Furry Art Pile

Siouxie sat in the apartment and quietly tied the ends of the trashbags... simple chores keeping her busy were all that kept her sane now. She was putting in dozens of over time hours at the studio despite Tye's begging her not to. She rarely slept, and when she did she was tortured about going to the astral plain he'd given her access to.

Nightwish, as usual, rang quietly throughout the song. A favourite of hers, it had managed to calm her down, although was having a tough time now. Singing softly, the vixen's tones almost matched Tarja Turunen's perfectly.

'...I wish for this night-time to last for a lifetime, The darkness around me, Shores of a solar sea... Oh how I wish to go down with the sun, Sleeping, weeping, with you....'

She wanted that so much... if he couldn't get back to her, she wanted to die and go to him... but she couldn't bring herself to do it, knowing it'd hurt Arctic and everyone else.

As she went through the front door to put the trash bag in the dumpster outside, she kept singing.

'... a moment, for the poet's play... until there's nothing left to say...'

Unseen to her, when she left, a ray of light that had been shining on the radio took a form... the form of a paw. It pressed a button, and the previous song on the CD, Nemo, switched itself on.

When Siouxie came back in, she glanced curiously at the radio.

'That's weird, Nemo was before Sleeping Sun... it should be...' She checked the CD case, Highest Hopes. '... Dead to the World now...' she looked at the player.

'Ah, it's time I got a new one anyway.'

She let the CD play and took up the cleaner and a rag.

After a minute of cleaning, the chorus kicked in. Again, she sang along.

'Oh how I wish for soothing rain, oh how I wish to dream again. My loving heart lost in the dark, for hope I'd give my everything...'

So apt... I'd love to dream without nightmares again... and you are my loving heart.... I'd give anything to have you back, anything...

She stood up, her heart beating a tattoo on her ribs as the next part of the song rang through her mind.

'Walk the dark path, sleep with Angels... call the past for help...'

Her mind flashed back to the few days they had spent together when he'd arrived.

Reaper's kiss... the alternate reality where she'd gone to visit Felix and Terra...

Leaping to the phone, she frantically dialed Reaper's number and tapped her foot, impatiently waiting for an answer.

'Hey, this is Rachel Wolfen. I'm not here, so leave a message!'

'Reaper, it's Siouxie... this is important, I'm coming over... for Angel's sake, you better be there!'

Seizing her board and keys, she barely took the time to lock the door before leaping on the enchanted board and making for Reaper's house as fast as it could take her.

When she got there, she leapt off and threw herself at the door.

'Reaper! REAPER!! Open up, NOW!! I need you, this is important!!'

In her eyes, a glimmer of hope that hadn't been there before played around.

_________________

Reaper lay on her sofa. She had heard the answering machine and heard Siouxie's voice. As the vixen pounded on the door to her apartment, the wolfess stood and moved for the door, she opened the lock and let Siouxie in. "Hun...what is this about? and what do you mean for Angel's sake..he's gone....nothing we do can bring him back...the only thing we can do it go to him and we have to die to do that." The bangages on her wings hung loosely, as she hadn't changed them in a while. While most of her feathers had grown back, the wounds were still there. Her body looked thinner and her fur shabby from lack of care. She had just gotten up and gone to work. Then came home and layed on her sofa to rest until she worked again.

'Remember... when you were still... technically, dead... Angel let me into this... virtual reality fucked up thing... he let me see Felix and Terra. It was where you and I met... if that was a place where we can see the dead...'

She knelt in front of Reaper and looked her in the eye again.

'I need to know exactly what he did to me... exactly what it was that allowed me to see my friends... exactly what it is that might hold the key to Angel.'

Reaper didn't register the words at first, but then as things sank in, she realized what Angel had done. She leapt up and slamed her head into the wal a few times, When she turned around, blood ran from her eyebrow. "Siouxie....I can't believe i didn't remember that!...ok hun listen carefully. Angel gave you the key to the River Stix...We as soul collectors for Lucifer had access to it. He somehow gave you the ability to see and comunicate with those who have passed on....And if he is anywhere near that place...Then he can reach out and let us know. Through you..."

Realization finally sank in on the wolfess as she staggered and fell to the sofa. Her blood running down her face and into her eyes. She cried, and whispered, "Siouxie......he gave us a chance to reach him....he must have known somehow.......that he would die....and he left us a way to reach him."

Barking in surprise, Siouxie didn't have time to stop the wolfess from banging her head into the wall before Reaper turned back to her.

'When we met... it was by a river, wasn't it? In a big meadow thing. That was it, wasn't it? The River Styx...'

Siouxie paced again, thinking hard.

'Now what do we do? Angel only managed to remind me of this because I've been thinking of him... I was playing Nightwish at home... Somehow, it skipped back to the song that reminded me... and I'm convinced it was Angel.'

Looking up, she gazed Reaper in her eyes.

'I'm not sure how to take others to the Styx... can you get there? If we can get there ourselves, we can find out what's going on and find out as well how to get him back... if not, then we can find out how to take the others ther to see him. Domi, Starlyth, Asteria, and especially Billy and Bojo will be glad to know that they can see him again.'

Looking around Reaper's place, she suddenly felt lifted... She had a chance to see him again...

Reaper thought hard, trying to remember. "A dream like state....you have to enter a near unconscious state.....and then your power will take you to him....I think we can both go. But the others......we'll need some help....."

What little power Reaper had left, she called up and formed it into a ball of pink light. She offered it to SIouxie. "this is all the power i have left. With it...we should be able to enter the realm."

'What are we supposed to do with it? I can get there on my own, but I'm just not sure how to get the others there. Maybe it's best if we go there first... we can finish getting our bearings, find a plan and do that.'

Looking up at Reaper again, she looked uneasy.

'IS there.... a chance that.... that he could come back?'

Reaper pressed her lips at Siouxie's question. "I don't know sweety.......i don't know...the only thing i ever did was take damned sould across the river.........back when i was working for lucifer with Angel.........things were........I just don't know......Angel would be the only one who could answer that......Alright......Let's try and reach him.....while we still have a chance." She closed her palm around the ball of light, and her body took on a soft glow. She held her paw out to Siouxie, waiting for her to lead the way.

Closing her eyes, she took Reaper's paw and edged back until they were by the sofa. She hugged Reaper tightly to her and concentrated hard on the river she'd seen before... the fields, the river, everything. As she allowed it to become real around them, she started to feel the grass beneath her bare feet... in such a hurry to get to Reaper, she'd not bothered with shoes. Opening her eyes and looking around, she nodded resolutely and nuzzled Reaper.

'We're here... Come on sweetie, lets go get him.'

In the real world, their bodies dropped to the sofa, still embracing one another. Siouxie's jaw fell slightly open and she moved slightly before settling.

The Realm of the Dead was a strange place... Siouxie looked around and spotted the rocks she'd seen last time she was here, a great rock formation that convinced you that you were in a peaceful wilderness on the right bank of a great river.

Look to the left bank, and that convincing calmness evaporated.

The left bank of the river was a vast and terrible place... the sky was red, there was lightening flashing across it, and every so often, you'd see struggling souls paying for the evil they did.

Siouxie shuddered and kept her eyes focused on the right bank.

As they neared the massive rockpile, she held her breath. Rounding it, she let it out sadly. Angel was no where to be seen.

'Now what?' she purred sadly, sitting on the soft grass and drawing whorls in the blades.

Reaper started to Cry softly, shaking her head. "I don't know..........I hope he isn't over there" she whispered as she pointed to the all too familiar setting of Hell.

There was a fast flutter of wings and a soft thud as something large landed behind them. A paw then landed on each of them on their shoulder. "You shouldn't have come...but i'm so glad you did...." Behind them.....was Angel.

As the paw landed on her shoulder, Siouxie seized it and prepared to throw the fur over her shoulder. The voice startled her, and she froze.

'A... Angel?' she said, worried she was imagining things. She looked at the paw on her shoulder... pure white.

'My Angel...' she whispered, turned and gathered him into her arms. Tears sliding down her cheeks, she inhaled his scent, like a drug she'd had withdrawal from.

'Finally.... Angel... I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you... I'm so sorry I wasn't there...'

Reaper fall back and crawled a short distance away, not believing her eyes. Angel stood there, holding Siouxie. the one she had known her whole life, was still within her reach. She leapt up and grabbed him.

____________________________________________

Angel held both of them to him, hugging and kissing them lovingly. "My girls..oh god my girls...I guess i finally got through to you huh.....come here....lets sit here and talk..." he whispered as he took to the air, still holding them. He landed on the top of the rocks. There, he sat with them, cuddling them close. He nuzzled both and just breath in their scents.

Siouxie smiled, so happy to have her wolfie back that she simply sat there with him, enjoying his company.

'Nice trick with the CD... I know it was you...' she whispered.

'Are you coming back with us? Please... if not, can we bring the others to see you? We won't be able to stay long... from what I've read, we're breaking the rules now... but they need to see you... especially Bojo..' said the vixen, ever conscious to the cat's feelings.

Reaper nodded to everything Siouxie said. She clung to Angel, softly crying.

Angel's face went expressionless. He Shook his head. "yes that was me........i was trying to tell you i hadn't left you. that i was still hanging around. I can't come back........at least....not without a living body to inhabit. And no one can make one to fit me. But i think the others can come her...........If you don't find me at first, don't be afraid.......i'm always here."

reaper sobbed softly, clinging to Angel tighter. "No.......Don't make me go......let me stay Angel.....I don't want to lose you again........three thousand years was too much.........i can't lose you again."

Suddenly , a soft male voice whisperee behind them all, making Angel smile. "Come now Angel.......I know you......Tell the truth.....You want to go back......if only for a little while........" Angel turned his head slighlty."true Max....very true...but i do not possess people......" Reaper looked at Siouxie and then to Angel. Finally at Max. "What if he used My body..........he can stay in me for a while..........at least a day......"

'A male spirit in a female's body? Are you sure that'd work?'

Siouxie said,

To the point of bringing people back to him, she nodded.

'I think that would be the best option. Then it clicked....

Turning slowly back to Angel, she looked into his eyes.

'Is Max here??'

Angel merely poined behind the vixen. there was tall thin wolf. His eyes were pure blue. And his brown hair waved in the slight breeze. His white clothing hung loosely. "Hello siouxie." he whispered. "you've taken very good care of my Angel," he said.

Angel spoke softly. "Reaper, Siouxie.....meet my husband.....Max Himmbles. And yes Siouxie....you can bring the others here. certain rules are not enforced."

Siouxie clambered off the rock and stood in front of Max.

'I did my best, sir...' She looked back up at the White wolf behind them and purred quietly, then looked back at Max.

'You gave us a good one to have around...'

Like he was an old friend, Siouxie stepped forward and wrapped her paws around Max, inhaling the scent Angel must have adored smelling for years.

'Reaper... should we go get the others? We wouldn't be able to stay long.. but do you want to?'

Reaper joined Siouxie, soon followed by Angel. "Yes....we need to bring them here. Everyone will want to know he is still with us in a way.'

Angel spoke up quitely. "Just.....not my mother.......please....she's still in the hospital......it would give her a heart attack." Max nodded at this and petted Siouxie as he spoke. "there is one in particular you musn't forget...I can't recall her name.......but i know it is an ottress."

then Angel wrapped his wings around both girls and kissed them softly. I'll be waiting here or near here. you don't need to worry about finding me......i can find you."

'Pearl. Yes, she will be overjoyed to see Angel again...'

Reluctantly letting Max go, she padded softly back to the rock and helped Reaper down.

'We won't be long, love, but I'll send you a message when we get back.'

Turning back to Max, she gave him a fleeting kiss on the cheek and started walking away.

'You'll be here too, Max?'

Max nodded and smiled. He held Angel in his arms as he watched Siouxie and reaper start to walk off. Angel waved slowly, smiling softly.

Reaper spoke to Siouxie quietly. "I don't know about you.....but i feel better knowing he is with Max and not here alone. At least he is with someone who loves him. "

Siouxie nodded quietly and led her away from the rocks. Kneeling down, she closed her eyes and pulled Reaper down with her, hugging her close. She felt their bodies switching position and the field dissolved, Reapers front room re-appearing.

Going to the window, she took a deep breath and sent the clearest message she could across the city.

To friends of Angel... we have found a way to get to him... to speak to him and see him. We can go to the land of the dead. He is ok, he is with Max. If you want to see him, come to Reaper's place... she and I will be there, waiting to take you to him.

Siouxie turned back to Reaper.

'Think you can summon the light again, when they get here?'

Reaper nodded slowly, "i can....i just need a little time......" her voice trailed off. She looked at her wings. They were completely healed, and all her feathers were back. But some of them were not pink.....they were long white and soft as silk. She was so fixated that she didn't hear her phone ringing until the answering machine pick up. "Reaper!....it's Bojo! open up.......i heard Siouxie in my head. she said to come here! I was coming to see you anyways....come on, buzz me in!"

Siouxie slammed a paw on the button and heard the small quick footfalls as the cat leapt up the stairs. She opened the door for Bojo and hugged him as he came in.

'Hey Sweetie...' She kissed his head.

'Reaper... what's with your wings?'

Bojo hugged siouxie warmly, she being one of the few people in the wolrd he would show affection to. Then he saw Reaper's wings. "those.......those are Angel's feathers!...It's true...you saw him didn't you!"

Reaper merely sat still, still stunned by the sight of her wings. She was visibl shaken as tears bgan to roll down her face.

'Uh.... No.... sweetie, not saw.... we were with him. In the Realm of the Dead. You have to trust us, this isn't dangerous, but it will be almost as though you yourself are dead. It'll be your soul that goes there... not your body. So when we go again, we'll need to get everyone comfy. Sitting on the floor, preferably.'

She kept her arms around the little one, nuzzling and kissing his head softly.

'Those ware his feathers...' she purred, wiping Reaper's tears.

Bojo took this in for a moment, it made almost no scence to him, butif he could see Angel again he was will to trust Siouxie. His ears jerked around toward the window, the sound of squealing tires announced the arrival of Billy. The husky leapt outof his Suburban, and hit the the call button. "Anyone there?" he asked.

Bojo hit the buzzer and let him in. As he entered the apartment, the husky immediately noticed the white feathers. But he kept silent about them. Instead, he spoke to Siouxie. "HUn....next time you want to get my attention....make sure i ain't doing 75 mph down the freeway please"

Bojo sat on the sofa, trying to think. He gazed at Reaper. the wolfess was Angel's female duplicate. She seemed to mirror his features in everyway. And now that someof her feathers were white, she seemed so much more like him.

Siouxie stuck her tongue out at him.

'Then don't do 75mph down the freeway... do fifty. Safer for everyone else. Or stick to a hoverboard, like I do.'

She pointed to the board, her method of getting to Reapers so quickly.

'I hope the others heard me too...'

_________________

Sutekh sat alone. The cigarette in his mouth had burned down to the filter some time before, but he was too 'busy' to notice. At length, he let it fall. It landed next to the several others that now lay at his feet. The salawa glanced at the ground, then at his watch, then stared off into the distance.

You're having fun, aren't you? Playing havoc with the natural order. Well, it is what you do best. Hell, you're the original mischief-maker. Why you chose my race to channel your power, I'll never know. I suppose the fact that we've been in decline for so long shows your true nature. All the other divine species have thrived...or vanished.

He reached for his pack.

Such is life.

He had another cigarette in his paw, and was raising it to his mouth when what felt like a load of bricks hit him in the brain-pan.

I'm removing your mental blocks. It will allow messages from mortals to reach you more easily. I'm only doing this because it may help along my ends. Oh, and 'Lord-Priest,' I thought you might like to know that I'll be moving in with your consciousness again. I liked your brain...nearly killed me to leave it when you were, as you so eloquently put it, 'booted out on your ass.' Anyway. See to your friends. I'll be here. Seneb-ti.

Sutekh's eyes went wide as Siouxie's message reached his nervous center. Without a word, he stood, put the cigarette back in his pocket, and began walking. He didn't know where exactly he was going, but his gut was screaming at him, and he thought it best to follow its advice. Twenty minutes later, he was standing in front of a locked door with an intercom unit plastered to the wall next to it. He took a breath, and pushed the 'talk' button.

"Siouxie? Reaper?"

_________________

Siouxie leapt for the intercom and whammed the talk button in surprise. The voider of Warranties being the first there? Strange.

'Sutekh?' she said into the speaker. 'Su, I'll buzz you up. Here...' She pressed the button and let him in.

A moment later, Sutekh stepped into the room. He took note of Siouxie's surprised expression, and addressed those in the room.

"Hello, all. You may be wondering how it is that I got here so quickly. Well, I've just regained possession of certain mental faculties which were taken from me, oh...16 years ago, now. A certain member of the pantheon decided it was high time for a few small changes. But anyway, that's not why I came here, now, is it?"

He looked to Siouxie and Reaper expectantly.

Accustomed to the ways of the city and its inhabitants, she stepped forward and nudged Bojo behind her.

'If you aren't 100% Sutekh, you can leave, now. If you are, we're going to see Angel in a while.. you may sit.'

Detectign something odd about the Salawa, she gently pushed Bojo back. She was in no mood to have someone mess around with more of her friends now.

"Oh, I'm definitely 100% me. I've just got a...house guest, so to speak. A house guest in my brain. Don't worry...I've known him for quite a long time. He won't bother you unless you let him."

That's right. But you...you I'll bother, whether you let me or not.

Sutekh blinked. A very tall, slender salawa was standing in a corner of the room. The new appearance smiled impishly at Sutekh's expression before walking slowly over to where he stood.

"Don't worry, they can't see me. They can, however, see you. Don't even acknowledge that I'm here. All I require of you is that you listen when I talk to you. And take nonverbal hints. I'll stand in convenient places so you don't have to avert your eyes too much. I've noticed it draws the attention of those around you. Now...focus on the matter at hand, hm?"

Sutekh blinked again, composed himself, and went and sat in the corner with his back to the wall.

"Speaking of house guest...I wonder if I should check on Aaron. Eh, no. He know not to ransack the house. Knows that there'll be Hell to pay if he does anything...stupid."

Su shrugged, and closed his eyes.

_________________

Midnight Star jerked in surprise at the voice of Sioux and she felt her stomach tighten at what she said. She gazed down at Starlyth whose jaw muscles were flexing. Both knowing fully it was possible but also not wanting to put to much hope in bringing Angel back. What if he didn't want to?

"Starlyth? Shall we go?" the small one nodded before she and Midnight Star orbed to Reaper's place.

____________________________

Khris was in his apartment, cooking meatloaf for himself, when he heard Siouxie's message. "Damn..." he muttered to himself. He tapped a finger on the kitchen counter as he pondered on what to do about the meatloaf. The answer was clear in his mind the next moment. Angel was more important than meatloaf. He could always make another one. Turning off the stove, he immediately left his apartment for Reaper's place.

____________________________

Pearl was in her Chemistry class when she got Siouxie's message. She let out a loud GASP! Her paws flew to her muzzle and her eyes widened. A glance around revealed that the whole class, including her professor, was staring at her with odd expressions. She quickly composed herself and quietly gathered her things. It was only a matter of moments for her to bolt out of the class and to her car. Her heart pounded in her chest, almost painfully, as she drove to Reaper's home.

Khris and Pearl arrived at the same time. Khris muttered a hello, and Pearl (having ran to the door) panted to catch her breath as she nodded a greeting to him. Khris pressed the buzzer, said, "It's me, Khris, and Pearl."

When the door opened, Khris let Pearl go in before him. He raised a paw in greeting. "Hey Siouxie. Thanks for letting us know about this. Who else are we waiting for?"

Pearl ran to the vixen and grabbed her paw. "It's true, Siouxie? You've found a way to see him?"

_________________

Asteria had been in the park, reading the morning paper. At the voice in her head, and bolted to the nearest cab. Screaming at the driver that it was a matter of life and death, she made him floor it and blast through redlights. As she came to Reaper's apartment, she pulled a key from her purse. Quickly heading up to reaper's appartment, she burst in the door, running right into Mids as she appeared. Landing on her butt and groaning a little, she looked around.

Billy leaned in a nearby corner. He took stock of the situation. Most everone was here. "Come on you two......stop holding out on us....The poor ottress over there looks like she's about to faint!"

Bojo hid behind Siouxie. As Khris and pearl showed, he calmed a little. He was nervous. He delt in old book and spells, not the land of the dead.

Reaper finally over came the shock of her wings changing. "Everyone....Listen. Angel must have known he was going to die. He gave Siouxie a power to open a doorway for us to go to him. But this door isn't like a portal....only your spirit will pass through. Your body merely falls to sleep. If you don't beleave me......look at my wings." here she spread her wings. Many of Angel's feathers were mixed with her own. She took one out and passed it to Mids and another to Pearl. "Look......they are his feathers........He can still reach us."

Mids examined the feather as she took in what was said with Starlyth gazing up at the object with her blue green eyes swimming. She then handing the feather to her daughter she looked at Reaper. "When do we go visit him?"

The masive overhaul on Vault 13 was just getting under way. Engineers, welders, and masses of hoses were going about as they did their job. Sparks and yelling was deafening to the ear.

Red stood over looking the old blueprints of the facility with a few cheif advisors all debating what goes where and how. "Now that should go there to reinforce-" spoke one as another butted in. "No, no. That would conpromise the cooling pipes in section 37A-" What ever you decide, pass it by me first. Red sighed and took a sip of his java from a silver thermas. Just then he heard Siouxie's message and spit it out all over the floor, Land of the dead!! "You alright Sir? Coffee cold?" No...I must leave. He turned and left.

A knocking came from the front door of the apartment, it sounded urgent.

After surveying the group, Red included, she told them all to sit down.

Right... Red... Domi and Starlyth... Khris and Pearl... Sutekh...

She could only think of Arctic now.. but he knew all he had to do was send her or Domi a message and she could come back for them.

'Ok... basically, you'll have to stay seated while we go... simply because if you don't, you'll fall. What happens is your body goes into some sort of trance. Your conscious mind will be taken to the Realm, and your body will be able to remain here. As far as I know, if a message is sent to your mind, Domi, or mine, we can still get them because our conscious mind is still intact. So Arctic, if he comes, will be able to get through to us. It's only fair he can, otherwise I'd wait for him.'

Sitting down herself, she looked at Reaper.

Hun... would you? Then in her normal voice, 'Reaper's powers can take you all there. Once there, go to a pile of Rocks. Angel and Max are waiting for us. Stay on the right bank... Red, I mean it, stay on the right... The other side is what's generally known as Hell, or Purgatory. No one is to go there. Stay with us.'

"Siouxie...I have been there..many a time ago. I do not truly wish to return nor allow you all to go." Red sat a bit uncomfortably on the couch. "But...if you so wish, then you may go. My warning is this: friends, do not cross the river. Do not eat the fruits of the land. We are all visitors in this realm of heaven and hell. Do not become a part of it or you will remain there." He seemed to know a little bit too much about the subject at hand than what came to eye.

Reaper nodded "he's right. When Angel and I were Lucifer's slaves, we could do as we pleased there. But now, it would be our doom if we touched anything." She formed a ball of glowing pink energy. "Ok, everyone please get comfortable. sit or lay down. Siouxie, i'm ready when you are. "

Bojo sat softly on the floor, he curled his legs up in a feline manner.

Billy slid down the wall and sat softly inthe corner away from the rest of the group.

Asteria hung close to mids and starlyth. she was hesitant to go to a place where the dead resided.

Though Mids could travel between realms she sat with Starlyth moving into her lap, and reaching up she gently tugged Asteria's hand to have her sit beside her.

Sutekh's eyelids flicked open.

"Ready," he said groggily. He gave the room a quick scan.

"Ah, Red! Hope my underlings aren't giving you too much trouble with the renovation. Eh, well, tell me about it later. More pressing matters..."

Khris went to where Bojo sat and set himself right next to him. He flashed him a soft smile. "Hey," he said quietly as he made himself comfortable.

Pearl, still a bit unfamiliar with the others, ventured to a spot close to Siouxie. Careful not to crush her tail, she seated herself against the couch and looked around the room. Her heart was beating faster, more from anxiousness than fear of the realms they were going to.

Siouxie closed her eyes and concentrated hard, holding Reaper's paw. The energy ball hovered in the middle of the group and tendrils stole over each.

Their bodies slumped again as the Realm materialised around them all, the rocks and two pairs of ears coming into view. Siouxie looked around at them all and welcome.

'Here you are guys... one Angel, and one Max.'

Suddenly ecstatic, she raced to the rock, giving a fleeting kiss to Angel's head and hugging Max, knowing the others would be probably more want to see Angel, having not met Max.

Angel smiled at everyone. He held up his arms wide, his wings spread. He strolled to the group, gazing over the faces. "Welcome..........it's been a while, hasn't it?" Shaking paws and giving hugs, the wolf smiled at everyone. As he came to Pearl, he paused. "I missed you" he whispered softly. He kissed her softly, his wings curling around her in a soft warm embrace.

Max hugged Siouxie back and ruffled her hair. he gazed over the ones Angel held so dear. His husband had been so happy in life with these people, that he was happy to meet them. He strolled up to Mids, and spoke to her. "Miss Midnight i presume. I wish to thank you for helping my little Angel. You brought him to a place where he felt at home. And everyone here has been so kind to him."

Asteria leaned on mids arm, feeling weak in the knees. Her body went ridged. She stared at Angel as he came to her and huged her. She put her arms around him, feeling his fur and smelling his scent. As he passed on, she watched him walking.

Angel picked up Starlyth, hugging her to him softly. "I hope you have been good for your momma and daddy. i't hate to have to come back just to tickly attack you in your sleep."

Angel came to Bojo and Khris. he hugged both of them, giving each a soft kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for taking care of my little kitty." his voice was soft as he spoke to them. "take care of each other....and Bojo....don't be afraid of Mids.....she won't hurt you...and i bet she can show you a few things too."

Billy stood still as Angel walked up to him. After shaking paws slowly, Billy yelled and picked Angel up in a bear hug. "You crazy messed up little maniac wolf! god i miss you!" Billy spun around, swinging Angel around in the hug. Angel laughed happily, hugging the huge husky back.

Angel then went to Su. "how are things going with the business?". Angel's eyes darted to Red with a smile and a nod. He knew Red wasn't pleased. he would talk to him after Su.

Sutekh clapped Angel on the shoulder.

"Things are going just great. Increase in profits across the board thanks to the designs you left me. I can't thank you enough. I donated some of my lackeys to Red for the purpose of renovating the Vault. I don't think he's left that place more than a few times since he inherited it."

The salawa smiled impishly over his shoulder at the fox, and then turned back to the wolf.

"We've missed you. Didn't sleep for two weeks after--"

Sutekh paused. His eyes were glistening.

"Anyway. You're happy here, no? I'll be a lot less troubled just knowing that."

Su withdrew his paw, folded his arms across his chest, and began to scan his surroundings.

Red had materialized with the rest of the group but near the rear. Silent he stood watching Angel, his feet began to burn upon the lush grass that God him self especially created. When Angel made eye contact, he made no effort to smile back, no effort to say "hello." Red smelled the burning fumes of his flesh melt away yet didnt flinch or check them, he knew what was happening and wished it wernt so. I dont belong here... he muttered and slowly began to sink into the ground, creating a black sickening ooze that gurgled and splurted as he sank slowly.

Pearl's mouth hung open slightly, her bottom lip quivered and tears began to stream from her hazel eyes as her gaze stayed fix on the wolf that still held her heart's affection. She was in a shocked disbelief, even as he took her into his arms. The otter closed her eyes, taking in his scent as she savored his sweet kiss. When it ended, she laid her head on his chest. "Angel..." was all she could say. She was at a loss for words, and could only bask in the warm light of his company until he left her to say hello to others.

Khris softly patted Angel's back as they hugged, feeling strangely peaceful when he had seen his canine friend once again. He smiled slightly. "No problem Angel... I was more than happy to. I promise you I'll take care of him now that you're here."

Mids smiled happily despite the pain in her eyes at seeing Angel, unable to move at that moment as she felt the link in some strange way reform between them. Using it she hugged Angel through it, and was unable to keep her amusement hidden when her daughter moved to hug his leg and not let go.

Eyes then going to Max as he spoke to her, she gave a graceful and very polite bow before taking a straight, princessly stance as her wings flicked then spread wide. "I'm very happy to have helped him, and it is a pleasure to meet his handsome husband." this said as she carefully held Asteria up when Angel walked away to hug all.

Max visibly blushed a little. Mids comment had made him very happy. Still hugging Siouxie to his side, and occationally watching Angel, He laughed a little.

Asteria looked up at Max. He was sligtly taller than she, and in her opinion, very sweet. his demeanor was kind, making her wish he had lived and come with Angel to Furryville.

Reaper, this whole time, had stood to the side. She gazed over the river, thinking of it's familiar feel and the memories this place held. Silently, tears rolled down her muzzle and fell to the soft ground. Noticing Red, she walked over to him. "Are you alright hun?" she asked him.

Angel walked up behind Mids and hugged her softly. "hey hun....." he said. As he hugged her, he smiled up at her. After they he let her go, he walked back to Pearl. "Love......i'm so sorry......i didn't mean for tis to happen......I just saw the gun and my only thought was to protect Bojo and Billy..........How have you been this whole time?"

Closing her eyes, she purred at the hug, returning it with her tail as she took in his warmth from behind her, missing that so much. "Hey." Mids returned.

Pearl gazed at Angel with teary eyes. The otter never thought she would see him again, but now that he was standing right in front of her, she could think of little to say. She barely managed a smile, which quivered from a mixture of joy and sorrow. "You just did what you thought was right, I can't blame you Angel...." She sniffed and moved to embrace him again. "Missing you..." she answered. "... and talking to Bojo.... it just hasn't been the same without you..."

Khris approached Max, smiling gently as he saw the one who Angel called husband. He nodded to Siouxie, then offered his paw to Max. "I never thought we'd meet," he said. "But I guess I should never say never. My name is Khris. I'm glad to see that Angel has company on this side, someone that obviously cares about him."

Hearing Reaper's voice Red gave a thumbs up...because that was all that was left to be sunken into the black ooze. Seconds later it all disappeared into the soil completly without a trace. Evil has no place in the lands flowing with milk and honey.

Max turned to Khris. He smiled down at the ferret as he took his paw. "Angel has told me that you two were very good friends. It seems that he had very good company in life. He misses you alot...all of you."

Angel kissperal deeply and held her into his arms. for a long while he just held her to him. As he parted his lips he turned her to Max. "He wanted to talk to you......I need to have a word with red."

Approching what was left of Red. "I can hear your thoughts so tell me what's up man."

"And we miss him too," Khris replied. "We're glad we actually have this chance to see him again. I guess now that we have this way to come here, we can come and visit every once in a while."

Pearl closed her eyes and enjoyed warm embrace she had missed, and relished the kiss she had longed for. When he turned her towards Max, she looked at her canine lover, sniffed and nodded. "Okay," she said, with a touch of regret in her voice. As she began to head towards Max, her paw lingered in his for as long as possible before breaking contact. She approached him a bit shyly until she stood in front of him, next to Khris. "Hey," she said somewhat timidly. "I'm Pearl. Angel said you wanted to talk to me?"

Silence came to Angel's mind then a jolt of pain. Along a portion of the river bank the water bubbled as if boiling and a flattened ooze seeped out onto the land. It was a light red almost pink color with a single large dark red blot in the center. Surrounding the it was a transparent slime reflecting a tiny bit of the sunlight, looking like a egg yoke from above. No telling what the thing was but having faced pure sin in its ooziest form in the depths of hell wasnt a good omen. It unorthodoxly creeped it way over to Angel's feet and began to coagulate bit by bit. GAH! This fuckin stings!!

Angel grimaced at what Red was going through. Then he happened to see somethign he had longed to see for ages. Pointing across the river, he yelled so everyone could hear him. "Hey.....everyone......Take a look and see there......Looks like Lucifer is about to get his. hey red.....your brother is about to get it good"

As he pointed, Lucifer was bickering with Lust. As he turned to walk away, Lust lifted him up and planted his head deep into the ungodly soil of hell. Lucifer thashed and kicked, but to no avail. He was stuck good.

After a light laugh Max looked back to Pearl. "Yes, my dear.....I wished to talk to you. I wanted to thank you. You especially. You see, Angel told me that you had captured his heart.......and i know it takes a lot to win him over so easily. I can see in you the same love i gave him in life. The same look in your eye and the same smile upon your lips. I was happy knowing that there was one who loved him as much as i. YOu made me so happy. And Angel was very happy as well." Here he pulled her into a gentle hug. "Thank you so much....."

"Thanks," Pearl replied, smiling slightly at what Max said. "I can't remember how it all happened. It just... did. I love him so much.... I just wish he didn't.... die. It's lonely now without him.... we miss him.... I miss him." Here her smile took on a slight touch of sadness. "But I guess he's still happy, with you here to be with him." When Max took her into his arms, she returned the hug. ".... don't thank me... I should be the one thanking you.... I'd never want him to be lonely, even in the afterlife."

Mids arched a brow at seeing what Lust did to Lucifer across the way and shook her head, grinning as Starlyth softly laughed at the sight of him getting his head planted to the ground like what some said an ostrich did. "Even ones down here apparently act like high schoolers." mids muttered.

A gurgle came from the red ooze, an obvious laughter no matter who heard it. It then began to shift and from into a rough figure of Red who stood before Angel. In a single swoop the ooze retreated into the soil leaving Red standing with only his loin cloth. Wah..wha!? Have I been cleansed? he examined his paws feverishly and bear hugged Angel cracking his back. So good to see ya! How's life after death that was after life? Red's whole attitude was bright and happy as if he had been cleansed. Everything about him seemed to shine and display a new side of what would be unthinkable. The ooze whispered in Red's mind a simple order, "He must not leave..." triggering the memories of why it had to be and what the punishment of failure was.

Angel hugged Red warmly. however he heard the thoughts and saw the memories. In red's mind alone, he whispered, "I have no intention of leaving my friend. While i miss everyone and wish dearly that i was there. I am being held in punishment for my crimes. This is merely the place bewteen heaven and hell. The only 2 ways i can leave is if i am need back in the mortal ream or.....if i am pulled back into it by a spell. Trust me Red....I'm where i need to be......at least for now."

the wolf looked at Max. both wolves passed an unseen look, both knowing that limbo was worse than hell, but at least the higher powers had allowed Angel the comfort of Max. One single tear rolled down Max's face. He gazed around at everyone, and smiled softly. He hugged Siouxie warmly, "Thanks for visiting us hun. But time is up. You can't stay any longer..........."

Angel managed to make his way to Pearl quickly. He pulled her into a deep and passionate kiss. As he wrapped his wings around her, there was a warm, soft white glow, and everyone was back int he real world. White feathers drifted in the air of Reaper's appartment, slowly settling on everyone.

Reaper sat up slowly, tears rolling down her face. "I'm sorry everyone.....i ran out of power.....i couldn't keep us there anylonger...." she sobbed, pulling her wings around her and hiding from everyone in shame.

Asteria simply sat next to Mids. She was completely silent. simply staring at the floor. Not even Reaper's sobs reached her.

Bojo cried quietly. He made soft purring noises, Happy that he had gotten to see Angel one last time.

Billy was completely silent. his face held no expression. he simply stood and left, quiet in his own thoughts. His tail firmly tucked between his legs, he quickly got into his SUV and sped off.

Siouxie heard his words and a look of horror wound across her face.

'No Max... please...'

Angel power took them back anyway, and as her body woke up, she growled and punched the cushion of the sofa.

'Don't think I won't come visit again...' she growled softly in her mind to the wolves.

'Is everyone ok?'

"Fine here, Sioux." Mids said, then pulled both Asteria and Reaper close in a warm embrace with arms and wings, and she nuzzled her nose to Reaper's with a soft calming purr. "It's okay Reaper. Best not to over exert yourself."

"Unth," grunted Su as he stood up in the corner and shook off the feeling of heaviness he'd returned with. He nodded to each in the room, and headed for the door, stopping for a moment to lay a paw on Reaper's shoulder.

"You did what you could. And what time you gave us was more than worth it. No need to weep...just rest. You've given all of us a great gift by what you've done."

He clacked his teeth, turned on his heel, and left.

Siouxie watched the others leave quietly. She decided to stay with Reaper for a few minutes after they left, just to make sure the wolfess was ok. She leaned over and nuzzled Reaper.

Reaper Whimpered, but accepted the light affection the others showed her. Just then, a shimering siloet appeared in the doorway. it spoke softly for a moment. "I love you all.....so much.......and i'm still watching over you all....."

Bojo watched as the image faded, he stood slowly, and hugged Pearl and Khris. He simply held on to them both.

Asteria held to Mids. "It really was him....wasn't it?"

Smiling warmly to Asteria as she brushed her fingertips through the vampire vixens hair, she placed a kiss to her forehead. "Yes it was, now lets be off home to rest from that emotional drain there."

Red appeared on the sofa breathing heavily in a collapsed state. Woah...ah..ah..wild ride. It was great to...see..angel again.. he panted while grasping Reaper's paw firmly. Thank you. The trip did more than just allow them all to see Angel but rather separated Red from Red. The issue was over complicated especially for such an emotional moment. I feel...good. Great even! Must donate toys to charity! Red shot up and dashed out the apartment off into the distance. Something wasnt right...or mabey it was too right.

Khris and Pearl both returned the embrace Bojo gave them. Khris was calm, yet happy he had been able to see Angel once more. Pearl was still quite regretful that she hadn't gotten the chance to say goodbye again before they had been brought back. Still, she felt as if things were a bit better now that she had seen that Angel was relatively comfortable where he was. The feeling of his lips on hers lingered, and she hoped one day she could see him again.

"All in good time...." said a soft, husky voice that those remaining in the apartment could hear. The voice, of which the source was no where to be seen, echoed within all their minds for a short second before falling silent.