Chapter 50: Get Ready

Phoenix was caught with a problem. This wasn't something she was used to. Indeed, in her very short existence she had not encountered any difficulties. Her problem was the girl - the girl from which she had been born. Her base self, her part self - Xaniath - the Demoness, the Fire Giver could not exist without a body to inhabit. Typically that is how the demonic race worked. They always worked towards that ultimate aim: Possession. Complete and utter control of a body. The body that she had merged into had, however, not been human and it was at that point where it all changed. The rules of the game became altered. This girl had broken free from control and the Phoenix had become real, different, yet real; not fully whole yet complete.

Using the memories and emotions she had stolen from this girl had allowed her to become an almost identical being but this had brought forth 'the problem'. And this problem was two fold. First, it left them with a direct connection - she could feel everything that this Rebecca was feeling - and second, this girl had taken ownership of the Fire Opal. Obviously the second part of the problem was far worse than the first. She was after all used to dealing with this girls emotions by now. But without the Fire Opal the humanoids could not 'become' and without them this entire Prophecy was doomed. In the eyes of her law failure was not an option. She would have to get hold of the Opal and soon... but how could she do this without finding the girl? The apartment where she had been based was now lying empty. Phoenix had sent scouts out every single night but each time they came back empty handed. No girl. No Opal. She knew she had to be somewhere - she could feel her - but every time she reached out further it was like she was somehow 'blocked'. This enraged her. How was this possible that this girl could somehow stop her getting through? Now she had put the Disciples on high alert. They were all like Baker - mere puppets. They wanted, in fact they craved, to do her bidding for a chance of being carried in favour to the New World following the cleansing; to take a seat alongside the Master and have everything that they wanted. Everything that they ever desired.

"Where have you been?" Phoenix looked up, her eyes showed anger, her body felt different.

"Out. I am allowed out aren't I?" Nolan went and got himself a drink "Besides, I have news for you"

"And what news is that?" She stood up and walked over to him

"I have found the girl. And therefore I have a solution to your little problem. Don't I deserve a little kiss for my trouble?" He downed the liquor, enjoying the feeling as it burnt the back of his throat. She stepped closer and parted her lips.

"Perhaps...tell me where the girl is first? And when I can have her and the Opal?" She pressed both hands on his chest and tilted her head back. He could feel her breath on his face.

"Patience... you've waited this long haven't you?, you can wait a little longer...now how about my kiss?" He grabbed a fist full of her long red hair and yanked her head back: it hurt, she liked it. His mouth found hers, their tongues enter-twinning as he pulled her closer. Suddenly she pushed him back.

"No!" she hissed "I don't want it" Again, her body felt different. It was that damn girl. Everything was so messed up because of that girl.

Walking back round to her desk she sat down on the chair and put her feet up "Don't fuck with me Carter or you'll end up as dead as Baker"

He poured another drink "You're forgetting my darling, I'm nothing like Baker, he was human, I'm not. Power to power we're a match and you know it"

He was right. In her present state they were a match. But once she had the Opal she'd finish him and reclaim everything.


The lair was quiet as they got back - that was until Michelangelo announced that they were home and that everything was okay and all was forgiven.

"What's forgiven?" Raphael stomped into the lounge and sat down. They all looked at him not quite sure what to say.

Leonardo coughed and stepped forward "Look bro you may as well know now, Becky and I are giving things another go"

Michelangelo squeaked and raced to the kitchen to hide.

"I did kinda guess something like this would happen" mused Raphael, looking strangely thoughtful "Good luck to the both of you" And with that he got up and went down the corridor to his room. They heard the door shut and then silence. Leonardo and Rebecca looked at each other, feeling like they had entered a parallel universe.

"See..." said Rebecca "He surprised you"

Leo frowned and took her hand "That was a little disturbing to say the least - Splinter's training must be paying off, great news eh?"

Michelangelo peeped round the entranceway between the lounge and the kitchen "Is it safe?" he whispered

"Yeh, it's fine Mikey, Raph was...strangely okay about it"

In his room Raphael put on some music and pounded the life out of his dummy. He knew Leo would worm his way back in. And all because Rebecca had forgotten everything then she would an easy target. Well, he thought to himself, let's see how long that lasts? and, how long it'll be before she's back in my bed.

"April's gonna get Josh and come over with pizza" announced Leonard, he looked at Rebecca "If that's okay?"

Rebecca nodded enthusiastically "That's fine, he knows to stay indoors until someone comes, once he knows it's April I am sure he'll be stoked. Did she sound okay to you?"

"April? Yeh, she sounded fine. Why?"

"Oh I don't know, she just seemed a little 'off' that's all..I'm sure it's nothing" Leonardo pulled her closer and held her planting kisses on her neck.

"Well she sure sounded okay to me...think Case is coming over too...be good to see them, and we can tell them about us"

She shifted away so she could look at him "You sure are keen to tell everyone?" she acknowledged, smiling.

"And why wouldn't I be? You are the most gorgeous girl in the world, and I want the world to know that I'm with you" Leaning forward he kissed her on the lips; immediately her body began to respond, the intimate area between her legs throbbed, wanting some attention. She felt herself blushing.

"Awwwww, you two are just so cute!"

Parting ways they both turned round to see Michelangelo sitting opposite his head in his hands and a dreamy look on his face "And just because April's bringing the pizza tonight don't mean I've forgotten about your romantic meal, it's just being postponed is all"

Rebecca shifted her position "Thanks Mikey" she murmured tucking a piece of stray hair behind her ear.

"Do you think you'll get married?" he asked "Because I could do your ceremony - do you realise you can get ordained on line? I could become an official Priest...that would be so awesome"

Rebecca's face was now so red she thought she might catch fire due to the heat it was pumping out. Leonardo gave her a squeeze "Knock it off Mikes you're embarassing her" That made things a billion times worse so she slipped from his grip and went to cool off with a glass of water. She could hear them laughing from the lounge. Now didn't seem the right time to be laughing. Since meeting with Nolan again she had this strange feeling at the back of her mind that something wasn't right.

"Sorry..." Michelangelo appeared besides her hands clasped together and giving her the puppy dog eyes.

She smiled "It's okay, I forgive you"

He grabbed her into a bone crushing hug and took himself back into the living room. Always so easily pleased, she thought to herself.

It was over two hours later when April, Casey and Josh arrived. April had bought five large pizzas and Michelangelo was so keen to make acquaintances with all of them. Josh had been okay at college, which relaxed Leo, and April seemed back to normal, which pleased Rebeccca. As she was clearing away and began to stack the dishes for washing April came in to the kitchen to find her.

"Got your message...sorry, was stuck at work...you know how it gets"

"Work? No. I don't, but I do understand for you, it's okay, it's sorted now anyway, just wanted an ear that's all" She filled the sink with warm soapy water and grabbed a sponge.

"Look Becky, truth is...I'm scared"

Rebecca let loose the sponge and turned to her friend "What? Why? I thought you didn't believe in all this?"

"I don't..well I didn't...but now, I'm starting to believe that there's something in it more than I first thought"

Rebecca dried her hands and maneuvered April across to the farther side of the kitchen "What's happened?" she asked, keeping her voice low

"Case thinks I'm being paranoid, or that I'm mad...but when I took the book from the research base I found out that your stone has links to an aged old Satanic Cult called the Disciples of Fire - they are supposed to have risen up in the early 1900's but people theorise that they are still going strong today and that they are into everything - and I mean everything. According to my research they believe whole heartedly in this Prophecy and that it will happen"

April pulled her closer "Since I've read about this... all these weird things are happening to me... I feel like I'm being followed...watched...all the time - at work, at home" Rebecca noticed she was shaking.

"Have you ever seen anyone follow you?"

"No. That's just it. No-one. But you know when you look up and you catch someone watching you - well, that's what I keep getting at work, from people I know and then I keep thinking that these people, these Disciples, could be anyone - anyone - even someone I know"

Rebecca hugged her and held her close until she stopped shaking "It'll be okay" she whispered "I promise"

"Ooooo, what's going on in here? Having a little girlie time?" Rebecca released April but kept a tight hold of her hand - she turned to see Michelangelo and Josh watching them with interest.

"Terrible" she muttered, shaking her head "But well timed guys - you two can finish the washing up - water's all ready in there" And she lead April out to the lounge and back to Casey.

Later that evening she lay in bed wrapped in a duvet and Leonardo's tight embrace but her mind was elsewhere. She kept thinking about what April had said and how her friend looked so very tired. She also couldn't stop thinking about Nolan.

"What is it sweetheart?" came Leonardo's voice in her ear "you don't seem yourself tonight"

His arms pulled her even closer and she felt him plant several kisses on her shoulder.

"You noticed huh?" She took a breath "I'm okay, just got a few things whirring in my mind that's all"

"You want to talk about them?"

"No..it's okay...let's talk tomorrow" She pushed her body back against him and closed her eyes. In the darkness of her mind all she could see was fire. Red. Hot and burning.

He stood at the end of the bed - shrouded in darkness, invisible, watching the reptile and the girl. The beautiful, delicate girl.

Time was ticking on. And as he had told her; he would not wait forever.