#1 - Dangerous Allies

[Stardrifter]

by
Stardrifter

#1 - Dangerous Allies

A lone figure walks down a dark, damp alleyway. The sound of his footfalls echo with every step. He casually strolls with his hands in the pockets of his black suit jacket.

Eventually he reaches a dead end. Unperturbed, he runs a hand through his shortly cropped blond hair and leans up against a wall. As he waits, he whistles a lively tune to himself. The man is so relaxed that when a lightning bolt erupts from the cloudless sky, slamming into the ground in front of him, he doesn't even flinch.

"As punctual as ever, Wizard," the man says with a grin.

Standing where the bolt impacted is an old man with a long, white beard. His robes are simple gray wool. Despite his aged, simple appearance he radiates nobility and power. "And you, Morningstar," the Wizard says, his voice booming like thunder, "are as insufferable as ever."

"Insufferable?" Lucifer feigns hurt. "I always thought of you as a dear friend."

The Wizard doesn't respond to Lucifer's taunt, instead he folds his arms across his chest, closes his eyes, and waits patiently.

Lucifer pushes himself off the wall and walks over to stand next to the Wizard. He leans close to the Wizard's ear and whispers, "So what's this all about, anyway? We haven't done this in...oh...almost a millennium."

When the Wizard doesn't respond, Lucifer sighs and starts to slowly pace around the alley. After a few minutes, a shadow lying across the pavement begins to move. Rising out of the shadow stands a being in a dark green cloak and hood. The cloak is closed in front, completely covering the being's body. The hood casts an impenetrable shadow over it's face.

"Ah finally," Lucifer smiles. "Perhaps you can tell us why we're all here, Spectre."

From under the hood comes a voice barely more than a whisper, yet still loud enough to be heard by everyone present. "I did not summon you, Prince of Lies."

Lucifer smiles, both in amusement and slight surprise. "Your insults are awfully more endearing spoken by a woman's voice. You should make all your vessels female."

The Wizard finally opens his eyes and gets to the point. "If you didn't request this meeting, who did?"

"I did." The trio turn towards the corner, where out of the shadows steps a man in a long black coat and a wide brimmed hat. A golden chain runs around around his neck and down his chest, but is mostly covered by his coat.

"What right do you have to summon us, aberration?" Lucifer spits.

"The same right your realm has to these constant attacks on the mortal plane!" the man says with venom in his voice. "Or do you deny your involvement?"

Lucifer holds his hands up. "What can I say? Trying to control demons is just...Hell. I've dealt with them as I can."

"The Stranger has a point," the Wizard says, turning toward Lucifer. "The frequency of incursions to our plane has increased of late. Don't ask us to accept you're unable to stop them."

"Whether I do or not is my business."

"Do you deny the forces marshaling in Hell right now?" the Stranger accuses. "Hell is preparing for war!"

"What?" the Wizard asks, lightening coursing from his eyes. "You would break the truce?"

A darkness creeps across Lucifer's eyes. "I would..."

"There will be no war," the Spectre interrupts, her voice chilling. "No truce is being broken. You do not know all, Stranger."

The Strangers eyes, hidden in shadow beneath his hat, begin to glow in anger. "I know more than you think." A silence falls upon the group for what seems like an eternity before the Stranger continues. "So is that Heaven's response? To do nothing?"

"Heaven has no part in this." As abrupt as her words, the Spectre retreats back into the shadows and disappears.

"Well then," Lucifer smiles, clapping the Wizard on the shoulder. "If our business is concluded..."

"You won't get away with this," the Wizard's voice is punctuated by the flash of lightning and sound of thunder. "Heaven may have no part in this, but we mortals will."

"Mortals?" Lucifer scoffs. "Is that what you are now, Shazam? Last I checked you've lived for over, what, nine thousand years? You have as much in common with these mortals as I do." He raises a hand toward the Stranger for emphasis. "Or this creature."

"Whether you have a part in this or not, I will not allow this to pass," the Stranger seethes. "I know what it is you seek. I will stop you."

Offering another smug smile and a slight bow, Lucifer heads to leave. As he goes, he calls back over his shoulder. "Please. The two of you won't even lift a finger. You'll just make others do your dirty work. So pick your Champions. Let the games begin."

***

Three days later
Mesquite, NV

Lori slams her locker shut as the bell for third period rings. She's running late, as always, but doesn't care. If she walks in while class has already started, no one has the chance to speak to her.

Adjusting her backpack over her shoulder, Lori casually strolls down the hallway of Virgin Valley High School toward her Algebra class. The empty hall echoes with every step of her black boots. When she nears the doorway to her class, she reaches up to pull the bangs of her neck length black hair over her eyes, a tiny shield against the stares of her classmates.

"Lori..."

She jumps at the sudden whisper of her name. Yet when she looks down the hall, it's as empty as before. "Hello?" No answer.

Wringing her hands around the strap of her backpack, Lori takes a deep breath and opens the door. She walks swiftly against the wall, attempting to reach her desk without notice.

"Ms. Zechlin," Mr. Jacobi's stern voice says from the front of the class.

Freezing in place, Lori slowly turns to find the entire class staring at her. She cringes, her entire body seeming to shrink under their gaze.

"I don't suppose you have a note from the principal?" Mr. Jacobi asks, placing his hands on his hips. "Or the nurse?"

"Or your psychiatrist?"

The class erupts in small pockets of laughter. Lori looks about the room, but can't see which of her classmates said it. Not that it matters.

"All right, enough. Enough!" Mr. Jacobi waits for the class to finally settle down. "Take your seat, Lori. And then see me after class."

Lori slides into her seat, her shoulders slumped, and stares down at the desk. Mr. Jacobi continues his lesson, his words drowned out by the pounding in her ears.

A hard smack in the back of her head causes Lori to flinch. She looks back to see Todd Harrington leaning over his desk. "You're such a freak," he whispers. "Why do you even come to class? Do you even..."

Suddenly a loud crash interrupts them, followed by screams. Lori spins around to see a hole in the outside wall of the classroom. Standing amongst the rubble is a seven foot tall demon, with red scaly skin and glowing red eyes.

"You!" the demon shouts, the same glow coming from his mouth as he speaks. He raises a taloned finger and points it at Lori. "Hell has come for you!"

Panic ensues as the classroom screams. Some students run, some hide under their desks, others sit frozen in terror. Lori watches in horror, too paralyzed to even scream, as the demon walks toward her. He casually swats the students and desks aside.

The demon stops in front of Lori and pounds it's hands onto the floor, bending over to look her in the face. He roars, the fiery glow from it's mouth drying the tears streaming down her face, and then reaches up to grab her.

Another crash and the demon is gone. Lori blinks and look over to see a large horned beast on top of the demon, gnawing on it's face. The demon fights back, sending the two crashing through another wall and out into the hallway.

The cries of her injured classmates are drowned out by the fire alarm being pulled. Lori continues to sit at her desk, frozen in fear, until she looks over at the hole leading outside and sees a giant four-headed snake slithering down the street. It's eight eyes all stare straight at her.

Lori's paralysis is finally overcome by her flight instinct. She leaps out of her seat and runs through the hole and into the hallway. The large beast and demon are still locked in combat, smashing into the walls and the occasional fleeing student.

When she gets around the corner to the next hall, she whips past the lines of students calmly leaving their classes. They stare at her, not realizing what's happening. When one of the teachers yells at her, she doesn't even acknowledge it.

As she passes the stairs toward the exit she hears screams ahead of her. Skidding to a stop just in time, she avoids a body flying through the double doors toward her. The students and teachers all scream as a trio of gray winged demons fly toward them.

With no where else to go, Lori runs up the stairs. The demons follow her only to be intercepted by what appears to be zombie dogs that crash through the large window on the stairway. The spray of glass hits the back of her head, but she ignores the pain and continues up the stairs.

She reaches the empty hallway on the third floor and sprints down it. Unsure where to go, she ducks into one of the classrooms and slams the door behind her, whimpering as she looks out the tiny window in the door. She finally feels the back of her head, her hand coming back covered in blood. She stares at her hand, overwhelmed and unsure what to think. She slowly steps backward when a hand wraps around her mouth.

"Quiet," a woman's voice whispers harshly. Another hand twists Lori's arm behind her back. "I'm not going to harm you. But you need to be quiet. Do you understand?"

Lori nods emphatically and the woman lets her go. As soon as she does, Lori begins to scream and rushes for the door. The woman is faster, grabbing Lori's shoulder, spinning her around, and pinning her against the door. A hand once again covers Lori's mouth.

"I said shut it," the woman barks, anger flaring in her green eyes. A hood covers her head, but long black hair falls down from underneath it. "My name is Xanadu. If you want to live, you'll do exactly as I say."

Lori nods again. Xanadu lets go of her slowly. This time she manages to keep from screaming, instead sliding down onto the floor and crying.

"Why is this...what..." It's all Lori can stammer out.

"I'm not certain myself," Xanadu sighs, frustrated. She looks about for danger before kneeling down next to Lori. Taking a deep breath, she softens her demeanor and places a comforting hand on Lori's shoulder. "An old ally asked me to help you. These demons are after you, fighting over you, for what reason I don't know. We..."

Xanadu turns just in time to watch the chalkboard on the wall explode. A large demon flies through the wall and crashes into the desks. Lori screams and instinctively moves to flee, but Xanadu's hand grips her shoulder firmly.

The demon begins to stand, only to be blasted in the chest with a bright blue energy beam, sending it crashing into more desks. Through the hole in the wall walks a young woman wearing tight jeans and a red leather jacket fastened around her torso. Her long white hair is tied in a ponytail behind her head.

"I didn't see this," Xanadu mutters under her breath before calling out to the woman. "Dawn!"

Dawn tears her eyes from the demon at the sound of her name. Her eyes widen slightly at the sight of Xanadu, but she remains composed. "Xanadu? What are you doing here?"

"I was asked to save this girl." Xanadu, her grip still tight on Lori's shoulder, moves them toward Dawn. "I'm assuming you were as well."

Finally seeing Lori standing there, Dawn nods at her. "So this is the girl?" Xanadu nods in response. "I'm Dawn. What's your name?"

Lori doesn't answer at first. She looks back and forth between the two women, overwhelmed. Dawn's warm smile, despite the carnage around them, offers more than Xanadu's cold expression, so Lori meekly answers, "Lori. Lori Zechlin."

"Don't worry, Lori. We'll get through this," Dawn smiles wider, her confidence almost contagious. "Believe it or not, I know what it's like to be hunted by Hell."

The calm is quickly broken by a loud growl in the distance. Lori squirms in fright but Xanadu continues to hold her in place.

Xanadu closes her eyes briefly before shaking her head in frustration. "My sight is being clouded. Is Jason..."

She doesn't voice the question, but Dawn understands. "He's here. Down in the courtyard. We need to move."

Dawn turns back to Lori and places a hand on her other shoulder. "All right, Lori. I know you're scared. We all are. But we are going to get you out of this. I'm going to lead us outside, you need to stick with Xanadu and do exactly what she says. Understand?"

Lori reaches up to wipe the tears from her cheeks, now stained black by her ruined mascara. She takes a deep breath before whispering, "Yes."

"All right," Dawn smiles again. She walks to the door and looks out quickly. "Coast is clear. Let's go!"

Lori looks to Xanadu, waiting for her lead, and sees a small crack in her cool demeanor. The corner of Xanadu's lip curls slightly. "She sure has changed."

They sprint out into the hallway, following Dawn as she leads them back to the stairway. Screams echo all around them, both human and inhuman. They pass a window and Lori sees the sky has darkened, black clouds covering the sun.

Dawn remains ten steps ahead of them. As they get closer to the stairwell, demons begin heading toward them. Like roaches, the demons scurry out from all around them.

Dawn makes short work of most of them, firing blasts of magical energy, fire, and ice. The occasional demon who gets past her is met by the blinding flash of Xandu's daggers.

Once they reach the first floor, the group heads toward the front doors of the school. The sound of battle gets louder as they go. Thunderous crashes and ear splitting screams of the dying. When they finally exit the school, Lori realizes it wasn't humans dying, but demons.

"Warriors of Hell, you had best turn and flee! Face the Etrigan, and lie dead before me!"

Standing amongst a dozen dead demons is a large, yellow-green demon in chainmail. A gargoyle swoops down toward him, claws outstretched, only to be snatched out of the air. Etrigan locks an arm around the gargoyle's neck and, placing his hand inside it's mouth, tears it's head in two.

"Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit!" Lori manages to twist her way out of Xanadu's grasp and runs away.

"Lori stop!"

Despite both Dawn and Xanadu calling after her, Lori continues to flee. She reaches a chain link fence and tries to squeeze her way through a gap. As she's working through it, a pack of two-headed wolves rush her from the other side. A set of fangs is about to clamp onto her leg when a large boot lands on it's head.

Etrigan backhands the next wolf out of the air and then breathes a stream of fire toward the pack. The ones not engulfed in flame backpedal and run around the flames. Etrigan makes short work of the stragglers, despite two jaws clamping down on his forearm. Etrigan simply tears into the wolf's neck with his own teeth, decapitating the beast.

Lori looks up at Etrigan and cries. Her shirt caught on the fence, she is trapped until Etrigan grabs her arm and pulls her through. The fence tears her shirt and scratches her back. The Demon's meaty fist lifts her off her feet and in front of his face.

"Such trouble for an unremarkable thing," Etrigan mutters as he sniffs her. "What rewards do you imagine you might bring?"

"Etrigan!" Dawn shouts as she and Xanadu run up to the other side of the fence. "Put her down! Now!"

"She's not for you, Demon!" Xanadu shouts, her voice dark with anger. "Return to Hell and bring back Jason!"

The Demon's body goes stiff, struggling with Jason Blood's attempt to return. He grits his teeth, fire trickling out from between his fangs.

"Gone...gone, the form of...man..."

Before Etrigan can finish, lightening flashes all around, blinding them. When the following thunder finally booms, Lori is on the ground. The women look up to see Etrigan covered in the rubble of a nearby wall. Hovering over him is a man dressed in red and gold, with a white cape flowing behind him.

"If you're done harassing helpless young girls, Demon, why not face someone your own size?" the man asks with a wide grin on his face. "Like Captain Marvel!"

-To Be Continued-

Next time, Captain Marvel vs. Etrigan!