The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 9: One night at Larry's

 "Oh sweet lord Jesus, Mary, and Joseph not this place again..." Muttered Darkness as Lyte made excited little mini stomps while they got a seat inside 'Larry Mallrat's Pizzeria' There were a plethora of arcade games and brightly colored jungle gyms to play on, as well as costumed characters everywhere, consisting of Larry the Rat himself, Frizzy bat, Chompy the Horse, and Studly the Sheepdog. 

Silver gave a light slap to Darkness' arm as she went to say hi to all the workers who knew her by name. "What did I say about being patient with her?" Asked Silver. Darkness just shrugged. "I'm here, aren't I? It's not even her I'm mad about, it's just this place in particular." He admitted, causing her to raise an eyebrow at him.

Darkness took a sharp breath in, and a hard breath out as he looked Silver in the eyes. "Okay, so... When I first got on with Mr. Capryse, I didn't exactly know how body disposal worked... so I grabbed one of the costumes in here, stuffed the guy in the suit, and threw him out in the ocean..." Silver glared at him as her nostrils flared. "THAT WAS YOU?! THEY ALMOST SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN!" She whispered in Spanish to avoid stares. Darkness blushed a bit and looked down as if he were a scolded child. "That could have Devastated Lyte! Oh, we WILL Talk about this later you irresponsible little-" Darkness just raised a hand. "I Know I fucked up... I'm sorry, and it won't happen again." He promised, causing silver to calm down.

After a few minutes, Lyte came back with Pizza and a pitcher of Beer for them all. To her credit, Darkness had to admit the food was decent for a kid's spot, and the addition of beer wasn't half bad either. "Honestly I'm  surprised I haven't been here earlier." He admitted. Silver crossed her arms and grunted. "Really? I'm NOT!" She said as Darkness cleared his throat. Lyte just giggled and nodded, "I used to come here a lot as a kid while Silver attended her classes! I got my first job here as Larry's cute bat girlfriend 'Frizzy Bat!' I love it when Children have a good time!" She said happily.

As Darkness went to speak, A man in a fat rat costume approached. "HIYA EVERYBODY!" He said as he pressed play on a colorful outdated radio before beginning to dance. "I'M LARRY THE RAT! I'M WHERE IT'S AT! I'M EVERYBODY'S FAVORITE LITTLE FUZZY MALLRAT! I DO MY DANCE FROM HERE TO FRANCE WHERE CHEESE FLOWS FROM THE FLOOR UP TO YOUR UNDERPANTS!" He sang before hugging Lyte and running off. Silver smiled as Darkness awkwardly waved to Lyte to try and be supportive.

After a glass of Beer, Darkness looked at Lyte. "So sis... we came here to talk?" He asked. Lyte let out a sigh at his statement and just fidgeted. "You're right... I've been putting this off long enough." She said as she looked to Silver, who nodded at her encouragingly. 'Bro, while you were gone... there was a bit of an incident." She admitted, causing Darkness to tighten his grip on his beer mug. At his reaction, she swallowed her fear and continued.

"My Junior year in High School, there was this Boy... Tommy Shackler... He'd try to talk to me and I was always happy to listen... But he would often comment on my body..." She said as she looked down, Darkness began to glare as he pieced together what happened. "One day... as I was trying to go home... He cornered me and tried to..." She started as she began to breathe in and out as her makeup began to smear, but Silver held her hand and nodded at her. Lyte took a deep breath in and looked at Darkness. "...Rape me" She finished, causing Darkness to crush the beer mug in his hand.

Lyte instantly put her hands up and stopped him. "HE DIDN'T!" She said, causing Darkness to raise a brow. "Okay, so what's wrong? I know that isn't it." He asked. Lyte just fidgeted. She was already letting her mind wonder about all the things she thought Darkness was about to tell her. "He didn't because I accidentally used my Aura to flash my light power so bright in his eyes that I... Burned his eyes out... Permanently blinding him!"She admitted, wincing in preparation, only for Darkness to shrug.

"That's it? That's what you've been afraid to tell me?" He asked. Lyte glared at him. "What do you mean?! You remember what Mom said! Aura isn't supposed to be our sword! We can't just hurt people like that!" She told him with a glare. It was Darkness' turn to sigh. "Lyte... That is NOT what she meant! You clearly weren't using aura as a sword, you were using aura as a SHIELD! Mom would not have blamed you for what you did, and if she did? She'd be a horrible fucking mother!" He told her.

There was a long silence before Lyte Breathed in relief. "I needed to hear that... Thanks, Big Brother." She said as she kissed his left cheek before running off to play some games. Darkness turned to Silver. "How come I never heard this? I get you promised not to tell me, but as her guardian, how was I Never informed?" He asked curiously. Silver kissed his right cheek and got up to join Lyte. "I asked a favor... from your boss' wife Saryn while I tailored her outfit." She said, leaving Darkness to sit and think. 

Meanwhile at a tall skyscraper with 'Farley incorporated' in gaudy yellow flashing lights going down it vertically, a tall slender man with a half-shaved head of white hair flowing down over his right blood-red colored eye in a white suit adjusted his red tie while he observed pictures Mr. Farley's pictures of Darkness. "Yes yes Sir, I'm well aware of the Voidwalker. He said in a bored tone. Mr. Farley stroked his bear. "Of course, you freaks know each other... doesn't matter, I want him DEAD! His whole family will earn you a bonus!" He said as she showed pictures of Silver and Lyte. The young man raised a brow as he saw the picture of Lyte and made a wing of solidified blood pick it up. "Well well well... who have we here?" He asked as he licked where her fishnet-clad leggings were.

Mr. Farley scoffed "Like I said, FREAKS! Do whatever you want with his whore sister, just FUCKING KILL-" But the Man shoved him with a tendril of blood. "Our conversation is over, my lovely little guest here has a date with her Bloody Angel... I'll make sure my dance with Darkness is as poetic as advertised... until then... Mr. Farley." He said as he hummed Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture, leaving a trail of blood behind him as he walked off.

The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 8: 2 misfit 2 spin this shit

 Darkness stretched and sat up in his bed while grabbing a nearby bottle of bourbon. It had been a few days since Lyte had shut herself in her room and Silver was still trying to get her to come out. As he walked down the hallway, Silver stopped him and pointed to Lyte's room. "I need you to get her out please." She finally said with concern in her voice. Darkness let out a nervous laugh. "Silver... I can't just walk through my little sister's room and force her out!" He explained.  Silver's eyes narrowed at him as she poked him in the chest with a finger. "Oh, so you'll do it to kill people, but not to help your hurting little sister?!" She demanded. "YES! Because I don't care about them, I DO care about LYTE!" He retorted.

Silver let out a defeated sigh as she took Darkness downstairs out of earshot from Lyte's room. "I didn't want to do this, but maybe it'll help explain what I'm going through... Have you ever thought about making Lyte look for her own place to live?" She asked. Darkness' aura flared up as he glared at her. "What? Who the hell do you think you are?!" He demanded. Silver just looked him in the eyes. "She's an adult, and she makes good money making music and videos online... Surely we don't NEED her here right?" She asked? Darkness twitched in hurt as he glared harder. "That doesn't matter! She's FAMILY! I love her like-"

"Like a daughter right? Me too, THAT'S why I asked you to go into her room." Said Silver. After a couple of minutes, Darkness powered down. "Why? What do you know?" He asked. Silver just looked at her feet. "When you were gone, I had no one to help me raise a child... so I took a lot of parenting classes so I could be the best parent I could for Lisa... I took even more after her Autism diagnosis... What she's doing right now is using her music to keep her thoughts from wandering too far off... as if she's afraid if she stops, she won't be able to return... I'd like if she had someone to help guide her back on track... Namely, someone close to her who doesn't have to break the door down." She explained.

Darkness grunted as he considered her words... "Christ, you really ARE a mom... Okay, Silver, I'll do it." He said as he hugged Silver tight. "Thank you, my love. Word of advice? Try to be patient with her... I Raised my voice at her once by accident and she didn't talk to me for a week." She said. He nodded and headed upstairs slowly. "I STILL don't want to do this... but I'm a good big brother, time to start acting like it." He told himself as he walked through Lyte's doorway and past her barricade of Clothes and dressers.

Darkness winced at the sight of his Sister. Instead of the brightly dressed bubbly girl Darkness was used to, Lyte was wearing a black tank top and standing there in just a purple thong, it was clear she hadn't showered or eaten properly since she found out about Darkness' attempt on his life. "Hey, Lisa... you okay?" HE asked slowly, but on further inspection, Lyte had her headphones in while she messed with her soundboard.

"Tired of feeling, like I don't fit! But that's okay, Lyte spins this shit!" She sang into her microphone. Darkness reached out to put a hand on her shoulder but Lyte simply smacked it away. "Thought my brother was my buddy, but he decided to quit! He left me all alone just to spin this shit." She said with tears in her eyes. "Lisa again, that's not what-" But he was cut off by Lyte who leaned forward. "All I want is my brother, just to admit, He left me all alone just to spin this shit!" She said harshly.

There was a bit of silence before Darkness backed out of the room, leaving a trail of void aura behind him. He ignored the worried look of silver as he pulled the ladder down out of the overhead attic. He climbed up slowly and brushed past old relics he recovered from the fire of his old home. He casually walked past a picture of a young Lyte and Darkness smiling with their parents to find a Black electric guitar resting on an amp. it was his first ever 'Flying V' that Lyte had picked out for him. "Only one way I know for sure she's gonna listen to me." He said as he dropped into her room using his void.

Darkness plugged in his Guitar and amp and let out a soft strum, Freezing Lyte in her tracks. "I wasn't the best brother, That I will admit, left my sister all alone just to spin this shit." He said as he strummed harder, matching the beat of Lyte's music. "Wanted to give up, I wanted to just quit. Ignored my sister's cry for help while she span this shit." He said while looking into her eyes and changing the song. "If I'm still able to hear my sister I'm all in, it could all be over tomorrow, slay our demons and start again, as I think about what I did tears drip down onto my skin. These demons Lyte, we got 'em by the mile! keep fighting I'll be with you the whole while, until they're slain I'll remain HOSTILE!" He said as he dropped his guitar and squeezed her tight.

Lyte gasped in surprise as She slowly wrapped her arms around her older brother. "Bro you.... should leave the singing to me..." She said with a soft giggle. after a few minutes, Darkness began to chuckle. "Yeah.... I can see why I only ever played the guitar." He agreed. there were a brief couple of seconds before they both broke out laughing as hard as they could. When they were done, they both just sighed happily and sat on her bed. "Listen Lyte... I got a lot to explain, but I'd prefer if you did it first over dinner... deal?" He asked. Lyte just nodded and grabbed a change of clothes. "It's a deal big bro." She told him as she undid the barricades so she could take a shower.

Darkness got up and headed down to Silver. "Thank you, dear... For everything." He said as Silver kissed him deeply. "Thank YOU, Derek! But we are still not out of the woods, She's going to have a lot to say tonight, and you're going to listen, please try not to look at this from just YOUR point of view, I'm literally begging you" She said while looking into his eyes deeply. "Well, now I'm terrified, but deal!" He said as he went to get ready.

The Aurian Chronicles chapter 7: Lunch, Love, Dessert

 "AH! THERE SHE IS! Ms. Amanda Cross!" Said Mr Capryse as he met Amanda while she was admiring the lobby. She had to admit she was slightly taken aback by how beautiful the lobby was. It featured custom engravings that read 'Capryse' along the walls, exquisite paintings, and a golden water fountain. to say she felt overwhelmed was an understatement, and Seeing the man and place together had her swooning quite a bit.

After collecting her thoughts, Amanda eyed the gentleman in front of her and grunted. He was as well dressed as his photo made him look, but she couldn't help but be mesmerized by the piercing look in his crystal blue eyes. She stepped back and blushed before clearing her throat. "Mr. Capryse, allow me to introduce my self, I am-" But she stopped when he nodded in her direction and smiled.

"Lieutenant Amanda Cross of the NYPD! I'd recognize you anywhere! I've seen you on the news quite a few times, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!" He said as he bowed at a perfect Forty-five-degree angle and kissed her knuckles. Amanda honestly didn't know which to be more caught off guard by, his charm or his manners. "My darling daughter has prepared lunch and snacks... I DO hope you like coffee with your dessert!" He told her while escorting her to the dining room. Autumn happily dashed off to set everything up.

Amanda sat at a small table reserved for casual conversation in the dining room as she and Mr Capryse waited. "Now then, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He finally asked. Amanda nodded and pulled out some files. "Right, we DID get off topic with introductions, didn't we? Well as it just so happens, Your financial restoration has been documented after multiple counts of crime-related property damage... I believe I can guess why Zach Farley showed up, seeing as you paid for the damages caused after his son was murdered." She said while Narrowing her eyes.

Mr Capryse nodded and let out a soft chuckle. "Yes, he was hoping I'd have some knowledge on the killer... Sadly I'm trying to invest in the restoration of the community, not encourage ruthless bloodshed! As for Albert, considering his rap sheet, if I had to wager a guess as to who said killer might be, I'd start with victims... there were quite a few if rumors are to be believed" He responded while a large pepperoni brick oven pizza was served, Autumn casually garnished it with fresh ground red pepper, then parmesan cheese before bowing and taking her leave.

Amanda studied him carefully before nodding and taking a bite. All of her focus evaporated as she took her first bite. "Wow... That... is amazing!" She said as she looked at Mr Capryse who ate happily. "Perks of having the world's greatest chef for a daughter! Ever since I immigrated from Italy, New York Pizza has been there for my ups and downs, Autumn's been a dear about it ever since!" He explained.

"Did you ever find out who her parents are?" Asked Amanda,. Mr Capryse smiled wide, "Why, Myself and Saryn of course!" He answered. Amanda just leaned in closer. "No, I mean who are her real-" But she was cut off by an unnerving Dark laugh from Mr Capryse, she didn't even notice the crystals forming on the floor beneath them. "Please... That's hardly important right now... Let's just enjoy a nice meal and dessert shall we?" He asked. Amanda sensed the closeness he shared with his daughter and decided to drop it.

"So... You really don't have any idea who Albert's killer could be?" She asked. MR. Capryse simply chuckled. "Even if I WANTED to have the man killed, I'm a high-profile CEO! I'd be sniffed out in an instant! You found me just by investing in an area rife with gun violence... Imagine what it takes to stage a murder! No... Organized crime is not for me, my family and my work are too important to give up! I'm not losing sleep over a Child molesting serial killer though I will admit." He said frankly. Amand had to agree with that last part heavily.

After the pizza was finished, Autumn wriggled her cat-like tail and served fresh Cannolis. It was right about there that Amanda noticed the stripes on Autumn and noted she had to be the hybrid of a Tiger and a bunny. She had to admit it was odd considering how rare Anthros were in big cities, but she once again lost focus after tasting her Cannoli. "So... DELICIOUS!" She admitted, causing Autumn to giggle.

After Dessert, she casually sipped her coffee while being escorted to the door. "I just came on a hunch... But I can see I was wrong, I'll have to visit again some time,,, maybe meet your wife?" She asked, though there was some bitterness at the end. "I'd be delighted, Saryn and I are usually apart due to our conflicting schedules, but if the opportunity arises, I'll let you know!" He said as he kissed her cheek and walked her to her car. Amanda just giggled and bit her lip as she drove off, Even running a stop sign on her way home.

About a hundred miles away from Mr. Capryse's home 'Pure Mind Solutions" CEO Saryn Capryse sat at her desk with her feet propped up on her desk. She was busy looking over her files on her latest product when her phone vibrated with a text message. "Ah, so the fabled 'Hound of Justice' is more of a 'Bitch in heat.' Good Tony... I like my stepping stones finely paved BEFORE I walk all over them." She said with a giggle as she made dinner reservations for her new friend and foolish husband.

The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 6: Crossing Capryse

 Amanda Scouted the area as she pulled into the impressive estate of the Capryse manor. It was at least three stories high, and about seventy-five hundred Square feet. It had recently been painted White with wooden brown trim, and the curtains were all solid gold, made from fabric that obstructed flash photography. The path inside the gate was actually a modified greenhouse with coffee beans slowly growing for harvest. Amanda noted that temperatures were in defiance of the cold weather. It was like Mr. Capryse's home was on a whole different side of the world.

"He certainly has done well for himself... I'd feel like I was in heaven waking up to the smell of fresh coffee." She said while parking into the allotted guest driveway, after stepping out of her electric-powered BMW, she made sure she looked presentable. Rather than coming in her NYPD uniform, she opted for a Lavender Dress and a pair of Yellow pumps. She even undid her bun to let her raven hair flow three inches under her shoulder blades. "Let's hope we can make this all a huge misunderstanding.. he's done too much for this state... Hasn't he? She asked while walking to the front door.

As she approached, she saw a short man pummelling on the door. He stood at about four foot eight and beyond obese his blonde hair was short, and spiky and for some odd reason beyond Amanda's guess, he had frosted tips. From the look of his face and build, Amanda guessed this was Zachary Farley. He made Albert Farley look like an Olympic medalist, and from his mannerisms he made Albert look like the perfect gentleman as well.

"Step off sushi roll, I was here first!"  Said Zach as he spat at her feet while waiting. Amanda just narrowed her eyes at him. "Perhaps, but I called and made an appointment with Mr. Capryse himself three days ago!" She answered. Zach just sneered at her. "And that means what? This is business with men sweetheart, now why don't you go flirt with some other fuckin' billionaire bitch!"  He yelled. Right as Amanda was about to show her badge, the Door opened to reveal a young rabbit girl with a blue chef apron on.

"Daddy will see you now Mr. Farley..." She said with ire in her voice. Amanda studied the young lady carefully, aside from the apron, all she seemed to be wearing was a white T-shirt and a black hairband to keep her blonde and brown hair straight. Amanda had recognized this to be New York's own 'Autumn Capryse' who a few years ago, had competed in and won a Golden Fork chef award.

"Thanks, Rabbit stew. Don't let me catch you skulkin' near your old man's room. You don't wanna see none of this." He said as he marched off. When Zach was gone, Autumn turned her head and bowed to Amanda. "He'll be done shortly, in the meantime... How bout some Coffee and refreshments?" She asked. Amanda's heart beat loudly at the mention of coffee. "I'd love some!" She said happily while following her.

Mr Capryse sighed happily as he finished his paperwork for the day and relaxed in his crystal blue chair. "Getting close to lunchtime! And I saw the brick pizza oven being used! Time to get spoiled againnnnnn!" he said as he saw the door open, his smile now showing teeth as he saw Zach instead of Autumn barging in. "Ahhhh Mr FARLEY! To what do I owe THIS visit?" He asked with a cheerful tone.

"Cut the fucking act Tony, I know it was your Grape-headed lapdog who went after my son! Darkness was the only one working last night, and he only takes contracts approved under YOU!" He said while Mr Capryse shrugged. "You and I both know not to check the names on the reservation list Zach, if his name DID pop up, it's not on me. And if you came here demanding an address... You're in for a disappointment due to the rules of the business!" He said as he sipped his coffee.

Zach growled and leaned forward. "Listen here you coffee-sucking, pizza-eating, Smile faced FREAK! You better play ball, I can make life hard around here, I Know where your wife and daughter are at all times... it's nothing for me to send the boys down and have a little fun with them before they kill them!" He said as he adjusted the Red tie to his white suit. Zach just seemed to wince at the wide guttural laugh that Mr Capryse belted out.

"I Never tire of our games old friend... Reminds me of back when I was a young up-and-comer working under Saryn's father Mr. Agranov! He was a ruthless man, but he taught me everything I know about using Fear as the ultimate weapon!" he said as he got up and pulled a book out of a nearby bookcase, causing the walls to drop sound-dampening sheets over them. He then pulled a mask out from the empty spot behind it. The mask was rusted out and had bandages dangling from behind it.

"You see once upon a time... I was tasked with Disposing of certain kinds of people... They called me 'The bad day killer' or ' Mr Bad Day.' all while wearing this silly little mask." He said as he held it in his hands. "Oh, it was dreadful! All the blood made it rust, so I had to wear bandages to keep it from getting on my face... just a MESS ya know?" He asked as he sat it on his desk facing towards Zach, who swallowed hard.

"So one day, I decide I don't like this mask! so my boss makes me a deal... become scarier than the mask! Sounded easy enough... just kidnap some targets, and torture them! But when this mask was on? Oh, just the soft stuff... A little kneecap bludgeoning and whatnot.. But when the mask came off? THE FUN BEGAN!" He with a bit of saliva in his voice. "I Remember one time I Gouged a man's eyes out and forced his little friends to help him walk his way around the underground catacombs... good times." He said while watching Zach wipe his brow in panic.

"Then I go down in the mask, right? promising to set them free if they cooperate, but if they didn't... I'd send 'the guy without the mask' after them again... They sang like canaries! It was beautiful! Ahhh but when they gave me what I wanted... I took the mask off to thank them... One of them even committed suicide in their cell to spare themselves the pain... Some very good times indeed." He finished as he put his hand on Zach's shoulder, causing him to squirm.

"The point is that today you've come into my home, insulted me, and threatened my family... It is not 'nothing' for you to send your men after my family, it's a DEATH sentence! But I'll tell you what... get your affairs in order, and then get the HELL out of my state! I recommend the syndicate down in Florida, I know a real Slime Bucket lawyer who can get you set up... Last name's Lancaster. He's Slime, but one who can get other Slime off well!" He said as he put the mask and book back, Causing the room to go back to normal.

Zach stood up red in the face and glared. "TH-THIS ISN'T OVER CAPRYSE! YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE LAST OF ME!" He said as he stormed out. Mr Capryse shrugged and finished his coffee as he saw Amanda Cross on the Security camera feed on his desk. "Oh well... Then let the games begin!" He said while standing up and popping his neck before going down to enjoy a conversation over lunch.