CHAPTER TWENTY

Junior and Green are headed for another city...a city well known across the universe. The “Sin City” of America.

Vegas. That golden city where dreams can come true with a single pull of a red lever.

You can make or break your fortunes in that town. But there's something that you ought to know. A moral compass...it can only guide you so far. You still have to say “yes” or “no” to that apple that's being offered to us. And Vegas was built on the principle that you can do almost ANYTHING there...we won't tell nobody if you don't...

Will you bite into that apple after all?

“How was your reading today?” Nacht inquired of Darth as he stood with Alex in the large Church of St. Domm.

“Excellent. I read the Tale of Quarr to them this sermon.” Darth laughed gently in his soft, calm voice. It unsettled Nacht...he always felt Darth was...like a shadow. A shadow standing erect within a church that ought to have been filled only with light. He always stood out not because he was blind, but because his voice AND blindness made you worry that he was secretly plotting to do something cruel to you.

“The “Apocrypha” is an interesting tome.” Alex spoke up. “Why did you create it?”

“It took 3 years for me to write it all down and to translate it took another 3, then a final year editing it...” Darth grinned. “But I'm proud of it. All are tales that center around my religion's greatest message...that of forgiveness.”

“Forgiveness?” Alex asked hollowly. He felt there was none for him.

“The Irken race...was cursed.” Darth told him. “We suffered due to the cruelty we showed other races, suffering embodied in defectives who brought about ruin and chaos, suffering portrayed in disastrous military campaigns and assassinations of our leaders...a revelation occurred and I understood that we had inherited the sins of the fathers BUT...” He closed his eyes and held the leather-bound, 40-pound holy tome closed. “Through the redemptive acts of the sons, the Irken race has...IS...tipping the karmic scales. We will make amends for our evil in the past, one act at a time...I believe all people can be redeemed through good acts.”

“True, true.” Page agreed. He was also there.

“I don't know.” Nacht spoke up. “What of the Desert Fathers, early founders of the Catholic Church? They would say strict adherence to God's will-”

“PFFT.” Page stuck his tongue out. “Silly out devils! What matters is love.” Page insisted.

“...love?” Alex and Nacht inquired as Page turned to them, the light of the framed-glass window cast down onto him like a beautiful ray from Heaven itself...though THAT glow didn't match the glow from his big smile.

“Yes. When God laughs at the soul and the soul laughs back at God, the persons of the Trinity are begotten. When the Father laughs at the Son and the Son laughs back at the Father, that laughter gives pleasure, that pleasure gives joy, that joy gives love, and that love...is the Holy Spirit.” Page said.

“Hmm.” Nacht allowed a small smile to appear on his face. “That...is a trinity I think I could believe in.”

And Alex felt a tiny twinge of genuine joy in him for a moment. A deep feeling of contentedness. He had just heard words as filled with Holy Spirit as anything out of the mouth of Elijah, Moses or Jesus himself.

Believing in love and forgiveness. Maybe he could be forgiven with time...and with good effort.

…

…

…

...“Why did we have to come HERE?” Junior asked nervously as he looked around at the hundreds of people lined up at the slots. There were slot machines painted brown, black and gold all over, beautiful crystal chandeliers hanging over their heads, a large circular grouping of blackjack tables and best of all, an ENORMOUS bar, where a light blue-furred experiment who was fairly tall was trying to down a watermelon margarita. He had a red bandanna on and red and white shorts with a small round tail sticking out the back, wiggling madly. He also had brilliant yellow/gold eyes and balled feet. He looked like he was a lifeguard.

“Totally awesome margaritaaaa.” He got out. “Think I wanna get another, dude, before I go get some maximum oxygen when I go grip it and rip it. Got major shreddage to do.”

“...what?”

“Hit me 'gain, dude.”

“OHHHH.”

Junior naturally felt a little sick looking over the large amount of booze here...and he noticed that there was a large back door where a burly Experimental American was guarding-

HOGAN?!

Hogan saw them and waved them over to the back room. “Glad you're here.” He said to Green. “I got your call.” He told Green, nodding. “Yeah, David scheduled a concert appearance at the Tangiers. He'll be playing in two days.”

Green rubbed her hands together eagerly, laughing. “I knew it! “Uncle Sam's” targeting newborn kids...that's his recent modus operandi. And your wife is giving birth in HERE, in Vegas!”

Hogan nodded. It was true. They'd moved to Vegas to get away from it all after the shooting of Heartwing. They weren't sure if they would ever go back...even Frank had come along, to look after his dear “hermana”. To ensure that they'd have money to stay...Hogan had rented his services out as a bodyguard for the club. His yellow mustache quivered happily as he hugged them tightly.

“I'm so glad to see you two are alright! I'd heard about what had happened at Niihau, it was aaaallll over the news and I kept thinkin' ya'll gotten yourself OFFED, but...”

“We're fine, really!” Junior squeaked out.

“Speakin' o' family I'm worried 'bout, how's...” Hogan sighed. “How is HE doing...and how's Chops handling things?”

Both of them looked squeamish to tell the whole truth. 561, 621 and 627 had been comrades...friends. Pals, even, in the case of 621 and 627. Chops had been the first person 627 has begun to care about, since so many others had no seen him as equal or deserving of friendship.

Chops had lost a very big part of his ohana and Nightwing had lost a dear acquaintance. He would never admit to having “loved” that orange pervert, but...there was an unmistakable mistiness in his eyes nowadays, as if he was desperately trying to cry, but did not have enough humanity left in him to do so.

“...what are you guarding anyhow?” Junior inquired.

Hogan let go of them and pushed the door open for them to see. There, sitting on the couch, was a tanned-skinned, black-haired boy who looked decidedly Middle-Eastern. He only had a loincloth on and was sitting across from a man in a dark purple robe with very steely grey hair and a beard to match, with a refined face and a knowing glint in his dark blue/grey eyes. The robe looked more...

“You're a transvestite?” Green asked. She really shouldn't have, it wasn't polite. But the man just snickered.

“No-no-no. This is a sorcrerer's gown.”

“But isn't a gown like a dress?” Junior asked.

“No.” The man snapped.

“Oh.”

They stood there, looking at each other while the Middle-Eastern-esque boy raised his nostril down to the table again and inhaled the powdery white substance, licking his lips a little and lying back on the couch to take a few calming breaths.

“...yes it is.” Junior said at last.

The man was about to speak when the boy interrupted his thought processes. “Evans, take a hike, okay? I can deal with these two.”

Green didn't like the way he said “deal”. The man named Evans left the room, muttering something under his breath, crooning foul words as the boy stood up. “This is a...PRIVATE room...for SPECIAL people.” He told Green.

“I know perfectly well what sort of “special person” you are, Bartimaeus.” Green spoke. She went on, noticing his obvious surprise. “Your appearance, your demeanor...it's all just as described. I've done reading up on Vassago and Snizzi's good friends and acquaintances.”

“The Tower AND the Emperor? Tell me, Vassago's not been in Hell lately, how's he doing?” Bartimaeus asked eagerly.

“He's broken up over Patch's death. Three days ago he stabbed himself with a cold iron knife in the leg to see if he could still feel pain. He can.” Junior said sadly, shaking his furry white head.

“Right. So then, what are you doing here?”

“One is to find Samael and stop him before he can reach a friend of ours...Hogan's wife, Victoria!” Green told the djinn, jabbing her thumb at Hogan. “Samael was sent into the Abyss, lost to the Universe but clawed his way back somehow...he always seems to find SOME way back. But he can't travel around out in the open unless he's in full power and even WHEN he is, he likes skulking around so he can pop out and-”

“Rape, pillage, murder, then laugh and slink back into the shadows? Hiding in the dark hallways of Sheol, watching and waiting from the darkness for a chance to spread racism, hatred, cruelty and sin?” Junior finished.

“Exactly.”

“Well then...you want to go down to Hell then...to Sheol, to track him down.” Bartimaeus realized. He frowned deeply. “...that's not a decision you should make lightly.”

“Open up the door.” Green ordered, pointing at Bartimaeus. “I CHARGE you too, djinn! By the name of Solomon, who sealed you away, and Ptolemy, whom you loved!”

“.........alright.” He said softly, going to a nearby closet and biting into his thumb. He carved a sigil into the door, then opened it up...

A swirling portal of blazing red and brilliant blue blended together to form a regal purple portal, which crackled with black sparks of lightning. Bartimaeus stood to the side and held up one arm for them to go in. Junior stepped in with his long feet nervously poking the portal as if he was about to step into a cold pool, and then hopped inside, followed by Green, who swept right inside.

…

…

…

...Sheol. The Pit. Disgusting and slimy. The entire area appeared at FIRST to be covered with some kind of mutant fungus that looked like it had been some kid's science project gone INCREDIBLY wrong, but then when you actually looked closely at the fungus, you realized it was not only alive, it was...made of what appeared to be human flesh turned to dark purple, blue and black tones. You could tell from the texture and the hairs and the occasional mole and goosebump...

And worser still, the eyes...opening and closing, and when combined with screaming, wailing mouths, some with teeth broken into stubs, others razor sharp, all howling terribly in utter agony as the stalactites dripped burning acid down onto the pebbly road below and the stalagmites seemed to quiver, as if they were the spines of some creature that was sleeping below, and just WAITING for them to touch said spine.

There, waiting for them, was a large white-armored demon that had three eyes with yellow irises and gleaming dark green pupils. The curves around the eye were red, and he had spiked white armor over his hunched body...he looked down at them, the long, light-green-tipped claws on his appendages twitching occasionally. He had crab/spider-like legs that were spiked at the bottom and a spiked tail, also armored, that swept back and forth with dark purple, strong-toned flesh underneath and an armored chest to match. He grinned slightly, showing perfectly sharp fangs and a slightly forked tongue.

“Weeeeell...I have been awaiting for pure souls to come.” He told Junior in a frightening, yet-awe-inspiring voice. Every word seemed to be total and utter truth, and there was a subtle undercurrent of sinister intent. “And though you are tainted in soul...” He looked Green over, licking his lips. “Your BODY's quite untouched...”

It was almost like a bad joke. Hey there beautiful, wanna come kick it with the bad boy?

“NOT in the mood.” Green snapped, snapping her fingers and allowing a small fireball to appear. He looked at her with new eyes and then asked a question.

“What is your business here?”

“Looking for the Venom of God. We know he's been walking through the halls and passageways of Sheol, reaching out only to corrupt, High Devil Barubary.”

Barubary grinned. “My reputation precedes me! As does yours, former holder of the Phoenix.” He bowed then, surprising them both. “Well, I was told to keep an eye out for you! The Emperor will be happy to see you. She is here, my lord!” He called out, abandoning that formerly sinister attitude to be replaced with a slightly kinder tone.

“Green, how ARE you?” Snizzi laughed, walking towards her as Barubary stepped to the side...okay, more like “scuttled”. Snizzi embraced Green like he had not seen her in years, the imp's crimson-bladed tail striking the ground with it's flat side like a dog that eager to see it's owner.  “Welcome, beloved! Say, how is Best Beloved Nick doing?”

“Uh...he'll be alright with some time. Lilo's comforting him...and...stuff...” Green was quite unsure of how to react to the Emperor of Hell treating her so kindly. From all reports, he was supposed to be a-

“Anyhow, how about I show you around my pad?” He asked happily. He clapped his hands together in front of a very large stalagmite that was blocking their path and it tilted open. “Follow meeeeeeeeeeee!” He cheered in a blissfully stupid tone as he jumped inside with a big grin. Shrugging, figuring that “When in Rome”...they dove inside.

SWOOOOSH! Down a swirling and spiralling tunnel as smooth as any waterpark ride. At last the “roof” over their heads opened up and they were treated to a strangely beautiful sight...a dark black sky with a blood red sun hovering in the sky as dark purple mountains loomed in the distance. A calm and oddly peaceful wind blew through their faces as they were finally launched up and through the air, landing on an ENORMOUS pile of skulls. Junior and Green groaned and held their heads as they looked up to see Snizzi sitting atop a throne on top of the catastrophically enormous pile of craniums. He rubbed his chin, looking Green over with great interest.

“I'm sure you wondering why I'm so happy to see you...well...” He spread his arms wide. “This, Green, is the center of Hell itself, my humble abode.” He then frowned. “I see that you find that bloody sun to be...unnerving?”

“Well, yes!” Junior said, nodding eagerly.

Snizzi stood up and then pointed at the sun before clenching his fist. The sun BLINKED out of existence and the entire scene was replaced with a beautiful starry sky. “I can control EVERYTHING down here. Everything and EVERYONE!” He laughed as he clapped his hands and a set of bony chairs popped up from the pile, made of skulls that all chittered and giggled and hopped over to Junior and Green, who sat down in them and were whisked along as Snizzi led them down a path to a large door that was alongside a ring of double doors just like it. Most had different dark colors and sigils on the front...this particular one had the visage of hand reaching up from a test tube to the heavens above. He kicked it open...

They were treated to a horrifying sight. Experiments were pushing up heavy bags of money up hills, fighting each other to the death, their knees weighed down by huge bags sand, others were desperately trying to eat at some food at a table, but all of them were too far away from the food and they had only one way to each the food...boards that had been NAILED into their arms with fork, knife and spoon on each end. But unfortunately, they couldn't bend the boards to make the food on the table reach their own mouths.

“They never figure out that if they bothered, they could feed each OTHER. But gluttons only care about me, me, me. The sin of selfishness is also the sin of absolute stupidity. The punishment for this is DEATH, and the Universe carries it out swiftly and without mercy.” Snizzi informed them, snickering as he held his three-digited gloved hand over his fanged mouth. “If you're bad, you'll end up in here and the King of Experimental Hell and his wife and children will sew YOU into a chair and use you as a piece of furniture.” He told Junior. “And lovely GREEN with her juicy C-Cups will end up as a harem girl for Master.”

“I thought there was only one Hell.” Junior remarked.

“Oh, there's one Grand Hell, yes. I preside over that and have authority in the other realms as Emperor of it, but the reason my Hell is special is that it CONNECTS the Netherworlds together. You may think of me as the St. Peter of Hell, my beloved.” He laughed, placing one hand on his chest, laughing in a high-pitched, grotesque imitation of a child's cry that made them cringe slightly. “Sometime I'll take you to Hades's place. He's really got quite the sense of humor once you get past the initial weirdness of seeing that his hair is literally fire.” Snizzi laughed.

“Heyyyyyy...” A familiar voice called out and Green frowned at the sight of a sickly-looking experiment 627 waving at her along with two other 627's. “Hyena, E-Vile, take a look!”

“This better be good, Bloodbath, I'm-WOAAAH! She's HOT!” The second one spoke up.

“Evil! Evil!” The third agreed in “stupid evil” talk.

“Get a good look because you're not going to get anything ELSE.” Green snarled, holding up her claws as burning flame rose up.

“I'VE got this.” Junior spoke up. He quickly slid on a blue mood ring...a very familiar mood ring and smirked as he twirled around, then pointed it at them. A swirling burst of blue and red light surrounded them and instantly they blinked.

“...what just...”

“...happened?”

“...ehhhh?”

They all looked at each other, then scratched their heads. Then they just “hey'd” Green and walked off. “What did you DO?” She asked in amazement.

“I balanced out their sexual urges. Their naturally perverted selves collided hard with rock-solid prudishness I instilled within their souls.” He said proudly. “Lust plus prudishness equals no interest in sex whatsoever...chastity. Not perversion, but not disgust either.”

“That power of yours is going to be handy.” Green predicted. “And...mahalo for the help.”

He blushed nervously then and Snizzi rolled his eyes. “Okay High Priestess. Listen up...”

THAT got her to whip around and gape at him. “What?!?”

“You're the High Priestess. A source of wisdom and  knowledge. All of it's sealed away in you. Bits of it have been leaking  out...you're showing signs of it, remembering the most minute of details. Now you'll be able to help ME regain control over a certain Hell in exchange for ME helping YOU bring out your greatest potential.”

She frowned deeply and crossed her arms. “A demon can have a hundred reasons for wanting to help a mortal and 99 of them would be malevolent. Why should I trust you?”

“I only am interested in a reliable ally.” Snizzi insisted. “I always keep my word, you know. I'm BOUND, by the laws set down from Above, to do so.” He nodded his head in a pensive fashion. “Christ spelled it out for me, and you don't argue with JC. He's just got this...” He gesticulated to try and bring his point across. “This GENTLENESS in him. He's so sweetly persuasive!”

“Jesus comes-oh...right.” Green nodded. “He went down to Hell before to release those who were entombed in it before he had arrived in the world. Before salvation through him was possible. He comes down here to Hell to bring people out?”

“Occasionally there's mix-ups and innocent people get sent down here...or somebody curses an innocent person down into Hell. This one blond bitch went screamin' all the way down into the Lake of Fire cuz she pissed off this Romanian-aw, you don't wanna hear that.” Snizzi laughed. “I'm going to bring out your full powers, High Priestess.”

He clapped his hands and now an enormous ring of stones surrounded them all, monoliths that intimidated them with their solid stance, their immovability. Etched upon them all were...faces?

“Emotions.” Snizzi told him. “Feelings. Now tell me...do you think feelings are good?”

Green knew this was a trick question, but...she couldn't help it. She found herself answering in a fashion similar to her father's attitude. “Of COURSE! Why not?” She snapped. “There are certain emotions which must be steadfastly drilled into a person and forever held in your heart!”

Snizzi then snickered madly and recomposed himself. “Nooooot quite.” He told her, leaping on top of a monolith that had a blissful but stupid-looking face on it. “Feelings are a very great gift and they help make my job a lot easier AND harder at the same time. You see, they're treacherous if it's all you live for. They often drive you back into YOURSELF. The things YOU want, what YOU need. But there is one emotion that is needed, be you angel, demon or something else.”

He stood atop his hand, perched and posed like he was doing yoga and began to do single-handed push-ups off the monolith as Green took a reasoned guess. “Love?”

“YES!” He laughed, jumping up and twirling around as he landed expertly and clasped her hands. “That which is Divine, even down in Hell! From love comes the courage to believe the best in people, pity and sympathy for those who lack what we ourselves have, even down in Hell we have Love! I have my Love for the one who gave me life, Nick. Others have love for life and in celebrating it as often as possible and seeing OTHERS enjoy it while they can. Others love fighting and proving the strength of your heart down here in Hell. Even Paolo and Francesca have each other, at least, those sinful sex-addicts.” Snizzi laughed.

“Something divine call last even in Hell?” Green asked. “Love?”

“Love can live anywhere.” Snizzi said. “And you must understand one thing to unlock your greatest power.”

He took her hands. “You must understand why it is necessary to love. And to do that...you must challenge one who would seek to annihilate you utterly...and to have a chance to take his life and snuff it out.”

He then spun her around as he clapped his hands and the monoliths shrunk into the ground and Green spun right in front of a door. It opened for her and an annoyed-looking Irken stood there, frowning as he folded his arms. He was taller than the Irkens she was used to seeing in her father's old videos and photo albums...

“What do YOU want?” He snapped. Behind him was something that was vaguely like the idea...not the actual thing, but some sort of twisted mockery of an abyss that was swirling and barely formless. The IDEA of a dark abyss beyond which was only pain and suffering, and whomever had had the idea needed to go to an institution to be locked away forever. She could see people stumbling around, screaming and wailing, unable to see, apparently...even though the abyss was white, it should have been obvious to-

“Those eyes have lost all sight.” He told her coldly, jabbing his thumb back. “In Irken hell, your eyes are the first to go. Then your hearing. Then you lose your tongue and you can't even properly scream. Pain's the last thing to go after your body gives out. And that's when they come out to put you out of your misery and...and make you be reborn so it happens all over again.” The Irken muttered hatefully.

“Emmy boy, Green is giving you an official challenge. You win...and you're free, on my authority.” Snizzi told the alien. “Lose...and she can do whatever she wants to you.”

“Emmy” smirked evilly and clapped his hands together, rubbing them. “Then as the challenged, I assert the battlefield. I chose...the game of forming reality!”

KRA-KOOOOOOOM!

…

…

…

...Junior blinked as he stood next to a purple-scaled dragon with light red horns that were slightly  skewed and white eyes. He had no wings and thick black claws that were scratching his butt...he wasn't very sophisticated like the David Bowie-look-alike with the dark black wings like a raven's, his beautiful blue eyes glittering as he drunk from his wine.

They were within a night club. There were demons and devils sitting all around with fur, fangs, claws, fins, hooks, spikes, tentacles...all of them eyeing the stage where “Emmy” was standing with a microphone, grinning proudly as Green stood on the other end. “Welcome to a formal challenge from Green Kila Pelekai!” He laughed. “I, Emery, will now set the beat.”

He clapped his hands and transformed, appearing in a beautiful white leisure suit. He then bowed deeply, mockingly at her, and started off. “I am a rat, diseased and disgusting, running across the fields, fangs biting deep, death on my hide.” He whispered as his shadow transformed into a rat that paced around Green.

“I am a serpent.” She spoke clearly as her own shadow changed. “Poisontooth, eyes glinting, burning with vengeful desire.” Her shadow slunk around the rat-like shadow, hissing eagerly.

“I am eagle, soaring on the highest thermals, snake-devouring.” Emery laughed, spreading his arms wide as his shadow transformed into an eagle that called out through the club as Junior nervously wrung his tail.

“I am hunter, bow and arrow raised upon my horse, ready to take down all flying prey.” Green said, aiming as her own shadow reared up and neighed.

“I am gadfly, horse-stinging, rider-throwing!”

“I am spider, insect-catching, life-draining!”

“I am buffalo, spider-stomping, powerful grazer!”

“I am wolf, strong in spirit, united by a pack!”

“I am an ANTHRAX...life killing, consuming!”

Now Green inwardly grinned. She walked around Emery, pointing upwards as Belial the dragon patted Junior comfortingly on the back. “I am the World! Life-nuturing, beautiful and thriving!”

She now rose up into the air on her shadow as it swirled around into the shape of the world and folded her arms. Smirking, Emery stepped forward, rising up. “I am a nova, all-exploding, cremating planets with a single blow!” He laughed, holding his arms up as the rising darkness of his shadow grew.

The air was utterly hot and tense. It was as if everybody had their breath drawn in. The end was in sight.

“I am the Universe, ever-expanding, filling all with life and newness!” Green called out, stretching out one arm before her, the other behind her as she stood on a sideways position. The world beneath her transformed into a whirling, large form that expanded out further, now transforming into beautiful light...

“I am Beast of Armageddon. I am Anti-Life, I am Anti-God...I am the End of Everything...” Emery whispered as he took a familiar form that Green recognized all too well...his eyes glinting, blood-red teeth smirking. “And what...shall YOU be?”

“I'm Love.” Green said, holding her hands to her chest and then holding them up before her.

It happened then. Two swirling pillars of fire rose around her in a helix fashion as singularity of light, a shining ball, formed in her clawed hands. She looked down at it, feeling...peace. She understood everything. Truth was real. Everything was possible. An infinite number of solutions to life's greatest problems explained.

She UNDERSTOOD.

Emery gaped, the shadow vanishing...Samael snarling as he rose up from the floor. “Hateful little...” He narrowed his eyes. “Fine...go ahead. Do what you shall to him. I would like Emery to understand that he's made me...” He raised a single claw and traced it almost lovingly down Emery's trembling cheek. “UNHAPPY.”

Green raised her hand up. “That's enough. I forgive you. You are free to leave Hell and to follow the path of peace.”

Emery gaped...and then was gone. Blinked out of Hell as Snizzi nodded and performed a slow clap that was soon picked up into a roaring cheer of clapping, hooting and yelling, the loudest of which came from Junior, who was bounding up and down. “Now do you understand?” He asked her.

“Yes.” Green said, nodding. “Love is what the greatest pieces of wisdom and knowledge stem from. Knowing how to love is feeling peace, realizing that as long as you love, you are never alone and an answer shall always be found to the questions you have.”

Snizzi embraced her happily. “High Priestess, I am happy to hear such words.” He said honestly.

“But why would you care about love?” Junior asked. “I'm still confused.”

“Samael HATES love.” Belial said.

“And we hate HIM.” Long Oah agreed.

“I had love in my life once before and I understand why it's useful.” Another added. “Why it must remain even in Hell.”

“Not all Rulers of the Hells feel the need for any sort of love. But the Lord of Experimental Hell found a family and thus found love. There's hope for him. Others will reach it too.” He grinned. “I did, after all. If I can do it...they can too. Now, about that favor you owe me...”

“What is it?”

“There's one Ruler of a certain Hell that's been pushing my buttons and trying to leave her realm so she can control other realms. Think you can show that Ice Queen the light?” He asked.

“Certainly. Where is she?”

“The same place Samael's headed to.” Snizzi remarked, jabbing his thumb at Samael as the hateful thing sank into the shadows of the floor and vanished. “Android Hell.”

“Well how are we going to get there?” Junior inquired.

Snizzi now jabbed his thumb at Barubary, who frowned. “Oh no. I know what you're going to suggest. No. No.”

They continued to stare at him.

“...NO. NO!”

…

…

…

“Valderiiiii! Valderaaaaa! Valderiiii, Valderaaaaa!”

“This is utterly degrading.”

“Shut up and keep jumpin'!”

They were riding on the back of the large devil as he bounded from mechanical tower, one skyscraper at a time, claws momentarily digging into cold blue and red steel before jumping off to grab another. Left and right, back and forth, always moving forward, wind rushing through their hair...or lack thereof.

“Couldn't you have asked GERYON?!” The Grand Devil snapped angrily.

“Hey, you're not a messenger boy, alright? You're a DELIVERY BOY.” The Emperor snapped right back with a certain level of wit.

The entire region of Android Hell was made up entirely of machinations of every shape and size. Towering buildings reaching up into the “heavens”, large halls and domed structures, and most noticeable of all...a sky that was eternally dark and cloudy. It had also begun to rain, but the Grand Devil kept hopping ahead of the rain, keeping them all dry. His reasoning was that he didn't want them to smell like wet dog.

Finally they landed at a large forest made entirely of metal, just as the buildings in the city had been made from metal. Getting off the Grand Devil who rushed away, eager to escape from them and get some peace, they suddenly realized what the trees were made of...it wasn't just metal.

“Hurting...so much hurting...too much work, too much...grabbed the socket...hurting hasn't stopped...the hurting hasn't stopped...”

“Are ALL of these buildings made of...living machines?” Green inquired.

“And they all rust down here in Hell. Furthermore, we populate the area with dogs who take frequent bathroom breaks, drunkards who need to relieve themselves, and of course, there's a little something I suggested to ALL of the Hells. I call it the “Howdy Stranger”...”

“OKAY, that's enough information right there.” Junior said loudly, holding up his paws. “Samael's gotta be around this place somewhere, right?”

“This is where he's usually hanging around, indeed. Keep your eyes peeled and do NOT split up.” Snizzi insisted. “I know this rainy and cloudy weather's dismal and it's gotten quite dark, but just hold hands and we'll be just-”

“I thought I WAS holding your hand...” Junior whimpered.

“PEEKABOO!” Samael laughed, his head popping up between the three of them. “I kill you!”

…

…

…

...Jack looked left, then right, then carefully slunk along the walls of the dark hallways that led down to the piping system that ran beneath the town. Having already offed the guard with a Luger, he now gripped his sma;; sack in one hand. His grip was shaky with nervousness, but he was still ready, he felt, to go through with this.

He'd told Grey that he wanted to see the World burn...

As he reached the hatch that reached down, giving him a dim view of the sewer pipes below, he smirked happily and poured the contents of the sack inside...disgusting oozy clumps of bugs that dissolved in the sewer and began to transform the contents within the sewers into something very, VERY flammable indeed.

He wanted to see the world burn. Kokaua Town would be first.

Elsewhere, Samael lowered the crystal ball he had and grinned at the members of the Corporation. “Well...not bad for a drug-addicted newbie, wouldn't you say?”

“He needs work, but he's definitely going to paint the town RED.” A scar-eyed crimson-furred person commented, looking at Samael like he was a fortune teller that was not merely a fake, but a POOR one at that who couldn't predict the weather if he saw ten dozen storm clouds moving in. “...his resolve is admirable, but...twisted.”

“Hee-hee-hee...” The other near him, who had lost his mind the same way Phineas Gage, a fellow miner, had lost his personality when a steel bar went through his head, giggled cruelly and covered his face as he tried to contain his laughter and failed.

“Soon they'll be going into Android Hell and encountering the Chalice.” Another member spoke up...a rather tall, stocky and nasty, sciency-type Irken spoke up, adjusting his dark purple labcoat and the black gloves on his form for what appeared to be the eighteen bamillionth time.

“The NEW Chalice.” The Beautiful Angel corrected, nodding his head, his golden eyes serenly gazing over them all. “The old one is still present in the minds of the other members of the Minor Arcana. The Coin himself is checking in on them...”

“I know. He won't have a problem with that issue, I'm certain.” Another Irken added, adjusting the black gloves he wore, his vibrant golden amber eyes gazing out as he grinned and showed off sharp fangs, hovering above the chair.

“I hope he does not go too hard on them though.” A white-furred being added, adjusting the red cape he wore, placing his paws together as he raised a non-existent eyebrow. “Junior has the potential to be someone of infinite use to us, as does Green. But what are we to do about the former Chalice?”

“Shall it come to THAT?” The Beautiful Angel inquired. “The murder not merely of a child, a young girl, but a child who was put under the knife? Forcibly made autistic? Who can't even dress herself or raise a spoon to her mouth without help?” He frowned. “What semblance of honor is in THAT depraved action?” He wanted to know.

“Shut your pie hole, Wang Chung.” The insane one spoke up. “The bitch is gonna burn!”

“Well, then, I think the “ayes” have it. The bitch must die?” Samael inquired.

“The Bitch Must Die!” was the near unanimous response.

…

…

…

...Ducking and diving, Green swirled around to avoid the sweeping bony wings that threatened to cut her up into bite-size chunks. Laughing happily, with mad, cruel glee, Samael continued to twirl around, to jump and swirl and slice at her, Junior and Snizzi.

Snizzi finally managed to get a good strike in, rolling underneath the wings and kicking the Devil up into the air. Holding his fists together, he then raised them up as if to shoot a bullet from his finger as it glowed purple. “TOXIC BULLET!” He roared out.

SCHWOOSH! A purple, noxious blast erupted from his finger and soared up at Samael, striking his back and making him gurgle as blood pooled out from his mouth, staining his fur. He hit the ground, snarling angrily as he got back up and into a fighting pose as Green scrambled up the tallest tree she could find, clenching her fists as she looked downward.

“You know I'm immune to poisons!” Samael laughed.

“Fine. But I know you're not immune to GREEN!” Snizzi laughed.

“I'M THE INHUMAN TOOOOORCH!!!” Green roared, jumping off the tree, her body surrounded with a burning miasma of searing flame. Her brightly-glowing form grabbed ahold of Samael, slamming hard into him and making his eyes widen just before he EXPLODED, pieces of him flying everywhere.

“Yeeeeech.” Green remarked as she dusted intestines off her body. “Ewww, some blood is dripping into my UNDERWEAR.” She stuck her tongue out in disgust, unware that a certain head was bouncing after her as Snizzi began cutting up the other pieces with his tail. Well...GREEN was unaware. Junior saw...

He grabbed a “branch”, ignoring the momentary scream from the android who was embedded in the tree, and impaled Samael's head as it leapt up to engulf Green in it's maw. The blood slipped down the limb as Samael gurgled, eyes narrowing.

“Little...shit...”

And with that, the body turned into black ooze that sank into the ground. “He's gone.” Snizzi said, taking a deep breath. He then smiled and clapped his hands, looking Junior over. “Nice mooooves, rabbit-boy.”

“...I never wanna do anything like that again.” Junior said...unaware that a hole was approaching them...until it was too late and they fell inside.

They went down a laundry chute and found themselves deposited...just outside of the casino they'd walked inside! Snizzi snarled angrily. “Dang it! She sensed us. Samael's interference ruined things. If he hadn't showed up, we would have taken her out. Instead we've been bumped back to the land of the living.”

“Well...maybe not for long.” Junior gulped at the sight of the approaching beings that made the crowd of people around them scream and run past the threesome. Green frowned at the sight of these strange, horrid new things...they had once been...human? Experiment? Hard to say...it was as if the skin they wore now had been crumpled up and then stretched out, and then tossed into a fire to burn. It was mottled all over...gaping holes like somebody had punched them and pulled out the insides of their mouths...eyes bloodshot and weeping oily black gunk...

Needles...hundreds of them. Stuck in their backs and arms and chest. Hypercortisone X. The color was unmistakable.

“What ARE those things?” Junior whispered as he stepped backwards in horror. He tried to reach out with his ring, but as the whispy blow of blue aura shot out...it SCATTERED into nothingness upon hitting the closest monstrosity. “They've...they've got no emotions! There's like...a black hole where their soul ought to be!”

“They've been so drugged up and f—ked over spiritually they're just...shells. Jack will end up like that eventually thanks to that drug, I'm certain.” Snizzi said. “Now then...back to work.” He remarked, heading off to the side, holding up his three-digited paw and about to step into a blood-red portal back to his “Home”.

“You're just going to leave us here to expire?!” Green snarled angrily.

“Sorry. But I'm not “nice” or very “considerate”. I AM Emperor of Hell.”

“But we'll probably die!” Junior squeaked out.

“Tough Titties.”

With that, he stepped through the portal as Green cursed. The monstrosities came closer...closer...moaning like zombies...

It was then that they noticed HIM standing there. Leaning against a nearby lightpost and smiling at them...the blue-furred experiment from the bar.

“Yo. Need some assist, dude and dudette?” He asked.

“...uh...you don't look like you could help yourself out of a paper bag with that get-up and manner of speech.” Green apologized.

The experiment held his hands in the air and shook his head. “Ahhh. Always the same shit-take-mushrooms! Ain't like that, I ain't playin' round, I can totally tear it up. Name's Frequency.”

He then turned and nodded at them resolutely. “Watch me work.” He said, winking his brilliantly  blazing yellow eyes.

He snapped his paw digits as he tapped his balled foot.

You gotta help me oooout...it's all a blur last niiiiight!
We need a taxi...cuz you're hung-over, and I'm broke!

Green blinked as a brilliant white aura surrounded his body as he turned to look at them.

I lost my fake IDDDD...but you lost the motel keeeey!

He placed one paw on his chest and grinned snarkily.

Spare me your freakin' diiirty looks, now don't blame ME!

He then pointed at them both.

You wanna cash out...and get the hell outta town!

Then he winked before turning around and rushing at the approaching monstrosities, laughing.

Don't be a baby! Remember what I tell you!

He then leapt through the air, still blazing with that aura and holding one leg up. A single kick knocked one of the horrid things into a line of others and they all collasped into a broken, groaning pile. He then jumped on his hands and twirled around, kicking away all the monstrosities around him and breaking their bodies in half, continuing to sing even as he went around and around.

Shut up and put your money where your mouth is,
that's what you get for wakin' up in Vegas!

He then leapt back up and pointed at Junior and Green, bouncing back and forth on his feet.

Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now,
that's what you get for wakin' up in Vegas!

Frequency then approached Green and Junior and began walking around them, spreading out his arms as he continued to sing.

Why are these lights so bright!?
Did we get hitched last night?
Dressed up like Elvis...

He then held tapped Junior's ring and grinned broadly.

Why am I wearing your class ring?
Don't call your mother...cuz now we're partners in crime!

He took up another fighting position as the monstrosities rushed at him and he bounced back and forth slightly before rushing at them.

Don't be a baby, remember what I've told you!

He jumped high...so very high...SOARING into the air like an eagle, the coming down on the things one after another, shattering their heads and then leaping up and spinning around, surrounded with that white aura and knocking their heads off as he performed a spinning tornado kick.

Shut up and put your money where your mouth is,
that's what you get for wakin' up in Vegas!

He then pointed upwards as he landed, shaking his butt and making the immediate area around the things fall to the ground from a small earthquake that seemed only to affect THEM...

Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now,
that's what you get for wakin' up in Vegas!

He then held onto Green's hand and led her around in a circle...going around the collapsed beings on the ground, holding onto her with one hand while the other was stretched out.

You got me into this...
information overload, situation lost control!
Send out an SOS...
And get some cash out!
We're gonna tear up the town!
Don't be a baby, remember what I told you!

He then held both hands, speaking softly into her ears as he pulled her close...

Remember what I told you!
Remember what I told you...told you...told you!

She knew...she KNEW what to do. Instantly she and he raised their hands up, moving their hips back and forth as they sang and beautiful light shone from them.

Shut up and put your money where your mouth is,
that's what you get for wakin' up in Vegas!

She and he both spread their arms out wide as the light grew brighter, and the monstrosities on the ground who had been trying to get up sizzled and burnt in the light, dissolving away!

Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now,
that's what you get for wakin' up in Vegas!
That's what you get, baby! Shake the glitter!
Shake-shake-shake the glitter!
Give me some cash out, bayyyybaaaay!
Give me some cash out, bayyyybaaaay!

Finally both Green and Frequency stood there, back to back, striking a triumphant pose as their hair whipped around in the Vegas night and Junior gaped in awe. The things were burnt away...gone.

“How did you...DO that?” He asked.

“It's called a Duet!” Frequency laughed. “HE taught it to me...it was time I taught it to you, the same way I taught it to your dad!”

“My dad knows about this?”

“Yes...he just forgot about it. He'll remember eventually though, babe.” Frequency said gently. “Hey, uh...I hope we can rock it some other time, y'know? You were totally tubular.” He told Green, waving goodbye with a paw before heading off.

“...he seems really nice.” Green said, nodding her head.

Junior frowned. He'd sensed something in Frequency...paws stained with the blood of a child and the guilt that went with it.

What had he DONE?

It was then that something else happened. Something very unexpected that also caught him off guard.

“Junior?”

He turned and looked into Green's black and green eyes as they throbbed with new intent, a curious expression on her face as she slightly pursed her lips, trying to figure out the new feelings she was experiencing.

“Do you feel what I'm feeling right now?” She asked.

“What are you feeling?”

“That some unknown force is...is wanting me to do THIS.”

She promptly hugged him and held him close and suddenly Junior was aware of a warmth. A blissful, but somewhat sublime warmth of gentleness that was coming out from her body. He found himself hugging her right back.

“I think I love you very, very much.” Green realized out loud. “I suppose I've liked you so much for so long that...it was just going to happen.”

“I think I've liked you very much for a long time too.” Junior agreed.

The two then looked deeply into each other. Black/green into blue/red. Then...

A kiss. The fountain nearby erupted with water. Somewhere, casino slot machines ka-chinged wildly. They'd most definitely gotten lucky.