Chapter 40. Calling.
Before the fishing trip.
Shred stood in the middle of the studio room on a podium in front of a screen, facing a multitude of cameras. He wore a red speedo with a black top that only covered the top of his chest, on his knees with a hand on his hip and one behind his head, tilting his head back, looking at the cameras provocatively.
"Oh yeah that's a good one!" Said the photo imp, snapping a multitude of pics.
Stolas was behind the dashboard with a short blue imp in a fur coat sitting in a chair next to him. Both were watching with intrigue.
"This guys got some experience. Was he a model before he became an Exterminator?" The imp asked.
"I want to say no but…" Stolas tilted his head.
"Well its sad we couldn't get the others for this, that owl was top pick for our muscle lovers."
"I'll…let him know you think that."
Shred placed his vest back on, having finished up with photos.
"So this will work right?" Stolas asked the imp.
"Yeah, we got better than we thought with just him so yeah this works!" The imp reached his hand out. "I'll get the boys to set up a studio for a radio room for ya. That Terminal things gonna take a while though."
"That should be fine for tomorrow. Thank you." Stolas shook his hand.
Shred approached them. "All good?"
"All good." Stolas answered.
"Alright sweet! Lets get our fish on!" He left with Stolas. "I'm gonna go for a speed boat."
"Won't that scare the fish?"
"Not if you wait and let them come back. I just don't wanna row, I'm with my dad after all so it's not a romantic evening."
"In that case maybe I should pick a rowboat."
Once they left the camera imp approached the boss imp.
"So…find anything?" The boss asked.
"I sprinked the Flame Flakes all over that bed and he didn't react at all, nor did he say anything about or react to the red flashes. Not only that but when he left I sprayed him with that perfume laced with Lust seeds and he shrugged it off like it was nothing." The camera demon informed.
"So that confirms it then?"
"He could just be resistant and we didn't check for contacts so they have some excuses."
"But it's a lead right?" He leaned in, hopeful.
"Why are you so adamant on this?"
"Jerry, we possibly got humans invading hell. They look like demons, but they're humans, mutants guess you could say. You've seen what those guys can do right?"
"Every Cleansing yeah."
"No Imagine making them work for ya, having those with that kind of power your bitch? I'd say that'd make us some top dogs ey?" He nudged.
"W-well," He thought about it, smiling a bit at the thought, "it would be hard to mess with us."
"Right? While they're here, let's find out all we can to prove they're humans, then we get leeway for a bargaining chip!"
Present time
"Let's see…" Rex was picking out a weapon from the array of weapons on a wall.
"I thought you already got a substitute?" Albest asked.
"I do, I just need something to destroy you with."
"Oh c'mon you can't be that mad. Gotta spend some time and eat some good cooked fish."
"I didn't want to be there."
"Yet you watched from afar like a-"
"Say Edgelord and busting out Decay."
"Whoa there, not that serious man. Still, were you really just gonna watch from afar?"
"I…yeah I was…Look…I'm not like you…you didn't forget you had a reason to…be distant."
"Yeah but…I still coulda talked to them. Sure there's still that last Stalker but that doesn't mean I can't send them a message now…you saw me talking…heck if I just stay demon I could see them and they'd understand."
"Still you didn't forget…You have the right to see them I… I don't… if he knew he'd hate me…especially with…"
"You really gotta stop beating yourself over that," Albest placed a hand on Rex's shoulder, "it wasn't your fault, hell you tried to save them. Honestly it's my fault for not letting you kill that rat bastard."
"Now who's beating themselves up?" Rex smirked under his mask.
"Heh, touche."
"...I'm still gonna wreck you."
"Fuck."
Poch set the container in the fridge. "Welp we got fish for breakfast so hope you aren't sick of them yet."
Loona sat on the couch. "Not yet but it better not be for lunch."
"It wont, I'll just get us a pizza." He looked through the sodas.
"How? You won't have your daggers till the day after?" She grabbed the remote, turning on the tv.
"Delivery." He said in an obvious tone.
"Oh, right, duh." She chuckled.
"Want a Cola?"
"Sure."
He grabbed a cola and a sierra mist from the fridge, heading to the couch. "Glad we got free drinks."
"Exterminator perks dude." She took the cola and gave him some space to sit on her lap.
"Uh…Mind if we switch?" He blushed.
"Switch?"
"Yeah I just…wanna try you on…my lap this time."
"Oh," Now she blushed, "well…I'm not gonna give you a lap dance." She tried to joke
He turned redder. "W-wh- I wasn't gonna ask that! I just…wanted to try a…change….y'know what nevermind." He was gonna climb up but Loona stopped him.
"No sorry…I was…trying to make a joke…I…would actually like to…sit on you."
"Shivarna you better not say anything!" Poch felt the need to say. They waited for a moment. "Ok we're good."
"Alright." She got up, moving to let him sit down."
Poch sat in her spot, leaning back, looking at her a bit nervously. "All yours."
Loona chuckled nervously, twirling her hair. "Y-yeah." She stood in front of him, softly sitting down on his lap, trying not to move so much, leaning back a little.
Poch moved his head to the side. "You…comfy?"
"Yeah um…you? I'm not heavy or anything am I?"
"I'm fine…you should know by now you're pretty light."
"I uh…guess I should."
"So um…" He placed his arms around her waist pulling her close, "Whaddya wanna watch?"
"Well Millie did want me to try this new show, it's some tv drama, I think the first season is on Netflix."
"Ok cool. Think it'll be any good?"
"It's apparently about a detective dating a mafia boss." She turned on the Netflix server, choosing the human world version.
"Oh it's in the human world?"
"Apparently, yeah."
"Well it sounds interesting at least. Lets not binge though cause I wanna get to bed early for tomorrow's Cleansing."
"Yeah yeah, I'll make sure to remind you to brush your teeth too." She chuckled.
"And I'll tuck you in, Little Loonie." He smirked.
"Ok Midget."
"Oh cheap shot."
They shared a laugh, Loona getting comfy on Poch, starting the show.
Blitzo had driven Octavia and Stolas back to his house, Dundy tagging along. They dropped them off at the front gate.
"Tell your mom I said hi." Octavia hugged Dundy.
"Take care Blitzy!" Stolas embraced his boyfriend.
"Hey, we're still on for friday right?" Blitzo asked.
"Of course! Speaking of, I was wondering if we could watch it somewhere else."
"Like here?"
"I was thinking more of a…penthouse belonging to a certain hound."
"Hm?" Poch looked off in the corner.
"What?" Loona asked, still on her boyfriend's lap.
"I just…felt a tinge of…invasion."
"...What?"
"I don't know."
"Oh that'd be perfect!" Blitzo scratched under Stolases chin, making the owl's feathers puff. "Then we can take advantage of that hot tub!"
"Oh yes!" Stolas nearly moaned.
"Ugh, keep it private please." Octavia rolled her eyes.
"Hey I'm just giving you pointers for your owl boy over there." Blitzo smirked, Stolas giving a glare.
"I'm not her owl boy." Dundy rolled his eyes.
"Right, you're her owl man."
"That's enough," Stolas pinched Blitzo's mouth, "I think it's time we head home. We have a big day tomorrow."
"Right. Let's head back, Blitzo." Dundy suggested.
"Not gonna give her a k- HULP!" Stolas gripped his hand around Blitzo's neck, giving him a threatening smile.
"Blitzo?..."
"Uh…nevermind!"
"Good." He let go. "I'll see you all tomorrow. Tata!" He waved them off, heading inside with his daughter.
"Seeya Dundy!" Octavia waved off.
They came in, Stolas stretching. "Well that turned out to be more enjoyable than I thought."
"Right? Never thought fishing would be so fun."
"Was that a pun?" Stolas chuckled, heading into the living room.
"And where," Stella glared at them, rising from the couch, "the fuck were you!"
"Stella! What are you doing here?" Stolas asked.
"I live here, you dolt!" She huffed. "That's beside the point! Where were you!?"
"I was…out. Why?"
"Out? Out where? With that fucktoy you call an Imp?"
"Stella he has a name, would it kill you to say it. What does it matter if I was with Blitzy?" He sighed.
"It might and it matters to me!"
"Why would you even care?"
"I care because it's embarrassing to have a husband who flirts with an Imp of all things!"
"Oh here we go again, look who I spend my time with is no business of yours!"
"It is plenty my business, especially for my reputation!"
"Oh please, as if anyone cares!" He rolled his eyes.
"I care!"
"And that says a lot now doesn't it!"
"Why you!" She stomped closer.
Octavia sighed, making her way to her room, trying to drown out their yelling with some music. Before she could hit play, her phone rang. It was Elina. "Hello?"
"Octavia my dear! How are you!?" Elina asked in her usual cheerful voice.
"I'm fine Elina. I just got home."
"Dundy told me. How was your trip, dear?"
"It was fun. I managed to get the hang of it with Dundy's help."
"Haha, he didn't try to fish with five poles did he?"
"Hah no he didnt." A loud crash and screech was heard from the background. "Oh great."
"What was that?"
"My parents are arguing again."
"Oh I'm sorry dear."
"It's fine…I'm getting used to it."
"That's not something any child should say to arguing parents….Do you have that Grimoire?"
"No, Blitzo has it, why?" She asked curiously.
"Oh in that case wait one second!"
"What are you-" Before she could finish the phone hung up. "Ok then." She placed her headphones in, about to play some music until a portal opened up beside her, startling her. "What the-!?"
"Hello!" Elina popped out, smiling.
"Elina!? What are you doing!?"
"Inviting you over!"
"What?"
"I can make a fresh pot of hot chocolate and I got jumbo marshmallows, and if you get tired, the couch is a pullout!"
"I- I don't know if I could just leave." She said uncertain.
"It's fine, I told that Blitzo to tell your dad where you'll be."
"Well… I don't-"
Another loud crash was heard followed by more yells from Stella and Stolas.
"...Let me grab my charger." She changed her mind quickly.
Octavia and Elina sat on the couch in Elina's living room, drinking hot chocolate while talking.
"And that's how I got myself out of that parking ticket." Elina told Octavia.
"Wow and it would've cost that much?" Octavia rose a brow, sipping from her mug.
"Yep! I'm glad I tried Law before wrestling."
"Hehehe." She looked at her mug, making a solemn smile.
"You ok?"
"I'm fine…thanks for this."
Elina came close, placing her arm around the owlette, holding her close. "Of course. You're like a second daughter to me, you know?"
"Heh, I am…well…you feel like a first mother."
"Oh I'm touched." She kinda gushed.
"I mean it…home…it just," her smile dropped a bit "…feels like some warzone…mom and dad are always finding something to argue about…things get thrown…and dad's been getting…busier lately…I just feel like…I feel like Im ignored…like they don't relise there fighting in front of their own daughter."
Elina looked concerned at her. "I'm sorry dear…I wish I could help you…I wish bashing their heads in would make them act properly."
"Heh…I wish that too…But being with you….being with Dundy…it helps…You two are like….a home away from…a not so home."
"And you'll always have a place here, no matter what." She hugged her.
"Thank you." She hugged back.
Next day.
"Ok," Stolas addressed everyone in the studio room, there were extra monitors set up for extra views and supplies hung up on the walls in the photo room, "while we're missing the terminal we still have communications, so just in case we need someone to get a get out, drive in a path close to everyone."
"Got it," Solis thumbed up.
"And stay close to Jack just in case he has his hot flashes. Shred's gonna be partnered up with him cause of Cait Sith."
"Aww that means we won't be partnered together." Millie pouted.
"Sorry Mils, I'm the only one with a fast enough Shadow Demon to get him out of there."
"I challenge that." Shivarna said.
"Warp doesn't count."
"Shit." He dismissed.
"Hope you don't miss me out there." Jack nudged Poch.
"My sanity won't." Poch smirked.
"Dick." Jack laughed.
"Now that we got that out of the way, shall we get into position?" Stolas asked.
"Yeah!" Everyone agreed.
Everyone was waiting for the Cleansing to start.
"Think we'll get a boss?" Shred asked Jack.
"Who knows. Better question is, would it be an improved one?" Jack answered.
"Like another armored Lion? Speaking off," He pressed his earpiece, "Solis anything else on those files."
"Other than those Collars no." Solis answered.
"You mean the ones that took our Shadow Demons away?" Jack questioned.
"Yeah. Not much on them though, just what they're made of but not how they work."
"What are they made of?"
"I…they're hard to describe."
"They heavenly?"
"I think? I can send you a list later and you can show it to Clark."
"Sure."
The sirens began and the gates opened, the angels pouring out.
"Sweet no orb bull this time." Shred cracked his fingers.
"Let's rip!" Jack said, getting his scythe out.
Poch used Rex's katana, slicing through the Bee-bots in front of him. "Bee-bots, Jeez I haven't seen these in a while!"
"Didn't you fight those when you first met me?" Moxxie said through the radio.
"Yeah, it's like someone forgot about them!" He jumped and slashed the cube they came from before more could come. Serpent angels came from behind, he was about to cut them up until Shivarna came out.
"Mine!" Shivarna clawed them up, smirking proudly.
"How long have you wanted to do that?" Poch said unamused.
"A while. Was hoping you'd say 'Aww dang it.'"
"I didn't even have you when I watched that."
"You had Klarna when you watched it with Loona."
"Fair point."
A horde of serpents, mini lions, and angels with katanas came running at them.
"Can we try something?" Shivarna asked.
"What's up?" Poch wondered.
Shivarna got behind, ducked down, brought his head under Poch's leg, quickly rising up. "Hup!"
"Whoa!" Poch was lifted up and rolled onto his Shadow Demons back, grabbing his fur to steady himself.
"Ride along."
"Alright stead," Poch smirked, "Giddy up!"
"Don't make me toss you off." He said as he ran to meet with them.
Dundy thrusted his palm at a large axe wielding Angel, blasting it through the abdomen. "No…" Another came from behind and he did the same, donutting its chest like it was Kakyoin. "No…"
"What are you doing?" Echo asked, firing at a group.
"Tia gave me a suggestion about my Energy Blasts and I managed to pull it off once by accident when I got home and I'm trying to recreate it."
"What is it?"
"I'm attempting to release it in a different way, instead of a blast I'm aiming for a pulse. If I can do that I can widen it like a shock wave."
"Interesting…also Tia?"
"Nickname, don't Poch me on this."
"Excuse me?" Poch said through the comms.
"Oops." He forgot his comm was on.
"She have a nickname for you?" Echo smirked.
"Ugh," Dundy groaned, "….She sometimes calls me Dund."
"Ah getting personal!"
"Shut up."
"Shielders in the front!" Shelly called out from the bed of the truck, having Le-Armes equipped.
"Got it!" Moxxie aimed his rifle at the row of shielders in the front. He pressed the red gauge on the side of the gun, a red light shining from the tip. He pulled the trigger, getting knocked back a bit from the powerful recoil, almost falling. Once the crimson bullet hit the middlemost Angel an explosion erupted from it, knocking them all back.
Shelly shot them all down before they could get back up and guard again. "Nice one, Moxster!"
"Thanks. Recoil needs work." Moxxie rolled his shoulder. "Tried asking Gen but he's been busy."
"Yeah he's working on something big appa-"
The sound of bells cut her off. A boss was coming.
"Boss time guys!" Shelly announced.
The large gate opened and something crashed down from it.
"Who's over there?" Solis asked.
"We are!" Shred and Jack said.
"And guess what? It's a new armored one!" Shred said.
"It is!?" Dundy said.
"What is it?"
"It's a stone face but it's definitely different!" Loona said through the radio room.
"Whaddya see?" Poch asked.
"WOLOLOLOLO!" The Stone Face roared.
Jack and Shred saw the dust settle, the Stone Face emerging. It had its left hand replaced with a drill, its right being a four barreled gun, its left eye being green instead of yellow, and it having steel armor covering its legs, head, and upper arms.
"It's got a gun arm, a drill arm, a green eye, and armor." Jack told them.
"That's all?" Echo asked.
"Probably got some hidden stuff." Shred turned Jack. "Hey, you sure you wanna stay? If you go long range I can still get you out with cait."
"I'll be fine!" Jack said, a bit annoyed, writing for Dust.
"Alright." He wrote for Ripper.
"Dust!"
"Ripper!"
Poch cut through some angels surrounding him, moving swiftly and cutting them down with ease. More came around and he curled his toes and did a spin kick to create a circular wave, pushing it out, releasing it to mow them down. There was one far away, all alone. "You dare?" Poch taunted, pointing the blade at it. It charged at the hound with no fear. "It dares!" He smirked, ready to kill it.
Before it could attempt to attack it was stabbed through the back by a blue rapier, the weapon being thrown from above. The weapon had a rose patterned guard and thorns etched into the blade.
"What the-!?" Poch was taken by surprise, even more so when his symbol started to glow.
"Pardon me." A voice came from above.
He looked up and saw someone floating down. It was a five foot eight inch tall elk male. His fur was dark black, his eyes a pristeen yellow, his brown hair curled into a short ponytail, and his horns short but broad and very smooth. He wore a neat formal dress, having a blue coat, a white button up dress shirt, and black formal pants with thin white stripes. His right hand glowed with a crusader symbol.
"A Crusader!?" He was quick to radio in. "Guys I got a Crusader!" He heard static. "Guys!?"
"They won't hear you." The elk said, landing near his weapon.
"Who are you!?" Poch readied himself.
"My name is Alto." He reached into his coat, pulling out a collar. It was white with a red stripe in the middle and a keyhole.
"That collar…" He swore he recognized it.
"I'm sorry for the sudden entrance, Arnello," He pulled his rapier out of the ground, "I wasn't even supposed to be here, but I got to curious."
"..." He didn't reply, feeling a bit nered that Alto used his real name.
"I'm also sorry for this!" He lunged in, stabbing at Poch. All of his stabs were blocked and deflected. He swung his other arm at him, swinging the collar to him.
Poch raised his arm to block but was startled when Alto's limb phased through, going across his body like a ghost. "What!?" The instant the neck chain was on the other side Alto moved swiftly back, clamping the collar on. "Shit!" Poch jumped back, feeling something change and the color of his symbol fade.
"Sorry about that," Alto apologized, "It'll be the only time I use my powers."
"What did you do!?"
"I restricted your powers. I didn't want that unique one to interrupt." He pointed his blade at Poch. "Your swordplay is…interesting…I wanted to get a taste of your skills raw first…I couldn't wait till you got your original weapons back, sorry, but I won't use my powers or abilities either." He grined. "Let's have a good fight, Arnello."
Poch grit his teeth, jumping at him, "Stop calling me Arnello!" He slashed down.
The Stone Face launched its tongues at Jack and Shred, its tongues having sharp blades coming out its sides.
"Bladed tongues!? Really!?" Jack said, swiping them away while in Gargoyle mode.
"Those look painful. Hey, you doing ok?" Shred asked, armitized in Ripper, jumping over the swipe of its drill, clashing at its eyes, his claw being blocked by its shoulder armor as it turned enough for it to protect it."
"I'm fine! Infact I dont think it's gonna happen at all today!"
"Don't jinx it." Shred noticed the boss face its gun at them. "Look out!"
It fired a large bullet the size of a cannonball, it whizing right past them and breaking through the ground, shattering the gravel, going deep through it as it skidded a few miles away. If Jack hadn't Dust Dived he would've gotten hit. After it fired the barrel turned 90 degrees.
"Holy fuck!" Jack popped his head out. "Let's not get hit by that!"
"I think it's limited."
"I hop-"
"Everyone, I've lost contact with Poch!" Stolas said.
"What!?"
"Where is he!?" Shred questioned.
"We last saw him near Drip Street!" Stolas informed.
"Last!?" Shelly questioned.
"Cmon…where are you!?" Loona frustradily tried to looking around for her boyfriend through the cameras, but finding nothing.
"We lost visual, and can't even find him on the Eye cameras." Stolas responded.
"That's bad." Dundy said.
"Did he get taken?" Moxxie wondered.
"If that's the case he could be locked up at their place! We don't know where that is, he could be trapped!" Blitzo surmised.
Loona tensed up at that, squeezing her mouse. "Dad, shut up!" She yelled.
"Oh sorry!"
"I see him!" Shelly announced.
That gave her some relief. "You did!?"
"I got him with my Clairvoyance! It looks like he's fighting someone!"
"An angel?" Jack asked.
"No…It's giving him too much of a struggle for that."
"Please tell me someone can get to him!?" Loona asked, a bit desperate.
"Dundy and Echo are the closest! I'll tell you two were to go!" Shelly communicated.
"Ok," Shred glared at the stone face, "while there doing that lets try and take care of this bi-"
"GAH!" Jack collapsed, his Shadow Demon dismissing and his symbol glowing as he fell, panting.
"Oh come on, now!?" Shred groaned. The Stone face noticed his tumble and thrusted its drill at the imp. Shred acted quick, rolling around, spin dashing into its weapon, his spines grinding against its tip. "No…You…fucking…don't!" He tried to push against the drill but was getting overpowered, sliding back. He realized he was gonna be pushed back completely soon and Jack would get hit in the process. He acted swiftly, jumping back, letting the drill push him back, backflipping to grab Jack and pull him out of there before he got hit, dismissing Ripper and tumbling back. "You ok, Jack!?" He asked his friend below him, bringing his scythe back together.
"Urg!" Jack looked up at Shred, seeing the cat Exterminator's lips moving but unable to hear him, only the sound of someone's loud manically cackling. "Can't…hear…" He said.
"Solis, where you at!?" Shred asked through his earpiece.
"Near Succulent Ave, why?" Solis answered.
"Come by Drip street!" He wrote for Cait Sith, leaping over the Boss Angels tongues. "Cait Sith!" He threw Jack on top of his Shadow Demon. "I'm sending Jack to you!"
"W-..wait." Jack reached out weakly, being carried away.
"What about you?" Stolas asked.
"Gotta hold this thing back!" Shred cracked his knuckles, charging at the Boss.
"Without a Shadow Demon!?"
"Got no choice!" He swayed and moved around its tendrils, getting nicked a few times.
"Solis, please get Jack quick!"
"Working on it!" Solis answered.
'Crap!' Jack tried to move but his body felt too heavy, the laughter getting louder. 'Why is this still going on! Dammit…this is a bad one!' He looked to Shred, his claws barely scratching the monster's armor and him getting knocked away due to checking with Jack, quiding Cait Sith to kill any Angel in the way. 'I…gotta help…stupid…whatever this is!'
"You want to help them!?" A voice echoed in Jack's head, the laughter disappearing.
"Huh!? Who's there!?"
"You wish to fight!? Don't want to sit this out!?"
"What!? Of course not! The last thing I want is to be a pain in the ass and I sure as hell don't wanna be sidelined!" Jack tried raising up, falling off Cait Sith.
"Oh shit, Jack!" Shred noticed, attempting to send it back but needing to jump out the way quickly from the incoming drill.
"Gotta…get…back up!" Jack tried raising, using his scythe as a crutch. The angels swooped down, surrounding him. He glared at them, trying to balance.
"Hah! Then I guess I should give you some help!"
"Grg!" He felt a surge through his body, the heaviness he felt being replaced with a heat andhis body shaking. There was some sort of rush, sparks of red channeling from his body into his scythe. The creatures around him dove in.
"Jack!" Blitzo called out having come around the corner with the others on the truck.
"RAGH!" In one nearly blinding move, he cut through all that surrounded him, red cracks formed in his eyes, his body tensed and his scythe in a different form. The color became crimson red mixed with frainy white, the pole being thicker, a small curved blade coming out the back, and the scythe blade itself gaining teeth marks on its side. His breathing became heavy, red sparks going across his body, and he looked at the Stone Face.
"Let's rip!"
The words for Dust appeared on the scythe. "Dust!"
"He should be around here!" Echo said, heading to where Shelly said she saw Poch, Dundy being with him.
"Is it me or is there a lack of…activity here?" Dundy noted. They had to fight a few angels on their way but as they progressed there was less and less showing up.
"I was hoping it was just me." Echo said, looking around seeing how few there were. He looked forward and saw something that was odd. "Well that's…off."
"What the-!?" Before them were three rows of large red and green Angels wielding huge red crest shields, the ones on top standing on the ones on the bottom, crouched, holding their shields out. They came closer, stopping a few yards away from it.
"Big Shielders? Why are they just-?"
"Hya!" Poch was heard from behind the wall of holy creatures, followed by the sound of a clash of metal.
"That was-!"
"Cmon!" Echo tried to get closer but once they moved forward Angels came from the top and Drill angels emerged from the ground. "Ah come on!"
"Someone doesn't want us coming in!"
"Maybe we just need to knock!" Echo said, getting sword ready, engaging with them with Dundy.
"HRAGH!" Jack slammed his scythe into the Stone Face's foot, black streaks adorning his body, having been empowered by Dust, pushing hard in order to knock it down to its knee, jumping up to slash up its eye, managing to cut the right eye through its closed lid. He was about to strike again but it swiped its Drill fist up to try and strike him, managing to knock him on the side, Jack barely blocking it but landing on his feet.
It opened its mouth to launch its tongues, Shred dashing by in Ripper to knock them back, one darting below to knock him off balance, stumbling back to his feet. He looked up to the barrel of the gun facing him, preparing to fire. "Oh shit!" He raised his arms to guard. Jack threw his scythe at the gun, knocking it to the side, the bullet hitting the spot next to Shred, pushing him back, but leaving him ultimately unharmed. "Thanks!"
"Uh huh!" His scythe came back and he grabbed it, leaping up, red lines going across the pole of his scythe, a red hazy aura adorning it. He reached back, the aura following it but at a later pace like it was lagged. He swung down on the drill arm it used to block, the hazy image striking after, creating a second impact, which nearly pushed it down.
"What happened to him!? Stolas you see this right?" Shred said, skating to it, fighting against its bladed tongues.
"I'm just as surprised as you!" Stolas commented.
Jack was pushed back and had the spiral thusted at him. He brought out some Dust to block, but it was too thin to fully block, knocking him back.
"Jack!" Shred's arm got grabbed by a tendril. "Shot!" He got pulled into it, trying to pull back, more wrapping on his other arm. "Get…off!" He used his wheels to attempt to move back but others wrapped around his body, overpowering him. The gun was aimed at him, ready to blow him away. Shred grit his teeth, eased back, and leapt forward, letting the momentum take him, spinning into its face. The force of the blow made it stumble back while Shred bounced into the air. It sent its many bladed tongues at him. He dismissed Ripper and armitized with Cait Sith, falling down, swaying away from and bouncing off the tendrils, a few nipping and cutting at him. He was aiming for its eye, jumping off a tongue to avoid its drill thrust only for a few of the tendrils to dart at where he was going, aiming to impale. He was going to attempt a last minute dodge but Jack saved him by throwing his scythe at the tongues, the hazy aura aiding in cutting through it, the scythe returning to Jack. Shred had a clear shot and he went for it. He didn't expect a loose tongue to grab his ankle and slam him into the ground. "GAHG!"
It revved up its drill and crashed it down on him. Jack came by, stopping it halfway, slamming the edge of his weapon into its arm, having Dust reinforce and make a larger blade. He managed to embed the tip into the weapon, pushing it further in. It pushed him off, smoke coming out of its arm with sounds of mechanical failure, the drill sputtering to a stop.
"Nice one!" Shred groaned, getting up. "You got the drill!" He wrote for and armitized his main Shadow Demon. "Ripper Armatize! Let's take this thing out!"
"Yeah!" Jack agreed, readying his weapon.
"GWWWLL!" The stone face grit its teeth, groaning.
"What the hell is i-" Shred began.
"WOLOO!" It roared out and blew out a heavy stream of black fog. It enveloped the two Exterminators and the area around them, causing them to cough as well.
"HACK COHAG! Jack!? You ok!"
"This aint," Jack twirled his scythe above, swirling Dust around it to make a twister, "stopping me!" The twister blew away the smoke, clearing the area. Once it was gone he noticed he was nearly face to face with its gun. "Oh shit."
"Jack!" Shred rushed to Jack. The gun fired as soon as he made contact, pushing the imp out the way. He was able to pull back but the sides of the bullet grazed his hand, hitting part of his hand, breaking more than a few things even through his Ripper armor, the impact on the ground pushing them away. "Fucking…SHIT!" Shred slid on the ground, recoiling in pain.
"Shred!" Jack got up and ran to his friend. An impulse in his body stopped him, a great weight hitting his body.
"Sorry…ti-...up." The voice in his head faded off.
Jack fell to the ground, his vision hazy, his ears ringing, and his scythe returning to normal. "Fuck…" He saw the Stone Face aim its firearm at him, taking advantage of his vulnerability. Shred wasn't gonna make it this time, only just now rising up, fighting through the pain in his hand. He closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable painful end, hearing his friends call his name in despair.
*KACHUNK*
"Huh?" He heard what sounded like parts failing to move. He looked to see the beast try to fire again, hearing the sound once more, but nothing coming. Its gun jammed. "Oh…thank fuck." He sighed in relief.
The Stone Face looked at its gun then at Jack and Shred who was already summoning Taurus. It crouched down, leaping back far.
"Where you going!?" Shred yelled, sending Taurus at it. Before he could even think to throw a punch a large portal suddenly appeared behind it, letting it through before it disappeared. "The hell!?"
"Where…where did it go?" Jack questioned, raising up, leaning on his weapon.
"I…dont know."
Poch panted, rips adorning his clothes and gashes on his skin, small amounts of blood leaking out, having a few marks. He faced his sword at the equally panting Alto who had bruises and cuts on him as well.
"Hah….hah….Very….impressive…You're nimble and acrobatic, while equally well balanced. The brace on your leg which allows you to place your blade on it takes advantage of those acrobatics and opens up new ways of attacking, even more so with those daggers. I'm impressed, Arnello."
"My name is Poch!" Poch growled.
"Heh…even so. I can't wait to see your capabilities once you get your weapon back, even more so with that Shadow Demon of yours." He reached into his jacket, pulling out a small blue knife that gave Poch an odd yet familiar sensation.
"What is that?"
"Tell your friend that Dust would be his best bet on that lock, it's not easily snapped apart with brute strength, though I'd throw it as soon as you unlock it.." He swiped it behind him, slashing behind him, cutting through space to make a portal, the item shattering after making the gateway.
Poch widened his eyes in shock. "Did you just-!?"
"Till next time, Arnello." He stepped back into it.
"Wait!" He rushed forward, but the way closed before he could reach. "Damnit!"
"SQUAAAAAL!" Asura was heard roaring.
"Huh?" He looked back and managed to see the Shadow Demon in question bust through a wall of Angels, crying out again before it was dismissed.
"Poch!" Dundy ran in along with Echo, spotting their ally.
"Hey!" He smiled, relieved to see them.
"What happened!? Are you ok!?" Echo asked, the two approaching him.
"I…just fought a Crusader."
"You did!? Wait, what's that collar?"
"It's the same as the one before, albeit a bit different. It prevented me from summoning."
"Well that's not good. Here let me try to take it off." Dundy volunteered.
"Please." Poch leaned in.
Alto walked into the lobby. It was next to a large autoshop one that had the Stone Face from earlier, with humans around it attempting repairs.
"Hm. Seems it still needs work." Alto commented.
"Sir!" A four foot tall deer angel walked in. He had bright blue eyes, small white spots, hazel brown fur, and short curly brown hair. He was skinny, had smooth features on his face with somewhat chubby cheeks, short horns, wore jeans and a formal white shirt.
"Are you ok!?" Said the female deer beside him. Her fur was lighter brown compared to the male with no white spots, and she was the same height. She was slightly chubby, her cheeks having a bit of a puff, her breasts were a size c, and she had a somewhat shapely rump. She and the male deer approached Alto.
"I'm fine. I wasn't disappointed in the slightest when I fought that hound." Alto smiled.
"Still you're hurt! Sir, that was dangerous!" The male said in worry.
"You have to be more careful! You weren't even supposed to be there!" The female added, just as worried though a bit infuriated, puffing her cheeks a bit.
"Yeah, what if your plan to seclude him failed! What would yo-"
"Oh dearies." Alto grabbed the male deers chin, pulling him in, and pressing his lips onto his.
"MMPH!"
He moved his tongue around in his mouth, making him shiver and nearly lose his balance, groaning but in a pleased way. When Alto pulled back there was a saliva bridge and he licked his lips before grabbing the back of the female's head and shoving her mouth onto his.
"MM-MMMMNG!" She squealed in protest but as he worked his tongue in her maw she was quick to cease her fighting, giving in, moaning and trembling to the heated make out.
Alto broke the kiss, rubbing the two deers dazed blushing smiling faces. "You worry too much. I was careful in my planning, though it was last minute, plus I already thought of how to escape if need be." He pulled out his rapier. "Now, would you mind washing this for me? I need to shower."
"Ok!" The two deers said in unison, happily wagging their tails.
"Thank you." He smiled, petting them before leaving.
End.
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