Hooded Phantom Rebirth

Season 2: Episode 18

Ladybug's POV

"So yeah....... now I'm stuck with him, at least until Shaokan is dealt with," said Joseph, still sitting on top of the bed. Everyone looked at him. Everyone stayed silent."That's some bullshit," said Daniel, raising his voice. We all looked at him. "You just made a big mistake trusting that thing. You can't trust a demon! You of all people should know this!" Said Daniel. "Look, we were running out of options. Both Jose and Kiara are gone, half of our team is wounded, and we don't even know how to stop both Shaokan and that Akuma. But Zenith does!" Joseph stated. "Are you even listening to yourself?! You're putting your trust in a demon! A DEMON!! The things we're fucking fighting!!" Yelled Daniel, trying to shame Joseph. "We're?! You're not doing anything!! You're just here to, what, take up space?! While me, Eric, and Ladybug are out there, getting our asses handed, trying to stop this infestation from happening!! And at least Davila is trying to figure out how stop them!! Hell he might as well figured it out!! And what are you doing?! Huh?! How are you supporting this team?!" Joseph fired back. Daniel didn't respond. He didn't know what to say. "As far as I know, I was the one willing to get his has dirty. Yes, I made a deal with him. But it doesn't matter now. I've already made the deal. So there's no going back," Joseph stated. "Weeeeellllllllll.......," Eric said as he show a glimpse of lightning coming from his eyes. "I'm not having this discussion right now Devon," Joseph said looking at Eric with a serious expression. Eric pulled his hands back, showing that he's backing off. "Alright. I'm just saying," Eric said.

"I just don't understand why you're so against me over this. Don't you guys trust me?" Joseph asked the group. "We trust you, it's just-," I said before Davila finished the sentence for me. "We can't just trust something we have no information nor any background on. It's just not safe. Not to mention, we don't even know half the things this Zenith figure can do. For all we know he could take control of your body and corrupt you, causing you to do things you wouldn't normally do. So the point I'm trying is, we can't just take your word for it. He could always just betray us, and I refuse to risk this team's safety. You of all people should understand that," said Davila. Joseph paused for a moment. Then, he gave an answer. "You may not take my word for it. But why not take his," Joseph said. "What do you mean?" Asked Eric. "If what he's telling me is true, Zenith might be able to temporarily take control of my body in order to communicate with us. However, since he's trying to get accustomed to my body, there's a likely chance it'll only last a few minutes," Joseph stated. Everyone looked at each other and then looked back at Joseph. "This might be the only chance you'll get to talk to him," Joseph continued. We didn't know what to expect. We didn't know what to do. Well, all of us except Davila. "It'll only last a few minutes, that right?" Asked Davila. Joseph nodded.

"A few minutes is all we need," he said, with everyone being a bit shocked. Not Joseph though. All he did was show a serious expression as he nodded. Joseph got into a meditating position as he closed his eyes. That's when the lights suddenly began to flicker on and off, almost as if he's taking the energy of the room to himself. Most of us looked around getting bad vibes of the situation, but not Davila. He just stood there, waiting patiently, with his hands crossed. After a moment of the lights going crazy, they began to slowly go back to normal. After that we all looked at Joseph. He stayed in that position for a moment until he sat naturally on the bed, with his eyes still closed. We stood there, hoping for the worst. But then he opened his eyes. And I'm not sure if I'm going crazy but, they were glowing. They were glowing a bright silver color. From the looks of it, it seemed like Zenith is in control. But I don't know how control it has. I can only hope for the best.

"Joseph" slowly gazed at each and every one of us. He gave an unnatural vibe with the way he looked at us. But I don't know how to really describe it. And with a echoy voice he said, "So this is it, huh. The team that's gonna bring down Shaokan and his cronies," he slightly chuckled, "This otta be interesting." The way he talked, sounded like two different voices. I could hear Joseph's voice in the background, but I could also hear, what I'm guessing is, Zenith's voice. "Is this Zenith we're talking to or-?" Asked Eric. "Ah, my apologies, where are my manners? My name Zenith," he said looking at the group. "So you're the demon, that right?" Asked Daniel. Jos- I mean Zenith nodded.

"Indeed I am. However, you should not overthink the situation nor should you be mad at your friend. I am here to help you, whether you believe it or not. But if you wish to know more about me, the go ahead. Ask me any questions. Just know that I'm in a time limit," he said calmly. "Hm.... well first off, why did you save Joseph? Why him and not someone else?" Asked Daniel, with his arms crossed. "Well for one, we already knew that Shaokan was getting closer and closer toward his goal of escaping to the human realm. And since I made a promise to someone very powerful down in hell itself, I had to take my chances. Not to mention, I could sense something about this body that I figured could be used against Shaokan," he answered. "What's your history with Shaokan?" Asked Davila. "Well I can't really say much, since your friend Joseph pretty much told you the basics. I was a general, fought in the holy war and we lost. Simple as that," he said. But there was more to it. "There's something you're not telling us. For one, you were promised something if hell won the war. What was it?" I asked. He looked at me and paused. He sighs. "So, you want to know the promise I was given huh? Well...... I guess I don't have much of choice, now do I? Well, I'm guessing you all know that not many demons are given the chance to leave hell," He said. "Well. . . . my promise was to go to live my life in the human realm. To have a chance to live in a world without being tied down towards constant torment," he said. Everyone remained silent for a moment. A demon who wished for freedom. That's something you don't hear everyday. Though to be honest, I don't blame him. "Is there anything else you can tell us, such abilities?" Asked Davila.

"Aside from possession, I have enhanced strength, speed, regeneration, control of elements, dark magic, portal summoning, and understanding multiple languages that I come across," he said creating a small flame on the palm of one of his hands. Everyone, including myself seemed satisfied with his answers. At least, that's what I thought. "Zenith, is there anything that Joseph might be hiding something from us?" Asked Daniel. This caught my attention. "Where are you going with this?" I asked. "Oh come on. Aren't you the least bit curious. I mean, he may tell us a few things and lord knows he's told you a lot more. However, aren't you the least bit curious that perhaps he's hiding something from us? I mean I can't be the only one who noticed that his slight change in behavior. He's gotten more brutal when he goes out fighting crime, not to mention the amount of damage he's done to hard working places," Daniel continued. Zenith closed his hand, forcing the flame to die upon his touch. He stayed quiet for a moment. "It seems Joseph has gotten silent on me," stated Zenith. We all looked back at him. He sighed. "I know that this isn't my business to talk about, but.......He's holding something back from all of you. I can feel a bit of his mixed feelings. But I can't explain it. It's like he's facing his own cloud of judgement. Feels like he's not worthy of-," was all Zenith could say before he started showing signs of visible pain. He seemed to be battling for control. "What's wrong?!" I asked. "I-it's Joseph. He's trying to take back control. . . . look, you need talk to him about this. . . . you shouldn't hear it from me. . . . You should hear it from him," Zenith finally said as his began to change back into his original state, collapsing onto his knees. I could hear Joseph taking some deep breaths before looking up at us. He quickly got up as he looked at Daniel and frowned. He remained silent before he began walking toward the main area, where all the computers were at while Eric, Daniel, and I followed behind. "Where do you think you're going?" Asked Daniel. "Anywhere but here. I need a breather," Joseph said. "Then why not just tell us what you were trying to hide from us and be done with it?" Daniel asked, grabbing onto his shoulder, forcing Joseph to face him. "Back off Daniel. Don't make me do something I'll regret," Joseph shot back, raising a fist. "Go ahead and try it jackass," said Daniel, raising a fist of his own. "That's enough! Both of you! We've already got enough on our plate, and this animosity between the both of you won't make things any better!" I said as I pushed both of them away from each other. They both looked at me. Daniel sighed. "She right," said Daniel. Joseph didn't say anything as he just began to walk off the teen center. I sighed.

What's so important that he wishes to keep it a secret?