Aneena Welcome to another installment of The Life Beyond Death. All the usually disclaimers apply. The Villians and the Scouts are all property of people who aren't me, all other characters are characters of my creation. I welcome any comments or praise about this fic (In fact I love knowing that people are actually reading this!). Special Thanks to Lord Talon for his ideas and thoughts on this fic. Spiff. Well, thanks for reading and now on with the show.... The Life Beyond Death Chapter II: The Deepening Darkness By Aneena Joyce Cosgrove Maxine Stevens whimpered softly from where she lay on the hard stone floor. The last thing she could remember was waving to her mommy just before she slid down the big dark slide. But instead of coming out the other side like she usually did, she just kept sliding through the darkness. Down, down, down she had gone. She'd called out to her mommy, but the only answer she received was the sound of a woman's laughter. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Maxi shot out of the tunnel and tumbled end over end onto a hard stone floor beneath it. Faintly she could hear the sound of dripping water somewhere in the darkness. Sitting up, Maxi brushed her wispy black hair out of her eyes and looked around her. She was in what looked like her basement back home except Maxi knew this couldn't be her basement. There was no stairs and mommy would never let her come down here alone. "Mommy?" Maxi called into the darkness. "Mommy? Mommy, where are you?" "Your Mother isn't here child...but I am." The woman stood in the shadows, just beyond Maxi's sight. "Who are you?" "I am... no one that's not important. Listen to me little girl." "Do you know where my mommy is?" Maxi asked her blue eyes huge and pleading. "Yes, but you can not see your mommy. I need something from you Maxi." The woman said her voice low and sickeningly sweet. "You will be staying here for a while." Maxi was immediately panicked. "I don't want to stay here alone in the dark. Please! Don't make me stay here alone in the dark!" The woman smiled, a dim ray of light glinted off the white of her teeth. "Don't worry child. I had no intention of making you stay in this basement. There is a place upstairs for you. I must go now and make it ready for you. I'll return soon." In a moment, Maxine Stevens was left alone in the dark once more shivering from fear and cold. "Damn bitch!" Rubeus swore, jerking a hand back through his hair. "I'll kill you! I swear I will kill you!" The woman knew no fear at Rubeus' empty threat. "Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to upset your delicate sensibilities Rubeus." "Bull!" Rubeus spat as he resumed passing the small room. He almost tripped over the footstool that sat in the middle of the room. He cursed and kicked the footstool through the room's only window. The stool disappeared upon contact with the glass. "Temper, temper boy. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself. All I'm asking of you is that you agree to work with me to defeat your greatest enemies and the humans of Earth as well. Then in return I will help you get your revenge upon Esmeraude." The woman smirked and leaned back further into the darkness her face still concealed from Rubeus' gaze. "Why don't you come out here and show your true face to me witch? Is truly that hideous?" The woman laughed, the light glinted off threads of pale, almost white, blond hair. "You should know by now that you can't provoke me, Rubeus of the Black Moon." "Go to hell." "Tsk, tsk. It's far to warm this time of year. I would much rather stay here. Are you ready to work for me yet?" "Screw you." "Fine, boy. You always were an impudent little brat who often through tantrums when he didn't get his way. Most likely the reason I never liked you very much." "How do you know me? Who are you?" Rubeus asked, exhausted as he flopped down upon the small cot that was his bed. "I knew you long ago, Rubeus. I know you very well, perhaps one day you'll even realize who I am. But not this day and not until you agree to be my ally." Rubeus tossed a look of pure hatred in the direction of the shadowed woman. "Never. I don't need your help." "If that's the way you want it then I shall wait and see your opinion after a while spent in the company of your....roommates." "What are you..." But then she was gone. Vanished into the air as if she had never been there. In her place in that darkened side of the room Rubeus saw the glint of a door handle on the wall. He was almost positive that it had not been there prior to the woman's visit. Esmeraude walked slowly to the mirror which stood on the opposite side of her room. She'd dresed deliberately, careful to wear a sexy enough dress the the woman would believe her she was trying to look appealing for Dimand. Which wasn't entirely a lie. A part of wanted him desperately, but in the past few days she had managed to control and suppress that part of her. She knew what this woman had done to her, finally. She also knew what she herself had done. She'd left Rubeus, her friend, to die in an explosion. Even now she felt a tinge of fear as she silently wondered what kind of monster she had become. She had never been so frightened in her life and as she starred into the looking glass and vowed to protect whoever was left of the Black Moon Family, something she knew she had not been able to do before An error she would give her life to rectify. Unfortunatly, things were not that simple. So instead, she was playing a dangerous game with a very dangerous woman. "Esmeraude." Esmeraude nearly jumped out of her skin. It was a moment before she could regain her composure. "Oh! Mistress, you..you... startled me." "I need something from you." Hands shaking just slightly, Esmeraude managed a smile. "Whatever you want, shall be yours." "There is a child downstairs. I want you to go down and get her and led her upstairs to the room which is across from your own. Then you may do whatever you will." A child? Dear lord, the woman was sicker and far more evil than Esmeraude could ever have possibly imagined. "It shall be done and then I shall go and see Dimand...as you promised." Esmeraude knew it was a risk to push this woman, but she had to see Dimand and know that her old friend was alright. The woman's blue eyes narrowed, "Oh? I suppose I did, didn't I? Well, then after you've handled things in the main room, you may do so." The beautiful blond woman was gone in an instant and for a moment Esmeraude merely stood staring aftrer her. Finally, she turned and picked up a small candle from the side table and used a very controlled blast of her powers to lit it. Armed with her candle, Esmeraude walked the the door which had mysteriously appeared in the wall behind her. Opening the door cautionous, Esmeraude began her desent into the darkness of the basement. She reached the bottom of the stairs quickly and lifted the candle high. She saw no signs of a child and began to fear that this was some sort of trap, until she saw another door. Esmeraude resisted the growing sense of dread as she approached the door that lead to a small room off to the right side of the basement. She opened slowly and peered into the gloomy darkness. "Little girl?" She asked quietly. "Come on out little girl." Maxi walked towards the strange woman slowly, biting her fingers as she did so. "Where's my mommy?" She asked, her fingers still in her mouth. Esmeraude stiffled a gasp, the child couldn't be more that five. Even at her worst, Esmeraude had done anything so unspeakable. She bit her lip, knowing that dispicable woman was probulay watching her every move. Brasquly, hating herself every moment, Esmeraude gave the child a look. "I don't know. Now, move it kid. I have other things to do today besides waiting around for you." Esmeraude turned and started back up the stairs. When Maxi didn't follow immediately, Esmeraude turned and grabbed the child by her free hand. "Let's go." Reluctantly, Maxi followed Esmeraude up the steps and into a large beautiful room covered with mirrors. "This is my room." For a moment, Esmeraude's voice softened. She didn't want to see this child hurt any worse by this experience than she had to be. Her voice hardened with determination, "Don't ever come in here." Esmeraude continued from the room through a door on the opposite side and found herself in a large room that was bare except for the window that covered the whole of one wall and a small table with a crystal globe on it. Esmeraude thrust Maxi onto the ground in front of the window. "There...now stay put while I figure which of these is your room." Maxi barely had time to nod before Esmeraude was turning and striding away. Neither Esmeraude or Maxi had heard the door beside Esmeraude's creak open as they had entered this room and only now did Esmeraude see the room's occupant standing near her door, starring daggers at her. "Oh damn, what the hell are you doing here?!?" Esmeraude exclaimed backing away from him. He was the last person she'd expected to see, she knew that she wasn't ready for his confrontation especially when she'd just gotten her own mind back. "I might ask you the same question, but frankly... I...don't...care." Rubeus stepped towards Esmeraude slowly his eyes narrowing with every step. Esmeraude was having a hard time focusing past her swirling emotions. The part of her that had been influenced and corrupted by that....bitch....wanted to kill him, or at least hurt him badly. The part of her that belonged to her seemed to want both to beg his forgiveness and to hug her old friend. But her wasn't her friend anymore. She could see it in his cold gaze as he looked at her. He was completely under the control of his hatred and the anger which had burned inside him years before he ever met Esmeraude. Unfortunatly, all that hatred and anger was now focused at her. She stuttered, at a loss for words. "Look, Rubeus..darling." "I'm looking." His voice was flat, yet she could hear the barely controlled anger. "Now, listen..." He was going to kill her, she knew that with a certainity she'd not felt in years. "I'm listening." He kept advancing as Esmeraude retreated backwards. "Oh, hell." Esmeraude muttered. She couldn't fight both him and her conflicting emotions at the same time. She stood still as a post, her teeth gritted together. "Alright Rubeus. If you want a fight, come on. I'll finish you and this time you won't be coming back." She had said the words, but knew that she wouldn't kill him. She wouldn't. Even if it meant her own death. Yet despite her vow, Esmeraude was soon caught in the tempest of fury and hatred that drove him. Rubeus blasted Esmeraude immediately with his powers catching her off guard. She dodged out of the way of the blast and shrieked as the blast charred the ends of her hair. "You bastard! You'll pay for that!" "I doubt it." Rubeus spat, sending another blast of power Esmeraude's way. Hissing she leaped to the side. She sent a blast of her own spiraling towards Rubeus and he was forced to drop to the ground to avoid it. Esmeraude laughed and sent another blast spinning towards Rubeus. This blast managed to hit him in the side as he attempted to dodge out of the way, he fell to one knee clutching his side. "What are you going to do now, little Rubeus?" Esmeraude asked quietly chuckling to herself. She advanced on him, power dancing over her fingertips. "Bitch." Rubeus muttered pushing himself unsteadily to his feet. He grimaced in pain and leaned back against the wall. Esmeraude slapped her open palm against his throat. Rubeus bent over clutching his throat, trying to suck air into his lungs. He couldn't focus enough to attack her now, and she knew it. "Now, that wasn't a very nice thing to say. But then again you won't matter since you're very going to say anything again. Good night Rubeus." Esmeraude smiled and a ball of energy appeared on her fingertips. "No! Don't hurt him!" Esmeraude smiled slightly at the sound of the little girl's voice. "Ah, poor kid. You've never witnessed a death before, have you? I witnessed the death of my parents when I was only tweleve, as did Rubeus. We both have come to understand the harshness of this world. Welcome to the real world." Esmeraude said quietly as she turned her full attention back to Rubeus. For an instant their eyes meet and Esmeraude drew in a deep breath, suddenly realizing what she about to do. Trembling, she realized that she was still capable of great evil. Even as her mind realized this, her body still went the motions of her attack. It was almost as if she had lost all control over her arms. She felt her arm drawing back and preparing to thrust the energy straight into Rubeus' gut. She mouthed two simple words, "Forgive me." as the power was.... Suddenly her arm was caught in an iron grasp. Her other arm followed in suit less than a moment later. "Children shouldn't have to watch such horrors." Nephrite muttered his face cold and angry. "Let me go!" Esmeraude screamed struggling against Nephrite's grip. "No problem." He shoved Esmeraude hard to the floor. Esmeraude quickly sat up and faced her captor. "Nephrite!?! The general? The betrayer? What are you doing here?" "I don't know and frankly I don't really care at this particular moment in time." Even as Nephrite spoke, Esmeraude began to gather energy for another attack. An attack that would eliminate both of her problems in one fell swoop. She had to at least look as if she were trying to attack them, she may have regained control of her body, but deep inside she could feel their captor still watching, waiting. "Don't even think about it." A cool voice muttered. Esmeraude growled as she picked herself up off the floor. She looked unbelieving up at the newcomer. "What is this?!? ARE YOU ALL HERE JUST TO SPOIL MY DATE?!?!?!" "Depends. Who is your date with?" The newcomer asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Dimand." "My brother?" Sapphiro laughed. "You must be joking." Esmeraude looked taken aback, "Why would I be joking?" Sapphiro couldn't answer, he was laughing to hard. When he finally caught his breath he began laughing again. "You're delusional. You've finally lost it." Strangly she felt hurt by his words. "Why you...I'll show you delusional!" "Don't try it." Sapphiro said, suddenly straightening. "Excuse me?" A tiny voice squeaked from the corner. Everyone looked over in the direction of the voice. Maxi Stevens sat cross kneeled next to Rubeus on the floor. She looked frightened, yet curious as she starred up at Nephrite and Sapphiro. "Who are you people? Do you know where my mommy is?" "A kid?!?!" Sapphiro exclaimed starring down at the seven year-old child. "Give the boy a cookie he knows what a child looks like." Esmeraude muttered. Both Nephrite and Sapphiro turned on her, "Shut up." "Did you bring this child to this place Esmeraude?" Sapphiro asked quietly, his voice had a dangerous edge to it. "Sounds like something she'd do." Rubeus muttered from his place on the floor. Esmeraude shot Rubeus a deadly look. She knew he felt and knew it was justified, but that didn't make the pain lessen. "Of course not." "So how did this child get here?" Nephrite asked, starring more at the child then Esmeraude. "Do I look like I know? I just do what I'm told. The kid was in the basement and I brought her up here." "Who told you to bring her up here?" Rubeus asked. "None of your damn business. Now, it you'll excuse me." Esmeraude moved towards her bedroom door. It was too much, all at once, she had to get away. Nephrite stepped immediately into her path. "Where do you think you're going?" "I have things to do." "A lady brought me here." Maxi said quietly. All turned their attention back to the young girl. "Say again." Rubeus said, even though he suddenly knew who had brought this little girl into this house of the dead. "I said, A lady brought me here. She said she needed me to do something for her, that I'd be staying awhile." "That..bitch." Rubeus spat. "It's the same bitch that brought me here." "She brought us all here," Esmeraude whispered. Nephrite narrowed his eyes and dropped to his knees next to the little girl. "What's your name sweetheart?" "Maxi." "Do you know what the lady looks like, Maxi?" "Uh huh." "Could you tell us?" "She looks like...mean...she looks mean." "O...kay." Nephrite breathed. "So, the lady looks mean?" Maxi nodded quickly, her hair falling into her eyes. "Alright let's try a different approach...what color is her hair?" "White," Maxi said proudly, her head bobbing up and down. "How about her eyes? Do you know what color her eyes are?" Maxi seemed to be looking beyond Nephrite now, at Sapphiro. "I'm scared." Sapphiro looked startled, he had never been good with children, yet as he met the pretty little girl's eyes. He saw an innocence that he had never seen. He knelt down before her and instictual put a hand on her head. "Don't be afraid. I won't let anything happen to you." Maxi flung herself into Sapphiro's arms, her small arms clinging around his neck. She sobbed quietly. Sapphiro hugged the little girl in return. "Well, isn't that sweet." An icy cold voice said from across the room. "The picture of a father and daughter." Sapphiro looked up quickly, "What?" The young man who leaned against the window smiled slyly. "Oh? I had thought you'd have have noticed the family resemblance by now, she has your eyes." Not for an instant did Sapphiro buy into what the young man was saying, he knew that he had no children. "Who the hell are you?" The handsome young man leaped nimbly to the floor. "The name's Throne. I'm an....emissary of the woman who brought you all together I hope you don't mind my intruding at such a private moment." Esmeraude watched him carefully as he moved to stand before them. His silver blond hair was to much like that of the lady for him to be merely an emissary. His dark piercing blue eyes were also firmiluar, but she couldn't recall the lady ever having eyes that deep. Esmeraude had lived around dangerous, deadly people her entire life, hell, she was one of those people. She sensed that same predatory danger in this young man. He was younger than any of them, she guessed him at about twenty, but his physical strength was equal to that of Nephryte or Rubeus and Esmeraude could sense the aura of power that surrounded him. Nephlyte studied the young man, "Why are you here?" Throne smiled, "Ah. The general Nephlyte, it is an honor to meet you sir." "Cut the crap, boy, and get to the point." "And she said that I wouldn't like you very much." Throne laughed. "She forgets that I don't care for games, never have." His dark eyes seemed to darken. "Well, in that case, why don't you just tell us what we're doing here?" Rubeus asked, he coughed and wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. "You're here because it pleases her majesty. She believes that you will be useful to her. I don't personally see how, but this was her call not mine." Nephlyte shook his long brown hair, "Why us? Why now?" Throne looked surprised, "She hasn't explained that to you yet?" "No." "Well, you are all very powerful...or were until you were killed. She has used her powers to reserect and capture you in order to..." He was cut off quite suddenly by the apperence of a new figure into the room. Prince Dimand stepped slowly into the room, shutting the door to his room behind him. "By Nemesis..." "That's just what I said." Rubeus said dryly. Prince Dimand looked from one firmiluar face to another, finally settling his eyes on his brother. "Sapphiro." Sapphiro turned slowly, the small girl still clinging to him. He smiled slightly at his brother. "Hello." Dimand couldn't find the words all of a sudden. He wanted to tell Sapphiro that he'd been wrong to mistrust him, wrong about everything. But he couldn't seem to force the words past his lips. Sapphiro shook his head slowly, "It doesn't matter. The past is in the past and it should stay there, brother." Dimand nodded, "I'm sorry for everything." "Ditto." "Oh this is so touching! I think I'm going to cry." The obvious sarcastic remark was past Throne's sneering lips in an instant. "Who the hell is this little upstart?" Dimand asked studying Throne closely. Throne smiled recklessly, "Wouldn't you like to know." "Wouldn't we all?" A female voice added, as they all heard two sets of footsteps enter the room behind them. Nephlyte whirled, "Zoycite!" Zoycite smiled faintly, "Well hello, darling. I don't suppose you missed me?" "Indeed I did. I missed the opportunity to beat you down and make you bleed." "Watch your temper, Nephlyte or none of us will be getting out of here alive." Malachite snapped from his position beside the woman he loved. "And why do you say that?" "Because Malchite senses that I would not be pleased Throne sneered, "May I present to you the newest arrival to your little group and a real party crasher at that. She's beutiful, powerful and stylish to boot. Give a warm welcome to Queen Beryl of the Negaverse."