Lean On Me
Chapter One: An Impossible Future
It was a busy day in the Ring of Greed. The famous cabaret club, known as the Hell Down Under, was busy with a great number of demons and sinners, especially overlords and other demons of all walks of the afterlife. One notable pair of Stolas and Stella had just walked in, followed by a large and powerful demon, none other than Paimon.
"I must say, this place has potential." The King of the Ars Goetia declared. "Mammon certainly knows how to impress."
"I agree he has good taste in décor and ambiance, yes." Stolas agreed. "And he's picked the perfect women to draw in good paying customers."
"Not to mention the drinks are utterly astonishing!" Stella added. "And the performers truly are keepers!"
"Truly, it warms my blackened heart to see you two finally living in peace." Paimon declared. "Tell me; how did that come to be?"
"We worked it out, Father." Stolas answered. "We also had some intervention from Cousin Sallos."
"Sallos certainly knows how to handle cracked marriages." Stella agreed. "I'd wager he could land a job as a marriage counselor, if he so pleased."
"Sallos always has a way, when it comes to love, yes." Paimon nodded. "Yes, I can imagine him doing so, were he not Lucifer's peacekeeper at the moment."
The two walked up the stairs before soon arriving at their reserved table and taking their seats, Stolas and Stella sitting next to each other with Paimon sitting across from them. Shortly after, they were approached by two well-dressed demons; one a hellhound, the other an incubus.
"Welcome to Hell Down Under." The hellhound declared. "How can we help you?"
"Only your finest champagne." Stella said. "And your best caviar, as well."
"Right away, ma'am."
Both demons bowed before departing, leaving the three demons to speak among themselves. About several hours after they got their champagne, they looked towards the stage where the musical band played their music.
"The music is truly a masterpiece." Paimon mused. "They certainly know how to play the classics."
"Classic, jazz, it's all mesmerizing." Stolas agreed.
"Now, I must ask," Paimon said. "I recall you wanting to tell me something…"
"Leave me alone, you damn creep!"
The three Ars Goetia demons looked down from their spot to see Stolas' daughter, Octavia, being harassed by what appears to be a drunken hellhound.
"Stop being stubborn, bitch." The drunk slurred with a creepy grin. "All I want is a good time!"
Stolas made to stand up, to deal with the drunkard, but firm hand from Stella held him back, "Watch, remember?"
Looking over, Stolas smiled at the sight of someone coming down the stairs, calmly walking straight for the drunkard causing the scene.
"Stuck in a drunken stupor, are we?"
The hellhound turned to face what looked like a Sinner, dressed in a three-piece suit with the shirt missing, showing off his impressive six-pack abs and the scars along his torso. The Sinner was a lion from the looks of it, with a long lion's tail and a golden mane that seemed to have been cut short, and finally having blonde hair and sharp blue eyes.
"The hell're you, jackass?" The drunken hellhound growled.
"Someone charged to looking after the young lady." The lion declared with a simple smile, Octavia retreating behind him. "And from the looks of things, you've had one too many to drink."
"Fuck off!" The hellhound shouted. "What's wrong with a fella wanting some fun?!"
"Not everyone shares your idea of fun." The lion said with a shake of his head, ushering Octavia to stand back. "Especially if you try to force it on them."
"Shut the fuck up!"
With a yell, the hellhound rushed in to take a swing, but the lion easily sidestepped the sloppy attack, the hellhound tumbling to the ground.
"Perhaps you should lie down." The lion suggested.
Growling, the hellhound got up and took another swing, only for the same thing to repeat.
"Perhaps a warm towel will help?" The lion said, holding a hot rag he seem to pull completely out of nowhere.
Having had enough of the meddling cat, the hellhound grabbed a knife and made to stab at him, only for the lion to catch the arm and tossed him over, slamming him on his back, easily disarming the drunkard.
"That's enough of that." The lion said before tossing the knife to the side as the hellhound was dragged away.
After the rather entertaining display, the three Ars Goetia resumed speaking before Paimon said, "That's quite the protector you have there, Stolas."
"Thank you, father." Stolas smiled. "Eli is a hard person to come by, and he's quite effective at his job."
"For a Sinner, no less." Paimon agreed. "Tell me; who is he?"
"Remember the Butcher?" Stella asked.
"The one responsible for killing five of the Presidents?" Paimon asked with a raised brow. "What does that have to do with your protector?"
"Quite a lot, actually." Stolas declared. "You see, Eli has proven in such short of time, ever since he first fell down here to be the most dangerous and cunning."
Paimon looked back at the Sinner, pondering those words before turning back to his son with wide eyes, "You're telling me that THAT Sinner was the Butcher?!"
"It's true." Stella nodded.
"So why is he still alive?" Paimon demanded.
"Because I saw potential." Stolas explained. "Sure, it took some time to iron out his issues, but I eventually made him into a skilled ally and friend."
Stolas looked down to where Eli was, watching him commune with Octavia, the young Ars Goetia hugging him before being approached by what looked like a younger version of himself, the only difference being that this one had a partially grown mane and piercing golden eyes and red dots along his fur. He saw Octavia smile and wave, as though dismissing any tardiness, before planting a kiss on the younger lion's lips before Eli seem to suggest going elsewhere. Both young teens nod before following the adult towards the exit.
"Eli White-Mamba," Stolas stated with a confident smile. "Otherwise called…"
The lion called Eli seemed to smile, as though he was hearing his master.
"Liquid Snake."
And here's the newest story, in addition to my crossover story! Now, you guys no doubt have questions; why is Liquid being so nice to everyone around him? Why isn't Paimon strangling him with his own entrails? Why isn't Liquid hunting for Big Boss? Why are Stolas and Stella cool with each other? Why Liquid, of all people? Don't worry, all answers will be answered soon.
As for why I've chosen Liquid specifically, well, as someone who at least gotten through Metal Gear Solid One, a MGS title besides Reveangance and Phantom Pain, I always found Liquid to be one of my favorite antagonists, from his design to his voice work, not to mention I see potential where other's probably don't; redemption. Although he probably doesn't care for it, I believe deep down, he always wanted acknowledgment from his 'father', to prove that he was more than just a clone of Big Boss. And I believe that, through Stolas' guidance, he can turn around and eventually let go of his hate.
Anyways, enough of me rambling, while this chapter takes place much later in the timeline, the future chapters of this story will start from his arrival in Hell after his death, before Octavia was born, and the story will progress from there. Just have patience, please.
Anyways, I hope you guys bear with me and continue reading! As always, reviews are greatly appreciated!