Elfen High 2: Skin to Bone, Steel to Rust

[Nightkill the Emperor]

James didn't wait for Raphael to comply, he doubted the angel would anyways, and instead made his way into the archives. Finding a nice, big wooden table, he laid the map down and unrolled it.

Before he went searching for old records, for the original construction of the city, he decided to play his trump card. The thing he had been hiding from everyone for half a year, including the target of it.

James closed his eyes and allowed his mind to wander, until it finally came into contact with the one it shared a link with. Hello, Loki.

You fucking serious? asked Loki's mind after a pause of a few seconds. This guy is STILL linked to my brain? Seriously? Gods fucking dammit. it grumbled out. Well, fuck it, mind as well take you somewhere we can talk. And I know you enjoy talking so much.

Then James was gone from the library. Michael was not unduly concerned. He had sensed the teleportation, but he had also felt his former friend's aura of sorts, having spent so much time with Loki in the past. Michael had, since Lucifer's defeat, become a good judge of character. He resolved to allow this incident to pass.

Then James appeared next to Loki in a cafe in Paris. "I happen to like Paris." Loki defended himself, drinking a glass of orange juice. With a straw. A bendy straw. The monster.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Calliel lay on the ground, bones broken, severely injured and weakened. You know, all that fun stuff. He twitched slightly, his heartbeat slow and weak. God... he prayed. Please come help me. I have always had faith in you. Please aid me now.

Then God appeared and he looked bizarrely like Aleister Crowley. Calliel suddenly, for the first time in his life, found atheism an appealing option.

But he realised it actually was Crowley, who had gone to the North Side where he had informed that there was some serious shit going down. A constant fight after another for him. He looked down at the weakened angel. "Damn." he said, feeling the angel's pain.

Empathy. That hadn't been felt for a while. But he felt it now. But he had to keep moving- he could take down Pierre with Lewis now, get rid of the main threat. This one angel wasn't an issue.

Calliel looked up weakly at Crowley. "Help me...I need to save her." he said, his hand stretching out.

"Death closes all." he remembered a voice saying. "But in the darkness...some noble work may yet be done...many great men have strove with and bested the gods."

Calliel coughed. "Please. I need more time."

Without hesitation, Crowley grabbed the angel's hand and rammed his healing energy through him. It wasn't easy this time- this angel was nearly dead. By all rights he should have been- sheer determination was keeping his heart beating. Crowley knew determination. And he respected it.

Suddenly the energy flashed around Calliel as the angel's bones began to heal and snap together again, his muscles growing back, his scars healing.

"I can't save them all." Crowley said, a bit tired from this massive healing. "But I can do what I can. Come on. We have an asshole to beat."

Pierre suddenly felt two powerful white blasts of light slam into him, one from Calliel and one from Crowley, who appeared half a dozen metres from him.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James didn't wait for Raphael to comply, he doubted the angel would anyways, and instead made his way into the archives. Finding a nice, big wooden table, he laid the map down and unrolled it.

Before he went searching for old records, for the original construction of the city, he decided to play his trump card. The thing he had been hiding from everyone for half a year, including the target of it.

James closed his eyes and allowed his mind to wander, until it finally came into contact with the one it shared a link with. Hello, Loki.

You fucking serious? asked Loki's mind after a pause of a few seconds. This guy is STILL linked to my brain? Seriously? Gods fucking dammit. it grumbled out. Well, fuck it, mind as well take you somewhere we can talk. And I know you enjoy talking so much.

Then James was gone from the library. Michael was not unduly concerned. He had sensed the teleportation, but he had also felt his former friend's aura of sorts, having spent so much time with Loki in the past. Michael had, since Lucifer's defeat, become a good judge of character. He resolved to allow this incident to pass.

Then James appeared next to Loki in a cafe in Paris. "I happen to like Paris." Loki defended himself, drinking a glass of orange juice. With a straw. A bendy straw. The monster.

James looked around, checking for any police officers or any other threats. Determining that he was safe, for now, he looked back at Loki and leaned back in his chair, conveniently making the grip of his revolver visible. "We're going to war in the Fae and Azazel." James told the Asgardian point-blank. "And, as much as I hate to admit it, we need your help. And before you try to use that silver tongue of yours, remember that," I can see into your thoughts, just as you can see into mine, "so I suggest not even trying."

[Ranbo]

Through events that had occurred throughout the recent past, Kane found herself face to face in combat with demons. Ugly demons, to be precise. She did not particularly enjoy ugly things, but hell, she'd take them if it meant she was able to kick people's butts.

Having drawn ice from the moisture around her, Kane was slicing, dicing, and stabbing demons left and right with a good-sized sword nestled in her hand. It was this such instrument of battle that was spilling nice amounts of blood.

Call her a battle freak, but Kane was actually enjoying herself.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

You fucking serious? asked Loki's mind after a pause of a few seconds. This guy is STILL linked to my brain? Seriously? Gods fucking dammit. it grumbled out. Well, fuck it, mind as well take you somewhere we can talk. And I know you enjoy talking so much.

Then James was gone from the library. Michael was not unduly concerned. He had sensed the teleportation, but he had also felt his former friend's aura of sorts, having spent so much time with Loki in the past. Michael had, since Lucifer's defeat, become a good judge of character. He resolved to allow this incident to pass.

Then James appeared next to Loki in a cafe in Paris. "I happen to like Paris." Loki defended himself, drinking a glass of orange juice. With a straw. A bendy straw. The monster.

James looked around, checking for any police officers or any other threats. Determining that he was safe, for now, he looked back at Loki and leaned back in his chair, conveniently making the grip of his revolver visible. "We're going to war in the Fae and Azazel." James told the Asgardian point-blank. "And, as much as I hate to admit it, we need your help. And before you try to use that silver tongue of yours, remember that," I can see into your thoughts, just as you can see into mine, "so I suggest not even trying."

"Thoughts are a difficult bastard to see, especially mine." Loki said. Now James' brain would cloud with the image of Richard and Fixban fucking each other if he tried to look into Loki's brain. "Now, I recall well what happened when I last fought the Fae. If you know, I lost and, though it hurts me to admit it, became their bitch."

[Ende]

Pierre clenched his fists, waiting for the old man to rise. He was feeble, and weak, and it was taking longer than he expected. He was almost irritated at this point - he was so close to godhood - Lewis just needed to stand, and Pierre was sure that one good blow would lead to victory. That was all he needed. Then, he would have proven himself worthy. Perhaps to Lewis, but, mainly, to himself.

And then, suddenly, from behind, a bolt of light slammed into him from behind, and he fell forward, stumbling over his feet, and another came soon after, the second one more powerful, hitting him and sending him tumbling across the ground. It burned, and he quickly rose to his feet, and, tilting his head, he saw that he was burned badly, blue ichor dripping from his wounds. Placing his hand on his back in disbelief, he looked at Lewis, his eyes radiating hatred. What was this? Treachery. Complete and utter treachery.

"Lewis!" he howled, "Call them off! CALL THEM OFF!", as he dived to the side and dodged another blast of light. He stood, and pointed an accusing finger at Lewis.

"We will finish this like men. Just let me have this one fight. Please." he said, looking furious, and slightly hurt at the same time. He just wanted to prove himself. That was all.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Through events that had occurred throughout the recent past, Kane found herself face to face in combat with demons. Ugly demons, to be precise. She did not particularly enjoy ugly things, but hell, she'd take them if it meant she was able to kick people's butts.

Having drawn ice from the moisture around her, Kane was slicing, dicing, and stabbing demons left and right with a good-sized sword nestled in her hand. It was this such instrument of battle that was spilling nice amounts of blood.

Call her a battle freak, but Kane was actually enjoying herself.

Then this thing showed up.

It screeched at Kane, firing the cannon it had fused into its arm directly at her, bursts of blue energy coming close to her. "Human, you are an annoyance." it growled in a deep, guttural voice. "Your interference has ended."

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James looked around, checking for any police officers or any other threats. Determining that he was safe, for now, he looked back at Loki and leaned back in his chair, conveniently making the grip of his revolver visible. "We're going to war in the Fae and Azazel." James told the Asgardian point-blank. "And, as much as I hate to admit it, we need your help. And before you try to use that silver tongue of yours, remember that," I can see into your thoughts, just as you can see into mine, "so I suggest not even trying."

"Thoughts are a difficult bastard to see, especially mine." Loki said. Now James' brain would cloud with the image of Richard and Fixban fucking each other if he tried to look into Loki's brain. "Now, I recall well what happened when I last fought the Fae. If you know, I lost and, though it hurts me to admit it, became their bitch."

"I know." James said, shifting his legs awkwardly in an attempt to hide his very, very weird boner. He kept his voice formal, and if Loki attempted to access James' mind all he'd find is a maze designed by MC Escher. "Which is even more reason for you to join us. You know the methods of the Fae, how they operate, how they think. You, more than anyone, know how to fight them, because you know exactly what not to do."

He leaned in. "More importantly, you are stronger than you were before. Smarter. And most of all, more bold. I'll let you in on a secret. Michael was at Heavensgate, and likely detected your teleportation of me from out of the library. He could have stopped it but didn't, because he knows the same thing I know."

He stole Loki's drink. "You want redemption. Now's your chance."

[The Inritus Extraho]

Bub growled angrily. "Why don't you just die?" he screamed before William's blasts hit him, blowing off the top of his head. But it started to grow back, flashes of red electricity covering it as it did so. Then the demon was clearly done and jumped at Jade, shoving her in his mouth and closing it. Acid churned out from his stomach, starting to splash on her. She had a chance to possibly cut her way out before it killed her, but it would be difficult.

Jade cursed as the acid sputtered on her lightsaber, making it fizzle, spark and die. The acid hurt. "Four. Three..." she mumbled, realizing she really didn't have time, because the bubbles of force were finally dissipated, and about to trigger. You know how divers get the bends, right? "... two ..." Nitrogen seeps from their blood into their tissues, and when they ascend too quickly, it expands, causing massive tissue damage. That's nitrogen. Unfortunately (or fortunately), Jade had used pure force, each calibrated to become a ten-centimeter-diameter sphere when they dissipated. That's what she got for using contingencies. "... one..."

The sphere simultaneously (or at least near-simultaneously) expanded with sickening cracks throughout the demon's body, rupturing muscle, splitting blood vessels, and crunching bone. For a moment, Jade was safe, her armor of force protecting her, and then there was an even-more-sickening crack as they collapsed, her entire body collapsing in on itself, smashed by the combined force. She fell to the ground, a bloody, broken, torn-up and acid-burned mess, surrounded and half-covered by the sinews and bones of the demon.

She mouthed a couple silent words, trying to speak, and then it all went dark.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

"Thoughts are a difficult bastard to see, especially mine." Loki said. Now James' brain would cloud with the image of Richard and Fixban fucking each other if he tried to look into Loki's brain. "Now, I recall well what happened when I last fought the Fae. If you know, I lost and, though it hurts me to admit it, became their bitch."

"I know." James said, shifting his legs awkwardly in an attempt to hide his very, very weird boner. He kept his voice formal, and if Loki attempted to access James' mind all he'd find is a maze designed by MC Escher. "Which is even more reason for you to join us. You know the methods of the Fae, how they operate, how they think. You, more than anyone, know how to fight them, because you know exactly what not to do."

He leaned in. "More importantly, you are stronger than you were before. Smarter. And most of all, more bold. I'll let you in on a secret. Michael was at Heavensgate, and likely detected your teleportation of me from out of the library. He could have stopped it but didn't, because he knows the same thing I know."

He stole Loki's drink. "You want redemption. Now's your chance."

Loki solved the maze in James' head while thinking of an answer. "It's true." he admitted. "I do rather want it. It'd be a nice change. But I need to gather my army and apologise to those in Asgard. They will join the war if I can persuade them, then we will be undefeatable, or perhaps close to. Michael's back, you say? Well, well then. Almost the whole gang will be back together, Crowley, Richard, Michael and I. All we're missing is Fixban. I miss that bastard." a pause. "I killed him. He had trusted me and I killed him. I need amends for that."

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

"I know." James said, shifting his legs awkwardly in an attempt to hide his very, very weird boner. He kept his voice formal, and if Loki attempted to access James' mind all he'd find is a maze designed by MC Escher. "Which is even more reason for you to join us. You know the methods of the Fae, how they operate, how they think. You, more than anyone, know how to fight them, because you know exactly what not to do."

He leaned in. "More importantly, you are stronger than you were before. Smarter. And most of all, more bold. I'll let you in on a secret. Michael was at Heavensgate, and likely detected your teleportation of me from out of the library. He could have stopped it but didn't, because he knows the same thing I know."

He stole Loki's drink. "You want redemption. Now's your chance."

Loki solved the maze in James' head while thinking of an answer. "It's true." he admitted. "I do rather want it. It'd be a nice change. But I need to gather my army and apologise to those in Asgard. They will join the war if I can persuade them, then we will be undefeatable, or perhaps close to. Michael's back, you say? Well, well then. Almost the whole gang will be back together, Crowley, Richard, Michael and I. All we're missing is Fixban. I miss that bastard." a pause. "I killed him. He had trusted me and I killed him. I need amends for that."

All Loki would encounter would be a stiff black wall, at the same time that James moved past the rather bizarre porn and ventured deeper into Loki's mind. "Enough, Loki." He warned. "Even when you were a fragment of me, there were certain places you couldn't go without me feeling it, just as there are certainly places you don't want me to see. Let's end this charade and let secrets remain secrets, alright?" He chucked out the straw and began sipping the drink. "Now, how long will it take you to convince your blood-brother to rally the forces of Asgard and come to our aid?"

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Pierre clenched his fists, waiting for the old man to rise. He was feeble, and weak, and it was taking longer than he expected. He was almost irritated at this point - he was so close to godhood - Lewis just needed to stand, and Pierre was sure that one good blow would lead to victory. That was all he needed. Then, he would have proven himself worthy. Perhaps to Lewis, but, mainly, to himself.

And then, suddenly, from behind, a bolt of light slammed into him from behind, and he fell forward, stumbling over his feet, and another came soon after, the second one more powerful, hitting him and sending him tumbling across the ground. It burned, and he quickly rose to his feet, and, tilting his head, he saw that he was burned badly, blue ichor dripping from his wounds. Placing his hand on his back in disbelief, he looked at Lewis, his eyes radiating hatred. What was this? Treachery. Complete and utter treachery.

"Lewis!" he howled, "Call them off! CALL THEM OFF!", as he dived to the side and dodged another blast of light. He stood, and pointed an accusing finger at Lewis.

"We will finish this like men. Just let me have this one fight. Please." he said, looking furious, and slightly hurt at the same time. He just wanted to prove himself. That was all.

But suddenly, he heard a voice scream at the top of its lungs, a loud voice that he knew well.

"PIERRE!" The Great and Mighty Lazrain roared, hopping out of a portal with two beers. "What the hell are you doing, man?"

[Ende]

Pierre clenched his fists, waiting for the old man to rise. He was feeble, and weak, and it was taking longer than he expected. He was almost irritated at this point - he was so close to godhood - Lewis just needed to stand, and Pierre was sure that one good blow would lead to victory. That was all he needed. Then, he would have proven himself worthy. Perhaps to Lewis, but, mainly, to himself.

And then, suddenly, from behind, a bolt of light slammed into him from behind, and he fell forward, stumbling over his feet, and another came soon after, the second one more powerful, hitting him and sending him tumbling across the ground. It burned, and he quickly rose to his feet, and, tilting his head, he saw that he was burned badly, blue ichor dripping from his wounds. Placing his hand on his back in disbelief, he looked at Lewis, his eyes radiating hatred. What was this? Treachery. Complete and utter treachery.

"Lewis!" he howled, "Call them off! CALL THEM OFF!", as he dived to the side and dodged another blast of light. He stood, and pointed an accusing finger at Lewis.

"We will finish this like men. Just let me have this one fight. Please." he said, looking furious, and slightly hurt at the same time. He just wanted to prove himself. That was all.

But suddenly, he heard a voice scream at the top of its lungs, a loud voice that he knew well.

"PIERRE!" The Great and Mighty Lazrain roared, hopping out of a portal with two beers. "What the hell are you doing, man?"

Pierre whirled around, his eyes instantly lighting up with blue energy again, and he instantly charged a golden blast in his hands, preparing to destroy whoever was attacking. Spinning around, he aimed it at his target, and prepared to fire.

And then, a split second before he unleashed it, he saw who it was.

There was a moment of silence, and the bolt stayed in his hand, motionless.

And then, the golden bolt dissipated, and the blue faded from Pierre's eyes. He smiled slightly at Laz, but he was shaking. It was hard to notice - impossible to tell unless one looked closely - but he was shaking. It was almost all for naught. Everything. He had almost...it didn't matter. Nothing had happened. He straightened, adjusted the golden robes, and then stared Lazarian in his eyes.

"I'm fighting Lewis, but that's not really important. Laz, this might be hard for you to understand, but you need to join me. You need to come to my side of the battlefield right now. Join your brothers. Join your kind. Join me. It'll be like old times. Once we win this, it'll be just like old times. Just me and you." he said, his voice quavering slightly. Then, his eyes hardened.

"Don't even think about saying no." he said harshly, looking down at the ground.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

But suddenly, he heard a voice scream at the top of its lungs, a loud voice that he knew well.

"PIERRE!" The Great and Mighty Lazrain roared, hopping out of a portal with two beers. "What the hell are you doing, man?"

Pierre whirled around, his eyes instantly lighting up with blue energy again, and he instantly charged a golden blast in his hands, preparing to destroy whoever was attacking. Spinning around, he aimed it at his target, and prepared to fire.

And then, a split second before he unleashed it, he saw who it was.

There was a moment of silence, and the bolt stayed in his hand, motionless.

And then, the golden bolt dissipated, and the blue faded from Pierre's eyes. He smiled slightly at Laz, but he was shaking. It was hard to notice - impossible to tell unless one looked closely - but he was shaking. It was almost all for naught. Everything. He had almost...it didn't matter. Nothing had happened. He straightened, adjusted the golden robes, and then stared Lazarian in his eyes.

"I'm fighting Lewis, but that's not really important. Laz, this might be hard for you to understand, but you need to join me. You need to come to my side of the battlefield right now. Join your brothers. Join your kind. Join me. It'll be like old times. Once we win this, it'll be just like old times. Just me and you." he said, his voice quavering slightly. Then, his eyes hardened.

"Don't even think about saying no." he said harshly, looking down at the ground.

Laz threw a beer at Pierre's hand. "Come on man. This is crazy. Have a beer. We protected the school and stuff before. Richard scares me, but...this is too far. And why are you wearing those yellow robes? They make you look like a pussy. Let's have a drink and just step away from this."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Loki solved the maze in James' head while thinking of an answer. "It's true." he admitted. "I do rather want it. It'd be a nice change. But I need to gather my army and apologise to those in Asgard. They will join the war if I can persuade them, then we will be undefeatable, or perhaps close to. Michael's back, you say? Well, well then. Almost the whole gang will be back together, Crowley, Richard, Michael and I. All we're missing is Fixban. I miss that bastard." a pause. "I killed him. He had trusted me and I killed him. I need amends for that."

All Loki would encounter would be a stiff black wall, at the same time that James moved past the rather bizarre porn and ventured deeper into Loki's mind. "Enough, Loki." He warned. "Even when you were a fragment of me, there were certain places you couldn't go without me feeling it, just as there are certainly places you don't want me to see. Let's end this charade and let secrets remain secrets, alright?" He chucked out the straw and began sipping the drink. "Now, how long will it take you to convince your blood-brother to rally the forces of Asgard and come to our aid?"

James would find even more bizarre porn as Loki found a choir singing out "Oh Canada".

Loki shrugged. "Well, I have to meet them first. Alone, if possible would be good, though perhaps I can bring Richard with me. I have to make sure they don't end up trying to kill me. Thor's been disabled, I hear. I bet he's devastated by that." Loki said, seeming genuinely saddened by this news of his nephew's trouble.

[Ende]

Pierre whirled around, his eyes instantly lighting up with blue energy again, and he instantly charged a golden blast in his hands, preparing to destroy whoever was attacking. Spinning around, he aimed it at his target, and prepared to fire.

And then, a split second before he unleashed it, he saw who it was.

There was a moment of silence, and the bolt stayed in his hand, motionless.

And then, the golden bolt dissipated, and the blue faded from Pierre's eyes. He smiled slightly at Laz, but he was shaking. It was hard to notice - impossible to tell unless one looked closely - but he was shaking. It was almost all for naught. Everything. He had almost...it didn't matter. Nothing had happened. He straightened, adjusted the golden robes, and then stared Lazarian in his eyes.

"I'm fighting Lewis, but that's not really important. Laz, this might be hard for you to understand, but you need to join me. You need to come to my side of the battlefield right now. Join your brothers. Join your kind. Join me. It'll be like old times. Once we win this, it'll be just like old times. Just me and you." he said, his voice quavering slightly. Then, his eyes hardened.

"Don't even think about saying no." he said harshly, looking down at the ground.

Laz threw a beer at Pierre's hand. "Come on man. This is crazy. Have a beer. We protected the school and stuff before. Richard scares me, but...this is too far. And why are you wearing those yellow robes? They make you look like a pussy. Let's have a drink and just step away from this."

Pierre's eyes flared blue for a moment, and he filled with rage. He caught the beer in his hand and crushed it into pieces, his eyes narrowing - and then they faded again, and he sighed.

"'Sorry about that. Laz. Please just let me explain. My beloved Lords and Ladies will win this war. They were so close last time, and they're more powerful now. I know. Even if we lose this battle, we will win this war. One battle does not decide a war. I have seen the full extent of their power, Laz. They'll wipe out everything. You won't be able to protect the school this time. They'll kill you. If I was on your side, they'd kill me as well. But they told me that I could have what I wanted if I joined them. I just wanted us to be safe. I just wanted to live. I just wanted to get the old times back. So I joined them. And you'll join them." he said, trembling slightly. His eyes flashed blue yet again, and for a moment, he charged a lightning bolt in his hand, glaring at Laz, and then he remembered what he was originally going to do. It was like cutting through a haze - so hard to hold back from your basic impulses and to think things through when all the power in the world was at your fingers. He snapped his fingers, and a portal started to open. His eyes started to fade again.

"Get in the portal, Laz. Please just get in the portal. There's chicken wings and beer and succubi and bowling and anything you want in the portal. Just please get in." he said, pleading to his friend.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Laz threw a beer at Pierre's hand. "Come on man. This is crazy. Have a beer. We protected the school and stuff before. Richard scares me, but...this is too far. And why are you wearing those yellow robes? They make you look like a pussy. Let's have a drink and just step away from this."

Pierre's eyes flared blue for a moment, and he filled with rage. He caught the beer in his hand and crushed it into pieces, his eyes narrowing - and then they faded again, and he sighed.

"'Sorry about that. Laz. Please just let me explain. My beloved Lords and Ladies will win this war. They were so close last time, and they're more powerful now. I know. Even if we lose this battle, we will win this war. One battle does not decide a war. I have seen the full extent of their power, Laz. They'll wipe out everything. You won't be able to protect the school this time. They'll kill you. If I was on your side, they'd kill me as well. But they told me that I could have what I wanted if I joined them. I just wanted us to be safe. I just wanted to live. I just wanted to get the old times back. So I joined them. And you'll join them." he said, trembling slightly. His eyes flashed blue yet again, and for a moment, he charged a lightning bolt in his hand, glaring at Laz, and then he remembered what he was originally going to do. It was like cutting through a haze - so hard to hold back from your basic impulses and to think things through when all the power in the world was at your fingers. He snapped his fingers, and a portal started to open. His eyes started to fade again.

"Get in the portal, Laz. Please just get in the portal. There's chicken wings and beer and succubi and bowling and anything you want in the portal. Just please get in." he said, pleading to his friend.

"Pierre, I'm a demon. I play with fire. Right now, you're playing with nukes. This isn't right." Laz pleaded. "We can get chicken wings, beer, succubi, bowling and all that stuff here. And it'll be better than any fake the Lords and Ladies can do. Look at yourself, man. Look at yourself now. You're not even Pierre anymore- Pierre wouldn't have crushed a high quality beer like that. They've changed you, man. Just try to stop. We can stop now and defeat them. Remember Loki? He came out of my asshole. Right now, if you keep this up, you'll end up coming out the universe's asshole." Laz wasn't the best with metaphors.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

All Loki would encounter would be a stiff black wall, at the same time that James moved past the rather bizarre porn and ventured deeper into Loki's mind. "Enough, Loki." He warned. "Even when you were a fragment of me, there were certain places you couldn't go without me feeling it, just as there are certainly places you don't want me to see. Let's end this charade and let secrets remain secrets, alright?" He chucked out the straw and began sipping the drink. "Now, how long will it take you to convince your blood-brother to rally the forces of Asgard and come to our aid?"

James would find even more bizarre porn as Loki found a choir singing out "Oh Canada".

Loki shrugged. "Well, I have to meet them first. Alone, if possible would be good, though perhaps I can bring Richard with me. I have to make sure they don't end up trying to kill me. Thor's been disabled, I hear. I bet he's devastated by that." Loki said, seeming genuinely saddened by this news of his nephew's trouble.

"I'll go with you." James offered. "I've always wanted to go to Asgard. Out of all the pantheons, you lot seem like the least dickish, and also have the best warriors one could ask for."

He leaned back, still sipping at Loki's drink. "Besides, I want to see Sleipnir." He said with a wink. "I'm certain you do as well."

[Ende]

Pierre's eyes flared blue for a moment, and he filled with rage. He caught the beer in his hand and crushed it into pieces, his eyes narrowing - and then they faded again, and he sighed.

"'Sorry about that. Laz. Please just let me explain. My beloved Lords and Ladies will win this war. They were so close last time, and they're more powerful now. I know. Even if we lose this battle, we will win this war. One battle does not decide a war. I have seen the full extent of their power, Laz. They'll wipe out everything. You won't be able to protect the school this time. They'll kill you. If I was on your side, they'd kill me as well. But they told me that I could have what I wanted if I joined them. I just wanted us to be safe. I just wanted to live. I just wanted to get the old times back. So I joined them. And you'll join them." he said, trembling slightly. His eyes flashed blue yet again, and for a moment, he charged a lightning bolt in his hand, glaring at Laz, and then he remembered what he was originally going to do. It was like cutting through a haze - so hard to hold back from your basic impulses and to think things through when all the power in the world was at your fingers. He snapped his fingers, and a portal started to open. His eyes started to fade again.

"Get in the portal, Laz. Please just get in the portal. There's chicken wings and beer and succubi and bowling and anything you want in the portal. Just please get in." he said, pleading to his friend.

"Pierre, I'm a demon. I play with fire. Right now, you're playing with nukes. This isn't right." Laz pleaded. "We can get chicken wings, beer, succubi, bowling and all that stuff here. And it'll be better than any fake the Lords and Ladies can do. Look at yourself, man. Look at yourself now. You're not even Pierre anymore- Pierre wouldn't have crushed a high quality beer like that. They've changed you, man. Just try to stop. We can stop now and defeat them. Remember Loki? He came out of my asshole. Right now, if you keep this up, you'll end up coming out the universe's asshole." Laz wasn't the best with metaphors.

Pierre's eyes flashed blue again, and he charged up another bolt of golden energy in his hand.

"WHY MUST YOU BE SO THICK?!?" he roared, with the fury of an angered god, the bolt crackling and sparking in his hands. "I SHOULD KILL YOU, YOU INSOLENT - "

And then his voice cracked, and the light faded yet again, and he sighed deeply.

"I'm sorry. Never been good with power. And right now, you're right, I'm playing with nuclear weapons."

He took a deep breath.

"Look, Laz. It can't happen. We can't stop now and defeat them. And even if we could, it's too late for that, anyway. I've already been pledged to them. I've already joined their side. That ship has left the harbor. They'd kill me if I turned sides now. No, they'd do worse, if that's possible. Nothing could protect me from their wrath. And you can't defeat them. They will win. They will. The chances of your victory are low, Laz. I assure you, I'm still Pierre. I've just changed. I've switched sides. I've figured out how to survive."

He stopped for a moment.

"Please," he said, his voice cracking, "just get in the portal. Get in the portal before I hurt you. Please." he begged, trying to hold back the barely-contained rage inside of him, his hands shaking with - was it fear? Yes, it was fear. Not of Crowley, not of Lewis, not of the Fae, but of himself.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

"Pierre, I'm a demon. I play with fire. Right now, you're playing with nukes. This isn't right." Laz pleaded. "We can get chicken wings, beer, succubi, bowling and all that stuff here. And it'll be better than any fake the Lords and Ladies can do. Look at yourself, man. Look at yourself now. You're not even Pierre anymore- Pierre wouldn't have crushed a high quality beer like that. They've changed you, man. Just try to stop. We can stop now and defeat them. Remember Loki? He came out of my asshole. Right now, if you keep this up, you'll end up coming out the universe's asshole." Laz wasn't the best with metaphors.

Pierre's eyes flashed blue again, and he charged up another bolt of golden energy in his hand.

"WHY MUST YOU BE SO THICK?!?" he roared, with the fury of an angered god, the bolt crackling and sparking in his hands. "I SHOULD KILL YOU, YOU INSOLENT - "

And then his voice cracked, and the light faded yet again, and he sighed deeply.

"I'm sorry. Never been good with power. And right now, you're right, I'm playing with nuclear weapons."

He took a deep breath.

"Look, Laz. It can't happen. We can't stop now and defeat them. And even if we could, it's too late for that, anyway. I've already been pledged to them. I've already joined their side. That ship has left the harbor. They'd kill me if I turned sides now. No, they'd do worse, if that's possible. Nothing could protect me from their wrath. And you can't defeat them. They will win. They will. The chances of your victory are low, Laz. I assure you, I'm still Pierre. I've just changed. I've switched sides. I've figured out how to survive."

He stopped for a moment.

"Please," he said, his voice cracking, "just get in the portal. Get in the portal before I hurt you. Please." he begged, trying to hold back the barely-contained rage inside of him, his hands shaking with - was it fear? Yes, it was fear. Not of Crowley, not of Lewis, not of the Fae, but of himself.

"The Great and Mighty Lazrain will not stoop to working with the Lords and Ladies!" Laz roared. He opened the beer bottle and set it down on the ground. "Pierre, I will fight you until you stop!" he said, dropping this whole "conversation" bullshit. Time to solve things the old-fashioned way, the demon way.

He charged, his body gathering strength and covering itself in flames.

Crowley yelled out, "DON'T BE AN IDIOT!", but it was far too late now.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

James would find even more bizarre porn as Loki found a choir singing out "Oh Canada".

Loki shrugged. "Well, I have to meet them first. Alone, if possible would be good, though perhaps I can bring Richard with me. I have to make sure they don't end up trying to kill me. Thor's been disabled, I hear. I bet he's devastated by that." Loki said, seeming genuinely saddened by this news of his nephew's trouble.

"I'll go with you." James offered. "I've always wanted to go to Asgard. Out of all the pantheons, you lot seem like the least dickish, and also have the best warriors one could ask for."

He leaned back, still sipping at Loki's drink. "Besides, I want to see Sleipnir." He said with a wink. "I'm certain you do as well."

Loki shook his head. "Not a good idea. We place emphasis on a good fight. Most Asgardians don't like people like you and I, people who use brains over brawn when it comes to a fight. And frankly, you're not as charming as me at getting out of situations. I suggest you go back to Heavensgate, talk with the generals there, make a game plan."

[Ende]

Pierre's eyes flashed blue again, and he charged up another bolt of golden energy in his hand.

"WHY MUST YOU BE SO THICK?!?" he roared, with the fury of an angered god, the bolt crackling and sparking in his hands. "I SHOULD KILL YOU, YOU INSOLENT - "

And then his voice cracked, and the light faded yet again, and he sighed deeply.

"I'm sorry. Never been good with power. And right now, you're right, I'm playing with nuclear weapons."

He took a deep breath.

"Look, Laz. It can't happen. We can't stop now and defeat them. And even if we could, it's too late for that, anyway. I've already been pledged to them. I've already joined their side. That ship has left the harbor. They'd kill me if I turned sides now. No, they'd do worse, if that's possible. Nothing could protect me from their wrath. And you can't defeat them. They will win. They will. The chances of your victory are low, Laz. I assure you, I'm still Pierre. I've just changed. I've switched sides. I've figured out how to survive."

He stopped for a moment.

"Please," he said, his voice cracking, "just get in the portal. Get in the portal before I hurt you. Please." he begged, trying to hold back the barely-contained rage inside of him, his hands shaking with - was it fear? Yes, it was fear. Not of Crowley, not of Lewis, not of the Fae, but of himself.

"The Great and Mighty Lazrain will not stoop to working with the Lords and Ladies!" Laz roared. He opened the beer bottle and set it down on the ground. "Pierre, I will fight you until you stop!" he said, dropping this whole "conversation" bullshit. Time to solve things the old-fashioned way, the demon way.

He charged, his body gathering strength and covering itself in flames.

Crowley yelled out, "DON'T BE AN IDIOT!", but it was far too late now.

Pierre's eyes flashed with the blue light for yet another time - but this time, he had no intention to let them fade.

"Very well." he said coldly. "I should have known you wouldn't listen to reason. Of course you wouldn't. You never would. I was the one who thought. I was always the one who thought."

He sighed, watching Laz charge closer.

"I have no choice now but to do this the hard way. You will come with me." the would-be god warned, sounding irritated, and then he extended his hand and launched a single golden bolt at the demon - not a very powerful one. It was just a little one. It wouldn't even be enough to kill a human - but it was probably just enough to stop Laz in his tracks. The portal finished opening - it hung in the air, about five feet to the side of Pierre, a circular spiraling black portal, about as high as a room's height and about seven feet wide.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Crowley had not a damn idea what was in that portal but he had no intention of allowing it to come out. He started to concentrate on it and break it up. But he needed the demon Laz to provide a distraction-

When Laz was hit by a lightning bolt and knocked flat out on the ground.

"FUCKING HELL!" Crowley yelled. "Isn't the Canadian the one who's supposed to be hit by lightning bolts?"

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

"I'll go with you." James offered. "I've always wanted to go to Asgard. Out of all the pantheons, you lot seem like the least dickish, and also have the best warriors one could ask for."

He leaned back, still sipping at Loki's drink. "Besides, I want to see Sleipnir." He said with a wink. "I'm certain you do as well."

Loki shook his head. "Not a good idea. We place emphasis on a good fight. Most Asgardians don't like people like you and I, people who use brains over brawn when it comes to a fight. And frankly, you're not as charming as me at getting out of situations. I suggest you go back to Heavensgate, talk with the generals there, make a game plan."

"You assume too much." James responded. "Nobody there listens to me, even when I'm telling them how to get out with as few losses as possible. All they care about is saving their own hides, and fuck everybody else. What they don't realize, and likely never will until it's too late, is that their attitudes will be the end of them." He sighed. "But that's another problem for another time. I'm not going to be useful back there, not at this moment. If I can bring Asgard into the fight, not to mention a redeemed Loki, I might finally have some sort of leverage on my side, and people might actually listen to me."

He downed the last of the drink. "And you know me. If someone wants to fight, I can damn well fight. And if it comes down to that, I'd be more than happy to fight Odin himself."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Loki shook his head. "Not a good idea. We place emphasis on a good fight. Most Asgardians don't like people like you and I, people who use brains over brawn when it comes to a fight. And frankly, you're not as charming as me at getting out of situations. I suggest you go back to Heavensgate, talk with the generals there, make a game plan."

"You assume too much." James responded. "Nobody there listens to me, even when I'm telling them how to get out with as few losses as possible. All they care about is saving their own hides, and fuck everybody else. What they don't realize, and likely never will until it's too late, is that their attitudes will be the end of them." He sighed. "But that's another problem for another time. I'm not going to be useful back there, not at this moment. If I can bring Asgard into the fight, not to mention a redeemed Loki, I might finally have some sort of leverage on my side, and people might actually listen to me."

He downed the last of the drink. "And you know me. If someone wants to fight, I can damn well fight. And if it comes down to that, I'd be more than happy to fight Odin himself."

"I'll be slightly more frank- I'm not taking you to Asgard because you're a disrespectful cunt and completely unwilling to change that attitude when it comes to talking to beings who can wipe you out with a flick of their wrist, even when you consider your fancy gun. Go talk to Michael. He's a smart and reasonable guy, generally." Then Loki was gone and James found himself in Heavensgate. Specifically, Raphael's mansion, where Raphael, Michael and Sanchez looked in a heated discussion about something.