The Underworld. Tuesday late afternoon -- NFB
After Aziraphale conjured the portal to the Underworld, Bel, Phoebe, Isabel, and Cameron stepped into it.
The reddish stone walls of the Underworld formed around them. The narrow corridors were lit by torches set into the walls, and the air was uncomfortably hot.
"Welcome to my home," Bel said. "Just follow my lead and we should do okay."
Phoebe was looking around carefully. Yeah, Cole was really better off with them. This place was... well, scary.
Cole squeezed her hand. "It'll be okay," he murmured.
Isabel looked around, nervously flexing her hand at her side. This place hadn't exactly been cheerful when she'd dreamwalked Bel back in the Spring. In person, it wasn't much better.
Cameron drew in a deep breath. He hated wearing leather and being too hot, but he supposed he could work with it to be even grumpier. The athame tucked inside his jacket felt reassuring either way. "Let's get this show going," he murmured.
Bel nodded. "This way," he said, indicating one corridor. "Just act like you belong here. Don't be nervous, they'll pick up on that."
"I'm not nervous," Cameron bristled, he was trying to get into his cranky role after all.
Bel led the way through the Underworld caverns. They passed a couple of leather-clad demons, who nodded to Bel as they passed. They paused to check out Isabel and Phoebe.
It was mutual checking out. Not that Isabel was particularly impressed.
Cameron didn't like the whole checking out thing, mutual or not. Scowling in true demon fashion - he hoped anyway - he moved closer to Isabel, giving off his best possessive vibes.
The demons seemed to get the picture that Isabel belonged to Cameron. One of them looked Cam over, as if sizing him up, but his companion shook his head and tugged on his arm, pulling him back down the corridor.
Bel grinned. "They don't to mess with you," he said.
Isabel glared just a bit. "Big present. Very, very, very big present!"
Bel blinked. "It's not my fault demons are sexist!" he protested.
"True, but I'm here showing way too much cleavage and looking a bit too much like a hootchy mama for my taste," Isabel said, looking down at her top and wrinkling her nose. "Someone needs to make it up to me."
Phoebe was in agreement with Isabel and was staying pretty close to Cole.
"If that's the worse we have to deal with then I'm thinking I can handle it."
"At least we seem to be fitting in," Cameron remarked.
"Told you we would," Bel said.
The corridor let to a chamber guarded by two demons with sharp-looking swords. "Belthazor," one said. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Raynor," Bel replied.
"He didn't mention you were coming," the guard responded.
"You his secretary now?" Bel snapped. "He summoned me, so here I am."
"And who are they?" the guard said, point to Phoebe, Cam, and Isabel.
Cameron glanced briefly at Bel. "If that was any of your business, you wouldn't have to ask," he said, disdainfully.
Looking bored, Isabel slipped an arm around Cam's waist. "Can we get this over with?" she whined, trying her best for a vapid blonde tone. "You promised me a good time when we were done here."
The first guard leered at Isabel and chuckled. He stepped away from the door to let them pass. "Better hurry and and do whatever you need to do, Belthazor," he said. "You're losing the interest of the ladies."
The second guard smirked as well. However, he might've been checking Cameron out rather than Isabel.
Phoebe shook her head and did her best to look annoyed as she stuck close to Cole.
Cameron was still looking a bit dazed from Izzy's acting skills, the guard checking him out was enough to remind him what they were here for. He glared at the guard and slipped his own arm around Isabel's shoulders. "Clearly these losers know nothing about women. Let's go."
Isabel leaned over and blew in Cam's ear, casting a disparaging look at the guards. "Not like you do, baby," she said, loud enough to be heard by anyone that felt like listening.
"Playtime's later," Bel said with a smirk, slinging his arm around Phoebe's shoulders. "First we gotta see what this mission Raynor has for us is." He stepped past the guards and stepped into the chamber beyond, motioning for the others to follow.
The chamber inside was different from the rough stone corridors. There were tapestries on the walls and fine wood furniture, an ornate bed, meeting table and chairs, and a desk with scrolls and potions against one wall. At the far end of the chamber was a stone altar.
"Huh," Bel said. "This place is a lot better than my chamber. Okay, my father's soul has gotta be in here somewhere. It looks like a glowing crystal ball, about this big." He indicated the size of your average snowglobe with his hands.
Cameron was grateful to be out of the guards' sight so they couldn't see how much he was inwardly flailing. He stepped away from Isabel and looked around the room. "We won't accidentally set off any traps by looking around?" he asked.
"Raynor's pretty arrogant," Bel said. "I don't think he'll have any magical traps. He'd never expect someone to walk into his chambers and steal something."
He hoped.
"Let's hope you're right," Cameron said as he headed in one direction of the room to start looking, wondering where bad guys usually statched people's souls.
Phoebe was also trying to concentrate on looking in places she thought that something like what they were trying to rescue could be hiding. She headed to one of the shadowy corners and started searching.
"This place gives me the creeps."
Bel headed for the altar. He didn't have any inate magical senses anymore, but he tried to let his bond to his father, his human soul, guide him. He closed his eyes, concentrating, then opened them and reached for a wooden box on the altar and flipped it open. A glowing white orb rested inside of it. Bel held his breath as he picked it up. It had to be Benjamin Turner's soul. It just felt right.
"Found it," he murmured, just loud enough for the others to hear.
"Good," Isabel said, stepping away from where she'd been searching. "Let's get out of here then."
"What she said," Cameron agreed, shoving the drawer he was looking through closed.
Bel was about to agree when a demon shimmered into the chamber. "Belthazor!" he snapped. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Raynor!" Bel exclaimed. "I was...looking for you. To see what my next mission is."
Phoebe turned, moving up to Cole and the others. This was Raynor?
Oh, this could be bad.
This was definitely not good. Cameron didn't say anything, not wanting to blurt out the wrong thing and ruin everything, but he moved to stand beside Isabel and tried to look scowley.
Crap, she thought. But still going for vapid and blonde, Isabel studied her nails.
Raynor did not looked fooled. "And who are your friends, Belthazor? You dare bring mortals into the Underworld?" He peered at Phoebe. "And a witch...is this your witch?"
Bel dropped the pretense. He stepped in front of Phoebe protectively. "I came for my father's soul," he said. "I did what you wanted. It belongs to me now."
"You only did before I made you, Belthazor," Raynor said, shaking his head. "You have not earned your reward yet, not until you embrace the demon inside you."
"Little too late for that," Bel muttered unthinkingly.
Raynor stared at Bel. "You're human!" he said in disbelief. "How did this happen?"
"Doesn't matter," Bel snarled. "You can't make me do what you want anymore."
Shaking his head sadly, Raynor said, "Such a waste. You're useless to me now, Belthazor." He conjured a fireball.
A dark-skinned woman appeared in the chamber in a flash of light. "Wait," she said to Raynor. "He still may be of use to us."
Raynor did not question the woman. "Very well," he said. He looked at Phoebe, Isabel, and Cameron. "These others, however, will not leave the Underworld alive." He looked to the entrance to the chamber. "Guards!"
The two demons outside the entrance rushed into the chamber, ready to attack.
This was really bad. Cameron drew the athame out and turned towards the two demons that had just entered. Not giving them any time to orientate themselves, he immediately jumped at the one closest to him.
The first demon took note of Cameron's athame, then grinned and drew his sword. He was angered that this human had tricked him, and he intended to take his head off in return.
The second demon conjured an energy ball. Since his companion was occupied with Cam, and Bel was in front of Phoebe, he threw it at Isabel.
"Oh please," Isabel said, holding up a hand. The energy ball bounced harmlessly off a shimmery green barrier that suddenly appeared in front of her. Using her powers she sent an oil lamp from the alter flying towards the demon.
Damn, that wasn't fair. "I guess that explains the having trouble with the ladies part," Cameron muttered. He lunged at the demon's left side, trying to avoid the sword as he stabbed at his stomach.
The demon slashed at Cameron, but missed as Cam moved. He was off-balance as Cameron lunged at him and couldn't manage to parry the strike before the athame sunk into his side. He roared in pain as flames enveloped him and he disappeared.
The second demon, meanwhile, was so surprised when Isabel blocked his energy ball that he wasn't able to dodge the oil lamp. His clothes caught fire as the lamp shattered on his chest and he started to burn.
Raynor faced Bel. "I can't kill you," he said calmly, "but your witch is mine. You may be human now, Belthazor, but what you were still calls for you. Stand aside and we can restore you to your glory."
Bel gingerly handled the soul orb to Phoebe and remained protectively in front of her. "Like hell," he hissed. "I'll die before you lay a hand on her."
"More guards are coming," Raynor said, unconcerned. "Your friends will die. Your witch will die. Your father will be destroyed. Tell me, was this struggle worth it?"
Isabel was pretty certain Raynor talked too damn much. A flick of her hand sent the second oil lamp from the altar flying towards him.
Raynor raised his hand, using his powers to deflect the lamp and send it toward Cameron.
Not having expected to get the lamp actually thrown at him, Cameron was late trying to dodge it.
Isabel dove towards Cam, creating another barrier as she did so.
Cameron stumbled back as Isabel bumped into him, but he was more than a little bit grateful for it.
"Thanks," he breathed, still clutching the athame. He looked over at Raynor and Bel. "We need to get out of here before those reinforcements come."
Bel wavered as he stood before Raynor. The demon was his mentor, his foster father...but Bel wasn't a demon anymore. And it was time to prove he'd cut those ties. He took advantage of Raynor's distraction by Isabel's attack and lunged forward, pulling his athame from the back of his pants.
Raynor hadn't expected the attack. He stared at Bel in shock as the athame stabbed into his stomach. "You're still a killer, Belthazor," he said. "And that will never change." He sank to his knees as fire surrounded him, and he disappeared.
The woman regarded Belthazor calmly. "Others come," she said. "You had best flee while you can." She disappeared in a flash of light.
Phoebe put her hand on Bel's arm. "Aziraphale," she said, looking upward. "Now would be a good time."
"Really, you think the angel's going to be much help to you down here?"
A figure stepped out of the shadows, brushing an invisible speck of dust off the sleeve of a nicely tailored blank jacket, and looking at the four youths over the tops of his sunglasses.
"I think I'm going to have to up the ante on that favor. He never mentioned there'd be four of you."
Bel blinked. "Crowley?" he said. Now he knew what Phale had seemed a little evasive about exactly what the help getting out would be. He might've turned down the offer if he'd known who it would be.
"Quite." The demon cocked his head and studied Bel with an amused expression. "You seem to have to have run into a spot of trouble, haven't you?"
He pulled a cigarette from inside his jacket and lit it up, then gestured with it in the direction he'd appeared from.
"Well, let's not all stand around playing 'just like old times'. The angel isn't likely to hold up his end of the bargain if I deliver corpses to him, is he?"
"How do I know we can trust you?" Bel said warily.
"You could always try getting out on your own," Crowley countered, taking a lazy drag on the cigarette.
Then, rolling his eyes, he tossed it aside in a puff of ash. "Come, would I risk upsetting the angel and losing the chance to gain another favor? Besides, your fellows and mine don't exactly exchange Christmas cards. Now come along children, I don't have all day."
Bel glared, but turned toward the others to see what their opinions were.
Isabel vaguely recognized the newcomer from Jack's birthday party. She was pretty sure Aziraphale wouldn't let anything happen to them, so she shrugged. "I'm all for getting out of here Bel."
Phoebe reached for Cole's hand and squeezed it. She was a little shocked to see Crowley, but she did her best to hide that as she moved as close to Cole as she could.
"We need to get out of here before more attackers come, love."
"They're right," Cameron agreed, his grip on the athame tightening. "We don't have much choice."
"All right," Bel said, reaching back to grip Phoebe's hand, still glaring at Crowley. "Get us out of here."
With a sly smile for the group -- and a wink for Phoebe -- Crowley turned and led the way. It wasn't long, not more than a moment or two, before they came upon a black vintage Bentley.
"In with you," he snapped, looking as though he expected to be noticed at any moment. Which, considering that he was smuggling four trouble-making mortals out of the Underworld, he probably did.
Bel opened up the door for Phoebe and Isabel. "How's a car gonna get us out of here?" he said skeptically.
"This isn't just a car," the demon replied, casting an incredulous look at Bel as he tried to shoo the others into the Bentley. "This is a vintage 1926 Bentley, one owner from new, and that owner would be me. What, do you think I walk to and from Hell?"
"So it's a nice car," Cameron remarked. "That still doesn't answer the question." He didn't wait for an answer however as he climbed in.
Isabel climbed in. "At least it's stylish."
Phoebe ducked her head when Crowley smiled and tugged Cole into the car with her. The last thing they needed right now was to piss off more dmons and lose their ticket out of the Underworld.
"It is a very classy car, Crowley," she said quietly, keeping her hand in Cole's.
"Just get us the hell out of here," Bel muttered, barely keeping his tone somewhat civil. He took the soul orb from Phoebe and cradled it in his free hand.
Tsk, Belthazor," Crowley replied, sliding into the driver's seat. "Manners."
He grinned again at the foursome, then threw the car into gear and sped off with a squeal of tires. In a moment, he reached over toward the stereo, and the unmistakable sounds of Who Wants to Live Forever blasted forth from the speakers.
Phoebe was sitting very close to Cole and she ran a hand through his hair comfortingly. "Almost home free, love," she whispered.
"What are you going to do with that?" Isabel asked, studying the orb.
"Find some way to set him free," Bel said softly. "Let him rest in peace finally. May be as simple as just smashing the orb to release him, but I want to be sure first."
Crowley made a noise that sounded like an amused snort, but said nothing.
It was possible he thought Bel was being overly optimistic.
Bel bit back a "Shut up and drive," and instead said, "Please just get us out of here."
Cameron glared in Crowley's direction. "You'll figure it out," he assured Bel. "But getting out of here is a good start."
"Well, since you did say please," the demon replied, looking very much like he was rather enjoying himself. The car lurched forward, picking up speed so that soon their surroundings were just a vertigo-inducing blur.
There was a smell of something burning, and then the Bentley stopped with a sudden screech.
Stretched out before them was a familiar-looking causeway, leading to a familiar-looking island.
"Home sweet home, children. Don't forget to tip your driver."
Phoebe might have let out a sigh of relief when she saw they were safely back. "Thank you, Crowley."
She looked at Cole. "Ready, love?"
Bel looked around suspciously, as if he expected the island to be an illusion. With some effort he managed to turn to Crowley and say, "Thank you."
Isabel nodded at Crowley before climbing out of the car, "Thanks for the ride."
"Thanks, man," Cameron said to Crowley, climbing out last. He took in a deep breath, grateful for the crisp winter air.
"Just remind Aziraphale that he's racking up quite the list of favors, and you can consider the debt paid. On your end, anyway."
Once the students were all out of the car and on the causeway, the Bentley took off once more, the strains of Bicycle Ride floating in its wake.
Bel cradled the orb with his father's soul in his hands. He looked at Isabel and Cameron, then Phoebe. "Thanks," he said. "This means a lot to me."
Cameron nodded at Bel. "Any time, man. Next time you plan a trip, just let me know," he said lightly.
"Anytime," Isabel smiled. "Just, if there's a next time? Can it be to somewhere with a better dress code?"
Phoebe didn't really know the right words to use, so instead, she hugged him.
"Trust me," Bel said. "I have no intention of ever going back to that place again."
[ooc: NFB due to distance. Preplayed with future_visions, izzyalienqueen, cameronmitchell, and a_phale. No IC interaction possible, OOC comments welcome, of course.]
The reddish stone walls of the Underworld formed around them. The narrow corridors were lit by torches set into the walls, and the air was uncomfortably hot.
"Welcome to my home," Bel said. "Just follow my lead and we should do okay."
Phoebe was looking around carefully. Yeah, Cole was really better off with them. This place was... well, scary.
Cole squeezed her hand. "It'll be okay," he murmured.
Isabel looked around, nervously flexing her hand at her side. This place hadn't exactly been cheerful when she'd dreamwalked Bel back in the Spring. In person, it wasn't much better.
Cameron drew in a deep breath. He hated wearing leather and being too hot, but he supposed he could work with it to be even grumpier. The athame tucked inside his jacket felt reassuring either way. "Let's get this show going," he murmured.
Bel nodded. "This way," he said, indicating one corridor. "Just act like you belong here. Don't be nervous, they'll pick up on that."
"I'm not nervous," Cameron bristled, he was trying to get into his cranky role after all.
Bel led the way through the Underworld caverns. They passed a couple of leather-clad demons, who nodded to Bel as they passed. They paused to check out Isabel and Phoebe.
It was mutual checking out. Not that Isabel was particularly impressed.
Cameron didn't like the whole checking out thing, mutual or not. Scowling in true demon fashion - he hoped anyway - he moved closer to Isabel, giving off his best possessive vibes.
The demons seemed to get the picture that Isabel belonged to Cameron. One of them looked Cam over, as if sizing him up, but his companion shook his head and tugged on his arm, pulling him back down the corridor.
Bel grinned. "They don't to mess with you," he said.
Isabel glared just a bit. "Big present. Very, very, very big present!"
Bel blinked. "It's not my fault demons are sexist!" he protested.
"True, but I'm here showing way too much cleavage and looking a bit too much like a hootchy mama for my taste," Isabel said, looking down at her top and wrinkling her nose. "Someone needs to make it up to me."
Phoebe was in agreement with Isabel and was staying pretty close to Cole.
"If that's the worse we have to deal with then I'm thinking I can handle it."
"At least we seem to be fitting in," Cameron remarked.
"Told you we would," Bel said.
The corridor let to a chamber guarded by two demons with sharp-looking swords. "Belthazor," one said. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Raynor," Bel replied.
"He didn't mention you were coming," the guard responded.
"You his secretary now?" Bel snapped. "He summoned me, so here I am."
"And who are they?" the guard said, point to Phoebe, Cam, and Isabel.
Cameron glanced briefly at Bel. "If that was any of your business, you wouldn't have to ask," he said, disdainfully.
Looking bored, Isabel slipped an arm around Cam's waist. "Can we get this over with?" she whined, trying her best for a vapid blonde tone. "You promised me a good time when we were done here."
The first guard leered at Isabel and chuckled. He stepped away from the door to let them pass. "Better hurry and and do whatever you need to do, Belthazor," he said. "You're losing the interest of the ladies."
The second guard smirked as well. However, he might've been checking Cameron out rather than Isabel.
Phoebe shook her head and did her best to look annoyed as she stuck close to Cole.
Cameron was still looking a bit dazed from Izzy's acting skills, the guard checking him out was enough to remind him what they were here for. He glared at the guard and slipped his own arm around Isabel's shoulders. "Clearly these losers know nothing about women. Let's go."
Isabel leaned over and blew in Cam's ear, casting a disparaging look at the guards. "Not like you do, baby," she said, loud enough to be heard by anyone that felt like listening.
"Playtime's later," Bel said with a smirk, slinging his arm around Phoebe's shoulders. "First we gotta see what this mission Raynor has for us is." He stepped past the guards and stepped into the chamber beyond, motioning for the others to follow.
The chamber inside was different from the rough stone corridors. There were tapestries on the walls and fine wood furniture, an ornate bed, meeting table and chairs, and a desk with scrolls and potions against one wall. At the far end of the chamber was a stone altar.
"Huh," Bel said. "This place is a lot better than my chamber. Okay, my father's soul has gotta be in here somewhere. It looks like a glowing crystal ball, about this big." He indicated the size of your average snowglobe with his hands.
Cameron was grateful to be out of the guards' sight so they couldn't see how much he was inwardly flailing. He stepped away from Isabel and looked around the room. "We won't accidentally set off any traps by looking around?" he asked.
"Raynor's pretty arrogant," Bel said. "I don't think he'll have any magical traps. He'd never expect someone to walk into his chambers and steal something."
He hoped.
"Let's hope you're right," Cameron said as he headed in one direction of the room to start looking, wondering where bad guys usually statched people's souls.
Phoebe was also trying to concentrate on looking in places she thought that something like what they were trying to rescue could be hiding. She headed to one of the shadowy corners and started searching.
"This place gives me the creeps."
Bel headed for the altar. He didn't have any inate magical senses anymore, but he tried to let his bond to his father, his human soul, guide him. He closed his eyes, concentrating, then opened them and reached for a wooden box on the altar and flipped it open. A glowing white orb rested inside of it. Bel held his breath as he picked it up. It had to be Benjamin Turner's soul. It just felt right.
"Found it," he murmured, just loud enough for the others to hear.
"Good," Isabel said, stepping away from where she'd been searching. "Let's get out of here then."
"What she said," Cameron agreed, shoving the drawer he was looking through closed.
Bel was about to agree when a demon shimmered into the chamber. "Belthazor!" he snapped. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Raynor!" Bel exclaimed. "I was...looking for you. To see what my next mission is."
Phoebe turned, moving up to Cole and the others. This was Raynor?
Oh, this could be bad.
This was definitely not good. Cameron didn't say anything, not wanting to blurt out the wrong thing and ruin everything, but he moved to stand beside Isabel and tried to look scowley.
Crap, she thought. But still going for vapid and blonde, Isabel studied her nails.
Raynor did not looked fooled. "And who are your friends, Belthazor? You dare bring mortals into the Underworld?" He peered at Phoebe. "And a witch...is this your witch?"
Bel dropped the pretense. He stepped in front of Phoebe protectively. "I came for my father's soul," he said. "I did what you wanted. It belongs to me now."
"You only did before I made you, Belthazor," Raynor said, shaking his head. "You have not earned your reward yet, not until you embrace the demon inside you."
"Little too late for that," Bel muttered unthinkingly.
Raynor stared at Bel. "You're human!" he said in disbelief. "How did this happen?"
"Doesn't matter," Bel snarled. "You can't make me do what you want anymore."
Shaking his head sadly, Raynor said, "Such a waste. You're useless to me now, Belthazor." He conjured a fireball.
A dark-skinned woman appeared in the chamber in a flash of light. "Wait," she said to Raynor. "He still may be of use to us."
Raynor did not question the woman. "Very well," he said. He looked at Phoebe, Isabel, and Cameron. "These others, however, will not leave the Underworld alive." He looked to the entrance to the chamber. "Guards!"
The two demons outside the entrance rushed into the chamber, ready to attack.
This was really bad. Cameron drew the athame out and turned towards the two demons that had just entered. Not giving them any time to orientate themselves, he immediately jumped at the one closest to him.
The first demon took note of Cameron's athame, then grinned and drew his sword. He was angered that this human had tricked him, and he intended to take his head off in return.
The second demon conjured an energy ball. Since his companion was occupied with Cam, and Bel was in front of Phoebe, he threw it at Isabel.
"Oh please," Isabel said, holding up a hand. The energy ball bounced harmlessly off a shimmery green barrier that suddenly appeared in front of her. Using her powers she sent an oil lamp from the alter flying towards the demon.
Damn, that wasn't fair. "I guess that explains the having trouble with the ladies part," Cameron muttered. He lunged at the demon's left side, trying to avoid the sword as he stabbed at his stomach.
The demon slashed at Cameron, but missed as Cam moved. He was off-balance as Cameron lunged at him and couldn't manage to parry the strike before the athame sunk into his side. He roared in pain as flames enveloped him and he disappeared.
The second demon, meanwhile, was so surprised when Isabel blocked his energy ball that he wasn't able to dodge the oil lamp. His clothes caught fire as the lamp shattered on his chest and he started to burn.
Raynor faced Bel. "I can't kill you," he said calmly, "but your witch is mine. You may be human now, Belthazor, but what you were still calls for you. Stand aside and we can restore you to your glory."
Bel gingerly handled the soul orb to Phoebe and remained protectively in front of her. "Like hell," he hissed. "I'll die before you lay a hand on her."
"More guards are coming," Raynor said, unconcerned. "Your friends will die. Your witch will die. Your father will be destroyed. Tell me, was this struggle worth it?"
Isabel was pretty certain Raynor talked too damn much. A flick of her hand sent the second oil lamp from the altar flying towards him.
Raynor raised his hand, using his powers to deflect the lamp and send it toward Cameron.
Not having expected to get the lamp actually thrown at him, Cameron was late trying to dodge it.
Isabel dove towards Cam, creating another barrier as she did so.
Cameron stumbled back as Isabel bumped into him, but he was more than a little bit grateful for it.
"Thanks," he breathed, still clutching the athame. He looked over at Raynor and Bel. "We need to get out of here before those reinforcements come."
Bel wavered as he stood before Raynor. The demon was his mentor, his foster father...but Bel wasn't a demon anymore. And it was time to prove he'd cut those ties. He took advantage of Raynor's distraction by Isabel's attack and lunged forward, pulling his athame from the back of his pants.
Raynor hadn't expected the attack. He stared at Bel in shock as the athame stabbed into his stomach. "You're still a killer, Belthazor," he said. "And that will never change." He sank to his knees as fire surrounded him, and he disappeared.
The woman regarded Belthazor calmly. "Others come," she said. "You had best flee while you can." She disappeared in a flash of light.
Phoebe put her hand on Bel's arm. "Aziraphale," she said, looking upward. "Now would be a good time."
"Really, you think the angel's going to be much help to you down here?"
A figure stepped out of the shadows, brushing an invisible speck of dust off the sleeve of a nicely tailored blank jacket, and looking at the four youths over the tops of his sunglasses.
"I think I'm going to have to up the ante on that favor. He never mentioned there'd be four of you."
Bel blinked. "Crowley?" he said. Now he knew what Phale had seemed a little evasive about exactly what the help getting out would be. He might've turned down the offer if he'd known who it would be.
"Quite." The demon cocked his head and studied Bel with an amused expression. "You seem to have to have run into a spot of trouble, haven't you?"
He pulled a cigarette from inside his jacket and lit it up, then gestured with it in the direction he'd appeared from.
"Well, let's not all stand around playing 'just like old times'. The angel isn't likely to hold up his end of the bargain if I deliver corpses to him, is he?"
"How do I know we can trust you?" Bel said warily.
"You could always try getting out on your own," Crowley countered, taking a lazy drag on the cigarette.
Then, rolling his eyes, he tossed it aside in a puff of ash. "Come, would I risk upsetting the angel and losing the chance to gain another favor? Besides, your fellows and mine don't exactly exchange Christmas cards. Now come along children, I don't have all day."
Bel glared, but turned toward the others to see what their opinions were.
Isabel vaguely recognized the newcomer from Jack's birthday party. She was pretty sure Aziraphale wouldn't let anything happen to them, so she shrugged. "I'm all for getting out of here Bel."
Phoebe reached for Cole's hand and squeezed it. She was a little shocked to see Crowley, but she did her best to hide that as she moved as close to Cole as she could.
"We need to get out of here before more attackers come, love."
"They're right," Cameron agreed, his grip on the athame tightening. "We don't have much choice."
"All right," Bel said, reaching back to grip Phoebe's hand, still glaring at Crowley. "Get us out of here."
With a sly smile for the group -- and a wink for Phoebe -- Crowley turned and led the way. It wasn't long, not more than a moment or two, before they came upon a black vintage Bentley.
"In with you," he snapped, looking as though he expected to be noticed at any moment. Which, considering that he was smuggling four trouble-making mortals out of the Underworld, he probably did.
Bel opened up the door for Phoebe and Isabel. "How's a car gonna get us out of here?" he said skeptically.
"This isn't just a car," the demon replied, casting an incredulous look at Bel as he tried to shoo the others into the Bentley. "This is a vintage 1926 Bentley, one owner from new, and that owner would be me. What, do you think I walk to and from Hell?"
"So it's a nice car," Cameron remarked. "That still doesn't answer the question." He didn't wait for an answer however as he climbed in.
Isabel climbed in. "At least it's stylish."
Phoebe ducked her head when Crowley smiled and tugged Cole into the car with her. The last thing they needed right now was to piss off more dmons and lose their ticket out of the Underworld.
"It is a very classy car, Crowley," she said quietly, keeping her hand in Cole's.
"Just get us the hell out of here," Bel muttered, barely keeping his tone somewhat civil. He took the soul orb from Phoebe and cradled it in his free hand.
Tsk, Belthazor," Crowley replied, sliding into the driver's seat. "Manners."
He grinned again at the foursome, then threw the car into gear and sped off with a squeal of tires. In a moment, he reached over toward the stereo, and the unmistakable sounds of Who Wants to Live Forever blasted forth from the speakers.
Phoebe was sitting very close to Cole and she ran a hand through his hair comfortingly. "Almost home free, love," she whispered.
"What are you going to do with that?" Isabel asked, studying the orb.
"Find some way to set him free," Bel said softly. "Let him rest in peace finally. May be as simple as just smashing the orb to release him, but I want to be sure first."
Crowley made a noise that sounded like an amused snort, but said nothing.
It was possible he thought Bel was being overly optimistic.
Bel bit back a "Shut up and drive," and instead said, "Please just get us out of here."
Cameron glared in Crowley's direction. "You'll figure it out," he assured Bel. "But getting out of here is a good start."
"Well, since you did say please," the demon replied, looking very much like he was rather enjoying himself. The car lurched forward, picking up speed so that soon their surroundings were just a vertigo-inducing blur.
There was a smell of something burning, and then the Bentley stopped with a sudden screech.
Stretched out before them was a familiar-looking causeway, leading to a familiar-looking island.
"Home sweet home, children. Don't forget to tip your driver."
Phoebe might have let out a sigh of relief when she saw they were safely back. "Thank you, Crowley."
She looked at Cole. "Ready, love?"
Bel looked around suspciously, as if he expected the island to be an illusion. With some effort he managed to turn to Crowley and say, "Thank you."
Isabel nodded at Crowley before climbing out of the car, "Thanks for the ride."
"Thanks, man," Cameron said to Crowley, climbing out last. He took in a deep breath, grateful for the crisp winter air.
"Just remind Aziraphale that he's racking up quite the list of favors, and you can consider the debt paid. On your end, anyway."
Once the students were all out of the car and on the causeway, the Bentley took off once more, the strains of Bicycle Ride floating in its wake.
Bel cradled the orb with his father's soul in his hands. He looked at Isabel and Cameron, then Phoebe. "Thanks," he said. "This means a lot to me."
Cameron nodded at Bel. "Any time, man. Next time you plan a trip, just let me know," he said lightly.
"Anytime," Isabel smiled. "Just, if there's a next time? Can it be to somewhere with a better dress code?"
Phoebe didn't really know the right words to use, so instead, she hugged him.
"Trust me," Bel said. "I have no intention of ever going back to that place again."
[ooc: NFB due to distance. Preplayed with future_visions, izzyalienqueen, cameronmitchell, and a_phale. No IC interaction possible, OOC comments welcome, of course.]