Chapter 5: Rage of the Angel

That evening as twilight began to end, Cass and Victor sensed a powerful evil, not too close by, but somewhere in Tokyo. The fact that it was strong enough to get their attention left a lot of concern. The Crimson Paladins met with the Guardians and Tuxedo Mask, all transformed to their heroic forms. They arrived at a river canal to find two women dressed in heavy robes, standing in an alchemic-like circle.

"Well, isn't this a surprise!" Ziel noted.

The women stopped and looked at the heroes, lowering the hoods on their robes. They had the same light-tinted green skin and fangs as Goneril did. The women also looked identical, except one had light blue hair and the other had light green hair.

"Olim and Sevara?" Angelus jerked his head back. "What crack in a concrete crevice did you creepers crawl out of?"

Ziel paused then nudged his head, "Impressive alliteration."

"I try."

"The Dragon," Olim, the light green haired woman, growled.

"And the Angel," Sevara, who sported light blue hair, sweetly said. "Hm. They are here!"

"Seems Verdune was right about the finale being at hand."

Angelus's mood darkened, immediately. "Verdune…"

'Finale?' Ziel thought. He drew his sword, "Tell us where he is, witches… and I swear to let you both live."

"Or, and I hope you pick this one… don't tell us, and we take you two down and find your daddy ourselves."

"I like that option, too," Jupiter tightened her fist.

Olim looked at the others. "They're… the Sailor Guardians. So, the Red have allied themselves with such pretty, little princesses?"

"Awww, what's the matter?" Angelus smiled. "Jealous, hag? That they look better than you ever have?"

"I'll rip your tongue out, insolent boy."

"Don't talk it, if you can't walk it!"

"Now, now, sister," Sevara grinned, her fangs gleaming in the light. "Let's not so much remove their tongues… when their entire heads are a much better target."

Ziel entered a fighting stance, as did his allies. "By all means, ladies, and I use that term loosely… do your best!"

Sevara and Olim unleashed simultaneous beams of green energy at the heroes. Everyone dodged with Ziel and Angelus charging at the sisters. The Paladins nearly hit the sisters, causing them to disperse.

Mars pressed her hands together, "FIRE! SOUL!" She launched her fireball at Sevara, who flew back to dodge the attack.

Sevara managed to move out of the attacks range and growled. "You dare…"

"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!" Mercury hurled the wave of water at Sevara, knocking her into the river.

"Sevara!" Olim shouted.

"SUPREME THUNDER!" Jupiter's lightning strike crashed into Olim, throwing her down the canal.

Ziel and Angelus were in awe at the attacks. They looked at each other and smiled. "Oh, we so need a bigger crew!" Angelus joked.

"I'm starting to think you're right," Ziel nodded.

Olim struggled to stand up as Sevara puled herself out of the river.

"Are we going to lose to these stupid little girls?!" Sevara growled.

"Call us 'stupid little girls' again!" Jupiter roared. "I dare you!"

Olim growled, "No! No, NO!" She scowled at her opponents and screamed, "YOU WILL NOT STOP US, PALADINS! Our kingdom is at hand!"

Ziel narrowed his gaze. ''Kingdom'?'

The sisters struggled to stand. "We will kill you all!" Sevara declared.

"Do yourselves a favor and stay down!" Ziel ordered.

"Never!"

"Take the advice, lady!" Venus ordered. "It's only gonna get worse for you from here."

"Worse for us?!" Olim's fingers and joints began to contort. "No. No, I don't think so!"

"That's somehow grosser the second time…" Moon noted.

"Yeah, ya never get used to that," Angelus admitted.

Olim and Sevara morphed in an almost identical fashion to Goneril, except large talons emerged from each of their forearms.

"This is gonna suck…" Jupiter groaned.

"Yup," Ziel and Angelus agreed.

Olim roared and Sevara charged at the group, causing them all to scatter.

"RAVEN'S SCYTHE!" Angelus's Scythe formed and he rushed for Olim, who swatted him out of the way.

"BURNING MANDALA!" Mars sent the fire rings at Olim, lighting her skin on fire.

Olim turned and stared at her, roaring. Olim charged at Mars, with a speed Mars couldn't dodge. Once Olim was close, her talon collided with Angelus's Scythe.

"Angelus!" Mars shouted.

Angelus growled at Olim, "I don't think so, hag!"

Sevara swiped at the others, sending them scattering. Tuxedo Mask threw a series of roses at her, distracting her.

"Venus Love-Me Chain!" Venus ensnared Sevara, holding her down.

Ziel's eyes flashed. "Dancing Flames!" A torrent of purple fire emerged around Sevara, burning her immediately and causing her to howl in pain.

"Think that did it?" Jupiter asked.

Sevara broke through Flames and shattered the Chain.

"Nope!" Venus said.

"I don't even know if Moon Rod will work!" Moon cried out.

After shoving Olim away, Angelus and Mars jumped away and landed next to their team.

"Sooooo, this isn't going well," Angelus noted.

"Something is wrong," Ziel pointed out. "They're strong. But that's not what's driving them."

"I know. But it's not like we can interrogate them. We just gotta take 'em out."

"Sounds good!" Moon agreed. "One question: HOW DO WE DO THAT?!"

Angelus rubbed his ear. "Wow. You can be loud."

"Tell me about it," Mars groaned.

Angelus studied Olim and Sevara as they stalked the group. "Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, can you get them next to each other and trap them?"

"Sure," Mercury nodded.

"What's your plan?" Jupiter asked.

"A one-shot that should do the trick," Angelus answered.

Ziel's eyes widened. "I don't think you've trained enough for that yet."

"Nothing else is working."

"Brother…"

"Trust me. I can do it."

Ziel nodded. "Alright." He looked at Mask, "Tuxedo Mask, would mind in helping me distract them?"

"Not at all!" Mask nodded. He and Ziel leapt at Sevara and Olim, attacking them and drawing their attention.

Angelus jumped on the upper wall of the canal. He unsummoned his scythe and began gathering his power into an orb in front of him.

While he did, Mars and Jupiter launched their attacks again to damage the sisters all they could. Mercury and Venus used Bubble Spray Freezing and Venus Love-Me Chain, respectively, to bind Olim and Sevara in place.

Zie looked over and saw Angelus was ready, "EVERYONE GET CLEAR!"

As they all jumped away, Tuxedo Mask shouted, "ALL YOURS, ANGELUS!"

"Got it!" Angelus jumped in the air and lifted the orb above him with his right hand, shouting, "RAVEN'S! SHADOW!" He threw his arm forward, and the orb shifted into a large energy blast in the form of a raven. The raven soared at Olim and Sevara, causing an explosion once it connected with them.

"WHOA!" Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus shouted.

"THAT WAS SO COOL!" Moon yelled.

Mars stood in awe. "Amazing…"

Catching his breath, Angelus landed in front of the others, falling to a knee.

Mars went over and kneeled next to Angelus, "You okay?"

Jupiter and Mercury helped Mars in helping Angelus stand. "Yeah, yeah," Angelus exhaled. "Just… winded."

Venus looked at where the attack landed. "Did that do it?"

After the smoke cleared, the heroes saw Sevara and Olim had reverted back to normal. Sevara wasn't conscious, but was her shallow breathing was evident, but Olim was slowly moving.

"D…" Olim crawled along the ground, "Dammit…"

Ziel walked over and stepped in front of her.

Olim slowly looked up and gritted her teeth.

"It's over, witch," Ziel declared.

"No…" Olim growled. "No! Never! We will win. We will have our victory!"

"I couldn't disagree more, Olim," a voice echoed. "For once… the Dragon is right."

Ziel's and Angelus's eyes widened. The Guardians and Mask felt chills go up their spines. Angelus gritted his teeth and Ziel let out a low growl. Everyone looked to see a man wearing a heavy cloak, carrying a large, double-sided war hammer was standing on a bridge. He had green skin and fangs as well.

Bahram the Breaker.

"Another Disciple?" Mercury asked.

"Yeah…" Angelus snarled. "He's a Disciple, alright!"

Mars noticed Angelus was shaking. "Angelus?"

Olim turned over and saw Bahram. Her eyes widened. "No. You… you're here…"

"Of course, Olim." Bahram dropped down into the canal, landing with a crash. He stepped toward the scene. "You're no longer needed for what's next."

"He won't succeed!"

"He will. But for you… that doesn't matter." Bahram slammed his hammer down, sending out an energy wave. The wave hit Olim and Sevara, waking up Sevara and causing them both to scream. Ziel jumped away, landing in front of his allies.

Seconds later, Sevara and Olim were motionless.

"Did…" Jupiter whispered. "…did he just…"

"Yeah," Ziel confirmed.

Venus gasped. "They're… they're his own people!"

"I wish I was as shocked as you." Ziel looked at his younger teammate. "Angelus…"

Angelus's gaze never broke away from Bahram.

Once he knew they were dead, Bahram smiled. "Thank you for making my mission easier, angel boy." He lifted the hammer, placing it on his shoulder, and looked at Angelus. "Impressive, boy. You've actually gotten stronger."

Angelus was shaking more, gritting his teeth, and breathing in heaves.

"Oh, damn it…" Ziel whispered.

"Who the hell is this guy?" Moon asked.

"It's him…" Angelus growled.

"Who?" Mars asked.

"His name is Bahram the Breaker," Ziel answered.

"He's the one who destroyed the Cloister!" Angelus gritted through his teeth.

The Guardians and Tuxedo Mask gasped.

"Oh, no…" Mars whispered.

"He's the one who murdered my friends!" Angelus seethed.

Bahram chuckled. "Still angry about that, boy? Oh, come now! How many years has it been? What? Eight now? It's not as though they were that important anyway. Nothing but a punch of puppets. Dolls, really. Think about it… I probably did all of you a favor."

"What?!" Mercury covered her mouth.

"How could you say something like that?!" Moon shouted, tears in her eyes.

"You…" Angelus tightened his fists.

"Oh, hell!" Jupiter's eyes widened.

"You killed my FAMILY!"

Bahram smiled. "Proudly."

Angelus roared and rushed at Bahram.

But Ziel jumped and grabbed Angelus, pulling him back, "NO, BROTHER!"

"LET ME GO!" Angelus roared.

"No! Not yet! Not like this! You've used too much power already! He'll kill you!"

"I DON'T CARE!"

Jupiter rushed over to help Ziel. "Don't do it, bro!" Jupiter pleaded. "Not now!"

"Stop, Vic!" Ziel whispered. "Please!"

"Well, well, well!" another voice echoed.

Ziel and Angelus stopped, immediately. "Verdune…" Ziel grumbled.

Everyone looked to see Verdune walk to the edge of the upper wall, on the other side of the canal. He had the same green skin and fangs. He was a half a foot shorter than Bahram and wore a dark blue, regal-like cloak. He was also wearing a single, metal spike on a leather necklace.

"That's the leader…" Venus's fists tightened.

"Yes," Ziel confirmed. "Verdune. The Devil Priest."

Verdune sneered at them. "The Angel and the Dragon. It's wonderful to see you both!" He jumped and landed next to Bahram, who bowed to Verdune then rose up. "So much stronger you've become, boy. Much stronger than those children we slaughtered."

Angelus roared while Ziel and Jupiter strengthened their hold on him. Mars rushed over and moved in front of Angelus, as well. "No!" Mars pleaded. "Angelus, don't! Please!"

Angelus held his glare on Verdune and Barham.

"Worry not, Angel." Verdune removed a wand from under his cloak. He pointed it at Olim and Sevara's corpses and the Effigy pieces emerged from their bodies. The pieces floated before him.

"He took the pieces?!" Ziel's eyes widened. "What? Why?"

"We will have our decisive clash, Reds." Verdune looked at Guardians and Mask, "All of you, as well. In time. For now… farewell."

Bahram regarded Angelus. "Do me a favor, boy… make this fight worth my while. I'd hate to be bored when I remove your head."

"BASTARD!" Angelus screamed.

Verdune raised his wand and he and Bahram disappeared in a green cloud.

After they were gone, Angelus began to steady his breathing, causing Ziel, Mars, and Jupiter to let go of him.

"Angelus?" Jupiter asked.

"Are…" Mars placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Angelus looked at Mars and slowly moved away from her touch. He took a few steps away from the group, staring at them and still trying to catch his breath. He turned his back to them and let out a deep exhale. He squeezed his eyes shut and grinded his teeth. "I'm… I'm sorry. I'm just… I'm sorry…" He walked away.

Ziel watched Angelus leave, letting out an elongated exhale. Ziel looked back at the Guardians and Tuxedo Mask. "Please, forgive him. That anger… it's been building for a long time."

"I've…" Mercury said, "I've never seen him like that."

"He masks his pain well. You have to understand… they took everything from him. No matter how okay he seems… he's not always."

"We understand," Tuxedo nodded.

"Yeah," Jupiter agreed. "It's not hard to get why he's mad. It's just… that was so different from the Victor we know."

"Yes." Ziel looked back at the direction Angelus headed, though he was long since out of sight. "I try to help the Victor you know… stay the Victor he should be. I don't always succeed."

"He's hurt," Venus shrugged. "Like you said."

"More so than he likes to admit. More so than he fully realizes."

"Is he gonna be okay?" Mars asked.

"I hope so." Ziel looked back at the Guardians. "I'll talk to him. I know we have far greater concerns but… in moments like this, it's better he stay away from the Disciples or anything concerning them. If he tried to fight them now…"

"No, believe me," Venus said, "we get it. He needs some time."

"Very much so. Would it be okay if we met up later? Honestly, he's more ashamed of himself, than anything."

Mercury nodded, "Of course."

"Thank you all." Ziel started to leave.

"Ziel?" Mars spoke up.

Ziel stopped and turned back to her, "Yes?"

"Would it be okay if… I don't know, just…" Mars shrugged, "Can… we all talk to him? I know we barely know you guys but… but… we… I don't know. Maybe it would be better… if he knew he had a lot more friends now."

Ziel smiled. "That's a wonderful idea! I wanted to ask, but I didn't want to burden all of you."

"Not a burden anymore!" Moon smiled. "We're all friends here."

Ziel nodded. "Of course. Follow me. I'm fairly positive I know where he went."