Bloody Dawn - MCD AU [REWRITE PENDING]

Twenty - This S**t Ain't Stopping For Nobody

Aphmau was standing in a clearing, staring at a sparkling waterfall. A shimmering pool stopped at her feet. Trees ringed the area.

"Aphmau. It's so good to see you."

Aphmau whirled around to find herself facing Irene. Her face immediately lit up.

"Mother! It's good to see you, too. But... what are you doing? What's going on?"

Irene smiled. "As your mother, I should be able to visit your dreams anytime. But I haven't been able to."

"Why?" Aphmau asked, confused.

"It takes magic to bypass a dream barrier. My magic was nearly erased when I died. Only now had it been restored to the point where I can speak to you in dreams." Irene explained with a nonchalant hair flip. "But enough of that. I'm actually here to discuss something much more important."

Aphmau immediately perked up. "What is it?"

Irene looked down at the ground for a moment, as if searching for the most tactful way to say what she was about to say. "Aphmau... I need you to return to the Aether, with-"

"B-but you said we needed to find a bunch of lies! Or something." Aphmau protested, cutting off Irene.

"Aphmau, you didn't let me finish. I need you to return to the Aether with your demon allies."

"Oh." Aphmau said, slightly less confused. "But why?"

"The only reason I sent you to the Overworld in the first place was for you to join together with the demons. And before you ask why, give me a chance to explain."

Aphmau nodded.

"While it's true that the web of lies, betrayal and deception spreads across multiple realms, the worst of the web is currently located in the Aether."

"Aphmau, unless someone like you and your friends untangled the web of lies, the future most likely holds great carnage-angel against angel, our nation divided." Irene now stared at the waterfall, a grim look on her face.

"But can't you do something?" Aphmau pleaded.

"No!" Irene spat, more sharply than intended. Aphmau shrunk backwards, and Irene softened her tone. "A long time ago, the Demon King, four others and myself all made a promise." Irene sat down, and Aphmau sat down next to her. "We promised to only observe, and never interfere. At least, not directly." Aphmau swore she saw a mischievous sparkle in Irene's eyes.

"And besides," Irene continued, staring at the waterfall, "Even if I hadn't made that promise, I still wouldn't be able to help directly. I have neither the power nor the body to do anything more than help to direct events."

"Oh." Aphmau said, staring down at her hands.

"Shiz is going to go down as history repeats itself once more." Irene said softly. "I can only hope this time is the last time it happens." She muttered to herself.

Irene stood up. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I will return, don't worry."

"Wait!" Aphmau called, but her mother was already gone.
+=+=+=+=+
Aphmau's eyes slowly opened to reveal Zane staring at her, his face less than a foot away.

"GAH!" Aphmau yelped, jumping back.

"Morning, Ms. I'm-gonna-sleep-in-while-my-mortal-boyfriend-dies-from-an-infected-wound. You look cheery." Zane said, half-sarcastic.

It took a moment for Zane's words to register as Aphmau wiped the sleep from her eyes.

"What. Did. You. Say." Aphmau asked.

"C'mon. He's still alive, but you might want to hurry."

"Why are you acting like that?! Stop it!"

Zane smiled, then led Aphmau over to the edge of the clearing. "I don't know, maybe I just find the fact that the one day you don't wake up early to go see him, he's actually unconscious with a large, infected wound. But then, maybe it's the fact that you seem to be taking your sweet time in getting there that strikes me as amusing."

Aphmau glared at him before rushing through the forest. When she reached Aaron's camp, she was quite surprised by the scene.

It seemed as though everyone was there, from Kawaii-Chan and Nekoette to Katelyn and Michi. Aaron was unconscious on a stretcher, a large wound in his chest. Aphmau rushed over. The wound was big, but shallow.

Emmalyn and Nekoette watched intently as Michi and Kawaii-Chan cleaned and bandaged Aaron's wound.

"Oh! Aphmau-Senpai! You finally woke up!" Kawaii-Chan said. Pulling Aphmau over to a quieter area in the camp, she whispered, "Kawaii-Chan should probably tell you about that man."

"What do you mean?" Aphmau asked.

"Kawaii-Chan used to live next-door to Aaron-Senpai. The reason he moved is because he got involved in something Kawaii-Chan doesn't understand."

"So?" Aphmau asked.

Kawaii-Chan opened her mouth to reply, but she was cut off by a familiar voice.

"The whole gang's here? Aw, and to think I thought I'd get to at least have some fun."