Kinetix scowled in frustration as she thought of the orbs once more.
After Singapore, she hadn't been able to tap into their magic at all. And though she tried hard to be confident, she hated not being able to confirm whether the visions she'd seen were true.
She stared glumly around at the once-proud city that was now dotted with monasteries, towers, and statues of Buddha. The ruins were a great reminder that power and greatness can be fleeting.
She sighed and turned back to head to the research labs. It had taken some convincing, but SHIELD had finally decided to have faith in her vision that she, Quislet and the orbs should be relocated to Ayutthaya. After all, they'd deployed the rest of the Legionnaires according to her vision. Why not her?
She turned and headed towards the lab where they were keeping the orbs. Maybe now she could...
BAM! Kinetix jumped with a start as one of the Buddha statues fell over. Before her eyes, it suddenly began to stand up on its own power.
She crossed her arms and sighed. "Quislet, I know it's you."
The statue kept moving.
She frowned. "Knock it off, Quislet. You're supposed to be helping me guard these ruins AND the orbs. And me, while I try to tap into them again."
The statue kept moving.
Kinetix sighed and pointed at the statue, encasing it in her telekinetic shield. "I mean it, we don't have time for this!"
"I know," came the voice behind her. "That's not Quislet's doing."
Mouth agape, Kinetix turned to see her teammate dodging another such statue. "Quislet can't possess them!" the little imp cried as he wove in and out of the air.
Behind Quislet, another statue began to move. Then another. And another.
"Possess the ground, Quislet!" Kinetix cried as she took to the air. She didn't even have to think to know that she had almost no chance of stopping them alone, if this kept up. Her only hope was to make the magic work for her. She frantically reached out to the glowing orbs, trying to ignore the pounding in her chest.
She flew towards the labs, yelling for the SHIELD agents to evacuate everyone. Bursting into the room where the orbs were being studied, she quickly grabbed one and closed her eyes, trying to get it to work as it had before.
Someone yelled at her, but she shoved whomever it was away with a telekinetic shield. "Shut up and get out of here, I'm trying to stop an invasion!"
Flash skidded to a halt, her face in shock, as she viewed the destruction around her. Windows were smashed, people were fleeing and debris was strewn around the square she had left not more than 15 minutes ago.
But how? She'd only been gone such a short while...
She ran to where she'd left Element Lad, and quickly cradled his form. Merely groggy, good. She helped him to his feet. "I'msosorrywhathappenedIwasonlygoneashortwhileI'msosorry"
Element Lad's eyes fluttered open, but before he could speak, a roar came from behind them. Flash turned quickly to find...
"It's a yeti," Element Lad finally said. "And there are more of them."
*************************************************
Central Java, Indonesia
A fierce wind blew around the spires of Prambanan Temple, though it wasn't trying to bring the ancient structure down. Rather, it was trying to fell those who had amassed in and around the temple and were screaming for blood.
Those who inhaled the wind soon began to feel dizzy. Slowly, the believers in the Hindu gods whom the temple was built to worship slumbered.
Too slowly, though.
"Do you have enough strength to cover the plains beyond the temple?" Hygeia asked Amihan.
"I... I would need to rest first." Despite the cool winds blowing, sweat trickled down Amihan's forehead. "Carrying both of us aloft is tiring enough, but blowing your microbes into the crowd and waiting for them to be infected..."
Hygeia herself was tiring; "commanding" her microorganisms took concentration too. "And we still have to cover Borobudur when we're done. I think it's even bigger."
Both girls fell silent. They didn't have much of a choice but to continue on.
*************************************************
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Sweat beaded on Kinetix's forehead despite the air-conditioning. She didn't dare wipe it off lest it disrupt her concentration.
She could feel it again - the pulsing of the orbs as their "being" merged with her consciousness. She was able to access it last time by surrendering her will to theirs, something she was not at all used to doing. Maybe she could do it again if she could ignore the chaos all around her.
Kid Quantum was straining her powers to the limit as she struggled to restrain the Naga and the flooding it was causing. "I don't suppose the legends you've read told you how to defeat one of these?"
"Unf..." came Amazon's reply as she wedged a block in place, completing her makeshift dam. "I wish, but no. And when I read those I never thought we'd actually end up fighting one."
"Great. So I've bought us maybe a couple hours at most. What can you learn in that amount of time?"
Amazon nodded and ran off. "I'll see what I can do, dearie!"
"I have faith in you," Kid Quantum replied, while thinking to herself, "even if we did ferret out a legend, would we have the means to actually beat this?"
*************************************************
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Kinetix's mind was reeling. Her simple act of giving in to the orbs was opening her mind. She could see tendrils of energy all around her. Could this be magical energy?
She mentally reached out to the one nearest her and gave it a twitch. It wobbled like so much jelly. She tried imagining it in the shape of a pretzel, and...
"Whoa." She breathed as a chair in front of her twitched and did the same. This was a lot like using her own powers. But what else could she do with this?
"Show me where the energy is going," she thought. She closed her eyes and tried to "follow" the tendrils. Instantly, her field of vision split, like she were watching multiple television screens at once inside her head. She could trace the tendrils to their sources!
Some of them had an end link to the statues, and were probably what was animating them. She noted briefly that Quislet was attempting to restrain those statues that were clustered near the door of the small building she was in. "Good boy," she thought. Part of her wanted to help, but she quashed that idea and focused on ending the source of all this.
She followed the trail of the majority of the tendrils. Their ends trailed up far into the air over Thailand. There, they were joined by tendrils from all over Asia.
She curiously followed them to their destination, hoping Quislet would be able to protect her long enough.
************************************************** Shaanxi Province, China
A loud crash sounded as Rebound bowled into yet another battalion of statues. Terracotta warriors flew everywhere.
Unfortunately, when they fell down, they got back up. Even the statues that broke apart would repair themselves.
"Please, what is it you want? Might we not engage in meaningful dialogue?" Rebound tried his best Mandarin, to no avail. He desperately looked over to Starboy, whose approach was considerably less diplomatic.
"Get down and stay down, you filthy pieces of clay!" Starboy yelled, his whole body glowing a dark purple. Statues in a small radius around him were rooted to the ground, though others clambered on top of them, threatening to overwhelm him.
"Starboy, are you using your powers on yourself?!" Rebound knew he himself was more or less invulnerable, but his friend was not. Even if they were impervious, how long until the statues would overrun them?
*************************************************
Over the Sea
Kinetix's mind followed the tendrils over the sea to the south of Thailand. In the distance, she could see a large island awash with light and energy from a convergence of tendrils that must be coming from all across Asia.
As she drew closer, she gasped at the sight. Rolling hills and forested mountains were dotted with magnificent ruins that hinted at a glorious ancient civilization. But before her eyes, the ruins were being slowly restored. Not only that, but they were being enhanced far beyond what they must have been originally. Cannons appeared on the walls, while bicycles and jeeps turned into nasty-looking armored vehicles with wings.
"We have to get here, fast!" She focused on her connection with the orbs. Last time, by wishing hard enough, she had gotten them to show her an image of the future. Maybe now she could get them to transport her and her teammates there.
*************************************************
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Quislet looked in satisfaction at the walls he had created around the laboratory building. He had possessed and raised the ground around it; no small feat as the building stood two storeys. Try as they might, the statues could only chip at the wall.
"Must thank Kinetix for giving me that idea," he chirped. "Now where is she?"
A bright flash of light got his attention. It glowed green, like Kinetix's aura. "Ah, this must be it." As he drew closer, he could hear her pleading. "Please, please..."
"What is Kinetix's problem? Are you in danger?" Quislet called out. He hurriedly flew to the door. "Quislet come to save the day!"
Just as he reached out to touch it, the world grew white.
*************************************************
Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan
Shifter nimbly wrapped his limbs around some trees to steady himself, as his body formed a bridge to allow monks to cross over from the battered building. Above him, Polarity was straining himself to contain the Druk.
"How you doing? Are your powers still working alright?"
Polarity answered with a grunt. The bolts of lightning being thrown by the Druk were definitely straining him.
But saving the monks was straining Shifter himself. Could he help? With some effort, he elongated his neck to try to get a better look, when suddenly, the world vanished in a flash of light.
Blizzard clenched his teeth as he threw shards of ice all around him. Not that they were doing any good; the howling ghosts ignored them as if they were illusions. "I wish Spirit were here. Or one of our magic users. Maybe they'd know what to do."
"What, my company isn't good enough for you?" Wildfire chuckled. He was throwing blasts with one hand while another held on to Blizzard.
"The only reason we have survived so far is because of your excellent speed and maneuverability, so I'm definitely glad you're here," Blizzard replied. "Just be careful, because these ghosts are tricky..." He cut off as a face suddenly loomed in front of them, it's eyes blazing with anger, mouth open in a hideous snarl, rotting hands reaching out for his throat. "Wildfire! Turn now! Turn..."
His words were cut off as a flash of light blinded him.
Mercifully, Wildfire didn't drop him. Rubbing his eyes, Blizzard tried to focus. He had to see, to know what...
He gave pause as he saw they were in a small clearing. Instead of jagged mountain walls, he saw dense jungle. Hills were visible in the distance, on top of which was a gleaming fortress. What had happened?
Wildfire tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, you alright pal? I think I am, but maybe I'm hallucinating. Look who else is here."
Blizzard turned around and gasped. All of the Legionnaires who had been with them in Singapore were standing in the clearing, with various expressions of shock. He voiced out what they all must be thinking. "But... how?"
Kinetix stepped forward. "My fault, I think. Welcome to Sri Lanka, everyone. Now listen, we don't have much time..."
Before Kinetix could continue, Starboy raised his mind.
"Erm, Rebound and I were battling some statues that had come to life. Since I'm assuming you brought us here... did you bring them along too?"
Kinetix's mouth hung open for a bit. "I... I'm not really sure what I did, so I can't say..."
Her words were cut off as Flash pushed her out of the way. "What...?"
"Saving your life, that's what." Everyone turned to see an arrow jutting out of a tree trunk where Kinetix's torso was just moments ago.
Before anyone could react, the terracotta army burst through the jungle.
"We don't have time for this!" With a snap of her wrists, Kinetix caused the ground in front of the army to sink. Within moments a deep pit had formed. Unable to stop, the clay soldiers ran right into it.
Working together, Amihan and Polarity pushed the soldiers towards the back into the pit as well. Kinetix then sealed the pit above them. For good measure, Starboy used his gravity powers to compress the dirt above the pit. "Awright, let's see them try to get out of this one!" Cheers erupted as the Legionnaires congratulated each other.
Rebound didn't join in, though. He could feel the sweat dripping from his forehead, and it wasn't just from the jungle heat. "Was everyone battling something before coming here?"
The cheering stopped, and everyone turned to look at one another. Their silence said it all.
A roar came from the jungle.
"Great, and we're here without a telepath. Kinetix, I assume we're here because you were able to track the big bad here. Who do you need with you? Take a small team and go, NOW."
Kinetix hesitated. "I'm not totally clear on the threat here, Shifter. What I do know is that the orbs are acting as some sort of routing device whereby magic is being routed here to Sri Lanka. Whomever is behind this is collecting that magic, and using it to not only rebuild the ruins here, but fortify them."
Shifter rubbed his chin. "That explains the orbs, and I guess it explains why the targets were all in Asia. Geographic proximity. as to why Sri Lanka was chosen..."
Amazon spoke up. "Maybe it's because Sri Lanka has one of the oldest known civilizations. Ruins here date back to almost two thousand years - and there are a lot of them. 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites originating before colonization, and 4 of those are cities."
"I bet it's being an island didn't hurt, either," Wildfire added.
"One more thing," Kinetix said. "Some of the magic was being funneled back into the statues that attacked us in Thailand. When the terracotta warriors attacked, I saw magic being funneled into them too. I think it means the magic is being used to animate or create the creatures we've encountered."
"I don't get it. If the bad guy is trying to collect magic, why waste some of it to animate these things?" Kid Quantum asked.
"Good question, one which we have to answer. I think that means Quislet, as our resident magical creature, had better go with Kinetix and try to figure that out," Rebound said.
Shifter nodded. "I'll go too, since I'm virtually the only one here with stealth capability. Kinetix, who else do you think you'll need?"
"I'd love to have everyone, but I guess the three of us will do for now. At least until we figure out what's going on."
"Okay, so for those staying behind, trade notes on who you were fighting, and..."
Blizzard suddenly stepped forward. "I would like to accompany you as well."
Shifter raised an eyebrow. "You have experience with magic?"
Blizzard nodded with a set jaw which indicated he wouldn't be left behind. "Magic gave me and my people our powers. And I am a trained hunter. Granted, I'm not used to jungle terrain, but I may be able to help find our target."
"Fair enough. Rebound, Kid Quantum, you're in charge. When you've taken out everything we've been fighting, gather back here. We'll come find you when we need you."
Starboy grinned. "Sounds like a battle plan. Let's have a cheer to go with it. Alright, Let's Go Legionnaires!"
This time, everyone joined in. There was strength in numbers, after all.
*************************************************
Rebound bounced on top of the trees, trying to spot the Druk, the Naga, or whatever else his teammates had been battling. He knew that if he didn't stop them, they would stop him.
He was in mid-bounce when bolts of lightning zipped through the air. "They're here," he yelled, not caring that everyone else had probably already seen his attackers.
Polarity's magnetism carried him aloft, and as he gestured, bands of metal wrapped around the Druk. "Good to see there was enough metal to supplement the small strips I carry with me. Now where's..."
"I'm here!" Kid Quantum popped into view, the Naga encased in her stasis field. "Go, go!"
With a gesture, Polarity sent the Druk flying into the field as well. At the last second, Kid Quantum made it vanish, and Druk and Naga collided. Electricity mixed with water, and both creatures let out roars of pain and anger before collapsing.
"High-five!" Polarity raised his palm, and Kid Quantum gladly joined him. "Man, am I glad to be on the same team as you are!"
"We're not out of the woods yet..." Rebound said. His teammates turned to see a horde of ghosts flying at them, hands outstretched.
*************************************************
Flash came zipping out of the jungle to her waiting teammates. "I've found the Buddha statues Kinetix mentioned, and the Yeti that Element Lad and I were fighting. I also saw some smaller statues of women who looked like dancers. Not sure what they were, though. Nobody described anything like them."
Hygeia slapped her forehead. "Of course!" She quickly took out her IPod. "Did they look like this?"
Flash nodded. Hygeia excitedly turned to the others. "Those things are apsara. They can control people with their songs. It's a good thing Flash is faster than the speed of sound. Amihan, I know both Borobudur and Prambanan temples have statues of apsara as well."
"Then the apsara must have been responsible for turning those people mad. Just like what they did in Angkor."
"Yes, and as long as we can't hear them, we should be safe."
"Then what are we waiting for," Starboy asked. "Let's put our game plan into action!"
*************************************************
"You know, I never believed in ghosts. I blame the Legion for making me change that belief," Kid Quantum muttered as she dodged a spirit's punch.
"Maybe we can get Dox to invent something that'll keep them away," Polarity replied. "Besides, it doesn't seem like you to be afraid of a little thing like that."
"Ha ha. Just concentrate on keeping alive, and save the jokes for later."
"Good advice, Kid. Let's just keep drawing them this way," Rebound said from below. "And hurry, please... I'm not as mobile as either of you."
"Have no fear, the cavalry's here!" Wildfire yelled as he zipped into view, carrying Element Lad, whose hands were glowing. "This high enough, E-Lad?"
"It'll do, Wildfire. And now, evil spirits," Element Lad said calmly, "I give you presents. Silver, obsidian, and chalcedony."
Spires of the named material appeared all around the horde of ghosts. With a piercing shriek, they were suddenly gone.
"Man, I am so going to have nightmares about that for a while..." Kid Quantum muttered.
*************************************************
Amihan and Hygeia stepped calmly into the field where the Yeti had gathered. Each one was lying on the ground, barely able to move.
"Our powers combine excellently, don't they?" Amihan said, as she stepped around a puddle of vomit.
"Yes, we make a great team," Hygeia smiled back. "We bring much honor to Southeast Asia."
Amihan smiled back. "I believe we didn't miss any of them. Let's go find the others."
*************************************************
Starboy looked at Flash and Amazon. Both nodded their readiness.
He quickly used his powers on the trees separating their clearing from the next, bringing their branches down. Their view unobstructed, about a dozen Buddha statues turned to look at them.
As Flash raced into the jungle, Starboy quickly felled about half the statues with his gravity powers. Amazon charged in and tackled the nearest one still standing. With a grunt of effort, she threw it into the air. "I hope my aim is good," she thought.
With a crash, she saw that it was. The statue landed in the pit they had dug. She moved on to the next statue which Starboy hadn't affected. Once she'd taken care of all those still standing, Starboy released each remaining statue one by one. Starboy marveled at Amazon's form as she tossed the statues. "Girl sure knows what she's doing," he thought.
Soon, all twelve were safe at the bottom of the pit.
Amazon nodded to Starboy, and they returned to find Flash racing towards the pit, pushing an apsara statue before her. With a grin, she tossed it into the pit after the Buddhas. Wiping her brow, she gave an okay sign and began filling up the pit.
Amazon helped her, and within minutes they were done. Starboy compressed the dirt as he had before, sealing the statues in.
WIth a satisfied smile, the three Legionnaires removed their earplugs. "It sure feels good to be able to hear again," Amazon said with a big smile.
Dani reached the top of the stairs and looked out. Some way across the roof were Sofia, Everett Thomas and Tanya Scott. Everett had clearly synched with Sofia, his rainbow-coloured aura flashing brightly, and the two were keeping a large cyclone going over the school, forcing any flying enemies down to within the range of the ranged defenders like Tanya, who was sending laserlike bolts out into the night sky. Meanwhile, she almost studiously ignored the other reason she’d come up to the roof, standing with the three students, her black chitinous armour barely standing out against the dark sky. Instead, her eyes flicked across to the scene below, where Akasha Martinez immediately leapt out - even if she hadn't been the only figure in the air, the Egyptian-American's glowing wings were a beacon in the dark, luring hostile animals toward her where others could take them down.
There was a cough behind her. Her instinct was to whirl round to face them, but knowing who it was, she forced herself to turn at a deliberate pace, affecting a patience that she didn't feel. She needed to make her point clearly and concisely, not blurt things out.
Shikari looked just as annoyed as Dani herself felt at the situation, that said. "What are you here for, Danielle?"
"When was the last time you looked downstairs? I can see all the kids gradually getting chewed up as they get more and more tired. They're not trained for this, and they're making mistakes - Sandy was dragged through a window."
"She was injured?"
"She's got broken glass riddling her back and a big bite on her arm. Ojiako's tending to her."
"So it is not life-threatening?" Dani interpreted Shikari's tone as a 'what's the problem then? I'm busy.' attitude. This did nothing to help her temper.
***********************
Patience didn't come naturally to the silver-clad figure. Maybe they could eventually grind the Academy down, win the day for Mordru, but they'd already spent - wasted - hours being patient with the - stupid - order to wait until dark. If a thousand cuts weren't enough, better to cut deeper rather than try for a million...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Nori wasn't the first to see it happen. She was busy putting down some mutant cat when the girl who'd called herself "Particon" (whose actual name she couldn't remember) cried out that something was happening to "Rocco". Finishing the cat quickly, she turned to see what it was.
It wasn't a pretty sight, even some distance removed. His skin and fur were bubbling, and while still "small", he was rapidly reaching normal size, with his growth not slowing - if anything, it was speeding up.
She blinked and, muttering "Oh crap", zipped straight toward him, cursing that everyone was so slow as she reached out to zap the classmate who was turning into a mutant beast, just like all the others they'd spent the night fighting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The flash of light from Nori's zap immediately caught Dani's attention, and she focused on the source just in time to see her skidding backward, swiped by the still-growing Rocco, a burn mark on the ground showing that her blast had gone awry. Seeing Sul quickly gather Nori out of immediate harm's way, she glared at Shikari.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Someone had a tight grip on her shoulder and was shouting her name.
Shaking her head to try and clear it, Nori took a moment before she replied. Muttering, "I'm okay", she tried to figure out if it was true. Her back felt raw from friction with the ground, and her ears were ringing, but yeah, she concluded, basically alright. There was no reply, and she pushed her eyes open to see Sul standing in front of her looking angry. It took a moment more before it registered that her scarf had come off and her sparking collar was visible for all to see.
Without another word to her, the super-strong girl picked her up and literally threw her through the window Sandy Anderson, once the Workforce's Inferno, had broken earlier. Shocked, Nori was even more shocked when she found she couldn't stand up - her legs were completely limp. A moment of panic passed before she heard a hoarse whisper say "Don't." Supporting herself with her arms and turning her head, she saw the scarred 'Tomb' staring at her.
Had Sul said something she missed, or was the bastard just taking a lead from her sparking collar to keep her 'safe' on his own? Dragging herself into a chair, all she could do was glower at him as he resumed pulling broken glass from Inferno's back with a pair of tweezers, or watch what was happening outside.
***********************
That was better, the silver figure thought, watching through their armour’s cloaking field as it sparkled internally - in spreading their power amongst a score or more of animals, their effectiveness had been diluted, they thought. Now, with all their Mordru-enhanced power and all their will centred on one beast, victory was surely close, and this stupid "Academy" could be razed to the ground... ________________
"Rocco? Are you still you?" The pink-haired Jennifer Adra, who'd called herself "Particon" when Shikari asked for codenames, approached what had been her best friend. Moreover, the... thing?... that had been "Flying Fox" appeared to respond, or at least hesitate.
"C'mon Adra, gimme a shot, geez," Jubilee muttered under her breath, wishing Particon would get out from between her and "it", not trusting that there was anything left of him to talk down after seeing what he'd done with Nori.
"Look Rocco," Jennifer's power lance dissipated in her hands, as she used his name again. "I'm not going to attack you like the blue girl did. Just listen to my voice Rocco, calm down, and we'll see if we can rev--"
Suddenly, it moved, knocking Jennifer out of the way into unconsciousness almost incidentally as it ran - apparently unable to fly with its much greater mass - straight at Jubilee.
To be fair to Jubilation Lee, her first "firework" was a direct hit and set its fur briefly on fire. Alas, life isn't fair, so by the time the explosion happened she was already unconscious, having been swiped into Dietrich "Magno" Magnus, knocking them both out with no chance for a follow-up. Akasha, her best friend, immediately dived on her light wings toward the target in retaliation, but was tackled out of the way by Ming Sul.
***********************
A single elegant machine was good, the silver figure smiled as students began to fall in earnest. But sometimes the more effective option was full-on Hulksmashitude. Yeessssssss. ________________
Sul glanced across as Akasha struggled to get out of her pin. The now-giant-sized Rocco was busy with the super-dense Jebediah "Powerhouse" Riccard and hadn't noticed them yet, but they couldn't have long. "Listen, we've got to lead him away from the others before they're crushed. We'll try and catch his attention, then split up. The one he doesn't go after gives chase and tries to stop him.
"THEN what?"
"...I haven't got that far yet." Sul - at nineteen the Academy's oldest student by a clear year, reflecting the youth of the intake - looked away sheepishly, only to see Powerhouse, who'd lasted the longest, literally hammered deep into the ground, taking him out of the fight. Quickly, she added, "Look - frontal attacks haven't exactly done much. Unless you can go super-saiyan on him, this is the best chance Jubilee and the others have, okay?"
"...fine."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the roof, Shikari broke the awkward silence by armouring up and unfurling her wings. When Dani demanded to know what she was doing, she replied, "What I can do. A search for the cause of this."
"After already trying and failing, with your fantastic "pathfinding"? Your need to be doing something is how we ended up in this position to start with, isn’t it? This is YOUR responsibility, Shikari. Rocco was one of the students YOU insisted on throwing into this."
Shikari didn't reply, but nor did she immediately fly off, while her face remained hidden behind her chitinous mask.
"Where the hell did they find you?" Dani continued. "I thought I knew you. Hell, I even got to like you. But now, I don't think I can trust you to put the students' welfare first."
Shikari turned, face still hidden behind her blank mask, and simply said "War makes weapons of us all, Danielle." Then she flew off.
Left behind, Dani paused for a moment, staring after the departing teacher. Then, after a glance at the situation on the ground, shook her head and turned to the students who had clearly been listening in. That could wait, though.
"Everett, I take it you still have Sofia's powers. Can you synch with Sul as well?"
In response, Everett Thomas reached out with his synchronistic aura, checking that Ming Sul was indeed both conscious and close enough so that he could mimic her powers. "I can, but if you're thinking of speed, wouldn't I be better synching with Noriko? She's a lot faster."
"She hasn't learned to control her powers in years, I doubt you will in thirty seconds. Sul was quick enough to stay out of reach as it stands. Just bring everyone up you can."
"I should help too, Dani." Sofia stepped forward.
Dani paused for an extended moment, searching her adoptive daughter's face, and sighed, "...as long as you stay out of reach. You don't have super-speed at all, so if you're on the ground and Rocco bolts back over here, you'll be caught. Everett can hand someone over to you if need be."
Meanwhile, Tanya stood in the background, politely waiting, hoping to be acknowledged. She didn't reflect on how funny it was that she was willing to lay down her life for the school because she'd been asked, but couldn't bring herself to do something simple like step forward.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Nori watched through the broken window in helpless fury as Flying Fox chased Akasha toward the treeline, Sul pausing to grab her chain before taking off after him in turn at top speed. As they disappeared from her sight, she fumed, convinced she that should be given another shot at him. After all, she could outpace Sul three-to-one or better. When her legs worked.
Turning her eyes to look at Ojiako, 'Tomb', still picking tiny bits of glass out of Sandy's back, bitter thoughts ran through her head. She thought she could still zap him, but what if he felt it coming and cut everything below her neck to stop her? Or, worse, she knocked him out, but that somehow made it permanent? ________________
Outside, it took several minutes for Sul of sprinting as hard as she could to catch up with Flying Fox, testing even her superhuman stamina. All while Akasha tried to lead him away from the Academy, even as he seemed to keep pulling back toward it. Only when Sul, on the brink of giving up, finally touched his tail did she risk leaping onto his back, clinging on for dear life as he pounded across the ground.
Carefully, she crawled up to his head, and sat astride his neck, clamping on as tight as she could with her legs. Almost relieved she'd got that far, she unwound the chain from her waist, and used it to whallop the back of his head as hard as she could.
Nothing happened.
She tried again. Same result.
Abandoning the chain, she crawled forward and tried with her fists, to similarly poor effect. Then, just as her hands became bloodied with the effort, his head turned as he seemed to abruptly lose interest in Akasha entirely, and he skidded to a stop, throwing her head-first into the trees. Managing to twist enough to avoid impacting head-first, she still wrenched her shoulder as she grabbed a branch to stop herself, followed by twisting her ankle as she roughly dropped to the ground. Propping herself up, she wondered what had triggered THAT? It couldn't have been her - she hadn't been making any impact.
Then she saw it. Everett was checking over someone on the ground, and his aura was lit up like a beacon.
And as she quickly found out, in her tired, injured state, the possessed Rocco was far faster than her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sofia was flying back down to get someone else after delivering Jubilee to the roof when she saw it coming, running at top speed towards Everett.
Without further thought, she reacted, flying between Everett and the rampaging beast and letting rip with everything she had. Hurricane-force winds battered him, holding him back... but not quite stopping him, as he dug in and continued to inch forward.
Behind him, Akasha landed - almost crash-landed - beside Sul, who'd flattened herself to the ground, both getting out of the wind ASAP. They couldn't be so stoic in the face of a localised 150mph wind.
Behind Sofia, however, the air was amazingly calm, as she pulled the air around the area, keeping a pocket "eye" clear and still to avoid Everett and the unconscious Jennifer - the only remaining unconscious student in immediate danger with Jubilee & Magno now pulled to safety and Jed still deep in the ground - being endangered. The effort of it all was taxing her immensely though, and she didn't dare turn around to check what Everett was doing.
He, meanwhile, was busy checking Particon for injuries before taking the risk of moving her, not wanting to end up paralysing her while "saving" her. And with Sofia keeping the air around him quiet, he couldn't even hear the tempest brewing behind him. Which is why Shikari's noisy descent - following a fruitless search for the invader causing the root of the trouble, cloaked beyond even her ability to find anything - was such a shock even before she pointed out what was happening.
Risks rebalanced, they carried Jennifer up to the roof as quickly as possible. As they reached the edge of the roof, Dani fired an arrow at Flying Fox. As with her earlier attempts on the possessed animals, it had no direct effect, but Sofia saw it and took the hint. Dropping the ferocious forward wind, she flew high into the air out of its path.
And with the hurricane gone, the beast that had been a student shot straight forward into the wall of the building.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Inside, it felt like an earthquake as the wall rocked and partially crumbled in front of them. Then Noriko realised she could feel her legs and scrambled out of the way, seeing moments later that Tomb and Inferno had both been knocked out by flying rubble which must have flown just past her own head. Taking a second to move them out of further harm's way, toward the doorway of the room, she looked out at the hole in the wall.
The beast was stunned, but quickly recovering. She took a split second to look in the cracked mirror on the wall. Her collar no longer merely showed visible sparks. Now it was practically aglow with arcs of electricity running al the way around the surface.
But her eyes weren't red. She knew what she was doing to do, what was going to happen as she turned and ran, before anyone could see to stop her. It took less than a second, collar crackling louder than the rushing wind as she moved, but her mind ran even faster than her body, and she had time to think. Maybe it would be alright - maybe she'd didn't need the collar now. Or maybe she was running to her end. The latter thought didn't distress her, oddly. The worst that could happen, she thought, was to be right back where she started.
He'd turned just enough, recovered just enough, that she could look him straight in the eye as her collar spiked and sparked for the last time. All she saw was a crazed beast.
At least it wasn't a friend. If they both made it through, she'd have felt really guilty about making them feel responsible.
And then she exploded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For a brief moment, the sky lit up like day. Before it had even dulled, Shikari had grabbed Dani by the armpits without explanation and flew off. Curious, Everett took off after them, leaving Tanya to look after the unconscious trio.
Sofia and Sul, meanwhile, converged on the location of their friend, the latter carried by Akasha in recognition of her injuries before being set down so she could fly up to check on Jubilee.
Hanging back, Sofia crossed her lower ribs with her arms. "Is she...?"
"She's still breathing." Sul replied, reaching for a pulse. Saying how she'd be would have to wait for her to regain consciousness - the collar around her neck was now little more than a circlet of charcoal. "What about him?"
Sofia glanced across at the small figure lying on the ground nearby, fur scorched. Then she thought again - it really wasn't his fault, was it? - and went over to check. "He is breathing too."
"Great."
They stood in silence for a moment, before they heard a muffled sound. Instinctively, Sofia used her powers to amplify it.
It was Jed, still down in his narrow pit, asking for "A little help here, please."
***********************
Shikari set Dani down at the edge of the wood, where a silver-clad figure lay semi-conscious from the backlash of Nori's burst, victim - though the approaching group didn't know it - of putting all their eggs in one fox-shaped basket.
As Everett touched down behind them, the figure appeared to stir, but succeeded only in dislodging their helmet. All three recoiled in shock, but Dani most of all as they saw what had been under it. Who Mordru's agent was. Who they'd been fighting against all night.
There were scars. One eye was missing. And the hair was virtually a crew-cut. But under it all was still, unmistakably, the face of Danielle Moonstar.
-------------------- My views are my own and do not reflect those of everyone else... and I wouldn't have it any other way.
As they followed the trail left by Quislet and Shifter, sweat rolled down Blizzard's back like a stream. He couldn't remember ever feeling this out of breath back home!
He glanced back at Kinetix, who was levitating both to avoid making unnecessary noise and to avoid the decidedly dirty jungle floor. Time was he'd have scoffed at her vanity, but he could appreciate how new this whole thing was for her, and how well she was handling it.
He wanted to say something encouraging, but didn't want to come across as condescending. Perhaps something appreciative? Or...
Kinetix looked in his direction, and their eyes met. Blizzard blushed.
"Are you okay?" Kinetix asked. "You look flushed! My gosh, you're so red. You're much paler than I am. You really should have let me morph your clothes into something cooler."
Blizzard mentally kicked himself. He'd almost been caught. "Ah... can't risk it. We have to blend into the jungle. Your changing of our costume's colors was more than enough."
Kinetix frowned. "Are you sure? I was going to give you a tank top, but..." She thought for a second. "I think I can at least make the fabric lighter so you won't sweat as much."
Blizzard hesitated, then nodded. "That would be good." He jerked in surprise as a green aura enveloped him. His costume didn't change, but the sticky wetness disappeared, and he felt much more comfortable. "Thank you."
Kinetix smiled. "Sure you don't want me to give you a tank top? You'd look good in it."
Blizzard blushed again, and hoped the heat would explain it. "I wouldn't want my white skin to give us away. I hate to say it, but I am much lighter than you and almost all of the girls on the team."
Kinetix giggled at that, which made Blizzard smile all the more. "Think," he thought. "What else can I joke about? Maybe how the girls from back home would love her designs..."
Before he could say anything, he heard a lot pop! "You two so slooooooow! Shifter getting impatient, sent me to find you. I said maybe you got lost and having a picnic!"
Blizzard crossed his arms and scowled. "I told you, I'm a trained tracker. We just have to go slowly so we won't be heard."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hurry up though, we've found the source of the magic."
Kinetix leaned forward excitedly. "How far away is it?"
"Few minutes for me. Much longer for you for sure! Maybe 20 if you don't dawdle? I cleared path for you to make it easier! Just follow!"
And with that, Quislet popped back into the ground.
Kinetix turned back to Blizzard. "So, which way do we go, my guide? 20 bucks if you can get us there in less than 20 minutes."
Blizzard smiled. At least he was still playing a valuable role here. And impressing Kinetix, it seemed. "I wouldn't normally take money for a job well done, so if you'll make it a pizza instead..."
Kinetix smiled as she followed him deeper into the jungle.
*************************************************
"... and so we had to use our earplugs. I'm just glad they're so small and not tacky at all! Though I wished I could have gotten them in fuchsia. They'd look so cute with my costume!"
"That's nice, Amazon," Kid Quantum said politely. Time was she'd have said something snarky, but Amazon had earned her respect. "So, you're sure you got all the statues?"
"Checked the areas in a 2km radius. All clear," Flash said.
"Great. And Element Lad's caged the yetis, and he and I have the Druk and the Naga under wraps." Kid Quantum glanced back at the two dragon-like creatures, who were mercifully still stunned. Her stasis bubble would see to it that they wouldn't recover for a while, while Element Lad's titanium cocoon would make a good secondary defense. "As for the ghosts..."
"I can't be certain I've defeated them outright, but I've created plenty of pillars all around our area," Element Lad said. "And as long as we wear the pendants I've created, they shouldn't be able to harm us."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go after our teammates!" Wildfire exclaimed. "We just mopped all these guys up, with all 14 of us together we should be able to take on anything!"
Rebound shook his head. "Shifter wanted us to wait, and I agree. It might be better to scope out the situation first."
"But..."
"No buts," Kid Quantum said firmly. "I don't like waiting either, but this is a real mission. We play it carefully. And I know you may be worried, Wildfire, but they will be alright. I'm sure of it. So we stay put, okay?"
"Well, when you put it that way..."
Amihan suddenly froze in place. "Something seems wrong. Do you sense that?"
"What...?" Kid Quantum asked.
"I can feel something too," Starboy said. "A rumbling..."
Without any more warning, the ground exploded beneath their feet.
The final famous element of the 'Cultural Triangle', Sigiriya, offers a wonderful, but comfortable climb to its summit. The impressive approach to Sigiriya, through sculpted gardens and rocks, is surpassed by the impressive stone carvings of lion's feet and the famous frescoes (ancient cave paintings) tourist view on the ascent. The view from the top, as you wander around the palace ruins, is breathtaking and well worth the energy.
- Sri Lanka Wide Tours
Sigiriya was built around the 6th century AD on a 200 meter high rock by King Kasyapa I as a safeguard to his enemies. King Kasyapa I was said to have killed his father King Dhatusena by walling him alive. Kasyapa's brother Mogallana, the rightful heir, fled to India.
It is believed that Sigiriya was intended to be a fortress and a pleasure palace. It did not help Kasyapa much though, as when Mogallana returned from India with an army, Kasyapa's own forces abandoned him. He committed suicide by falling on his sword.
- Sri Lanka travel guide
"Amazing," Kinetix breathed as she drank in the sight of the Lion's Rock. She'd seen pictures of it earlier, but only the lion's feet had remained. Now, magic had restored the magnificent structure so that one once again had to crawl through the lion's mouth to reach the fortress.
Magic had improved it as well, far beyond anything that could have existed even in the present. The walls of the fortress shone with a material unlike the stone it had been built from originally. Sunlight glinted off several wicked-looking cannons on the fortress roof. And on the roof, a large column of glowing energy was shooting up into the sky.
Quislet popped up again. "Shifter and I will wait near the roof. Hurry up, slowpokes!"
"If he weren't so useful, I'd fuse some iron around his jaw," Kinetix muttered as she telekinetically lifted herself and Blizzard into the sky.
"Wait, I have an idea," Blizzard interrupted. "The fortress walls look like red stone. Can you gather dust around us so we can blend in? I can create an ice sphere to make it easier for you."
"Good idea," Kinetix smiled. Blizzard awkwardly smiled back, trying not to seem too pleased.
As soon as their sphere was ready, they lifted off into the sky.
*************************************************
Kid Quantum pulled herself shakily to her feet. What was happening? She could hear groans all around. She quickly helped Rebound up, then Flash. "Flash, can you check if all of us are okay?" Her teammate nodded and sped off.
"Jazmin, is your bubble..." Rebound asked urgently.
Cursing to herself, Kid Quantum reactivated her bubble. Luckily, their prisoners hadn't stirred.
Flash sped back up. "Everyone's okay, but not for long. I think we're in trouble..."
Before she could continue, the ground erupted again. Only this time, the rock began to form itself into the shape of a man.
A very large man.
"Great... Why can't we ever have an easy battle?" Kid Quantum thought to herself as she began barking orders.
*************************************************
The dust-covered sphere alit on the rooftop, and Kinetix and Blizzard quickly disposed of the evidence. "Where are they?" Kinetix whispered. Blizzard put a finger to his lips in the "sssh" sign and shrugged his shoulders.
He motioned for Kinetix to join him against the wall, then scanned the area intently. No sign of any trail, nor of his two teammates...
"You honestly did not expect this would be so easy, did you?", a cruel voice sounded. And then Blizzard felt pain.
Unconsciousness came mercifully soon after.
*************************************************
"It's like the whole island's come to life!" shouted Amihan as her winds ripped into tree branches that reached menacingly for them. Behind her, Hygeia was concentrating on keeping the Yetis and their other prisoners dosed. With everything going on, they couldn't be sure that even the metal bars caging them wouldn't suddenly spring to life.
Above them, Wildfire dodged punches from the rock-creature as he blasted it with all his might. It reformed just as easily as he shattered it, though.
"What's taking them so long?" he yelled as it reformed for the umpteenth time. Amihan didn't know, but she prayed they would all live to find out.
*************************************************
Kinetix felt awful, truly awful. Just thinking about the pain she'd felt earlier made her cringe.
She slowly opened her eyes. She was lying in a sphere that looked like glass. In spheres beside her were her teammates.
"Welcome to my kingdom, young one. It seems you have much to learn about the rules of the royal court. You entered my fortress without bearing gifts."
A cloaked figure stepped forward out of the shadows. Kinetix felt even queasier as she studied him. The clothes were fine and regal, but the figure himself was emaciated and rotten.
She quickly looked away until she could steel herself. The room around her was similarly fine. In the middle of the room, dozens of orbs floated, glowing in various colors. These were just like the orbs they'd encountered earlier. In their center, the vast column of energy rose from seemingly out of nowhere.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" The figure stuck his hand into the column, and the energy shifted, somewhat like colored sand. "This is what will birth my kingdom again, and make it more powerful than ever."
"But... there hasn't been a kingdom here in centuries..."
"Why, of course, silly girl. Ah, but I haven't introduced myself properly." The figure made a smooth bow, surprisingly graceful for one who looked so old. "I am King Kasyapa I, the ruler of this proud fortress. I am more than 12 centuries old."
Kinetix couldn't help but gasp at that, and turned to look away. Surreptitiously, she tried to touch the sphere she was in. She nearly jumped as it sparked, and seemed to push back against her.
"Your powers won't work on that, and every time you touch it in any way, it gets a little smaller," smirked the king.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kinetix saw Blizzard begin to stir. She needed to keep the king talking, and hope he could think of something.
"So, did Mordru reanimate you, or were you alive all this time?"
"Curious, my dear? He reanimated me, and magically gifted me with understanding of this world's language. And he will give me eternal youth as well if I can deliver Asia to his empire."
"So why keep us alive? Are you going to use magic to turn us into your slaves?"
"Partly, yes. I need more knowledge about the current world. And also because you and your friends are providing me with much-needed power." He waved his hand and the very air itself seemed to part, like a television screen had been placed in such a way that she could see the moving pictures, and not the screen. She gasped as she saw Polarity bending metal into a shield as rocks rained down on him. Every time he moved his hands to twist a strand of metal, she could see thin tendrils of magic - the same color as the column of energy in the room - rising from him.
"You're feeding off our energies?!"
"I am feeding off chaos! Every instance of violence and destruction makes me even stronger. You can see how I am slowly transforming this island kingdom into a true fortress. As my power grows, I will spread it across Asia."
"That's why I spent precious magical energy to summon forth mystical creatures all across Asia. I knew the ensuing chaos would return that energy back a hundredfold." He stepped closer to her sphere, and despite herself, Kinetix shrank back a little. He smiled a thoroughly wicked smile. "And imagine my surprise when I found out that you could also manipulate said magical energy. That is why I allowed you to come here. I couldn't very well let you run free. And I wanted to pick your brain to see whether there were any more like you who could possibly foil my plans. And when I have succeeded, you will be my slave. And your teammates will be dead."
Kinetix could barely hold in her despair as she watched Element Lad and Amazon struggling to hold back what looked like a snake made of rock. What could she hope to do now?
Kinetix cursed silently as she watched Blizzard groan and writhe. Behind him, Quislet moved feebly, then lay still again. She could see Shifter's legs behind him, and he too lay still.
She stretched her arm out and tried to manipulate the floor beside her. Nothing. It seemed the sphere she was in blocked her powers from affecting anything outside of it, too. If so, it would do the same for her teammates.
Desperate, she slammed her shoulder into it. Nothing.
The king wasn't even bothering to pay attention to them. He'd turned his back and was marveling at the transformation slowly spreading across the island. "You know, I was once thwarted by an army led by my brother. But nothing can stop me now."
"Wanna bet?" Came a voice from above. Both Kinetix and the king looked up in surprise to see an anvil falling from the ceiling and hit the king on the head.
With a yelp of pain, he hit the floor. That same instant, the spheres began to shimmer, as if weakening.
Kinetix stared at the anvil for a second, then quickly collected herself. She morphed the floor under her and dug her way out. She quickly did the same for Blizzard, then Quislet.
As she was about to free Shifter, a hand tapped her back. "No need, that isn't me at all."
"I kind of figured, since I've never seen a talking anvil before. Heck, I don't think I have seen any anvil before. So how did you..."
"Quislet. His practice has been paying off - he morphed some wood into a pretty good likeness of me. A little makeup did the rest, and I guess we got lucky that the king's eyesight isn't what it used to be." Shifter knelt down and checked on their teammate. "Poor little guy's going to be out for a while, though."
"We'd better make sure the king will be too," Kinetix said as she helped Blizzard up. He held onto her shoulder for support, then after realizing what he'd done, withdrew his hand like he'd touched a hot stove. Kinetix mentally rolled her eyes. Men and their pride.
A beam of energy interrupted her thought as it nearly singed her hair. "Get down!" Blizzard yelled, pushing her to the side as he generated a shield of ice. The king stood with one arm inside the energy beam in the middle of the room, channeling the energy through his arm.
"I'd guess he doesn't have magical powers of his own, but Mordru probably gave him the ability to channel that magic," Shifter said as he carried Quislet to where they huddled.
"So we just have to separate him from that," Blizzard said.
Shifter shook his head. "He wasn't touching it when he cast the spheres that imprisoned us. I think we have to wrest control of the magical energy from him..."
"Which means I have to do that," Kinetix finished. "Let's do it."
Blizzard paused and raised his hand, then let it fall as he saw the determined look on Kinetix's face. He quickly formed a small crack in his shield, peeked through and sent a flurry of icicles flying at the king. One hit his arm, causing another angry scream of pain. Blizzard took the opportunity to form a wall of ice that smashed the king into the wall.
"Now, Kinetix!" The words had barely left Blizzard's lips when Kinetix ran to the column of energy. She closed her eyes and plunged both hands in.
She screamed at the pure rapture of feeling so alive.
*************************************************
The Jungles of Sri Lanka
Rebound was trying to take stock of the situation, but the chaos around him made it difficult. He could only see half of his teammates.
Luckily, he didn't have to work so hard at dodging attacks because of his durability. He settled with his back to a tree and tried to see...
His whole world suddenly blurred, and his stomach lurched. When he regained his bearings, he saw a solicitous Flash leaning over him. Before he could ask, she answered. "Sorry for being so abrupt. Had to get you out of the way so Polarity could stop that." Turning, Rebound saw jagged shards of metal littering the bark behind him, and writhing vines on the ground. Still breathless, he muttered his thanks.
"This isn't working, Flash. Can you gather everyone for me? We need to regroup. Start with Kid Quantum and Element Lad. Their powers can help us build a shelter." With a nod, Flash dashed off.
In short order, a titanium structure was being reinforced by a quantum bubble, and ten exhausted Legionnaires were huddling together and planning strategy while Wildfire provided covering fire.
"What do we do next?" Flash asked.
Rebound wasn't sure how to answer that. He was getting much more confident at leading his teammates, but he preferred the consultative approach. And Kid Quantum and Shifter were both busy. He couldn't let his teammates down, though. "I... First, we get more information. Flash, can you..."
He was interrupted by a bright flash of light. In an instant, a green glowing figure shaped like Kinetix stood in front of a portal, through which they could see the rest of their teammates. She beckoned. "With me, hurry!"
Rebound didn't know if he was leading the team out of the frying pan and into the fire. Looking at the shaking of their titanium wall, though, he didn't have much of a choice. "You heard her, let's go!"
************************************************
Lion's Rock
Blizzard was sweating like crazy. Although his powers couldn't do much to keep his skin from burning in the sun, they had been able to keep him cool earlier. Now he was using every ounce of his energy to occupy the king.
His every wave of ice was being melted like butter. He tried changing tactics by icing the floor and forcing the king of balance, but the king levitated. He sent a flurry of snow to blind the king, but it was dissipated. A flood of icicles met with a wall of flame that melted most of them. The king stared at him with hateful eyes. "You will have to do much better than that."
"I know," blizzard thought. He spared a glance for Kinetix, who was kneeling down under the weight of the power. He had to give her a chance.
He blasted another wave of icicles. The king melted these and laughed. "Do you not learn, little one? You cannot try the same trick on me -"
He was cut off as Blizzard slammed into him. With the floor iced under them, Blizzard and the king slid into the balcony and off the railing onto the ground below.
*************************************************
"Was that Blizzard we just saw practicing for Disney on Ice?" Amazon gasped as the team stepped through the portal.
"Wildfire!" Shifter yelled. "No need to tell me!" came the reply.
"No time to explain, but Kid Quantum, Element Lad, Polarity, with me. Hygeia, see to Quislet. The rest of you, keep the guy Blizzard was fighting busy!"
There was a flurry of activity as the Legionnaires scrambled off to their assignments. Shifter turned to the three he'd picked. "We need to keep the magical energy contained around Kinetix, so she can use it to basically fix everything. Can you surround her in a bubble that will keep it from escaping and reaching the bad guy?"
The three looked at each other. "Can't hurt to try," Kid Quantum said. "I'm sure magic is affected by time..."
"And it is said iron can block magic..." Element Lad added.
"I have no idea what magnetism will do to magic, but it can't possibly make things any worse, right?" Polarity quipped.
"Maybe Quislet can help!" came the familiar high-pitched voice. Four Legionnaires looked on in shock as Hygeia stepped forward. "I was able to jumpstart him, so to speak, by giving him a mild dose of fever."
"Now Quislet lead you!" The imp flew around the column of energy, and Kinetix, then tsked. "Too much, too much. You need to contain flow!" He dove into the floor, causing the tiles to morph into a shape similar to an hourglass.
"Make like this, fast! Hurry, slowpokes!"
Element Lad and Polarity studiously grafted iron to model what Quislet was showing them. As Kid Quantum began coating it with quantum particles, she muttered to Hygeia, "Wish there was a disease that would keep him from talking."
************************************************
Blizzard clung to the king as they fell, ignoring the stench from his robes. He was hoping that by staying close, the king wouldn't be able to blast him off while he figured out how to cushion his own fall.
"Unhand me, you filthy child!" screamed the king as he flailed about, sending blasts flying off in every direction. Blizzard hesitated. At this range a stray blast could still hit him. He began coating himself in ice. Once he was covered, he'd let go and pray he had enough time to make a snow dune...
Suddenly, he felt himself being lifted. His heart pounded. Had the king summoned something or...
"Ask nicely! Jeez, you MUST be ancient, you cranky old fart!" came a familiar voice as an energy blast hit the king right in the chest.
"Wildfire?! How..."
"Kinetix brought us here so we could watch you dive out the window. Nice skating, pal!" came the reply as another blast of energy hit the king.
As their opponent flew backwards, Rebound bounced up and sent him flying towards Amazon. "Such a dear you are, your highness! Inviting us to a lovely game of catch!" she smiled as she punched him into the sky.
A gust of wind pushed him back down, then a cyclone began spinning him around. Amihan smiled as she hovered in the air. "Lovely toss, Amazon. Would you care to join in, Flash?"
"Don't mind if I do," Flash answered as the winds petered out and the king fell. She grabbed hold of his robes and ran, dragging him behind her as she smashed into walls. After a dizzying run through the courtyard, she screeched to a halt and let go, causing the king to fly into a wall. "All yours, Starboy!"
"With pleasure," grinned the Aussie as his gravity powers rooted the king to the ground.
"You wretches! I will watch you die horribly!" The king grabbed the walls behind him. The stone glowed and began to tremble, and tendrils rose out of the ground around the Legionnaires. They were crude, though, and not nearly so fast as the trees and rock that had attacked them in the jungle.
"He's losing his control over the magic!" Blizzard yelled to his teammates. "Keep pressing on!"
"No! No! I won't be thwarted!" The king yelled as he began to glow.
"Fall back!" Rebound's voice was tinged with fear.
Kinetix's mind swam as she tread a fine line between controlling the flow of magic and surrendering to it. She'd learned that she had to walk this fine line to get it to listen to her.
She felt like a leaf in a storm, though. She couldn't find a stable berth on which to perch. It was like she'd caged a pack of wolves to help her, but couldn't dare release any or they'd tear her and her friends apart.
Remembering her success in bringing her teammates over, she slowly bent the energy around her to her will. She mouthed a quick "thank you" to her teammates and dove in.
"I want this island back the way it was. Change it back. Change it back."
The tendrils twisted around her. The one closest her began to turn, then suddenly cracked like a whip against the ceiling of the room they were in. In her mind's eye, Kinetix saw Shifter push Element Lad out of the way.
"No! No... Listen to me. Change it back. Please. Please..."
The tendrils whipped around her like a pack of wild dogs. Wild dogs struggling to be free.
And at that moment, Kinetix new. It was like how she'd struggled to be free of her mother's shadow and find her place in the world.
She needed to set the magic free.
she couldn't explain how she knew. She just did.
With a leap of faith, she let it all go.
*************************************************
Kinetix awoke to the sun shining in through a hole in the ruin walls and pain all over her body. She reached up to soothe her aching head. She gave a start when she felt a plastic tube.
"Just a little precaution from the docs. Take it easy, girl." Kid Quantum glided over from near the window with a smile. "You deserve a break after you pretty much fixed everything."
"So... we beat the king?"
"Yes, and just in time, too," came Blizzard's relieved voice. "He had just let loose a big wave of energy which my ice shields probably wouldn't have stopped. I don't know what it is you did, but it somehow turned the energy back into him, and, well..." Blizzard's gesture indicated a jar of ash kept in a sealed transparent vault. That explained his relief, then. He and the others had almost died battling the king.
Maybe that also explained his sheepish look. He might have thought that he had failed. Kinetix smiled in reassurance. "I couldn't have done it without all of you running interference. The way you tackled him, in particular, was really brave."
Blizzard's cheeks colored. He opened his mouth as if to reply, but was cut off by Rebound's entry. "Great to see you awake, Kinetix. The doctors said you'd be alright with a little rest. You should be ready to return to active duty in a few days."
Kinetix sat bolt upright, drawing a testy glare from a nurse in the room. "Days? Can we wait that long? Isn't Asia still under attack?"
"You took care of most of that. SHIELD says that right after the wave of light erupted here, the island returned to normal. The various animated statues returned to their normal places. In Angkor and other places, all animated rock, stone, you name it - they're all back to normal. Even the mythical creatures we captured vanished."
"There have been a few stragglers," Rebound continued, "but they've been few. Wildfire, Flash, and a few others have helped clean up the worst of it. For all intents and purposes, the Asian battlefront is stable, just like the American one."
"Kinetix, if you're up to it..." Blizzard reached out with his hand, then withdrew it. "The SHIELD personnel want to ask about what happened in there. The orbs, the column of energy... they're all gone now. SHIELD was hoping they could harness the energy somehow against Mordru. The war in Europe is still ongoing."
Kinetix closed her eyes. She still felt some regret, but no doubt. "I really didn't do all that much besides tell - well, not really tell, since the magic wasn't alive, but - I asked the magic to set things back to normal. And I told it I would let it free. And that's just what I did."
Everyone in the room stared at her. She shrugged. "I can't really explain it myself. I just knew I had to let the magic go, since it was wild. Part of the problem was that it was being restrained in the first place. I wish I could have kept it for us to use, but I just knew it wouldn't be any good to us if we did. It was too unpredictable, and I didn't know enough about it to control it."
Blizzard moved closer and broke the silence. "I think you did the right thing." Rebound and Kid Quantum looked at each other, then nodded. "It was probably for the best," Rebound agreed. "Your ability to tap into the magic was useful, but we could all tell how difficult it was. I'm sure SHIELD would agree."
"You rest up now, and let us handle the paperwork," Kid Quantum added. "Hopefully if we make it complete enough, we won't have to report to the Director personally."
"Thanks," Kinetix sighed as she settled back into her bed with a smile. Blizzard turned to look back wistfully as he followed the others out of the room.
None of the four, Kinetix included, noticed the green glow that flickered above Kinetix's head for just the briefest of moments. She was already sleeping soundly.
As the ghost ship glided over the waters of the Red Sea, the passengers inhaled the fresh air that smelled of salt and sea and felt a sense of calm from the motion. It moved quickly and kept them hidden from the view of others, which gave a momentary sense of serenity.
The five of them stood together on the deck overlooking the sea itself. Though most of them had just recently met, they had been the best of friends since their earliest memories. Others referred to them as the “telepathic circle”: Tela, Sensor, Umbra, Dreamer and the White Witch. Only one, the Emerald Empress was missing.
Often the events of the last year seamed so grandiose that it was hard for them, and their fellow Legionnaires, to put it in perspective. But when they considered how the six girls had been in contact for so long and now each had arrived separately at this moment, it all seemed very logical. As if everything that had ever happened had been a prelude—a build up even—to this.
Umbra looked to her side at Sensor and smiled at her friend. They were all linked telepathically by Tela and could communicate that way, but none felt the need just now. Rather, they simply lent each other strength and comfort. Umbra’s smile said it all: This was a good plan. I believe in it.
Once Sensor had heard the Song of the White Witch, she remembered a suggestion by Flare earlier in one of their planning stages and came up with the plan. The others would attack, providing a distraction. While the rest of them slipped into Xerox to confront Mordru.
None said it but they all shared doubts. What could the five of them do against Mordru? They knew the Dark Lord’s daughter, Maziah, would be critical to his downfall, yet they still doubted themselves. “We have always been strong for one another in our own way,” said Tela to them before they left. “Maybe that will be enough again.” It was so hard to grasp why, but it made sense to them.
Nearby, the Black Pirate steered the ship through the sea, sending them ever closer to Yemen, and then within to Xerox, the Secret City. He was not his usual talkative, mischievous self. Instead, he was serious and focused. He knew the endgame had come and he must now play his part. “Perhaps,” he said after thinking over their request for safe travel, “this is the reason I’ve been a ghost for so long?” The idea seemed to please him, as if it finally justified his existence with a purpose.
The five girls had tensions between them. Tela was horrified by Mon-El’s actions and Umbra knew it. Sensor suspected some of them questioned how she had handled Sara throughout the years. But those tensions were set aside. There was a bond between them, this Circle.
Some of the girls could feel the others thinking about the boys they had left behind. Umbra loved Mon-El fiercely and they could all feel it. It reconfirmed for Tela what she already knew—that she loved Livewire with all her heart. Sensor too had fallen in love; with Valor, whom made everything feel so right. The quiet goodbyes each one shared were still fresh in their memories, and while none of them pried into each other’s thoughts, the emotions were reassuring to the rest.
Dreamer, perhaps the most beautiful girl any of them had ever seen, smiled to herself when she felt those emotions coming from the others. In a way she did not understand, it provided her strength to know love could be found in such a way. And she channeled that strength to Maziah. Her sister might not need it, but she welcomed it.
********************************
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: All was quiet, and then Dr. Occult turned and another figure walked out into the light of the street lamp. Maziah had not meant him before, but recognized him from her friend’s description. It was Jason Blood.
“The Demon and I have reached an agreement,” said Blood. “And have straitened out the terms. We shall work together, for once, to destroy Mordru. Therefore, we can come to you now, White Witch, and pledge our allegiance in this endeavor, promising there will be no betrayal or ill intentions towards you or your allies, as there once was before. All that matters to both of us is that Mordru should fall. For Etrigan has revenge in his heart and it is a lie to say I feel differently.”
Maziah was hesitant towards Jason Blood, whom she did not trust at all. But she understood the rules of magic and knew that with this pledge, neither Blood nor Etrigan could break it if they fought in the upcoming war. “I’ll accept,” she said, recalling Dr. Occult’s words well and knowing he would offer no guidance on this matter.
Dr. Occult nodded. “When it matters, we will be there. Until then, I offer you this token of allegiance,” he said, and handed her a bundle wrapped in cloth. “With it comes no binding of obligation or payment.”
She took it and unwrapped it. It was a beautifully crafted horn, made of ivory with gold embroidery and a gold tip where the mouth was.
“It is an ancient item and its own history has many chapters, where many heroes wielded it. Mordru has corrupted many great cities and lands, and his evil influence will forever be a stain on this Earth even after his downfall. It shall be stain of corruption on magic itself. Know that with this horn, which was first blown in Ekron long ago, and once used by both Charlemagne and then Thor, it can blast away that evil, and clean the land and clean the magic of Mordru’s influence. Should Mordru ever be defeated, use this horn with both hope and love in your heart, and your pure influence will be able to wipe away Mordru’s memory.” Dr. Occult now smiled. “Should the day come when I hear that horn—when we, all of us, hear that horn, many of us can at last smile once more, and perhaps some of us can at last rest.”
Maziah took the horn as her own, accepting it. She understood in her heart all that had been told to her, and now stepped backwards, this meeting at an end. “Hile Dr. Occult and Jason Blood,” she said in a loud voice. “When next we meet, it shall be in prelude to the final battle.”
“Fare thee well,” said Occult and at once the darkness began to clear.
The Black Pirate steered his ship through the Gulf of Aden and into the river channels of Yemen, moving against the waters of the rivers. Soon he found an unkown, unmapped channel that would lead them up the right way through the country. Xerox had its own secret port, unknown to man.
The landscape began to change and the sky grew darker even in midday. A reddish tinge could be seen on the land and in the sky at all times. Mordru poisoned the Earth just by being in its vicinity.
“We are here,” said the White Witch softly. “We have entered Xerox, though not yet the city’s walls.”
“We’re right here by your side, Maziah,” said her sister Nura.
Maziah reached into her long sleeves and put her hand in the secret pocket within. Though it looked like a small pocket, it’s magic allowed for it to hold much larger items. She pulled out an ornate horn made of ivory with gold embroidery and a gold tip.
“What is that?” asked Umbra quizzically.
Maziah smiled. “It is for cleansing,” she replied. She took the beautiful horn and placed it up to her lips. The others watched curiously. She inhaled deeply and let out a loud blow.
The sound trumpeted across the water and then the land and even far into the dessert. It was loud but not booming; rather, it was melodic and rhythmic. She blew the horn again, this time slightly louder, and holding the note a bit longer.
The others were confused at first but then Tela motioned outwards to the landscape. They could see something happening. Fauna, which looked like it had been crushed, seemed to be standing up straighter. The reddish tinge seemed to be going away. Even the desert seemed more vibrant and full of life.
Maziah blew the horn again. In response, they could hear noises where there was silence. The sound of the river. Insects. Even birds calling back. It was as if life was being restored.
“He’ll know we’re coming,” said Umbra.
“He knows already,” replied Maziah. “Now all things will know.”
****************************
The river opened up into a lakeside dock that was centuries out of use. Clearly no normal vessel could dock here; but the Black Pirate captained no normal vessel.
“I guess we’re here,” said Dreamer with some trepidation. They had half-expected Mordru to attack them while they were on the ship but he had not come. Now the anticipation of seeing him again was causing their anxiety to build. Surely father is waiting for us… she thought.
“Are you joining us, Black Pirate?” asked Umbra surprised.
The Black Pirate had jumped off his boat and began to walk with them. He smiled his rogue smile at her. “I admit that part of my reason is that I may continue to gaze upon such loveliness as yourselves.” This was no surprise to Tatiana as she had grown accustomed to his innuendos. “And another part of me cannot tame the fiery hunger to see the Dark Lord brought to his knees,” he added. “But there is a third reason. I come to lend you support, as do so many others.”
“Others?” said Tela, surprised. Her telepathy was having trouble in Xerox—the magic was blocking it. She did not like the idea of others creeping up on them.
“Yes,” said the White Witch. “Many others have come. To observe. To lend strength. They have heard the call and have answered.”
The White Witch looked up as they continued to walk. Their path had entered a valley with two high ridges on either side, as if they were walking towards a doorway into the city. Maziah looked to the tops of the ridges and the others did too and they could see the ridges were filled with people.
No, not people, thought Umbra. Beings like us. Magic-users.
They did not know most of them but they knew they were friends. They were sorcerers and wizards; mages and witches; tricksters and summoners; invokers and diviners. Some were ancient and some were new. All of them had a connection to the ethereal power of magic and all of them knew this was a turning point.
Maziah recognized Dr. Occult among their number, who stood foremost among them. By his side was another fedora-hat wearing entity that she knew was infinitely more powerful; he wore purple and his face was concealed. He was a Phantom Stranger.
There were others equally as powerful. One day some of the girls would learn who some of them were; others would forever remain a mystery. The boy Dragonmage was there, feeling overcome with awe yet believing he had a place there. Jason Blood was also there, conflicted on whether he should unleash Etrigan the Demon or hold him in check. A bookish woman named Thessaly had come to observe, rooting for neither combatant but curious to the outcome. Cluracon, a dashing rogue of the court of Titania and the Fairie folk had also come with similar intentions. From the hidden mountains of the Far East was perhaps the oldest being of all save Mordru, the Ancient One, and his onetime student who would one day surpass him, Dr. Strange. The High Priests of Atlantis were also in attendance causing some of their fellows to stare in disbelief. The last to arrive had been the charming yet complex John Constantine, who tried to convince the hermetic Baron Winters to leave his tower to no avail.
Beyond even the senses of the great host assembled were others who looked on. With her powers, Sensor could sense them, though they remained beyond even her sight. Seven of them, who in concept were Endless.
And there were many more beyond them. The Black Pirate walked up the side of the ridge to join them, and Sensor was shocked to see who helped him up. The Countess Winema Wazzo was there as well—perhaps Tina had influenced her mother more than she’d ever know.
“They give us strength,” said the White Witch to them. “Let us use it as best we can.”
***************************
The crossed the threshold of the City’s Gate and their supporters fell out of view. Before them was the city of Xerox, ancient and powerful. It was quiet, all but abandoned as Mordru’s agents were off at war. A slight breeze blew against some of the old ancient buildings.
“Even all together, you stand no chance,” they heard. It was a voice they all knew well—Sara Romanescue, the Emerald Empress.
She looked regal and proud before them, with the Emerald Eye floating above her. Her hair had become a vibrant shade of green, and she had grown taller. She looked beautiful and terrible. “I knew you would come Maziah, and Jacquie would follow. But I admit I did not expect you all.”
Sara was the last of their telepathic circle; while the five girls fought for humanity and Earth, Sara had turned towards the side of evil and Mordru.
“Sara…” began Tela. She had never met her childhood friend in person before. “There is still time. Join us, as you did years ago. Let’s all reunite, like when we were children.”
The Emerald Empress looked as if she might cry; seeing them all together like this stung. She remembered the last words Jacquie and she shared. ”I still love you…but I don’t know why…” Jacquie had said. “I am your enemy, Irma,” replied the Empress.
“But you do not have to be, Sara,” replied Maziah. “Mordru is a wicked creature on this Earth and you must know that. Nura and I are his daughters; it took us a long time to accept it but the truth is self-evident. Serving him does you no honor.”
“We were 6 once,” said Dreamer. “We can be 6 again.”
The Emerald Empress was hearing the words she desired but still resisted. “I came here to fight you,” she said. “Not to join you.”
Umbra spoke and swallowed her pride. She desperately wanted to battle the Empress after their last confrontation. “We were brought together in our youth for a reason, Sara. It is wrong that you are not with us now.”
They all nodded in agreement and the Emerald Empress could see most felt that way. She turned her attention at last to Sensor, who she hated the most. “Do you want that, Jacquie?” she said.
Sensor hesitated at first but realized she could only speak truth. “I find it hard to forgive you Sara,” she said. “But I love as I do my other sisters. If you were by my side, rather than blocking my path, I know we could do this. Together.” Sensor looked at the Emerald Empress firmly. “What say you?”
The Emerald Empress considered her options. Fight her oldest friends or join them as she had in her earliest days. A tear rolled down her cheek as she choose. “We’ll complete our circle one final time then.”
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
The streets of Khundia were ablaze with rioting. Cars were overturned, Khundian Government buildings set on fire and chaos all around. In response, the Khundian military was firing into crowds and trying desperately to put an end to it. The citizens were battling the military, inspired by the Song of the White Witch to set aside their fears.
“It’s the perfect setting,” said King Faraday. “Revolutions always have been.”
Shrinking Violet did not like the sound of that. King Faraday was their ally and had shown a great trust in the Legion but he was maybe just a bit too hardcore of a spy for her. Still, right now, they really needed him. “It’s time then?” she asked him.
“Yes,” he replied.
She leapt off King Faraday, who stayed back in the shadows of an alleyway with Matter-Eater Lad. Using her powers to stay unseen, she made her way forward to the front of the Capital Building of Khundia and landed on an invisible friend—the Legionnaire Invisible Kid. “It’s time,” she said.
Lyle moved immediately, tapping Fantomas, who led the charge. Unseen, Spirit followed while phased into the Earth.
They had not been idle. Through their espionage prone powers, they had been able to learn that Danielle Focquart was housed in the main building. She was too important and therefore Zaryan wanted her nearby. “She’s somewhere on the lower levels,” said Jacques. He was desperate to find his sister, forcing himself not to think about what they may have done to her.
They moved down the stairs slowly, trying not to make noise. Every so often, Spirit would phase into view when she could not hide in an adjacent room because it was occupied. Most of the soldiers were in the streets fighting the citizenry but the Capital Building was still heavily fortified.
As they approached the bottom of the stairwell, they could see an elevator with two guards. Fantomas moved forward and swiftly took out one guard. Shrinking Violet leapt off his shoulder and knocked out another. Jacques pressed a button and the elevator arrived; they knew this was the only way to the sub-level.
“There are two sub-levels,” said Jacques in surprise. “We’ll have to split up.”
“Okay,” said Invisible Kid. To the others he looked calm and collected but inside he was nervous and scared.
“Vi, go with Lyle,” said Jacques. “Tina, you’re with me. You’re powers have the most risk of being seen so better you stay by me.”
Normally Spirit would take offense but she was too nervous to protest. She simply nodded. “Let’s go, then,” he said.
*************************
“C’mon kid,” said King Faraday to Matter-Eater Lad.
“What?” said Tenz, surprised. “I thought we were staying out here?”
“Change of plan,” said King. We have a window of opportunity here we may never have again. I’m sure a few resourceful guys like ourselves can find our own way in.”
“We can? For what?” said Matter-Eater Lad. He did like where this was going.
“To find Zaryan,” said King Faraday.
************************
Invisible Kid took a deep breath as the elevator doors opened. Several guards turned and saw absolutely nothing and that made them instantly suspicious. Trying to be as quiet as possible, Lyle was also as fast as possible to get out of the way on the off chance one of them fired their gun into the elevator.
Shrinking Violet said nothing, tucked into the folds of Lyle’s costume. Her heart was pounding. If the soldiers caught them, they were dead.
“Who is there?” yelled one soldier in Khundian. “Show yourself!” The guards were not stupid. They knew there were super-powered people everywhere. They all took their guns off their shoulders and held them.
Beyond, Lyle could see a series of prison cells and he knew instantly that they had taken the right path. A pretty black girl sat in one, looking relatively unharmed. Danielle Focquart, he thought. He counted and there were five guards in total. This wasn’t going to be easy.
Invisible Kid moved to the side of the wall and held his breath. As he stood there, Violet quietly emerged and took in the room herself. She had an idea.
Almost microscopic, she leapt forward into the middle of the room. By now three guards had moved forward to investigate the elevator opening while two remained near Danielle’s cell. She was right in the middle of them. If I can confuse them, maybe we could trick them into surrendering…? she thought.
Suddenly she grew to full size, as a pretty brunette, white girl stood in the middle of the room. “Hello gentlemen!” she said with a smile, and then immediately she shrunk back down.
What happened next was a shock to both of them. Without hesitation, three of the soldiers, one on Lyle’s left and two on his right, immediately began firing their guns. Somewhere Vi was screaming but they could not hear her over the gunfire. Lyle ducked down in terror, as the soldiers fired into the middle, missing Violet and shooting onwards at each other. Pure, utter chaos took over the room.
And in an instant, it was over. Invisible Kid approached as Shrinking Violet grew to normal size with a horrified look on their face. All five men were dead.
“Oh no…” whispered Sally. “It’s my fault…” she said.
“Sally, we have no time,” he said. He turned to the girl in the cell, as he saw all the other cells were empty. “Danielle Focquart?” he asked.
She looked up. She was tired and scared but Lyle could see up close she was not beaten or bruised. They obviously needed her in good health for her powers. “Y-Yes?” she said. “I am Danielle.”
“We’re friends of your brother,” said Lyle. “And we’re here to free you.”
“Jacques?” she said with a surprise. They had told her Jacques was dead. “Where is he?”
“Good question,” said Lyle as he opened up the prison cell.
****************************
It did not take long for Fantomas to figure out they were in the wrong place. Danielle is not here, he thought as he took in the room. It was full of science equipment, almost like a makeshift laboratory. What is this place?
Still invisible, he began to investigate the room. Nearby, Spirit rose from the floor, still phased. To anyone observing, she was clearly visible, though her ability let her be almost invulnerable. She began wandering around the room, looking for signs of someone being there.
She could see several science related experiments freshly abandoned but paid them no attention. Beyond, she saw a book shelf with several files and papers. A fresh dossier was on the table and she could see the words ‘Dark Circle’ on it. After her previous encounters with them, she was too curious not to take a look. Just for a moment, she unphased to open the dossier.
A moment was all it took.
“Stupid witch,” said a voice as a hand grabbed hold of her wrist. It felt like fire, burning through her costume and into her skin all at once. “You are mine now!” he yelled disgustingly and she turned to see it was one of the Khundian Legionnaires. Firefist—their leader and the most vicious.
“Get off me!” she said, trying to pull away instinctively because of the burn. She realized too late she should have just phased, but he capitalized on yet another mistake and backhanded her across the face, sending her to the floor.
In an instant he was on top of her, pulling at her hair and yanking her cloak backwards to choke her. His hot breath was on her face soon and using his powers, he burnt her costume and then her arm. He then leaned forward and licked her face, laughing.
She struggled and kicked and screamed but panic was setting in. He’s going to kill me! she thought. And then she thought maybe he would so something worse. A tear went down her cheek as she fought.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
Three shots were fired loudly into the air and the struggle stopped. Tina felt the weight of Firefist falling forward on top of her and she suddenly got a hold of herself and phased through him.
Standing behind her was Jacques Focquart, visible again with his gun pointed outwards, steam rising off of it.
Tina saw the body of Firefist, now dead, and unphased again. He walked over to her and she started to cry. “I…I think…he was going to…”
“Shh,” said Jacques. “He’s gone now. You were scared for a moment but you would have used your powers. He can’t hurt you now.”
She was crying but tried to get a hold of herself. She looked up and nodded and was so thankful Jacques was there. “H-He can’t hurt me now,” she said assuring.
Jacques nodded. “We have to go,” he said.
*****************************
Danielle Focquart, once called Oracle when she was a member of the Suicide Squad, did her best to keep up behind Invisible Kid. Her adrenaline was pumping and she found the strength to make her way out of the hellhole she had been in for so many weeks.
Once outside, though, she collapsed. Invisible Kid picked her up, and Shrinking Violet went large again, and the two began to walk her to the alleyway. Soldiers were swarming around them to fight the citizenry and she was sure they’d be shot at, but it never happened.
“Danielle,” said Lyle, “the most important thing is we have to make sure the Khunds no longer tap into your powers,” he said. “I need you to shut them off—so the Allies can start using their technology again.”
Danielle nodded. As Lyle was talking, Violet was looking around the alleyway. “Where’s Faraday?” she said, alarmed.
****************************
Inside the Capital Bulidng, Zaryan the Conqueror concluded another war council and dismissed all his generals in anger. He yelled at them right up until the left the room. His voice hoarse, he walked over to a bottle of brande and filled up a glass. He took a deep swallow but felt no satisfaction—the stress of the war was getting to him.
He retired to the adjacent room, his private office, and turned on the lights. Over by the desk he could turn his chair around and look out the window. The view overlooked the city but unfortunately all he could see now was the riots in the streets.
He went over to look anyway. “Foolish,” he said out loud. “You’ll only get yourselves gunned down.” There was almost regret in his voice though there was no remorse.
He held the glass back up to his lips and looked out into the streets again.
He never heard the gunshot that ended everything for him. The THUMP sound of the silencer only was recognizable after the bullet passed through his brain and out his face. Blood splattered the window and the bullet continued outwards through the glass. The brande fell onto the floor but the glass did not break. Zaryan fell out of the chair onto the floor as well, and the chair swiveled in a circle.
King Faraday stood behind him with an outstretched gun. His face was void of any emotion. He took no pleasure in killing but felt it had to be done.
He turned to Matter-Eater Lad, who was horrified by what he saw. “We’re done here,” he said.
[ May 30, 2012, 07:34 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
At the same moment the citizens were rioting in the streets and the Espionage Squad was freeing Danielle Focquart, the Legion’s plan went into full effect. The Khundian military was now refocusing on its own people, calling back its soldiers to its borders—some of which were already on the run.
But the combined might of Mordru and the Khunds remained beyond the Khundian Capital City and it was there that the most good could be done while distracting Mordru and his allies at the same time.
The recent convert to the Legion’s side Veilmist was at their center, and used her powers to full effect, teleporting the group of remaining Legionnaires and their Allies into Khundia. Leviathan, Legion Leader, led the charge and by his side were fellow Legionnaires Livewire, Catalyst, Ferro and Valor, the last of whom had declared he was healed enough to join in the final battle. Atmos, the French hero who they suspected would become a Legionnaire was also with them, as was Conal Kent, Ferro’s friend who had previously been brain-washed by Mordru. And lastly, the remaining Sentinels joined them: Flare, Ultra Boy, Dawnstar and Mon-El, who also insisted on his inclusion in the final battle.
They knew what their goals were: shock & awe the Khunds and Mordru’s private army, but at the same time find and eliminate the biggest threats. Foremost among them was Glaurung, Father of the Dragons.
“Glaurung!” yelled Ultra Boy at the top of his lungs. “Show yourself you coward! I plan to turn your hide into a pair of boots!”
Dawnstar couldn’t help but laugh at the comment. “Not really your style. More Dirk’s, actually,” she said.
He shrugged. “I doubt he can even hear me…” he started to say but suddenly they heard a massive roar. “Okay. Maybe he can. Damn…” continued and suddenly memories of his first encounter with the dragon—which started it all for Joe—came back to him.
The dragon’s massive form rose in the distance into the sky.
“Here we go,” said Atmos, next to them both. He was also itching for a rematch.
************************
As the battle began in the sky, down below another battle raged. Leviathan led them into the fray against Mordru’s army. It was still peppered with Khunds but he noticed a clear lack of Khundian resistance. Either they’re all fighting the civilian uprising, he thought, or they’ve turned tail and ran. Unknown to him, the Khundian military had lost its Messiah like figure and now found themselves without leadership or direction.
Catalyst used his power to cause the enemies guns and tanks to rust as Livewire covered him shooting lightning forward.
Mon-El made a difference where he could but he was still weakened from his battle with Dev Em. The sun was replenishing his strength and invulnerability but it would take a few days before he was one hundred percent.
Close by, Ferro and Conal Kent smashed through the military. They stayed close to one another, watching each other’s back. Ferro had specifically asked Valor and Conal to do that, wanting to make sure both where okay. Conal had followed Ferro’s plan but now Ferro could not find Val among the chaos. Where is he? he wondered, but he did not have time to consider it further.
****************************
Valor slipped through the jungle area, remaining hidden and stalking his pray. He must be here, he thought to himself. He’s too arrogant to leave before the final battle.
The jungle opened to a clearing and there, waiting for him, he stood. Nemesis, the Turkish metahuman Hasim Diyarbikar. Nemesis had always been honest about his hate for Valor, but he lied about everything else. About being their friend in Europe and Asia and then about joining the Legion. He would forever be known as the Legion Traitor; the one who killed RJ Brande. And who beat Valor in order to do it.
“I knew you would come,” said Nemesis. “You’re too much like me not to,” he added. “I was interrupted that day and knew I had to leave before I was caught. But I do not have to leave now. We can finally pick up where we left off in Russia that day. In Nardo’s Gulag.”
“Yes,” said Val in agreement. “That fight never finished, I can see now. I should never have let you think you could have won. I should have just finished you there and then.”
Nemesis let out an arrogant laugh. “We’ll see, Valor,” he said.
He raised his hands.
Valor did the same.
The fight began.
**************************
Flare ran through the soldiers, using his flame to scare them backwards. He could blast them with a non-lethal blast but it took concentration. When he felt overwhelmed, he would let loose a massive, lethal blast with no direction, meant more to scare than anything else. He did so now and looked around.
“Amilah?” he said out loud, looking for Veilmist.
“I’m here, Dirk Morgna,” she replied, moving closer to his side. She had a funny way of calling him by his full name.
Dirk felt responsible for her. Beyond the one night romance they shared months earlier, it was he who convinced her to come over to their side and fight for something she actually believed in. That meant she was marked as a traitor and the Khunds would be gunning for her. He felt obligated to make sure they did not achieve that goal.
“Look out!” she said, suddenly grabbing him and teleporting them both several feet away. “My apologies,” she added, “but too many bullets. We would not have survived.”
Flare regained his footing and nodded. “No apologies necessary,” he said. “I’d rather live.”
“Up ahead,” she said suddenly, fear going into her eyes.
They saw him standing three feet taller than even the tallest Khunds. Blood Claw, the Khundian Legionnaire whose super strength rivaled a fully powered Mon-El. His eyes locked on theirs.
“Ah, the pretty boy comes bearing gifts!” he exclaimed. “I will find glory in your death, Sun Boy, and then I’ll take the traitorous witch as my concubine!” He rushed forward through the soldiers to get at them.
“Over my dead body,” said Flare, embracing for the impact as he fired a sun powered beam at Blood Claw.
“That’s the idea!” yelled Blood Claw as the flames did him no harm.
*********************
Glaurung the Dragon could not be overestimated yet Ultra Boy, Dawnstar and Atmos felt as if they still had not accounted for the sheer power the creature had. The three of them flew in a criss-crossing pattern meant to confuse him and then leave him open for Ultra Boy and Atmos to land a blow when needed.
Yet Glaurung felt little of the effect, and came ever closer to hitting them with his fire breath. He was quick too. Too quick. With a glancing blow, he nailed Ultra Boy with a claw, and his tail just missed Dawnstar’s body. If it had connected, she would surely have been killed.
“We have to find a way to beat him,” said Ultra Boy to Dawnstar as they regrouped. “Maybe if we can bring him out into the sea…”
“We do it right here, right now!” said Atmos, who became increasingly frustrated. “Fall in behind me and I’ll take care of it right now!”
Atmos flew off, and Ultra Boy and Dawstar followed, hoping Atmos had a plan. He flew strait at the dragon who after all the trickery was caught by surprise at such a forward attack.
Atmos had been charging his power for some time, and now let loose its full fury. He remembered the embarrassment from their first encounter and that spurred him on all the more. The blast echoed outwards, sending shockwaves down to the fighting below and the dragon fell backwards reeling.
But it was not enough. It hurt the dragon, and Glaurung screamed in response. But in Atmos haste, he miscalculated the dragon’s reach. Glaurung fell backwards and Atmos pulled in closer, just as Ultra Boy yelled “NOOO!!!” Glaurung snapped his tail, knowing he had Atmos in his grasp, and tail came forcefully behind Atmos and caught him from behind.
SNAP
Atmos’s lifeless, broken body began to fall from the sky.
Glaurung laughed mercilessly, still in pain but delighting in the death of a foe.
Downward Atmos fell, landing on the ground, broken and gone. The first casualty had been on the Legion’s side, as the French hero, hot-headed though brave, met his demise.
[ June 05, 2012, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
The six girls walked forward, feeling trepidation for what was to come but also drawing strength from one another. For perhaps the last time, the telepathic circle was united again: Tela, Umbra, Sensor, the Emerald Empress, Dreamer and the White Witch. As girls they found comfort and humor in each other when they felt pain, fear and loneliness in their real lives. Now their camaraderie could not get any more real.
“He’s waiting for us within,” said Dreamer. Whether through usage of her powers or just because she had insight in her father, she knew he would be there.
“Yes,” said Maziah confirming her own suspicion. “Once we enter we cannot turn back.”
“There’s already no turning back,” said the Emerald Empress.
Sensor nodded in agreement with her nemesis. Indeed. Everything that has ever happened in our whole lives has led to this moment. Everything else was a illusion.
“Let’s get to it then,” said Umbra bravely. Her background was the most modern and normal of all of them, yet she was the most warrior-like.
The six of them stood there at the threshold of Mordru’s great basilica, built into the mountain many centuries ago. Each of them knew what they had to do though at this moment they each felt a tremendous sense of doubt and fear.
It was Tela who took the first step. Irma, who was the least magical of them all, yet was perhaps the strongest. With that step, the doubt and fear began to subside and the six of them entered Mordru’s halls.
“It’s empty,” said Umbra, surprised.
“The Dark Lord has sent all his agents out into the world,” said the Emerald Empress. “Only he remains here now. As it was when he built this place.”
“Follow the path straight ahead,” said Dreamer, “to the throne room.” She knew these halls very well indeed; she was raised here.
They walked through the halls directly to him and indeed, he was waiting. He sat upon his throne, made not of gold, but of iron. Iron had a natural resistance to magic that could only be overcome by pure willpower. Mordru’s throne was a statement: even when he was looking for comfort, he could manage the willpower to overcome this resistance. He watched as they entered, filing into the room and then spreading out side by side, so the six of them lined up to face him in a row.
At first his face was void of any emotion and he simply was an observer. He was beyond old and while his long hair and beard were white, he maintained an energetic and strong visage. He radiated power, even when he tried to appear meek—he did not have that much self-control.
He did not smile but he hid his rage well, if he still had any. It’s in his eyes, thought Sensor, whose powers let her see things others could not. They are burning right now. He is like a snake coiled and ready to strike.
“My daughters,” he said calmly. “Both of you have returned home at long last, as I’d always wished. And yet your intentions are most vile. Patricide.”
“No father,” said Dreamer. Though Maziah was clearly the focal point of the opposition, Nura was her older sister. She felt it was her place to speak against him.
“You deny your intent to kill your own father? Then you’re a liar as well.”
“We wish to save lives, not end them,” replied Nura. “And Maziah and I, your own daughters, know you better than any others. We know you would destroy all living creatures if they will not bend to your will. We cannot let that come to pass.”
Mordru smiled a vicious smile. “You split hairs with your terminologies. I know why you are here. You might think a father would admire your bravery. But I only scowl at your stupidity. I gave you a chance to submit in Khundia when it was clear you had no chance. You learned nothing from this and try again? The time has come children, to stop teaching lessons…and start treating you as the enemies truly you are.”
Tela looked at Nura to see if she would respond but Dreamer was done speaking. Tela, not knowing how to proceed against the most terrifying of all enemies, simply prayed Maziah would have the answers and she could lend her friend strength.
“You are ancient and old father,” said Maziah. Her voice was as soft as ever, but now it had an edge to it. A confidence; a finality. “But you have lived because for centuries history has repeated itself over and over. Much has changed. You have daughters now when before you had never did. You know in your heart that you are vulnerable for the first time. You feel fear.”
Mordru stood up from his throne now and moved forward a few steps towards them. He towered over them and using an enchantment they knew he preferred, he appeared to grow to twenty, perhaps thirty feet. “I fear nothing,” he said and the words echoed off the walls. “My two most ancient enemies, Ro Jath and the Brotherless One, are dead. You think I fear little girls?”
“Yes,” said Maziah. With that, she began to levitate upwards, floating so her robes flowed as if caught in a wind even though there was none. She rose to meet his gaze eye to eye and as she did, the other girls could hear something from outside. Something growing louder and louder.
It was chanting. It was singing. It was the Song of the White Witch, being sung here as it was in Khundia. Only this time, it was the assembled magic-users who were singing it.
Sensor could not comprehend the true meaning of the song or what spell it wove, but she knew it would weaken Mordru and strengthen Maziah. She knew the conflict had begun.
Mordru could hide his rage no more. “Foolish girl. I should have drowned you at birth—both of you! I need no heirs, for my rule shall be eternal!”
Mordru suddenly fired a bolt of magical lightning at the White Witch, who was prepared for it and deflected it, but still the impact knocked her backwards.
Moving as if he was a lion, he turned upon the other girls and fired a similar bolt of magical lightning around them. They tried to dodge it or move out of its way, but it simply curved around, flying low to the floor and found them, knocking them down with an impact.
Umbra immediately began to unleash her darkness at Mordru in hopes to blind him, and the Emerald Empress fired the Emerald Eye at him.
“I have been killing Mallors since the dawn of time,” he said to Umbra, “one more is hardly a thrill.” He fired something else at her—this time a circular orb that exploded above her and then rained down magical ooze as if it were a barrel of burning pitch.
“And you!” he yelled at the Emerald Empress. “I would have had you as my concubine! You would have been an Empress in more than just name! Instead you betray me as my daughters have!” He did the same to her, except now it exploded from below her and rained upwards.
Tela scattered with Dreamer and Sensor, trying to huddle together. <<We need to come up with a way to participate here,>> she said. <<Otherwise, we’re just additional targets.>>
<<We need to lend Maziah strength>> replied Dreamer.
Sensor focused on Mordru and used her powers of illusions. She created an image of RJ Brande, announcing himself to Mordru as still living and still ready for battle.
“Again, you are foolish little one!” yelled Mordru in response. “If Ro Jath were still alive, he would reveal himself in his true visage! Not this façade he let you all believe!” Mordru pointed at the three girls and below them in the dirt, it turned into a muddy quicksand like substance as a number of hands began to reach out. They grabbed at the three girls legs and began pulling them down into the mud to suffocate to death.
By now the White Witch was ready to re-engage her father, and while he was distracted she let loose a giant thunderbolt, which caused a tremendous noise, rocking the cavern itself. A pink being was summoned forth, zigging and zagging like lightning and then firing right into Mordru. She summoned it only briefly to inflict damage and soon it was gone, but the shock of it surprised Mordru and knocked him off his feet.
“Impressive child,” he said though not in a complimentary tone. “For that transgression you shall pay.”
Mordru stood as the other girls regrouped below, and the White Witch prepared to attack once more.
[ June 14, 2012, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
All across the Earth, the war raged. In South America, Columbia invaded its neighbors hoping to expand its borders. In secret the Government has sworn allegiance to Mordru in hopes to be his vassal in the aftermath and rule the entire continent.
In San Francisco, the young Kid Psycho defended the Legion Outpost with his psi-shield as Dr. Mayavale made sure the others were safe. Within the city itself, the legendary Bucky fought once more as he did almost 70 years earlier; he saved an elderly couple from attack and the man swore he recognized him but it just couldn’t be. Nearby, Bucky’s ally Nightcrawler also defended a city he was sure would hate him, shocked to find people were thankful and perhaps not quite as ready to judge him as he originally thought.
In the streets of Detroit, Michigan, riots were spurred on by Mordru’s vampires in hopes to charm the frustrated youth of the city into full fledged riots. Ready to defend the city, though he could not say why, was the street gang member T-Rock. He was always ready for a fight—but now with a cause, he finally felt like he was doing something right.
In Chicago, anxiety from the war led to the city’s criminal element to grow even more brazen. Unknown to its citizens and existing only as a myth in their minds, the vigilante known as Batman did what he could to keep the city safe.
Elsewhere ordinary people fought back as best they could. Scientist and investigator Mark Merlin discovered the secret to defeating the fire elemental ravaging Cuba through sheer ingenuity. Sargent Joe Rock held out against the Khundian army in Sicily for three days while the NATO forces regrouped for a new assault, this time accompanied by air support once the technological blackout ended. Even airline flight attendant Bonnie Taylor showed heroism by remaining calm once Oceanic Flight 824 was caught in the technological blackout, and while the pilot and co-pilot panicked, she landed the jumbo passenger plane on her own in South Africa, thanking her lucky stars she took amateur flying lessons.
It was the same all over—people standing against Mordru. Some ordinary and some extraordinary. Every act of defiance was heroic. In Chechnya, the Dark Circle unleashed its own assault back at Mordru, destroying his lycanthrope army there. They had told Flare they were going underground and would not participate. But they now saw hiding was futile and it was time to stand their ground.
Everywhere people fought for their lives and their loved ones.
[ June 14, 2012, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
He was still hurt and days of fighting had exhausted him, but Valor held nothing back as he battled Nemesis, the Legion Traitor and the one person Val truly hated in this world.
Nemesis, always a cruel, lonely boy, would normally have insulted his opponent and measured each attack for maximum cruelty but now he did nothing of the sort. He knew Valor was the greatest opponent he would ever face and so he fought for his life as well. He hated Val more than anything and simply wanted to remove him permanently.
They fought in silence, punching, kicking, chopping and grappling with one another in the jungle brush far removed from the others.
Valor was a master fighter—perhaps the greatest in the entire world. So much so, he earned a spot on the Legion of Super-Heroes simply because of his fighting abilities. But Nemesis had an advantage Valor did not: he had super-powers; or rather, magical powers that harnessed through alchemy and let him adapt to his scenario and gain an upper-hand to beat any one opponent. They had never asked him the origin of these magical powers though now the answer was obvious. They came from Mordru, the Dark Lord.
Valor fought on, harder than ever, landing blows and taking Hasim down when he could. Each minor victory was hard felt by his opponent. But still Nemesis rose to fight more and Valor could see his time was dwindling. Hasim’s advantage was too great. Soon he would be overcome. Soon Nemesis would kill him just as he killed RJ Brande.
**************************
Nearby the true battle raged as the Legionnaires battled the Khundian military and Mordru’s agents. They were now joined by the Khundian citizenry, who had risen up in rebellion to overthrow the cruel dictatorship. The Legionnaires were too distracted by battle to get details but it was clear something had changed. Zaryan the Conqueror was dead.
In the sky above them, Ultra Boy and Dawnstar watched in horror as the French superhero Atmos fell to the ground dead, murdered by the Father of Dragons, Glaurung. The dragon now turned to them, hoping to make his victory complete.
“Perhaps we have bitten off more than we can chew,” said Dawnstar, now full of doubt that they could actually beat the dragon.
“Perhaps…” said Ultra Boy, “but let’s not tell him that…” he added and immediately he began to fly in the opposite direction.
Dawnstar followed and she looked to see Mon-El joining them from below. The dragon followed them in hot pursuit. “Are we heading to the Mediterranean?” she asked.
“I’m making it up as I go,” said Ultra Boy. She was not sure if he was serious or not.
*****************************
Leviathan, Livewire, Catalyst, Ferro and Conal Kent plowed through the Khundian military with the intent of seeking out Mordru’s agents and destroying them. While his armies were deployed all over the world, he had made sure he had agents within the Khundian ranks to add support. Some were easy to find—a ghoul heckled at them ten feet away; some were not—what seemed to be an ordinary Khundian citizen revealed itself to be a tentacled creature looking to consume them.
“Conal,” asked Ferro to his best friend. “Have you seen Val? Where is he?”
“I haven’t Andy,” said Conal, who was trying to cut loose with his powers. “Sorry,” he added. Conner could not bring himself to use his powers at full capacity. He was not long under Mordru’s control but he had committed horrible atrocities during that time. He had murdered people. He pushed those memories aside for now but knew they would haunt him forever.
Ferro wanted to stay by his friend. He knew he wasn’t doing well. But he was worried about Valor. “I’m going to look for him,” he said to Conal. “Stay safe. Stay by the Legionnaires.”
“I got it,” said Conal with a firm nod, trying to make sure Andy would stop worrying about him and worry about himself.
“So big man,” said Livewire, “I assume all is going to plan?” He blasted several Khunds as he yelled up to Leviathan.
“I guess so,” said Leviathan unsure. “We’re waiting on the girls now, I think. They said we would know whether they succeeded or not…”
Livewire said nothing. He knew that already though he tried not to think about it. If anything happened to Irma…
*****************************
The Khundian Legionnaire called Blood Claw swung his razor sharp claws at Flare and Veilmist, backed by the force of his super-strength. They ducked the blow, spilling to their right side, knowing full well that if Blood Claw made impact, they were dead instantly.
Veilmist fell forward and Flare tripped over her, and they both fell down. Not good, thought Dirk simply, and rolled to his side as Veilmist was still down and trying to regain her footing. I only have a moment, he thought, as he let loose a cascade of flames at Blood Claw in an attempt to infuriate him and draw his attention.
It worked. Blood Claw turned in anger towards the handsome young Sentinel. “Your flames can’t hurt me,” said the monstrous foe. “Have you not realized that yet?” he yelled, running at Dirk once more.
Flare turned to dodge on the oncoming assault but it was no use. He had nowhere to go. Behind him was a giant tree and dense bushes; one side had an overturned motorcar; the other side had too may citizens fighting soldiers. I’ll just have to take it… he thought instantly, knowing he was done for.
“NO!!!!” yelled Veilmist suddenly, seeing what was going to happen.
Dirk closed his eyes and braced for the impact. But nothing came. He only heard two sounds. *POP*. And then several seconds later, another. *POP*. He looked up to see Veimist standing in front of him breathing heavy, and as realization set in, she fell forward, exhausted from the effort.
He caught her and held her close to his chest. “Y-you…you saved me?” he said surprised. “Did you…send him away?”
“Yes,” she said, hugging him closely, knowing she likely just killed Blood Claw. “I sent him somewhere far away.”
Veilmist and Blood Claw had teleported out far into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean thousands of miles into the air. She teleported back, leaving him there, knowing either the fall or drowning would kill him.
“Good,” said Flare, realizing he was not going to die after all.
********************
Nemesis and Valor hacked at one another again, both now bruised, bloody and exhausted. The fight continued to drag on though both were winded. Valor had been put purely into defensive mode, though he had been thus far been able to deflect every attack Nemesis threw his way.
Nemesis could feel himself changing; his powers were kicking in. Soon he would magically gain an upper hand, either an evolution of his power or sheer chance would fall in his favor. When the time came, he would end Valor once and for all.
Valor knew he had one chance and so he went for it. He feigned an injury following Nemesis landing a blow, letting himself fall backwards as if he was going down. Nemesis lunged forward to capitalize on the mistake but soon realized it was a ploy. Valor shifted his weight downwards to steady his center of gravity and then exploded upwards with proficient quickness, sending a blow into Hasim’s ribcage. It landed and knocked back Nemesis, but in the effort, it took everything out of Valor that he had left.
Both of them landed on the ground in pain.
But it was Nemesis who rose first. His magic powers were kicking in and he began to feel another adrenaline rush as well as a healing effect take hold of his body. He knew he had mere moments and he was soon right on top of Valor.
“ENOUGH!” came a shout as Ferro rushed forward from the jungle brush in metallic form, tackling Hasim to the ground. He punched Nemesis with every ounce of strength that he had.
Hasim cursed his powerset and its weird effects, knowing that with two opponents, the magical enhancements would cease to work. If he could just get Ferro far enough away from Valor…
But Valor rose again. He would not fall. His will was unbreakable and he would not fall.
“Andy…” said Val, walking over to help him.
“You don’t have to do this alone, Val,” said Andy almost in tears. “We’re a team. Friends. Brothers!” he said, punching Nemesis. “We’re Legionnaires…and we work together…”
“Yes…” said Valor, leaning forward to pull Ferro off of Nemesis. “He is beaten,” he said, leaning on forward to Andy could pull him off.
Below them, Nemesis lied bloody and beaten. Ferro’s assault finished what Valor started as Nemesis slipped into unconsciousness. RJ Brande’s killer was captured.
**********************
Ultra Boy, Dawnstar and Mon-El flew threw the air at full speed and not far behind them, the dragon Glaurung followed. The creature was gaining on them even at their fastest, and when they turned back its massive frame took up more and more of their line of sight.
“Are you sure this will work?” asked Dawnstar.
“No,” replied Ultra Boy, “but we’re running out of ideas…” he said. With those words, he suddenly veered off from them, shooting off to the right, as Dawnstar and Mon-El curved ever slightly to the left.
Ultra Boy held his breath for several seconds as he waited to see what the dragon would do. He had banked on the creature’s immense greed—that it would follow two opponents instead of one so it could have the glory of two kills. Still holding his breath, Joe looked back. And exhaled with a sigh. Okay, that worked. It’s following Dawny and Mon. Step one: check. Now the hard part…
Ultra Boy turned back to Khundia and flew as fast as he could. Below he saw all kinds of chaos as figures were running to and from one another, people were fighting from a distance and up close, and all kinds of melees were taking place. In the distance he could make out the identifiable shape of Leviathan towering above the rest. He turned down sharply, looking through the debris with his vision. Fallen tree. Hunk of masonry. Anything. Ah, scrap iron.
He saw a large spear-like cylinder of scrap iron among the debris and picked it up. Iron had a better chance against something magical than wood, he remembered. No magic swords or magic tipped arrows here today, I guess, he thought.
Holding up the giant cylinder like a lance, he immediately set back off against the dragon.
*********************
Dawnstar and Mon-El had taken Glaurung far out into the Medittereanan and it was almost upon them. It let loose a flurry of dragonsfire at them, singing Mon-El’s cape and almost hitting Dawnstar’s wings.
“It’s time,” she said firmly. “We have to turn back.”
“Maybe we could wait a few more minutes…” said Mon-El, worried about the danger to his friend.
“No Mon,” she said. “If he’s not ready, then it just won’t work.”
Mon-El knew she was right. He liked that about Dawnstar. Ultra Boy and he shared a deep bond of friendship; Dawnstar was becoming the ‘third’ of their friends. They appreciated her abrupt manner.
They began flying back to Khundia. “You shall tire far earlier than I, humans,” said the dragon with a roar and it gave chase. Glaurung was a highly intelligent creature yet it had given into its baser instincts for far too many centuries. A serious challenge had not presented itself in ages and it had grown lacking in discipline and caution.
Dawnstar and Mon-El flew full speed to the jungle trees, knowing that the dragon might be able to swipe them with its claws if it wanted to. Instead, it snapped at them with its jaw, hoping to impale them with teeth.
They came in low and Glaurung altered its trajectory slightly, giving it just the right position to take them both easily. The creature braced itself for the attack…and just in time, from the trees, Ultra Boy made himself known again.
With a lance of scrap iron, Joe flew through the air and plunged it deep into the beast’s stomach. He’d read the tales of dragons having a weak spot in their stomachs; he figured with a sharp object and ultra-strength, that just might be true.
Glaurung let out a howl of pain and fire sprayed the air. The scrap iron spear came through its stomach and out its back, lodging into its body and staying there. The dragon began slashing its claws and tail about, hoping to destroy any enemy that might be in its vicinity.
But Ultra Boy, Mon-El and Dawnstar were gone. Far away, viewing from a distance, they watched the dragon howl and begin to go down towards the ground. “Nice shot,” said Mon-El to Joe, who only nodded.
Everything began for Joe when a chance encounter with the dragon led to his having super-powers. Now, watching the dragon fall to its death gave Joe a sense of irony. Of balance.
It landed with a huge thunderous BANG!!. They flew over to make sure it was not a danger to anyone nearby. But as they did, the dragon was gone.
“Is it dead?” asked Dawnstar. “Do they disappear when they die?”
“I have no idea,” said Ultra Boy.
“Whatever the case, it won’t provide us anymore trouble. Nice work, Dragon-Slayer,” he said to Joe.
Joe groaned, “I hope that doesn’t stick.”
Dawnstar did not take part in the joking. “Let’s get back. The battle has turned in our favor. We might as well wrap things up.”
“None of it will make any difference,” said Mon-El grimly. “Unless the girls can defeat Mordru.”
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