The Evil Inside
Author's note
Starting writing this a while back but I didn't mean for it to end up being this long but oh well. J
Chapter 9: Levitate my soul
Salvador's POV
"But General!" I shouted, he did not turn around. "Father!"
My father sighed and turned to me. "I've explained before, we cannot help them."
"But why? I get the history stuff but taking Demon afterwards is still changing history right? Why else won't we help them?" I asked, confused.
"History does not play a part in this. We won't help because we can't." He stated and, startled, I stepped back a bit.
"Why, what's stopping us? We are the highest ranking spirits in our realm, how can we not stop a lousy Soul Eater?" I replied.
"Demon takes the form of a dark mist in the mortal worlds." The general started. "However, if it is in battle, it takes a solid form that can regenerate unless it is beaten in a specific way. But, as it is in the dream realm it can easily disappear from us and we cannot catch it."
"Well then, how do we beat it?" I asked.
"We can only defeat Demon when it has been beaten by the other 'players' of its game. If it wins one of the early rounds then the soul inside the possessed body will slowly be consumed and then Demon discards the useless form. However, if it loses the final fight then it appears in the mortal world as a solid and powerless form for 2 weeks allowing us to obtain it and keep it here." My father explained as he stepped forward and put a hand on my shoulder. "My son, I did not tell you this because it is something the higher, trustworthy ranks only know. Now, I think you are trustworthy and will not trade your light for darkness but the council do not. Do you understand why I didn't tell you and why you cannot repeat this?"
"Yes father, I understand." I replied and bowed to our general. Doesn't mean I want to help any less.
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Leo's POV
"Come, my sons, sit and let us meditate to help your brother." We joined our Sensei and sat upon the floor.
I remember Sensei telling me about entering the dream realm. About how you have to have a strong connection to the person you are searching for. I just hope our bond is strong enough to find Mikey.
My eyes shut and the search began.
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I felt something touch my arm and startled I immediately opened my eyes only to find a leaf. A leaf? What is a leaf doing in the … house? Looking up, I saw I was surrounded by enormous, tall trees that towered over me. I was also sat in a pool of long grass almost up to my neck. Standing up, I noticed the sky was black yet there was still light. However, everything was a shade of grey, apart from the sparkling lilac leaves of the forest.
I remember my mission and circling on the spot saw none of the others. I wonder where they are. Sensei said we can find each other through our bonds, maybe if I …
"Yes!" I shouted as a small light appeared in the centre of my cupped hands. It floated upwards and glowed before slowly flying away in the opposite direction. I began to follow it.
As I walked through the forest I saw no animals there was the sound of birds chirping and singing but there weren't any in the trees. A breeze flew against me and it felt off. It felt stale as if it was fake and almost as if it was burning my skin.
In the distance I saw a lake, it looked beautiful but there was something odd about it. It was grey like the rest of the forest and there seemed to be multiple things floating on the water. When I finally got closer to the lake, I saw the objects clearer.
I felt panic rise in me as I stared at the multiple dead fish bobbing at the surface of the glistening pool, their bodies mangled and scorched. I struggled to calm myself down and I heard a small bang. Looking at my light I saw it spark and burn out, leaving a small, silver pebble to fall from its place to the ground only to blend with this world as if it was never something with a purpose.
I turned to my right and was shocked at the scenery. There before me was a mountain range, glowing pink, purple and blue. The sky was sapphire and the grass was a vibrant green and cut short. It was odd though because there seemed to be a line cutting off the grey from the light. The lake from before extended through the line but turned completely clear, the bed of the pool was a bright white and the fish within it were all different colours. One fish swam past the line and as soon as its tail glided through, the fish paused and immediately floated belly up to the surface like the rest.
"Maybe the others are on that side?" I asked myself aloud as I walked to the other side. Putting my hand out, I expected to feel a nice warm breeze and the glow of the sun but instead felt nothing … or something. I could feel pressure against my palm but there was no barrier. Nothing was there to stop me however, I couldn't push through.
I jumped suddenly as thunder clapped and huge grey clouds formed above me, as I turned I knocked the pebble that was once my guide into the lake. I heard a hiss and looking at the pebble I saw it fizz away to nothing.
"Acid." I whispered and looked up. "Acid rain!" Panicked again, I tried to reform my light but each time it sparked, burnt out and fell as a pebble. "Okay … calm. It won't work if you're not calm." I took deep breaths and tried again, this time it stayed and glowed brighter than before. "Take me to safety, fast." I ordered and the light zoomed off, quickly, I took after it.
As we ran through the forest, the trees and plants around me began to wilt and the ground started to sink in certain areas as the rain set in.
Terror coursed through me as I thought about the agonising pain I'd be in if I was caught in the storm and the light started to fade. "No, no, no! Stay light, stay!"
We took a sharp turn left where a few metres away was a wall. The light cracked and dissipated its glow, falling to the ground. "No!" I shouted. "This isn't safe, it's a damn wall!" Panicked, I tried again to make a new light but none of my attempts would take full form in my hands, all sparking before being completed.
The clouds began to circle me and defeated I fell against the wall but as I did, I heard an echo. Surprised, I looked back at the wall but there was no entrance. I walked cautiously to the other side and to my shock, there was an opening to a cave. Confused, I ran to the edge of the wall and looked at both sides. A tunnel leading somewhere but going nowhere. "Screw it!" I shouted as I remember the storm and ran into the entrance. Expecting to hit the stone, I instead fell forwards onto the ground. Quickly, I scrambled to a seated position and watched as the rain began to pour and burn the land I was once stood on.
Something rested on my left shoulder and I jumped up. Reaching for my katana, I drew it from its holster and held it at the figure's neck.
"Woah, Leo! Calm down." Raph said and I breathed a sigh of relief as I lowered my weapon.
"There you guys are." I stated. "I woke up by myself in some forest. It took ages for me to get out and I was almost caught in that acid rain."
"We were wondering where you were." Donnie began as he and Sensei stepped forward. "We woke up just outside of the wall. When we saw you weren't there, Sensei suggested we wait in here for you."
"You must've been lead away by another spirit, Leonardo. But you are here now, let us continue." Sensei said and with that, we followed him to the light at the end of the tunnel.
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Mikey's POV
I felt a heavy pressure on my wrists. My eyes opened and I examined the area. I was in some sort of cavern, there was stone all around me and drops of water fell from the ceiling leaving stalagmites to form below. I tried to move my arms but found that they were chained from my wrists to the wall holding me just slightly off the ground.
"I see you're awake."
My eyes quickly shot to a dark tunnel to my right where Demon emerged from.
"Where am I? Where are my brothers? What happened to me?" I demanded, straining against my chains as I did so.
"That's a lot of questions." Demon said and I scowled. "Since I'm in a good mood, I'll answer them. Let's see, your family have managed to make it here although one may have been disintegrated. And you were laughing because I was making you see things, plus it was fun watching the others freak out." Demon chuckled as it broke a stalagmite off the floor and began to analyse it.
"Dude, what is your problem?" I asked. "Why do you like tormenting people?!"
"Because it's fun." Demon answered, it turned and smiled at me. "It's not any different from what you do. I've seen you prank and constantly annoy your brothers. Isn't that all it was … a prank?"
"No! That's um different!" I shouted, lowering my head a bit.
"Is it?" Demon continued. "Michelangelo. Dear Michelangelo. I've been inside your head. I've seen your pranks. You pull those sort of stunts all the time."
"It's not the same thing!" I screamed again, getting more and more frustrated. I don't do it to cause my brothers misery!
"We are the same, that's why you were perfect for the marking." Demon stated and my eyes widened.
"What? What does that mark mean?! What do you mean?!" I was panicked now. We are not the same! We are not the SAME!
"Anyway, I can't do what I want to do without your brothers." It said.
"Why? What do you want to do?" I asked, focusing on lowering my anxiety.
"Because it won't be as much fun." Demon spun around and threw a sharp piece of stalagmite right at me. I flinched and braced myself for the pain but as I opened my eyes, I saw the piece embedded into the rock right next to my head. "But I'm bored now, so I think I'll start early." The chains on my wrists disappeared as Demon clapped and I fell to my knees.
"Get up." It ordered as it stood in a defensive position. Somehow my nunchucks were in their holsters but I didn't question it. Grabbing them, I stood up and prepared to right.
Demon lunged for me and, claws out, aimed to slash at me but I smirked and quickly brought my chucks up to block it. I didn't see its left hand come up before it swiped. The hit sent me falling backwards and to the floor and I brought my hand up to feel 3 large, bleeding cuts on my right cheek. I could feel the blood dripping down my face but that was the least of my worries.
"You know what?" Demon began. "I'd rather fight when you're brothers are here, it'll be much more fun." I growled and began to stand up. "Shall we make you more presentable then because I'm sure it'll be a lot more interesting to see the looks on their faces?
Suddenly chains extended from the wall, wrapping around my wrists and dragging me backwards until I was flung into the wall, leaving a strong stinging sensation down my back. Demon walked forward and ripped my kusarigama from me. It smirked, lifted its arm up and I shouted in pain as it sliced the top of my leg. My eyes widened as I realised what it meant by presentable.
I cried out as it repeated the action over and over, laughing and grinning maniacally as it did so. Before stopping suddenly and dropping my bloody weapon to the ground.
"I believe our guests will be arriving soon." It stated and walked to the other side of the cavern to lazily sit against one of the larger rocks as it waited. I hissed in pain as I moved slightly. That little session had left me with a variety of sized cuts across both my arms and legs. I looked a mess and I knew how my brothers would act when they got here. Exhausted, I allowed myself to go limp and just hang there. The movement hurt but the bliss it brought made it worth it.
"Mikey!" I heard someone shout. Well, that little bit of peace didn't last long. I slowly lifted my head to see my brothers and father in the entrance of the cave, staring at me in horror, before quickly running over to me.
"Stop!" I weakly shouted. "Behind you." They stopped and turned away from me.
"Hi there." Demon greeted happily, smiling politely.
"I'm gonna kill you!" Raph threatened and began to stalk forward until Leo put his arm out.
"Demon, let our brother go." Leo stated and stepped forward, katana out and in an offensive stance.
"See Michelangelo, don't they just make it more fun?" Demon acknowledged and I managed to send a dark look its way. "But anyway, even if I wanted to, he's marked. I can't reverse that."
"Why did you mark him in the first place?" Donnie asked stepping to join our brothers.
"That, my dear Donatello, I will explain momentarily. Now that you are all here, we can start the game … well … except you." Demon pointed a clawed hand at Sensei and a black substance leaked from the cracks in the ground quickly surrounding and securing our master.
"Sensei!" We shouted. "Let him go!" Leo demanded, katana, sais and naginata glistening.
"No, he can't help you. It's the rules." Demon stated, looking pretty smug.
"What rules?!" Raph ordered as he spun his sai in his hand.
"Well, the rules are: one, only people who have been possessed can fight. Two, my powers are limited for the battle. Three, the right continues until you shatter – basically, your soul is weakened but your body is fine – or until I shatter. Four, if you win, I leave you alone and end up stuck in the mortal world for 2 weeks with no powers and no harming ability. Finally, five, if I win I take your souls and as for Michelangelo … he becomes a Soul Eater like me." Demon finished, laughing at my expressions. I would become like it?!
"What?! Why Mikey?!" Leo shouted.
"Yeah, why our little brother?!" Raph said as both he and Donnie scowled at Demon.
"Because I marked him." Demon stated as if it was an obvious everyday thing. It was still leaning against the rock with that smug look on its face.
"But … why me?" I asked, hesitantly. "I'm glad it's not my brother but why specifically me?"
"As I already told you, Michelangelo, we're the same, we-" Demon paused as I cut in.
"We are the same!" I shouted, sick of hearing that phrase. "We are not! I don't wanna hurt people! I don't wanna cause misery to others!"
"But Michelangelo, your personality is the perfect template for a Soul Eater. You'll get used to it in time but you're mischievous and like to prank and annoy others which makes you the best choice." Demon reasoned, grinning.
"I don't care! I don't want to become more like you than I already am!" I retorted.
"So you admit it." Demon teased.
"I admit that my actions are similar but not my intentions." I stated, still trying to get comfortable as I moved in my chains.
"No, no Michelangelo." Demon began. "You have a potential for darkness within you. I know about the dream."
"What?! You know? How?" I shouted. How does it know about the dream?! Does that meant it was real?!
"What dream?" Leo asked and turned slightly towards me.
"Well-" Demon began.
"No! Shut up! Don't tell them!" I shouted as I struggled and pulled against my chains.
"Michelangelo here wanted to keep-"
"No! Shut up!" I screamed and pulling forwards I snapped my chains. As I fell to the floor, I immediately scrambled backwards once I had caught sight of the golden light radiating from me. But my panic turned to humour as I looked up and saw the look on Demon's face. I laughed and clutched my stomach, however, I didn't notice the light slowly darkening.
"But … what … how?!" Demon shouted and still chuckling I stood and slowly stalked towards it.
"Mikey?" Donnie asked but as he stepped forward to grab my arm, I sent a quick glare his way and he retracted his hand. Leo put both arms out and pushed Raph and Donnie back in line with him.
"Guys, don't touch him. Sensei told me about this. He's tapped into his chi spirit, like Demon did earlier, and the light emitting from him is pure energy." Leo explained as we made eye contact.
"That's right Leonardo, however, I wouldn't call it a light, it seems to be getting darker." I smiled and gave in to the intoxicating temptation of evil. "Demon, you threatened me and beat me with my own weapon but I have the upper hand now." I slowly raised my arm and watched as Demon began to float in the air before letting my arm go limp and allowing Demon to crash to the floor. "Now, how do you know about the dream?"
"You forget, Michelangelo, I was inside your head, I saw it." Demon said, smugly.
"Seriously, Mikey, what dream?!" Leo asked again.
"Stay out of it, Leonardo!" I shouted as I turned and glared at him. "Or I'll make you." Leo's eyes widened and he stepped back slightly with the others.
"See Michelangelo, I told you that you have the perfect personality to be a Soul Eater." My piercing stare snapped back to Demon as I growled and lifted it into the air, slamming the being into the roof of the cave.
"Stop saying that." I threatened, lowly and Demon fell back to the floor, this time landing on its feet.
"No." It smiled and laughed at me.
I felt rage build up inside and a grey mist clouded my vision.
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Leo's POV
I watched in shock as Mik""ey's dark form emerged from the smoke as the orange swirled wolf. It growled as its fur darkened to black and snapped its jaws at Demon causing the shadow to jump.
"Shouldn't have angered him Demon. Mikey's pretty chill but if you strike a nerve he can have a worse temper than me." Raph taunted.
Suddenly the wolf span round and barked at us, baring its teeth and stalking forward.
"Woah, Mikey! What are you doing? It's us!" Donnie pleaded, his hands out as a sign of anti-aggression.
The wolf growled again and turned back to Demon. Charging forward, the wolf lunged and sunk its teeth into Demon's shoulder before being knocked backwards and into the rock next to it. Demon's eyes glowed a deeper red and the bite on its shoulder stayed instead of regenerating.
We heard a whimper and looked at Mikey to see him limping over to Demon.
"Mikey, let us help you." Donnie begged but a quick glare from the wolf gave him his answer.
"How are you so powerful against me? I'm a spirit you're just a mortal?!" Demon shouted angrily but you could see the panic edging onto its face as it realised there was a chance it wouldn't win.
"You said it yourself, Soul Eater." The wolf stated in a distorted, lower pitched version of Mikey's voice. "I'm just like you aren't I?"
Before Demon had the chance to respond, the dark wolf ran forwards, snarling and emitting a black glow, and pinned Demon to the ground.
"You tried to tell my family about my dream, you threatened me but that helped me see." The wolf sneered, lowering its head closer to Demon's. "We are the same." Suddenly, its jaws snapped right at Demon's chest. The being howled in pain and screeched, its thousands of voices crying out in pain before its eyes shut and it went limp.
"Wow, Mikey." Raph stared. "You killed Demon." Raph walked towards the wolf and placed his hand on its back.
The wolf, however, un-expectantly spun round and aimed to bite Raph's hand. My arm stretched out and I pulled Raph back. Mikey was limping in a circle sounding a mixture of whines, barks and growls and shaking his head.
"He's lost control." I stated. "That's why he was growling at us before, his chi spirit is misguided."
"What does that mean?" Raph asked as we backed away.
"It means that Mikey is struggling to control his emotions and recognise who he is supposed to be fighting." I explained.
"Well what're we gonna –" Donnie began but paused as a bright, white light filled the room.
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Mikey's POV
What's going on? Did I beat Demon? Is it gone? I don't know what's happening?
Something rested on my back and I spun round to grab it. Danger, danger! What is that? What is it? I'm so confused, I don't know what to do.
Three blurred figures stood before me and I panicked. They're gonna attack me. Threat! They are a threat! Wait! No! I don't know what they are. No! They could hurt me. But what if they don't? But what if they do? Ugh, why am I so panicked?!
A blinding light filled my vision and I stopped pacing and looked at the source. Fear shot through me and I ran at the being.
"Oh, Michelangelo, what has that Soul Eater done to you?" The glowing form pitied but my speech had gone and the only sound that came out was a bark. I jumped but before I bit it, the figure placed a hand on my head and whispered 'sleep' and my vision went black.
Author's Note
For clarification, Sensei can see the battle but the substance has hardened over every part of him other than his eyes and nose. Also, you won't find out what the dream was because it links to a story that I'm writing and it's gonna be the main focus point of it. Anyway, that was the second to last chapter and I hoped you enjoyed it, please follow, favourite and review.
Wolfangel33 xx