Chapter 3: Angel Dusts Reflection and choice
After that disastrous matchmaking Angel lead Cassiopia through the gates and to the stable on his way he turned and saw Peter smiling at him as he just shamefully turned away hiding his face near Cassiopia as he lead her away to a watering hole as the beautiful hellhorse drank Angel dust looked at his reflection and ruffled his hair and started to sing.
Angel Dust: Look at me I will never pass for a perfect mate
Or a perfect son *gently he took off his necklace and looked over seeing MJ talk to Peter about what had happened*
Can it be? I'm not meant to play this part
Gently Angel dust opened the cage and released Collin who stared at him sadly knowing it was his fault for what had happened and was sorry.
Now I see that if I were truely to be myself it would break my families heart
Angel dust walked across the bridge and past the stone dragon as he had to repress alot of stuff about himself as the caste system asked that intersexed males like him have to be a submissive as he looked up at the temple.
Who is that boy I see
Staring straight back at me *walks into the temple as Collin followed as he Saw his reflection in the tablets* why is my reflection someone I dont know
Shakes his hair making its usual style as he wiped off his make up as it was half and half…before he finished it off
Somehow I cannot hide who I am, though I tried
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
He will not deny he loves make up and dressing up but he wanted to on his terms and not just as a mate as he walked out of the temple lost in thought of what had happened as he sat down at a stone bench filled with shame at what had happened as Peter walked up to him as Angel Dust shamefully turned away as he sat down beside him in silence…until Peter broke the silence "My what beautiful blossoms we have this year *Looks at the blossoms in the tree before seeing another blossom* but look, this one is late I bet when it blooms it'll be the most beautiful of all" said Peter as gently he put the comb back in Angels hair as he smiled at his adopted father.
He may not be the most masculine of males but he has a charm and kindness to him that Peter can tell will make a great mate as Peter smiled at his adopted son seeing him cheer up…but it faded as he heard the drums as he stood up "What is it?" Asked Angel dust worried. In town Neito and a group of riders rode over a hill and into the village as Peter and the others walked outside their home "Anthony stay inside" said MJ as she walked out with Peter as Angel was worried as Ben cleared his throat and pointed to the roof as Angel nodded and ran over and peeked over the roof.
"Citizins! I bring a proclamation from the imperial city! The Lovecraftians have invaded the rings, by order of Lord Lucifer, one full blooded male from every family must serve in the imperial army!" Said Naito as he began to read from the list "The Sentry Family" a blue haired pegasus humanoid named Flash Sentry walked up and took the conscription with a bow "The Midorya family" a scrawny looking bunny humanoid was about to step out as a half dragon/half rabbit sinner named Izuku held a hand up as he stepped forward "I will serve in my step-fathers place" he said knowing his step-father was to weak to go in battle "The Parker family" said Naito as Angel gasped "No" he whispered in horror as he watched Peter step forward, Ben was to old and past his prime to go to war 'no he cant go back to war his leg is still wounded from the last one and he hasn't recovered yet or got use to his prostetics' thought Angel dust as Peter gave MJ his cane and walked towards the soldier and bowed.
"I am ready to serve the emperor" he said taking the scroll and bowing as Angel dust ran over "Papa please you cant go!" He yelled "Anthony" Peter scolded but was ignored "Sir, please my papa has already fought bravely-" he started as Neito sniffed and glared "Silence!" He barked cutting him off as he looked at Peter "You will do well to teach your intersexed whore of a son some manners in a full blooded males presence" he said as Peter kept his tounge as he took a breath "Anthony you dishonor me" he said looking away as Ben began to escort his nephew back to the farm "Report tommorow at the Pride camp" he said giving the scroll to Peter "Yes sir" said Peter bowing as he turned back to the house as MJ began to return his cane but he just walked pass her ignoring it as MJ, Ben and Angel dust watched him go back inside.
Later as night came Peter opened the closet door revealing his armor as outside Angel dust watched as he unshelled a sword with a spider on the hilt as he did a few fight techniques but his prostetic gave out as he dropped his sword but what was worst he coughed out blood as it dropped to the floor as Angel dust cluched his chest watching as his adopted father pulled himself up using a pillar for support as the spider sinner hide realizing that he might really die in this battle.
Later on at dinner Angel dust poured some tea as everyone at the table was silent even Ben as Angel dust poured some tea into his own cup as he glanced around the table at the family who took him in after he lost his brother and his sister as he just couldn't hold it in as he slammed his teacup down on the table "You shouldn't have to go!" He yelled at Peter "Anthony!" MJ said in shock "There are plenty of young males to fight for Pride!" Yelled Angel dust "It is an honor to protect my country and my family" Peter said calmly to him as Angel dust scowled "So you will die for honor?" He demanded "I will die doing what's right" said Peter firmly "But if you-"Started Angel protesting but was cutted off "I know my place! Its time you learned yours" said Peter as Angel just stared at Peter for a moment…then just turned and ran out of the house. Once outside, he clung to a pillar crying fat wet tears as he slowly sunk to the ground.
Later in the night it was raining as Angel dust sat under the statue of a dragon crying as he stared at his reflection in a puddle…as he looked up an saw his adopted mom and dad talking in their bedroom as MJ turned away from Peter and walked out of sight as Peter blew out the candle as Angel dust thought for a minute studying them…then narrow his eyes making his discision.
Moments later wet but determined as Angel dust walked into the family temple and lit a instance stick placing it in a statue of a snake like imp unaware that Collin was watching him and following him as Angel gave a quiet prayer. Angel dust then entered his parents room and replaced the scroll with his hair comb and after leaving their room he took his fathers armor, it was bulky and sturdy enough that he can hide his slender frame and parts as he then got a pair of scissors and cut his hair to a rough boy cut as he tied the armor on.
At the stables the doors slammed open waking up Cassiopia as she neighed in surprise and fear but Angel dust calmed him down as the scent calmed the horse down as Collin watched worried as Angel dust lead Cassiopia out of the stables and stared one last time at his hime…and then rode off on Cassiopia and into the army.
Back in the temp the eyes of the statue flashed as inside Bens room he awoke with a start and a gasp as he rushed into Peter and MJs room with a lantern "Anthony is gone!" He yelled as the two woke up shocked "What?" Asked Peter as he noticed Angel Dusts comb and picked it up "It cant be…" he said as he quickly rushed to his closet to see if his armor was still there but it was gone as he quickly ran outside shouting Angel dusts name "ANTHONTY!" He yelled but his proteinic gave out and he fell to the ground into the wet mud as he saw the gate doors swung open as MJ rushed over to him "You must go after him! He could be killed!" She said scared for her adopted son as Peter cluched the comb sadly knowing what will happen if he did "If I reveal him, he will be" he said as MJ put her hands to her mouth and cried as Peter tried to comfort her as Ben watched the whole thing from the doors.
"Anscestors hear our prayer, please watch over Anthony" he said Worried for his adopted nephew and hopes the ancestors can help
Authors note: Looks like Angel dust is going to the army taking a risk to protect his adopted father.
Next chapter Zetsiel the first ancestor sends Striker to wake up the great dragon as he messed up and goes out to take the dragons place to protect Angel dust to restore his right at the pedestal.
