#He found the core on an glowing cell inside a warehouse

[nelkcats]

King and Joker

The bats were confused when Joker announced he gained a companion. His partner (or sidekick) is strong and has too many powers but looks sad. They tried to ask him if something was wrong but he remained silent. Joker liked to call him "The King", but he insisted that he was only "Phantom". The clown didn't care and continue with the nickname.

"King Phantom" tends to ignore when civilians are evacuated, feign ignorance when someone tries to escape, and has offered the bats bandages and medicine a couple of times. But when The Joker is present he becomes completely desperate and aggressive, as if he is fighting for something.

On the other hand, Joker got a completely new weapon, it was a green sphere that produced lightning but Phantom winced every time he saw him use it. On one occasion Tim swore he heard him whisper "Ellie".

Danny was scared, Ellie was unstable and anything he did could be fatal. When he arrived in Gotham looking for her missing core he didn't expect to find it in the hands of a clown. The clown realized that he had something to bribe him (although he didn't know how important it was) and began to order him around.

Danny hated it, he held back most of the time because he was fighting humans, not revealing many of his powers. And he would have killed the clown a thousand times if it weren't dangerous for Ellie. Joker would never break away from the core by saying it was "good luck", and would lock it in a ghost-proof cell, which is probably where he found it originally. The halfa just wanted his the girl back.

[darlingpetao3]

For Asgard (Chapter 21/?)

Well, there goes my last bit of money...

It wasn't even enough to purchase a ticket home, so what does it even matter? You wanted, no needed, something to eat, so screw it!

Plus, nothing could beat eating fresh chips while walking along this lovely view of the River Thames.

Travelling the world was by far the greatest decision you had ever made. Not long after returning home from the battle in New York, you knew you needed a change. A fresh start, to get back to the fundamentals of who you really were. To rediscover yourself, essentially. And during your wild and amazing journey, you have come to see so many beautiful countries and cultures over the last year and feel incredibly fortunate.

On your afternoon walk, you come across a bookstore and decide to have a look around. Not that you'll be able to buy anything in here (which is, in its own way, a bit of torture). Looking around at the neat assortment of literature, your hand reaches for, and brushes, the same book as someone else.

“Oh, sorry,” you apologize, looking up at a rather attractive gentleman.

“No, no. Please, take it,” the cute guy offers the book to you.

“Thanks.”

“Are you from here?” he asks.

“I'm from... around.” Wow, vague much? He seemed to like your mysterious answer. Always keep 'em guessing, ladies. He chats you up a bit and it comes out that you're practically stranded here until you find some more cash in order to get home. “Where's home for you?” The guy is trying to break your code. What are you about? What's your story? Those kinds of questions. You only give a little background information on yourself, not wanting to call too much attention to your past. From a nobody to an accomplice, to an honorary Avenger. Then truthfully (thankfully) back to a nobody again. Who knew how many people saw your face fighting with Earth's Mightiest Heroes? Keeping a low profile was the main priority.

“There's a guy, isn't there?” asks cute guy. You become a little flustered at the question.

“Oh, well, that part of my life is pretty complicated.”

“Is he still in the picture?” There's an invisible pluck on your heartstrings.

“No,” you say, remembering the face of the one you had once loved so deeply and had broken your heart. “No, he's not. He's far gone.”

“Well, hey. If you ever want to talk work or get together...” The cute guy hands you a business card with his phone number on it. “Give me a ring.” His smile is wide and confident, but you've seen better. The shop's door jingles on his way out.

“Pssst.”

You look around the aisle for the voice and see no one.

“Psssssst. Hey, you.” It's a woman's voice. On the other side of the bookshelf where the book you're holding had been, is an eye peeking back at you. “You lookin' for a job?”

This was more than a little unusual.

“Come with me.” For some inexplicable reason, you follow the woman out of the bookstore and when you catch up to her, you are finally able to see her face. She doesn't look threatening; she's on the shorter side, has nice round eyes, and a very expressive face.

“So um, who are you?” you ask. “And where are we going? You mentioned something about a job?”

“The name's Darcy,” she says, walking briskly. “We are going... this way. I need to pick up my boss slash friend. And yeah, I need someone to do the grunt work.”

“For...?”

“Science stuff.”

“Gotcha.”

This Darcy chick leads you to a little vehicle with various metal contraptions lying on the pavement beside it.

“Your first task is to fit all these in the back. Think of it as Tetris,” Darcy instructs. “And keep the GPS looking thing handy. I'll be back. I need to go interrupt a date.” Even with all the questions forming in your head right now, you end up not saying anything at all and watch her scuttle away into the restaurant beside the parked car.

After packing the back with this weird-ass stuff (including something that vaguely resembles a toaster), Darcy returns with another woman. She has long hair, is taller than Darcy, and looks a little ticked off. When she sees you leaning against the car, she asks, “Who's she?”

“She's my intern.”

“You have an intern?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Wait, intern?” you say. “I'm going to get paid though, right?” They both ignore your question.

“Have you heard from Erik?” the new lady asks Darcy.

“No, Jane, I haven't, but I'm sure he's-”

“I'm calling him now.” Jane dials rapidly on her cell, only to have to leave a message.

“Our friend Erik – he's a scientist,” explains Darcy. “And he kinda went coo coo for coco puffs. But he said he was onto something so we-”

“His last name wouldn't happen to be Selvig, would it?”

Jane hangs up the phone, turning around in her seat to address you. “Do you know him?”

“Kind of.” You leave it at that and change the subject. “The GPS says to take a left here.”

Many sharp and illegal turns later, the three of you ladies end up in a deserted warehouse district. This place gives off a serious murder-y vibe, which in turn makes you a little jittery. Jane, still not too impressed with being dragged from her date by Darcy, gets out of the car with a huff.

“Come on, this is exciting! Look, the intern is excited!” Darcy points out.

“My name is (Y/N).”

“Do you want the phasemeter?” Darcy asks Jane, ignoring you in the process. Even though Jane says no to this so-called 'phasemeter,' Darcy tells you to grab it anyway. “The toaster looking thing.”

So that's what it's called.

“Intern, we're this way!”

“My name is...” Oh, forget it. Might as well adopt this as my new name. You carry the heavy hunk of metal into the warehouse your new employers are sneaking into. There's no way this can be legal. They disrupt some birds, startling you and almost causing you to drop the phasemeter.

“So this is where I die?” you joke. “Go figure.”

“I know,” Darcy agrees. “I feel like a murderer in a hockey mask is going to jump out and stab me.” There's the sound of light footsteps. “Don't shoot!" Three small kids show themselves from around the corner.

“Are you the police?” one of them asks.

“No, we're scientists. Well, I am,” Jane replies.

“Thanks,” you and Darcy say in sarcastic unison.

“We just found it.”

“Found what?” you ask quietly. You feel like you're in on something classified. The kids look at each other as if should we show these foreign women? In the end, they motion for you to come along. The things they present to you are seriously out of this world. Get this: a cement truck floating in mid air! When one of the young boys barely touches the truck, it rotates a full three hundred and sixty degrees. That doesn't seem right at all. What's even odder is when these kids start dropping random objects down a stairwell. They'd disappear before hitting the ground and re-emerge from above, out of nowhere, in a never ending loop.

If this is science, sign me up.

Jane grabs the GPS device and mumbles something about it giving off strange signals, then starts walking around with it. A hip-hop ringtone blares loudly from Jane's bag she left on the ground. The screen reads there's an incoming call.

“Jane!” Boy, she's quick. You've lost track of her, but continue to call out. “Jane! Oh, there you are.” You rush to find her in the middle of a hallway on an upper level of the building. “Your phone is ringing. Someone named Richard?” She thanks you, taking the phone and answering it, passing you the GPS to hold for a second. Jane walks away for some privacy so you try to play scientist and follow the beeping machine's readings down the rest of the freaky hallway. What's particularly creepy about it is the leaves rustling around in a wind that shouldn't be here...

What the-?

All of a sudden, something like a magnetic force pulls at you from your core, your feet sliding along the concrete floor all on their own. No amount of effort on your part can stop this. You're about to smash into the brick wall ahead, but instead, you go right through it.

You wave your arms around to keep balance after whatever force that was comes to an end. How did you not hit the wall? Why was there this eerie coldness in the air?

“Jane? Darcy?”

They're nowhere to be found. Just this giant rock pillar behind you. It seems to glow red in the middle of itself.

You creep up to it and peer inside to get a closer look – bits of strange particles float around and it sounds like they're making unearthly noises. When you reach your hand inside the crevice to touch them, the unknown particles attack you! Your hands tingle almost to the point of extreme pain, it's like they're crawling up inside your skin. And everything inside your body and your mind feels like it's being shrunken. When the sensation becomes too much, you faint.

It's dark again, but this time, you find yourself laying on the floor of the warehouse. Shit. Where did everyone go? Where did I go? Wondering if you were just tripping out, you scramble to your feet and run out of the building. Still parked in the same spot as earlier is Jane and Darcy's vehicle. They shove open the car doors and run in your direction.

“Intern!” Darcy yells. “Where the hell were you?”

“I'm not really sure.” You rub your head.

“But you were gone for five hours,” Jane says, worried.

“What?” You hear heavy raindrops splat on the pavement, and yet you don't get hit with any. A crash of thunder sounds from above. It's really pouring down now, but your personal space bubble remains dry as can be.

“Now that's weird.” Darcy points a finger around at you.

“How is that possible?” Jane wonders with a furrowed brow.

“Oh my...” you start. “It's him.”

“Him, who?” In your periphery, stands a tall blond man, red cape blowing in the gusting wind he is surely creating himself. You walk over to him, the rain still not touching you.

“(Y/N),” he says with a friendly smile.

“Thor! It's been... a long time. It's nice to see you again.”

“And you. Are you well?”

“I'm... well enough, I think. What brings you to London of all places?” Jane and Darcy, curiosity getting the better of them, walk over to your little reunion.

“Who's the hunky cosplayer?” Darcy says, eyeing up the God of Thunder.

“Ladies, this is Thor. He's... a friend from work.” You think that's probably a good enough explanation. Jane is quietly taking in this very large and handsome man, while Darcy speaks her mind.

“Dude, you're so ripped. What is it? Cross-fit?”

A loud siren and flashing lights quickly signal the arrival of the police. They drive up next to you and a man steps out of his squad car.

“You are all on private property, the lot of you.” He's quick in his movements as he grabs for you first. “You'll all have to come with me-”

A massive ball of blood red light erupts around you at his touch, sending everything and everyone (including yourself) flying back. Even the squad cars' windows get blown to smithereens. Thor rushes to help you up from the ground, calling your name. It feels like a migraine coming on. You look at your hands with fear.

“Thor...”

“Are you alright?” he checks.

“What the freaking hell was that?” you scream.

“Place your hands on your head, step back,” the policeman advances slowly, afraid yet trying to act in control of whatever is happening.

“This woman is unwell,” Thor tells him.

“She's dangerous.”

“So am I,” he shoots the policeman a scary glare. That didn't seem to go over well because the policeman calls for backup. Thor instructs you to hold onto him, as he puts an arm around you.

“Why?”

And just like that, like getting sucked into a vacuum, both you and Thor get blasted up through a swirl of comic colours leaving Jane and Darcy in the dust. What you see is unreal, and you know you've felt this sick feeling before, from forever ago. It doesn't last long though because Thor sets you down gently on solid ground again. Looking around now, you're in a room where you can see countless stars and their colourful trails from beyond. This place looks familiar. A man in a golden suit and horned helmet stands to face you, also familiar.

“Welcome back to Asgard.”

~

Part 22

A/N: I apologize to London Readers who read this chapter because, well, you'd already be home!

Tag List: @gerardwayisapotato , @theloneavenger1995, @magellan-88

[eienias20]

Skells & Love 13

01: Broken - 12: Mission

ACT III - Face

Origin

Fire.

The horizon was on fire.

What the setting sun did to the sky was nothing short of magical.

Observing the blazing sky was a young girl. She stood next to her favorite tree, reaching out with one of her hands she placed it against the warm trunk as her eyes took in the sight before her.

In some ways, it was almost like the sky was staring back, the burning beauty reflected by the young girl’s eyes.

She loves the sunset. She loves the fire.

Hearing a voice call out, she turns as a smaller figure runs towards her and jumps at her, tackling her in a mighty hug, throwing her off balance.

The girl begins to laugh as the younger one speaks to her, and then the pair begins running around each other, playing some sort of little game that only they understand while the heavens burn all around them.

Farther off, two taller figures approach.

The girls stop running, turning their attention towards them as they call out their names.

The first girl looks back at the horizon one more time, lost in the flames.

“Jaynix.”

“…”

“Jaynix!”

“…”

“Jaynix!”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Jaynix looks up to find herself staring at a man in full body armor. Shaking her own head she blinks her one eye several times.

“Are you alright, Jaynix?”

“Yes, General. We are on duty right now though so…”

He chuckled.

“That we are Corporal.”

“How could you even tell I wasn’t here? I have a helmet on.”

“I know all there is to know about my soldiers.”

Smiling, she nodded. He did indeed. With that out of the way, she looked around to remind herself that she was inside the Reaper Gear, the heavily armored carrier that they used to drive all around a veritable wasteland.

The Lawless Sectors.

This name was granted to large portions of the United States that were left abandoned in humanity’s fervor to survive.

The Ark ships necessary for the Exodus were being constructed in large, core megacities. Megacities that held massive populations, the people who could afford it or who had talents to lend to the ECP’s projects or various other groups’ projects came by countless numbers.

As such, vast portions of the country were abandoned and those who hung back were forgotten in humanity’s march to salvation.

The abandoned cities and towns of old fell into disrepair, covered by the black shadows of technological advancement and as time carried on they became the single greatest centers of crime and terrorism.

Out of fear that the Terrorist Cells would launch a strike against any Megacity and bring harm to the Exodus, both the Coalition and the ECP funded countless protective units to scour the Lawless Sectors and kill any and all hostile combatants.

One such group was the Transcendent 3rd Soldier Unit.

An elite and powerful team led by the decorated General Hideo Kumon.

Today like many days before, the Unit was in their personal armored carried which they wound up calling the Reaper Gear after a lot of trial, error, discussions and fights. The Reaper Gear tore across the vast, empty and ruined Lawless Sectors as a storm of acid rain fell all around them. Designed to withstand the horrid conditions of the area, the Reaper Gear continued on its way, uninterrupted and undeterred.

Seeing as the objective was still a ways off, Corporal closed her eye, keeping herself still. Taking a deep breath she centered herself. Hoping to return to a simpler time even if just for a moment.

At the same time, the woman in the driver’s seat turned slightly as the man next to her cleared his throat and spoke.

“So. Strategist. What’s the plan?”

“Plan? Come on Major. Are you seriously asking me for a plan to deal with these bitches?”

“Language.”

Strategist turned around in her seat.

“Shut the fuck up Blood One.”

“You’ve been hanging out with Corporal too much, Strategist.”

Looking back to Major the woman rolled her eyes before realizing something.

“Right. Major. I’m going to do you this one courtesy and tell you that right now, I’m rolling my eyes.”

Major chuckled.

“Duly noted.”

“Whatever. Plan. No plan. These guys are remnants of the Crane. If you recall the Crane is a super low level Terrorist Cell. About a week ago we brutally murdered the grand majority of em, it was the quickest job we’ve ever done. So, you want a plan? Here’s a plan: General positions us, we break in, slit their throats and then we get to go home. Eat something. Sleep.”

“That’s a horrible plan.”

“Blood Two I will kick you out of this vehicle.”

The Reaper Gear continued on its way as a large derelict building came into view.

“We’re here.”

General stated before opening the back doors.

“Major. Strategist. Go in together from the west end.”

Strategist pointed to Major.

“Wait, wait, wait. Me? With him? Ugh, fine…”

“You know you-”

“Shut it or I’ll knock you out and handle this myself.”

Major laughed at that.

“Okay. Okay. No need to get so touchy.”

With that, the pair got out of the front seats and took off, General watching them go before turning to the rest of the team.

“Blood One. Blood Two. East end.”

“Yes sir!”

They stated in unison, running off. Taking in a deep breath he turned to the last two members of his team still sitting in the back of the Reaper Gear.

“Corporal. Agent. The front door is yours.”

Corporal opened her eye as Agent stood up next to her and nodded.

“You can count on us sir.”

General stepped out of the vehicle as Agent placed a hand on Corporal’s shoulder.

“Thinking of home again?”

“…yeah. I mean don’t get me wrong. You guys are my home. My family-”

“No. We’re your second home. You’ll always have your first.”

Corporal smiled and nodded.

“Yeah…”

“I still think about my home a lot too…y’know, we should visit. See your folks. It’s been too long.”

Now standing Corporal stretched a few times.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea. Thanks. You always know how to cheer me up.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

With that, the women stepped out and began walking towards their starting positions. General watched them go before entering Reaper Gear again, driving it around to the back of the facility. Getting out, he approached the back door.

“General in position. Status?”

“Major. All good.”

“Strategist. Perfect.”

“Blood One. Ready.”

“Blood Two. Set.”

“Corporal. Let’s do this.”

“Agent. In place.”

Nodding, General spoke.

“Breaching in five, four, three, two…”

Inside, a few dozen terrorists stood around a map, planning their next series of attacks when the back door exploded, a single man walking in and drawing a bright red blade. As he yelled in Japanese, the terrorists stood, one screaming.

“It’s the Reapers!”

Aiming their guns at the man they fired, the General’s blade was a blur, deflecting the rounds headed his way and for the ones he missed he was just as quick on his feet. The area around him being riddled with bullets, leaving the man unscathed.

A hook attached to a cable shot in from above, digging into one of the terrorists’ chests. As he screamed in pain the hook lifted him into the air.

A few more of the enemy contacts traced the cable to two people standing on the rafters. The one in the lead wore full body armor and a helmet with no visor.

“Howdy gentlemen.”

The second, the woman who was wearing a dress suit and a high tech visor dropped down from above, carrying a large staff. With several quick movements she struck the weapons, knocking them out of the terrorist’s hands, before spinning around and delivering a brutal blow to one man’s head, cracking his skull.

Two more men burst into the room, the first one, Blood One carried a robust shotgun. Running right up to a terrorist he fired at point blank range, the round obliterating the man’s head.

The terrorists began scattering as the second man, Blood Two tackled another terrorist to the ground, lifting his fists up he began beating the man’s head to a pulp, smashing through his helmet and shattering his skull.

“We’ve got to run!”

Several men turned towards the front door as General reappeared, his blade severing heads from bodies.

Major dropped down from above, swinging his hook out, the savage weapon dug into a man’s neck and ripped his jugular out. Stepping over the dead man as he choked on his own blood, Major moved towards another who charged him in response, firing his automatic weapon.

Major held his left arm up, the bullets bouncing off of him, as the terrorist came close, Major clenched his fist. A shock running through the cybernetic pulse arm, winding it back he slammed it into the man’s chest. The man’s entire chest cavity convulsing and breaking to pieces.

Opening his hand the orb in Major’s palm glowed, delivering a fearsome pulse that sent the body flying across the warehouse, hitting the floor, limp.

A group of men reached the front door, opening it to find Corporal and Agent waiting for them.

Corporal launched at the first one, her blade cutting through his torso before ripping up and through the top of his head, blood flew in every direction as he fell dead.

Agent drew several knives, throwing them with blinding speed, three men found knives in their heads and fell dead. With the line clear, Corporal shot past them towards the enemy contacts in the back, cutting down yet another with ease.

One last man charged Agent’s position. The woman drew her hatchet, dodging his opening strikes with easy before swinging her weapon with mighty force, burying it in the terrorist’s head. Pulling it out she watched as the last contact fell dead.

Sheathing all their weapons the team nodded to one another as General pulled out his data pad and started typing up his report.

Corporal stretched a few times, content with a job well done.

“That was way too easy.”

Agent looked over to Corporal as she pulled her helmet off, a long, glorious mane of bright red hair falling free. Shaking her head, she tossed her wild hair around and sighed in relief. That felt much better as it always does. Then she looked over to Agent, her one bright red eye shining. Jaynix Copeland could only smile as Agent sighed.

“Always quick to pull of your helmet…”

“You know you love my face.”

“That’s neither here nor there.”

Jaynix chuckled, the pair meeting in the center of the warehouse as everyone pulled off their helmets.

Major Tai Alistair was a man in his mid-thirties, his hardened features gave him the look of a man that was always tires. His blank eyes remained still, looking at nothing as he ran a hand through his messy brown hair. Tilting his head he listened to their surroundings.

“No heartbeats. We’re clear.”

Blood One, Sagis Fair took his helmet off, late twenties; the man was bald, a scar running across his face.

“We can see that Captain Hook.”

Tai brought his hook up and sighed.

“At least call me Major Hook. Please.”

Jaynix laughed.

“We tell you this every time! Major Hook isn’t as funny.”

Blood Two, Alto Moore took his helmet off; long black hair fell out from it. His deep blue eyes found Jaynix as a smiled adorned his face. Gesturing to Tai he spoke.

“Be careful Corporal. He’ll tell you how inaccurate Captain Hook is. Like he always does.”

“I say it because it’s true!”

“Shut the fuck up Major.”

The man looked to Strategist, Eren Hills. A woman with blond hair wearing a very fine blue dress suit and a high tech blue visor over her eyes. Her blond hair was neatly tied behind her head in a ponytail. Tapping the side of her visor, it folded away, revealing her almost pale blue eyes.

“I still think you should wear armor.”

“Still!? I have a padded vest beneath my suit. No offense to armor but it isn’t nearly as presentable as this get up is! Blood One. Blood Two. What do you think?”

She rotated around watching the Blood Brothers as they each gave her a couple of thumbs up. She blew a kiss to them as General Hideo Kumon pulled off his helmet.

Short and very messy black hair on top of his head and a young looking face aged with wisdom. His brown eyes looked over the rest of his team as he smiled.

“We did good work here.”

“Easy work.”

Jaynix commented drawing a laugh from Agent.

“Maybe so but it gives us time to get back to base and enjoy another of your fine meals.”

Alto smiled.

“Amen to that! Food time!”

General Kumon heard his comm unit go off; excusing himself he walked away from the team. Knowing that they were most likely being assigned another job, Alto could only sigh in distress.

“I was really lookin’ forward to food time…”

Jaynix chuckled, patting his shoulder before looking over to Agent as the woman took off her helmet.

Lyla. She was young, mid-twenties just like Jaynix. She had short auburn hair with one long strand running down to her chest. Her green eyes found Jaynix’s one eye, immense joy and love shining in them. Reaching over, Lyla took one of Jaynix’s hands in her own.

The pair shared a serene smile as General Kumon returned to the team and began speaking.

“Seems we have one last job for today…a group of terrorists known as the Green Fog are setting up some sort of weapon of mass death with the aid of a scientist. Their intentions are to kill everyone in this Sector as a test…after that, who knows what. We’ll be deploying ASAP and running the Reaper Gear through the front door, no time for subtlety.”

Standing at attention the rest of the team yelled out.

“Yes General!”

Eren tapped the side of her visor again, the screen covering her eyes while the rest of the team put their helmets back on. Together the 3rd Soldier Unit left the building and the bodies, returning to the Reaper Gear. The mighty vehicle reversed away from the now empty building before shooting off across the Lawless Sectors.

“And there. I’ve gone ahead and set the weapon up for you, all you need to do is enter the access code.”

“Which is?”

The scientist, a woman, laughed.

“Green Fog? What else?”

The lead terrorist chuckled.

“A very good access code that is. Thank you Black Merchant.”

The smile that she wore was anything but pleasant, even the terrorist found it unsettling; looking away he walked off as the Black Merchant looked around the building, counting how many terrorists were present.

Adjusting her glasses, she thought ahead to what was about to happen. The coming chaos was her favorite part. Closing her eyes she imagined the screams of pain. The cries for mercy. She couldn’t wait.

Opening her eyes, she looked ahead and noted a hole in the front wall, through it she saw a massive, heavily armored vehicle approaching at high speed.

“It can’t be…”

The Reaper Gear smashed through the front door, the top opening up, releasing Corporal and Agent, the women brought up their guns and opened fire on the terrorists. Major and Strategist exited the front seats and began ripping through enemies while Blood One, Two and General got out of the back.

Corporal spotted the weapon and the scientist, she aimed for the scientist first but something seemed…off.

Turning her gun she aimed at the weapon, best to disable it.

The scientist saw this and got in front of the weapon, Corporal’s finger freezing on the trigger.

She heard Blood Two call her out over the radio.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Pulling out his pistol he fired on the scientist, shooting her three times in the chest. As she fell over Blood Two saw a terrorist activating the weapon. Acting quickly, Corporal aimed and fired, blasting the man’s head to bits.

Jumping off the vehicle she ran towards the platform, finding her way to the scientist she kneeled down next to the heavily bleeding woman as the rest of the Unit engaged the Terrorists scrambling to fight back.

“Shit. Shit! Are you-?”

“Are you okay? Was I really just about to ask that? Idiot.”

The woman’s eyes seemed to be locked onto the weapon that was right next to them. Looking to it, Corporal could see that it was giving off a bizarre and unstable glow.

“Everyone! Get into Reaper Gear! Now!”

Hearing the alarm in her voice, the team did just that as Corporal picked the scientist up and jumped out a window, smashing through the glass as the building exploded behind her. The shockwave of the blast extending her jump and sending her crashing to the ground outside.

Grunting in pain, Corporal held onto the woman beneath her, shielding her body from the acid rain.

Looking up, Corporal saw a smaller, wrecked building with a relatively intact roof. Quickly she ran with the woman towards it, putting her down on the ground and pulling her helmet off.

“Hey! Hey! Keep your eyes on me, okay! Keep breathing!”

The woman looked up into the one burning eye, seeing countless emotions in it.

Jaynix noted that despite her best efforts to shield the woman, she was very badly injured on top of the gunshot wounds. Quickly, Jaynix opened up the lab coat and the woman’s shirt to see the bullet holes.

“Who are you?”

“Corporal…I mean, Jaynix. My name is Jaynix Copeland with the 3rd Soldier Unit. And you? Your name?”

The woman blinked as Jaynix pressed down onto her injuries.

“Agent! I need you at my location! Now!”

The scientist was slipping in and out of consciousness, Jaynix looked her over, dark blue hair with scattered green trims and broken glasses as a result of the explosion, some of the glass from the window they jumped through seemed to have cut across her face. The biggest cut being across one of her cheeks.

“Come on! Name!”

“K-Kriss…Kriss…Fowler…”

“Alright Kriss, you’ll be okay.”

Agent arrived at that time, placing her suitcase down and pulling off her helmet she began examining the scientist. Opening the suitcase, Jaynix turned it towards Agent, allowed her quick access to her medical tools.

“Lyla, you’re looking at three shots to the chest. Reaper ammo. Slight acid burns and a myriad of cuts.”

Nodding her head, Lyla began working but couldn’t stop herself from asking.

“Why the hell am I treating a terrorist?”

“She’s not a terrorist! Look I’ll explain later, just keep her alive.”

Lyla looked to Jaynix, nodding before returning to work. Getting on her comm unit, Jaynix requested immediate medical staff to prepare for an incoming heavily injured individual.

Arriving back at the 3rd Soldier Unit’s base of operations, Jaynix and Lyla emerged from Reaper Gear with Kriss on a stretcher. Handing her off to the doctors, Jaynix sighed in relief. She knew the woman would be fine.

Moving over to a seat, Jaynix let out a long and relaxed breath as Lyla sat next to her.

“How are you so certain she isn’t a terrorist?”

“She’s too clean.”

“What?”

“Her clothes. They were pristine. No heavy jacket, no cloak to protect from acid rain…heels. She didn’t have the look of a terrorist about her.”

Lyla tilted her head.

“Now that you mention it…aside from the bullet holes and all the blood…yeah, she was clean. What was she doing there then? I mean…she was giving the terrorists a deadly weapon right?”

Jaynix pulled out her data pad and scrolled over the details of the mission.

“According to this the weapon was supposed to emit a deadly nerve gas. Fitting for the Green Fog who use gas grenades in all their attacks. She was giving that specific Terrorist Cell a weapon they could cause untold damage with…but…”

Lyla brought a hand to her chin.

“But once it was activated, it exploded…a malfunction?”

“Seems we made a mistake.”

The women looked up as General joined them, pulling his helmet off.

“General Kumon. What do you mean?”

Looking to Jaynix, he sighed.

“I contacted our oversight board, the ones who give us our missions, they don’t have this mission on file.”

Lyla’s eyes widened.

“Who could send a faulty mission request? To us of all people? They’d have to be a genius level hacker or…”

Lyla shook her head.

“Or have all the credentials…someone working for the ECP. The Coalition.”

Kumon nodded.

“My thoughts exactly…they’re launching an internal investigation right now. Their attention is focused on the Weapons Board. With any luck this is the only time this will ever happen…Blood Two…I mean, Alto…”

Alto approached them, clearly upset.

“So. I almost killed an innocent women eh? Fucking fantastic.”

Sagis walked by the group and said one word as he continued on his way.

“Language.”

Tai and Eren came to a stop not too far from the group, Tai gesturing to the doors that the doctors took the scientist, Kriss through.

“She’ll be fine, right?”

Jaynix smiled.

“It’s our medical team. They’ve never failed to fix and of us up before. After they’re done with her, she’ll be better than ever.”

Eren chuckled.

“Ain’t that the truth?”

Out of her armor, Jaynix sighed. Looking through a window she watched the doctors operate on Kriss.

There were countless thoughts swarming in her head, all cut short as a pair of arms hugged her from behind.

“Jaynix. What are you thinking about?”

Jaynix took a deep breath.

“I’m a killer.”

“Jaynix. We’ve talked about this.”

“I know. We have but…it’s not about that. I’m a killer…because I kill. It’s simple. There is no question, I have to kill. That’s my job. The people we go after are human trash. Waste. But…today…it was the first time in…maybe ever that I…hesitated.”

“You felt human.”

“Yeah. I did. I felt like I had a choice again. I didn’t feel like a killer in that moment. I was confused. Doubting everything. I’m glad to know the mission was a mistake and it wasn’t that everything I’ve been doing with my life has been a lie…but still…”

Lyla hugged her tighter.

“Thank you, Lyla. For helping me save her.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

The pair was silent, a mischievous grin forming on Lyla’s face.

“Jaynix. I saw where your eye was looking.”

Jaynix froze.

“What?”

“What? That’s all you got? You couldn’t keep your eye off her chest.”

“Not true.”

“Hey! I’m not arguing, she’s pretty hefty in that area. Even more so than you.”

Jaynix’s face burned.

“Lyla!”

“It’s true.”

Jaynix turned to face Lyla who started laughing.

“To be fair, I had my eyes on her quite a bit as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if she fell in love with you oh gallant hero who saved her life.”

Lyla continued laughing, the blush on Jaynix’s face as bright as her hair.

“Lyla. Copeland.”

The woman stopped laughing, a large, genuine smile on her face. She loved being called that.

Leaning in, Jaynix kissed her, bringing their hands up, they could feel them, the engagement rings that they wore.

“We are terribly sorry for the harm we’ve caused you. Please. Accept our apologies.”

Kumon bowed his head to Kriss, the rest of the 3rd Soldier Unit doing the same. Kriss waited till they all stood up straight before speaking.

“Do not concern yourselves. It was a mistake you were tricked into making.”

Moving towards Jaynix and Lyla, Kriss nodded to them, her skin was pale but her eyes were a vibrant blue-green, she looked far better than when she was lying on the ground, dying. As to be expected. Adjusting her glasses, which the team repaired as well, she spoke.

“I thank you for saving my life. May I have your names?”

“Jaynix Copeland.”

“Lyle Copeland.”

Kriss eyes moved to their hands then back to their faces, taking in every feature.

“Married?”

“Engaged.”

Jaynix stated.

“Congratulations.”

Jaynix and Lyla thanked her for that before Jaynix spoke up again.

“Do you have any idea why what happened…happened?”

There was a specific look in Kriss’ eyes. She knew something.

“Possibly. It is an urgent matter I’ll have to attend to with my comrades…regardless, I’ll have it handled.”

The pair nodded to Kriss.

“Above all things. I will ensure that I not forget your kindness. Jaynix. Lyla. Thank you.”

With a bow, Kriss turned and departed from the building. As she walked away, Sagis’ eyes were locked on her. The man let out a long whistle.

“Damn! She’s fine…”

Tai shook his head.”

“Really? C’mon man. As if she’d go for you.”

“Why do you always sass me Tai? You can’t even see!”

Tai shrugged, dodging several playful punches from Sagis.

Jaynix clapped her hands together.

“Alright team! It may be late but it is food time!”

With a wide smile Jaynix marched off towards the kitchen, the rest of the 3rd Soldier Unit following closely.

Time marched on.

The 3rd Soldier Unit took on mission after mission, doing their grim duty with no questions, forming iron bonds. Then after intensive testing and technical preparations, Skells were rolled out with the intention of being piloted by the most skilled soldiers that the Coalition had to offer. Together the 3rd Soldier Unit ran the grueling courses, studied the detailed textbooks and piloted training Skell after training Skell.

When the time came for the final test, they all graduated with the highest marks, earning their Skell Piloting licenses.

Kumon stood behind his team, Tai in front of him, Eren to his right, Sagis and Alto to her right, then Jaynix and Lyla on Tai’s left. Lyla placed an arm around Jaynix and kissed her before looking straight ahead. All members of the unit held up their licenses and smiled as the photo was taken.

Each received a digital copy they kept in their data pad and a hard copy they kept in their clothes to always have close by should anything happen.

One calm day found Jaynix in the Skell bay looking at her red Skell she named Firebird. Giving in to her artistic side she painted flames all along the Skell, truly making it hers. Taking a few steps forward she reached out and placed her hand on the Skell.

“You and me. We’re going to fight in memory of those we leave behind…like my parents. We’re going to fight to protect the remains of humanity. To protect Kumon, Tai, Eren, Sagis, Alto and of course, we’re going to protect my fiancé, Lyla. Nothing will stop us from doing that. Nothing. Be there for me Firebird and I’ll be there for you.”

Jaynix ran her hand down the Skell, looking up to the cockpit and smiling.

“We will be unstoppable.”

Several months later finally came the time for Jaynix and Lyla’s wedding. The Exodus was imminent and as Lyla had stated many times, marrying Jaynix was one of the last things she wanted to do on Earth as a sendoff to their home Planet.

Jaynix looked to the happy crowd, her military family, her friends and the three faces of her blood family, looking at her prouder than ever.

From that moment and forever, Lyla Copeland was her wife.

Boarding the White Whale was a very stressful event. It was hard to step onto the ship hoping to shepherd humanity to safety while looking over the countless humans that wouldn’t be saved.

Jaynix and Lyla had a long and tearful goodbye with their parents. Jaynix’s parents never let her forget how proud they were of her and Lyla’s could barely say anything through their tears. As much as they wanted to remain together, the time to leave the Earth was imminent. Nothing else could be done.

As they stepped onto the ship, it was apparent that Jaynix had changed her appearance. Not too long after their wedding Jaynix had cut her hair. As much as she liked her long, burning mane, she couldn’t put up with the hassle of maintaining it in the situations that were to come. Granted now that she was in a Mimeosome she could simply ‘switch’ hairstyles whenever she wanted but she liked the shorter look and the purple trims were a touch she really enjoyed.

At the same time she found it odd, staring into a mirror or reflective surface and seeing both of her eyes. She’d grown used to having just one but of course the only opinion that mattered was Lyla’s and Lyla loved her either way. Besides, having complete and total vision allowed her to see her wife clearer than ever and she loved that.

One last addition made to her new look was a tattoo, a lightning bolt that ran across her right eye. She ran a hand along it, remembering the day the 3rd Soldier Unit attacked the Raijin’s location. The day a lightning pulse from a weapon took this very eye from her.

Turning, Jaynix found Lyla and smiled, her wife found the lightning bolt a nice touch even as she couldn’t stop laughing. It was a joyful laugh, one Jaynix truly loved.

The 3rd Soldier Unit was now reorganized into the 6th Skell Division, the leading figures remained the same and many of their more experienced soldiers and recruits graduated up to serve alongside them.

Jaynix noted that Kumon seemed concerned about something. She asked him about it several times but received no response until one day when he called a meeting of the Division.

“I’ve received…orders…”

Tai tilted his head at this.

“Orders? Here? On the White Whale? From who?”

Eren shared Tai’s confusion.

“The Oversight Board lost their command over us when we left Earth. The only person who is actually above us here on the Whale is Kentaro Nagi.”

Jaynix tapped her chin. That wasn’t entirely true. There was someone else aboard who seemed capable of commanding anyone to do anything. She said nothing as Alto spoke up.

“Sir. What are these orders exactly?”

General Kumon stood in silence for a few moments. Finally he sighed.

“We’re ordered to guard the White Whale just like any Division…however; if things get dicey…the structural integrity of the White Whale comes first. We are to disengage from any hostile encounter we may be in and sacrifice ourselves to maintain the White Whale.”

The group fell silent, Lyla speaking up.

“So, we’re to be…Martyrs?”

“Yes.”

“Who would give us these orders like this?”

Tai asked only for Kumon to shake his head.

“I can’t say. I gave the individual my word…we’ve followed every order we’ve been given up until today…I can’t disobey this one but I can remove you all from my unit. Reassign you. I won’t let you all die with me.”

“No sir. We can’t let you do that.”

Alto stated, Jaynix standing up as well.

“We’ve lived together. We’ve fought together. If it comes down to it, we’ll die together.”

Kumon looked over the rest of the Division, determination in their eyes. With a solemn expression he bowed his head.

The Exodus. The Exodus was perhaps the most chaotic point in time Jaynix has ever experienced.

Countless Ark ships taking off from all over the world in unison, even so, a majority of the Ark ships were shot down before they could get away from Earth.

Hordes of Skells both human and Xenoform filled the void of space, destroying one another as the Arks fired their engines full blast attempting to pull away from Earth.

The 6th Skell Division defended the White Whale with everything they had and with the Earth exploding behind them, they maintained their defensive lines and held the White Whale together, vanishing into the far reaches of space, away from the hostile Xenoform battle that continued to rage.

Lyla found herself walking through one of the many corridors within the White Whale. The voyage through space was long, a year had passed…or at least what approximated for a year out here and fortunately, nothing bad happened.

The Habitat Unit’s construction was proceeding along brilliantly, the many engineering teams led by Jack Vandham were constantly working. From what little Lyla saw of the engineers around the ship it was almost as if they never stopped working.

Getting bumped, Lyla stumbled forward before setting her eyes on a worker who looked back at her as well.

“A-Apologies ma’am, I was…I was…um…”

He gestured at his data pad.

“Work.”

Lyla chuckled.

“No worries. Are you an engineer?”

“Y-yes ma’am.”

Lyla nodded, unable to keep the smile off her face as she watched this rather awkward man.

“Honestly, having work to do sounds like it’d be perfect right about now. I really do wish I had something more to do myself.”

He looked her over, the armor she wore told him one thing.

“A-aren’t you a Skell pilot?”

“I am!”

“That’s…that’s pretty cool. Admirable. You’re protecting everyone.”

Lyla laughed.

“Maybe…but you engineers do that same thing by constructing our Habitat Unit. So don’t sell yourself short.”

The man bowed his head and thanked her for her comment.

“Hey. What’s this?”

The man pointed to his eye.

“This?”

“Yeah.”

He smiled.

“This is a…a symbol. A mark. It represents Alpha Wolf. My team. We all have this. We’re…a family.”

“Family. I know that feeling. I’m Lyla, by the way. And you?”

“Kruse.”

Lyla extended her hand, Kruse taking a hold of it and shaking.

“You’re…very pretty…”

Lyla couldn’t hold in her laughter as the man apologized.

“Sorry. Constantine tells me I shouldn’t…flirt or…compliment or…say things like that cause everything about my delivery is…not good.”

“I thought it was just fine Kruse. But I am married.”

“Oh! C-congratulations. That’s wonderful! I-”

“No need to apologize. It was a nice compliment, thank you Kruse.”

The engineer bowed his head.

“What…what is her name?”

“Jaynix. Jaynix Copeland. We share her last name, I’ve always loved it.”

Kruse smiled.

“Jaynix and Lyla Copeland…I hope to meet her!”

Lyla gestured around.

“It’s a big ship but who knows? With how much time we’ll spend here, there is a good chance that’ll happen.”

Kruse nodded.

“I look forward to it then…”

Receiving a beep, Kruse looked at his data pad seeing that Constantine was asking him where he was.

“I-I gotta go. Nice meeting you, Lyla.

“You too, Kruse.”

Lyla waved as the man walked off, eyes locked back onto his data pad. Lyla couldn’t help but think that he’d be bumping into a few more people before he reached his destination.

Continuing on her way, she reached the Skell Pilot’s mess hall.

All the various divisions and protective squads were her, eating. Almost all of them. One of the most highly regarded, the Skelleton Crew seemed to have their own schedule. Their leader was Elma after all and all things considered, that woman was just as in command as Vandham or Nagi.

“Lyla!”

Looking over she saw the rest of her division and moved to join them, Jaynix speaking up.

“Where were you? I was starting to think you got lost.”

Eren laughed.

“Have you seen the size of this ship? Oh! And let’s not forget when Tai got lost.”

The Major shook his head as Sagis and Alto started laughing.

“Hey. I’m blind. It took me a while to get used to my new surroundings okay?”

Bringing up one hand he pointed to each of the Blood Brothers.

“If I recall…you two went out looking for me and got even more lost than I did! Kumon said he was contacted by the Bridge team cause two morons found their way up there.”

No longer laughing, the Blood Brothers shook their heads, Sagis stretching and looking elsewhere.

“We have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Jaynix rolled her eyes.

“Imagine that.”

Lyla sat down next to her, Jaynix sliding over her plate. As the team resumed eating and chatting amongst themselves, Jaynix asked.

“So. Where were you?”

“I just bumped into someone. Made a friend.”

“Of course you did. Given how long we’ll be out here, I’m pretty confident that you’ll befriend everyone on this ship before we reach…wherever we’re going.”

Lyla nodded.

“That’s the plan.”

The pair giggled, leaning against one another.

Fire.

Comfortable fire.

The horizon covered Jaynix’s body in warmth.

The young girl enjoyed watching the sunset.

She wondered if maybe someday she could draw something as beautiful as what she saw before her.

“JayJay!”

Turning, the young girl watched as another girl ran up to her, hugging her.

“What’s up?”

“I got…I got the stuff back! From the project!”

“How did you do?”

The other girl looked down.

“I…I’m nervous…”

Jaynix smiled placing a hand under the other girl’s chin and moving her head up so she could stare into her eyes. Burning red met a cool calm olive, Jaynix saw the concern in the girl’s eyes and smiled before speaking.

“How about this. I open the envelope and read it for you. I don’t have to read it cause I know you passed and they’re impressed but I’ll do it for you. What do you say?”

The younger girl shrugged.

“I guess…but I really don’t think I did too well…”

“Then let’s see which of us is right.”

Taking the girl’s hand, Jaynix began walking back towards their home, once inside the pair was greeted by a man and woman, both of which were eager to know what the results were.

Jaynix opened the envelope, making silly faces to the smaller girl, keeping her smiling and laughing the whole time.

Upon reading the results, the younger girl could only smile and cheer, the other three in the room joining her in cheering before Jaynix spoke up.

“See?”

“Yeah. You were right. Completely right.”

“I’d never lie to you, okay? You gotta believe that. Trust me?”

The younger girl nodded her head.

“Always, JayJay. Thanks.”

The younger girl hugged her, Jaynix embracing her as well.

“Don’t mention it, sis.”

“So we’re being deployed along the outer edge of the White Whale’s radars?”

Kumon nodded to Tai.

“That we are. If anything should happen, we’re first responders.”

Alto sighed.

“It’s been two years! Nothing has happened!”

“Dude. That’s a good thing.”

Sagis pointed out.

Jaynix and Lyla walked behind the pair, holding hands as always and smiling to one another.

“What should we do after this scouting party ends?”

Lyla shrugged.

“I don’t know. Not much of a night life up here.”

Jaynix chuckled.

“Is it even night time right now?”

“I think it always is.”

The pair laughed, holding hands tighter. Jaynix brought her free hand up and snapped her fingers.

“We should go stop by the Habitat Unit! See how far along its coming.”

Lyla nodded.

“Oh. That sounds interesting. I haven’t been to see it in months.”

“So let’s fix that! Right after this trip.”

“I actually really enjoy our scouting parties…space is…something about how endlessly vast it seems is almost comforting…”

Jaynix shrugged.

“I don’t know. I find sunsets comforting. Space is…intimidating.”

“Don’t let it intimidate you, Jaynix. I see it as endless and limitless as our own lives. Who knows what’s out there? And who knows what’s ahead for us?”

Jaynix brought a hand to her chin.

“I kinda get that…we may as well be looking to another two years up here so I may as well get comfortable with our biggest neighbor…space.”

“He is pretty big.”

Reaching their Skells, the team turned as Kumon brought up his data pad and pushed out a large holo-screen, showing the White Whale in the center and the wide range all around that its radars picked up. He began explaining their route, how many times they’d fly back and forth and first response actions depending on whatever threat they encounter.

“What the-“

Jaynix couldn’t hold in her shock as a dot popped onto the radar, far behind the White Whale. Then another. And another.

Next thing they knew, an alert sounded along the White Whale, Nagi’s voice coming on over the speaker systems.

“All Skell Divisions. We have incoming behind, deploy!”

“Always calm under pressure eh, Nagi?”

Kumon whispered before closing his eyes.

“All of you ready? This is it. 6th Reginal Skell Division…”

Opening his eyes, he looked at each person standing before him, he then moved his eyes to the rest of their division, the countless soldiers and recruits placed under his command.

“To battle!”

“Yes General!”

Kumon, Tai, Eren, Sagis and Alto boarded their Skells. The soldiers followed their lead, running past Jaynix and Lyla who remained still, staring at each other.

“Looks like that trip to the Habitat Unit is going to have to wait.”

Jaynix nodded to Lyla.

“Yeah. We’ll get this done…we did back when we left Earth. This is no different.”

Lyla took ahold of both of Jaynix’s hands before staring into her eyes, a gentle glow within.

“We’ll get through this. Nothing will get in our way. We’ll survive.”

“You’re damn right we will.”

“…promise?”

Jaynix smiled, leaning in she kissed her wife before whispering.

“Anything for you.”

“So we’re both doing it? The military academy?”

Jaynix nodded.

“Looks like it Sis. I’ll be pumping these guns!”

Jaynix flexed, her younger sister shaking her head and laughing.

“And you’ll be pumping…”

She brought a hand up and tapped the side of her head. Despite the smiles, Jaynix could see that her sister was a bit bothered by something. Finally asking.

“…we’ll still see a lot of each other right?”

“See each other? Better believe it! You’re my little sister. I will always be there for you.”

Moving forward, the younger girl embraced her.

“You’re never gonna stop being clingy, are you?”

“No…is that bad?”

Jaynix laughed, hugging her tightly.

“No. It isn’t. I love you, sis.”

“I love you too…JayJay…”

Unknown to anyone involved in the Battle over Mira, what they fought against was not the Ganglion. It was not the vile alien syndicate that would hound humanity’s every step and impede all their desperate attempts to survive on Mira.

No.

What fell upon the White Whale, was the Ghosts. The other race of Xenoforms that battled the Ganglion near Earth. A race of sentient dark matter creatures, the Ghosts were a fearsome force. Their arms were split amongst various classes and appearances much like humanity’s own Skells. The Ghost armada was also composed of forces that deployed across the ground and were now crawling all over the White Whale’s hull and trying to get into the Habitat Unit.

A group of them were fired upon, crumbling to pieces that then drifted off into space as countless Skells swarmed the White Whale in desperate defense of it.

Immediately upon deploying into space, Jaynix saw how many enemies there were, constantly breaking through their lines and suiciding on the hull of the ship. They wanted to bring the White Whale down, that seemed to be their main goal.

Jaynix. Her Unit. They would not allow that. No matter the cost.

Hideo Kumon, Tai Alistair, Eren Hills, Sagis Fair, Alto Moore, Jaynix Copeland and Lyla Copeland.

Together their Skells shot into the fray, the myriad of soldiers loyal to the General falling in line behind them. United, this single unit engaged far more enemy units than they should be capable of. They weren’t capable of fighting all of these foes but their goal, their purpose was to pull as many away from the White Whale as they could, keep a horde of them trained elsewhere so that the other defenders of the Whale could fight a hopefully easier and more manageable battle.

There were many voices, commands and orders from other Divisions and leaders, calling for the 6th Skell Division to pull back. Kumon denied them all, this was for the protection of the human race. Without another word he cut off communications, at that point all the Division could hear, was each other.

Breaking off into their pairs, the Division led squads of allies Skells all through the Ghosts’ forces. Kumon took the biggest regiment and headed down to battle the Ghosts’ attacking from below while Sagis and Alto broke off with their units the East, Eren and Tai in another going West and finally Jaynix, Lyla and their units shot straight towards the Ghost horde.

The battle was fierce and as much as she tried to avoid it, Jaynix couldn’t keep her eyes from checking the status of her unit. In addition to Lyla they had over twenty soldiers following their orders. They weren’t all going to make it back to the White Whale. But they were the Martyrs, this was their purpose.

Sagis and Alto’s team took on a line of giant Ghosts armed with the heaviest munitions. They fired off countless missiles towards the White Whale, the Blood Brothers’ team intercepted these missiles by either shooting them down or colliding with them to save the Whale.

“When we get back Sagis! What do you think we should look into eating?”

Sagis roared with laughter as his Skell ripped apart several Ghosts.

“Everything. We deserve all the food in that ship for what we’re doing out here!”

Alto nodded.

“That is the truest truth that was ever spoken!”

The Blood Brothers shot through another horde of Ghosts, their Skells performing almost flawlessly despite the critical damage sustained.

A line of three huge Ghosts formed up to launch a single devastatingly large missile. The allied Skells tried to bring it down but all their shots bounced off of it, one Skell flew towards it only to be shot down by Ghosts.

Sagis and Alto saw that the Ghosts refused to let anyone get close. No weapons could damage it but there had to be some way.

“Hey Sagis.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re my brother.”

“…yeah…and you’re mine.”

The two shot towards the missile, Alto taking the lead, ripping through the Ghosts ahead of them, his Skell taking heavy fire, the man screamed as his Skell was torn apart, Sagis breaking through the debris and slamming into the massive missile.

The weapon erupted into a massive flash, disintegrating Sagis’ Skell and the countless Ghosts in the vicinity.

Farther off from the flash of dead, Tai and Eren’s unit engaged a Ghost warship. The massive structure was defended by very small Ghosts that left sustained lasers in their wake. The pattern was like a web, various Skells shot forward and were sliced cleanly in half by the lasers.

Gritting her teeth, Eren fired on the small Ghosts, breaking various lines and letting Tai through.

Eren led her team on the continued defense, making sure the enemy remained locked on her as Tai ripped up the hull of the Ghost warship.

“Hey! Major Hook!”

“Really Eren. Now?”

“I’m sorry for my language.”

“…don’t be. That was my favorite part about you.”

“…heh…you idiot…”

“I know. Say…Eren…”

Tai looked from the warship he was destroying to see a team of large Ghosts with massive blades slicing through Eren’s team from behind. Quickly he disengaged and flew through the web of lasers, losing pieces of his Skell, crashing into Eren’s Skell, knocking her out of the way as the Ghosts reached him, bisecting his Skell.

Eren was in shock, feeling a single tear escape her eyes she could only curse. Kumon and his team flew by, bringing Eren into their fold before shooting off.

The General looked through the Ghost horde to find the White Whale in the distance taking heavy fire.

“There are so many…”

Eren cut through the space in front of Kumon, destroying an oncoming Skell, the General shook himself off. Now was not the time to get lost in thought.

Lyla and Jaynix always worked flawlessly together, on the ground they were a perfect combination and that applied in very much the same way to their Skell maneuvers. However, while on the ground Jaynix was the more adept one, Lyla had an edge in Skell combat.

The performance of their Skells was flawless from the moment the battle began, their unit’s morale remained high from seeing the two rip through Ghosts with very little issue. However as the battle proceeded and Skells were destroyed, Jaynix’s actions began to suffer.

Lyla continued to be a devastating whirlwind of destruction, the Ghosts incapable of doing serious damage to her Skell but Jaynix just couldn’t keep up. Her breathing was off and her reaction times were far too slow.

A Ghost blindsided her Skell, alerts showing up all over Firebird’s controls. Kumon disengaged from his front to cover her as Lyla’s Skell drew closer.

“Jaynix! Are you alright?”

“Alto, Sagis, Tai…they’re…dead…”

“Jaynix!”

Looking up she found herself in front of a Ghost warship, its countless weapons opening fire on her. Panicking she pulled her Skell up and away, Kumon dashing in again, covering her as Eren cut in from below, screaming while she unloaded on the warship.

“Jaynix!”

Snapping out of her daze, she clenched her teeth and shot at the warship’s hull, tearing off as many pieces as she could with her Skell’s bladed weapons. Flying free of it she unleashed a storm of missiles, the thrusters on one end exploding, throwing the ship off balance.

Rejoining her crew, she noted that all their Skells were in poor shape, Lyla’s was in the best and even then, what stood between them and the White Whale was the same horde of Ghosts they cut through. Despite the numbers they took on, there still seemed to be just as many.

Without pause, Kumon charged into the fray with the other following him shortly.

A mighty Ghost with a long bladed arm shot towards the group, engaging Kumon’s Skell, the two fought fiercely in the void of space, Kumon’s damaged Skell keeping up with his enemy’s relentless assault.

Jaynix, Lyla and Eren engaged another group of Ghosts, missiles shooting all around the team, damaged Skells continuing to flash desperate signals that were ignored. Jaynix and Lyla emerged from the chaos, looking to see Eren’s Skell floating in the space below in pieces. The missile barrage had ripped her apart.

Jaynix found herself in a painful daze. Lyla covering her.

“Jaynix! This is our mission!”

“I-I know…”

“We’re together Jaynix. We’re here.”

The pair shot down to aid Kumon as he and the Ghost delivered one final blow, the Ghost splitting in half and floating away in space.

Pieces of Kumon’s own Skell floated away as he flew higher towards an oncoming squad of Ghosts.

“My weapons are gone…I’ll hold back this line!”

“General-”

“Jaynix. Lyla. More have gotten past us. Protect the White Whale!”

Barehanded, Kumon’s Skell grabbed a Ghost and swung it around as a weapon, striking other Ghosts.

“Serving alongside all of you…that was an-”

Another massive bladed Ghost slashed through Kumon’s Skell, the machine floating off in pieces as the Ghost disengaged.

“Jaynix! We have to fall back! The White Whale is taking heavy damage.”

Lyla shot back towards the White Whale, realizing that Jaynix wasn’t following she doubled back.

“Jaynix!”

A horde of Ghosts drew closer to Jaynix, shooting past her, Lyla began ripping through them.

“Jaynix!

Snapping out of her thoughts again, Jaynix saw Lyla engaged on her own and shot up to meet her, both Skells drawing their blades and slicing through as many Ghosts as they could manage, all while taking shot after shot and breaking down further.

Jaynix’s eyes travelled to the status chart to see that everyone was dead. All the pilots in their division were gone. It was just them.

Distracted by this, Jaynix was blindsided by a large Ghost. The attack sent Firebird spiraling through space. Readying its arms the Ghost fired on the helpless Skell. Jaynix saw the missiles headed right for her.

In the light of her death she saw them all again.

Alto Moore. Sagis Fair. Tai Alistair. Eren Hills. Hideo Kumon.

Her Mother. Her Father.

Her Sister.

Then a familiar Skell covered her, the missiles striking against it, Lyla crying out as the Skell’s hull and cockpit were compromised all around her.

“L-Lyla…Lyla!”

“Jaynix…go back! Please! Back to the Whale!”

“I can’t! Lyla! We…we can’t. Our orders-”

“This isn’t about orders. The military. The unit. This is about you and me…I want you to live…”

Jaynix began to speak when Lyla cut her off.

“You’ll do anything for me…right?”

“Anything. Lyla. Anything for you.”

“…then live.”

There was silence as Lyla’s Skell was torn to pieces by another barrage of Ghost fire. Jaynix stared at the remains as they floated away, her Skell was moving back to the White Whale but her eyes never broke away from the remains of her wife.

She could see it clear as the sunsets of her youth. Even as Firebird crashed into one of the White Whale’s open Skell Hangars. She could still see that void of space.

A Ghost was shot down nearby and sailed into the hangar after her, crashing against the ground, bouncing towards a wall and exploding but she heard none of that chaos.

Only silence as her body moved but her mind didn’t. Her mind, her self was still out there.

Stumbling forward, Jaynix reached a Lifepod bay, there was only one Lifepod there.

She looked from it to a man who was standing nearby, he was asking her questions.

She didn’t know if she responded at all.

The man’s eyes were focused on her, she couldn’t make out his face only a mark along one of his eyes.

The Lifepod opened itself up following the man’s commands. Taking a hold of Jaynix he helped her in. She could feel him giving her something, she wasn’t sure what it was.

Her eyes found his face again as he said something to her.

Then the Lifepod closed and there was only darkness around her.

The pod ran through its command, putting her in stasis.

Jaynix’s eyes grew heavy, the last thing she saw before losing consciousness, was her wife.

The darkness was all there was.

Then.

Mechanical sounds.

Commands.

The Lifepod began activating again.

Jaynix felt herself start to breathe.

She felt her hands at her side, her feet on the base of the pod. Her eyes, blinking.

The Lifepod began to open up, light streaming in, she could see a woman. Tanned skin, blue eyes and white hair.

She was beautiful.

And oddly familiar.

As her vision continued to clear up, she recognized her. Elma.

Then she realized there were bloodstains along her face, a pained grimace, she was fighting something and seemed worried.

“Whoever you are…please…help them…”

Help.

Aid.

Fight.

Narrowing her eyes, Jaynix nodded, stepping out of the Lifepod she turned to see a large apelike creature fighting two other individuals, a blue haired man and a blonde woman. The creature took a hold of the man and began to crush him.

Reaching behind, Jaynix found a blade.

Grasping the hilt, she felt all her training return to her.

Jaynix took a deep breath, anger, rage, frustration and sadness. Furious emotions filled her body, unable to keep it in she began to shake in anger. Letting out a powerful and painful scream she leapt high into the air and landed on the creature.

Eyes wild she screamed at it.

“Hey you ugly son of a bitch! Bet you didn’t see this coming!”

Raising her blade she roared as she ran it through the monster’s eye, forcing it to release the man.

Burying the blade deeper, Jaynix’s eyes burned with hate, the pained roars of the creature painting a demented smile across her face.

Tearing the blade free she leapt off the beast and landed between the strangers. Hearing them speak she looked to them, she wasn’t sure how long they’d been fighting but…

“You two look like shit.”

The woman in the purple vest rolled her eyes.

“Thanks.”

Feeling the anger and the deep sense of pain and loss, Jaynix channeled these emotions into her fury and into her blade. Dashing at the beast she slashed it across the chest, ever on the move she ran circles around it as it tried to get at her. Evading it and sneaking in strikes at every single opportunity.

Rolling out of range, Jaynix skidded to a halt turning to see the beast as Elma struck it from behind. Landing on it, she buried her blades into the monster’s head. As it fell to the ground, Elma shifted her blades with great strength, the skull of the creature splitting in two.

From there, Jaynix formally introduced herself to these strangers. Searching her memories as they flooded back to her.

She was Corporal Jaynix Copeland of General Hideo Kumon’s Transcendent 3rd Soldier Unit.

Jaynix’s eyes widened as memories continued to pour in.

She remembered them all.

Kumon. Tai. Eren. Sagis. Alto. Lyla.

She remembered them all die.

She lost them all.

Her family.

Her wife.

And that was how it began.

The pain. The sorrow. The loss. The anger.

All of it was pushed back deep inside.

That was how it began.

The lies. The half-truths.

That was how it began.

The degradation of Jaynix’s mental and physical health.

The clock on her Mimeosome’s inevitable chaotic failure started there.

With Elma, Kruse and Irina, Jaynix began walking alongside them, leaving the Noctilum swamp and coming onto their method of transportation.

Their Skells.

Skells.

Jaynix felt new emotions swarm her body.

Fear. Terror. Horror. Pain.

Kruse, Elma and Irina were gone.

The Skell stood, changing into a Ghost.

It began stomping towards her, her heart pounding she screamed.

She wanted to run but her feet felt like they were locked in place.

She wanted to fight but her arms wouldn’t cooperate.

Putting all her strength into it, she fought against her restraints.

She heard voices, people panicking.

She continued to scream and pull until they broke.

Roaring in pain and anger, Jaynix freed one of her arms from its restraints.

MMC Doctors watched her in shock as she did the same with her other arm.

They called out to each other, one walked towards her with a needle, all her strength gathered in her right arm. Clenching her fist it shot out with violent fury, striking the doctor in the chest and sending him sailing across the room and into a wall.

Screaming she freed her legs and stood from the operating table as other doctors approached. Charging at them she struck several in the face with her fists before flipping around and kicking one clear across the room

Another, the head doctor, Benton called for help. Security. Reinforcements.

Jaynix’s wild eyes found him and she charged forward, striking him in the face. Another brutal blow hit his chest before she grabbed his arm and spun him around, throwing him at another doctor.

Approaching the exit she found it locked.

Yelling she began to punch the heavy door with her bare fists, the door buckling under the furious assault. Jaynix felt herself smile as she struck the door one last time, it flew off its hinges, across the hall and slammed into a wall.

Emerging from the room she found other service workers looking to her in fear, quickly they moved out of the way as several BLADEs approached, speaking to her calmly.

Not understanding their words she charged forward. Jumping at a wall she kicked off it and delivered powerful blow to a BLADE’s head, throwing the stranger to the ground, unconscious.

She had to get out.

Every BLADE that stepped up to her was savagely beaten and removed from her path, she could see the main room, the lobby.

People scattered, screaming as a BLADE’s body flew overhead and crashed against the wall. Jaynix continued on her warpath until two more BLADEs stepped in front of her, younger BLADEs, both female.

Something about them seemed familiar.

They spoke her name, asking her what was wrong and telling her that she was safe.

She didn’t feel safe. Far from it.

“Jaynix.”

Turning, she saw her. Elma.

Her emotions focused on a singular point of rage and fury.

Clenching her fist, she moved to strike the woman only for all her strength to leave her body.

Doubling over in pain, she fell to the floor on all fours.

Everything became blurry, she could no longer see clearly.

She felt a hand on her back, someone speaking calmly.

Then she felt nothing.

Falling over she was now sprawled out on the ground.

The ceiling above her become more and more unrecognizable.

Then everything faded to black.

14: Fallout

[tisfan]

Stark Truth

Chapter Four of that Tony/Doom fic that nobody asked for and I just can’t seem to stay away from... things are looking grim for our boys...

To Victor goes the Spoils - A Stark Reminder - Doom’s Day Scenario

At least, Tony thought, looking around at the burning city, the Avengers weren’t the only superhero group who regularly made mincemeat out of their surroundings. Hulk was really smashie, and Captain America hadn’t yet decided that opening a door was easier than crashing through the wall, not to mention the number of bad guys who tended to use Iron Man as their own personal wrecking ball. 

On the other hand, Johnny Storm was literally burning the place to the ground. Human Torch? More like human dumpster fire. Tony sighed. Fire, like biological weapons, didn’t care who was killed. Tony picked his way carefully through the burning building, getting feedback every few feet to make sure the floor was still stable and the roof wasn’t going to come down on his head. 

This was the warehouse that Richards had decided was probably storing Tony’s tech -- not certain what, and an in depth examination of Stark Industries records hadn’t shown anything missing. If the building hadn’t been on fire, Tony would have left it til the battle’s end to start putting pieces together. It bothered him to be letting others go into harm’s way as he examined crates and files, downloaded computer databases, and tried to figure out what Doom was up to. 

Which didn’t mean that he wasn’t fighting; the doombots were annoyingly persistant and several dozen of them had followed Iron Man into the building. They were also fairly standard grunt troops and not any of the specialized attack modulars that the Avengers had dealt with before. If Tony didn’t know better, he’d suspect they’d caught Doom entirely by surprise. 

He wasn’t sure he did know better, but nothing with Doom had ever been as easy and uncomplicated as he’d believed it should be. So, yeah, probably a trap somewhere lurking under the whole mess. 

In one room, Tony discovered a full layout of a superlatively upgraded Doomstahdt. Latveria’s founding, centuries ago, had given it some gorgeous architecture, for like, the 1200’s, but these days, the mud huts and fantastical cathedrals were a little out of date. Modern plumbing was scarce, and while the population was generally better off than some parts of the world, Tony knew families in coal towns with more luxurious  homes than middle-class Latverians. 

Except Doom seemed to be planning some major upgrades. Skyscrapers towered over the surrounding landscape, modern high-rise apartments, overly generous green public areas, underground power lines. This was going to take billions of dollars, years of work, but when it was finished… Doomstahdt was going to rival such modern cities as Singapore and Taipei.

Mobile readers, there’s a cut here. You can access Tumblr from your browser to read the rest, of check out the whole story on A03

“Guess Light Bright’s doin’ him a favor by speeding up the clearing process,” Tony muttered, leaning against the table to study the layout. At the heart, several meters underground… was a full-sized arc-reactor power source. Self-reliant, clean energy. A warm light for all mankind. Tony felt a peculiar squeeze in his chest. 

The underground power generator had some improvements, even to Tony’s model, amplifiers and storage cells. Tony had JARVIS capture some images; this deserved more scrutiny than he had time for right now. At least he knew what Doom had stolen, except really, Stark Industries kept careful track of the arc-reactors. Surely he would know if one of them were missing, if even the components had been illegally salvaged. 

Maybe it was theoretical, something Doom was planning, but hadn’t yet acquired. Still, it made Tony nervous; the arc-reactor was a great power source; could be used to anything. To run an entire city, or to power hordes of Doombots. Better check it out. Tony launched himself up to continue a search of the burning building. 

Doom watched from the sidelines; enough out of the way that his Doombots would do their job, along with the servo-guards, and others, without drawing attention to himself. He issued commands; keeping a small group of rotating servo-guards to occupy the Fantastic Four, the rest were directed to civilian evacuation and preservation tasks. 

Already, Richards and Storm had dropped over several buildings and completely disrupted emergency services in the city. Doom wasn’t even certain what they were here for; Doom had not been involved in anything besides infrastructure in the last several months. 

After tearing up several squads of guards, Doom finally stepped out, commanding his guards to act as if he was merely another Doombot, serving for the moment as the Voice of Doom. 

“What do you want with Doom?” he demanded, marching up the street to where Richards was involved in disgusting gyrations with half a squad of servo-guards, arms and legs stretched to ridiculous and grotesque lengths. 

Richards started yelling about illegal tech and weapons programs. Doom sneered behind his mask. 

“Doom has acquired nothing that is not necessary to the comfort of the population of Latveria,” Doom declared, putting his hands on his hips in aggravation. He should have known that he would not be allowed to rebuild his nation. 

“You should know that Stark’s tech is watched very closely, Von Doom,” Sue said. She wasn’t visible, not that that was anything new. 

“Should we forget, just because Doom rules this nation, that there are half a million people living there who just want good lives? These people, who live in an enforced monarchy, we should just allow Johnny Storm to blow up their city because he’s angry with Doom?” Doom gestured around at the burning city. “Whatever Doom has done in the past, the people of Latveria deserve better!” 

“They deserve better than you!” Johnny Storm yelled. 

“Perhaps,” Doom said. “But that is not your choice to make. You have come to Latveria on invasion, with no evidence. Doom --” Doom turned. The warehouse was burning. He squinted; a figure in red and gold armor whizzed past one of the windows. Iron Man had been strangely absent during the battle in the city. 

Doom narrowed his gaze; the fire was spreading rapidly through the building, racing toward -- 

Shit. The fuel packets for the arc-reactor. Stable, safe energy, but not when some idiot set it on fire. The explosion would put a crater in the middle of Latveria the size of Sudbury crater. “Fools!” 

Doom turned his back on the Fantastic Assholes. 

Richards tried to head him off -- literally, stretching his neck so far out to make a loop around Doom’s retreating form -- “This one’s him! Get him, Ben!” 

No. Doom did not have time for this nonsense. He tore free of Richards’s grip, moving as fast as he could. Tony could not, could not be in that building when it blew. 

Richards grabbed him again. 

“Idiot,” Doom growled. “If the core melts down, everyone will die!” 

Doom burst into the building. The air snapped, subtle, popping Doom’s ears. Sue Storm had surrounded the entire building in one of her force-shields. Well, at least she wasn't as stupid as Richards. What she saw in that man anyway was more than Doom could understand. 

Doom raced to the storage facility; the fire was already thick and even though Sue had contained the building, there was enough oxygen that it wouldn’t go out immediately. The red and gold of Tony’s armor glinted across the room. 

One glance was all it took. They were, not to put too fine a point on it, doomed. The core was already burning. 

Iron Man gazed into the crate, then snapped his head up to stare at Doom. There was no reading his expression behind that mask. “At least I’ll take you with me,” Tony snarled, the voice modulated by the armor, stripped of nuance. 

“No,” Doom said. “I’ll take you with me.” 

The core melted. Doom took three steps and crossed the room, weaving his magic behind him. A containment shield for the core, by necessity, stretching to fill the shield Sue had already locked down. The force from the inside was going to be a thousand times that of Hiroshima. Doom flung another, to protect Tony from the heat and sudden lack of oxygen, and then the building went up. Red and yellow flames engulfed everything, like being thrust suddenly into the middle of a volcano. Doom reached, grabbed Iron Man’s hand, and teleported them away. 

Tony wasn’t expecting to wake up. One of these days, he was going to be right about that. Something would explode in his face and he’d just not ever wake up from that. God, sometimes he was looking forward to it, because waking up after being exploded always, always sucked. 

Sometimes less than others; being blown up in Afghanistan had decidedly been worse. 

Tony was flat on his back, but the material under him was relatively soft. 

His body ached, but he’d had worse muscle pain after a few days of blackout drinking and partying. Not that he did that as much anymore so he wasn’t used to it. 

And there didn’t seem to be anyone else in the room with him. Tony risked it and opened his eyes. 

It was decidedly not a hospital, despite the bag of fluids that hung on an IV stand by his bedside. Tony traced the line down to where it fed into the peripheral port in his left hand. 

The room was decorated, richly furnished, and the bed Tony was situated on had silk sheets, a rich, glowing gold. The other furnishings, a wardrobe, table, desk and chairs, were all elegant and tasteful, if not necessarily to Tony’s taste, at least to someone’s. 

Tony looked down at himself; he was wearing a white linen sleep-shirt of some sort and his wounds had been tended, cleaned and wrapped. He felt sort of shitty, but that was probably a result of battle and being exploded and not the care he���d gotten. 

He was, in a word, confused. 

Tony scrubbed his right hand over his face and swallowed; his throat was dry and he was thirsty. His hand continued down the side of his chin and then stopped cold. Something encircled his neck like a collar. More exploring proved that entirely right. He was wearing a god damned collar. Like a dog. Like a slave. 

Tony got to his feet, heedless of the IV stand, which pulled over and tugged at the site. Tony ripped it free, wincing a little. He pressed his fingers over the bleeding skin and held it down to staunch the flow. There was a mirror over the dresser on the far side of the room and he headed that way, aware of the plush carpet under his feet. What the actual fuck was going on? Where was he? 

The mirror threw back his face, a little beat-up, which was normal. Black eye, again. 

And a silver and green collar locked around his neck, metal, solid. 

Fuck. 

The door behind him opened and Tony reached for the first object he could find to use as a weapon. Not that a vanity bench was going to do him lots of good. 

The last person he expected to see was in the doorway. 

“Rabun!” The vanity stool fell from nerveless fingers and smashed into the floor, breaking into pieces. “What are you doing here?” 

Rabun spread his hands, his expression pained. “I live here.” 

“You work for Doom.” Tony’s voice was flat. His heart ached in his chest and he could barely breathe. But Rabun would never see that. Stark men are iron. 

“I work for Latveria, yes.” Rabun didn’t smile, didn’t try to explain, didn’t say anything. He pulled out a chair from the table and practically fell into it, his whole body screaming dejection. 

“You. Work for Doom. You work for the --” 

“Do not,” Rabun interrupted, cutting off Tony’s tirade, mid-rant. “I work for Latveria. I work for my home. I cannot change where I was born and I cannot change who I was born to be. I regret that this has come to pass. I did not wish you to find out in this manner.” 

Tony should be angry; he knew this, knew it like he knew his own name. He should feel betrayed. Lied to. Deceived. He should hate, with every fiber of his being, the man before him. He didn’t. Watching Rabun stare at the table, his whole body weighed down with grief, Tony could do nothing but ache. “It would put us at risk,” he said, slowly. “If it were known. Have I put you at risk, then?” 

“Not just yet,” Rabun said. 

“Doom saved my life,” Tony said, again, taking time with his words. There were too many questions, asking them would give away too much. He had to be careful, very careful, here, and lock away his heart. “Why would he do that?” 

“For me,” Rabun said. 

“He knows? About us?” What us? Was there an us anymore? When he didn’t even know the truth, when everything they’d made together had been built on a carefully constructed lie? 

“Doom knows,” Rabun said. “Doom has always known.” 

“It was a trap.” That wasn’t a question, but Rabun held out one hand, entreatingly. 

“No,” Rabun said. “If Doom had wanted to entrap you, Doom would have used bait.” 

Whatever ill-conceived thoughts Tony had harbored fell away. He would have fallen into that trap; he would have done anything, paid any price, if Doom had dangled Rabun in front of him. Tony had never been exactly reasonable when it came to threats against the people he loved. There were so few of them that fell into that category, Tony couldn’t stand to lose any of them. 

“He knew, and he did nothing?” That, Tony found a little hard to believe. 

“Doom knew. Doom allowed it. So long as it did not interfere with the project. The risk was not from Doom, but Doom’s allies. And enemies. Who would see you, who would see us, as an opportunity to exploit.” 

“So, why, then, are you not at risk?” 

“The world thinks you’re dead. Richards believed he was mistaken that Doom was in the explosion,” Rabun said. “Doom has made a public statement about the invasion. For once, the world’s outrage is enflamed on Latveria’s behalf.” 

“So what happens now?” Tony couldn’t help but raise his hand to the collar that someone -- probably Doom -- had put around his neck. 

Rabun winced. “For Doom, for you, for me,” Rabun said, “it would be best if you remained here. Not; I would prefer not as a prisoner.” 

“You might as well not sugar-coat it, sweetheart,” Tony said. “If I’m here for the rest of my life without being able to leave, or have anyone know I’m still alive, that’s a prisoner, whether I’m in chains or not.” 

If possible, Rabun looked even more despondent. “I know,” he said. “I wish I… that it had not… it’s worthless, my apologies. But you have it. This is not what I wanted for us.” 

“Us?” 

Rabun turned his head, eyes squeezing shut, his mouth twisting with pain. “I still love you,” he said. 

Tony blinked. His eyes burned and his throat ached. “You never said it.” 

“My great shame,” Rabun said, “that I could not say it when you would have believed me.” 

“Yeah.” 

Rabun sat there a while longer and both of them looked away, not able to meet the other’s gaze. Finally, without a word, Rabun stood up and left the room. 

Tony could not miss hearing the door lock behind him. 

He waited, until he was certain Rabun would not hear him, and then Tony fell to his knees and mourned. 

Years of experience, working hand in hand with spies and assassins, had given Tony more abilities than he’d had when he was a prisoner in Afghanistan. He could pick locks; he could subvert enemy robots, he could redirect the security cameras. 

He even managed to find tools and get the damn collar off his neck, which was a relief. 

What he couldn’t do, however, was actually leave. 

Tony arrived on the surface (because of course Von Doom had thrown him in some basement level type dungeon) and stared, aghast, at what had once been an amazing, if primitive, city. 

The city was abandoned; half of it burned to ash; smoke poured out of a few basements, the blaze still going hard underground. 

The warehouse that Tony had been in was completely gone. In its place was a sphere filled with what looked like a thunderstorm on fire. 

“What the hell?” 

“A warm light for all mankind,” Doom said, stepping up next to him. 

Tony didn’t allow himself to flinch and Doom didn’t… do anything. He just stood there, staring at the orb. 

“What happened?” Because even at the worst possible moment, Tony couldn’t help that cat’s curiosity about him, that need to know, followed up by the need to fix. 

Doom stood stiffly, hands clasped behind his back. “The arc-reactor core is melting down, constantly recycling, as more and more heat builds up. It is self-sustaining. Each moment, the force of it grows exponentially. Yesterday, it would have wiped out most of the city and surrounding countryside. Today it will flatten Latveria all the way to its borders and somewhat beyond. By tomorrow, half of Eastern Europe. In a week’s time, it’ll crack the planet down to the core.” 

“Holy hell,” Tony choked out. 

“Indeed.” Doom might have glanced at Tony; it was hard to tell with the mask that hid Doom’s face from the world. His voice, like Tony’s when he was in the armor, was modulated, emotionless. “Surrounding nations have closed their borders. Doom’s people cannot evacuate to a safe distance.”

“How long can the shield hold?” Tony shuddered. The shield was magical, something Tony rather abhorred, but at the moment he was willing to overlook it in the face of not being liquified immediately. All that Rabun had spoken of, earlier, was a lie. Doom had never intended for Tony to live. Or perhaps Rabun had not known. 

“Doom does not have enough data to be certain,” Doom said, “but Doom believes that the force will be too great to withstand within ten days. But Doom is planning to release it this day. The fate of Latveria is trivial, compared to the world. It will be remembered as a great disaster.” He tipped his head in Tony’s direction and said with a certain deadpan humor that Tony didn’t know Doom was capable of, “Perhaps they will even call it Doom’s Day, in the history books.” 

Tony couldn’t help but choke out a laugh. 

“You let me escape,” he said. 

“Yes,” Doom said. “All of Doom’s citizens are as far from here as they can get, with orders to storm the borders, if they must. You will join them. Doom will have no more deaths.” 

“And you?” 

“Doom will remain here,” Doom said. “Perhaps Doom can shunt the force of the blast. If not, Doom will still not abandon his home.” 

Tony stared at the orb, calculating furiously. “What day is it?” 

Doom gave him the date and Tony added the moon’s current location to his calculations. 

“You have a plan,” Doom observed. 

“Yeah. As it happens, I’m not in favor of large holes in the planet,” Tony said. “Conditionally.” 

“Name it.” 

Tony waited until Doom turned and gave Tony his full attention. “I want Rabun Alil. Let him go. Whatever hold you have on him, whatever he means to you, whatever he does for you. I want him to be free.” 

“Doom wishes he could do that,” Doom said, and even with the voice modulator, he sounded sincere. “It is not possible.” 

“Why not? He’s one man,” Tony demanded. “We’re talking about your entire nation, millions of people in the surrounding countries. What is he to you that you can’t let him live his own life?” 

Doom raised his hands to his mask. He touched two studs at the neck and lifted the iron faceplate free. He turned to face Tony, familiar silver hair spilling into his face, the amber eyes sad. “Because he’s me,” Rabun -- no, Victor fucking Von Doom -- said. “And if I ever meant anything to you at all, Tony, please… help me save my people.”

[gavinkblog]

On the trail (MIT Part 87)

Mongo tended to Rincewind as the rest unmasked their attacker, only to discover it was Bella from the Scions of the Maelstrom and sister of Arastor who'd laid siege to Jutrund's Crossing some five years previous.

Through interrogation they learned that she wanted revenge on the Traders for Arastor's death and she'd allied with the House of Maw, she to retrieve Arastor's skull and to get a shot at the Traders, the House of Maw to steal the power cores formed from the shards of Elu. They met often in the Pigs Bladder Inn in Southgate

Mongo ascertained that aside from an expensive resurrection ritual, there wasn't anything further to be done for Rincewind and so made his way down to the square to provide first aid to the many wounded. As he was doing this Laera came up to him and asked if they'd got the attacker. He confirmed they had and they would bring them in to Laera's custody.

They escorted Bella to the Guard headquarters, a window less basement cell was provided for her and Aranys posted guards outside. A small mob had formed outside the building, baying for her immediate hanging and her trial was scheduled for the following morning.

Rincewind's body was transported back to the Defender's Tower that night so Mongo could begin the resurrection ritual. Aranys visited Dirk who told her of recent activities of the House of Maw. There'd been several Black Cape activities hit in Jutrund's including one of their boot legging operations and a one of their warehouse which had resulted in several deaths. The House of Maw had also begun a campaign against The Cartel in Southgate and were making big inroads into their territory. Dirk had ordered the market attack investigated and found that an ammonia based explosive had been used and they would look into where they'd obtained it. He also said he'd been informed by Nobob that the Trader's wanted control of a Cartel portal in Southgate that led to Sigil and he had concerns with this plan.

Aranys returned to the Guardhouse and kept watch on Bella in the cell opposite her. Mongo complete the ritual to resurrect Rincewind and the Wizard having agreed to return to the land of the living said his thanks and headed to bed to recover.

The morning of the trial came, another mob formed outside as they waited for Bella to be brought out for her trial. Aranys entered the cell with the guards where Bella lay, one of the guards moved over to her and shook her shoulder to wake her. As he touched he she shattered into shards and vanished. The guard recoiled back in alarm and everyone frantically looked around the room. Bella had some how escaped them.

Mongo and Drogarth arrived to investigate the scene. Mongo could detect magic near the outside wall. Drogarth ascertained it was a ritual called Pass Wall and would have formed a tunnel through the wall and appeared to lead upward to the street outside. Outside they found more markings on the street. It seemed that several to create illusions, muffle sound and bypass walls had been used, so they were dealing with an experience magic user.

The Traders discussed their next move whilst Mongo attempted to calm the crowd, explaining she'd been broken out by someone but promised the Trader's would capture her to face justice. The guards who were on the street patrolling during the night were awoken. Under questioning they revealed they'd seen a wagon by the wall that lead to her cell, empty around 2am.

Aranys and Rincewind found some beggars who'd said they'd seen some odd looking people hanging around one moment and the next moment they were no longer there, instead there had appeared a wagon. Sometime later they'd seen more people, one being carried over the shoulders of another and a robe wearing individual with a beard holding a book. They'd been escorted by another slim individual and one carrying a hammer and wearing metal armour. Rincewind on a hunch conjured an image of Dante into the air and the beggars agreed that he could have been the robed figure.

The Traders met up again at the ritual site and Mongo was able to discern a trail to follow and everyone agreed to follow it at once. During the course of the day the Trader's followed Mongo's tracking skills as they tracked the rescuers of Bella. Their path led them North through Jutrunds and ended at the city wall next to the river. They spoke to a group of fishermen nearby who did remember a group of strangers near the wall who seemingly vanished. Again the Traders detected a Pass Wall ritual.

The best course of action seemed to be to head to Southgate and Mongo began drawing up a ritual of Hand of Fate to ask while Rincewind prepared Phantom Steeds that would allow the Traders to travel rapidly upstream atop the water itself. Mongo summoned a glowing Hand of Fate into the air and when asked if they should head to Southgate to find Bella it indicated they should.

The journey to Southgate was swift and uneventful. Upon approaching the river gate at the South of the city a rotund guard approached them with a confused look on his face

"Not sure the rate for arriving on river by horse..."

The Trader's horses mounted the jetty and with a smile Rincewind snapped his fingers and the horses vanished.

"Very clever, no charge I guess" mumbled the guard.

He then perked up and exclaimed "Hey aren't you Ulfgar who killed the Hydra!" much to the disgust of Drogarth.

After offering some gold towards the upkeep of the river gate guards, they managed to get some information on the arrivals that day, it did appear that Bella may well have entered a few hours previous. They also learnt the location of the Pigs Bladder and made their way there immediately.

The Pigs Bladder was adjacent to a farmers market on the east edge of town and did a bustling trade with the various farmers and traders of Southgate. Inside the Traders spoke to the Innkeeper who remembered Bella and revealed that she kept herself to herself, always overpaid for his best room and didn't always stay in it even after she'd paid for it.

The Traders asked if the room was free and as it was, they rented it for the night.