Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING.

Author's Note: Call me a nerd, but lately when I listen to certain songs, they tend to remind me of the Espers, at least my version of them, and a little bit about the story itself.

Issues by Escape the Fate definitely reminds me of Adrammelech. I also see a little bit of each Scion in this song, but Adrammelech just stood out the most to me.

All flamers (male or female) will be dressed in pretty dresses with nice makeup and sent to Don Corneo's mansion in Sector 6.

Chapter IV

Issues

He was one of the most garish of Scions, decked in an elaborately decorated green and red light armor. He had two large, red wings on his back, each adorned with gold armor to protect the nerves. The feathers were like blades on the tips, and could cut through any opponent that tried to attack him from behind. He wore various chains across his body, some around his neck and some around the gauntlets on his wrists. The Scion had two tiny horns hidden beneath his disheveled hair, an aspect he desperately tried to hide about his appearance unlike his elder twin brother.

Adrammelech was rather capricious in manner and was often look down upon by the others. He was constantly living in his brother's shadow, even though they weren't technically real brothers. Adrammelech and his brother were created at almost the exact same time; an event which would later declare Adrammelech the younger of the two since he appeared a few days later. He held the fruit of war in his veins and was given great power by the Gods in order to work their will into stone. Vanity was implied.

Torches lined the wall, lighting up the bronze-toned room with an orange glow. The fires cast an eerie glow on Adrammelech's face as he walked towards the doorway on the other side. He paused on the threshold of the simple door and looked around the room. Intricate carvings depicting ancient events that occured long before the creation of the Scions lined the walls. A barrier of fire burned on railings around the room. Adrammelech smirked as he focused his attention on a figure turned away from him, staring at a carving above him.

"Some like it hot…" He said, grabbing his collar and smiling viciously.

"Leave me be, Adrammelech." The figure before him sighed. Adrammelech laughed and placed his hand on the doorway, retaining his evil smile.

"Aw, now that's no fun!" He chuckled. He pushed off the wall and walked slowly towards the other, pausing a few feet behind. A mischievous gleam appeared in his dark green eyes as he stared at the one before him. "You know exactly why I'm here, Belias."

Belias slowly turned around to face Adrammelech. His skin was a slate-grey color which contrasted with his long, flaming-red hair. Two bronze armlets wrapped around his wrists in a simple design. He wore a low necklace with various beads and tassels hanging from the thin rope around his neck, taking the place of the shirt he never wore. His light brown pants were decorated by intricate, tiny designs along the seams.

He looked at Adrammelech through drowsy crimson eyes. "I haven't decided yet…" He motioned towards the door. "Now please…" A long silence reigned in the room as the two Scions stared at each other.

"Times running short, Belias!" Adrammelech said in a venomous tone as he turned and walked out. Belias returned to his silent vigil as Adrammelech left.

Reporting this failure to Ultima sure will be fun… Adrammelech thought to himself. He failed to turn Belias to their side numerous times. Not like it's MY fault. He walked towards Ultima's glyph and took a deep breath in before unlocking the passageway to her quarters. He held two fingers to his lips and extended his other hand outwards with his palm facing the glyph. The glyph started to glow with a soft green light that soon exploded into a surge of white light that filled the hallway. When the door began to ripple, he stretched his neck, took another deep breath, and stepped through.

As he approached the balcony, another Scion walked towards him, but it wasn't Ultima. This Scion was tall and muscular. He had two medium-sized horns protruding out of the top of his head which he held high with pride as he strode towards Adrammelech. His complexion was of a lighter green shade than Adrammelech's and slightly rougher in appearance. He wore simple teal armor with gold lining and had four swords strapped across his back. Adrammelech cringed as he realized who it was walking towards him. The Scion was Chaos. His elder twin brother and Ultima's right hand man. Adrammelech lowered his head and let out a low growl as his brother passed him, but the elder made no acknowledgements that Adrammelech was even there.

Like always… Adrammelech thought to himself. He hated his brother for various reasons. One was because Chaos never once acknowledged his existence. However, this didn't stop the others from prosecuting Adrammelech and constantly comparing him to his brother.

Chaos's footsteps slowly faded away as Adrammelech reached the balcony. He dreaded this part. Ultima was known for her cruelty. Resting his hands on the golden railing, he waited for her to arrive. Almost immediately, he heard the light sound of wings flapping and two heels click on the stone floor behind him. He blinked hard before turning around. Ultima studied his face and frowned.

"I knew I should have sent your brother…" She said vehemently. Adrammelech's grip tightened on the railing, slightly denting the metal. "He could've gotten Belias to join our cause…" She slapped him hard, forcing his face to the side. Adrammelech kept his head at that angle and clenched his teeth. "You're worthless compared to Chaos!"

Those last words made Adrammelech snap. In the blink of an eye, his hand was wrapped around her throat, lifting her up off the ground. Ultima grabbed his wrist and stared into his eyes. His eyes were clouded by rage and animosity. He was content with murdering her then and there.

"Never compare me to him…" Adrammelech said in a low voice laced with venom. His grip tightened and lightening crackled in the air surrounding him.

"Then…go. Prove yourself. P-p-prove you're…better than…C-C-Chaos." She struggled to say between desperate breaths. Adrammelech thought for a moment.

This could be what I need…to make everyone see me for me...and not him. He considered the possibilities. He knew it wouldn't eliminate the problem completely, but he could handle that little detail later when the heat cooled off. If he could convince Belias to join, he may gain some respect from the others, which is something he would need when the time came.

Adrammelech forgot that he was still choking Ultima until he looked at her strained face. He contemplated killing her. She would be reborn again, yes, but the time in between could give him just enough time to take over. Hmm…she could still prove useful at some point…

He threw Ultima across the room, simultaneously releasing an electric shock into her throat. She hit a column and fell to the floor, the force of the throw nearly cracking the hard stone. She coughed a few times and slowly sat up, rubbing her throat. He stared into her eyes challenging her as she looked up at him. Ultima cast her eyes back to the ground and Adrammelech walked out of the room with silent triumph.

When she was sure he was gone, Ultima stood up and brushed off her dress. "Feisty little thing…" She giggled as she fixed her hair. She almost lost her balance as she walked towards the railing, but she managed to stay upright. Ultima stroked her neck absentmindedly as she thought of what just happened. "Hmm...stronger than I thought."