EP.190|FREEDOM!!
✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼
 
This was it, the moment Ben dreaded since entering this box.
 
It was his turn to be tortured.
 
Mal was in Evie’s box, she was like a dog in a cage, desperately wanting to be freed.
 
“Mally, calm down.” Evie tried to soothe the frantic demonic dragon but she wasn’t listening.

“Ben...Araden...torture!” Mal rambles incoherently.
 
“What if he dies? Ben may look tough but he bruises like a peach!” Mal’s mind was reeling. She knew she had anxiety and she knew how to control it, now, with her husband seconds away from tourted.
 
You best believe her anxiety was through the roof.
 
“Mal, if you keep pacing you’re gonna break the box.” Jasper reminded her, “not that that would be a problem.”
 
“I don't care! I’ve been in these boxes for too long! I need to get out!” Mal felt her skin crawling, she hated being in one place for so long.
 
“Your wife’s really claustrophobic,” Araden slightly chuckled, “no wonder she couldn't handle the pressure.”
 
Ben scrunched up his fist, “why do you hate us so much?!”
 
Araden glared at him, “you ten are the reason why I lost everything! You destroyed everything you touch!”
 
“How?!” Ben shouted.
 
Araden scrunched up his fist, “ironic, the ringleader doesn't remember what he did!”
 
“I don't! Just explain it to me!”
 
“I shouldn’t have to explain it to you!” Araden pounded his fist on the box, Ben noticed the cracks that began to appear.
 
“What…?” Ben muttered, focusing his attention back on Araden.
 
“I thought torturing your friends would make you crack and tell me where the grail is, but you didn't.” Araden flashed into the box, “Ben,” Araden stalked towards him, “answer me this.”
 
Araden tapped his chin, “if I were to drown your brother in his own painful memories, how fast do you think he’ll kill himself?”
 
Ben could tell Lucifer was watching all of this, he could see the smidge of Lucifer in Araden’s cold, black eyes.
 
“Ben! Ben listen to me!” Lucifer’s voice echoed through Ben’s head. Ben froze, he was inches away from Lucifer but his body couldn't move an inch.
 
“Leave me! Just get out of these boxes!” Lucifer pleaded. “But what about you and Swan? I’m doing all of this so you can be with her, so we can have the brother relationship we used to have…” Ben whimpered.
 
“I-I know,” Lucifer sighed deeply, he wanted more than anything to see Ben and Swan but maybe it wasn’t ment to be, “but I’m you older brother, and older brother take care of the younger brothers.”
 
“I don't care! Mom, Dad, Grandma Henie, me...we all need you…” Ben began to cry, “please! Don't leave me!”
 
“I’m sorry…” Ben could feel his voice fade, tears streamed down his face, “I’ll always love you...my little Benny.”
 
With that, Lucifer’s voice was gone. Ben shakes violently, mumbling incoherently, “no…” Ben didn't know what to feel.
 
Anger?
 
Sadness?
 
No...no...this is worse.
 
Revenge.
 
Araden smirked, “here we go,” he whispered, he wanted this to happen, to see the beast unlock his cage.
 
Ben heaved hevalily, his eyes grew a gold and silver feral look. Words were replaced by growls and snarls, Ben nor Zypher was in control.
 
This was a different person entirely.
 
“Ben…” Mal backup a little. Ben whipped his head towards Mal, his scared look shaking him to his core, he whimpered.
 
“Please...do-don't...be scared…” Ben’s voice sounded like two people were speaking at the same time. She knew one was Ben, but the other sounded so familiar, but she didn't know from where.
 
“Mal,” Zalia got her vessel’s attention, “this is going to get real dark, real fast, so just bear with me okay?”
 
Mal felt her heart fall to the pits of her stomach, she nodded and trusted her two demons.
 
“Hunter,” Operetta gulped, “what happened to him?”
 
“I don't know, but this...that thing isn't Ben.” Hunter growled, he didn't like that look on Araden’s face.
 
Araden snapped his fingers, Ben's box melting, “come at me.”
 
“My pleasure,” Ben felt different, he felt powerful. He never knew so much power was coursing through his veins, he wanted to attack something.
 
His eyes locked onto Araden, “I bet you taste good...I’m sooo hungry.” Ben began to drool, his fangs becoming prominent.
 
“Shit,” Araden back up a little, “okay Xand-” but before Araden could finish, he was locked in his own box.
 
“Be-Ben…” the demon, for the first time in a long time he knew these VKs, stammered.
 
“Yes, be scared,” he let go of Mal, advancing to the edge of the box, he extends his hand, a strong force pulling Araden down the glass with a loud thud “cause if I can flash from box to box with just closing my eyes,”
 
He closed his fist, choked Araden without even touching him “imagine what I can do when I’m ANGRY!”
 
╳°»｡ ∾･⁙･ ღ ➵ ⁘ ➵ ღ ･⁙･∾ ｡«°╳
 
“Unbelievable! He’s here! Kuno Ababwa is here?!” Jafar was furious, he punched his hand into the stone wall as he, Serenity, and Venus walked down the halls of the NPA.
 
“Dad listen to me! He didn't hurt me!” Serenity tried to reason with her fath but he wasn’t listening.
 
“I want that wolf spayed, neutered, mounted, stuffed, I don't care! Keep him away from my family, especially Serenity.” Jafar ordered the villains scurry around the NPA to follow orders.
 
“Dad!” Serenity stood in front of him, “he saved me!”
 
“His family is the reason why you’ve been gone for 17 years!” Jafar shot back “I’m not letting you anywhere near him.”
 
“Why can't you realize he’s not evil?! He’s different! He risked his life to get me and Levi out of the mirror realm!” Serenity looked back at the nurses who strapped down the wild wolf to the gurney.
 
“Stop it! Those straps hurt him,” Serenity undid the wraps, running his fingers through his fur, “I’m sorry, Kuno, my father stubborn.”
 
Jafar was about to intervene but Venus held him back, “let’s see how this plays out,” she leaned in “plus Healer said if he hurt Serenity you have full right to serve any punishment you see fit.”
 
Jafar sighed and backed down, “I see one scratch on her skin and I Cruella turn you into a new clothing line,” Jafar grabbed him by the scruff, “am I clear?”
 
Kuno whimpered, nodding quickly, “ye-yes si-sir!”
 
“Good,” Jafar wrapped on arm behind Venus’ waist, walking towards the door “I want cameras in here, and reports every single hour.”
 
The two guards by the door nodded, giving Jafar a salute.
 
Jafar looked through the window to see Kuno playfully chasing Serenity, ultimately tackling her and licking her face.
 
He smiled to himself, his family was finally back again. His smile soon turned into a frown when he realized his son was still missing.
 
Venus noticed his sadness, “Jafar,” Venus intertwined his fingers with his, “where’s our son?”
 
Meanwhile, back in the Mirror Realm, Ben was ready to repay all his suffering onto Araden.
 
“Oh Araden, Araden, Araden,” Ben snickered, walking around his box like a cheetah stalking a gazelle.
 
“For a month, you put us through countless hours of suffering, now,” Ben flashed Araden into Jasper’s box, “you’re going to suffer just like we did.”
 
“Anything you wanna do Jasper?” Ben smirked, Jasper fist set aflame. “Tons, flash him in,” Jasper showed his fangs “you blood gonna taste good~”
 
Ben closed his eyes, flashing Araden into the box “any restrictions, Benny?”
 
“Go nuts, remember what he did to Evie.”
 
Jasper’s eyes glowed red “oh I remember,” Jasper growled and stepped on his stomach “how do you like your organs, crispy or burt?” he stomped harder “or squished?”
 
Ben chuckled “now, now Jasper, we have to share.” Jasper growled at the king, he was having fun burning Araden’s organs.”
 
“Do I have to…” Jasper moped, his eyes were still red, he wanted more blood to spill from the demon. As much pain he caused Evie, he wanted him to bleed and bleed and bleed.
 
“Yes, other people want to hurt him too.” He closed his eyes, flashing Araden into Operetta’s box, “Mommy of the Year? Anything you want to do?” Operetta took the flower out of her hair “gotta thank Arcadia for this trick.”
 
She crushed the flower in her hands, turning them into frozen dart petals “I know I promise, this pain will end soon, and you’ll be with Nadia, I give you my word.”
 
“Thank...you…”
 
“Right after I cut your face with these ice darts.” Operetta sent down the ice darts on Araden. Araden nodded, he knew he deserved this.
 
The petals the cut Araden face deeply before trailing down his chest. “That’s my girl!” Hunter cheered “you’re so hot when your mad!”
 
“I know! Now shut it Hunter! I’m beating up someone here!” Operetta snapped at her boyfriend, she smiled as Hunter swooned over her.
 
“She’s amazing~~” Hunter practically drooled. “You have some weird taste.” Carlos muttered. “She’s so hot when she dominates! Look at her! She’s crushing his windpipe! That’s my mate!” Hunter eyes were bugging out of his head with excitement.
 
“Now mommy dearest, we gotta let the others have their fun too.” Operetta flipped her hair, throwing Araden to the side as though he was garbage, “take him, I’m done with him.”
 
Ben shrugged and flashed him into Carlos’ box “my animalistic brother from another mother,” Ben saw the feral look in Carlos’ eyes “try not to rip off Araden’s limbs like you did Philip.”
 
Carlos pouted, “but whyyy,” he flashed his fangs, “I want to hurt him.”
 
“Yes Carlos, we all do, but hurt doesn't mean kill.” Ben reminded him. Carlos rolled his eyes, “finee,” he darted towards Araden, his fangs digging deep into his flesh.
 
Carlos growled in delight, “demon blood always tastes so much better.” he wanted to go in for seconds but Ben flashed him out.

“I wasn’t finished!” Carlos snarled, Ben glared at him, Carlos scoffed and curled up next to CJ, “who’s next?”
 
“I think we should let Zeref go next,” Ben flashed Araden into Zeref’s box, Ben sighed deeply, the flashing and his new powers were draining him.
 
Zeref smirked, conjuring a ball of lightning in his hands, “do you know how ironic this is? I’m the son of Hades but I have my uncles’ magi!”
 
“But no...immortality…” Even after being brutally hurt, the demon still managed to smirk.
 
Zeref chuckled in a know it all fashion, “immortality? Please,” Zeref slammed the ball into Araden’s chest, “losing my immortality is the least of your worries.”
 
“You still have 6 of use to go through.” Zeref reminded him.
 
“My beautiful Malena,” Ben smiled at his wife, “would you like to beat up this horrid demon?”
 
Mal smiled, she nodded and closed her eyes. Once she opened the again, one eye was purple and the other was pink.
 
“Hey! It worked!” Zalia cheered. “Zalia what are you doing?! This will break her! She’s not ready!” Midnight warned. “Oh calm down, she’s ready, plus if she dies, we can fine a new vessel.” Zalia shrugged.
 
“No we can't! We promised Maleficent we’d keep Mal safe! Having her do Dual Possession is not keeping her safe!” Midnight scolded. “Why not! Dual Possession is a perfect getaway technique to her new powers!” Zalia smirked.
 
“Whatever, if you two don't decide I’m moving on.” Ben warned them, Midnight and Zalia growled at him, snatching Araden from Ben and throwing him into the box
 
“Who the hell do you think you are?!” Zalia used her poison to pin Araden to the wall, “these kids haven’t done anything to you!”
 
“Oh really…? You know...what they did…” Araden rasped. “No, no, no, that was a whole different generation, you can't blame these kids for what happened.” Midnight declared, forming an spear made out of pure darkness.
 
“You were there! You saw what they did to us!” Before Araden could continue, Midnight clenched the handle of the spear, driving it into Araden’s thigh.
 
“Yeah, we saw, but we don't blame them!” Zalia defended her vessel, “they’re different!”
 
“My ass they are!” Araden yips in pain as the poison that constricted him became tighter “they’re still the same murders!”
 
“Why can't you just accept what happened and move on?!” Midnight shouted, she was getting offly tired of this demon.
 
“You know damn well why I can't!” Araden snarled. Zalia growled, she had enough, the poison spread to Araden’s neck, constructing his breathing.
 
“You’re gonna suffer, just the VKs did for an entire month!” the two female demons spoke simotiously, venom laced into their words.
 
Before Araden’s vision began to fade, Ben flashed the demon out of Mal’s box. Zalia and Midnight growled, “we weren’t finished.”
 
“I know darlings, but keeping his magi off for this long is kinda,” Ben gasped for air, “hard.”
 
Mal whimpered, she hated seeing her husband in so much pain. Zalia sighed, “I’ll give you control.” Mal’s eyes turned back to normal, the vessel dropped to the ground, her body felt numb and cold.
 
Mal coughed into her hands, she looked down to see her blood was black, “shit…”
 
Ben looked at his wife, “everything alright dear?” Mal wiped her blood on her pants leg, “ye-yeah, I guess...just Midnight and Zalia taking over at the same time takes a lot out of me.”
 
Ben flashed in, giving her a quick heal, “hopefully this should hold you over for now.”
 
Mal kissed his cheek, “thank you Benji.”
 
“You know I’d do anything for you,” Ben lifted Mal’s chin, kissing her lips softly and lovingly, “you’re my wife and my mate, I’d run to the ends of the earth for you.”
 
Mal giggled and wrapped her arms around him, “I’d kill anyone for you Benj,” Mal pecked his lips.
 
“Ahem!” Hunter coughed on purpose, getting Ben’s attention. “What do you want?” Ben was clearly annoyed.
 
“A turn,” the new black marks on his arms became fore pomediant, “me and him have unfinished business.”
 
Ben sighed and with a flick of his wrist, Araden was teleported into Hunter’s box, “do what you wish Hunter, but just like Zalia and Midnight, don't kill him.”
 
Ben could tell Hunter wasn’t listening, his focus was purely on Araden. “Let’s get some things clear,” Hunter picked him up by his neck, “1) this isn't the last time me and you fight,”
 
Araden rolled his eyes, “you’ll never...beat me…”
 
“2) you touch my wife, our children, my family, or any of my friends,” his hands tightened around his neck, “I will find the nearest church and dunk in their holy water.”
 
Araden shook his head rapidly, “you think shaking your head’s gonna stop me?” Hunter pinned him to the ground with his foot, pulling out his dagger.
 
He momentarily stuck the dagger in his mouth as he ripped Araden’s shirt to shreds. He roughly grabbed his arm and dug the dagger deep into his flesh.
 
Normally the stab of a dagger wouldn't hurt Araden too much but this dagger did. “Yeah, wondering why it hurt so much?” Hunter teased, Araden then noticed the holy water dripping from it’s blade.
 
“All that holy water you dropped on me, got on the blade, Operetta learned how to freeze it and thaw it just at the right time so we can save it.” Hunter explained, Araden hissed as the wepond began to move.
 
“I’ll be back,” Hunter wrote into his arm, “be ready to die,” each word was more hurtful than the last, “love you fraviote VK, Hunter.”
 
“How’s that for a tattoo Benny?” Hunter chuckled, Ben smiled and gave him a thumb up, “you got problems, but I love you~”
 
“Awe,” Hunter placed his hand on his heart, “I love you too~”
 
Hunter was about to start writing on the other arm, but Ben flashed Araden into Evie’s box. He looked at Hunter and whispered, “she needs this more than anyone.”
 
Hunter nodded and sighed, “your right, she's gonna have the most mental trauma than any of us.”
 
Evie wiped her tears, standing up proud, “you...you monster!”

“Girls with big mouths...get punished.” Araden wobbled to stand.
 
Evie scrunched up her fist, “how could you treat millions of women like you and Kuno did to me?!”
 
Evie felt tears streaming down her face, “I will make sure you suffer!” the VKs noticed the shards lighting up, fueling of sadness and anger for Kuno and Warden.
 
Meanwhile, in the diner, Antoine noticed his shards lightning up, “it’s time, Sir Antoine.” the dark shards announced, “we are grateful for the honor of serving you.”
 
Antoine nodded, watching as the shards disappeared, reappearing on Evie’s necklace, undering the light shards.
 
Evie smirked, “why hello,” she ran her fingers over her new shards, “we are now, complete…” the shards spoke in unison.
 
Evie moved her fingers, she felt different, powerful, strong, sexy “Araden,” Evie stalked around him, “when a person says no,” the shards from Evie’s necklace circled around her, “they mean no!”
 
The shards circled faster, protecting Evie, “for years, I felt like I wasn’t good enough because I could never do Queen Rage.”
 
“But now,” her eyes glowed a bright blue, “that’s not a problem”
 
Evie dashed towards Araden pummeling the snot out of him, “learn. What. Consent. Is! It’s. A. Real. Things!”
 
Evie stopped momentarily, breathing heavily as she sat atop Araden, “I don't...know what...happened to you...before we came...but I’m sorry.”
 
Araden was speechless, after everything he did to them, they still wanted to help, “after this is all over, we’ll find Nadia.”
 
Araden nodded. “That’s only after you pay for what you did.” Evie gave him one final punch to the ribs, cracking a few.
 
Evie stood up and dusted her hands, her eyes turning back to normal, “so that’s Queen Rage,” she smiled, “that’s fun.”
 
“Feeling better, Evie?” Ben questioned, Evie nodded. “It won't fix what happened, but I feel a little better,” she smiled viciously, “when I find Kuno and kick his ass.”
 
“Alright,” Ben sweatdropped, he never knew how scary Evie was, “don't worry Evie, I’m sure you’ll get your revenge on Kuno.”
 
Evie winked and flipped her hair, letting Ben flash Araden into Freddie’s box.
 
“Don't worry, after me there’s only 2 of us left to go through.” Freddie reminded him, Araden looked away from her, knowing she was feeding him false hope.
 
“Or don't listen to me,” Freddie shrugged, “sit here and take the punishment, either way, I get to beat you up.”
 
“You’re just lucky Ben’s blocking out my powers right now, if he wasn’t,” Araden cackled darkly, “you'd all be dead.”
 
“You're right, we would be dead, but since we're not, you're going to have to suffer.” Freddie did really care, she knew Ben couldn't keep doing this forever eventually he was going to run out of magi.
 
“You could've been amazing, the best villain out there! But you sided with Ben, for what? Happiness? Please, I could have given you that.” Araden rolled his eyes.
 
“I joined him because he saved me from execution.” Freddie hissed, “sure he might say he's a hero, but I'm not too sure, and frankly I don't care!”
 
“That man saved me from near death, he gave me a second chance at life! He didn't care if I wad a villain, or I have depression and anxiety, he didn't care if my shadow moved. He liked me for me.”
Zeref smiled at his girlfriend and Ben, it was thanks to Ben he even had the balls to ask out Freddie.
 
“Without Ben, I wouldn't know what it is like to love a god, to experience adventure, to have true friends,” she smiled at the VKs, knowing this was her family.
 
Her expression turned into a scowl when she looked back at Araden “but you had that once didn't you?”
 
“Watch your next words, Freddie,” Araren warned, almost hissing his words.
 
Freddie’s eyes had a sly look in them, he wanted to tease the demon “you used to have the same love and compassion we VKs share with Nadia.”
 
Araden scrunches up his fist, he wanted to punch Freddie in the face for even mentioning Nadia’s name, but he couldn't, Ben’s new magi blocked his strength as well.
 
“Do you think having ‘world domination’ will bring back Nadia?” Freddie questioned, glaring at Araden.
 
“Yes,” the demon’s answer sounded unsure, he looked into Freddie’s eyes as her glare on him tightened “no…?”
 
Freddie growled, Araden sighed.
 
“I don't know!”
 
“Then what makes you think hurting all these people will bring her back?!” Freddie stated, Araden shivered slightly.
 
“I-I-I…”
 
“What is it Araden?!”

“I’m in too deep! Okay?!” Araden admitted, “I don't even think she would want me back if she were alive!”
 
Freddie backed off of him, helping him up, pulling him in for a hug. Her eyes grew a light lavender color, for a while, Freddie didn't say anything but once she came back to reality she nodded.
 
“I see, she’s really close to you. What you shared...it was special.” Freddie whispered tenderly. Araden cried into her shoulder.
 
“I do-don't hate you...it’s hi-him...he does!” Araden sobbed.
 
“Lucifer? Is that you?”
 
“N-No! It-It’s me, Ara-Araden! H-Hes got me captive!” Araden stammered, the VKs were both shocked and confused.
 
“Who does? Araden tells us what’s going on.” Carlos soothed. “The dark-” but before Araden could finish his eyes changed from a soft green to pitch black, “shut up! You know nothing!”
 
Before Araden could land a punch on Freddie, Ben desperately held him back, he grunted in pain as he fell to his knees trying to hold down the demon.
 
“CJ,” Ben grunted, “I don't know how much time I have, so make it quick.”
 
CJ nodded in understanding, she closed her eyes, worked with me here FireFly. She prayed.
 
She extended her hand, FireFly started shaking, but ultimately came to her side. “There we go.” CJ smirked as Ben flashed him into CJ’s box.
 
“Hey Blondie~” Araden teased. CJ growled, the jewel in her sword glowing as well. “Don't!” Firefly deeply smashed his stomach with a swift swipe of CJ’s hand, “Call!” the swipe on the Demon’s arms will mostly likely leave scars.
 
“Me!” the spear split into two mini ones, striking his knees. “A!” they connected again, slowly and painfully taking down his spine.
 
Firefly then split up into multiple mini daggers, CJ’s blonde hair stood up on it’s own, her eyes glowed a bright gold. “BLONDE BIMBO!!”
 
The daggers rained down on Araden, scratching every inch of his body. Ben felt blood slowly dripping from his eyes, “Ben, stop, please, you’re past your limit.”
 
Ben growled and shook his head, “no...just a few seconds...CJ she’ll-'' Ben couldn't finish his sentence fully before falling to the ground, his body spazzing.
 
“Ben!” Mal ran to his side, trying to sooth him.
 
Ben couldn't speak, his eyes flashed distant memories before him. Ben wanted to scream for help but nothing came out.
 
Araden smirked, standing up slowly, regaining his strength. He stalked towards CJ who was gasping for air.
 
Large amounts of magi was gathered in his fist, “don't worry, Blondie, I’ll end you quickly!” CJ felt everything go in slow motion.

Silent and slow tears streamed down her cheeks, she knew when the blow hit, it would be the end for her. She closed her eyes, memories of her fondest times with her family, the VKS, her friends, with Carlos flashed in her mind.
 
“DON'T YOU TOUCH MY KID!!!”
 
Her eyes hot open to see familiar figures in front of her, she fell forwards into warm arms, she looked up to see her mother’s glowing smile.
 
“Hi,” her mother greeted, CJ felt too weak to cry but her held onto Nikita “don't worry, you’re safe.”
 
Hook extended his hand, Firefly quickly responding to his request. “You have some nerve to hurt my daughter.”
 
“Shit,” Araden cursed, he looked around to see all the VKs parents were here, “you may have won this round, but I swear, this. ISN'T’ OVER!”

~A/N~

Wow was this a long chapter! Like hella long! I think this is some sort of record for me!

Anyway! How come everyone stopped reading? It's not that boring right?! Please comment, read, and vote!