Brandon Jones

2. Sep 2024

''Fall of grace (Subplot)''

(At the Avengers tower...)

Peter Parker walked through the hall corridor as he lifted two boxed pizzas. He approached the door, giving it a slight knock with his foot. ''Pizza time!'' He smiled as Sasha Waybright opened the front door. ''Wow, it is about time you got here. Where were you? What took you so long?'' Adult Sasha asked curiously.

''Oh, well, there was a bit of a line at Domino's, and I had to-''

''Sasha! When is the food here? I am starving. Oh! Is that pizza?'' Adult Marcy and Anne Boonchuy stood in the doorway as they took the two pizza boxes away from Peter. He followed them through the opened doorway, noticing Tony Stark standing inside the high-tech laboratory. The AI, Friday, began to let out a blue scanner onto the single, holy-crested bullet that was strangely glowing with a white light. ''It appears that the metal projectile maintains a very mysterious substance of unknown origins. I cannot pinpoint the exact location of from which it was made.'' F.R.I.D.A.Y said. Tony Stark frustratedly rubbed his brow with two of his fingers. He picked up the small bullet and turned his head when he noticed Peter. ''Hey Tony. Uh, what seems to be the problem? Where is Agent one and two?'' Peter Parker asked. ''They are out on a mission.'' Tony answered. ''But they are very much obliged to work with us.''

''Where are they going?'' Peter asked with a furrowed brow.

''To the U.S government. They are going to let them know what has been happening here. And if I can find out what it is inside this thing, we can find a way to those who have made it.'' Tony Stark said as he placed the bullet down onto the table. ''And maybe whoever made this can help us put a stop to whatever is sending those things up here.''

Then, the glass table that held the holy bullet began to shake along with the walls and ceiling of the Avengers tower. The calamity girls stopped giggling and slowly raised their heads as the kitchen lights above their heads began to flicker. Marcy took a bite from the tip of her slice as Peter and Tony Stark rushed to the glass view of New York City. A bright, burning comet revealed itself from the clouds of the night sky. ''What is going on? What is that?'' Adult Marcy nervously pointed and cried out. ''Peter. You stay with the girls and keep them safe.'' Tony Stark ordered. ''What? Why do I have to stay he-'' Peter watched as Tony Stark rushed out of the front door.

The comet came closer, reaching for the intersection of a nearby street. The impact rumbled and cracked the black asphalt, causing debris to fly and scatter about in the air. The windows of a few cars were instantly shattered as passersby screamed out of terror to run away from the scene. Iron Man swiftly landed to the ground and approached the destruction. He stood before what revealed to be a strange figure amongst the cloud. Tony raised an energized repulsor at the mysterious target. ''Whoever you are, you are not welcome here.'' He spoke through his mask. ''Stand down.''

Suddenly, several glowing eyes opened as the figure appeared to have wings. Iron Man then braced himself to fire. ''Wait! Wait! Wait! Do not shoot! Please!'' Emily, the seraphim, begged. Confused by the strange creature's voice of a girl, Tony moved down his hand as its repulsor turned off. The light-grey seraphim, wearing a white gown, revealed herself as she collapsed to her knees in front of him.

(Back at the tower...)

''So, let me get this straight.'' Miles Morales said. ''You are...an angel? Like an angel angel? From heaven?''

''Mmmhm.'' Emily responded, taking a sip of her hot cup of tea. She sat on the couch covered with a blanket as the Avengers stood by looking and eyeing her cautiously. ''This is insane...' Sasha Waybright said, shaking her head in disbelief. ''Well, how do we know she is not lying?'' Thor asked, raising his stormbreaker. ''She could be one of them. She could be a demon right now, in disguise, trying to trick us.''

''Woah. Woah. Ayy. She already said she was an angel, guys.'' Miles Morales said. ''I mean come on; can't you tell from her beautiful wings?'' He gestured as Emily began to spread them out. The avengers then glanced at each other. Miles Morales turned his head to Emily. ''So, do you know Jesus?''

There was a collective groan. Emily's face brightened up a bit only then to fall glum. ''What happened? What is wrong?'' The eyes of Miles' mask squinted into concern as Emily began to cradle herself on the couch. ''I- I was actually banished.'' Emily said. ''Banished?'' Miles Morales said. ''For what?''

Thor then buffed up and approached Emily, only for Peter Parker to stop him in his tracks with a raised arm. He shook his head. ''I had violated an ancient law of the high heavens. Just for the action of speaking out against the violence that was occurring on earth.'' Emily said. ''I had witnessed what was happening here. But they did not - they did not care.''

''Well, that's a first.'' Sasha Waybright said. ''So, wait a minute. You are telling me that the angels kicked you out because you told them that demons were attacking the earth. How come they didn't come down to help us?'' Peter Parker asked.

''We are forbidden to interact with the real world.'' Emily spoke. ''It is simply not our place. Only the rightful creator of the universe, the holy father, is allowed to do so.''

''I'm sorry. If what you are asking for is help, there is simply nothing that can be done. The demons are your fight and your fight alone.'' Emily said, sinking down her face to her knees. Then, Miles Morales placed a hand onto her shoulder to comfort her by rubbing it. ''Well, I believe that Tony Stark has something that you might want to look at.'' Black Widow said, her arms crossed. Emily then raised her head up. Miles Morales patted her back as she got up to follow Tony Stark into his laboratory. Emily twirled around the strange technology that surrounded her, being spooked by the large robot arm that rose down. Emily nervously gestured to say hello as the arm looked like it was watching her. ''Do you have an idea as to what this is?'' Tony Stark said. He picked up the bullet and held it toward Emily with his fingers. She squinted her eyes, her angelic wings flapping a bit when she realized what the metal projectile was. ''Yes. Yes! I do know what that is! That's an angelic bullet. H-how did you get it? Where did you get it?'' Emily said. ''One of the demons that we've killed had it.'' Tony Stark answered. ''Friday, can you show her the pictures, please?''

''Yes, Tony.'' Friday spoke. Emily watched as the AI revealed photos through a blue hologram. The pictures were of the dead faces of Blitzo and Striker. Emily slowly approached the photos, worriedly looking at the faces of the imps whose eyes were closed and mouths agape with their tongues sticking out. Pieces of striker's skull were blown off while a hole in Blitzo's chest can be seen. A dumbfounded expression plastered his face. ''Angel.'' Tony said. Emily turned her head. ''How was this made? If you can. Tell us who. we might have a fair chance in killing the person or thing responsible for sending those demons to earth. I know you and heaven are not on good terms. But we know someone that can send us there. And, maybe, if we do consider, we can even try to persuade them to help us. You can stay here. You do not have to come.'' Tony Stark said. Emily the seraphim then sighed. ''It was made from the highest position in Heaven, the Exorcists, angels born with the specific duty to exterminate demons in the realm of Hell to prevent a potential rebellion. You will have to ask them. But it won't be easy.'' Emily said. ''Thank you.'' Tony said with a smile. Emily then turned, beginning to walk away from the laboratory. ''Hey. Wait. Uh. I was not able to get your name.'' Tony Stark spoke.

''I'm a seraphim. But you can call me...Emily.'' With a bit of a bright smile, she walked out.

(Then, at a prison, somewhere in the Pride Ring...)

''Rise and shine, shithead.'' Water was splashed onto the face of Stolas as he quickly rose up from the cold hard floor that he was laying on inside his prison cell. ''How does it feel?'' The goetia guard that stood before the bars spoke. ''Please. Just go. Leave me to die in peace.'' Stolas said grimly, exhaling after he had coughed out. The goetia gaurd bellowed with a laugh with his feathered unibrow high. The laugh spread across the large hall of other prison cells, waking up the cranky criminals who were trying to sleep. The Goetia guard then adjusted his throat. ''Like you deserve any of that...' He said, lowering his head to meet the eyes of the fallen prince. ''You tarnished your family's name. You dishonored them. And I have to say, sleeping with an imp, really? You can't find anything lower than that!''

''Blitzo, was no low, fucking imp!'' Stolas raised himself up to yell. ''For the first time in my life, I felt like I had someone that cared for me. Who loved me. He loved me. And now he is gone!''

''So, no, I don't care if I slept with an imp! I don't care if it hurts Stella! And I don't care if it ruins my family's honor or whatever the fuck it is!'' Stolas spoke. ''So, go ahead. Take it away. Take away my crown. Take away my fortune. But the moment you lay, even a finger, on my dear owlet. You will pay. All of you will pay. And I will be sure of it by the end of time...''

The Goetia guard, who was taken aback, watched as Stolas cleared his throat. ''Is there anything else you would like to tell me?'' Stolas asked in a sarcastic, polite manner. The other criminals who heard the yelling of Stolas cheered and clapped.

''Wow!''

''Yeah Baby!''

''You tell 'em!''

''Fuck the upper class!''

The cheering and clapping, however, immediately died as Lucifer Morningstar came into the prison with goetia gaurds following in his footsteps. Some criminals retreated to the back of their cells while others cowered at the sight of the fallen angel. Lucifer Morningstar confidently strutted his way toward Stolas and the other goetia gaurd. ''Maybe my ears are a bit waxed, but I think I just heard someone say ''fuck the upper class''. I expect whoever said that is to be executed this afternoon.'' Lucifer Morningstar demanded. ''Yes, your highness.'' The goetia gaurd then bowed as the king of hell smirked. ''Well, well, well. Isn't it my dear former friend Stolas? How's that cell been treating you?'' Lucifer asked, looking at his fingernails. An angry scowl remained on Stolas. ''Ah, so I see your quiet today.''

''Let me guess, they're here to take me?'' Stolas finally spoke. ''Do it away with me then.''

''Now hold on, there's no need to rush. Besides, we have another ''mate'' that you can share your cell with. She can be quite the cranky one if I do say so myself.'' Lucifer Morningstar said. ''You two made quite the pair anyways, right?''

''What?'' Stolas said confusedly. Lucifer Morningstar then snapped his fingers as the goetia guards shoved Stella forward. She fell to her knees, chains wrapped around her hands, as she looked up at her husband with a snarled expression. ''You...' she breathed. Stolas' eyes widened. ''Isn't there another cell mate that I can have?'' Stolas asked, scratching his head as he looked around. ''You will regret this day you put me in jail you fucking-''

''Yeah. Yeah. Shut your trap Stella and get in there.'' The Goetia Gaurd said. Stella stood next to Stolas as the jail cell was closed again. ''You two lovebirds have fun now.'' Lucifer Morningstar tipped his hat. The lovely couple (sarcasm) watched as he laughed his way out of the prison with the goetia gaurds cackling along with him.

Later, as the red aura of the satanic moon began to set over the city of Pride. The sounds of fists beating into a concrete wall began to echo through the large hall. Stella angrily punched into the wall in front of her, causing it to crack inward. ''There's no point in doing that, Stella. So please, just stop.'' Stolas said, sitting in the other corner of the cell far away from his wife. ''You, need to shut the fuck up! I am not going to stay here and rot with you. I'm getting out of here and finding Octavia!'' Stella spoke. ''Will you two knock it off?'' A nearby goetia gaurd said in agitation. Stella, fuming, then fell to sit down on the floor with her arms crossed. They barely met eyes as Stella began to stare away off to the bare ceiling. ''So... they incarcerated you too?'' Stolas broke the silence with a smirk. ''Hm, that serves you right...It seems like Lucifer has grown a dislike for you as well.''

Stella then opened her beak to say something back to Stolas, only to stop herself as a goetia gaurd passed by with a watchful eye on both of them. His figure came out of view. ''They only threw me in because I was concerned for my daughter's safety. Sending out a bounty was a bad idea. The goetia's allegiance to Lucifer...is a fucking mistake. My trust in him was a fucking mistake.'' Stella spoke. She then tightened her hand into a fist. Her anger, so pure, it made it crack. ''Lucifer does not care about the Goetia family, or their new heir to the throne. He would rather risk having Octavia killed than subjecting his kingdom to a war...'' Stella said, looking at Stolas. ''He must pay...''

Stolas looked at Stella for a moment. This side of her, he had never seen. Maybe, even if it was just for this one time, he could look past what he has been through. After all, there was one thing they had in common. Their precious owlet is in danger. And they weren't going to have any of it. At this point, the only thing that mattered was Octavia. Stolas then raised up as Stella looked up at him. He then reached out a hand to her. ''Look, I know I'm probably going to fucking regret this at some point, but if you want to save Octavia, you are going to have to break me out of here. Lucifer has done a disgrace to us all.'' Stolas spoke. ''At least, with that, we can plan to get the word out to the other goetia royals about what he has done. What do you say?''

Stella stared at Stolas. She then rose up from the cold bare floor of the jail cell and begrudgingly shook hands with the hands of the fallen goetia prince. Stolas then began to feel Stella's grip tighten around his hand. He backed his head a bit nervously as Stella glared back into his eyes. ''Do not think this means we are on proper terms, Stolas...' She spoke in a visceral expression of envy. Stolas sighed. ''Of course, of course...''

(Later, at the Immediate Murder Professional Headquarters, located at Imp city...)

Commotion of imp protestors began to build up in front of the line of Vox's soldiers protecting Lucifer Morningstar's limousine that had parked in front of the deserted headquarters of Blitzo's business. The king of hell stepped out, lavishly adjusting his white coat as he approached the glass doors. The riled-up crowd tried to fight their way through only to be pushed and shoved back to the asphalt. One small imp gave out two middle fingers at Lucifer, causing him to be knocked down to the ground by a soldier. ''My highness, don't you think this bit a step too far?'' Paimon asked as he followed his small king. ''W-we do have to think about the greater implications.'' Lucifer Morningstar chuckled, stopping in his tracks. ''Too far? Since when that ever stopped me?''

''Well, we do have to think about the public of imp city, your highness. This is not just concerning about the safety of these denizens, but for your safety as well.'' Paimon said. ''This business is known to be quite important, after all. Its service is of great significance.''

''Oh Paimon, what are you instigating here? You need to tell me you care about these ruthless ruffians?'' Lucifer Morningstar gestured to the imps protesting outside. Paimon then looked out from beyond the glass doors as the imps broke out and began to tussle with the soldiers. Shots were fired as the denizens began to scream. ''I mean, think Paimon, jeez. We live with these filthy creatures kissing us by our feet. They live to serve us. Most importantly, me. But apparently, a few of them haven't really gotten that memo, did they?'' Lucifer Morningstar said. His head then gestured to a nearby wall with a picture of Blitzo smiling with his employees. The picture was left on the wall for days, tearing away as the tape began to lose its hold in its corners. ''That is why we are going to burn this place down. I want no trace of it left. This place will be now declared as a hideout for terrorists!'' Lucifer Morningstar said firmly. Paimon's eyes widened. ''Your highness, please think of what you're saying. This is absolutely ludicrous. Absolute drivel. You couldn't possibly think that-''

''I want the word to reach out to every ring in Hell. Let them know that any businesses that dare to threaten the safety of my realm, those denizens will surely be put to death!'' Lucifer Morningstar ordered. Paimon didn't say a word as he watched the king of hell walk out of the entrance of Blitzo's headquarters. He pushed the glass doors open as he stepped outside in silence. Paimon then looked upon the angry mob that was protesting. A few that were shot lay on the asphalt. Other imps simply began to retreat away, dragging the injured. Paimon then stopped in his tracks, gazing upon a mother imp who was cradling her terrified child. Tears fell from her eyes as she held on tightly onto her newborn with her tail around them in a hug. Paimon finally turned his back, and with a final solemn signal of his hand, the soldiers began to shoot away at the headquarters. Windows were blasted off and or were simply shattered. Pieces of debris began to fall and hit the concrete. A flaming photo of Blitzo and Moxxie of his first job at I.M.P slowly descended, burning up to a crisp. A cloud of smoke and fire began to build up from the broken windows, spreading across to other parts of the headquarters until it was completely in flames. Paimon could only watch as it began to slowly tumble down as the whole imp mob ran away. The fires blossomed as their bright light reflected from his eyes.

(To be continued...)