Note: You know what people? Having a life sucks. I never have time for anything anymore, and when I do, I'm tired. Sorry people, I know this is incredibly late, but damn I've been busy. I've had tests and papers abound at school (In fact I've got to write another two tonight for modern America), not to mention a language day, the ACTs, a boyfriend, and prom. Oy, why do I let people talk me into going to dances? Why? Anywho, hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, but I can dream can't I?
Their return had been nothing short of humiliating. No one among their ranks actually laughed at them, but had they not been afraid there would have been more than a few chuckles aimed in their direction. The mission had been a completely failure. Not only had they not managed to capture either of the girls, but they had actually been soundly trounced in the attempt despite the numbers being in their favor. Not only that, but Rio suspected that something unintended happened to one of their targets. One of them might be dead if the volley of shots they'd heard after leaving meant anything.
Still, there was more bad news to come. When Orin had returned he was furious. Everything had gone wrong, including his own foray against the other group of non-metas. After leaving the bank, he had gone to the warehouses where they had been spotted. Only, when he arrived, it was dead. There were no people, no non-metas, not even a lousy rat. It was infuriating beyond all belief. His only consolation was that they would succeed in their other mission. Even that proved to be a disappointment at the spectacular failure his comrades had managed.
While Orin sat fuming and brooding, Rio was occupying himself with patching up Dias who was covered with scrapes, and bruises along with the occasional burn. As it was, Rio wanted to approach Orin about their vast underestimate of the two girls, but decided that it would be unwise to do so right then. Pure rage seemed to emanate from Orin, but it would seem that Dias was completely oblivious to that fact.
"You know Orin," Dias began as he stared accusingly at Orin, "If you had been there, instead of gallivanting around after those non-metas, then we wouldn't have failed. You have no right to be angry with us."
"If you were wise, Dias, you would hold your tongue." Each word was stated clearly and firmly with a small pause between each to emphasize his words. They were ground out through tightly clenched teeth as he was further reminded of the two failures experienced tonight.
"Oh, that's right. No one should dare to bring up your shortcomings, but as soon as you got over your little tantrum, you bring up everything that we did wrong. Even though you weren't there!" Dias hissed rising from his chair to assume an aggressive stance. Eyes burning and fists clenched at his side, Dias seriously contemplated attacking Orin despite his injuries.
Anger was fully present in Dias's mind. In truth he was humiliated by how the girl had been fighting him off, as though they were equals or something else as completely unimaginable as that. So, he was dealing with it the only way he could think. Lash out at anyone who's pissing you off in any way, shape, or form. Right now, Orin was that person who was currently irritating Dias beyond all belief. He knew that most of Orin's anger was directed at himself and Rio due to their spectacular defeat against two girls. Not to mention the fact that they by far had the advantage due to all their prior knowledge about the girls.
Orin merely set a displeased glare in Dias's direction, not bothering to rise from his position. "You accuse me of a child like tantrum, but I don't recall throwing a fit such as yours."
"I am not throwing a fit!" Dias hissed back.
"Really, well, you could have fooled me." This time Orin did rise from his seat adopting a stance similar to Dias's. "If you're looking for yet another fight tonight, I'd be more than happy to oblige you."
"Would the both of you just stop it? We have more important things to worry about." Rio tried to interrupt, but they barely seemed to even register his presence at this point. If Orin and Dias were to fight right now, Rio knew that Orin would win. For tonight, Orin had yet to be in a battle, and thusly, was in peak condition. The same could not be said for Dias.
"Oh I don't know, wouldn't want to put a mark on that pretty little face of yours." Dias remarked dangerously.
"Shame I can't say the same." Orin was smirking at this as he took in his companion's facial features. Covered by brownish scales, with yellow, slited eyes, and a slightly protruding snout with fangs clearly showing from beneath his lips, Dias did not make the most attractive entity. It wasn't a particularly sensitive issue with Dias, but Orin knew that it would serve to make him angrier.
"Orin, stop encouraging him, and Dias stop antagonizing him." Rio once again tried to dissuade their impending fight.
"Too late." Dias said before moving to leap at Orin. Rio, however, was quicker.
Just in time, Rio managed to snag the back of Dias's pants and pull him backward. Knowing that Orin would attack now that he was awarded with the opportunity to do so without much worry, Rio stepped in between the two, and used his superior arm length to hold the two back away from each other. "Stop this right now. This gets us no where." Rio glared vehemently at the two, regarding them as nothing but children fighting. "We could be doing many more productive things. Namely, deciding how it is that we shall continue. Our surveillance will show us where their base is, and from there we can decide our plan of attack."
Orin paused a moment considering his options, and finally nodded. He jerked himself from Rio's hand, smoothed out his hair, and straightened his shirt. "Perhaps it is fortuitous that the two of you did not succeed. Now we can catch them unawares in their very own base."
"Coward." Dias breathed just loud enough for Orin to hear.
"Want to say that a little louder?" Orin asked clenching his fists at his side.
"Alright, you are a coward." Dias grinned as he ripped Rio's hand from his shoulder waiting for the blow that was sure to come, now.
"Gentlemen." A voice interrupted. "I expected better of the three of you. To be considered so high amongst the ranks, and yet to see you fighting amongst each other is a little disconcerting, if not entertaining."
"Who the hell are you?" Dias questioned turning from Orin to asses this new subject.
"Really Dias, would manners be so hard to learn?" Orin returned evenly barely sparing a look at the snake hybrid. "It is, however, an excellent question although it could have been posed better."
"Ah yes that's right, I never sent you an email about this. It would stand to reason that you have no idea who I am."
"Yes, we've already ascertained the fact that we don't know you. If you would care to enlighten us, it would be helpful. If not, then we'll deal with you another way." Rio threatened lightly. His annoyance from Dias and Orin had only led to his further discontent from their visitor.
"I wouldn't threaten your new boss." Reese warned as he adopted a casual lean again the doorway.
"New boss? And why should we believe you?" Orin asked staring on suspiciously.
"I'm sure at least one of you has some hacking skills. If you want, you could always check the records at Phoenix Inc. It was officially signed to me not long ago." Reese stated happily.
"Orin." Rio nodded, and Orin went to a computer to do as was implied by Rio's tone of voice.
"So, you three are my generals. As soon as he," Reese jutted out his chin to indicate Orin, "clears up any misgivings you guys have, I have some new orders to give you."
After several minutes of tense silence, Orin finally looked up from the screen to settle his gaze mixed with apprehension and defiance on Reese. "I checks out." Three simple words that had a huge impact on the room. A grin of triumph broke out on Reese's face, while the other two occupants of the room grew extremely tense.
"So what?" Dias finally all but shouted breaking the silence.
"Don't be stupid, Dias." Rio stated. "He's our boss now, and we could still use the money. It wouldn't benefit us to kill him ... yet. We at least need to know a little bit more."
"Well, if your done deciding to spare my life, I believe we have some business to discus." Reese began, "I still consider you quite useful, so I won't be getting rid of you. However, I don't like this little army since I have no need for it. You will choose ten of your best soldiers, and get rid of the rest."
"What?!" Dias stormed. "You want us to get rid of all our men? They give us an enormous advantage over that other group." To emphasize his point, and to take out his anger, Dias pounded heavily into a wall with his fist. His hand went deep into the wall, but he managed to pull it back out with only a little trouble.
"Did I stutter?" Reese asked with a deadly calm. "However, despite you lesser numbers, you will be paid more. I want this ... dump, upgraded."
The mention of money managed to grab the trio's attention in a beneficial way for the first time. "Sounds mediocre so far, but why lessen our numbers?"
"I'm under no obligation to explain myself to any of you, but I will in this case. First I need to tell you about how I'm changing your mission." The three generals expressed a look of cautious curiosity, and Reese continued. "I have a special interest in one of the girls." Dias snorted in near disbelief. "As I was saying, I have a special interest in one of the girls. She will be mine, but that will take time seeing as I also want to mess with the blonde's head.
"Here's what's going to happen, I will go inside, and try to regain the favor that I lost by being so rash. While I make nice, you three, and whatever henchmen you choose will make as much trouble as I deem necessary; just enough to keep them on their toes really. When I'm done having my fun, and finally decide to make Helena mine, it will severely weaken their group, and then you can easily capture the other two. I'm not quite sure what I'll do with them, but I'm sure they'll make excellent toys." Reese finished with a small grin.
"How much money?" Orin asked in a mildly sardonic tone. Frankly, he didn't much care about his new boss, or the stupid plan they would have to adhere to, but the promise of plenty of money could change his mind.
"Enough to get yourself a new place, and spruce it up with all sorts of weapons, and gizmos. Would that be good enough for you?"
"So, basically we get an amount of money based on what we need or want?" Dias clarified.
"Exactly."
Orin, Dias, and Rio looked at each other communicating silently, and finally gave their answer. "You've got a deal."
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They would have stayed in the bank longer, but eventually the police would work up the courage to come inside and check things out. With Dinah all but glued to her side, Helena rose gently not quite sure what to expect. She was sure that she had been dead; the memory of the bullets tearing through her body was disturbing to say the least. The pain she'd felt had been all to real, and then there had been an expanse of nothingness. But, was it even possible? How could she exist as she was now? No pain, no marks, not even a trace of soreness. The only evidence that she had ever been shot existed in the holes, which permeated her clothing.
Then she thought of Dinah still nestled deeply in her embrace. Only moment ago, there had been an undying relief in her eyes that had followed extreme disbelief. Obviously, something had happened. Tears still were spilling from the young woman's eyes, as to whether it was for her recovery, or for whatever she had to recover from, Helena didn't know. In fact, Helena wasn't too sure of anything at this time.
A grimace of pain followed by a wince from Dinah captured her attention, and immediately she grew concerned. "Dinah? Are you okay?" Helena asked raking her eyes over Dinah's form. All that was evident on the outside was a split lip, and the forming of bruises, but those would heal easily.
"I'm fine, it's just my ribs." One of her arms let go of Helena to wrap around her tender side. "Really I'm just glad that you're alive." Dinah's eyes watered a little as she stared up at Helena.
"Come on, Dinah. Let's get you back to the tower." Right now she would worry about Dinah, later she would ask Barbara about her death experience.
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Sitting quietly, Barbara contemplated the situation she had just thrust herself, and her companions into. It was a dangerous endeavor to say the least, but the impact it could have on the city was what made her consider it in the first place. As batgirl she had fought evil after evil, defeating it time and time again; eventually that evil found it's pay back. Even that was unable to stop her though, and despite her disability she still fought for the safety of the city, and the innocents that occupied it. Now she was undertaking the same goal. Only this time, she would have the help of the two women she trusted most in the world. She hoped that they would be too angry with her when they found out she had made such a decision.
During the discussion earlier, when Sar had waltzed into her tower, Barbara had all but forgotten about the battle about to happen on the screens of Delphi. It wasn't the most professional thing she had ever done, but when a group of non-metas crowd into one of the most secure buildings in the city, what was she supposed to do? Hold up a hand and ask them to wait a minute while she finished watching this? Yeah, that would have gone over well. Something about the woman had made her listen though; something had told her that Sar's intentions were not malevolent.
After pleading their cause and gaining her agreement, Sar and her contingent of followers had left the tower. To where exactly, Barbara didn't know, but Sar didn't seem like she would be willing to give up the location either just yet. She could be sure, however, that they would be returning. Once they had made their exit, Barbara returned her attention to the Delphi, only to find that the bank was in a terrible state that left her fearful for the safety of her girls.
A cold sweat broke out all over her body, and the thoughts of her two charges screaming for her helped in their final moments echoed within in her mind. Seconds later that idea was pushed out of her mind, and she attempted to curb her pessimistic point of view. There was a very good chance that things had gone well enough, and that they were no longer needed there. Their abilities had been increased after all, and if they could face the same danger while escaping unscathed then, they could do it now. Keeping her faith in her charges capabilities was difficult though, and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't banish the thoughts of them dying.
Things like that cold happen within a split second, and she had been turned from the screens for several minutes. She berated herself for having turned her attention else where for the time even though it was the best option at the time. Then, she heard the elevator rising.
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They had done it. They had swayed three of the most powerful women in the city to their cause. According to Sar's predictions, they now had a greatly increased chance of coming away from the up coming war as the victors. Still, nothing was for certain, and a new complication had arisen.
Someone new had taken over Phoenix Inc. and while Sar had known that such an event would take place, she hadn't expected it to be so complicated. This new person was unpredictable at best. His intentions seemed lost and confusing, which made her visions often inaccurate when relating to him and Phoenix Inc. From what she could infer so far from her visions, and from some intelligence that she had managed to gather, it was his intention to whittle his formidable army down to a mere thirteen. Granted that he still kept the three most powerful of the metas, but it was a dramatic loss in numbers. With that difference they were sure to easily succeed, but that couldn't be all. Something was about to happen, and it would be huge.
The thing was that if everything happened as Sar had envisioned it, the non- metas would be split into three separate factions, those of Phoenix Inc., her own, and Pock's. What still remained elusive was what exactly all the groups would be fighting for. She knew her own group's intention to stay free from any outside control, and to just try to live a peaceful life, as for the other two, well, she couldn't speak for them.
Yet one very important factor remained, one that was still certain in her mind's eye; the betrayal that was soon to happen.
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It hadn't been the easiest trip back to the tower. The police had finally gathered their wits and lay in wait outside, so first they had to avoid the bumbling boys in blue. A simple window had solved that problem. From there they climbed to the roof, and hoped buildings until they found themselves back at the hummer, which had been parked several blocks away. Unfortunately, while Helena apparently had the amazing trait of nearly instantaneous regeneration, Dinah, did not. What had been a simple walk in the park for Helena, seemed like a grueling obstacle course for Dinah, who was still exhausted and sore. They did, however, make it back in one piece.
The first thing the saw was a slightly startled, yet relieved Barbara. "You two are all right." Was the first thing they heard from Barbara.
"Yeah? Well we almost weren't due to your little disappearing act." Dinah snapped sharply as Helena guided her to the medical table.
"Dinah, cut her a little slack. She probably had a reason." Helena tried valiantly to defuse what potentially could be a very dangerous bomb.
"What are you two talking about? What happened?" Barbara asked honestly while gathering whatever she might need to patch up the obviously injured girl. "You two seem just fine except for some extra bumps and bruises."
"Sure, we're fine now." Dinah responded after removing her shirt so that Barbara could check her ribs.
"I'm pretty sure that most are just bruised, but it feels like three of them are cracked. And what do you mean 'we're fine now'?" Barbara asked after prodding her charge's side.
"Oh nothing really." Dinah began sarcastically.
"Dinah..." Helena's tone took one of warning, to which Dinah rolled her eyes, but complied.
"There were three major metas there, but one of them left, and the other one wouldn't fight me at first. Helena was taking the rest of the metas there. Eventually we won, but..." Dinah's voice cracked a little, and she was forced to bite back the tears that threatened to spill over. Taking a tight grip on the edge of the table she was perched upon, Dinah continued. "But, one of them shot Helena."
"Where?" Barbara asked immediately rolling over to check for any wounds.
"They just wouldn't stop. Just one after another impaling her over and over. There was so much blood, and then she fell, and she was dead." Dinah paused to wipe away the tears. "Then I killed him, and I enjoyed it Barbara." Looking up Dinah fixed an intense gaze on Barbara, a gaze that contained no regret or guilt. "And I would have done it again even if I knew that she would live." Dinah's eyes softened and dropped back to the floor where she took a sudden interest in her feet. "Then you weren't there. I didn't know what to do, and I just kept screaming for you help, but you didn't."
There were several minutes of tense silence only filled by an occasional sniffle from Dinah who had a few tears rolling down her cheeks. Finally, Helena spoke up. "What we want to know, is why I'm alive. I mean, I was shot several times over, which should have been fatal. Yet here I am, alive and fairing better than Dinah." Helena said incredulously.
"I think I might be able to answer that." Barbara said after a moments pause. "Let me just finish with Dinah."
Soon enough Barbara finished patching up all of Dinah's various wounds, and they could finally sit down and talk. The two found Helena sitting pensively on the couch of the living room as they left what served as the hospital area. Helena's head snapped up as she heard them enter. "You all right, Dinah?" She asked.
"Yeah, nothing that couldn't be fixed with a little duct tape." Dinah joked pleased with the fact that Helena had been worried for her.
Helena only rolled her eyes at the joke, but all could tell that she was relived by the way her body seemed to relax a little. "Anyway, I believe you had some explaining to do, Barbara."
"Right, well, frankly I wasn't sure what exactly was happening when I first examined you two after your ... return." She stumbled a little still sore over their kidnapping. "I knew at the time that your feral abilities had been dramatically enhanced, but until recently I didn't understand the extent. The thing is, Helena, that those drugs administered to you, were designed to give normal people your Huntress abilities."
"So what you're saying is?" Helena prompted.
"That during that entire fight, you were only Huntress at one point."
"What?" Dinah asked completely shocked.
"You see, as Helena now, you're like Huntress from before. So, all of your fighting was a basic level for you. After you got shot, Huntress surfaced as a natural way to save yourself, and the incredible regeneration capabilities kicked in. As Huntress now, you're practically immortal." Barbara explained taking in their completely surprised looks.
"Whoa." Helena finally said after a beat.
"Ditto that." Dinah agreed completely awe struck.
"So, nothing can kill me?" Helena clarified leaning forward.
"Well, not exactly. If you suffer a serious enough injury, then you will die, but it would take an incredibly serious wound." Barbara explained.
"Like getting her head cut off?" Dinah asked excitedly. "Like those immortals from movies and stuff."
"That would probably do it." Barbara agreed nodding her head.
"I guess I'll just have to avoid any sharp objects aimed at my neck then." Helena commented sarcastically as leaned back and folded her arms. The other two rolled their eyes.
"Anyway..." Dinah began to drawl before suddenly stopping. Her eyes flew wide open, and her muscles tensed sending her into a ridged upright position.
"Dinah?" Helena asked rushing to Dinah's side.
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Dinah's mind
"Hello?" Dinah called into a vast area of nothingness only to have it echo back at her. There was no up, or down, and she lay there weightless and alone.
"She hates you now you know." A voice claimed from nowhere.
"She does not." Dinah denied.
"Oh but she does." It hissed at her sounding menacing almost as though it would shred her to pieces if given the chance.
"You're lying." Dinah said firmly if a bit unsure.
"Am I?" It seemed to sneer. "Then why?"
Everything seemed to shift and then suddenly the emptiness she had endured seemed to be ripped away and replaced by a scene of color. Helena was on Reese's arm surveying a scene of destruction. From her standpoint high above it all, Dinah could see herself fight in the chaos below. She was barely recognizable. Then she saw Barbara, walking, and fighting as she had when she was batgirl. It was incredible. But then things took a turn for the worse.
The phantom of herself and Barbara met up, but instead of helping and protecting each other, she saw herself fight Barbara. "No, why?" She questioned herself desperately surveying the battle. The unthinkable happened then, and she watched herself kill Barbara. "NOOOOOOOOO!" She screamed, but there was no one around to hear it.
Finally she saw as her phantom ran up to Helena and Reese. She watched as Reese whispered something into Helena's ear, watched as Helena grinned at it, and watched as they shared a passionate kiss. Even though it wasn't real, it still stung more than she wanted to admit. Her other self seemed to plead with Helena, but to no avail, and Helena attacked. They fought, or really Helena did. All phantom Dinah did was block, and try to reason, and in the end, it killed her.
Note: Yeah, I know, it's kind of mean. And I only say kind of because you guys probably can figure out the reason yourself. It's not like I've been keeping it a secret after all. Anywho, I hope to have the next chapter out way sooner. But let's see, school ends in about three weeks, and after that, I should have plenty of time to make nice little additions to this story. Again, I'm sorry it's late. 'Till next time.