Chapter 9

The Arcobaleno consisted of the seven strongest- The I Prescelti Setteof- of an era.

The chosen Arcobaleno each possess a pacifier that represents the different colors of the rainbow, each pacifier was a different color representing a different Dying Will Flame type: Sky, Sun, Storm, Rain, Lightning, Cloud, and Mist. They were only ever supposed to be Seven Arcobaleno- it was a common fact anyone involved within the Mafia knew- there had only even been Seven known Arcobaleno.

Or was there? Alejandro frowned softly at the soft whisper of his mind. There were only Seven Arcobaleno, everyone knew that... Yet who did everyone know? There was no records, no rulebook or guides for the Arcobaleno Curse. Who was to say there wasn't an Eight Arcobaleno- after all, he had seen the small Vindice standing upon a taller Vindice's shoulder with a clear pacifier around their neck- hidden from the rest of them?

Taking a breath, Alejandro closes his eyes and allows his mind to wonder over everything he has noticed concerning the Arcobaleno.

At their original meeting, there had only been seven chairs at the table. Checkerface had never mentioned or clued in there could be another- then again he didn't say much of anything besides trying to ensure they would know each other- Arcobaleno somewhere out there. Yet at the house for the Arcobaleno, there had been eight chairs at the table, eight bedrooms, eight separate wings- one for each Flame and then an empty one that had been sealed off. Then there was that feeling- the subtle, never spoken and easily overlooked feeling- that all but screamed something was missing. Something important.

Was this it? Were they missing a part of their Rainbow and never even realized it?

To be honest, Alejandro didn't know, but he knew how to find out.

After all, he needed to rescue His Sky; so why not make a side trip while he was there?

Bermuda cannot help but stare at Jager as the golden-eyed man's words register within his mind.

"I'm sorry Jager, I think I misheard. Can you please repeat it once more?" 

After all, Bermuda would swear Jager had just informed him someone had broken into Vendicare. Maybe his hearing was going out on him? Maybe Jager had meant to say someone had broken out- while that would have been difficult it wasn't impossible- instead but misspoken? After all, who would be insane enough to break into Vendicare?

"Lord Bermuda, its either we have an intruder or Jack has attempted his hand at holiday cooking again- which I highly doubt seeing how he's still looking for that Famiglia within the Amazon Rainforest- and its secretly plotting to overthrow us, " Jager couldn't help but deadpan as his eyes darted towards the shadows- those gingerbread men had already attempted to ambush him once- as his finger curled around the chain in his hand.

Well, when Jager put it that way. A heavy sigh leaves the emerald-eyed Chibi, it would appear there was some idiot lurking around his prison.

"On a scale of one to ten, how bad is it Jager?" 

"Twelve, Lord Bermuda. The Gingerbread seems to have formed their own Private Militia." Of course, they did. God forbid something ever be simple around here.

"Have they started recruiting prisoners?" 

"Not yet, though I believe that has more to do with the fact they can't open the cell doors than anything."

"Very well then," Bermuda stood from his place upon his throne before jumping onto Jager's shoulder, "I shall aid you in dealing with this... Disturbance."

The moment the two left his office, there's the sound of a strangled battle cry followed by a hoard of toddler sized creatures descending upon them. There's a quick flash of silver before assorted body parts clutter to the floor. Bermuda cannot help but watch in twisted fascination as hands attempt to pull themselves across the marble floor and towards Jager's feet- there's something strangely familiar about this scene. As though he has seen it before- before there's a flash of Black Fire leaving only ashes within the hall.

"Jager." 

"Yes, Lord Bermuda?"

"I believe these Gingerbread are dolls." 

Just the thought alone sends a shiver of dread down Bermuda's spine, Killer Dolls. Why the hell not? A strangled noise leaves the golden-eyed Vindice sounding suspiciously like 'Not Again'. Bermuda cannot help but agree, cursed dolls were near the top of his 'Things I never want to deal with again' list, so it only made sense his luck would all but throw them at them.

"I'll book you a vacation once this is dealt with Jager." 

Jager was obviously going to need it. Maybe he would even tag along- he was well overdue a vacation anyways- and leave Jack to deal with any stragglers and the cleanup. After all, the redhead just loved Killer Dolls; seeing how nine times out of ten the rouge was the reason they were dealing with them in the first place.

"Thank you, Lord Bermuda." 

A week later, Jack would arrive back at Vendicare- dragging hundreds of Mafioso within his chain- in time for 'the Devil in Human Skin' to inform the redhead of his new provisional position as both the Warden and Keeper, neither Jager nor Bermuda stayed around long enough for the crimson eyed man to ask questions. It was the best two weeks of his existence- he even fount this creepy little doll that attempted to attack him to add to his collection- the prisoners on the other hand where all but thanking every God they knew when the other Vindices' finally returned to Vendicare.

Alejandro, on the other hand, would find himself worried and confused when none of his dolls made their way back with either His Sky or their report. Maybe he should have gone in person after all? A frown flickered onto his childish face as the Lightning Arcobaleno began to plot anew.

—————-

Jack existed solely to torment him- well either that or the Gods were attempting to make him a Saint by constantly testing his resolve- of that Jager was certain. The Vindice's lone visible eye moved from the dancing doll- who in their sane mind teaches a Killer Doll to Hulu dance?- and onto exasperated His Lord.

"Are you sure I can't kill him?"

"Only if you want to do his portion of the paperwork." 

For a moment, Jager allowed himself to consider the option. He could finally be rid of the menace but was he willing to deal with that Nightmare- for what else would you call sentient paperwork that tried to slit your throat every time you walked into whatever room Jack was attempting to hide it within- on a daily basis?

"Kekeke!"

The rouge's laughter echoed in his ear, tempting Jager more then he would care to admit.

Paperwork or Jack, Paperwork or Jack. Jack or Paperwork, Jack vs Paperwork. Paperwork and Jack.

Damn it. Even if he killed Jack would the redhead even stay dead or would he be adding upon his workload for a momentary pleasure?

"Lord Bermuda, you are the Devil."

"So I've heard," The Night Arcobaleno all but deadpanned as the bandaged wrapped face seemed to glance up from his own paperwork, "You have your options, Jager. I suggest you pick your poison carefully."

It was strange for packages to arrive at Vendicare- who would ever deliver to the middle of a frozen wasteland after all- so why was there labeled to him, or rather the Vendicare Warden, just outside the gate? Tilting his head slightly in thought, Bermuda could feel his eyes narrow as he tried to come up with a reasonable excuse for the strange phenomenon.

Was this another of Jack's Pranks? It made sense if that was the case, the rouge was always looking to cause Mischief. The package likely had some type of 'surprise' just waiting for him. If Jack thought he was falling for that same trick twice, the redhead had another thing coming.

Scowling, Bermuda allowed his chains to slither into the air before wrapping securely around the five-foot box. The moment the box was firmly in the air the emerald-eyed Chibi allowed his chains to violently shake the package- that should set off whatever was inside- prior to flinging it out of sight. Satisfied, he turned on heel and back into the halls of Vendicare.

The moment Bermuda set a foot within the dull grey halls, he was plucked off the ground by a pair of strong arms.

"Jager." 

"Yes, Lord Bermuda?"

"Ensure Jack has sewer duty for a month."

"It will be my pleasure. "

Elsewhere within the frozen wasteland, a certain Lightning Arcobaleno couldn't help but groan in misery as he crawled halfway out the box he had previously used in an attempt to infiltrate Vendicare. Though his main goal had failed, Alejandro was certain he had learned something crucial about his adversaries:

The Vindice where either crafty bastards- who easily saw through his disguise for why else would they shake a box labeled 'Fragile' like that- or they thoroughly abhorred Courier Delivery.

Nevertheless, Alejandro liked to believe he was a crafty bastard himself. If The Vindice thought they could get rid of him that easily they had another thing coming. He would infiltrate that prison- the literal Hell on Earth- and rescues His Sky from their clutches. Determined, the blue-haired Arcobaleno forced his way to his feet and took a step forward, only to wobble dangerously and fall back into the snow with a groan of misery.

He would defeat The Vindice. He would rescue His Sky...Just as soon as the world stopped spinning.

"Lord Bermuda, there's an army of snowmen attempting to eradicate the Northern Gate."

The scratching of a quill onto parchment pauses as the small bandaged covered face glances towards the golden-eyed man in bewilderment. Honestly, had anyone else spoken those words in his presence Bermuda would have thought them insane, but Jager had always been one of sanest people he knew. Still, if nothing else, he had to make sure.

"Snowmen?" 

Disbelief colors his tone as the taller Vindice give a solemn nod.

"Snowmen."

A heavy sigh leaves the Night Arcobaleno's lips as he stares down mournfully at the now ink splattered paperwork.

"I see, " Throwing the quill onto his desk, Bermuda glared down at the wasted effort that had been the last hour and a half hour of his life, "Melt them. Oh and Jager, please inform Jack I would like to have a word with him. "

Though he couldn't see it, Bermuda was certain a smirk was gracing Jager's voice by the elder's silky tone alone.

"Consider it done."
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Vongola.

What was it with that Famiglia and being in the middle of everything? A nervous laughter fills the air as The Vongola Primo sheepishly rubs the back of his head, eyes darting everywhere else but towards The Vindice. To be honest, Jager finds himself half tempted to reach other and strangle the man but manages to keep the urge in check.

Yanking on his chain, the golden-eyed Vindice dragged the Weapon Turner closer towards himself and in turn the portal back to Vendicare.

"Wait! Surely we can talk about this. Talbot hasn't done anything wrong. "

"Vongola Weapon Turner, Talbot, has broken Omerta. "

"He was trying to save their lives!"

"The Law is the Law. None of above it no matter what excuse they supply."

It was nothing personal against the inventor- the man had done what he believed right- had done it to save lives, but Jager had sworn to uphold the Law. Wither or not it was right or wrong didn't matter, Talbot had broken Omerta and therefore sentenced to Vendicare.

"What if we strike a deal?"

"There will be no deals. Only justice. "

"Just hear me out, please!"

Why was it Vongola had to overcomplicate everything? Surely they could last five years without their Weapon Turner and if not... Well, that was their problem, not his. Jager is about to voice just that when His Lord's finally speaks.

"We are listening." 

Bermuda originally had no intentions of speaking- there was no real reason to do so when Jager was more than capable of doing so- yet the moment Primo makes his offer there's a whisper in the back of his head. It all but deafens him with its screams as it informs him that if he listens now it shall be well worth it later. So he speaks, his words cutting through the tense silence like a hot knife through butter, and he listens. Once the other finishes his offer, Bermuda allows the silence to stretch before finally making his decision.

"Release him, Jager." 

The feeling in the back of his mind all but purrs with his final decision.

"Be warned now, Vongola Primo, we shall be watching closely. If he sets one toe out of line Vongola will share his Fate." 

It will take centuries before Bermuda will ever see the results of his indulgence but in the end, the Night Arcobaleno believes it was well worth the wait.

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Chapter 10

"Jager, I think there's something wrong." 

Golden eyes glanced upward just in time to watch the small form crash to the marble floors, laying there eerily like a puppet who's strings had suddenly been severed.

"Bermuda!"

Personally, he does not wish to be there.

He should be at His Lord's bedside- he desires nothing more to be there- but His Lord is ill with a sickness he does not recognize and he knows Jack well enough to know the redhead couldn't manage a subtle mission- coughKidnappingcough- to save his life; Let alone Lord Bermuda's. So, with no other option available, Jager had been forced to leave his sickly Lord within the menace's care in favor of hunting down a Magical that not only was capable of Flames.

It was a difficult task, Magic and Flames didn't seem to mix well- once both were activated the Magical in question seemed to either be torn apart by their own magic or slowly lose their minds- yet every now and then there was a Magical or two with an aptitude for wielding both gifts while retaining their sanity. Already these individuals were rare but finding one that knew about the Mafia- it wouldn't do to break their own Laws after all- is even rarer.

Yet Jager is nothing if not stubborn.

It is because of this stubbornness that the golden-eyed man finds himself chasing a fleeing figure down the darkened streets of Paris.

Samuel Longbottom- in Paris on vacation, though it's only now that he truly begins to regret his decision- is a seasoned Med-wizard and a Sun who has held past experience with the Mafia as a whole. He liked to consider himself a good man; he was kind and well mannered, he saved lives- both Magical and Mundane - without expecting or asking for anything in return, and he was always willing to lend a hand when it was needed.

So why was it, he was running from a Vindice during the dead of night in Paris- The City of Love- of all places?

There's a flash of steel from the corner of the man's blue eyes only moments before a chain wraps itself around his legs, Samuel doesn't even have a chance to let out a startled cry before the chain is yanked and he suddenly finds himself toppling into a black abyss that he was certain hadn't been there moments before.

If asked, Samuel would never be able to explain how it was possible but one moment he had been within the icy streets of Paris and the next he found himself landing- face first- onto the floorboard of a darkened bedroom. A moment later, the same Vindice that had been previously chasing seems to materialize by his side.

"Samuel Longbottom, You're aid is required. Should you speak a word of anything you witness within these walls you shall find them becoming your permeant home."

If this is how they ask for help, Samuel dreads to think of what should happen should they feel the need to demand it.

The room, as he first suspected, is a bedroom. Its rather bare in a personal sense-a chair by the fireplace, a nightstand, and an oversized bed are the only things within the room- but from what he would tell it was more for a practical sense than a personal one anyways. The Vindice ignores him as it makes its way towards the oversize bed and pushes back a silk curtain so blue eyes could see inside.

"Heal him."

His first thought upon seeing the occupant within the bed is: Oh God, they're breeding.

There's a baby- no older than two at most- tucked beneath the silk blankets. Though more importantly then that: There's a Vindice Baby occupying the bed. Slowly horrified blue eyes dart to the being- he can feel all but see glowering at him from beneath those bandages- standing beside him. This was the Father, wasn't it?

"Heal Him."

The Vindice repeats but only this time, Samuel can hear the silent: Or die trying that is left unspoken. Gulping audibly, blue eyes darted back towards the small figure within the bed. He's going to die here, isn't he?

It doesn't help Samuel's already shot nerves in the least when another Vindice slips out of the bedside shadows.

"I'm going to need to remove the bandages-"

"No."

"Look, I need to take them off to treat him-" Was it even him? Did the Vindice even have a gender? "-Otherwise I won't be capable of seeing the damage to its full extent-"

"The bandages will not be removed. Find another way."

There was no way in Hell, would Jager allow anyone to discover His Lord's identity. If they did so, it would only be a matter of time before word spread and Chaos followed.

They were watching him- always watching to the point Samuel was certain they never slept- silent invisible eyes upon his back as he worked diligently from dusk to dawn, never quite willing to stop least their patients with his work dwindles into ire. He felt as though he was walking on thin ice, barely skating past the dangers that would all too happily plunge him into the icy waters below.

It was obvious from the beginning they didn't trust him but they still needed him and for now, that appeared to be enough.

He feels as though he's suffocating, there's an intense heat filling his lungs and snuffling out necessary oxygen that should have been there instead. Its as though his lungs are made of burning clothes and every -agonizing- breath he breathes slowly expands them further then what should be allowed which in turn slowly tears them to pieces. So he sleeps, forcing his mind into a slumber so deep he cannot feel anything yet every now and then he awakes.

Bermuda is certain he's hallucinating during those brief moments of consciousness. After all, Neville Longbottom should not be born- let alone older than him- and was leaning more towards being a professor than a Doctor the last time The Night Arcobaleno saw the shy Gryffindor.

It's tempting to reach out and grab the other- to ensure he's actually there and not an illusion- but he lacks even the strength to left his arms to complete the action. So he watches the other for the brief moment's he can before darkness overtakes him once more.

'Has he ever had a vaccine in his life?!'

Even as his mind fades, Bermuda can hear Jager's voice whispering too softly for him to understand. Whatever he says didn't seem to please the Healer- Healer Neville(?)- in the least.

'Forget The Vindice being full of Shinigami, it's obviously full of idiots instead!'

When Bermuda woke again, he was all but imprisoned by his two traitorous Guardians under the pretense of 'it's for your own good, Lord Bermuda'.

Bed Rest, Indeed.

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Giotto was a walking trouble magnet.

It seemed every time The Vindice turned their back The Vongola Primo was at the Heart of some sort of mischief or disaster- Bermuda would swear the blond was doing it on purpose- and if he wasn't the man was sure to be within the midst of causing one.

So when the brat went and made the vow with The Shimon Primo; Cozart, The Vindice Arcobaleno just knew the vow would be the cause of countless headaches one day. So it's with little patients left that the emerald-eyed Chibi has Jager take him to where the two are and makes it bluntly clear: Whoever breaks the vow- which will be judged by whoever loses the battle should one occur- will spend the rest of their lives in Vendicare.

Giotto, that cheeky brat, just smiles at them as though they have done him the world's greatest honor before the two part ways. For a moment the two Vindice stand there in the silence before Jager speaks.

"I give them a century until they forget their vows and are at each other's throats."

Its a century more then Bermuda would have granted them.

After all, Vongola Primo lived to drive them up the metaphorical wall; a part of the Vindice Arcobaleno briefly wonders if this is how Snape once felt. If so, Bermuda owed the man a Gift Basket full of high-quality liquor- and maybe first class tickets for a cruise vacation- for having the patients not to strangle him with his bare hands.

Later, when the two return to Vendicare both are assaulted by an over-energetic Jack who swears there's some blue-haired swamp monster in their Sewer System. As one Jager and Bermuda shares a look before the smaller sighs from his place on the golden-eyed man's shoulder.

"There's quality liquor in my office." 

Jager doesn't need any more motivation to open a wormhole straight there; he's far too sober to deal with Jack's antics only moments after dealing with The Vongola Primo's. Bermuda- for all that he cares for Jack- cannot help but agree.

—————
"We're keeping him." 

For not the first time that week, Jager resisted the urge to bang his head through the nearest wall.

His Lord, His Beloved and Gentle Lord, had somehow managed to find another stray- despite the fact he only went for a walk within a frozen wasteland- to bring home. Jager's visible golden eye moved from The Lightning Arcobaleno- who despite the covers was almost as blue as his hair- and onto His Lord.

"No."

Why was it Bermuda could never bring home a normal stray- A cat, a dog, hell even a wolf- instead of every maniac he crossed paths with that caught his fancy.

"Jager, we're-" 

"Absolutely not."

They didn't need another Jack as one was more than enough in Jager's opinion.

"But-" 

"No."

"Please-" 

"I am sorry, Lord Bermuda but my answer will not change."

"Jag-" 

"Bermuda, you cannot keep it."

Ignoring the Lightning Arcobaleno's bristling at being referred to as an 'it', Jager forced himself to keep his resolve firm. The golden-eyed man was still suffering- endless nightmares haunting him wither he was awake or asleep- from the last time he allowed leniency.

"I formed a Guardian Bond with him." 

Silence filled the room before a Killing Intent crushed down upon the blue haired man, attempting to snuff the life out of him before an icy voice spoke.

"Oh is that all? Worry not, Lord Bermuda, I know how to free you of his confinement," Alejandro could not stop a sense of dread from filling him as a chain seemed to materialized within the tallest Vindice's bandaged hands. It was only pure instinct that had the blue-haired Chibi hitting the floor in time to avoid the chain which collided with the wall- reducing it to rubble upon impact- instead of his neck.

Slowly dark eyes glanced upwards- if asked Alejandro would forever swear he saw a crimson glow coming from beneath those bandages- before the Vindice took a step closer to him; already swinging his chain once more. Now Alejandro wasn't a coward, he always believed it was best to face one's fear head on, but he wasn't an idiot either. Therefore the Lightning Arcobaleno did the only thing he could: He bolted as though the Hounds of Hades were on his heels.

Jager didn't hesitate to bolt after the fleeing Arcobaleno leaving Bermuda standing alone within the wrecked room. It took the Night Arcobaleno a moment to register exactly what had happened and relocate his voice.

"Jager! Don't kill my Guardian!" 

Bermuda doesn't hesitate to chase after the two, hoping to stop Jager from slaughtering his newly discovered Lightning Guardian, before he ever has a chance to actually get to know the other. The echoing of Jack's laughter really didn't help matters.

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Alejandro is certain if any of the other Arcobaleno had witnessed him at that moment- cowering in the darkness of a small closet- they would never take him seriously again. That is if they didn't outright- laugh him right out of the Mafia- disown him.

It's not his proudest moment- the blue-haired man would admit that though considering there was a Vindice inclined to tear him limb from bloody limb prowling the halls of Vendicare- it's not like the Arcobaleno had many options. There was no shame in acknowledging when one was outclassed and needed to make a tactical retreat, even if it was inside a closet. He still had his Pride and his Life- the Lightning Arcobaleno doubted he would have either left if this 'Jager' caught him- so he had not lost anything of importance.

Just as long as no one ever discovered this moment- and therefore could never speak of it- he would be fine.

"Kekeke, I see you meet Jager."

The blue haired Chibi would forever deny the started scream that left his lips as his head snapped towards the source of the voice only to spot what was obviously a redhead Vindice.

The Gods hated him, didn't they?

"Peace, Little Arcobaleno, I don't bite... Often."

The bandages on the Vindice's face seemed to shift slight- just enough so that Alejandro was certain there was a Slasher Smile hiding beneath them- as the Lightning Arcobaleno could feel all the life drain from his face.

"Kekekeke," The Vindice's laughter sounded as though it belonged to a madman causing the hairs on the back of the Lightning Arcobaleno's neck to stand at attention upon hearing it, "Welcome to Vendicare, Little Arcobaleno. I entrust you'll enjoy your stay. After all," the Slasher smile seemed to grow into terrifying portions as the redhead Vindice's voice seemed to darken, "You'll never be leaving. "

Jack could not help but crackle as he suddenly found himself standing alone in a closet, the door swinging violently from where the Little Arcobaleno had fled through it at what could only be called 'the speed of light'.

"Kekeke!"

Alejandro- hearing the laughter booming down the empty halls from behind him- cannot help but shiver as he flees for his life; there are no doubts in his mind that he has willingly entered Hell itself but know he has to liberate both Himself and His Sky as quickly as possible, lest they end up trapped for all eternity.

It would take Bermuda some effort- and a lot of liquor- to calm the other Arcobaleno long enough for him to explain matters in a way the blue-haired Chibi can both understand and accept. Still, Alejandro warily eyes Jager and Jack from the corner of his eyes- and refuses to reside within ten feet of- for months to come.

The Night Arcobaleno wishes he could inform Alejandro that he has nothing to worry about but...'I must not tell lies' and to speak those words would be nothing but a boldface lie.

It takes time, but Jager eventually stops attempting to assassinate Alejandro every time the other's back was turned- only for a shield of Lord Bermuda's Night Flames to defend the other- and with a bit more time the golden-eyed man found he actually enjoyed the Lightning Guardian's company. After all, he finally has someone around who was not only intelligent but knew how to properly care for His Lord.

Though it would take a bit longer for Jager to grow used to- let alone began to accept- those 'Gingerbread Dolls'.

-----------------------------------

They're too late.

Despite all their caution and careful planning, Checkerface had beaten them- choosing to strike the moment their backs were turned- to the End Game. Slowly Bermuda forces his feet forward as he moves through the charred corpses that had once been this era 'I Prescelti Setteof'. Jager doesn't make a sound- through his mind realizes with horror this is not the first time His Lord had an up-close and personal view seat at this scene- as he followed towards one specific corpse with dark blue hair.

Its a horrifying sight to see- flesh stripped off the bones leaving everything from muscles to organs visible for the world to see and wide unseeing eyes staring up at them- yet despite the disfiguration, Jager recognizes Alejandro with a startling ease. How could he not?

Bermuda is as silent as the grave when he kneels down next to the corpse, a small hand coming to rest upon what remains of the other's chest, before the Night Arcobaleno once more tears into his Flames, Magic, and Soul.

Jager cannot help but stare infixation as a raging inferno seems to appear within those dead eyes.

So this was how His Lord brought them back.

"Jager, carry him. We shall apply the bandages back at Vendicare." 

The rift just closes only moments before hikers stumble across six of the seven charred bodies that once created this era's I Prescelti Setteof. Despite best efforts, none of the corpses were capable of being properly identified. The Mafia spends years searching high and low for their missing Arcobaleno but are never able to find a solid trace- though there are plenty of whispered conspiracies- of what has become of the Seven Strongest.

Within the darkened halls of Vendicare, Alejandro sleeps for a week before a sudden scream announces the blue-haired man's awakening.