Post by Bene Elohim on Feb 8, 2024 15:09:35 GMT -8
~{Disclaimer}~
~{This piece is unlike a lot of others. This piece contains a very sensitive topic and was not taken lightly. It was not used for laughs or for shock value. This is the true history of the character. Please be aware if you are easy shocked by things of a sexual nature or have a history of abuse please use caution before reading this. No CD piece is worth your mental health.
Jesse
Handler of Michael Rivers/Lord Lucifer}~
Jasmine Matthews had been sound asleep in the huge estate they called The Castle when the unthinkable happened. Four figures infiltrated the estate and crept through the darkness of the rooms without making a sound.
It was as if they had been trained for years for this.
They knew from previous videos and other pieces of stored data the girls felt were safe and security whose room was whose. On the third floor at the end of a hallway to the left was a room filled with black and purple with a huge bed sitting in the center, purple mosquito netting on top.
On the bed was a beautifully pale gothic woman with red highlights in her hair. Jasmine was only wearing a pair of shorts; she was completely topless otherwise, lying on her side with one leg swung over the lower body of another figure.
That figure was a green-haired tattooed woman wearing a pair of boy shorts and a sports bra. The door eased open and the four slipped silently as death into the room. The green-haired woman’s eyes never opened when they placed the small gas mask-styled mask over her face. Within seconds she was out and would sleep through anything for the next couple of hours.
As one of them did this, the other three moved around the bed. A rag was stuffed into the gothic woman’s mouth and tape was applied over it before a bag was quickly shoved over her head. She awoke with a start and began to thrash, kicking her feet, and yet the woman beside her continued to sleep.
Into a bag the naked woman was stuffed, loaded over the shoulder of the two larger figures, and they made their way out.
By the time anyone was the wiser, the Queen of the Kingdom Jasmine Matthews was gone.
An hour later, she was dropped from a shoulder, landing on the floor of a plane in-flight. Clawing at the bag, she came out in fight or flight mode, thinking that the man they called “Abs” had come for her.
That was until she saw the faces of Sariel, Ramiel, Ananiel, and Aniel ...and her hands immediately dropped to her chest to cover herself.
The transgender woman Aniel held out a pair of shorts and a shirt that were obviously too big for Jasmine and snorted.
Aniel: “Put these on. No one wants to see that.”
In a split second, Jasmine seemed to go from angry to offended. Her arms dropped to her sides and she thrust her chest out.
Jasmine Matthews: “And what the fuck is wrong with my fucking breasts?! Huh?!”
Sariel: “Nothing, dear. They are lovely. Now put your clothes on.”
Begrudgingly, Jasmine did just that, speaking as she did.
Jasmine Matthews: “What the hell’s the big deal with kidnapping me from my bed?”
Ramiel: “Lord Lucifer had…”
Ananiel: “...Asked that we bring…”
Both: “...You to him.”
Jasmine Matthews: “STOP THAT! Talk normally!”
Sariel: “That is quite enough of that, dear. We quite like them the way they are.”
Sariel’s voice was one of a gentle whisper as she reached out and touched Ramiel’s face.
Jasmine Matthews: “Fine. Couldn’t he have just come to me?”
Aniel: “Lucifer isn’t leaving Hell again until it’s time to end this.”
Jasmine didn’t say a word as she plopped into a seat and crossed her arms over her chest. She’d wait until she spoke to Lucifer about this. The others all filed into their seats and they enjoyed the remainder of the flight as well as the drive from the airport.
The gates of Hell were made of thick wooden construction and both swung open to reveal Lucifer standing in the middle of the road. When the van pulled to a stop, the driver and passengers got out. The first sign that something was strange came when none of them bowed to Lucifer. They simply walked past him into the house behind him.
Michael Rivers: “Come. Walk with me.”
Michael addressed Jasmine, opening a hand as he began to talk. Jasmine stared at his back as he walked, scoffing.
Jasmine Matthews: “Walk? WALK?! You kidnapped me to… ‘walk with Lucifer?!’”
Michael Rivers: “Michael.”
Jasmine Matthews: “What?”
Michael Rivers: “The correct statement would be ‘walk with Michael’.”
Jasmine threw her hands up into the air as she fell in line beside him.
Jasmine Matthews: “I am completely confused.”
Michael Rivers: “Lucifer never came back, Jasmine.”
The Gothic woman froze when she heard those words. Lucifer took a handful of steps further before pivoting on his heels to face the shocked woman.
Jasmine Matthews: “The fuck do you mean Lucifer never came back?! We’re in Hell!”
Michael Rivers: “I mean, Lucifer never came back. I was sick with a fever when I heard about what happened to Maiko and he tried to return. I was able to stop him, but... I knew that something needed to be done. Those men had Maiko and were doing… horrible things to her.”
Jasmine crossed her arms over her chest and nodded.
Jasmine Matthews: “And this connects to why you had to have Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum kidnap me naked outta bed?”
Michael Rivers: “You were naked?!”
Jasmine Matthews: “Focus, Rivers!”
Michael Rivers: “Yes, right. I knew that these men needed to be stopped, but I also knew I couldn’t do the kinds of things that Lucifer did. I remembered a conversation that Mrs. Michaels and Ms. Saint had with Lucifer. I had a way I could change Hell. Make it tolerable without the blood on my hands.”
Jasmine Matthews: “Blood on your hands?! Michael, you don’t think I haven’t heard about your little ‘permanent solutions’?! How’s that not worse?!”
Something dark appeared in the man across from her eyes. His own eyes narrowed on her and he shook his head gently.
Michael Rivers: “When I was seventeen years old, Jasmine, I snuck out one night like I had countless times before. But that night, I met someone. They were sitting on the park bench where I usually spent my time. Smoking, anything really to get away from my preacher parents. There they were, just sitting in my spot, and… the strangest thing happened.”
Jasmine Matthews: “They told you to get fucked?”
Michael Rivers: “Well, yeah, in a manner of speaking. They offered sex, right there on the park bench. I declined and then we sat there, talking for hours. They were smart… and attentive, but somehow the conversation always came back to sex. When they left, it left me a bit disturbed. Unnerved even.”
Jasmine Matthews: “You were a seventeen-year-old boy who had turned down sex. Of course, you were disturbed.”
Michael Rivers: “I wish that was the case. I followed them for nearly an hour through the trees and the muck. Into the boonies outside of the town where I lived and watched them climb through a basement window through a hole in the screen. Watched them fix it so no one could tell it had been pushed through and then strip off what little clothing they had on...then get on a filthy mattress…”
Jasmine Matthews: “...Michael, stop…”
She could tell by the sudden emotion, the thickness of his voice what this was. Everyone knew he sold his soul, or whatever he had done, to protect people. From having happen to them what happened to his late wife Dahlia. He was telling her Dahlia’s story.
All of it.
Michael Rivers: “...Then the door opened, Jasmine, and I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard her call the filthy pig “Father” and the man with her “Uncle John”. It turned my stomach.”
Jasmine sucked in a horrified gasping breath and put her hands over her mouth.
Michael Rivers: “I watched what they did to her. Both of them. I have never… ever… felt such hatred as I did that day. Never wanted to kill anyone more. But I knew if I failed and they killed me instead? She’d be left there. So I waited, and when they finally left… I climbed in the same hole she had.
She thought her father had sent me and… just assumed the position… I'll never forget the look of confusion in her eyes when I told her I was there to help her. To take her away from that horrible place.”
Michael’s hands clenched into fists as he growled.
Michael Rivers: “She was confused. CONFUSED! It was her job to do the things I had watched. She’d been here, doing them her whole life…”
Jasmine Matthews: “Michael, stop! Stop! Please!”
Jasmine cried, the tears running down her face that any father could do that to his own daughter.
Jasmine Matthews: “...what does this have to do…”
Michael Rivers: “...People like him? Like her uncle? Like all the business partners and friends that fucking pathetic bastard brought into that basement? They don’t deserve to live, Jasmine. They don’t DESERVE life… and I have no problem taking it from them.”
Jasmine Matthews: “I… I get it. Go on. Why am I here?”
Michael Rivers: “I miscalculated. I only wanted to help save Maiko Adachi, but the changes I made to Hell? They made Valdemar revolt, recruit Anthony… and it’s gotten...”
Jasmine Matthews: “Five shades of fucked?”
Michael Rivers: “In a word? Yes.”
Jasmine Matthews: “What do you want me to do about it, Michael? The Kingdom? We’re wrestlers, not fighters.”
Michael Rivers: “I don‘t need you to fight. The Twins, Sara, and Ani are going to handle Valdemar and his perverted Lucifer-Land. As for Anthony? He’s mine.”
Jasmine Matthews: “Yours?!”
Jasmine let out a bellowing laugh.
Jasmine Matthews: “Abs would rip you apart, Mikey.”
Michael Rivers: “...Don’t call me that.”
Michael said through clenched teeth. It reminded him of things he may never see again.
Michael Rivers: “Whether you believe it or not isn’t important. I just need one thing from you.”
Jasmine Matthews: “What could you possibly need from me?”
Michael Rivers: “I need you to ask Lilith to speak to Danielle Anderson. I want her to tell her everything. Who killed Markus Rael. Why he did it. How he did it. Everything. And then ask her… if she wants to help bring Markus justice.”
Jasmine stood there in shock with her eyes widened as the request washed over her.
~* [Anderson Residence | Asheville, North Carolina] *~
After texting Danni earlier in the afternoon, Lilith was clearly a little emotional as she stepped into her car and made the drive from The Castle out to Danni’s place. The entire time, all she could do was think about the news she had been given, the hurt, the pain, and the anger that this was going to cause one of her dear friends when the news was delivered to her. After the long drive, Lilith pulled up to Danni’s place, shutting off the car and sitting there for a few minutes to gather herself. She took a deep breath, stepped out and approached the front door. She once again paused. All she could wonder was why she was asked to do this, but since it was Jasmine who had asked, she did it. She took one last deep breath and wiped away the few tears that fell down her face before she knocked on the front door and waited for Danni.
“I’ll be right there!”
A cute British accent answered from the other side of the door. There was a bit of shuffling and then soft footsteps approaching. Not a second later and the door opened to reveal Danielle Anderson with a sweet smile on her face and cute little dimples.
Danni Anderson: “Lil!”
Of course, there was a big hug from the petite woman. She was in such a cheerful mood, having just Twitch streamed the remake of MediEvil for the PlayStation 4 for the very first time. From the kitchen was the sweet aroma of freshly-baked cookies. Lilith held onto the hug for a little bit longer than normal. Her heart was aching right now for her friend. Seeing how cheerful and happy she was, only made it that much harder for her.
She finally broke the hug, looking at Danni, not having her normal, cheerful demeanor on her face. No, this time it was a more somber and sad expression. Her eyes were a little puffy from crying she had been doing on the drive over. She grabbed Danni by the hand and held it firmly in hers.
Lilith Meadows: “Danni… Let’s get inside… I have something super-duper important that you need to know…”
The way her friend firmly held her hand, the puffiness in her eyes, and the way she expressed her words. Danni knew something was up. When she received the text from Lil, she said the conversation was just for grown-ups. It was made easy when Leina, her eight-year-old daughter, asked her if she could go to Minoru’s place. Danni instantly gave her the okiedokie and she contacted Trenton Page to ask him what he thought. They agreed to a sleepover, so she was at their apartment for the night.
Danni Anderson: “Okay! The Reese’s Pieces cookies are ready to eat. I also made sure to buy Silk almond milk. I really like the dark chocolate one!”
Perhaps the comfort of food would cheer her up. Stepping aside, Danni allowed Lilith inside before she closed the door. Her fuzzy socks-covered feet moved across the plush carpet floor and into the kitchen to grab a plate of cookies and bring them over to the coffee table in the living room. After that, she brought over two tall glasses of dark chocolate almond milk she was just talking about and some napkins.
Danni Anderson: “Have a seat!”
Lilith sat down on the couch, grabbing a cookie and taking a bite. Anytime Reese’s were involved in any form, she couldn’t help but at least flash a smile. She did just that too as she chewed on the cookie and took a sip of her milk. Her red-haired friend took a seat on the couch next to her and smiled. She then looked at Danni once again and she did her best to keep herself together as she knew she just had to break the news to the woman.
Lilith Meadows: “Danni… I have big news for you. About Markus and who killed him…”
The sudden mention of her late boyfriend… and what immediately followed… At that moment, Danni’s face grew pale, paler than her casual makeup.
Danni Anderson: “You… know who…”
It was hard to say that word. She wouldn’t!
Danni Anderson: “...took Mars away…?”
Lilith simply nodded her head as she once again grabbed Danni’s hand in hers and just held it. The mood in the room immediately dropped and for very good reasons. She took a deep breath and continued speaking.
Lilith Meadows: “Jasmine told me after she had been taken to meet with Lucifer today and he wanted me to come to you and tell you everything…”
There was a tremble from Danni’s hand. Jasmine was taken to meet with Lucifer? Wait, taken??? Her mind didn’t stay on that thought, immediately focusing on the reality that she’s about to find out who… murdered the man she loved. She pressed her lips together for a brief moment before she looked into Lil’s eyes.
Danni Anderson: “...Lucifer knows… h-how long has he known? W-who took Markus away from me, Lil? I… I’ve been trying to find the man responsible for months, b-but every trail has gone cold. The police-- Bahamut-- the Dead Men-- nobody could even get close to finding out who he was…”
Lil could feel the sadness and anger inside of Danni right now. All of it, completely justified in Lil’s mind too. She didn’t take her eyes off of her friend though as she sat there, the tears forming in her own eyes as she squeezed Danni’s hand again.
Lilith Meadows: “I...I don’t know how long he’s known… I just know that he told Jassy… He said it was Abs… I think his actual name is Anthony Crawford if I remember right… Jassy and the rest just always called him Abs…”
Lil wiped a few tears from her face as her voice was trembling through all of that. She took another deep breath as she got herself ready to speak once again.
Lilith Meadows: “H...he killed Markus because he thought Markus had information on where Melissa Reed was…”
Anthony Crawford. Anthony. Crawford. His initials were AC.
...wait…
Danni Anderson: “...that man on Twitter… A C…”
The realization hit her so hard, she tightly squeezed Lilith’s hand before she slumped back against the couch cushions. Her sparkly blue eyes were dimming and welling up with tears.
Danni Anderson: “Oh my God… I… I’ve been talking to Markus’s…”
Killer!
Murderer!
The Santa Monica native’s tears spill down her cheeks. In mere moments, her eye makeup was ruined, her mascara running, the blush on her cheeks was wet. Her breathing was quick yet heavy, her lips were quivering -- she was hyperventilating.
Danni Anderson: “W-why? Why would he-- Melissa Reed? T-the colorful clown lady of the Jesters?? Oh my God, when she was kidnapped, A-Anthony went after her, right? Because he loved her, right?! B-but Mars… no, Markus wouldn’t know where she was! He had nothing to do with her being taken! There’s no-- no reason--”
Lilith just grabbed Danni and pulled her into a hug and held her friend as tightly as she could. She could feel the pain herself. She always felt the pain others were feeling, that’s the way she had been her whole life. It wasn’t until much later she figured out she was very much an emphatic witch, and when people felt sorrow, she was able to feel it herself. That was one of the biggest reasons why she always tried to be someone who was there for people when they needed a friend or just a shoulder to cry on.
Lilith Meadows: “I dunno, Danni… That’s all I know about it, but Lucifer did also want me to ask you something else…”
It was going to be a moment before the Sweetheart Esper could answer the Dark Faerie. The second she was pulled in for the tight hug, Danni’s emotions spilled over. She was crying against Lil’s chest, her body trembling, and her hands clinging tightly to her friend’s dress.
She wanted to find the man responsible for so long…
She never realized how bad it would hurt when she finally learned who it was.
Even through her crying, staining the fabric with her tears, snot, and makeup, Danielle could hear Lilith’s words. She tried her very best to slow her breathing, take slower, deeper breaths. Slowly but surely, she was able to bring herself back to some stability, even though her body was still shaking.
Danni Anderson: “Wha… what does Lucifer want to ask me…?”
Lilith held Danni, lifting her head up so their eyes could meet one more time. She needed to hear this. Lilith took another deep breath, calming herself back down as she opened her mouth to speak.
Lilith Meadows: “He wants to know if you want to help bring the bad man down for good…”
Now that she knew the who, it was time for the how. How to bring Anthony to justice, so that Markus could rest in peace.
So that she could finally have closure.
Danni Anderson: “...Yes.”
She said it firmly, a seriousness in her tone. Her eyes were full of emotion and her tears were somewhat steady, even for a brief moment.
Danni Anderson: “I want to help. I-I’ll do anything and everything I can!”
Lilith nodded her head, hearing the seriousness in Danni’s voice. The conviction from her friend, wanting to help bring this horrible man down for good, and for a moment made Lilith crack a small smile. She held the woman tight, just wanting to be there for Danni right now. All of the emotion, the sudden news, and everything else showed Lilith just how strong Danni truly was, but she didn’t want to leave the woman alone for the night either. She knew Danni needed a friend to be there for her and that was exactly what she was going to do.
Lilith Meadows: “I packed an overnight bag in case you wanted me to stay with you tonight. I know this is a lot to process and just know, I’ll do anything for you… If you need us to watch Li, just let me know and we’ll bring her to The Castle and she can play with the Prince and Princess. I can even take her through the woods…”
Danni Anderson: “I’d love that, Lil. I’m sure Li would too.”
For a moment, this reassurance made Danielle feel a little relieved. It was good to know that her daughter-- Markus’s daughter-- would be in a safe place with good people around her.
Because soon? She had a meeting with the Devil himself.
**
Only hours had passed and the soft glow of a TV in the dark was all the light that could be seen. The Dark Faerie of the Kingdom was asleep curled up beneath a blanket on the couch while the Sugarplum Fairy was dozing on the couch next to her. The two had fallen asleep watching their favourite Disney Princess movie, Tangled.
Danni was awakened from her daze by the sudden vibration of her phone. Raising it from the couch and wiping the sleep from her eyes, she looked down at the screen and immediately noticed something weird.
It was already on and a face was looking back at her from FaceTime.
As if someone had forcefully activated the program.
Too sleepy to even recoil, she looked down, confused at the face of the man on the screen.
Lord Lucifer.
Michael Rivers: “Hello Danielle.”
Danni’s blood ran cold when she heard that voice and she whispered. She didn't want to awaken Lilith.
Danni Anderson: “How did you…”
Michael Rivers: “It’s not important. Jasmine tells me she was told you want to help?”
Danni: “Mar-Mar…"
There was a pain in the tiny woman’s voice as she sniffed back a tear but managed a nod.
Danni Anderson: “Yes… I do…”
Michael Rivers: “Contact Anthony. Out in the open. Tell him you know what he did and you want him to explain himself. He’ll refuse this request."
Danni Anderson: "Wha…"
Her face paled and a chill crawled down her spine. She… had to communicate with the man who took Markus away from her?
Danni Anderson: “H-how do I make him confess??”
Michael Rivers: “I’m getting to that. Tell him… you found a doll I lost. A gothic raven-haired cutie.”
Danni Anderson: “I… don’t understand…”
Michael Rivers: “He will, Ms. Anderson. Now… I need you to understand, I will never, ever hurt you Danni. Not you nor Leina, but when I come at you? You need to act scared. Tell him nevermind, that it’s not worth Leina’s safety.”
Danni Anderson: “Her safety?! You're gonna threaten her?”
Michael Rivers: “I have to sell that I believe you found her, Ms. Anderson. And for her? I’d do anything. Now, he’ll move the conversation somewhere private. Somewhere I cannot see and demand details.”
Danni Anderson: “Um… How can I give them?!”
Michael smiled a soft, understanding smile.
Michael Rivers: “I know someone who could have been this person’s double. I’ll send you photos of her with the date stamp of this week. Show them to him and he’ll give you anything you want for the information.”
Danni Anderson: “And... I demand that he fight you??”
Michael Rivers: “He’d refuse. He won’t fight me on anyone’s terms but his own. But if you demand his in-person explanation for why he took away Markus Rael?”
Danni Anderson: “!”
Danni’s sparkly blue eyes lit up as the comprehension finally hit her.
Danni Anderson: “He’d have no reason to fear me.”
Michael Rivers: “And when he shows up to collect on your bargain?”
Danni Anderson: “...He’ll find you instead.”
Michael went silent and so many things ran through his mind. He wanted to apologize. For her loss, for the loss of a father and so many other things that all of this had taken from people, but the words wouldn't come. His face just disappeared from her screen as he sat back in his chair in the empty house in Hell.
What good was "I’m sorry" with so much blood on your hands?
