, which Amaimon could tell was incredibly concentrated flames. "If you know what's good for you, you'll keep this little bit a secret... Otherwise..." He held it closer to Amaimon's face. "I assume you've heard about what I did to Belial..." Amaimon nodded in terror, but he pushed his luck.
"But, Father... why don't you return to Gehenna?"
"I have a certain... agreement to honor, and staying in Gehenna would make keeping that agreement very difficult."
"Ha! You're weaker than I thought Fa- UGH!" Amaimon choked out, as Rin slammed his leg full force into Amaimon's chest, driving him deeper into the ground.
Satan's eyes narrowed in anger, as his tail flicked with annoyance. "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WEAKNESS FROM YOU! By far, you have been the most disappointing of all my children!" He slammed Amaimon even deeper into the ground, as he continued ranting. "No interest in your territories, no interest in undermining God! All you care about is the fight, and even then!" He lifted his leg up high, and brought it down with a CRASH! Smashing Amaimon so deep into the ground Satan wondered if he would ever dig himself out...
He picked up Kurikara, and walked a few steps, before finally collapsing, grabbing his chest. "Ow..." He heard a person land behind him as well, and turned to see Yamada behind, brandishing a purple sword. "Yo..." He muttered.
With Yukio and Shiemi a few minutes prior
Yukio had finally caught up to Shiemi, who was busy chasing the ghost in a ball pit. "Ms. Moriyama, please do be careful!" He ordered, having finally regained his sanity.
"Yay! Over here!" The ghost yelled, as he bounced around inside the bouncy, while Shiemi waded through the ball pit to get to him.
Yukio was about to get in as well, until a sudden tremor began shaking the entire amusement park. "An earthquake?" He muttered, until he noticed that the sky was getting darker. He looked up and saw that the earthquake had dislodged girders from the roller coaster, which were now falling towards him! With a sudden burst of energy, he jumped into the bouncy, just before they impacted.
Both he and Shiemi popped out from the ball pit, and Yukio noticed that she was holding the ghost. "What in the world happened?" Shiemi asked.
"Are you alright, Shiemi?" Yukio asked.
"Ah..." Shiemi replied, at least until she looked up, and saw the girders protruding from the bouncy's roof. "Eh?!" She yelled, as Yukio took note as well, and began herding his student out.
"Awesome! It's like a movie!" The ghost yelled excitedly.
"We're done playing tag for now!" Shiemi responded, while Yukio tried to clear a way. He couldn't guarantee her safety if a girder fell on them, even as the girders began falling down. However, both of them were unprepared for the girder falling all the way through, launching the contents of the ball pit out, including them.
"Shiemi!" Yukio yelled, while Shiemi screamed in fright.
"Help! Somebody save us!" She yelled, even as Nee formed a tree cage in a vain attempt to protect them. While Shiemi clutched the ghost tightly, trying to protect it, Yukio clenched Shiemi tightly, holding on to her, even as several tonnes of inflatable bouncy mixed with steel fell towards them.
All Yukio remembered was feeling a burst of heat, and waiting for the bouncy to crush them. 'Nii-san...' was the thought he last remembered. After some time, Yukio opened his eyes, and looked around for the bouncy, but he saw nothing around them but ashes, and melted remains. 'What happened?' He thought.
Shiemi got up as well, and looked around, "Yuki-chan... what happened?" She asked, even as the ghost floated around with joy.
"Awesome!"
"How can you laugh about it? We were just about to get killed!" Shiemi chided, while Yukio tried to figure out indeed what happened.
"So? I'm already dead!" The ghost eagerly shouted.
'That's another point for the ghosts...' Yukio muttered.
"Oh... But still..." Shiemi tried to figure out what to say.
"I was always sick, so I never got to play outside, I never got yelled at, and nobody ever picked me up!" He floated down, "So I really had a good time today! Thank you, Nee-chan!" He said, with a sincere smile on his face, and vanished.
"I guess we helped him finish his business..." Yukio said, as he prepared to call Prof. Tsubaki. Of course, he was left with the question, what happened?
Both of them never noticed Hikaru lurking behind the shadows of the pillar, lone eye glowing with power. "Interesting..." He muttered. However, there were other situations that also required his attention, pondering over the interactions he saw, even as he faded into the shadows.
Back with Rin and Yamada...
Rin was gasping, trying to catch his breath. Had it really been that long since he had a good fight? He was out of shape, and it didn't help Yamada was there lurking over him, holding a rather sharp looking sword. "Were you responsible for this?!" Yamada questioned, brandishing his sword, right hand held aloft, while directing the blade with his left.
"No..." Rin muttered, "It was a demon king... Called himself Amaimon."
"Lies!" Yamada said, "You're the only one wreathed in the flames of the king!"
Rin looked down and cursed. In his exhaustion, he realized that he had forgot to extinguish his flames. "You're wrong! There really was a demon king!" He tried to persuade him.
"Then where is he! I doubt an Exwire such as yourself could actually defeat a demon king!" Yamada questioned.
Rin bit his tongue, trying to figure out a response. "He's on his way to China!" He blurted out, even though Amaimon was actually currently entombed under them. "He uh... lost interest, said he didn't want to fight a weakling!" Silently though, Satan was weeping as the realization he had to say that...
"Do you actually think I'll buy that!" Yamada barked, as his position tensed. Rin realized he wasn't going to get out of this situation without a fight. Hopefully he can end this quickly, he thought, as he hid his hand behind him, and extended his claws, preparing to strike, even as Yamada thrust forward.
"There is no death; there is no life. Indeed, the skies are cloudless, and river waters clear." (2) A voice rang out, as Hikaru appeared between the two, blocking Yamada's sword, with some kind of staff made of darkness. Yamada backed off, even as Hikaru's weapon solidified, and the edge extended into a wicked blade, while he twirled it with artistic mastery, revealing a beautiful, if not deadly, scythe.
"You... You're the new student. Where did you get that scythe!" Yamada questioned.
"Same way you got that fancy blade. Besides, couldn't let you cut the guy. Saw the demon king run off myself." Hikaru lied smoothly. "Besides, we're about to have company." He said, as Rin silently hid his tail and extinguished his flames.
Yukio and Shiemi ran up, and examined Rin, as Yukio questioned his brother, "Are you alright, Nii-san?"
"Do I look alright?" Rin said, imagining he had a rather bruised face, although it should be gone in about an hour, with his healing.
"What happened?" Yukio asked, at least until they were interrupted.
"What took you so long, Yukio?" They all turned to see Yamada walking towards them, "Since you were taking your sweet time, I had to make a move myself!" He stopped, "It's been a long time."
"That voice... It can't be!" Yukio said, even as he remembered that voice.
"Huh?" Rin looked to Yamada."You're not Yamada?" A bit clueless.
"I've just about had it with these clothes too." Yamada sighed as he took off his jacket, revealing a tattoo on his stomach, and undid bandages wrapped around his chest, as he revealed that "he" was in fact a she, a fiery red head, and one with a rack even bigger than Shiemi's!
Rin nearly gagged as he saw that. What is it with people he meets being so well-endowed!
With Yuri...
Mephisto suddenly felt a shiver go down his spine as Yuri's smile suddenly grew a bit darker, and he saw a bit more of Yukio's angry smile in her than he wanted to. And he started sweating when Yuri somehow produced an automatic rifle out of nowhere as well. "Oh, Mephi-chan!~" She said, sing-songily. "~Run~" She said, as she pointed it towards him. 'Definitely bat-shit insane.' He thought, as he ran for his life.
Back to the group
The newly revealed "Yamada," smiled. "I was snet to investigate risk factors in the Japanese branch by the Vatican Headquarters of the Knights of the True Cross. I'm an upper-level Inspector. I'm Senior Exorcist First Class, Shura Kirigakure!" She said, as she produced her ID and pendant.
'Crap!' Rin thought, if the Vatican found him here...'
"Anyway..." Shura began with a smile, looking around at the destruction. "I'm taking this one to the Japan branch." She said, looking at Rin. "I also need to talk to the preceptor, Mephisto, so drag him to me if necessary." Shura bent down, and grabbed Rin, nearly suffocating him with her generous cleavage. "Alright you, get up! There are a million things I want to ask you, too."
Rin struggled in vain, part of wanting to get away, and part of him not wanting to. 'I swear God, if this is how I go, I don't whether to hate you or love you!' He thought, trying to get a breath.
"Uh... um... Rin is injured. Can't this wait till he's been treated?" Shiemi said.
"Oh, he'll be fine even without treatment. You still smell like milk, so step back." Shura said, as she dragged Rin off.
"Like milk?" Shiemi said, confused.
Yukio sighed as he walked over to where everyone else was waiting, after he had notified Prof. Tsubaki about the status of the mission. "Okumura-sensei, what the heck is going on?!" Bon said, posing the question on everyone' mind."
Yukio responded, "Today's mission is over. I'd like you all to go back to the dorms now."
"Oy! Hey! Let me go! I can't breathe, dammit! And I don't know whether to be angry or happy at this situation! Ow!" Rin yelled, as Shura dragged him by.
"What the hell? I'm jealous..." Shima said.
"Shima..." Konekomaru groaned.
"Wait a second... Who is that babe?" Shima realized.
"Isn't that Yamada? I mean, she's wearing boys' pants..."
"No way! Did Okumura get himself into another mess?" Bon groaned. This day was just getting complicated.
Izumo saw Shiemi running behind after Rin, and stopped her, "Oy! Shiemi! What's going on?" She demanded, trying to get answers.
"I'm not sure... but it's not Rin's fault.
"Huh?" Everyone said.
"Yo!" Came a voice from behind them, as they all jumped startled, revealing Hikaru behind them.
"Where did you come from?!" They all shouted, while he just smiled.
"Where are we going?" Rin demanded.
"Oh, that's right, you've never been to the base before?" Shura said, as Yukio got out his very large key ring and unlocked the door.
"Base?" He said, as he blinked in confusion, while the door opened, leading them to massive subterranean chamber, complete with water underneath, and giant vaulted roofing.
"It's the center of the Japan Branch of the Knights of the True Cross, under St. Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo." Shura explained. She just tightened her grip on Rin, and began walking.
"Our headquarters is located beneath St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, from where we oversee all branches around the globe." She said, as they continued walking.
Rin just looked on, wondering just how the Church managed to construct this building in secret, even as he looked at the tapestries depicting what he assumed were the crest of the order, two demons on either side of a red belt within which were the order's pendant, and some strange symbol.
"We have a long history. It's been our duty to exterminate monsters for nearly 2,000 years."
"Quite true." Shura stopped, at the voice of Mephisto, who Rin was surprised at, considering he was dressed fairly normal for once. Although... were those bullet holes? "Welcome to the Japan Branch of the Knights of the True Cross. It's been a long time, Shura. Who would've thought that you'd infiltrated the cram school as an inspector? I certainly had no way of knowing."
'Bull shit.' Was the thought of everyone there.
"Mephisto, let me get right to the point." Shura began, face set in a grim expression, "Why did you hide the existence of the son of Satan?"
Mephisto held his hands up, "Hide him? Far from it! It is all for the sake of the future of the Knights of the True Cross."
"Future, you say?" Shura said, eyes narrowed. Satan's eyes narrowed as well, as he tried to figure out the motives of his second eldest.
"We shall tame the son of Satan as a weapon for the Order. For the last nearly 2,000 years, we exorcists have only fought defensively. Now, suddenly, we have the chance to switch to attack mode."
Satan had to admit, he was impressed. Not only did Samael have a sound argument, he was also willing to use his own "family" to that extent. Although, he was looking forward to the despair that would be in his eyes when he found out the truth.
"You're not answering my question." Shura said, with an eerie smile, "I'm asking why you didn't report this to the Vatican."
"As you can see, his power isn't at its full potential. Surely the Grigori wouldn't be convinced by the sight of an unfinished project? The throne of Gehenna is empty! Consider the possibilities! We have control of the legitimate heir to the throne! If we could put him on there, the Knights could even control all of Gehenna, and put an end to this war!"
Satan's eyes narrowed. 'So that's your game Mephisto! You want to control Gehenna as well, using me as your puppet, to rule both Assiah and Gehenna!'
"I have one more question for you. Was Shiro Fujimoto also involved in this scheme of yours?" She said, an unknown look in her eyes, as both Rin and Yukio gave her rather sinister looks.
"There's no scheme! Until the flames grew overpowering, Fujimoto raised him. I was merely his guardian."
"I see..." Shura said, eyes shadowed by her fiery hair. "Either way, I'll be reporting this to the top. But before I do, I want to interrogate this kid, so I'll be using the Great Cell."
Mephisto raised his hand in the direction of the cell, "Please, do as you wish. You'll find him quite amusing." He said with a smile.
'I'm certain your ass will also find my boot amusing!' Satan muttered. He did NOT like being manipulated. Mephisto would pay for this later...
"Huh... you don't seem fazed, but I'll break you before we're through!" Shura said with determination. That was one of the things Mephisto liked about her. She was confident.
"Please wait, Shura! There's no point in interrogating my brother! Let me explain in his place!" Yukio interrupted. He wasn't about to allow Shura to hurt him!
"Still the same old Yukio in that sense, huh?" Shura leaned in close. "It's not good if you've only grown physically."
"What?"
"Good work! Go get some sleep!" She waved, as she dragged Rin off, almost as if to a funeral dirge, Yukio thought grimly.
Shura unlocked the Great Cell, and through Rin in there rather roughly, but he wasn't affected by it, considering that he had finally recovered.
"You sure went down meekly on the way over here." Shura said, with a grin.
Rin had his own grin, "Can't say I wanted to leave." His face grew serious though, "You knew Yukio and the old man?"
"Well, yeah. I was a disciple of Shiro Fujimoto's." Shura said.
"Disciple?" Rin said, for some reason, he had this image of Fujimoto next to Shura in a nun's outfit, and he couldn't quite figure out why. "You mean, you're a nun or something?"
Shura lowered her head a little bit, "Unfortunately, I've never once prayed to God in my life. That's because I've live in some pretty lousy places." Memories of a darker time, in a realm of darkness and despair, where the sun doesn't shine, surrounded by skulls impaled on spikes flashed by, even as a giant snake appeared, with a younger Shura, wielding her sword, on top, a wild and deranged look in her eyes. "But back when I was living just for the sake of surviving another day, there was a man who rescued me... that man was Shiro Fujimoto." She remembered fondly, as the silhouette of that man appeared in the moon, and with a giant shit-eating grin, even as her snake thrust toward him, pulled out a shotgun, aimed, and fired, all while smoking his cigarette. Suddenly she collapsed, gripping her shoulder in pain.
Rin just stood there, putting his hand on his hip, tilting his posture slightly. "That might have been convincing, if you had actually picked a fight." Rin said.
Shura just tsk'ed. He was smarter than she gave him credit for. Of course, she was unprepared when he just threw the Kurikara at her! "You wanted that, right?" He said, with that same grin on his face, even as he burst into flames.
'Blue flames! Meaning that Kurikara can no longer contain his power!' Shura thought. He might even be further along then Mephisto thought!
Flashback
At St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, considered the holiest site in all of Catholicism. "What, you want me to mentor that Four-Eyed Chicken?" A younger Shura questioned.
"No, I meant the other twin." A slightly younger Fujimoto said, "You'll find him quite amusing."
"huh? Why me?" Shura complained.
"Because you're an expert in wielding demon swords."
Shura looked up in concern, "You're going to give him a demon sword?" Shura yelled in concern. She knew all too well what should happen if one should lose control of that! Fujimoto just looked on with a serious face. "It would be insane to put a demon sword in a child's hands! You know that, don't you!"
"I do know that, but I have no choice. You do not understand what I tell you, but in time you will understand, everything has a purpose... and a place... That is what is ordained... And so... I want you to teach him how to use that sword." He bowed his head.
"Just look at you..." Shura said, a sneer on her face, "You, the powerful cool-headed, perfect exorcist! Are you getting scared, now that you're old?! First you abandon me... and now you're gonna dump that kind onto me?" She waited for a response but, Fujimoto changed nothing... "Tch, I expected better. Don't come here again! She yelled as she stomped off.
'Shiro... I really wanted to believe in you. You were the most powerful mentor I had...'
"Devour the Eight Princesses... Sever the Serpent." Rin looked on, as Shura's tattoo on her chest glowed purple, as Shura reached for it, and pulled out the purple blade that she had earlier.
"What the hell... Why would you point a sword at me?" Rin barked.
Shura slung the Kurikara over her back as she explained. "The day Shiro died, I received secret orders from the Vatican Headquarters in my capacity as an upper-level Inspector. Suspecting Shiro Fujimoto and Japan Branch Precept Mephisto Pheles were conspiring ever since the "Blue Night" 16 years ago, possibly shielding a Satan-related entity, I was sent here to investigate. And one more thing, if my conclusion was that the cover-up was indeed Satan-related, I had the go-ahead to eliminate it immediately. Shura said, tilting her blade as it caught the light, glinting off the savage blade.
"Exterminate?" Rin said. This wasn't good... He thought. How to get out of this without blowing his cover...
"I just saw your blue flames with my own eyes. Blue flames... namely, proof that you're the spawn of Satan."
'Technically... I am Satan, but I suppose she doesn't need to know that...' He thought.
"As ordered, I'm going to kill you. In other words, the disciple will clean up her mentor's mess." She tensed. "Kirigakure-style Demon Sword Technique... Serpent Fang!" She yelled, as she slashed through the air, creating blades of wind with the air pressure.
Outside, Yukio grunted as he heard the crash inside. "Ho? Sounds like the fun's begun." Mephisto said, as he slurped his tea. "No use in your going there. The Great Cell can only be unlocked by a Senior Exorcist." He lifted his cup up, "Why don't we all sit back and wait for the interrogation to end?" Yukio's teeth clenched, but there wasn't much he could do, besides hope that Shura didn't cut Rin up too much...
Inside, Rin looked at the slices in the wall from the blades that nearly missed him. This wasn't good... How could he defeat her without blowing his cover, and making sure that his skills aren't better than an Exwire his level should be! Shura just continued her assault, forcing Rin to keep moving, as he tried to avoid getting sliced up, as healing from that really just was not fun...
Meanwhile, Shura was just lost in her own thoughts, 'Shiro, just what were you doing? Turning your back on the Vatican and sheltering the son of Satan! Did your faith really mean that much to you! Was that your dying wish? That he be made into a weapon for the order? Is that what you put your life on the line for?'
Eventually one of the blades came close enough that Rin was forced to the ground, and recovered only in time to see Shura send him flying with a kick. "Talk about deluded! Even if I trained him, this good-for-nothing couldn't put a scratch on any upper level demon, much less Satan, wherever the hell he is..."
"What did you say!" Rin shut up though, when the blade was held to his face.
"You were senile, Shiro. To give up the battle and cling to an impossible hope..."
Rin just clenched his fists and burst into flame, "I may have had my disagreements with him... but, he made sure that I could carry out a promise I made! I'm in his debt for that! I don't care if you were his disciple, I won't allow that kind of disrespect! I owe him that at least!" He roared, memories of Astaroth stabbing through Fujimoto, that way he could keep his promise to protect Yukio. He hated being in debt to anyone, and he hated having to defend that person even more! But...!
He charged forward, attacking with his fists, dodging Shura's strikes, while trying to get his own in. He had figured screw appearances. If he was going to fight, he was going to fight! It was an artistic dance of death, each trying to get advantage of the other, one attacking with her sword, the other with leaps and bounds.
Shura leapt back to get an breather, as she looked on. 'Jeez, this kid isn't as bad as I had thought him to be... He's a natural at this... No wasted movement, trying to do what he can to stay on the back of my blade...' Her eyes narrowed, he might be even better than Mephisto thought... That being said... She held her blade forward.
"Kirigakure-style Demon Sword Technique, Rattle!" She yelled, as astral snakes surrounded her, and thrust forward, extinguishing Rin's flames just for a moment, giving her enough time to react, as she jabbed forward, and pierced Rin's shoulder all the way through with her sword.
Rin was quite in agony, although he had half a mind to wipe this bitch off the face of the air, appearances be damned! "I can't die here..." He said, as he grabbed the blade, much to Shura's shock, "I made a promise... that I would keep Yukio safe, no matter what, and I don't care who the enemy is... the Knights, God, even other demons... I'll plow through them all, if it means he's safe."
"Tch, that's your goal, protecting your little brother?" Shura asked.
"I'll do whatever it takes, even if it means I have to become the insufferable Paladin! I WILL keep that promise!" Rin yelled.
"A Paladin? Don't make me laugh you brat!" Shura yelled back.
'You'll find him amusing.' The words of both Shiro and Mephisto echoed through her mind, as she lowered her sword, and started laughing.
Rin just blinked, and stared, as if she had grown a second head. Why does he keep finding bat-shit insane women... 'I am so confused as to what the hell is going right now...' He thought.
Shura looked down with a shit-eating grin, "You were right... He's amusing... This kid."
'Damn right I'm amusing! I'm Satan, bitch!' He thought, but wisely refrained from saying, for multiple reasons.
"No, actually, maybe the ridiculous one is me..." Shura snapped her fingers, as the gate of the Great Cell opened. She threw Kurikara back to him. 'Shiro, it wasn't a weapon that you raised... It was a brother for Yukio...'
Infirmary...
"Ouch! That stings! Can't you be more gentle!" Rin yelled. As fun as fighting was, medicine still hurt like a bitch! Couldn't he just let his normal healing handle this!
Yukio pulled back from Rin's bandages, even as he looked at the scar Neuhaus had given him. "What in the world happened?"
"Oh, it was nothing much..." Rin said.
Yukio paused for a bit, then spoke up again, "Nii-san, thanks for the help at the bouncy."
Rin blinked in confusion, "What are you talking about? What bouncy?"
Now Yukio was confused, "Bu-, weren't you there, with Shiemi, and the ghost?"
"No, I was at the coaster. Are you feeling alright, Yukio?" Rin asked, slightly concerned.
"Never mind... it's nothing." Yukio said. What happened out there... he wondered. Both turned at a sudden knock, to see Hikaru at the door.
"Yo! Just thought I'd check in on you two! Rin was my partner today so I thought I'd just see how things went! You got pretty banged up today!" He said, cheerfully. "Anyway, good night!" And with that, as soon as he entered, he left. Yukio had to admit, he was just like a ghost, whoever he was. He should look into that...
"Anyway, Nii-san, I suppose he's right. We should be getting ready to go to sleep." Yukio said, putting these things at the back of his mind.
"Sure." Rin said, as he put his shirt back on. Honestly though he wasn't going to spend his time sleeping though, it had been a long day, and he really needed to devil tonight, and he was going to make sure he did!
Mephisto's house
Mephisto read the file report, as he looked at Shura, with his usual shit-eating grin, "I'm going to hold off on reporting to the Vatican for now, but I'm going to stay to keep an eye on Rin, so please find a position for me at the Japan branch." Shura said.
Mephisto smiled, as he shut the report. "Very well. Needless to say, it is quite reassuring for us to have such an able exorcist as yourself in our midst."
"Huh... We're done here." Shura said, as she got up.
"Oh, leaving already? But I have the finest green tea ice cream that I ordered from Uji, Kyoto..."
"Mephisto... Just what is it that you're really plotting?" Shura turned around.
"I only desire peace for humans and Assiah. To attain that, I have abandoned Gehenna and reside in this world, remember?"
"Since you're a demon, the higher-ups don't trust you, and don't you forget that." Shura countered, walking off.
Mephisto sighed, tick mark on his head, honestly, today had not been a good day, first Yuri nearly murdered several different times, his head on his statue was broken, now he had to move his time table up, and... where the hell is Amaimon?!
Mepphyland
Repairs had ceased on Mepphyland for the day, and no one paid attention to the giant crater in the ground. Perhaps fortunately. Very slowly, and methodically, a hand dug through the rubble and gravel, and slowly, painfully, with great difficulty, Amaimon dragged himself out, even though he was battered and bruised. For once, he wasn't thinking about sugars, or fighting for once. He was looking down, his eyes shadowed by his hair, as memories flashed through his mind.
Lucifer: "No wonder you're the weakest of the Baal."
Mephisto: "Although you are the weakest of the Baal, you still can do some damage..."
Satan: "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WEAKNESS FROM YOU! You are by far, the most disappointing of all my children!"
Amaimon clenched the ground beneath, even as he ground his teeth together. "I... am not weak..." He said, fists clenching even tighter, as the ground began to shake. "I'm show them... I'll show them all... I'll show them, I AM NOT WEAK!" He yelled, as giant tremors began to rake the entire park. Amaimon's eyes showed up, glowing a deep red, even as they formed into a three-pronged spiral, as he shouted his rage to the night.
With Satan...
Satan stood on the top of the True Cross tower, taking in the fresh night breeze. He just loved it, the feeling of the wind on his face, the feeling of the bricks beneath his feet, this is what Assiah was, this was what he had desired for so many years, so many eons. After so long, he finally had it! 'Yuri, it's because of you... it's because of you my dream came true, so... I'll keep that promise... but now...' He thought, and with that, he jumped, hopping from building to building. There was a particular source of despair he had found, traced from the amusement park. The ghost had left him such a delectable trail, he couldn't resist!
He came to a particular building, and crouching with catlike ability, out of sight on the windowsill, he looked inside. He saw a father watching over his daughter, kissing her goodnight. The daughter did not look particularly well, although it looked like she enjoyed her starry pajamas. He didn't help but notice that there was an empty bed next to her, one that hadn't been used in a while from the looks of it. The father looked at his daughter sadly, before casting a mournful glance at the empty bed, as he shut the door. He quickly kissed his wife good night, and grabbed his keys. Normally, work would be closed, but... he had to head to the lab.
He drove off to his job, one of the top medical research laboratories in the world, researching in particular genetic diseases. Unbeknownst to him, he never suspected the very real danger following him. He arrived, unlocking the door, and walking in, to quickly get to work. He was researching a specific type of blood disease, and so far, they were having some luck, but... He wished their fortune had come sooner.
He began looking at some samples, hoping, praying if there was any deity out there, that something would happen, something that would work. This blood disease, it caused fatigue, oxygen depletion, and eventually total organ failure. It had already claimed the life of his son. He was always so fragile... they could never pick him up, or take him anywhere, no matter how much he wanted to. And it was only a matter of time before it claimed his daughter as well. He lamented that they had to be born twins, then perhaps only one might have had to bear that curse but still, he had to try, for her sake!
After several hours of failed research, time and time again, no matter what he tried he always seemed to fall short! His daughter was the love of his life, and he would do anything for her!
"Anything, you say?" He turned around, and saw a teen of probably 15 or 16, but something was off...
"Wh-who are you? How did you get in here? This is a secure facility!" He asked, but the boy just chuckled.
"You've reached the end of your rope, haven't you? Most likely have a daughter who needs help." He said.
His blood began to run cold... Just who was this kid?! How did he know these things?!
"What if I told you... I could help?" The boy looked him in the eyes, and with terror, he realized that his eyes were glowing red, and he saw the tail flitting around behind him. 'This boy... isn't human...' He thought.
"Indeed you're right! And because of that, I can do quite a few things humans can't! Raise the dead, read the mind, even..." His smile grew, "Cure sicknesses..."
His eyes widened as he realized what this boy said, "Cu-cure sickness? Are you telling the truth?"
"Now why would I lie? But of course, all it takes is a favor for a favor."
The man was hesitant, on the one hand, it was for her, but on the other, could he trust this... thing?
The boy held out his hand, "I can give you the knowledge on how to save her... All I require in return... is your life." He grinned, "Your choice."
The man thought for while, sweat pouring down his face. "Yo-you're not lying are you?" His hand twitched.
"Nonsense. You have my oath, you will be given that knowledge, and you know what, I'll even reunite you with your son as well!" The boy said, hand still outstretched.
The man, his eyes widened as he realized what this... being offered him, his son, his daughter! Slowly, surely, his hand reached toward's the boy's and-
"Nii-san!" Rin stirred from his sleep, as Yukio shuffled around.
"Yukio... what time is it?" Rin slurred out, as he entombed himself in his blankets.
"Early. I'm having to head on a mission early, so you need to make sure to get yourself up for class. Don't be late." Yukio chided, as he took off, turning their light off.
He never saw Rin get up, a great smile on his face. Pupils glowing bright red, so bright it seemed as though they lit up the whole room a hellish red. He chuckled.
"I love being the devil."
"φθόνῳ δὲ διαβόλου θάνατος εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον, πειράζουσιν δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ τῆς ἐκείνου μερίδος ὄντες"
"Invidia autem diaboli mors introivit in orbem terrarum: imitantur autem illum qui sunt ex parte illius."
"But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are allied with him experience it."
Wisdom 2:24
"λογισμοὶ δικαίων κρίματα κυβερνῶσιν δὲ ἀσεβεῖς δόλους."
"Cogitationes justorum judicia, et consilia impiorum fraudulenta."
"The plans of the just are right: the designs of the wicked are deceit."
Proverbs 12:5
And there you have it! Satan is evil, isn't he... Told you you'd probably hate him.
Notes:
(1) This is the hierarchy held by the Book of Enoch, for simplicity, I'm just going to use it, as there are a few different formulations of that formula.
(2) This is called a Jisei. It's regarded as a poem one writes before their death. This one was written by Taiheiki Toshimoto.
Now, since things have gotten harder to me to write as often as I used to (growing up's a pain. For my younger readers, take life slowly, day by day. You only have one shot!), I'm going to start shifting my writing to basically whenever, which isn't that helpful, but I promise, it will be better.
Now, to make up for that, I have a small gift for you. Since some of you might have noticed that this is now a series, I'm going to post the arcs of the series, and the corresponding story. WARNING, IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THE IDEA OF THE PLOT SECRET, JUST KEEP SKIP THIS PART. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Here we go:
Arcs:
True Cross Academy Arc: Paradise Acquired
Training Camp Arc:
Impure King Arc:
Illuminate Arc:
Exorcist Exam Arc: (undecided on what I'll do with this, depending on how the manga processes)
[It's a secret!] Arc: (that isn't the name, it would give away the crossover!) Hell Rising: (Crossover)
Tzadikim Nistarim Arc:
The Twelve Apostles Arc:
Doom Arc:
Sengoku Arc: The Warring Feudal States (crossover)
The Virgin Mary Arc: The Return of the Sun (crossover)
The Return of the Goddess of the Sun Arc:
Sheol, Land of the Dead Arc: The Apocalypse
Roma Aeterna Arc:
Armageddon Arc:
So there you have it, there's the storyline so far! Some of the titles are subject to change, but I am also open to fan opinion if there is a specific story line you are open to. (i.e. several ideas might be a crossover with Young Justice, mainly because I love that series and think it would add another dimension, because lets face it, Batman makes everything better, Percy Jackson, or the Kane Chronicles, because why not add more deities to cause trouble, but I digress).
Also, I have three requests of you, my loyal fans. I'm gonna open a poll on this when I finally figure out how it works, and it's whether or not I should get a Facebook page for my profile. It's up to you all though, if I decide to do that.
Next, because my writing is influenced by you the readers, you have probably noticed by now I go a bit deeper into the Roman Catholic influence in this anime, and why not? You're dealing with 2,000 years of history, philosophy, and theology there! It's a veritable goldmine of inspiration! That being said, you have probably noticed the updates where I've included Scripture and parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If there's any aspect you're ever curious about, let me know, and I'd be happy to find a way to work it in, especially since I try to find a way to tie to the story.
Finally, 70,000 plus words in, I think I have finally come to a point to request this, from my loyal fans! I humbly request fanart, because I would love to see what images this story evokes in your minds. Consider it as your inspiration inspires me! I might even make a contest out of it, depending on how things go! I hope you all consider this!
Thank you all so much for your patience! Please review, or else I'll send Satan after you (and not the fun one)... Cheers!
Shinigami
"Behind the disobedient choice of our first parents lurks a seductive voice, opposed to God, which makes them fall in to death out of envy. Scripture and the Church's Tradition see in this being a fallen angel, called "Satan" or the "devil." The Church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God:'The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing.'"
Catechism of the Catholic Church: 391