Chapter 9 Are we done here?
Character Haggard
"Ok so let me fill you all in," Haggard said to James and group, "After you all got through the portal, a large group of demons came in through the other side of the cavern. We gave them a thrashing and sent them running like a bunch of liberals that were confronted with facts, Spyro and Cynder decided to track them back to what they hoped would be the original rift and they got pretty close before the demons realized they were being followed and tried to fight it out. From what I hear, with those new suits they got, our dragon friends massacred the demons and were able to guesstimate where the other rift is."
"Wow that has to be the most complete thought you have ever dictated to us," Carter said.
"Yeah I know even I was surprised," Hags replied, "Anyway now we get to go blow up some stuff..., and then probably leave.
"You don't sound happy about that," Carolina said, "What you want to stay?"
"Don't know, K is great and we get to make a lot of explosions but there is something about this world that is just... Ah its whatever it is," Hags said, "Anyway there is going to be a huge explosion so I'm ready to get some fighting done."
"Always the optimist," Preston said, "That why I like you."
"Hey someone has to balance out Sweet's oppressive pessimism," Hags said, "And you and Red ain't the best at that."
"Do we know how long these tunnels are," James asked as they continued to follow, K, C, Spyro, and Cynder through the mountains towards the rift site.
"Not really sure, Spyro and Cynder were able to make it there and back in an hour, but that was with those suits, much faster than getting all of DC through theses tunnels," Red stated.
"Yeah unless we all rode on you guys it will probably take longer," Sweets said, "Great place for an ambush these tunnels and valleys."
"I see what you mean about the pessimism," York said.
"Hey I agree with Sweets," Grish said as he lumbered up beside the group, "I'd much rather expect an attack and not get one than not expect an attack and get hit."
"I always expect to attack," Carolina replied, "And then I follow through with that expectation."
"I just like it when stuff blows up," Hags said, "and check it out stuff to blow up at twelve O' clock."
Before them the tunnel opened up out into a valley that used to be lush forest but was now a desolated waste filled with demons and a howling wind that seemed to come from the forty foot high hundred foot across portal that was madly swirling in the middle of a demonic hoard.
"Well blarg," K said, "Its a full blown gateway. The key to this is going to be taking that out so that reinforcements don't come pouring through it."
"So big boom real quick," Hags said, "You get me the time and I can get the boom."
"Right, Doctor you go with Hags and Bad Co.," K said, "Fi, Geyser, Krista, how do you feel about doing some recon work."
"And maybe get spotted and drag the demons into the tunnels where you all will be waiting for them," Fi finished, "Sounds good to me I'd like to see what this armor can do."
"Read our minds," C replied, "Bad Co you ready?"
"We are if the Doctor is," Red replied, "Hags you sure you can blow that... never mind."
"Don't worry about it I can bring the boom when you give me the opening," Hags stated.
"Bow-chicka-bow-ow," Tucker said as Tex whacked him in the face, "Man I got to learn to shut up around you."
"Ok where do we need to be when the demons chase you three into the tunnels," Doctor asked.
"Somewhere they won't be looking," Sweets said, "What isn't it obvious?"
"No its not," Hags replied, "There is this tunnel and the valley out there, where else... Oh."
"That's right," Sweets said, "On our distractions, if you'll let us of course."
"And how will we get off," Preston asked.
"We jump," Hags said, "Onto the portal."
"That portal is forty feet high, what if we miss," Red said.
"Geronimo," Doctor replied, "Besides this is the best way to get us close to the portal. Then all we need is some explosives and a rope."
"Blow it up from the inside," Hags said, "swing the charge through the portal, big boom and we don't die."
"Sounds like you all got this," K said, "Fi, Geyser, Krista get going."
"I'm going too," River said, "Can't let the husband get to have all the fun."
"Of course not," C replied, "Just go."
A few minutes later, Hags and Sweets were riding Geyser out over the demon filled fields. Preston and Red were on Fi, and the Doctor and River were on Krista.
"Is it a good idea to have the three craziest of us riding together," Hags asked.
"Of course not," Geyser replied, "But then again neither is purposely being shot at by demons. Get ready to jump you two, I can only hang in place for a moment before the missiles catch up to me."
"Ready," Hags said, "Take us in."
Geyser wheeled around and headed for the portal, a line of projectiles flew up from the demons below and several took flight to chase him. Hags readied to jump, his C4 on a rope in hand. Krista shot past them and the Doctor and River jumped off and landed on the portal. Then Geyser took them in Hags jumped and was caught by River, while the Doctor caught Sweets.
"Good catch," Hags said, "Now watch me work."
As he tied himself to Sweetwater, Red and Preston dropped in adding their weight to Sweets so Hags could rappel down and throw the charge through the portal.
"Ok," Doctor said, "Charge is set to blow in sixty, get down there."
Hags grabbed the explosive and backed out over the edge. For him time definitely seemed to slow down and speed up, he was having to move slowly to keep from pulling his team off the top, but had the constant awareness of the bomb that was ticking down in his hands. The roar of the portal was deafening and as he got closer it seemed to reach out for him like it was hungry. He reached the lip at thirty and rolled out the C4, he swung it around four times then slung it into the portal.
"All right pull me up," Hags yelled, "I don't want to be down here when that thing blows." He realized that they couldn't hear him so he gave the rope two quick tugs. He soon felt them lifting him up, away from the portal and the bomb that was going to explode in five seconds. He reached the top and got back on his feet in time to ask, "How large is this explosion going to be," But not in time to hear the answer. A giant spout of fire roared out of the portal, shaking the construct so hard that it knocked them all off their feet. Hags reached out and grabbed Preston as he almost slid off the top.
"Thanks Hags," Preston said as he regained his footing, "Ok so what now?"
"Now we have incoming," River said.
A wave of the flying demons and a few specters was sailing towards them.
"I think we are going to be on our own for this one," Red said, "Hags your pyro-launcher is the only thing we got that can kill those ghosts, so don't worry about the others we got them."
Bringing the sights of the pyro up, Hags aimed for the first of the oncoming ghosts. As the rattle of gunfire broke out next to him, he lit up the sky with the new feature he had installed on his favorite weapon, a flame wave creator. He had given the Pyro to Doug to see if the relatively clumsy ball that it shot could be augmented to something that provided more cover while still exploding when it hit a target, this flame wave was what Doug had come up with. As the demons hit the wall of fire they set off explosions that knocked them all from the sky in a spectacular fireworks show.
"Yeah now that is how its done," Haggard yelled, "Oh that is awesome!"
"Whoa Hags, When did you trick out the pyro," Sweets asked.
"About a month ago, I had Doug do it for me." Hags replied.
"Can I get one of those," River asked.
"You don't need one of those," Doctor replied.
"Yo rides here," Red said, "Lets go before Hags roasts any of us."
"Hey I've never intentionally hurt any of you," Hags replied.
"Yeah but what about the unintentional times," Preston said as he slapped Haggard on the shoulder.
"Oh that's a burn," Fi said as she parked next to them, "These suits are awesome, the jet powered parking feature is so cool. But get on quick it doesn't last very long before it has to recharge again."
Preston and Red hoped on Fiona, then the Doctor and River got on Krista, and then Geyser came by for Sweetwater and himself. Hags had just gotten on Geyser when the portal structure began to creek and collapse in on itself.
"Well that was close," Hags said, "Just like old times."
"I think we would all be better off if the old times stayed in the past," Sweets said, "I hate close calls."
"Yo, Sweets," Hags said.
"Yeah," came the reply.
"What do you think about staying here when the others move on?"
"Stay? I... well back home we are still wanted criminals here though; It just seems so foreign."
"Well the way I see it is even though we are some of the best," Hags said, "K is going to be taking this war right into the depths of Hell. Now I was never very religious before all this but I think that we wouldn't do any good down there. God simply didn't design our kind to live there, especially not in these bodies."
"Wow Hags did you get a degree when I wasn't looking cause that sounded well thought out. We would still have to convince the others but I'm in," Sweets replied.
"You two would stay here and help rebuild cities that you never knew," Geyser asked, "I guess there is more to you than the hunt for gold and explosives after all."
"Ah don't get to emotional on me," Hags replied, "I just can't hunt gold and blow stuff up if I'm dead, and heading into Hell sure sounds like dying."
Geyser didn't reply just nodded his head producing a rrrrr, rrrrr, sound as the robotics of the armor moved with him. Haggard though about that for a moment then asked; "Hey why is your head rrrr-ing when the rest of the suit isn't?"
"Demon ran into me stripped of the right side of the face so that it is open to the air, probably lost some insulation so you can hear the sound," Geyser replied, "Suit protected me good though not even a scratch on me."
Character Kalathanon
"Your what," K asked.
"Were staying," Red replied, "Bad Co. is staying here to help rebuild, and heck I might even get my fishing time in."
K looked them over, the four soldiers turned treasure hunters were all standing as tall and proud as if they were about to be promoted, even the usually sloppy Haggard. The longer he thought about it the more he couldn't come up with a reason they should stay. He couldn't take them with him and the others into Hell, none of the human members could go with him there, only the Leviathans, the Freelancers, Cortana, the Primes, and basically anything else that had been in or would be immune to Hell and its destructive effects. He was going to need more people... but where?
"Ok," K resignedly said, "I promise we will come back for you though."
"That sounds good enough to me," Haggard replied, "After all I owe you a few."
"I'm staying too," Grish said, "You charged me to protect this world and I'm going to do just that, no more crazy adventures with you for me oh no."
"Grish, is that determination, or restraint I hear," K asked amused, "Last I checked you were never one to back down from an adventure."
"That was twenty years ago," Grishnake replied, "I'm older now, but still got enough strength to show the four of these men here some tricks, figured if there are any more demons left I'll still get my adventure."
"I can understand that," K said, "very well, Do you want to say by to the others or just let me tell them?"
"Just tell them we are sticking it out here until you all get back," Red said, "Nothing fancy, nothing all emotional like."
K nodded as he turned to leave the plains outside the remains of the city of Warfang. He was sorry to see Bad Co. go but knew that they would be fine here, compared with any of the other planets. As he took off to return to Doug's ship His mind wandered back to the question of where was he going to find people to replace those he was leaving behind, 141 and now Bad Co. next would be Delta for Serra was the next stop and Fenix had already told him that he and his squad were going to stay there, as was Jackson. Perhaps Ingitus, or Tyreal would Have an idea, or Beast and the Primes, yes he had options but he wasn't sure which ones would pan out.
C met he as he entered a hanger bay, he relayed the information about Bad Co and Grish to her and she nodded as she wrapped a wing around him.
"Haggard was one of the first members of DC," K said, "Its just going to be different with him not here to liven things up with a joke or explosion."
"So where are you going to get more power then to fill in the spots we are losing as we travel," C asked.
"Really the only ones left to go are Delta, Hawk and Fisher, Satan and his house, John and Arbiter, The Doctor and river, and the Red and Blue teams. None of them have experienced Hell and its corruption before and I won't take them through that," K said, "The Freelances were all in Hell before, Leviathans are unaffected by it, Tyreal has fought against it for so long, Beast was a part of it, Adam isn't human enough to be affected as is Cortana and the Primes are very used to it."
"What about the Champions," C asked as they walked through the main corridor for tanks and the like.
"You mean you don't know," K said in surprise, "The eight champions, you don't recognize there names? Alverion, aspect of Vigilance; Saphira, aspect of Grace; Pyros, aspect of Wrath, Kitara, Aspect of Temperance; Scion, Aspect of Death; Elly, aspect of Strength, Scaron, Aspect of Authority; and Elantra, aspect of Humility. The other eight of the twelve Leviathans that started our race, Lucifer and Mamon are both still lost to us, and you and I were gone for a long time."
C just stared at him then shook her head twice before flashing him a joyful grin and squeezing him to her. "Its really them, the others? That makes a lot of sense but why didn't I figure it out before now?"
"Because they have had years to develop their shells of protection, even from our own kind, considering," K replied, "Don't worry they will be just fine. I wonder about Starkiller though, he says he will be fine going with us but I don't know, and Marion definitely wants to get off before we go in for the long haul."
"K your back," the deep grating voice of Diablo called from just to their right. The large red demon lord was in a repair depot helping Elly fix a tank, "Where are the others they decide to stay?"
"Yeah, they did," K replied, "Don't suppose you know off hand where we can get some new hands for the continuation of this war and what did Elly do to get you to help her hold a tank on its side while she worked on it?"
"Don't ask," Came both their curt replies. To which K and C raised an eyebrow. "Though I may know of one or two people who can help us out," Diablo finished.
"Okay shes all fixed up," Elly said as she slid out from under the tank. Elly, though a Leviathan as K now knew was currently in the form of an Amazon queen, decked out in ruby red plate armor, though it now had some grease on it, with the exception of a helmet. She instead wore only a braided band in her hair.
"Well lets see if she works," Diablo said, "Sheila you there?"
"Hello, and thank you for activating the M808V main battle..."
"Yeah we got that bit last time girl," Elly said, "how are your diagnostics?"
"Oh my apologies, but I am running at one-hundred percent capacity, thank you for fixing me up."
"A talking tank," Diablo muttered, "that Sarge just keeps getting more and more annoying."
"Sarge got you two to fix the tank, ur Sheila?" C asked.
"Hold that though," K interrupted, "Diablo you said you thought you knew of someone who could help, even in the attack on Hell?"
"Two someone's actually," Diablo replied, "you see I possessed the body of a warrior after my 'defeat' in Tristram but there were two others with him a Rouge, who we corrupted, by the name of Blood-Raven, and a Sorcerer by the name of Xarle, also corrupted. At the time I was only strong enough to bend the warrior to me, but that was because the other two were much more powerful than he. They may be in a position to help us though B.R. and Xarle were last seen raising an army to over through us from our hell."
"How would we get to them?" K asked.
"Oh a rift to their stronghold would be enough to get them to come to us," Diablo said, "I could make on now if you wish."
"Do it," K said.
With a snap of his fingers a red portal opened up beside Diablo and two figures collapsed out of it, followed by four massive demons with tree-like arms and dual wielding giant clubs. K brought down two of the demons and C the other two as Diablo closed the rift. On the ground before him lay a pale white woman with a red, low cut, top, a wide loincloth that latched around two hip spines, a helmet with two horns on it that rested on a fierce but disciplined face with tight lips, small nose, and currently closed eyes. She also had a crescent moon scar that just barely showed up on her left cheek that ran from the base of her ear to the corner of her mouth, and elbow and knee spikes. She was definitely a sight to see but the man beside her was just as imposing.
In a full blue robe with armored plating sewn in to it, the man was of a much darker skin, darker than even Redford's, or Johnson's, almost as dark as K's. He had no spikes, but his hands were clawed where fingernails should have been, his eyes, which were flickering open now, were a burning crimson-gold his build was much more sturdy than a normal spell-caster's would have been as the man was a good six feet tall and two and a half feet across and all muscled. Next to him his right hand still held on to a staff of surpassing ornateness and quality, while next to the woman was a bow that appeared strong enough to bend back most people if they were to try and use it.
"This is them," Diablo said, "Seems like they were getting overrun by Lucifer's minions."
"The woman radiates with the same power as the man though not as strongly," C observed as she reached down an lifted the woman, Blood-Raven, up to carry her out of the cold motor pool, K did the same for Xarle. "Interesting she has the abilities to warp energy the same as the mage there, and to summon the dead? Powerful indeed."
"Like I said," Diablo stated, "Only the warrior was weak enough for me at the time. These two , I think they might have loved each other, seems like they still might, even through the demonic influences."
"Uhh huh what the let me down," Blood-Raven snapped as she work with a start and smashed her bow into the back of C's head. The strike didn't even phase C who place the lady down. Now that she was awake, Blood-Raven was even more of an imposing figure than before, her eyes a smoldering red, arrayed around by strands of black hair, supported by a straight back and wiry muscled body that spoke of a warrior's life. And the spikes were even more enhanced with her figure poised like she was ready to shoot either C or K.
"I should have warned you B.R. is a handful," Diablo said.
At the sound of his voice, B.R., as Diablo had called her, spun around and had three shots into the demon's back before he could even howl or K and C could restrain her.
"Blood-Raven," K said, "Its ok hes a good guy now, we're all fighting Satan, the one who sent those demons after you and Xarle."
BR shook them off while Elly pulled the arrows out of Diablo, they had gone in surprisingly deep.
"How did we get here," Blood-Raven asked in a spectral-melodious tone that said she would fight any of them or all of them if she didn't like the answer, "And put Xarle down now." That last was said so quietly that even Elly glanced back at K and C.
"Diablo opened a portal to your fortress," K said as he gently laid Xarle on the ground, you two fell through followed by four massive demons carrying what looked like..."
"Like trees for clubs," A bleary eyed Xarle said as he rubbed the side of his head and got to his feet, "It seems we both owe you four for the timely intervention."
"Xarle that's Diablo," Blood-Raven hissed, "He Killed Adin, and Corrupted Us!"
"And yet we have done very well despite that, and now his intervention, for whatever reason saved us from a brutal beating, violation and then subsequent killing. So lets be a little more friendly than shooting him in the back."
"So you were awake," K said, "I though so."
"I didn't think I could hid it from a dragon but yes I was awake the whole time if a bit dazed from one of those demons landing a blow to my head. Raven how are you?"
"I'll be better once I know what is going one," She replied, "but Physically, nothing a good night in bed cant fix."
"In bed with me you mean," Xarle said laughing, "I should thank you for that, Diablo, the demonic corruptions within us has made for some interesting nights."
"Get a room," Elly said, "And don't let Tucker hear you or..."
"Bow-chic-ka-bow-wow-wow," Tucker said as he rounded the corner at the end of the hall and then stopped in mid stride as he saw Blood-Raven and Xarle, "Wow, what are you two the pole dancer and the body builder?"
"And after I shoot him," Blood-Raven added.
"Tucker, GO!," K ordered, "Elly make sure he goes, Diablo tell your brothers and the other what happened, C tell them about Bad Co., Blood-Raven, Xarle, I am Kalathanon, Leviathan of Judgment, brother of Lucifer, and servant of God who can save all from the sin and corruption that has spread through creation. I am after my brother, to stop Hell from spilling out into all the realities, and I was hoping you two cloud help."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Xarle said with a sideways look at Raven, "Hmm."
"I say they prove it," Blood-Raven said, "Have them get Tom back."
"Who," K asked, "Is Tom?"
"K you know that we are Leviathans," Elly said, "So who then do you think stopped Diablo here in the first place?"
"Oh you've got to be joking," Diablo said, "Tom isn't, he is isn't he?"
"Yup the man who beat you all," Xarle replied, "And now you and your brothers get to help save him. You know I could get to like this the irony is beautiful."
"Where then do you need to go," Doug's massive voice echoed through the chamber.
"What is that," Blood-Raven asked.
"Ah hello," Doug replied, "I am Doug the pilot of this ship and Grave-mind of the Flood on this collegiate of ships."
"You can take us where we need to go," Xarle said rather than asked as he held two fingers to his forehead, "I don't feel you clearly but your presence is all around us. Well he was going to visit us but then our abode was over run with those tree demons and the like. Also some of those beasts with the wings and fire breath, how I hate overlords."
"Diablo can you and your brothers open a big enough rift to get all of DC through in one of these ships?" K asked.
Diablo stared at Raven and Xarle for a time before answering, "Not only can we do it we will make the biggest comeback that hell has ever seen, Doug get Malafor, Baal, and Mephisto to the bridge I'll meet them there and we are going to rip the sky off of hell."
"Sounds like fun," K said with a grin. He was now the only one left with Diablo, Blood-Raven, and Xarle the others having gone off to their respective duties and Diablo having had another priority in reaching the bridge. "Its been a long time since I was last in our old home, now that brings back memories."
"Wait you used to help them," Xarle asked, "That seems unlikely, and who is Malafor?"
"Well he did say he was the brother of Lucifer," Blood-Raven replied, "and even I know who that is."
"Malafor and the others you can meet in a bit," K said, "Blood-Raven, what did you just say?"
"That everyone knows who Lucifer is," Blood-Rave replied sharply, "And if your his brother..."
"Not on his side anymore," K said, "But how do you know of him, what else do you know that relates to him?"
"Archaic texts," Xarle said, "said to be older than Sanctuary itself and given to the first angles to walk the heavens and the first demon to walk the hells. That tome speaks of Lucifer the Prime of Primes, Arch-demon, fallen one and corrupter. But it also speaks of one who cut the head off this Satan and can end evil, forever."
"Jesus," K whispered, "every planet, all of time, made provision for... us?"
"Sorry what was that," Xarle asked, "I didn't catch that."
"Nothing for now, but later I will need to fill you in, I have more information in regards to those tomes," K replied with a wave of his hand. Then he lifted both of them off the ground and placed them on his back. "Ok D lead the way."
"Well at least I'm not having to carry them," Diablo grumbled, "Can't believe I'm going to help Tom."
K laughed as he started filling in the two new comers about DC and their operations thus far.
Character Blood-Raven
Blood-Raven woke up with Xarle's arms wrapped around her, the night before the Primes had concluded that it would take at least ten hours to create a large enough portal and they suggested that everyone get some rest. Well she and Xarle didn't necessary plan on resting but they always seem to end up that way in bed. She snuggled up against her rock hard partner and contemplated the events of yesterday. The introductions had been a whirlwind with dragons, aliens, robots, and people of all shapes and sizes. She still thought that Doug, the giant living mass of flesh, was the most bizarre out of them all. The creature seemed to have the nature of a father, but around K acted like a child, and the others obviously held a great respect for the, what was it... Grave-mind. Doug's ability to interact through any of the seemingly unconnected flood forms was a little disconcerting .
Xarle grunted and mumbled "Morning" as he squeezed her in a hug then yelped as he caught himself on one of her spikes. Blood-Raven laughed, a chiming ghostly sound, she found it hilarious that after almost forty years Xarle would still get poked by those spikes. She knew he didn't mind them though, as he was always telling her how sexy they made her look. Xarle could be a pig at times but he was a dedicated pig, only ever loving her, even among all the temptations of hell.
"This is Doug to ship's company the rift will be opening in ten minutes," Doug's voice echoed through the room.
"Ten minutes," Xarle complained, "Why couldn't he let me sleep another few minutes?"
"Well we technically had ten hours to sleep," Blood-Raven said, "Its not his fault that we are more... creative than that."
Xarle rolled out of the bed, a square metal thing with a foam-like mattress and pillows that could all be adjusted with a control on the bed. He smiled and whispered to her, "Worth it."
"Good now get dressed," Blood-Raven said, "We're not going to let those overgrown lizards and our arch enemies be the only ones to get Tom."
Xarle grunted at her as he threw on his garments then the plated blue cloak that he wore. Blood-Raven was already dressed and waiting by the door. "What took you so long," She teased only to watch his eyes rove over her then roll as he slid the door open and shook his head. That caused her to laugh again, her voice echoing off the walls adding a reverberation to her already unearthly tone. It was that laugh that brought two people into the hall, a man and woman with the woman being taller than her counterpart. Raven recalled them to be Hawk and Fisher.
"Ah good-to-go," Fisher said, "Seems we are both alike in that regard, having to drag the hubby out of bed."
"Oh come on," Hawk said, "we're supposed to take you to the bridge when you are ready."
"See," Xarle said, "He should have given us ten more minutes. Hawk you seem like a smart man."
"Try convincing Fisher of that," Hawk said with a grin, "She knows better."
They continued to talk on the way to the bridge, the couple were amazingly like Xarle and herself, minus the corruption of course. The conversation was pleasant, giving life to the cold metal halls that comprised the... spacecraft, yes that was it. A strange idea being able to fly amongst the stars but it was what they were doing so she couldn't argue with its impossibility. It struck her that anywhere else these two humans would have been uncomfortable around them, but then again all of DC was comprised of strange and especially dangerous individuals. She wondered what made these two so unique.
"So why did K bring you two along you seem normal compared to most of the others here," She asked.
"Xarle you use magic right," Hawk said, "Cast something on us."
Xarle nodded and Blood-Raven saw the spark of a healing spell light up his hands but to her surprise it diverted around Hawk and Fisher and dissipated. Xarle then tried a flame wave spell that made the walls glow from the heat of it, but that too diverted around the pair.
"Magic slides off of us," Fisher said, "All magic, beneficial or harmful."
"Seeing as there are more uses for harmful magics, not a bad predicament," Xarle said, "remind me to not make either of you mad at me."
"I wouldn't worry about it," Hawk said, "Raven, based on the holes you put in D's back I would guess that you are good enough with that bow to drop both of us if we tried to hurt either of you. And here we are, would you look at that."
Before them was the viewing window on the bridge and all of DC was there arrayed before it, beyond it where there should have been space was a huge red portal.
"Ok everyone's here," K said from atop a raised platform, "Doug take us in."
The ship detached from the cluster with a lurch that almost unbalanced Blood-Raven and did knock Xarle down, but then it sailed smoothly through the portal. What she saw on the other side however was not what she was hoping for. Their entire fortress was being burned down by the demons causing a huge cloud of smoke and ash to rise into the air. It was not big enough to hide a ship as massive as the battle cruiser they were in and demons flew up in the thousands to fight them.
"Doug," K said, "Tell Cortana that she can have some fun with these guys."
"Done," Doug replied, "And there she goes."
Blood-Raven watched in fascination as a giant metal human-like contraption flew past the bridge's viewing window and slammed into the oncoming demons with both blazing energy beams and massive fists, all while dodging effortlessly the thousands of attacks that were flung at Cortana.
"Raven," Doug called, "How does Tom usually travel?"
"By a demon rail, its a bunch of demons that are linked together and follow the same paths from place to place," Blood-Raven replied, "And don't call me Raven."
"Sounds like a train," Coal said, "Anyway there is some large mass heading towards your house from the right."
"That's him then," Xarle said, "We need to get him off that rail before it reaches our fortress."
"So high jacking a demon train? How hard could that be?" Adam said enthusiastically.
"Shouldn't be too bad," Spyro said, "A few of us maybe three or four, and a handful of passengers to deal with any unwanted guests. Blood-Raven and Xarle you two should come of course, I can fly you in. Cynder, John and Arbiter, could be another, Ingitus if you would, Lucifer and Daemon, and Cyril, with Tex, leaving room for Tom."
"Sounds good," Cyril said, "K?"
"Doug how close can you get us to that train?" K asked, "And how quickly."
"We are going to be over it in three, Spyro get your teams to the hangers this is going to be a flyover then pick up mission, we can deal with the rest of this hell later," Doug said.
Blood-Raven was already almost on Spyro as they started the run towards the hangers, so she hauled Xarle up as Spyro unleashed the true speed of his robotic suit. They arrived at the hangers in one and a half minutes, with the rest inside only a minute after.
"Ok we will drop you all off on the top of the demons," Spyro said, "then you blast your way to Tom and take him out the right side of the rail. Blood-Raven I'll let down this rope for you Xarle and Tom to grab onto. Got it?"
"Understood," Tex said from behind them.
That seemed to be good enough for Spyro and as the rail came under the ship he and Cynder launched out of the craft followed by Ingitus and Cyril. Some of the flying demons who weren't being dashed to bits by Cortana decided to try their luck with the team and headed towards the team.
"Don't worry about the demons," Spyro said as he hovered over the demons on the rail, "We'll take care of them."
Xarle nodded as Blood-Raven dropped down into the first demon. The rail system was made up of demons who's insides were hollowed out and the shells were used as a semi-living transport, still having enough life from the trapped soul to move and repair itself but not enough to do other than what it was told. It was inside one of those hard, chitinous, dark shells that Blood-Raven and Xarle found themselves. The others were dropping in farther forwards, so only the last four compartments were what Blood-Raven and Xarle had to search. The one they were in was empty except for themselves, but they could feel the corruption of demons a car or so ahead. Xarle moved up to the door as Blood-Raven readied an arrow on her bow and nodded to him. He opened the door and launched a fire ball into the empty room. They checked the demon for any passengers but found none and then moved up to the next door. The corruption felt stronger as they drew closer. Xarle once again positioned himself by the door ready to open it once she was ready. Her bow raised and arrow drawn she nodded to him and he opened the door and followed up with a fire ball.
The howl of demons hit them almost as fast as the demons did, Blood-Raven was able to get three shots off, dropping three demons, before she had to fall back. Xarle wasn't putting up with the demons hassling her and a large man shaped golem rose up before her and started beating on the closest demons. Blood-Raven dropped two more targets and Xarle let out a nova of lightening, but still the demons came on. Then an explosion rocked the demon-car, and the door on the other side of the room shattered open and all the remaining demons fell to the floor, dead. From the light coming from the door Blood-Raven could see the outline of some one and she called out, "Tom!"