Chapter Two:
Mommy and Me
by Chris and Rachel
"Turn here, I like that park better than the other," Clare whispered into Ian's ear, as she rode on his shoulder, her tail wrapped around his neck like some sort of odd necklace.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, as he guided Bruce to head off in a new direction. Bruce was just happy to be outside on a walk. Who knows what he might meet up with? The large Rottweiler lumbered down the street, almost dragging Ian with him. A cool early evening breeze wafted down the street, ruffling Clare's fur, and Ian's shirt. It had been a beautiful fall day, and it looked as if it would be a beautiful fall night.
Clare sniffed the air, and looked at the sun, as it was just beginning its decent into splendor, tipping the colors of the sky with golds, roses, and oranges. "Truly, you can see the glory of God in nature. Why, it even feels sacred, don't you think, Ian?"
"Yes, Clare," Ian replied. "It is a beautiful evening. It actually - does- almost feel holy tonight."
"Yes, it does, doesn't it?" she mused thoughtfully.
In response, Bruce wagged his tail, and panted. Then again, that was his response to most things. Not counting licking things. Or knocking them over.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Dr. Ina!"
Felice Ina raised his eyes from the medical records he was quickly looking over, huge smile on his face. He nodded at his nurse, Sheryl, and waved goodbye to her. Soon as she was gone, Felice slipped back into doctor mood, eyes scanning the papers with more care. He lowered his eyes to his watch. Ouch - was it really that late? With a sigh, he pulled off his glasses and cleaned them with the edge of his doctor's coat. Had been a long week - he always hated it when flu season started. Putting his spectacles back on his nose, he opened a nearby filing cabinet and put the files in their appropriate place. Bought time he called it a night. Slipping out of his doctor's coat and putting on a regular jacket, Felice slipped outside.
It was a pretty cool night, especially for the end of summer. With a sigh, Felice wished again that it was Friday. Friday was the day that Marisse came over, soon as he could pick her up from soccer practice. For now, he had to take his walks back home from work by himself, without even the company of a cute girl. "Speaking of which," Felice murmured to himself as a rather cute one strolled past. Felice chuckled to himself. It was times like these he wished he was twenty years younger.
Since the sunset was so beautiful and Felice wanted to enjoy it a little more, he took a small detour from his regular walk home through a nearby park. The place was basically deserted except for a young man walking a massive dog with something strange seated on his shoulder. Felice double-took a little bit. Geez - did dogs normally get that big? He was kind of a cute fellow, Felice had always liked dogs. With a friendly wave, Felice walked over and smiled at the owner. "Mind if I pet him?" he asked politely.
"No, go ahead," Ian said to the man. "He's really friendly. Watch out for his tongue, though. It's a killer."
The something strange seated on Ian's shoulder quivered. It - couldn't- be. He was so much older than the others, and he was a -he- . Clare whispered into Ian's ear, "I think that this man is an Angelus - Ardousius."
Ian blanched slightly. Now that Clare mentioned it, he -could- feel something about this guy that seemed familiar. But, how in the world was he going to tell this guy that? He had to be twice his age. "Excuse me," he said to the happily petting man, "Do you, um, have a minute or two?"
Felice stopped scratching Bruce behind the ears for a second, eyebrow quirked. His face split into a huge grin a few seconds afterwards, though, and he stood up while brushing off his knees. "'Course I do. Adults should listen to kids more often, anyway, that's what I say."
"Okay, good, because I'm about to do something you're not really going to believe. Clare?" he said, turning to the weasel on his shoulder.
Clare scampered down Ian's arm, and jumped onto Bruce's back. Bruce just wagged his tail. He liked giving rides to Clare. "My good man," started Clare, "you are exceptionally blessed. You have been chosen to receive a very special gift -- you are an Angelus, one of God's warriors!"
"Wow," Felice said, still grinning. He crouched down again, face to face with Clare. "I didn't realize you were an entertainer. This is the most realistic looking puppet I've ever seen! And you're a very talented ventriloquist, I must say. The whole thing about God's warriors is a bit strange, though." He laughed a little and returned to studying Clare, prodding her in the side gently. "Geez, lots of detail on this thing, isn't there? She's even warm!"
"I'm -not- a puppet, I am Saint Clare, and I am Ian's guardian," she said to the man who was grinning at him in a slightly huffy voice. "And I'd thank you very much if you'd stop prodding me in the side. My Ian is Gabriel Knight, the Archangelus senshi of water, and you are... you are Ardousius, the Angelus senshi of motherhood."
"Motherhood?" gasped Ian.
"Motherhood," she said primly.
Felice stood up, laughing. "Yeesh. I knew medication fumes would get to me one day. Okay, if you're not a puppet, you're just a talking weasel who claims to be a saint. Fine. And you're Ian, right? An angel of water? And I'm the angel of motherhood?" Felice laughed again, pat Bruce lightly on the head and sighed. "Sorry, but I think this may seem a bit too crazy for me. I think I'm going to go home now. I think I need to get some rest." Shaking his head, he turned around and began to walk off.
Clare looked around the park. It was deserted, save for Ian, Felice, herself, and Bruce. "Ian transform, now," she said.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes, do it now," she ordered.
"Felice, you may want to watch this," he shouted. "Gabriel Archangelus Power, Suit Up," he whispered. A brilliant light emanated from his crucifix, and it turned into his sword and belt. Clasping itself around his waist, there was a blinding flash of golden and scarlet light, and suddenly Ian was Ian no longer, but Gabriel Knight, kneeling on the ground, with his face lifted towards heaven.
Felice's jaw went slack. "This is... -insane-. What is going on here?" he demanded, faintest trace of anger in his voice.
"Well, I'm an Angelus senshi, and so are you," Gabriel said, putting his sword back into its sheath. "Listen, I was shocked when I found out about it, too. Clare, does he have a transformation item?"
Clare seemed to curl up around something on Bruce's back, and somehow a baby rattle appeared when she straightened back up. A bright pink and teal baby rattle on a light chain. "I need you to take this, and say Ardousius Angelus Power, Make Up!" Clare ran over to him with the rattle in her mouth, and deposited it at his feet. "Please?" she asked, attempting to look as cute as a weasel could possibly get.
"A baby rattle?" he sighed, but stooped and picked it up. "This better not be filmed or anything for some random TV show," he warned and called out his henshin. He found him, much to his alarm, give the rattle a small shake - not once, but -twice-. Tossing the rattle into the air, his figure glowed teal for a few seconds until, finally, Felice was no more and, instead, Ardousius stood in his place, hand crossed in front of his face. Gasping and pulling his goggles off, he looked at his getup in shock. "I'll be damned," he said, stunned.
"Blessed," reprimanded Clare. "Now, you are a member of the Angelus, and must protect the world from the Grigori. They are the Fallen Angels."
"What are his powers, Clare?" asked Gabriel.
"I was just getting to that part. Now, Ardousius, your first attack power is called Ardousius Annoying Mothering. You simply say this, and you'll start your attack. It ends when you say the word `Mothering'."
"What, 'Ardousius Annoying'-" A change came over Ardousius's face, and suddenly he drew his eyebrows together and marched up to Gabriel. "Really, dear, when was the last time you washed your hair? It looks filthy. And it needs cutting. Are you getting good grades? Are you behaving? I don't want your teachers calling me with bad reports. You need to eat more; you're really -much- too thin. Don't eat only junk food, either. Be careful with that sword, you may poke someone's eye out! Now, get to work so I can finally stop mothering over you for once!" Ardousius breathed deeply, desperate to get air into his lungs now that his attack was over. He just spoke for a good minute without stopping to breathe. "Okay... that was weird. Can I not do that again?"
"You're telling -me- that that was weird?" said Gabriel. "I couldn't -do- anything but listen to you. Clare, does he have anything else?"
"Of course he does, dear. Mother Medicine will let you heal wounds," she answered.
"I see," Ardousius said slowly. "But what I don't see is the point of all this. I just have to fight fallen angels? No offense, but I don't really want to. I don't like to fight. I'm old. And I'm a doctor. I like to -help- people. And, besides, I got an eleven-year-old daughter. What if something happens to me? I'm not really... up to this."
"You are what you are," Clare said simply. "There's no denying it. You were divinely chosen -- you are up to the task before you."
"Listen," said Gabriel, "When Clare told me that I was the Archangel Gabriel, I was shocked. I really didn't think that I would be able to handle it. But, I'm still alive. And, it's not like we're alone. There's Ariel, and Sailor Azrael, and Seraphiel. And, from the looks of it, you're not a fighting senshi, but a support one. I promise that you'd never go out by yourself. Oh yeah, you can't tell anybody about this, either. Not even your daughter," he sighed. "It's a burden, yeah, but it's a noble one."
"I can't tell my daughter?" Ardousius repeated, looking pained. If there was one thing he hated, it was keeping secrets from his daughter. Not only was he bad at it, but Marisse knew it and was able to tell when ever he was lying. With a heavy sigh, Ardousius shrugged and smiled. "Well, what have I got to lose? Always have to look on the bright side of things, I suppose. At least I get this cool outfit!" Ardousius posed, beaming. "How's it look?"
"Very green," said Gabriel. "Very green, and trenchcoaty. At least you're not in this vest-toga-thing that I have to wear."
"Could be worse. You could be wearing a leotard."
Gabriel shuddered. "Please, no. That would be a little -too- much. So, um... I never found out. What's your name?"
"Oh!" Ardousius grinned and extended a hand, shifting his goggles into the other one. "I'm Felice Ina! Kinda funny, that. Ina, Ian, y'know what I mean. Anyway! I'm the doctor at yonder pediatric center - founded it myself." He beamed with pride. "What's your full name, sport?"
"Ian Michaels," he answered, as he shook his hand. "Junior, English and French Major at Roanoke College. You've met Clare, she's my guardian, and Bruce is my dog." Bruce answered by licking Ardousius' hand. "He's, um, friendly," Gabriel said, blushing a bit.
"Gabriel, make certain to get his phone number," said Clare, checking off a mental list as she did so. "And you'll have to introduce him to your other teammates. Don't forget to call each other by senshi names when transformed. I don't suppose you would care to spar?"
Ardousius shook his head. "I've told you, I'm not much a fighter. 'Fact, hate it. I don't even like Jackie Chan movies."
"Well, you aren't really the fighting sort, anyway," said Gabriel. "You don't have an actual weapon. I'll have to get you introduced to the others, though. Um, what do you do in the evening?"
"Well, if my daughter is over, I usually take her out for a movie or for dinner. But she only comes over on weekends," Ardousius looked sad for a brief moment, before his regular cheerful smile returned for his face. "But other than that, nothing! Why?"
"That's when we go out on patrol. It's when we go out and... well... you know. Look for Grigori," Gabriel said, looking slightly embarrassed, for some odd reason. "Going out in groups is advised, especially in your case. Umm, do you want to get out of these funky duds now?"
"I do look pretty funky, don't I?" Ardousius said, beaming. But he nodded. "They're a bit itchy, though, so - yeah."
"Well, think of how you used to look, and concentrate on that. Here, I'll show you," said Gabriel. For a moment, he went a little blurry, and then when he refocused, he was back in his normal attire. "Now you."
Ardousius closed his eyes and concentrated on the way he looked prior to transforming, and in a brief flash of teal light, was back to himself. Rubbing his shoulder, he shook his head slowly. "I gotta admit, this is pretty unbelievable."
"You're telling me? Talking animals, powers, fighting... I never expected to meet up with a talking weasel in Italy," Ian admitted.
"No, you certainly didn't," said Clare. "But I must say that I did a good job of awakening you. The monastery was the -perfect- place, blessed be the Lord."
"She still thinks she's a nun," Ian whispered to Felice.
Felice smiled. "Awww, she's kinda cute - let her think what she wants, hmm?"
"Oh, I do. She's teaching me Latin, at the moment. So, um, do you want me to walk back with you to your place or something? I can answer some more of your questions on the way, or at your house," Ian suggested.
"Well, I only live about... two minutes away from here, and I do have quite a few questions. Sure you wouldn't mind, kiddo?"
"Don't mind at all. First time I found out, I really wished I'd have had somebody to ask questions about. Not that you weren't helpful, Clare," he said, noticing the weasel looking at him, "it's just that you didn't know about the battling, or anything."
"Yes, I suppose you're right," she said. Clare scrambled back over to Ian, and he picked her up, and placed her around his neck. She wrapped her tail around his neck again, and said, "Lead on, Mr. Ina."
Thirty-five minutes later, Felice and Ian were both in his apartment, Felice intent on his pinball game. "I'm gonna beat that high score you got, y'know. You just got lucky that time!"
"You're goin' down, old man!" shouted Ian.
Clare merely shook her head, and sighed. At least he was friendly enough. Bruce licked Clare affectionately on her side. "Thank you, Bruce," she sighed. Bruce merely beamed a doggy smile, as he watched Ian and Felice get excited over a machine with flashing lights and noises.