As the pale moonlight fell from the night sky, a scene was playing out. An event that, in a different universe, at this exact moment, ended with a red eyed man rescuing his pseudo niece from certain death. But in this world, at this time, something far... darker happens. Something far worse.

Before the disemboweled corpse of Summer Rose stood one Jackie Estacado. Except, it wasn't really Jackie anymore. No, the Darkness had imprisoned the little man, mentally speaking. And it had conjured the Dark Armor around its new body.

The armor was jet-black with red glowing highlights around it. It increased the new body's height by a few inches, and gave it a far more muscular appearance. Its finger ended in long, borderline talons. Its shoulders and back were adorned with several spikes. The head was completely faceless, aside from two features. Two, completely golden glowing eyes and a mouth that, when closed, was invisible. The mouth was a thin line, and was filled with needle like fangs and a forked tongue. This was the on the only form the Darkness could take to use its true voice.

The Darkness stood tall over the body of Summer Rose. Her hair was a dark red, borderline black and became a much lighter shade at the tips. Her hair was also long, being neck length. Her skin was pale, whether from death or just a lack of sunlight, it didn't know nor care. She was short, about 5'6-5'7. Her eyes were a beautiful silver. She didn't possess much visible muscle and she wore a brown corset with a white shirt underneath. Her skirt possessed white hems, seemed she liked the color white. She was wearing a white cape that was red on the inside.

It looked down upon the beautiful scene before it. The body was torn asunder, the gorgeous blood painted the forest floor. It wished It was there for that, the slaughter must've been glorious... oh well, such is life.

Its main focus, however, was brought to the red bundle in the corpse's arms, do to a sudden moan. It was a sleeping toddler, a little girl. She looked eerily similar to the corpse, a daughter, perhaps? She was something... pure. So disgustingly pure. It didn't like that. She was sinless, so much so that He would no doubt would allow her into Heaven if she died now. And its opposite would no doubt take her as host, if it could. No, no, no, no. That wouldn't do. Not. One. Bit.

Its Serpent Heads slithered towards the child, their fanged maws slowly opening and oozing slime. Their dagger like fangs opened wide, Their lower jaws unhinged to the point where They could devour the child's head in one bite.

"Stop," it ordered the Serpent Heads just as they were about to snap Their mouths shut. Instead,the Serpentine Darklings slowly slithered back, closing Their mouths.

It kneeled before the body, reaching out a hand, extending a razor sharp claw and gently running it across her cheek, leaving a faint red mark. The little pile of flesh and blood shuddered, as if experiencing a nightmare.

"My baby..." A woman's voice echoed unnaturally behind It. It turned Its golden eyes too see the dead woman's ghost. Her spirit was identical to the body; minus the wounds and being translucent. Her ghost raised those ethereal eyes, shocked that it seemingly heard her.

"Funny," It muttered as it pulled away Its arm, "Not so pure, it seems." Ghosts only ever remained in the human realm under three circumstances. First was vengeance. Second was unfinished business. Third and most common was typically a curse of some kind. This one was likely the second.

"Please, d'don't hurt her! I b-beg you!" She cried, falling to her knees as her hands clutched together. Her eyes leaked green ectoplasm. It smiled ear to nonexistent ear.

"I beg you," It mocked, "don't hurt my baby!" It laughed at her reaction, its deep and raspy voice almost drowned out by the dozens of whispers accompanying the most unholy of sounds.

"Stupid bitch. I won't kill this piece of shit, not yet." It explained, turning to the baby and, with a mock gentleness, rubbed Its knuckle against the living girl's cheek.

"No! Oum, please! Leave my baby alone! she did nothing wrong!" Cried that voice,causing Its laughter too only grow.

"Stupid Maggot. I'll enjoy blackening this little baby's soul. When I'm done, death well be but a mercy." It couldn't restrain its laughter, giggling and enjoying this. Oh, it'll be so much fun! Too break this bitch's soul. In front of her mother's soul, no less! Oh, this gave the Darkness a certain rush of excitement most things couldn't. This will be so much fun...


It — The Darkness or anything directly related to the Darkness ala Darklings or Serpent Heads.

It — The Angelus or anything relating to the Angelus ala Angelus Warriors or Light Essence.

It — Witchblade. well, you guys get the picture by now.

To avoid confusion in the future chapters. In this story, the Darkness well possess its first game voice and Serpent Heads.

Also, this chapter has been heavily altered from the original version. Why? Well, two reasons.

1, I originally wrote this a long time ago with very, very different intentions for a much lighter story. That, and the motivation for the Darkness taking Ruby made little sense.

2, I feel it causes people looking for either a more faithful rendition of the Darkness too be upset, despite the future chapters being much, much darker and more faithful to the Darkness' personality. For others looking for a more lighthearted story or one filled with fluff would probably be fooled by this chapter, despite this story heavily involving child abuse and other... much darker things in the future.

The TLDR is that I felt like a prick. Sorry, guys. Especially for those I might have unintentionally fooled into reading.

Also, I might come back and update this chapter later. Too increase the dialogue of the Summer, and make the Darkness more mocking and sinister. Not sure when, but I might.