Elfen High 2: Skin to Bone, Steel to Rust

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

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."

James chuckled. "You think you know..." He muttered briefly, staring at the gravestone. "Just like everyone else, you see only what I show you. None of you ever question me, ever pressed me for just what happened between Loki's invasion and my return."

He dug his heel into the ground. "And I'm not just talking about killing. That I'm not afraid to talk about. It's everything else, it's the void between the day I left the school and the day I became an assassin, that I've never told anyone about."

He looked at the archangel, a new fire in his eyes. "I'm not a moron, Michael, nor am I a simple-minded, bloodthirsty, insulting asshole. I present that facade purely to hide my own problems, and my intelligence. If you want to know, all you have to do is ask, whether right here or when it's time to choose between Minh and myself."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

"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."

James chuckled. "You think you know..." He muttered briefly, staring at the gravestone. "Just like everyone else, you see only what I show you. None of you ever question me, ever pressed me for just what happened between Loki's invasion and my return."

He dug his heel into the ground. "And I'm not just talking about killing. That I'm not afraid to talk about. It's everything else, it's the void between the day I left the school and the day I became an assassin, that I've never told anyone about."

He looked at the archangel, a new fire in his eyes. "I'm not a moron, Michael, nor am I a simple-minded, bloodthirsty, insulting asshole. I present that facade purely to hide my own problems, and my intelligence. If you want to know, all you have to do is ask, whether right here or when it's time to choose between Minh and myself."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Here's the thing- I don't care. You know something else? Nobody does. Nobody has. And it is incredibly likely that nobody ever will. And you know some other secret? Nobody will care or know or want to know unless you speak up or get your issues worked out. For God's sake, I killed my brother. You know what I saw every day when I woke from my sleep? I saw his face, his unbelieving face. But you know why I'm sane? I talked about it with Gabriel. But I let him in first, I started the conversation. I told him, I didn't want for someone to save me."

Michael sighed. "It is up to you to do something. Nobody else will do it for you. You have a facade and it may hide your problems or intellect. Pick a better facade. I have no interest in pushing you or questioning you. That's what a therapist is for, James Callahan. That's what a friend is for. But unless you change your personality of a frank jackass and let someone in, you won't have any friends." he said. "Now, you don't like me. I have no strong feelings about you one way or the other. But now, if you want to talk, you can talk. But I'm not going to push you, because people never do."

[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.

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.

There was a pause of a minute as both Crowley and Lewis got used to this bizarre situation. The universe was terrified.

Crowley let Lewis go and the universe breathed a sigh of relief. "It's fine, Lewis." Crowley said, sounding rather weirded out by this. "Err, I guess you're alright too...?" he asked, clearly not sure where to go with this. "You want to just have that beer right now?"

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Staring at the spot where Michael had been, Sanchez gave a shrug. "Err...go find this Minh fellow, will you?" he asked Alastor, waving him away. "Tell him he has a promotion coming."

[Nationstatelandsville]

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.

There was a pause of a minute as both Crowley and Lewis got used to this bizarre situation. The universe was terrified.

Crowley let Lewis go and the universe breathed a sigh of relief. "It's fine, Lewis." Crowley said, sounding rather weirded out by this. "Err, I guess you're alright too...?" he asked, clearly not sure where to go with this. "You want to just have that beer right now?"

"It's whiskey," Lewis replied darkly.

He very nearly took it all back and stabbed Crowley in that moment.

"But, I just wanted to say," he continued, "that ye' earned that eyepatch. You've changed. Ye' saved a student's life. Goin' into battle, that's nothin' special - you're a bullshit wizard of kill everythin'. But ye' risked your health to stop a Fae and save Ivy. Fixban would be proud."

Lewis removed the top off of the whiskey and handed it to Crowley.

"Had that since 1823," he said, "Figured we may as well drink it now, eh?"

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James chuckled. "You think you know..." He muttered briefly, staring at the gravestone. "Just like everyone else, you see only what I show you. None of you ever question me, ever pressed me for just what happened between Loki's invasion and my return."

He dug his heel into the ground. "And I'm not just talking about killing. That I'm not afraid to talk about. It's everything else, it's the void between the day I left the school and the day I became an assassin, that I've never told anyone about."

He looked at the archangel, a new fire in his eyes. "I'm not a moron, Michael, nor am I a simple-minded, bloodthirsty, insulting asshole. I present that facade purely to hide my own problems, and my intelligence. If you want to know, all you have to do is ask, whether right here or when it's time to choose between Minh and myself."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Here's the thing- I don't care. You know something else? Nobody does. Nobody has. And it is incredibly likely that nobody ever will. And you know some other secret? Nobody will care or know or want to know unless you speak up or get your issues worked out. For God's sake, I killed my brother. You know what I saw every day when I woke from my sleep? I saw his face, his unbelieving face. But you know why I'm sane? I talked about it with Gabriel. But I let him in first, I started the conversation. I told him, I didn't want for someone to save me."

Michael sighed. "It is up to you to do something. Nobody else will do it for you. You have a facade and it may hide your problems or intellect. Pick a better facade. I have no interest in pushing you or questioning you. That's what a therapist is for, James Callahan. That's what a friend is for. But unless you change your personality of a frank jackass and let someone in, you won't have any friends." he said. "Now, you don't like me. I have no strong feelings about you one way or the other. But now, if you want to talk, you can talk. But I'm not going to push you, because people never do."

"THAT'S WEAKNESS." James suddenly spat, kicking a divet out of the dirt and grass. "Nobody who has ever been a strong has ever up and said what their problems are! Not Crowley, not Lewis, nobody who is meant to be a leader, to be a badass, has ever just up and stated their problems!"

He looked back at Michael, eyes watery. "R... Right?" He asked.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

There was a pause of a minute as both Crowley and Lewis got used to this bizarre situation. The universe was terrified.

Crowley let Lewis go and the universe breathed a sigh of relief. "It's fine, Lewis." Crowley said, sounding rather weirded out by this. "Err, I guess you're alright too...?" he asked, clearly not sure where to go with this. "You want to just have that beer right now?"

"It's whiskey," Lewis replied darkly.

He very nearly took it all back and stabbed Crowley in that moment.

"But, I just wanted to say," he continued, "that ye' earned that eyepatch. You've changed. Ye' saved a student's life. Goin' into battle, that's nothin' special - you're a bullshit wizard of kill everythin'. But ye' risked your health to stop a Fae and save Ivy. Fixban would be proud."

Lewis removed the top off of the whiskey and handed it to Crowley.

"Had that since 1823," he said, "Figured we may as well drink it now, eh?"

Crowley smiled. "Ah, whiskey. Excellent. To Elfen High!" he said, his glass clinking against Lewis'. Then he drank it. And nearly vomited. "My God, it's American." he said, sounding horrified. His powers were nowhere near powerful enough to make American whiskey taste good. There were limits to everyone's ability. Legend has it that even Leviathan himself could not make American whiskey taste good.

Some things are simply impossible, even in Elfen High,

Crowley put his glass down gingerly. "But this school...it matters to me, Lewis. More than anything, it does. If I could die and this school would live, I would do it. I may not be a good man or a great one, but I will give this school and the people here as much time as I can."

[Nationstatelandsville]

"It's whiskey," Lewis replied darkly.

He very nearly took it all back and stabbed Crowley in that moment.

"But, I just wanted to say," he continued, "that ye' earned that eyepatch. You've changed. Ye' saved a student's life. Goin' into battle, that's nothin' special - you're a bullshit wizard of kill everythin'. But ye' risked your health to stop a Fae and save Ivy. Fixban would be proud."

Lewis removed the top off of the whiskey and handed it to Crowley.

"Had that since 1823," he said, "Figured we may as well drink it now, eh?"

Crowley smiled. "Ah, whiskey. Excellent. To Elfen High!" he said, his glass clinking against Lewis'. Then he drank it. And nearly vomited. "My God, it's American." he said, sounding horrified. His powers were nowhere near powerful enough to make American whiskey taste good. There were limits to everyone's ability. Legend has it that even Leviathan himself could not make American whiskey taste good.

Some things are simply impossible, even in Elfen High,

Crowley put his glass down gingerly. "But this school...it matters to me, Lewis. More than anything, it does. If I could die and this school would live, I would do it. I may not be a good man or a great one, but I will give this school and the people here as much time as I can."

"You're a great man, Crowley," Lewis said, downing Crowley's glass as well, "you're very near to bein' a good one."

Because quoting Sherlock is never a bad idea

"That said," Lewis continued, "I've got somethin' for ye'. As ye' may or may not know - I don't remember - when ye' sent me and... well, ye' know who down to shut down the robits, we found a map, written by Polarbeard. It's the only thing that can keep track of the way the school changes and help ye' navigate truthfully. I've kept it at my house this whole time, mainly outta' spite."

He removed Sachin's map from his suit pocket and placed it on Crowley's desk. He had it because fuck you.

"I give this to ye' trustin' ye' to use it morally," he said sternly, like a father to a child, "and also because the Thing At the Center keeps whisperin' in my brain. He's surprisingly upbeat."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Here's the thing- I don't care. You know something else? Nobody does. Nobody has. And it is incredibly likely that nobody ever will. And you know some other secret? Nobody will care or know or want to know unless you speak up or get your issues worked out. For God's sake, I killed my brother. You know what I saw every day when I woke from my sleep? I saw his face, his unbelieving face. But you know why I'm sane? I talked about it with Gabriel. But I let him in first, I started the conversation. I told him, I didn't want for someone to save me."

Michael sighed. "It is up to you to do something. Nobody else will do it for you. You have a facade and it may hide your problems or intellect. Pick a better facade. I have no interest in pushing you or questioning you. That's what a therapist is for, James Callahan. That's what a friend is for. But unless you change your personality of a frank jackass and let someone in, you won't have any friends." he said. "Now, you don't like me. I have no strong feelings about you one way or the other. But now, if you want to talk, you can talk. But I'm not going to push you, because people never do."

"THAT'S WEAKNESS." James suddenly spat, kicking a divet out of the dirt and grass. "Nobody who has ever been a strong has ever up and said what their problems are! Not Crowley, not Lewis, nobody who is meant to be a leader, to be a badass, has ever just up and stated their problems!"

He looked back at Michael, eyes watery. "R... Right?" He asked.

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Not to put too fine of a point on it, but I've fought wars you know. And led them. And I'm right here, admitting that real men do indeed weep for the fallen and the past and talk about it." he put a hand on James' shoulder. "Bury the past by finally talking about it with someone. Then we all lead each down life."

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

"THAT'S WEAKNESS." James suddenly spat, kicking a divet out of the dirt and grass. "Nobody who has ever been a strong has ever up and said what their problems are! Not Crowley, not Lewis, nobody who is meant to be a leader, to be a badass, has ever just up and stated their problems!"

He looked back at Michael, eyes watery. "R... Right?" He asked.

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Not to put too fine of a point on it, but I've fought wars you know. And led them. And I'm right here, admitting that real men do indeed weep for the fallen and the past and talk about it." he put a hand on James' shoulder. "Bury the past by finally talking about it with someone. Then we all lead each down life."

James sighed. "I just... I don't know who to trust with it." James admitted. "To be perfectly honest, you are at the bottom of the list, because of him." He pointed at Lucifer's grave. "Not that you killed him, the story behind that is a debate for another time. It's the fact that, in my opinion, you are very capable of ending up the same way because of Gabriel." He backed away from the archangel. "Sorry to be so blunt, but it's the truth. I can't trust you, not on a personal basis."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Crowley smiled. "Ah, whiskey. Excellent. To Elfen High!" he said, his glass clinking against Lewis'. Then he drank it. And nearly vomited. "My God, it's American." he said, sounding horrified. His powers were nowhere near powerful enough to make American whiskey taste good. There were limits to everyone's ability. Legend has it that even Leviathan himself could not make American whiskey taste good.

Some things are simply impossible, even in Elfen High,

Crowley put his glass down gingerly. "But this school...it matters to me, Lewis. More than anything, it does. If I could die and this school would live, I would do it. I may not be a good man or a great one, but I will give this school and the people here as much time as I can."

"You're a great man, Crowley," Lewis said, downing Crowley's glass as well, "you're very near to bein' a good one."

Because quoting Sherlock is never a bad idea

"That said," Lewis continued, "I've got somethin' for ye'. As ye' may or may not know - I don't remember - when ye' sent me and... well, ye' know who down to shut down the robits, we found a map, written by Polarbeard. It's the only thing that can keep track of the way the school changes and help ye' navigate truthfully. I've kept it at my house this whole time, mainly outta' spite."

He removed Sachin's map from his suit pocket and placed it on Crowley's desk. He had it because fuck you.

"I give this to ye' trustin' ye' to use it morally," he said sternly, like a father to a child, "and also because the Thing At the Center keeps whisperin' in my brain. He's surprisingly upbeat."

"On a lucky day." Crowley said briefly, regarding his being near to being a good man. He took the map. "Thank you, Lewis." he said. "We'll get your daughter back soon. I promise you that. For now, I suppose we all just wait for the storm to come." he glanced up at the ceiling. "Lewis, you see Calliel and Ivy? That's part of the reason I'm fighting. So love like that can continue to exist. So love like that between you and Megan can, like Michael and Gabriel and so on. It's pure and innocent, everything I was once. And it does deserve to have some more time, you know? We all rather do."

[Ende]

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.

Ivy started to cry. It was different, this time, though. It wasn't from sadness, or grief, or desperation, or anything like that. They were tears of joy. She loved Calliel. Even though they had only known each other as friends for two years, and he had just truly discovered who he was recently, but it didn't matter. She loved him. He was...well, perfect. He was kind, he was compassionate, he protected her, he was strong when she was weak...she didn't mind being pregnant with his child. Even though the original start had been...well, messed up, to put it bluntly, maybe fate had planned it to work out that way. She couldn't imagine herself with anyone else.

"I-I l-love you too." she stuttered, wiping tears out of her eyes, and then she buried her head in his chest, her arms wrapped around him, tears streaming down her eyes, but smiling. After a few moments, she let go, and stepped back.

"S-so..." she said, continuing to wipe tears away, "do we have a minister? A-all we need is to get some papers signed, and this is Elfen High, so that just means we need Crowley to say yes, probably don't even need papers, and...I suppose we just need Raphael, to say a few vows...doesn't need to be anything special, because you're with me, and that's more than enough."

Turning, his hand in hers, she ran down the hallway, looking for Crowley. He was probably in his office. Dragging Calliel along with her, she threw the door open, slamming it wide, barging in on Lewis and Crowley.

"C-Crowley," she said breathlessly, wiping a few more tears from her eyes, "we're getting married. Could we set up a brief ceremony?" she said, looking slightly nervous. Even though she understood Crowley, and he was a hero...well, he was still Crowley.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Not to put too fine of a point on it, but I've fought wars you know. And led them. And I'm right here, admitting that real men do indeed weep for the fallen and the past and talk about it." he put a hand on James' shoulder. "Bury the past by finally talking about it with someone. Then we all lead each down life."

James sighed. "I just... I don't know who to trust with it." James admitted. "To be perfectly honest, you are at the bottom of the list, because of him." He pointed at Lucifer's grave. "Not that you killed him, the story behind that is a debate for another time. It's the fact that, in my opinion, you are very capable of ending up the same way because of Gabriel." He backed away from the archangel. "Sorry to be so blunt, but it's the truth. I can't trust you, not on a personal basis."

Michael shrugged. "If you do not trust me, I can understand it. I know my brother and in hindsight I understand him. I can understand what drove him to it. His intentions may have been good, but his methods..." Michael shook his head as a no. "But he had the charm to lead and convince others in his vision and ideals. And my brother was a great man. He may have even been a good one." Michael looked at the grave and shook his head. "What a waste."

[Nationstatelandsville]

"You're a great man, Crowley," Lewis said, downing Crowley's glass as well, "you're very near to bein' a good one."

Because quoting Sherlock is never a bad idea

"That said," Lewis continued, "I've got somethin' for ye'. As ye' may or may not know - I don't remember - when ye' sent me and... well, ye' know who down to shut down the robits, we found a map, written by Polarbeard. It's the only thing that can keep track of the way the school changes and help ye' navigate truthfully. I've kept it at my house this whole time, mainly outta' spite."

He removed Sachin's map from his suit pocket and placed it on Crowley's desk. He had it because fuck you.

"I give this to ye' trustin' ye' to use it morally," he said sternly, like a father to a child, "and also because the Thing At the Center keeps whisperin' in my brain. He's surprisingly upbeat."

"On a lucky day." Crowley said briefly, regarding his being near to being a good man. He took the map. "Thank you, Lewis." he said. "We'll get your daughter back soon. I promise you that. For now, I suppose we all just wait for the storm to come." he glanced up at the ceiling. "Lewis, you see Calliel and Ivy? That's part of the reason I'm fighting. So love like that can continue to exist. So love like that between you and Megan can, like Michael and Gabriel and so on. It's pure and innocent, everything I was once. And it does deserve to have some more time, you know? We all rather do."

"Innocence is fleetin'," Lewis said, "Not in this world. Just how things are. Ye' should accept that and move on - it'll keep ye' from bein' disappointed."

Lewis stood up, smiled awkwardly, and silently made his way out of the room. He nodded briefly at Ivy and pat Calliel on the shoulder in a congratulatory manner, but did not wish to involve himself in this all, not yet.

And then he sat down and ate ice cream with his child. War is hell, but there is ice cream in Hell, too.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James sighed. "I just... I don't know who to trust with it." James admitted. "To be perfectly honest, you are at the bottom of the list, because of him." He pointed at Lucifer's grave. "Not that you killed him, the story behind that is a debate for another time. It's the fact that, in my opinion, you are very capable of ending up the same way because of Gabriel." He backed away from the archangel. "Sorry to be so blunt, but it's the truth. I can't trust you, not on a personal basis."

Michael shrugged. "If you do not trust me, I can understand it. I know my brother and in hindsight I understand him. I can understand what drove him to it. His intentions may have been good, but his methods..." Michael shook his head as a no. "But he had the charm to lead and convince others in his vision and ideals. And my brother was a great man. He may have even been a good one." Michael looked at the grave and shook his head. "What a waste."

"I agree." James agreed, nodding. "Now, if I promise to just let it all out, will you support my bid for overall command of our forces?"

[Nightkill the Emperor]

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.

Ivy started to cry. It was different, this time, though. It wasn't from sadness, or grief, or desperation, or anything like that. They were tears of joy. She loved Calliel. Even though they had only known each other as friends for two years, and he had just truly discovered who he was recently, but it didn't matter. She loved him. He was...well, perfect. He was kind, he was compassionate, he protected her, he was strong when she was weak...she didn't mind being pregnant with his child. Even though the original start had been...well, messed up, to put it bluntly, maybe fate had planned it to work out that way. She couldn't imagine herself with anyone else.

"I-I l-love you too." she stuttered, wiping tears out of her eyes, and then she buried her head in his chest, her arms wrapped around him, tears streaming down her eyes, but smiling. After a few moments, she let go, and stepped back.

"S-so..." she said, continuing to wipe tears away, "do we have a minister? A-all we need is to get some papers signed, and this is Elfen High, so that just means we need Crowley to say yes, probably don't even need papers, and...I suppose we just need Raphael, to say a few vows...doesn't need to be anything special, because you're with me, and that's more than enough."

Turning, his hand in hers, she ran down the hallway, looking for Crowley. He was probably in his office. Dragging Calliel along with her, she threw the door open, slamming it wide, barging in on Lewis and Crowley.

"C-Crowley," she said breathlessly, wiping a few more tears from her eyes, "we're getting married. Could we set up a brief ceremony?" she said, looking slightly nervous. Even though she understood Crowley, and he was a hero...well, he was still Crowley.

Crowley glanced up. "A marriage?" he asked, almost surprised. "Well, yeah, I guess we could. And the ceremony works and- well, yeah. I don't know why not. I guess we could even set it up for this weekend or maybe after the battle-"

"No. Before the battle." Calliel said firmly. "Or...what about today?" he asked, turning to Ivy. "Best a time as any."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Michael shrugged. "If you do not trust me, I can understand it. I know my brother and in hindsight I understand him. I can understand what drove him to it. His intentions may have been good, but his methods..." Michael shook his head as a no. "But he had the charm to lead and convince others in his vision and ideals. And my brother was a great man. He may have even been a good one." Michael looked at the grave and shook his head. "What a waste."

"I agree." James agreed, nodding. "Now, if I promise to just let it all out, will you support my bid for overall command of our forces?"

"No." Michael said bluntly. "I honestly feel you are not ready for that. You may work as an adviser to Minh, but from what I have seen of Minh when I have met him, he's reasonable and does command more respect and love. You're also better as an assassin. Do that. Also, I believe we will soon have to attend a wedding."

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

"I agree." James agreed, nodding. "Now, if I promise to just let it all out, will you support my bid for overall command of our forces?"

"No." Michael said bluntly. "I honestly feel you are not ready for that. You may work as an adviser to Minh, but from what I have seen of Minh when I have met him, he's reasonable and does command more respect and love. You're also better as an assassin. Do that. Also, I believe we will soon have to attend a wedding."

"So this whole thing was essentially pointless, then?" James asked, his voice regaining its edge and his eyes hardening. "You fucking drag me out here and give a speech about not being an asshole, and make it entirely fucking worthless. Just take me back to Elfen High already, we're done here."

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Alastor blinked, then turned to Sanchez and nodded. "Well, alright then." He said to the Puerto Rican, before teleporting out of Raphael's mansion and back to Elfen High. Specifically, to wherever the hell Minh happened to be. Specific, huh? Either way, yeah, Alastor appeared next to Minh, and approached the Russian, tapping him on the shoulder.

"Taka, you should head over to Raphael's mansion. They are considering you for the role of commander. Sanchez told me to tell you." He said to his fellow teacher, before giving him a thumbs up and teleporting away once again.

This time, he appeared in front of his subordinates. Specifically, his highest-ranking subordinates, who had gathered in the flagship. He looked at the two of them. The first was a remarkably thin demon clad in armor save for the head, which was red as well. And bald. With bull horns. The second was a demon completely clad in black armor. Ugly black armor, might I add. But whatever.

Anyway, he looked at them.

"Aerial Warmaster Hakael 'The Flameborn'... And, uh, L'Enfer." He began. "I am pleased with your performance. I mean, mainly Hakael's, but hey, you are not fired yet, so that's that." He continued, addressing L'Enfer, mainly. "Anyway, L'Enfer, you should probably let the cockroaches rest a little. They have been carrying this thing for who knows how long. And you, Hakael, stay around and inform me if anything happens. I have to go back to the base and do something." He said, before teleporting away once again.

L'Enfer looked at Hakael. "That just isn't fair! I've worked here for about two centuries more than you have!" He complained, but Hakael simply stood there, impassible. L'Enfer sighed. "I fucking hate you."

Meanwhile, Alastor found himself in a workshop of sorts. With a few tools considered outdated by human standards, and a few other tools that are magicky and shit and kind of alien by human standards. He removed the battery from his black magic gun, and another from a nearby dismantled magic cannon, and then set to work.

---

Eventually Celes gave up and returned to the cafeteria, because I wanted to make a decent post tonight and also felt like writing a sappy scene and shit. But enough of that. Anyway, once she walked in, she found Ciel sitting nearby, staring off into the distance, immersed in thoughts. Celes slung the guitar case onto her back and shook her lightly to draw her attention.

"I'm back. I could not find him but I guess I can learn more about this thing later." She said with a smile. Ciel, however, didn't really seemed to have listened to any of that. She instead simply hugged Celes out of nowhere, which clearly surprised her other, though she didn't seem to particularly mind. No reason to, after all.

"How come?" Celes asked, slightly amused.

"Well, I had nothing to do, so I thought of how you are what kept me together during and after Egypt. Without you I would not be here, you know that? I would be broken, like that one mirror we both saw." Ciel said, holding her closer. Celes, meanwhile, thought of what Morgan le Fae had said to her. Inside her mind, she giggled at the irony. Outwardly, though, she hugged Ciel back. She understood her other's thoughts. Ciel, after the Leviathan thing (Which happened to both but affected Ciel more in the long term) and then the Fae torture, hadn't been in the best state, remembering the pain every now and then and being unable to stand glass (Which she still couldn't do very well) at all. Celes, who hadn't gone through the second part and had been relatively less affected by the first due to her slightly heightened aspects, had served as a good support for her.

"You should not think about that, silly." Celes said.

[Ende]

Ivy started to cry. It was different, this time, though. It wasn't from sadness, or grief, or desperation, or anything like that. They were tears of joy. She loved Calliel. Even though they had only known each other as friends for two years, and he had just truly discovered who he was recently, but it didn't matter. She loved him. He was...well, perfect. He was kind, he was compassionate, he protected her, he was strong when she was weak...she didn't mind being pregnant with his child. Even though the original start had been...well, messed up, to put it bluntly, maybe fate had planned it to work out that way. She couldn't imagine herself with anyone else.

"I-I l-love you too." she stuttered, wiping tears out of her eyes, and then she buried her head in his chest, her arms wrapped around him, tears streaming down her eyes, but smiling. After a few moments, she let go, and stepped back.

"S-so..." she said, continuing to wipe tears away, "do we have a minister? A-all we need is to get some papers signed, and this is Elfen High, so that just means we need Crowley to say yes, probably don't even need papers, and...I suppose we just need Raphael, to say a few vows...doesn't need to be anything special, because you're with me, and that's more than enough."

Turning, his hand in hers, she ran down the hallway, looking for Crowley. He was probably in his office. Dragging Calliel along with her, she threw the door open, slamming it wide, barging in on Lewis and Crowley.

"C-Crowley," she said breathlessly, wiping a few more tears from her eyes, "we're getting married. Could we set up a brief ceremony?" she said, looking slightly nervous. Even though she understood Crowley, and he was a hero...well, he was still Crowley.

Crowley glanced up. "A marriage?" he asked, almost surprised. "Well, yeah, I guess we could. And the ceremony works and- well, yeah. I don't know why not. I guess we could even set it up for this weekend or maybe after the battle-"

"No. Before the battle." Calliel said firmly. "Or...what about today?" he asked, turning to Ivy. "Best a time as any."

Ivy nodded.

"Today. Before the battle. I...well, I said it earlier. If I'm going to die, I want to die as more than friends, more than lovers. I have nothing holding me back from doing this, and, really, from the beginning, it was you. You were the first angel I ever saw. In Heavensgate. I remember it clearly, now. You comforted me then. You were there for me. You're...always there. Of course I want to go through with this today. I was going to do it after the battle, but...well, you know." she said, squeezing Calliel's hand. She looked back at Crowley.

"So, yes, today."

[Nightkill the Emperor]

"No." Michael said bluntly. "I honestly feel you are not ready for that. You may work as an adviser to Minh, but from what I have seen of Minh when I have met him, he's reasonable and does command more respect and love. You're also better as an assassin. Do that. Also, I believe we will soon have to attend a wedding."

"So this whole thing was essentially pointless, then?" James asked, his voice regaining its edge and his eyes hardening. "You fucking drag me out here and give a speech about not being an asshole, and make it entirely fucking worthless. Just take me back to Elfen High already, we're done here."

Michael sighed. "That was a test. I'm sorry you failed." Then he put his hand on James' head. Then James was in Crowley's office.

Everyone stared.

Calliel paused. "Er...hi."

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

"So this whole thing was essentially pointless, then?" James asked, his voice regaining its edge and his eyes hardening. "You fucking drag me out here and give a speech about not being an asshole, and make it entirely fucking worthless. Just take me back to Elfen High already, we're done here."

Michael sighed. "That was a test. I'm sorry you failed." Then he put his hand on James' head. Then James was in Crowley's office.

Everyone stared.

Calliel paused. "Er...hi."

James scowled. "Don't say one fucking thing."

Ignoring everyone else, he went to his room and began drinking.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Michael sighed. "That was a test. I'm sorry you failed." Then he put his hand on James' head. Then James was in Crowley's office.

Everyone stared.

Calliel paused. "Er...hi."

James scowled. "Don't say one fucking thing."

Ignoring everyone else, he went to his room and began drinking.

Not. So. Fast.

Crowley yanked James back with magic before he made it to the room. "Nope. You're attending this wedding. Now is no time for drinking away your bullshit."
I remind you this is Crowley saying this.

Calliel coughed. "Callahan, due to short notice, what do you think of being best man?"

[Nationstatelandsville]

James scowled. "Don't say one fucking thing."

Ignoring everyone else, he went to his room and began drinking.

Not. So. Fast.

Crowley yanked James back with magic before he made it to the room. "Nope. You're attending this wedding. Now is no time for drinking away your bullshit."
I remind you this is Crowley saying this.

Calliel coughed. "Callahan, due to short notice, what do you think of being best man?"

And then Megan was there.

And wearing only a towel.

"I was in the shower..." she muttered confusedly, "and then I heard Polarbeard laughing and instinctively shot the wall. I think he's bleeding to death, but he teleported me here. For some reason. Is there any reason there are two suns and we're in a city?"

Lewis stumbled, carrying D on his shoulders.

"So, Crowley," he said, "D wants to know if he can have a giant robot and- oh, hi, honey!"

"I already said 'no' to the Murdertron," she said sternly, "My eyes are on my face, Aleister."

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James scowled. "Don't say one fucking thing."

Ignoring everyone else, he went to his room and began drinking.

Not. So. Fast.

Crowley yanked James back with magic before he made it to the room. "Nope. You're attending this wedding. Now is no time for drinking away your bullshit."
I remind you this is Crowley saying this.

Calliel coughed. "Callahan, due to short notice, what do you think of being best man?"

James stood straight and stared at Calliel. "What." He blinked once. "You want me, the psycho, to be the best man at the wedding between the one angel I have any respect for, which honestly isn't saying much, and the girl I led to her death and treated like a monster since then, who I also still have some feelings for, to be the best man at your wedding?"

He gave it a thought. "Generous offer, but I'll have to decline. I lack a suit."