HELLO EVERYONE!
First Off...Sorry I have been gone for so long. Work, Life, and Family have been...taxing to say the least. That said, as you will see in all of my stories, I have indeed been writing, it's just been a little bit slower going.
Secondly...Yeah I have missed you fine ladies and gents!
Thirdly...Life is continuously being crazy, so I can't guarantee regular updates, but I will continue to update all of my stories so you can all continue to enjoy and critique my work. As always your opinions, ideas, and critiques are welcome. The more I hear of your thoughts, the better my work can be.
Finally...all (minus two, currently developing) stories have gotten an updated chapter, so if ya like, check out my other stuff. Each has their own unique...lets say challenges that I am trying to take on. Different scenarios, character styles, and story-lines that can help my future work.
Let me know what you think, and as always, blessings upon you all!
Chapter 13: Behold the Ferocity of Mortals
[Transformers OST: Scorponok]
"MOVE! TAKE COVER IN THE BUILDINGS!" Robin bellowed. Neither team protested as staying out in the open was suicide. Even as bullets zoomed passed them, the only thought was to find cover.
Some of them could take a punch, some could even take bullets...but as the tank rounds demolished whole sections of the abandoned village, they all held a respectful dose of fear and self-preservation.
"Scatter!" Spider-Man yelled, "Don't give them a big target!"
Following the second order, both teams found individual hiding spots throughout the abandoned village. They were thankful that they didn't have to worry about the lives of civilians, but they still did not help their current predicament.
To say that the Young Heroes were out of their depth was a huge understatement. Between the squad wide memory loss and being hunted down by the Bialyan Forces...no the fact that they were even IN Bialya was both puzzling...and dangerous.
Especially since them even being here was a severe violation of the UN's relationship with Bialya. That said they were lucky to have a telepath on their side who, with the help of their combined psyches, were able to patch things back together.
The complications however...were
first: that their arguably strongest member was still in the hands of the enemy.
Second: that enemy had found them, and everything from infantry and light armor to a half-dozen Russian made T-90 tanks had pursued them to this place. All with their guns aimed at the group of heroes.
Finally: the Captain of the League's team Aqualad was still unconscious and severely dehydrated due to his Atlantean biology.
"Okay…" Spidey started wide eyed, "you guys are really making me second guess my thoughts on protecting Bee Populations!"
The entire team seemed to deadpan at him, to which he mentally threw his hands up.
"Give me a break, I just had my brains scrambled!" he protested just as they heard the Bialyan troops begin rushing into the village. Switching to their mental link, Robin gave orders.
"We need to thin the herd," he said swiftly, "and we need to do it before the Queen Bee orders the big guns to fire on her own people just to get us!"
"So what we thinking?" Kid Flash asked, "Hit and Run Tactics?"
"I'm game," White Tigress said as her animal instincts prepared to stalk prey. Even now she slowly positioned herself to pounce.
"I'm more of a direct approach guy myself," Power Man groaned.
"Do you wanna test that skin on a tank round?" Artemis mocked, a question that was answered by silence. A silence Robin took advantage of to put everyone back on mission.
"Let's move!" Robin ordered, and immediately they set to work.
It was slow going at first, but they were all thankful that they were given time, no, forced to train with one another. It had given them a chance to learn about their new allies and how to best interact when in the field.
And so when Kid Flash and Nova darted out into the field to get the soldier's attention, Robin, Batgirl, White Tigress, Iron Fist, and Spider-Man were able to take advantage of the blindspots to incapacitate several of them before the rest could react.
In the very next moment as the Bialyan's turned on them, Power Man and Wonder Girl were able to tackle another portion into a building while Artemis and Nova took ranged shots on the group still standing. Like a pack of wolves they tore through their foes, working as a team and taking turns to keep their enemy off balance.
Within a matter of moments the advance Bialyans were all incapacitated, and the Young Heroes were able to get a glimps of their next challenge. The medium and heavy weaponry would tear them to shreds, and there were still a second wave of infantry that could come in to mop up the survivors.
"They won't fall for the same trick twice," Artemis said blankly, "we need a way to take out the big guns."
"The archer is right," Nova stated, "we're going to be outgunned quickly unless we do something! They're already sending in the second wave!"
Sure enough the next wave of soldiers were already making their way down to the village, it would not be long before round two hit them hard. This time the big guns were taking aim as well.
Before either side could do anything however, all heard what sounded like some sort of roaring engine outside of anything they had heard before. Whatever was coming however, one thing was certain...it was coming in fast!
"If we are going to do something we better do it quickly!" Power Man yelled, "they just got more back up!"
Looking to the horizon they saw a mighty sand cloud being kicked up by whatever was joining the fray. Four small dots could be seen growing larger by the second...but they were aiming for the heroes...but charging straight for their foes.
"I don't think so…" Spider-Man muttered soberly, "my Spider-Sense is only warning me of these guys…"
"No…" Miss Martian gasped as she cast her mind out to the newcomers, "they aren't Bialyan!"
[2:30]
The sudden realization was confirmed when the soldiers turned their guns to the incoming noise...and shortly after opened fire. Though it was only mere seconds before those same soldiers had to dive for the ground as the incoming blurs returned fire.
"GET DOWN!" Spider-Man yelled as his Spider-Sense suddenly flared.
Sure enough in the instant they complied with the order, the sudden arrivals returned fire. Their weaponry however sounded like no firearm the Shield Team had heard before.
The League Team however had.
"That's blaster fire!" she yelled telepathically as the roaring engines zoomed over them, "stay down or it will burn a hole right through you!"
Sure enough, as they dared to peek from their cover at the firefight just outside the village they saw there was truth in her words. The soldiers who failed to dive down had scores of crimson bolts of energy either bore straight through them or created small explosions upon impact.
As the first fallen hit the dirt, they finally took the chance to raise their heads. In shock they watched as three blurs roared passed them at blinding speeds. A single blink and they would have missed the sight.
From the blinding blurs they watched more of the crimson bolts being fired...but only upon their enemies. They were not only not being fired upon...but it seemed they were being saved!
Sure enough the Team watched as the three blurs began to slow so that they could take form. What could only be described as hover bikes with weapon-mounted sidecars continued to rain fire down upon the Bialyans as the drivers turned toward the village.
In the seat of these vessels were familiar soldiers. Though their armor seemed more compatible for light recon and skirmish tactics. A form of combat they clearly excelled in, within moments they had cut their foes to half with the help of their speed and weaponry.
The heroes tried to rise to their feet, to get a better look at their saviors. One of the troopers however yelled over the chaos with an amplified voice.
"STAY DOWN!" he bellowed, holding up what could only be a detonator.
Sure enough, they looked up to see that in the chaos of their initial strike, they had dropped explosives that had rolled at the feet and treads of their foe. Before they could aim their heavier weapons, the trooper slammed his thumb sound and the charges followed suit, covering the hillside in an inferno.
Shrapnel flew in all directions, forcing the soldiers still standing to hit the dirt while the heroes did the same. The six troopers zoomed into the village before dismounting, the heavy guns on the side-cars were ripped off and mounted on the small village wall the young heroes hid behind with military precision and immediately they opened fire.
"You alright?!" one trooper asked, her voice raised over the drowning chaos, "Sitrep!"
There was a moment of shock at the revelation but it was not long before Donna was able to speak up.
"A-Aqualad is in there!" she pointed to the building in the far back ,"He's got severe dehydration. Superboy is captured!"
"Understood!" a second trooper said as he continued to figure from the turret, "Med Team you're up! We'll cover...GO!"
[2:45]
In a split second two of the troop dashed for the building Donna had pointed out. Ignoring the bullets that flew passed them it was not long before they were out of sight. All the while their comrades continued to open fire.
One of their number seemed to be communicating with another not present, "Calling for Danger-Close strike! Attack direction West! They're set up Ace, now knock them down!"
Seeing the trooper nod the heroes felt a sudden concern as they realized what was about to happen. The goggle-like visor turned to them as the trooper's feminine voice rang out.
"Heat's coming! Stay down!" she ordered as she rose to fire upon the enemy.
"Hell with that we can fight too!" Nova protested only for the woman to snap back.
"Unless you want that shiny bucket-head of yours knocked off you'll follow orders!" she barked, "we got air support in-coming!"
Sure enough as she answered him, another engine, one far more powerful could be heard in the clouds above. In awe they watched as the LAAT gunship roared above them, missiles and bolts of plasma rained while it's two Beam Cannons carved the tanks in two.
In a single strafe run the heavy weapons of the Bialyan's had been reduced to molten metal as the remaining troops were mowed down.
In a matter of seconds, the enemy force had been cut down, and the only sound that could be heard was that of the burning wrecks.
Silence reigned as the heroes watched the troopers walk toward the downed soldiers. The heroes watched in horror as they looked upon the carnage. The heroes who watched on...they could only feel...numb at the sight.
After a moment however, the medical troopers returned.
"We managed to stabilize him," the woman of the squad spoke, "enough rest and getting out of this heat and he will be alright."
"Thank you, for the saving and for getting us out of this," Batgirl said with a sigh of relief. To which a bit of amusement seemed to come from the trooper's voice.
"No problem, us girls gotta stick together yeah?" she tilted her helm to the rest of the group, "and keep the idiots out of trouble."
Seeing a raised fist, Batgirl could not help but smile at the comment before fist bumping the trooper. Walking to the rest of the group they found the rest of the gang had snapped out of their stupor.
"We're members of the Advanced Recon Force," the troop commander was saying, "as I mentioned SHIELD called us to provide support and emergency evac."
"Wait!" Megann asked fearfully, "we still don't have Superboy!"
Without any hesitation Miss Martian was darting off into the distance. For a moment all others just watched the woman dash into the sky before Robin pulled up his wrist mounted tablet.
"I got Superboy's tracker, he's fifty miles due east of here!" he said to the others.
"We can get you there," the squad leader spoke, "but in the meantime we have another...operative who is closer that can get there sooner."
The heroes looked to one another before Spider-Man spoke up, "Sounds like a plan! Now let's get moving!"
[Fifty Miles East ll 300 Rise of an Empire Ost: Artemisia's Childhood]
Whether it be her fear, or her drive, Miss Martian had already returned and was in psychic combat with the source of their amnesiac grievances. This contact however put Miss Martian in grave danger from the physical world.
Thankfully...she had a guardian who was about to keep all attention upon herself. Though the young Sith that stood upon the sand hill like a wraith was more focused upon the battle before her.
Yes her priority was to save the foolish aliens...but she could not help but relish in the fact she was about to spill blood.
Even as she walked, her eyes seemed to glow bright, like a hellish fire barely contained within her soul, ready to reach out and burn all her enemies away. Sure enough, as the Bialyan's spotted her, she saw them raise their weapons.
In spite of her own pride in her skill, she was no fool. Having Mandalorians on her side taught her a frightening truth...the reason so many of them have "slugthrowers" similar to the weapons she was about to face.
Unlike blaster bolts...the metal of the slug thrower broke apart and melted...making the molten shrapnel far more deadly. Struck by even one of these would make her day greatly inconvenient. Thankfully however she was not trained only with the way of the lightsaber.
Thanks to her time as a student of the Emperor's Wrath and now Darth Revan had equipped her to become one of the most deadly beings alive. A fact that was easily recognized...when the soldier's opened fire.
[1:50]
With a raised hand the bullets froze before penetrating her flesh. With a flick of that same hand, the bullets reversed and tore through the soldiers.
Only to find more foes to dance with.
With the infamous snap-hiss of a Sith blade her saberstaff sprang to life. Her terrible skill allowed her to carve with almost a macabre grace. Her body nearly gliding across the sands as her weapon spun and twirled, appearing as some form of blurring lightshow.
A deadly one at that.
Before long her first wave of foes lay dead, before she had to dash for cover a heavy machine gun unleashed its ammunition in an attempt to destroy her. Taking a moment to hide behind the hummer, she called upon the Force to aid her.
Without hesitation, the hummer she had taken cover behind began to float in accordance to her outstretched hand. With a clawed gesture, lightning surged from her fingers and covered the vehicle, and with a violent shove forward the lightning bomb flew forward, crashing into the vehicle mounted gunner.
Such a violent combination of the Force's techniques caused a violent explosion, and any who were not incinerated or carved by fire and shrapnel, were electroducted by the residual lightning bolts.
In spite of her terrible wrath, the soldiers still tried to hold her off. This was no hero however...this with a Sith Lady. She was not to be faced without accepting the chance of death. She made a note of their bravery as she cut them down...as well as their foolishness for standing against her even as their fellows fell before her.
Before long all life had been carved down...save her two objectives, and the apparently brain dead meta-human lay stretched out across the sands.
Said heroes looked to the newcomer with surprise and shock...especially when they realized that there was now a second person with one of these "blades of fire."
"W-who are you?" Miss Martian asked. The woman deactivated her saberstaff and walked over to the pair. She seemed to be adorned more in robes and tightly clothing as opposed to her armored counterpart. Though she too had a hood, she also had what appeared to be a respirator mask that hid her features.
She knew she could not give her birth name...so per her master's instructions she gave her Sith Name.
"My name is Feira," she told them, "I was sent to help you and your team to get out of your predicament and get you home."
[In the Skies]
There was a sigh of relief as the Young Heroes reunited their squads. They were all slightly bruised and beaten, but nothing a decent rest couldn't sort out. Their bodies however had not suffered nearly as much as their minds.
Yes some of them had already seen life taken, even fought alongside the Death Troopers and watched them carve through the Serpent's radicals. But this…
They were ripped from their thoughts however when the woman that had led the rescue suddenly screamed in pain. Turning to her they watched as she grasped her head in pain.
For a moment, they stood by in confusion and worry.
"H-hey," Spidey asked as he crouched beside her, "you okay?"
The look he now saw in her eyes...was that of horror, her eyes looking off in the distance with genuine horror and concern.
"Master!" she gasped, before looking to the troopers, "Double time it troopers! Lord Revan is in trouble. Have commander Lana prep the Orbital Drop Pods!"
"Activate his tracking fob and put the coordinates in!" she barked, within seconds the lead trooper spoke up.
"We have coordinate radius, Lady Feira," he said, "but we aren't able to pinpoint any closer than a hundred mile radius. There's some form of interference."
Thankfully a member of the Young Heroes recognized the location.
"That's because the magicks around Themyscira keep anyone from truly finding the place," Donna explained, "If he's there, and you feel him in danger...then the entire planet could follow!"
"Come on, I can get you there!" Donna said, "but you need to take us with you."
"Fair enough," she agreed with a nod, "let's move!"
As trooper and hero dashed forward to their ships, Jaesa could only whisper, "Master...please hold on! We are coming for you!"
[Themyscira: Plains of Death]
[Really Slow Motion Music: Shredder]
With a silent sense of awe, the Heroes and Amazon Queen witnessed a battle unlike any other since ancient times. Not since the First Age of Heroes did the likes of Hercules, Perseus, and Odysseus challenge the Will of Gods. And yet...here they stood among the days of Old.
Yet here stood before the Queen of the Amazons a whole Pantheon whom her own daughter stood beside. Each of them either resembles a God of Old or one of the legendary Heroes of the First Age.
Even these mighty warriors and heroes however were rigid, each in awe of the sight before them. Their senses awash in the event, taking in every aspect of the climactic duel before them.
Upon their skin they felt the Fires of Tartarus threatening to blister flesh even from this distance.
Within their ears their drums threatened to rupture from the thunderous clashes of weapons.
The clash and whistle of godly metal and the hum, snarls and screeches of a glowing blade made of the hottest flame.
The sight of blinding flashes upon each strike forces even the Man of Steel to wince. And yet even among such a terrible environment...they dared not take their eyes from the spectacle before them.
[0:50]
A blur of movement, one that was easily tracked by the heroes who had faced foes of various kinds...and yet there was still a hint of disbelief. For Hades was no mere foe, but the Eldest of the Olympian Gods. A champion of the war between Titans and Gods before this universe's form of mankind was formed.
In spite of such terrible power however...here stood a mortal clashing with a being beyond the heights of mortals from Earth or any other realm. Be it either to honor the duel, or to take the opportunity to recover from their own bout with the Mad God...they could only watch as their terrible foe faced their mysterious ally.
They moved like one would in a graceful, yet deadly dance, Hades' bident spear thrusting and slashing in wide strikes, each with powerful momentum and blinding speed. Even if the strike failed to penetrate armor, the impact would certainly cripple if not kill.
Yet it seemed that in terms of combat...the man known as Revan was a match.
With his left hand firmly at his back and holding his cloak, his steps were economic, his bladework precise, and his movements just enough to ensure he avoided the deities strikes as his blade parried the harder blows. With those parries Revan lashed out with swift, precise strikes and thrusts.
Though Revan was unable to strike his foe, the same could be said for Hades. The greatest comparison to the minds of those within the confines of earth...
It was akin to watching the masters of spear and rapier face off against one another in an elegant yet deadly dance.
[Fairy Tail OST: Memory of the Beginning]
A conflict that seemed to reach a respite as they broke off before stepping back. It seemed they were through taking a measure of another as the Lord of Tartarus loosed a mirthful chuckle. Even beneath his horned Corinthian Helm the amused sound could be heard across the plains of ash.
"So it is true," Hades acknowledged, "I knew you were a master of war, but to witness it first hand. Surely Ares himself would be envious that a mortal reached such heights."
"If memory of your Pantheon serves...Ares is more Butcher than Warrior," Revan answered, "I'd rather be graced by Athena's presence."
This statement earned a booming laughter from the Lord of the Underworld, "Says a fellow Butcher! How many by blade or tactic have fallen before you?"
There was a silence that rest upon the black sands as what was clearly a terrible truth seemed to wash over all who heard it. For the Martian and Amazon's however...there lay something deeper.
In this moment, they felt the emotional turmoil hidden beneath what had been an enigma since his arrival. Shame, rage, sorrow...and yet they also felt a terrible, cold conviction.
"Yes, I have killed plenty…" he stated angrily, "yet with every life I took I saved countless more. I carved a path for others to follow out of the darkness."
At this, Hades continued to break the mortal before him, "Ah yes...uniting sworn enemies to slay the False God. I wonder however...at what cost?"
At this point however, Revan had lost interest in pursuing this dialogue…and instead began another. Feeling the connection Martian gently had upon his mind and the others, Revan connected to Revan continued his debate with Hades, the true discussion held his mind elsewhere.
"Manhunter...would you be kind enough to link us all together?" he requested. In spite of his shock at Revan's second connection to him, the Martian was swift to link them together. Rather than deal with potential queries he got straight to the point.
"Don't move!" he hissed to them, "the moment Hades catches on to our conversation we lose our advantage."
He was fortunate to have chosen these words as the Flash very nearly made an outburst in his shock. Even the other heroes flinched as the commanding voice appeared in their minds.
"I can keep him distracted a little longer, but the moment his patients break and pride falter, I have no doubt he will resort to trying to smite me," he said plainly. It was clear that Revan felt he was operating on borrowed time.
"When that happens," he whispers, "he will be far more difficult to defeat. Before then however I can push him to that point...and when he will also be fully focused on me...that's when you will be able to strike."
"What exactly are we supposed to do?" Flash asked, "we already tried and got tossed around."
"We need to throw him back through the Devil's Gate and seal it!" Revan stated firmly, "That's our best chance in taking him down."
Hearing this Wonder Woman asked, "And how do you propose we do that?"
Hippolyta however knew the answer to this, "The key! Hades and all others from Tartarus are bound to it! Turn the key and destroy it and he will be cast back into the pit!"
Hearing they now had a plan, the Martian added, "The rest of us should be ready to strike at Hades should he get wise to our plan."
"We'll need to cover whoever goes for the key as well," the Dark Knight surmised, "the moment he catches on, we'll be down to seconds."
Surmising this, Revan readied to return to the duel, "Decide whoever is going to take action soon. I won't rely on Hades being the only being to come through that gate!"
Wonder Woman, sensing the conviction...near resignation rolling from the man suddenly spoke up with a hint of concern, "Wait...what are you about to do?"
[Fate Demonic Front Babylonia: To Hold this Shield]
The Force-User took a moment to answer before flexing his free hand, the rubble and debris around Revan began to shake...then it began to float. It were as if gravity had suddenly been denied its power within fifty meters of the Force-User. It was almost a beautiful, awe-inspiring sight...were it not for their deadly purpose.
The Amazons' felt as Revan's emotions now became aggressive and focused as he answered simply, "Provoke Him."
Focusing upon the battle once more, he listened as Hades spoke once more, "Aaah, so you wish to continue! Even in the face of certain Death you do not flee. I commend you, Revan. Few have willingly stood against me."
Spinning his bident spear and called out to his foe, "Come...embrace your Destiny! To fall at my feet...only to return to lead my conquest of the Mortal Realm!"
"You think you have what it takes to cut me down, Lord of Tartarus?" Revan asked firmly. Diving deep into the Force, Revan called upon the Light's desire to protect, and the Dark's terrible bloodlust.
For the duration of their duel, Revan had relied on Makashi alone in order to keep both himself and the Force tempered so he could analyze his foe. Now however...the time for a more direct approach.
[0:45]
Calling on the Force, he thrust his hand forward and the massive boulders and debris hurdled toward the god en mass.
Taking a step back in order to prepare for the onslaught, Hades struck with blinding speed and unnatural precision he struck each and every form of rubble and debris cast upon him. He moved in a constant, fluid motion. Whether reduced to dust or knocked aside, Hades allowed no projectile to strike his person.
As the final pillar shattered against his spear...he found Revan already in the air above him. His blade held high and ready to crash down upon the Hellenic Deity.
In an instant, Hades raised his weapon above his head to take the blow head on. Though his strength and weapon did not fail him, the ground beneath his feet cracked and opened in a web-like manner.
As combatants and observers took in the sight of such a vicious attack, they listened as the mortal roared above the cry of the two weapon's contact.
"BRING IT!"
[1:00]
This strike alone painted a very different picture of the man who was an elegant fencer just moments before. His entire form had changed: two hands gripped the hilt, he was up close as opposed to the distanced form he had used prior. What's more, the graceful nature of his previous form had been replaced with a direct, brutal approach.
The grace of the rapier had been replaced with the brutality of a longsword.
A brutality which Hades repaid in kind...only to fall for Revan's trap. That was the beauty of the Djem So lightsaber form: with its brutal power and speed also came a firm defense and an abundance of versatile counters.
As Hades made to decapitate the mortal, Revan raised his weapon with the blade angled down. As expected Hades' blow was redirected along the blade and over Revan who drove his shoulder into the Deity's chest.
For the first time in this confrontation, the Lord of Tartarus was on his back foot, in stunned surprise the heroes watched as Revan charged forward, his blows vicious and powerful. He stayed close, taking away Hades' reach and momentum advantages.
This forced the god to be completely on the defensive as he attempted to regain his distance advantage. Yet the mortal who seeked to cut him down gave him no quarter, driving him further and further into the ruins of the Dead Acropolis.
The heroes kept a safe distance that would allow them to intervene if possible. Though they also realized that he was driving Hades away from the key...allowing them to reposition and form a line between the two.
It seemed however as Hades had begun to lose patience, with a burst of hellfire he finally made distance between the two before charging forward.
"DIE MORTAL!" he bellowed, pulling back his spear and lunging forward.
"Let's move!" Superman ordered, but Revan interjected.
"Not yet!" Revan said as he reached beneath his smoking cloak, "He's not there yet...I need to push him further…"
As the bident pronged spear lunged forward, Revan stepped left, parried the spear to the right...and thrust his left hand forward.
Igniting the Sapphire blade.
Though not able to pierce Hades' helm, the power behind the blade's ignition was enough to do away with it, revealing his initial shock at the surprise act. That shock however swiftly shifted into fury as Revan once more changed his style.
The art of wielding two blades was not foreign to any people throughout all of time and space, yet few masters could truly utilize such forms to their full extent. Revan however, took it a step further, utilizing the versatile, combined style that was Niman not only to use all forms in his blade work.
But to use the Force in his combat style as well.
To the Amazons and heroes, it appeared as though Nature herself had taken up arms against the Lord of Tartarus. Not only did he have to contend with the Mortal before him, but all else around him had become Revan's weapon.
Boulders and debris launched themselves from their millenia old resting places to bash and cave in his armor.
The earth softened so as to consume Hades' feet and keep him off balance.
Terrible winds that seemed to explode from nowhere launched the god off his feet and into the dirt. Though the god was able to rise swiftly, he once again found himself contending with the mortal's blade work. A style that seemed to be ever changing, never settling for a moment where Hades to pick up a pattern. More and more he had to rely on his goldy stature
Utilizing the raw, direct form of Shii-Cho allowed Revan to force the deity to defend his vitals. The strikes and parries lacked finesse, instead unleashing practiced, disciplined blows which forced Hades
With the grace and precision of Makashi, he danced around Hades, swiftly thrusting between his openings to test his defenses. Once more the economy of his movements was perhaps the most irate aspect to Hades. For the moment he sought to strike the man, either through sudden shifts or a swift blade knocked the spear aside.
With the resilience and unyielding fortitude of Soresu, Revan planted his feet, no longer a graceful duelist, but rather a stone wall that refused to neither budge nor break beneath the god's retaliatory strikes. Even as Revan's feet slif back against the terrible blows, he never took a step...until suddenly he was gone in the blink of an eye.
With the acrobatics and blinding speed of Ataru, Revan dashed around his foe that made even the faster of the league surprised. Between the glowing blades and the sudden speed with which he dashed circles around and over Hades, it was near impossible for any true features to be observed without the practiced eye of a warrior. Before Hades could determine the pattern however, Revan once more changed it up, charging the god head on with another vicious blow.
With the terrible might and swift strikes of Djem So, Revan once more drove Hades onto his back foot. With two blades, Hades was once more unable to utilize his own weapon apart from blocking the mortals' strikes. Even in the moments he was able to attempt such an act, Revan had a terrible response in his counter-strikes.
All forms flowed through his mastery of Niman, a form which many saw as a lesser compared to its predecessors, but Revan knew better. As proven by his predecessor of the Dark Side Exar Kun...the Master of Niman was the Master of not only the blade, but in time one could become Master of all manners of combat, both Force and conventional based.
A feat which allowed Revan to match and surpass the infamous Sith Lord as he mastered the ways of the mightiest warriors in the galaxy known as Skyriver. All such skills he unleashed upon the God of the Underworld...in the single effort of distracting him long enough to be taken seriously.
To Enrage the Hellenic Deity, an effort that would soon bear...hellish fruit.
Revan could feel it, he was crushing Hades' pride, driving him to the brink of madness. He only prayed to the Force that he would survive whatever came next. In whatever case, he would soon have to place his faith in the heroes at his back.
A faith he prayed was not misplaced.
[Fate Babylonia OST: Crisis]
Sure enough, as Revan had predicted...Hades at long last finally snapped.
"ENOUGH!"
With a booming roar of rage, the God of the Dead summoned hellfire at Revan's feet, and though his energy shield, armor, and Force Barrier took the brunt of the damage...Hades still took the opening to send a blast directly into the man's chest.
The sudden burst of power and the impact of the blow was powerful to cast Revan away. In a matter of seconds he flew through the Necropolis, slamming into a structure so harshly that what remained of its structure gave way.
Collapsing upon the Force-User...and burying him alive.
The initial instinct was to dash in to save the man...however in their minds they heard the ghostly cry of the buried man.
"NOT YET!"
In perhaps the most surprising moment of the duel, Revan's own booming roar could be heard as the debris which had buried him suddenly launched themselves into the sky. As they witnessed the feat, they thought that perhaps Revan could continue the fight...but it did not seem likely.
With the black and grey ash not clinging to his form...the trails of blood could be seen seeping fresh wounds. The man was gravely injured and the blood loss alone would take him. Nevermind the concussive impacts from both Hades and buildings.
And yet still he stood before the God of the Damned, who's malicious ire only seemed to grow.
"He's not fully committed yet...you move now and he'll move on you," Revan winced, "Don't let yourself be pulled into this with your emotions, this world is in danger! Stay focused, stay disciplined...if you fail, the entire world will burn."
As Revan dragged himself out of the remaining rubble, he reignited his blades in defiance of the god. A feat that Hades seemed to both despise...and respect. Yet as Revan cast the debris forward to fall upon Hades...he simply swept them aside, reducing them to ash in an instant.
He no longer wished to play this game of mortals.
"Fool!" he snarled, "Your powers are no match for mine. Just accept your defeat!"
Once more the heroes felt powerless as they watched the scene before them, watching Revan once more knocked down once in the shockwave...only to once more he rise to his feet. Reigniting his blades, he coughed the blood from his mouth and raggedly responded.
"Never," he snarled, "I have had my fill of tyrants and False Gods...I'll never again bow to your kind!"
Once more Revan charged again, launching through the air to fall upon the god. Whether it was shock that he still held such strength, or amazement of Revan's determination...Hades was not fast enough to act as the blades crashed upon him...carving through face and breastplate.
Being of a divine nature however, this was not enough to defeat him...but certainly enough to enrage him. Hades howled in pain as his wound which the crimson blade seemed to burn in a way that not even the Lord of Tartarus could withstand.
It was as if the menacing blade itself held some dark power that seemed to have made its mark on his very essence!
"How dare you!?" he roared, unleashing a torrent of hellfire from his maw that sent Revan flying once more into the ruins of the Dead City. This time, as the Parthenon of the Necropolis crashed down upon him...Revan did not rise again.
The heroes watched in horror as an entire structure came tumbling down upon the warrior. There was both a sigh of relief, and a sudden conviction that washed over their hearts as the once more heard his voice, now far quieter, but no less determined.
[Fate Babylonia OST: Goddess of the Demon Beast]
"GO!"
Sure enough as Hades flew toward the rubble, that this was their moment….he had truly abandoned the key so as to focus solely on crushing this mortal who had earned his ire. So in this moment...the Heroes began to move.
Casting aside the rubble, Hades found the mortal still breathing. Though ashen covered cloak, hood, and armor were covered in ash...it began to glisten from the blood loss. Reaching down, Hades grabbed the mortal by the throat and held him aloft, relishing in his victory.
"You are a persistent one mortal, the gods of all pantheons shall know your name this day," Hades stated in what was perhaps the greatest form of respect he could grant a foe, "but your fate was sealed the moment you entered this place."
For a time, Hades waited for a response as Revan continued to cough blood that slipped from his helm and onto the god's hand. After a moment however, he realized that the man known as Revan was not coughing...he was laughing.
"Perhaps..." Revan responded through bloody coughs, "...but so was yours, Lord of the Pit!"
[Epic Music World: Unite by Emil Nilsson]
For a moment, Hades simply raised a brow in query as to the mortal's meaning, yet as he heard the cries of pain as Wonder Woman he understood. The Amazon was trying to seal the Devil's Gate and in turn seal him away once more.
A normal mortal would surely die trying to accomplish such a feat, yet she was clearly no simple mortal. To make matters worse, Revan had drawn him into this Necropolis...and allowed the heroes to cut the deity off.
Looking back to the man in his grasp, Hades suddenly realized the true purpose of this contest of martial skill. It was not to kill him...it was to draw him away so the key could be turned, casting him back into the abyss.
Only now, as the trap was sprung, did he understand.
In horror, Hades bellowed across the Dead Plains, "No!"
Tossing the warrior aside unceremoniously, he dashed toward the heroes who had already prepared for him. It was unclear if they would be able to stop him…already he had cast them aside once. This time however there was a plan, and with it came hope.
It seemed however, that their enigmatic ally was not content with hope alone as Revan's voice echoed in their minds via their mental link once more. Though his body was beyond broken, his mind was still strong as he gave orders.
"Don't let him get past you!" he wheezed, "give her...every second you can!"
With stern resilience the heroes formed a line to protect their comrade. Revan had given them plenty of time to find their second wind. Now it was their turn to hold the line.
Superman stepped forward, the embodiment of Hope standing before the very Avatar of Death's Inevitability and Despair. Hope would see this through to this end, or fall in the attempt. Seeing the Man of Steel step forward to accept Revan's plea seemed to inspire the other heroes to do the same as their fear gave way to hope. With that hope came a ferocity not yet felt in this hearts of heroes...but after witnessing their ally's self-sacrifice, they felt compelled to see his efforts bear fruit.
Humanity would not fall before the God of Damnation today.
"We draw the line here! Get ready!" He called out as his eyes began to glow angrily.
Lightning began to dance in the Flash's own as he shouted, "Here he comes!"
Hawkgirl however seemed more than eager as she charged with a roar, "Less talking, more hitting!"
Following suit the rest of the heroes charged with her, and though their powers and numbers were formidable, their lack of coordination made things hard to use it to their advantage. It seemed that even in spite of their determination, Hades continued to make ground toward the Amazon.
Until their unlikely ally rejoins the fight in a vicious...terrifying way.
In a moment of respite, Wonder Woman watches as Revan, now covered in powdered stone and rubble, emerging from the debris like a vengeful ghost. She watched as he staggered from the ruins and made his way across the plains, refusing to give in to his fatigue. Yet her awe of the man was not to stop there…
As he unleashes a power Hippolyta thought only resided into the hands of Zeus himself.
In a brief moment where both sides took their respite...the sudden sound of thunderclaps and the deep hum of electricity roared through the Plains of the Dead. Hades roared in pain as tendrils of lightning surged forth from Revan's hand and into his back.
Refusing to let up, Revan continued to pour the terrible power into the Fallen God. The heroes watched on as the god's skeletal form could be seen...until they watched in horror as his form changed to a demonic, hellish form.
Even Revan seemed shocked as the storm suddenly ceased, before the man once more dropped to his knees in exhaustion. For a moment all could only watch on in horror at the demonic visage.
Even Hippolyta cried out in horror, "Now you see his true face!"
[7:55]
The now demonic deity snarled as he approached the heroes, "I will grind your bones to dust!"
As he struggled to his feet however, they once more found Revan's words whispering in their minds. Looking over they saw that he was still upon his knees. His head was low and his body seemed to shake as he continued to struggle to regain his strength. Yet his mind was still actively working to help them.
"Listen to me carefully," he whispered as Hades tried to shake off the thunderous assault, "you need to keep him away from Wonder Woman...and you...can't do so attacking en masse and get in each other's way."
As the Flash continued, he responded aloud, "Any suggestions!?"
As Revan's tone suddenly changed, they listened slowly realizing why Hades referred to him as a Master of War. I was not his own physical or "magical" prowess…
Rather it was his strategic military mind. His battle with the god was not only a distraction...but to gain better understanding of their foe.
"Hades prefers to keep his enemies at a distance," he explained, "his attacks are powerful, but take his momentum away and he is unable to deliver those strikes."
Suddenly his voice shifted from that of an analytic nature, to militaristic as he suddenly barked orders.
"Hit and Run tactics!" he snapped, "Don't stay in long enough for him to retaliate! Get in, land a blow, and get out."
Though surprised by the sudden orders, the heroes found neither time nor reason to argue. In a burst of speed Flash, Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Hawkgirl set to work take turns dashing in to strike Hades.
Within a matter of moments they had set up a pattern that even a Lord of Hell could not keep up with. That is until he forced them to pull back with a massive wave of hell-fire. Revan however was undisturbed by this and reacted quickly.
"Lantern! Rain Fire!" he ordered, and with the instincts of a verteran soldier, manifested and unleashed a barrage of firepower from every manner of weapon he could think of. The amount of ordinance shook the entire submersed plain, yet the god still was not cast down. Unleashing his own torrent of Hellfire the Lantern was forced to break off the attack.
"Now Batman!" Revan called as he struggled to his feet. It seemed the Dark Knight was on the same wavelength as the Force-User as he dropped beneath Hades guard. Activating his electro-gauntlets, he delivered a series of powerful punches that both stunned and caused immense pain to the deity. Before Hades could strike back however the Dark Knight had already zip-lined away...leaving behind a present.
The charges on the deity's back suddenly ignited, and Hades was soon careening through the air as the mini rockets sent him spinning through the air before crashing near the hellish gates. To add insult to injury, before Hades could fully regain his footing the rocket based devices suddenly shifted to explosive as they blasted him once more into the dirt.
None of these blows are enough to truly harm the god...but Revan knew that they didn't need to. Only keep him off Diana long enough for her to turn and then destroy the key.
Once more the heroes were swift to form a wall between the two and prepare for another round, yet Hades once more lashed out with terrible fury.
"ENOUGH!" he roared, and a sudden firestorm erupted around him, casting the heroes back. Thankfully be it quick reflexes or their own durability none were killed. They were nonetheless stunned by the terrible attack. Regaining his feet Hades snarled as he began marching toward his prey.
"You have hindered my plans long enough!" he snarled, "I shall cast you all into the pits, and instill terror through all mortals as they watch your forms carry out my will!"
In an effort to defend her daughter, the Amazon Queen charged, and though her efforts were valiant, the Hellenic God was no longer interested in allowing these mortals to test him. Grabbing the queen by the wrist he hissed venomously.
"And you Hippolyta, shall suffer for being the Gatekeeper to my cell!" he snarled, "from here until the end of time, you are mine...and mine alone!"
Without another word...he clenched down upon her forearm until the snapping of bone and the screams of pain could be heard across the hellish plains.
"MOTHER!" Diana screamed in despair at seeing her mother suffering so. There was a split moment that Diana nearly dropped the key in an effort to save her mother...but she knew better, sealing the Fallen God away was the only way to save her now.
Yet it seemed that she was not yet alone in this fight.
Across the barren plain that was their battlefield, a now familiar snap-hiss could be heard. In the next moment, a ghostly figure dashed forward planting himself firmly between Hippolyta and Hades. In spite of his injuries, Revan had somehow mustered the strength to re-enter the fray, igniting his crimson blade and pivoting on his feet before either hero or god could react.
Once more Hades had become so fixated on a foe, he failed to consider the others. Hades suddenly felt a searing pain in his wrist and chest. Looking down Hades found that Revan had removed the offending hand before driving his crimson blade into his chest.
Hippolyta gasped in shock at the sudden move before shaking off the demonic wrist. Time seemed to slow for all combatants as they looked upon the man who's ash and blood covered cloak and armor made him appear to be a ghost.
A Revenant…
Hades staggered back in shock and pain, before lashing out against the mortal once more. Limply Revan flew through the air, his body well beyond what should have been possible to accomplish with his injuries. He had clearly put his full effort into rescuing Hippolyta as he had not even flinched as Hades prepared to strike him. Before the man was to reconnect with the ground in a crushing impact however the Man of Steel was able to act.
"I got you!" he cried out, dashing up to catch the man before slowly landing back on the ground. The Man of Steel found however that Revan was in far worse a state than he had let on, as he now was having to hold him just to keep the man standing.
"Any other suggestions?" he asked the man. Revan shook his head however as his shaking legs struggled to reclaim his weight.
"No need...the deed...is done," he said feebly.
[Fate Babylonia OST: Beast II Tiamat Battle]
Sure enough, before Hades could recover, Wonder Woman had overcome the key. With a battle cry befitting the Champion of the Amazons, she fought through the pain and turned the key before tearing it from its perch.
"NO!" the Fallen God cried in horror, dashing forward to stop the woman. He found himself bound however as the other heroes united to restrain him. Revan watched in awe as the heroes united. He had seen it before when the forces of the Dark and the Light rose against Valkorian, and now here he witnessed the same unity once more.
Peoples of different cultures, homes, even ideals all uniting together in order to defeat their foe and save creation. Even with his hellish memories of the carnage and destruction, moments like this...they reminded him of the true value of sentient life: that Good still existed and in turn was worth preserving.
Revan could not help but feel a chill run down his body as he witnessed the amazing spectacle. He may not always agree with their methods...but their hearts were truly worthy of the name "Heroes."
Even as Hades made steps to reach the Amazons, they refused to give in. They refused to falter, and their courage and indomitable will found victory as Wonder Woman raised the key high above her head. Crying out in a mighty voice she locked eyes with the hellish god.
"Back to the Pit with you!" and cast it down, causing it to shatter.
Hope had won this day.
From the moment the key became dust, the deity began to be drawn back into his domain. Sending this the heroes released Hades and broke off to avoid joining him in the Realm of the Damned. Yet he still refused to go quietly as he made a final effort to eradicate his enemies.
The Amazons and Heroes alike felt dread overtake them at Hades' words.
"YOU. WILL. BURN!" he roared as hellfire gathered within his maw. There would be no escape from this and they knew it.
Only for a sudden, invisible shockwave to slam into his chest, casting him back and halting his attack.
[Samuel Kim Music: Anakin vs Ventress 1:30]
Stabbing his bident into the dirt he was able to come to a stop before going off into the abyss, he looked up in fury upon the offender. Indeed all eyes fell upon Revan as the unnatural chill soon returned to rest upon their souls.
Hippolyta and Diana suddenly feel a surge of emotion wash over them once more. It was indescribable, yet they nonetheless felt horror wash over them as they recognized what it meant.
The Amazons looked to the heroes with expressions of horror. At first, they thought it was something Hades was about to do...until Superman looked down to the wounded man he was holding.
He could feel the wet, sticky feeling of blood dripping onto his hands and his suit...
And yet, he could also feel Revan struggling to regain his own strength. The muscles in his arm were crying out in pain as he forced his hand to stay aloft. He had watched as the man had outstretched a hand and the god in turn had been cast back in disbelief.
Now...Superman watched in amazement as this bloodied man found his strength and once more readied himself to challenge Death. Shrugging himself out of the Man of Steel's support he stood and his body shook violently to support his own weight.
Yet the Force-User was not done, as small strands of static began to dance between his fingers. As he reached his full height, they could hear as he steadied himself with deep, focused breath.
For Salvation or Oblivion...this was certain to be the final stand-off that would determine the outcome.
With a sudden grunt lightning roared to life, dancing from his hands to his forearms and back as his entire body shaking as he strained speaking to Wonder Woman and Hippolyta.
In a pain-filled tone, he growled out to the Amazon's, "Get...Out of the Way!"
The Amazons were just able to fly to safety as Revan roared above the terrible hellish winds, "You who would take power simply for your own pride and arrogance, never forget this day!"
"Behold the Ferocity of Mortals!"
Heroes and deity alike watched as Revan unleashed a wall of lightning. Hades knew that such a force he could not hope to ground with his weapon. He could only roar in pain as his body surged with electricity.
For a time they watched as the deity once more writhed from such a terrible assault, something was beyond the simple physical attack however. Even those not attuned to the magicks or cosmic forces of creation could feel that there was a...malice to this attack.
It was an attack that was meant to cause unbearable pain and suffering.
Finally it seemed Hades' body was beginning to falter as his struggle to stay rooted to the Mortal Realm was sapping his strength. Even as his hellish flesh burned and smoked beneath the terrible power however he refused to give in.
Leaning upon his bident spear, he readied himself to take on the heroes once more...only to widen his eyes in horror as he and the Amazons suddenly felt something snap within Revan's mind. They looked to the Revenant who seemed to be shaking violently. The other heroes thought he may have at least reached his limit...until they saw an ominous crimson glow spring to life a few meters away.
The crimson blade, which had been knocked aside when Hades had last struck Revan, suddenly snarled to life and dashed to its master before floating just within his grasp. For a singular moment, all sense of sound seemed to flee even from the Man of Steel as what was to be the final moments of this battle was about to determine the fate of the world.
Slowly, they watched as the ash and bloody covered hand reached up and claimed the weapon. The moment those shaking fingers wrapped themselves around the hilt and became still...was when that Deathly Chill which had rest heavily upon the air...erupted into a Raging Inferno.
[2:00]
With a sense of madness, Revan charged forward with a berserker's roar. It was as if all this terrible fury that had been tempered and directed within a furnace had suddenly shattered, no longer capable of withstanding the inferno which sought to reduce it's foe to cinders.
In that very next moment, all witnessed in both amazement and horror as Revan seemed to abandon all sense of self preservation and defense. Even the demonic visage of Hades seemed to be taken aback...no...horrified by the Ferocity which Revan attacked him with. The blinding speed of his strikes, the power behind his blows...they were all determined to break through and destroy him.
Now he understood why Mandalore the Ultimate both respected and feared this man. Why Darth Vitiate felt horror and awe even at his height as the Sith Emperor, why Jedi, Sith, and Mandalorian alike both feared and revered the man.
Like the Amazon's he too could feel the rage, the righteous fury flowing from him like a Force of Nature which had been building up pressure until this moment which he now unleashed upon the god.
This was the very nature of the Seventh Form: Juyo.
To very nearly dive completely into the flow of the Force, directing it with fury and malignant grace to destroy the foe before him. Every strike, every thrust, every blow had behind it the intent to kill. This and because of his removed hand, Hades was unable to do anything but retreat to the very precipice of the Devil's Gate.
Here all thought of ambition on the deity's part had vanished, his only thought was to escape...to survive this mortal's fury. A fury that was fueled by witnessing endless war, genocide, and destruction.
A fury that was directed at one thing...to destroy any who would dare attempt such actions in the future. Several strikes made it through Hades' defenses as his armor and flesh soon had glowing chasms carved into hellish flesh and godly steel.
Yet still Revan did not relent, not even as the very ground he and Hades stood upon began to crack and crumble. His only thought was to destroy this monster before him, to crush not only his body but his very spirit.
The heroes watched on, listening to the thunderous cracks and crying rings as the weapons clashed. Revan was simply attempting to break through Hades' remaining strength with a crazed onslaught. And though Hades' guard was able to stay strong...the earth at his feet was not.
With a brief respite Revan cast aside all sense of form and technique and with a final roar he wound his blade into a circular arc, and with a blow that shook the very he very foundations of Themyscira, the ground at Hades' feet gave way, casting him back into the Abyss.
With a cry equal in fear and fury, Hades' voice resonated within the Necropolis around them. The heroes and Amazons could only watch in shock as the hellenic deity fell into the Pit.
As Hades' cries finally faded into the pit, Revan unleashed a roar of his own. One of terrible victory and domination over his foe, as if declaring to Hell itself who it was that cast it's master down.
[End 2:20]
[Star Wars Rebels OST: Anakin and Ahsoka]
Yet this roar...this Force Scream went far beyond a simple battle cry. It was a terrible mark upon the Force itself, like a great stone dropped into still waters. It sent ripples throughout reality itself, and the poor souls at his back, though relieved at their victory...felt a sudden, foreign surge of emotions that were not their own.
Indeed the Force Scream overwhelmed all present and far beyond. As far as the ends of their galaxy did it travel as a haunting presence causing great distress upon all it passed. To many outside of Themyscira, it was simply a foreboding, terrible chill and a ghostly wail that gave them a sense of dread.
To those attuned to the Force or some other psychic medium however, they felt the same emotions and thoughts wash over them as the heroes upon the Isle did. Even those not empathetically attuned could feel this...this agonizing, scarred psyche that washed over them.
The terrible rage and anguish that filled the heart of the Revenant in this moment washed over them like a crashing wave. Fear and horror seemed to be at its core. Fear of some terrible calamity that only Revan himself knew, yet the foreboding, ominous shadow which was nameless still filled their hearts with horror and grief.
Yet that same, crushing feeling did not produce a sense of despair...but rather something else. It seemed to fuel a ferocity within the man, a terrible, vengeful fury that raged against the calamity's desire to destroy.
They felt it: a conviction so resolute that it chilled them to their bones even as they felt the emotions as their own. A conviction to stand, alone if need be, against the calamity if it meant stopping what was behind them.
A furious desire to ensure whatever caused that fear to never happen again.
Even the pure-hearted Superman felt his eyes begin to flare with heat vision as he felt the emotions wash over him. It was as if he caught a glimpse of some terrible cataclysm and was determined to stop it at all cost. A righteous fury toward the unknown being who had caused such genocide, and the desire to destroy this...nameless evil. Even if it cost him his life in the end.
Just as swiftly as this terrible feeling had washed over them however, so too had it passed by like a gust of wind.
[0:30]
Recovering from such hellish, tormented emotions, the heroes shook themselves out of their stupor. Tears seemed to break free as they got a glimpse of the man behind the armor. Even with this brief glimpse however, they could not help but feel a sense of...awe and a sense of intimidation with the sorrow.
He was still, as ghastly as his namesake. His cloak billowed in the winds like the wisps of a shade. Yet the battle scarred, blood soaked armor was as still as a monolith against the blistering winds. He appeared as a terrible guardian that stood against the Gates of Hell itself.
This sense of unwavering might would not last however...
[1:00]
Horror once again washed over them as they looked upon him however...as he once again slumped to his knees. Without hesitation the heroes dashed into action, ignoring the cries of pain their bodies were surging through them.
For the Devil's Gate was closing...with Revan soon to be trapped on the other side.
AN: SCENE! Okay what did you guys think? This was certainly a fun challenge writing both combative scenes.
Revan has now stood up against, and fooled the power of a god.
He has slowly began to make his mark in the minds of heroes and agents alike, yet I wonder what might occur should the heroes discover Revan's machinations in full.
Guess they will have to rescue the man from his terrible fate in the Abyss!
As always please feel free to share your thoughts. I love hearing from you all and look forward to hearing your ideas and opinions!
And as always, best wishes and blessings!