"And you, my father, there on that sad height //Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. //Do not go gentle into that good night. //Rage, rage against the dying of the light

- Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night, by Dylan Thomas

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"Robert?" asked Bella again, and now the demons immediately homed in on her. Taking her gun out of her pocket, she shot at one, but it just carried on, fangs bared and dripping with black saliva. "Sorry, Hyde", she murmured, taking the Hyde Sword out of his hand. Gripping it between her fingers, it was heavy, but utilisable. Standing up, a gloomy smile crossed her cheeks as she looked at Robert, then spun around, slashing a wound across a demon's chest with the sword. It paused, looking at the deep gash, then imploded into a cloud of smoke, like the Vetala did on their demise.

"There's too many, Bella", she could hear Hils call from somewhere in the vast crowd of demons. "And they don't just bloody die".

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"Look at this, Dance", Olalla exclaimed, still threatening Keres with death, though the vampire queen didn't seem all that scared. "Look at what you've done".

"I know", Dance smiled, looking over the destruction. The demons had began to tear things apart; the trees had been ravaged, and some escaped into the countryside. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"You're insane".

"You're the one that fell in love with me", Dance muttered under his breath.

"You can stop it all now, Dance. Close the portal".

"I've told you. Rejoin Tenebrae, cut all ties with this poisonous family of yours and I will close it".

"That's blackmail".

"You've known me for a long time, you must know this is how I operate". Dance smirked, watching Olalla forcefully push Keres against the wall of the church. Impaling her into the stone with her blade, the Tenebraen senior tried to move, but it wouldn't budge, and just raised an eyebrow.

"I can't join Tenebrae, Dance. I can't do that again, but that's all you're here for, so run. If you get away now, MIO won't catch you".

"MIO are miles away, and I'm not a coward".

"It's not cowardice to admit you've won. Because you have. You've made me think about it", Olalla answered bluntly, then pointed to Keres. "Do you want your boss back?"

"Keep her", Dance said, then started to walk away. "This family of yours Olalla, it's tainting you. Mercy it's... such a defect".

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They were outnumbered. Greatly. In fact Lottie had resorted to throwing her gun at one of the incoming demons, though to no prevail. Slashing claws came at her; her telepathic powers were wearing. They had once been so much more powerful when she had Fedora, but now that Renata was... looking after her, London was safer. Though sometimes Lottie did dare to wish she had her back.

"Hils!" she shouted. "Or anyone for that case. Got a spare gun?" No answer, and she thought she was done for. But then, a gunshot, a black bullet whistling through the air and landing in the demon's back. It hissed, its scaled skin evaporating into thick streams of gas, then imploded.

"Miss Jekyll", lilted a Welsh voice, which Lottie immediately recognised. "Glad to see you're still with us". A few steps away from where the demon had been stood Sackler, a long smile creasing his cheeks. Lottie beamed back, running up and hanging her arms around his neck.

"You know, still going", she replied. "How did you know where to find us?"

"Apart from the massive hoard of demons currently terrifying the locals, we got a call from Lily", Sackler said, and Lottie noticed the six primly-dressed MIO agents. She could recognise most of them: Hannigan, Lily, Bulstrode, Mr. Wax, and Brannigan, all wielding several different types of firearms. However there was one man she didn't, a tall man with sleek, brown hair and short moustache. He looked like he would be more at home writing than part of MIO.

"On my mark", Bulstrode shouted, and the six all aimed at the surrounded demons who roared, threatened. "Fire!" Monocane bullets flew everywhere, and demons fell left, right and centre, screeching. Bella watched on, trying to move out of the crossfire, clutching onto Robert's arm.

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Somewhere within Robert Jekyll's mind lurked Jekyll and Hyde, both forever at war with eachother. Well, at least that was how it was before. Hyde circled the almost lifeless Jekyll on the floor. It was dark, pitch-black perhaps, but there was a small flicker of light every once in a while.

"Come on, Jekyll. You know this song. But this time it's you in the hotseat. Death, it's all good", Hyde purred, watching his other side fidget and murmur. "For us, we know nothing more, do we?" Jekyll didn't answer; he wasn't dead, like Hyde had told everyone, just... waiting. Waiting for Bella. Hyde snarled, promptly landing his foot in Jekyll's abdomen, who curled up in response.

"For God's sake, either die or take over. And there's people saying I was lazy", Hyde muttered. "You know I'm disappointed in you Jekyll. Would have thought you'd have fought more for Bella".

"Robert?" Bella's voice reverberated through the space. Hyde looked over, surprised, then smiled.

"Oh there she is", he commented. "Your fancy woman, that you stole off me. Though that Lily had... spirit. Manipulative brat, I admit, and it was sort of rude when you proposed to her and didn't consult me".

"We're the same bloody person", Jekyll muttered, eyelids flickering slightly. "I don't have to 'consult' you for anything. You didn't tell me when you decided to go and strike a friendship with our girlfriend's murderer".

"I-"

"Open the portal".

"Okay, but-"

"Set a load of demons on our cousin's house".

"I get the point", Hyde roared, and Jekyll laughed back, getting up on his elbows. "Keres, she... deceived me".

"She did more than that, mate. You played right into her hands, let Dance get what he wanted, but you're not all to blame".

"How so? I became the Chaos, I forgot".

"And I lied down and let you do it. You're right, I should've fought for Bella more".

"We should've fought more for Bella", Hyde corrected him. "Jekyll, take over. For everyone's sake, take over now".

"I've never known you like this, Hyde. Am I finally rubbing off on you?"

"An isolated incident. If you don't speak of this again, then I won't tell Garson that you broke his microscope". Jekyll rolled his eyes, then furrowed his brow into confusion.

"But I didn't".

"You blame your faults on me, I will blame my faults on you", Hyde chuckled, then his face dropped. "Look after the family for me, Jekyll. And Bella".

"She prefers you over me, you know. You can see it in her eyes".

"Well, who wouldn't fall for this handsome face? But you're... better for her. We don't deserve her, Jekyll, remember that". Jekyll smiled back, then disappeared, returning to take control.

"Well, that was awfully mushy", Hyde commented, standing alone. Sighing, he started to walk away. "I'm going to go break something".

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Robert's eyes shot open, their usual brown colour returning.

"Bella?" he asked, getting up onto his elbows.

"There he is", Bella started. "My lil' paper tiger".

"I... What..? Oh, dear God. What have I done?"

"It's okay", Bella lulled. "It's not your fault".

"But, it is. Bella, look how far I went in fear of losing you".

"I know, but I'm fine. Robert", Bella said, lifting his chin. "Look at me. I'm fine".

"We can't keep doing this. I can't keep doing this".

"What do you mean?"

"I'm poison, Bella. I break everything I touch, and in the end I'll end up breaking you too. And I don't ever want to see that. Because one day I'll be the one standing over your lifeless body, again. This has to stop. One of us has to go".

"No", Bella said finally. "I don't want to".

"I'm not saying you have to", Robert murmured, standing up. He knew Bella knew what he was about to say next; she mouthed a saddened 'Don't you dare'.
"I'm going to close the portal, then I'm going to hand myself into MIO. I've taken too many chances, and too many people have gotten hurt because of it. It's time I faced up to who I am".

"Robert Henry Jekyll, if you've ever cared for me in any way, you will not put yourself with these... monsters".

"I am a monster, though", Robert mumbled, heading into the church. Plunging the Hyde Sword into the Pan mural, the blue light crackled, emitting a screech. It then started to die down, a clawed hand trying to reach through the receding portal. Throwing the sword aside, he left the building to the sound of guns clicking, and all of the MIO agents, apart from Lily, Sackler and the unknown sixth spy, pointed their firearms his way. He put his hands up, trying to avoid Bella's saddened face, and Bulstrode stepped forward towards him.

"You know what to do, Bulstrode. It's best for everyone", Robert sighed, and the agent responded with the chink of metal handcuffs.

"The streets of London thank you", Bulstrode lilted, undermined by a sharp growl from Lottie.

"What the Hell are you doing, Robert?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

"For God's sake", Lottie huffed. "You know what this means. You know what this is".

"Yes. Goodbye", Robert said, his voice dropping to just a whisper. "Goodbye, Bella".

"You have no idea, do you?" Lottie retorted, casting a sidelong glance at her sister, who stood shaking her head. She did wonder where Dance had gone, but, judging by Olalla's face, she knew she had let him escape. "Of how much people love you. Are you re-?"

"I'm doing this because I do. I love you all. I don't want any of you to get hurt".

"Is this love? Or fear?"

"Why can't it be both?"

"I brought someone back from the dead once", Lottie replied, looking over Robert's shoulder to talk to Bella as well. "Do you know what they said? They said I was a fool. I was prepared to sacrifice myself, put myself neck deep in things I didn't understand, demons. And they threw it right back in my face".

"I'm sorry".

"That was Captain Dance, Robert. Your supposed enemy. But if you walk away now, leave Bella like he did me, then you are no better than him".

"I..."

"You can't back out now, Mr. Hyde", Bulstrode boomed. "London will not ever be safe with you on the streets".

"Sir, are you really sure about this?" Lily said quietly, but backed down after seeing her supervisor's face.

"Miss. Clarke, Robert Jekyll, whether you like it or not, is a monster. And it is our job, our responsibility to protect London against monsters".

"Excuse me, sir", the unknown agent started, clicking his gun into his pocket. "But you seem to be mistaken. This person is Robert Jekyll, and he is far from a monster. If he is the chief of sinners, is he not the chief of sufferers also?" Bulstrode just huffed.

"The Home Secretary will not be happy if I go back empty handed. I need something".

"Ahem", Olalla coughed, then gestured towards the lobotomised Keres. A grin crossed Bella's face, and she pulled the vampire queen away from the wall. Handing her over to the unknown agent, she winked as if to say 'Take good care of her', and Keres growled, lashing out with her claws.

"'aven't seen you around. You new?" she asked him.

"No, just finally out of the office. Stevenson", he introduced himself, trying to restrain Keres, who was fighting to escape his grasp.

"Bella Charming".

:/:
Olalla stood, rather solemnly, by the church. She felt guilty perhaps, but not overwhelmingly. Staring into space, she didn't notice Lottie walking up to her, eyes alight with curiosity.

"Olalla?" Lottie asked, snapping her from her daydream. "I need to ask you something".

"Okay, shoot".

"I need you to be as truthful and honest as you can possibly be. I don't want any lies".

"Okay. What?" Olalla answered, getting slightly impatient.

"Did you let Dance go?"

"I... Uh...", Olalla stuttered, then decided to just nod, stone-faced.

"It's okay. I know you... love him", Lottie started, with a half-formed beam. She would openly admit she loved Dance once too, but that was Fedora. Like Hyde loving Bella, and Jekyll loving Lily once, her and her Hyde had gone down separate paths. "Just don't regret it later". Olalla scoffed quietly, not meaning to, but, upon seeing her sister's reaction, couldn't help herself.

"You think it's creepy, don't you?"

"He's not your father, Olalla, so how could it be?" She didn't answer. "Just... be careful. Don't let him break your heart. You, out of all people, don't deserve that".

"Same warning to you. You know what happened to Robert with Lily".

:/:

"Bella, I'm so sorry. It was cruel of me to be ungrateful".

"It's fine. It's just... I didn't do it for fun, Robert. I didn't do it because I cared about MIO or London's safety for that matter. I did it because I love you".

"I don't know how to make it up to you, Bella", Robert started, then murmured something to himself. "How about we go away together? Just you and me". Bella perked up for a moment.

"Where?" she asked.

"Anywhere. I don't care, I just want to spend time with you". Bella thought for a minute, then furrowed her eyes into confusion.

"I just want somewhere where we won't be followed by MIO and Tenebrae".

"I kind of know a place".

"Is it pretty?"

"Beautiful".

"Where is it?" Bella asked, but she knew the answer from his face.

"Ceylon".

"No, no, Robert, I... I can't push that on you. It's where-"

"I need to live up to it Bella. Like I need to live up to everything else in my life. I can't let it linger", Robert started, then found a thought lolling in the front of his mind.

"Renata", he whispered, thinking of the Amortidor that had been turned to stone.

:/:

"So..." Sackler started, turning towards Lottie. "You going to tell me where you've been?"

"It's a long story", Lottie replied.

"Well, you have to tell me one day".

"How about that poetry night you've been telling me about? I mean, I think everything's died down now". Sackler's eyes lit up.

"I'll pick you up about seven then".

"Lottie", Robert said, interrupting slightly. "It's Renata".

"What's happened to her?" Lottie answered, thinking the worst. Little did she know her fears were correct.

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