Hi Everyone!
Z here!
Did everyone have a nice Thanksgiving & Black Friday? I really hope so! While you guys were out stuffing ourselves full of turkey and shopping with the mad people, I've been doing my best to bring you Paragon filled goodness that is sure to stuff you to the max. (I hope that doesn't sexual in any way lol)
But anyway I bring you Chapter 18. With this chapter comes some new pictures. Seeing as how you guys are viewing them on I'd advise you to check out this link: Fang Chronicles: Wrath of the Paragons - Chapter 18 - Zdala - Justice League & Justice League Unlimited (Cartoons) [Archive of Our Own]
If that links i provided works hopefully you guys will get the A03 version with the pics included. As always the pics were designed by my lovely and talented friend Bia. You'll find that the new pictures will be of the Paragon armor. I must caution some of you however, I gave Bia full permission to do a redesign on the armors so they may look far different then what I originally described. All in all however I'm pleased with how they look and can't wait to get you guys' opinion on them.
Without further delay, here is Chapter 18 in its full glory for your reading pleasure!
Chapter 18: Fight to the Finish Part 1
-Downtown New Metropolis-
"Good Afternoon citizens of New Metropolis, I'm Tina Minmen and once again I bring you breaking news!" Wherever there was a story, wherever there was danger, wherever there was a chance to emulate her idol Lois Lane, news reporter Tina Minmen was there. Dressed in her usual reporter attire, Tina minmen kept a bright smile for her cameraman while the people around her fled with fright. "I'm here on the scene as Brainiac's Skullship is continuing to tear through downtown New Metropolis. The city has gone into lockdown under Highfather's orders as the ship seems to be bottling everything in its sights. We advise all citizens too -."
"MS Minmen?" The cameraman abruptly interrupted her as he pulled the equipment in a different direction.
"What the hell are you doing Jerry, we're on the air remember?"
"But MS Minmen!" A nervous look was painted on his face as he tried to alert her.
"But nothing Jerry, this is the scoop of a lifetime now. What is so important you'd had to interrupt me?"
The man's face fell fearfully as he pointed behind her into the skies above. The casting shadow of the SkullShip had soon reached their area while pointing its tentacles for another round of its minimizing beam. Tina and her cameraman screamed out in terror as the bright lights from the beam blinded them and prepared to fire.
Before the two could even make an attempt to run for safety, a flash of purple and green sped past them. The reporters weren't sure what had happened but soon got an answer as they became transported to a different building. Not only was this building far on the other side of New Metropolis, but it was also out of range from Brainiac's SkullShip which could be seen in the faraway distance.
Before the duo could begin to rattle off questions as to what had happened, they were silenced upon seeing a warrior in tiger based armor. While the cameraman had a face full of confusion, Tina Minmen had stars in her eyes upon viewing him. This was the mysterious hero spawned out of Highfather's tower, the man that her rival news outlets had dubbed the 'Moon Fang'. While his heroic outings were quickly spiraling throughout the city, everyone wanted to know more about him. For Tina this was the ultimate opportunity, to interview the man behind the tiger face would put her on top in an instant.
"Jerry, get the camera quick!" She called him before fixing her hair and appearance. Once she was deemed presentable she put on her best news reporting smile before attempting to take a few steps with the mic in her hand. "Excuse I'm Tina Minmen with NM news and I was wondering If I could interview -."
"Uh just give me a sec lady!" Moon Fang answered before he unexpectedly leaped off the edge of the building.
"Wait, come back, I have so many questions!" She cried
But her questions would have to wait. As gravity came crashing down Moon Fang found himself landing gracefully on the pavement below. The minute he touched down his entire body became shrouded with cosmic energy which propelled him like a rocket throughout the streets of New Metropolis. Much like how he did with the ferris wheel, Moon Fang ran with the rapid speed of a tiger and began zipping through multiple streets.
"I've identified seventy people in the path of the Skullship friend!" Lunar's ever cheerful voice announced as it spoke loudly to Garfield inside the armor.
"Same as last time little buddy, set the timer and let's save some people!"
"You betcha!"
Much like how a GPS guides its driver to a destination, the Moon Fang armor guided Garfield to those in need. Thanks to Lunar, on his screen he could now see the city in the form of a virtual map. Once the entire layout of New Metropolis was presented before him, Moon Fang now had eyes on the path of the Skullship and where innocent bystanders were.
With the cosmic energy still aiding his speed the paragon locked its sights on an elderly woman in a wheelchair struggling to get out of the way. Much like he did with so many others, Moon Fang dived directly in, grabbing the woman and whisking her back toward the top of the building where he left the reporters.
"Oh my thank you so much young man!"
"No sweat granny, just wait here!"
Once the woman was safe, Moon Fang set himself for another go round before heading back toward the streets. As the SkullShip continued to blast and shrink bottled buildings in its path, Moon Fang kept up a repetitive cycle of saving people who happened to be on the street. Whether it was construction workers, nuns, lawyers or just the average Joe, Moon Fang was determined to make sure that nobody lost their life today. The two reporters on top of the building watched in awe as he kept pushing himself to the limit, rescuing every possible person he encountered. What started out as the two of them, quickly evolved into ten and before long the entire building was covered in people all of whom were grateful that they had been saved.
"And one girl scout makes seventy!" Moon Fang triumphantly announced as he brought a happy little girl to safety aboard the rooftop.
"Two minutes and thirty seconds, new record!" The Piparoid cheered.
"Let's see Kid Flash do that!" He laughed
"Gang way, coming through!" Not wanting to waste her chance, Tina Minmen immediately barged through the crowds of people with her cameraman in tow. Once she reached up to Moon Fang she wasted no time turning back toward the camera that was now filming live. "I'm Tina Minmen and I've got an exclusive interview with the hero known as Cosmic Tooth!"
"Uhh it's Moon Fang lady." He sweatdropped before trying to avoid the microphone that she put near his helmet
"Of course, now tell me MR Fang, who are you really?"
"That's classified ma'am, a matter of galactic security!" He responded while trying to deepen his voice in a Batman like style.
"Do you have a sidekick?"
"I work alone!"
"I heard that!" Lunar interjected.
"I didn't mean you Lunar!" Moon Fang sweatdropped
"Who are you talking to?" She questioned
"Look lady, I'd love to answer your questions but I gotta go!"
"Are you married? How long have you been fighting crime? Have you ever thought about running for public office?"
"Like I said gotta go!" Much like he did before Moon Fang jumped off the roof and back down onto the ground. While the safe crowd on the rooftops cheered him on, a frustrated Tina Minmen could only watch as he started to speed away from them.
Now that most of the people on the street were safe, Moon Fang was set to resume the mission that he had on hand. To do this he found himself racing to the top of another skyscraper that hadn't been bottled by Brainiac's ship.
This building happened to be an outdoor cafe that had been closed to evacuate during the chaos. The minute that he was safely on top, Moon Fang began to scan the area for any signs of his partner, Ryan Choi.
"Dude aren't you ready yet?" Moon Fang asked.
Almost!" Ryan Choi called out from behind a few tables in the back.
"Come on man we gotta hurry, the entire city looks like Independence day out there!"
"What's taking him so long Garfield?"
"Beats me, something really sciency I guess!"
"Ok I'm ready." Ryan Choi said as he stepped out into view. The scholar had ditched his normal attire and was now dressed in a white hazmat suit that came complete with an oversized clear helmet and Ray Palmer's atom belt secured around his waist.
"Uhh what's with the pajamas man?" A tilt of his head was more than enough to express how confused Moon Fang was at Ryan's appearance.
"Are we having a slumber party?" Lunar inquired upon the mention of pajamas
"This my friends is no ordinary hazmat suit, this is a prototype Atom suit created by Ray!" He explained proudly. "Once you get me aboard the ship, I'll find the core, shrink down and disable it. Doing that is the only way to help Ryan and all the people trapped in bottles!"
"So a simple infiltration and escape I like!" Moon Fang beamed.
"Um friend, we have a problem!" The Piparoid stated with urgency.
"What's wrong, Lunar?"
"I'm picking up paragon energy in the area that's headed directly for the Skullship!"
"Is it Raven?"
"Nope, guess again!"
As he turned his attention toward the SkullShip in the distance, Moon Fang's screen locked its sights on a target that was moving incredibly fast toward the vessel. Increasing the magnitude of the image, Moon Fang grunted in frustration as he caught wind of what Lunar was talking about.
"What is it?"
"Sparrow!" He explained. Sure enough the paragon was flying toward the ship. Once he was within striking distance, he punched a hole through the ship's metal surface breaking it until it formed an entrance for him to get in.
"Whose Sparrow?" Ryan Choi queried
"I'll tell ya later!" Knowing the urgency behind Sparrow's appearance, Moon Fang knew he had to act fast. Going for the silver cog that he had recently acquired during his last battle, the paragon inserted it into his bracelet. After calling upon its powers, it wasn't long before the cosmic staff appeared into the palm of his hand.
"What's that?"
"Our ride, just hold on tight and don't let go!"
Ryan Choi had little time to react as Moon Fang made him hold the cosmic staff as tightly as he could. With both men now clinging to the weapon, its sentient nature took over and immediately began to levitate them in the air. Using the weapon to fly throughout the New Metropolis Skylight, both Moon Fang and Ryan prepared themselves mentally as they were taken toward the SkullShip and into the makeshift entrance that Sparrow had made earlier.
-New Metropolis Detention Center-
"Ugh this is so disgusting!" Ryan bemoaned.
Of everything that happened this afternoon, this was probably the worst thing that Ryan had to endure. Within the confined space of the air ducts was nothing but an endless sea of cobwebs, dust bunnies, dirt, and filth. No matter how fast she moved along the path, grime seemed to cling to her as if she were a magnet.
Virgil, who was behind her, couldn't help but snicker as her discomfort seemed to intensify over the growing minutes. As much as he hated to admit it, teaming up with her wasn't so bad, not only were they surviving against Ebon's gang but they were making footway in finding Nia.
"Filthy, absolutely filthy I tell you, don't they ever cl-." Ryan's tirade over the duct's condition was soon cut off as she heard a squeaking sound up ahead. Although small in sound it was enough to force the nurse backwards making her crash into the awaiting Virgil.
"What's up with you?"
"T-t-t-there up there!" With a scraggly finger she pointed further down the air duct where the noise was coming from. Soon enough a single mouse emerged from down the way, greeting the duo with an innocent look before retreating in the other direction.
"It's a mouse scaredy cat!" He commented with a chuckle.
"I hate mice!" She replied with a still creeped out scowl on her face.
"That's nothing, you should have seen Dakota back in the day." Virgil began. "That place was so poor the rats overwhelmed most of the buildings!"
"Wait seriously, I thought Dakota City was built up like Star City or Metropolis?"
Virgil kept silent for a few moments realizing that he may have said too much. When it came to facing Ryan's curious expression he couldn't help but tell her what she wanted to know. If he had trusted her this far, he could possibly trust her with more. "So that bald bastard Luthor came to Dakota several years ago, he convinced our Mayor to let him build some chemical testing plant."
"And that's when the accident happened?" Ryan stated as her memory of Virgil's file came to mind.
A head nod from the teen confirmed the info immediately. "Yup, wiped out most of the buildings and people. The rest of us were either crippled or got powers we couldn't control!"
As Virgil explained more in depth, Ryan's brain couldn't help but click back to the incident in question. Now it was coming back to her. Lex's experiments in Dakota City were almost similar to the ones he conducted in smallville.
She soon sadly remembered the day Superman got the news that his hometown had been wiped off the map during one of Lex's so called 'accidents'. She remembered how rageful he had been, how he wanted to break Lex's bones to dust. Even after he got off thanks to his lawyers and supervillain pals, Lex was always in Superman's crosshairs. Always watching, always waiting, he wanted to make sure nobody would ever go through that again.
Even though the troubling incident happened to Virgil, Ryan couldn't help but secretly thank the heavens above that Lex was in hell. With him finally gone from this world, he would never again destroy innocent lives.
"Ya know it's ironic." Virgil commented. He stayed silent for a few moments almost as if to marinate on the trouble of his past. "We didn't think anything else bad could happen, but then Darkseid invaded."
"What happened?"
"To us nothing, but while the world was on fire Ebon and his gangs wanted to take over." He said. "A lot of good people were dying in those streets, which is why me and Nia used our powers to try and help others."
"So you and Nia grew up together?"
"Kind of!" He couldn't help but smile at the thought of his best friend. "I sorta saved Nia from being bullied, after that we just hung out together!"
"But what about your family, where are they?"
Her next question was met with a smirk by Virgil who started to crawl ahead in the air ducts.
"Wait, I asked you a question?" She inquired as she started to follow his path.
"We shouldn't slow down, we still have to find Nia." He informed. "Also I'll answer your question if you tell me something."
"Which is?"
"What did you go to jail for?"
And just like that Ryan froze in place in her tracks. Her heart seemingly stopped pounding against her ribcage while her breath became labored. She knew her revelation of her time at Black Gate would produce some questions from him, but she didn't expect it to be so soon. The question if anything caught Ryan off guard, almost hitting her like a thousand pounds of bricks. She knew Virgil might have been curious about what she revealed, but sadly she wasn't prepared to answer that. Although she wanted to answer his question honestly, her brain couldn't form the words. Instead it went backwards forcing Ryan to see a memory that she didn't want to see.
-Flashback-
"M-m-momma, m-m-momma wake up!" A pre-teen Ryan Wilder could barely get the words out of her mouth as she violently shook her mothers side once again. As a flash of lightning illuminated the dark room, Ryan could see the pool of blood from underneath her mothers body reach far across the room. "M-M-Momma p-please wake up!"
This couldn't be happening.
This was her mother, her best friend, the only family she had.
All of that was gone.
Her body was overly warm while her eyes were closed as if she were sleeping.
"Momma!" Ryan's eyes were red and swelled as the tears overtook her face spilling onto the plasma that was on the floor.
"I'm sorry you had to see that!" A chill ran down Ryan's spine as a voice addressed her.
Another strike of lightning made Ryan scream in terror as a figure was watching her from the shadows soon emerged. Cloaked under the coven of darkness, Ryan met with the man's glowing eyes and wide creepy smile. Although she couldn't see his face fully, the single pistol he carried shined brighter than anything as he raised in her direction.
"M-M-M-Momma please help me!" Like kids do when they're afraid Ryan kept shaking her mother relentlessly trying to wake her up so that she could be protected in her arms. Her shaking would be in vain though as her mother lay lifeless on the floor, not caring that she was about to die.
"Your mom had the power, she should have used it!" Those ten words were the last thing to escape the stranger's mouth before he aimed his gun at the girl's head. All Ryan could do was scream for her mother once again as a single gunshot rang out.
-End of Flashback-
"Ryan, Ryan, wake up!" As reality came back to Ryan's mindset, she soon found herself face to face with Virgil while the tears were rolling down her face.
"W-what, what happened?" She asked.
"I asked you about Black Gate and you just started screaming Momma!"
"Oh that, I'm so sorry." She apologized before fixing the look of dejection that was on her face.
"Noo it's ok, look let's just forget it!"
"Yeah um, come on we need to find Nia!"
The memory seemed to jolt Ryan through her fear of mice and soon she retook the lead throughout the air ducts. As Virgil kept his distance behind her he couldn't help but think about the incident that just ocured.
His curiosity was now more peaked than it ever was before. Whatever Ryan had gone to prison for it was deeply ingrained in her brain and had scarred her for life. As they continued through the air ducts in silence, both parties started to reflect on what happened wondering whether or not the truth of the incident would soon come to light.
-SkullShip-
"This place is amazing!" Similar to a child experiencing Disney World for the very first time, Ryan Choi had literal stars in his eyes as he observed the technical marvel that was Brainiac's Skull Ship. From the moment that the duo had stepped foot into the ship, the scholar took it upon himself to explore all the kryptonian technology that was displayed as far as the eye can see. Going back and forth from item to item, Ryan Choi made sure to mentally take as many photos as he could so he would never forget the experience. Even if he and his traveling partner had to destroy the ship, he wanted to make sure he never forgot the once of a lifetime opportunity to see Krypton's best tech.
While he was busy enjoying himself, Moon Fang was the complete opposite in terms of demeanor. Not only was he worried about Ryan & Raven but he also couldn't shake the eeriness that he felt walking through the darkened corridors of the ship. With all these emotions coming down on him he couldn't help but stay silent, wanting to focus on the threat of Sparrow and the others so he could end it quickly.
"I can't believe I'm actually here!" Ryan squealed before caressing his hand across a random control panel. This action had unexpected consequences as a nearby wall opened up, shooting a trio of lasers in Ryan Choi's direction.
"Dude!" Moon Fang called out in urgency. Reacting quickly he used his speed to snatch his companion out of the way, while also allowing the lasers to hit the wall with destructive force.
"Oops, my bad!"
"Can you try not to touch anything that'll get us killed?" He questioned. Good thing for Ryan that Garfield's expression could not be read through his helmet, otherwise he'd see how pissed he was. "What happened to that core thingy you were talking about?"
"Oh that, well I kinda don't know where it is!" Ryan sweatdropped
"Oooh boy!" Lunar cooed.
"What do you mean you don't know where it is?" Moon Fang found himself grabbing Ryan Choi by the shoulders and shaking him rapidly. "My best friend is in danger and the city's in full panic mode,we gotta find that core !"
"But I don't know where it is!"
"You've got an IQ of a kajillion, think dude think!" The pressure came full circle as Moon Fang repeatedly shook his friend.
"Shaken Asian Syndrome, Shaken Asian Syndrome, Shaken Asian Syndrome!" A swirl like pattern started to emerge in Ryan Choi's eyes as he became dizzier with each shake administered
"Friend, you're gonna shake his brains out!" Lunar warned
"But we need answers, it's not like they're gonna come to us!"
As soon as Moon Fang made that statement, unexpectedly a nearby chunk of the wall was blasted into nothingness. Moon Fang and Ryan Choi backed away in alarm as robot debris was scattered all across the cold metal floor. Before any words could be spoken about the situation, Paragon Sparrow, Paragon Thrust and Paragon Taurus walked through the wall, instantly stepping on the robots they just dismantled.
"I told you I had it under control!" Was the first thing Taurus screamed at Sparrow upon them surviving their encounter with Brainiac's droids.
"Yeah right, if it weren't for me you'd be history by now!" Sparrow hissed
"No fight!" As per usual Thrust found himself jumping between his two comrades to try and get them to calm down from their usual child-like rivalry.
"Uh Gar, who are they?" Ryan asked
"Nothing but trouble, that's who they are!" Was Moon Fang's response to the situation.
"Are you serious?" Paragon Taurus questioned aloud as the group noticed Moon Fang for the very first time. "How the hell did he get his armor back?"
"Your stupidity that's how!" Sparrow stated. "No matter, he's in our hands now!"
"Ryan go!"
"But-."
"Don't worry about me, just find that core and shut down this ship, I'll handle them!"
"Gotcha!" Realizing that this situation could only be handled by Moon Fang, Ryan started to run down a separate corridor in search of the Skullships main core.
With Ryan now out of the way, Sparrow, Taurus and Thrust wasted no time in spreading out around the room while making sure that they had Moon Fang surrounded on all ends. Much like how a pack of Wild Dogs perseus there prey together, the trio of Paragons kept circling there foe waiting for the pivotal moment where they could strike.
"After I take care of you, I'll go to the main chamber and deal with Brainiac!"
"Back off Sparrow he's mine!" Taurus said. "This was my plan, so I'll be the one to bring Moon Fang to Darkseid!"
"Well see about that!"
"No Fight!" Paragon Thrust retorted once again toward his comrades.
From inside the Paragon armor Lunar's mechanics could easily detect the high heart rate that Garfield was having from nervousness. Despite the fact he had a handle on his powers, he was still relatively new and had never faced three Paragons at the same time. Being the optimistic piparoid that he was, all Lunar could do was think to offer encouraging thoughts that hopefully would help him."Remember Garfield, think fast and attack, we can win this!"
"Think fast and attack, gotcha!"
"Enough of this, submit Moon Fang!" The time for intimidation was over. In Sparrow's eyes it was now time to prove that he was the superior among all his brethren. Dashing fast with fists charged with solar energy, Sparrow was set to deliver the first blow to Moon Fang.
He would never get the chance to strike him however. As he came within striking distance of his target, a single pink laser arrow exploded in front of his face forcing him backwards.
"You want him, you'll have to go through me first!" Paragon Black Siren announced as she jumped down from the ceiling. With her compound bow in hand, the Paragon stood protectively in front of her boyfriend before firing off another arrow toward Sparrow.
"You bitch!" Sparrow growled as the laser arrow directly pierced the chest of his armor.
"Not her again!" Taurus stammered
"Raven!" Moon Fang gushed as he attempted to hug his girlfriend
"Definitely not the time, Gar!" Avoiding the hug he was about to place on her, Black Siren suddenly charged and began to solo battle Sparrow.
"Wait, she's on our side now?" Lunar quizzed with a surprised tone.
"I'll explain later little buddy!"
With Black Siren keeping Sparrow busy, Moon Fang took it upon himself to handle the other two paragons. Catching a bewildered Taurus off guard, Moon Fang slashed the warrior with the claws on his armor before kicking him directly in his helmet.
As Taurus stumbled violently toward the ground, Moon Fang prepared himself to pounce on him in a cat-like fashion. His next attack however would be cut short as Thrust stepped in front of his partner, protecting him with the bulkiness that was his weight.
"Uh oh!" Moon Fang sweatdropped.
"You're in for it now tigerboy!" Getting to his feet, Taurus stood by his comrade as they went for their weaponry golden cogs. After inserting them, Taurus became armed with his submachine gun, while Thrust became equipped with his ball and chain.
Taurus went first, with his expertise in shooting he started to fire a multitude of energy bullets at his target, all the while Thrust was swinging his ball and chain in the same direction.
Moon Fang found himself going on the defensive, relying on his natural acrobatics and the armor's quickness to avoid the bullets and the crushing weight of the ball. The minute that he found an opening, the Paragon rushed back into battle, taking the enemy head on much like Black Siren did.
The all-out brawl between the Paragons was in full swing, with one only wondering who could come out victorious.
-New Metropolis Detention Center-
"Do you hear that?" The query came unexpectedly from Ryan's mouth. At first Virgil did not pay attention but found he could not ignore what she was talking about.
Up until now there had been nothing but silence within the air ducts, however the more they traveled the more they started to hear sounds. This wasn't just any sound though, it was the distinct sound of classical music blaring from a nearby radio.
Like rats to cheese the music seemed to lure Ryan and Virgil further down the air ducts to a flimsy metal grate, where a bright light was blaring. Keeping silent while sneaking up on the grate, Ryan and Virgil became shocked at the sight that was stationed below them.
"That's DR Rhyme!" Exclaimed Ryan.
The air duct they were in was overlooking the warden's office. Much to their surprise, DR Rhyme was not only alive but she was sitting comfortably at her desk. Gradually caressing a steaming hot cup of tea, DR Rhyme leaned her chair back lazily as she swayed her head back and forth to the symphony that filled the room.
"How is she still alive?" Virgil questioned.
"That's a damn good question!" Ryan replied. "More importantly, why didn't she try to help us or the guards?"
"Ssshh." He hushed
Going back to the sight below them, the duo carefully observed DR Rhyme's as she turned down the music on the radio. Once the tone could barley be heard, the psychologist went for the tape recorder she had stationed at the edge of her desk. Once again leaning back in her chair, DR Rhyme found herself kicking her feet up before pressing the record button on the device.
"Psychology entry three, nine, four, eight." She began "I DR Evelyn Rhyme have made great strides in the area of research over the last few hours. Despite the unexpected incursion from the Brainiac bottle, I have followed Roman's instruction absolutely perfectly!"
"Roman?" Virgil quizzed.
"Who the hell is Roman?"
"Thanks to my psychological studies, I have successfully guided Peyton Riley, Eva McCulloch and Maria Sanchez to the path of our cause!" DR Rhyme explained. "They will need additional breaking in to become good teammates but I have a feeling that they were be even better than those who preceded them!"
"Peyton, Eva, and Maria."
"Are those inmates?" Ryan wondered.
Virgil nodded. "Yup, Peytons a schizo, Eva's got rage issues and Maria's got powers over water!"
"My next assignment will see me convert MS Jacknam into a suitable successor for her brother, the deceased Weather Wizard!"
"Weather Wizard?" Just hearing that name made Ryan's senses go into overdrive.
What was to come next was more of a shocker for Ryan.
While DR Rhyme was still continuing to talk, she unexpectedly got up from her chair and reached into her bag that she had stationed at the edge of the desk. Reaching deep into its contents the deranged psychologist brought forth several items and laid them on the surface so she could take a look at them.
The color forever drained out of Ryan's mahogany skin as she instantly recognized the items that DR Rhyme had kept in her possession. On the table now was the Joker's Joy Buzzer, Captain Cold's Freeze Gun, The Wildcat Suit, Weather Wizard's Staff, Killer Croc's Tooth, and the Fiddlers Violin.
Ryan couldn't believe what she was seeing. She promised Highfather that she would personally track down all of the hero and villain trophies stolen from the vault, but never in her wildest imagination did she even think that she would get a lead this soon.
This new revelation caused Ryan's face to contort in horror as the truth started to fall on her like a meteor from the sky. DR Rhyme not only was the one who stole the items but she was working for whoever orchestrated the kidnapping of her mentor Kate Kane.
Beyond that Ryan now knew that she was responsible for all the events here. It was all coming together now. Her surviving the violent prison break, Ebon getting his powers back and Nia's kidnapping. Every single event had been orchestrated by her the moment that she saw that cane, the same cane that belonged to the Riddler.
"To recap after I am finished with MS Jacknam I shall begin my search for new individuals worthy of carrying on items belonging to some of our most dangerous rogues!" With her dictation finished DR Rhyme clicked the tape recorder into the off position before sitting back down at her desk.
"Ryan come on we gotta keep moving!" Urged Virgil as his thoughts of his friend's welfare came back to him.
"But DR Rhyme -."
"We can't worry about her, Nia's counting on us, remember?"
"Yeah but -."
"I promise we'll come back after we save her!"
"But those Items I need them back before-." Ryan would have no time to plead her case as the metal grate started to shake rapidly, from having both their weights placed upon it. As Virgil sprawled off of the metal grate to safety, Ryan was not so lucky. She could not get off the grate in time and found herself falling through and into the office below.
"Ryan!" Virgil screamed out to try while trying to catch her.
It was sadly too late however. Ryan came crashing down onto the office carpet with a loud 'thud'. Landing a few inches away from the desk, the Afro girl gave a weary smile as she locked eyes with the shocked face of DR Rhyme.
"You!" DR Rhyme sneered while her eyes popped out her head. "You're supposed to be dead!"
"Better killers have tried, lady!"
"Hang on Ryan, I'm coming!" Virgil shouted
But DR Rhyme was quicker in her efforts. Noticing that Ryan emerged from the grate above, she grabbed Captain Cold's gun and aimed it. With a light squeeze of the trigger the gun came to life emitting a blast of cold energy. Virgil had mere seconds to scramble out of the way before the ice hit where the grate used to be. With it's tremendous pressure and force the cold gun created a solid block of ice that sealed the entire air duct shut.
"Nooo Ryan!" The Afro-male cried out for his friend as the ice blocked him from getting to her. With this new obstacle now in his way, he had no way of seeing below or assisting his friend in her hour of need.
With Virgil now unable to rescue her, Ryan bolted for the door in an attempt to escape her enemy. Her efforts would be in vain as DR Rhyme shot the gun at the floor, creating a small slick of ice. Before Ryan could even put a single palm on the door, her foot slipped on the icy path causing her to crash to the ground hard.
"Damnit!" She cursed.
"Although this is unexpected I guess it's for the best because now I can kill you myself!" Ryan found herself unable to get up in time and soon DR Rhyme's shadow was standing over her. The demented psychologist could only smile in satisfaction as she held the barrel of the cold gun directly against Ryan's forehead.
-SkullShip-
-With Ryan Choi-
While Moon Fang & Black Siren did battle with their adversaries in the main chamber, Ryan Choi followed suit with his seek and destroy mission. Following Moon Fang's advice to use his smarts, the scientist thought it best to put the UAOH machinery to the test. Using the tablet's Kryptonian hacking capabilities, a map was made at Ryan Choi's command. This map not only served as a guide for him, but it would also serve as a way to avoid any unpleasant surprise that Brainiac might have in store for him.
Bypassing chamber after chamber, Ryan passed many technological workings before he finally made his way to a door that was unmarked like the others. The moment that he stepped up toward the door, the UAOH tablet's map lit up with recognition, indicating that what he was after was inside.
"You can do this Ryan, you can do this." Although Ryan tried to pump himself up with optimism , the shaking in his knees and pounding of his heart told a different story.
Hacking the doors with the tablet was the easy part, and before long Ryan had opened his way into the next room.
Much like the other chambers on the Skullship the room was massive in terms of space and filled with different techno panels. The 'Core' that Ryan was after was a floating blue diamond suspended within a strange murky white substance. Protected by a glass innertube the core had openings at the bottom of it where wires would run out and travel onward throughout the entire Skullship.
"Intruder alert, intruder alert, I repeat an Intruder has breached the core area." No sooner than Ryan stepped in the room then did he hear the computerized voice of Brainiac. "What are you doing here Ryan Choi?"
"Y-you know my name?" He questioned with a creeped-out shriek.
"Facial recognition identifies you as Ryan A. Choi. Scholar, Scientist, Gamer and apprentice to the deceased Ray Palmer otherwise known as the Atom." He announced. "I've been following your tracks since you arrived here, I can fully surmise you are making an attempt to stop me!"
"It isn't an attempt Brainiac, me and Moon Fang are going to stop you!"
"Ahh yes, one of the paragons." A robotic chuckle suddenly escaped the aliens' voice. "Like them, try as you must but you are already too late, I have already begun the propagation process!"
"Propagation?" He immediately recognized the word, meaning to spawn or reproduce.
"Go to the back window, see for yourself!"
Without thinking the Asian male found himself heeding Brainiac's word and walking slowly toward the back of the room. The closer he got with each step he could see a small window with sparks shining brightly on the other side. As Ryan finally got up close, his jaw hit the floor as he observed what was on the other side.
Amassed in the next room over was a collection of robotic arms and conveyor belts that ran all through the space. Ryan watched the belts closely as they were carrying an assortment of robotic limbs, bolts, nuts and computer frames. In a factory-like sequence, every solo part was transported to robotic arms that would arrange them to be in different orders. At first it seemed like nothing could be made from the parts at hand, but as the sequence continued Ryan could quickly see that wasn't the case. From start to finish the factory kept up its pace until at the very end a single one of Brainiac's droids were produced.
A single Brainiac droid wasn't an issue, but soon the belts produced a secondary, then a tertiary and finally a dozen. In Ryan's eyes the plan was starting to form, now that Brainiac had his ship back he was intent to recreate the army that he lost at the hands of Darkseid. With such an army at his disposal he would have no problem recreating his physical body and then advancing toward earth.
"With what you've witnessed I'd advise you to surrender, that is the only logical choice!"
But Ryan Choi would not be swayed from finishing his mission. It didn't matter how much fright he felt in his heart, people were counting on him. Not just Ryan and Moon Fang but all of New Metropolis, he couldn't fail now.
Walking away from the window, Ryan brought himself before the core once more. Closing his eyes fully and clutching his tablet hard, the scientist prepared himself as he pressed the button on the bio belt.
Obeying the command given to it, the belt sounded off with a variety of mechanical sounds before shrouding him in a yellowish energy aura. Within a split nanosecond, Ryan's body began to miniaturize smaller, and smaller and smaller and even smaller until he became the literal size of an ant.
"What do you think you're doing?" Brainiac inquired.
"Turning this problem to the atomic side!" Now at the actual size needed Ryan Choi slipped through the opening of the innertube and found himself directly within reach of the core.
"Your efforts are futile Ryan Choi, you cannot stop me!"
"Can't talk now, hacking into your ship!" Taking a chance at this pivotal moment, Ryan Choi now started to use the UAOH tablet to dig deep into the schematics of Brainiac's ship. It may have taken some doing but he fully expected to take down the AI with little time.
-Elsewhere on the SkullShip-
"Damnit!" Appropriate words that flowed out of Black Siren's mouth as her entire body was flung like a ragdoll through the solid steel wall and into the next chamber. Clutching the remains of the wall that was laid out next to her, the paragon fought against the heaviness of her own armor as well as the exhausted pain her muscles were sending to her.
Like always she wouldn't have long to try and prepare herself. No sooner than she got halfway to her feet, did she hear it. The sound of Sparrow's hook swords scraping across the floor, letting off a series of sparks as he did so. The Paragon was walking at a slowed pace as he carried his weapon, making sure to savor every moment that he would take her down.
Black Siren's mind was set at automation when it came to this battle. Without thinking she fought against her own injuries and set off to face Sparrow once more. The paragon would not be intimidated by her display of bravado and nastily slashed her twice across the chest before kicking her away from him.
"I'm not sure what you did to Siren, but after I'm done with you you'll wish you stayed your ass in nevermore!"
"Get real, I'll take more than a wannabe Robin to bring me down!"
"Let's test that theory then shall we!" He shouted before charging at her.
With the quickness Black Siren loaded a golden cog into her bracelet. As Sparrow was set to strike with his swords, the rose shield appeared in her hands. Blocking the hook swords with her now defensive weapon, the paragon punched Sparrow backwards before she disappeared with a flash of light.
"What the hell?" A startled Sparrow swore as the entire room started to swirl with a storm of black rose petals, the same once used earlier in battle. "Flowers seriously, you gotta be kidding me!"
But there was no answer from his foe, in fact there was practically no sound at all. Grunting while taking random swipes at the rose petals, Sparrow found no sight of Black Siren; in fact all he could see was the storm getting thicker and denser.
"Stop playing games, come out and face me Raven!"
Much like she had done against Thrust, Black Siren used the cover of the rose petals to hide herself. The moment Sparrow turned his back, she emerged through the petals with her shield valiantly in hand . Landing directly behind Sparrow, the rose shield became charged with flower energy right before Black Siren struck him in his lower back.
Too late to react to the attack, Sparrow screamed out as the entire energy jolted into his body, while also causing parts of his armor to crack in the front. Once satisfied with the amount of damage she had done to him, Siren jumped back into the rose storm to conceal herself.
Doubling over in pain from the attack, Sparrow was left vulnerable as Black Siren reappeared again, this time directly in front of him. As she fully tried to attack him again with the shield, Black Siren became shocked when he suddenly caught the weapon with a single hand.
"You're pathetic!" He sneered. With his enhanced strength Sparrow easily squeezed the rose shield breaking it into a million pieces. Black Siren backed away cautiously as the shield vaporized back into energy while also taking the rose petal storm with it.
Now that he had the upper hand, Sparrow went for his own trick cog in an attempt to put down Black Siren. Once inserted Sparrow laughed maniacally as his entire body split into his two clones form
"Three against one, I like those odds!"
Even though she was now outmatched, Black Siren stood her ground ready to face all that Sparrow had to offer.
"Crush Fang!" Even though Paragon Thrust could not make out more than two words at a time, his unyielding passion to 'crush fang' was at the center of everything. Much like most of the battle his ball and chain was front in center, being heaved in whatever direction Moon Fang happened to be in.
Having drawn for his chakrams earlier, the tiger paragon found himself not only dodging the ball but also avoiding grenades being shot by Taurus's oversized rocket launcher.
"Stay still you little cretin!" Taurus snarled. Even through his helmet he managed to line his sight up perfectly with the scope attached to his weapon. Once his target was within his grasp he clicked the trigger, unleashing a barrage of heavy fire.
"Incoming bombardment!" Lunar's voice rang out with warning as the grenades started to head in their direction like heavy rain. "Garfield, quick load the kaleidoscope shield!"
"Uh right!" Out of all four of the golden cogs that came with his armor, Moon Fang had only used two of them. Now following Lunar's guidance, he swiftly grabbed a cog from his belt with a #3 displayed on the front. Inserting it like normal, Moon Fang stood back as cosmic energy started to create the kaleidoscope shield directly in his hand. The design of the shield itself was half-moon shaped with rainbow jagged mirror pieces making up the surface of it.
Arriving just in the nick of time, Moon Fang held his shield out protectively as the grenades got close to him. On contact the weapon unleashed a wave of colorful unknown energy while immediately reflecting them back in the opposite direction.
Inside his helmet Paragon Taurus's mouth stood agape as his own weaponry started to fly back at him. With the heaviness of his own rocket launcher weighing him down, Tarurus found himself unable to sprawl out of the way in time. Dropping all at once the paragon screamed out as grenades exploded in his face while throwing him far away throughout the chamber.
"Now that was the bomb!" Moon Fang stated as he started to laugh. "The bomb, get it Lunar?"
"Friend please, that joke is older than my software!" The tiger Icon on Moon Fang's computer screen suddenly appeared, displaying an embarrassing emoji.
"Sheesh everyone's a critic!" He sweat dropped.
"Argh!" Black Siren suddenly cried out. Without warning the female paragon came crashing into the room once more, only this time to fall to the ground as she collided against Thrust's sturdy armor.
"Thrust, smash that witch!" Paragon Sparrow ordered as he flew into the room while bringing all three of his clones back into his single self.
"Thrust kill!" In a King Kong like fashion Thrust's four muscular arms pounded against his chest before he raised them above his head in an attempt to pound Siren into submission.
Seeing the imminent danger that his girlfriend was in, Moon Fang found himself jolting across the room. Before Thrust could even get a single hit on her, all four of his arms smashed directly into Moon Fang's kaleidoscope shield. With it's reflective nature activating, Thrust felt the intensity of his own strength as it knocked him clean on his ass.
"Thanks!" Black Siren said before getting back to her feet.
"We aim to please!" Lunar chirped
"What he said!" Moon Fang added
"Thrust what the hell are you doing, smash him!" Sparrow yelled. Seeing his comrade struggle against Moon Fang's puny shield was more then enough to convince Sparrow to rejoin the fight. The threesome battle now turned into a foursome as the paragons started to fight collectively once again.
"Look at this mess, my entire plan is ruined!" While his comrades and adversaries continued to slaughter one another, Paragon Taurus was observing the battle from the safe distance he had been sent too.
It was hard to imagine that his entire plan was now amounting to nothing. First Brainiac, then Moon Fang, then Sparrow and now even Black Siren, all of these forces were preventing him from becoming the favored warrior. At this point there was nothing left for him to do but take drastic measures, and in his case his next actions would be the most drastic of them all.
Opening up the compartment of his belt, Paragon Taurus retrieved his fourth and final cog that he had in his arsenal. As the most powerful weapon in his arsenal, he knew deep in his mindset that this would be all he needed to finish off everyone that dared to get in his way.
Prepping the cog into the slot of his bracelet, the paragon stood attentive as green energy started to gather together in front of him. Growing massive in size, the energy dissipated forming three separate V3 missiles. Each individual missile was modeled after Taurus armor, and upon being summoned they simply levitated in the air awaiting a command from there owner.
"Time to clear the board!" Mentally commanding the missiles, Taurus made a finger gun gesture in the direction of where his opponents were at.
From that one tiny little action the weaponry shot to life. With thunderous speed they rocketed from Taurus and toward their now new targets. Sparrow, Black Siren, Moon Fang, & Thrust were too busy fighting on another to notice the attack that was being launched at them. Before any of them could react to what was happening, the missiles combined together and strength, imploding the minute they touched the ground.
"Bullseye!" Was Paragon Taurus's final words as half of the entire SkullShip erupted in an explosion of massive proportions.
-New Metropolis Detention Center-
It was the end of the line for Virgil, or rather the end of the air ducts.
Unable to assist Ryan when she really needed it, the young adult thought it was best to resume his mission to rescue Nia. Following the path that he started, Virgil had now reached the limits of where the air ducts can carry him. Upon reaching the metal grate, he peered down into the corridors below to see where he was at.
It was as if his luck was beginning to change. As speculated the air ducts lead him to the detention center mess hall. The area itself was extremely vast, almost resembling a large gymnasium. The mess hall was decorated with a crisp marble floor, sunny wallpaper and steel table chair sets that were littered all around.
Once he got a good look at the decor, he finally spotted his goal at hand. Nia as promised was being held captive on one of the lunch tables. The poor girl was struggling for her freedom against a set of shackles that were carefully wrapped around her wrists and ankles while also being attached to the table she was on.
To say the least Virgil had seen enough over the course of the day. He had nothing else on his mind but freeing her and hopefully going to save Ryan next.
Pounding on the metal grate as hard as he could, Virgil eventually broke through allowing himself access to the mess hall below. Jumping downward he landed perfectly onto the floor before making a mad dash toward where Nia was at.
"Virgil noo it's a trap!" Nia wailed
Her warnings would fall on deaf ears as the unthinkable happened. Before Virgil could even reach the table, a single shot of fireball rang out from the corner. Unable to stop in time, Virgil's body collided with the fireball, forcing him backwards against the mess hall wall.
Bemoaning with sheer pain, Virgil clutched his burnt skin which was now scorched and filled with burning boils. Much like how Ryan was earlier, Virgil could only lay helplessly while trying to find the strength to stand.
"I told you I'd get him!"
As the voice rang out, Virgil peeled his eyes toward the rest of the room. Out of the darkened corners came Ebon, Rubber, HotStreak and the other numerous members of their gangs. Having been waiting in hiding, the inmates had seized the opportunity to attack Virgil when he least expected it.
How foolish he felt.
If he had just thought further he might have been able to predict this situation, instead he now was just as helpless as Nia.
"The air ducts seriously?" Rubber inquired with a smirk. "You're just full of surprises aren't ya punk?"
"Doesn't matter how clever he is, it's all over for him now!" Ebon stated
"No Virgil!" Nia cried out. "Get up, you can't give in, you just can't!"
Just hearing Nia's voice caused HotStreak to scrunch his face up in disgust. "Ugh, can we get rid of that annoying brat first?"
"Let the boys have their fun, then you can do whatever you want to her!"
Hot Streak couldn't help but grin as he thought of the chance to use his powers for causing destruction. Slowly creeping away from Virgil, HotStreak and a few inmates started to walk in Nia's direction. The teen could do nothing but fight against her restraints as she knew the sexual and hate filled violence that was to befall her.
"Well Hawkins I guess this is the end!" Standing directly above his nemesis, Ebon called upon his powers over shadows as he impressively conjured a blade construct. A weakened Virgil could only look up with worry as Ebon started to walk closer toward him with the weapon.
Virgil never thought he and Nia would lose their lives this way. Back in Dakota they had some close calls but even they never imagined that Ebon would end up winning against them.
Was this really the end?
Was all hope for them totally lost?
End of Chapter 18
Ok so we only have 2 chapters left and then that will be season 2 all wrapped up for you guys! So I plan on posting Chapter 19 & Chapter 20 together, I can say for absolute sure they will be posted on December 31st! This way we can start Season 3 in 2023, awesome right!
As usual if you guys have any comments or concerns regarding the chapter, feel free to leave me a message below with your thoughts. Also if you guys have any comments on Bia's artwork for the chapter be sure to include that. I've been hitting a sort of dry spell when it comes to reviews lately so if you guys could leave some that would be really awesome, Me and Bia would really be grateful for that.
Until the 31st I bid you guys Farwell and wish you a Happy Holidays!
Remember to review!
Arigato!
Z!