Disclaimer: I do not own Legion.
The End. Thanks for Reading.
A black space. A boy with long brown hair and red specks, in a white suit.
"Hey. The name's Kid Eternity. Call me the Kid."
He walked through the space.
"It's a funny feeling, being dead. I should know. I've been through it. And death can really screw you up. Like putting you in a game for control of the universe between the lords of Chaos and the lords of Order. Well that's not the exact description but it's close enough. So, anyway, I know about death. And I know about life. And I know plenty about wasted potential. Kids can say stupid things. But how often do they really mean it. One girl is about to find out. She's going to find out why…"
13. It's A Wonderful Life, Ayla
Your parents were in an accident…
Pretty badly hurt…
They won't be home for Christmas…
He got stuck on monitor duty…
I can't come Ayla. I'm so so sorry…
I'm going out…
Don't go! Please…
I hate this…
I… I wish…
"I wish I was never born!" She screamed.
Ayla Ranzz sobbed as she sat by the Christmas Tree in the family den. Tears ran down her face. This was the worst Christmas she ever had. She was all alone in the house. The presents weren't under the tree. Christmas dinner wasn't cooking. Mom and Dad weren't telling her to not peek. She wasn't fooling around with Garth. Mekt wasn't teasing them or calling them elves.
She was all alone. And no one was there. She wished she had stayed a cloud. She wished she'd stayed as electricity. It would've been better then this.
"Mom and dad are hurt…"
Her parents were in the hospital.
"Mekt's run off to who knows where…"
Her brother stormed out for practically no reason at all.
"And Garth isn't here." She cried.
Her brother, her own twin, her teenaged twin, couldn't come. Some jerk had tricked him into monitor duty. But she didn't care. She ran off before he could finish. The gifts she bought him sat in their old room.
She hated this. This feeling of loneliness. When she was a cloud, she believed they were coming to find her. But now, she knew they weren't. Christmas had changed. Everyone had changed except her. She didn't want to change.
"I wish I was never born." She said again.
"You don't really mean that."
Ayla jumped up.
There was a girl, a strange girl in her house! The girl sat across from her on the other couch. Ayla was curled up on the leather recliner. She jumped so hard the tree shook. The star nearly fell off.
"W-who are you?!" Ayla screamed.
The girl was a teenager. She had brown hair tied in a high ponytail. And she wore glasses.
"My name's Linda, Ayla. Linda Lee."
"W-what are you doing here?" Ayla cried. "Did you break in?" Stupid question. How else could see have gotten in. This girl was a burglar.
"No, I'm not a burglar, Ayla."
"How'd you know what I was thinking?"
"I know everything about you Ayla." The girl said with a smile. "I'm your guardian angel."
Ayla just stared at the girl.
"Y-you're crazy." She said.
"Says the ten-year old girl with a teenage twin brother who shoots lightning." Linda smiled.
Ayla sunk down in the chair.
"Okay, you got me there. But how do I know you're really an angel?" Ayla glanced suspiciously. Ah childhood wonder. "Where are your wings?"
"I haven't earned them yet. That's why I'm here. To convince you that life is worth living." Linda explained. "You're still young. But this kind of sadness can warp a person as they grow older. We, the folks upstairs, have decided to do something now before you're beyond reason."
"Sadness? Like my brother Mekt?" Ayla asked. "Why wasn't anyone there for him?"
"There was always some there for him." Linda explained. "But right now you're alone."
"And I hate it!" Ayla yelled. "I hate everything! I hate that nothing's the same!"
"Life changes." Linda said.
"I don't want anymore change! And if it won't stop then I don't want to be a part of it!" Ayla yelled, crying again.
"Do you want to see what the world would be like if you didn't exist?" Linda asked. "If you were never born?"
"I don't care! Go away!" Ayla yelled.
"I'm sorry, Ayla."
Linda snapped her fingers, and the world became dark. Ayla looked around. She could still see Linda. And only Linda. And then, she wasn't in the den anymore. She wasn't in her house.
It was cold, and dark. She was sitting in an alley covered with graffiti and garbage. There were sirens ringing everywhere. No sign of Christmas. She blinked, and Linda was gone.
"HEY YOU!!" Someone screamed.
"Huh?" Ayla blanked. Before she knew it, someone tall and threatening had just grabbed her by the arm. Ayla screamed as this person just threw her into hover car. Ayla hit her head on the class. She looked around. It was a police car.
"Think you could break curfew you little snot?!" The man, the officer said, through his helmet. "A night in the slammer might teach you some manners!"
Ayla screamed and yelled "let me go! let me go!" but the officer laughed. Ayla looked down, and was horrified. This was Metropolis. But it couldn't be. It was awful. Ugly. Polluted. Destitution. Crime. Prostitution. Drug dealing. Gangs. Broken windows. Demolished buildings and half-finished projects hanging open like half-completed abortions.
"What is this?! What's going on?!"
"Shut up!"
No matter how much she kicked and screamed, the officer didn't do anything. They finally reached the police station. Ayla was disgusted by the smells coming from the women hanging on the steps. The words on the building, it wasn't Metropolis Science Police. It was St. McCauley Precinct. Inside, there were all kinds of lowlives hanging around, working the phones, filling reporters. Ayla had never been so scared before in her life. The lightning beast paled in comparison.
"Yo Chief!"
Ayla was dragged up to the sergeant. She gasped. It was Tyr of the Legion of Super-Villains! Mekt's old crew! But he was older, uglier, fatter, more cybernetic. There was a wire sticking into the back of his head, connected to the ceiling.
"Whaadda you got?" He asked.
"Some little punk who tried to sneak curfew!" The officer yelled.
"What? The sixth one tonight?" Tyr asked. "You little bitches think you can sneak out just cuz it's Christmas? Huh?!"
"This is wrong! Let me go! I haven't done anything wrong!" Ayla yelled.
"Ha! That's what they all say! Good work officer Ardeen."
Huh?
The officer took of his helmet, and blonde hair spilled out.
"Imra?!"
"No prob chief." Imra saluted. "Just doing my job."
"Imra what's going on?! Where's Garth?" Ayla cried.
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Imra screamed. Imra let go to slap Ayla, and Ayla got loose.
"HEY!" Officer Ardeen yelled. "SOMEONE STOP THAT BRAT!" Imra yelled.
"Yeah right. Go do it urself." Another officer said. Ayla ran as fast as she could, knowing Imra was right behind her.
"Hey!"
"Watch it!"
Ayla ignored them and kept running. She ran and ran, past the smoke and flies.
WHIZ! BLAM!
Oh my god! She actually tried to shoot her! Imra tried to shoot Ayla! This wasn't Imra. Imra always suspected her brother's girlfriend was a bit of a floozy, but not a child-murdering psycho! Finally, Ayla ran out of the doors to the building and ducked into an alley. She watched Imra run past it. Ayla caught her breath, she huddled in the cold. She slowly backed up and-
"I'm sorry you had to go through that."
Ayla jumped again. It was Linda.
"You see Ayla?" Linda asked.
"What is this?" Ayla cried. "Where am I?"
"This…" Linda motioned as she waved her arms. "Is this future. The future where you never lived."
"I-I don't understand."
"It all started about ten or twenty years ago, when the richest man in the world, R.J. Brande, was murdered by his partner Doyle. Normally, his death would've been stopped by a boy from Braal, a girl from Titan, and-"
"My brother." Ayla finished.
"Yes." Linda produced a jacket. "Put this on. Let's walk."
"But they said something about a curfew." Ayla told her.
"Not if you have an adult with you." Linda said. "Don't worry. I won't let them hurt you."
Ayla, hesitantly, took Linda's hand, and they began walking.
"You see, you were a very important piece to the creation of the Legion." Linda explained as they worked through crime infested Metropolis. "You taught your brother a lot, helped shaped him into Lightning Lad. Every time he fought bad guys he thought about you and what you would think. And about Mekt. Mekt didn't have someone like you to act as a conscience. Someone to confide in. He didn't think he could trust you and Garth."
"That's not true." Ayla said. "We were always there for him."
"He knew that. But he was afraid. Afraid you wouldn't understand." Linda sadly explained. "Garth grew up thinking he could turn the accident that supposedly killed you into a positive. Mekt, he just saw more blame headed his way. But you were the piece that brought them back together as brothers."
They stopped.
"And the Legion."
Ayla turned. This wasn't right. She knew where they were. There should've been Legion HQ. Instead, there was a building that said McCauley Towers.
"Without you Garth never got on the cruiser that introduced him to Rokk Krinn and Imra Ardeen. Because he already left Winath with Mekt. Garth grew up with Mekt as his inspiration."
"But why?" Ayla asked. "How could this turn so bad?"
"Without you, Garth was born a solo. Luc and Perla Ranzz had two solos instead of one solo and a pair of twins. That made all of them shunned by society. Garth and Mekt became juvenile delinquents. The idea to go on the joy ride was now Garth's. When they got to Korbal, they both got their powers. That much stayed the same. But when they got back, they used it to torment their tormentors. It was…" Linda trailed off "Not very pretty what they did."
"No, my brother wouldn't do that." Ayla whispered. "Neither of them would!"
"You see?"
"I don't believe you! What about Rokk and Imra?"
"Rokk was on his way o Metropolis to try out for the magnoball team. Imra was visiting with the idea to try out as a cadet for the Science Police. When R.J. Brande died, they learned one thing." Linda kneeled down to Ayla and met her eyes.
"Look out for number one."
"So what happened?" Ayla asked.
"R.J. was replaced by Leland McCauley as the richest man in the galaxy. McCauley was given all of Brande's patents by Doyle in exchange. That gained him a lot of important friends. And power. Most of which was given to him by Jean Chu after she rigged the election and Winema Wazzo lost."
Linda breathed.
"Imra went to the Science Police, and she became the best cadet there. She also became the cruelest thanks to her instructor, Otto Orion and his son Adam."
"And Rokk?"
Linda turned to the an electronics store. People were walking by as the news played.
"This is Metropolis Tonight with Morella Tao." The news said. A newscaster with too much make-up appeared.
"Merry Christmas Metropolis! In tonight's story, star Magnoball player Rokk Krinn was indicted on the charge of murder in the first degree."
Ayla's heart sank as she saw him on the screen.
"Krinn was charged with the murder of his girlfriend Lydda Jath, a nearly obsessed Magnoball fan whom the former star had been dating for at least seven months. Apparently, Jath had gotten herself pregnant and was going to reveal the affair to Krinn's wife, Jazmin Cullen. Rokk strangled Jath, cut up the body, and dumped it in Metropolis Harbor. While Krinn's lawyers tried to defend that it happened in a moment of 'roid rage, Jazmin came forth with evidence proving that it was one-hundred percent premeditated. The unlucky ex-wife was last seen cruising in Hollywood when she struck a little girl with her car. As if that wasn't bad, Krinn just received the death sentence! Looks like he won't be having a very merry Christmas." Morella laughed.
Ayla stared at the TV in absolute shock. Rokk. Murdered. A woman and her unborn baby. His unborn baby. Rokk, the epitome of the American Way.
"You see Ayla?"
"Take me home." Ayla said. "Take me home to Winath right now!" Ayla cried. Linda sighed, and before they knew it…
They were in a graveyard.
DEDICATED TO THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED ON WINATH THAT STORMY NIGHT.
"T-the whole planet?" Ayla said. "Gone?"
"Destroyed by a freak storm that would've been stopped by the Legion." Linda explained. "But there was no Legion. And then lightning breached a nuclear facility on the planet."
"Winath never had any nuclear weapons!" Ayla yelled.
"That was before McCauley set up chemical plants and nuclear research facilities on other planets when that crash he engineered on most economies kicked in. Another scheme the Legion prevented because of Brainiac 5. Of course, Brainy never joined the Legion."
Ayla placed a hand on the monument. She looked at all the names on their, looking at them alphabetically until she tried to find Ranzz. There was her mother and father. Tears ran down her cheeks. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. Linda kneeled down, and hugged Ayla.
"I'm sorry Ayla. I'm so so sorry." Linda said. A tear fell down her cheek.
"Wait."
The other two Ranzzes weren't there.
"Where's Garth and Mekt?"
"I told you they weren't on the planet." Linda explained again.
"But where are they?" Ayla asked.
"You don't want to know, Ayla. You really don't."
"Where. Are. They?"
Linda hung her head, and pointed to a grave. Ayla gasped.
"Garth?"
"He got greedy…" Linda trailed off.
No. No. Nonononononononononononononononononono
"NOOOO!!!" Ayla screamed. She pushed Linda away and began to run again.
"Ayla! Ayla stop!"
"Go to hell!" Ayla screamed.
Ayla didn't know where she was running to. She didn't care. She just kept running. She would find Mekt. Talk to him. How could he do such a thing? She kept running past the buildings and streets, when she stopped. A brightly lit building. The Main McCauley Tower. The grease ball stepped out, his green-haired girlfriend at his side. And his two bodyguards. Meta Ulnoor. And a figure in a cloak.
"MEKT!!" Ayla screamed. She ran at him. Everyone looked surprised when they saw the little girl run to him.
"What the-"
"HOW COULD YOU?! HOW COULD YOU HOW COULD YOU HOW COULD YOU?!!!!" Ayla scaremed as she beat her fists into Mekt's legs.
"You know this troll?" Meta asked.
"Knock it off, you… little…"
"I HATE YOU!" Ayla kept screaming. "I HATE YOU YOU PIECE OF-" She looked up as she cried. She stopped.
"G, Garth."
It was true. It wasn't Mekt. It was Garth.
"Oh my God…" They said at the same time.
When Linda said "He got greedy", she realized what she really meant. Garth got greedy, and killed Mekt.
"Holy crap she looks just like you." Meta breathed.
"You know this brat, Garth?" Leland asked. Someone just passed him into the club. The famous Dr. Mar Londo and his trophy wife. She was wearing a wolf skin coat.
"I've, I've never…"
"Garth. It's me. It's Ayla."
Garth stuttered.
"Your sister."
Garth lowered his eyes.
"Come on." He said, and grabbed her arm.
"Ayla no!"
Ayla turned around. It was Linda.
"Back off bitch." Meta warned. She sent a psychic blast and Linda went sailing into a parked hovercar.
"Come on." Garth said, and dragged her in. "Be right back, Boss." He said to McCauley. Ayla didn't know where they were going. Up in the elevator. She tried to talk, but Garth wasn't talking. He brought her to the roof.
"Talk." He said.
Ayla was afraid to reply.
"I SAID TALK!" He fired at bolt at her and threw her aside.
"Who the sprock are you you little bitch?!" Garth screamed.
"It's me! Ayla! Your twin siste-"
"I don't have a twin! I'm a solo!" Garth barked. "Now who are you?!"
"I'm Ayla." She tried to get close. "You're my brother."
Garth looked at her, before he grabbed her by the throat.
"What are you? A clone?" He spat in her face as she tried to get out of his grasp. "Not a very good one."
"Let me go!"
"Oh I will."
"Any last words, bitch?" Meta asked. Linda looked at her, and her stare shot straight through her. She stood tall as she removed her glasses.
"Faster then a speeding bullet."
PUNCH!
The wig came off.
"More powerful then a locomotive."
BAM!
Meta went flying. The clothes were removed.
"It's…"
"See ya." Garth said and dropped Ayla. She screamed as fell down the building, past the windows, when a red-and-blue blur caught her. She opened her eyes, and a girl with curls of blond and a red headband, dressed in blue-and-red skirt and suit, with an S symbol. Her eyes shined blue.
"Supergirl." Ayla breathed.
"I'm not the one you know Ayla." She said. "But I'm Supergirl none the less."
"B-but I thought you were an angel."
"I am." Supergirl said. "An Earth Angel."
"But, you don't have wings." Stupid question, Ayla thought.
"The angels who weren't chosen don't need wings to fly." Supergirl said. "They're more a symbol of stature."
Ayla held her close.
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry you had to go through this Ayla." Supergirl apologized. "I'm sorry you had to be brutalized and scared out of your wits. But do you understand? Do you understand how much you changed everything. From this?"
"Y-yes."
"And you still have so much to do, Ayla. It's only beginning." Supergirl said. She flew her down to a bare spot in the darkness.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for acting so stupid." Ayla apologized. "I want to live."
"I know you do." Supergirl said.
"No, I mean it! I want to live! I want to live!"
Supergirl made a calming notion.
"Close your eyes." Supergirl motioned. "And say that one more time."
Ayla did. She breathed in deep, and said…
"I WANT TO LIVE!!!"
"Merry Christmas, Ayla."
She opened her eyes. She was back in the den. She looked around. The tree was decorated. The fire was burning. She could hardly breath.
"Ayla?"
She turned. Mekt had just stepped through the front door, and entered the den.
"MEKT!" She cried in happiness, and jumped into his arms.
"Whoa! What are you doing up? It's late. You don't go to sleep now, Santa won't be coming." Mekt told her.
"I don't care. I don't care about Santa. I just want to see you." She hugged him.
"Thanks, sis." Mekt said, confounded. "And, I'm sorry I stormed out like that. I just needed to clear my head."
"It's alright." Ayla told him. "Everything's all-"
"Hello?" They turned. "Mekt? Ayla?"
"They're probably still asleep."
"But the lights are on."
"The Christmas tree's on. Don't you usually leave the tree on Christmas Eve night?"
"Oh, yeah. I guess so."
She recognized that voice.
"GARTH!" She cried again. Her voice would've started to get hoarse from all the yelling. Garth entered the den, and he had a friend. Imra. The nice, somewhat floozy Imra.
"Ayla!" Garth ran up to them. He sounded the same as when they saw one another for the first time since the accident. He gave her a bear hug, which somewhat choked Mekt.
"Easy!" He said.
"What're you two still doing up?" Garth asked.
"The bigger question is what are you doing here little brother?" Mekt asked. "I thought you had work."
"I'm playing hooky." Garth said. "Like I could stay away from my only twin and my blockhead brother."
"You have no idea how happy I am to see you." Ayla said. Garth noticed her eyes.
"Ayla have you been crying? I'm sorry I said I couldn't make it. I can imagine what being left along with this guy must be like."
"I'm right here." Mekt said.
"I know."
"I was, but I'm sorry. I thought you weren't coming. And then Mekt left, and-"
"You left her alone. In the house." Garth said, looking at Mekt. "Do you have any idea how stupid that was?! What if someone broke in?!"
"I know! I know! Dumb idea." Mekt said.
"I'll show you a dumb ide-"
"Please. Don't fight. Please." Ayla asked the two. They saw the look in her eyes. "It's Christmas."
Garth sighed. Mekt bit his lip.
"Alright sis." Mekt said.
"But only because you're my only sister." Garth said. "And because it's Christmas."
"Thanks."
"A-hem." Imra coughed.
"Did you have to bring the floozy?" Ayla whispered to Garth.
"Hey!" Imra jokingly said. "Then I guess you don't want your presents."
"Wait, I didn't mean it! I was joking! Joking!"
The three gave her an odd look. Garth put his hand on her forehead.
"No fever. You okay?"
"Huh. Yeah. I'm fine. I'm better then fine. I'm just so happy to be alive. With my brother, my twin, and his floozy girlfriend."
"Okay. No present for you then." Imra joked.
They all laughed.
And then, Ayla caught sight of something in the window. A flash of flame. A feather fell. And an Earth Angel flew on wings of fire and light into the sky. Into the light.
…
"So that's it. No more. No less. Thanks for listening."
THE END.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
