Welcome to Gaia! ::

A Brief Interlude

The corridors were nearly empty it was pretty late in the evening, but there was one sound of echoing footsteps as it walked along the hall. His arms behind his back as he strolled the silver haired man seemed pleased with himself. A large smile on his face. He had been busy but now that he had a short break from Sterling it was time to go collect what was his. He doubted Almas would give Pepper up so willingly. But He knew more about him than he did...as well what to expect.

Almas was a heading back toward his rooms needing to rest up after the work he'd done, always boring work, grunt work aside from the days when he was doing meetings between the parents and the children came in to meet them and learn about what they were. Today wasn't one of those days though, nothing interesting to do, and he'd spent a good amount of his time ignoring the techs and their complaints about the various things that they were angry about. He felt... annoyed with them, stupid and foolish... it found days when it seemed the times he was an angel were a dream. He knew that once he had wanted to protect the humans but after coming here, after being so close to these people he felt so set apart from what he used to be. He didn't feel that same desire anymore and it caused his chest to ache a bit. Especially when he knew the people here were the worst of humanity, those who were so wrapped up in their work that anything and anyone could be sacrificed for it

The Fallen gave a little yawn, lifted a hand up to cover his mouth and smother the sleepy sound.

Walking along he had been surprised to find Almas wandering the halls as well. Too easy.
"Good evening." He nearly purred as he approached, "I hadn't expected to find you so easily this night." He continued as he came to stand before the man. He looked down at him his eyes closed in a fox like stare. That smile on his face seemed...too pleased with himself.

"Have you been avoiding me? " He asked looking Almas over smirking a bit. Though it was actually true that it was the other way around...usually the man couldn't stand being near Almas anymore since the contract was broken.

Almas's body stiffened before he looked up and met that gaze of Vampy before he gave a smile that was somewhat forced, "I've been working." He murmured quietly, wondering why the man seemed to be in such a good mood... Vampy in a good mood never really seemed to bode well for those around him. His tired aura cleared and he gave a sound of surprise, "W-What...? Avoiding... you?" He murmured, sounding as those he didn't exactly understand what the demon meant... as if he were speaking another language.

He nodded his head and then gave a bit of a happy sigh. "Yes well I suppose it doesn't matter. As long as ...the child isn't doing anymore wishes there isn't anything to worry about. Though.....the other one..." he trailed off his smile seemingly more...hungry. "He will need to be taught. " He left it dangling as being taught something could go very many ways.

"It never does with you." The Fallen said with a snort before he moved to step around him, "Luthor and Pepper have been behaving fine, no reason for you to leave your office and slum it with those of us in this part of the Labs." He said in a rather unfriendly tone before he started toward the door to his rooms. He was to overtired to deal with someone like Vampy...

"Despite what you think I have been very busy. The new project I am working on is a success thus far. Soon I intent to make Pepper another one....I should thank your son. If it wasn't for that stupid wish he granted I never would of realized that Pepper still had some great potential." He chuckled as he didn't move from his spot as if he was anticipating a reaction. He was a cruel man, especially when he didn't get things his way originally.

Almas turned around before he gave a shake of his head, "Leave Pepper alone, you already gave up your rights to him when you tried to get rid of him." He snapped, crossing his arms over his chest, eyes narrowed.

He chuckled turning around to look over Almas a moment. "Oh? Did I? You don't seem to understand that I know what he is and what he is capable of. Do you really want to risk your life? or your...sons life by allowing him to run around and do whatever he pleases? If you don't discipline him ...he won't listen to reason when he is bigger." He chastised. Giving a tsking sound with a chuckle at the end.

"He is a good kid! And he is learning well hes just a little bit behind... if I had to guess I would say it was the manner in which he was born." Almas narrowing, "Just find something else to torture aside from children... surely there are things your own size you can bother?"

The Fallen was doing his best to keep from twitching, his temper rising which was a new thing for him... he didn't like getting in arguments with people.

His smile only widened. "Or? What will you do? I don't wish to have the staff come and voice their complaints to you? Every morning I get a list that is rather long about the stuff he has destroyed or the people he has hurt." He mentioned as he looked a bit bored thinking about that particular list. It was rather lengthy and he always had to go over it to try and seem like he cared.

"I'd rather not let the staff come at you. Despite everything I'd rather you not die because of something that could be so easily fixed."

Almas rolled his eyes before turned around to take a couple more steps off away from him, "Even if Pepper weren't playing his games they would find something else to complain about, its all they do." Almas said with a yawn, lifting a hand up to rub it against his eyes, "And do you think they don't come to me? They are bothering all the time, they make it their hobby to make my life Hell now that I am no longer working for you... Not that you care about that." He gave a shrug of his shoulders, there was no reason to bring his complaints to Vampy when he couldn't care less about anyone other then himself and whatever project on hand at the time.

"In the morning... I will deal with Pepper get him to stop messing things up, I will find him somewhere to play that is out of the way. Alright?"

Vampy only shook his head and gave a vague wave of his hand. "You can be delusional if you want to think I am going to just stop because you told me you'd deal with it. I've seen how you deal with things.." He rolled his eyes. "You were better off staying in the contract." He muttered a bit bitterly, "But no matter. Soon I will have him plus the new ones. Its only a matter of time." He drawled before he half turned as if getting ready to walk down the hall again. "I am surprised by your lack of compassion for humans. Even with all their flaws...you really have fallen far..." he murmured.

"Your still going on about that contract? At the time you were more then eager to get rid of it to get what you wanted... and turned your back on me due to your paranoia... acting as though I would knife you the moment your back was turned. No matter what I..." He trailed off and lifted a hand to rub it against his head, "Forget it... it doesn't matter. Just leave me alone alright, coming here all the time just to boast about how well you are doing... it gets old."

He felt a headache coming on which only made the old wounds on his back throb as though they were fresh and he could almost feel the sensation of them bleeding again. Ashtad had done a good job in taking the wings in a manner that he would never fully heal.

Vampy paused and turned his body to face Almas, "Hmmmm am I wrong? You have seen what I have done what I am capable of doing what I intend to do in the future....do you not think I have a right to question your loyalty? I am no saint. I am what I am, a cruel conniving creature who has alternative reasons for everything I do." He stated rather bluntly and honestly about himself.

"If I were to ask you right this moment if you still trusted me, that you did not regret following me around, do you honestly expect me to think you do? " He gave a bitter laugh, "Please...I am not so naive, stupid or hopeful in thinking that you don't despise my very being." He finished with a roll of his shoulder.

"Now...? Yes... I probably would have followed you like a stupid puppy until you destroyed us both until you tried to kill Pepper just because he wasn't perfect enough for you." He said with a little sighing sound, "And had you just asked me, lied to me, anything... I probably would never have broken that contract and gave you those vials of blood I collected for you."

He took a couple steps back to lean against the white wall, "Funny, huh?"

Vampy for once looked at Almas in ...shock, his whole form having gone rigid as he spoke. He could lie to him...tell him that he didn't want to kill pepper at the time...but there was no point. His actions had spoken clearly at the time.

"A shame then. Once Luthor grows older I wont be able to be near him..." He growled a bit before turning his back on Almas. "Or you. Despite what you may think I still value you alive...if that means anything to you." He snarled a bit before taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders. "I will still be dealing with Pepper. He isn't stable and him growing every night is making it worse." He snapped as if the topic was closed for discussion.

Almas gave a laugh, "Heh... now you can lie to me, and pretend that I hold value in your mind... a bit late you know but kind of nice none the less." He murmured, lifting a hand up to his chest. His heart was racing... it was odd, like getting a love confession from someone after you had already gotten over them. It was something that caused him some sort of twisted excitement and delight despite knowing that it wasn't a good thing.

"Why do you have to bother him? Luthor and him are good friends and I enjoy taking care of him... he might he a little strange and bites but he and Luthor need me. Its nice."

He shifted looking tense and annoyed. "Because of what he will be capable of. ..." He snarled before finally clearing his throat as if calming himself down.

"Do...you remember ferals?" He inquired his voice even and calm again though his hands looked like they were going to break each other as he held onto them. "Do you remember what they are like? Of their destructive force?"

"Hes just a child... hes just like Luthor a little boy that needs some direction. He isn't feral, hes yet to really hurt anyone... Even those his own size hes fine with." Aside from that time they broke the chair and killed a pillow, "If hes taken care of surely he will be alright."
He pushed away from the wall, lifting a hand up to scratch at his back, just passed his shoulder where the edge of his scars began, "What if the problem with him growing was fixed? Could I keep caring for him?"

Vampy looked crossed his eyes opening to mere slits, those golden irises flashing dangerously. "A child that can grow into a nearly adult body at night. A CHILD who doesn't understand right from wrong yet or the fact what he does isn't considered play. Not only that but its hard to make a child gone feral listen to reason. Though any feral is hard to make listen....they usually are berserk until everything around them is dead." He hissed before he looked at Almas regarding him slowly.

"Do you think you can get Luthor to break the contract? Do you think he will listen to you?" He inquired rather curious. "Do you think he knows how? you seem to forget I have yet to teach him anything..."

"I don't know if I can but its worth talking to him about, if he knew it was best for his friend I think he would do so." He murmured, then turned to look down the hallway, he was sure that Pepper wasn't in the rooms he shared with Luthor and himself, he should go and find him, see if he could get the boy to come back tonight and leave the Techs be for a while. He looked over to Vampy, "I don't know how I am supposed to teach Luthor though... power like that... what he has." He lifted a finger tip to run it over his forehead, "I am blind to that now, I couldn't feel magic if the whole of it was falling down on top of me... I don't miss being an Angel but I do miss my powers."

Giving a snort he only sighed before shaking his head. "What I would give to have you just agree with me." He sounded more than annoyed. "Fine have a talk with him. But if he doesn't know how to do it then you will have him come to me. Otherwise I will be taking the boy." He threatened his body tense again before his smooth and cunning smile crossed his lips.
"Hmmm well at least I have other things to keep me occupied, that woman is moving along well in her pregnancy. It should be interesting to see how the children turn out." He mused.

Almas nodded as he pushed away from the wall, to start down the hallway in to look for Pepper, "Yes... well good luck with not killing this one." He said in a sarcastic manner as he walked away from Vampy with a little sigh. He didn't have much time to figure things out with Luthor and Pepper and their contract... he didn't want Vampy take Pepper away, it would be painful for Luthor to lose the one who was like a brother to him... he didn't think want to lose him either, he was such a good boy even if he were a bit strange.

With Pepper

It wasn't odd that Pepper was in what one could say his home. It was what he was doing that was peculiar. The strange child with black hair with heavy blond chunks streaking it, red skin with weird blue rock like scaling on him not to mention the bones that covered his shoulders...but he was now struggling with a bottle of white glue trying and failing to not make a mess as his clawed fingers pierced several holes into the container. The white fluid...leaked out his nose scrunched in annoyance as he took the bottle and mashed it onto something he had on the table once satisfied that he had covered it..and a large amount of the table in glue he tossed the bottle onto the table and retried the item he had successfully covered in the desired substance. He then with careful precision took said item and placed it on the middle of his forehead pressing hard with his thumb to make sure it adhered there. Once satisfied he released it quite pleased with himself, the now third eye child having glued the googly eye onto his forehead now went about trying to find some way to get the glue off his fingers.

Luthor was in a bit of a panic, things weren't going well if you asked him. He had told Vampy about the two wishes that he had granted the one he'd done for his Auntie when he was learning how to use his powers along with the wish he granted for Pepper but... then there was the wish for Adriel that he had thought had failed. Not long ago though the contract had gone into effect for some reason.

He just hoped that Vampy didn't find out about the wish, more importantly he hoped that if somehow he found out about it he didn't learn that it was granted before they had their talk. He wanted to find his Daddy to talk with him at first but decided it would be a bad idea to talk with him about it since he was against Luthor using his power. He was half tempted to talk to his Auntie but didn't want her to find out that Vampy wanted to be his new teacher so there was only one person he could go to. Pepper who was rather good at listening even if he weren't as good at offering up solutions as he was at mauling techs.

Pepper sniffed at the glue that was covering his fingers. Ick. It smelt bad. Still wiping the glue covered fingers on his shorts only resulted on bits of debris covering his fingers. He then...after a moment hesitation licked his finger. The expression on his face could only describe utter horror. Like sucking on a lemon his face twisted.

"Yeuck..." He complained as he looked at his fingers and then leaned forward to lick them again despite knowing what they tasted like.

Luthor was starring at his friend eyes wide wondering if he'd tracked down the wrong person to talk to. He had a googly eye stuck to his forehead and he was eating... was that glue? He blinked a couple times and lifted a hand to scratch at the back of his head, "Ahh... Pepper?"

Pepper's golden gaze widened when he heard Luthor's voice smiling his fangs smile he scrambled up onto four and then moved over to Luthor in which he wrapped his arms around his leg.

"Luthor!" he called out looking up at him the third eye slid a bit..the glue wasn't dry...and their certainly was a bit too much there.

The white haired boy gave a squeak of surprise before looking down at his friend. He gave a smile as he moved a hand to ruffle his hair, "You have... something stuck on our forehead Pepper." He told his friend, finding it a little unnerving to have the plastic eye starring at him. Sure it was fake but it was still a little creepy somehow.

He nodded his head enthused that Luthor has noticed. "Yes! Need to be wrath!" he said with a knowledgeable nod of his head. Since all the wrath children he had come across all had three eyes he only figured this was the way he could be related to them somehow.He gave a growling sound that was playful as he nipped at Luthor's leg.

Luthor tilted his head to the side wondering why he needed to be wrath... he was about to ask when he got nipped, "Ah! Pepper!" He squeaked, giving his friend a shove to get him back for the nipping.

He gave another playful growl, he had missed Luthor it seemed his chasing techs had made him too busy to be with his friend. He pounced the boy with all his strength. Sticky fingers latching onto his clothe as he laughed.
"I gots you!" He cried out happily.

"Ah... wait..." He squeaked, flailing his arms as he tired to escape Pepper's sticky, grasping hands. Best he was able to do was land in a heap as he got pounced and gave as oft groan, "Un... yes, it seems you got me..."

Pleased with himself Pepper sat on the boys chest and looked down at him. It was that exact moment the third eye decided to slide....and with plop land on Luthor's shirt. Pepper looked at the eye and he diligently picked it up and placed it on his forehead again. But the stickiness was...losing its effectiveness and it once against plopped onto Luthor's chest. Pepper...looked crushed. It was an unusual expression on his face, like a mixture of anger and sadness combined into one heart wrenching expression. His little face dipped down to stare at Luthor's chest as if he couldn't meet the boy's gaze. In fact he was trying to hide the fact he was nearly about to cry.

Luthor gave a jolt as the other boy's eye landed on his chest not once but twice. Again he knew it wasn't a real eye but it was just... disturbing. He blinked in surprise when he went from his normal behavior to looking... upset? He tilted his head to the side before he lifting his arms up to wrap them around Pepper to give him a snuggle, "Are you alright?" He murmured, sounding worried.

Pepper shook his head violently, apparently he was upset though he wasn't speaking as he didn't trust himself not to burst into tears. He picked up the third eye fiddling with it in his hands before anger overwhelmed him and he pierced it with a claw. He then scrambled to get it off his claw before he gave up and continued to sit on Luthor. Loud sniffling was heard as the boy took ragged gasps trying to calm himself down. It was hard to figure what it was that set him off.

Luthor gave him another hug before he reached down to take the eye from him, "I can help if you want." He murmured, the would need to find some better glue. Little kids glue wasn't going to really help enough to get it to stick to Pepper's forehead.

Pepper batted the eye away from Luthor before he threw himself around the boy sobs filling the air around them. Apparently there was something more than just an eye that refused to stick on his forehead that was bothering him. In essence if one looked at him...he looked like he hadn't slept in weeks, dark circles under his eyes seemed stained permanently there his form was trembling as if he was on his very last nerve.

"Why alone?" He demanded sobbing into Luthor's chest. "You got daddy...why Pepper alone?" He continued his little wails building up into shrieks.

Luthor shook his head as he snuggled his friend, nuzzling against his hair, "Your not alone Pepper. You have me! And Daddy loves you very much too." He assured him, stroking his hand over Pepper's back in what he hoped was a manner that would help to calm him down. He didn't like seeing his friend crying it was... strange, he should be laughing, growling, biting... not crying.

Pepper shook his head again, "Not...daddy...he your daddy...not mine..." he corrected as he apparently knew this...it was strange for him to actually pay attention to things like this.
"Luthor friend..not brother.." he stated again before he pressed his face into Luthor's shirt. Unfortunately the bony protrusions that protected his shoulders proved to crush against Luthor as well.

Luthor gave a flinch at that, "I... see." He murmured, as the other hid against him, "I... guess your friend. We don't really look like brothers do we?" He gave him a bit of a smile though it was a little forced, "Still... you have us even if we aren't your family."

Pepper nodded his head even as he sniffled a bit more. Sitting up he used the back of his hand to wipe his nose he looked...haggard...for a toddler that was a rather scary fact. apparently he didn't sleep...ever...of at least tried not to. The fact he was still moving was a pure miracle.

"Your my best friend Pepper so if you need me I will always be here, alright? No matter what." He reached a hand out to lay it against his friend's cheek so he could look him over. He looked terrible, "It hasn't helped has it? Being big... you still don't look like you sleep."

Pepper leaned into Luthor's hand unconsciously he was tired...as he always was even if he seemed to have endless energy it was perhaps only to those he really trusted that he could show how toward he was. He shook his head slowly at his comment about not sleeping.
"No...nightmares still come...I fight them better...but still come.." he said with a terrible sigh.

"I'm sorry... I wish it could have helped you more." He murmured, feeling a bit guilty. It hadn't help and on top of that he had to take it away or else Vampy was going to do something about it. He didn't like the man, didn't trust him... as such he didn't want for it to be Vampy that took away from Pepper what Luthor had given him.

Pepper only half smiled as he leaned into Luthor more. "no...Pepper have fun big...scare techs good...just...no help with nightmares.." he stated with a heavy breath He seemed to be better now that he had let ouf some of his pent of frustration.

"Well pretty soon you will be big enough on your own that you won't need help from me anymore to go around mauling people effectively." He said with a grin.

He nodded his head slowly before he yawned. "Pepper want know. Why first kiss?" He asked wondering back for a moment why Luthor had asked for a kiss as payment to grant him the ability to grow . It was a wonderful thing..even if it hurt...but he had gotten use to the pain by now...as he experienced it every night.

Luthor blinked a couple times then gave a smile, "Well they seem really important in stories." He murmured to his friend, "And when I learned how to use the power she traded a hug so..." He didn't want to admit that it was also curiosity about kisses. They seemed important to people in stories, television, and movies and he wanted to know why that was.
"I hope it wasn't a terrible price."

He shook his head as he himself didn't think it was a terrible price..he just wasn't sure why it had been the price in the first place. Giving a grunt he quickly moved off of Luthor, it had only taken moments for the boy's body to shift and change and grow larger the pop and crack of bones filled the air until the teenager Pepper rolled his shoulders allowing his body to relax and settle."Pain no bother now." He replied his voice was low it was mildly disturbing how the change seemed to hardly effect him at all.

Luthor gave a wince at the sounds Pepper's form made before he reached out a hand to pat it on Pepper's now larger shoulder, "You look pretty cool like that." He told him then gave a bit of a smile. He would let Pepper run around like this tonight and he would go and talk to Vampy to see how he was supposed to break a contract tomorrow since... he had no idea.

Pepper grinned, it was a smile that held a hint of weariness as he gathered Luthor into his arms and held him like that. His head leaning against his, he was like a gangly puppet, so awkward with his new size and yet with all his practice...he couldn't shake off the child in him. He lay his head on Luthor's head a long time before replying.

"Yes..I do." He said with a hoarse laugh. "you see deer girl ?" He asked as he hadn't caught sight of that strange figure in a long time.

Luthor smiled, snuggling up against him as the much bigger Pepper gathered him close. It was nice to see his friend in this form, he seemed like... a big guy who could do anything! Though knowing that he still couldn't sleep made him worry as did the fact that he had yet to change like Luthor himself had. He was still so tiny during the day time... he looked up at him then gave a shake of his head "No, not since that first day. I wonder where she went to."

Pepper shrugged before he went to get up staggering a bit from his exhaustion before he went to all fours and gestured for Luthor to get on his back."Let chase white coats.." He stated as he wanted to forget his earlier breakdown and exchange it for fun.

Luthor gave a giggle at the idea, "Sure thing. I know of of them that you should chase after." He told his friend as he climbed up on his back and gave it a patting, "If we see her you should scare her the most." He didn't like the mean lady, he was one of the ones that was meanest to his Daddy. It was something about his old job though Luthor had no idea what that was.

Hallucinations

Bad Dreams

Almas was... lost in the past, uncomprehending at the moment that he was surrounded by a dream world and not a real one. It was all the same, the same prison, the same cruel guards that said they were trying to save him from himself.

"Please... its not like that anymore... he doesn't care about me! I am trying to do the same!" He called after them, straining against the to tight shackles that held his wrists, the more he struggle the more they cut into his wrists, more wounds to go along with the ones that marred his body from today's attempt at cleansing.

"You have to listen to me!" His voice rose higher, nearly begging his 'brothers' to come back, to postpone what he knew was coming. They were going to take his wings... he tucked the beautiful blue and white appendages behind his back as though trying to protect them, "please... don't take my wings..."

Pepper's dream self...suddenly heard something, he looked up and there...beyond the darkness lay a bright world. He scrambled onto his feet the wraiths around him moved too and fro hands reaching out to claim him without a pause he dashed forward he had to get to the bright world. Something was different this time...and he was going to go find out. Beat sitting in the dark with the shadows trying to claim him. He dodged past the dark shadows and suddenly seemed to pass through a thin film and he was blinded by sunlight. He gave a sharp hiss, his senses were barreled over...from a place devoid of light and atmosphere...suddenly he..was somewhere he had never seen before. He felt extremely out of place but he didn't look behind him the wraiths seemed to have hesitated upon entering this bright world...and he was going to take this chance to get away from them.

He galloped, it was the best way to describe how he ran on all fours until he heard a very familiar voice. There were others here...but they didn't seem to even pay him any mind or notice he was there...they were...all angels...bright and beautiful he stood out like a sore thumb. Still he turned his gaze.. towards where he heard the voice. He didn't know where it came from but...he soon went about tracking it down. When he found the source he looked bewildered. "Luthor..daddy?" He said peering up at the fallen...no angel before him.

Almas's eyes turned toward the small boy before him, both of them able to focus in the dream world, both a beautiful color of blue. He tilted his head to the side looking almost confused, "Who...?" He murmured, his mind fumbling before it seemed to finally realize who was standing before him, "Pepper? What are... you doing here?" How did Pepper get to Heaven? The idea that things were very mixed up, that Pepper shouldn't exist in the time his dream was set in didn't occur to his fever addled mind.

Pepper looked behind his shoulder wondering just the same thing. This...sounded like Luthor's father...but he was much more pretty ... "I run from nightmare.." He answered honestly as he was checking around himself to see if they had followed him finally. "Why chained?" He inquired next blinking his golden eyes up at him.

Almas lowered his head, "I am... being punished." He murmured quietly, his wings trembling behind him, "I made a foolish mistake and they won't listen when I say I am sorry." He couldn't bring himself to open his eyes, he knew they would be back soon, once they got the tools that were needed. It wouldn't be a traditional removal because Ashtad was currently busy with other matters. It would be much worse.

Pepper tilted his head wondering why the pretty man was being punished, "...punished?" he said after a moment before he turned his head growling slightly as he heard people advancing.

"No punish...I save..." though the figures looked just as pretty as Almas he knew they were nightmares...the strange same beings cast a ghastly aura around themselves that h himself could sense...he was accustomed to that feeling after all.

He turned around...before he had given up trying to fight them...but...this ws different he had been alone before..now he had someone he could try and save.

Almas gave a gasping sound, jerking his head up, "No! Pepper you must get away... I don't them to hurt you." He said, sounding frantic as he tugged against the chains once more. He couldn't le them get Pepper, he was such a good boy... but they could kill him out of hand just because he was part demon.

The nightmare angels approached carrying in their hands a set of cruel tools used to break and cut through bone, muscle, and flesh. A punishment that would be severe but was used when some angels were tainted by something truly evil... love for a demon, a male demon at that, was a crime severe enough for this sort of punishment.

Seeing them advance with such tools Pepper snarled he backed up a couple paces to align himself in front of Almas. Every part of his body screamed tense he looked about ready to try and maul one of them. "no...they can hurts me...but not you. Luthor need you." He spat the warning hiss at the approaching wraithes.

The angels didn't seem to notice Pepper at first, having a single minded goal in mind when it came to what they were supposed to do in this dream... then they paused midstep as the dream shifted ever so slightly and they were suddenly looking at Pepper, really looking at him.

"A demon... we should have known you had fallen that far, to ally yourself with such a creature." One of them hissed, eyes flashing dangerously.

"No! He has nothing to do with this, leave him alone!" Almas cried yanking on the chains but it only manages to hurt him more.

The angels started to move forward toward Pepper now, readying for battle... a demon in Heaven. It needed to be purged.

Pepper wasted no time in formalities he dashed forward lunging at the angel who had spoken to him. They were acting strangely the wraiths but they didn't care he wasn't going to let them have Almas. He claws sank into the first angel as he latched onto his thigh. He then began to bite into the angels side.

The angel took a stumbling step to the side before his fellow angel moved, lifting a foot and kicked it out, landing it against Pepper's side, "We will see you burn in Hell where you belong demon!" He snarled, moving to attack again. They were wraiths, nightmare creatures, but they seemed at least in this setting to be playing the part of the righteous... and poor Pepper was their enemy.

Pepper gave a grunt of pain as he was dislodged from the angel he had latched onto and sent sprawling he ...felt pain. Strange.. he never recalled feeling pain before but that just toughened his resolve. He wouldn't let them get at Almas...no..never. He hissed again. "Leave Luthor daddy alone!" he yowled before he went about charging towards the angel who had kicked him this time. Claws out as he went to pierce them into the mans calf.

"Luthor...? Is that another demon he is in league with?" The one with the first set of wounds demanded of Pepper as he reached out to grab him by one of his bone structures, yanking him off the other angel and gave him a throw, "How many demons is allied with?!"

Pepper was thrown against a wall he felt hs breath be knocked away from him his head spun....he coughed as he staggered back to his feet, "Almas Luthor daddy..you leave alone!" he shouted again as he relentlessly charged the angel again. "No hurt Almas! I HURT YOU!!" he screamed as he leapt into the wild like a wild cat and sprung at the angels chest latching onto him real well this time with his claws.

Almas was struggling to try to get to Pepper, those bastards! They would be so cruel to a child! He remembered now why he left this place. Things were to clean cut, to cold... everything black and white. The angels being the white that whipped out everything that was the black... he hated it here... the cruelty that came without a bat of an eyelash.
"Leave him alone..."

The angels were focused on Pepper completely, ignoring Almas's pleading and his struggles, he wasn't going anywhere. One of them reached out grab hold of Pepper once more, trying to yank him off the other who was taking a bit of damage now from the way the demon latched on.

Pepper gave a husky growl as he whipped his head to look at the one trying to dislodge him. "no!" he gave a shriek as he released one hand to make a swipe for the other angel but this only hampered him and caused him to loose his grip with his other. he fell to the ground with a thud, disorientated he took a moment to react.

Making a wild swing with a clawed hand he staggered back to his feet, if looks could kill his was getting pretty damn close to it.

The angels were forced to take a few steps back when the demon child started to lash out at them in a frenzied manner... before both moved in to attack at once, their feet kicking out at Pepper repeatedly. They meant to make him hurt... to punish him for his many crimes!

Pepper was really no match for full grown adults intent to kill. He was forced to the ground as he was pummeled with frightful kicks, something cracked he was having issues breathing. Soon he lay in a bloodied semi conscious heap on the ground. his breathing was ragged.

"No!" Almas cried out, his wrists torn and bloody now, "Stop it! Leave him alone hes just a baby! You heartless bastards, leave him alone!"

The angels paused for only a moment, looking over at Almas before one of them gave Pepper one last vicious kick, "Your right... we have a more important job now don't we?" He murmured, reaching down to pick up the tool he'd dropped.

"Yes, now that your little demon ally is taken care of its your turn, lets trim those wings up shall we?"

Pepper had never experienced such pain...sure when he had transformed it hurt..but that was nothing compared to what felt like numerous broken ribs and perhaps ruptured organs. As the wraiths went back to their business at hand Pepper found himself struggling to get up..he had to..they were going to hurt Almas. If he had been bigger they wouldn't of stood a chance...he gritted his teeth, these wraiths...he would make them pay for what they had done to him...for what they intended to do to Almas. His eyes glowed furiously a golden light as he took control of the dream without realizing it.

Suddenly he was up and standing the wounds were gone and now he was fully grown. Towering nearly seven and a half feet tall he grabbed each angel by the shoulder and roughly dragged them backwards.

The chained angels eyes went huge at the sight before him, the massive creature that was... "Pepper..." He whispered, quite shocked. He was even bigger this time then when he grew due to Luthor's power, larger and more intimidating... not to mention he looked as though he would do more then just chase these angels.

The angels were struggling in the demon's grasp, panic overtaking them as they lost
their hold on the Fallen's fever dream and were suddenly prey for something more dangerous then they were.

Pepper went into action quickly tossing one behind him as he quickly grabbed hold of the others head with his large hand. The claws peirced skin and dug into bone as he went about ripping the head off of those beautiful shoulders. He...was...not going to let them hurt anyone again...not him not Almas...no one. The sound of ripping tendon and snapping bone filled the air as he crudely tore the head off. He dropped the body promptly as he finished not even phased as he turned on his heel to search for the one he had tossed behind him.

The second of the two stood there, frozen in place as its companion was ripped in half... then turned to try to run, wanting to get anywhere but within arms reach of something that was able to kill them in a place like this. Dangerously strong... it had to escape.

He bounded after him, powerful long legs carried him forward it didn't take him long to overtake the angel /wraith creature and grabbing a wing he jerked it backwards."Reveal your true self nightmare!" He shouted the demand as he his claws dug into the others shoulder dragging him backwards. He had enough of this game. He knew what he was fighting wasn't a real angel..

The creature struggled and flailed in Pepper's grasping, wings fluttering in a pathetic manner though no matter what it tried there was no escape... it looked over its shoulder before the angelic guise melted away to show the true form. A weak sort of wraith, an opportunistic sort, preying upon the weak, the young, the sick... those that couldn't defend themselves in the dream realm for various reasons.

Pepper snarled as he then found his hands melting into the form, wraiths...were ghostly figures in their true form only really vulnerable in the guises they held in dreams. Still he seemed to be reaching for something inside of the wraith...his hand grasped something...a core of sorts he then crushed it.

The wraith fizzled out of existence and he was left alone..he turned around...and stalked back towards where Almas was standing, he looked...deep in thought. Not a usual expression he wore especially on a grown up version of a younger self. "Almas...you not hurt?" He inquired his voice was deep, gravely it could send shivers up someone spine.

The dream seemed to be breaking apart and Almas sank down to his knees, his beautiful form melted away as well leaving him as he really looked now... scarred and broken, his cheeks flushed from his fever. He lifted his gaze slowly only one eye able to focus on Pepper now, "I... don't think... so." He murmured, "Are you alright? Did they hurt you?" He knew he should be scared, that guise, that voice, it was terrifying but he felt to weak to feel fear, to weak to run... and this was Pepper, he cared for him and would care for him no matter his size.

Pepper shrugged his shoulders as if how he felt was of little consequence. "I fine." He replied before he looked around as the world shattered around them...like pieces of a backdrop that was breaking apart like glass and disappearing. He went to wrap and arm around Almas and helped him to his feet. he seemed...tense...and perhaps it was because of the familiar black voice was coming back..the wrath's would be back...more numerous than before...

"Must wake. Luthor need, wake now Almas." He said looking to the angel his golden eyes studying him anxiously.

"Huh...? Wake...?" He murmured, looking around in a confused manner. Dreaming? He was dreaming? His form started to lose its tangibility in the dream world now that he realized it wasn't real. And as he realized it and at Pepper's insistence he started to wake, "Wait... Pepper... what about you?" He couldn't leave him there, even if he looked big he was still a baby!

Pepper released Almas as he started to fade, he gave a wry smile that definitely reminded him of the younger toddler. "I come soon...the nightmares always come.." he stated though he felt more in control than before...and not nearly as helpless. "I be there soon." he concluded as he watched as Almas's form slipped away from the dream world.

*****

Almas opened his mouth to protest but was gone before he could, waking up on the floor... though he couldn't rise, he merely curled up around Pepper's form, his body still far to warm and trembling... but he couldn't fall back asleep now.

Pepper's body had on the other hand grown cold, his breathing barely audible he was in such a deep sleep it didn't look as if he was going to waken any time soon like he had claimed in the dream...just what was going on?

"You have to wake up..." He murmured to Pepper before struggling to figure out where his son had gone, though for the moment Luthor was no where in sight which made Almas's heart ache from fear of what had happened to him, "Luthor... where are you."

heart

Fight! Fight!

Luthor was alone, having slipped away from everyone so that he could go to the crystal sphere that his Auntie had given to him, taking it out of the hiding place that he kept it in. He looked it over closely, watching his reflection in the surface and found himself sighing. He'd changed again and since the change his back had been itching like crazy! He looked over his slightly distorted reflection before he hugged the sphere to his chest. He was starting to get rather sleepy from staying up at strange hours, wandering around the Labs, and doing all he could to fly under the radar. He didn't want to cross paths with Vampy again... well ever. What if the guy figured out the connection between Adriel having a baby and him? He didn't want that to happen and despite his friend promising not to tell he still worried.

He lifted the sphere up, "Umm... Auntie?" He murmured, wanting noting more then to see her, to hug her, and to assure himself that things would be alright.

There was a slight flicker in the lighting that announced her arrival.
"Luther darling!" came the woman's energetic voice as she appeared a** if she seeped through the wall her arms outstretched.

"oh! My! you have grown again!" She sounded a bit in awe in fact she was very pleased she took her nephew in arm and squished her in a very...affectionate manner against her chest.

"Its been too long darling! How dare you keep your Auntie waiting for you to call?" She scolded lightly as she petted his horn and ran her fingers through his hair. Yes..he lacked the mane...but...she thought him far more darling this way.

"Oh my love you look like you have seen better days. What is wrong?" she asked noting the boy's rather...disheartened mood.

Luthor relaxed greatly as he was drawn into the arms of his Auntie, wrapping himself around her best that he could, "Auntie! I missed you." He said, looking up at her as she scolded him for not calling earlier and he found himself wishing that he had. Everything had just gotten so mixed up for a while there... not though he was able to concentrate a little more, was able to find some time alone, and was more then happy to be able to snuggle against the woman.

"I'm just a little tired." He murmured, not wanting to worry her but he had called her here for her presence, advice, and how she seemed to instill confidence in him.

Letting him snuggle against her she kissed the top of his head lightly and then continued to crush him against her breasts.

"I think someone is fibbing." she said in a sing song voice as she stroked her nephew's back. She looked around a bit nervously...the tension was thick ...not particularly in this room but certainly in the facility.

The small boy let his eyes sink closed as he was squished into his Auntie and gave a little nod, "I... I am just scared... that he's gonna find out." He murmured quietly to her before he looked up at the woman, "He... told me not to use my magic anymore, not that I want to but... I granted a wish a while ago, thought it didn't work! I... I told him there were only two but there were three..." He told her in a rush.

Raising an eyebrow she looked down at him curiously. So...her brother was going to go so far to ban the child from using his magic?

"now now...magic is apart of you...there isn't any reason to be scared of a mean ol man like him." She said firmly as she kissed his forehead.


"Yes... there is. He... he tried to kill Pepper when he was little." He murmured, looking up at his Auntie, "He... he might try the same on me." He trembled a little just at the idea of the scary man using his powers to try to kill him. He let his eyes sink half closed, "And... he said there were a bunch of rules to magic... that if I didn't make people pay for wishes that the magic would get mad at me." He didn't want to take things from people, he didn't see a point in giving them one thing but taking another...

She winced a bit, dammit her brother had to ruin all the fun. Him and his rules...

"Well unfortunately that is just they way the magic works luv. Now...tell auntie what this lil ol wish you granted that will make mister meany pants angry at you." She asked stroking his hair.

He flushed a little and looked down at his feet, "M-My friend... said... said that he wanted to have a baby." He whispered quietly to her.

A baby? She looked to Luthor a bit quizzically, "Is that all? Having a family is not an unusual thing to wish for." She said as she didn't understand that ...he meant that his friend had wanted to become pregnant.

Luthor gave a bright smile and a nod, glad that she seemed to understand, "I thought the wish didn't work so I told him that I only granted two of them when he asked." Luthor explained then lifted a hand scratch at his chin, "But... then I saw Adriel and his belly... He promised not to tell but the scary guy might figure it out anyway. So I am trying to avoid him."

She stiffened as she then looked down at Luthor her eyes wide. AH..s**t.
"....Ah...I see.." She murmured sounding not quite as...encouraging as before. This..w.as indeed a problem.

"I wanted for my friend to be happy so... I helped, I don't understand why helping is so bad. That scary guy... Vampy he... hes so selfish." He muttered, "He makes it sound as if the only reason to use my magic is to get something." He shook his head and gave snort, "My power is so stupid... and useless." He didn't want a power that could only be used in a self serving manner.

Stroking her hair she tried to figure out what to say to him. She was..the same as Vampy, she only did things if she got something in exchange. She just did things...differently than he did.
"Well love...it isn't that...helping him was...a bad thing. It..was...uh..how should I put it..." She tried to find the nicest way of saying it.

"against...the law of nature? Men aren't suppose to be able to bare children. Their bodies aren't...made for it." She explained softly giving him a kiss. Of course..he probably didn't understand that when he had granted the wish.

"If say..you have enabled him to adopt a child or..perhaps turned him into a woman...then it wouldn't be breaking any rules." She murmured a small smirk tugging against the corner of her mouth. She had cursed one human male that way before.

He nodded, "I... know that now, that it was against the rules but... then I just wanted to help." He murmured, she seemed so much more calm then Vampy. He didn't like that man, everything about him was off putting to Luthor making him want to put a world worth of space between them. He leaned into his Auntie, "He... won't understand that though, will he?" He whispered quietly.

"Given his nature...no. He wont." She said with a small smile. Aha...it seemed so...ironic that the child was so attached to her and yet all she was doing was using him. You attract more bee's with sugar than vinegar they always say.

"Yes and I am afraid normally he wouldn't care if you broke rules...but...I think he doesn't want certain peoples attention drawn to him. " She explained thinking on how there were quite a few higher up in ranks and strengths that would not approve.

His eyes went a little wide before they sank half closed, looking as though he were fighting off tears. He didn't want to have to hide from Vampy forever and hope the man never tried to hard in an attempt to find him... He looked up at his Auntie, "I... what should I do?" He whispered.

Petting his pretty hair she played with a couple of the floating strands. Despite being older...the boy didn't seem to have matured with it. Though...she guessed living with Vampy...it was understandable.

"Well its too late to break the contract...since you stated you saw him pregnant. " She started finding it all rather amusing, "And from what I can tell you haven't suffered any repercussions from your magic...so the biggest worry is Vampy." she murmured with a small smile.

He gave a rapid nod of agreement before he blinked a couple times, a bit surprised. She was right... the magic hadn't gotten mad at him or punished him... that was odd. He looked around, half wondering why taht was before he blinked a couple times, "Ahh... yes... he is the biggest worry." He murmured in agreement.

She wasn't really sure what to suggest with dealing with him, other than fighting back.

"Well you just need to explain to him the magic didn't get angry with you so why should he?" She spoke though she was very curious why the magic didn't get mad at him. If she were to go around making men pregnant she could lose quite a few hundred years of her life span.

Hmmm... she looked down to Luthor in a new light. Was..this why Vampy was keeping him under such close watch? A ...creature like Luthor who...had at his beck and call infinite power that didn't have repercussions?

His eyes got rather wide at the idea of standing against Vampy and telling him such a thing. He didn't know if he were as brave as that but it was a good point to bring up with the guy if he did come in at some point to yell at him. He gave his Auntie a little smile, "I will try." He murmured, drawing in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

She sensed him before he had come down the hallway her entire body had stiffened though she continued to stroke Luthor's hair.

The aura that seemed to seep into the room was...thick and stifling if you could see it one could of sworn is swirled in like a thick fog. The scent...of cinnamon filled the air.

"Stop your whining." Came a sharp tone that belonged to the devil himself.

"I just need to speak to him, you act as if..." the words trailed off as suddenly the door was thrown open. Silver hair and golden eyes locked onto Luthor and Elexstra the air around him seemed to shimmer and contort as if he was having troubles.

"Hm...hello there.." She murmured with a wink.

"What...are...you...doing here?" Came the voice of a man who looked to be on the bring of lashing out.

Almas was about to argue with Vampy, to tell him that Luthor had yet to do anything wrong and that he had no reason to have to come to talk to him. The way the demon trailed off though caused him to stop, something about the look on his face and the way the air seemed to be dancing around him in a dangerous manner made the Fallen lose his voice. He looked passed his Boss to the ones in the room his eyes going wide, the good one flooding with recognition, "Ahhh...?" That woman... what was she doing here he wondered to himself, half worried for her safety given the mood Vampy was in, one that looked as though it were getting steadily worse. The scent of cinnamon in the air was thick enough that Almas nearly choked on it.

Luthor found himself turning slowly to see the man standing there and any hope he had of standing up to the guy crumbled away and he took a step closer to his Auntie, fearfully.

Elexstra only continued to smile as she pushed Luthor away from her slightly and then moved so that she stood in front of him, her own human personage dropped away suddenly. Her long hair floated around her body her own horn was slick and black though a slightly different style. The scales down her necks and shoulders matched Luthor's.

"So..." She started folding her arms under her chest she looked smug.

"What no hello? we haven't seen each other in a long time." She spoke her tone was haughty.
Vampy was having problems...that much was evident he actually took a step backwards as her own aura struck out against him. His own illusion wavered he clenched his teeth trying to keep it up.

"I ..told you to never come back here." He snarled his hair around his neck started to float upwards.

Almas shivered at the battling of auras in the room, feeling a bit weak in the knees before he took a half step forward, "L-Luthor..." He murmured, wanting to retrieve his son. The way the boy was hiding behind the woman worried him as it seemed to put the boy on 'her side', "Come here Luthor." he said, calling out to him his voice a little louder.

The young spawn peeked passed his Auntie and felt a shiver go up his spine, seeing the way Vampy had his teeth clenched and mistook determination for anger. A part of the boy wanted nothing more then to run over to his Daddy but he couldn't get his legs to cooperate.

"Luthor!' Vampy barked obviously annoyed enough to actually call the boy by his name.
"Get over here. Now." He instructed his tone was dangerous but he was more annoyed that he hadn't figured it out sooner. The..familiar presence...whenever he was near the boy.

"Your the reason he...was able to ..figure out how the magic works...weren't you?" He growled seething every ounce of him trying so hard to stay calm.

Elexstra only grinned and gave a half shrug, "Well it wasn't like you were going to..so I thought I should step up to the plate." She taunted she looked to Luthor wondering if the poor kid would make it over to his father.

Luthor gave a jump as Vampy called his name, the demand that he come over to him caused him to start to shiver a bit. He took a couple steps forward, paused to catch his breath before he tried once more to get to his Daddy.

Almas watched, eyes wide as his son tried his hardest to get to him and after a glance toward Vampy he started forward to close the space between himself and his son. He didn't know if Luthor were going to make it on his own, he looked as though he might fall over at any moment... poor thing was probably so scared being caught between the two powers.

The woman laughed, it wasn't a friendly one, it was a mocking.
"Your trying so hard to keep up that silly disguise..I could probably flatten this place." She said the undertone of threat and amusement was evident as she lifted her hand and summoned her writing utensil.

Vampy's eyes only widened and suddenly his own disguise faltered and was gone in a blink of an eye. It one thought he was...scary before...there was something to say of the white skinned, golden eye'd man before them now. He...looked...nearly like a good guy. He was all white a ruff of a fur around his shoulders and throat like a mane, his tail flickered in agitation his horn...dark as ebony angled for the ceiling.

Smiling Elexstra nodded her head, the scent from her own body...differed from the cinnamon smell coming from Vampy.

"That's a good boy Luthor.." She stated with a snigger.

"Don't...call...me..that." He snapped that calm mask he normally wore seemed to be missing, the range of emotions flooding over his face was eerie. He took a step forward he wanted to have Almas and Luthor jr. out of there...

Almas froze in place, eyes going rather wide as he looked at Vampy in his True Form, something he'd never thought that he would see again he felt mesmerized by him all over again. That gleaming white form that had once upon a time led him down the path to his Fall. He gave a gasping sound as Elexstra called him by name and he turned to look at his son.

Luthor seemed... rather dazed himself, starring at Vampy with wide eyes and was unable to look away. It was like starring into some strange, fun house mirror that showed you what you might look like older. He drew in a rather painful breath looking over at his Auntie when she said his name... then realized that she wasn't talking to him. He gave a shake of his head... what was... going on?

None of it made sense to him, made his head almost hurt as he tried to wrap his mind around it all... then he was being pulled into his Daddy's arms, hugged to him, "Luthor." Almas murmured, gently.

The time and space between them seemed to...span for eternity. As if time had stopped no one had moved Vampy though had managed to summon his own writing instrument in hand.

Elexstra looked to brother and then to Luthor jr...and then looked a bit amused, "Not willing to fill in for the father roll....?

"Shut up Elexstra!" Came the harsh retort currently there were a few things holding him back.

One.. his magic only worked for a trade, two most of his magic was tied up keeping the facility safe, and three....Almas was in the room.

"Ohhh...I am scared." She countered she then sharply drew a magic symbol in the air in front of her, the larger Luthor's eyes widened slightly as he then jumped back several feet as the air before him exploded taking out a good chunk of the floor. Elexstra merely looked surprised,
"Running? You've never ran before." She snickered, "see darling?" she said turning to look at Luthor jr and Almas she game them both a wink.

"This...is how you deal with my brother." She laughed as suddenly a dozen or so glowing symbols flew back towards him.

Vampy didn't have the space or time to dodge though manage to pull up half a shield before the explosion occurred.

Luthor's eyes went huge at that... Father roll...? Vampy? He shook his head as though he didn't want believe that... that... that scary guy, he couldn't be his Father. The truth was all but starring him in the face though, he looked almost exactly like the guy, the only difference being the man had golden eyes and no scales on his neck. He looked up at his Daddy as though looking for some sort of explanation.

Almas wouldn't reply... or couldn't at the moment, instead watching the two siblings as they faced off. This was... not how he wanted Luthor to find out, in fact he never wanted him to learn about where his other half came from. A gasping sound came from the Fallen as the first of Elexstra's spells exploded, jerking his son closer to him and away from the danger of more spell, "Wait,please." He said, wanting to stop the two of them from battling here... he didn't want Luthor to get hurt. Her assurances that she was going to show them how to deal with Vampy was in no way assuring. In fact Almas felt his stomach drop and his heart clench as the next attack was thrown at the white demon, "Vampy..." He breathed.

Luthor looked up at his Daddy, confused by the... concern in his tone. Why should his Daddy care about Vampy? They would be lucky if Auntie blew the man up!

When the smoke cleared Vampy was gone, though not so much as gone but was suddenly behind Almas and Luthor.

"Oh...using them as a shield? You have gotten very low on your scumbag score." Elexstra spoke as she turned to face the trio.

Half of Vampy's side was blackened,mostly from soot and a few points on him were bleeding but nothing serious. Growling he placed a hand on Almas's shoulder soft words were quickly being spoken under his breath as he placed a shield over Almas and Luthor. Jutting his hand out towards his sister she suddenly dodged to the sight and it looked like an invisible wrecking ball had just flown past from where she had stood and embedded itself into the wall. Moving he then shot a couple more of the heavy weights towards his sister before he persuade her.

Even if the room collapsed the spell Vampy had placed on Almas would hold...though a direct attack from either of them was still ... debatable if it would hold. Both demons were nimble on their feet and the small apartment was getting bigger and bigger...as walls were destroyed.

Almas half turned to looked over at Vampy and his eyes widened, "Oh... no, Vampy..." He took a half step toward him felt a hand lay on his shoulder. He looked a little confused until the shield was wrapped around Luthor and himself. He looked... a bit surprised, that Vampy would expend his time and energy on a shield for them. He lifted his hands to touch the shield, it was solid and kept them both from danger and from moving leaving them both to watch.

Luthor moved a step closer to the edge of the shield as well, to get a better look and silently cheer his Auntie on.

"You manipulative b***h!" came some shouting from the mouth that belonged to Vampy,"Takes one to know one!" came a taunting reply that trilled onto laughter as suddenly a large explosion rocketed the area around them.

Suddenly the air was filled with howling as the hell hounds were summoned and joined in the foray.

Elexstra was in the air floating as she looked down at the snarling beasts that now lunged for her.

"always got to call the pets..." She drawled. Suddenly purple glowing strand rushed forward muzzling one of the creatures and placed it under her control.

Almas was rather glad for the shield when the hounds appeared, giving a little shiver as he looked at the beasts that were coming into the room. They were some rather frightening creatures and not ones that he would ever want to deal with. He looked over to Vampy, trying to figure out what condition the demon was in... the longer this battle went on the more danger there was to Vampy, Elexstra, and the room they were all in... not to mention the surrounding rooms and people that might be nearby.

Out of the two Vampy actually looked worse for wear. Half blackened he couldn't go full out for how his magic was tied to the place. A large explosion suddenly found himself flying into and then through the wall. Elexstra moved back to the ground the one hell hound she had under control was fighting the other Vampy had summoned. She smiled at Luthor jr and then offered him her hand.

"Come on, you don't have to stay here darling." She spoke in a friendly voice, though apparently the invitation only was to Luthor.

Luthor looked over at his Daddy who had been watching Vampy before he heard his Auntie's voice. He looked over at her for a long moment, ad the hand that was held out to him before he took a step forward toward the woman.

"Luthor..." Almas took a hurried step forward to catch hold of his son's arm, to keep him from going to the woman. He didn't want to lose his son and not to someone who could cause as much damage as Elexstra had so easily.

She offered Almas a sad smile, "You know he shouldn't be here...he is terrified, he should come with me." She encouraged trying to get Luthor to step out of the magical boundary..it was hard but if one so willingly left you could easily pass through.

"There was movement from the hole in the wall where Vampy had been blown into.

"Stop it Elexstra. You know I won't let you take him." He hissed, he was bleeding from numerous cuts on his body and burns. The woman only laughed.

"OH...so you suddenly care what happens to him?"

Almas shook his head, "Elexstra..." He murmured before he reached try to keep hold of Luthor who looked far to tempted by the idea of leaving with the woman. The boy shrugged Almas off of him before he looked over at Vampy as the man appeared forth from where he'd been knocked. It... annoyed him. Why did the guy care all of a sudden? Vampy didn't even like him... It was... weird. To see the man that he'd been afraid of so long looking so... beaten and burnt up.

"Luthor, just... stay here, with me alright?" Almas murmured, he couldn't... he couldn't lose his son. The boy was what kept him strong, being able to take care of him, to love him, to be loved in return... his son meant everything to him and he felt himself losing him as the boy watched his Auntie and looked as though he were wanting to go to her.

Elexstra sniggered at her brother he was pathetic so predictable at times.

"Come with me Luthor, you don't belong here...you need someone who understands you..can help you with your magic.. not stifle you." She nearly purred her hand still outstretched in his direction, the shield separated them but if he came out willingly.

Vampy glowered his eyes narrowing his long tail flickered back and forth in agitation and rage. He wanted to lash out...protect what belonged to him...but that meant he ...had to show some sort of feelings for the brat. He ...didn't like Luthor..what he was...the fact he was apart of his bloodline. But he didn't want him out of his sight either...especially NOT with his sister.

Almas looked back to Vampy for a long moment as though he were expecting him to do... something... but the demon was just standing there. He wasn't doing anything... The Fallen gave a shake of his head before he wrapped his arms around his son and pulled him back to him, clinging to him.

Luthor looked up at his Daddy for a long moment before looking at his Auntie... he was truly torn... a way out of this place was standing there before him... all he had to do was shrug off his Daddy and go toward it.

Taking it as a sign that Luthor wasn't about to jump at the chance of leaving with her Vampy struck out. He launched himself at her a ball of energy forming in one hand as he then launched it at her. She half turned as she had seen the blurred shape of Vampy heading towards her the sphere of energy crashed against the side of the shield causing it to ripple and shudder but it didn't fail. But it did blow Elexstra away she had to stop her suddenly flying body before it smashed into the partially broken ceiling. She then righted herself her eyes narrowing in a unfriendly manner.

"So? Decided you want to keep him did you?" She sneered baring her teeth, Vampy merely stood between her and where the two inside the shield were.

"Your not wanted or needed here...leave now..before this gets ugly." He repeated trying to calm himself down. Though his agitation was clear by the thick scent of cinnamon that hung in the air.

Luthor looked up at his Auntie before looking between his two... parents? He blinked a couple times then gave a sighing sound... he didn't like this at... and he'd given up his chance to go with her he realized. He gave a shake of his head. It didn't matter... he could leave at any time he wanted... he was old enough and didn't need to get watched after.

He looked over at his Auntie before lowering his gaze.

Almas gave a soft sound of relief when Vampy stepped into the way, to help to protect their son.

Elexstra looked about to protest but noting Luthor's downward gaze she shook her head, dammit she had gotten so close.

"Fine. I will leave then.." She stated a bit crossly.

"Luthor...listen to me...you don't need to stay here...if you need me ..."

"He..WON'T be seeing you again..." Vampy interrupted his sister with a rather firm tone, "I will make sure of it.." He nodded his head as if confirming what he said was true.

There was a strained silence before she scoffed, "We shall see about that." The words hung in the air like a threat before before she gave Luthor one last look before turning and disappearing into the shadows.

The shield remained intact despite the threat having left. There were the two hell hounds fighting each other still..and the room ..wasn't really a room anymore.

Luthor took a half step forward when he saw his Auntie disappear. He gave a soft, sighing sound before he shoved himself away from his Daddy. He looked up at him for a long moment before turning to start out of the... shambles of the room. Stupid parents ruining that for him... he loved his auntie and now that was over... she had been one of few he could talk to about his problems! She made him feel better... He looked over at his Daddy for a long moment, watching the way that he was looking back and forth between Vampy and him... and his eyes narrowed slightly. The worry in his Daddy's eyes wasn't just for him. He wanted to help that b*****d as well... he hoped Vampy bled out or got an infection from those wounds he thought crossly before he rushed out of the room.

Almas gave a soft, sighing sound and lifted a hand to rub it against his eyes, "Oh... God... This wasn't how I wanted him to find out." He didn't want him to find out ever... but most definitely had he told him it wouldn't have been like this.

Vampy snorted overhearing Almas with his rather acute ears. He didn't want to even acknowledge Luthor as it was. Seeing how the room was in shambles he grumbled he couldn't leave it like this. He turned to face the two and with a dismissive gesture the shield dropped. There was no point putting up his disguise now that Luthor knew the truth. Still his golden eyes glowed as he eye'd the pair the scent of cinnamon was still thick and hung in the air around them. But the scent was fading showing that he was regaining his control over his emotions. He staggered a bit, a hand clutching at a small but rather deep wound on his arm.

Almas watched as his son rushed off and gave a shake of his head. He was going to have to sit him down later and talk with him about all of this... maybe if he explained it would be alright, he would understand. He turned to look over at Vampy when the cinnamon scent started to fade out a bit, "Vampy...?" He murmured, taking a step forward when he saw him stagger.

For a moment he didn't believe it given how... invincible he always seemed. It was... almost a shock to see him actually showing some sort of weakness.

"It's nothing....my sister specializes in curses if you recall.." He pushed the concern away as if it was a physical object.

"In power...we are evenly matched, but..I have too much of my magic tangled up with keeping the facility protected from outsiders..." Amongst other things...

Almas took another step forward, "You should have your wounds looked at." He suggested, it was all the more important with his sister being a mistress of curses... what if she had done something more then just tried to blow her brother up? The Fallen was worried... and cursing his the fact that he was blind to magic so he couldn't check if such a thing were so.

Vampy shook his head and then let his disguise settle back around him. With Luthor gone it was easy to done on his disguise. It was as if the room dimmed a bit, with all his white furred body now replaced by a rather boring human one.

"I will look after it myself." He grumbled as he then looked about the room, "Stay in my quarters until I have this fixed. Your brat as well. I don't trust she may not try to come back."

Almas gave a soft sigh, "I could... never mind." He murmured, he doubted that Vampy would let him near his wounds given everything. He would probably think that he meant to kill him instead of wrapping the wounds. He turned and started to walk away from him, "I should find him." He needed to make sure that Luthor was alright and given Vampy didn't need him. Not that he really thought the demon ever had given he was doing fine without him.

Vampy had already moved past Almas as he decided on his plan of defense as well reconstruction on the rooms, "Do what you want...just make sure he doesn't do anything foolish." he said as he walked away from the wreckage without a backward glance.

Magic

Luthor really hadn't gotten all that far from the Labs when he was already feeling rather iffy about his decision to leave... he was in a place he didn't really know, was all alone, and was running around in only the pants he'd been wearing when he'd rushed off. He lifted his gaze up toward the sky and a soft sigh escaped his lips. The clouds were looking a little dark he thought to himself as he continued along, it looked as though it might rain would just add insult to injury... but at the same time he felt it would be almost fitting given that everything seemed to be going so downhill.

"Stupid father..." He muttered to himself, lifting a hand up to his hair, fiddling with a lock of it. He looked over his shoulder before sighing. He half wished to see his father there, following after him to bring him home but... he couldn't could he? As far back as he could remember he never once saw his father cross the line where the fence was that surrounded the Labs. He rarely even went out into the yard aside from the times he'd brought him and Pepper out to play. He shook his head then turned to facing forward, stomping his bare feet as he walked. He didn't want to think about his father the idiot... how could he do what he'd done, how could he think what he thought about that monster, Vampy? It made him so angry!

The day seemed to darken just to spite the boy. Fat drops of rain splattered as it hit the road though it hadn't started to fully rain yet. Besides the rain...it was eerily silent. As if the young lad was the last breathing thing left on earth.

A car driving past broke the scene....a jarring reminder that the outside world was..precarious. The rain started to fall harder, like a bucket having been tipped over. Commen sense was to take cover.

Luthor stumbled back a few steps as the car came by, his eyes getting rather wide and he gave a full body shiver, "Weird..." He breathed, the outside world had weird things and he wasn't quite sure thathe liked them... he shivered as looked back and forth, arms wrapping around himself ast he rain started to fall. What a miserable day... nothing wanted to go well did it? He gave a soft whimper and lowered his gaze, "Stupid rain..." He muttered, finding himself disliking most everything at the moment as he sought out some sort of shelter and found the only place nearby that was open to him was an alleyway. He quickly ducked into it.

The alley was not exactly the best place to try and remain dry, though the sound of the rain seemed to echo and intensify there. The purple glow that surronded Luthor's white hair seemed to shiver and quiver, before it rose slowly from his head and formed a flat umbrella like leaf to try and shelter Luthor from the rain.

A sound like a squeak escaped from the boy as he looked up at the strange glow that was hovering over his head. He lifted a hand up to try to touch it, finding it odd to have such a reaction... he'd never seen that happen before he thought to himself, "Strange... but I am getting less wet." He murmured before he leaned against the wall with a soft sigh. Leaving was a bad idea he decided but he wasn't going back so quickly...

The strange purple aura was semi translucent and like jelly when poked at. When poked it quivered like Jello. Giving a rather distinct mmnnmmph sound at being prodded at.

Luthor was wondering if being out in the rain were making him go wonky in the head as he looked up at the strange aura again, had it... made a sound? He blinked and then shook his head, "Surely not." He murmured. It was a weird reaction, weird feeling, and weird color but... there was no way it could speak he told himself before he plopped down to sitting on the dirty ground with a sigh, "Leaving was dumb... what did I expect to happen."

The Jelly mass like substance quivered as it followed Luthor down as he sat, it then shifted and spread so that it could form a tarp over him. Stretched out thin it still glowed purplish in color.
"Not...dumb." Came a reply that seemed to come from all around him.

Luthor drew his knees up to his chest so he could rest his arms on them and then in turn his rest his head on his arms, "Hmm... wish I could believe that." He murmured in response before he lifted his head quickly and found himself looking back and forth rapidly to try to find the source of the voice that was speaking to him, "Huh...?" He seemed to be alone in here, just him and weird jelly.

The jelly seemed to give off a warming glow, as if it was trying to help Luthor out.
"Your not dumb, it must be hard having that man suddenly become a blood relation to you." Came the bodiless voice around him. "But...I am glad he is."

He leaned his head back against the cold brick of the wall behind him, "No joke... that guy is a b*****d, who wants to share blood with him." He muttered then blinked a couple times, "Huh...? Glad? Why?" Why would the voice be happy about such a thing? Maybe it didn't know, "Its not a good thing, that guy is a monster! Bah... he had to of enchanted my Dad, its the only thing that makes any sense."

The jelly like substance quivered a bit as if sympathizing with him.
"....monster he may be...but if not for his blood I wouldn't be here. Talking to you. Or sharing our experiences together." The voice seemed...genderless, though like a hollow echo of Luthor's vioce.

Luthor blinked a couple times before he looked up at the strange jelly again, watching it closely before he lifted on hand up toward it again, "Is that so? Huh..." Something good coming of being related to that guy, huh? The idea wasn't something he even wanted to consider but the voice did make him wonder. He poked at the jelly that was trying to keep the rain off of him again, curious now about what exactly it was and why it had suddenly appeared to him.

There was a faint giggling sound as the substance quivered under the curious poke.
"Stop that...apparantly I am ticklish." the voice responded though it was still slightly sad.
"I've wanted to talk to you a long time...but...I couldn't.. not suppose to..." It murmured.

Luthor pulled his hand back quickly, eyes going wide in shock, "W-What...?" He whispered, realizing it was in fact the jelly that was talking... it was talking to him and it was ticklish? Was jelly allowed to do that?!

"A-Ahh... s-sorry..." He whispered, "Won't poke you again."

The substance quivered again as if trying to giggle.
"Don't be sorry...though...I would of thought you would have more questions for me..." came the disemboied voice from all sides of him. It was diong a good job of keeping him dry.

Luthor shrugged, "I am wondering at the moment if perhaps I fainted somewhere and am having a really weird dream." He told the jelly that was speaking to him, it was all that made sense at the moment in his young mind.

"No. You are very much awake." It replied as a tendril of the jelly reached out to pet Luthor's cheek in a caress.

"I am always with you...I am what makes your hair glow." It commented as it fiddeled with a lock of his hair.

The preteen found himself leaving into the soft touch against his cheek, eyes sinking half closed, "What makes my hair glow?" He murmured, then looked a little confused, "Really? I guess you are the same color as the glow.... so what exactly does that make you?" He asked of the jelly, thinking he might know but not quite trusting his first guess.

There was another soft giggling sound as Luthor leaned into its touch. It confinued to fondle his hair absently.

"I am your magic silly." it informed the young man. "I am apart of you since birth. "

Luthor blinked a couple times, "R-Really? I... I didn't know magic could talk to me." He murmured, "I knew... knew you could get mad at me but... didn't know you could be nice too."

"Well...yes I can get mad, but...usually magic is rather standoffish with our partners...for obvious reasons. Demon's have a pertty firm grip on manipulating magic...but...your particular heritage makes you nearly one with us." It explained as it shrunk the tarp over Luthor close so the warmth it was creating could help dry Luthor off.

Luthor nodded, "I... guess I could understand why it wouldn't have a nice chat with someone like that guy." He murmured, blinking a couple times as the magic's warmth wrapped around him and he let his eyes sink half closed as he enjoyed the nice feeling. It was a similar feeling to when his Dad hugged him he thought to himself.

'Yes...well...you are the first and hopefully not that last that will use us for something more than personal gain." Came the voice again it was clearer now, the jelly was hardening the sound of rain hitting it very clear all of a sudden. And then the tendrils went back into the tarp like sheild and like a gob trailed down the side and landed on the ground where it stretched and legthened like a snake. It shook its body as little legs and more defined features were made clear before it looked up at Luthor the little serpintine creature wagged its tail at him.

"Oh... wow, look at you." He murmured, reaching a hand out to pet the strange looking creature that appeared before him, it was pretty wasn't it? He gave a bit of a smile feeling better now that he wasn't alone. He gave a little smile as he rested back against the wall, "Personal gain, huh? He made it sound like that was all the magic was good for..." He blinking a couple times then flushed, "I probably shouldn't have believed him, huh? Hes not exactly the best person to learn from..."

The magic creature shrugged a shoulder and then went to clamber up upon Luthor's leg where it then perched precariously on his knee.

"Maybe not...but then again it is all he knows. You are...after all..the first." It reminded Luthor gently.

"I guess so." He murmured, not wanting to think in any way kindly toward Vampy, he didn't like the man or the fact that he was holding his father in thrall... it annoyed him to no end. He reached a hand out to gently pet the creature when it climbed up to sit on his leg, "I... ahh... I am sorry for saying mean things about you... and for thinking them." He said to the creature. He was actually glad to have it for once and glad that he was completely alone here in the alleyway.