Striker's Little Girl

Vol 10: The Harvest Moon Festival

Ch. 3: Treachery

Maria sensed something was wrong the minute she saw the front door open. Daddy never leaves the door unlocked. She stepped warily in the house and looked around. There were slight banging noises coming from the basement. Maria ran straight for the open door and carefully walked down the stairs.

She gasped, shocked to see Viper right by the secret compartment where daddy keeps his blessing-tipped rifle. The woman looked just as surprised seeing it before her face twisted into a wicked smile as she ran her fingers along said weapon.

"M-miss Viper, what are you doing?"

Viper jumped at the voice and turned to see a terrified Maria standing there.

"Maria! I thought you were supposed to watch the ceremony with your daddy."

Maria stepped back warily. Viper smirked seeing her tremble.

"You shouldn't be touching that, it's daddy's!" Maria exclaimed. "Don't you know that thing can kill-?"

"Demon royalty?" Viper hissed.

"Y-yes?"

Viper chuckled darkly, "Well, that's a shame. Leavin' such a powerful weapon in an old locker when he could be usin' it to slay overlords. I'll be more than happy to take it off his hands. Surely, your daddy won't mind."

It happened too fast.

Maria turned to run but Viper's tail caught her ankle and yanked her onto the floor.

She hadn't managed to get up when her attacker kneeled on top of her and grabbed her by the neck.

Maria kicked, scratched, and bit at her, but to no success because she was so small and weak.

She managed to catch site of an old coat hanger nearby and kicked it. The thing fell and struck the back of Viper's head, forcing her to let Maria go and she quickly ran for the staircase.

Unfortunately, she barely made it to the top when Viper grabbed her again and pulled her into a chokehold, covering her mouth.

Maria struggled in her captor's clutches; her screams muffled.

Sadly, her efforts were in vain and now her vision was beginning to blur along with her lack of oxygen.

Viper chuckled, "Pathetic."

Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her back and shrieked as something yanked her by the hair causing her to drop almost unconscious Maria.

Maria hit the ground and she managed to catch a glimpse of her savior before everything went black.

Auntie...?

Jemima saw red the minute she saw her niece in the bitch's grasp. She practically looked like a savage beast, teeth bared fiercely, as she continuously stabbed Viper in the back. Even as Viper tried to pry her off, she now tried to go for her throat.

However, she was so caught up in her raging fury, she didn't notice her enemy used this to her advantage until she slammed her into the wall; her arm snapped on the impact.

Jemima clutched her now broken arm in pain and her vision started to fade, but she managed to make one last look at her niece's unconscious form. "Maria..."

When she woke up, she saw she wasn't in her brother's basement, but instead in the cellar of Millie's parents' home. How the hell did she get here?!

She tried to move, only to find out her wrists were tied behind her back around a support beam and her ankles were tied together tightly.

She hissed in pain and not only realized she had a gag in her mouth but remembered her broken, bleeding arm.

It all started coming back to her; the thumping in the basement, coming down, seeing Maria being strangled by...

Jemima's eyes widened in horror!

Where's Maria?!

She looked around frantically, but her niece was nowhere to be seen. Oh damn, Striker was gonna be pissed!

"Take it easy now." She froze at the familiar voice and glared as Viper came out of the shadows. "Don't struggle, you'll only hurt yourself. Your brother and your niece wouldn't like that, would they?"

On closer inspection, Jemima was downright horrified seeing-! "Gotta say, you were right about this beauty. Your family's got good taste."

"VICTORIA!"

Both ladies looked up and saw a horrified Moxxie standing at the open door. "What the fuck?!"

"Moxxie, this isn't as bad as it looks!"

"Bullshit!" The hurt and anger in Moxxie's voice nearly shook both women to the core. "If it's not as bad as it looks, then why the hell are you holding Striker's rifle AND have Jemima tied up and injured in the cellar?!"

"Oh, Moxxie, Moxxie, Moxxie. You just don't get it do you." Jemima's growls and yells were muffled as the treacherous bitch walked to him once he came down. "We're on the same side, y'know. Underestimated, underappreciated, aren't you sick of it?"

"What are you-?"

"You know exactly what I mean. I've seen the way everyone looks at you. Just because you're not strong and tough like they are, they think you'll never amount to anything. Even your in-laws can't stand the sight of you. Honestly, I'm surprised you have to gall to show up and deal with it."

Jemima spotted Lin and Joe approaching and rapidly shook her head for them to stop. They did and looked shocked seeing the way Viper was talking to a downcast Moxxie.

"But I know you better than that. You have lots of potential, you just don't know it." Viper placed a hand on her friend's cheek, making him look at her. "You don't need to put up with their shit any longer. You encouraged me to follow my dreams, so now it's time I return the favor. Come join me and we can both make names for ourselves. What do you say?"

Moxxie looked conflicted for a moment, but saw out of the corner of his eye both his in-laws and Jemima shake their heads.

He took a deep breath, "No."

Viper blinked in surprise as he marched towards her, still talking, "I may not be strong like everyone else here, but I'll never be anything like you. I would rather die than be like you!"

Jemima wished she could cheer for him, but, of course, all that came out was muffled.

Viper growled, "Wrong answer."

Moxxie was suddenly pushed out of the way, landing right by Jemima. They both gasped in shock when they saw who she stabbed.

"JOE!" Lin cried, running to her husband's aid as he clutched his wound.

"Sorry about that, old man. Nothing personal, just business." Viper smirked and made her way up the stairs. "And Moxxie, it's a real shame, guess you're stuck being every demon's favorite punching bag. Oh well, at least I got to see you once again. I'll just leave you to their hatred while I-"

"Where's Maria, you whore?!" Jemima snapped once Moxxie removed her gag and was now untying her.

"Thanks for reminding me, Jemima!" Viper stopped just at the top. "Hope you don't mind, but I'm just gonna borrow your niece for a little bit. I need some kind of leverage in case her daddy comes along. I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate it if anything happens to her. Now, if you'll all excuse, I have a ditzy blueblood to take out."

"Don't you dare, you little-!" Jemima winced in pain, clutching her injured arm as Viper slammed the cellar doors shut.

"Hold still, honey, you're not going anywhere with that arm!" Lin told her firmly.

Jemima looked worriedly in Joe's direction. "Do you need help?"

"There's a med kit on the wood shelf." She immediately checked in the direction he pointed and brought said kit over. Lin got to work at once, treating and stitching her husband's wound first before doing the same for Jemima's arm.

"That should do it, just try not to move it too much."

The three stood up, but saw that Moxxie was on his knees and, judging by his shaking shoulders, he was hit hard by his childhood friend's treachery.

"How could I be so stupid?" he sniffled, trying to wipe his eyes. "I thought we were friends."

Joe was the first to walk up to him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't yer fault, boy. She played all of us. But she was right about one thing, ya do got some potential."

"YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT!" The three jumped seeing Moxxie's angry tear-filled expression as he yelled. "You never believed it! Ever since I married Millie, you've done nothing but belittle me and beat me down! And don't think I don't hear about how much of a wimpy little shit I am! I only put up with it because Millie and, as of recent, Maria were the only ones who ever believed in me!"

He took a few deep breaths to try and calm down, but still cried. "But you're right. You've always been right. I'm not strong enough, I never will be."

There was a long, hard silence hanging in the air, save for Moxxie's sobbing. No one knew what to do. Finally though, Lin and Joe walked back to him.

"Now, you listen here, Moxxie." Joe spoke first, firmly. "We know well enough you may not be a strong, beefy dickhead, but our Millie chose you. Now, I for one ain't a hundred percent sure what she saw in you. But lemme tell ya, the day you two got married, I've never seen her happier with any other man."

"That's right, she loves you very much." Lin added, rubbing his back. "Don't ever forget that. And I know you're hurt by what happened, but would Millie want to see you breaking down like that?"

Moxxie sniffled, "Wh-what can I do?"

"Simple, you get yerself up there and show that backstabbin' skank what you're really good at."

He blinked as Joe handed him his pistol; he almost forgot he had it. Looking up at them and seeing their encouraging expressions fueled a fierce desire in him to take down the bitch who betrayed him. With a determined nod, he shot at the lock on the door before running up the stairs.

"Hold up, he had that the whole time and-" Jemima yelped at Lin and Joe's glare, signaling not to ruin the moment. "I'll be quiet..."

Viper ran her fingers along the barrel of the rifle, tracing over the white glowing patterns. She'd never actually wielded such a beautiful weapon or any angelic weaponry before and was already eager to try it out. How could Striker not use this thing?

"Mmm!"

Viper casually strode towards the little girl bound and gagged in a corner. Poor thing looked scared out of her wits, but Viper knew better than misjudge her. She was Striker's daughter after all, there was a fire in those snake-like eyes of hers just waiting to burst beneath that fear.

"Don't cry, little one." Viper only briefly stroked her cheek, but the girl moved her head away glaring at her; there's that fire. "You're about to see what good your daddy's rifle can really do. And I promise you, it's gonna be beautiful."

An eerie but familiar red glow indicated it was time. There stood Prince Stolas on stage, his grimoire floating by him, and above him a portal revealing the crimson harvest moon from the surface. Viper chuckled and aimed the rifle right at his forehead. All it takes it one shot and-

CLICK!

"Uh, excuse me, the fuck?!"

She turned slowly to see who dared to stop her, only to find none other than...

"Striker! W-w-well, I'm a little surprised to see you."

"I could say the same about you, ya sneaky little bitch." Striker hissed, his tail rattling as he clenched his angelic pistol. "Now, mind gettin' yer nasty hands off my rifle and gettin' the hell outta my house?"

Despite being caught, Viper merely smirked at him and leaned against the window frame. "Oh, c'mon now, Striker. I was only borrowing it for a very important job, nothing more."

"Yeah, well I don't appreciate anyone 'borrowing' anything of mine without my permission OR holding my daughter hostage!"

"Did you really think I was going to hurt her? I wouldn't dream of such a thing." she smirked. "Jemima, on the other hand-"

Striker looked shocked, then snarled, "What have you done to my sister?"

"Don't worry, she's still alive. I simply placed her somewhere she wouldn't interfere. Moxxie's keeping her company at the moment." For a moment, Viper looked away in brief sadness; Striker naturally saw right through it. "Poor little fella, sure wish he was here with me."

"How could you do this to Moxxie? He was your best friend and you turned on him!"

"All I did was give him a chance to prove himself; he's the one who turned me down in favor of being a butt monkey for the rest of his life." Striker stiffened as Viper walked towards him. "But you, Striker, are so much better than what you've become. And yet, you waste your true potential working for a dumbfuck who sleeps with a Goetia just so you can sneak topside for scraps and work for bitter sinners who couldn't give two shits who you are. Now tell me, is that really any way to raise your child?"

Striker froze, caught off-guard by her words. Technically, she wasn't wrong. He'd never say it in front Blitz or the rest of his coworkers, but the job didn't exactly put much money on the table. Sure, he could make enough to provide for himself and Maria, but sometimes it wasn't enough.

Of course, that didn't count the savings he'd earned from his hitman days; he swore that it'd all go to his daughter.

He suddenly noticed Viper wasn't in sight until she suddenly appeared right in front of him and trapped him with her arms against the wall.

"Your horsemanship wasn't the only reason I wanted to compete with you in the Derby, ya know." she smiled seductively, leaning closer to him. "I've also heard so much about your other skills. So, I figure you'd a much more suitable partner for me, in more ways than one if you know I mean."

"You're askin' quite a lot from me."

"Just think, the two of us taking down every single overlord in all of Hell. Maybe even Lucifer, Lilith, and their sorry excuse for a daughter." Striker felt her run her tail right up his leg. "And hey, we could even raise little Maria here to do the same. I do think the girl could use a momma, don't you?"

Striker did not like what he was hearing or feeling; he had to think of something to get him and Maria out of this and fast.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Why Viper, you sure drive a hard bargain." he smirked; Viper felt a tingle down her spine as she looked into his hypnotic eyes. "I never realized how beautiful you really are up close."

"I knew you'd see things my way, cowboy."

"Of course, there's just one little thing I need from ya."

"Oh, and what's that?"

Maria made muffled screams and shut her eyes. No way was she seeing her daddy do this!

Suddenly, a whack was heard and when she opened her eyes, the mood lifted. There stood Blitz right in front of her and down went Viper, thanks to being hit upside the head by him with the rifle. He helped his coworker up to his feet and handed it back to him.

"What took ya so long, bossman?" Striker chuckled.

"What? You didn't think I was gonna let this skank get her hands all over you, did ya?" Blitz retorted. "Wow, she should've seen her dipshit face!"

Maria laughed through her gag at what just happened, stopping when Striker came and sliced her ropes off and pulled her into an embrace.

Sadly, the moment didn't last as Viper groaned and tried to stand up, rubbing her hand where she'd been struck. On seeing the three now glare at her, she too realized what happened.

"Why, you sick fuckers!"

"Serves you right, Viper." Striker sneered. "By the way, my heart already belongs to someone else."

"Who's sick now, bit-!"

WHAM!

An outraged Moxxie appeared in the doorway glaring right at Viper. It was clear to Striker and Maria he was pissed; so much so, he didn't even notice he'd slammed the door right in Blitz's face. Right now, though...

"VIPER!" he roared, lunging right at his childhood friend. "I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

Striker had never seen Moxxie like this and only watched for a few seconds while he smacked and scratched her across the face, screaming with rage, before he pulled him right off her.

"Let me go, Striker!"

"Moxxie, stop! Ya gotta calm down!"

Viper used this opportunity to get back on her feet and run straight for the window, stopping briefly to glance back at him.

"Viper, if it's the last thing I do, I'll... I'll get you for this!" Moxxie snarled, despite being restrained.

"I look forward to it, Moxxie the foxxy."

Moxxie continued to thrash and scream in Striker's arms as he watched her disappear; most likely she'd already gone to fetch Firecracker and ride away. After a moment or two, his tears of rage took over and he broke down. All Striker could do was hold him close and let him cry.

"It's okay, Moxxie. It's okay." he whispered over and over like a mantra.

Millie, her parents, and Jemima all arrived at the scene and merely watched as Moxxie sobbed. Maria attempted to step up to them, but Millie's hand on her shoulder and shaking head told her this wasn't the best time.