Elfen High 2: Skin to Bone, Steel to Rust

[Nationstatelandsville]

Lewis, meanwhile, was arguing over a finger.

"TAKE IT OFF!" he demanded of the nurse.

"Why?" she whimpered, backing away.

"I LOST THIS FINGER TO AN EMU!" Lewis shouted, waving his new pinkie at her, "IT'S A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THEIR EVIL!"

"I... doctor!" the woman screamed, running off. Lewis grumbled to himself for a bit longer, flexing his new foot and stretching his new toes.

"...LEWIS?" came Polarbeard's voice tentatively.

"What?" Lewis sighed. The bear entered, gently pushing aside the curtain separating Lewis from his neighbor.

"I..." the pirate said, "ARE YOU OK?"

"Yeah, I guess," Lewis replied, "They gave me my limbs back 'n' stuff. And I can do weird shit now, again. But... well, never mind. What do ye' want?"

"UH..." Polarbeard muttered, "JUST TO, UH, SAY THAT I'M GLAD YOU'RE NOT DEAD."

"I'll never die," Lewis lied with a serious face, glad that the bandages on his head (completely unnecessary and self-applied) hid the mark of Set, "Now, what the fuck do ye' think you're doin'?! Get back to the battle!"

Polarbeard nodded and vanished.

"Goddamn bears," Lewis muttered under his breath, turning his attention back to his feet, "Stupid, fuckin' idiots."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Crowley soon had an eyepatch and walked out of the medical bay toward his office...when he saw a completely wasted Minh on the ground. "Had fun with your party, Minh?" he chuckled, crossing his arms and looking at his biology teacher. "What got into you? The civilians get out?"

"Ah! Sir... your voice, sir? Not... so loud, pleasethankyou. Yeah, they got out, sir." he grumbled. "Nearly all of them. I'll get back to work in half an hour...oh jesus christ...ok, I'll get back to work in forty minutes...give me forty five minutes, I swear."

"I think I'm going to test the fire alarm now."

"I'll pay you a hundred dollars not to do that, sir."

"Two hundred, that's a deal then."

"I hate you."

"I hate you...?"

"...Sir."

"Much better. So, what's been up?" he asked, setting his hand on Minh's head and sending some healing energy through him, sobering him up.

Minh sighed. "Saw my ex-wife today, Sarah. Brought up old thoughts, old regrets. I could end all this, you know. Probably get back into life, get back into a family. Just walk away now and free myself from this job and spend my last days with the ones I love."

Crowley paused. "If you go now, it's possible there won't be a world where you can rest with your loved ones. Relax, Minh. One more run. One more final run, then you can go. You've repaid your debt one hundred fold. You need to stay with us now though. You need to help us save everyone's family before we can all rest."

Minh sighed. "I-I just- I...I've seen so many things go wrong. My family, my childhood, I...I just want something to go right for once. Just once. I'm staying with you until the very end, Crowley. Until the very end."

Crowley clapped his own hand on Minh's shoulder. "I know. And that means more than you know, believe me. I've had you lifting me up and keeping this school running all this time. You're essential to this place. Minh, you here means this school is going right. Believe me, everyone appreciates it. Now let's start to get this done and go home, alright?"

Minh chuckled. "Yes, sir. Thanks. I'll see you later." he said, bowing a bit and walking out of the office. He had a bottle of beer in his hand when he got up, but he threw it into the trashbin as he walked out of the door.

[Ende]

Crowley barged into the school and headed down toward the medical bay immediately. "You guys alright?" he roughly asked Calliel and Ivy.

Calliel nodded gratefully. "Yes, thank you. We're fine."

Crowley nodded, sitting down in the medical bay and proceeding to grow back his arm and get an eyepatch because fuck yeah.

Calliel sat down in another room in the medical bay, largely healed as was Ivy. But it would be a good idea to rest for a while. "I didn't know what I'd see when I came back to Heavensgate." he noted. "After I had woken up from the coma. But...it's so different now. Seeing it like this, now I can pass judgement on it myself...It's not what I had expected." he sighed. "I've lived here for most of my long life, but it feels like I've just started to see it." he stared down at his shoes. "I also want to say I'm sorry. Before you had left for Earth again, I had lied to you. You asked me if anything had happened while you were resting and I lied and said nothing had happened because I didn't want to bring up the bad memories when these could be our last moments. But...in life we need to see the good and the bad. So I just want to say I'm sorry for having lied. When you had nearly died, your soul went elsewhere. You had apparently talked to Lucifer and been tortured by an angel in Heaven. That's how you had gotten that cross shaped scar. I'm sorry I had deceived you."

Ivy hugged him.

"It's okay, Calliel. I know. I found out. The memories came back." she said calmly, throwing her arms around his neck.

She shuddered, remembering how, and for a split second, her mind flashed to the closet, but she quickly forced herself to move on and focus. Focusing for more than a few moments on that was...she wouldn't do that. Hopefully, it would just fade away, over time. She doubted that it would, but now wasn't the time to deal with that problem.

"I'm okay with that, though. You did it to make me happy. You were trying to do good. I forgive you." she said, refusing to tell him what he had nearly caused. Suddenly, she stopped, let go of Calliel, and looked at Crowley, who was strapping on an eye-patch. She had almost killed herself, and, really, it was almost his fault. Crowley confused her so much. He was a heartless monster. He used the students of Elfen High as his army. He had drugged her multiple times - that was how she and Calliel had gotten pregnant in the first place, and the second time, in the closet, and what that had lead to...and yet, he had jumped in front of her. He had taken lightning bolts for her. He had healed Calliel. But why? It didn't make sense.

"Crowley...can I ask you a question?" she said, sounding slightly cold.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Crowley barged into the school and headed down toward the medical bay immediately. "You guys alright?" he roughly asked Calliel and Ivy.

Calliel nodded gratefully. "Yes, thank you. We're fine."

Crowley nodded, sitting down in the medical bay and proceeding to grow back his arm and get an eyepatch because fuck yeah.

Calliel sat down in another room in the medical bay, largely healed as was Ivy. But it would be a good idea to rest for a while. "I didn't know what I'd see when I came back to Heavensgate." he noted. "After I had woken up from the coma. But...it's so different now. Seeing it like this, now I can pass judgement on it myself...It's not what I had expected." he sighed. "I've lived here for most of my long life, but it feels like I've just started to see it." he stared down at his shoes. "I also want to say I'm sorry. Before you had left for Earth again, I had lied to you. You asked me if anything had happened while you were resting and I lied and said nothing had happened because I didn't want to bring up the bad memories when these could be our last moments. But...in life we need to see the good and the bad. So I just want to say I'm sorry for having lied. When you had nearly died, your soul went elsewhere. You had apparently talked to Lucifer and been tortured by an angel in Heaven. That's how you had gotten that cross shaped scar. I'm sorry I had deceived you."

Ivy hugged him.

"It's okay, Calliel. I know. I found out. The memories came back." she said calmly, throwing her arms around his neck.

She shuddered, remembering how, and for a split second, her mind flashed to the closet, but she quickly forced herself to move on and focus. Focusing for more than a few moments on that was...she wouldn't do that. Hopefully, it would just fade away, over time. She doubted that it would, but now wasn't the time to deal with that problem.

"I'm okay with that, though. You did it to make me happy. You were trying to do good. I forgive you." she said, refusing to tell him what he had nearly caused. Suddenly, she stopped, let go of Calliel, and looked at Crowley, who was strapping on an eye-patch. She had almost killed herself, and, really, it was almost his fault. Crowley confused her so much. He was a heartless monster. He used the students of Elfen High as his army. He had drugged her multiple times - that was how she and Calliel had gotten pregnant in the first place, and the second time, in the closet, and what that had lead to...and yet, he had jumped in front of her. He had taken lightning bolts for her. He had healed Calliel. But why? It didn't make sense.

"Crowley...can I ask you a question?" she said, sounding slightly cold.

Crowley glanced up. "I suppose you can now. What is it?" he asked, sounding tired and still getting used to his new eye patch. His badass eye patch, by the way. "It's a new day now. Looks like we have ourselves to thank for it." he murmured to himself, even though it was still the afternoon. "Always a new day somewhere." he explained. "But that's unrelated. What do you need?"

[Ende]

Ivy hugged him.

"It's okay, Calliel. I know. I found out. The memories came back." she said calmly, throwing her arms around his neck.

She shuddered, remembering how, and for a split second, her mind flashed to the closet, but she quickly forced herself to move on and focus. Focusing for more than a few moments on that was...she wouldn't do that. Hopefully, it would just fade away, over time. She doubted that it would, but now wasn't the time to deal with that problem.

"I'm okay with that, though. You did it to make me happy. You were trying to do good. I forgive you." she said, refusing to tell him what he had nearly caused. Suddenly, she stopped, let go of Calliel, and looked at Crowley, who was strapping on an eye-patch. She had almost killed herself, and, really, it was almost his fault. Crowley confused her so much. He was a heartless monster. He used the students of Elfen High as his army. He had drugged her multiple times - that was how she and Calliel had gotten pregnant in the first place, and the second time, in the closet, and what that had lead to...and yet, he had jumped in front of her. He had taken lightning bolts for her. He had healed Calliel. But why? It didn't make sense.

"Crowley...can I ask you a question?" she said, sounding slightly cold.

Crowley glanced up. "I suppose you can now. What is it?" he asked, sounding tired and still getting used to his new eye patch. His badass eye patch, by the way. "It's a new day now. Looks like we have ourselves to thank for it." he murmured to himself, even though it was still the afternoon. "Always a new day somewhere." he explained. "But that's unrelated. What do you need?"

"Why?" she said, staring him directly in the eye. "Just...why? You jumped in front of a lightning bolt. You healed Calliel. But..."

She looked nervously at Calliel. If she told him that the reason they had flown off together the first time was because of Crowley (she wasn't quite sure if he knew that), and that she had almost committed suicide due to a combination of the memories flooding back and Crowley drugging her and letting her...no, she wasn't going to go there...well, she wasn't sure if Calliel would take that very well. She didn't take it very well, herself, to be honest.

"...you're cruel." she finished, looking slightly nervous. Crowley was powerful, he was wise - talking disrespectfully to him could end badly - but she felt like she needed to say so. "You know what you've done. Just...why? If you don't want to tell me, and I can't understand, I'm okay with that. But, if I can understand, and you'd care to tell me...just...why?"

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Crowley decided to save some time and I have to run soon. Instead of a long speech, he pointed toward the wall where a memory started to play like a movie. It was the "More Time" oneshot. "In all honesty, that's why." He said. "You probably have a response to that, and then I'll answer your further questions."

[Ende]

Crowley decided to save some time and I have to run soon. Instead of a long speech, he pointed toward the wall where a memory started to play like a movie. It was the "More Time" oneshot. "In all honesty, that's why." He said. "You probably have a response to that, and then I'll answer your further questions."

Ivy stared.

"That's...that's why you saved us. You were giving us more time. The time you had never gotten."

Suddenly, she walked over to Crowley, and gave him a hug. This probably would have been heartwarming, but it was Crowley. Moving past that, though. She felt sorry for him. All those years, and he had never found anyone else. Or maybe he had. Perhaps he was always running out of time. Either way, he had saved them, and that was all that mattered. Then, she recoiled, remembering who she was hugging.

"But the rest, Crowley. The rest. Is that just the result of a thousand years? Is it because you're a god among men and can do almost anything you want, and nobody will stand in your way? Is that why you gassed the room? Is that why you drugged us? I understand the first part of my question has been answered, but the second...I...you don't need to tell me why. I'm just grateful that I have more time. Just...thank you."

She walked back over to Calliel, and, looking into his eyes, she took his hands in hers.

"Calliel...before we go back onto the battlefield, I'd like to ask you...I know it seems silly, but...well, would you marry me? I...it's ridiculous, I know. I don't think angels even have marriage, but...well, Calliel, I just...I don't want to die out there without doing this. If I die, I want to die as more than friends. As more than lovers, if we're that. I want to die as husband and wife. It's..."

She shook her head.

"It's silly. It's ridiculous. I'm sorry."

[Zarkenis Ultima]

"Great, I can't think of any other cool tricks to pull off." Alastor said to himself, feeling rather annoyed. At this point he was simply firing his black magic gun wildly at the enemy forces and watching it cut right through them. It gave him some amusement, but it didn't really do the trick. They were not powerful foes that he could take pleasure in besting, and they were not dying in interesting or creative ways either, which were the two things he enjoyed the most.

He stopped for a moment and looked at his gun. "If I can polish the 'magic battery', I could probably mass produce these." He thought to himself, already thinking of a few designs he should probably write down.

But he didn't, because suddenly there was a huge shadow over him, and someone calling him, as well

"Lord Alastor!" Hakael said as he flew down and landed next to him.

"What is it, Hakael?" Alastor asked, having separated a piece of glowing machinery from the gun, which didn't seem to be powered by Alastor's black energy anymore.

"The Siege and Battering units have finished disrupting the circular form of Heavensgate." Hakael said. Alastor nodded.

"Very well. Tell them to come up here and join the fray." He ordered. Hakael nodded and immediately took off. Looking back down at his gun again, Alastor put the magic battery back in and then slung it over his shoulder, before leaving the battlefield through a portal.

He appeared next to Sanchez, Michael, Raphael and James. The presence of the two Archangels, naturally, made him feel rather uneasy, but not enough for him to ignore the wildly outrageous proposition Michael had just made to James. "Hold on, Archangel. This young man here will probably spend half the time mouthing off the troops rather than directing them, worthy and knowledgeable as he might be. If I may, I suggest you look for another man instead. One of my co-workers. Minh Taka. He knows the worth of both a tank and a fire-breathing beast, and could probably help you out with your commanding duties." He stated.

Then he remembered why he had come here in the first place.

"Oh, yeah, and my troops finished breaking Heavensgate's inner walls."

[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.

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."

Kane dodged the initial blast, though it was an extremely close call. "Ugly little bugger, aren't you?", She asked with a grin. Swinging her ice sword at it, she aimed to slice it's arm up—or off.

Then, letting the sword evaporate into the air, she drew on the air's moisture and materialized multiple shards floating in the air. Sending them on a crash course for the monster, she shouted, "Chew on this!"

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Crowley decided to save some time and I have to run soon. Instead of a long speech, he pointed toward the wall where a memory started to play like a movie. It was the "More Time" oneshot. "In all honesty, that's why." He said. "You probably have a response to that, and then I'll answer your further questions."

Ivy stared.

"That's...that's why you saved us. You were giving us more time. The time you had never gotten."

Suddenly, she walked over to Crowley, and gave him a hug. This probably would have been heartwarming, but it was Crowley. Moving past that, though. She felt sorry for him. All those years, and he had never found anyone else. Or maybe he had. Perhaps he was always running out of time. Either way, he had saved them, and that was all that mattered. Then, she recoiled, remembering who she was hugging.

"But the rest, Crowley. The rest. Is that just the result of a thousand years? Is it because you're a god among men and can do almost anything you want, and nobody will stand in your way? Is that why you gassed the room? Is that why you drugged us? I understand the first part of my question has been answered, but the second...I...you don't need to tell me why. I'm just grateful that I have more time. Just...thank you."

She walked back over to Calliel, and, looking into his eyes, she took his hands in hers.

"Calliel...before we go back onto the battlefield, I'd like to ask you...I know it seems silly, but...well, would you marry me? I...it's ridiculous, I know. I don't think angels even have marriage, but...well, Calliel, I just...I don't want to die out there without doing this. If I die, I want to die as more than friends. As more than lovers, if we're that. I want to die as husband and wife. It's..."

She shook her head.

"It's silly. It's ridiculous. I'm sorry."

Calliel gave a genuine beautific smile. "Ivy...I am with you. I will carry you through it all. I won't leave you, I will catch you every time. I promise you that no matter what happens, you won't be alone." he said, hugging her deeply. It was a very human gesture, hugging. It always had been. "I love you, Ivy Green. I am here and so are you. And I will marry you." He said, kissing her gently.

And that's all that could be said.

A chapter had ended and a new one could begin from this. Love and loss were always parts of life. Life isn't perfect, after all. Life doesn't get perfection. Perfection is anathema to the concept of truly living and feeling, as the very existence of the angels had proven. But perfect moments...people didn't get many perfect moments. But perfect moments happen, and a perfect moment is when the universe as a whole becomes better in some small way. A perfect moment is a drinking father finally throwing a bottle in the garbage with the intention of not reaching back in. A perfect moment is a young man meeting his childhood hero.

A perfect moment is two young and true lovers enjoying the loving calm before the storm. A perfect moment is when a man who never knew love meets a broken girl who desperately needs it. A perfect moment is when they both know the darkness of the past, but are willing to go into the darkness of the future, provided they do it together. A perfect moment is when the darkness turns bright when they both walk into it.

This was a perfect moment. And in some small way, the universe was a better place to be.

[Nationstatelandsville]

Ivy stared.

"That's...that's why you saved us. You were giving us more time. The time you had never gotten."

Suddenly, she walked over to Crowley, and gave him a hug. This probably would have been heartwarming, but it was Crowley. Moving past that, though. She felt sorry for him. All those years, and he had never found anyone else. Or maybe he had. Perhaps he was always running out of time. Either way, he had saved them, and that was all that mattered. Then, she recoiled, remembering who she was hugging.

"But the rest, Crowley. The rest. Is that just the result of a thousand years? Is it because you're a god among men and can do almost anything you want, and nobody will stand in your way? Is that why you gassed the room? Is that why you drugged us? I understand the first part of my question has been answered, but the second...I...you don't need to tell me why. I'm just grateful that I have more time. Just...thank you."

She walked back over to Calliel, and, looking into his eyes, she took his hands in hers.

"Calliel...before we go back onto the battlefield, I'd like to ask you...I know it seems silly, but...well, would you marry me? I...it's ridiculous, I know. I don't think angels even have marriage, but...well, Calliel, I just...I don't want to die out there without doing this. If I die, I want to die as more than friends. As more than lovers, if we're that. I want to die as husband and wife. It's..."

She shook her head.

"It's silly. It's ridiculous. I'm sorry."

Calliel gave a genuine beautific smile. "Ivy...I am with you. I will carry you through it all. I won't leave you, I will catch you every time. I promise you that no matter what happens, you won't be alone." he said, hugging her deeply. It was a very human gesture, hugging. It always had been. "I love you, Ivy Green. I am here and so are you. And I will marry you." He said, kissing her gently.

And that's all that could be said.

A chapter had ended and a new one could begin from this. Love and loss were always parts of life. Life isn't perfect, after all. Life doesn't get perfection. Perfection is anathema to the concept of truly living and feeling, as the very existence of the angels had proven. But perfect moments...people didn't get many perfect moments. But perfect moments happen, and a perfect moment is when the universe as a whole becomes better in some small way. A perfect moment is a drinking father finally throwing a bottle in the garbage with the intention of not reaching back in. A perfect moment is a young man meeting his childhood hero.

A perfect moment is two young and true lovers enjoying the loving calm before the storm. A perfect moment is when a man who never knew love meets a broken girl who desperately needs it. A perfect moment is when they both know the darkness of the past, but are willing to go into the darkness of the future, provided they do it together. A perfect moment is when the darkness turns bright when they both walk into it.

This was a perfect moment. And in some small way, the universe was a better place to be.

And then the prefect moment was interrupted by a loud belch.

Lewis tossed his beer can into the trash and straightened his tie, because Lewis Jameson is a classy motherfucker. He gently tipped his fedora at the two and sat down across from them, pulling his trench coat over his body.

"So, what's up with ye' kids?" he asked, "Do either of ye' know where Crowley is? I need to talk to him."

[Nude East Ireland]

Calliel gave a genuine beautific smile. "Ivy...I am with you. I will carry you through it all. I won't leave you, I will catch you every time. I promise you that no matter what happens, you won't be alone." he said, hugging her deeply. It was a very human gesture, hugging. It always had been. "I love you, Ivy Green. I am here and so are you. And I will marry you." He said, kissing her gently.

And that's all that could be said.

A chapter had ended and a new one could begin from this. Love and loss were always parts of life. Life isn't perfect, after all. Life doesn't get perfection. Perfection is anathema to the concept of truly living and feeling, as the very existence of the angels had proven. But perfect moments...people didn't get many perfect moments. But perfect moments happen, and a perfect moment is when the universe as a whole becomes better in some small way. A perfect moment is a drinking father finally throwing a bottle in the garbage with the intention of not reaching back in. A perfect moment is a young man meeting his childhood hero.

A perfect moment is two young and true lovers enjoying the loving calm before the storm. A perfect moment is when a man who never knew love meets a broken girl who desperately needs it. A perfect moment is when they both know the darkness of the past, but are willing to go into the darkness of the future, provided they do it together. A perfect moment is when the darkness turns bright when they both walk into it.

This was a perfect moment. And in some small way, the universe was a better place to be.

And then the prefect moment was interrupted by a loud belch.

Lewis tossed his beer can into the trash and straightened his tie, because Lewis Jameson is a classy motherfucker. He gently tipped his fedora at the two and sat down across from them, pulling his trench coat over his body.

"So, what's up with ye' kids?" he asked, "Do either of ye' know where Crowley is? I need to talk to him."

"Right here," Anton replied, as he slid to the side to give Lewis room. "Unless you meant my 'adoptive' grandfather. He's currently... well, I'm not entirely sure. Eccentric man, not unlike my real grandfather of the same name. But I may be able to assist you, Mr. Jameson. I've heard many nice things of you and your family."

[Nationstatelandsville]

And then the prefect moment was interrupted by a loud belch.

Lewis tossed his beer can into the trash and straightened his tie, because Lewis Jameson is a classy motherfucker. He gently tipped his fedora at the two and sat down across from them, pulling his trench coat over his body.

"So, what's up with ye' kids?" he asked, "Do either of ye' know where Crowley is? I need to talk to him."

"Right here," Anton replied, as he slid to the side to give Lewis room. "Unless you meant my 'adoptive' grandfather. He's currently... well, I'm not entirely sure. Eccentric man, not unlike my real grandfather of the same name. But I may be able to assist you, Mr. Jameson. I've heard many nice things of you and your family."

"Thanks, but, uh..." he replied, "I need to talk to Aleister. It's not really a thing 'bout the battle, but I'd like to know what's goin' with that, too."

"He's with Minh in his office," D said, casually driving by in his bizarre vehicle. He stopped and pulled into the room, emerging. His tan brow (because he's mixed race - no, I totally didn't forget that) was damp with sweat, his blonde hair greasy and dirty. He smiled weakly, sitting down in his father's lap. Lewis smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Well, OK," Lewis said, "they're probably busy strategizin' or somethin'."

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James laughed. "And you expect them to listen to me?" James asked the archangel. "Look, I agree with you, we need someone to keep things co-ordinated. Unfortunately, nobody ever listens to me, least of all Crowley or your stick-up-the-arse brother." He crossed his arms. "While I appreciate the offer, I highly doubt that it's going to help anything, not unless someone forces everyone to listen to my orders."

He paused. "Also, how in Yahweh's left testicle did I save Heavensgate, exactly?"

Michael casually saved James' life with magic. While James said whatever shit he wanted, the soundwaves changed before they were audible to everyone else. So Michael basically dubbed James over so that everyone heard "I don't expect them to listen to me, however. I agree with you, Lord Michael that we need someone to keep things under control. Unfortunately, I doubt anyone will listen to me, including Crowley and Lord Raphael, though I am sure they both have their reasons. I appreciate the offer, but I doubt anything would change unless people are given a reason to listen to my suggestions. Also, I am not sure if I deserve the honour of having saved Heavensgate."

Michael gave James a small nod, acknowledging that his life had just been narrowly protected.

Then he spoke. "You know both magic and technology, something that most of us lack expertise in- we know one or the other, but not both. When Sanchez and Raphael first got here, things were confused and chaotic but then when Elfen High came we got everything together and now the demons have been pushed radically far back. Though some of us fear this, we need you. If not, we'll find someone else for the job."

James stared at the archangel. "Ain't that some shit..." He muttered. "Alright, I'll do it, but just becoming psychic won't be enough. I need a map that can change in real-time with the battlefield, large enough that every individual person will have their own symbol, and detailed enough that I can see what the terrain is like. I'm also going to need somewhere quiet and relatively secure, with a large enough table for the map, a stand for it, a lamp, as well as pens and a lot of paper."

He cracked his knuckles. "Think you can do that, oh great and mighty Michael?"

Then Alastor showed up, and James directed his attention to him. "That is where you are incorrect, Alastor." He said calmly. "Minh, while a lot more modern in his thinking than others, is still mired in old-fashioned beliefs. More importantly, as a half-orc he overestimates his abilities and the abilities of those around him."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

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."

Kane dodged the initial blast, though it was an extremely close call. "Ugly little bugger, aren't you?", She asked with a grin. Swinging her ice sword at it, she aimed to slice it's arm up—or off.

Then, letting the sword evaporate into the air, she drew on the air's moisture and materialized multiple shards floating in the air. Sending them on a crash course for the monster, she shouted, "Chew on this!"

The monster was quicker than appearances showed- it dodged her attack, and then proceeded to shoot up all the shards. It was on the verge of attacking her when something happened.

There was a sudden burst of energy as a tall figure appeared in front of the demon. "No." the figure said sternly. "We do not kill her...yet." The figure giggled like a schoolgirl, turning to Kane and staring at her with mild interest. "Hello, my name is Lilith." the tall redheaded woman said, looking Kane up and down. "You do look delicious, admittedly. But the rules are the rules..." she sighed and shook her head. "You live, but we will meet once more." she said, putting her hand on the monster as the monster went up her arm, simply absorbing itself back into her. "Goodbye now!" she said cheerfully, disappearing once more.

There weren't too many demons left to kill here and reinforcements were coming to kill the ones left. Kane should return to the school.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Michael casually saved James' life with magic. While James said whatever shit he wanted, the soundwaves changed before they were audible to everyone else. So Michael basically dubbed James over so that everyone heard "I don't expect them to listen to me, however. I agree with you, Lord Michael that we need someone to keep things under control. Unfortunately, I doubt anyone will listen to me, including Crowley and Lord Raphael, though I am sure they both have their reasons. I appreciate the offer, but I doubt anything would change unless people are given a reason to listen to my suggestions. Also, I am not sure if I deserve the honour of having saved Heavensgate."

Michael gave James a small nod, acknowledging that his life had just been narrowly protected.

Then he spoke. "You know both magic and technology, something that most of us lack expertise in- we know one or the other, but not both. When Sanchez and Raphael first got here, things were confused and chaotic but then when Elfen High came we got everything together and now the demons have been pushed radically far back. Though some of us fear this, we need you. If not, we'll find someone else for the job."

James stared at the archangel. "Ain't that some shit..." He muttered. "Alright, I'll do it, but just becoming psychic won't be enough. I need a map that can change in real-time with the battlefield, large enough that every individual person will have their own symbol, and detailed enough that I can see what the terrain is like. I'm also going to need somewhere quiet and relatively secure, with a large enough table for the map, a stand for it, a lamp, as well as pens and a lot of paper."

He cracked his knuckles. "Think you can do that, oh great and mighty Michael?"

Then Alastor showed up, and James directed his attention to him. "That is where you are incorrect, Alastor." He said calmly. "Minh, while a lot more modern in his thinking than others, is still mired in old-fashioned beliefs. More importantly, as a half-orc he overestimates his abilities and the abilities of those around him."

Michael looked thoughtful. "It is a good point, however. I should make the offer to him as well. However, I will leave to the school members to decide who is more competent for this job. This is a big job, one that could decide the fate of countless billions. I need a general who is both competent and gets respect and belief from those he commands. You can pay a soldier to fire a gun, you can pay him to charge a hill, but you can't pay him to believe. And right now, I need to make sure I have that."

[Nude East Ireland]

"Right here," Anton replied, as he slid to the side to give Lewis room. "Unless you meant my 'adoptive' grandfather. He's currently... well, I'm not entirely sure. Eccentric man, not unlike my real grandfather of the same name. But I may be able to assist you, Mr. Jameson. I've heard many nice things of you and your family."

"Thanks, but, uh..." he replied, "I need to talk to Aleister. It's not really a thing 'bout the battle, but I'd like to know what's goin' with that, too."

"He's with Minh in his office," D said, casually driving by in his bizarre vehicle. He stopped and pulled into the room, emerging. His tan brow (because he's mixed race - no, I totally didn't forget that) was damp with sweat, his blonde hair greasy and dirty. He smiled weakly, sitting down in his father's lap. Lewis smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Well, OK," Lewis said, "they're probably busy strategizin' or somethin'."

"I would assume," Anton replied. He sighed, and stretched his back.

"Daddy!" yelled a voice. Anton stood, and turned around, noticing his son running towards him. He smiled, and picked his son into the air, giving him a hug. "Tim," he said, "I'm so happy to see you. How is everything? Are your mother and sister alright?"

Tim nodded. "Yes, mommy wanted me to find you. Mary is asleep..."

"Alright, Tim," Anton replied. He kissed his son's forehead, and smiled. "Let's go to the cafeteria, and I'll get you some ice cream."

"OK, daddy!" Tim yelled in excitement. Anton turned, and patted Lewis on the shoulder. "I'm sure Aleister will be ready soon," he said assuringly, before he turned and carried his son out for ice cream.

[Nationstatelandsville]

"Thanks, but, uh..." he replied, "I need to talk to Aleister. It's not really a thing 'bout the battle, but I'd like to know what's goin' with that, too."

"He's with Minh in his office," D said, casually driving by in his bizarre vehicle. He stopped and pulled into the room, emerging. His tan brow (because he's mixed race - no, I totally didn't forget that) was damp with sweat, his blonde hair greasy and dirty. He smiled weakly, sitting down in his father's lap. Lewis smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Well, OK," Lewis said, "they're probably busy strategizin' or somethin'."

"I would assume," Anton replied. He sighed, and stretched his back.

"Daddy!" yelled a voice. Anton stood, and turned around, noticing his son running towards him. He smiled, and picked his son into the air, giving him a hug. "Tim," he said, "I'm so happy to see you. How is everything? Are your mother and sister alright?"

Tim nodded. "Yes, mommy wanted me to find you. Mary is asleep..."

"Alright, Tim," Anton replied. He kissed his son's forehead, and smiled. "Let's go to the cafeteria, and I'll get you some ice cream."

"OK, daddy!" Tim yelled in excitement. Anton turned, and patted Lewis on the shoulder. "I'm sure Aleister will be ready soon," he said assuringly, before he turned and carried his son out for ice cream.

"Ice cream is flavorsome," D observed.

"Uh, yeah, sure," Lewis said, "go on ahead. I'll catch up."

D nodded without humor (he did everything humorlessly), jumped off Lewis' lap, and got back in the vehicle. A loud screeching sound erupted from the wheels as he followed Anton and Tim at breakneck speeds, leaving behind the faintest of skid-marks.

"That kid is goin' to kill us all one day," Lewis chuckled.

[Ranbo]

There weren't too many demons left to kill here and reinforcements were coming to kill the ones left. Kane should return to the school.

After chewing on the rather strange situation that had just presented itself to her—she didn't even know there were rules—that was exactly what she did. Perhaps then, she could get herself properly enrolled.

Some Time Later:

Arriving back at Elfen High by some unknown (yet practical) means, Kane walked through the front door. "I'm home," She muttered to herself, "Well, if I can ever convince myself to call this dump home." Walking down the corridors to her room, she was about to enter before she remembered that she should probably get the rest of her business taken care of.

Committing a 360 degree turn, Kane decided to seek out Crowley. Headed to the Headmaster's Office(obvious first choice, right?), she hoped he was not involved in some other escapade.

Which, she then concluded, he probably was. Though that wouldn't stop her from trying.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

"Indeed. I agree with the Archangel, human." Alastor said, hiding a grimace. The sheer, unfettered irony of how he and Michael seemed to agree was physically hurting him a little. But he resisted because this wasn't the time for bullshit. "In all honesty, I cannot pretend to know much about you, or any of the school members in general, for that matter, as I have only been there for a month. But, from what I have observed, aside from the fact that you keep mouthing off beings that could fry you in a moment, not many people seem to consider you useful. Whether or not they underestimate you is something up for debate and I do not wish to get into that, but not many seem to trust you. That brings us to the next question: Can you expect them to believe in someone who they do not trust? The answer is, no, you cannot. On the other side of the coin, people do trust Minh, and consider him to be a level-headed and competent person. He should be the one giving out orders and commanding the forces, so that the forces he commands will trust him and believe in him." He explained.

But then he raised a finger. "But," He continued. "this does not mean that others cannot assist him in his task and offer him sound advice, merely that he gets to make the final decisions and hand out the orders." He stated. "And, for that matter, I would like to assist whoever is appointed commander as well. I know the strengths and weaknesses of my armies very well, after all."

---

The battle was nearly over. The enemy forces had suffered massive losses and reinforcements were coming. And even if they weren't, Celes honestly doubted the enemy demons would get past those giant snakes with cannons in them. Ciel didn't doubt this, but that was mainly because she was too busy staring at the monsters that were coming out from inside the city, mouth agape.

"I am very glad those things are on our side." She finally said, unsure if there was even a brain to melt out of that thing. But then she shook her head to clear out those thoughts. That wasn't important right now.

"Indeed. But for now we should head back. The battle here is almost over." Celes said, and started playing some music, only putting in a small ammount of power and not really broadcasting it like before. The rats, however, heard it, and knew what to do. The stage was promptly sent over to the school on ratback.

A while later, the Ciels turned a corner and then entered the cafeteria, after having a pleasant chat.

"Anyway, you should rest here for a bit. You ended up quite a bit more drained than me." Celes said to Ciel, who nodded and smiled at her, giving her a hug. Ciel then sat down on a nearby seat. It was true, the battle did drain her of a lot of her energy. Most of it, in fact. She was not accustomed to prolonged usage of her gift, and her guitar was not as magically powerful as Banjie, which also made her have to use more power to keep up with Celes. But that was alright, because in exchange for all of her energy, more people had survived the battle of that day, right? At least, that's the thought that kept her going.

But now all of that was over, so she tried to keep her thoughts away from that battle. Her thoughts took another direction as she watched Celes step out of the cafeteria. She was quite glad that she had someone she could completely rely on. After the incident with the Fae, which still made her shudder whenever she remembered it, she probably wouldn't have kept it together very well if not for Celes. But thanks to her she had a pillar to give her the support she needed. And all those other things that came with having a lover, well, those were quite nice, too.

Celes, meanwhile, took to the hallways after leaving the cafeteria. This instrument she had been given was simply wonderful. It could imitate any other stringed instrument and its magical power was astounding. Thus, it was only natural that it would make her have a desire to learn more about it. And there was only one person she knew might tell her more about it.

That was the reason she was looking for Lewis.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James stared at the archangel. "Ain't that some shit..." He muttered. "Alright, I'll do it, but just becoming psychic won't be enough. I need a map that can change in real-time with the battlefield, large enough that every individual person will have their own symbol, and detailed enough that I can see what the terrain is like. I'm also going to need somewhere quiet and relatively secure, with a large enough table for the map, a stand for it, a lamp, as well as pens and a lot of paper."

He cracked his knuckles. "Think you can do that, oh great and mighty Michael?"

Then Alastor showed up, and James directed his attention to him. "That is where you are incorrect, Alastor." He said calmly. "Minh, while a lot more modern in his thinking than others, is still mired in old-fashioned beliefs. More importantly, as a half-orc he overestimates his abilities and the abilities of those around him."

Michael looked thoughtful. "It is a good point, however. I should make the offer to him as well. However, I will leave to the school members to decide who is more competent for this job. This is a big job, one that could decide the fate of countless billions. I need a general who is both competent and gets respect and belief from those he commands. You can pay a soldier to fire a gun, you can pay him to charge a hill, but you can't pay him to believe. And right now, I need to make sure I have that."

James sighed. "Fine." He grumbled out. "You do realize, however, that you're basically handing the job to Minh on a silver fucking platter, right? Nobody likes me, and for good reason." He patted his vest over the location of his revolver. "Unfortunately, that very same quality that makes people hate me is what's going to keep us alive..."

[Constaniana]

Eldliam had made his way back to Elfen High, strolling calmly into the cafeteria. Looking around the cafeteria everyone seemed to be in an okay condition, although plenty of students were exhausted. His stomach grumbled, and the teenager walked into the kitchen, grabbing some of the fried chicken wings the lunch ladies always had cooking. Walking back out into the main cafeteria he gazed around at his fellow students, chomping away at his bucket of fried chicken.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Michael looked thoughtful. "It is a good point, however. I should make the offer to him as well. However, I will leave to the school members to decide who is more competent for this job. This is a big job, one that could decide the fate of countless billions. I need a general who is both competent and gets respect and belief from those he commands. You can pay a soldier to fire a gun, you can pay him to charge a hill, but you can't pay him to believe. And right now, I need to make sure I have that."

James sighed. "Fine." He grumbled out. "You do realize, however, that you're basically handing the job to Minh on a silver fucking platter, right? Nobody likes me, and for good reason." He patted his vest over the location of his revolver. "Unfortunately, that very same quality that makes people hate me is what's going to keep us alive..."

"Says the one who didn't want the job." Raphael deadpanned.

Michael paused and sighed. "Callahan, I'm going to speak to you in private for a minute." he said, grabbing James' shoulder and then they teleported back to Earth, standing next to a tall, green and lush tree, as well as a worn down and unmarked gravestone. "I buried my brother there." he noted briefly. "But I brought you here for a reason. It's untrue that people's dislike will make you a good commander or one who people will follow. If you give an order, chances are that people will disobey. You are a reckless and judgemental person in your ordinary life, which can be good qualities, but you take them to an extreme. You are not a likeable person as I am sure a certain Ganesh has already told you. And you lack any diplomacy or tact." he explained. "You don't like angels. Fine. I don't care if you dislike my race or people. It is completely the farthest thing from my mind as to what uninformed beliefs you want to have. But are you going to honestly sit in front of two archangels, two of your closest and most powerful allies, and insult them? Any good commander or leader would either have the tact not to do so or the power to back up his words. Even if you do have power, it is best not to be a dick with it. Speak softly even when you carry a big stick."

Michael nodded knowingly. "Or a bullshit gun of kill everything."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Crowley opened his office door and saw Lewis. "Hello." he said. "What do you want?"

It's simple and short because Lewis is probably going to end up punching Crowley for something.

[Nationstatelandsville]

Crowley opened his office door and saw Lewis. "Hello." he said. "What do you want?"

It's simple and short because Lewis is probably going to end up punching Crowley for something.

Lewis punched Crowley.

Oh, wait, typed that wrong. I meant "gave him a bottle of whiskey".

"I, uh, wanted to talk..." he said awkwardly, "I thought I should a... a..."

Lewis buckled over, leaning on the door frame. He gagged, suppressing vomit.

"Apologize!" he coughed, "There, I fuckin' said it. I wanted to apologize for bein' a dick to ye'. But ye' are a dick, ye' know... maybe less than I thought."

And then he pulled Crowley into the most awkward hug there has ever been or ever will be.