Chapter 8: Light and Shadow
- The Same Forest -
Draconum turned and began walking towards them. Danny sighed in relief, it was over. Danny didn't like the thought of killing anyone, but it had been the only way he could see of stopping Vlad for good. Now Vlad was gone. Danny hoped that this was the last time he would ever need to see a battle that ended in such a horrible manner.
Just as he was beginning to relax though Draconum became tense again and began looking around oddly. Without warning he suddenly bolted forward at blinding speed. He snagged both Danny and Ember as he ran by and stopped a few yards away from were they had been. Just as he was about to start yelling about being manhandled Danny looked behind them.
The only thing left of the forest were they had been standing was a crater. Danny instantly began searching for Sam and Tucker and noticed them still knocked out in the trees. He glanced back at the crater wondering what in the world had just happened and immediately noticed the man standing near its center. A man grabbed in a white cloak and hood, wielding a blazing white sword that seemed to be made of light itself. The thing that caught Danny's attention though were the pair of white feathered wings that seemed to sprout from the man's back.
Draconum snarled low in his throat in the man's general direction. His eyes blazing to new life as anger at having been attacked once again caused power to surge back into him.
"What does one of your kind want with me?" Draconum growled loud enough to be heard by the man.
"I would think that my intention is painfully obvious, Overlord of Shadows." The man responded calmly.
"Drac, what is he?" Ember asked quietly. Draconum didn't even bother to glance at her.
"So what is it then, did I kill you when you were still human or is this an order you are following."
The man shrugged, "You don't recognize me Draconum? That hurts my old friend."
Draconum's flaming eyes widened and he began walking towards the winged man. "Show me your face!"
The man shrugged again and the cloak and hood vanished. Silver and gold armor shined as if it were in the brightest of the sun's rays even though hardly any light reached the forest floor. The blazing sword and armor released so much light it almost hurt to look at the man directly. The mans face was noble, with two hard crystal blue eyes and short brown hair. His mouth was turned up in a smile that some how reminded Danny of Vlad's.
Draconum stared at the man. "Hadriel..." He whispered after a long moment.
"So you do remember me! I think I shall introduce myself to your young friends though." The man bowed gracefully, his white wings spreading in an arc, "I am the Arch-Angel Hadriel, known as Sypher by mortals and Night Bane by demons. You," he pointed at Danny, "are Danny Phantom, a half ghost half human hybrid and the son of Jack and Maddie Fenton, both avid ghost hunters. The irony of that entire affair is most amusing. And you," he pointed at Ember, "are Ember McLain, one time teen pop star and now ghost pop star. I know much of you both."
"What do you want Hadriel?" Draconum snarled not giving either Danny or Ember enough time to respond. He was obviously anything but pleased to discover the identity of their enemy.
The angel sighed. "I want you to be dead, Lord Draconum. Is it that so hard to understand? Surely a creature such as yourself can understand so simple an explanation."
"So this is all your doing then?" Draconum asked mockingly, "You let a demon loose on the mortal world? How dare you call yourself an angel."
The angel's calm face instantly turned stormy and the light around him brightened. "You dare mock me you impudent little..."
Hadriel cut off as Draconum growled threateningly, shadowy tendrils leaping up from the ground around him in a serpent like manner. "You would do well to remember who it is you are attempting to insult angel! You white winged fools often forget how to deal with an opponent equal to you in power much less one stronger! Perhaps I should teach you some proper manners."
"I am insulting a dead man if you must know! I am going to make sure this is the end for you, monster! I am going to send you to hell were you belong!" The angel shouted in response.
Draconum response was a chilling laugh as his form began to shift and change. He grew even taller until he stood around fifteen feet tall. Shadows enveloped him, partially surrounding his body. His great wings seemed to vanish into the darkness that swirled around him.
Danny fell to his knees. He couldn't stand any more. His will was draining away. Even Hadriel began backing up. Danny had see this once before as a world was dieing around him. Draconum's truest power unveiled. Hope and happiness died around him until nothing but misery was left. Danny had hoped to never feel this sensation again.
Draconum looked over his shoulder at Danny and Ember. Those burning eyes seemed to drain away Danny's very will to live. The heat of Draconum's eyes actually began to sear some of the hair off of Danny's exposed skin.
"Shilda Proct!" Draconum muttered.
As Draconum finished speaking a bright shield of green energy appeared around Danny and Ember. The feeling of hopelessness faded instantly and as it did the ability to stand returned. Danny struggled back to his feet and stared at his friend. This was the first time he had ever seen Draconum transform into his full form in combat. Hadriel was either very powerful or he just made a very bad mistake.
'That will protect you both, hatchling, but I ask that you do not try to leave that shield unless I tell you to.' Draconum told him mentally.
Danny could only nod. Ember took a step forward as if to try and leave the shield, but Danny grabbed her arm and pulled her back. When she looked up at him questioningly he just shook his head and continued to stare at the two beings on the other side of the glowing green barrier.
"So do you still want to continue angel?" Draconum's voice seemed to freeze the very air and Danny was sure he saw frost on the ground around him.
Hadriel snarled. "You aren't the only one with power! I will show you what strength really is!"
Light surrounded the angel and slowly his skin darkened until it was night black. His shinny armor seemed all the brighter in comparison to his skin and the sword in his hand flared up as bright as a star.
Draconum snorted. "Is that it? You angels are all the same. You think you know so much when really you know almost nothing. If that is what you call power I am happy I get to call you a fool."
"I am going to make you a promise Draconum." Hadriel said. Even though his face was covered by the strange light induced blackness Danny could feel the angel smile, it felt like something vile was crawling under his skin.
"Really? And what promise would that be?"
"I swear to you that by the time this is over you will be dead! Then, I also promise that I will kill both of your little friends and just to be safe those other two humans that Vlad used as demon fodder."
Draconum snorted again seemingly unimpressed. "Now I will make you a promise Hadriel." Draconum said with a bone chilling smile.
"You won't be keeping it I assure you..." Hadriel began.
Draconum cut him off. "I promise you that by the time this is over you will wish you were dead. I promise you a fate far, far worse then death."
Hadriel seemed to pause for a moment then shrugged. "Empty threats Lord Draconum..."
Again the ancient creature cut him off. "I never threaten, I only promise and I keep my promises Hadriel. You will see, if you continue with this foolishness."
The angel seemed to pause again. He was obviously rethinking the whole thing in his head. Then he shook his head and launched at Draconum. The battle between light and shadow had begun...