A/N: Chapter 8 of Fallen Angel. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own OCs. Shakugan no Shana belongs to the rightful owner.
Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I truly appreciate it.
Bold words - Crimson Lord(s) speaking.
Chapter 8: Soundly defeated
At home...
It's been a few days since Shana and I had our date to the museum and so far nothing has happened yet. Turning on the lights in the kitchen and rummaging around the drawers I pulled out two coffee spoons and proceeded to make the refreshments. Once the water was boiled I opened a packet of chocolate powder and poured it into a cup. The hot water followed after.
I wonder what that other woman is doing? The one Shana and I met...I looked outside the window with a thoughtful expression, using a spoon to mix the materials together. Not only that...how come I get those images during fights? And this ring...the one my parents gave to me...I glanced at the item on my finger and released a sigh. There's so much that I don't know yet...and a lot more questions have risen since then...
"Looks like there's a lot of things on your mind. Care to talk about it?"
"Oh, Shana! I didn't hear you come in." I turned to smile at her and held out a cup. "Here, it's hot chocolate."
"Thanks." She took the cup, swirled the liquid around before taking a sip. She smiled softly. "It's good."
"I was thinking about what has happened so far as well as what would happen in the near future." I sat down by the table and held my head. "During the fights I started getting bits and pieces of images..."
"Images?" She looked at me with confusion but allowed me to continue speaking.
"A burning house...my parents...Those are the only two things that appeared before me." I rubbed my temples and groaned. "Just thinking about it makes my head hurt."
Are there reasons why you get these images? Alastor asked me.
"Hmm...I feel like I'm getting these because...because..." I thought about it some more but nothing was coming to mind. "Huh...I'm not actually sure...It's like there multiple holes in my memory..."
Tell me, how much do you remember about your past?
"My past..." I gazed at the necklace for a minute before answering, "Not much unfortunately..."
Hmmm...so it seems...
"Alastor what are you getting at?" Shana asked. She had stayed quiet before deciding to join in. "Explain yourself."
It's nothing really...The Crimson Lord told her. I'm sure Axel's memories will return in due time. There's no use fretting about it now since we have no idea what the enemy is planning.
"Then what are we waiting for!" Standing up I made my way to the living room and reached for my jacket. "Tonight should be the perfect opportunity to go and –?"
"What a great idea." Shana stepped out, placing a hand on my shoulder. She was already set and ready to go on her outing. "Alastor and I will go and investigate. You stay here and do your homework, no point of sneaking out when there's work of your own that needs to be finished."
"Eh?" I pouted, which she promptly ignored, and whined. "Why do I have to stay? Wouldn't it be better if we did the investigation together?"
"No! You're staying here and that's final!" She whirled around and jabbed a finger at me. Heat radiated from her body so I could tell she was dead serious about this plan of hers. "Just stay put and don't do anything stupid. End of discussion!"
"But...okay fine." I sighed and surrendered.
"Good. Now I'm gonna be late tonight so just do what you normally do on a school night."
"Huh? You're staying out just to look up one particular enemy? Why would you do that to yourself?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me. She just huffed at my attempt to get information and walked out, closing the door behind her. "Well...at least stay safe." Cleaning up the dishes I trudged to my room and pulled out the necessary work that was due tomorrow.
I'll figure things out eventually. For now...ugh, Trigonometry.
Elsewhere...
"Ugh, this is irritating. I'm sensing a mix of Denizens and Flame Hazes, and can't figure out where that Corpse Collector is!" On top of a hotel, Margery gazed across the bustling metropolis with an unamused expression on her face. The flashing lights that dazzled the city skyscrapers were giving her a headache. "I'm so frustrated I just want to punch something!"
That's probably his plan! The book strapped across her back chuckled. He got you this time, Partner. Ahahaha!
"Laugh while you still can Marco, I'm gonna search a little deeper." She retorted, brushing off the laugh. "There's nothing stopping me from getting what I want."
You sure about this? Others have arrived before us. The clasp that bound the book closed unsnapped. In a way, we'd be trespassing in their territory.
"Who cares?" Margery snapped, holding the book out in front of her. "If they complain, I'll simply strike back!"
Hahahaha! Marco crowed as he opened up, the pages within fluttering at a very fast pace. Sounds good to me! I'm ready any time you are!
"Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John!" Margery began to chant, feeling the magical energy rise around her. "Cover all corners and find the ghost who disrupts our dreams!" Pointing her arm into the sky a few magical sound waves erupted from the tip of her finger, resonating through the air.
It appears they have made their move. Alastor noted as Shana immediately picked up the frequencies. They didn't wander far towards the city before something felt very wrong. Even when they sensed our presence, a bold move on their part. They're using an unrestricted method to search a large area!
"Then we have to move as well!" Shana began leaping across the rooftops, going straight for the source. "This is a golden opportunity."
Are you sure? Act rashly and it'll result in a battle. Alastor warned her. Even I can't foresee the outcome of it.
"If we end up getting preoccupied in battle, then I don't need to worry about other things."
"Marco!"
They noticed us! The Crimson Denizen stated, noticing that Margery had picked up something heading their way. Discontinue your spell! They're ready to fight!
"Hmph. Bring it on!" Margery smiled and recalled her spell. Making some more hand gestures she said, "Be seal!" A wide-range purple bubble expanded over the city, halting any and all movement. From a nearby building something leaped forward to engage the spell caster.
"You guys!"
"Flamed-hair...!" Margery's eyes widened when Shana revealed herself.
Burning-eyed...! Marco added as the woman jumped down to a lower height, prepared to battle. I'm surprised that you snagged someone like her, Margery Daw!
"What are you guys doing?!" Shana demanded angrily once she landed opposite of the blonde-haired well-endowed woman. "Why are you in this city?!"
"What an ill-mannered brat." Margery countered, shaking her head from side to side mockingly. "Didn't your mother taught you how to say 'hello'?"
Whahaha! Long time no see, Flame of the Heavens. Marco stated, directing his words right to Alastor.
"Alastor, do you know them?" asked Shana, narrowing her eyes.
'Claws and Fangs of Violation' Marcosias...and 'Chanter of Elegies,' Margery Daw. The necklace around her neck replied. This is terrible and I was hoping those two weren't the ones we'd run into. Unfortunately they're already determined to fight us.
"If you guys'll quietly leave this city, I'll gladly see you off." Margery offered, one hand on her hip. "It'll be easier for the both of us."
"We were here first!" Shana replied, not willing to step down. "I'm gonna destroy Friagne myself!"
So that's who's here! Marco exclaimed with enlightenment. He turned his attention to Margery. It's that pervert with a fetish for dolls! Man, how lucky are we!
"I'll do something about him later. We came here for the Corpse Collector and I ain't leaving till I get him."
Corpse Collector? Alastor repeated with interest when he heard the name. But that Denizen goes out of his way not to disrupt the world's balance. You can't kill him because he's an exception to the norm.
"Exception?" Now it was Margery's turn to repeat with shock before she said angrily, "There are no exceptions to the Denizens of the Crimson World! I will kill all Denizens! There's no other way than to kill and kill and kill them all!"
We are so devoted to our job as Flame Hazes!
Do not create lies based on hatred towards others! Alastor spat, causing Macao to erupt in a fight of laughter. You battle-crazed bastards!
Pretty strong words. Marco said as Shana drew her sword, her hair igniting into a burning red color to represent a flame.
"Alastor, can't we fight them yet?" She asked as she pointed her weapon at the duo. "They're talking too much and wasting my time."
Wait. He told her, knowing that she was really eager to cut her opponent into pieces. Don't be so hasty.
"I take it you're not planning on leaving this city." Margery watched them carefully, not speaking during the banter between Crimson Lords. "How annoying."
Beat them up, my dearly beloved goblet, Margery Daw. They've left that Denizen alone until the torches have increased to this many. They must be really incompetent.
"You're right." The woman agreed with her Crimson Lord, dipping her head a couple of times. "It's a pity they're unlikely to be a challenge."
"What did you say?!"
Shana calm down! You can't rile up at your opponent's words!
"Let's see if that's the case, unless you're chicken!"
Oi! Are you even listening to me?!
"Heh. I like that fighting spirit!" Margery smirked before surrounding herself in a robe of purple flames. When it died down she had transformed into a werewolf. Letting out a snarl she rushed forward, with Shana eagerly meeting her. In one slash, both arms of the werewolf were cut off, forcing the beast to fall back on firing flamed balls from its mouth.
"Hmm...that's a close one." Shana hopped back just as a fireball exploded a foot away. "She's tough."
"Not bad." Margery praised while Marco stated that the girl moves well. The arms regenerated back much to Shana's displeasure. "This will be fun after all."
That's the symbol of the Chanter of Elegies, the Toga, a gown made of flames. Alastor said as Shana prepared to attack again. Do take extra precaution, that form of hers is nothing to underestimate.
"What a busy little brat!" The werewolf evaded the slash in time, summoning a plethora of fire balls out of midair and sent them flying.
"Ngggh!" Skidding to a halt Shana quickly used her sword to block as many fireballs as she could. One the barrage was over she moved in, slicing the werewolf body in half. She thought she got her opponent but laughter told her otherwise. "What the?!"
"You missed." The werewolf began to multiply, circling around her opponent like a hungry predator. "Now, let's see if you'll hit me this time." Coming to a stop, all pairs of yellow eyes were honed in on one target.
Calm down! Think about your next move carefully! Alastor shouted.
I don't have to think about it. At all. Shana let out a battle cry and proceeded to hack and slash at her opponent, her blade running through the bodies no problem. I'm a Flame Haze, this is how I fight! "There!"
"You missed!" Margery's taunting voice reached her ears as the werewolf clone before her disappeared.
Here's a bonus! Enjoy! Macao said as the pieces came back, forming a small sphere before exploding. The blast sent Shana flying and she slammed into one of the insulators attached to the roof.
"A fox bride's electrical shower! Let's do this Macao!"
You'll be dead within three seconds! Images of the werewolf appeared in the sky and simultaneously they blew up, covering the battlefield with explosions and smoke.
"Huff...huff...huff...huff..." When the smoke cleared Shana, with her head bowed, fought for breath. Her skin was adorned by burn marks and soot, her clothes tattered.
"Are you really the flamed-haired burning-eyed?" Margery asked as she stood not too far away, sounding a bit disappointed. "Could've fooled me."
You're too weak. We didn't even need to go full out if we knew this was your capacity. Macao made a tsk tsk sound. Man, I used up too much power for nothing.
"I do have one question." Margery said as Shana caught her breath. "What happened to that little boy who was with you?" The girl merely looked up but the emotions that ran through her eyes was enough to give Margery what she needed. "Mmmm...I see."
What was that all about Margery Daw? Macao asked. Why were you interested in another being?
"I was just wondering but I got all that I wanted." She replied before direction her attention to Shana. "For now let's wrap this little fight up. I'll strike you one last time. Then you can go."
I'm still salty Margery Daw. This fight shouldn't be considered fun. Macao complained but agreed that dragging it out longer than necessary was uncalled for. Let's call it quits after one big bang.
This can't be...I...Gripping her sword tightly in her hand Shana struggled to stand and glared at her opponent. I...I can't lose here!
"Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday." Margery began chanting, conjuring more balls of energy out of thin air. "The pains of living through life too quickly."
Shana! Alastor shouted hoping that his words would get through the girl's thick skull. You can't survive it! You have to escape!
"Solomon Grundy!"
"I...I won't run..." Shana growled and stood her ground just as purple-colored swords of light embedded themselves into the ground around her, no doubt trapping her in place. Her blood was drumming loudly in her ears but she refused to give up. "I...I'll take it head on!"
"I admire your courage but it's Game over." With a smirk the purple flames burst from between the werewolf's maul, colliding with Shana's blade. They struggled, hoping to overwhelm one or the other. The flames one and Shana found herself being thrown off the edge. "Bye bye. I hope to never see you again."
Why? Why couldn't I beat her?! The defeated Flame Haze thought as she continued falling, the wind whistling by her ears. Closing her eyes and losing consciousness she fell into the water of a running river with a splash, sinking below the surface and out of sight. Why?!