On the 16th day of the hero's 16th year

For one single precious held most dear

By the shade of evil with time in his hands

Choices will be made to determine who stands

The hidden hero will be proclaimed

After a fall leaves him heavily maimed

The day's weather will be fought

By winter, summer, and storms a lot

The land of choice is the original spot

Where she died and now lives reborn

In the world of the original's form

The Road to Happiness, The Long One

A/N: Please review! And I apologize, last week I wasn't able to upload this chapter due to some server issues, and I forgot about it.

Chapter 36: Day 13/16, Saturday

"WAIT!" Cal said. Everyone froze in shock. "I'm from the future, and there's something you need to know…"

"If you're from the future, that must mean that you're okay!" Kara said, running over to Cal and throwing her arms around him. Cal briefly tensed, but hugged her back briefly.

"I don't have much time," Cal said. "But I need to tell you something…" Cal swallowed heavily.

"Yeah?" Mason asked. Bartholomew eyed Cal suspiciously.

"When you get there," Cal started. "There will be several people fighting you…" Cal swallowed again. "And one of them will be wearing a dark blue hoodie…"

"Cal, she's the one who kidnapped you," Kara said. Cal nodded.

"I know…" Cal said. "And she's going to try to stop you… You all will have a chance to overpower her… And I need you to do something… You need to kill her…" Everyone remained silent.

"Why?" Mason asked. Cal sighed.

"Because she's the one who kills you…" Cal answered. Mason frowned. Kara gasped. Bartholomew remained suspicious.

"I die saving you?" Mason asked. Cal nodded somberly.

"It's her or you…" Cal said. Kara sighed.

"There has to be another way," Kara said. Cal shook his head.

"She dies or Mason dies," Cal said. Mason sighed.

"Then I die," Mason decided. "We're not killing someone to save ourselves…" Cal shook his head.

"I can't win my battles without you," Cal said. "Since you died I've had an over compulsion to kill my enemies instead of capture. I almost did kill the last villain… That's why I'm here…" Mason sighed.

"Then you try to do better," Kara demanded. "I'm always here for you. And you can get through this… by moving forward, by looking to the future instead of coming back here…" Cal sighed and shook his head.

"Kara… you're gone…" Cal admitted.

"Like… dead?" Kara asked. Cal shook his head.

"You left me…" Cal said. Kara looked away.

"…why?" Kara asked, sad. "Maybe if I'm warned then…"

"There was just someone else," Cal said sadly. Kara frowned. She tried to hug him comfortingly, but Cal shied away.

"I will never," Kara said. "Not now that I know…" Cal nodded.

"But it's me who pushed you away," Cal said. "Because I can't get over Mason's death…" Kara nodded.

"Just once?" Mason asked. "Just one death couldn't hurt right…?" Cal nodded.

"Please," Cal said. "Just this once…" Kara and Mason glanced at each other. "Or I can go with you, and stop her myself, but only as long as I don't see myself…"

"No, that's too risky," Mason said. "We'll kill her…" Mason and Kara looked downcast.

BANG

Cal looked down as the bullet when right through him and blood began pouring. Bartholomew had unnoticeably circled around them and shot a gun at Cal. Cal spun around, but fell. Kara and Mason rushed to him.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Bartholomew yelled. "That's not Callum…" Kara and Mason frowned, but backed up slowly.

"What do you mean?" Cal asked. Bartholomew stared him down.

"Callum would never ask anyone to kill for his sake," Bartholomew said. "And Cal would NEVER push Kara away. Not to mention, much to my chagrin, Kara would never leave Callum willingly. Oh, and Cal knows how to control himself beyond what I can, which is something…" Cal frowned for a moment, but got up smiling, his eyes glowing silver.

"I was so close," Cal said, his body morphing into Chronos. Chronos stood before them, grinning evilly.

"Worth a shot," Chronos said. "I never counted on an older mentor appearing…" He sighed.

"Why are you here?" Mason demanded, ready to fight. Chronos waved his hand.

"With Callum out of the picture temporarily, I've had to change my ultimate plan yet again," Chronos said. "I need you two, or three, to get him back."

"And why the insistence of killing someone?" Kara demanded, also ready to fight. Chronos studied her, debating something.

"I figured a death on either of your hands would put you out of commission for just long enough for my plan to finish…" Chronos said finally.

"You're not telling the whole truth," Bartholomew said, studying Chronos. Chronos laughed.

"Sharp old mentor," Chronos said. "It's a wonder Callum hasn't beaten me yet with you as teacher…"

"Callum has a stricter code of morality than I do," Bartholomew explained briefly. "After all, I was born centuries ago… Times change… Now, tell the whole damn truth."

"Hm, well, you should watch your language around children," Chronos deflected, gesturing towards Mason and Kara.

"The… whole… damn… truth…" Bartholomew growled. "Or I'll take your ass out here and now before you can say 'holy roman shit'…" Chronos stared him down, deciding whether or not to fight the old man.

"Truth be told," Chronos decided. "You deserve soap in your mouth." Bartholomew's eyes flared, and he flew forward, grabbing Chronos by the throat.

"Huh, you were right," Chronos wheezed, laughing. "Even with my powers there's no way I could have said 'holy roman shit' before you got me…" Bartholomew choked him harder. Mason and Kara glanced at each other before Mason started to go and stop Bartholomew.

"Back off Mason," Bartholomew said without looking. "Chronos, this isn't a damn joke. I have a mind to destroy you here and now-"

"If it weren't for your rules?" Chronos interrupted. Bartholomew's grip loosened for a second, and Chronos slipped out from his grasp and slammed Bartholomew into the wall, holding his arm and preparing to break it if necessary. "No one come any closer or I'll break his arm. Now, you're probably wondering how I know your rules… Well, let's just say I make it my business to know everything about both my friends and enemies, strengths and weaknesses, the deepest, darkest secrets…" Bartholomew shook his head.

"But who would tell you…" Bartholomew asked. Chronos laughed.

"I have a friend who has a friend who knows all about your operation…" Chronos said. "Took several favors, and I still don't know everything, but I know as much as I can." Bartholomew growled and phased through Chronos, getting behind him, and became solid, kicking Chronos into the wall. Chronos grunted. Bartholomew rushed Chronos again.

"Nope, I'm out!" Chronos said, disappearing. Bartholomew stopped and turned to the other two.

"Let's go save Callum before that creep tries to do something else again…" Bartholomew said. Mason and Kara both nodded, determined to save Cal.

-Break-

"Welcome to LESPAS," the voice reiterated. "Glad you could join us Callum." Cal frowned, confused.

"Why?" Cal asked. The voice laughed.

"To be straight with you, we want your blood," the voice answered. Cal's eyes widened in surprise.

"Not to reiterate, but why?" Cal asked. The voice laughed again.

"Go get the tools," the voice said to the woman. The woman nodded and left the room. "We need your blood because of the power it possesses…"

"My blood? Has my power?" Cal asked.

"Yes," the voice said. "I'm surprised you don't remember."

"Remember?" Cal asked.

"About 8 or 9 years ago you were here," the voice said. "We took your blood…" Cal shook his head.

"I don't remember…" Cal said. "But how did you know I had powers?" The voice laughed again.

"We had a member who had the power to see the future in glances," the voice explained. "They feared their powers and allowed us to utilize them for our purposes. They told us about you, Callum, and they said, 'His blood is the key to his power…' So, we nabbed you and took a quart of your blood to start, dumping you off soon after. We studied up to a cup of your blood, unable to see any unique differences in it, but we put a pint into someone, and they possessed an unimaginable power. That power drove them insane, and they exploded into dust. We were confused at first, but we realized that they received too much blood at once. We gave a single ounce to the woman you saw, when she was but a young girl, and that blood is still coursing through her. Unfortunately, all other attempts, no matter the amount of blood, caused the subjects to explode into dust after a while. That still baffles us, for your blood is O negative and each subject was compatible with your blood. Regardless, something about that woman made your blood work for 7 whole years, almost 8." The voice finished explaining, leaving Cal baffled. Cal shook his head.

"So you want another quart of my blood?" Cal asked.

"Well, we wanted The Protector's blood, to see if we could utilize his better than yours, but pieces fell together and that woman realized who you were. We tried to get Mason to confirm our suspicions, and were going to grab you, but we saw you were… indisposed, conveniently for us, and decided to take action. And this time, well, this time we'll keep you here… and continue siphoning blood from you…" the voice answered. The woman returned with a large cart of tubes, needles, and blood bags. The woman reached Callum and began setting up.

"So… I'll be borderline dead till you want me actually dead…" Cal figured.

"Yes," the voice said.

"But one quick question," Cal said. "If you're against super powers, why use them?" The voice chuckled.

"People say to fight fire with fire," the voice said. "And that's the only way to beat other super powered beings. Once the other super powered beings are eliminated my loyal subjects will destroy themselves as their last act of obedience."

"You can't fight fire with fire…" Cal said. "They'll turn against you…" The voice laughed.

"That's what the woman next to you said, yet here she is, unwavering in loyalty," the voice said. The woman nodded and rolled up the sleeve of Cal's under-suit, revealing his vein. The woman began sterilizing the needle she was going to use.

"You don't have to do this," Cal whispered to the woman. "You deserve to live your life…" The woman ignored him as she finished preparing the needle and tubes.

"Do it," the voice commanded. The woman pressed the needle against Cal's vein. The woman stared into Cal's eyes as she inserted the needle, and Cal saw something in her eyes. Sorrow, compassion, and some sort of love. Cal frowned at the last emotion he felt and saw, but the look disappeared as he felt the blood rush out of him. The blood quickly filled the bags and Cal felt himself become weaker.

-Break-

Mason burst through the double doors, pissed off and ready to fight. Kara and Bartholomew followed close behind, but to their surprise the halls were empty. An eerie silence filled the halls as the trio quickly checked every door they came across. Each door led to an empty room of some sort: closet, office, bathroom. Finally, they came to an elevator. Kara went to press the button, but Bartholomew grabbed her wrist, shaking his head. Kara frowned, slightly embarrassed. Bartholomew gestured to Mason, who nodded and quietly wrenched the doors open. One by one, the trio went down the elevator, either flying or sliding down the elevator cables harmlessly. Bartholomew went last, feeling something inside him telling him to turn back. Ignoring the feeling, Bartholomew jumped into the elevator, darkness consuming him.

Bartholomew landed next to Mason and Kara, who stood ready to fight, but awestruck. The basement of this old abandoned building had been refurnished, cleaned, and repaired to a spotless shine. The hallways' walls and floor gleamed; the ceiling lights bright and un-flickering. Mason glanced at Bartholomew, who shrugged. Kara scanned the area with her x-ray vision and turned to the others.

"No cameras…" she whispered. Mason and Bartholomew nodded and Mason took a step outside the elevator shaft. Immediately, before Mason had even put his foot down, alarms went off and flashing red lights signaled.

-Meanwhile-

Suddenly, blaring alarms went off, and Cal weakly lifted his head.

"Stay with him," the voice commanded, leaving the room. The woman obeyed and remained beside Callum. Next to the hooded woman, several bags of blood, each filled to the brim, hung from the side of a cart. Cal's pale face showed worry, and the woman comforted him, stroking his brown, messy hair. Cal looked at her, confused. The woman silently continued petting his hair, and Cal unintentionally relaxed.

"Why are you doing this?" Cal asked. "You're still a person, and with or without powers you deserve to have a chance. Not forced to be killed because of your unique gifts…" The woman remained silent, studying Cal's eyes and stroking his hair. Cal put his head back and sighed. "You were brainwashed weren't you?" Cal glanced at the woman again, noticing an apologetic sadness and a caring love. "With all my power in you, can't you fight the mind control?" Cal asked. Knowing he wouldn't get a response, Cal continued. "You'd need to know that you're being mind-controlled or brainwashed… Both things a successful victim would never discover or know…" Cal sighed and struggled to keep his heavy eyes open. Cal now barely had enough blood to stay alive, and the woman removed the needle, tying off the last blood bag and putting it on the cart. As Cal fell asleep, the woman stroked his hair some more and hummed a strikingly familiar lullaby. Cal listen in comfort as his mind went to sleep. A single tear fell and splashed Cal's face like a cool drop of rain on a hot summer day.

-Break-

Mason watched as a guard turned the corner and, noticing them, raised his weapon to fire. Kara instantly was in front of him, and took the weapon from his hands and broke it. The guard frantically threw a punch, but Kara caught it and punched him into the wall. Bartholomew nodded in satisfaction and together they went down each hall.

"Remember," Mason said. "Metal, vault-like door."

"Around this corner, at the end of the hall," Kara said. "But that's where all the guards seem to be…" They all looked at each other.

"Let's kick some ass and save Callum," Bartholomew said encouragingly. Mason and Kara grinned. They went around the corner, facing the guards. Bartholomew clapped his hardest, sending a sonic boom towards the guards. As it hit them, the guards flew back into each other and the walls. A few of them got up and, finding their weapons didn't work, rushed towards the trio, burning fire in their eyes. Mason kicked off the wall and landed in front of Bartholomew. Alone, he faced the guards. He shoved one into the wall, kicking the next back into the others. He took the first guard, spun him around, and threw him towards the other guards. Learning, the other guards ducked, pressing themselves close to the ground. They got up quickly and the nearest threw a punch at Mason, who blocked it, spun, and kicked the man. The man flew into the wall and collapsed to the ground. The next man was a bit more daring, and grabbed Mason while he was still in the air. Mason threw his head back, smashing into the attacker's face, and ripped free. He kicked the man behind him and elbowed the last guard standing. Brushing himself off, Mason helped Kara over the unconscious bodies of the guards, and they got to the metal door. Just before they opened the door, the lights flickered and went out. The trio looked around, surprised.

"Callum stays with me!" a voice boomed from behind. They spun around and Mason leaned over towards Bartholomew.

"That's the voice…" Mason whispered. Bartholomew narrowed his eyes.

"You all can either join him or die…" the voice said. Kara growled.

"He's coming with us!" Kara yelled. The voice chuckled.

"That's what you want to think," the voice said. Bartholomew snapped and suddenly the lights flickered on. The voice was still in a shadow.

"So Callum isn't the only one with powers," the voice said, laughing. "Your blood will be precious as well I assume."

"My blood?" Bartholomew asked. "Why my blood?"

"Because both blood and power run through your veins," the voice said. "There for they must be connected. In fact, I'm pretty sure that all three of you will be donating your blood for my cause…" They looked at each other.

"Who are you?!" Mason demanded.

"Hm, if I had realized you also had powers, Mason, I would have taken yours as well…" the voice continued.

"'Taken, yours as well'?" Kara asked. "You're taking Cal's blood?!"

"More importantly, who are you?!" Bartholomew demanded. The voice laughed.

"You will never leave here, so I suppose it's only fair," the voice said. They stepped out of the shadows, and the trio gasped. Mason stood more shocked than ever. Before them stood Miss Charlemagne, her black hair straight instead of curly and dulled in color rather than bright and glossy. Mason was at a loss for words.

"Miss Charlemagne?" Mason asked, shocked. He tried to process it. Miss Charlemagne laughed.

"Oh no, I'm not my goody two shoes big sister. My name is Karla Charlemagne," Karla said. Mason sighed in relief. He leaned on Kara.

"Not Miss Charlemagne, thank goodness," Mason mumbled. Kara nodded and patted his back. "That mental scarring would have killed me…"

"Well, none of you will live anyway," Karla said. "You can either die here and now or surrender…"

"Um, we're here to save Callum. None of us are doing either of those," Kara said. Karla laughed.

"Die it is then," Karla said. "I'll try to keep the spilt blood to a minimum…" Kara clenched her fists and took a step forward, but she collapsed, feeling like her head was imploding. Kara held her head in her hands and screamed her loudest. Mason winced at the volume and stepped forward, but followed Kara to the floor, yelling in pain, his head feeling like it was on fire. Bartholomew studied Karla.

"You aim to destroy people with super powers, but use powers yourself?" Bartholomew asked. Karla smiled.

"It's the only way to beat other super powered people, by using some yourself," Karla said.

"But you have powers too," Bartholomew pointed out. Karla laughed.

"So I do," Karla said.

"But then why destroy those like you?" Bartholomew asked. Karla grew angry.

"Because they judge you for your powers. They judge you for your life. They assume they're better than you because they knew right from wrong before you did. They say their powers are more useful, like they were more worthy to help others. I didn't ask for my powers! Just because they only hurt people doesn't mean I want to!" Karla ranted. Bartholomew sighed.

"You can control people's minds, but they go through intense pain beforehand…" Bartholomew guessed. Karla nodded.

"And my sister can just control people's emotions," Karla growled. "Clearly she got the better end of the bargain." Bartholomew shook his head.

"I doubt she uses her powers," Bartholomew said. "Which is exactly what you should be doing if you don't want to have to hurt people." Karla glared at him.

"I gave them all a chance," Karla said. "Now it's time for them all to pay!" She stared at Bartholomew, and Bartholomew followed Mason and Kara to floor, clutching his head in pain.

-Meanwhile-

Cal's eyes flipped open suddenly as Kara's scream, though muffled by the heavy door, pierced the air around him. Cal weakly struggled against the straps, but they didn't budge. He looked at the woman sitting on a chair across the murky room. Suddenly, Mason's muffled yell joined Kara's.

"Please," Cal begged. "Whether it be for me or those people out there or even a past hope, let me out…" The woman's jaw clenched, but she gave no reply. Instead, she took her hood off, revealing dirty blonde hair in a ponytail, and black outlines of veins. The black veins grew from below her shirt, up her neck, and had reached her left cheek, but on her right side the black had spread to just below her eye. She swallowed heavily and refused to meet Callum's eyes. Cal begged hard. "Please, the girl I love is out there right now. That was her scream. I need to help her." Cal's eyes watered at the thought of what was happening to Kara. The woman's eyes also watered, but she still didn't move and refused to look at him. "If that doesn't convince you, my best friend, Mason, was the other voice. If love doesn't fuel you, let friendship. Please!" Cal fought to control the tears ready to fall from his eyes. The woman took a deep breath, but remained still. Cal fought the restrains even harder, but still they wouldn't budge. Cal glanced at the woman. "I figure you were treated terribly by someone with powers when you were little. I understand, that's not something you get over quickly. But I promise you that not all people with powers are like that… Let me show you… but if I can't go out and save them, then you do it for me. At least help me make sure they're okay…" The woman shook her head, but that was all she did. Cal sighed. Suddenly, Bartholomew's muffled yell rang out through the room. Cal fought the restraints harder than ever, but they didn't even slightly loosen. Defeated, Cal turned to the woman. "Please!" he begged. "I promise you, if you let me out and let me save my friends, I will willingly come back here. I will willingly let you take my blood till the day I die… Just… let me make sure they're okay…" Silence filled the room as the yelling and screaming stopped. For a few moments, there was absolute silence.

"You would give your life and powers to save your friends?" the woman finally spoke. Cal nodded.

"I would do anything for them," Cal admitted. The woman looked at him.

"I will let you go save them and leave this place, under one condition…" the woman said. Cal nodded.

"Anything," Cal answered. The woman studied Cal's eyes.

"Take me with you," she said finally. Cal nodded.

"I promise," Cal promised. The woman studied him a moment longer and then nodded. She walked over and slowly undid the straps. As soon as Cal was free, he rushed out of the room, tearing the metal door out of the wall and tossing it aside. Outside, Bartholomew, Mason, and Kara all laid on the floor, exhausted from pain. Cal was still pale and weak from the lack of blood, but he knew what he had to do. Ignoring the fact that his captor looked like Miss Charlemagne, Cal stumbled forward, determined to stop his friends' pain. His captor stared daggers at Cal, and he fell to his knees, his head flaring and screaming in pain. Without letting a sound pass his lips, Cal got to his feet and, using the hallway wall to steady himself, moved step by step toward Miss Charlemagne. Cal's body shook in pain, but Cal kept himself going, each step becoming more and more difficult and painful. Karla stared at Cal, focused solely on him, and let Bartholomew, Kara, and Mason go. The trio collapsed in relief, too weak to get up. Cal felt the pain in his head intensify, and he staggered. The pain in his head threatened to blow his head up, but Cal shut his eyes tight and shook his head. Cal opened his eyes, wincing, and continued towards her. She gasped in surprise and lost focus for a second, which was all Cal needed. Cal rushed forward and tackled her, and she slammed her head against the floor, knocking her out cold. Cal got up slowly, his adrenaline gone. He turned to Kara, but stumbled a bit. Kara zipped forward and caught him. Kara frowned in worry at Cal's pale face, covered in cold sweat. Mason got up and went over to check on him. Bartholomew sat up, but didn't get up. He sighed.

"Funny how we came to save you and you ended up saving us…" Bartholomew said, chuckling and shaking his head.

"I didn't do it alone," Cal said. He turned to Mason. "Miss Charlemagne?" Mason shook his head.

"Her younger sister," Mason said. "Karla."

"How do you know she was younger?" Kara asked.

"She said so," Mason said. Kara frowned. Suddenly, the woman appeared in the doorway, behind Bartholomew.

"Bartholomew!" Kara said. "It's her, the one who took Cal!" Bartholomew noticed her and quickly got to his feet, ready to fight.

"WAIT!" Cal yelled. They all looked at him. "I didn't escape my restraints alone, she let me go…" Kara frowned.

"But she was working for her…" Kara said.

"She must have been mind-controlled too," Kara and Bartholomew both said in unison. Bartholomew smiled in approval.

"Sharp one," Bartholomew said, still smiling.

"What do we do with her?" Mason asked, Cal frowned and tilted over a bit, but Mason caught him and steadied him. Cal shook his head briefly.

"We take her with us," Cal demanded. They all looked at him.

"Um, Cal, I'm not sure how much blood you lost, but there's no way we're bringing your kidnapper with us…" Kara said. Cal shook his head.

"She's coming with us or I stay here," Cal demanded. Mason sighed.

"She can come with us in cuffs," Mason suggested.

"NO!" Cal yelled. Everyone's eyes widened in shock, Cal never yelled without a reason bigger than someone close to him's pain. "She comes with us, cuff-free." Cal finished quietly.

"Fine," Kara said. "But I'm watching her every step of the way…" Mason nodded.

"Same." Mason said. Bartholomew laughed and turned to the woman.

"Well, young lady, I haven't lost my manners quite yet. What is your name?" Bartholomew asked. The woman rubbed her arm nervously, looking down.

"Amber… Orson…"