Short 12: Marks Bonds from Flames
One afternoon in Asmodeus' palace, Blitz and Barbie are hanging out with Fizzarolli having food and drinks.
Fizzarolli laughs and says, "And then, my prosthetic limb got stuck in the middle of the performance, before I landed, it acted like a spring and launched me in the air just in time. I finished the performance without any more hitches and everyone was amazed by the unexpected ending."
"I remember hearing about it. I didn't think it was good. You could have gotten hurt," Barbie says.
"That's true. Even Ozzie was worried about it. Turns out my limb got short circuit a bit during the show," Fizzarolli says, "Luckily Ozzie was able to find the problem in no time."
"It's pretty interesting that Asmodeus knows about mechanics and machinery," Blitz says.
"Well, when you live with someone for as long as I have, you've learned new things about them," Fizzarolli says.
"Yeah. I kind of learn more about Stolas as well, since I've started living with him. Of course, I learn even more to never cross Stolas," Blitz says.
Barbie chuckles, "I can imagine. Randall mentioned what happened when the two D.H.O.R.K. agents first met you guys."
"Yeah. It was unexpected and shocking to see Stolas in his full demon form," Blitz says.
"I can imagine. Ozzie's full form is really scary and burning. Of course, Mammon's form is no slouch either," Fizzarolli says.
"Hmm, I wonder if Charlie has a full form," Blitz wonders.
"She most likely does, same with Hell's Head Honcho, and the rest of the sins. All high class demons from Sinners to the higher ups have full form, some more powerful than others, Fizzarolli says.
"Yeah," Barbie says.
Fizzarolli lies back on the couch, "Still, I'm just glad to finally get Mammon out of my life, and be able to live my life with Ozzie." He lets out a sigh, "It seems just yesterday I was in the circus before it… you know…"
"Yeah…" Barbie sadly says.
Blitz understands why they both feel sad.
"I understand. Barbie and Randall told me about what happened, about the fire," Blitz says, saddened.
"That's right. Lots of lives were lost since that incident, and of course…" Barbie says and turns to Fizzarolli.
Fizz nods his head, "Yeah. The fire along with the fireworks caused me to lose my limbs, and made my face white."
"I understand how you all felt," Blitz says and places his hand on the blotch on his face, "I lost my family because of the fire. Even though I didn't lose my limbs, I was badly burned in the fire."
"Really? But Earth Fire shouldn't be able to burn demons?" Fizzarolli asks.
Blitz sighs, "Well, because of Toxbane's experiment and the fact that I've been living on Earth for so long, it made me a bit more vulnerable to harm on Earth."
"Shit," Fizzarolli says, shocked.
"Yeah. It was shocking to learn about this, especially what Toxbane's experiment did to me. Who knows what other effects his serum has," Blitz says.
"Still a bit of a mystery, huh," Fizzarolli says.
"Still, I understand how it feels to lose so much, and how it happened," Blitz says.
"I think you mentioned it before as well. You said that you lost your family in the fire, and your mother died a few years later after the damages the fire caused and her illness," Fizzarolli says.
He then asks, "How did the fire get started?"
"Sadly, it ended up being an unfortunate accident. Well, it ended up being an accident, but at first, it was supposed to be done on purpose," Blitz explains.
"On purpose?" Fizzarolli asks, shocked.
"That's right," Blitz answers with a nod, "You see, there was a powerful man named Robert Wayne who wanted to buy my family's circus and promised to give us money, but it was very important to us so my dad and uncle said no, but he won't take no for an answer."
"Sounds like that fucker isn't going to let this down, did he?" Fizzarolli asks.
"No. In fact, later that night, I decided to take a walk until Roberty Wayne and his goons found me and brought me in the tent, where I learned that they plan to kidnap me and set the main tent on fire as a warning. That's when my parents, my brother and sister came in to help fight them off. It was a real struggle, but the fire and gas cause a massive fire in the tent, alerting everyone… and the next thing I knew, my family and I couldn't escape the flames," Blitz explains and tears fall down from his face, remembering the incident, "My dad, brother, and sister, died from being shot, and from the fire. Robert Wayne and some of his goons, also died in the fire. My mother and I were badly injured. Even though the circus recovered without further incident, my family was never the same. I've also suffered from burns, and my mother wasn't able to walk because of it. Years later, my mother also died due to the injuries of the fire and her illness," Blitz wipes the tears from his face, "That happened over 15 years ago."
Barbie then hugs Blitz and he hugs her back. Fizz also pulls the two over with his arms and hugs them.
"I'm sorry to hear what happened," Fizz says. He then says, "But I feel that we've had a similar situation, but the circumstances are kind of different.
"What do you mean?" Blitz asks, confused.
"Well, the truth is, we kind of had similar circumstances. Well, the beginning part anyway," Barbie says.
"Really?" Blitz asks, shocked.
"Yes. It happened years ago," Fizzarolli says, "Barbie's dad was talking to a rat-like sinner demon, he called himself, Ratburn. He said that he wanted to buy the circus, but Cash refused, despite how much money he was offering. I know he's into cash and stuff, but the circus was very important because it's something he worked for, for years. Even before we all came along."
"My dad refused to give it up," Barbie says. She also sighs and says, "There is another reason why he refused to give it up."
"Why?" Blitz asks.
"He was hoping that one day, you would be able to return. Even though he doesn't show it, he actually had some faith that you were still alive and would come back to us," Barbie explains.
Blitz is shocked, "Really?"
"Yes. He really hoped that you'd return," Barbie says.
She then says, "But a week later, during Fizzarolli's birthday, the fire happened and destroyed everything."
She then grows resentful, "And I have a feel that Ratburn had something to do with it? He did it to threaten us and teach us a lesson for not selling the circus to him."
"How can you be sure?" Blitz asks.
"I don't know, but I have a strong suspicion that he did it. He came to us three more times to ask to buy our circus and dad continued to say no," Barbie says, angrily.
Then sadly sighed, "And he's the reason why dad died. I just knew he had something to do with dad's death."
"Barbie…" Blitz says, sadly.
Then Barbie sadly says, "And worst of all, he died before he was able to see you again."
"I know it's hard, Barbs. It's been hard for all of us. But I'm sure your dad will be happy to know you and Blitz found each other again," Fizz says.
Barbie smiles and wraps her arm around her brother, "Yeah. I'm very glad about that."
"Me too," Blitz says and hugs Barbie.
"Still, I really want don't want to talk about that fucker anymore, especially since he said some pretty weird and shitty stuff," Barbie says.
"I see, but just curious, what made you think Ratburn had anything to do with the fire?" Blitz asks.
Barbie sighs and says, "I remember hearing him and our dad get into an argument, before the fire happened. Ratburn said that "We wouldn't want any accidents to happen would we?' and that he quite, 'I always wanted the best and I am offering to try to make it better.'"
Blitz is shocked to hear it and to him, those are words that he's familiar with during his childhood.
Barbie then says, "But hey, it uh, it happened a long time ago. And I really don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Oh um, okay," Blitz says, showing a sheepish smile.
However, in his mind, Blitz says, "Those phrases… No… It… It can't be…"
And with that idea in his mind, Blitz becomes more worried about this Ratburn.
Blitz calms himself, "So Barbie, other than getting involved with drugs, rehab, and all that, what else have you been doing."
Barbie giggles, "Bro, I've got a lot of stories, including being Fizz's bodyguard."
And with that, Barbie begins to tell them about her time as Fizz's guard. However, the thought of Ratburn plagues in his mind, and to him, what happened is all too familiar with him. Even then, it's close to being impossible to what Blitz thought of. The way how Barbie describes him, Ratburn seems all too familiar to a certain person Blitz knows from his past.
Inspired by reviewer's suggestion