Chibiyu: So…I feel like I gave away a little too much in the last chapter.
Nick: It doesn't matter – no one has any clue what you thing you "gave away."
Chibiyu: True…because I don't even know if I gave anything away or not!
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"And yet with every move you learn, you take one step closer to what I want you to be."
Nick didn't even blink at this statement. "What if I already am?"
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The brothers, if they hadn't already known this tactic, would have pulled back in their attempts and blanched at the cold truth behind the words. Nick spared the two trapped a glance before he looked back to the unimpressed Villain.
"I know you are," Necrophere whispered cruelly, "But sometimes, one needs to hear themselves say it."
Nick's head lifted slightly as he examined the man before him. "Nothing surpasses you, does it?"
If the mask hadn't blocked the Villain's face, one may have seen his smirk, but it translated well enough into his oily voice. "I hope you don't find that to be too intimidating."
It was the Normal's turn to smirk. "Quite the opposite," he laughed, "I find it to be a challenge."
"A challenge?" The cloaked man taunted as his metallic gloves clinked together. "Oh, this isn't the challenging part – not even close." There was nothing more to be said – this was evident in the way Necrophere straightened his back and stood tall, finger pointed squarely at the youth.
With horror settling in his heart, Nick watched as the shadows shifted and reached their spindled claws towards him. However, no trace of the heart binding fear showed on his face.
He needed to protect them; he needed to fight back.
With his mind on the dove in his hand, he did as he had never done before and in truth, he doubted he would be able to do it again. Something tugged on his conscience again, pulsing with a power he had never known. It took all of his mentality to keep him standing, to prevent him from collapsing from the sheer weight of it, from the pure fear of falling to its prey. And it took even more strength than Nick had to let himself relax and let the Bane do as it was being called to do.
No one should ever possess this kind of power.
And yet, Nick did. And he had to use it. So against all of his better thoughts, he let his mind run blank. He took down the barriers that the suddenness of the pressure forced him to create and just let it happen.
The shadows advanced no further. Necrophere's arm lowered and his hand shook with concentration. But no ground was won.
Nick found himself staring at the edge of the tiny circle of lightened cement in which he stood, fascinated by it all. By the feeling of being in control. By the feeling of finally being able to do something for which he believed in. By being able to be useful. By having worth.
But he felt numb from it all; he knew this wasn't right. That it wasn't the time for the Bane to be fighting, that it wasn't the time for him to be the Hero, and that in all reality, he wasn't a Hero. The cold tingle spread from his chest and settled within the tips of his fingers and the tips of his toes, it told him the same message over and over: this isn't right. A Normal isn't supposed to feel this way; to have this kind of power. Normal shouldn't have been allowed to carry the Four. A Normal shouldn't have been blessed by the Bane.
Are you questioning me, boy?
Nick nearly jumped out of his skin from the soft voice which cut through his thoughts.
I chose you for a reason. You know this and yet you refuse it.
Never did a tone of anger enter the Bane's song filled lament, but it did sing of disappointment. Such an emotion had Nick ducking his head, a dull ache settling in his chest from the weight of that one word: disappointment.
Great ones do not come from those who retreat.
These words echoed through his mind as he looked up and met his brothers' eyes. They only stared at him with shock and awe, their struggles never seized once, however, and their arms always tried to drag them closer.
They come from those strong enough to stand their ground when they are utterly alone.
Nick forced himself to stand straight and let his glare slid back into his eyes. He stood here now, not only to protect, but to prove to all who thought otherwise that a Normal can be great. That a Normal can stand alone and still be strong .That a Normal is not the prey. And like before, he desired for the world to see them as he did – as great.
The circle around his feet grew; the shadows raced away, unable to touch the teen without being vaporized by the Hero's Pendant. Necrophere took a step back, but that was the only sign of weakness he allowed himself to show.
"Very good," he praised with a taunting bow. "The little Normal now knows what it feels like to have true power."
"The power is not my own," Nick whispered, "But I am allowed to use it." As he said this, he carefully put the Bane around his neck and let it hang for all to see.
"Then use it," Necrophere baited, tapping his own pendant lightly. "Use it to destroy me."
The brothers, who had been so noisy throughout the ordeal, stilled. They watched Nick, who looked at the ruby opposite of him and they watched the Villain's shoulders rise and fall in a mock laugh.
"You don't have the guts," Necrophere sighed, "And that is all it takes; guts."
Nick, instead of responding, turned to Joe and Kevin. He locked eyes with the elder brother and nodded once.
"Don't leave me waiting, Kev."
Kevin shook his head and though he wanted nothing more than to scream at his brother for this plan, he couldn't. Not when it decided this much of their fate.
"Wait, what?!" Joe screamed, finally able to find his tongue. "Nick, what do you mean?"
"He'll have more power inside the Villain's lair than out," Kevin whispered and he hated the very words he had just spoken. "He will be able to save lives by persuading the Villains with the Bane. They think they need him to win this."
Joe's head shot back so his eyes met Nick's. Nick mouthed 'It will be fine,' before looking away, unable to force the smile that he had wanted to leave his brothers with. But the lie had to suffice. And all it was to Nick, was a lie. It would not be fine – it would never be fine. They would never know the constant allure of his own greed, of his own whining want to do whatever he pleased when he pleased to do it. To not do as he so desperately desired and to stick to his intended plan. They would never know.
"Necrophere," he addressed the Villain and hoped that his voice sounded more confident than he felt. "I will make you a deal." He took a step closer to the man, face void of any of the terror that was biting under his skin. "You free my brothers, and I will willingly go with you."
The Villain laughed out and crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Tell me, Nicholas, why don't you free them yourself? You have the power to do so."
"Because," came Nick's instant answer, "The Bane and Four are not to fight in that way. Not yet."
Necrophere sighed dramatically. "Ah, how could I forget about the Hero motto of 'timing is everything'?"
"In a situation so dire, often acting rashly would only make it worse."
Necrophere nodded his head, as if impressed by the truth to this statement. "And the rash act will cause the greatest threat to arise – the one with the power to hold and use both the Four and the Bane."
Joe and Kevin started at this and stared with wide eyes at their younger brother.
"You never told them?" Necrophere was obviously amused by this. "You never told them that by carrying the Four, you could use it if you chose to?"
"It would have destroyed me," Nick contradicted. He had no knowledge of this. "It told me that I could carry it, not use it."
"But even evil can be swayed to the views of a Normal," Necrophere stated, a smile in his voice. "You could have used it. Your intentions, as it is telling me, have changed greatly, but your desires have remained the same."
Nick shook his head once. "Though truthful," he whispered, "I would never have used it. No person should possess this kind of power."
"And yet," Necrophere smoothly cut in, "We both do."
Nick lowered his head as he glanced over to his brothers. "Do we have a deal?" He questioned, unable to tear his gaze from those terrified.
"One condition," those two words made Nick's back tense and the teen suck in harsh breath, "You do everything I say, and in exchange, your family and Paragon – yes I know of your friendship with her – will be untouched."
Kevin was quick to look up, his eyes showed a message of: 'this could be used against them.'
Nick, however, shook his head. "You won't stay to that. Villains never do."
The addressed shrugged before he held out his hand. "Fine, on your terms."
Nick did not approach the man. "I'd rather keep my distance."
"Smart boy."The metal glove clinked as his hand closed.
"Before we leave," the Villain suddenly inserted, "You Heroes should know that tomorrow night, I intend to take all of the Normals. They will be my little…shall we call them prisoners? Good luck protecting them."
The masked face slowly turned to face the brothers, the two of them gasping when their struggles finally gained them some ground. They both raced towards the scene, but skidded to a stop when Nick slowly raised his hand.
"I have to," the Normal told them, suddenly unable to look the two in the eye. "Don't do anything stupid – be safe. And know this: I am not who the others will make me out to be. I will never be that person."
"Nick," Joe breathed out as he tried to reach his arm out, but Nick moved away.
"We won't be late this time," Kevin vowed and Joe sealed the promise with a nod. "We will find you and get you back."
Nick offered the two a small smile, still unable to meet their faces. "I know."
It is time, young one.
"I know," Nick repeated as he looked to his feet. "I'll see you again…soon."
The brothers heard the lie, but they had no time to even take a breath before Necrophere snatched their brother. They watched the shadows consume them, leaving nothing but the deadening silence of defeat.
"Come on, Joe," Kevin ordered as he dragged his brother down the road. "We have work to do."
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Chibiyu: I don't even know why I am writing this anymore – no one reads it anyway. Until Next Update!