All characters belong to Sega/Archie except my OCs

Ch. 22 Only One

The writing's on the wall
Those who came before
Left pictures frozen still, in time
You say you want it all
But whose side you fighting for?
I sit and wonder why
There are nights, we sleep, while others they weep
With regret, repent, be strong

~Only One by Alex Band

The room was dark. Not just in appearance but in atmosphere as well. Misery hung around the room like a wet blanket, dripping onto me slowly. I looked around to see that the room wasn't all that big and was covered with children's things. Superhero posters decorated the wall while toys were scattered amongst the floor. The small bed had a Spiderman comforter on it and was unmade. I knew immediately that I was looking into Scourge's past. Yet, I didn't understand it. Scourge said he was thousands of years old. How could he have lived in this modern time if he had been alive for so long?

I jumped when I heard the door open and close. I turned to see a young boy with curly green hair, translucent ice blue eyes, and a small, thin body. Tears were falling from his beautiful eyes and bruises were well defined against his tanned skin. I reached out to touch him but my hand went right through him. The boy went to lie on his bed, burying his face in his pillow as he sobbed. My heart felt for the child. Whatever was going on, I could tell that it wasn't good. Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the door. "Miguel," I heard an angry older man's voice yelled. "Miguel Javier Delgado, open this god damned door!" The young Scourge quickly picked himself up and crawled under his bed. The movement was silent but with all the yelling the man was doing, I doubt it could have been heard. "Listen, you little fucker, if you don't get your ass out of this room then your punishment will only be amplified!" Again, the boy didn't answer. I walked to the bed and bent down to see him shaking from fear. He had his hand against his mouth, his eyes squeezed shut. The door bust open, causing us both to look that way. There in the doorway stood the man that I had seen in Scourge's picture. His biological father. The tall man held the same mesmerizing eyes as his son but they were red rimmed and bigger as was his build brawnier than his offspring. They looked nothing alike besides their hair and eye color. If it weren't for that then I wouldn't have believed that he was actually Scourge's father. There was a beer bottle in the man's hand but it was empty. He called out the boy's name again as he started to rummage through the room, searching for his son. I wished that I could do something to help the boy but I knew that there was nothing to be done. This was the past. Whatever happened had happened and no one could change that.

I flinched away when the man reached under the bed and grabbed the young boy. He pulled the kicking child from under it and smacked him right upside the head with the beer bottle. Glass flew everywhere as did the small boy fall. Surprisingly, though, he was still conscious. The side of his head where he was hit at was bleeding though. Luckily, no glass seemed to be caught anywhere on his body. "So you thought you were smart, huh. Trying to run away when you knew damn well what was coming for you," the man snarled at the boy as he gripped him up. Scourge stared at his father in terror as he wiggled around in an attempt to free himself. The man threw his son onto the bed in which Scourge hit his injured head pretty badly against the headboard. "Now, you keep running from these lessons and they'll only get worse. You hear me boy?" Young Scourge didn't answer, just hid his blood stained face into his pillow. His small shoulders were shaking from his sobs. Words could not describe how much I wanted to punch the older man away and scoop up the child in my arms. I wanted to tell him that everything would be okay. That I wouldn't let anyone hurt him ever again. That I would give him the love he deserves. The last thing I saw was his father taking off his belt before my surroundings turned black. Although I didn't see anything, I could feel the pain that Scourge went through tugging at my heart. That's when it hit me. The scars that he had didn't come from most of his Dark Angel doings. They were there because he had been physically and sexually abused as a child. Suddenly, flashes of Scourge's parents beating on him and his siblings went before me. There were even small flashes of each of his family member's deaths. There had been a shooter in their house who had killed each one of them.

When the vision settled, I saw the young Scourge in a corner staring wide eyed at his father's bloody body. The attacker kicked over the body before raising his glowing red eyes to Scourge. Both me and the small boy gasped. Young Scourge stared back at the man, his expression one of fear and anticipation. He knew the attacker would come after him next. Or at least that was what he thought. The tall man put his gun in his back pocket and slowly walked towards the young boy. He got down on his knees in front of the child and held out his hand. The boy cowered away from it. "I won't hurt you," the man's silky voice rang softly. "I came to save you." Scourge stared at the man in confusion for a second before leaping into his welcoming arms. The man wrapped his arms tightly around the small boy, almost with the intent to never let go. "What is your name?"

"Miguel. Miguel Javier Delgado," the boy's small, strongly accented voice replied. "What's yours?"

"I am Lucifer. And you, Miguel, will be my most prized son." Before I could actually stare in awe at the intimate moment at the two, the vision shifted into one of an old diner. One of the fifties or sixties maybe. Scourge was older now – maybe 12 or 13 – and was sitting in a booth with Lucifer. Lucifer looked younger as well though. Instead of looking like his middle aged self, he looked between the range of 21 and 24 with shaggy auburn hair and dark burgundy eyes. He was staring at Scourge in amusement as the boy ate his burger with fast bites.

"Slow down or you'll choke," Lucifer said with a smile that actually reached his eyes. Hell, the evil Angel actually looked like a good guy for once. It was strange. Scourge gulped down his bite and smiled.

"I'm hungry," he replied. Lucifer's smile grew, his eyes crinkling at the side – showing the more older side of him.

"There is always ice cream afterwards."

"Really? Awesome!" Lucifer chuckled and reached out to ruffle the boy's hair. "So, Lucifer, I have a question."

"For the last time, Miguel, you can call me dad. But do tell, what is your question?"

"Well, I was born in an earlier time than this so how did we get here but yet I'm still alive?"

"Magic simply. Time travel comes quite easy to me. I will teach you someday. As for your aging, I do have my theories."

"And what theories are those?"

"That you are like me? Angel blood running through your veins. That or demon blood which is more likely since your family was very demented." Scourge lowered his eyes as did his expression somber up. Lucifer noticed his new son's hurt feelings and ruffled his hair again. "But don't worry, one day you will be an unstoppable king."

"A king? King of what?"

"The world."

"But I thought you wanted to be the king." Lucifer's eyes softened into a tender look upon the boy. This new side of the devil was surprising and I honestly could not believe that I was watching it. Then again, he did want Scourge to trust him and I guess this the way to do it. But at the same time, the emotions did not seem fake. Anyone could tell that he really did care for the boy. Even now, sometimes I saw a flash of that tenderness when he looked upon Scourge but of course I thought it was my imagination. Now I know – it was real.

"I did but you will surely be a much better ruler than I will ever be." Scourge shrugged his thin shoulders.

"Whatever you say, Luci- I mean dad." Lucifer smiled at the boy one last time before the vision changed once more. More slowly this time. As if it was a memory that was to be cherished. Honestly, it was sweet and everything but I was still shocked that Lucifer had a soft side. Guess there was one to everyone after all.

My surroundings were now one of a local boxing gym as the next vision became clear. Times were older now and I spotted a 15/16 year old version of Scourge duking it out with a punching bag. I walked closer to him to see Dante leaning back in a chair nearby, flipping lazily through a sports magazine. They both looked very different from what they do now. Besides both of their young looks, both of them were smaller in muscle and held less of a hardness in their eyes. They seemed content though and I guess that was what really mattered. Dante put down the tabloid with a bored sigh and got up to walk behind Scourge. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around Scourge's waist. Scourge, caught off guard, immediately turned and punched his best friend square in the face. Dante backed away, rubbing his red cheek. Scourge stifled out a chuckle at his friend as he shook his head. "You're a feisty one, aren't you," Dante teased. Scourge rolled his eyes at the other teen.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to try to molest me while I'm training? You get the same right hook every time." Dante smirked and leaned in close to Scourge's face.

"You know you like it. Don't deny it." Scourge rolled his eyes again before turning around. "Hey," Dante said as he poked Scourge's shoulder. "Do you know why Lucifer is taking all of us orphans in or what? I mean you are his favorite after all." Scourge shrugged.

"Lucifer only told me that his dream and plans will be fulfilled through us. At my best bet, we're probably be workers for some business he's building or something." Dante shrugged at the idea before poking at his friend again.

"Wanna wrestle with me and stop abusing that punching bag?"

"D, we both know that I'm only going to kick your ass and that wrestling is just an excuse for you to have your hands all over me but because you're my best friend, I guess I'll have to accept your offer."

"Hey, one of this days I will kick your ass. And as for your second comment: what can I say? You're hard to keep my hands off of." Scourge rolled his eyes. "You keep acting like you don't like it. Now when I pin your ass down and make you call me daddy then I prove myself correct."

"If anything, you are my bitch," Scourge said with a smirk as he turned to face Dante. The other boy raised an eyebrow.

"Oh really? Is that what you think?"

"That's what I know. Unless you're going to do something about it, punk." Dante growled playfully before tackling Scourge to the ground by his waist. I watched as Scourge immediately went into defense mode, working on getting a good grip on Dante before rolling them over so he was on top. But Dante didn't stay down long. He pushed against Scourge so that they would both stand on their knees, testing their strengths against each other. Dante grabbed Scourge's leg and down the two of them went again. Although it seemed as if they were serious about trying to win, both of the boys' laughter filled the room. They were having fun and I could tell that was something both of them hadn't had in a while. This was a more happier time for Scourge. One with a good father figure and a carefree relationship with his best friend. He deserved a time like that. When the vision went black, I felt an intense pain start ripping at my heart. Just as I was about to question it, I head Scourge's screams of agony from somewhere in the darkness. The flash I saw lasted for only a second but it was enough for me to know what was going on. Scourge was being transformed into a Dark Angel.

The vision changed quickly into one of a ballroom – one similar to the party scene I had in my dream that felt like ages ago when I had been in Victoria's place. From afar, I saw my doppelganger and my boyfriend playfully flirting. This vision was cut short once more. These must have been the memories that Scourge wanted to forget. Being turned and his romance with Victoria. It was understandable since he was put in deep pain with both but I honestly wanted to know more about them than I already did. Once I blinked back into my surroundings, I saw that I was in his room. Well his room in Hell anyway. I looked down to the bed to see that I was asleep, my exposed body cuddled up next to Scourge who was fixing the blanket so that it covered me up more since I had shivered slightly. I recognized the scene before me. It had been after we had our first time together. When he had softly taken my virginity. The night before he attacked me. I watched his somber expression as he caressed my face and hair. I could only guess that it was because of what he was about do in the morning.

Again, the vision shifted but instead of the past in front of me – it was the future. I was standing in what looked like a nursery holding a small baby girl that had pale pink hair and ice blue eyes. Another child came bouncing into the room. It was boy with green eyes, ice blue eyes that were housed in my wide shaped eyes, and he resembled Scourge. Speaking of my boyfriend, he walked into the room but he looked older. Come to think of it: we both did. No longer were we in teenage bodies but instead those of people in their mid or late twenties. Scourge ruffled the boy's hair before walking up to the future me and placing a soft kiss on her lips.

It was then that I realized that Scourge really did genuinely care about me and that he really did want a future for us. I mean, he was planning it right here in his head. What better place than to put it? Slowly, I shifted out of the dream and opened my eyes to look up at my boyfriend. He was still asleep at the moment, his young facial expression masked over him. Slowly he stirred awake and let his eyes stare blankly at the ceiling. I reached down to grab his hand and give it a squeeze.

"You know, despite everything you went through: you still came out a good person," I told him, my soft voice low. He surprised me when a dark laugh escaped his laugh.

"Good? No, I am exactly what most kids who are abused and learn evil are like. Don't tell me that I'm not because I know I am. I'm not ashamed of who I am. I can't change it. All I can do is try to be better…for you." I blushed, rubbing my cheek against his arm.

"Can I ask you a question…about your family?" He nodded. "Why did your parents beat on you and your siblings so much?"

"They were messed up in the head. That's the only explanation I can think of."

"But Lucifer said that you either had Angel or demon blood in your veins."

"I do. Demon blood. Both my parents were conceived due to a demon. Not the same demon but still…"

"Why did you change your name?"

"My old name didn't fit me anymore." I nodded, somewhat understanding what he meant. His old name was pure and he felt that he wasn't anymore. So he changed it to something that represented him. It makes sense once you think about it. I felt his hand stroke my cheek softly, causing me to look back up at him. His ice blue eyes stared down at me with a softness I'd only seen a couple times in him and those times had long passed by us. I leaned up to press my lips against his in a soft kiss. He kissed me back for a moment, our lips moving in complete harmony. When he pulled away, I was tempted to kiss him again but his voice rang through my ears in an almost sad tone. "Why do you love me so much? After everything I have put you through, how do you still care for me as much as you do?" I looked into his soft blue eyes, searching for whatever monster he saw in himself. I didn't find him though and no matter how hard I tried, I would never find him. Instead, I saw a young teenager who needed someone to love him. The one who I had met back in my old high school. The one who took me on dates. The one who listened to me. The one who took the time to understand me. The one who I would love forever.

"There's just something about you that I can't shake off. I wish I could hate you, turn my back on you, act like you absence wouldn't hurt me. But that could never happen because I know the person you play off as isn't really who you are on the inside. I remember how you were before and a little bit after I found out what you were. You aren't a monster, Scourge. You're the love of my life." He stared at me for a moment, his eyes now filled with love and sincerity. It was then that I once again saw the boy that lived inside him. The boy who loved me and only asked for me to return the feeling. Slowly, I leaned up to kiss him again. This kiss was brief but it was sweet and meaningful – as our first kiss should have been.

"I wish things were different," he murmured, his lips brushing mine as he spoke. "I wish we could have a normal relationship." A flash of my own memory flashed before me. Back when I had run from Scourge for the second time and Cody was optimistic in saying that things could be different for us one day. A small smile came upon my lips.

"Maybe we will – after everything is over." Scourge stared at me as he nodded although I could see the certain disbelief in his eyes. He kissed me softly but passionately once more. A sigh of content left both of our lips as we kissed but I couldn't help but feel the intense feeling that it was as if we were making it last. As if we would never have one like this again – or at least not have much left. I saw a flash of pain through his mind as well as a blurred vision. I knew then why he was trying to make so much up to me before this war because things really would be different afterwards. Something in the course of time or the prophecy or whatever it was had changed. A sacrifice was going to be made but from the vision, he didn't know who although one thing was absolutely clear: one of us was going to die.

Another filler chap for you all. The next two should most definitely be the big war chaps and will hopefully be long. But there are only 2 actual chaps left of this story and then the last chapter will be the epilogue. Oh wow, I actually don't know how I feel about this story ending, wow...

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