Previously on
CRISIS
Shinji Ikari, known also as the Zone Fighter, has born witness to a quartet of refugees from another universe. One of them is none other than Gamera, the Guardian of the Universe, who was grievously wounded by unknown forces...
While investigating the incident, Shinji encounterS the other three refugees, who identify themselves as members of the Survey Corps. One of them, a young boy named Armin, warns of an invading army led by a man with red eyes.
As Shinji and company attempt to unravel what has happened, another world finds themselves under threat...
A
Somewhere on (A)Earth, one week later
(Uh, Jake? This doesn't seem right. Like, at all.)
(You're right, Marco. There should be at least a few Controllers outside the bunker standing guard, but I can't see any.)
There was a soft flapping sound, prompting the two to look up. A red-tailed hawk lighted onto a tree branch, shaking down a few water droplets from the morning dew, then peered down at them in a decidedly human manner.
(No sign of them,) Tobias said, casually preening one of his wings. (Cassie and Ax are checking around the perimeter as well, but they haven't found any Controllers. Rachel's heading over to do another flyby, but I don't think she'll have any luck.)
Jake peered at the distant form of the bunker. Even with the superior vision of his tiger morph, it was hard to discern any details through the low-hanging fog. Inching forward, he pressed his stomach to the damp ground, a growl building in his throat. (This isn't right. We checked just two days ago with fly morphs; they couldn't have just packed up and left.)
(Maybe it has something to do with Visser Three disappearing,) Marco offered. His gorilla morph leaned back a bit, absentmindedly scratching his chest. (Everyone's favorite cannibalistic megalomaniac hasn't shown his ugly head for the past two weeks. Do you think they're moving shop?)
(I wouldn't bet on it,) Tobias said. (Why would Visser Three want to let the 'Andalite bandits' move about freely?)
(Maybe someone from Yeerk Resources decided that eating your subordinates was bad for morale and fired him,) Marco snarked. (Or he had some bad grass and needed to take a break from conquering the world for a few days. Whatever it is, it should be something to check out if we don't want to get caught with our pants down.)
(Whatever it is,) Jake said, (it makes me nervous. I think we should regroup with the others and head back to the barn. Tobias, you should try and get Toby to get her Hork-Bajir back to the-)
He didn't get to finish the sentence before the ground shook. A brief shower soaked them from above as the trees wobbled violently, and there was a sound of thunder that seemed to roll across the forest. Marco sprung to his feet, four hundred pounds of silverback gorilla heaving as he looked around.
(Guys? What was that?)
(That was the military base nearby,) a new voice replied. The ground shook again, less violent than before. (And that was another, I believe. Or maybe it was the aircraft carrier group just a few miles off the coast. It's so hard to keep track of your little hives, you know.)
At once, the trio froze. They knew that voice, more of an impression upon the mind than anything else. Jake was the first to turn, followed by Tobias and Marco.
Visser Three stood twenty feet away, idly flicking his tail blade as he looked upon the group with something that could only be called smugness. His face was turned towards Jake, while he had an eye stalk trained on Marco and Tobias. The architect of Earth's invasion folded his delicate arms across his chest, a learned gesture from humans. Jake saw that there was something painted on his chest, almost like a black wheel with eight arrows of varying length protruding from the rim.
(How the hell did he just show up?) Marco hissed. (Is he a teleporter or something? And what was that about a military base blowing up? I'm starting to freak out a little bit.)
(I don't know,) Jake replied. He backed away ever so slightly, prepared to lunge at any moment. If he was to attack -and get in range of that whiplike blade- he would have to time it. (Try to stay calm. Tobias, do you see anyone else nearby? Controllers?)
(Can't see anybody else,) the hawk replied. (It's just him.)
(Awfully quiet,) Visser Three said. (Trying to formulate a plan, Jake?)
(I don't know what you're talking about,) Jake replied, trying his damnedest to not let his panic show. He knows my name. How?
(DON'T LIE!) the Visser snapped, his tail suddenly standing to attention. His familiar hair-trigger temper was revealing itself, and Jake found himself growing more wary as the Andalite Controller took another step forward. (I know all of your names, now. To think that you fooled me for so long with the Andalite bandit setup... a clever move, I admit. But that is all in the past now, as is the freedom of your species.)
(What are you talking about, bozo?) Marco demanded. (Last time I checked, we were whooping your slimy behind for months.)
(That was before,) Visser Three snarled. He composed himself, and the smug tone came back. (This is now.)
As if on cue, fire rained down from the heavens. Jake found himself watching as the spears of light lanced at points beyond the horizon, the ground shaking belatedly with each impact. Straining his eyesight, he saw that they came from a brilliant point in the sky, visible even in daylight. A ship, most likely, but it would have to be monstrously huge to be so visible.
(You've gone all out,) he found himself saying. (You Yeerks are just going to brute force it, now?)
(Us? No, the fools running the Empire would never be so bold.) The Visser began morphing, much faster than Jake would believe possible. In a matter of seconds, he was some great beast fifty feet tall, with bioluminescent lines running along his body that glowed a fierce blue. As Visser Three stared down at the group with gleeful contempt, Jake couldn't help but let out a squeak of terror.
(I've made some new friends.)
A
Elsewhere
(Ax, do you hear that?) Cassie inquired, her wolf morph's ears perked up as she glanced around. (Sounded almost like an explosion.)
Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthil craned an eyestalk towards the source of the sound. (I am not sure,) he replied, his tail blade tensing. (The ratio of sound level to tremors doesn't indicate an explosion or energy blast. It does remind me of a topic covered briefly in class when I wasn't even an aristh, but...)
(But what? Ax, what are you talking about?)
(It's... possible that the rumbling was caused by kinetic bombardment, most likely from orbit.) Ax turned the other eyestalk to Cassie, a concerned look on his face. (This can only mean that the Yeerks are engaging in open warfare against your planet. We need to get to the others.)
A shout came from behind, prompting the two to turn. The Free Hork-Bajir were yelling in Garlash at something hidden from view, throwing spears and firing arrows. Suddenly, one of them exploded, black blood spraying from the mutilated remains of its torso. The others roared in response, charging out of sight through the tree line as they met with the unseen enemy. Some of them took to the trees, rapidly scaling the thick trunks as to gain a high ground.
Finally, some of the attackers made themselves none. A hairy thing lunged out of the bushes at one of the Hork-Bajir, tearing up the damp earth with massive claws. It reminded Cassie of her own wolf morph, but with its proportions grotesquely skewed, and made much larger. The creature howled, teeth bared as it tackled one of the Hork-Bajir, claws trying to find purchase in the alien's scaly skin. The Hork-Bajir responded in kind, using its blade-like claws to slice deep into the wolf-thing's furry flesh.
The battle repeated half a dozen times, screams and roars filling the air. Cassie backed up from the carnage, her wolf morph's ears shifting about as she attempted to find out where the attackers had come from.
(We need to find Jake!) she exclaimed.
(I agree,) Ax replied. He gestured with a frail arm towards a break in the trees. (Perhaps we should-)
Before he could finish, a massive shape fell from the sky, kicking up a spray of mud as it landed. Smoke sputtered out from behind the attacker, and it rose to its feet, easily standing eight feet tall. As the thing's face became visible, Cassie gasped. It was a man, albeit one clad in grey and yellow armor that looked like that of a knight's, if knights had access to advanced technology. Warpaint adorned his face, and Cassie could discern the outline of an eight-spoked wheel on his forehead.
The man glared down at her and Ax with what could only be described as excitement, and he raised a massive sword over his head. The blade, easily as long as Cassie was tall, whirred to life like a chainsaw.
"Blood," the man frothed, spittle flying as he spoke. "Blood for the blood god!"
A
Back with the others
Visser Three's new morph roared, an unnaturally hoarse bellow, and Jake found the willpower to run. He dashed between the trees, Marco hot on his tail, not stopping to see how much distance he had put between him and the Visser. Tobias swooped over his head, frantically flapping his wings as he went into overdrive. There was the sound of trees snapping and splintering, and Jake realized that Visser Three was in pursuit.
(Okay, I'm officially freaking out now,) Marco said. (Visser Three is even scarier than before, and now he has some buddies invading for him. Just what the hell is going on?!)
(We can talk about that later!) Jake snapped. (For now, we need to find Cassie and the other. Tobias, can you find Rachel?)
(Probably,) the nothlit replied. (I'll need a distraction, though, unless I want to be on the menu.)
(No problem,) Marco said. He cocked his head slightly in Visser Three's direction. (Hey, Slughead! Your mama's so dumb, she got hit by a parked car!)
(I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT, BUT I'LL STILL KILL YOU FOR IT!) The Visser was gaining speed, knocking aside trees like they were barely even there. So caught up in his charge, he didn't see the red-tailed hawk flitter out of sight. (I GAVE HIM MY ARMY; THIS IS THE LEAST HE CAN DO TO REPAY ME! WHEN I'M FINISHED WITH YOU, YOU'LL BE BEGGING FOR DEATH!)
(Well, that worked better than expected,) Marco remarked wryly. He titled his head slightly to Jake, making sure to still see where he was going. (Are you getting tired, man? I don't know how much longer I can keep this up?)
(Tell me about it,) Jake replied. He bounded over a boulder, not even slowing his stride as he continued to dash through the forest. (Tigers aren't marathon runners; I'll won't be able to keep running forever. Same goes for you.)
(Yeah, and that's when we follow in Elfangor's footsteps.) Marco was breathing heavily now, his movements more sluggish. (We need to get out of sight or something, but how?)
That was when a spear suddenly flew over their heads, shortly accompanied thereafter by the sound of flesh being sliced open. Visser Three roared in pain, threatening to burst their eardrums. Turning around, they saw that the spear had lodged itself neatly in the Visser's eye. Phosphorescent blue blood trickled from the wound, staining the forest floor wherever it fell.
"Jake! Marco!"
Turning to the source of the voice, they saw Toby Hamee dropping down from a tree, another spear neatly clutched in her hand. The young Hork-Bajir gestured towards a break in the trees.
"You must hurry!" she said, urgency clear in her voice. "Come!"
They didn't hesitate for a second. Gathering as much strength as they could muster, they ran for the break in the trees, Toby falling behind them.
(Toby, do you know what's happening?) Jake inquired. (We're still in the dark here.)
(Unfortunately, as am I,) the Seer replied. (We were preparing for the attack on the bunker when they came. Monsters in all shapes and sizes, some of which looked almost like wildlife, but... distorted, somehow. My fellow Hork-Bajir have been trying to hold them off, but it is not going well.)
They were out in the clearing, now. Cassie and Ax had arrived as well, both of them looking worse for wear. Cassie's wolf morph had a large cut in its right hind leg, and Ax was bereft of an eyestalk.
The young Andalite was the first to take notice. He stood at full attention, even as dark blue blood dripped over his mouthless face. (Prince Jake, Marco, you are alive.)
(Just barely,) Jake replied, panting heavily as he fell to his stomach. (What happened? How did you get wounded?)
(Cassie and I were attacked by a man in armor,) Ax replied.
(Wait, what?) Marco asked. (Like, a knight?)
(No,) Cassie interjected. (He was... I don't know how to describe it. It was like something out of a video game or some sci-fi movie; he had weird emblems and sigils on it, but it looked advanced.)
(Very advanced,) Ax nodded. (My tail blade nearly broke hitting the man's breastplate. I didn't know you humans had such military technology.)
(We don't,) Jake replied. (None of that makes any sense. Like, at all.)
(To add to your confusion, he was wielding some sort of metal blade weapon, which he used with great enthusiasm,) Ax said. He glanced down at his tail blade, coated in dried red blood. (Unfortunately for him, he lacked a helmet.)
(Ugh,) Marco said. (I thought this talk would make me less confused, not more. Earth is getting openly invaded by guys who aren't Yeerks, Visser Three got an upgrade, and you guys got maimed by a knight with futuristic armor? Just what the hell is happening?)
(I wish I knew,) Cassie said. She rested on her stomach, trying to lick at her leg wound. (Where's Rachel and Tobias?)
(Up here,) a voice replied. Rachel descended to the ground in morph, Tobias at her side. (Did you guys see those dudes with armor? And the werewolves? Looks like we have more butt to whoop.)
(Werewolves?) Marco threw up his hands in exasperation. (Okay, now I'm officially lost.)
(Are you sure they weren't just big wolves?) Jake asked.
(Pretty sure. Toby's guys are fighting them right now, but they aren't doing so hot against the dudes with armor. Some of them have big guns that make an M60 look like a bb. I also could've sworn I saw a few giant robots around the place.)
(What about Visser Three? Is he still looking for us?)
(In the wrong direction,) Tobias replied. (I don't think that'll last, though. We should get into fly morph and retreat, try and figure out what's happening.)
"What about my people?" Toby demanded. "They are getting butchered by monsters and mechanical men who wield weapons beyond even the Yeerks. Are you to just abandon us?"
(She's right,) Cassie said. (We can't just leave them to die.)
(I say we shift to full-out battle morphs and flatten as many we can until the Hork-Bajir are able to run,) Rachel said. (These guys are going full-out, right? Why hold back when there's nothing to lose anymore?)
(Well, Jake?) Marco asked. (You're the boss. What are we gonna do?)
Jake shifted uncomfortably, which was rather impressive, considering he was still a four hundred-pound tiger. (I think we-)
Before he could finish, the tree line behind them practically exploded into a spray of splinters, forcing them to duck. Turning around, he saw that Visser Three was standing in the clearing, still in battle morph.
(Time to die,) the Visser growled.
Toby hefted her spear, and the others prepared to either fight or flee. Jake rose to his feet, still panting. There was no way they could hope to take down Visser Three in battle morph, and most of them were either too tired or wounded to run.
That didn't mean, however, that they would just roll over.
Visser Three roared again, and charged. Jake found himself doing the same, Marco trailing behind him. Ax ran to his right, tail blade held high, and Cassie dashed to the left. Tobias and Rachel soared overhead, talons raised.
"Free or dead!" Toby bellowed, hefting her spear as she ran after them.
Jake's heart pounded in his chest as he rapidly cleared the distance between him and Visser Three. A roar escaping his throat, he leapt as high as he could-
-and everything froze.
Visser Three loomed over the group like a macabre statue, drops of spittle and blood suspended in midair. Slowly, as though guided by some unseen hand, Jake found himself lowered to the ground. Taking in ragged breaths, he looked around the clearing. The entire world, save for them, had frozen in place, locked in time.
"What is going on?" Toby inquired, wildly looking about. "Why is everything stuck?"
"That would be my doing," someone said. It was a rather jovial voice, one Jake was familiar with. There was a soft glow of light, and a man appeared before the group, floating in midair. At first glance, one might have mistaken him for a wizard from an old story, with the long white beard and flowing robes. There were differences, however, which served to remind everyone that he was not human, like the soft blue light emanating from his skin.
(Ellimist,) Jake said.
"What is an Ellimist?" Toby asked.
"That would be me," the robed man replied. "You and I have never met face to face until now, though I have played an important role in your past. Jake and the others have met me before."
(Yeah,) Marco said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. (I remember last time. Let me tell you, getting gutted by Howlers is fun.)
"I am sorry if you suffered any lasting harm from that last adventure," the Ellimist replied, his voice sincere. "There are, however, more pressing matters at hand."
(The invasion,) Jake said. (Do you know what's going on? Why aren't you doing anything?)
The Ellimist sighed. "Unfortunately, I cannot do much to help you or your people. My power is great, but not infinite. I am one with the fabric of the universe, but these foes are not of it."
(Whoa whoa whoa,) Marco said. (Are you saying these guys are from another universe or something?)
"They are from several others," the Ellimist replied. "Our universe is just but one of a near-infinite web of realities, each one different. Some are only slightly different, others are unbelievably so. These beings from other universes are, to put it in a term you would easily understand, outside of my jurisdiction. I cannot directly affect them, and indirect methods may only worsen the carnage. As hard as it may seem to believe, Crayak and I are not the only gods around."
(Shit,) Rachel muttered. (Are you saying you can't help us?)
A weak smile graced the Ellimist's thin lips. "Who said anything about that? Though I cannot simply dismiss these invaders with a flick of my hand, that does not mean I am unable to aid you. There is a growing force that opposes this vile army, and they will need your help." His face fell as he continued. "There is... something lurking throughout the throng of realities, a cancer on the multiverse itself. I fear that this entity is what has orchestrated your world's downfall. I will do as much as I can to lessen the suffering of your world, but I fear the worst."
"Who is leading these monsters?" Toby asked. "What is the evil plaguing us all?"
"That will be for you to learn," the Ellimist replied. "Time is of the essence, I'm afraid. Even now, gods bear down on you, hoping to destroy you before you can oppose them. You and the Free Hork-Bajir shall meet with the forces opposing them as soon as possible."
Something shimmered to the right of the Ellimist, manifesting as a perfect circle. A hallway could be seen through it, like the ones aboard ships.
(Are we going to another universe?) Tobias asked.
The Ellimist nodded. "You must hurry," he said. "We can only hold the portals open for so long."
Jake moved to step inside, then paused. (We?)
As if to answer, something appeared to the left of the portal, that which Jake never hoped to see again. It resembled a dinosaurian creature, but with a wrinkled face like an old man, twisted into a mocking smile.
"I wouldn't stop to ask questions," the Drode said. "My master realizes that he can't win the game if both players are dead."
(The Ellimist and Crayak are working together,) Marco muttered in disbelief. (It really is the end of the world.)
With that, he stepped through.
Cassie went next, followed by Rachel and Tobias. Ax and Toby paused to look at Jake, then stepped through the portal. They stood on the other side, waiting for him to cross through.
(It really is that bad, isn't it?)
"I wasn't lying when I said this threatens all that is. Please, hurry."
(Who told you about this whole thing? You sound like you aren't part of the other worlds, so who let you in on what's going on?"
The Ellimist smiled. "Let's just say I have eyes and ears in places you wouldn't believe."
Jake considered the Ellimist's words, then stepped through.
The hallway was cold and musty, as though someone had abandoned it for years. Looking both ways, he saw that it extended for as far as the eye could see, with signs in English and some other language marking various rooms. Looking towards his group, he saw that Cassie and Rachel were already demorphing, while Marco stared at something across the portal.
(Is everyone all right?) Jake asked.
"I'm fine," Cassie replied, the last tufts of fur disappearing. She was graceful while morphing, unlike the others. An estreen, according to Ax. She shivered, wrapping her arms about herself. "It's a bit cold, though."
"This is all so very confusing," Toby said, scratching at her beak with a long claw.
(Tell me about it,) Tobias said.
(Uh, guys?) Marco pointed at the portal. (Is that what I think it is?)
Jake turned in time to see the portal closing, cutting them off from their world and everything they knew. For the briefest moment, however, he saw what was on the other side.
Two figures walked towards them, each in stark contrast to one another. One was a graceful-looking woman, with hair and skin the color of snow; a goddess carved from marble and given life. She was devoid of clothing, but there was nothing sexual about her, nothing to invoke shame or lust upon those who saw her perfect form. She was beautiful the same way the moon or the sea was beautiful, and nothing else.
The other was a massive hulk of a man, impossibly large, with dark skin that had an almost rocky texture to it. If the woman at his side was like the finest alabaster, smooth and flawless in form, then he was granite, rough and uneven.
What struck Jake most about him, however, was his eyes. Devoid of pupils, they glowed red like dying embers, boring right into Jake's soul. Those red eyes were the last things he saw before the portal finally closed, and they still seemed to be staring at him even as he turned away.
(Did that guy look like-) Marco began, only for Jake to silence him with a look.
(We can discuss that later,) he said in private thought-speak. (We don't want anybody freaking out, okay? In the meantime, let's check this place out.)
With that in mind, he began to demorph. It was a strange sensation to feel bones and muscles shift without pain, but it soon faded. Rising to his feet, he shivered involuntarily. Without the warm coat of his tiger morph, he could appreciate just how cold it actually was in the hallway.
"Where do you think we are?" Cassie asked. "I know we're in another universe, but where? A ship?"
"That's about right."
At once, they all turned to the source of the voice, tensed for a fight, only to find a rather unassuming-looking young man. The man stepped back from the group, raising his hands defensively. A green flashlight was clutched in one hand, illuminating the nearby wall.
"Easy now," the man said. His features were a mix of various ethnicities, but he looked like he belonged to none of them. "Tanj it, you all look like you're about to rip my throat out. Dealing with Speaker's bad enough..."
"Who are you?" Jake demanded. "Where are we?"
"To answer the second question, we're aboard the Red Dwarf," the man replied. "Not the prettiest ship, but she'll do. The original guys onboard let us borrow it on the condition that we help them get to Fiji after all of this. I heard they're planning on setting up a hotdog shop."
Fiji? Marco mouthed.
(Hotdog shop?) Ax murmured. (Fiji sounds like a marvelous place.)
"Are you the leader of the good guys?" Cassie asked.
The man furrowed his brow. "That's what we're getting called now? Guess it's pretty true, with how tanjing nasty the other guys are. Anyway, I'm not the leader; I just have the best people skills."
"Finding that really hard to believe," Marco retorted.
The man shrugged. "You'll understand once you meet the rest of the group." He gestured for them to follow. "Come on; they're in one of the meeting rooms down the hall. Try not to get lost. This ship was so big that an entire civilization of cat people developed onboard and promptly exterminated each other."
(Is this guy for real?) Tobias said in disbelief. (Is the Ellimist doing some really complicated prank on us or something?)
"I'm not sure, but I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this," Jake muttered in reply. Despite his reservations, he followed after the man. Toby and the rest filed behind him, wary of their surroundings.
"By the way, my name's Louis," the man said. "Louis Wu."
Ω
Aboard the World Maelstrom
"Reports coming in from planetside are as expected, my lord," an Astartes captain said, bowing his head slightly before his Primarch. Clad in silver and golden armor engraved as to look like a violent storm, the Astartes would be a towering presence among men, but he himself seemed like a child before the figure that loomed over him. An apt analogy, considering they were of the same flesh.
The Primarch of the Eleventh Legion, however, was far above his kin; to compare him to an Astartes was to liken a man to his primitive ape-like ancestors in Olduvai. Even without his heavy combat armor, he seemed to fill the room with his massive bulk, his neatly-trimmed hair nearly brushing against the ceiling of the hall. His skin was unnaturally pale, to the point that a web of blue veins could be seen crisscrossing him broad face, and there was a glint to his eyes that seemed to spark with before unseen intensity.
"Casualties?" Barachiel inquired, arms folded behind his back as he looked through the viewport. Though they had swung into the shadow of the planet, the outlines of the continents were still visible. To find a city, one just needed to spot the flames.
"We have lost twelve squadrons," the captain replied. "Three of those were killed when the Rossiyskaya Federatsiya managed to down one of our landing shuttles with a nuclear warhead, though we destroyed Novosibirsk in retaliation. We also experienced relatively surprising resistance from the United States due to their aircraft and armor, but it only took a few hours to secure their major cities."
"Good," the Primarch replied, turning to look down the hall, away from the Astartes. "You are dismissed."
The captain bowed once more and hurried to regroup with his brothers. The Primarch waited a few moments, then headed to his throne room. The twin doors that served as the room's entrance were thirty feet high and wrought from the finest steels old Terra had to offer; he pushed them open with casual ease as he walked into the vast chamber that had served as a meeting room for the past three years.
The others were waiting for him, already making themselves comfortable. The White Woman leaned back casually in one of heavy chairs around the large round table that had been set up in the Throne Room, while Visser Three was trotting about in the corner. The Primarch crinkled his nose with disgust as he saw the Andalite Controller; though the xeno was his ally, he did not like working with such filth.
The leader of the group, however, did not content himself with the furniture the Primarch had intended for him to use. No, he sat upon Barachiel's throne itself, a satisfied smile on his stony countenance as he noted the flash of anger across the demigod's face.
"All hail the conquering hero," Darkseid said, folding his hands across his chest and sinking further into the throne. "Another world taken into the fold. You should be celebrating with your sons, reveling in another victory, not discussing the next steps with us."
"I have you to thank, with your armies of daemons and great beasts," the Primarch retorted. "Besides, such campaigns have ramifications to discuss. There will be resistance movements across the planet for months, most likely longer. It would be much simpler to perform an Exterminatus instead of allowing the natives to rebel."
"Such distain for the lives of your siblings," the White Woman said, her voice almost inaudible. Crimson eyes locked with Barachiel's own, completely unreadable. "I wouldn't be so unkind to my children if I were you."
"Don't kid yourself," the Primarch snarled. "You have rendered entire worlds lifeless with your psyker witchcraft-"
"I have returned them to my welcoming embrace," she interrupted, placing a hand over her breast. A dull red glow began to emanate from the woman's alabaster chest, and Barachiel could see light flickering about her perfect form. "You drive them away, sending them into further pain and loneliness. If you do not wish to join them, I suggest you bite your tongue."
(Is this how all meetings must go?) Visser Three asked in exasperation. (You bicker like the Council of Thirteen, arguing semantics while the real battle looms over your heads like a tail blade poised to strike.)
"Don't dictate terms to me, xeno filth," Barachiel growled, feeling his psyker energies flowing within as he glared at the Andalite Controller. "I don't see why I shouldn't have your silly-looking head mounted on a pike for all to see!"
(I''VE EATEN BIGGER THINGS THAN YOU!) the Visser shrieked, flesh bubbling as he began to morph.
"Enough."
The room immediately fell silent when Darkseid spoke. Even the White Woman, who had been watching the argument with an amused look on her face, tensed noticeably as the former lord of Apokolips rose from his seat, his hands folded behind his back. Barachiel withered under Darkseid's stare, finding his eyes focused on the floor. He knew the New God's power, seen what destruction he had wrought. As powerful as he considered himself to be, challenging Darkseid would be tantamount to suicide.
"I apologize, my lord," the Primarch said between clenched teeth.
"Good. It would be a shame to take command of your legion directly when I could focus more on the bigger picture." Darkseid smirked as he spoke, as if daring Barachiel to challenge that statement. "The world will be pacified enough for us to move onto the next target within three days. Then, we shall decide which world to attack next."
(The Animorphs escaped me, and the Escafil device is nowhere to be found,) Visser Three said. (Not to mention the ever-lurking Andalite fleet. Once they learn of what has happened here, they will most likely try to liberate the humans from us.)
"Let them try," the Primarch growled. "I'll wipe out every one of those xenos if they dare to come within a parsec of here."
"You and your army will be needed elsewhere," Darkseid replied. "The Andalites won't come; they care not for what happens to the humans. Said apathy will be increased considerably when the Yeerks disappear."
(What do you mean by that?!) Visser Three demanded.
Fire licked around the New God's eyes, casting long shadows in the room. The Visser shied away before Darkseid's gaze, swishing his tail blade nervously. As soon as it came, however, the flames disappeared, only to be replaced by a smirk.
"There will be no need to conquer interstellar space," Darkseid continued. "If you pledge your Empire to me, I shall give you a thousand Earths to plunder. A million, if need be. Do you accept such an offer, Emperor Esplin?"
A few seconds passed as the Andalite Controller considered the offer, his eyestalks absentmindedly flicking about. Finally, he straightened.
(That will be suitable.)
"Splendid." Darkseid gestured towards the doors. "I will have my parademons escort you with the boomtubes to... further cement your position. Be sure to return within the day."
(Of course.) The new Yeerk Emperor bowed his head, then left the room. Barachiel watched him go, then turned to the rest of the group.
"Now that he is out of the way," he began, "where shall we go next? We're finally starting to move up from backward Earths that would be honored to be called feral. Are we to target the more technologically advanced Earths next?"
"Not just technologically powerful," Darkseid replied. "Worlds with powerful individuals. I have singled out a likely candidate for the next attack that has both."
"Do you mean the one with countless mutants?" the Primarch inquired. "I believe it also has a powerful xeno, does it not?"
Something flashed across the New God's face, and Barachiel reflexively backed away, his hand towards his greatsword. The White Woman perked up as well, ready to leap from her seat if need be. Her normally serene face was twisted with disgust, and the Primarch realized that he had put himself in a very dangerous position.
"We are not ready for her," Darkseid said, his voice frighteningly low, like the rumbling of thunder in the distance. "I sacrifice enough power as is to keep the other worlds at bay; I will not throw away what I have left to challenge that one. We will move when the time is right."
"We will go after that thing, that mockery of my sacred form," the White Woman said, her voice still barely above a whisper. "But we must wait first, if we truly want victory to be ours."
"What then?" Barachiel asked, still wary.
"It is a world with technology and weapons more advanced than this one," Darkseid replied. "It is one of those unfortunate Earths to have been given both Seeds of Life."
The White Woman straightened at that, an almost hungry look in her eyes. "Do tell more," she purred. "It isn't every day we find more of those worlds. I ache to return them to my bosom and free them from their suffering.
"It's filled with false men, then," the Primarch huffed. "Xenos shaped into the human form."
"My children," the White Woman snarled, rising from her seat. "You shall not decry them as such, unless you wish to learn what such "false" beings can do."
"I would advise against that," Darkseid said. "You can subsume them for all you like, but I shall need the Primarch and his army for something else."
"Oh?" Barachiel asked. "What more shall I do, when that psyker witch will handle everyone else?"
"The world is linked to another, filled with even more advanced humans that are not born of the Seeds," replied the New God. "But they are not my main concern. It is the monsters that stride beside them, much like the one we encountered on our previous conquest. A handful of them wield enough power to destroy half your army, and one in particular is... problematic."
"What manner of monster are you speaking of?"
A smile graced Darkseid's stony face. "Have you ever heard of Gojira?"
You have been reading:
CRISIS, Chapter One: The Invasion
A/N: Chapter Two will have some more perspective switches as both sides prepare for the coming battle, and then it's time for some more action!