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Description
Midnight in the City of Mobotropolis where the rain falls hard and often, and tonight it falls heavy. Base Hedgehog, Paranormal Investigator stood beside the local head of the City Counter Force; the King's own band of peacekeepers for those things out of the ordinary and of the ordinary.

The head of this force is Geoffrey St. John; not well liked amongst the P.I. for making things difficult for them. A loud and self-important individual made head because he got results and not for his people skills.

The duties of the CCF were varied from general law enforcement to observing the peaceful monster species of Mobius. One of these was the Merbians, a race of water and air breathing half Mobians. Despite earliest stories of them luring sailors to their doom, it had turned out during later findings that the haunting songs heard in the ocean were actually their mating songs, and that it affected average Mobians as well. The sailors would end up crashing their ships trying to locate the source of the haunting melody.

The Merbians had a unique language, and only a few spoke Mobian basic so it was almost mandatory for a P.I. or member of the CCF to know their language. Base did, St. John didn't.

Calanthe the Merbian surfaced with a splash, a dead body in tow and a sad look on her face. It was another child, this was the twelfth one found in the water. They all had had the same fatal stab wound in the middle of their torso, and none had been older than ten.

St. John rubbed his jaw and sighed,"Another one. How many of these are there down there?"

Base went to his knee, taking the child from Calanthe and speaking to her while doing so,"Calanthe, dido eyuu namo tpo miyp?"

Calanthe nodded slowly, regret in her eyes,"Ay, mua dido..."

Base stood up, the corpse hung lifeless in his arms, water dripping, he grit his teeth, and let out a sigh,"Dita ti noth gup. Wip hrukrha dido diti?! Calanthe, hyu mi miyp dido eyuu mamo?"

Calanthe looked around, to St. John then to Base, she made a count with her fingers, she held up both hands with five on each. Base grunted and turned to lay the corpse with the others,"Ten more dead children. Aurora who did this?"

St. John walked over to Base and turned him to face him,"What did she say? I can't speak this fish talk."

Base glared at St. John,"Fuck you. Do they pay you to be such an ignorant prick to other cultures?"

St. John grinned,"Actually mate, they do. Can't take any guff from these things."

Base stood up and shouldered St. John out of his way hard, St. John stumbled back and fell. He hit the ground. Base glared at him,"The only thing out here, is you."

St. John sprung back to his feet and grabbed Base by the lapels of his jacket,"Listen here you private eye scum. Let's get one thing straight. Out here, I'm law, you're hired help! Act like it and you might live longer!"

"Hrukrha!" Base made sure to spit some when he said it.

Calanthe covered her mouth hearing the word and dived back into the water. Base shoved St. John off him,"There are ten more kids down there! That's twenty-two she's seen and found! Sure, it seems like a regular fucking serial killer, but this reeks of someone practicing. Look at these kids, St. John, what do they have in common?"

St. John eyed the corpses along the dock,"They're all dead."

Base groaned, clearly annoyed,"You fucking idiot. They all have rope burns on their ankles and wrists, all dead from a single stab wound the the heart. This reeks of practiced ritual sacrifice."

St. John shoved Base away and wiped at his face,"Look at it from my perspective. I have no leads, and it'll take at least a few weeks for the labs to turn up DNA or anything else! I'm sorry I'm not making the connection to doomsday here, that's why-"

"That's why you called me out here."

"Yeah, I need you to find who's doing this before they finish. It's almost the moonless night, you know that the dark shit happens then. Do what you do, then contact me. This is CCF business. You'll be paid, this isn't a favor."

"I do the work you get the credit. I get it." Base glared.

St. John grinned,"Yeah, but the difference is that your rent gets paid this month."

Base sighed,"You do know the rules for summoning a demon don't you?"

St. John crossed his arms,"Which one?"

"Sacrificing children doesn't do shit, you would have to sacrifice a grown man or woman. If they don't sacrifice a virgin the demon fades in a few hours; they sacrifice a virgin and we're fucked."

It was time to gather evidence, and the best place to start was always at the crime scene itself. Base's first stop had been the church that was on the waterfront where the corpses were being dumped. The church itself was a fairly large establishment, large stone walls making it look like it had crawled out of ancient times. The entrance to the church was a large two-door entrance made of heavy looking wood with iron rings to open the doors.

"Churches are always open to those seeking guidance," Base smirked,"and that means its time for some divine questioning."

Base gave the iron ring a tug, the door slowly opened with a creak after some effort. Base entered and the door swung back into place with an eerie creak and a dull, loud thud. Base had never been a fan of churches, the size and silence of the buildings always left him feeling cold and paranoid that he was being watched from the shadows. He walked down the carpet, coming to the blessed water fountain and a painting of the patron saint of the church: Saint Rufius.

Saint Rufius to Base's knowledge was that Saint Rufius had once defended a town from a demon that had been summoned to feast on the souls of the townspeople two-hundred years ago. Rufius had defeated the demon by using a candle made of blessed wax to force it back into a cave, the demon faded in hours. He was hailed a hero.

"Wonderful depiction, isn't it?"

Base jumped, spinning around to see a frail looking old rabbit, leaning on a cane. A bald spot on the top of his head in the center of a ring of fur, spectacles resting on the bridge of his muzzle to help old squinted eyes see a brown habit hiding his old form; a priest. Base composed himself and looked back at the painting.

"Yeah, Saint Rufius. Saved this town couple centuries back. I remember that much from my old classes."

The priest grinned, showing his bucked front teeth, a pleasant grin,"Astute young man. It gives this old man some joy to see that you young'ns still know some of the old stories. What brings you here, child? Guidance?"

Base took off his hat as a sign of respect,"Sort of, sir. I'm a Paranormal Investigator, and there have been a series of corpses dumped in the waters out in front of this church. Have you seen any suspicious types or activity?"

The priest looked pained,"Oh my. I'm afraid not child, even with my spectacles these old eyes aren't what they used to be. Best I can see is a foot or two in front of me. Legally blind they calls it."

Base smiled weakly at the old man,"That's a shame, sir. Is there anyone else around here that may have seen anything?"

The old priest looked thoughtful a moment and spoke,"Well, there's miss Nora our gardener. Wonderful lass, but she's only here during the day. I doubt any devious sort would do those horrid deeds in the daylight."

Base sighed, feeling beaten,"No one else?"

The old priest shook his head,"Sorry, sonny. Its only me and the patrons otherwise and poor young miss ain't a follower of Rufius. Why have they got a Paranormal Investigator on the case, son?"

Base placed his hat back on his head,"The killings have been children, practicing for a ritual. I think someone's trying to summon a demon."

The priest leaned on his cane and sniffed,"Saint Rufius once banished one. Do you think there's a connection?"

Base went to the door and gripped the iron ring,"In my line of work sir, I don't doubt it a minute. I'm going to need to know how to find your gardener."

Base walked up the walkway to the house with the address given. A picture perfect looking home, bright and cheery. A flower patch on both sides of the centered stairs leading to the porch where a hammock swung gently with the breeze opposite a porch swing.

Base rubbed his chin and wondered how much this woman was bringing in to afford a home this nice. Stepping up onto the porch and to the door Base readied himself and knocked, waiting for an answer from inside. The answer came slow, the door opened, revealing it locked with a chain.

"Can I help you?" the occupant answered, a mouse by the look of her. Her voice was groggy as if she had been woken from sleep.

"My name is Base Hedgehog; I'm a Paranormal Investigator. I'm looking for a miss Nora?"

"You're looking at her. What can I do for you?" Nora said rubbing one of her eyes.

"There's been a series of murders, the bodies dumped in front of the church you work at. I was wondering if you maybe saw anything unusual? Maybe a truck, or a suspicious looking person?"

Base watched her carefully to see her expression. Nora's groggy expression quickly changed to one of alertness as the words sank in and horror set into her face. The woman looked like she had aged years in minutes.

Finally she spoke,"Murders? Aren't murders just the business of law enforcement? Why would they need a P.I.?"

Base shook his head,"I have reason to believe that the murders are practice for a summoning ritual."

"Oria-Na help us!" Nora exclaimed.

"Oria-Na? I'm sorry, I'm a bit rusty on my echidna deities." Base said, raising a brow.

Nora seemed to come back to herself and smiled slightly,"The echidna goddess of virtue."

Base stared blankly at her. She fixed him with an annoyed glance and shook her head,"Of the body? We don't marry, date, make love, nothing. We devote ourselves completely to her, and in return we gain her favor?"

Base turned his head and rubbed his neck,"Oh! Jeez, I feel like a total idiot."

Nora rolled her eyes,"I'm certain it isn't the first time."

Base turned to face her again and glared,"I'll have you know its not! Wait..." Base groaned and tried to recompose himself,"Does anyone else live here?"

Nora shook her head,"Just my father. He's getting on in age but stays out most of the day working his two jobs. I haven't seen him in days though. I filed a report with the authorities but they haven't found anything."

Base nodded,"Well, I'm sure he'll turn up. Which deity is he a practitioner of?"

Nora smiled,"Oria-Na. Before you become confused, I'm adopted. My mother committed suicide when I was young. She was a victim of a faithless brother of Oria-Na and couldn't deal with the idea that she had been assaulted." she looked sadly to the ground,"She felt Oria-Na had betrayed her, and took her own life."

She looked back to Base,"My father wanted to make sure I followed the same goddess so that one day I could do as he had done and adopt an unfortunate child. He always thought that children without parents needed to be given homes and we're the perfect ones to do it since we're not allowed to have our own."

"Do you think he's gone to a temple for the goddess perhaps? Maybe a pilgrimage? How devoted is he to Oria-Na?" Base questioned.

Nora looked down to the ground,"Very devoted. I hope that he's just gone on a pilgrimage."

Base tipped his hat,"Well, thanks for your cooperation ma'am. I hope your father comes home soon."

Nora nodded,"I hope so too. Good luck finding out who murdered those children."

Base nodded and smiled,"Thank you. The empty moon is tonight, whatever is going to happen will happen tonight I'm certain."

Base needed to talk to Windy and call St. John. The missing father was most likely directly connected to this case.

Base stopped at a payphone, sliding a Mobium into the coin slot and dialed for the CCF. An operator came on,"CCF Headquarters hold please."

"Wait-!"

Elevator music played, soft classical. A monotone voice droned on in the background,"Your call is important, all our operators are busy. Please stay on the line."

Base placed his hand over his face and groaned,"Aurora give me strength."

After what seemed an eternity the operator returned,"CCF how may I direct your call?"

"Geoffrey St. John."

"Hold please."

The music again. Base considered ripping the pay phone from the ground and smashing it. After a minute the phone clicked and St. John's voice came from the end.

"What do you got for me Hedgehog?"

"Boundless hate you fucking skunk bastard." Base growled into the phone.

"I assure you the feeling is mutual and I look forward to the day when you cross the line and I execute you myself. Now what the fuck do you got?!"

Base cleared his throat,"Questioned the priest at the church. He's legally blind, hasn't seen a thing. The church is in memoir of a saint who banished a demon. Considering the ritual? I doubt there's a coincidence. The patrons didn't see anything either, I questioned a few and none saw anything. One of them said I was a heathen and needed saving and splashed me with blessed water."

"I like them already." St. John chortled from the other end.

"Excuse me stinky?"

"Nothing. keep going."

"Questioned the gardener; a Nora Mouse. Said she saw nothing and that her dad was missing. Said she filed a report with you boobs. Judging by their house they have a big income so either he's well employed or he has multiple jobs."

"Could be our man. Good work hedgehog. Keep an eye out for anything and report what you find." the line went dead.

Base stared at the phone angrily,"Fucker. I wasn't done."

Base hung up the phone and headed towards his apartment. The empty moon was tonight, and he'd been up far too long to think straight. Maybe Windy would have some ideas where the ritual was about to go down?

Base stepped into the small office he called his own. For what he paid it bought him two rooms with windows and a bathroom. He threw his hat onto the rack and sat down at his desk and put his feet up. It had been an all-nighter so far and he hadn't figured out the entire mystery just yet, he'd need Windy's knowledge for this part. She wasn't in yet however, and he figured he'd take a nap. Sleep came easy, but so did nightmares.

The empty moon was the night of demons whereas the full moon was seen as the night of monsters. Base always dreaded the full moon from his childhood when it first gave him the nightmares that would plague him. He watched his father change from a hedgehog into something more wolf than hedgehog and devour his mother. The scene haunted him all his life and haunted his nightmares.

The sudden change, his father curling into a ball in pain as his body twisted in unnatural ways. The sound of popping joints, bones breaking and realigning, shifting, changing shape as his body grew larger and more grotesque. His muzzle elongated, his ears growing in size, his fur and quills grew wild as claws sprouted from the ends of his fingers and feet. His tail grew, taking a similar appearance to a kangaroo's in size and length, his elongated arms touching the ground, his feet taking the appearance of a Earth canine.

Base was hidden in a closet, the door shut as he watched his father dine on his mother's body. The disturbance had gained the attention of Charles Hedgehog who vanquished his monster of a father. Charles approached the closet, the door opening and light pouring in.

"Its alright, wake up."

Base jolted awake to the sight of Windy, she had a suitcase in one hand and was dressed for travel. Base stared wide-eyed and swallowed,"You're...not quitting are you?"

Windy adjusted her hat and shook her head,"No, of course not. I'm going to my old church, I'm a follower of Oria-Na."

Base's face fell. How many followers of Oria-Na was he going to find in one day?

He scratched at his chin, looking her over,"Echidna goddess of virtue."

Windy smiled,"Very good! I thought you were behind in your studies?"

Base shrugged and smiled,"Let's just say I've been getting some learning in. I've got a case, seems like a demon summoning. I know the who, I just don't know the where. The bodies of the victims have been dumped in front of a church to St. Rufius down by the dock. Any ideas why?"

Windy licked her upper lip thoughtfully,"Well, that church was built on the remains of where St. Rufius defeated the demon he was famous for besting. So those bodies aren't being dumped far from where they're being killed. I'd wager its going on inside the church."

Base nodded,"Good. What time is it?"

"Its almost midnight, you may want to hurry. I'll be back in a few days, don't you fret." Windy smiled and reached into her coat and tossed him a vial of clear liquid.

Base caught it in mid-air and studied the bottle,"Water?"

Windy smirked,"Blessed by the faithful of Aurora. I think you'll need it while I'm gone."

Base chuckled,"Sooner than you think probably. Thanks Winnie."

"Call me that again and I won't be back for a month. Take care." she closed the door softly and was gone.

Base hopped to his feet, dashing across the room to his coat hanger and retrieving his hat. He needed to call St. John, but it could wait. Base stopped a moment and thought about Windy; that she was a follower of Oria-Na.

Base's shoulders sagged and he sighed,"So much for the hope I'd work up the courage to ask her on a date."

Base plopped his hat on his head and headed out the door. Time was not on his side tonight.

Base walked to a phone booth outside the church of St. Rufius. He deposited a Mobium into the coin slot and dialed for CCF. An operator came on to the phone.

"CCF Headquarters, hold please."

"No wait I-" music came through the other end, classical again. Base cursed and slammed the phone down,"Well fuck you too!"

Base turned to the foreboding figure of the church in the night. A church was always a frightening sight in the darkness. He charged up the steps, shoving open the door and entering where he had met the old priest. He stepped to the wooden doors that led to the mass area. A large hunk of wood holding the door shut,"Damn medieval churches!"

Base knew he couldn't lift such a heavy hunk of wood and tried to look inside through the small space between the two large wooden doors. The room was packed full of people, no sign of anyone heading up the midnight mass. Or perhaps more correctly a midnight massacre.

"Yeah, the demon's gotta eat when it comes. Fuck!" Base's hands went to his head, gripping tufts of his fur in his hands,"Dammit can I even lift this thing?!"

He had to try, he tried lifting the heavy plank of wood, but it was as if other than its own weight something was holding it down. Frustration was setting in and Base began to just hit the door with his fists. He checked over his gear he had brought with him.

Two khukris crisscrossed over his rear, two hidden blades in his gauntlets under his coat sleeves and as well as his raging bull revolver he had gotten a second revolver and fitted it with a barrel weight. Base gave the door a mighty kick, cracking the wood slightly,"Damn oak!"

"What's the racket down here?" a familiar voice said.

Base turned and saw the old priest coming down the stairs in his robes, a candle in his hand and his glasses balanced on his muzzle. Base walked up to him,"Sir, its me again; the P.I. Base? The sacrifice for the demon is going to happen in your church! Is there another way into this room? This large wooden plank is keeping the door shut!"

The old priest stared at Base, adjusted his glasses,"Pardon me sonny, but maybe you should be wearing these spectacles."

The old rabbit walked over to a lever and gave it a hard tug. The wooden plank slowly raised itself until it was raised upright on the left door. Base looked at the old priest and smiled,"Uhm...I knew that."

The gathered crowd murmured amongst themselves, unsure of why they had all been summoned to their church at such a late hour in the night. But they were the faithful and would not ignore the call of the church. Whatever the reason it must be important at such a late hour.

A robed and hooded figure appeared, another Mobian in tow. The other was bound at their hands and feet with a sack over their head. The hooded figure threw their captive to the floor in front of them. The crowd grew uneasy, fear and panic setting in.

The hooded figure spread their hands and raised them to the air,"Tonight. You shall all be witness to something incredible, something wondrous. Tonight, balance shall be restored, the faithless punished and the faithful rewarded. You have joined me tonight, as you are all very important pieces to this grand summoning."

Children cried in the audience, general panic grew in the group of people. Some got to their feet and rushed for the door to escape.

"Escape is impossible, as I have sealed you all in here and blocked the doors from the other side. Do not even bother to try." the voice of the robed one boomed in the room.

Hopelessness was beginning to wear on the gathered, the ones who went for the door returning to their seats, feeling defeated in their attempt before even trying. The robed Mobian produced a knife from the inside of its robe, moving to its captive on the ground.

"Tonight. My lord and master, the demon Bael-Groth shall rise again and decimate this church that stands as monument to who wronged him, and he shall feast on you all and make you one with himself. Do not fear, for we have been fooled by promises of the echidna gods! They promise us safety, security. They lie, and so tonight we turn to their foes, those who can offer us peace and protection."

The crowd watched as the hooded Mobian raised the knife high above them in both hands, prepared to bring it down. Before they could, the doors flew open to reveal Base Hedgehog storming down the aisle, his raging bull grasped tightly in his right hand.

"Listen up, there's a devil in the church! Everyone clear out now if you don't want to be demon chow!" Base aimed the revolver at the knife wielding figure,"Drop the knife, Nora."

Slowly the knife lowered, a hand came away to bring down their hood, revealing it to indeed be Nora,"You figured me out, you're smarter than you look. What gave me away, detective?"

Base smirked,"You did. At your home you played dumb at the beginning of my questions, faking your shock at the knowledge of the murders. But despite not knowing about them before, you somehow knew that the murders had all been children. You're sick, Nora and you need help. Why betray Oria-Na for Bael-Groth?"

"My mother trusted Oria-Na, she was faithful, and Oria-Na let her be raped. Now," Nora leaned down, pulling the hood from her captive on the ground,"my father will pay for his crime of raping my mother. The faithless shall know suffering, and Bael-Groth will bring balance to my life. I'm not the villain here, this is the only way!"

Base shook his head,"You're wrong. There's always another way! Nora please, don't make me shoot you. This won't bring your mother back, won't erase the past and dying would be meaningless!"

Nora grinned and tilted her head,"On the contrary, let me show you how meaningful it is."

Nora drove the knife into her own chest, striking between her breasts with a single grunt. She didn't suffer long, dropping to her knees, arms fell to her sides, and her head fell as dead weight as her life left her. Base lowered his gun and shook his head at the foolishness of the situation, then noticed something.

Nora's body was pulsing, forming into something new, growing large and scaly, her body reforming into something horrendous. Claws where hands once were, an elongated neck, pointed ears underneath curved horns. Her muzzle flattened against her face, the skin peeling back to reveal rows of sharpened teeth, each row behind it shorter than the one in front and a single, slithering tongue. Her eyes sunk into her head, growing a dark red with pupils glowing like burning embers in a pool of blood. The Nora creature's fur fell out revealing dull grey dead skin.

This was Bael-Groth. Nora was his permanent vessel.

"That's one ugly mother fucker." Base thought out loud.

A scream of mass hysteria. Base turned and watched as the crowd finally began to run for their lives having foolishly stayed behind out of curiosity. Base watched as the transformation finished and the monster took his first breath. The crowd had managed to disperse finally just as the monster had completed its rebirth.

Base's eyes flicked to the victim to be at the monster's feet, he rushed for the bound and gagged man to try and save him. Bael-Groth swatted Base aside sending him into a pillar to the left of the room, the impact leaving a large crack in the pillar. Base hit the ground hard after his impact, groaning in pain as he tried getting to his feet. From where he was, he could see Bael-Groth lift the bound victim by his feet and slowly lower him into his mouth, like a penguin swallowing a fish whole. When he was inside Bael-Groth's maw, he snapped his mouth shut with a loud and wet crunch.

Base flinched at the noise, watching blood run from the corners of the demon's mouth. He felt his stomach turn as he finally made it to his feet,"Bastard or not, he deserved jail time, not meal time."

Base lifted his arm holding the revolver, bringing his second hand up to steady his aim and firing the six shots as fast as he could pull the trigger. Bael-Groth flinched as the rounds struck him, they hurt him, but they weren't killing him. Base cursed and made a dash for the door, reloading the revolver as he ran. With a single leap Bael-Groth crossed the room and landed in Base's path.

"Going somewhere, mortal?"

Base grinned,"I need to use the little hedgehog's room."

Base lifted the raging bull and emptied it again into Bael-Groth's face. With a swift swing of his arm the demon struck him, sending him up through the air and down and through a few of the pews. Base shook and groaned, he was tough but he didn't know how many more hits he could handle from the demon.

"Foul one, HALT!" came the priest's booming voice.

Base watched Bael-Groth back away from the open doors, the priest following on his heels hobbling along on his cane, the candle hend in front of him like a holy talisman. Base realized it was, in fact just that; it was the candle St. Rufius used to defeat Bael-Groth two-hundred years ago, but this time there was no just waiting it out, this was different. Base needed a plan, and he needed one quick. Base lifted the raging bull in his hand, the gun barrel was bent to the right slightly with a large break in it. Base tossed the broken revolver aside and started feeling around inside his coat for the second revolver.

The old priest had nearly backed Bael-Groth all the way back to the platform where he had formed through Nora's body, the candle held fast before him, the flame flickering in the air.

"Weak old fool! You know not whom you trifle with! Recant your saint, I shall grant you power, youth, eternity!"

"Hold your tongue, demon. I'll not be swayed by your promises of power!" the old rabbit stepped over a piece of broken wood from a shattered pew,"I will not-"

Bael-Groth swiped at the old man, the sudden attack catching him off guard, sending him toppling backwards over the broken wood. When he hit the floor, he dropped the candle, it rolling out of his reach and leaving him at Bael-Groth's mercy. The demon grinned, the malice in his face present as he reached down and scooped up the old man.

"Now mortal. Know suffering in my bowels for eternity!"

Two shots rang out, the loud boom echoing in the large chamber. One hit the demon in the right cheek, and then in his right eye. He roared in pain feeling the burning silver enter his eye. His remaining eye fixed on the shooter: Base.

"Put him down Bael or I swear I'll shoot you in the crotch next."

Bael-Groth roared and pitched the old man through the air at Base. He impacted with Base, the younger hedgehog trying to catch him on impact to cushion his impact. The two hit the floor, Base tumbling from the force of the impact, losing his hold on the old man. The old priest flew from his grip skidding down the carpet down and into the lobby where Base had first met him.

Base got to his feet and charged Bael-Groth, firing another two shots into the demon as he charged. Two impact wounds opened in Bael-Groth's skin and bones form, seeming to barely do more than annoy him this time. He swatted Base again, sending him into the air crashing into the wooden guard rail of the upper floor where the organ player and choir would sing and play. Base shakily got to his feet in time to see Bael-Groth lunge for him across the room again.

Base dashed out of the way as fast as he could as the giant form smashed into the area where he had been. The monster thrashing and clawing towards him as he tried to put distance between himself and it. Base felt around inside his coat, trying to find a speed loader for the revolver having only two shots left and instead finding something else in a cold glass bottle,"Score."

Base jumped onto the railing and jumped to try and get back down to the first floor. Bael-Groth reached out and snatched him by the foot in mid-air, and pitching him at the ground. Base struck the ground hard, his hat flying from his head in the process. Base groaned as he watched the demon land on the altar area, his vision was blurry, his body weak. He looked to his side and saw the candle, he reached into his coat and pulled the glass bottle from his coat pocket. It was as large as a small whiskey bottle and roughly the same shape.

Bael-Groth was closing in on him but stopped and hesitated seeing the candle. Base pitched the glass bottle at his face, taking aim with his second to last shot,"Hey Bael! GO TO HELL!"

Base fired, the bullet tore through the glass bottle shattering it sending the spray of blessed water into Bael-Groth's face along with the bullet. The demon thrashed and screeched, its hands unable to touch its burning, melting face as the water ate away at its scaly skin. Bael-Groth lunged for Base with the intent that he would no go alone.

Base's arm shook,"I SAID GO TO HELL!"

Base fired his last shot almost point-blank in-between Bael-Groth's eyes. The blessed water having weakened him enough that the damaged tissue entering into his skull with the water still soaked into it finished him.

Bael-Groth's body hit the floor, skidding a few feet and turning to ash in a burst of hellfire. Base dropped his gun, rolled onto his front and pushed himself to his feet and ran to the old priest’s side. He lifted the old rabbit’s head,”Stay with me old man. Help's on the way, just stay with me."

The priest smiled,”...is Bael-Groth..?"

Base nodded and smiled,”Its gone, we got it. You’re a hero now, just like Rufius.”

The priest grinned wide, blood began to form at the corner's of his mouth, a sign of internal damage. He reached up and placed his hand on Base's shoulder,"...did good...boy. Wonder if...I'll be...a saint now."

Base grinned, but his smile faltered, he grabbed the old priest's hand,"Stay with me and I'll put the nomination in myself, just...just stay with me."

His eyes fixed on nothing in particular, seeming to stare right through Base,"...wish I...could sonny. But the light...its...so warm..."

His body fell limp, his last breath came in a ragged exhale.

Base lowered his head, slowly laying his body down to the floor. He closed the old priest's eyes and made Aurora's sign over his heart then clasped his hands in prayer,"Rest lost one, in the Kingdom of Archaeda o' wayward soul and find in it eternal harmony. Requiescat in pace."

Base sat on the steps of the church, the CCF had finally arrived after a call from the escaped church goers. St. John stepped up to Base and placed his hands on his hips,"Fine mess you made of everything, Hedgehog. If you’d just called us like I told you this wouldn’t have happened.”

Base looked up at St. John,"I'm not in the mood."

Base got to his feet and walked past St. John,"Payment is due. The case is closed, three dead: a summoner of the demon, a sacrifice eaten and a fallen priest who defended his church from the demon. Next time weird shit comes up, how about telling me before its already too late to prevent? You got my number. Make sure the priest gets a proper burial and a nomination for what he did."

Base shouldered his way past St. John, adjusting his hat. The rain began to fall again, thunder crackled in the sky as lighting came down in the distance. St. John watched as Base made his way down the street. The situation could have been a lot worse than it had been. If nothing else, the hedgehog had luck on his side.

The End

Description
Midnight in the City of Mobotropolis where the rain falls hard and often, and tonight it falls heavy. Base Hedgehog, Paranormal Investigator stood beside the local head of the City Counter Force; the King's own band of peacekeepers for those things out of the ordinary and of the ordinary.

The head of this force is Geoffrey St. John; not well liked amongst the P.I. for making things difficult for them. A loud and self-important individual made head because he got results and not for his people skills.

The duties of the CCF were varied from general law enforcement to observing the peaceful monster species of Mobius. One of these was the Merbians, a race of water and air breathing half Mobians. Despite earliest stories of them luring sailors to their doom, it had turned out during later findings that the haunting songs heard in the ocean were actually their mating songs, and that it affected average Mobians as well. The sailors would end up crashing their ships trying to locate the source of the haunting melody.

The Merbians had a unique language, and only a few spoke Mobian basic so it was almost mandatory for a P.I. or member of the CCF to know their language. Base did, St. John didn't.

Calanthe the Merbian surfaced with a splash, a dead body in tow and a sad look on her face. It was another child, this was the twelfth one found in the water. They all had had the same fatal stab wound in the middle of their torso, and none had been older than ten.

St. John rubbed his jaw and sighed,"Another one. How many of these are there down there?"

Base went to his knee, taking the child from Calanthe and speaking to her while doing so,"Calanthe, dido eyuu namo tpo miyp?"

Calanthe nodded slowly, regret in her eyes,"Ay, mua dido..."

Base stood up, the corpse hung lifeless in his arms, water dripping, he grit his teeth, and let out a sigh,"Dita ti noth gup. Wip hrukrha dido diti?! Calanthe, hyu mi miyp dido eyuu mamo?"

Calanthe looked around, to St. John then to Base, she made a count with her fingers, she held up both hands with five on each. Base grunted and turned to lay the corpse with the others,"Ten more dead children. Aurora who did this?"

St. John walked over to Base and turned him to face him,"What did she say? I can't speak this fish talk."

Base glared at St. John,"Fuck you. Do they pay you to be such an ignorant prick to other cultures?"

St. John grinned,"Actually mate, they do. Can't take any guff from these things."

Base stood up and shouldered St. John out of his way hard, St. John stumbled back and fell. He hit the ground. Base glared at him,"The only thing out here, is you."

St. John sprung back to his feet and grabbed Base by the lapels of his jacket,"Listen here you private eye scum. Let's get one thing straight. Out here, I'm law, you're hired help! Act like it and you might live longer!"

"Hrukrha!" Base made sure to spit some when he said it.

Calanthe covered her mouth hearing the word and dived back into the water. Base shoved St. John off him,"There are ten more kids down there! That's twenty-two she's seen and found! Sure, it seems like a regular fucking serial killer, but this reeks of someone practicing. Look at these kids, St. John, what do they have in common?"

St. John eyed the corpses along the dock,"They're all dead."

Base groaned, clearly annoyed,"You fucking idiot. They all have rope burns on their ankles and wrists, all dead from a single stab wound the the heart. This reeks of practiced ritual sacrifice."

St. John shoved Base away and wiped at his face,"Look at it from my perspective. I have no leads, and it'll take at least a few weeks for the labs to turn up DNA or anything else! I'm sorry I'm not making the connection to doomsday here, that's why-"

"That's why you called me out here."

"Yeah, I need you to find who's doing this before they finish. It's almost the moonless night, you know that the dark shit happens then. Do what you do, then contact me. This is CCF business. You'll be paid, this isn't a favor."

"I do the work you get the credit. I get it." Base glared.

St. John grinned,"Yeah, but the difference is that your rent gets paid this month."

Base sighed,"You do know the rules for summoning a demon don't you?"

St. John crossed his arms,"Which one?"

"Sacrificing children doesn't do shit, you would have to sacrifice a grown man or woman. If they don't sacrifice a virgin the demon fades in a few hours; they sacrifice a virgin and we're fucked."

It was time to gather evidence, and the best place to start was always at the crime scene itself. Base's first stop had been the church that was on the waterfront where the corpses were being dumped. The church itself was a fairly large establishment, large stone walls making it look like it had crawled out of ancient times. The entrance to the church was a large two-door entrance made of heavy looking wood with iron rings to open the doors.

"Churches are always open to those seeking guidance," Base smirked,"and that means its time for some divine questioning."

Base gave the iron ring a tug, the door slowly opened with a creak after some effort. Base entered and the door swung back into place with an eerie creak and a dull, loud thud. Base had never been a fan of churches, the size and silence of the buildings always left him feeling cold and paranoid that he was being watched from the shadows. He walked down the carpet, coming to the blessed water fountain and a painting of the patron saint of the church: Saint Rufius.

Saint Rufius to Base's knowledge was that Saint Rufius had once defended a town from a demon that had been summoned to feast on the souls of the townspeople two-hundred years ago. Rufius had defeated the demon by using a candle made of blessed wax to force it back into a cave, the demon faded in hours. He was hailed a hero.

"Wonderful depiction, isn't it?"

Base jumped, spinning around to see a frail looking old rabbit, leaning on a cane. A bald spot on the top of his head in the center of a ring of fur, spectacles resting on the bridge of his muzzle to help old squinted eyes see a brown habit hiding his old form; a priest. Base composed himself and looked back at the painting.

"Yeah, Saint Rufius. Saved this town couple centuries back. I remember that much from my old classes."

The priest grinned, showing his bucked front teeth, a pleasant grin,"Astute young man. It gives this old man some joy to see that you young'ns still know some of the old stories. What brings you here, child? Guidance?"

Base took off his hat as a sign of respect,"Sort of, sir. I'm a Paranormal Investigator, and there have been a series of corpses dumped in the waters out in front of this church. Have you seen any suspicious types or activity?"

The priest looked pained,"Oh my. I'm afraid not child, even with my spectacles these old eyes aren't what they used to be. Best I can see is a foot or two in front of me. Legally blind they calls it."

Base smiled weakly at the old man,"That's a shame, sir. Is there anyone else around here that may have seen anything?"

The old priest looked thoughtful a moment and spoke,"Well, there's miss Nora our gardener. Wonderful lass, but she's only here during the day. I doubt any devious sort would do those horrid deeds in the daylight."

Base sighed, feeling beaten,"No one else?"

The old priest shook his head,"Sorry, sonny. Its only me and the patrons otherwise and poor young miss ain't a follower of Rufius. Why have they got a Paranormal Investigator on the case, son?"

Base placed his hat back on his head,"The killings have been children, practicing for a ritual. I think someone's trying to summon a demon."

The priest leaned on his cane and sniffed,"Saint Rufius once banished one. Do you think there's a connection?"

Base went to the door and gripped the iron ring,"In my line of work sir, I don't doubt it a minute. I'm going to need to know how to find your gardener."

Base walked up the walkway to the house with the address given. A picture perfect looking home, bright and cheery. A flower patch on both sides of the centered stairs leading to the porch where a hammock swung gently with the breeze opposite a porch swing.

Base rubbed his chin and wondered how much this woman was bringing in to afford a home this nice. Stepping up onto the porch and to the door Base readied himself and knocked, waiting for an answer from inside. The answer came slow, the door opened, revealing it locked with a chain.

"Can I help you?" the occupant answered, a mouse by the look of her. Her voice was groggy as if she had been woken from sleep.

"My name is Base Hedgehog; I'm a Paranormal Investigator. I'm looking for a miss Nora?"

"You're looking at her. What can I do for you?" Nora said rubbing one of her eyes.

"There's been a series of murders, the bodies dumped in front of the church you work at. I was wondering if you maybe saw anything unusual? Maybe a truck, or a suspicious looking person?"

Base watched her carefully to see her expression. Nora's groggy expression quickly changed to one of alertness as the words sank in and horror set into her face. The woman looked like she had aged years in minutes.

Finally she spoke,"Murders? Aren't murders just the business of law enforcement? Why would they need a P.I.?"

Base shook his head,"I have reason to believe that the murders are practice for a summoning ritual."

"Oria-Na help us!" Nora exclaimed.

"Oria-Na? I'm sorry, I'm a bit rusty on my echidna deities." Base said, raising a brow.

Nora seemed to come back to herself and smiled slightly,"The echidna goddess of virtue."

Base stared blankly at her. She fixed him with an annoyed glance and shook her head,"Of the body? We don't marry, date, make love, nothing. We devote ourselves completely to her, and in return we gain her favor?"

Base turned his head and rubbed his neck,"Oh! Jeez, I feel like a total idiot."

Nora rolled her eyes,"I'm certain it isn't the first time."

Base turned to face her again and glared,"I'll have you know its not! Wait..." Base groaned and tried to recompose himself,"Does anyone else live here?"

Nora shook her head,"Just my father. He's getting on in age but stays out most of the day working his two jobs. I haven't seen him in days though. I filed a report with the authorities but they haven't found anything."

Base nodded,"Well, I'm sure he'll turn up. Which deity is he a practitioner of?"

Nora smiled,"Oria-Na. Before you become confused, I'm adopted. My mother committed suicide when I was young. She was a victim of a faithless brother of Oria-Na and couldn't deal with the idea that she had been assaulted." she looked sadly to the ground,"She felt Oria-Na had betrayed her, and took her own life."

She looked back to Base,"My father wanted to make sure I followed the same goddess so that one day I could do as he had done and adopt an unfortunate child. He always thought that children without parents needed to be given homes and we're the perfect ones to do it since we're not allowed to have our own."

"Do you think he's gone to a temple for the goddess perhaps? Maybe a pilgrimage? How devoted is he to Oria-Na?" Base questioned.

Nora looked down to the ground,"Very devoted. I hope that he's just gone on a pilgrimage."

Base tipped his hat,"Well, thanks for your cooperation ma'am. I hope your father comes home soon."

Nora nodded,"I hope so too. Good luck finding out who murdered those children."

Base nodded and smiled,"Thank you. The empty moon is tonight, whatever is going to happen will happen tonight I'm certain."

Base needed to talk to Windy and call St. John. The missing father was most likely directly connected to this case.

Base stopped at a payphone, sliding a Mobium into the coin slot and dialed for the CCF. An operator came on,"CCF Headquarters hold please."

"Wait-!"

Elevator music played, soft classical. A monotone voice droned on in the background,"Your call is important, all our operators are busy. Please stay on the line."

Base placed his hand over his face and groaned,"Aurora give me strength."

After what seemed an eternity the operator returned,"CCF how may I direct your call?"

"Geoffrey St. John."

"Hold please."

The music again. Base considered ripping the pay phone from the ground and smashing it. After a minute the phone clicked and St. John's voice came from the end.

"What do you got for me Hedgehog?"

"Boundless hate you fucking skunk bastard." Base growled into the phone.

"I assure you the feeling is mutual and I look forward to the day when you cross the line and I execute you myself. Now what the fuck do you got?!"

Base cleared his throat,"Questioned the priest at the church. He's legally blind, hasn't seen a thing. The church is in memoir of a saint who banished a demon. Considering the ritual? I doubt there's a coincidence. The patrons didn't see anything either, I questioned a few and none saw anything. One of them said I was a heathen and needed saving and splashed me with blessed water."

"I like them already." St. John chortled from the other end.

"Excuse me stinky?"

"Nothing. keep going."

"Questioned the gardener; a Nora Mouse. Said she saw nothing and that her dad was missing. Said she filed a report with you boobs. Judging by their house they have a big income so either he's well employed or he has multiple jobs."

"Could be our man. Good work hedgehog. Keep an eye out for anything and report what you find." the line went dead.

Base stared at the phone angrily,"Fucker. I wasn't done."

Base hung up the phone and headed towards his apartment. The empty moon was tonight, and he'd been up far too long to think straight. Maybe Windy would have some ideas where the ritual was about to go down?

Base stepped into the small office he called his own. For what he paid it bought him two rooms with windows and a bathroom. He threw his hat onto the rack and sat down at his desk and put his feet up. It had been an all-nighter so far and he hadn't figured out the entire mystery just yet, he'd need Windy's knowledge for this part. She wasn't in yet however, and he figured he'd take a nap. Sleep came easy, but so did nightmares.

The empty moon was the night of demons whereas the full moon was seen as the night of monsters. Base always dreaded the full moon from his childhood when it first gave him the nightmares that would plague him. He watched his father change from a hedgehog into something more wolf than hedgehog and devour his mother. The scene haunted him all his life and haunted his nightmares.

The sudden change, his father curling into a ball in pain as his body twisted in unnatural ways. The sound of popping joints, bones breaking and realigning, shifting, changing shape as his body grew larger and more grotesque. His muzzle elongated, his ears growing in size, his fur and quills grew wild as claws sprouted from the ends of his fingers and feet. His tail grew, taking a similar appearance to a kangaroo's in size and length, his elongated arms touching the ground, his feet taking the appearance of a Earth canine.

Base was hidden in a closet, the door shut as he watched his father dine on his mother's body. The disturbance had gained the attention of Charles Hedgehog who vanquished his monster of a father. Charles approached the closet, the door opening and light pouring in.

"Its alright, wake up."

Base jolted awake to the sight of Windy, she had a suitcase in one hand and was dressed for travel. Base stared wide-eyed and swallowed,"You're...not quitting are you?"

Windy adjusted her hat and shook her head,"No, of course not. I'm going to my old church, I'm a follower of Oria-Na."

Base's face fell. How many followers of Oria-Na was he going to find in one day?

He scratched at his chin, looking her over,"Echidna goddess of virtue."

Windy smiled,"Very good! I thought you were behind in your studies?"

Base shrugged and smiled,"Let's just say I've been getting some learning in. I've got a case, seems like a demon summoning. I know the who, I just don't know the where. The bodies of the victims have been dumped in front of a church to St. Rufius down by the dock. Any ideas why?"

Windy licked her upper lip thoughtfully,"Well, that church was built on the remains of where St. Rufius defeated the demon he was famous for besting. So those bodies aren't being dumped far from where they're being killed. I'd wager its going on inside the church."

Base nodded,"Good. What time is it?"

"Its almost midnight, you may want to hurry. I'll be back in a few days, don't you fret." Windy smiled and reached into her coat and tossed him a vial of clear liquid.

Base caught it in mid-air and studied the bottle,"Water?"

Windy smirked,"Blessed by the faithful of Aurora. I think you'll need it while I'm gone."

Base chuckled,"Sooner than you think probably. Thanks Winnie."

"Call me that again and I won't be back for a month. Take care." she closed the door softly and was gone.

Base hopped to his feet, dashing across the room to his coat hanger and retrieving his hat. He needed to call St. John, but it could wait. Base stopped a moment and thought about Windy; that she was a follower of Oria-Na.

Base's shoulders sagged and he sighed,"So much for the hope I'd work up the courage to ask her on a date."

Base plopped his hat on his head and headed out the door. Time was not on his side tonight.

Base walked to a phone booth outside the church of St. Rufius. He deposited a Mobium into the coin slot and dialed for CCF. An operator came on to the phone.

"CCF Headquarters, hold please."

"No wait I-" music came through the other end, classical again. Base cursed and slammed the phone down,"Well fuck you too!"

Base turned to the foreboding figure of the church in the night. A church was always a frightening sight in the darkness. He charged up the steps, shoving open the door and entering where he had met the old priest. He stepped to the wooden doors that led to the mass area. A large hunk of wood holding the door shut,"Damn medieval churches!"

Base knew he couldn't lift such a heavy hunk of wood and tried to look inside through the small space between the two large wooden doors. The room was packed full of people, no sign of anyone heading up the midnight mass. Or perhaps more correctly a midnight massacre.

"Yeah, the demon's gotta eat when it comes. Fuck!" Base's hands went to his head, gripping tufts of his fur in his hands,"Dammit can I even lift this thing?!"

He had to try, he tried lifting the heavy plank of wood, but it was as if other than its own weight something was holding it down. Frustration was setting in and Base began to just hit the door with his fists. He checked over his gear he had brought with him.

Two khukris crisscrossed over his rear, two hidden blades in his gauntlets under his coat sleeves and as well as his raging bull revolver he had gotten a second revolver and fitted it with a barrel weight. Base gave the door a mighty kick, cracking the wood slightly,"Damn oak!"

"What's the racket down here?" a familiar voice said.

Base turned and saw the old priest coming down the stairs in his robes, a candle in his hand and his glasses balanced on his muzzle. Base walked up to him,"Sir, its me again; the P.I. Base? The sacrifice for the demon is going to happen in your church! Is there another way into this room? This large wooden plank is keeping the door shut!"

The old priest stared at Base, adjusted his glasses,"Pardon me sonny, but maybe you should be wearing these spectacles."

The old rabbit walked over to a lever and gave it a hard tug. The wooden plank slowly raised itself until it was raised upright on the left door. Base looked at the old priest and smiled,"Uhm...I knew that."

The gathered crowd murmured amongst themselves, unsure of why they had all been summoned to their church at such a late hour in the night. But they were the faithful and would not ignore the call of the church. Whatever the reason it must be important at such a late hour.

A robed and hooded figure appeared, another Mobian in tow. The other was bound at their hands and feet with a sack over their head. The hooded figure threw their captive to the floor in front of them. The crowd grew uneasy, fear and panic setting in.

The hooded figure spread their hands and raised them to the air,"Tonight. You shall all be witness to something incredible, something wondrous. Tonight, balance shall be restored, the faithless punished and the faithful rewarded. You have joined me tonight, as you are all very important pieces to this grand summoning."

Children cried in the audience, general panic grew in the group of people. Some got to their feet and rushed for the door to escape.

"Escape is impossible, as I have sealed you all in here and blocked the doors from the other side. Do not even bother to try." the voice of the robed one boomed in the room.

Hopelessness was beginning to wear on the gathered, the ones who went for the door returning to their seats, feeling defeated in their attempt before even trying. The robed Mobian produced a knife from the inside of its robe, moving to its captive on the ground.

"Tonight. My lord and master, the demon Bael-Groth shall rise again and decimate this church that stands as monument to who wronged him, and he shall feast on you all and make you one with himself. Do not fear, for we have been fooled by promises of the echidna gods! They promise us safety, security. They lie, and so tonight we turn to their foes, those who can offer us peace and protection."

The crowd watched as the hooded Mobian raised the knife high above them in both hands, prepared to bring it down. Before they could, the doors flew open to reveal Base Hedgehog storming down the aisle, his raging bull grasped tightly in his right hand.

"Listen up, there's a devil in the church! Everyone clear out now if you don't want to be demon chow!" Base aimed the revolver at the knife wielding figure,"Drop the knife, Nora."

Slowly the knife lowered, a hand came away to bring down their hood, revealing it to indeed be Nora,"You figured me out, you're smarter than you look. What gave me away, detective?"

Base smirked,"You did. At your home you played dumb at the beginning of my questions, faking your shock at the knowledge of the murders. But despite not knowing about them before, you somehow knew that the murders had all been children. You're sick, Nora and you need help. Why betray Oria-Na for Bael-Groth?"

"My mother trusted Oria-Na, she was faithful, and Oria-Na let her be raped. Now," Nora leaned down, pulling the hood from her captive on the ground,"my father will pay for his crime of raping my mother. The faithless shall know suffering, and Bael-Groth will bring balance to my life. I'm not the villain here, this is the only way!"

Base shook his head,"You're wrong. There's always another way! Nora please, don't make me shoot you. This won't bring your mother back, won't erase the past and dying would be meaningless!"

Nora grinned and tilted her head,"On the contrary, let me show you how meaningful it is."

Nora drove the knife into her own chest, striking between her breasts with a single grunt. She didn't suffer long, dropping to her knees, arms fell to her sides, and her head fell as dead weight as her life left her. Base lowered his gun and shook his head at the foolishness of the situation, then noticed something.

Nora's body was pulsing, forming into something new, growing large and scaly, her body reforming into something horrendous. Claws where hands once were, an elongated neck, pointed ears underneath curved horns. Her muzzle flattened against her face, the skin peeling back to reveal rows of sharpened teeth, each row behind it shorter than the one in front and a single, slithering tongue. Her eyes sunk into her head, growing a dark red with pupils glowing like burning embers in a pool of blood. The Nora creature's fur fell out revealing dull grey dead skin.

This was Bael-Groth. Nora was his permanent vessel.

"That's one ugly mother fucker." Base thought out loud.

A scream of mass hysteria. Base turned and watched as the crowd finally began to run for their lives having foolishly stayed behind out of curiosity. Base watched as the transformation finished and the monster took his first breath. The crowd had managed to disperse finally just as the monster had completed its rebirth.

Base's eyes flicked to the victim to be at the monster's feet, he rushed for the bound and gagged man to try and save him. Bael-Groth swatted Base aside sending him into a pillar to the left of the room, the impact leaving a large crack in the pillar. Base hit the ground hard after his impact, groaning in pain as he tried getting to his feet. From where he was, he could see Bael-Groth lift the bound victim by his feet and slowly lower him into his mouth, like a penguin swallowing a fish whole. When he was inside Bael-Groth's maw, he snapped his mouth shut with a loud and wet crunch.

Base flinched at the noise, watching blood run from the corners of the demon's mouth. He felt his stomach turn as he finally made it to his feet,"Bastard or not, he deserved jail time, not meal time."

Base lifted his arm holding the revolver, bringing his second hand up to steady his aim and firing the six shots as fast as he could pull the trigger. Bael-Groth flinched as the rounds struck him, they hurt him, but they weren't killing him. Base cursed and made a dash for the door, reloading the revolver as he ran. With a single leap Bael-Groth crossed the room and landed in Base's path.

"Going somewhere, mortal?"

Base grinned,"I need to use the little hedgehog's room."

Base lifted the raging bull and emptied it again into Bael-Groth's face. With a swift swing of his arm the demon struck him, sending him up through the air and down and through a few of the pews. Base shook and groaned, he was tough but he didn't know how many more hits he could handle from the demon.

"Foul one, HALT!" came the priest's booming voice.

Base watched Bael-Groth back away from the open doors, the priest following on his heels hobbling along on his cane, the candle hend in front of him like a holy talisman. Base realized it was, in fact just that; it was the candle St. Rufius used to defeat Bael-Groth two-hundred years ago, but this time there was no just waiting it out, this was different. Base needed a plan, and he needed one quick. Base lifted the raging bull in his hand, the gun barrel was bent to the right slightly with a large break in it. Base tossed the broken revolver aside and started feeling around inside his coat for the second revolver.

The old priest had nearly backed Bael-Groth all the way back to the platform where he had formed through Nora's body, the candle held fast before him, the flame flickering in the air.

"Weak old fool! You know not whom you trifle with! Recant your saint, I shall grant you power, youth, eternity!"

"Hold your tongue, demon. I'll not be swayed by your promises of power!" the old rabbit stepped over a piece of broken wood from a shattered pew,"I will not-"

Bael-Groth swiped at the old man, the sudden attack catching him off guard, sending him toppling backwards over the broken wood. When he hit the floor, he dropped the candle, it rolling out of his reach and leaving him at Bael-Groth's mercy. The demon grinned, the malice in his face present as he reached down and scooped up the old man.

"Now mortal. Know suffering in my bowels for eternity!"

Two shots rang out, the loud boom echoing in the large chamber. One hit the demon in the right cheek, and then in his right eye. He roared in pain feeling the burning silver enter his eye. His remaining eye fixed on the shooter: Base.

"Put him down Bael or I swear I'll shoot you in the crotch next."

Bael-Groth roared and pitched the old man through the air at Base. He impacted with Base, the younger hedgehog trying to catch him on impact to cushion his impact. The two hit the floor, Base tumbling from the force of the impact, losing his hold on the old man. The old priest flew from his grip skidding down the carpet down and into the lobby where Base had first met him.

Base got to his feet and charged Bael-Groth, firing another two shots into the demon as he charged. Two impact wounds opened in Bael-Groth's skin and bones form, seeming to barely do more than annoy him this time. He swatted Base again, sending him into the air crashing into the wooden guard rail of the upper floor where the organ player and choir would sing and play. Base shakily got to his feet in time to see Bael-Groth lunge for him across the room again.

Base dashed out of the way as fast as he could as the giant form smashed into the area where he had been. The monster thrashing and clawing towards him as he tried to put distance between himself and it. Base felt around inside his coat, trying to find a speed loader for the revolver having only two shots left and instead finding something else in a cold glass bottle,"Score."

Base jumped onto the railing and jumped to try and get back down to the first floor. Bael-Groth reached out and snatched him by the foot in mid-air, and pitching him at the ground. Base struck the ground hard, his hat flying from his head in the process. Base groaned as he watched the demon land on the altar area, his vision was blurry, his body weak. He looked to his side and saw the candle, he reached into his coat and pulled the glass bottle from his coat pocket. It was as large as a small whiskey bottle and roughly the same shape.

Bael-Groth was closing in on him but stopped and hesitated seeing the candle. Base pitched the glass bottle at his face, taking aim with his second to last shot,"Hey Bael! GO TO HELL!"

Base fired, the bullet tore through the glass bottle shattering it sending the spray of blessed water into Bael-Groth's face along with the bullet. The demon thrashed and screeched, its hands unable to touch its burning, melting face as the water ate away at its scaly skin. Bael-Groth lunged for Base with the intent that he would no go alone.

Base's arm shook,"I SAID GO TO HELL!"

Base fired his last shot almost point-blank in-between Bael-Groth's eyes. The blessed water having weakened him enough that the damaged tissue entering into his skull with the water still soaked into it finished him.

Bael-Groth's body hit the floor, skidding a few feet and turning to ash in a burst of hellfire. Base dropped his gun, rolled onto his front and pushed himself to his feet and ran to the old priest’s side. He lifted the old rabbit’s head,”Stay with me old man. Help's on the way, just stay with me."

The priest smiled,”...is Bael-Groth..?"

Base nodded and smiled,”Its gone, we got it. You’re a hero now, just like Rufius.”

The priest grinned wide, blood began to form at the corner's of his mouth, a sign of internal damage. He reached up and placed his hand on Base's shoulder,"...did good...boy. Wonder if...I'll be...a saint now."

Base grinned, but his smile faltered, he grabbed the old priest's hand,"Stay with me and I'll put the nomination in myself, just...just stay with me."

His eyes fixed on nothing in particular, seeming to stare right through Base,"...wish I...could sonny. But the light...its...so warm..."

His body fell limp, his last breath came in a ragged exhale.

Base lowered his head, slowly laying his body down to the floor. He closed the old priest's eyes and made Aurora's sign over his heart then clasped his hands in prayer,"Rest lost one, in the Kingdom of Archaeda o' wayward soul and find in it eternal harmony. Requiescat in pace."

Base sat on the steps of the church, the CCF had finally arrived after a call from the escaped church goers. St. John stepped up to Base and placed his hands on his hips,"Fine mess you made of everything, Hedgehog. If you’d just called us like I told you this wouldn’t have happened.”

Base looked up at St. John,"I'm not in the mood."

Base got to his feet and walked past St. John,"Payment is due. The case is closed, three dead: a summoner of the demon, a sacrifice eaten and a fallen priest who defended his church from the demon. Next time weird shit comes up, how about telling me before its already too late to prevent? You got my number. Make sure the priest gets a proper burial and a nomination for what he did."

Base shouldered his way past St. John, adjusting his hat. The rain began to fall again, thunder crackled in the sky as lighting came down in the distance. St. John watched as Base made his way down the street. The situation could have been a lot worse than it had been. If nothing else, the hedgehog had luck on his side.

The End