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The customary lightning bolt struck in the distance as the lone figure stood on the precarious precipice, overlooking the sea. Ocean spray took flight as the figure grew weary of the sunset, determined to get his grisly task underway. He was Darrien Alkatrine, the Archangel of Darkness; evil and slightly insane. He wanted to taste blood, but only one type of blood would quench his thirst: that of his archenemy, Zhyan Dekodoria. In his hands he held a most fearful weapon of destruction, the Lance of Kelkaryn, forged by the God himself. He would use this against Zhyan, use it to destroy him for good; or so he hoped.

As the storm approached, he decided his lust for death might be temporarily satisfied with a little needless murder. His emerald green eyes sparkled since liked that idea greatly, as his ego needed a pick-me-up rather badly, so he slipped the lance over his head and shoulder, making sure the strap cleared his right wing and didn't trap any of his long, raven hair before he took flight. He would make them all pay for Zhyan's wrongdoings. Oh yes...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Zhyan kicked his bed-sheets off, relieved at the cool air on his feverish skin as he rolled onto his stomach. He wasn't well, that much was obvious, but it felt like a different kind of illness. It was as though there was one remedy out there that would cure him, and he had an idea what it could be.

Before he slipped back to sleep, he felt something run up his back, sending a chill up his spine. He snapped his eyes open and was about to snarl at the suspected pixie, but the sight that greeted him instead was much more appealing. Spark lay next to him, wearing nothing other than one of his discarded sheets. She grinned as she walked her fingers up his back again before running them smoothly down one of his wings, shuffling up the bed a little more to put her head on his pillow.

"I didn't hear you come in," he said smiling, turning slightly to get a better view.

"I can be quiet when I want to be," she replied seductively as she wound a lock of his hair round her fingers. She placed her other hand on his forehead. "How are you?"

"I'm much better, but I still feel sick," the angel said, turning fully on his side, propping his head up with his arm.

Spark wiped a few sweat-drenched strands of hair back from his face before leaning forward to kiss his pale lips.

"Mi querido," she cooed as she pressed herself against him, pushing him on his back. "What can I do to make you feel better?"

The archangel grinned. "I'm sure I'll feel better if you keep this up..."

She kissed him deeply, straddling his midsection as she took him by the wrists, guiding his hands over her body. Spark let go and bent low, licking down the centre of his abdomen as she moved slowly backwards. She stopped at his navel, biting his flesh, grinning evilly as she bit a little too hard, making Zhyan yelp.

"Hungry?" he asked sarcastically, smiling as he sat up.

"You know I like to taste you," she replied, draping her arms around his shoulders.

"So long as you don't turn me into tamales you can taste me as much as you like," Zhyan said as he kissed her neck, making her purr while his hands roamed over her, giving her a taster of what to expect for the rest of the night.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lion-O sat languidly in his plush leather armchair, relaxing in front of the huge log fire that crackled in front of him as he revelled in the peace and quiet. Looking around to make sure he was alone, the Lord of the ThunderCats slid his hand under the seat and pulled out a seemingly well used magazine, the mere sight of it making his breath quicken. Reverently, he turned to the centre-fold, trying not to tear the stuck pages. His pupils dilated at the sight before him, a slight moan escaping his lips as his hand strayed to his groin where there was a distinct bulge that was growing. It was a typical Friday night for Lion-O; everyone would either retire early or go to one of the nearby villages, leaving him on his own to do whatever he pleased. This activity happened to be his favourite pastime.

Darrien sauntered casually down the corridors of Cat's Lair unchallenged. He had an idea who his first victim would be, but to be honest, he wasn't that picky. The halls were dark due to the lateness of his visit, bringing a sinister smile to his face as he turned a corner, entering what seemed to be a kind of living room. A huge fire burned in a great stone fireplace; a large leather armchair sitting in front of it. As the archangel listened, he could hear heavy breathing over the roar of the flames, making his pulse quicken as the prospect of murder loomed. Silently, he drew his dagger and crept up to the chair, taking care not to trip over the many discarded beer cans and empty take-away cartons.

Taking a deep breath, Darrien leapt out from behind the chair to be assaulted with a most frightening vision, making him hesitate. Lion-O jumped in fright, the sudden appearance of a tall dark stranger making him ejaculate immediately. Time seemed to stop as the cub's semen hit his potential murderer in the face, Darrien's face a picture of disgust as he wiped it from his cheek and eye. Lion-O ran from the room, heading for help whimpering like an injured animal, as a very enraged, psychotic archangel hunted him down.

Lion-O burst into Panthro's workshop, crashing into a table covered with tools, falling to the floor along with one of many overfilled toolboxes. Heralded by the cacophony of falling metal, Darrien entered at a leisurely pace, his dagger now replaced by two wicked looking, serrated edged swords. Lion-O tried to put as much space between him and the archangel as he could, but his fear had already turned his limbs to jelly, making him incapable of escape.

Darrien grinned evilly as he stood over the pathetic creature, swords raised, ready to spill the Thunderian's blood. He brought them down silently and would have hit home had some unwanted visitors not arrived, blinding him with the headlights of the Thunder Tank. Before the vehicle came to a stop, Tygra, Bengali and Cheetara jumped out to defend their leader.

"Oh, how noble," Darrien spat venomously as he eyed up the newcomers. "Believe me, when I kill this fool, you'll thank me. You really will!"

The ThunderCats looked at each other as though they were considering his words before Panthro joined them, attacking full force. Darrien grinned as they advanced, knowing it would be the last thing they would ever do.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spark awoke gently, her dream fading quickly as consciousness returned to her. Zhyan lay next to her with his fingers laced behind his head as he stared at the ceiling, something obviously on his mind. She touched his arm gently before placing her head on his chest, soothed by his body heat.

"What troubles you?" she asked as he draped one of his arms over her shoulders.

He sighed deeply. "I need a holiday," he replied simply. "Why don't we just pack a few things and go?"

"We? Mmm, our first vacation together," she said in her most sultry tone, tracing circles around his nipple with her fingernails.

"Is that a yes?" he asked hopefully.

"Of course it is! Where did you have in mind?" she inquired gently, sitting up slightly so she could look at him.

"I'd like to go skiing..." he replied, his voice trailing off in thought.

Smiling, she leaned up to him and kissed him sweetly. "I'd love to try that. Will you teach me?"

"I'm hardly going to say no, am I?" he replied, smiling mischievously. "Lets go!"

He pulled away from her and got up; leaving Spark a little confused as she watched him start to dress. "Now?" she managed after a few minutes.

"Why not?" he replied simply, pulling on his boots.

She opened and closed her mouth several times as she tried to think of the right words to say; floundering like a fish from water as she tried to find a reason why they couldn't leave straight away. Finally, she said, "we will be missed by the others. What if they need us?"

Zhyan smiled gently at his lover as he walked back over to her and sat on the bed, kissing her forehead. "They can get along fine on their own. If it makes you feel better, I'll write a note for them while you gather some things," he replied, trying to reassure her. Spark nodded and smiled gratefully at his suggestion as the idea of leaving grew on her, finding the thought of going to the mountains exciting.

"I'll go and get ready," she whispered in his ear, nibbling playfully at his ear lobe before she went. Zhyan smiled at her, completely enamoured by the Aztec girl as he scribbled out a rough note. He propped it up on a small cabinet before picking up his travel bag, going to the fire room to teleport them both right away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Some time after Zhyan and Spark's departure, Darrien found himself wandering down the halls of the FF fortress, five satisfying kills raising his spirits as the prospect of killing his nemesis put an excited spring in his step. Whistling a jolly tune, he descended the steps to the bedroom level, sauntering round to the air room, hoping to find the Archangel of Destruction sleeping soundly.

Kam stood in Zhyan's room reading the hastily scribbled note the angel had written at the insistence of his lover. He stared at the paper, a look of disappointment screwing up his face.

"But... where am I supposed to get my special pixie cake ingredients?" he whined, turning sharply, ready to leave for the kitchen when he rebounded off the chest of the murderous Archangel of Darkness.

"Oh, hi Darrien," the baker greeted as if nothing was amiss. It didn't take long for him to register the danger, but it was long enough for Darrien to hoist the virus off the floor by his neck.

"Where is he?" the evil angel demanded. Kam tried to answer, but his fear choked him, making him utter nothing but incoherent garble. Darrien sighed impatiently and slammed him against the wall, drawing a thin dagger from his belt with the other hand.

"I don't think you want Mr.Sharp to ask this time do you?" the crazed angel whispered harshly, waving the blade hypnotically in front of the baker's face.

Eyes wide, Kam shook his head. "You're insane!" he wheezed, the angel's grip loosened enough to let him speak.

Darrien grinned evilly. "It's so nice of you to notice," he drawled. "Now, back to business. Where is Zhyan?"

Kam slowly crumpled up the note in his hand, praying to whichever god was listening that Darrien didn't notice as he said, "I know where he is... so maybe we can cut a deal."

"I don't do deals, but Mr.Sharp has been known to 'cut' the odd deal once in a while," Darrien replied, running the cool metal of his dagger down Kam's face.

"Fine, then you won't find Zhyan," Kam said smarmily.

Darrien issued a feral growl before dropping the virus host to his feet, sliding "Mr.Sharp" back in it's sheath. "What do you want?" Darrien asked calmly.

"Well," said Kam through a wide, sinister grin, "where shall I begin?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spark and Zhyan teleported safely to the outside of a huge alpine hotel complex, the view of the snowy mountains was breathtaking as they stood outside, breathing in the fresh clean air. Zhyan offered his arm to his lover, who took it happily. He led her inside where it was warm and full of people hanging around with their skis. They went to the reception desk and signed in, getting their key shortly after, leaving them plenty of time to explore the area. It was early evening, so most people were having dinner or going to watch the nightly entertainment show in one of the many function rooms, but the couple were too tired after their earlier activities and Spark was still disoriented from the teleportation since it took her some time to recover. They retired to their chalet, not waking till late the next morning.

Zhyan stepped out of the shower, still feeling tired but no longer ill, bringing a smile to his face. He had hoped a short break would cure him. He dressed in his warmest clothes and lit the fire, turning on the television as he made some coffee. He wasn't really paying much attention to it until a news bulletin caught his eye.

"News just in! The Lord of the ThunderCats has been murdered along with four other members of the team!"

Zhyan's hearing must have switched off at that point, but the pictures they showed said everything as he approached the T.V. set slowly, not taking his eyes off it. He kneeled by the fire, watching with a morbid sense of curiosity as they showed the five decapitated heads on spikes set outside Cat's Lair. No matter what anyone else said, this was not the work of any insane author like RD. It didn't seem like their style.

"How gruesome," he said to himself as he pulled himself away, returning to the kitchen.

"It's nothing to worry about," Spark said as she descended the stairs, smiling at his surprise.

"I'm not worried," he lied unconvincingly.

She kissed him lightly. "They'll regenerate soon and be ripe for the picking again." Spark entered the bathroom, leaving the angel to his thoughts as he attempted to make breakfast. After several failed attempts at pancakes and toast, he decided to wait for Spark to finish getting ready so he could ask her to cook something, considering he had the culinary talent of a dead rhino. While he waited, he decided to get the skiing equipment ready, so he clicked his fingers, making it all appear from no where. He checked it all out to see if there was anything wrong with it, discreetly cutting off the price tags on the suits so that no one realised he was just a sophisticated shop lifter, congratulating himself on a successful heist before his conscience got the better of him. Sighing an annoyed little sigh, he counted out the right number of notes from his wallet and sent them off, hating his inability to feel guilt free whenever he did this kind of shopping. He could kill and terrorise pixies, murdering and enslaving them, but he couldn't steal a few items by abusing his power. Life certainly had a strange sense of humour.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Darrien and Kam teleported to the mountainous reaches of Third Earth, finding themselves in front of one of many ski resorts. Darrien had agreed to the virus' terms of allowing him to be the angel's assistant and main cake ingredient supplier, not because he needed a helper or particularly wanted to give him ingredients, but because he had always liked the despicable creature in a strange kind of way. Now that he had help to destroy his enemy, he had decided to include Kam in his plans with the intent of using him as a distraction. They had been to many ski resorts in their search for the elusive archangel, but this was the last place on their list.

"Is this the place?" the archangel asked.

"There's one way to find out..." Kam said as he started to look around.

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The air was crisp and fresh as the couple stood poised at the top of the beginner's slope. Spark seemed apprehensive but excited as she looked down the gentle slope, watching all the people skiing and falling over. Turning to Zhyan, she grinned and said, "I'm ready."

Zhyan smiled and pulled his sunglasses down. "Just remember what I showed you and you'll be fine," he reassured her as they both started down the mountain. They kept a slow pace at first until Spark wanted to go faster, drawing a dubious smile from her lover who complied with her wish. He went ahead slightly, leading the way past the other beginners, smiling at the sound of Spark's giggles. He reached the bottom of the slope quickly, coming to a standstill, out of breath. He turned to look back up the slope, expecting to see Spark right behind him, but she was no where in sight as he scanned the mountainside. His heart seemed to stop as a million scenarios flashed through his head, his worry turning to panic until he spotted her weaving slowly through the groups of other skiers. Zhyan waved to her, relieved at the sight of his love as he waited, wondering who the guy was who followed her down. Spark came to a stop next to her angel, an excited grin on her face as he embraced her tightly.

"I thought you were right behind me!" Zhyan blurted, hugging her close until he noticed the man standing just in front of him.

"I was, but I had a little accident," she said, blushing with embarrassment as she gestured towards the stranger. "I ran this man over... he's a ski instructor."

Zhyan did well to hide his smirk, since the look in the man's eyes seemed to promise agony to anyone who made fun of the incident. "You both seem to be okay," he commented as the ski instructor edged closer.

"I thought I'd make sure she got to the bottom safely, considering she seemed to be unattended and inexperienced," the stranger said curtly, looking Zhyan in the eyes with a cold stare.

"Thank you for your concern," Zhyan replied politely, finding the man's tone annoying.

"I wouldn't mind racing you sometime. From what little I saw of you on the mountain you looked quite fast. I'd enjoy beating you," the instructor said, making Zhyan narrow his eyes at the challenge.

"I'll think about it," was all the angel said as he saw the stranger wander away. "There was something familiar about him..." he added, perplexed at the short exchange. Spark wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply as she brought his attention back to her, smiling at him as she led him away.

"I enjoyed today," she said as she leaned her head against his arm.

"Really? Even though I left you to crash into some strange man?" Zhyan said incredulously.

"It wasn't your fault, silly! Besides, I got a nice view of your behind for most of the way," she said suggestively, making her angel blush slightly as they made their way to the restaurant.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The ski instructor walked behind a few small trees, grinning evilly to himself as he changed his form, revealing a very pleased Archangel of Darkness. Kam stood close by, along with the real ski instructor, whose eyes were wide with terror as he saw the angel approach.

"Well?" Kam inquired casually.

"It's him alright, but he's not alone. No matter, I'm sure the Aztec girl will prove herself as Zhyan's main weakness," Darrien replied jovially to his assistant.

"So what do we do now?" Kam asked, looking at their prisoner.

"He is of no use to us now. Kill him and bury him in the snow, no one should find him until the spring thaw. As for our quarry, well, they should be easy enough to follow," Darrien said in his usual overconfident manner, smiling evilly to himself. He was so close... he couldn't fail now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They eventually left the food hall some two hours later, after Spark had complained about the lack of entrails in every meal and Zhyan had eaten twice his weight in mashed potato and honey glazed vegetables, his excuse being that he used lots of energy when skiing, not that anyone believed him. They looked around at the mountains looming around them, their snowy tops striking them with awe.

"What do you want to do now?" Zhyan asked, mesmerised by the scenery.

Spark looked around, not really wanting to brave the slopes on a full stomach. Pointing to a distant lake, far down the valley she said, "I want to go there, but no teleporting!"

Zhyan grinned, the picture of innocence. "I wouldn't dream of it..." he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "You don't mind if we fly instead?"

Before she could answer, his leathery wings stretched outwards, flapping with incredible power as the couple took to the air. Spark seemed scared at first, not wanting to see the ground far below them as they sped towards their destination, but she soon realised she was safe in the arms of her lover, so it didn't take long for her to enjoy the journey.

They landed gently next to the lapping waters of the lake; a warm breeze blowing from the snow free landscape as the sun broke through the clouds, its warm rays sparkling off every ripple.

"Here we are," Zhyan said, gesturing towards the lake. "Do you want to hire a boat?"

Spark smiled up at him before kissing him tenderly as she linked her arm with his. "I'd love to," she said softly, enamoured by the surroundings and the company.

The lake hadn't seemed so big when in the air, but they soon found it to be the size of an inland sea as they walked it's perimeter, finally reaching the boat hire after a good hour or so. It wasn't long before they were drifting along in a small yacht, taking in the views around them as they sat on the small deck. Zhyan leaned on the handrail along the back of the boat, propping his head up as he gazed at his lover adoringly as she watched the fish dart through the clear waters.

"This isn't too boring, is it?" he asked her, kneeling on the seat to get a better view of the water below.

"Boring? I could never be bored with you," she cooed, leaning over to kiss her angel. They kissed with growing passion, Spark pulling Zhyan on top of her, unzipping his ski suit slowly as if she were peeling fruit. Slipping her cold hands under the sweater and t-shirt he wore under his suit, she rubbed his pectorals, feeling him shiver as she teased his nipples before he stripped off the garments completely, exposing the top half of his body to the elements. Spark traced invisible patterns on his bare skin, taking her hands over his shoulders until they grasped his wings, following them down his back, tickling his flesh playfully. He smiled as he moved to her earlobe, licking her ear and neck as he felt her exploring fingers travel lower down his back. The ducks continued swimming and the fish continued eluding capture as the two lovers drowned themselves in their passionate wave, aware of nothing but each other and their love.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Darrien led the way to the boat hire, Kam close behind as they approached the small hut, both grinning evilly as they entered the shop. An old man sat behind the counter watching a small black and white television as he rocked back and forth on his rocking chair, unaware of his ominous visitors. Darrien leaned on the counter, looking casually over the desk to the T.V. seeming to enjoy the show when the old man turned to him and looked him up and down distastefully.

"Excuse me, but you wouldn't have seen a man my height with lilac hair around would you?" Darrien asked as he stood up straight, taking the lance from his shoulder.

"Aye, he took a boat on the water. He'll be back soon enough," the old man replied politely, just as Darrien struck him in the face with the butt of his weapon, knocking him out cold.

"Is he dead?" Kam asked excitedly, only to receive a dark look from the angel.

"Were you never taught to respect your elders, S'Kah? He'll wake up with a head ache in an hour or so," Darrien quipped lightly as he jumped behind the counter and dragged the old man to a back room. While the angel was busy, Kam picked up the lance, tilting it to and fro in the light before he started play fighting.

"Do not play with that! It's very delicate," Darrien scolded when he returned, making the virus jump.

"What does it do?" Kam asked as he handed it back. "It feels like it's made of paper."

Darrien grinned as he ran his fingers over its surface. "It was forged by the god Kelkaryn hundreds of millennia ago when there was an uprising among deikindrian ranks. He needed a way of getting them back under control, so he forged many lances like these from his essence. When a deikindrian is stabbed with this weapon, their life force leaks from them at a great speed until they are no more. This is the only surviving one, so you must never touch it!"

Kam shrugged, not really caring and helped himself to several bags of potato chips and a handful of chocolate bars, leaving his boss to his vigilant watch of the lake, awaiting the return of the Archangel of Destruction.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Zhyan jumped down onto the jetty first, helping Spark down after as they walked back to the boat hire. The sunlight was fading fast as they approached arm in arm, unaware of the danger that lay before them. They entered the shop, laughing and joking about something as Zhyan went to the counter to hand the keys back. He stood there a while, ringing the service bell a few times before he decided to just leave the keys on the desk for the old man to find. He turned to say something to Spark, but she wasn't there, confusing him a little until he heard her scream for him. His heart beat wildly as he rushed outside, his gaze darkening as he saw Kam standing behind Spark, holding her tightly round the waist with her dagger to her throat.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his expression one of pure malice as he stared at the virus, taking a few steps forward.

"Now, come on! You know how we play this game! If you come any closer, your girlfriend gets it. In more ways than one," Kam replied, licking his lips as he regarded the Aztec girl.

"If you..." Zhyan threatened before Kam cut him off with a shrill laugh.

"If I what? Touch her? I already am!" he cried, pressing his body to her as he licked her cheek, making her screw her face up with disgust.

It was more than Zhyan could take as he pounced at the virus, wanting to tear him apart, wanting him to suffer beyond eternity for his actions. Kam squealed like a pig as the angel ran at him, immediately freeing Spark and dropping the weapon as he escaped. Before Zhyan realised his lover was free, he was blasted in the side with a powerful energy discharge, sending the angel scraping along the ground on his back before he could flip back onto his feet. Spark rushed to his side, helping him up when Darrien wandered into sight, laughing his most wicked laugh.

"So sorry about that. I didn't take you by surprise, did I?" the evil archangel mocked as he leaned casually against a nearby tree.

"Darrien," Zhyan said as if it explained everything. Spark stayed close to her angel, hiding behind his wings as Darrien continued to laugh. Zhyan turned and kissed her lightly on the lips before he stepped away from her. "Try and stay out of sight, and keep a look out for the virus. I love you..." was the last thing he said as he approached his nemesis. Spark grabbed her dagger as she ran from sight, confident that her angel would win, stopping to look back at her lover before entering the dark forest, the day fading fast to twilight as she disappeared.

"Let's get this over with," Zhyan said impatiently as he readied one of his favourite elemental spells.

Darrien sighed. "Yes, let's prove once and for all that I'm more powerful."

"Is that what this is all about?" Zhyan asked incredulously.

"No. It's just an added bonus," Darrien replied as he attacked head on, breaking Zhyan's concentration, forcing him to miscast his spell. They fought hand to hand, Zhyan assuming his adversary wanted a true battle of strength and power that only a weaponless battle could give as he kicked Darrien in the face, giving him a short break before the Archangel of Darkness came at him once more. Both of them fired a multitude of different spells, few of which hit home, most of them destroying nearby trees or landing harmlessly in the lake until Darrien decided it was time to take to the skies.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spark crouched in the underbrush, watching the spectacle as their many spells lit up the surrounding area, cringing every time Zhyan was hit, but silently cheered when Darrien was pounded by her love. Safely hidden from view, she saw Kam creep up to the edge of the tree line, watching the battle intently. Her eyes narrowed with hatred as she looked upon the foul creature, wanting to get her revenge. She unzipped her suit quietly, searching inside until her hand brushed against her purse, safely tucked against her body. She pulled it out to check for the items she'd need, using the light from the spells to find what she was looking for. Satisfied, she put her purse back in her suit and crept from the underbrush, picking up a large stone as she made her way to the virus. Before he realised he was being stalked, Spark smacked him back of the head with her brick, knocking him out as she grinned evilly, procuring some rope she had taken from her purse. She tied him up so that he was in a kneeling position, making sure the knots were nice and tight before she pulled out a small container filled with many multicoloured capsules, emptying it down his throat, then gagging him to make sure he didn't spit them back out. At the moment she gagged him, he regained consciousness, swallowing on instinct as he looked around him in a panic.

"Pandejo," she spat at him, turning her dagger over and over in her hands. "You think I would let you take me? Ha! You make me sick." She grinned as his eyes widened in terror as she grabbed his head, sliding the razor sharp blade under the skin of his face, cutting around it slowly. His muffled cries made her work seem worthwhile as he blubbed and gargled pathetically, his blood drenching her blade as she hummed a happy tune, glad that she'd gagged the despicable creature. Once she'd finished cutting, she began to peel back his scalp slowly, savouring his look of horror as she showed him the end product, laughing evilly as he nearly passed out. Deciding she didn't want to keep it as a trophy, she threw his scalp away from her, wanting to get back to watching the battle.

"By the way," she said before she left, "how did those antibiotics taste?"

She chuckled as she walked away, his final muffled cry elating her soul, knowing he would soon be dead, freeing the world from his cake worshipping lunacy for good.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Zhyan followed Darrien high above the clouds, throwing many lightning bolts and fireballs at his enemy, hoping to hit his wings as they darted across the sky. Darrien grinned maliciously as he dipped low, passing through a large cloud, laughing as he heard Zhyan curse at the loss of his sight. Zhyan flew below the cloud level, expecting to find his adversary waiting, ready to strike him, but Darrien wasn't there. Confused, he hovered, readying himself for an attack from the cloud cover as he watched it intently. Darrien saw his nemesis waiting and smirked as he concentrated, teleporting the Lance of Kelkaryn to his hand before he teleported just behind his enemy. Darrien thrust the weapon forward, satisfied at Zhyan's scream as it tore through his skin, ripping through his abdomen like cheap fabric as he saw the weapon's tip poke out of his front. Zhyan's strength was immediately drained, more from shock than any effect the lance was having as he slipped off the weapon and started to fall from the air, his wings unable to keep him airborne. His anger erupted from him as he forced his wings to work, wiping the callous grin from Darrien's face as he flew back up to face him.

"You can't get rid of me that easily," he growled ferally as he gathered all he could of his powers before they all leaked from him. Darrien cried in fury as he darted towards his adversary, ready to strike him a second time with the dreaded lance. Zhyan managed to deflect the lance, grabbing the shaft of the weapon to prevent Darrien from trying again, wrenching it from his hands before kicking him away. He looked it over curiously, noticing Darrien's vital look as he took it at opposite ends, smiling at the angel.

"Do you fear me so badly that you have to resort to godly weapons?" Zhyan asked before he snapped the lance over his knee, shattering it as Darrien looked on in horror, the weapon's destruction ceasing the energy drain. Darrien could feel his sure victory slipping from his grasp as he went at Zhyan again, his fury taking hold as he watched his plan fall apart literally in front of his eyes. Zhyan unleashed the energy he had managed to save just as Darrien drew his swords, getting a cut across his cheek before he blasted the Archangel of Darkness out of the sky. The brightness of the discharge lit the sky like day as the shockwave disintegrated the clouds, leaving a clear sky as the Archangel of Destruction breathed heavily. He clutched at his midsection as he looked around for his adversary, unconvinced that Darrien had been destroyed completely, expecting him to come back at him at any moment. Once he was sure the battle was over, he used what little strength he had to teleport back to the lake.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spark waited by the boat shop, wondering how the battle was going when the sky lit up, drawing a gasp from her lips as the clouds disappeared before her eyes. She looked to the skies with wonder and fear, unsure which angel would come back, praying it would be Zhyan. The minutes passed slowly, agonisingly, before Zhyan appeared a few feet from her, falling to his knees as his strength waned. Rushing to his side immediately, Spark wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply as she hugged him, relieved he had returned to her before noticing his wounds.

"Zhy..." she managed as she pried his hands from his abdomen, his clothes soaking up most of the blood that was pouring out.

"I'm okay. It looks worse than it is," he said, smiling at her as she stroked his pale cheek, following the last cut Darrien had given him.

"Did you destroy him?" she asked as she searched her purse for medical supplies.

"No... he'll be back. Where's Kam?" the angel asked as he stripped the top half of his body once more, wincing at the messy wound.

Spark grinned at the mention of the virus. "He won't be bothering us," was all she said as she giggled, making Zhyan smirk as he wondered what she could've done to him. She cleaned up his wounds, patching up his impalement methodically, unnerved by his silence as she bandaged him up. His head was lowered and his eyes were closed, giving the impression he was sleeping until he sighed deeply, opening his eyes to look her straight in the eyes.

He hugged her, grinning widely. "I suppose we should be getting back to the chalet..." he said jovially, despite his fatigue.

Spark embraced him tightly before she realised what he was getting at. "What? No...!" she exclaimed before he teleported them away, leaving the lake angel free.

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They both stood poised at the top of the beginner's slope, looking down at the other holidaymakers sliding all over the mountain. Zhyan adjusted his new ski suit, having taken one a little too small for him as he looked at his lover, grinning happily.

"This time we'll race to the bottom," he said, taking her gloved hand and kissing it, fixing her with his lilac stare.

Spark blushed. "Are you sure? You've only had a few days of rest," she said, the worry in her voice apparent.

"So you think you'll beat me?" he quizzed, making light of the situation. "I'm fine... it's healed nicely."

"So it has," she said, kissing him tenderly before she pushed off onto the slope, giggling as she raced away from him.

"Hey! That's cheating!" he called as he followed her, the battle and his injuries soon forgotten as he chased his love down the mountain.

Their laughs and shouts mingled with those of the rest of the holidaymakers as they raced down the slope, Spark nearly running down a family trying to learn how to snowboard while Zhyan had an unfortunate encounter with a snow man after trying to avoid the kid's ski class. All their troubles were wiped free of their souls as they revelled in each other's company, wanting their time together to never end as Spark declared herself the winner after her angel had finally caught up, still trying to get the snow from his ear. Grinning in defeat, he led her from the slope back to the chalet, promising her a special prize once they got there...

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THE END

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