Episode 9: Unholy Grail
Flightless Man
Versed in the lewd.
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Episode 9: Unholy Grail
Bana MigdhallJanuary 11, 2011
9:42 AM, EEST
"Is that... Hippolyta?" I ask Donna, who slowly nods with shocked joy plastered on her face.
In Bee's bedroom, is a collection of her trophies. The one on most prominent display, is the missing Queen of Themyscira in all her petrified glory.
"Yeah, it's her." Donna runs a shaking hand over the stone arm. "I can't believe it, they didn't smash her to pieces."
"We followed the Queen Goddess, because she defeated our own divine protectors and slew our Queen." One of the Amazons informs us. "Now we follow you." She directs her awe filled gaze towards Firestorm.
Being the most senior soldier left, the red headed Artemis has been our guide. I don't know if Artemis, Ted, John, or Martha, is the most common name on this Earth.
My daughters' defeat of Bee, was felt be all who worshipped her. I have already heard hushed whispers from the warrior women, calling Mary-Jane the 'Phoenix'. What they are about to do, will not put the rumours to rest, only fan the flames higher.
"This is wrong." With arms spread wide and eyes glowing in a swirl of red, blue, yellow, and orange, sends a gout of golden flame forward.
It burns the stone in seconds, leaving only a fine white ash behind. A cough from Hippolyta surprises all of us and a cloud of the magical residue forms, around what was seconds earlier only a statue.
"Mom!" Donna is coughing in the ash cloud, gleefully grabbing her mother in a hug.
"Donna?" The Amazon Queen asks slowly, still coming to terms with her sudden awakening. "What's going on? Has the attack been repelled?"
"Months ago, as well as the one on my Island." I assure the confused woman. "My Teams are here, to rescue the both of us." Sharing a wink with Donna over her mother's shoulder, she knows I also thought that saving Hippolyta was a lost cause.
"We are in the city of the Lost Sisters," Explains Donna, gesturing towards the red headed Amazon. "We found them."
"Why was Bee looking so hard for Isis' tomb?" I ask Artemis of Bana Migdhall, who glares fiercely at me and nearly doesn't answer.
"Isis is the only one of our Goddesses, that Bee did not slay herself." The response is growled low, so as not to disturb the royal reunion. "She sealed away the Unholy Grail. Once Queen Bee had found it, she would have no longer needed the weak men of the Light."
"Well it's somewhere in the Outback," Helena joins the whispered conversation, he body now made of a khaki fabric. "Grodd and I found that out quickly, but knew to keep it quiet."
"Truly?" The red headed Amazon exclaims, amazement filling her voice. "You found her?"
"Well... more like we narrowed it down a lot." Grodd adds, his voice rumbling deeply. "It shouldn't take to long to have an actual location, now that I no longer have to work slow on purpose."
"What will happen to us?" The highest ranking Amazon of Bana Migdhall demands of me, ready to fight for her sisters when I give the expected order of execution.
"Well this region is going to be going through some serious upheaval and we can't leave a city of militant man haters in a position to conquer." I explain my position openly. "You'll be given a choice. Go to Themyscira for reintegration, come to Santa Prisca with me, or face the crimes you committed in the area for centuries."
"Our ancestors left Themyscira, because they lacked the courage to face the evils of man head on." Artemis growls in defiance. "Only our cowards would even think of returning."
"Well you can come to Santa Prisca." I offer again.
"A nation ruled by a King?" She snorts darkly, deriding my ability to lead. "Why would any of the True Sisters, go to such a place?"
"My daughters are the one who killed Bee..." I stare Artemis down, my arms crossed and my expression deadly serious. "So don't you need to keep them safe, from my evil male influence?"
"Maybe." She finally looks away, conceding defeat.
"Good," I casually explain. "Because as soon as we leave, I'm guessing some bombs are going to be falling here."
"Yeah the neighbours aren't very fond of my sisters." Donna agrees, her and her mother approaching with arms linked. "My Queen is going to be assigning me as the Themysciran ambassador to Santa Prisca, help Mary-Jane show them a less bloody way forward."
"But your mother," Hippolyta remarks with a grin. "Is making sure you spend time with friends."
"So make sure my room in the Tower," Donna gives me a smirk, concealing her emotional flood from her mothers return. "Is facing the West, I want a nice sunset every night."
"You handle the Superfriends' combat training, while M'gann handles the more Den Mother portions?" It would give Dick a reason to come around more.
"Maybe, but I've been thinking we should rethink the Team name." She gives me an apologetic shrug, but I'm no longer a member. I have no room to complain. "I don't think any of us really want to be worshipped, but we are revered. Kind of like the Titans of old."
"Splitting the Team," Realizing she has a point, I follow her line of thought and think out loud. "Would let us have a younger, more inexperienced Team of Superfriends. They can work on training, teamwork, and non combat fieldwork."
"While the 'Teen Titans', can do what we are already doing." Donna nods her head, glad I'm seeing her point. "Handling the stuff to small for the League and outside a protected city."
"And this will get Dick to stop whining." We share a laugh at my remark, but she does agree.
"Yeah, he's gotten quite paranoid and thinks everyone is a spy for his dad." She lowers her voice and hangs back with me and her mom, while the rest carry on ahead.
"He does know girls think he's cute... right?" I have to ask, because Barbara and Greta are the ones I remember him complaining about.
"He's kind of got a one track mind and is basing his new style off of..." She gives me an awkward look and makes sure no one else is nearby. "You."
"What?" Hissing back in shock, she only gives concerned shrug.
"He saw how you took charge, did what had to be done, and never really asked anyone for help." Donna explains and I can only scowl at my own screw up. "You get respect from the League, the world, and even the villains we face. He looks up to you."
"Well damn," Groaning, I run a hand through my greasy hair. "That means I'm going to actually have to talk about my feelings with someone else... out loud even."
"I appreciate it," Donna puts a friendly hand on my shoulder and thanks me. "You can always talk with the rest of us too, M'gann isn't the only one who cares about you. You all became my sisters last year..." Her eyes widen and I laugh.
"Don't worry," I wave off her slip of the tongue and appreciate the intent it was delivered with. "I'm already telling the world, I'm a knock off of you sister. Wally keeps showing me fan art with me in her uniform, only in the new Santa Prisca colours."
"So you in a one piece," She smirks at he revelation. "But in your daughter's pattern?"
"Yeah..." I admit finally, no way to put the cat back in the bag.
"Aw," Her mother coos at the teasing. "You're such a good father." She grabs my hand and shakes it firmly, I think we just made a deal of some kind. "My daughters will learn not all of mankind is evil."
"But the ones who are," I give a serious answer, to a serious commitment. "We make them pay for their crimes."
Santa Prisca
January 11, 2011
4:12 PM, CST
"Are you speaking without mouths again?" Maxima demands of Jim, irritation marring her features. "We have discussed this my Love Machine. It is rude if I am not included, we are one now." She's here for the family reunion, at her insistence of course.
"Love Machine?" Roy snorts in amusement, which has Jim shrug awkwardly.
"I needed a heart transplant," He opens his dress shirt, showing a violet glow beneath his skin. "She had a glowing rock of space love."
"I don't know why he wants me here," Oliver's anxious voice carries through the room, when the elevator door slides open.
"Because you're his dad and he needs you." Dinah pushes him forward, shaking her head at me. "Now stop dragging your feet and say something to him."
"Hey Roy..." Oliver wipes at his sweaty brow. "How are you feeling?"
"Conflicted." Roy finally admits, stepping forward. "I was so angry because of the lies. But since Connor gave his memories, I remember how worried you were when he was found."
"You gave him your memories!" I'm surprised by Oliver's vehemence.
"Only the ones from when I thought I was him," I explain casually, hoping to underplay the news. "But I will need some refresher lessons, I kind of forgot how to use a bow." I was embarrassing with the bow I borrowed from the Amazons.
"I'll make sure to book some time off then," Oliver smiles and turns back to Roy. "How about you, want to join us?"
"Kind of can't anymore." Holding up his arm cannon, Roy sighs.
"We couldn't do anything for Jim, he was missing too many organs." Roy listens to me with rapt attention. "But you have all of your brain and heart. Dubbilex has said, we can grow replacement limbs, kidneys, liver, and lungs."
"You can fix me..." Roy stammers and I can feel his overwhelming emotions, churn up inside him.
"If you want, yeah." I'm not ready for the hugs. Ollie's I can handle, but Roy's takes us all down in a heap. "Santa Prisca makes it's money cloning blood and body parts, we already have things set up."
"Thank you!" His words are thick with gratitude. "I can't stop hearing the machine beep and whistle in my head."
"No problem... dad." Roy's face blanches at my remark.
"Um... what?" His voice cracks, while his eyes are nearly popping out of his skull.
"Well only in a mystical sense," I clarify, before he can really freak out. "Biologically we're triplets. Sorry, I was trying to break the ice with a bad joke."
"Ever since he became a dad, his humour got a lot worse. He really likes puns now," Ollie shakes his head at me scornfully, but I see his reflection in the window.
"Who me?" Twisting my head around like an owl, I smirk at his expression.
"Oh god!" He really does look green right now. "Don't ever do that again!"
"You have a daughter... Firestorm right?" Roy asks and I can see him doing the mental math.
"Yeah." Nodding my confirmation, I smile sadly and think of how Mary-Jane came to be. "Her mothers Serling and Danette are no longer with us."
"Two girls and you?" Roy is leaking confusion, while Ollie and Dinah laugh at my explanation. "How does it work like that?"
"Very fun." Ollie adds with a leer, flinching when Dinah elbows him.
"One was an elemental gyndroid and one was a human." My words only make Roy frown even more.
"That doesn't answer anything!" His eyes are crossed and his voice is shrill. "I only have more questions now."
"We have a really weird family tree now," I admit with a chuckle. "Ask me how we're related to Superman at dinner, it always makes Lena uncomfortable."
"Be nice to her, she's hurting right now." Dinah glares at me, chiding my choice of humour.
"It'll bug her, but remind her she has family here." I shrug under Dinah's glare, but don't back down. "She needs some normalcy."
"Most of the Team, is transferring here for school," I change the subject, trying to get through the list before anyone else shows up to eat. "You can go back to Star City with Oliver and Dinah, or you can stay here."
"Team?" Roy's eyes are gleaming, because of course he remembers right up until we left for Cadmus. "Do I have a place on it?"
"After the surgery and recovery time, yes." I cut off Oliver, knowing Roy will do what he wants and we may as well make things less dangerous for him. "You'll be able to work with the Superfriends first and learn the new procedures and teamwork. After you show you can do both, you'll be able to move up to the Teen Titans."
"Teen Titans?" Interjects Oliver, because this is news to him.
"Donna and I got to talking and we think it's a good idea to split the Team." I explain and he nods in understanding. "Half the Team is not ready for combat missions, or at least the same level as the rest of them."
"Having a tiered system," Dinah admits, her face locked in serious thought. "Sounds like a good idea."
"M'gann will be sponsoring the Superfriends, while Donna is chaperoning the Titans." I explain, smiling at Mary-Jane's enthusiasm at a purely rescue based team. "It's definitely easier to share leadership, as I have learned painfully. Which is why the Superfriends will rotate every week, while the Titans vote every month."
Santa Prisca
January 11, 2011
7:19 PM, CST
"You aren't my mom!" Garfield Logan accuses fiercely, when Halo walks in. "Who are you?"
"I don't know," The entity inside Marie Logan admits softly, aware of how upset the boy is and unsure what to do about it. "The children at the hospital, have taken to calling me Halo." Halo enters the living room and lets Garfield vent.
"Halo... like an angel?" Garfield mutters darkly and glares at the entity. "Why would an angel, steal my moms body? Angels are good and stealing is bad!"
"M'gann has her memories, but your mom's spirit has passed on." Halo explains awkwardly, unused to such anger being directed at her. "I only have her body and desire to heal."
"I recommend talking to T.E.A.C.H," I interrupt the brewing hostility, mentioning the AI therapist.
"Who?" Garfield is confused, so I run to M'gann and I's room and grab the Walkman sized device.
"Talk Emotions Always Capable (of) Harm." I enunciate each word clearly, showing them both the label. "Mary-Jane made it and they have given one to each person they know so far.
"We have some spares already assembled," Mary-Jane offers shyly "One for each of you, Roy, and the Sandsmarks."
"My moms dead..." Garfield realizes what we've been talking around, tears welling up in all his eyes. "And I'm alone now."
"Never." M'gann rushes to him and embraces him tightly. "Marie gave me all her memories of you before she died, she wanted to make sure you always had someone who would care."
"Really?" Garfield sobs into her shoulder, so I share the feeling of love I already have for Mary-Jane.
"Of course," Approaching slowly, I pat him on the back and join the hug. "You also have Mary-Jane and I. M'gann accepted my own kids, so of course I'll love you too."
"He does have a thing," M'gann giggles quietly and stage whispers to the crimson boy. "For loving fast and claiming everyone is family."
"We'll never replace Marie, nor do we want to." I assure him firmly. "But you will never be alone, I promise."
"That means he's giving you a bed time," Mary-Jane adds with a smirk, so I reach over and pull them into the family hug. "And a bodyguard."
"You knew?" I sigh, because of course they did.
"Of course," They remark with a warm smile. "You never told Cameron to keep it a secret."
"Oh." This is what happens when I make a plan without M'gann, I miss the obvious holes.
"Thanks for doing that dad," MJ remarks and I can sense how much they mean it. "Mother Serling didn't have friends in school. It's strange being the popular one, but we kind of like it."
"I have to go to school?" Garfield groans, going rigid in our embrace. "That is so not fair."
Gympie
January 13, 2011
8:01 PM, AEST
"You're sure the Tomb," Kaldur double checks with Helena. who has accompanied the newly formed Titans. "Is within this region?"
"I kind of figured an Egyptian Goddess," Scanning the dry brush land for any kind of clue, Wally raises a good point "Would be you know... entombed in Egypt."
"All markers on the Orb of Ra," Helena Sandsmark clarifies, her body has taken on a Hodge-podge of whatever each limb touch last. "Signified the Tomb of Isis, is somewhere on the North Eastern coast of Australia."
She's become very invested in working with us, since being chosen by Ra and learning the Gods are in fact real. I can't blame her.. I've gone from not being sure if I believe in anything at all, to trying to decide which one is right for me.
I've seen townsfolk lay gifts at the feet of the statues outside the T tower. Dubbilex had obsidian ones created in the likeness of each member of the old Superfriends, even Garth has one. It's made it clear to me, that Donna is right.
People do revere us, even if it may be to different levels. Mary-Jane's statue, by far has the most offerings and Wally's is not far behind. I'm the King here and I'm tied for fourth with Kon, even Raquel has me beat.
"Well we have signs of someone else looking here," Dick in his Scarab armour, crouches down and examines some tracks in the red dirt. "Australia doesn't have gorillas, so I'm going to say Brain is already here."
"Question and Answer. Link up and do a scan for anyone in the area." Artemis takes over, finally getting her chance to lead in the field. "I don't want us walking into a trap again."
<She's doing a good job of moving past what happened.> Referring to Artemis, M'gann and I scan the nearby wilderness for any sentience. <I don't know if it should impress, or concern me.>
<You're the only one who actually knows what happened and she saw what you did to Marvin,> My other half remarks seriously. <When and if she wants to deal with it, she'll come and talk to you. Right now, she's still dealing with killing her dad and is okay with repressing.>
Marvin got mad every single time she resisted his instructions and advances. When Artemis said no, he used a shock collar on her like she was a dog and had her writhing on the floor.
She never said yes and he finally realized he would have to finish making her into a docile Alice later, once the rest of us had been handled.
I was worried he was taking his aggression out on the other girls, but he only has eyes for his 'Alice'. Of course the surgeries done by the Shadows, have given each of them very visible mutations and he intended to control them like puppets with his hats.
<I know, I just want to do something.> I groan internally and clarify. <Artemis gets to decide when and how she wants to deal with things, I know this.> She likes to repress her emotions, so hopefully she talks before something forces the issue.
<Good.> M'gann gives me an approving smile. <She's had enough of men in her life telling her how to think and what to feel.>
<I just wish she would say, 'Go hit this person a lot and I'll feel better.'> I get a snort from M'gann who directs my awareness to a group a few miles away.
<Well what do these people feel like?> She shows me a cluster of emotions in the distance, checking to see if she can do a deep dive on them.
<Anger, hate, fear, and the rest of the usual villain grab bag.> I give her the all okay and her eyes glow white.
"Yeah. they're waiting for us alright," M'gann lets the rest of the Titans know, pointing in the direction we found them. "And they already called in our arrival to Brain, so we need to hit them now."
"You heard the Answer," Artemis claps the dust off her hands and starts giving out orders. "Beta squad. surround and contain, while Alpha plays bait with Question."
"Why do you always make me play bait?" I whine without meaning it. "I thought you got over wanting me dead."
"You know we need you and M'gann to act as our radios." Artemis growls at me.
"Yeah I know," I retort back, scowling at the idea of being the bait.
"So do you really want her to switch with you?" She changes her uniform to stealth mode, the white shifting to orange and I hear her mutter under her breath. "Like to see my sister be Orange Tigress now."
"No I don't, you know that." She smirks at my concession and points to the direction of the ambush.
"Good, now go Question the goons," Artemis shoos me away and vanishes into the underbrush with Beta squad. "M'gann will Answer why we're here."
.
.
.
"How many are we expecting?" Kaldur asks quietly while we hike, making it look like nothing more than casual conversation.
"Five human of level intelligence and around twenty of the enhanced animals Brain is growing fond of." I inform him, but make sure Lena, Mal, Raquel, and Kori hear me as well.
"The apes are hard to distinguish from humans," Lena understands my meaning and makes sure to clarify for the others. "So it's going to be something like Richie's dogs I assume."
"I'd put my money on whatever the hell those are!" Raquel interrupts our debate, warning us of the pack of charging... things.
They look like a cross between a crocodile, baboon, and a horse. Each one is complete with snapping jaws and long swift legs. Only a few have riders but even from this distance, I can recognize most.
Killer Croc looks to be leading the charge, directing the riderless beasts and roaring in savage glee. Cheetah runs beside him, her eyes locked on my throat. A pink feathered bird man, rides behind him and resembles a flamingo.
On all fours and racing towards us, is a nearly ten foot tall Mammoth. He has a body covered in shaggy brown fun, a prehensile trunk, and massive tusks ready to gore me. They extend from his shoulders and point forward like lances, when he lowers himself for a charge.
Above them flies a literal Mothman. His every wing flap sends a shower of glittering dust into the breeze and killing the grass it lands on.
"Stay clear of the dust and try taking them alive." Lena advises Kori seriously.
"Or..." I can feel the anger and frustration inside each hybrid mount. "I can do this." Focusing on all the anger I have, I send it into the beasts and drive them into a savage frenzy.
"Yeah that works," Mal gives me a high five and starts to grow. "I'll take their big guy."
"It's not football remember," Lena remarks with a teasing grin. "Don't just slam into him and grapple, you can hit him as hard as you want."
"Leave the pretty bug person to me," Declares Kori with a sad look on her face. "He has to be controlled and in need of saving, yes? So I will be freeing them!" She waits for no more discussion and we have to race after her, or let her be surrounded.
"I got the cat girl," Rocket's eyes glow indigo, as she claims her own opponent. "She looks fast, but we all know I can deal with that."
"You're stronger than I am," I admit with no shame. "You take the crocodile guy." Kaldur agrees with my assessment, leaving me to handle the flamboyant cannibal.
What looks like a pyramid, rises tall on the horizon. It's covered in trees and overgrown by time, but the unnatural shape is easy to define in the setting sun. It seems fitting the Goddess of Fertility, has a tomb overgrown by nature.
Gympie
January 13, 2011
9:56 PM, AEST
"We told," Mammoth grunts out an answer to my question of why they are here. "Wait in cave." M'gann is getting really good at undoing indoctrination, she didn't even knock him out. "Call Brain and catch heroes."
So whatever we're here for, is inside the cavern. Turning back to the others, I hold in a giggle at the sight of Killer Moth. He realized very quickly how outclassed he was and acted like the simple insect Kori assumed he was.
She's treating him like a pet and I'm going to have to explain the reality of the situation. After she finishes brushing him and attaching the ribbons of course, it will keep him from causing trouble until we can figure things out.
"Starfire." Artemis gets her attention and laughs at Kori's expression of glee. "Can you and the Wonder Twins, send these guys to Waller. Brain's on his way and I don't want him to have reinforcements on hand."
"Of course friend Artemis," Kori salutes eagerly and starts to round the beaten Animen up. "We will be ensuring the safe confinement of them all and returning for the combat."
"Kor," Lena sighs at the lack of protocol, leaning in to Starfire's side and whispering. "We talked about this, remember to use code names when we're in uniform."
"Forgive me White Tigress," Kori bows her head in shame, her emotions as easy for everyone else to see as I view theirs. "I will learn from this mistake."
"Don't make a big deal out of it or anything," Grumbles Artemis, uncomfortable with such seriousness in her friends. "Just don't do it again... please." She even remembers to add, when she sees Lena's scowl from behind Kori.
"Are we going to call in the League?" Kyle Raynor the replacement Green Lantern for Hal, asks uncomfortably. "Didn't Brain thrash you all when he only had Hal's power battery? Now he has that Amazing Android, or whatever you said it was called."
"Which is why we aren't," Counters Dick, his Blue Beetle armour sliding over his face. "We don't want to give him even more powers to choose from."
"Well... how did the League beat it last time?" Kyle asks, his voice more uncertain than expected for a recruit of Guy's.
"Brawl that lasted for hours," Dick explains smugly. "Eventually Batman realized the weaknesses also got copied and got his shard of Kryptonite."
"And you have some right?" Kyle checks with the younger teen, who shakes his head in the negative.
"Nope, but we have other weaknesses to exploit." Joining the discussion, I try to reassure the overthinking Green Lantern. "If he copies my powers, freeze him and smash." Admitting my weakness is not something I like doing, but I trust my friends now that the villains are gone.
"Sound or smell overload," Kon adds for himself and Lena. "Magic will also work."
"Fire if he goes Martian." M'gann shivers at the idea, ready for the eventuality.
"And I have a way to maybe shut down his ability to use the Green Light." Kyle looks very concerned, when I reveal this to him. "I just have to bury him in fear, so I hope you really have none."
"Hal's ring was malfunctioning," Admits Kyle with a frown at his hand. "It chose me, because it almost ran out of power over my house."
"Well then, it's time we got you some well earned pride in your skills." Clapping him on the back, we finally catch up to the others in front of a stone door. "Will is not an emotion and the thing each Lantern I know has had in common, was pride in the skills they had. Hal kept repeating 'I can do this, you won't break me."
Kyle stares back at me and nods slowly, seeming to finally get my meaning. I don't mean the sin of pride like he likely assumed at first, but the unwillingness to pass the buck to someone else. The belief in oneself, that you can do anything.
"I. Me." I give him a shrug and continue awkwardly. "Sounds like pride, or maybe confidence to me."
"Yo, Question!" Wally interrupts our discussion, to point out the problem. "What kind of lock is this?"
The grey stone door, has a long hole the width of an arm and no other openings. It has a faded painting that covers the entire surface, showing a massive three headed dragon and pale woman. They are shown being defeated by a group of humanoid figures, the features of each shrouded by light.
"One we need a big key for," Holding up my arm, I frown and get ready to stick it inside.
"What the hell are you doing!" M'gann slaps my hand aside and crosses her arms angrily. "I love you, but damn do you need to think first. What happened last time you just grabbed something magic!"
"You tell him sister," Raquel agrees with her and doesn't keep her voice quiet.
"Sorry," Admitting my idiocy, I step away from the door. "Wasn't thinking."
"Of course not." Winks Artemis, leaking amusement at my situation. "I stopped calling you an idiot everyday and now you slipped back into bad habits. Idiot."
"Let's all use our HEADS," Zatanna laughs at my face, when she adds extra weight to her final word. "And THINK about this."
"I love it when you use your teacher voice." Wally realizes he said that out loud and slinks behind Kon awkwardly with a wave.
"It's about time someone hit him with a clue-by-four." Rolling her eyes at me, Artemis turns away before she can laugh. "He's been in the medical bay, more than all of us combined."
"Well as leader at the time," Defending myself halfheartedly, I grumble under my breath and they just scowl back."I consider that part a win."
"We don't." The Titans respond in unison, glaring at my attempt to excuse my injuries.
"Well clearly it's the size of an arm, so who is going to try?" Conceding defeat, I gesture to the arm hole.
"The Orb of Ra was the map and it's what changed me into this." Helena Sandsmark steps forward with awkward confidence. "We should assume it made me the key." She slides her arm into the slot and her body becomes the same grey rock.
I honestly only brought you," Admits Artemis. "So you could read any hieroglyphs, but now I'm really glad I did."
"So am I," M'gann adds, still glaring at me and disappointed. "I'm getting really tired of worrying every couple of weeks."
"Let's see what's inside," Helena breaks the tense conversation, by twisting her arm and causing the stone doors to slide open. "Or shall you bicker like the children you claim you aren't? You did say Brain is on his way, correct?"
Inside is a large open chamber, with walls covered in rune carved gold. A sarcophagus of an exquisitely carved woman, lays beneath a large sphere of dark red energy. Inside the crimson ball, I can barely make out a female figure and she looks as pale as I do.
"Oh, this was indeed much easier than forcing my way inside." A French voice, with the hint of mechanization comes from behind us.
Emerging from the ground with the use of his Martian Manhunter abilities, Is the Brain. Each arm carries someone with him and I recognize one immediately. Kara Luthor, is grasping the left arm of the golden android. She is in some kind of pitch black body suit, that is covered in silver plates.
In his right hand, Brain lifts a very elderly man covered with blood red runic tattoos. He isn't frail like I would expect, especially considering he looks over a hundred. He's very fit and I would say it looks like he has more musculature than Kon.
"Now then, I shall only give you a single chance to surrender." Amazo's gold arms cross, an aura of emerald forming around Brain's new body. "What do you say?" The pink brain is not visible inside the torso of the android, but I can sense the source of the arrogant French cyborg.
"I say..." Artemis looks worried for a second, before shifting to a predatory smirk and draws her X-ionized daggers. "Titans go!"
We move as a team, me blanketing the battlefield in a miasma of fear. It works a little better than intended, because Kyle's green light flickers out along with the one around Brain.
With the newfound increase in my power, I send my friends alone a surge of self confidence. I believe in them, it's time they know how much.
"In brightest day, in blackest night," Kyle's voice echoes through the cave, leading the charge into battle as the Titans shake off the fear I caused. "No evil shall escape my sight."
He begins to shine green again and rises into the air. His voice clearly showing his conviction, even in the face of fear.
Gympie
January 13, 2011
10:22 PM, AEST
"My mother, is mine!"Lena roars in anger, crashing into Kara and sending the pair into an evenly matched aerial ballet of blows. None of us want to get in an angry Powergirl's way, so we leave the mother and daughter pair to vent.
"Let's show you some real fear!" The buff old man, grins darkly at me and reveals a pair of wicked looked fangs. He cracks his neck releasing the tension of his travel and leaps forward, slamming into me.
For a man who looks too be over a hundred, he's moving with a speed I'm unable to match. The rune covered man isn't anywhere near Wally's speed, but he's going faster enough to leave an after image.
"It was so nice of you children," My foe taunts me, as he catches my punch and slams me hard onto my back. "To bring us a choice of sacrifices."
I can feel a cloud of darkness inside him and barely a hint of the good emotions. I'm not going to find a way to slither into his mind, so I don't try.
Shooting my legs forward like a pair of pistons, I catch the elderly man in the gut and send him sailing away into Kaldur's ready blow. The magical trident stabs right through his chest, sending a spray of black blood into the air.
"Are you alright?" Kaldur looks back at me in concern, not seeing the ancient man pull himself along the weapon's shaft.
"Look out!" I warn my friend too late and he reacts in pained shock, as a pair of fangs are driven into his neck.
"Gross!" The vampire man coughs in disgust and throws Kaldur at me. "You taste like fish!"
"Then allow me to wash the taste," Kaldur sends a torrent of water from his weapon, driving it into the fanged face. "From your mouth!"
The man climbs to his feet and glares at us, his eyes glowing a blood red. I make eye contact with the fiend for only a moment, but it's long enough for me to feel his power.
His runes glow like hellfire and the vampire starts throwing Kaldur around with a gesture. Some kind of link must have been established when he drank from my friend, so I throw myself at him like a tornado of blows.
I take full advantage of my more elastic body and don't stop hitting him. I feel bones crack and then start breaking under my assault, but I keep going. It's only when he explodes in a fog of blood, that I realize I may have gone overboard.
"Such a vicious little creation you are." My self disgust vanishes, as the old man forms behind me. "It's a shame they couldn't keep you controlled." He slashes forward with clawed hands, each strike carving bloody gouges in my skin.
I feel the rest of my blood, slowly get drawn from my body, rising into the air and combining with a stream from Kaldur's neck. Weakly I collapse backwards and feel the cold stone of the sarcophagus pressing into my spine.
"I'm going to have to show my temporary allies," He grabs the dropped Trident and sneers up at Kara. "Why the magic of Blood, is superior to foolish science."
He turns from us and sighs, realizing he lacks enough of the scarlet substance. Observing the Kryptonians in the air, he readies himself and shoots a lance of crystallized blood.
It soars through the air and impales Lena through the side, near where I think her liver is. I'm not a hundred percent sure, her organs may be in different places for all I know.
Her scream of agony, lets me know it hurt though. Her mom takes advantage of the distraction and drops Lena, with a two handed strike.
Lena is sent rocketing into the grey stone floor and doesn't move. A familiar trail of blood, soon flowing from her wound and joining the growing sphere above me.
"No!" A female voice comes from every direction at once, from all around me and the deepest corner of my soul. "She cannot be freed!"
My gaze slides to the even larger orb of unholy black blood, with the grim looking woman inside. Now that I'm really looking, I realize she's awake and struggling inside a prison made of her own blood.
"You must stop them!" The voice insists and I wish I could do something about things, but I can only watch helplessly.
Dick and Donna try to overwhelm the Brain with a combination of alien tech and magical weapon. It doesn't go any better than Kon's earlier attempt and the join him in a bloody heap at the Vampire's feet.
"Then give me some help," I groan out at the disembodied voice, while my head swims dangerously close to unconsciousness. "I've already given most of my blood to stop this, I don't have many drops left in me."
"Then have my lifeblood for this purpose, but be aware this binds us now as one." The woman's voice intones firmly. "You get my power, but also my duties."
"What would those be?" I ask first, because M'gann is right and I need to think before I act more. Watching Kara blast my love with heat vision, hurts me deep and I know I'll say yes to anything the voice demands. The sight of Amazo's body taking out the rest of my friends, is just extra motivation.
"Guide and protect the Lost Sister's," The voice details my purpose and I find no reason to debate any of the requirements. "And make sure the Unholy Grail does not make contact with her father."
"Is that it?" This is a bargain with something powerful, I can't be getting of so light.
"Become the father of another, for each soul you end personally," She insists firmly. "Bring growth to the places of desolation and bring new life to those who seek it."
"That's the kind of thing I was expecting," Mumbling incoherently, I know only the voice could have understood me. "Life long obligation and responsibility for even more people. But I'm not backing down, so yes to whatever else you're going to insist on." M'gann and my friends need help now, not after I read the fine print.
"So the bargain be!" Her voice echoes through my skull and I feel my weakness become a newfound strength.
My veins burn for a moment and then surge with the fluid of life. My heart begins beating faster and I feel my limbs grow warm.
When my vision stops showing me triplicate, I glare at the vampire and Kara beside him. He's drawn the blood from most of my Team already and formed an equal sized sphere of crimson. Bringing it towards the blacker blood already working as a prison, he has them change places and now the pale woman is inside the scarlet sphere.
The body is yours'," The black blood surges into the open mouth of the elderly man and his years literally melt off of him. "I have what I wanted." His body turns back to Kara and reveals he now looks maybe twenty at the most. "And I must say, that God's blood had a very New taste."
"Now!" The voice is faded to a whisper now, but still as insistent as ever. "Before she can bring ruin to all!" And with those words, the voice is gone and I feel strong.
I stand and suddenly in my hands is a whip of flexible wood. Somehow I know, it's as strong and stretchy as I am and the thorns are probably a sign I'm hard to handle. I give it an experimental twist of my wrist and smile, it follows my mental command like an additional limb.
I send it spearing forward like a barbed lance and drive it through the now youthful vampire's right eye. It barely slows him down though and he grabs my whip, pulling me towards himself with a deadly grin on his lips.
"Blood, stop playing with your food." The Brain interrupts snidely, tossing Kyle's groaning body at Blood's feet. "And Kryptonian, why haven't you done your part yet? I will need you both to pilot the vessel."
"Apologies Brainiac, I will do so now." Kara growls out, her bitterness poorly hidden.
She blurs towards the pail and shivering Grail and with a powerful exhale of breath, freezes the Goddess' head solid. For a brief second at least, before she shatters it with a sneering headbutt.
"Good, now come with me. Blood will finish these weaklings and join us soon... won't he?"
"He will," Blood responds with a bloody smirk on his face and stalks towards me. "You smell like sap, so I won't be trying a second taste. So I'm going to have to beat you to death instead, I apologize for the... inelegance of it."
I last longer than I would have expected, maybe even a whole five minutes. Each punch of mine is, being delivered with bark covered fists.
My kicks are landing with the force of oak tree and I'm dodging like a willow in the wind, but I can't do any lasting damage. His eye has already grown back, like I ever even wounded him
"You will be paying," Starfire announces her return, with a barrage of green star bolts. "For harming my Lena!"
Blood is forced to cover his face and this leaves him open for the disc of razor thin ice. Jayna reforms on his other side with a proud grin. Starfire collides with his top portion and Blood's body falls in two separate halves.
"Oh I don't think so," The vampire remarks casually, as a river of blood pulls himself together again. "But I don't have time to play with you anymore, Kara intends to leave me behind it would seem." He snarls in frustration, as the pyramid rumbles and the ceiling rises.
He leaps into the air and sends a lash of sticky blood at the now flying gold metal. He does this just before the plates begin to reshape and he is drawn inside the protective shell. My confusion is cleared up soon, as the top half of the golden pyramid rises from the earth and roars in the sky.
It reshapes its advanced metal and energy systems into a ferocious and imposing form, becoming a three headed dragon of golden metal.
Each head gives off an earsplitting war cry and then shoots a different coloured beam of spiralling energy. Each of the three goes North towards Maryborough and I hope it's not as devastating as it looked.
It doesn't wait for more attacks to be fired, soaring into the night sky and vanishing into the incoming storm clouds.