The Rival

I'man was an ancient being. She'd witness the rise and fall of many great civilizations, had seen things of such awe inspiring beauty that it was beyond human comprehension, and caused such horrible atrocities that it would leave one quivering in fear of being in her presence. Yet, there was one thing that I'man never thought she'd see.

Fear and Him....in the same room...not trying to kill one another.

The hatred between Him and Fear was one even the lowest puss filled maggot in Hell knew of. Hell was divided into three sections; Those who remained loyal to their leader Lucifer, those who believed that all other forms of life where below them (Lucifer included), and the wildcards. The wildcards were demons and ex-angels whom agendas were totally unknown.

Fear was a demon...demon God to be more precise. His duty in life was....naturally, fear. Which was most likely the reason he sided with Lucifer. If Him got his way every living thing on Earth and possibly Heaven would be destroyed and world without fear meant no need for Fear himself. He needed the beings on the tiny planet as much as they needed him.

Him was on the exact opposite side of the team, siding with the fallen angels and demons who believed that humans weren't fit to rule the Earth...let alone exist at all. On several occasions Him had attempted to start a coup to exterminate Lucifer only to be defeated each time.

I'man smirked, sauntering towards a brooding Fear. "It's not that bad big guy," I'man replied, chuckling when the demon snarled. "Atleast your on the winning side so cheer up!"

Fear snorted, glaring at his surroundings. "I'd much rather prefer being on the losing side than live and have to be confined on a lifeless planet thanks to your master."

I'man snuggled next to Fear, ignoring the demon god's look of disgust. "He isn't all that bad once you get to know him. You should just loosen up! Stop being so serious all the time!"

"Keeping the balance of fear on the planet is a VERY serious job," Fear muttered. "And while humans aren't the most intelligent of creatures I do respect their right to evolve." He wasn't enjoying I'man's closeness at all though there wasn't much he could do about it. "In a way it is ironic how you work for a being who seeks to destroy humankind yet you choose a human body as a vessel." He glanced to see if his words had any effect.

Something flashed in I'man's eyes, something...not pleasant but she was back to normal in an instant. "You don't have to be mean!" I'man pouted, but didn't relent. "We can have some real fun if you just relax."

It was then that Him/Lenny made his presence known (Fear found himself actually glad to see Him for the very first time in an eternity) by coughing. "Sorry to interrupt but you should be busy getting rest," Lenny replied. "From what Him has told me him and I will be freeing another one of his pals while you two keep the heroes distracted." Lenny smirked. "Besides....hearing I'man's pathetic attempt at trying to get a booty call and watching Fear act like a spoiled brat is beginning to grow annoying."

Both gave Lenny foul looks.

******

Princess groaned as she was snatched away from a well earned nap by a cursing Buttercup. "Blossom...I'm glad that your not the prude that I thought you out to be....but must you REALLY have your boyfriend over at two in the morning?"

"I'm not her boyfriend damnit!!" Buttercup snarled, rubbing her shin. "And I wouldn't have scream if I hadn't had bumped into this table while stumbling in the fucking dark!"

"Sorry, Princess," Blossom replied sheepishly. "I was hoping we wouldn't wake you. That was Buttercup you heard. She'll be staying a while."

"Buttercup?" Princess squinted, trying to make out the girls in the darkness. "I thought you girls had night-vision."

"It's X-Ray vision and I'm to tired to use it," Buttercup muttered.

"Whatever." Princess yawned. "Just keep it down. I have to get up early so I can charm a nerd into doing my homework!"

Blossom collapsed onto her bed as Buttercup joined her. Blossom had always dreamed and feared what she'd do if she were to be in the same bed with Buttercup again, but for now she was much too tired to even worry about her fantasies.

******

"I do say, Mr. Edwards, are you truly certain that this is where the Guardian resides?"

"Indeed I am, Mr. Thomas."

The two men were standing just outside the woods on the outskirts of Townsville.

Eric Thomas was a man in his late forties. He was a portly man, wearing a white dress-shirt underneath an oak-brown suit with a matching dress length duster. He scratched his gray beard. "At last we've found the Guardian's sanctuary. Let us return to the hotel to get some rest. We'll return here bright and early tomorrow." His duster fluttered in the wind and for a brief moment and the moonlight reflected off what looked like an old fashion six chamber revolver.

John Edwards was in his mid twenties. He was an inch shorter than Eric, who stood at 6'1, and much thinner in comparison to Eric. His outfit was the same as Eric's with the only exception being that John's clothes were a steel-grey color. In his right hand was an ivory can embroidered in black and gold with a gold lion's head at the top. It was his first mission with the legendary Eric Thomas and he couldn't hide his excitement. "How much longer till the Dark One's attack?"

Eric's soulful brown eyes locked onto John's blue eyes. "The scriptures are precise on everything but the exact date. Though I'm certain we'll know when it happens."

The two turned and left, vanishing into the night.