Disclaimer: I do not own Static Shock.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the first draft.

Edit 5/29/2013: So as I was uploading this to Deviantart I reread the last few chapters and realized that my second ending was terrible. Therefore I decided to change it back to my original (and creepier) ending. A few years ago I decided against it because I couldn't figure out how to work in the final confrontation between Talon and Static with my original ending, and I though it was particularly graphic and frightening. Not knowing if I wanted to take such a risk I came up with something new. That being said, I've found a way to make it all work, and also with some of the other stuff I've written, I'm not worried about posting this one anymore. So now the original ending is in place and the alternate sucky ending deleted.

Please let me know if the T rating is still okay, or if because of this chapter it needs an M rating.

Warning: This chapter does get pretty violent and disturbing.

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed this story.

Ferret rested on his knees with one hand supporting Kangor's back and the other firmly on his chest. Gear frantically searched his array of weapons and tools for anything that could extinguish the flames. His hand gripped a water-cap which was promptly thrown at the fire. The cap exploded and the water expelled. Only a small fraction of the fire was contained as the horror at the limited supply of Gear's newest invention. Static would fry before he put out a tenth of the flames.

He gripped at his hair then turned to face the other meta-human.

"Ferret, quick, toss me Kangor's jacket!" Gear exclaimed.

Ferret nodded and gingerly removed the item from his friend's body. He balled the jacket up then threw it to the other. Gear grasped the wad of cloth then stepped up to the fire. He began beating at the base only to watch in horror as the jacket became engulfed with flames. Gear dropped the garment and stepped away from the glowing death trap. He called out Static's name a few more times listening through the fire's screams for any sound of his friend.

Gear gulped and took a deep breath before he placed one foot at the bottom of the fire. It seemed as if the fire had lost all traces of reality and now functioned on a supernatural sense. Gear tried to maneuver himself through the flames. He placed one hand across his brow and called out for Static once more knowing by daybreak he would be hoarse. The flickering orange and yellow shielded any sign of the other human within its keep. Gear moved forward only to be pushed back by some invisible force. He widened his eyes at the sight of a blinding white light. Its soft humming drowned out the flickering of the surroundings as it gave one last heave that tossed Gear from the circle. The hero landed on his back beside Ferret.

The smaller meta-human jumped up, nearly allowing Kangor's head to collide with the ground. Ferret caught him in time and gently rested his head on the surface. He hovered over Gear who pushed him away. Gear scrambled to his feet and headed back towards the prison that held his dear friend.

Ferret grabbed Gear's arm. "It's useless," the rodent spoke.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to try," Gear retorted.

Ferret shook his head. "You don't get it. Talon's in there with him." Gear turned to face the lanky criminal. Ferret's eyes were fixed on the fire. "I saw it in my dream. She told me she was going to seal him off from any help. She made sure of it." His tone lowered. "No one's gonna interfere now."

Gear found himself at a temporary loss of words. When he regained control of his mouth he growled then grasped hold of the front of Ferret's jacket. Gear lifted the smaller bang baby off the ground until their eyes were at level. "And you're telling me this now?" he hissed. Ferret groaned at the warm spit that landed on his cheek. Gear shook him. "Answer me! You know something about this you better start talking now!"

It was now Ferret's turn to fall speechless.

"You deliberatley let him walk into a trap?" Gear accused.

Ferret narrowed his brow then yanked himself out of Gear's grasp. Ferret's tone shortened. "Look, we all knew this was going to happen. Even him." Ferret pointed to where Static stood trapped within the flames. Seeing the horror overtake Gear's body calmed the rodent's voice. Ferret sighed. "She had to face him one-on-one. Static knew it had to be this way just like me and Kangor did." He paused as the very same thought he had been denying since the first flame flared up pounded through his brain. "I just didn't know it would happen this way."

Gear glared at the lanky meta-human before tossing him to the ground. He searched for any gadget that could be used to rescue his friend. Ferret lifted his head and let his gaze meet the seven-foot flames.

Gear began to levitate with the help of Backpack. The flames spread through the cemetery setting ablaze any leaf or blade of grass. At least the monuments were safe from destruction. He tossed a water-cap at the smaller flames which sizzled into smoke before it reached Kangor's unconscious body.

"Static!" Gear called into the small opening overhead that peaked out from the towering smoke. Gear held his hand against his mouth to no avail. He turned his head to the side and coughed violently while the black smoke surrounded him. "Static!" Gear tried again in a strained voice before his lungs attempted to fight off the invading force. Gear's eyes stung while he tried to make his way through the clearing. A new set of flames shot up, barely missing his clothes, but the force was enough to send him backwards.

Gear landed on his arm atop of a tombstone. He cried out in pain and carefully stood, holding tight to the screaming appendage. He released his hold only to regret when the next movement sent sharp pains through his lower arm.

The sound of cackling caught his attention. Gear turned his head to see Ferret laughing heartily with his hands grabbing his stomach.

"You don't get it," Ferret laughed. "Sh-she won't let you interfere." Ferret continued to laugh as Gear stared at the climbing fire.

"I'm not going to give up," he declared while Ferret continued to laugh.

Gear charged towards the fire. He broke through only to have them engulf his person. The superteen screamed while the fire slowly consumed him. Behind his yells he never heard the harmonious laughter of host and spirit.

Ferret's laughter rang through the open air. "She won't let you interfere." As he cackled tears began to spill down his face. Gear's skin charred while the flames continued to dance.

Static stood up straight with his feet planted and his fists clenched. Even if the night proved to be his last, he was not going down without a fight. The spirit before him showed no sign of backing down. Her glare focused on one being, the one she was determined to join her in the afterlife.

Talon readied herself to lunge at the hero, her goal to rip out his throat. Static saw the fury in her eyes. Never before, not even when dealing with the most vicious members of the Meta-Breed, had he witnessed such an enormous hatred. There was nothing the hero could use against her. Through it all there was still a hint of pity in Static's heart for the lifeless woman.

"This is senseless, Talon," Static spoke, not removing the scowl from his face. "There is no need to be violent. We can talk this out."

Before speaking Static was certain that there was no possible way for Talon's eyes to narrow further than their current state, but as his sentence finished he soon found out he was mistaken. She jumped in the air, her shredded wings struggling to keep her up. She opened her mouth and let out a piercing scream which released her spiraled energy attack. Static turned his head to find himself trapped. Static merely raised his arms and channeled his electric shield to block the attack. The violet waves split into two directions which headed for the glowing walls which imprisoned him.

Talon smirked. Static's eyes widened as he realized the white aura served not only as a force field from the fire, but doubled as a mirror to bounce back the attack. Not having time to cancel the counter the beams hit the living youth, searing the jacket from his arms. The energy wave seemed tenfold the amount he remembered through past encounters. The spirals took their time shredding his flesh, each scream increasing Talon's smirk. He let out a yell and fell to his knees, clutching his injured biceps.

Talon stepped in front of the hero. Static glanced up to find her frowning down at him. She reared back her arm then quickly let her fist collide with Static's jaw. There was no time for him to cry out in pain as his back landed against the force field, quickly incinerating the clothing then scorching his skin. He fell facedown in the dirt. Talon kicked Static in the chin which landed him on his back. She grabbed him by the hair and thrust him against the wall. Talon's energy died down enough for the flames to freely lap at Static's face. He watched a stray spark land on what little remained of his jacket. The tattered garment smoldered into ash.

The scent of burning grass mixed with the toxic fumes of gasoline filled his nose. Static held his breath as he searched his brain for any strategy. Talon's grip on his neck tightened. It was only a matter of time before she crushed his windpipe or the flames used his body for fuel.

Static's eyes met with the sadistic ones belonging to Talon. He grimaced while apologizing in his mind for what had to happen. Static released electric waves from his body which startled the harpy. With Talon distracted Static used the opportunity to kick her in the stomach. Talon released her hold on his neck and stumbled backwards, never falling. Static jumped to his feet. The second he saw the distorted frown upon her face he immediately regretted his decision.

Talon vanished before Static's eyes. The electric wielder surveyed the area, knowing she would not leave in the midst of her revenge. She appeared behind Static and delivered a blow with her elbow to his back. Static yelled as he fell to the ground. Static's nails dug into the ground as he groaned while trying to pull himself to his knees. He looked up to find Talon hovering above him. Her reached out her arm and positioned her hand above his face. The bloodthirsty claws extended, ready to feed on his eyeballs. Static never imagined himself falling to Talon. He listened as a cackle escaped her throat complete with a huge smile. His gaze dropped to her hand which made his eyes widen to see her fingers trembling.

Static noticed the hesitation in Talon's face. Behind the hatred he could sense a hint of sorrow. He took the opportunity to lift himself to his feet and take a step back. Talon responded with a retreat of her own. Once she found her feet she repositioned her hands and readied them to strike. Static could almost hear the chanting in her brain repeating the order to end his life. Still there was something that steadied Talon's arm. That moment of hesitation gave him all the reason he needed to take that last chance.

"Why are you taking your time?" Static asked in a calm voice. He needed to probe further. Talon replied with a growl. Static laughed. "What's the matter? Don't you talk anymore?" He stared into her eyes. "If you're going to kill me you might as well hurry up. This fire will soon die down and you'll lose your chance."

Talon tossed her head to the side and jumped back to gain enough room for the final blow. Static gulped, almost certain he lost his one chance. Through it all Static kept his cool, refusing to let Talon see him stumble as she had allowed him to witness her hesitation.

Static crossed his arms. "You don't want to kill me, do you?" Talon's eyes widened. Static smiled. "This is the moment you've been waiting for and you hesitated." Talon replied with another growl. Static stepped forward forcing Talon into a retreat. "I thought this is what you wanted so bad."

Static lifted his arm and lowered it towards Talon. She quickly slashed at his forearm. The blood fell at a steady pace, quickly staining the ground. Static winced as he told himself it was a sacrifice to be made if his plan worked out.

Static forced away the pain and looked the fuming ghost in the eyes. "I can understand your mad." Static inhaled then said, "You have every right to be. It's my fault." He closed his eyes tightly trying to swallow what he finally admitted outloud. He returned his gaze to the woman before him. "But this is no way to help you rest in peace." Static moved forward, forcing Talon against the barrier of her own force field. "Will you be able to rest knowing the last thing you did on this earth was take another life. You're not evil. Okay, you may have done some bad things while you were alive, but I know deep down you're not an evil person."

Talon looked away.

Static put a hand on her shoulder. "I swear to you it was an accident…one I wish I could take back every day." He took a deep breath then added, "And I will feel that guilt for the rest of my life."

Talon stepped back. The scowl crept up into a smile.

"Yes, yes you will," Talon said with a cackle. The laughter amplified and shook the foundation.

Static fell to his knees with his hands over his ears. The laughter echoed around him. Static turned his head and gasped as he only saw a black void behind him. The hero turned to once more face the ghostly form of Talon. He stared wide at her figure set ablaze, yet not burning. She walked towards him causing him to automatically retreat in response. He howled as the heat seared his skin. He moved forward and tripped over a large rock which sent him toppling to the ground. He landed on his face.

Static tried to close his eyes but an invisible force kept him from doing so. That laughter echoed, that sound causing him to cringe. A stream of blood leaked from his nose. Static glanced up just in time to watch Talon claw at him. Static bit his lip while he sank further into the ground. A hand reached out from the ground, clamping its fingers about his ankle. Static pulled and tore the rotting flesh from the hand. With a second pull three fingers were severed and the remaining two continued to grab its prey.

Static backed up into the legs of the original ghost. He stared up at the specter's grinning face. She leaned over his shoulder, the rancid smell of the inside of her mouth gagging him. Her laughter echoed around him causing the nearby gravestones to crack. Static looked back to see that same empty space. There was no escape.

"No, you'll never forget, I won't let you," Talon laughed. "Never." With that the ghost grabbed his hand and pulled it in the opposite direction until it the wrist snapped. "No one will help you," Talon whispered. She then repeated the action with the other hand as the three forms vanished, their laughter still surrounding him.

Talon stepped in front of the living being and knelt in front of him. Unable to use his hands he tried to form an electric shock. The waves bounced around Talon, none of them effecting her. She laughed while grabbing both of his shoulders, allowing her claws to sink into his flesh. He cried out which gave the spirit just what she wanted. With one last laugh she reached for his throat. The skin on her jaw split as she laughed. The eyeballs vanished leaving only gaping holes staring back at the living meta-human. What appeared to be black blood leaked from the empty sockets and down her cheeks.

The liquid dripped to the ground, painting the grass its shade. The ground formed a black void. The flames quickly dissipated. They formed into solid, black walls that towered miles above the two. Static glanced up and had to squint to make out what little light radiated from what he believed was the moon. His hands touched the cold, stone walls. He called out for help, but his cries were silenced before they reached halfway up the prison. He tried to release an electric jolt, but it backfired, stunning him.

Static fell to the ground. He coughed then tried again. As before the electric fields surrounded him, filling his insides with intense agony. He fell to the ground, panting and looking up at what was left of the sky. Static opened his mouth to speak but all words had left him. He attempted a scream, but like his pleas for help, they were silenced. His broken wrist with dangling fingers reached his throat to find it cold. He reached with his limp hand to no avail. The small flicker of light burned out leaving him in a world of darkness.

"You'll never forget," Talon chanted. "No one will help you." Static could barely see her moving before him. "You'll dwell here forever. This is your final residence."

Her figure disappeared into the shadows and the last thing he heard was that laughter resonating. That same laughter that would haunt his ears until his dying breath.