Chapter 17
Rescue the Team
' I'm thirst for the soul...' Morana groaned in my head while I watched the scientist named Gary or whatever screamed frantically because I had just told him that he died for something reason. I guessed it's because of giant boulder crushed him entirely...poor..man...
After she saw the soul, Morana remembered about herself a little with something about scythe. She told me whenever I used the power of her ice scythe or herself like frozen power, tentacle, and causing nightmare, it weaken her. To restore it, I had to collect the souls like a real reaper by fulfilling their one last desire or slept in cold place like north pole. However due to unbalancing incident about life and death cycle, Morana's power went crazy and need someone with strong psychic..me..to find out what happened...
' Well, at least the last one you just killed is readied..' I turned my head and saw another soul floated up from death monster.
" What happened to me?" He looked around confusedly.
" Your time is up...any last words?" Morana's voice came out of my mouth. I growled a little. Hate her when she force me to do what I didn't want to do.
" I'm dead? I'M DEAD? AHAHHAHAHA!I"M FREE! I'M FREE!" The soul cried in joy and floated around from one room to another before he was clam down and back to me.
" ARE YOU MAD?! YOU ARE DEAD! !AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE A CHANGE TO DO WHAT YOU WISH ! " Well, not everyone accepted their death...
" MAD? ME? NONONONO! You're death wrong, doc. Death is the blessing thing I ever wanted. Before I died, I have faced the worst thing and trust me, this is good...Hey at least I got a hot chick as a reaper to take my soul. OH baby...can I have some date with you?" I gave him WTF looks. Did the spirit just ask me out for a date?
" I'm afraid that my schedule is tight. By the way, do you want to do anything before you eh- gone?" I wasn't sure how to put my word to ask him about that...
" Oh well, nothing much...just...please say sorry to those heroes about what I had done to them..I lost my control of my own body after those mad scientist injected me with dark purple liquid and it's suffering to me..." The man said sadly with guilt about his action as a monster.
' Dark purple liquid? That's what I got on my body after You eh...eat me '
' It's called ' bounding '. I can't live without a body with strong psychic. That's why before I met you, I ate them to live. Now with you, I'm much stronger.'
' Okay, but are you sure that you wanna eat his soul? We should ask him first what happened to him. Maybe he knew something happened with your power?'
' Don't worry. When we send his soul to afterlife by the scythe. Everything from the last moment of his life will appear. And by the way, it's not called ' eat '. It's called ' escort the soul to the other side' and you will find out. Just do it.' Morana ordered coldly at the last one.
' Okay! Okay! No need to be cold-hearted like that.' I said to calm her down and looked at the soul of man whom I had just killed.
" It's alright, sir...You don't have to feel pain anymore..." I said softly as my body started moving and the ice kanata changed back into the ice scythe. I twirled around and used the end of the scythe dragged following my direction until the symbol, pentagram with some rune letters around its glowed in blue light and the souls of the man who used to be turned into monster glowed brightly and then, he disappeared. I closed my eyes, praying for his soul following Morana's mantra in Slavic language which I didn't know how I can speak it since I never learned Slavic before but I understood them clearly.
' Oh soul of mortal, your journey in living world had been ended. May the deeds you had done in your living time guide you to the right path. May good deed sail your boat in your journey to death fill with happiness. And, may the bad deed you had done open your eyes and show the right path... '
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in some cell similar to the one I was in before I met Nightwing. Beside me, there was the same man who was the soul that I had just sent him to afterlife sat on the floor with fear in his eyes.
" GET UP!" The guard barked the order as he pulled the man by his collar like an animal and dragged him to somewhere as if he didn't see me. I followed them closely, holding my scythe dearly like a stuffed animal. I followed them until they reached to the lab which its doors written ' Classified Project : Immortal ' and there was a brand of something like L and X.
" NO!Please! Please! Please! Let me go! I beg you!" The man cried as the guard strapped him to the medical table as the doctor prepared the syringe and the scientist in protective suit brought the dark purple slim in small durable glass jar in. The doctor stab the needle of syringe into the dark slim through the lid of the jar and took something like its blood before he took it off and injected into the man as he screamed loudly in pain before everything turned into darkness.
' L and X hmmm...that symbol, isn't it Lex corp.? ' Morana said which reminded me about the news which I saw this brand and something about superman in Metropolis. Okay, there is something smell fishy about this company. Why did they abduct people to create the monster? And what is project Immortal? What did it have to do with Morana? Grr...why does my head feel hurt whenever I thought about Metropolis and that company...
" What was that?! What had you done to him?" I looked at the soul of scientist before sighed deeply.
" Send him to the afterlife. Now it's your turns, sir. But before that, I would like to know what happened here and how it happened." Even Morana said I didn't need to ask them with that question, I think I still need to hear about the things from his mouth. The soul of scientist looked scared but tried his best to calm his fear and explained to me.
" Actually, I'm researcher about mythology of death and life. Recently, we, me and my co-workers believed about the theory of resurrecting stone or rune. Similar to philosopher stone, it could bring the death one back to life and cure the disease that no doctor can do. However, It will bring unlucky to those who possessed it which it had already done to us. The stones belonged to Slavic goddess of death and winter, Morana who could bring nightmare to people and cold of death to those who defied her. In some legend, it believed that you can overcome the death by collecting all seven runes of Morana. In each runes, there will be the clue about another rune to each other and power in itself differently. You better find it before them, miss. "
" So where did you keep them?" I asked with hope.
" We only got one from yesterday. Transfered from Another university in Central City. We kept it in high-security vault at archaeological department. Take my I.D. Card to open it." He said and pointed his finger at the card near the huge boulder.
" Thank you and I'm so sorry that I was too late to save you." I said ashamedly that I failed to save citizen on my first day as superhero.
" That's alright. Please make it quick." He said pleadingly before closed his eyes, preparing for death.
" Forgive me..." I breathed before cutting the link between his body and his soul to set him free before the bright white light appeared behind him and took him with it. Then, his memories appeared in my head, showing where the rune was kept.
After that, I walked to the scientist's body, taking his I.D card and walked to the map of this building. The said vault was on the same floor which I came. It was located on the B2 floor .
' First, save Nightwing and the others. Then, collect the rune.'
' NOOO! GET THE RUNE! We need to get it before them' I held my head tightly and pressed my palm on my throbbing temple deeply, hoping the pain will stop after Morana screamed in my head.
' NO! Save them. Then, the rune. Who knows, we might find the rune with them.' I argued back at her strongly.
' Why did you care to save those imbeciles? They never welcomed you at first place. That Black Canary might talk with you nicely so that you can stay with them. You never find your place in them. Beside, reviving the dead one would ruin the cycle.'
' Say the goddess who had suggested me to talk my problem out with her in first place. ' I said sarcastically to her before I got into lift and pressed B2 .
' And, I think we should allow that man has another chance.'
***break***
Once I arrived on B2 floor, I walked cautiously with ice kanata in my hand. Next two months would be Christmas time, That meant this month is October. Man...how long I had been struck at that mad place? The last time I asked that jerk guard, it was March and the year was 2014.
' This year is 2017. We have been held for three years. THREE years for BEING their guinea pig!' I lost my breath at what Morana said. Three years for being those psychopath scientist's toy were amazing for someone like me survived long enough to be rescued by Nightwing even I had to bound my soul and body with Morana. However, that made me have another questions that what happened to me before I were captured to there? And what were they looking for in my body? If it were about my strong psychic, why they had to find by using Morana? Could it be that they tried to create the weapon? The weapon with power of god?
Suddenly, I heard screeching sound of something. I swiped my head and saw the same monster I had encountered before.
" Hello, gentle man. May I help you,sir?" It hissed at me like tiger before baring its sharp claws and rushed to me in high speed that made Flash proud. I ran to it and slided between its legs .
I raised my scythe blocked its claws that was about the scratched my face and pushed it off, causing it to stumble back. One I was back on my feet, I swung the scythe to cut it in vertical line but it somersault forwardly, throwing short daggers. I swung the scythe to block them and rush to continue my assault at it. As if it read my mind, the scythe turned into whip and I use it to capture it by its torso before I pulled it toward to me before it was stabbed by the ice from below, causing the blood sprayed at everywhere including my weapon and my clothes before I use my whip to throw it to the wall.
I swung my weapon to shake the blood off it and walked to it. The monster screeched, trying to away from me but I stumped on its back and grabbed it by the collar, leaning my face to its ears.
" Any last words?" I asked. It let out high pitched sound in angry tone and scratched my face again but it missed.
" Alright..." I let it go and chopped it with my scythe as it groaned with pain loudly as the memories of its came into my head and I saw that Nightwing who wasn't supposed to be here was dragged into the white portal along with the others, including Batman who should be in Gotham City before it was ended and I founded myself sat on my knee near the monster.
I stood up very quickly and sprinted to where they were, hoping they were still there until I heard painful cry coming from some room at the end of corridor. I tiptoed silently. My breath was cut short when I recognized that it was Nightwing's voice. I winced at the sound of crushing bone and his scream. It sounded too painful for me to hear it.
" What's the matter, Nightwang?! Where's your ego? I expected something more from YOU!" The voice of terrorist provoked Nightwing before something started to crush his bone again and Nightwing screamed out in pain again and coughed loudly.
' Here..let me help you.' Morana said before I shut my eyes quickly, feeling something sharp and cold in my eyes. When I opened again, everything was blur in dark blue light and I saw the outline of everything in white. I looked to the room Nightwing was in which had some tanks around the room and I saw the outline of something appeared to be human which were my friends were hung and their hands were cuffed at each tanks.
Then, I saw outline of man who was suspended in the air by the tentacles while the other man raised his hand and clenched tightly as the tentacles add more strength in tying Nightwing.
" Now, let not make it hard for both of us. All I want was a simple little detail from you. Where is that woman?" The tentacles lowed itself down until Nightwing was on the same level of the man's infrared vision goggles.
" Woman? I don't know who are you talking about. You see, I have saved numerous women so I can't remember which ones you're looking for." Nightwing said with hoarse voice, trying to ignore the pain before he let out dry laugh. The terrorist loosened his fist which made the tentacles released Nightwing to the floor before he got the kick in his rib.
' We gotta do something...' I looked at everything around the room Nightwing was in and saw everyone that used to be assigned to the mission was brought here together. Oh my, this is hopeless...I don't have anyone to help me
" Well, how about the recent one? Mr. Nightwing." The another new voice was smooth like a silk but filled with bad intention said causing the terrorist looked up and stepped aside to let the other one who talked to Nightwing walked down from the metal stairs in the room. He dressed in white expensive suit and the golden ring in his right thumb. He must be the mastermind of this terrorism and he was looking for me.
" After our little mistake at asylum, you think we didn't know about her, don't you? Well, think again. My good old scientist friend told me that one of the his female specimen had surprised him and his team by becoming one with the alien completely without any bad side effects. She is our most valuable property. Now, tell me where is she?" Nightwing rose his head up and inhaled deeply to put more strength in his voice.
" Go to hell..." His voice was loud enough for these words to bounce in this room.
The man twisted into sinister smile and drew his hand, calling the something in the air.
" Wish is granted. Hope you like snow..." The man said with the venom in his voice before he snapped his fingers, ordering his men to throw Nightwing in white portal.
" You won't..get away from this.." Batman threatened the man with his venom voice.
" Ahh...save that later, Batman. After I finished your junior leagues..." The man said happily. Right now, I ignored in forming the plan. Saving Nightwing before he was thrown to unknown portal was my first priority!
I closed my eyes, channeling my anger and hate for these bastards to my powers as I felt everything started cold and heard the sound of the ice slowly formed itself and crawled into the the room. Thank to Nightwing for his lesson, I could control the ice to go wherever I want it. When I opened my eyes, I saw the wall I leaned to was frozen and the air around me was cold as if you were in the north pole. I focused my power to let the glacier crawl through the door into that room. Batman and the team became alerted and looked for the source of this coldness.
The man laughed loudly.
" She's here! She's here!" He said crazily and ordered his men not to throw Nightwing. He turned his head around and looked at everyone.
" She saw you are hurt. In pain..." He breathed as he talked to Nightwing before he picked up him up, twisting his arm around his back and use him as human shield.
" Oh, Rouuu! Come out, my dear~ !" he said in sing-a-song tone s he looked around for my presence.
" Come out! Come out! Rou! Wherever you are~!" He pulled out his dagger from the sheath at his belt and held it closely to Nightwing's throat until the red crimson liquid slowly came out.
" NO! ROU! Don't listen to him!" Nightwing yelled but, the dagger on his throat was pressed deeper than before, causing him to bit his lips to hold his wince from the pain.
I kicked the doors down and walked into the room slowly with the ice sheet following me closely. Each step that I took, the glacier came out and flew to every surface of this floor and kept running until it reached to the ceiling.
" Silver blue eyes like the glacier of north pole. White hair like a snow and the ice blue scythe. You're angry and now, you can use the power of goddess fully Good..Good..Keep your anger." He sated calmly with a sick smile.
" Glad to have some witnesses alive to see my power. Because most of them are..." Morana's voice came out from my mouth and she trailed off as she saw one of his men tried to attack her from behind but once my hand was raised up, that guy was frozen which was same as the others when they tried to attack at me.
" Well...as you see...and it would be an honor to know your name. It's very rude for taking advantages of woman by knowing her name before she knew yours. " I ( More like Morana) stated coldly with half playful manner. The man faced twisted into disgusting grin and eyed at me lustfully.
" My..my...I'm so sorry about my boys. They are kinda undisciplined. Forgive me, Rou...I am Simmons...Derek Simmons...It's a great honor to meet you face to face." So this master mind's name is Derek Simmons.
" And what do you want from me?" I demanded.
" Easy. I need you. The complete specimen of Project Immortal or I shall call ' Morana' even some idiots changed into ' Hekate' but, that's forgivable. After all, the type of side that both of them took are dark side. I want you to come with me, Rou." Derek told me.
" No..." I said sharply " I would rather choke myself in the cold water than going with you.."
" Fine..then, watch your bird boy died!" He snarled and twisted his arm harder. Nightwing screamed out loud.
" No! Stop!" I pleaded.
" Funny, you don't recognize my face at all, do you?" I tried to study his face again. This time my vision changed back to normal but the outline of everything in blue light still appeared. Derek had short brown hair which was well-groomed. He was Caucasian and had gray eyes. What was notable about his face was the deep scar that dragged from the corner of his left lips to his left ears.
" I did that?" I asked slowly. My voice was changed back to my own.
" Gotta tip my hat for your fighting spirit within you. As expect from the Hammonds." I looked at him with my widen eyes.
" I have a family. WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?!" I roared as my tears came out with fear when I pictured what could happened to them.
" Batman, what kind of man are you? Why don't you tell her about this? Look at her face, She yearn for her family...OHHH! Could it be you want to use her for something? But, for whattt?" He said annoyingly as if he was the host for some game show. I looked at Batman who tried to keep his expression looked calm as he could.
" See? That's why I hate these boy scouts! They hide the truth from us and convince us to believe them. So my dear, why don't you come with me? And I promised that I will tell you eeeverything about yourself and let your little friends live.."
" R..R-Rou..." I turned my headand saw Superboy who was hanging to the tank which Kryptonite cuff.
" Don't do it. You knew that he wouldn't do that." He reasoned me softly. " And whatever he said about us, we did that because we're worried about you. Please..Rou... don't do this..."
" Make your choices, Rou.." Derek said coldly.
I looked at my friend then, Derek and Nightwing. After that, I looked at Batman whose eyes looked back to me straightly meaningfully. I knew what my choice is...
I looked back at Derek and raised my hand up in the air like I was submitted myself to him. Derek smiled and let Nightwing down and walked to me.
" You make a right choice, my dear..." he gave me another disgusting smile before took my hand in his own. But before he was kissing my hand, the glacier ran up from the floor and made its way restlessly until it covered him completely.
" Yes...You are right. And it's a great one." I walked past his frozen body to Nightwing and knelt beside him.
" Nightwing..." Nightwing turned my head to me, wincing at the pain from turning around.
" Shuu...Don't move, I will get you and the others out of here..." I stood up and walked to the control machine, trying to find which button for releasing my friends.
" The red ones..." Superboy told me faintly and I complied that. Everyone fell to the their knees and I walked back to Nightwing, trying to find a way to lift him up without dislocating joints of his body.
" Leave it to me..." MissMartian said softly before she walked to Nightwing and use her psychic power lift him in the air.
" Nightwing! Can you hear me? Please-"
" Rookie, I'm the nine-lives bird. Don't worry.." He mumbled. A weak smile appeared on his face which I couldn't help but returned the smile back to him.
" We need to get him to the ward. NOW! Everyone! Back to the bioship!" Batman ordered. I shot him a look.
" Wait! The portal. I could make back to the Mt. Justice !" I drew out the scythe, cutting in air. A portal to the base was opened up, revealing the the hologram room that we used to briefing the mission.
" Alright, MissMartian and Rou got to the portal with the wounded members. The rest of you with minor injuries go to bioship." Batman changed his order. Suddenly, The comm link alarmed. Batman pressed his comm.
" This is Batman."
" Batman! Computer detected unknown energy in Mt. Justice. Request backup." Aqualad's voiced sounded stressed as he reported Batman.
" Eh-...that would be me..." Batman looked at me with stoic expression. I mouthed at him ' Sorry'.
" That's Rou. I made a special requirement from her to teleport at Mount Justice. Nightwing was injured from the recent mission. We need you to take him to the ward as fast as you can." Batman stated and ordered Aqualad strongly.
" Yes, Batman. On my way, sir. Aqualad out" Batman switched off his comm and looked at me.
" You better go with Nightwing. He need you." I nodded before I walked through the portal before it was closed behind me. Aqualad ran to us with two doctors and medical bed behind him. MissMartian slowly put Nightwing on the bed gently before the doctors dragged him to operating room. I ran after the bed but Aqualad pulled my arms. Aqualad shook his head sadly as if he told me there was nothing I could do. I bit my lips and sank myself to the floor. MissMartian knelt down beside me and put her hand on my shoulder even we never got along with each other at first.
…...
Please R&R for me! Okay?