Chapter 26. Moving on


Poch laid on his bed on his side, looking at nothing, eyes empty and depressed. Jack sighed and left the room. "Just like those years ago alright." He told the other exterminators. They returned to base first before the others, Albest having taken them home, staying back to investigate the area.

"Did you take his dagger away?" Shelly asked.

"Yeah. They're in the radio room. Don't know what to do with the one in the lobby though."

Stolas's gate opened up in the lobby. He and the I.M.P. group walked in with Loona running up to the exterminators when she saw them.

"Where's Poch!?" She asked.

"Poch is in his room," Jack answered. She went to the room and Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Wait!"

"Let go!" Loona barked, trying to yank her arm off.

"Hold on a sec will you!"

"I wanna see him!"

"You can't right now! Something happened!"

"What!?"

"What do you mean?" Moxxie asked as the rest got closer.

"...we got sprayed by some gas while we were there and...we saw some shit," Jack explained.

"You too, huh?" Blitzø said, looking at Moxxie sympathetically.

"Guess so...I don't know what he saw but...it messed him...hes...right now he's in a deep depression… "

They were taken back by that. "Oh no!" Millie gasped.

"...the only time we've seen this is...after Celis died...so this could be related…"

"Oh shit…" Blitzø said.

"Poch…" Loona said sadly with worry.

"So...I wouldn't see him tonight...go for the morning….and be prepared," Jack informed them.

"Gotcha," Blitzø held Loona by her arm, "sweetie, let's see him in the morning ok?"

"...fine…" Loona agreed.

"Alright, so, now that that updates done, let's move to the lobby and tell what happened to who."


They all gathered at the lobby, telling each side the story of what happened to them, drinking some hot chocolate.

"I still can't believe Millie pegs you," Shred said.

"I already knew she did," Shelly giggled, "even saw the strap on and-!"

"And I'm gonna stop ya there!"

"I'm honestly not surprised. amillie seems like a pegger," Echo smirked.

"Still though, it's concerning that these people got in contact with crusaders. Wonder why they chose them?" Dundy asked.

"They had no interest in Blitzø and Moxxie, just me and Poch. The Dhorks seemed more interested in them than us and the few with the crusaders felt like they were there cause they were asked to be. I did hear one say something about the crusaders wanting us." Jack said.

Stolas' phone rang. He checked its ID. "It's Rex. One second." He separated from the group to talk to Rex.

"Man, seeing that exterminator just casually walk by and then that monster's body falling to pieces, was the coolest shit!" Millie said.

"I know, I still got chills!" Blitzø shivered.

"That's a stage five ya! There's not many of them but man they're badass!" Jack stated.

As everyone talked, Loona kept glancing over to the room area, rubbing her mug.

"Speaking of stages...I think those crusaders were at the second stage," Jack mentioned.

"What!?" Solis exclaimed, while the exterminators looked at him shocked, "that's impossible!"

"You guys didn't fight them, poch and I did, and I'm telling you they showed signs of being in the second stage."

"But that's impossible, they were only just recently discovered so they wouldn't have time to reach stage two!" Dundy explained.

"I know but I swear they used stage two powers," Jack sighed, "well know more after the body of Nugen is examined."

"Let's wait for that then," Shelly said.

Stolas walked back. "So, Rex took a look at their computers and well...there's a good amount of videos of you three," Stolas gestured at Blitzø, Moxxie, and Millie, "messing around in the human world," he said, holding back his irritation, one of his eyes switching.

The I.M.P. imps nervously laughed. "Uh...whoops," Blitzø said.

"Luckily for you, they're forming a plan to either erase those memories of you or make it seem like some government project."

"Aren't the exterminators part of the government?" Moxxie asked.

"Nah and it's better that way. Don't want human governmental affairs meddling with Demon governmental affairs," Echo answered.

"True."

"Still, Boss, Mills, Mox, till you get disguises, we'll mostly use my Dust dive to travel, and if our targets out in the open then I'll deal with it, and if it's a massacre, then yall stay put!" Jack told them.

"Aww but I like massacres!" Blitzø groaned. He heard Stolas make a low growl and quickly changed his tune. "But, I guess I can manage!"

"Good!" Stolas smiled.


Loona was on her way to Poch's room. Once Jack saw her he stopped her.

"Hold on, before you see him...there's a few things you should know," he told her.

"Like?" Loona asked.

"Hes...hes most likely not gonna respond to you and...he's gonna look tired, cause last time when he was like this, he didn't sleep for days...and...dont touch him...hes gonna push your hand away amd if you keep doing it, he's gonna bring out the claws. Got it?"

Hearing all that mad Loona feel even more sad and concerned for him. "Got it."

"Also...no nevermind, good luck," Jack walked to the lobby.

"..." Loona looked at Poch's door. She took a deep breath and walked in. Her heart sank when she saw him. He was on his side, facing the wall but his eyes looked so lifeless even though he was alive. "Poch?"

"..." he didn't even acknowledge she was there.

She sat across from him. "...yesterday was pretty crazy, huh?" She smiled weakly at him.

"..."

"Y'know my first girls night is gonna be after the Cleansing this week...not looking forward to it...don't ask why I'm going…"

"..."

"It's probably gonna filled with makeup, gossip, pillow fights and...and…" she tightened her grip on her knees, "you just got better...I was so happy seeing you able to move around with those crutches, seeing you able to fight again, able to be you again….then there was the whole ore incident and….now this…" she held back tears, "...I was looking forward to having you cook again...I miss your cooking...and I was hoping we could hang out outside your room this time, maybe go see a movie together or something...I ARG! Why does it seem like lately every time we have a chance to be with each other, something happened!? It's like Satan himself is driving a wedge between us!" A small tear went down her cheek as she looked at her friend lost in depression. She reached for him and touched his cheek. He swiped her hand away and she felt a sting in her heart as she rubbed her hand. Her tears became heavier and she rushed out the room, sniffling.

Pochs ear flicked and he glanced downward to see her leave.

Loona walked into the lobby sniffling and trying not to cry. Blitzø, Shelly, millie, Solis, and Moxxie were the only ones there and they rushed up to her.

"Sweetie, you alright!?" Blitzø asked.

"No! I'm not!" She yelled, startling everyone.

Shelly noticed her rubbing her hand. "...you reached for him and he slapped your hand away, didn't he?"

Loona nodded.

"Jack warned you," Millie said.

"I'm so sorry this is happening, sweetie," Blitzø hugged her.

"..." Loona pushed him off, "this is your fault!" She growled.

"What?"

"This is your fault!" She stomped towards him. "You had to keep screwing around on earth without a disguise, I warned you something bad would happen if you kept it up, but you didn't listen and now look what happened!"

"I- well I didn't-"

"He just got better and now, cause of you, he didn't even notice me in there!" She cried as she yelled at him angrily.

"I-im sorry sw-"

"Sorry doesn't cut it, Blitzø!" She stomped away from him, leaving Blitzø behind flabbergasted.

"...it is my fault."

Moxxie walked up to him. "Sir, it's ok, it's not all your fault. We were there just as much as you were!"

"Yeah and we don't have disguises!" Millie told him.

"You guys were only following me though!" Blitzø tried not to cry.

"Well of course! You're our boss! We chose to follow you the day we got hired, and so far that's not changing today or any day soon!" Moxxie told Blitzø with pride.

Blitzø was touched by what he said. "Oh Moxxie!" He hugged the imp.

Solis turned to Shelly. "How exactly did Poch snap out of his depression last time?"

"I don't know….. but I think it has something to do with Klarna. We were at a Purge till he suddenly appeared to help and when Klarna came he got super pissed. We didn't ask about it," Shelly told him.

"Damn. So how do we get him out of this one?"

"I honestly don't know," she said sadly, "I wish I did...what if he's like this for months...or longer...I could barely go through it the last time...are we gonna have to force feed him again?" She asked, her eyes getting watery, "cause I really don't wanna do that. I don't wanna force him to drink something that'll make him sleep only for him to wake up and still be the same!"

Blitzø, Moxxie, and Millie listened to them but didn't say anything.

"And...what if he tries to kill himself again…"

That made the imp's eyes go wide as dinner plates.

"Hey hey hey," Solis grabbed Shelly's face, wiping her tears away, "it's ok, we'll find a way to get him out of this, I promise," he smiled warmly at his girlfriend.

"Thanks." She kissed him.

"Should we ask?" Moxxie whispered to Blitzø and Mille.

"Maybe not now," Millie mentioned.


Loona picked at the food on her plate. She and the others were at the base, joining the exterminators for dinner. She wasn't in the eating mood.

"You ok, sweetie?" Blitzø asked across from her. He tried to sit next to her but she growled and moved away.

She frowned. "I'm fine, Blitzø."

"You sure? You're just picking at y-"

"I said, I'm fine!"

"O-ok."

"...I'm going outside," Loona got up and left.

Blitzø sighed but went back to his meal, getting back patted on by Moxxie, who looked at him with sympathy.

"...I'm gonna try talking to her," Solis said, getting up.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Jack mentioned.

"I get how she feels. It's like the time Shelly didn't talk to me those few days….just...more extreme."

"Still though…"

"He'll be fine. Take care babe," Shelly kissed his cheek.

Solis left outside and saw Loona on a bench looking up at the night sky. He sat next to her. "Hey."

"...what?" She asked.

"...I...I get it."

"Get what?"

"How you feel...about what's happening."

Loona scowled, but didn't look at him. "No you don't! How the fuck could you!?"

"...it's like he's there but he's not… it's like what you see is just a shell of who you care about...you feel lost on what to do...almost powerless...like you know the person you know and care about is in there, but you have no idea how to pull him out….you miss the times you had with them...those special little moments...it makes you desperate for them to be back, feeling as though...part of you will die of the dont...maybe all…"

"...it's not fair…" Loona tried not to cry, "all I wanna do is hang out again...watch anime at nights...eat together...play games...I was even gonna suggest we go to the movies...I'm not asking for much so why...why is there always something getting in the way!?" She slammed her fist on the bench. "I just...wanna be with him again."

"Like I said," he placed a hand on her shoulder sympathetically, "I get it."

"I just," she wiped away her teardrops, "wish I could do something…"

"...maybe you can."

"Huh?" She looked at him with a sliver of hope.

"Tomorrow...see him and ask him if you're important to him."

"What?"

"This could actually work, so it wouldn't hurt to try."

"...I'll do anything to get him back so...i'll do it."

"Good...also glad you wanna be with him so much," he smirked.

Loona blushed. "I meant as a friend!"

"Sure you did,"

"Don't make me hurt you!"

"Try it, I got Shelly," he smiled smugly.

"...fuck you," She pouted

"Haha!"


Loona took a deep breath and entered the lobby. She was hopeful that this would work, close to praying. She made her way to the rooms when something stopped her. It was the sound of The Cleansing sirens going off. An early Cleansing came.

Echo and Jack were seen rushing out, getting their weapons and selves ready.

"Why now!?" Jack asked.

"Quit whining, we gotta secure the area!" Echo told him.

They left outside and only two seconds later Echo's gun could be heard. Loona ran and entered Poch's room.

"Poch! An early Cleansing! There's Angel's outside the base!" She told him.

"..." he didn't move.

"Didn't you hear me!? Poch Angel's are outside and I don't know where everyone is!"

"..."

She ran to his side. "Poch, the others could really use your help! Get up and help them! Please!" She begged.

"...what would it matter?"

"What?"

"What would it matter?...it doesn't matter what I do...not like anything will change much...I'd still be the same...so it wouldn't matter."

"...do I matter to you?"

"...Huh?" He turned his head to her

"Do I matter to you?...do I mean anything to you?...if I was out there would you come out there to save me?...if you didn't know where I was during this would you be worried?"

Poch was at a loss for words. "I...I…"

"Do I mean anything to you!? Am I important enough for you to care!? Did...did the time we met….the time we became friends...did it mean nothing for you!?" Her eyes were watery.

"I….you…"

She growled before running out and rushing to the radio room

Blitzø, Moxxie, Millie, and Millie's family were inside the lobby, some tired after just rushing there.

"Glad we made it…" Moxxie panted.

"Y'know you didn't have to carry me," Millie patted her husband's head.

"Didn't expect an early Cleansing," Jill said, walking to a table.

"Mamma look out!" Millis shouted before her mom could trip over Poch's blue dagger.

"Waoh!" Jill stepped around it. "Close one. Yall still haven't removed that?"

"We can't touch it, remember?"

"I can try sho- Loona?" Blitzo saw Loona come out the radio room with a rifle.

She ran and pushed past everyone. "Move!" She ran outside.

"Loona, no!" Blitzø reached out but failed to grab her. He was gonna chase her but the others stopped. "Let go!"

"You going out there too is only gonna worsen things!" Moxxie shouted.

"But, my baby!"

"Raaaaagh!" Loona ran and shot wildly at the Angel's. She knew it wouldn't kill them but She didn't care. She needed to blow off steam. She kept her distance from them as she ran into the fields where they were sparse. She fired and fired, shooting wildly, some shots missing. They got closer to her and she was about to run till she noticed a group behind, blocking her path. They moved slowly, as if to put fear in her, or as if they weren't worried. She fired on them, some she hit before mow dodging the bullets.

*click click*

Her rifle ran out of bullets. "Shit!" An angel took the opportunity to rush to her, about to tear her head off. She tripped back and it got closer. 'SHIT!' She saw her life flash before her eyes before she shut them close, her last thoughts being of Poch. A slice was heard and a head fell, one that wasn't hers. She opened her eyes and Poch stood in front of her, having beheaded the angel. The rest of the angel group charged once Poch appeared.

Poch wrote the letters for Shiva. "Shiva!" Once the shadow demon came, he formed a hand, spun and grabbed them all before crushing them. He stood up and dismissed Shiva, his back facing Loona, seething his weapons.

"...po-"

"It meant everything!"

"...what?"

"Meeting you meant everything!" He turned to her. "Becoming your friend meant everything! It was the best day of my life!" He walked up to her. "Every moment we spend together, I treasure! I love those moments! The times we play, eat, or just watch things, I love doing them cause it was with you!" He hugged her. "You're the most important hound in my life!...you mean more than alot to me Loona...you mean...everything to me….so im sorry...I'm sorry for-"

"Shut up!" She hugged him back, crying joyfully. "Welcome back, dumbass!"

"Heh...sorry to worry you...now then," he pulled back and flicked her hard on the nose.

"Ow! Why'd yo-"

"What the fuck possessed you to go outside alone and fight angels!? You know you can't kill them!"

"Well...I was mad you didn't say anything so I-"

"So you were suicidal too!? If I hadn't come here you'd be dead!"

"I...I'm sorry," She said guiltily.

"You better be! Just cause you kicked ass at the Dhork's agency, using a kusarigama wrong by the way, doesn't mean you can do the same with Angel's!"

"I said im- wait...how'd you-?"

"Stolas showed me this morning in an attempt to make me feel better."

"Oh...whaddya mean I used it wrong!?"

"You don't use a kusarigama with your mouth, plus you had the chain moving in too big a spiral that if the agents had any brains they would've grabbed it and yanked you back!"

"Oh, what are you? The weapons expert?" She rolled her eyes.

"More than you are."

"...pft," she started laughing along with him, their laughter lasting at least ten seconds.

"...I'm really sorry I worried you…" Poch looked at her apologetically.

"Hey, that wasn't your fault...they made you see something that made you like that." She smiled kindly at him.

"...yeah… they showed me something alright…" Poch got up and helped Loona up. "I'll clear a path for you...and Loona?"

"Yeah?"

"...when...when this is over...meet me in my room...it's….I'm gonna tell you...about my past." He said, his eyes wondering.

Loona looked at him surprised. "Y-...You sure?"

"...yeah." He looked her in the eyes. "I want you to know everything."

"...ok."

"Now c'mon and stay behind me!" He told her, drawing his daggers.


Loona rushed in the lobby and was crushed in a hug by Blitzø, Millie, and Moxxie.

"Loona! You're ok!" Blitzø yelled in joy.

"Don't you dare scare us like that again!" Millie chastised.

"I know, I'm sorry, that was stupid of me," Loona admited.

"Well as long as you realise it!" Moxxie said.

"Yeah...Blitzø?"

"Yeah?" Blitzø backed up.

"Im… I'm sorry I blamed you for what happened to Poch."

"No, you were right...if we actually went up with disguises then we'd never would've been spotted by those Dhork's," He said with guilt.

"Yeah but you didn't ask for that to happen and you were at least trying to hide yourself. So...I'm sorry...dad," She smiled.

Blitzø smiled wide. "Awww!" He hugged her and she at least held his arms.


Poch sheathed his daggers as the gates closed and the Cleansing ended.

He heard Jack approach him. "I know you and the others wanna talk but I gotta-" he turned to face him and saw him eating watermelon from a watermelon bowl, "...where'd you get that?"

"A lady from a fruit stand gave it to me as a gift," Jack said.

"Huh...a-anyways I gotta go back to base...I uh...I gotta talk to Loona."

"Sure thing dude. Catch up later?"

"Yeah. See ya," he left in his own gate.

As soon as he did, Jack dashed off to the base and got his phone, calling everyone. "Guys turn your phones on! Let's not miss this romantic moment!"


When Poch got back he first got something from the kitchen, getting a quick snack since he was hungry. After that he walked to his room. He took a deep breath and entered, seeing Loona sitting on his bed.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hey," she said back.

He walked in and thought he saw a shadow move behind him. "Hm?" He looked back only to see nothing.

"Something wrong?"

"...thought I saw something," he closed the door and sat next to her. "...you ok?"

"Yeah...not a scratch."

"Good…...so uh….comfy?...this is gonna be...a long one."

"...you don't have t-"

"I want to…."

"...ok...go ahead."

"...a long time ago...there were two brothers and a father...the younger brother was named Arnello….the older one by two years….was named Ralsin….the father was named Kenji….the mother died a year after Arnello was born...but they ,managed ….there dad provided all they needed….he loved his sons...did what he could for them as a single parent...took great care of them...and protected him...he had a crazy past...he had a troubling past but told the boys he's escaped it and that they and his mother were the reason...he thanked them for that….the two brothers also got along very well...Ralsin got into the role of older brother real quick, making sure to keep Arnello safe and happy whenever there dad was gone….then...one day when arnello was seven and Ralsin was nine there dad came home distraught over something, holding some case...the boys were worried because he shut himself in his room all day...he came out the next day to see his sons sleeping outside...he woke them up and told them he was gonna take them to an amusement park to apologize for worrying them….it was pouring down rain that day... on the way there...an accident happened….a drunk rear ended them and the car swerved out of control before ramming the rails. The boys were flung out along with the case the dad had...they tumbled and rolled down the cliff, unknown what happened to the dad….when they awoke they couldnt remember anything and they were hurt badly...but even so...the older one still acted as an older brother, calming down the younger one, who panicked and cried, and trying to figure out what to do next….they opened the case to find a merit and four daggers in it, one red, one blue, the others black...the older brother took the med kit and healed them from the wounds the got from the tumble they didn't remember...he tried to touch the red one but was shocked, same for the blue...so they took the black ones instead, each taking one and taking the case with them, looking for shelter,"

When Poch mentioned the daggers Loona couldn't help but think of the ones he uses.

"...they entered a forest, the younger brother always making a chopping motion while the brother did slicing when it came to cutting vines….that gave the older one an idea...he said hell be named slice and the younger one be chop...the older brother thought that was lame so the older one decided to turn it into an anagram...the young brother was now named Poch... and the older...Celis,"

Loona's eyes widened. She wondered where this story was going but didn't expect it was about his childhood especially when he mentioned a name that wasn't his.

Poch continued. "Celis and Poch...Celis and I were on that first for weeks, wandering around, trying to find someone who could help or at least a town, sleeping under trees, eating berries...I cried a lot of times but...Celis stayed strong and always comforted me whenever I did... one day we found a campfire, and since it rained the other day, we were desperate for some heat...while warming up, the ones who made the fire came back, it was a man and a kid...I was scared...I didn't know who they were or if they were dangerous so I drew my dagger...Celis calmed me down, though, and introduced us to them...flicking me on the forehead and calling me a dumbass, something he's been doing right before our memory loss," poch smiled, "it's like his memories were gone but not his brotherly instinct…the man's name was Greg and with him was his nephew Tom...Greg saw how dirty and beat up we were along with the tears in our clothes so he offered us something to eat...never before have I been so glad to eat meat, I nearly choked," Poch chuckled, "...he asked where we came from and we told him about our amnesia...that's when he decided to take us in...he took us home, we cleaned up, he dressed our wounds properly, and gave us new clothes...we met the next door neighbor, Ilas, who was a friend of Tom's and someone we found who visited alot...and someone Tom liked...they became our new family….the next few years we spent growing up there, only remember small bits from our childhood….then came the day that led us to be exterminators….I was eighteen at the time and…I had my memories back...I got it back when my real name was mentioned when geting my license...never told Celis though...I decided I wanted to get those red and blue daggers examined, so Celis and I found a blacksmith that was close by and decided to see him when...a purge happened...It surprised the hell outta me when the gates opened and the Angel's came in...Celis pulled me somewhere, entering big brother mode and trying to keep me safe...I dropped the case and we hid in a corner somewhere, both of of us not understanding what's happening...we saw exterminators fighting near us...then we saw a kid run out, chasing after something...an angel got to him and we acted...we jumped and both of us grabbed the blue dagger...we were taken to some world and then given some test...we both passed it and we learned how to use it...holding it together we stabbed and pushed the angel away...we started to fight, tossing the dagger between each other, still unable to touch the red dagger...we hardly did shit...but when it was over we got an invite...celia was hesitant but...I was kinda excited...I convinced him to at least see what they're about...we used the blue dagger to get home, wanting to see how it works and Celis told me to keep what we learned from everyone...he didn't want them involved especially if we went through with becoming one...the next day we visited the corps and we learned more about who they are and what the Purge is...Celis and I decided to go for it, having thought about our families getting wrapped up in one...we studied, we trained on how to use demon shadow energy, all for when we turned….that's when we met Jack and the others and decided to be a team...then came the day we became demons...I was nervous but, as always, Celis calmed me down...I became what you see now and he became a white hellhound...after we slept and learned our shadow demon, we touched the red dagger together and did another trial, earning its use...I got the red dagger and Celis kept the Blue...later we did some obstacle course...Celis did amazing at it, he moved Klarna like he was a separate being."

"Klarna? Wait...you mean-"

"Same one I got….yeah...klarna isnt..isnt mine...we formed a team with Jack, Dundy, and Shelly, and were given a leader, and we had to stay there in dorms till we got used to going into our real forms...we made up a lie ahead time that Celis and I got hired to be miners and for training had to go out of town...few weeks later an exterminator gave me the place I live at now...we didn't know the person, them having sent a liaison to give me the place, saying they'd only pay rent for the first few months...then came the day we got handlers, demons who took a mentor like position on showing demon relationships, and how our demonic bodies worked...I got a demon that I learned to hate in the first week," Poch growled, "...his name was Russo...he was a ble demon who had an exterminator partner… the first day with him he gave me some room to stay in...he said I wouldn't see the others for a while but that it's the same for them too and that I'd be training with his exterminator, a fox named Jim...it started the next day...I was excited...I was in a training room an when it started...I was beaten to pulp...no nose wouldn't stop bleeding...I was knocked completely out….when I woke up...I was strapped in a chair...that's when the drugging started...they said it was a ou punishment for losing so easily…but they told me wasn't harmful... I was told this is what all exterminators have to go through in order to fight the angels...my mind was so foggy, I believed it...so I promised myself to stick with it….even when I mind was clear...the next day they said they wanted to help increase my pain resistance...I was strapped on a table...and Russo stood over me...torturing me...if I cried too early I would get hurt worse…" Poch tightened his grip on his knees, "I swear he was smiling behind that mask he wore!...that night...it was more drugs being injected into me...day after day...it was either get the shit kicked out of me or get tortured but it always ended with the goddamn injections of who knows what! I...I hated it!" He yelled, shaking.

"..." Loona scooted closer to him, pulled him close and placed him on her lap, hugging him by his waist and pulling him into her, looking at him with sympathy.

"..." Poch calmed down a little. "I hated it...weeks later I didn't know how much more I could take...I wanted to see Celis...so I made a deal with them...I'd I got one scratch on Jim, they'd let me see Celis….bit the fuck out his foot when he kicked me...got kicked a few more times for it but I won the deal...they set a computer infront me and played a video videos of him...at first I was made cause that's not what I meant but then I started paying attention to what was said...it was videos of my brother talking to other exterminators and when I was mentioned he would say things like how I'm probably struggling without him, or how I'm always needing him like some leach, or how without him I'm nearly useless….I was shocked...then I was angry...so angry I wanted to fight Jim again...you know how that went….as time went on...I got used to the injections but I still hated them...one day I was taken somewhere...some underground fighting arena….one that they have you fight monsters they created with animals and such from earth….he had me participate...I took the chance to make another deal...if I win, no more injections...he agree that if I won he would forcefully inject me anymore but I had to fight with no weapon...I broke my arm that day but I won...the next day they slid a needle into my room, saying well leave once I take it...I told them I wouldnt and they said I would...it didn't take long for it to hit...the withdrawals….it hurt...my veins felt cold and my vision was getting blurry...I tried to resist but...I injected my self with it...the injection hurt but I was better aterwards….the Corps complained about my lack of participation in the Cleansing so Russo had me go with Jim to one….Celis was there too...he looked happy to see me but I remembered the videos I saw and...I just turned and ignored him, walking away...he was concerned and when he asked about my arm I told him it was mone of his fucking business...each purge I saw him I either ignore him and went away or just avoided him entirely...I got a call one day and Jim gave me the phone...it was Celis and….and I told him to go away while hanging up...one day he had it and he kept blocking my way, even summoning Klarna...I summoned shiva and nearly slammed him out the way...I was ready to fight him...my own brother," he said with a slight crack in his voice, "He told me he didnt wanna fight...that he just wanted to check on his little brother…I snapped and yelled at him that I didn't need him to check up on that I don't need him in my life, that I was fine without him, that I never needed, even when we were little and I'll never need him now...those the last words I said to him...it was the last time he tried to speak to me...as the days and weeks passed they gave me a new colar to make injections less painful but not by much, and every time I did good in the fights I'd get pills instead of needles...that got me so happy I even ate them off the ground...the torture got slowly more extreme as time went on, them using a special gel to stop scars before they formed...that's when I started noticing gaps in the day...they'd come in, I'd get up, they next thing I know I'm back in bed...I would remember Russo saying something and then my vision blurring white...I don't know what he said but...it always took me to that void...sometimes I'd hear voices...sometimes get...visions...I'd be in different places with corpses of humans around me, few times demons, or I'd be beating someone up or threatening the, with my life on their neck...there were times I heard myself be called a good dog or a loyal...amd then something about me falling for if...I wondered what it was...that's when I realised I was lied too….I cried those nights...feeling stupid...I wanted to get out somehow…next tim i fought Jim, having gotten better at it, I managed to swipe his phone...I wondered who to call for help and then I noticed a video file of the videos of Celis they showed me and notice they were actually edited...I never felt like a bigger dumbass...I desperately called Celis and left him a message to meet me somewhere, hoping he'd get it...luckily for me Jim was in charge of me the day because Russo had some business to attend too...I slit my hand and got blood on my neck, splattering it everywhere before dressing the cut and playing dead...When jim saw me he freaked out and examined me...that's when I stabbed his throat and sliced through it, Killing him...I ran, I left where I was being held and ran for I don't know how long...I got to an abandoned parkway that I told Celis to meet me...I saw hi. across the distance… I called for him and waved off how tired I felt from the running to run more...he ran to me too, smiling...I was ready to hug him, to say how sorry I am, say how much I loved him, I was prepared to grovel even...but most of all...I thought the nightmare was over...then I heard Russo's voice and then I came to that void again...this time…..there was…" he struggled. Loona placed her hands on his and squeezed them gently. "...there was a red splatter...a warm liquid feeling hit my face...slowly the void went away...I saw my arm stretched out in front of me with blood on my dagger...I wondered whose blood it was before I heard a thud behind me...and the sound of...someone choking…" tears welled up in Pochs eyes, "it was Celis...I… I slit his throat and now...he was on the ground choking on his own blood...I dropped my dagger and rushed to him…" he choked a little as his voice began to crack, "I… I begged for him to stay alive, begged for the wound to not be that deep...I even prayed for it to god and satan...I didnt wanna lose him…he handed me the blue dagger and said his last words to me….he...said he hated me...right before he...right before he went limp in my arms….he hated me...and I dont blame him...what he said rung in my head only to be overshadowed by Russo's laughing from in front of me….he said that's what I get for running….I've never felt such pure rage...I went feral, charging at him and digging my teeth into his skin….I clawed, punch, smashed, and bit him endlessly...I was blinded by my own anger and grief...I don't know how long I was there….Jack pulled me back and Russo's face was just a meat pile...as soon as I saw Jack, my anger went away and then I remembered Celis….I looked and saw his corpse...I bawled my eyes out...wishing it was just a dream...wishing to wake up from it and have Celis be right next to me waiting for me to wake up, calling me a sleepyhead and me telling him to shut it….but it wasn't...he was gone….and my dagger did it…." Poch started sobbing, "...after that...i was taken back to my actual home...the others kept it cleaned up for me...I called tom and ilas and left them a message about Celis being dead...and that I was sorry...then came the worst years of my life...I had to be deprogrammed but also I had to deal with the withdrawls...the ones trying to heal me were worried that I'd been drugged so much that it'd be impossible for me to live without it...they had to give me small doses so I don't suffer...they went for dealing with that before the hypnotism, making sure the others don't utter the word that activates me...thing is...the doses didn't feel like enough so I snuck out one day to get some...I found a guy, but before I could get something, the others came and scared him off, but not before I could take a vial of what he had...I was about to inject it in me until...Dundy spoke my trigger word and had me go home...I forced one of my friends to control me...some friend I am huh?...it took nearly a year but the addiction was gone along with the withdrawals and I was deprogrammed...I had time to reflect on things...thinking on everything that happened made me depressed...I didn't eat or sleep...it got so bad the others had to force me to, making me drink something that made me sleep...I saw myself in a mirror one day and...I looked like I was already dead...numerous times I tried to kill myself...each time I did...the others stopped me...one day they had to go to a Purge but made sure nothing was around that could kill me...I thought about using Shiva to impale myself and attempted it...that's when Klarna appeared and blocked it...I didnt understand why he was here...it made me think Celis was alive somehow...but then I saw him connected to me...that's when I got it...he was telling me "you dont get out of this that easy"...he wanted me to suffer...I was honestly sick of it...so sick of everything...Klarna was the last straw and I told him "you wanna be a constant reminder of who killed him, but I'm done! I'm done thinking about it all!" I reached a breaking point with everything that happened that I snapped out of my depression… feels ironic...I got my weapons and joined the others for the Purge...I never looked back...cut to a few months later and I'm in hell finding out about the Cleansing...talking to the corps about it, them assigning us to deal with it but keeping it secret from the corps….then weeks later… I'm saving Moxxie and getting a job at I.M.P…."

"I...I had no idea." Loona reacted, taking it all in.

"...wanna know something I realised? I thought I moved on...from everything that happened… but I didnt...I ran away from it...I blamed Russo and other things for what happened...but really...it was my fault...I blamed Russo for making me think Celis thought those things but I'm the idiot that fell for it...I blamed the drugs for making me not think clearly but I always had the idea of running away somehow, I just ignored it…" his tears became heavier, "I always had a chance to escape...but I didn't because I was too stupid to actually go through with it...I killed Celis and I blamed it on me being hypnotised by Russo, blaming for that but...in reality...it was my fault...if I hadn't pushed him away like that then maybe...maybe I couldve gotten outta there sooner and he wouldnt have to die...but I did push him away...I mad him feel like I didn't need or want him anymore….he helped me through so much, been there when I needed him the most, and how do psy him back!?...I make him feel like a bad brother and then kill him…."

"Poch I-"

"Y'know I never once visited his grave?" His tears fell like a waterfall and onto his lap, "I slit his throat and I don't even go to where he's buried, where uncle Greg, Tom, and Ilas probably cried their eyes out during his funeral...its been years and not once did I visit him!...and then...for my family I leave one message...and I don't talk to them for so long...I pushed them away too...afraid to see them because I don't wanna face the consequences of my actions, not wanting to be reminded of it all!...im… " he wailed into his hands, "I'm pathetic!...the most pathetic hound ever!"

Loona embraced him in a hug. "Poch, you're no-"

"You're not pathetic!" Blitzø said, slamming his door open. He was with Moxxie and Millie, all of them with tears in his eyes. Blitzø rushed to him and grabbed his face. "I had no idea you went through so much, you poor little hound!" He hugged him tightly. "But you're not pathetic!"

Moxxie joined from the side. "You had no idea that would happen to you! Plus you were tricked!"

"Yeah but I still fell for it when I shouldve-" Poch was hushed by Millie.

"Shush you!" Millie pressed her finger on his lips, "you made mistakes sure but you can't put all the blame on yourself! Besides you were ready to apologize for it all cause you regretted it right?"

"Of course!"

Millie hugged him. "Then shut up and stop blaming yourself!"

"But I-"

"Poch, no one here finds you pathetic," Loona said, "if anything you're the strongest hellhound I know...even if with all this."

"...he still hated me in the end…"

"Maybe you heard him wrong?" Moxxie thought. "Cause who could hate a guy like you?"

"Maybe he meant Russo? Cause if your brother loved you like you said, then there's no way he would've hated you, right? Take it from a brother himself!" Blitzø said.

"I can vouch as a sister!" Millie said, hugging him tighter.

"...maybe...maybe you're right…" Poch considered.

"I know we're right!"

'...after all that...after everything they learned...they still…' Poch smiled. "You guys are weird...thanks…"

"You're welcome!" Blitzo thanks as they all kept hugging him.

Poch noticed a black shadow leave his room. 'So that's how...heh...that asshole.'


Everyone gathered at the lobby, sitting at a table, the exterminators at another. Poch was still on Loona's lap, Millie bringing him a cup of hot chocolate.

"Here ya go, sugar," Millie handed him the mug.

"Thanks," Poch took a sip.

"Feeling better?" Blitzø asked.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Ah," Jack cringed, rubbing his back.

"You ok?" Dundy asked.

"Back hurts."

"Probably from staying under my bed too long in Dust," Poch mentioned.

Jack froze. "Shit...you saw me leave didn't you?"

"Yep. It made more sense how the others knew now."

"Ah...sorry."

"It's fine...I'll just kick your ass later."

"Not if I run first!"

"I'll just hold you down then," Dundy smirked.

"You dick."

"Hehe," Poch chuckled, taking another sip. Someone slammed the lobby door open. "HRK!" He choked and coughed.

"I have arrived!" A lady imp in a hood said at the door.

"Who are you!?" Jack asked.

Loona recognized her. "Wait...aren't you that voodoo lady that told Poch's fortune?"

"Cahag cog! I thi-khi-nk she is!" Poch said, his coughing coming to an end.

"That lady that gave you a prediction at the fair?" Dundy asked.

"A prediction that came through," the lady said, approaching Poch.

"Oh yeah," Poch felt his chest, thinking about when he got shot and when Klarna couldn't stop the bullet, "guess it did."

"Wait hold on a sec...how'd you find this place? You were in the pride ring," Blitzo realised.

"A voodoo lady has her ways," she chuckled, "but enough! I came here for a reason!" She pointed to Poch, "for you!" She pointed to Dundy next, "and especially you!"

"Me? Why me?" Dundy questioned, confused.

"Because you have yet to tap into your potential, or rather Asura's."

"Asura's?"

"Well talk in a bit but first," she reached into her coat and pulled out a vial of green liquid, "this is for you," she handed it to Poch.

"What is it?" Poch asked.

"It's something to help deliver a message that's inside you."

"A message inside me?"

"Drink half the vial while holding the hand of another you trust who shall drink the other half and you shall both be taken to a world where the message is buried under trauma. The other you bring is key to breaking the lock that holds it. Only then will you take the first step to moving on."

"Moving on?..." he looked at the liquid, wondering what message could be in him, "...ok I'll do it tonight...Loona you... mind coming with me?"

"Sure," Loona smiled.

"Sleeping with him again, are ya?" Millie smugly said.

Loona blushed and grumbled. "Shut up!"

"Again? Uh weve never slept together," Poch told her.

"Oops, silly me," Millie said with a feign of innocence.

"Now then," the lady turned to Dundy, "I will set up my hut outside. Tonight come there and I shall tell you what weakens Asura."

"What weakens him?" Dundy said, trying to understand.

"Now that we have our nightly plans," she sat at a table, "hot chocolate, please."

"...ok," Millie left to get her one.


Loona and Poch sat on his bed, each holding a cup of the liquid the voodoo lady gave them. They held hands albeit with a small red tint in their cheeks.

"Ready?" Loona asked.

"...yeah...let's do it."

They both drank in unison and they quickly felt the world around them melt away. They awoke in an empty white void.

"Poch?" Loona called out for him.

"Over here!" He waved from behind. He was several yards away from him. He took a step forward and Klarna shot up from the ground before him. "Ah!"

"I hate you….I hate you...I hate you…" Celis's voice echoed from Klarna.

"Wha-?" Several more came out from around him, the Klarna's surrounding him.

"I hate you...I hate you...I hate you…" they all repeated in Celis's voice.

Poch covered his ears. "I know...I know already!"

"Poch!" Loona ran to him. A sword popped out of the ground in front of her, startling her. It was Klarna's sword. At first she was confused but then she remembered the lady's words, about whoever's with him being the key to unlock the message. She took hold of the sword and pulled it out, nearly falling over as she held the large blade up. She steeled herself and ran to him. "RAAAA!" She yelled as she swung the sword, cutting through all the Klarna's, watching as they faded away. She dropped the sword and came to his side. "You ok?"

"Not really…" Poch answered.

Another Klarna appeared from where the sword was, holding it before placing it on it's back. He approached Poch and a growling Loona.

"Ugh, I get it!" Poch groaned getting up, "you hate me, and I don't blame you, I've known this for fucking years! So you don't have to remind me every goddamn chance you get!...I already know Celis hates me…" he walked away.

Loona looked at him sadly, getting up. She heard something from Klarna. "Huh?" When she heard it again she quickly ran to Poch. "Poch wait! You have to listen to Klarna!"

"Why? He's only gonna say the same thing as always."

"No it's...it's different this time."

"What, does he say it louder?"

"No just, just listen!"

"Loona I really do-"

"Trust me!" She looked at him with pleading eyes.

"...fine…" Poch turned and walked up to Klarna. "...what?"

"...I failed you…" Klarna said with Celis's voice.

"I fucking kn-" Poch resisted what was said. "What?"

"I failed you…"

"I...what are you talking about?"

"..." a shadow stretched from Klarna's feet, pooling right in front of Poch. It stretched up and slowly took shape and color. As it changed it became someone Poch knew. It became Celis.

"Celis!?"

"I failed you, Poch," Celis said.

"What...what are you-"

"I was supposed to be there to help you, to protect you like an older brother should...I know you can handle yourself but for the times you can't I was supposed to be the one to get you out of trouble...but I failed to do that…"

"What!? Celis, No! I was the one who ignored you! Who told you I didn't need you! The one who fell for those fake videos!...I pushed you away."

"...they weren't that fake…"

"What?"

"...I did say those things...not to that extent or that extreme...but it still came out of my mouth…"

"But...why would you-"

"I was jealous of you…"

"Jealous of me!? You were the better exterminator between us, you could move Klarna like it was a separate being on your first summon! You had a lot of the veteran exterminators impressed! Not only that but I would never have survived on those woods without, and let's not forget the things you made like our special fireworks for our night shaft! And let's not forget teaching me how to use two daggers! Why would you be jealous of me!?"

"...I struggled to learn how to use demon shadow energy on those mock tests while you understood it so quickly...when we were young you taught yourself to wield a katana...you made it look so easy...I spent nights trying to learn how to fight with two daggers just to impress you...why do you think I only did one strike with the chaos blade in my turn on the course?...plus...you have such a way of making friends, like all you gotta do is talk to them a bit amd you got someone knew, like with Jack, Dundy, and Shelly...it amazed...plus you were only twelve when you started being able to cook and you food tasted great and you taught yourself that too...I can barely make toast...compared to my little brother...I felt like a lame older brother..."

"...shut up."

"What?"

"Lame? Give me a break!There were so many times in my life that I was afraid of something, and you would always find a way to get rid of it, times when I got sad, you made me happy again, times when I was lost and you helped me clear my head and helped me find my way… you were always there for me...even when you didn't need...you were the best brother I could ever ask for...and i killed you and pushed you away...I'm so sorry...I'm the worst brother e-"

Before Poch could finish, Celis raised his hand up and flicked Poch in the forehead. "I'm gonna stop you there, dumbass. You think I'd blame you for that? You think I'd actually let you push me away?"

"But...when I said I didn't need you-"

"It made me worried about you even more and I started trying to find a new way to get you out of there, to save you...I didn't try reaching out because I was afraid I'd put more stress on you or something...Poch…" Celis came to his brother and hugged him tightly, "I could never ever hate you...no matter what...I don't blame you for what happened...so stop blaming yourself...you made mistakes sure but so did I...and we both regretted them...I love you...my little brother."

Poch buried his head in his brother's shoulder, softly crying, hugging him back. "...I love you too...jackass.."

"Heh...you always called me that after flicking you...hm?" His body started to slowly fade.

Poch backed his head up. "Wh-what's going on!?"

"Heh..I'm fading...I only put enough consciousness into Klarna for this conversation…" He pulled Poch back into him, "before you start bawling, a little bit of my soul will remain in Klarna… so take solace in that...I'm sorry I-"

"Shut up...I'm glad we could talk...I'm glad I could hear what you actually said….you never failed me ok?"

"Yeah...and you're not pathetic or to be blamed…." He looked over to Klarna, "Klarna...keep watching over him."

Klarna nodded.

Celis looked at Loona. "Loona? Thanks for friending this dumbass."

"You're welcome," Loona smiled.

He covered Poch's ears. "Or should I say more than friends with how often you come in at night and cuddle?"

Loona blushed and was at a loss for words. "Uhh i- well- you see its-"

"Hahaha!" He uncovered Poch's ears, "she's a real keeper Poch."

"I know it," Poch said, making Loona blush harder.

Celis was almost all gone. "Goodbye Poch...take care….tell the other I said...thanks for everything...and that I'm sorry."

"I will...goodbye Celis...and thanks...for being there again…"

Celis fully faded away. Poch looked at where he once stood but he felt more...happy than sad due to knowing what his brother thought in the end. The white void disappeared, waking them.


Poch and Loona woke up facing each other on his bed. They felt tired as hell.

"...oh god...I'm tired…" Poch said.

"Yeah...me too…" Loona said.

"... thanks for this." Poch smiled.

"You're welcome," Loona smiled back.

"...can I ask a favor?"

"What's up?"

"...can...can you come with me tomorrow?...im….I'm going to see my family...including where Celis was buried...I….I'd really like it if you were there with me?"

Loona was surprised he asked her to join her. "...sure."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it...welp," she turned and stretched, "I should go home."

"...wanna...stay here for tonight?"

"Huh?"

"Were both tired as fuck and this bed feels so comfy right now...plus if we stay on each others side like this then….nothing weird will happen…" Poch blushed, "plus...I'd like to wake up and see your face in the morning."

Loona blushed as well. "On one condition."

"Name it."

"After tomorrow, we do our anime night while you give me the back massage I won."

"Heh, only at a technicality….but deal."

"Great...goodnight," she closed her eyes.

"Goodnight," Poch fell to sleep.


Loona's eyes somberly opened. She felt a warm body against hers. She looked down and saw that she was on Poch's side, holding him with his head near her chest. His arms were around her too, deepening the cuddle. She blushed madly and slowly backed up, hearing him whine as she separated herself feeling oddly cute. She sighed in relief that no one saw. "Luckily no one came in."

"We did," Shelly said behind her.

"Ah!" She yelped in surprise, looking behind, waking Poch. Behind her was Millie and Shelly.

"Huh!? What!?" He said groggily, raising up quickly.

"Morning!" Millie smiled.

"Oh, hey guys, what are you doing?" Poch rubbed his eyes, "and before you say it, we slept on the same bed but we stayed on separate halves. We didn't even touch fingers."

"I don't know, I feel like Loona would disagree," Shelly said with a grin.

"Why?"

"N-no reason," Loona quickly answered.

"Did I move closer to you?"

"Something got close," Millie smugly smirked.

"Shut up!" Loona grumbled.

"I'm confused," Poch stated.

"It's nothing! Nothing happened!"

"Ook? Anyways, has anyone started breakfast?"

"Not yet. We came here to see if yall were awake before deciding who'd cook," Shelly said.

"Ok, I'll cook," Poch said, getting out of bed.

"You will?"

"Yeah, why not."

"Whatcha gonna make?" Millie asked.


"Breakfast takoyakis?" Moxxie questioned as a plate with several round takoyaki balls with red flakes were set in front of him.

"Yeah, give it a try!" Poch said from the kitchen.

Millie already added syrup and took a bite. "Mmm! Try it, Mox, it's really good!"

"Hm," he added syrup and tried one, the inside had bacon, egg, melty cheese, and sausage, and the outside was pancakes. The flavor exploded in his mouth, "That is good!"

"Mmph who all votes for Pochy cooking tomorrow?!" Blitzø voted.

"I do!" Millie said.

"Definitely!" Jack stated as the others raised their hands.

"Welp, guess I better wake up early tomorrow," Poch said, sitting next to Loona.

They all enjoyed their breakfast.

"Ah, that was good!" Blitzø said, paying his belly. He asked for thirds.

"Isn't this going to hinder your ability to work, sir?" Moxxie asked.

"Nah, I'll be fine. Plus I got you watching my back Mox." He smirked.

Moxxie smiled back. "Always, sir."

"I'm ready to rip some head if you guys are!" Jack said. "Anyone wanna join?"

"Can't. I...have to visit my mother...I need some insight on something," Dundy said.

"We can't either...Loona and I...got somewhere to be…" Poch said.

Loona patted his shoulder. "You ready?"

"Not really….let's go."

"Have fun on your date!" Blitzø said.

"Not a date!" The two hounds said in sync.


Poch and Loona stood before a black flat roofed two story house that stood near the city in a well kept neighborhood. Both of them were in their human forms standing on the porch. Poch looked at the door hesitantly.

"You ok?" Loona asked with sympathy.

"Honestly...I'm afraid...what if they hate me for just leaving like that...and how will they react about Celis...it..scares me," Poch admitted.

"Hey," she placed her hand on his back, "if your brother was anything to go by, then I have no doubt in my mind that they don't hate you...I'm sure they really miss you and would love to see you."

"...thanks," he smiled. He took a deep breath and walked forward, ringing the doorbell.

"I'm coming!" A gruff voice came from inside. They came by and opened the door. There stood a five foot five inch tall man. He had a white dress shirt on and khaki pants. He was lean with black shaggy hair that had a little gray in it, he had sharp brown eyes, and a scar on his left cheek. "Who is i-" he froze when he saw Poch.

"H-hey uncle Greg...how are you?"

"..."

"I...I know I haven't talked to you in a while...or seen you and….I'm so so sorry for that...slots happened but that's no excuse for-"

Greg got close to him and embraced him in a hug. He held back tears. "...You look good and healthy...I'm glad to see you."

"..." Poch smiled and hugged him back. "I'm glad to see you too."


Greg handed both Loona and Poch a cup of tea. They were in the dining room/kitchen sitting at the long table.

"Thanks," Loona told him.

"Thanks uncle Greg," Poch said, taking a sip.

Greg sat down near them with his own tea. "Tom and Ilas should be back soon...wanna wait till then to turn demon and tell us what happened?"

Poch nearly spat out his tea. "Y-you knew!?"

"Heh, please. You two as miners? I pressed Celis about it before you guys changed and stayed over at their dorms. He told me everything but made me promise not to tell Tom or Ilas."

"Heh, sounds like him."

"Am I right in assuming your girlfriend here is a demon?"

"She's not my girlfriend!" He blushed along with Loona.

"Really? You two seem so close though."

"Were that good of friends! But yes she's a demon."

"Uh huh," he wasn't convinced, "So what kind of demon are you?"

"Hellhound."

"Like Celis eh?"

"Howd you-"

"Told him to send me a picture of himself when he changes. He looked good," He turned to Loona, "what kind of demon are you, miss?"

"I'm a hellhound," Loona answered.

"What color is your fur?"

"White."

"Yours?" He turned to Poch.

"Brown," Poch answered.

"So I should expect brown and white Puppies in the future."

Loona and Poch turned red in the head.

"U-uncle Greg!" Poch shouted.

"AHAHAHAHA You look so red right now!" Greg laughed.

The front door was heard being opened.

"Uncle! We're home!" Tom shouted.

"Come into the kitchen! You two got guests!" Greg replied.

"We do? Who is it?" Ilas asked.

"Come in here and you'll see!"

The two came closer to the kitchen.

"Is it someone we know ya think?" Ilas asked Tom.

"Doubt it. Could be someone from school, your gym or-" he stopped when he turned the corner, Ilas stopping beside him. They both saw Poch.

Poch set down his mug and got up. "...hey guys…" he slowly walked closer, "I..I know I got some nerve appearing after so many years...especially after my last message...but I want you guys too know th-"

Tom and Ilas cut him off with a hug. Ilas cried softly.

"We missed you, ya moron!" Tom said.

"Yeah, where've ya been dumbass!?" Ilas asked.

"It's...a long story," Poch said, hugging them back, "a story I'm gonna tell you guys...but I'm really glad to see you."

"Were glad to see you too," Tom said as they both backed up, "...now we can do this!" He pulled his right arm back and slugged Poch on the face.

"OUCH!" Poch stumbled back. "Alright...I deserved th-"

Ilas cut him off with a super strong left hook, her deadly left. Tom went widened as Poch twirled around before falling back.

"Ilas! We said we'd hold back, remember!?" Tom said.

"Oops! Sorry I got carried away!" Ilas apologized as Greg left for the sink.

Loona came up from behind Poch. "Poch, you ok!?"

"Hey Loona, when'd you clone yourself?" Poch said in a daze.

"Hey, you're Loona. What are doing here?" Tom asked.

"And how do you know Poch?" Ilas added.

"Uhhh well," Loona tried to form an answer.

While Poch was nearly unconscious, he reverted back to his hellhound form.

"What the fuck!?" Tom exclaimed.

"Pocnut!?" Ilas noticed.

"Really dude?" Loona sighed, annoyed.

Greg held a glass of water and splashed it on Pochs face.

"Ah!" Poch startled awake and noticed his form. "Ah shit, this is gonna be more complicated. Might as well change back, Loona."

"Alright," she changed back to her demon form, helping Poch up. Startling Tom and Ilas further.

"Now...lemme explain things...it's gonna be a long one but...it's gonna be about what me and Celis were really doing...and why I look like this."


Poch told them everything. The exterminators and the corps, what he had been through, Celis's death, the years after, the Cleansing, and recent events with the Crusaders and the Dhork agents.

"Holy shit…" Tom said.

"I-im so sorry I punched you!" Ilas said, crying again.

"No, it's fine I had it coming," Poch smiled, "...there's one more thing...Celis left me a message...in his shadow demon...I just got it...he wanted me to tell you...he's sorry...and thanks for everything."

Now Greg felt like crying. "...damnit Celis."

Klarna suddenly appeared. "Klarna?" Poch said, startled. He walked over to Tom and Ilas and hugged them.

"...why...why is it-?" Ilas was confused.

"I think...the bit of Celis's soul is doing that…"

Tom and Ilas didn't know how to react at first but eventually they smiled and hugged the shadow demon back. He dismissed himself after the hug. They oddly felt better after it.

Ilas wiped away her tears. "Hey, you don't have to go back anytime soon do you?"

"No, we got time. Why?" Poch asked.

Ilas smiled and got up. "You gotta see the new trophies I got!" She ran up to Poch and grabbed his wrist, "you too!" She grabbed Loona's and dragged them upstairs.

"Whoa, hold on!"

"No hold ons!"

Greg chuckled as he got up. "I'm gonna clean the kitchen cause I think we all know who's cooking dinner."

"Heh, I'll let him know," Tom smirked.

Tom chuckled and followed them. As she dragged them down the hallway, talking about the trophy she won and what place she got in recent tournaments, Poch stopped them at the second door on the left.

"Hold on…" Poch looked at the door and Ilas let go. "...can I...get a sec?" He asked, feeling the door.

"Sure." Ilas smiled, "c'mon Loon!" She pulled Loona.

"What did you call me?" Loona rose a brow.

Poch felt the know of the room. Tom patted him on the back as he passed by. "Still how you left it." He said before going to his and Ilas's room.

Poch took a deep breath and entered. The room had two beds on each side, each with a nightstand beside it, a shelf above it, and a drawer on the opposite end. One half of the room had a few anime posters, a bit of figures on the shelf, and there was a berzerk keychain hanging off the lamp. The other half had a few posters of rock bands, one the shelfs were different statues of knights, ninjas, and samurais. Poch walked to that side and sat on the bed. It was Celis's bed. The other one was his. Memories flooded in as he sat there. He smiled as he remembered the times they spent there. He looked to the nightstand and saw an ipod. He grabbed it and turned it on, surprised it still had battery. He hit shuffle, hearing music he knew come out. It was set to karaoke mode. He smiled and got up. "...just this once Celis." He left the room and made his way to the stairs.

Tom exited his room and saw him. "Poch where you going?"

"Uh...just going to the roof for a bit," He said, hiding the ipod.

"...ok."

"Be back soon," he said, going up.

Tom quickly got back to his room. "Loona quick!"

"Huh?" Loona looked at him confused.

"Poch forgot this!" He handed her a pair of batteries. He pulled her up and to the door. "Give this to him on the roof quick! Just take those stairs!"

"Wait why am I-"

"Quick!"

"Ok ok!" She rushed up the stairs, still confused.

Tom smirked. "Wingman mission accomplished.

Loony up the stairs and saw a hatch. She reached it and opened it, poking her head out to see Poch in a chair, his back behind her. "Po-"

Poch hit play on the pod,and the music started.

"I want to feel your heart right now

You are the place my only hope."

Loona froze when Poch started to sing as the music played.

"Oh I'm barely breathing and beaten to the ground

But each and every time

We all stand up"

As he sang she slowly got out, hearing nothing but him, nearly in a trance.

"Stop lying to yourself and be true to yourself and then maybe

We both can exceed destiny

So let's shout it out

You might feel alone

But I'm right by your side

Just like the flowers that bloom and fall

Repeat over and over again

Keep the flame alive

I want to feel your heart right now

You are the place my only hope

I know…

We can one day

We spark like flowers in the sky

No matter where I'm by your side

I know…

You and I

Let's grind our souls and wield together

Can you feel my heart beat?

So take my hand to new tomorrow

Don't hold back and let it be

You give me strength and keep brave to dive in darkness

Let's burn yeah light it up

Spark just like HIBANA

Light up your HIBANA!"

Poch sighed and stopped the player before another song could play. "You only get a short one out of me," he chuckled.

"...um," Loona made her presence known.

"Ah!" Poch jumped back, startled, seeing Loona behind him. "L-L-L-Loona!?" His face turned bright crimson.

"H-hey," she waved.

"...how long have you been standing there?"

"...since the beginning...I… I didn't know you were such a good singer,"

He blushed even harder. "Oh Satan, shut up."

"I mean it! You're really good! Would you...take a request?"

"Ahhh shut up shut up! No requests, no singing! In fact this didn't happen, you didn't hear nothing, and if anyone asks, I was just sitting here!" He walked up to her, grabbed her face, and pulled it close, "Got it!"

"Uh, sure."

"Great!" He let go and walked back in with her following.

"...so what was that song called?"

"...Hibana, shut up."


They spent the afternoon there. Loona learned a few things about Pochs family along with a few embarrassing things about Poch. They had dinner there with Poch cooking. Then came time for them to leave, Poch wanted to have time to visit Celis' grave. He and Loona drove on his bike up to the place where Celis was buried. They walked up the hill and stopped at a gravestone. On it said "Here lies Celis Rintin" followed by two dates.

"...I'll try not to take too long," Poch told Loona.

"Take your time," Loona smiled with sympathy.

Poch walked forward, turning to his hellhound form, and sat in front of the gravestone. "...Hey….sorry I took so long to see ya...I uh...finally got your message...Klarna's been taking good care of me...and so have the others….just got back from seeing Tom, Ilas, and Uncle Greg...I was so glad to know they didn't hate me...just like you didn't...things would've been so much easier if I just heard what you said there...I'll visit you more often...I swear...and next time I'll bring some friends I made...you already met Loona so it's only right you get to see the others….I miss you...love you Celis...see you next time." Klarna appeared beside him and placed his hand on his head, softly patting it before going away. Poch looked where he stood and smiled before getting up. He went back to where Loona was.

"How'd it go?" Loona asked.

"Went well...how bout we head back to my place? I wanna chill there instead of at the base."

"Sure."


Loona and Poch walked into his place, Loona changing back to her hound form. She stretched and sat on the couch.

"So, wanna watch a movie?" Loona suggested, "I texted dad we won't be back till tomorrow so he shouldn't be worried about u-"

Poch stopped her by getting on the couch and hugging her. "...thanks...I don't think I ever woulda done this without you...I probably….you helped me move on...for real this time...thank you Loona."

"..." Loona hugged him, "of course I helped...I couldn't just leave you like you were...Poch...you mean so much to me...so much that I made a promise to be there if you need me...so I'll always be there...especially when you cry...because your special to me…"

Poch felt that she meant every word she said. He felt something in his chest before pulling back, smiling at her, and kissing her on the lips.

"Mmph!" She muffled a surprised Yelp as her cheeks went red and her tail hiked up.

The kiss lasted for a few seconds before Poch broke it and moved back. When he saw her shocked face, he realised what he did and was also shocked.

"Y-y-y-you kissed me!" Loona exclaimed.

"I..you were...I was...I just…just Haha this is some dejavu isn't it?" He laughed nervously.

"Y-yeah I ...guess so…."

"Hah! Yeah I guess I got you back...heh."

"Uhh." Loona didn't know what to say.

"Y'know what, I'm tired!" He got off the couch and started walking to his room, facing her as he did so. "I'm gonna head to bed! Watch what you want! There's plenty of good rom-co- I mean, action movies on there!"

"Uh...ok..."

"Welp night!" He turned and rammed into the wall. "Ouch! I'm ok! I'm fine! Night!" He rushed to his room.

Loona laid back, eyes wide, her mind still processing what just happened. It was their second kiss.


End.

Next chapter. Getting stronger.