“What are we doing?” Spike asked.

“One more game and the winner gets quite the prize,” Varek said grinning at the angel who glared defiantly back.

“Alright, how shall we approach this?” Varek asked.

“He’s collecting contracts,” She said.

“Hm?” Varek said.

“What do you mean?” Spike asked.

“He will collect all twelve contracts at once and you will try to stop him, he gets five lives and all his powers you granted him before,” The angel stated the rules.

“You’ve had time to think of this, I will barter for four,” Varek said.

“Very well,” She said.

“And all of his powers? Quite the problem,” Varek said.

“He gets the powers unless a demon of your power cannot handle it,” She said.

“You're quite clever, but your provoking is obvious, nevertheless, I accept,” Varek said.

“I will be his guiding voice as well, and help him locate the safes in a fair manner, but I will not directly aid him,” She said with some hesitance.

“Heh, alright,” Varek said.

“And lastly, if you are caught cheating by any means, he wins by forfeit, so written on this contract,” She said producing the contract and setting it in front of him.

“Hmm,” He picked it up and read it carefully before setting it down “A rather well-made contract, I admire your cleverness, very well, I will only use my natural powers, call upon no helpers, and I won’t alter the environment,” Varek said signing the contract and sliding it over to them.

“Sign there Spike,” She said.

“Why are you risking your own soul for me?” Spike asked.

“All will be explained, but first, we must win here,” She said.

“What’s your name at least?” Spike asked.

“...My name is Meadow,” She said looking away.

“Ok,” Spike nodded before he read the contract as well and he then signed it and set the pen down.

“Alright, Then let us begin,” Varek grinned with his eyes lighting up with grey lights before he vanished.

And then a portal opened behind Spike with Varek’s face on it.

“...Good luck Spike,” Meadow said.

“...I will, and… thank you for everything,” Spike said before he ran into the portal.

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

The deal has changed

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

Spike entered what looked like Varek’s office area.

But it was now empty, Spike chose not to waste any time and he ran on.

As he got out of the computers area he saw what looked like a faint contrail leading out towards a hallway.

“What is-”

“It’s her guiding you mortal,” Varek said and Spike spun to see him and he was grinning widely with his glowing eyes before he kicked him.

Spike coughed up blood as he was sent flying down the hallway, when he landed he looked up and saw Varek approaching but he suddenly zoomed forward taking ten steps in a second.

“You have no idea what you're in for boy,” Varek chuckled.

“Flee Spike!” Meadow cried.

“Tch!” Spike grit through the pain and ran down the hallway, following the contrail and making it down the hallway towards the door they walked towards that had the corpses in it, he opened the door and closed it before tipping a shelf over to block it before he ran down the stairs and into the massacre hall.

He saw the contrail leading him to Topsy and he ran over and saw that his broken jaw was mysteriously closed.

He ran over and opened it, and his contract fell out, Spike claimed it and it vanished.

“Yes!” Spike said before the door and shelf were kicked into the air by a foot and Spike turned to see a figure running super fast towards him.

“Yikes!” Spike jumped out of the way in time and Varek demolished a wall with his fist.

“Hmmph, you're sharp,” Varek said before he spun and kicked Spike sending him flying and Spike tumbled on the ground, he coughed blood, a broken rib or two most likely.

“SPIKE!” Meadow cried.

“But still slow,” Varek said before grabbing a pillar and ripping a chunk out of it and throwing it at Spike who rolled out of the way.

His broken ribs crunched in the process.

“AAAAGH!” Spike cried.

“You are quite pain tolerant boy, too bad death is another story,” Varek said before he zipped up to Spike and picked him up by the shirt.

“Looks like the first win is mine,” Varek chuckled.

“Not… YET!” Spike bit down on his hand hard.

“OW!” Varek dropped Spike and Spike struggled to his feet and hobbled away.

“Honestly…” Varek sighed as he ran after Spike.

Spike rounded a corner and saw the contrail leading him in another direction, down another hall.

Sharp pains lanced through Spike but he continued and Spike found the contrail leading him to a bathroom.

“Odd,” Spike ran over to it.

Before a wall busted down behind him and Varek walked out.

“Maybe I’ll force her to fix all the damage with her own hands when I win,” Varek laughed before he zoomed at Spike.

“Crap!” Spike said as he tried to run faster but Varek was easily gaining on him.

“How do I escape this guy?!” Spike asked.

“Use your powers!” Meadow said.

“Oh!” Spike said before he used his barrier as Varek was about to reach him and Varek delivered what would have been a fatal punch but the barrier came up and blocked it, though Spike was sent skidding.

“Ngh!” Spike grunted.

“Tch,” Varek snorted angrily before he ran forward and jumped into the air before slamming his foot onto the barrier cracking it.

“I gotta move!” Spike said as he ran to his left as the kick finally broke through the barrier and Spike dove into the restroom and saw a trashcan in a corner, he knocked it over and dug through it.

“Nice attempt boy!” Varek tore the door off its handles and walked towards him.

“I lose this time, but I have three more,” Spike said before finding the contract in the trash and it vanished.

He smiled even as Varek brought his leg down on his head.

3 lives left: “You're doing well Spike, keep going!” Meadow said.

Spike woke back up at the office, healed and ready.

He got up and ran the other way, seeing a contrail leading him down a hallway and to the left.

“Think it's that easy!?” Varek growled as he rounded the corner and held his hand out and some kind of red energy formed in his palm.

“DUCK!” Meadow cried and Spike hit the floor as a burst of energy obliterated a wall behind him.

“Oh-” Spike didn’t get a chance to curse when Varek ran up to him and raised a foot to stomp on his head.

Spike quickly used a barrier and blocked it and then used vanish.

“Tch! Nice try boy, I have my methods to countering that,” Varek said as his eyes lit up and he looked around his vision now sensing heat signatures, and he saw Spike running around a corner.

“Get back here!” Varek said as he gave chase.

Spike made it to what looked like a series of office rooms with glass walls and he saw three contrails in this area.

“Here’s hoping,” Spike said as he followed the first one in the one labeled conference room B.

He looked through there but couldn’t find it and that’s when Varek smashed through the window glass and marched after Spike.

“I will break EVERY bone in your body,” Varek said and Spike ran around the table Varek angrily shoved the table aside and threw a punch at Spike who ducked it.

Spike responded by grabbing him and speed boosting into a wall.

“Ooof!” Varek grunted and fell over and Spike took this opportunity to look around and he saw the contract had been hidden under the table’s leg before.

He dove down and grabbed it and it vanished.

He got up but Varek turned Spike around and shoved him down.

Spike landed and saw shards of glass and he quickly got an idea and grabbed them, even though it hurt as they cut his hand before Varek picked him up by his throat.

“Shall I squeeze slowly? Or just snap it?” Varek grinned.

“Hah!” Spike shoved the glass filled hand into Varek’s face, getting glass in his eyes.

“AAAGH!” Varek threw Spike aside and clutched his face in pain.

Spike flew through a glass wall and onto his back.

Spike got up and hurriedly limped over to the next contrail which led him to conference room D.

He entered and found multiple papers strewn on the desk, he hurriedly sifted through them looking for the contract.

Meanwhile he heard an angry yell and he turned seeing Varek rounding the corner and walking towards him.

And he was mad.

Spike started tossing papers off the desk and eventually found the paper he was looking for and he made it vanish

Spike turned and saw Varek tear the door off and carry it with him,

“Catch!” Varek threw the door like a discus and Spike ducked being decapitated by it and it lodged in the wall.

As Spike looked up Varek grabbed him by his face and lifted him to his regenerated eyes.

“I’m going to make you suffer for that…” Varek said.

“Barrier!” Spike made the barrier come out which forced Varek back and then Spike speed boosted away.

“YOU PEST!” Varek sped after him.

Spike was shocked to see him keeping up and he ran to the other end of the hall, conference room Z.

Spike stopped and jumped through the doorway as Varek stopped and turned to him.

“I am growing weary of this game,” Varek growled as he moved towards Spike who frantically tipped over a filing cabinet to block him and he ran through the room looking while evading Varek.

“I’ll be honest for once, I could kill you anytime, and trust me, you're pushing me to that,” Varek said as his eyes began to turn red and his hands sharpened into claws and he dragged them on the table, leaving deep grooves.

“Spike! Hurry!” Meadow said as Spike ran over to a filing cabinet where the contrail seemed to stop and he opened it.

He then pulled out all the papers and threw them at Varek who swung his claws cutting all the papers to shreds.
But Spike found the one piece of paper among them he didn’t shred and grabbed it making it vanish.

Before Varek kicked Spike in the gut sending him through a wall.

Spike coughed blood but gritted through the pain like always and he got up.

Varek exited the room with a sinister grin.

“Hear this!” Varek said as he began taking a deep breath.

“Cover your ears!” Meadow cried.

Spike did so and just in time as Varek screamed with the force of a jet engine and all the glass in the conference area shattered and Spike was flung off his feet and sent flying onto the glass.

“Agh!” Spike grunted as the screech continued and his ears started to bleed.

When it stopped Spike struggled to his feet and looked up in time to see Varek grinning at him.

“You're not seeing me at my worst boy, I can be much more powerful,” Varek said as he walked forward.

“Vanish!” Spike said and he disappeared and he ran away as Varek ran after him.

“Haven’t you learned that doesn’t work boy?!” Varek said as he ran forward to stab Spike.

“Speed boost!” Spike cried and he ran faster until he was evenly paced with Varek and the two ran through the office, but Spike began to slow eventually.

“NO!” Spike said as he saw the contrail leading into another hall and he turned a corner narrowly avoiding Varek’s stabbing hand.

“Spike look out!” Meadow cried and Spike looked to see Varek swinging his claw and Spike ducked it avoiding another decapitation before he ran on.

“You're elusive, that’s for sure boy, clearly I underestimated you,” Varek grinned as his eyes lit up and he created another dark aura attack and fired.

“Spike!” Meadow cried and Spike dodged into another hallway as the blast blew a hole into the wall.

Spike looked up and saw the contrail leading into a closet.

He ran forward and opened the closet before spotting the contract under a bucket and he grabbed it.

And then he was kicked through the door with rib breaking power and Spike tumbled and coughed blood.

“You are quickly becoming a nuisance boy!” Varek said before he tried to punch Spike and he used a barrier to block but the force sent him through the floor and Spike grunted as he landed on the ground.

Getting up Spike looked around and saw contrails leading away, there must be more on this floor.

But the room was so dark as Spike got up Varek was standing there and Spike jumped back.

He gave a heavy sigh “It seems I have been left with little choice, you wish to see the wrath of a level four demon? Then you shall witness it first hand!” Varek said before he backed away into the darkness.

Immediately Spike heard the squelching of flesh and a transformation was happening.

“Wh-what’s happening?” Spike asked before Varek lunged at him.

Spike jumped out of the way but paused when he saw it was just an empty body with a hole in its back.

“H-huh?” Spike said.

“Heheheheheheeeh… you have no idea what you’ve done boy…” Varek’s voice came, it was all warped and deeper, Spike heard clawed feet running amidst the darkness.

“Search!” Spike said and he was able to locate his presence… and he had no idea what it was…

“I used this form to butcher those fools who owed me money, and it will be the body that ends your pathetic existence!” Varek laughed, and then Spike heard footsteps approaching his position and he spun in time to see a goat headed monster lunging from the shadows and then….. He lost his life in one swing of a claw.

2 lives left: “The demon shows his true colors, things will get tougher Spike, be careful,” Meadow warned.

Spike got up on the floor he’d done most of his collecting in, not wanting to go back in the hole he turned and ran and just in time as a large figure broke through the floor.

“And where do you think you're going?!” Varek demanded as he got out, showing his true form.

He looked like a large humanoid goat headed monster with wings, four arms, cloven feet, a tail with a sharp barb at the end, and a second face on his stomach.

“HOLY-” Spike ran with speed boost and the demon ran on all sixs after him.

“I’ll tear you limb from limb!” Varek opened his mouth and screeched but Spike used barrier to block it.

“Spike! Get to the elevator!” Meadow said and Spike saw the one she was talking about through a shattered window and he opened the elevator and it closed as the demon rounded the corner and lunged but the door closed in time.

Spike panted heavily, this guy was truly the most dangerous demon he’s faced yet!

Suddenly he heard a loud thud overhead and he looked up seeing a large hand break through the ceiling and swipe around for him.

Spike hit the floor and when the door opened he booked it out of there.

Spike looked back and saw Varek break through the ceiling and crawl out after him.

Spike speed boosted out of there and followed a contrail that split down two ways and he went left, as he ran down the hall the goat monster rounded the corner and crashed into a wall before pursuing him

Spike followed the contrail until he found a mess hall, he ran into there and fled down a middle aisle as Varek tore through the lanes and flung tables aside.

Spike ran until he spotted a board on the wall with multiple papers on it.

One was the contract.

Spike nearly slipped as he paused and ran to collect it, after it vanished he noticed the contrail heading into the employee-only area and he ran in after it.

Meanwhile Varek just smashed through the doors after him.

“YOUR GETTING ON MY NERVES!” Varek screeched as he lunged at Spike and swatted him into a wall.

Spike hit the wall and fell down, but he instinctively puts up a barrier and it's a good thing he did because Varek tried to smash him with his fists immediately after.

Spike got up and ran before the barrier broke.

“YOU ANNOYING PEST!” Varek turned and the second face on his stomach opened its mouth and dark energy built up before firing at Spike.

“SPIKE!” Meadow called and Spike saw this and he used speed boost and managed to dodge a massive blast.

A blast that totally demolished several walls.

“Is he trying to bring the place down?!” Spike exclaimed as he continued following the contrail into the chef's area and he put a mop he found through the handles.

“That won’t stop him,” Meadow said.

“Anything to buy time,” Spike said as he ran around and searched in cabinets and drawers.

Until he saw the contrail lead him to a bunch of papers hung up on and order list and the contract was on it.

Spike collected it and then heard a crash as Varek broke into the room and began knocking things aside to reach Spike.

“AAAH!” Spike ran away as he jumped onto a counter using his wings and he roared at him.

“I thought demons were bad, but you son, you showed me there are humans more grating on the nerves than defiant demons! Forget the angel, I just want you DEAD!” Varek screeched and he hopped down and charged at Spike who jumped out of the was and he wound up plowing through the wall.

Spike speed boosted through the hole in the wall and ran out of the room, while Varek was picking himself up.

Spike ran down the halls panting heavily, he ultimately hid in a closet and sat to catch his breath.

“Don’t relax Spike, you have to continue!” Meadow said.

“I’m out of breath… I just need a-” Spike was surprised by a large furry hand smashing through the door, grabbing him and raised him up.

“HAHAHAHA! Looks like you only got one left boy!” Varek laughed before he raised his barbed tail and stabbed Spike through the chest.

1 Life left: “This is it Spike, live or die, I believe in you,” Meadow said.

Spike woke up back near the elevators.

All the times he had only one try left… it’s never been easy…

“I got this…” Spike said as he ran down the pathway and hitched a right, he got into a lobby area with a contrail leading him behind a desk.

He found the next one easy.

Three more…

Spike followed the next contrail and used vanish if just to catch Varek off guard in case he’s close.

As Spike rounded a corner he saw Varek walking nearby and he paused and sniffed the air.

“He’s close…” Varek sneered and he turned to where Spike was.

Spike was hiding around the corner and he quickly ran off using speed boost.

Spike turned another corner as Varek rounded that corner and sniffed around for him, Spike got out of there.

Spike ran until he saw a contrail form and he followed it until he saw it lead to an office, he entered and found it located under the desk.

“NOO!” Spike heard Varek roar from elsewhere and he turned to see the monster on the other side of the hall and he turned to see the beast running towards him.

“AHH!” Spike ran for it out of the office and back out into the big hallway.

With Varek bursting out of the office area moments later.

“I WON’T LOSE TO A HUMAN!” Varek screeched as he raised his upper half up, aimed his second mouth, and fired another powerful blast at him.

“Spike! Barrier!” Meadow cried and Spike didn’t look back he put up the barrier and the blast collided with him and sent Spike flying off of his feet.

Spike tumbled on the ground and looked up to see the goat monster fly into the air and try to slam down on him.

“Crap!” Spike rolled out of the way and he struck the ground with enough force to crack it.

Spike got up but the monster struck him aside and Spike rolled onto the ground. He struggled to his feet and saw the monster get up and stare down at him.

“You are the most elusive and aggravating human I’ve ever met!” Varek snarled.

“And you're the worst kind of monster…” Spike said.

“Hmmph, I look forward to ripping your flesh from your bones!” Varek said before raising his upper arms and slamming them down, Spike dodged to the left as the slam shattered the ground and Spike ran down another hallway where the contrail was leading him.

Spike could hear the monster behind him but he continued running, refusing to die, not after everything!

Spike ran out into an open area and saw that it was raining, he looked around and saw the contrail leading him to an open window.

He ran forward and dove through the window as Varek entered and he growled before running back in.

Meanwhile Spike found himself in another office and saw the contract in a trash bin.

He grabbed it and it vanished.

“One more!” Spike said getting up and running out of the room just in time to see Varek trying to cut him off down a hallway.

“I WON’T LET YOU WIN! YOU HEAR ME!” Varek roared and Spike ran with all his might to escape the rampaging monster.

“You're almost there Spike!” Meadow said.

“Alright!” Spike rounded the corner and went down the only hall he hasn’t.

And he ran out into a big open area near the lobby and saw the very thing he was hoping.

The last contract, in what looks like a case of trophies.

Spike used a speed boost to run for it.

But a certain demon wasn’t prepared to lose.

“NOOOOOOOOOO!” Varek roared before spreading his wings and taking to the air and flying over Spike, landing in front of him and ramming his head forward.

And impaling Spike through the abdomen with a horn.

“GUH!” Spike gagged.

“SPIKE!” Meadow cried.

“I… win…” Varek panted before laughing and hoisting Spike into the air and with a toss of his head he flung the prone human to the ground.

“Agh!...” Spike groaned and coughed blood.

“What? How are you still alive?! How hard is it to kill a simple human?!” Varek cursed before standing back and leaning up “Out of respect for the first human to put me though so much effort, I will grant you the death you’ve been fighting against,” Varek said with a laugh.

“NO!” Meadow cried appearing.

“Ah ah, no interference, remember?” Varek taunted and Meadow was forced to stay back.

“Spike! Get up!” She begged.

“Ugh…” Spike coughed up lots of blood but he managed to get up.

“You can still stand, even after being stabbed? I’ve met tenacious humans before, but you,” Varek laughed before charging up the blast from his stomach mouth.

“SPIKE!” Meadow cried.

“I…” Spike staggered towards Varek.

“SAY GOODBYE!” Varek laughed before he fired.

“...” Spike remembered Rarity, Scout, and Lance as the blast approached him.

“I…am coming home…” Spike said……..”BARRIER!” Spike cried and suddenly the barrier came up and blocked the attack.

“WHAT THE?!” Varek said in surprise.

“You think you can just play with our lives and hopes don’t you Verak… you're about to see, a father's rage!” Spike yelled and he ran forward.

“IMPOSSIBLE!” Varek screeched and he used his sonic scream to try and debilitate Spike further but Spike powered through and used speed boost.

“Why doesn’t he die?! HOW?!” Varek exclaimed in his head before he lunged “DROP DEAD HUMAN!” Varek roared while Spike saw what he was hoping to happen, happen…

The screech had broken open the trophy cabinet and Spike ran forward despite feeling like he was dying.

“DIE!” Varek slammed down where Spike was creating a dust cloud.

"Spike!" Meadow exclaimed.

...As Varek got up he didn’t see him.

“What the?! Where did he-”

“Hey Verak!” Spike called and Varek turned to see him standing by the trophy case with the contract in hand.

“What?! NO!” Varek lunged at Spike but he was too late…

The contract vanished and a light consumed the place.

Spike opened his eyes and saw he was back in the dark room with the table, and across from him was Varek and beside him was Meadow.

“No….i-impossible! I can’t lose! NOT TO A MERE HUMAN!” Varek yelled angrily tossing the table aside and running at Spike “I REFUSE IT!” Varek shrieked and he tried to grab Spike but suddenly a contract flew up and repelled him.

“WHAT?!” Varek staggered back.

“The contract you signed forbids attacking him or me, in the event we win, speaking of which, you lose Varek,” Meadow said with a smile.

“I-it can’t be… I’m a level-four demon! I can’t lose to-”

“Quit your whining,” Spike said and Varek looked down at him “Isn’t that what you told me every time I complained about your treatment of me?” Spike simply said.

“You arrogant little wretch!” Varek tried to hit him with his four fists but they just glanced off the contract.

“Accept it Varek, you don’t get either of us, now if you’ll excuse us, he has a family to return to,” Meadow said.

“RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!” Varek roared angrily and slammed his fist on the ground leaving big cracks before he shrank down into his more human form and he stood straightening his tie.

“.....Very well… but know this Spike, if you EVER end up in hell again, be ready, because then your mine, and I assure you, your suffering will be eternal,” Varek growled before turning and leaving “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have more deals to make and a now thoroughly damaged reputation to attend to, I hope we meet again Spike… I really do,” Varek growled at Spike one last time before opening a door in the darkness and leaving, closing the door behind him.

“....” Spike turned to Meadow and extended his hand and she took it.

“I am proud of you Spike, defeating a level four demon is no easy task,” Meadow said.

“Guess I got lucky, thanks for everything Meadow, you saved me and my family,” Spike said.

“...Listen Spike, I wanted to say that…I’m sorry,” She said.

“Sorry for what? I should be thanking you,” Spike said.

“But… it’s my fault you ended up in this situation to begin with…” Meadow said.

“What?” Spike asked for more clarification.

“...The truth is Spike, I do know you… because…I’m your-” She looked conflicted and Spike just held up a hand, understanding.

“I understand,” Spike said.

“I’m so sorry, I never should have left you in that orphanage… I thought you’d be happier there, than with a penniless single mother,” She said.

“...” Spike looked down.

“You went through so much suffering, and fell into Varek’s trap because of me… I’m sorry…” Meadow said sniffling a little.

“....I indeed went through alot… but then… I wouldn’t have met Rarity, I wouldn’t have helped give birth to Lance and Scout, and if it weren’t for you… I wouldn’t have been able to save them, so… thank you, Mom,” Spike said as he hugged her and she hugged back.

“Thank you for understanding… it’s time to head home now, but please, give Scout and Lance a good life, what I could never have given you,” Meadow said.

“I will,” Spike said and she flapped her wings and carried Spike into the light above.

Spike woke up on the ground in the alleyway he and Verak were in before Spike followed him into hell.

Looking around he saw the briefcase with the money he had taken a loan on and it looked untouched…

Spike looked around and saw people going about their business and looking up he saw blue skies and he took a deep breath.

He was home…

“Thank you,” Spike repeated before he got up and walked away with the money he was going to give back to his friend, seeing as it wasn't needed now.

Spike arrived home and saw it was untouched, it looked like it was truly over.

He was victorious over hell he still has plenty of emotional scars that will take awhile to heal, but he was ready to continue his life knowing that it was fixed.

Spike opened the door and called out “Rarity? I’m home!”

“Spike? SPIKE!” Rarity’s voice cried and she ran over to him with Scout in her arm and she hugged him with her other arm “I was so worried! You vanished for more than two whole days and nobody could find you-” Spike hushed her with a kiss.

“It’s alright now, let’s go inside,” Spike said and he and Rarity went inside and Lance ran up to him.

“Daddy!” Lance cried running over to him and hugging his leg.

“Hey there little man,” Spike said with a chuckle.

“Where were you daddy?” Lance asked.

“Yes, where were you?” Rarity asked.

“....Let’s just say, I’ve been through hell,” Spike joked.

“Oh you,” Rarity rolled her eyes.

“Well, enough of that, let’s go out to eat, my treat,” Spike said wanting nothing more than to head out with his family after his ordeal.

“Sounds lovely dear, I have to… make a few calls first,” Rarity said before walking away with Scout.

“Boy does daddy have a story for you guys,” Spike said as he picked up Lance and walked after Rarity with him.

There are some who would say that going to work, arguing with your family, even getting hit by a car is hell.

But I learned there is a real hell, and it carries more suffering than the world is ready for, but if hell exists, so does heaven.

What I’ve been through throughout my life was horrible, but everything worked out in the end and now, I’ve found my heaven, in the end, life is hard, but it's what you make of it that matters.

And I pray, when I meet my mother in heaven, we can catch up a little more.

-Spike

Author's Note

That ending was a masterpiece, in my books at least.

I hope you all enjoyed this story, made by a big fan of the base game Dark Deception, see you all next time.