Chapter 3 - Passing Into Pain

 

 

Chapter 3 – Passing Into Pain

 

 

 

Juno found himself within the silent and ominous dreamscape once again. That same feeling of the unknown yet vivid, white place he was in was before him another time. As he looked around his dream, he found that he was unmoving and encircling him were many large pedestals with posing statues.

 

 

What the…? Is this…something new…?

 

 

He examined them from his frozen position, seeing blank placards on each of the unknown statues of people; all of them bound in chain save for three that were free and holding a ball in one hand. The placards on these pedestals were filled with barely legible writing, which made Juno feel sick as he attempted to read it. He managed to get one word out, which soon made him collapse onto his knees, screaming out from racks of unbearable pain slamming hard into him until all went black…for the moment… 

 

 

 

I’m back in the bed…? Same white clothes…? Is it the same dream… or just another nightmare like before…?

 

 

‘…No…this one… is not a dream nor a nightmare Juno…’

 

 

Wait… what…?

 

 

‘Are you still lost Juno?’

 

 

I’m confused as hell…very confused…

 

 

‘Well to answer one thing…since I’m talking…let’s just say…I’m you…’

 

 

Me…?

 

 

‘Yes you…a long…old…and forgotten… part that has finally been awakened…although very barely… What I am to you…will be known at a later time… but for now… I’m simply… here to let your mind… recap all that has happened…down to every sweat laden, and painful thought. You remember it all…don’t you…?’

 

 

Remember? What…? What do I remember…?

 

 

The memories fade in like many changing channels on a television, all of them surrounding him completely. The all too familiar white silently left to bring the familiar cacophonies and the darkness, followed by one memory transposing itself before him….

 

 

‘Here…this is the one…’

 

 

It is warm… The air is heavy… Juno lies unmoving until his hand slowly stirs upon the stained, dirty tiles. Slowly picking himself up, he doubled over from the fresh pain wrapping around his chest, left arm, right leg and his entire head. Screaming out as warm liquid trickled down his face, trailing over a blackened eye and down something impaled in his chest; he began breathing hard and fighting the sudden urge to pass out and welcome Death’s sweet embrace back upon the bloody floor. Everything is muffled as he fought it to look about in a pained haze from where he was, save for the red light pouring through the ceiling. Its dark glow lit up the room enough for him to see two people. One was strung up on chains hooked to the ceiling while the other lay silent upon the ground. 

 

He turned, pain racking loudly in his movement, locking on new sounds slowly breaking through if just barely muffled… the sounds of screaming and manic laughter. Fighting himself to walk he followed them, leaving the room and entering a long hallway. Leaning against the wall to fight back a pang of pain he started on, stumbling only once down the hall. The sounds became louder and more audible, but were still just stifle in his ears as he continued onward, down a few flight of stairs and into another hallway. Finally reaching the source, Juno pushed open the double doors and staggered inside. 

 

 

‘This… this is what you remember… and how you will…it now… and forever engrained in your head...’

 

 

He couldn’t really make out what was going on through his fog but it didn’t need to be explained. During the fight, before he passed out from taking a magical, pokégirl beating and one of Sean’s implements in his shoulder, he caught the glimpse on his face as he left and what it meant soon after. Those sounds… echoed loudly and audibly in the room. That sick man was slumped on the floor and ravaging the girl, right there before him, yelling like the psychopath he was while she screamed in paralyzed vain, unable to fight back. Juno turned in pained protest to find something to lean against, in the form of a locked gurney next the wall. In that moment, turning back as his vision returned for a moment to catch the tail end of Sean finishing and rising to his feet, leaving the helpless girl to stare on dazed and quivering with distant looking eyes… something happened…

 

 

This…moment…and how it was so…unexpected…

 

 

His heart suddenly raced, it being the only sound out of the unknown rage as he saw Sean let out a yell, it signifying his victory of sick satisfaction. Staring vividly, his eyes shot open suddenly, becoming completely red, dilated and bloodshot. Juno twitched as adrenaline rushed and all rational thought that denoted him leave his mind, only be replaced with otherworldly intent, control and brazen ire. A shaky right hand unknowingly and quickly grips his rifle, cocks the lever with a flip and immediately fires, followed by the recoil causing him to fall back against the gurney. The shell strikes Sean cleanly in the shoulder and ricochets off of the wall behind him. He jolts back and looks at Juno, seeing him get up, holding the trembling gun with one arm, stagger forward a few steps, cocked it again to reload and fire off another round. A yell leaves his mouth from the attack hitting his thigh, only to be replaced with a smirk as he stood up, ignoring the pain as more rounds miss or enter his body.

 

 

Battered and bruised, especially your worse for wear left arm… you fired rounds until it was empty…but that didn’t stop you…

 

 

The barrel smokes from the fired shells all of them either striking Sean or missing completely. The clicks of an empty chamber and casings hitting the floor now fill the air as the two stare each other down. Dropping the rifle, he pulls out the revolver Meph gave him.

 

 

‘Ah. That revolver… it only had one load of rounds in it…yet you did not know…until later anyways…’

 

 

“Leave her alone!!!” he then yelled out, firing the six rounds at him, two missing, the third grazing Sean’s face and the remaining pelting him. ‘click!’ Juno, now realizing there was no more ammo left began rushing towards Sean and using the gun now as a blunt instrument. His swing came down and true only to see it immediately stopped by strong hands, easily ripped from his grip and brazenly tossed like rubbish. Sean followed with a hard right cross into Juno’s bleeding face. Staggering back from the blow, possible broken jaw and the reawakened pain, Juno yells out as he grabs him by his fractured arm. A hard kick followed a sickening pop soon after sends him back a few feet and onto the ground once more with him yelling even louder. Seeing his useless weapons and battered form lying on the ground before him, Sean chuckled and wiped the now flowing blood from his mouth.

 

“Was that it…? That all you got boy…? Because I LIKE THE STING!!!”

 

Grabbing a cleaver and slowly making his way towards Juno, a reddish orange energy began to crackle all around Sean as he muttered the spell he began casting on himself. His demented smile turned ever crazier as the magical affliction of Berserk began to take over, filling his head with a growing, unquenchable rage. Picking him up by his neck and raising a slightly muscled, tightly clenched fist with a growl, he prepared his would be final swing only to rear back as Juno yelled out some strange spell in a croaking voice. Sean clearly saw something thick, white, fetid and very strange sounding envelop him.

 

“Shit!!” he roared out, thrashing as he began to come under the abnormal affliction, with it also temporarily blinded him. He began swinging the cleaver about in the air and tripping over himself, feeling it begin its slow transformation. Sean cried out as pain seemed to rack hard all over him from one side, forcing him back and stacking on as it came from that one direction. Swinging about, cursing, yelling and laughing, another volley came his way.

 

“That’s rrrrrright!!! GIVE MEEEEEA MORRRRRRRE!!!” he yelled out, his eyes somehow smoking and pure white, only to feel something hot lead to his eventual ‘demise.’ Groaning out from the fiery attack, Sean flew backwards and right into the large, open iron maiden that sat chained to the nearby wall. He yelled as he impacted the wall, followed by its large, spiked door slamming shut, making him scream, curse, groan and lash about.

 

 

Irony…in a sense…

 

 

 Juno stood there; completely ignoring his useless arm, wounds, eventual blood loss and unknown spells coursing through him as the maiden shook about. The chains that held it rattled loudly and kept it from tipping completely over. Blood slowly seeps and flows out its cracks, face and mouth, crying out in warped pleasure as its intended victim remains in its deathly confines until… everything becomes silent… The maiden lies still, the chains stop rattling... In the distance, the cry of sirens fills the stagnant air, getting louder as they approach the building. The sirens then stop, only to be replaced by shouting policemen and women barging into the old building. Footfalls and diverse chatter echo down the old halls and stairways, addressing squad names and the like loudly in the hospital. Guards up, they start their search, scanning every viable room. In almost all of the ones they entered contained stark naked, injured, fluid covered young women strung up, strapped to tables or in makeshift cages. The rest were filled with important body ‘parts’ in large jars and the dead, butchered bodies of those unfortunate.

 

“Secure the victims… and search the other rooms and places for any remaining survivors…”

 

 

‘The police had finally arrived Juno…just in time to see the carnage of that man, what your pokégirl had done… and what you were going to do next as well…’

 

 

Another group entered the room Juno just left. Save for the usual but destroyed torture devices, one officer looks up to see a pokégirl strung up on a chain. From the look of what appeared to be a knife impaled in her head, bodily bruises and claw marks, followed by the predicament of how she got up there, she would be dead if not extremely brought to harm.

 

 

Vivian did a real number on her… even with everything working against her… but that did not stop her…not at all Juno…

 

 

Now occupying every room with close scrutiny, some soon heard shocked quivering and fast breathing from behind a large door in the building. Finding its source and pushing it open, the very large reddish lit room came into view followed by a wave of odd warmth. The rusty steel fan slowly spun above them, droning loudly as heat came from it. Knives, clubs, stolen items and other grisly implements were scattered about. Torture chairs and racks upon the walls as well with other objects that belonged in a hospital instead of the forsaken place it now was decorated themselves all over. The smell of blood and a strong foulness also hung fresh in the air.

 

 

Is it coming to you…Juno…? Cause it should be…

 

 

Next to them, a battered, bleeding and bruised Juno stands frozen if not for the slight twitches that seemed to come every few seconds. His discarded rifle lay upon the ground, its hot barrel still smoking from the fired and useless shots. A vile, dark greenish haze seemed to leave his mouth with every breath. Needles completely adorned his entire right arm, with some leaving his skin to clatter on the ground.

 

 

You won the fight with that lucky Frog Song …but I think throwing in the 1000 Needles was a bit over the top…but still, it did not count to what you did next… which I say was…fleeting…

 

 

His twitching sight never left the iron maiden before him, which contained the third, Sean the Butcher. He remained in the grisly casket that continued pouring out his red ochre upon the floor. Approaching to secure the area and its survivors, it suddenly shook for a second. Everyone stared as the door swung open, unleashing a small cascade of fresh blood. The policemen and woman immediately brandished their weapons, staring into the darkness, hearing a deep croak.

 

“Everyone…get ready…”

 

The suspense built up, unbearably until a small green creature hopped out of the iron maiden. It croaked again, looking up at the people staring bewildered at it, before simply hopping about.

 

“He’s…he’s…a toad…” one said.

 

“Joyce…go catch him.”

 

 

‘You did it…you won…you saved them all…’

 

 

‘Do you finally get it Juno…?’

 

 

…?

 

 

‘Despite the veritable, living hell you went through… plus grabbing death by his bony neck, you saved not only your life but the lives of all the others here… by doing something you did not realize...and that is why I’m finally awake…’

 

 

…? I …the fight… seeing her…Vivian…or anything else… why is it in here…yet I can’t remember…?

 

 

‘You do remember Juno… It’s all there…right in front of you…or is it that you choose not to see…to see what you done…as a human…?’

 

 

“Alone…leave…her…no…” he said as his unknown rage began fading, eyes now normal again, trembling ceased and blankly staring down. 

 

Another officer slowly approached him while the others searched and secured the room, all the while cautiously keeping a hand on her gun if Juno decided to snap again. Joyce had finally nabbed Sean the Toad and was looking at Juno. He quickly snapped up, causing everyone to freeze and aim at him. Standing up and somehow ignoring the pain racking his body, he removed his bloody duster and walked over to the ravaged girl. Her eyes were completely focused on him in shock but they soon welled up in tears as he quietly covered her form up.

 

“He’s fine…” Joyce said softly, gripping Sean tightly with one hand.

 

 He did not move again from his new position, eyes still not even focused on her, the officer and them all as he sat there. The officer from before kneels down and picks up the ravaged and now sobbing girl easily into her arms. Sighing, she turns to see Juno now on the ground; his eyes rolled up in his head and still bleeding out, finally succumbed to pain if not dead.

 

“Someone get the paramedics!  NOW!”

 

 

The memory then fades into the darkness…

 

 

‘Well Juno…I must go… Reflect on this if you want…as it is…natural to me…’

 

 

Reflect…? How can I…? It’s still a blur…I don’t…understand…how this even…happened…?

 

 

‘You will…only in time…you will…for it is coming Juno…’

 

 

The darkness remained, only to be dispersed by blinding light and crossing over to another memory. Blurry things were looking down at him, talking in faded voices amongst each other. Their blood covered extensions were working deftly among him, taking things, putting things on him and in him or pointing at others for something. All starts to go black when he sees one touch his head and mutter something, followed by a mask of some sort.

 

 

I don’t know how this young man survived all that was done to him…especially while all that blood he lost…

 

 

He must have something…gifts or sheer brazen luck maybe…

 

 

Well that will be revealed in the diagnosis…as for now…lets save his life shall we…? Morphine, gauze bandages and a scalpel please…this is going to be interesting…

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Juno softly groaned as blinding light pierced his eyelids, signs of life finally showing.

 

 

Bright… I’m dead…? Purgatory waits…? No…this is…different…

 

 

  The light began to become tolerable as his eyes came into blurred focus. Looking about, his sight caught a glimpse of what was very familiar.

 

 

I’m…awake… I’m…alive…

 

 

 Still looking about, he caught his reflection in the mirror from where he was in the bed. Beige bandages and gauze were wrapped tightly around his head, chest, left arm and right leg. An IV drip was in his right arm, feeding its precious liquid into his system. Glancing about and wanting to get up and move about despite his condition, Juno tried to turn his legs to get out of the bed only to feel that he couldn’t move. Looking every which way and now feeling a bit drugged out, a voice called out, “He leaves Purgatory and finally joins us… Welcome back to the world of the living Juno…”

 

Looking towards the window, Juno stared at the blurred silhouette speaking to him. When the blinds closed, it changed to a green eyed, pink haired and well known person.

 

 

Rose…

 

 

The familiar Nurse Joy then walked over to his bedside and sat down, concern in her voice, “I know what you are going to ask…Juno…but… let me just say… you did a great deed… I don’t think anyone else would have done so in your situation…You are a hero…”

 

He wanted to say something at this point but she again beat him to it, “They are all alright…all the ones that could be saved, other than most of them needing treatment from what was done and the rest simply shaken up from the whole ordeal. The same also goes for those two…especially that girl…” she said as her deft hands began checking his bandages. Unraveling his left arm, she nodded and smiled.

 

“Yes…the broken bones have finally mended. The tenderness from your arm being broken and dislocated should be over though there will be some phantom pain, so a sling is needed. And your wounds are looking quite healed, save for some scarring and stitches that need to be removed. I say you have a few days if not less before you are as fit as an Ingenue.”

 

Juno sighed, feeling relief wash over him and the pain leave as Rose undid every bandage and cut his stitches, adding in a weak Cure spell to minimalize scarring, except for his right arm and a majority of his chest getting re-bandaged in stretchy gauze. Finishing, she turned just as a fit of coughing hit him. Leaning over to the nightstand, the Nurse Joy grabbed a glass of water and helped him up to drink. He did so, swallowing it all and gasping for air when he finished. Feeling her lay him back down she said, “I should tell you… the past three weeks you were unconscious must have been something… all alone in your head…teetering on this realm and the next…though some said you were dead on arrival…and now…here you are…”

 

Juno finally spoke albeit very hoarse, “I was…?”

 

She nodded, “Dead? In a sense, almost. They had found you that way after what had happened…after…what you just done to that sick man…”

 

Just then, a small but clear fragment of what went down three weeks earlier appeared in his head, but in red and in slow motion. Shaking it out somehow, he returned his dazed gaze back onto her.

 

“When they brought you in…the skeptical few thought you were not going to make it, especially from all the extensive damage you took. Major loss of blood, concussion, a broken arm in two places, plus a serious impalement wound after removing what looked like a dagger in your right shoulder. If you were not wearing that Heavy Metal you would have suffered a lot more. I also released your girl after a healing cycle to treat what may have happened to her as well…as with the other victim too, which to your chagrin, they came out better than what…hell you went through.

 

 

Well. It did stop something…

 

 

“I can…see that… Are they…I mean…?”

 

“Yes, if you are asking did they both live? I should tell you that your Naga, erm…Vivian, was pretty emotional after coming to when she found you being carried out by the paramedics, seeing that you came out far worse in your assault than she did.”

 

Juno tried to chuckle but settled for a raise of his eyebrows, “I am…the squishy one…you know.”

 

“Very true. Though I must tell you that her fight… was enough to cause her evolution. Although… her turning into an Arbust will be good for her, meaning different attacks, greater enhanced abilities and the like, will now come as some of a hindering challenge for you. Her entire body, when in her now near human form and her usual Naga-esque will be completely coated in a mild poison just like the technique Poisonous Coat, only it’s constant and she cannot stop it.  Normally this natural function is used to deter grabby people and the usual hungry Feral if she was in the wild from making a move on her. And seeing that you are a Pureline human, her poison will have its usual, normal and varied effect on you depending on what she is coated in. Maybe, with enough taming and training she might evolve so that it will not become a hindrance factor. You could simply evolve her into a different form or have her poison you on occasions so that your immune system becomes tolerable to them. Keep those suggestions in mind if you want.”

 

Juno continued to listen, the thought of her fight against that sadistic asshole’s pokégirl somehow on his mind.

 

 

That sadistic son of a bitch, Vivian fought her, and I fought him… But I don’t… only blurs after that… What’s wrong… with my head…? 

 

 

“But do not worry Juno; she is fine. She still acknowledges you as her master, forgoing that your Alpha bond is intact. I say, when you are able, take the time to talk to her, set her at ease for her sake especially, she almost lost you...”

 

“I…see…” he said, turning his gaze on her, then to the window.

 

She looked down, “Well…I guess I shouldn’t ask you anything more… other than your dangerous yet heroic accomplishment…though some now see you as something else now…and that you will be able to move after the medicine wears off. I will return to check on you in a few minutes, kk? For now…get some rest…”

 

He nodded then turned to look at her as she headed to the door, “At least something horrible…didn’t happen to us all and… I will be able to work something out… when that time comes…”

 

This returned her smile if only slightly as she nodded.  Looking beyond her, a thought unlike the others appears in his head.

 

 

Charon…you…you are gone… our home gets burned down…my family is not here… I…brutally do something I have little to no recollection of… and save not just my life, but many other pokégirls that were unlucky as well including my own… Is this… this what I am to expect… in becoming a Tamer…and in following Joshua’s path… or is the fates conspiring against me…?

 

 

The pink haired woman sighed as she left the room quietly. Gripping her clipboard she turned to Vivian, standing quietly outside his room.

 

“You can go see him. I wrapped him in waterproof gauze so your poison shouldn’t be able to seep through. Just be careful alright? He needs his rest. I’ll return with what he needs in a few minutes…”

 

“You mean…?”

 

“Yes Vivian… you shouldn’t be able to poison him right now.

 

She nodded quietly, looking away from the nurse as she walked off. Looking through the window at him, Vivian bit her lip and softly opened the door, poison drying and evaporating in her wake.

 

Juno turned his head, groaning slightly from the phantom pain returning. Yawning silently, he rested his head and stared at the person looking right at him.

 

“Vivian…” he said softly.

 

She felt him look over her form, standing quietly at the door before walking over to him. From his guess she was now taller than him if not more when she approached. Lithe, graceful legs and her violet tail slowly wrapped around one. A tad bigger bust line and figure, accentuating her height evenly. Her usual clothing was now looking a bit small on her new form and soaked in her poison. Sighing she morphed into her more familiar form. Her long hair disappeared as a cobra hood took its place. Turning for him, the markings were diamonds, red and crimson with a white skull within the largest, a known visual for all that she was deadly and poisonous.

 

 

He is still quiet… Is it because I have changed…?

 

 

Curling up like the day they first met, she sat there, eying him slightly. He raised his bandaged hand and gestured her to come closer. She did not move, “But…I poisonous… Arbust hurt Master now…”

 

He shook his head and gestured again. Reluctant and cautious, she approached him, morphing back to her more human form. Sitting at his side, he placed his hand on her, making her jump slightly.

 

“We will…work this…out…Vivian…” he said softly.

 

She did not look at him, silently crying at her new form, yet feeling relieved that he lived.

 

“I…I…” she said, trying to hold it back, but eventually let it out as she turned and grasped him, lightly.

 

“I know…” he said, petting her head and hearing her fully crying upon him.

 

Unbeknownst to them, his ‘other’ girl was watching the scene through the door window. Pressing up her glasses and tossing back a lock of soft yet slightly vibrant pink hair, she sighs and sits down on a nearby bench. Clutching a book close to her, a shunned memory comes forth but is immediately repressed as a voice gets her attention.

 

“Are you also going to see him?” Rose said, as happy as she could to the sitting Hyper Doll before her.

 

“Why should I?”

 

“Because he is your new Master…who almost died…”

 

“Yeah yeah I heard already…” she said, rolling her eyes.

 

The Nurse Joy scoffed in annoyance, “Well I hope for sure he gets you to evolve and cut this…this…nature of yours right out of you…”

 

“As if he can? No one has… Nine tamers could not do it. So what makes it that he will? Just…put me back please… I don’t even want to talk about it.” she said, standing up and towering over Rose. Straightening her noble-like dress, she casually stands there waiting as the Nurse Joy pulled out her pokéball and returns her.

 

“Oh he will. He will.”

 

Entering the room, she sees Vivian hugging him and lying silently upon him. Clearing her throat softly, she gets Vivian to rise up and sit near him.

 

“Now, for your final checkup and the start of what you need to be immune to her.”

 

“There…is a way?” he said.

 

“Yes. With her help and countless others that have been in your situation, save for one who had a very interesting immune system, we made some potions for you to drink over the course of about two months, more than enough time to make you tolerable to her or have her evolved into something else.”

 

She then held up a clear flask with a very light and clear purple fluid within it.

 

“All you need is to drink these once every three days. Your body will react to this diluted poison, making you sick but not enough to where you will keel over. Do not eat anything if you have taken this or you will get worse. If you do feel worse, drink down an antidote.” She said, continuing to explain Juno’s toxin session and pulling out another flask filled with a green liquid.

 

Finishing up, she placed the two flasks in a satchel filled with the rest and gave it to Vivian.

 

“You know what to do and know that he will get used to the taste.” she said. Vivian nodded softly. She turned back to Juno and began to look him over once more.

 

“Yep, you are good. The effect has worn off. Vivian will help you get up and dressed. Your things are in the closet, as are your weapons.” She said with a smile. Nodding he placed a hand on Vivian’s back. She smiled and helped him sit up. Pulling back the covers, he turned his legs and placed his feet on the tiled floor.

 

“Cold floor…” he said, wiggling his toes to get feeling in them. Grasping Vivian’s hand, she lifted him up and held his arm, waiting for him to walk. He stumbled a few times but made it to the closet. Opening the door and seeing his things before him, even the Heavy Metal still pristine from the dagger he was stabbed with. All his clothes still had a few bloodstains and charred marks on them, meaning a change of clothes, if any, remained after the blast.

 

“If there is none, I think gran and gramps may have something I can wear…”

 

Grabbing his clothing, Vivian quietly began outfitting him. He smiled as she worked quietly with her deft hands roaming him but never touching his skin.

 

“Are you…keeping the bandages?” she said quietly.

 

“Yes. You need something to hold don’t you?” he said as she placed his glasses on his face and gripped his left arm, seeing that she really towered over her master. Opening the door, the two headed out and walked straight to the lobby. When they entered, it became almost dead silent, save for whispers about them being thrown about.

 

 

If this is how it’s going to be… I better get used to it then…

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Three Weeks Prior…]

 

 

 

 

Dawn began breaking its way over the mountains in the distance, casting its warming glow upon the wet land and into someone’s eyes. Vivian slowly awoke with a moan as she greeted the morning, wanting to simply sleep it all away. Yawning widely and putting her fangs on display, she sleepily looked down and smiled at the person wrapped in her coiled embrace. Snoring slightly with a small trail of drool leaving his mouth, messy hair cascaded among her, arms wrapped and lying upon her breasts…was her master…

 

He was wrapped in all four arms and her tail coiled among the rest of him with the tip still locked snugly to his ankle. Simply admiring him and content with just letting him sleep and running her fingers through his long hair, Vivian then noticed a faint copper-like taste stir in her mouth. Licking her lips at the flavor and trying to place it, she found where it had originated from. Seeing dried blood caked around four healing holes in his shoulder, she immediately remembered what she had done during the throes of taming. Sitting up slightly with him she began to lick away the dried blood on his wound, the caring action causing him to mumble out in his sleep, “Hmm…..hm…that…that tickles…”

 

His smile that he gave soon turned to sharp pain racking all over his body, those fresh fractures yelling loudly at him and causing Vivian to grow uneasy as more thoughts of what the two did during the night surfaced as well. Feeling the pain pass, Juno soon fell asleep once more, not noticing the door opening and a familiar person stepping inside. Samantha stared at the two with a small smile, the comforting cuddle his Naga gave him brought up a small memory of time gone by and one from last night.

 

 

Just like your brother alright… You will make a great Tamer…you just don’t see it yet…

 

 

Samantha glided over to them and quietly looked them over, all the while Vivian suddenly looking up, giving her a critical eye and a flash of her fangs. “Yes, the trait has surfaced…protective like her species. Hmm…he is still asleep despite the constriction from last night. Luckily they are simple fractures, nothing too serious… Hold still Vivian…”

 

Seeing Samantha placing a hand on his head, Vivian watched as pink energy began flowing throughout Juno’s body. Not feeling his muscles and very bones seem to move, tighten and relax at the same time, Juno reflexively gritted his teeth as she began the healing process of mending them back to normal.

 

“And…we…are done…” she said softly, removing her hand and causing Juno to sleep much deeper than usual.

 

She then glided towards the couch and softly sat down, looking at Juno once more before turning to the window, humming a soft song.

 

“He will awaken in a few seconds Vivian… so don’t worry about what you did.” She said, pointing to his wound. She looked and found it completely healed over.

 

Like she said, Juno yawned and rose sleepily from Vivian’s chest. Looking about blurrily, his vision suddenly cleared when his glasses appeared on his face.”Um…what…?” Juno managed to get out.

 

“And a good morning to you as well.” She said with a smile, “You seem much better after I mended your fractures and healed that bite during your lovely, yet crushing session your Naga deary.”

 

“She…huh…?” he said, completely confused.

 

“Don’t worry about it. I’m guessing you want a reason as to why I am here..?”

 

“Um…yes…” he said as Vivian pulled the covers over themselves.

 

She chuckled, “I’m simply checking in on you, as I did with your brother. I see you have already started on what it means to be a Tamer. Pretty good I must say…especially for your first time…and it’s already left its mark…”

 

He froze for a second, confused again as to what she meant when she finally pointed to his shoulder. He looked and found dried blood leading to a healed bite mark. That’s when it finally clicked as to what she spoke of earlier.

 

“She crushes me, and then bites me…that’s what you mean…” he said as he looked into Vivian’s eyes. What he saw would have to take a small explanation later.

 

“Well I see it as more of a loving hug, since you probably didn’t feel a thing after what you two accomplished. And lucky you that she did not emit her poisons through that bite or we would have found you stiff as a board right now.”

 

 He nodded and continued looking at it, then Vivian again with a chuckle who was now silently looking down.

 

“That aside, I’m really here to inform you that the test is this afternoon at 4:00. I will see you here ready and able correct? Or has your decision changed your mind?”

 

“Yes ma’am. You will see me here…my decision, you already know…”

 

“Alright. Oh, before I go, I would get to know your pokégirl a bit more. Build up on your bond with her, which will only get stronger the more you tame and train her. Also, she will be saying her species’ name, a normal occurrence of taming shock, since you were her first and she will hopefully regain her speech in a few hours or as long as a few days added with calling you ‘master’ as well.”

 

“Hm.” He said, looking back at Vivian, who still did not meet his gaze. He wanted to say something about what she said but she already had an answer for him.

 

“Just do what your brother did and it will all work out. He understood everything his first girl said during her taming shock, maybe you will too.” She said as she disappeared completely.

 

“Do what my brother did…ok…” He said as he gave the thought some time to float around in his head. Shrugging his shoulders, Juno sighed, took off his glasses and lay back in her embrace.

 

 

Even though I feel that title isn’t for me yet…I understand Samantha…

 

 

Staring out the window and viewing the rising morning, he yawned and continued watching it, paying a slight heed to the movements on his body. Vivian yawned, opening her mouth and putting those prominent serpentine fangs on display. She looked around for a moment before her gaze finally yet reluctantly fell on the person among her coils, ruffled hair and all. Staring at her master, a hazily thought blinked in her newly bonded mind. It was back on the many Tamers she had before unknowingly meeting him. All were very diverse in ways, some of which she couldn’t fully understand but she knew one when she’d seen one, especially the way they would care for the harem.

 

 

She finally looks at me…but is still worried about what she has done…

 

 

Still staring, another moment came back up and this one was about a recent person she knew only for a week. He was about Juno’s age, but shorter and a bit more defined. Said person looked like he wouldn’t harm anything, aside from the two he was with, who were donned in odd clothing that made their eyes glow and appearance less human. Everywhere they would go, trouble and chaos would follow. She knew he wanted a better life for her instead of his hectic lifestyle which was why she wasn’t tamed and kept in her ball. The last moment before being returned for the final time, to the world of being aware yet not knowing of it, he said to her, make your new Tamer a happy one. Do things you have ever dreamed of doing with him or her…and most of all…you yourself be happy…

 

The memory faded as Vivian silently stared on into space, listening to the soft ambience of the morning. Yawning once again and ignoring what she had done, sleep was about to take over when something warm touched her face. Grabbing it, her master rose from her chest with a smile.

 

“…Naga…” she uttered, the taming shock clear in her speech and embarrassment slowly stricken on her face.

 

 

Just like Samantha said.

 

 

“Good morning Vivian… Did you sleep well?”

 

Vivian nodded, “Yes Master…Naga slept well… Naga enjoyed… first time with Master… Did…Master…enjoy…as well…?” she said, sinking down slightly.

 

He smiled as she glanced away, visible blush on her face, “Yes…I did… And do not worry about what you did to me last night…ok…?”

 

“Ah!? But…Naga…hurt Master!” she said suddenly, still blushing though shock was in her eyes.

 

 “That was not your fault Vivian, as you were simply lost and enjoying every moment I’m guessing…I am fine, alright? Your master is fine.” he said, staring into her eyes, they now glowing with mix of happiness and a few tears of joy after his expectant answer followed with a light kiss. Feeling her coils move about, Juno saw her now on top of him, lying silently on his chest.

 

“Naga…never hurt Master again… Naga…protect Master…” she said, tracing a finger softly on his healed bite wound.

 

Juno had nothing to say this time, obviously hearing the concern she still held within her.

 

 

That must have been a bad experience, knowing that she hurt the one who will care for her always.

 

 

 Feeling a hand brush her cheek, Vivian lightly smiled and grasped it. Watching her stare off into the distance and simply enjoying the warmth of each other, Juno decided to get a few more minutes in of just being close. As they lay there content and in coils, Juno yawned and said, “As much as I want to stay here and enjoy this morning, I need to get up.”

 

She looked at him, curious as to why he would want to get out of her coils and the warm bed as he managed to sit up with her.

 

“That look on your face is tempting, but I really have to. The day must begin my serpent. And, you get to meet someone now that you are family.”

 

Vivian smiled, rising up to nuzzle his neck as he stared at her. Placing his other hand on her shoulder, she hummed as he continued, sliding it down her back, going over the trail of silky smooth scales. Softly moaning at his touch, Vivian then stifled a breath as his hand finally landed on her soft ass which was followed by a gentle squeeze. She released his other hand, which soon joined in, causing her to gasp again. She responded to his action with a loving but sly smirk, her coils moving about softly. Smiling and laying back down, he brought her into a soft kiss.

 

 

Well… I don’t have to go home…just yet anyway...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Some birthday I had…yep…” he said, yawning deeply.  He was now outside after taking care of whatever was needed in the PokéCenter. Fully dressed in yesterday’s clothing, Juno looked about seeing the usual like before; save for the wetness of the storm’s passing covering everything.

 

“…Master…” Vivian said sleepily, gripping his arm tightly as the two made their way over to his motorbike. He sighed as he looked at it, then her. Seeing the look on his face, Vivian understood what it meant and kissed him again. Juno hummed as her long tongue explored his mouth.

 

 

 I am not that surprised… This is all normal now… especially when I start out…

 

 

They fought for a second, only to have him pull away. He smirked as he held her long tongue with his lips, causing her to giggle slightly. Releasing it, she drew it and went back to clutching his arm.

 

“I will release you when I get home…” he said, caressing her face before placing her ball on her chest. The orb soon engulfed her in its signature red beam and withdrew her inside. Looking at the ball, he closed his eyes, put it away in his duster and started his motorbike, ignoring it being wet and all.

.

 

I’ll have to give her a ride someday…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Minutes Later…]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making the usual time it took him to get into town, Juno made it home like always. Parking and casually walking to the door, he turned the handle to see if it was locked and to his chagrin, wasn’t.

 

 

We are going to get robbed if this keeps up…

 

 

“Back…” he said as he stepped in, shut the door and locked it.

 

Hearing no response, he walked up the stairs and went straight for his room. Looking about in it, he noticed the clothing sitting on the bed, something he knew would complement his changing look.

 

 

Now I know I will look like him with it on.

 

 

Picking up the clothing and boots, he also notices another set out as well, it looking like an exact copy of what Vivian wore yet made for the outdoors.

 

 

She must know. Nothing gets by her anyway. And they look to be the perfect fit for her, still leaving skin on display…yay…

 

 

Grabbing his ball and releasing Vivian, he smiled as the white light surrounded him, leading up to her appearing wrapped around him. She groaned slightly as she shook off the effects of her confinement, rubbing her eyes on his neck.

 

“You ok?”

 

“Naga…” she responded, vision returned and still latched to him.

 

 

Well…since I know she placed them here and will probably be up or home in a few minutes, we better make ourselves presentable.

 

 

Grabbing the second set of clothing, he and Vivian headed straight to the bathroom. Stepping in and flicking on the lights, aside from the sunlight lightly pouring in from the window, Juno drew back the curtain of the large shower and turned the faucet handle almost all the way. The large showerhead instantaneously began spraying out water, cold at first, but becoming tolerably hot. Testing the water with his hand, he nodded and set the clothing down on the sink. He then turned to look at Vivian, who was now coiled up and staring at him, then the running shower.

 

“Afraid of a little water Vivian…?”

 

She shook her head, “No Master…Naga no afraid…Is Master….as well…?” she finished with two fingers pointing at the running water.

 

“After I you get cleaned up first… now come on…” he said, answering her small question.

 

Nodding, she made her way slowly to him.

 

Grabbing his outstretched arm, she was now at his side. Looking in her eyes, seeing the odd cautiousness yet curious look of why he was doing this, something trivial and completely mundane for her inside them, Juno began undressing her. The same halter top; immediately removed and tossed in a nearby hamper, as with her skirt and other items. Removing her jewelry and placing it on the sink, she was left with nothing but her natural beauty on display before him. Vivian slightly blushed and looked down, only to be brought in his gaze.

 

 

Still getting warmed up to me I guess…

 

 

“It’s alright…” he said as he led her into the shower. Feeling the warm water hit her; she sighed and closed her eyes, letting the water simply wash all over her body. Seeing her body slightly sway as she relaxed under the warm spout, Juno leaned over and grabbed a large sponge and a bottle of body wash.

 

 

Gets a pokégirl and human smelling clean and fresh heh heh…

 

 

Disrobing as well, he carefully stepped in, feeling the steamy heat and water splash on him. Working the sponge and body wash into a good lather, he began softly scouring her down, starting from her long tail. Going on, he then reached her hips, humming as he lathered her up. She gasped, eyes opening wide as she turned to see her master stark naked as she was. The sponge sliding over her ass and was now all over her back, covering every inch of skin and scale. Juno smiled and held it up, “I said I was going to get you cleaned up, remember?”

 

Continuing, she turned back, her glance not leaving in the slightest as she watched the sponge and his other hand caressing and cleaning all over her. The feeling of his touch, the hot water and his simple presence slowly began to put her at ease and work over her once more.

 

 

I…am fine… I am… He is… my new Master now… 

 

 

Enjoying what he was doing to her, Vivian was now lost in her thoughts and new sudden and conflicting feelings. Tamer or not she was his. The new bond she felt within herself reinforced that.  But… she couldn’t really explain why she felt mixed between love for him, something normal to most of her species being instilled in her mind and what lay in store down the road of evolution...

 

 

You know already… what is going to happen to you when you evolve…

 

 

No…

 

 

You are seething at the thoughts…and that’s why you feel it. It is what he has done…You know you will poison him… when you become one…

 

 

No… he will love me…even if I do…

 

 

Huh…well… he may be used to you now, but it is all going to change…and you will see…

 

 

 Master… Master loves me… He will… if I evolve…

 

 

He will…

 

 

Pushing away the thoughts and letting it die, Vivian gasped suddenly. She no longer felt the sponge rubbing softly against her because something else had taken its place. She tilted her head slightly, feeling its motions continue gliding on her skin, soap and all. Both of Juno’s hands began kneading and running across her breasts, groping the ample mounds softly while his fingers trailed over her pert nipples. Continuing his little act, Juno slid one hand away, with little disdain to her stomach, pressing it there for a good minute, simply holding her close to him. 

 

“Hmm…I think I missed a spot…” he said into her ear, enjoying the response she gave out. Juno softly nuzzled and kissed her neck as his hand moved downwards to settle itself on her womanhood, causing a more eager moan to finally leave Vivian’s mouth as the fingers slowly brushed against her folds.

 

Opening her eyes and glancing back with a deeper blush, Vivian saw her master, the only one she needed, tending to her and gently pressed against her back. His long black hair was now curtained like hers, falling over some of his averagely built self from the water. Brown, run of the mill eyes softly gazed into her red ones, seeing the long forgotten caution and thoughts leave and be replaced with comfortable elation and the yearn to please. The two of them were at ease with just being close as she swayed slowly like a dancing cobra, her charmer following suit. That, was until a simple smile marked his face. Vivian moaned out a hiss as his ministrations became more pronounced, spreading her lips and sliding two fingers within. The hot water still cascaded on top of them, adding its way of pleasure as she felt the probing invaders now within her cunt, softly pumping within.

 

“Yesssss…maasssster…” she hissed, her walls wrapping snugly around the digits. 

 

Getting a few more in, Juno slowly removed his fingers. Seeing them covered in her natural liquid and glistening in the light, he brought them to his face before the water had other plans with it. Licking them, he tasted that salty yet tart flavor hit his taste buds once again. Bringing his coated fingers before her, she immediately took them into her mouth. Juno enjoyed seeing her savor the taste of herself. Her long tongue danced around his fingers and the suckling sounds she made simply turned them both on even more. He restarted his ministration, continuing again as she slowly played with her breasts, hearing more and more cries of love, seeing his serpent ride the lust within her.

 

“Coil me up my serpent… I am yours…you are mine. And nothing is going to change that…” he said softly into her ear, slowly pulling his fingers out of her mouth as he began to suckle her neck and knead her breasts. Those last words rang softly in her head, strengthening their bond even more.

 

Vivian was at a lack for words. She was lost in what he was giving her and heat of the flowing water. Her other hands already found its way to his member and herself, rubbing and stroking eagerly. Turning her, seeing her eyes mislaid until they met his gaze, he brought her into a kiss. As they fought, tongues intertwining, savoring the taste once more, he placed her against the tiled wall as she still explored her wet womanhood. Feeling her tail slowly coil around him, snaking its way around his leg, side and chest, with the tip now softly gripping his forehead, she released the kiss and looked into his eyes.

 

“…Master…” she said softly, the word flowing expectantly.

 

“Yes… my lovely serpent…?” Juno said, his hand tracing her face.

 

“…please…?” she said quietly, gripping it and holding it to her chest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

After their enjoyment of the shower, which soon cascaded into his bedroom, the two were now in his bed and dressed for the day. Juno was clutching Vivian as she fell into a restful sleep, tightly gripping him with a smile. She did not coil him like before, only to simply let her tail lay in, on and off of his bed. Seeing that it was still early in the day, he softly slipped out of her grasp and laid her down on a pillow, which was immediately clutched in her four arms with a sleepy mumble. Turning to head out, he was suddenly confronted by Charon, arms crossed and standing statuesque in front of his door.

 

“…I see you are home…” she said softly.

 

“Well… um… mistress…” he managed to say softly as well.

 

“No need Juno… I can tell by the person sleeping on your bed that your day yesterday must have been interesting as well…” she said as her wings twitched a bit on her shoulders.

 

“Yes…ma’am…”

 

Charon then smiled and hugged him, her leathery wings finding their usual spot on Juno. “You are growing up alright.”

 

He mumbled underneath her grasp, contently buried among her, ‘Of course ‘mother’.

 

“So… does she have a name?”

 

“Vivian…” he said, looking up from her cleavage, then to his sleeping serpent with a smile. She mumbled again, a smile on her face as she hugged the pillow tighter to herself.

 

“Ah…a pretty name Juno…” she said, nodding before turning her gaze back on him.

 

“Is there anything…that is needed to be done today…mistress…?”

 

“No…none at all…”  Charon sighed, “If only your mother could see you now…”

 

 

Same here…

 

 

 They remained that way for a second, Juno content to stay close to her for hours upon end, only to have her softly pull away, re-cloaking her wings.

 

“I almost forgot. I need to head back into town for something.”

 

“What is it? I can go fetch it for you.”

 

“That’s alright Juno. You stay here and enjoy the rest of the day with your pokégirl. I won’t be that long out anyways. And, there is something in the fridge for you two to eat if you get hungry.”

 

“Alright…mistress…”

 

With a nod and a smile, Charon closed her eyes and began to chant, signaling her usual teleportation spell. Smiling as she disappeared, Juno turned back to his sleeping Naga and sat down on his bed. Pulling her softly into his lap, pillow and all, he looked out the window seeing the day actually beginning to look more pleasant than wet.

 

“Yup… it’s going to be a typical, normal day…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

“And by normal, I really meant as good as I hope it to be.” he said softly to himself as she made his way to the PokéCenter. Stepping in like usual, he tilted a friendly nod to Rose at the counter.

 

“Good day Juno, you are just on time if a bit early at least.”

 

He sighed loudly, “I thought I wasn’t going to make it.”

 

“Well you did boy.” A voice said from behind him, causing him to jump.

 

Samantha laughed and Rose giggled as his dark face turned a slight shade darker.

 

“Well… are you ready for it?”

 

“Not as ready as you think I am. I know this thing was designed to be hard, really hard.”

 

“Oh? So does that mean you’re having second thoughts then?”

 

“No. Just…ugh…you know.” he said quickly.

 

She chuckled, “It’s all going to work out. You will see.”

 

This just made Juno feel even worse. Looking at the clipboard now in front of him, spying the long list of names on it, he grabbed it and signed his name second to last on the very bottom. Setting it down, he turned to sit and wait in the lounge. Looking out the window as usual, Samantha chuckled, easily reading the veritable dread and nervousness he was giving off. That soon turned to a sigh as a familiar person stepped in, signed his name a looked at all the people attempting something he would ace with flying colors. Juno felt his familiar presence as he began to approach him, followed snidely by, “Oh look… the rich boy, or should I say Infernal offspring... is learning how to become a Tamer… It is as if you want to fit in with a society that is not for you…!”

 

“Let me guess… still have Graveyard Halitosis? Or should I say Zombabe Breath. Man you make a Mileeboro’s Bad Breath attack smell like freshly done laundry…” He said looking up to see Gavin and all of his asshole glory staring down at him. Juno then noticed the two lackeys that seemed to be with him. The two wore simple, punk-like outfits save for the difference in color and the hat on one of their heads, “And you brought your two menservants with you as well…? Oh this day just keeps getting better and better… praise the Thousand Gods…!”

 

This caused the other two to slowly approach him, but only to be stopped short by a wave of Gavin’s hand.

 

“Look rich boy, I thought I told you not to take that test, and to add to that show your pure fucking blooded face around here as well.”

 

“It’s a free League; you can’t do anything to me anyway Hack, no matter how much slander, criticism, or just plain hot ass breath you throw at me... It’s not like you make up all the rules around here… So leave and have some tea now please…”

 

“And why is that…you son of a Demoness bitch?” he said, balling up a fist, followed by the two joining in as well, only to have that action stopped when they were suddenly frozen and in the air.

 

“Because you don’t want me to completely wipe your feeble little mind now, do you?” Samantha said, walking over and looking them all in the eye.

 

“Hey! Uh… we were just kidding… right guys?” Gavin said through his teeth, with his lackeys grinning widely to follow suit.

 

“Sure you were…” she said with a smirk, “What makes me believe that lie, since the first idea seems more likely to happen now…?”

 

“Honest to Thousand Gods Honest! We were just joking around! Just pulling Juno’s leg I swear!!!” he said, feeling that terra firma was not going to be back anytime soon.

 

“Well…” she said, releasing them to fall, “If I ever… see you do something like that again to anyone…anyone…”

 

“Yes ma’am!” the three said in unison, staring fearfully at the pokéwoman before them hovering off of the ground, hands, antennae and eyes aglow with psionic energies. Getting up off of the floor, they quickly sat on the opposite end of the longue area. Nodding to Juno with a smile, he smiled back and said, “I could have handled that you know, but you stepped in so…yeah…”

 

“Sure…” she said with a raised eyebrow, floating back to her spot, noticing Juno completely ignoring the daggers Gavin and his lackeys sent him. She landed softly with a sigh and said, “It’s going to get interesting, very interesting indeed.”

 

“How so…?” The Nurse Joy said.

 

“I know that boy has no vague idea what he is getting himself into. Becoming a Tamer is one thing, but taking on the mantle of his brother, to become a Blue Mage is another…”

 

“You didn’t say that about Joshua when he first started out.”

 

“I know. He had gifts; all of them greatly suited as if he was the perfect one, save for his curses, which were Parasite and the Pokéboy Gene. The gifts of Regeneration, Telempathy, Potent Spellcaster and even Longevity by sheer miraculous chance were a part of him. Heh… I actually remember him laughing when I said ‘you are your mother and grandmother combined.’ But that didn’t faze him…not in the slightest. Now Juno… Juno… he is the exact opposite, save for one thing…and that is what I have seen in many good natured Tamers.”

 

“His heart?”

 

“Yes… just as good as his brother.”

 

“We all hoped that he would at least get a gift or two, maybe a complete copy of what his brother had since it ran in his Infernal family history, saved for some different curses, but that was not the case…”

 

Rose nodded, “So…despite being a pureblood that is taking on something dangerous but well known in the world, you think he is going to be one of those Tamers that see his pokégirls for what they truly are instead of what most of the godforsaken people think our only purpose is?”

 

“Of course, and he knows it as well. That Naga I got him was a crucial part of the test, although a bit frowned on by me, plus giving him a little ‘push’ last night…?

 

“You mean…?”

 

 “Yes… the whole session made me feel like I should have joined in those lovely coils aside from the eventual bone cracking….but that’s something…we shall talk about over some coffee…” she said quietly to the pink haired woman, who immediately made a mental note if she forgot.

 

“All in all…it was a test that he passed greatly.  What he will experience out there past the border and into the wild world will be the true challenge for him.”

 

“True…and if he falls, he will have to stand up on his own two feet. He can’t hang on to anyone now, even me and you...” Rose said, looking at him now in a light nap all the while being ostracized by Gavin.

 

“Well is it time yet…?” she said.

 

Samantha shook her head, “Yes it is. I shall take my leave now. Just remind him of the second part of the test after he finishes.”

 

“Of course Samantha.”

 

With that she disappeared in a flash of pink light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sounds of squeaky doors swinging opened and shutting repeatedly for a few seconds filled the air, followed by the screech of rusted wheels. A brute of a person was pushing an old, bloodied gurney with a young woman strapped down to it. Her green matted, fluid covered skin looked brown and off white in the odd red and fading lights as she was directed into another room, this one much smaller and worse for wear. Groans of sickly pain came from her as she was unstrapped and tossed into the small room with a thud. Lying lifelessly yet alive on the filthy ground, all she could do was stare unconsciously in the air while the person looked down at her, holding a large jar of what looked to be a healthy plant of some sort.

 

“Yes… this will surely be added to the rest… I thank you for letting me take it without a fight…” he said, staring depravedly at her soiled form before slamming the door. Whistling and odd yet recognizable tune and setting the jar on the gurney, the person pushes it down the way he came from.

 

“Now… who is next on the list…?” he said. Continuing on, he puts the gurney aside as stares on at the multitude of cages holding numerous young women, all naked, muzzled or gagged, scared and what looked to be injected with something foreign in a few others.

 

“Let's see…” he said, going by the cages, looking at them all. Every girl did not meet his gaze, except for one.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Bending over and looking into her eyes, the girl watched his every move. Jumping back slightly and snarling as he strikes the cage with his hand, he laughs and shakes his head.

 

“Perfect…completely scared…and with that special choker…on par with a human…just the way I like ‘em.” he says, grinning wildly.

 

Whistling a note, slow, graceful footsteps enter the room. Now before him, scantily yet evenly donned in leather and holding a wicked looking whip, the grey furred, long eared woman came to his side, golden eyes aglow as she stared at her new victim.

 

“Is this the new one I must…break…in..?” she said, followed by licking her whip. She then turned to the person and stared for a few seconds.

 

“Be a dear and get the room prepared for her…please…?”

 

Nodding, she left immediately leaving him alone with the girl. Kneeling down slightly, the man tilted  his head, smirked and said, “Let's see what we can get out of you, that is if you live through me and my girl’s… fun…” ending that last word with a throaty moan. Sighing, he quickly stared at the girl; her eyes locked completely as he began to chant softly. The resounding action caused the other girl to glow white and immediately fall into a deep sleep. Walking over, he grabs a nearby wheelchair and brings it to the cage. Unlocking the confining cell, he grabs the girl by her arm, drags her out of the cage and tosses her into the chair.

 

“Oh yes… we are going…to have some fun…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juno and a good handful of people around or above his age all entered a typical classroom. Hearing the clatter of voices, Juno picked the seat right in the middle, sat down and sighed heavily. Seeing a sharpened pencil lying right before him, he picked it up and tapped the eraser side with his finger.

 

“Nervous, boy?” a voice said behind him.

 

Juno turned to see, who else, staring right at him.

 

“You have no idea Hack.” He said, getting up and moving down towards the front. Gavin just laughed as he made his way down.

 

The chatter continued until it slowly died down as the professor, donned in a clean white lab coat and holding a large stack of papers in his hand, made his way to the front of the room.

 

“Alright everyone. Settle down.” He said.

 

They all did so, save for a few whispers thrown here and there.

 

“Now students, or should I say aspiring Tamers, this test you are all going to receive will quiz you on your basic knowledge on being one and how to take care of your pokégirls if you expect to survive in our hostile world.”

 

Some chuckled, others shook their heads.

 

“That’s right, I said hostile, so you already know as soon as you pass the border; you will get chewed up at the slightest mistake. Its take no prisoners when it comes to the domain of the ferals out there. You see a pokégirl, you may think she might be seeing an opportune taming, which may be the case, but other times…it is lunch... Note; it also includes anatomy; health, skill, general education and every other important nitpick, right down to the barebones of basic survival. Should you pass, congrats, but fail, you are all welcome to try again in three months time.”

 

Walking to each front desk he grabbed a small stack and placed them down.

 

“Take one and pass it back. The test is not timed so take all the time you need for it. When you receive your paper you may begin.”

 

Juno did exactly that, scanning each and every question before starting it. Some were easy, mostly multiple choice and a few paragraphs here and there. The rest, well… they got him thinking so to speak.

 

'Question #27 – When faced with an opponent who is obviously far, far superior to you and your Pokégirls, logic dictates that you should do…

 

A ) Allow your Pokégirls to fight, knowing well they will lose and you berate them for their weakness later.

 

B ) Allow your Pokégirls to fight, knowing well they will lose and you train them even harder after the loss.

 

C ) Accept the challenge. Knowing that while your Pokégirls may lose, they will gain an understanding of the opponents they might face.

 

D ) Decline the challenge. You will be losing the battle automatically but saving your Pokégirls strength for when it is needed. '

 

 

“Hmmm…”

 

Looking over the question, he immediately crossed out A and B, seeing them as more of the tough willed and bloodied Tamer, maybe even sadistic, simply a complete opposite of what he was. D was good yet felt like a double edged sword. His girls, hypothetically, may be strong, but that action would have been seen as cowardice among some, which nine times out of ten is not pitiable. C looked to be the more probable answer. What did he have to hide? His girls’ strength depended solely on how he trained them, their integration among themselves and their bond with him. Marking it as his best answer he went on to the next question that stopped him.

 

 

 

‘Question #45 - If you encounter a tamer turned into a Pokégirl through use of Junsenkyo water, and in need of a taming, what do you do?

 

A ) You capture her (him) and take her stuff, she is now a pokégirl and thus not a tamer.

 

B ) You tame and bond her to you,  now forcing her to do as you wish, after all it's not your fault she is now a Pokégirl!

 

C ) You tame her, but you leave her there as it isn't your problem.

 

D ) You tame her, then you go to the Authorities and report a use of Junsenkyo Water, after all she isn't a Buzzbreast or a Wasp.’ 

 

 

 

This one actually made him raise his hand. No sooner as he did that Samantha was at his side.

 

”Question Juno?”

 

“Yes. This.” He said, pointing at the word he circled.

 

She raised an eyebrow. Everyone who was not anyone knew about Junsenkyo water, and the dangerous effects if used on a human. The mess was pure magical, maybe genetic chaos in glowing liquid form. And each lake of the stuff was different than the others, random it may be, yet still the infamous liquid of legend.

 

“Well…what would you like to know about Junsenkyo Water?”

 

‘What? The Demon doesn’t know about that!?” Gavin said, roaring uproariously and gathering a few laughs from some of the people.

 

“Yes Gavin, I don’t know what it is. I am asking Ms. Price here about all I would like to know about it, because if I should encounter the stuff and if you are the supposed victim, it would happen upon me whether or not I should tame the gorgeous piece of ass you have just now become and force you to do as I wish, or as this question asks, take your stuff and leave you there since you aren’t a factor anymore and not a pureblooded human. If I knew any better you probably marked one of the first three before considering any other factors…”

 

 

And there goes his giant ego… How in the hell did I even pull that off…?

 

 

A collective ‘oooooh’ and a few ‘burned!’ filled the classroom. Juno did not even look back as he continued asking Samantha his question. She obviously knew Juno would pull this off just to shut Gavin up, but when he rose to finish what he wanted yesterday did Samantha cut in.

 

“Gavin…sit…down… Everyone else…settles down and continues your testing.”

 

“But…he…”

 

“I’m not going to ask you again…” she said, turning with obvious annoyance in her eyes and voice, making everyone suddenly quiet.

 

“Fine…You win this round Juno…” he said, trudging back to his seat.

 

“Ok…I think I understand it now.” He said to Samantha.

 

“Are you sure? Because if the question is too hard, I can see it and maybe a few more being omitted just for you Juno.”

 

“No don’t do that. My brother did not get his omitted.”

 

She smiled, “Alright. You may continue.”

 

 

 Nodding he continued answering the many questions on the test. The numbers of those in the room soon dwindled down to just a stone’s throw, and then just him. Looking back through it for any missed questions he raised an eyebrow.

 

“Ah. Just two left.” He said, looking at the simple two answers it gave him. His smile soon turned to slight shock as what the question referred a test of his morality…

 

 

 

Question #99- If the choice is you or a pokégirl, which one is the better choice of being lost?

 

A ) The Pokégirl. They are expendable.

 

B ) Yourself.

 

 

 

“No…”

 

“Hmm?” Samantha said, eyeing Juno from where the professor sat.

 

“This question…I can’t…”

 

“Can’t what Demon?” Gavin said.

 

“Can’t answer Hack. I know that pokégirls, when it comes to do or die situations and salvage battles that others have spoken of are to be the expendable ones so that their master can live. Sometimes it’s the other way around if the situation becomes extremely dire. I personally don’t see them as expendable tools and weapons. They are to me, friends, companions, and…family.”

 

“New-Age Tamer…” Gavin said softly in a sing-song voice.

 

Looking at the question one more time, he simply left it blank. Hearing a sigh of victory, he did not watch Gavin turn in his test and stroll out the room.

 

“Just so you know…I was already done before everyone else was.”

 

“Whatever…” he said quietly.

 

The second he noticed was simply asking him about his ancestry and the gifts and curses inherited. He had to pause and really ‘think’ on that one, only to shrug and simply write ‘Infernal ancestry, pureblood human and N/A’ on the lines before him. Sighing and going through it for the umpteenth time, he set his test down and looked about.

 

“Well. First one to sit down and now the last one out.” He said with a chuckle.

 

Standing up, he walked over to the desk to turn his test in when the professor spoke, “Just under an hour, a new record.”

 

Juno didn’t know whether to feel happy or worried after he turned it in and left the classroom. Hearing the door shut behind him, he turned to see the gathering of everyone who took the test in front of the nearby bulletin board. All were looking for their names on the sheet of paper tacked before them.

 

“Huh…names already?” he said, walking over and looking at the list, hearing some cheer with excitement or groan out in disappointment. Mumbling as he looked through the names, all lined up by score of the test, his eyes went wide and relief hit him like a tidal wave when he found his smack right in the middle.

 

 

I fucking PASSED!!! But…I just finished a second ago…?

 

 

He wanted to let out his excitement right then and there, but held it in when he heard Gavin’s voice ring out, “86…Well…I guess offspring of demons know a thing or two about pokégirls…That still doesn’t take back what I said earlier…”

 

Juno ignored him when Rose walked up, “Alright everyone. Those who passed, congrats and line up single file to the wall. Those who failed…better luck next time kk?” she said with a wide smile. Seeing the one who didn’t make the cut soldier off, he lined up and waited expectantly like the others.

 

“I wonder what starter I shall have…” Gavin said, though the way he said it sounded as if he could simply buy anyone they had. Juno simply rolled his eyes as the line dwindled like before, leaving himself and Gavin.

 

“This way Mr. Hawkins.” The Nurse Joy said, hiding the clear annoyance when he strolled along, chest high and proud. Juno scoffed and leaned next to the wall as he disappeared into the lab.

 

“I already have one…” he said softly, gripping the pokéball in his duster, “And she is mine alone. My…lovely serpent…”

 

Lost in thought as Gavin walked by with gear and pokéball in hand, it was interrupted when he heard Rose getting his attention. “And last but not least, Juno. Right this way.” He chuckled and casually followed her down the hall and into the lab, where he was greeted by the professor from before. No words were said when he entered, save from a few congratulatory cheers from those there including the Nurse Joy as well. Standing before the professor, he nodded and placed in his hands the iconic pokédex, classic brown belt with six attached pokéballs, and the noteworthy book Taming for Dummies.

 

“I have been informed that you already have a pokégirl.” He said.

 

“Um. Yes sir.”

 

“Well…seeing as you are the last one here and that you did very well on your test, I unfortunately do not have a pokégirl to add to your starting harem. But I would like you to come again, tomorrow possibly, as I just may have one waiting for you.

 

“Um…ok sir.” Juno said with a smile as he shook the professor’s hand.

 

“Good luck out there Mr. Lucius.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Samantha then walked over and whispered something to Rose who immediately responded, “Thank you for reminding me. Juno, could you wait one second please? It seems you are not quite finished with your test.”

 

Juno turned, catching what the Joy said just in the doorway.

 

“Huh?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

[A Few Minutes Later…]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juno sat alone in the simple room, before a plain table, waiting and wondering what he could have missed on the test.

 

 

It couldn’t have been something hard, and I made sure I answered everything, so what could be the…problem…?

 

 

His thoughts came to a dead halt when he saw someone donned in grey, armored garb, holding a large book, rosary, broadsword at her side and shield on her back enter the room quietly. Humming some unknown song she pulled up a chair, set her book down and quietly gauged Juno from his position. His face was complete frozen shock, eyes trying to look away from her yet couldn’t. He felt literally glued to the chair as the new thoughts came into his mind…

 

 

Run… Get out… She is too powerful… Your ‘cleansing’ is before you…!

 

 

“C….c….c…” Juno stuttered, knowing the word that described this woman to a tee and the full fear of her ‘other’ presence upon him.

 

“That’s right demon…oh, I mean Juno… I am a Celestial and your bane. So…let’s get down to business…shall we…?” she softly said with a smile as she opened her book and went through a few pages.

 

Juno tried his best to swallow but could not. His heart felt as if it would leave his chest from beating so hard.

 

“Oh calm down Juno. I’m not going to do anything to you. I already know of your family and your Infernal heritage…so you are in a grey area, much as to my disappointment of feeling ‘others’ not wanting you there… Maybe I can convert you to the light…perhaps…?”

 

That did not calm him as she sighed and continued going through her book for a useful spell for his test, hearing her mutter each time she went to a new page.

 

“No…no…that’s not one I want…”

 

His fear kept growing, why he would never understand.

 

 

Ok…just calm down Juno…she isn’t going to hurt you.

 

 

How do you know that!?

 

 

She said it remember?

 

 

That could be a lie for all I know!

 

 

Ok then. Fine. You deal with it then.

 

 

“Are you still scared?” she said softly, raising an eyebrow.

 

His silence gave her his answer, followed by his gulp finally coming to him. She chuckled and stood, making Juno back his chair away from the table and into the wall.

 

 

This boy is on pins and needles. Sheesh it’s not like I’m going to kill him… But I guess that explains his brother. They are so much alike.

 

 

“Calm down.” She said, followed by a spell being launched in his direction. He tensed even more when it hit him, screaming out though there was no sound leaving his mouth and his form was completely frozen.

 

 

I…can’t…

 

 

“Move and speak? Yes… that would be the lovely affliction of Silence and Stop, perfect in…many…uses. Now that you are more complacent…we can begin.” 

 

Her smile as she came ever closer to Juno shone something other was going to happen as she stood in front of him. His eyes darted rapidly as she placed her hands on his head and began whispering. Juno’s eyes soon froze and rolled up into his head as she stopped whispering and froze just like him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Inside Juno’s Mindscape…]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White…like always… Surrounding him as he was in his familiar bed and white clothing, but it was different this time…

 

 

‘Juno…can you hear me…?’

 

 

Yes…and what did you do to me!?

 

 

‘This is your test…’

 

 

…?

 

 

‘I’ll take that as you do not understand…?’

 

 

Yes…Celestial…

 

 

‘Ok then…get up and come find me…’

 

 

He rose like before and left, seeing nothing in the expanse as he took a step. Walking, yet feeling as if he was not moving, a door soon appeared before him.

 

 

Open…

 

 

Placing his hand on it, he felt as if something was clawing in his head, trying to get out.

 

 

Never felt that before…yet…why does it feel as if I have…?

 

 

Juno opened the door and saw what looked like a large puzzle block before him, complete and floating silently. As he stepped forward, the block shattered into four pieces and scattered themselves into the deeps of his psyche.

 

 

Im guessing I have to find them now Celestial…?

 

 

‘…’

 

 

I’ll take that as a yes…

 

 

No sooner did his answer conceive something even more within his head. Walls began falling and placing themselves in intricate angles, all surrounding him.

 

 

Great…she made a labyrinth…in my head…

 

 

Sighing and seeing the four entrances before him, he picked one and hoped it was the way out or a puzzle piece lying at the end.

 

Meanwhile, off in other reaches of his head, the Celestial stood before a locked part of Juno’s psyche. Chains of psionic temperance and other made holdings bound and shackled what looked like an exact copy of Juno, gripped by three prominent forms in sensual ways next to him, though the fourth stood statuesque and proud with a hand firmly on a collar locked on his neck. As she continued staring, she noticed that his form was a complete 360 of the average young man that she just met minutes ago. Instead of the white clothing, his copy was dressed in black and covered in many words. An odd, yet familiar circle was burned where he sat and right on his forehead, also inscribed with words. As she looked closer, the words formed complete sentences, tattooed on him and painted all over the ‘floor’ he rested on. Reading one, she faintly heard noises in the background as if the sentence was making her relive what it was.

 

 

‘I know these words…I have seen them before…They…are sins…his sins… There are so many…even including the Seven…? Yet…this boy looks like he would never do such a thing… What dark secrecy and sorcery is this…?’

 

 

‘Secrecy Celestial? What are you talking about?  There is neither secrecy here nor sorcery.’

 

 

‘What the…?’

 

 

Just then, his copy rose up, blank staring eyes looking right at her. The forms around him softly moaned from the action save for the fourth remaining silent, weird though it may be…

 

 

‘Yes. I am actually talking to you.’

 

 

‘What are you…demon…?’

 

 

‘…Demon…Daemon…yes… That you got right, oh so perfectly right... But…as for what I am…you can say…well…I don’t want to ‘reveal’ anything…seeing as a higher power is looking at me right now…’

 

 

‘What do you mean…? You speak in riddles…’

 

 

‘And I thought your kind was more cryptic than the polar opposites his family resides from… Don’t worry…you won’t understand anyway…and you are probably wondering how a consciousness that exists in a completely oblivious entity that you are trespassing within…is speaking to you… right now…’

 

 

…

 

 

‘What is with everyone being silent? This treatment must be normal for your kind. Besides he can’t hear you and all we are doing is having an important…conversation…

 

 

‘I’m still trying to understand what taint is within this boy…and how you are connected to him…’

 

 

No…not boy…he is a demon...like you said… And this… taint…is completely normal...and natural… You already know of it…the answer you seek… as it’s simply second nature to me...because you have seen it before…’

 

 

‘Still speaks of riddles… How do you…exist…monster…?’

 

 

‘I exist because he exists… In a way…I am very much a much needed part…of the one you call Juno…You could say…that I am a part of his ‘soul’ in a way… A simple piece of the veritable life force flowing within him…’

 

 

‘How are you needed to him…?’

 

 

‘I just am… Lady Beatrice… So here I wait… patiently for the time that is soon coming… and how the beings called Samantha and Rose… his family… Coven…and his soon to be charges of that Coven will all be affected… And when it happens…oh he will fall into the deepest reaches of the Nine…’

 

 

‘What do you mean… and how…do you know my name…?’

 

 

‘That…is another answer…Hmmm…you know it is futile… You can’t save him… no one can save him… The darkness…is one with him…not the precious Light you and your noble kind so worship. How do you know what path is set out before him? What side of the balance of karmic fates and life will he take?  But…well I really do not even have to… or even need to say a single word to you Lady Beatrice… Yes…not a single word... For if you wish to sate that curiosity to know of everything pertaining to my Source, go ahead and view his sheltered thoughts… I hide neither a thought nor memory of this from you… but…as long as you do not let the Source know of his upcoming future, and sheltered past… you can know all…since it is like…looking in a mirror…’

 

 

The entity outstretched his shackled hand, a blank look appearing on its hollow face before it went silent leaving nothing but its mere presence.  Grasping his hand, she glimpsed what repressed memories he was never aware of and felt…wordless…

 

 

‘By…the Creator… Who…who could have done this…? And it was…successful…completely successful…’

 

 

Chanting a spell, she reinforced the bindings, causing the entity and his cohorts to crouch like before as Beatrice condemned this horrid monstrosity from Juno… Leaving, she silently glimpsed him finally solving the labyrinth and now trying his best to solve her puzzle cube.

 

 

‘Already out…? Hmm…he is good… Well that takes care of the probing. His mind is stable, average, but this…presence has me a bit on edge… Oh Creator…grants this boy your protection, for he does not know lies within or in store…’

 

Leaving the entity, she was now silently before Juno, watching him trying to configure her puzzle. Tilting his head and snapping a finger, he grabbed each piece and in a matter of seconds after minutes of thought pieced it together.

 

 

‘Congratulations Juno…you have done it.’

 

 

Huh? Oh. Yeah…

 

 

‘What is the matter?’

 

 

Nothing Celestial. Just having a small thought.

 

 

Joshua? And how he fared on this test as well?

 

 

Reading my mind… How did that slip by me?

 

 

She chuckles, ‘The two of you are a lot alike. In fact…he took about the same time you took just now.’

 

 

I see…

 

 

I also understand why you don’t want to be compared to him…

 

 

Sure you do.

 

 

I do Juno. He was respected right? Well…now it’s your turn. He set the bar, now you must raise it.

 

 

Hm. Well is there anything else you need inside my head?

 

 

No. This session is now recorded and will end. I thank you for your time…

 

 

With that, Beatrice awoke and stepped away from Juno, who was still out of it from the probing. Dispelling his frozen form, she wrote down her diagnosis.

 

“Ok… I have everything…Now I need-” With that, Samantha appeared.

 

“You rang?”

 

“Yes. His probe is complete. He is stable. I see nothing else that will affect him becoming a Tamer or may catch the League’s eye.” She said, taking the page and placing it in the file.

 

Samantha chuckled when she saw him glued to the chair and passed out, “You scared him didn’t you?”

 

“Nope. That was his natural fear, though it should not be expected coming from someone with no traits and yet born of Infernal history.”

 

“Maybe…I do remember you having the same effect on Joshua.”

 

“He roughed it out.” She said with a small laugh, before looking at Juno.

 

“I don’t know. If he gets this way from meeting you, I wonder how he will fare from seeing others of your kind. I’ve heard that some are known to lash out. Heck, give them magic and then you got-” She said, examining his mind for anything Io may have missed.

 

“A red stain on the wall... I know of that.  Juno will cope. I really think he has more than meets the eye from-

 

“The test?” she said, looking up. “Yes, you already know about it. Pureblooded yet born from a family of…demons…well known demons…”

 

Samantha was silent, easing away the thoughts of what she just said.

 

“Yes, and I was not going to say that. Like I told him, there are shades of grey in this world and he is in there. Hm. Well…I believe I actually have something for him, seeing as he passed my test.”

 

“What is it?” Samantha said curiously.

 

“A personal challenge of sorts from me… Do you know what a Hyperdoll is?”

 

 

Stupid question with an obvious answer…

 

 

“Of course. Mistreated pokégirls from the Bimbo line. How is this relevant?”

 

“I have one with me.” She said, a ball appearing with a flash of white light and placed the down on the table. A religious cross was marked on its surface, “Her mistreatment came from someone who was also of Infernal history like Juno there, but it being tenebrous than this child before me. In turn this will cause a schism of his authority as Master and her simply obeying his every word and action though I doubt there will be any abuse to follow. The test in itself is simple. He will have to evolve her into her chosen form. Then and only then he will seek me out for an audience to move on and any other matters I have for him...”

 

“Ok…anything else Lady Beatrice?”

 

No. Nothing noteworthy, such as his fear. As I was going to explain earlier, that was also a part of the test. Now he knows if he was to go toe to toe with someone such as myself, any other pokégirl or even a pokéwoman, magic or not, he would have no chance. His fear is natural as I did nothing to him, though his will is great. He did not show it today but it is. The ‘demon’ will become a Tamer and a blue mage, so congratulations Juno…”

 

Eyeing the ball on the table, the celestial bowed and quietly left the room, not soon after the Nurse Joy had entered.

 

“Something the matter?”

 

“Yes. One: Celestials are just plain weird and cryptic.”

 

She nodded and came to her side, seeing Juno lulled awake by her psychic energy.

 

“So how did it go?”

 

“Not how I expected it. But she did do something; I see evidence of her work in his mind especially in his subconscious, not where I would go. She did test him, and for pardoning my words almost scare the living shit out of him.”

 

“Whazat. Huh…wha…” Juno said with a slur, finally waking up.

 

“Hold still.” She said, looking quickly through his head and psyche for anything she may have left out.

 

“Alright…you are good.”

 

Juno still felt a bit muddled but cleared within a matter of seconds.

 

“Um. What?”

 

Samantha and Rose laughed at his slight amnesiac state.

 

“You are finished Juno. You can go now.”

 

“Yeah. We will see you tomorrow, remember?”

 

He tilted his head, they laughed even louder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn’t long before Juno was outside of the Pokécenter, his head finally right and standing before the road.

 

“Now that I am done…I guess I’ll go see Mephisto about my assortment, then figure out something from there.” He said, hands in his duster, gripping Vivian’s ball, unknowing of the other clipped on his belt and seeing people pass by. Shrugging, he got on his motorbike and headed there, but before that was even the case, he let out a sigh as one person approached him, followed by two others.

 

“What do you want Gavin…?” he said, seeing him and his two lackeys right behind them.

 

“Oh nothing demon… Just want to ask did you get a pokégirl? Cause I sure got one.”

 

“Um…no. And why would you care? Because it seems to me that I have the distinct feeling some do not want to be with you.” He said eyeing him critically.

 

“That…demon… I am working on.”

 

“Well you better do a good job then, because it would totally suck if one or all of them do not obey you or even better, left your ass for someone else.”

 

Gavin tilted his head, inhaled slightly and exhaled. “You really know how to get under my skin.”

 

“Same to you. Now if you will excuse me, I must be off.”

 

“Running away demon? Afraid I’m going to beat you?”

 

“No. I will beat you, and probably take one or maybe all of them off of your hands.”

 

“Oh? Is that a bet, or a fool’s challenge..?”

 

“Yeah…Yes it is.”

 

“So if you win, you can get one or all of them if your luck keeps up with you, but if I win… you will have to revoke. Yes that is perfect. You revoke your license, your pokégirl and that will be enough of salvage for me.”

 

Juno thought for a second, eyeing Gavin and noticing the two balls clipped to his belt.

 

 

I knew he had more than one…

 

 

“Alright…But I name the terms.”

 

“Simple enough Demon. What are they?”

 

“Your lackeys stay out of it. Its one on one and you can’t use her and your second strongest pokégirl. I know the one you have is stronger, that’s probably why she is not listening to you or wanting a taming either.”

 

Gavin raised an eyebrow. Good guess demon…but even the last girl is much better than her.

 

“Is that it demon?”

 

“Yes. Right here. Tomorrow. If I don’t show, I know you will wait, for as long as it takes to finally get a demon to shut up.”

 

“Oh you know it.” Gavin said with a grin.

 

Outstretching his hand, Juno shook it.

 

“See you then Demoness spawn.”

 

“Whatever. Oh, and if I find out that you did something to break this deal in any way, I will find you.”

 

“Hmph.” He said, walking away with his lackeys.

 

Getting on his bike, he rode off to Mephisto’s shop, all the while unnoticed by a remote viewing Samantha, hearing the whole conversation.

 

 

You will be ready. Consider this the final thing you need before setting off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*-*-*-*-*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Here you go Juno. Everything you need to complement Ol’ Bessie there.”

 

“Bessie?” he said, looking at the refurbished rifle and seeing the name on the stock, as well as the pokégirls; a fit looking yet sexy Milktit cowgirl and Valkyrie on the surface. Chuckling and placing the rifle in its holster, he spied two other items. He recognized the bandolier from before, now filled with bullets for looks and his rifle.  But the other made him ask, “Another gun as well?”

 

“Yeah? So? I told you I was going to compliment you. What’s a cowboy without his trusty big iron, six shooting magnum at his hip?”

 

“Well, it is just unexpected.” He said, looking at the gun for a few seconds, spinning the loader and tracing the engravings before placing it in its ammo filled holster as well.

 

“Would you look at that master, Juno is now an urban cowboy.” Ceres said happily.

 

“Now all he needs is these!” Joanna said, placing a rugged cowboy hat on his head complete with a feather from some avian pokégirl stuck in it and Ceres tossing a pair of blue scaled, winged cowboy boots his way.

 

“Now you fit the look, save for those boots. But I guess you will give them their rugged start there cowboy.” Meph said with a snort, followed by laughing.

 

Juno sighed as they had their fun at his expense. Settling down he sighed and said, “Well I heard you passed.”

 

“That I did. Felt like I was failing when it started.”

 

“They all say that.”

 

“Well Juno, did ya get a pokégirl?”

 

“No…well technically…yes.” He said, pulling out Vivian’s ball and tossing it in the air. The white light reformed around him into his beautiful serpent, coiled among him and gripping his neck.

 

“Well would you look at that? She is quite the affectionate one.”

 

“Yes…she is…” he said, eying her nuzzling and tracing her bite mark softly.

 

“Vivian… I would like you to meet Mephisto, Ceres, and Joanna.” He said, pointing to each one. She smiled and nodded hello before returning to her nuzzling.

 

“She’s cute.”

 

“Joanna!” Ceres said, laughing.

 

“What! I’m just giving her a compliment!”

 

“Sounds like you want a taming from her!”

 

“No it doesn’t!”

 

“Yes it does!”

 

“No way!!”

 

“Yes way!!”

 

Then the two argued, going back and forth, making Juno and Vivian laugh. Meph just sighed and tossed Juno a pair of spurs.

 

“I’ll see you here tomorrow Juno.”

 

“What for?” he said, catching them.

 

“Just something I need you to do when you set off. Expect something else for that arsenal of your as payment.”

 

“Ok. I will!” he said, never passing up a chance for free stuff. With that he left, now donning the boots and fixing his ‘new’ hat as he stepped out the door. Hearing the chime as the two left, Mephisto came over, immediately picked up his two girls by the waist and sauntered off down the stairs, all the while laughing as they continued their arguing.

 

 

 

 

 

Standing outside with his Naga at his side, Juno decided to simply take a walk down the street.

 

“She said she would return home, so I should not worry. I guess I’ll enjoy the day with my Vivian.” He said, feeling her grip his arm.

 

“Hm?” she said, looking up at him.

 

“Oh nothing you.” He smiled back at her. She clung to his arm tighter as they continued walking down the street, passing people as always. Some went on their way; others now saw a potential challenge.

 

 

Even if they did challenge me…Im turning them down no matter what... Im not losing you for even the greatest pokégirl in the world.

 

 

Continuing on down the street, Juno was now before the remains of Nathaniel Arkady Hospital. It loomed right before the borders of the town, three blocks away from the police station and neighboring district. Years of it seeing so many people, patients and such and now just sitting there decaying made the whole place seem out of place.

 

“They called him Poe if I remember, as Ghost ran heavy in his family. I also thought they tore this place down years ago.” He said, seeing the broken windows, graffiti, and condemned fencing walling in this pre-war relic. Sighing and making his way down the street, a concerned voice rang in the air.

 

“Sir…?” the voice said with a hint of royalty and sweetness.

 

Juno turned to see a scantily clad bunny woman gripping the fence, looking at the hospital with a concerned look.

 

“Um…yes…ma’am?” he said, trying not to eye her features and possibly make his Naga jealous.

 

“Can you help me? I’ve seem to have lost my master.”

 

“Ok. How did you lose him…or her?”

 

She smiled, “Him. And he said he would finish scavenging this place 30 minutes ago.”

 

“He broke in there?”

 

“Yes, only to find anything worth salvaging for currency and such. I would be ever so grateful if you would go and find him for me sir.”

 

She would have stroked his cheek if Vivian did not hiss at her.

 

“Stay away…” she said, glaring.

 

He chuckled, “Well I guess it wouldn’t hurt to look for him. Do I get anything in return?”

 

“Maybe…if you do find him…” she said with a now sultry-esque voice, simply making Vivian growl.

 

“Alright. We will find him.”

 

“Master?” Vivian said curiously and with some concern.

 

“Don’t worry, it should not be too hard. Besides, I have you with me.”

 

This made her smile, but she still glared at the mystery lady watching them.

 

Walking back towards the front of the hospital, Juno looked at the gate and began to climb it. Vivian easily rose over it and was at his side in seconds. Sighing he looked at the looming building before him.

 

“Why am I doing this?” he said softly, opening the doors, taking a strong hit of stale air. Walking in, the doors shut loudly behind him.

 

“Perfect, a new victim…and a plaything for me and master…” the lady said, seemingly and unknowingly melting into her own shadow and receding into the one of the building.

 

 

 

Dead silence, save for the occasional water dripping and eerie sounds echoing down the decrepit halls. The stale air itself gave off some sort of ominous vibe that had Juno looking every which way.

 

“This place creepy.” Vivian said.

 

“I know. The sooner we find him, the sooner we leave ok?”

 

Vivian nodded the affirmative and was cautious like her master, looking around as well. Checking every open room on the first floor, save for the cobwebs, dust, rust, collapsed ceilings and walls, there was no sign of him anywhere. Passing on they finally reached the old stairwell, seeing as the elevators were obviously out of order. Looking over the railing and into the descending darkness Juno sighed and looked above. The floors were blocked off with destroyed equipment and debris, leaving only one direction.

 

“Guess we are going down.”

 

 Descending the stairs, Juno and his Naga eventually reached the bottom, the air here much worse than the floor above, save with a lingering scent he could not quite place. Peeking around the corner, the two entered the broken hallway, now more disturbing than before. Gurneys and wheelchairs lined themselves haphazardly across the floor, their occupants imprints still engrained on them.

 

“What could have happened here?” Juno said quietly.

 

Passing the rooms that once had padding lining the walls and floors, they reached a set of double doors and pressed on. Seeing more of these rooms, the air began to convey something much worse.

 

“Alright…this is getting scary…”

 

Vivian gripped him tighter than ever as they continued deeper into the halls and through another set of doors with the faded words [Surgical Observatory] embossed on the broken glass. Entering quietly, they heard the loud drone of a large fan above them. A strange red light was pouring through as well. Seeing the large encircling room before them, Juno said, “Hello? Anyone here?”

 

There was no reply…

 

Walking down the steps and two the railing, he looked down onto the main floor. The only thing sitting down there was a lone gurney, doctor’s implements, a flickering lamp, and chains.

 

“Ok he is not here and that’s it. We are leaving Vivian.”

 

Turning to head back, Juno suddenly felt lightheaded. His vision blurred as he stumbled in place.

 

“What’s…going…ooooooo….” He slurred as he fell over the rail, completely blacked out. Vivian was also feeling the same way, passing out seconds before her master onto the stairs. The doors swung open loudly as a burly man entered the room. Wearing an apron and holding a cleaver in his hand.

 

What’s this…? Is it someone…new…?”

 

“Yes master…a new plaything…”

 

“I see…well… Take her to the basement Liz… I will deal with this one…” he said, hopping the rail and landing on the ground with a solid thud. Bending back and cracking his spine, the man growled and looked down at Juno.

 

“Ah…Fresh meat!”

 

 

 

 

The sounds of metal against metal rang in the air as Juno awoke. He mumbled slightly, still hazed from earlier as the room slowly came into view. Trying to move, he found out he could not as his vision kept on returning, showing the full reason why. His arms were bound in a straightjacket and he was suspended in the air by a rusty chain.

 

“You are awake… That’s good, as I love to see the look in my fresh…prey’s eyes…”

 

He looked about to see a lone man standing alone before a gurney with someone else strapped to it. Looking at the knife he recently sharpened, it quickly found its new home in the person’s chest, now letting out a pained scream as he jerked from his bound position. He laughed crazily, slashing away at the person, reveling every hit and stab. The screams turned to gurgles as blood choked what life remained in the person, still drowned out by the laughing. Juno quickly looked at his predicament, hoping by some blind miracle he would find a way out of this. Meanwhile, Vivian was in the same situation as him, well, it being more or less…creative…

 

 

“I’ve never had a chance to break in a snake…before…” the woman they met minutes before, now holding a wicked looking whip, spoke with some crazed glee as she stared at Vivian, tied up and suspended by her wrists. Her clothing was already torn asunder from her recent flogging, they now rags clinging to her skin. Red, slightly bleeding welts haphazardly marred her and somehow her scaly tail. Swinging slightly from her bound position she could only hiss loudly at her captor, glaring hard and blaring her fangs.

 

“You are a feisty one aren’t ya! I like that!” she said, a crack of her whip sundering more of her rags and adding more scores to her skin. She yelled out, swinging even more from the hit, growling and using Leer continuously on her captor. If she could get free she would show that leather clad, bitch of a fur ball; after a few Slashes to the face and a multi infused Venom Bite, a thing or two. And… as if fate or sheer dumb luck responded to her answer, the chain supporting her, going against the aging ceiling it hung from gave way, followed by debris and dust.

 

“Shit! I told Sean they would not hold!” she cursed, the room filled with dust and covering her mouth. Slightly stunned from the fall, Vivian freed her bound tail, wrists and slithered to one side of the room.

 

“That hurt!” she said softly, figuring out a plan as the dust still lingered in the air. Seeing a silhouette standing a few feet away from her, Vivian slithered slowly, having stealth and this distracting dust on her side. Blaring her fangs and sudden talons, she hissed and struck out, only to hit nothing but air. Looking about quickly, she was caught off guard as a leg collided with her head, sending her sprawling.

 

“Im right here bitch!” Liz yelled. Vivian rose and hissed, eyes locked and Leering again. Liz laughed at the attempt, the common effect not worrying her, to her cocky dismay it surely was. Holding her hand forward, a blue energy began building in her palm. Vivian looked at the energy and immediately dodged when the luminescent attack spiraled forth, flying right at her. It missed, barely grazing her tail and making a rather large hole in the nearby wall. Growling, Liz fired one after another, and each simply made holes until she heard Vivian yell out in pain. Landing softly, she saw her clutching the end of her tail, a bit blackened and hissing.

 

“Finally slowed your ass down now did I?” she cackled, twirling her whip slowly.

 

Vivian hissed and waited as she approached.

 

 

Come on…just a little closer bitch…I may just eat you if I get pissed off enough…maybe…

 

 

“Alright my pet…time for discipline!” she said, ready to lash out with the whip before Vivian suddenly sprung from her position, hands glowing and fangs dripping with potent venom. Driving two Slash attacks in her belly and the second in each arm, Vivian latched on to her neck and pumped as much venom she could muster into her tormentor’s neck. She screamed and retaliated with a Hyper Slap then the same luminescent attack, which was actually Tri Attack. The beam spiraled in her hand but Liz could not aim it as she held on to her, causing her to release it right where they stood. The explosion knocked them both away from each other, each hitting a wall. The smoke settles and Liz is the first to rise, although she is now worse for wear. Gripping her neck, her voice is now ragged from the poison circulating through her body though her typing made her strong against it, what Vivian used on her worked on any other person. Liz soon felt her legs begin to seize up and the room begin to spin. 

 

 “Bitch…fucking… used Paralyzation…fucking Vertigo Venom…” she raggedly coughed, blood following suit and growling out as the poison continued to take effect. Vivian soon rose up, clutching one of her arms and hissing back at Liz.

 

“Oh you…are so…” she managed before now puking up before her, “fucking dead!” Charging another Tri Attack, she aimed it at the now three copies of Vivian before her. Laughing and yelling she fired, the bolt missing completely. Acting on that action, Vivian tackled her and wrapped her coils around her body. Squeezing with what strength she had left, he audibly heard a few bones break from the force and Liz exhaling loudly as well. Seeing her trying to fight and breathe at the same time, her tan skin began turning pale from the poison and lack of air.

 

“Fuck this!” she managed to say, a vicious dagger appearing and stabbing Vivian in the arm. She screamed and released her, backing away and blaring her talons with a loud hiss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Elsewhere…]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juno was still trying to free himself, all the while watching the man before him carve the person he killed like some freshly killed animal. Juno turned and puked as he flayed the skin, dug out the guts and grabbed his prizes, namely the useful organs.

 

“Yesss. These will go fine in the collection.” He said, licking the heart just as it beat by itself for a slight second. Chuckling, he reached over and grabbed what looked like a chainsaw but was more handheld than its larger counterpart. Flicking on the switch and revving it a few times, he turned to Juno.

 

“Now I wonder…what can I take from you…? A liver? Kidney? Pancreas? Or two…eyeballssssss….?”

 

Juno’s heart began beating fast and hard, the imminent death before him as he took a step one by one. He shook, screaming and trying to get free like some maniac but the straitjacket would not give in. Seeing him eye to eye now and the saw mere inches from his neck, Juno yelled out. The man laughed loudly and prepared to swing, possibly wanting to brutally behead his prey, but was stopped short as something blocked his vision, something unwholesome…

 

“Shit!” he yelled, his swing missing and slicing the restraints on the jacket, finally freeing Juno’s arms. Juno snapped to from his scream as he hit the ground, quickly seeing the man sprawling about and smelling completely foul. Getting up, he hops up the sizable wall and grabs the edge. Pulling himself up and seeing his things right before him, he was suddenly stopped by a strong grip on his leg.

 

“WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING!!!” the man said, recovering just enough from his affliction and holding Juno tightly. He responded with a kick, striking the man in his eye with one of his spurs.

 

“Ah!! SHIT!” he yelled and stumbled back sharply, socket bleeding and eye missing. Juno did not take the time to look at the souvenir his spur caught. Now on the level, he grabbed his things and ran out the door. Still hearing the screams, Juno did not notice them turning into laughter. The man continued removing his hand, chanting for a second and yelling the word, “Fire!” No sooner did a large flame suddenly appear, striking his wound and cauterizing it completely with him yelling once again.

 

“You CANT RUN MAGE!!! I WILL FUCKING FIND YOU!!!”

 

 

Vivian was continuing her bout with Liz, whom was still suffering from her recent poisoning. Vivian suffered a few more bruises as she clutched one of her arms to herself and looking at the dagger that now had her blood on it.

 

“What’s…the matter…?” Liz taunted with a cough, “My pet snake getting tired…? Worried about her precious master…?”

 

She growled, slightly lowering herself, tail slithering behind her.

 

“Oh Im sure my master…has already flayed him…alive by now!”

 

Vivian hissed, tail slithering faster now.

 

“And you are next… Maybe I’ll turn your tail into a nice pair of boots…!” she said, licking her victims’ blood and charging at her. Vivian dodged, taking a slash to another arm but immediately followed through. Her tail launched out and knocked Liz in the gut. She exhaled loudly, losing her dagger as she was sent flying. Catching her dagger as she hit the wall, Vivian charged and ran her through. A squelch was heard as the dagger plunged itself in Liz’s chest. Vivian stared coldly at the still alive woman, eyes piercing deep.

 

“You…no…hurt…master! Die! Now!” she said loudly, removing the dagger and following with a strange punch or should I say punches, sending Liz sprawling again, her furred arm, chest and angry face now burned and slightly smoldering. Vivian slowly regained her composure, fists dissipating as she watched her hit the grimy floor hard. Sighing and looking about the room, she removed the blockage from the double doors and pushed it open. Wounded and triumphant, she slithered out, leaving Liz to die or become unconscious to her poisoning. But before she even left, she suddenly rose up, screaming and materializing what looked like a dangerous hypodermic needle filled with an unknown substance. Turning to see her charging madly at her, Vivian countered with her dagger, stabbing her through the wrist, causing the needle to fumble out her hand. Vivian grabbed it and slammed it into her right temple, making her stutter as the liquid entered her brain.  Liz went limp, fell to her knees for the last time, chuckled and lay still. Backing away slightly, Vivian sighed deeply before passing out onto the floor. She did not hear the laughter that filled the dark halls as Juno dealt with the crazed man pursuing him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He ran… ran as quick as his legs would take him, all the while as Sean gave pursuit, laughing and flinging off spells here and there. Juno turned and ducked into a nearby room, slammed the doors and barricading them with an old gurney. Taking a moment to catch his breath he turned and took a step, only to see a strange girl strung up just like he was earlier. She groggily awoke, only to go wide eyed at the person standing right outside the room, hands ablaze and yelling maniacally. Juno did not catch the words he said as his world went up in pain, fire, debris and sudden dizziness.

 

The butcher hovered over Juno, not before assaulting him and dragging his body out of the room.

 

“Oh you are…something…” he said, lugging him along, down the stairs and into the same hallway. Continuing, he looks into a nearby room to see his pokégirl and that snake lying upon the ground, needle in his girl’s blackened head. He shook his head and laughed, “That stupid bitch done wound up beat! Expendable I tell you! EXPENDABLE!!”

 

Tossing him into the room, he trudged off, laughing even more as a thought came forth. “Ah! That’s right! I still get to break her in! Well now that she’s done knocked herself out, I’ll settle for something even more…tasty…!” Juno caught the look in his eye and what he said before passing out once again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Somewhere Close By…]

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Ma’am?” a lady dressed in blue said to another, more formally dressed.

 

“Yes? What is it?”

 

‘I just received a call about a break in on condemned property?”

 

“Where exactly?”

 

“The old abandoned hospital. And you will never guess who broke in.”

 

She then handed over a piece of paper with the image of the person’s face on it, and immediately went wide eyed.

 

 

It cant be…?

 

 

“That’s our scumbag!” she yelled out, getting the attention of a few people of the precinct.

 

“Ma’am the team is already ready and awaiting your call to move in on the scene.”

 

“Alright.” She said, getting up and leaving her office. There she was greeted by the squad, all standing stock straight and looking at her.  

 

“Ok everyone. Remember that this is a high level threat. He has been off the grid for 3 months and now we have the upper hand. Expect hostages and dangerous situations.  Keep your eyes open for anything and everything. Sean will not escape this time.”

 

“Yes Ma’am!” they all said in unison and saluting.

 

Turning away as the squad headed out, the lady stopped one officer. “Joyce.”

 

She hesitated slightly before turning to greet her commanding officer. She did not say a word and simply stared.

 

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

 

She simply nodded.

 

“Alright. I just hope those scars of yours don’t open.”

 

She smirked and headed out.

 

 

 

 

 

[Back for the Final time…]

 

 

 

 

 

It is warm… The air is heavy… Juno lies unmoving until his hand slowly stirs upon the stained, dirty tiles. Slowly picking himself up, he doubled over from the fresh pain wrapping around his chest, left arm, right leg and his entire head. Screaming out as warm liquid trickled down his face, trailing over a blackened eye and down something impaled in his chest; he began breathing hard and fighting the sudden urge to pass out and welcome Death’s sweet embrace back upon the bloody floor. Everything is muffled as he fought it to look about in a pained haze from where he was, save for the red light pouring through the ceiling. Its dark glow lit up the room enough for him to see two people. One was strung up on chains hooked to the ceiling while the other lay silent upon the ground. 

 

He turned, pain racking loudly in his movement, locking on new sounds slowly breaking through if just barely muffled… the sounds of screaming and manic laughter. Fighting himself to walk he followed them, leaving the room and entering a long hallway. Leaning against the wall to fight back a pang of pain he started on, stumbling only once down the hall. The sounds became louder and more audible, but were still just stifle in his ears as he continued onward, down a few flight of stairs and into another hallway. Finally reaching the source, Juno pushed open the double doors and staggered inside. 

 

He couldn’t really make out what was going on through his fog but it didn’t need to be explained. During the fight, before he passed out from taking a magical, pokégirl beating and one of Sean’s implements in his shoulder, he caught the glimpse on his face as he left and what it meant soon after. Those sounds… echoed loudly and audibly in the room. That sick man was slumped on the floor and ravaging the girl, right there before him, yelling like the psychopath he was while she screamed in paralyzed vain, unable to fight back. Juno turned in pained protest to find something to lean against, in the form of a locked gurney next the wall. In that moment, turning back as his vision returned for a moment to catch the tail end of Sean finishing and rising to his feet, leaving the helpless girl to stare on dazed and quivering with distant looking eyes… something happened…

 

His heart suddenly raced, it being the only sound out of the unknown rage and rushing adrenaline as he saw Sean let out a yell, it signifying his victory of sick satisfaction. Staring vividly, his eyes shot open suddenly, becoming completely red, dilated and bloodshot. Juno twitched as adrenaline rushed and all rational thought that denoted him leave his mind, only be replaced with otherworldly intent, control and brazen ire. A shaky right hand unknowingly and quickly grips his rifle, cocks the lever with a flip and immediately fires, followed by the recoil causing him to fall back against the gurney. The shell strikes Sean cleanly in the shoulder and ricochets off of the wall behind him. He jolts back and looks at Juno, seeing him get up, holding the trembling gun with one arm, stagger forward a few steps, cocked it again to reload and fire off another round. A yell leaves his mouth from the attack hitting his thigh, only to be replaced with a smirk as he stood up, ignoring the pain as more rounds miss or enter his body.

 

The barrel smokes from the fired shells all of them either striking Sean or missing completely. The clicks of an empty chamber and casings hitting the floor now fill the air as the two stare each other down. Dropping the rifle, he pulls out the revolver Meph gave him.

 

“Leave her alone!!!” he then yelled out, firing the six rounds at him, two missing, the third grazing Sean’s face and the remaining pelting him. ‘click!’ Juno, now realizing there was no more ammo left began rushing towards Sean and using the gun now as a blunt instrument. His swing came down and true only to see it immediately stopped by strong hands, easily ripped from his grip and brazenly tossed like rubbish. Sean followed with a hard right cross into Juno’s bleeding face. Staggering back from the blow, possible broken jaw and the reawakened pain, Juno yells out as he grabs him by his fractured arm. A hard kick followed a sickening pop soon after sends him back a few feet and onto the ground once more with him yelling even louder. Seeing his useless weapons and battered form lying on the ground before him, Sean chuckled and wiped the now flowing blood from his mouth.

 

“Was that it…? That all you got boy…? Because I LIKE THE STING!!!”

 

Grabbing a cleaver and slowly making his way towards Juno, a reddish orange energy began to crackle all around Sean as he muttered the spell he began casting on himself. His demented smile turned ever crazier as the magical affliction of Berserk began to take over, filling his head with a growing, unquenchable rage. Picking him up by his neck and raising a slightly muscled, tightly clenched fist with a growl, he prepared his would be final swing only to rear back as Juno yelled out some strange spell in a croaking voice. Sean clearly saw something thick, white, fetid and very strange sounding envelop him.

 

“Shit!!” he roared out, thrashing as he began to come under the abnormal affliction, with it also temporarily blinded him. He began swinging the cleaver about in the air and tripping over himself, feeling it begin its slow transformation. Sean cried out as pain seemed to rack hard all over him from one side, forcing him back and stacking on as it came from that one direction. Swinging about, cursing, yelling and laughing, another volley came his way.

 

“That’s rrrrrright!!! GIVE MEEEEEA MORRRRRRRE!!!” he yelled out, his eyes somehow smoking and pure white, only to feel something hot lead to his eventual ‘demise.’ Groaning out from the fiery attack, Sean flew backwards and right into the large, open iron maiden that sat chained to the nearby wall. He yelled as he impacted the maiden, followed by its large, spiked door slamming shut, making him scream, curse, groan and lash about.

 

 Juno stood there; completely ignoring his useless arm, wounds, eventual blood loss and unknown spells coursing through him as the maiden shook about. The chains that held it rattled loudly and kept it from tipping completely over. Blood slowly seeps and flows out its cracks, face and mouth, crying out in warped pleasure as its intended victim remains in its deathly confines until… everything becomes silent… The maiden lies still, the chains stop rattling... In the distance, the cry of sirens fills the stagnant air, getting louder as they approach the building. The sirens then stop, only to be replaced by shouting policemen and women barging into the old building. Footfalls and diverse chatter echo down the old halls and stairways, addressing squad names and the like loudly in the hospital. Guards up, they start their search, scanning every viable room. In almost all of the ones they entered contained stark naked, injured, fluid covered young women strung up, strapped to tables or in makeshift cages. The rest were filled with important body ‘parts’ in large jars and the dead, butchered bodies of those unfortunate.

 

“Secure the victims… and search the other rooms and places for any remaining survivors…”

 

Another group entered the room Juno just left. Save for the usual but destroyed torture devices, one officer looks up to see a pokégirl strung up on a chain. From the look of what appeared to be a knife impaled in her head, bodily bruises and claw marks, followed by the predicament of how she got up there, she would be dead if not extremely brought to harm. Finishing their sweep and now occupying every room with close scrutiny, some soon heard shocked quivering and fast breathing from behind a large door in the building. Finding its source and pushing it open, the very large reddish lit room came into view followed by a wave of odd warmth. The rusty steel fan slowly spun above them, droning loudly as heat came from it. Knives, clubs, stolen items and other grisly implements were scattered about. Torture chairs and racks upon the walls as well with other objects that belonged in a hospital instead of the forsaken place it now was decorated themselves all over. The smell of blood and a strong foulness also hung fresh in the air. Next to them, a battered, bleeding and bruised Juno stands frozen if not for the slight twitches that seemed to come every few seconds. His discarded rifle lay upon the ground, its hot barrel still smoking from the fired and useless shots. A vile, dark greenish haze seemed to leave his mouth with every breath. Needles completely adorned his entire right arm, with some leaving his skin to clatter on the ground. His twitching sight never left the iron maiden before him, which contained the third, Sean the Butcher. He remained in the grisly casket that continued pouring out his red ochre upon the floor. Approaching to secure the area and its survivors, it suddenly shook for a second. Everyone stared as the door swung open, unleashing a small cascade of fresh blood. The policemen and woman immediately brandished their weapons, staring into the darkness, hearing a deep croak.

 

“Everyone…get ready…”

 

The suspense built up, unbearably until a small green creature hopped out of the iron maiden. It croaked again, looking up at the people staring bewildered at it, before simply hopping about.

 

“He’s…he’s…a toad…” one said.

 

“Joyce…go catch him.”

 

 

“Alone…leave…her…no…” he said as his unknown rage began fading, eyes now normal again, trembling ceased and blankly staring down. 

 

Another officer slowly approached him while the others searched and secured the room, all the while cautiously keeping a hand on her gun if Juno decided to snap again. Joyce had finally nabbed Sean the Toad and was looking at Juno. He quickly snapped up, causing everyone to freeze and aim at him. Standing up and somehow ignoring the pain racking his body, he removed his bloody duster and walked over to the ravaged girl. Her eyes were completely focused on him in shock but they soon welled up in tears as he quietly covered her form up.

 

“He’s fine…” Joyce said softly, gripping Sean tightly with one hand.

 

 He did not move again from his new position, eyes still not even focused on her, the officer and them all as he sat there. The officer from before kneels down and picks up the ravaged and now sobbing girl easily into her arms. Sighing, she turns to see Juno now on the ground; his eyes rolled up in his head and still bleeding out, finally succumbed to pain if not dead.

 

“Someone get the paramedics!  NOW!”