Chapter 29. Family night, girls night.


Poch and Jack were unconscious, having collapsed after shielding the base. Luckily Loona and Joe were able to get them down. Right now the two were laid in the Lobby room, with Poch laying his head on Loona's lap. She looked down on him sleeping, realizing how exhausted he was, which she understood why. She gingerly brought her hand to his head and softly scratched behind his ear. He hummed and made a small smile, which made her smile herself.

Jill had come down stairs, wanting to check up on them, noticing Loona scratching his ears with a warm smile and how he was laying on her lap. "Aww you really him don't ya?"

"Yeah…" Loona realised what she said and that Jill was there, snapping back into reality, "uh, I mean, we-were just friends!"

"Heh, yeah yeah."

The front door opened and Echo, Dundy, and Solis came in, the two hounds helping Dundy in.

"Alright, c'mon you heavy bird," Solis said, pulling Dundy in.

"Sorry," Dundy apologized.

"Don't apologize, it's not your fault," Echo comforted.

"Let's set you down and get You looked at," Solis looked to the others, noticing Jack and Poch as they sat Dundy down and Echo went to get the med kit. "How are they?"

"Knocked out, which isn't surprising given how they protected us and the base from that blast," Jill stated, "where are the others?"

"Collecting Halos. We just finished up and Mox dropped us off."

"Ah alright. Any idea where that lion went?"

"It went through their gates so no doubt it went back. However, that's not what concerns me," Dundy said.

"You talking about their armor?"

"Yeah. Call me crazy but I think that armor was man made, including those pistons," Solis said.

"I've looked over the bestiary at the corps and never have I seen a lion boss with armor like that," Echo said, coming back with the med kit and tending to Dundy.

"Maybe it's a new one?" Loona theorized still rubbing Poch's ear.

"I'd agree with you if there wasn't signs of modifications coupled with the armor looking...out of place."

"You mean like those pistons in its legs?"

"Yeah, that was definitely implanted, plus that armor was really outta place. Usually when an Angel's got armor it's got some insignia on it, that one didn't, plus we've never seen an angel boss with turrets like that."

"Not even in the bestiary was that seen," Echo stated, "but the question is, who put it on them?"

"Maybe the Angel's met a mechanic?" Jack groaned, getting up.

"Morning sunshine," Solis smirked.

"Fuck off," Jack flipped off.

"But to do that to two boss lions, they'd need more than a mechanic. They'd need a place to work on them in secret and a huge team."

"And how would they coerce anyone to do that, especially a large group?"

"Maybe they threatened them?" Loona suggested.

"That's possi-" Jack noticed Poch laying on Loonas lap, "hey, why don't I get a lap to lay on?"

"You don't have a girlfriend," Solis smirked.

"I'm not his girlfriend!" Loona blushed.

"Never said you were, but if were on the subject-"

"Oh shut up before I- hm?" She heard Poch groan under her. She looked down to see his eyes open slightly and looked up at her groggily. She smiled. "Hey, sleep well?"

Poch softly smiled and reached up to her, caressing her cheek. She stiffened but slowly eased into it, forgetting the others were there. His touch was soft and warm to her so she couldn't help it.

"Hmm you're so beautiful," Poch said.

Loona froze and her face heated up. "Wh-what!?"

"And cute,"

"Huh!?"

"Hehe….hmmm," Poch slowly pulled back and fell back asleep, leaving Loona stunned.

"Please tell me someone recorded that!?" Jack said.

"I did!" Jill said.

"Quick, send it to Blitzø!"

"Dont you fucking dare!" Loona barked.

Millie barged into the lobby. "Guys!"

"Mils! You gotta see th-" Jack started.

"Before that, yall gotta come see this!"

"What's up?" Solis asked.

"It's the lion! Or rather what it left behind!"


Millie brought the group to where Poch and Jack killed the first boss, Loona carrying Poch. There was a big pile of halos that Shred was picking up, while the others were examining what was left over, which was its armor and implants.

"Guess that confirms it. The armor and weapons were a custom job," Solis stated.

"What are you guys looking for?" Echo asked.

"A serial number, product code, or a company logo, things like this always have one," Moxxie said looking around.

"Yeah, and Moxs usually right on these things," Blitzø said, walking out the armors inside from the left. He saw Jack and Poch. "Hey, you two ok?"

"I'm fine, Poch is still out, which makes sense since he took the most of it. Still had a chance to call Loona cute and beautiful though." He got a kick in the knee from Loona. "Ouch!"

"Oh he did, did he!"

"I got a recording," Jill whispered into Blitzø's ear.

"Oh can you all just fu-" Loona started till she felt Poch shuffle.

"Ugh, what's with yelling?" Poch asked, waking up.

"Poch!"

"You alright Mr Charmer?" Jo asked.

"Charmer? What are you-?" He noticed that he was in Loonas arms and blushed. "Uh...so you're carrying me."

"Oh, sorry!" She set him down, "I didn't wanna leave you behind so I just thought id… carry you here."

"Oh, that's ok. Thanks," He smiled.

"So, Poch, you wouldn't have happened to dream of a certain white hellhound did you?" Jack smirked.

"Shivarna." Shivarna came and leapt at Jack, slamming his paw down on him, slamming his face I to the ground.

"Ow…" Jack groaned.

"What I dream about her is none of your business."

"So you do dream about H- GOHOF!" Shivarna stomped his foot on him before dismissing.

"Anyways. What are we looking for?"

"Some clue that could lead us to who made this," Blitzø said.

"Oh, so what did Shelly find?"

"Why you singling me out?" Shelly asked.

"Uh...your clairvoyance."

"..." Shelly facepalmed and activated her power. She looked around a few times, blinking every time she gave a once over. "Hm?" Think I found something!" She pointed near the left half of the visor. "Check the node by the glasses! Somethings inside!"

"I got it!" Jack said, writing for Dust, "Dust!" He summoned Dust and formed it into claws, prying open the node. "What's this?" Inside was some sort of golden medallion with wing prints on it.

"Hm? Jack, look at that lid you pried off, what's on it?"

Jack looked at the lid and it had two large Ds on it, both sitting diagonally and slightly touching each other to the point of crossing over. "Double ds but not my kind."

"Those Ds look familiar," Moxxie mentioned.

"I'm more interested in this," Jack grabbed the medallion.

"Wait, Jack, don't!" Shelly tried to stop.

"Hm?" Jack pulled it out and a high pitch noise was coming out of the visor and it heated up along with the rest of the armor half. "Oh shit."

"Shivarna!" Poch grabbed his blue dagger and tossed it to Shivara who grabbed it, ran to the armor half, threw the dagger high up and away, and warped the armor away, watching it explode in the distance. "Phew." Poch breathed in relief.

"That was a close one. I didn't notice the explosives till Jack reached for it, sorry." Shelly apologized.

"It's fine, I'm the one who grabbed this thing." Jack said.

"What is it anyway?" Poch asked, reaching into his red gate to grab his other dagger.

"No clue. Let's ask Stolas when he gets back."

"Ok, but what about who made the armor?"

"Well, we got a clue at least," Millie said, pointing at the logo.

"Two if we count this medal," Jack mentioned, "hoping Stola can shed some light on it."

"The logo however we gotta ask Albest, cause this is human related no doubt." Echo mentioned.

"Shelly your dad used to be military, why not have him ask some officials?" Solis suggested.

"He's ex-military so he doesn't have much access but maybe he can get a few favors," Shelly said.

"Well actually, my Uncle Greg could help. He still has some underground connections. We can ask him tomorrow."

"Oh yeah, we're visiting your family tomorrow," Blitzø remembered.

"Oh I'm excited!" Millie said.

"It'll be a first for us too!" Shelly mentioned.

"You've never met them?"

"It was around the time we started to get the hang of turning human that Poch cut off communication with them, that and the promise Celis made made it hard to meet them," Jack informed.

"Yeah, but that's in the past. We can meet them in the afternoon after getting some work done, but they really are happy to be able to meet you guys," Poch smiled, "but expect Ilas to ask to see our shadow demons, she was real excited about that."

"Oh yeah? I'm definitely showing her imp parade," Jack said.

"Showing her Strength will be a bit difficult though," Dundy said.

"Strength?" Moxxie questioned.

"His armor shadow demon. It literally is just a suit of armor, though Dundy rarely uses it," Blitzø answered.

"Hm, I'll be sure to write that down."

Jack stretched. "Welp, I'm hungry, and Poch is on cooking duty. Let's head in."

"Wait, what?" Poch was confused, "why me?"

"Cause you'd love to cook your beautiful and cute hellhound something to eat," Jack smirked.

"Why do I know you're talking about Loona?" Poch groaned.

"Cause you know you called her that."

"What? No I haven't."

"Uh actually...you did." Loona confirmed, blushing.

"Huh!? When!?"

"Well-"

"Here!" Jill slid in and showed him the video.

Poch turned red when it came to the part of him calling her beautiful and even redder on the later part. "Uhhh I was...dazed so I was just...saying things!"

"So you don't think she's cute and beautiful?" Blitzø asked.

"Well I do but- doh!" He facepalmed, realizing he fell into that trap. "Can we just go in so I can make dinner!"

"You gonna make-"

"If you make one pun, I'm going to make you eat dirt and warp that dirt straight through you!"

"...so what ya gonna make?"


"Mm juicy!" Millie said, eating the roast Poch made. It was basically bacon wrapped in mashed up potatoes to make a makeshift roast.

"This that thing you told me came from that one anime?" Loona asked while eating.

"Food wars? Yeah it's from the first episode," Poch said while preparing more for those that want seconds. Shivarna was out mixing something in a pot wearing a chef's hat.

"What's Shivarna doing?" Moxxie asked.

"Mixing some sauce for something else I'm making."

"And you put the hat on him because?" Jack trailed.

"I didn't do that, he did that himself. I took it off and he just put it back on."

"Did Celis like wearing a chef hat?"

"Whenever he helped me in the kitchen, yeah, so it probs that."

"Well he looks good in it," Dundy said, cutting his roast with a bit of trouble since he could only use one hand at the moment.

"Need some help there, Dundy?"

"No i think I got i-"

Dundy was cut off by the doors opening.

"Hello all!" Stolas said at the doors.

"Stolas! Just the owl we need!" Jack said.

"And I'm not alone!" He stepped to the side to reveal Octavia.

"Hello," Octavia waved with a smile.

"Octavia!" Dundy smiled.

"Hey du-" Octavia went wide eyed when she saw his arm in a sling and said arm looking worse for wear, "oh my Satan! What happened!?" She asked, nearly rushing to his side.

"Let's just say today's Cleansing had third party involvement."

"What do you mean?" Stolas asked before looking at Poch and Shivarna, "and is that the Shivarna Blitzy told me about?"

"Yeah, this is Shivarna." Poch answered as Shivarna waved.

"Amazing," he walked up to Poch amd rifled Poch's hair, "I'm so happy to hear you've moved on," He said with a warm smile.

"Thanks." Poch smiled back

"Also glad to hear YOU kissed Loona this time!"

Poch turned red along with Loona before the two hounds glared at Blitzø.

Blitzø shrugged. "You expect me not to tell?"

Poch was about to say something but sighed. "Y'know honestly I'm not surprised."

"Now, what's this about a third party?" Stolas asked.


Stolas held the medallion, having heard their explanation of today's events. "Hmmm….this does look familiar to something but I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Were gonna ask Poch's uncle tomorrow about this symbol," Jack showed the top part of the mode he pried off.

"Poch's uncle?" Octavia questioned.

"Oh, um yes, he uh...lives in the...envy ring," Dundy lied.

Octavia chuckled, "Relax Dundy. I know you're all human."

"Y-you do!?"

"Dad told me a while ago. It was surprising but honestly… I think it's pretty rad."

"You think we're rad?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. Humans taking the form of demons and gaining unique powers sound like some sort of cult stuff and that's pretty cool. Though I do wonder, does that mean you're technically mutants?"

"Well, in a sense, yeah we are mutated humans, but not like that. When we bathed in the embodiment of hell, hell literally intertwined around our souls, creating our hellish forms and creating our shadow demons. While we still have human souls some of our biology has become demon like while some stayed human like, like our bones, but mutated to fit our demon forms. When we turn human it's more so suppressing our demon sides, the hell intertwined within us, which is why there's a cool down and why we can't stay in that form for long. This," Jack gestured at himself, "is more or less our true forms now, our human forms being now just a shell of our former selves. It's what I meant by us being sheep in sewn on wolf's clothing. Never truly a wolf but now closer to it than a sheep."

"Wow...that actually sounds rough. By being an exterminator you limit yourself from the outside world."

"It's fine. We can still enjoy the few moments we can outside, plus it's good to be around those you trust, like close family, who won't freak out too much when you look like this. Ilas actually wants to pet me next time," Poch said.

"It's the price we paid to fight, and I have no regrets, mainly cause being a cat is awesome and Ripper is badass. Plus I gave my dad more of a reason to go fishing," Shred smiled.

"Dad says no matter what I'll always be his little girl….and mom cant stop scratching me." Shelly laughed.

"My dad thought I could help keep the moles away." Echo smiled.

"Nala beat the ever loving shit out of me with a bat when I woke her up like this. Then when I changed to show it's me, she beat me up even more," Jack said.

Octavia turned to Dundy. "What about you Dundy? How'd your mother react?"

"I...rather not say," Dundy replied.

"Cmon Dund, tell her about the feeder," Jack smugly said.

"Feeder?" Octavia questioned.

Dundy sighed. "Mother got me a bird feeder as a gift when I showed her what I was. She couldn't stop laughing."

"Snrk, really?"

"Yes really, she made it up to me later though."

"Your mother sounds cool. I'd love to meet her."

"Well how bout meeting her later this week?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, infact why not join us tomorrow? Stolas is coming and since you know we're humans it wouldn't be weird," Shelly stated.

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

"I'll have Gen take a look at this to see if he can figure it out," Stolas said, putting the object away, "but first, I'd like to talk to Poch and Jack."

"What's up?" Jack asked as Poch dismissed Shivarna, puting the sauce pot in a gate.

"Alone please."

Poch and Jack looked at each other, the hound shrugging.


The three entered the radio for privacy, taking a seat.

"Now I...I hope you don't mind me asking this but...I was curious...how well do the two of you remember and know your fathers?" Stolas asked.

Poch and Jack glanced at each other, Poch motioning that he can go first.

"Well, to be honest, I barely even knew or got a chance to know him. When I was five he disappeared. Mom told me he had to leave because someone was after him, and in order to keep us safe he had to go somewhere far away. Haven't seen him since. Sometimes we get mysterious gifts and I just assume it's him...and honestly...it shows he cares...I was never gonna call him a deadbeat before because heck, mom would never talk well about a deadbeat, but...him sending what he kind just...solidified it for me." Jack explained.

"Have you ever wondered what caused this separation?"

"Yeah but, it's probably best not to draw attention to him. Don't wanna cause any trouble for my sis and him."

"I see. What about you Poch?"

"Well...I'm guessing Blitzø told you about my past?" Poch asked.

"Yes,"

"...I was seven when the accident happened but there was plenty to remember about my dad. He was the reason I taught myself how to use a katana, even though I didn't remember him by the time I started. Even though I had amnesia there were a few things that I remember but they were more like a familiar thing instead of actually remembering. I went years with just that for my past. Then came the day I heard my real name...Arnello...never had such a big headache. I remembered my dad calling me that and then the memories slowly returned. He knew his way around many weapons, a katana being his favorite to use. He'd try to practice every night and when I was five I'd sneak by to watch him, even though it was past my bedtime. He knew though and let me and Celis sit in to watch him at night. He was smart, brave, and nearly always kept his cool. We always would try to fluster him cause it was funny….he was a great dad...I wish...I wish I coulda told Celis about him...maybe he already remembered but I- hm?" Poch's ears perked up and he looked around.

"What's wrong?"

"Did...did you guys hear a howl?"

"I didn't hear anything," Jack said.

"Nor did I." Stolas added.

"Hm...guess it was just me. Anyways, why do you ask about our dads?" Poch questioned.

"Before I answer that, I must know...did you ever think of looking for your father after the accident?"

"Well...I didn't know about it till I was older and even then not much was known. The only survivor was someone else, and they found a dead body, the name of both being unannounced. If I remember my dad right, he would've found me and Celis by now so...I'm pretty sure he's dead."

"What...what if he wasn't...what if there was another reason."

"Huh?"

"What if he didn't have a chance to try and find you?"

"What do you mean? You know something?"

"...no I...it's just a speculation…" Stolas got up, "I was just curious about them that's all...I have to go," He left the two.

"Ok? What was that about?" Jack asked.

"No clue," Poch said.


Povh entered his room, seeing Loona at his bed on his computer. He asked her to meet him there to watch a movie.

"Hey," Loona waved.

"Hey," Ppch sat next to her.

"What'd you guys talk about?"

"Dads."

"Your dads?"

"Yeah, he wanted to know what we knew or remembered about them."

"Oh...how much do you remember?"

"Heh, alot actually….want me to tell you about him?"

"...sure," Loona smiled, closing the computer.

"Well...to start off," he began telling her some of his memories of his father.


Everyone gathered at the Lobby, preparing to meet Greg, Tom, and Ilas.

"Is everyone ready?" Stolas asked.

"Ready!" Blitzø said.

Stolas opened the gate and everyone stepped into the living room where Greg was reading a paper and Ilas was excitedly hopping on the couch. As soon as she saw them walk in she jumped and rushed to them.

"Hello there mis-" Stolas started before Ilas cut him off.

"Stolas, Octavia, Blitzø, Millie, Moxxie, Loona, Shred, Dundy, Echo, Jack, Shelly, and Solis!" She said pointing to them as she named them, "did I get it right!?"

"Y-yes actually." Stoas said, impressed.

"Yes! Pay up Pocho!"

Poch sighed, "your uncanny ability to know whose named what never ceases to amaze," he said, handing her a twenty. "Where's Tom?"

"Over here!" Tom said, karate chopping Poch from behind.

Poch grabbed his hand before it hit him, flipped forward, locking his legs around his neck, flipping him back onto the ground, twisting his arm as he kept him in an arm lock. "Say uncle!"

"U...uncle!"

"Louder!" Poch tightened.

"Uncle! Uncle!" He tapped on the ground.

"Wait! Hold him there! There's this wrestler move I wanna try!" Ilas said.

"Wait what!?"

"Kids, don't make me get the line," Greg said.

Poch, Tom's, and Ilas's eyes widened. The quick got up and stood straight.

"Well then, we know who's in charge." Jack cackled.

"What's the line?" Moxxie asked. Greg got up and hooked a fishing line on Moxxie's shirt before yanking him up. "AH!"

Greg moved and wrapped the line around him in different ways till he eventually fell, hogtied. "That's the line." He smirked.

"Whoa! How'd you do that!?" Blitzø asked, amazed.

"Wanna see how?"

"Yeah!" A hook got on his shirt. "Oh I see the trap now." He was yanked up and hogtied, landing next to Mox. "Stolas, you're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Maybe." The prince smirked.

"Now then," Greg walked up to Poch and hugged him, "good to see ya, Poch."

Tom and Ilas smiled and joined in.

Yeah, great to see you dude!" Tom said.

"I know we saw you and Loona not too long ago but I was already missing you." Ilas stated.

"Missed yall too." Poch smiled. Shivarna appeared and joined the hug. "Heh. Not surprised."

"Oh shit! That's Shivarna!? He looks way cooler than you said!" Ilas gushed as they broke the hug.

"Speaking off," Tom turned to the exterminators, "later can we see your shadow demons too?"

"Course!" Jack said.

"But before that, how bout we give you the grand tour then show you some photos of the past, especially Poch's embarrassing ones while said Poch cooks dinner!"

"Wait, what? I'm a guest, why am I cooking?" Poch asked.

"Your part of the immediate family, gone for years or not, so these are your guests too."

"Uncle Greg?"

"No no he's right, get to that kitchen mister."

"Ugh, there better be fresh ingredients," Poch groaned, going to the kitchen.

"Uh...can you untie us?" Blitzø asked.


Everyone was in the living room while Poch was cooking. They were looking through the photo album but they were doing alot less laughing compared to the others, even at the embarrassing ones, mainly because there was Celis in them.

"What's this?" Blitzø pointed at a pre teen Poch in gymnasium tights.

"This was around the time he wanted to practice with a katana but he wanted to work on his balance first so Celis suggested taking on gymnastics. Here," ilas flipped the page, "Celis did the same but since he was older he was let into a different club at the gym."

"Gym?" Moxxie asked.

"They didn't do any at School?" Millie questioned.

"Nah, me, Poch, and Celis, were homeschooled," Tom informed.

"Sadly I wasn't, and that sucked," Ilas pouted.

"Still made a good cheerleader!" Poch said from the kitchen.

"And you made a cute princess!"

"Princess?" Loona asked.

"Yeah, Poch lost a bet when we were like fourteen and had to dress up as a princess. Think I got that photo somewhere but here's the funny thing," Tom leaned on, "he can still fit it now!" He whispered. A wooden spoon wacked him in the face. "Dof!"

"That's what ya get," Greg smirked.

"Here it is!" Ilas pointed to a picture of Poch in a pink princess outfit, smiling down at Celis kneeling in a knight's armor.

"That Celis?" Millie asked.

"Yeah he became his knight when he became a princess, honestly made it alot easier for him. They even turned it into a comedy routine. Honestly no one could stop laughing!"

"Wow, wish my sis was like that," Jack said.

"Poch really did have a great brother...I wish I coulda met him." Octavia said.

"Yeah, I'm sure you would've liked him," Dundy ssid.

"Honestly...I cried when I heard his story...it was so sad."

"You told her?" Blitzø looked at Stolas.

"I gave him permission!" Poch said.

"He thought it'd be fair for her to know," Stolas said.

"Before we get all sappy, I got dinner ready!"


"Oof, I'm stuffed," Millie stated.

"Same," Shelly leaned back.

"So you were part of the mafia?" Blitzø asked.

"Yeah he was a congliger!" Ilas stated.

"Consigliere," Tom and Poch corrected.

"Yeah that!"

"But a friend of mine meeting someone made me get out of it. I had to help him out and when I did I left that part of my life behind," Greg explained.

"Hm...sounds alot like ke- eh someone I know." Stolas said.

"Hm? Y'know Stolas...I think you're hiding something."

"Me?"

"Yeah...Stolas, why'd you wanna ask about our dads? I doubt it was about curiosity." Poch confronted.

"No really it was nothing more than- hm?" Stolas looked up.

"That's what I find hard to believe, if it was that then Why'd you-"

"Uh...Poch?"

"No no let me finish. Why'd you wanna talk about it in private? Everyone else knows about my dad atleast and Jack's not shy about his. Heck I bet-"

"Poch?" Solis said, his gaze going to the side.

"Not done. I bet Jack's already told Blitzø about it, what with how much they-"

"Poch!" Tom shouted.

"What!?"

"Uh...Shivarna just...went upstairs."

"Huh?" Poch looked at the stairs and saw a black tail that led to his feet. "What the-? Shivarna?" He got no response.

"Is this natural?" Ilas asked.

"Well Shivarna is a special case because it has some of its own consciousness because it has some of Celis's soul residing in it," Jack explained.

Poch got up. "Shivarna!" He called out. He got no response. He walked forward, about to go after him before he walked down the steps holding a box with a lock on it. "What's this?" Poch was handed the box.

"I've seen that box in Celis's room. Why'd he go and grab it?" Greg said as the others approached the two.

"What's in it?" Poch asked.

"No clue. I don't know the combination."

"Does...does Shivarna know?" Shred wondered.

Poch looked at his shadow demon. "...do you know the code?"

"..." Shivarna reached for the lock and twisted it, going left and right a few times. The lock popped open and he pulled it off.

"Guess he did." He opened the box and nearly froze from shock. Inside were two pairs of black daggers with a white edge.

"Cool! It's a pair of daggers!" Millie said.

"Why would he keep this locked-" Loona stopped when she saw Poch's face, "Poch?"

"He...he got them fixed…" Poch said, small tears going down his face.

"Are these… special?" Blitzø asked.

"...there my dads."

Everyone was taken by surprise.

"Your dads!?" Shelly exclaimed.

"Are these...the first weapons your dad ever used? The ones you told me about?" Loona asked.

"Yeah...he showed them to me one day when I was younger. Said it was the first weapon he ever used...they broke some time while we were lost in that forest….can't believe he got them fixed." Poch said, wiping his tears away.

"That's great for ya Poch...wait what's that?" Blitzø noticed something.

"What?"

"On the edge of the box, something's there."

"Hm?" He looked on the edge and found something sticking out. He pulled it and it was a slip of paper and it was stuck under the first layer of the box. "Millie, hold these." He handed Millie the daggers. He set the box on the ground, getting on his knees. He slid the top part off. "What the?" Inside was an assortment of clipped pieces of paper. Poch immediately recognized one of them, it was a newspaper clip. "This is...the accident that led to my amnesia."

"The accident that turned Ralsin to Celis and Arnello to Poch," Jack said.

"Why would Celis…" he looked through the other clips of paper. They were printed articles and other information related to the accident, especially about the two people found. There was a segment with multiple red circles around it. It said something about how a dead body was found in a Nissan and they found someone unconscious near the Honda. "What's this mean?"

"...Poch...what model was the car you were driving on at that time?" Stolas asked.

"I...I don't-"

"Hon...da." Shivarna spoke, shocking everyone.

"He can talk!?" Moxxie said, flabbergasted.

"Shivarna? What are you talking about?" Poch asked.

"Dad...drove honda…" Shivarna spoke.

"He did….wait...then that means..."

"Father...alive."

"Dads….dads alive!?" Poch exclaimed.

"Dude, that's great!" Jack congratulated.

"I...i… why...when was…" Poch was shaking.

"Poch?"

"I gotta go!" He dismissed Shivarna and went through a gate.

"Poch!" Loona reached out, missing him. She went for the grimoire but Stolas stopped her.

"I think it'd be best to...leave him alone on this," Stolas told her.

Loona looked sadly at where he went.


A figure walked through a gate late at night into Poch's room. They approached his sleeping figure on the bed. He seemed to be sleeping soundly but the look on his face made it clear he was distraught. They looked over to the counter and saw an open bottle of sleeping pills and a nyquil. They sighed before carefully getting in the bed, grabbing Poch and pulling him closer.


It was close to the evening and Shelly, Millie, Echo, Loona, and Dundy, were in the lobby.

"So no one's seen him yet?" Echo asked.

"Nope. Why'd he freak when finding out his dads alive?" Shelly wondered.

"Maybe...maybe cause he went so long thinking he was dead...or maybe...I don't know." Loona stated.

Millie sighed. "Shelly we may have to cancel our girls ni-"

Millie was cut off by a red tear and Poch jumping through. He saw everyone and put on a smile. "Hey guys."

"H-hey Poch...you uh...you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine, sorry for dipping, I was just super shocked, yknow?"

"Uh...yeah?" Shelly said.

"Anyways, your girls night is in two hours right?"

"Yeah, but we don't have to do it tonight, we can reschedule."

"You better not, you'll ruin the surprise I'm making."

"Surprise?" Millie and shelly said in unison.

"Yep! Not telling though," he walked to the kitchen, "I just came by to grab something real quick," he went onto the cabinet and grabbed a spice. "Ran out of this. Alright, just message me when you're coming then I'll show ya the surprise and then I'll give you your privacy."

"Where you gonna go?" Millie asked.

"Here. I can play cards with the guys or something."

"Well we did want more people for our poker game," Echo admitted.

"Sweet! I'll join you for that then!" He cut a gate. "See you then!" He went through.

"So...he act a little weird?" Shelly asked.

"Just a little," Dundy said.

Loona had a concerned look on her face.


Nala, Ilas, Shelly, Loona, Millie, and Kennie entered the living room of Poch's place.

"Wow! This is much nicer than I thought!" Kennie said.

"Is this how the rich live!?" Ilas asked.

"Don't go asking me for loans!" Poch said from the kitchen.

"Oh hey Poch!"

"Hey, come over here!"

They all walked to where he was.

"What's u- whoa!" Millie went wide eyed and so did the others when they saw the counter. There was a wide spread of food.

"I've made rice balls, fried rice, fried calamari, sweet meatballs and shrimp, which is a new recipe I hope you like, chicken takoyaki, miso soup, crab meat sushi, beef and broccoli, and for dessert, made some fudge brownies. Loona knows where the dishes are."

The girls were practically drooling at the spread.

"Anyways, hope y'all enjoy. what's not finished, I'll put it in the fridge." He cut a gate and walked through.

"...so...remember how I said we'd hot tub then watch some netflix?" Millie said.

"Yeah?" Shelly said.

"How bout we reverse that? Sound good?"

"Deal," They said in unison.


The girls were watching episode six of Demon slayer. Loona convinced them to try it despite the title.

"Bet you five bucks its two demons!" Shelly said.

"Deal!" Millie said, finishing her riceball. "Any more rice balls left?"

"A few. You can still eat!?" Ilas said in surprise.

"Yeah! Those rice balls are good!" She hopped off and went to the kitchen.

"Get me some more sushi while you're at it!" Keenie asked.

"I'm jealous of you Loona." Nala said.

"Huh? Why?" Loona looked at her confused.

"You get to eat shit like this daily. I can only imagine what breakfast is like."

"I don't live here."

"Well you sleep here alot with him."

Loona blushed and stiffened. "Wh-Wh-What do you mean!? I-I don't sleep with him!"

"Who said anything about sleeping with him? I meant the guest room."

"O-Oh."

"Unless you do."

"No!"

"Actually one time-" Shelly started.

"Shut up!"

Millie walked in with a bowl of soup and a few rice balls. Everyone gave her a look. "What? Needed a dip." She said.


The girls were relaxing in the hot tub, Loona only dipping her feet in. Reason being was that everyone but her was naked in the tub.

"Shelly you were right, this does feel good," Keenie said.

"Why dont ya join us, Loona?" Ilas asked.

"I'm not a skinny dipper," Loona answered.

"Plus that's for Pochs eyes only." Nala said.

Loona blushed. "It is not!"

"Uh huh sure. Anyways, who wants to play a game?"

"Oh! What game?" Shelly asked.

"Its called "Would you have sex with" we name a person and raise our hand if we would have sex with them and then explaine why, ignoring relationships were currnetly in."

"What?" Loona went wide eyed.

"Sounds fun!" Millie said.

"Wait, you're actually ok with this Millie!?"

"Yeah why not? We actually gonna pretend the boys aint thinking the same thing?"


Meanwhile at the base, the guys were playing Poker.

"So….of all the girls….who do you think has a secret fear of spiders?" Jack asked.

"Odd question but...Ilas." Dundy said.

"Eh id say Nala actually, she's way too tough not to have a fear," Moxxie said.

"Sadly she doesn't, but she hates them though," Jack informed.

"I'd say...Millie." Echo said.

"Actually she likes spiders," Moxxie said.

"Dang i was gonna say Millie," Shred said.

"I'd say Loona. What about you Poch?" Jack asked.

"..." Poch looked at his card spaciously.

"Poch?"

"Hm?" He looked up, "Sorry what?"


"I'll go first!" Ilas said. "would you have sex with Tom?"

Shelly raised her hand.

"Damn only Shelly?"

"To be fair, only Loona, Millie, and I have met him. i say yes cause I like his personality but its not a hard yes more of a maybe." Shelly explained.

"OK, you pick."

"Alright, Solis."

Millie, Ilas and nala raised their hands.

"Surprised Loona didn't raise her hand."

"She's too shy to play," Nala smirked.

"What!? No I'm not!" Loona said.

"Then why didn't you raise your hand?"

"He's not my type!"

"Alright then. I chose him cause I like his swagger, plus i bet it hot when those fierce eyes look at ya."

"Oh they are!" Shelly stated.

"I chose him cause of that too, plus the tail," Millie said.

"I chose him cause he's like a swagger version of Tom yet less badass. no offense," Ilas said.

"None taken. Your turn Millie." Shelly faced the imp.

"Moxxie!" Millie said.

Keenie raised her hand.

"Ah what?"

"Sorry, he's cute and all but he's a bit too timid for me." Shelly told her.

"He kinda reminds me of Collin," Keenie said.

"Ok you go then,"

"Alright how bout…" She smirked and looked at Loona, "Poch."

Loona blushed as she saw Millie, Shelly, Ilas, and Nala raise their hand. She blushed even harder when she timidly raised hers.

"I knew it!"

"It's only cause I trust him!" she defended.

"I chose him cause I knew him the longest and let me tell ya, he may be small but something tells me he's a dominator!" Ilas stated.

"Oh he definitely is! You can tell alot by the way someone fights and I've seen him fight!" Shelly informed.

"I have too plus, I gotta admit, imagining him making those cute yet sexy faces while dominating someone sounds really hot!" Millie said.

"I like the challenge of trying to dom the dom." Nala smirked.

"Hey look! Loona's blushing even harder!" Keenie said.

"N-No I'm not!" Loona said, covering her face.

"Oh yes you a-"

a noise came from inside the room.

"What was that?" Keenie asked.

"I'll go check!" Mille said, grabbing and wrapping a towel around herself. She krept to the entrance and looked in, seeing a figure inside the kitchen. She slowly and quietly walked in, getting behind the counter. She grabbed a knife and launched at the person in the dark only for her wrist and neck to be grabbed and herself to be spun and pinned to the ground, her wrist twisted to release the knife, her neck feeling claws on them.

"Millie!?" A familiar voice said.

"Poch?"

"Shivarna," the lights were turned on by Shivarna as Poch rose of Millie. "Sorry."

"No no it's fine, I should have assumed it was you." Millie got up.

"I'm just here to get a quick bite and sleep. Yall dont have to leave. How was the sweet meat?"

"Really good!"

"Mils?" Shelly peaked in with the others.

"I'm ok! It's just Poch!"

"Sorry to bother! Just bout to head to bed." Poch told them.

"How was poker?" Shelly asked.

"Eh it was alright. Jack owes me a few rings though...i think."

"Think?"

"I kinda wasn't paying much attention, hehe," He scratched the back of his head.

"Poch you sure you're ok?" Millie asked with some concern.

"Im fine mi-" As he talked Millie's towel dropped, "-LLIE!" he quickly looked. "I saw nothing! I swear!"

Millie giggled and grabbed her towel. "Its fine, I know you aint no pervert...plus I aint Loona so,"

"And with that I leave! Bye!" Poch scurried off to his room.

the girls laughed but Loona had more of a worried look.


Poch flopped on his bed. He was considering changing for the night but thought against it, not really wanting to. A knock came at his door.

"Come in," Poch said.

Loona softly walked in. "...Hey."

"Hey….whats up?"

"Poch…" she walked to him and laid next to him, "...be honest...you really ok?"

"im fine," He chuckled, "seriously whys everyone asking me th-" he felt Loona grab his hand. He looked and saw how concerned she was. He dropped his smile and looked up, sighing. "...Loona...im...i have so many questions and not enough answers….When did Celis remember Ralsin?... Was he ever gonna tell me?...but….what shocked me most was knowing that my dads alive….but that just makes me even more confused…" He felt her grip tighten somewhat, as if telling him to go on. He didn't look at her. "...If he's alive then….then why hasn't he found Celis and me yet...I remember coming home from the corner store when i was six and some dog chased me and i got lost...I was so scared but he eventually found me, saying he looked everywhere for me...he didn't let me out of his site the whole time the next day...so how is it that after nearly fifteen years he hasn't found us yet...did something happen to him? has...has he not had a chance to look yet?...I don't know…"

"Poch I-"

He raised up. "And if somehow he does find me...what do I tell him? How do explain my name?...How do I explain this?" He motioned to his hellhound form, "Or the whole exterminator thing?...but that's not even what I'm afraid of…"

"Whaddya mean?"

"...Celis is dead...how do i tell him his own son is dead...and when i tell him how it happened...will he blame me?...will he hate me?...celis says im not to blame but...will he think the same?...I wanted to look for him when i remembered him but then i thought he was dead...now I know he's not but...now im afraid...im so afraid…"

Loona got up and hugged him from behind. "If Celis is anything to go by, I don't think he'll hate you...i doubt he would...if its your dad then the first thing he'd do is hug you and tell you missed you...know what...i know he'd do that."

"...What if you're wrong?"

"What if I'm not...ask yourself...you really think he'd hate you?"

"I...No...I...I don't think he would...looking back the dad I remembered would never hate us...but what if he's changed?"

"What if he hasn't?"

"You don't know he hasn't,"

"You do know he has,"

"What if-"

"What if you're worrying too much? What if this was all in your head?"

"I…" he sighed "...maybe you're right...it's just been so long I...I dont what to think...ive lived most of my life without him. I wonder if I should even care...that bad?"

"Nah...I say that's natural."

"Heh...I guess you would know huh?"

"In a sense...now stop worrying so much."

"...you're tight...thanks."

"Don't mention it."

"Before you leave….mind if we chat a bit?"

"Sure."


"Hmmm," Toket looked through recent footage from the last Cleansing. "Seems Poch has moved on from his trauma and Jacks gained a new form. How interesting."

"I stil, don't understand why you didn't just take them out while they were captured," James asked.

"Oh my dear James, how simple minded you are."

"Huh?"

"My goal is to gather information. While the book gives us some information it does not fully tell us what the exterminators are fully capable of as it's not its main subject, plus its contents have a time lock. Anything we learn from them can therefore aid us as we crusaders are their counterparts. Even so, killing one would be a good bonus, but wouldn't you rather damage the whole lot."

"What do you mean? Wait...were you expecting the lions to lose?"

"I didn't expect them to win, I honestly wanted to see how well they perform, especially when piloted. I plan to win this war, not this battle, James. My next attack shall show you what I mean."

"Your next attack?"

"I shall plant the seeds of social chaos and then...have them bloom into social destruction!"


End.

Next chapter. Challenges.