This is what its like to be Carter Daniels, right now.
Since the day he was born, he has had a furnace in his heart. It started out small, a tiny flicker, but it continued to grow, slowly, each day. And around this furnace was a dam, holding back his fire. Then, one day, the flames found a crack, and he gained his powers.
The Mint was the first time the dam exploded. Carter likes to say that he died because of it, but that isn't the case. He would have survived, if he had let the fires burn out. It would have only destroyed 3/4ths of the city.
After that, the dam was made larger, to prevent another explosion. Too bad the furnace grew bigger.
That's what he's never told anyone, never let even his wife and children know about his abilities: Carter will never run out of fire, simply because he does not make the flames.
Carter says he is the Voice of God. But it is more appropriate to say he is the Voice of Man. All of the collective feelings kind find there way into him. Every bout of hate, every smile, every tear…they all travel to him.
And every day, he is able to draw more and more to him.
But right now, the happiness is left floating about his head, and the tears and trembles wait by his coattails.
Because he is calling all the hate, all the rage to him. All he can see is red, and his flames are tainted black.
His daughter is shot, maybe dying.
His house was invaded.
His family needs him.
And the one responsible, truly responsible, is not here…only a lackey stands by.
The dam is cracking, the furnace is burning. It hurts…it hurts him so bad. He can feel his heart giving out, feel the contents of his stomach boiling over and his lungs cooking from the inside. He has the sun scorching his throat, trying to escape.
Bob Bishop is saying something, but Carter can't hear him…the flames roar louder than any explosion. The skin on his palms is burning away, charred black as muscles curl and bone begins to turn to dust. And even as this happens, his body is healing, an endless cycle of pain and death and rebirth. Cuts and slashes appear on his flesh as his power seeks escape, and he feels his shirt shred as the gashes on his back rip open, forming the bastardized version of his flaming "wings".
His sword is back in the chateau, as is his coat, bearing his seal. No matter…Carter Daniels doesn't need a weapon anymore.
He sees nothing, hears nothing, feels nothing.
There is only the flames and his pain.
This is what its like to be Carter Daniels, right now.
^&^&^&^
Helena's hands were trembling, and it had nothing to do with her working on her granddaughter's shoulder.
The group had quickly realized that Vally was in trouble…her wound would not heal, and the toddler, who on a normal day could have slit her throat and been running around in a mere nanosecond, was sobbing in pain. It fell to Helena, the only one with medical training (what little it was) to remove the bullet.
Terrence was busy with Hank and Vic, keeping their weapons sighted through the window, in case any more attackers came. Problem was, they were blinded by Carter's attacks that were outshining the sun.
Micah frowned, closing his eyes. "Mrs. Daniels, let me try." He called out, crawling through the splinters and shatters beams from when Carter had burst through the ceiling, making his was towards Vally.
Sarah stood guard in front of Vally, the only one of them exposed, entire body radiating her own flames as she prepared to attack any that came through.
"Why won't it heal?" Madrid was screaming, Biddy and Tina struggling to calm her and Gabe down. Derek, through some blessing, remained a sleep through all the chaos.
"It's a machine." Micah whispered. "I can hear it."
"What the-" Helena began to ask, only for Micah to place his hand on Vally's shoulder. Focusing, he smiled as Vally's healing powers sprung back to life, forcing the bullet out and healing over the wound.
"See…a machine." Micah said, picking up the very strange bullet. "One designed to block her abilities."
West frowned. "How is that possible?"
"Adriana." Carter snarled as he walked into the room, his clothing in shreds. Already his wounds were healing, but still his body was coated in drying blood. His eyes still glowed red, and occasionally a flicker of black flames would appear around his fingers. "That's her work." Carter threw the severed head of Bob Bishop down at his feet. "Problem is, Malcolm killed her."
Terrence looked at his brother. "That's the thing, Carter…with Drago…people don't say dead…just look at Bob."
They all looked down, noticing for the first time that the head was still moving.
^&^&^&^
(London)
"You…are one of us?"
Martha merely looked at Malcolm and smiled, before returning to her knitting. "That I am, my dear silly nephew. But before you think it, know that my power is both yours and not."
Ellie frowned. "I don't understand."
"And you are not meant too." Martha said calmly. "Just know that looks are deceiving…and as The Light has shown you, even a small package can be the most powerful."
Malcolm frowned. "You said there is a darkness coming…but the chaos lines…"
"I am not surprised you have not seen them. Our enemies are cunning, and have found ways to hide themselves from your sight. But do not fear…you will find other ways to aide in the war. And believe me when I saw, a war is coming." Martha smiled slightly. "The time is coming soon that you will seek another piece to the puzzle…"
Malcolm leaned forward. "War…another piece?"
Martha continued to knit. "The End of Days is coming, and the fate of all rely upon one family. But for that to happen, you must seek the missing pieces." She reached into her knitting bag and pulled out a piece of paper. "There now, this will be all you get from me. Read it, study it, solve its mysteries…and I promise you a happy life."
Malcolm and Ellie looked at each other, making their leave.
"Yes…war is coming…but we still have hope." Martha muttered as she found herself alone. "Glory to the House of Ellis."
^&^&^&^
"And you will all pay for your deeds. My master, Fredrick Frauzen, will wipe you all from the face of the Earth. And with him will come Drago, the beast-man, and he shall consume your souls…"
"Shut that thing up." Vic snapped.
Hank nodded, shoving a rag in Bob Bishop's mouth.
"Drago, this Fredrick guy, and now Adriana. Wonderful." Tina muttered. "Nothing like the villains all teaming up."
West nodded. "That's why we came to you. We hop that you may be able to help us discover just what Fredrick and Drago are after."
Helena frowned. "It remains up to my son."
"Where is Carter?" Micah asked.
"Where he belongs." Sarah stated.
^&^&^&^
Vally smiled as her daddy spun her through the air. Since returning, and blowing off the last of his black fire, he had devoted himself to playing with her all afternoon, moving about like a mother hen to ensure she was ok.
Gabriel lay in his crib, head turned and watching them before he would go back to staring at his stuffed animals.
Madrid was in the rocking chair, just enjoying the sight of her husband and daughter playing.
Carter sighed happily, Vally resting on his chest as he lay on his back. "Vally…I'm sorry you were hurt today."
"its ok, daddy."
"No…its not." Carter said, looking at her. "But do you see now why I want to retire? Isn't this better…me staying with you, being with you and Gabe, just having fun."
Vally looked at him like he had grown three heads. "….noooo!"
Carter glanced at Madrid. "I feel slightly rejected."
"Daddy…you have to be a hero!" Vally proclaimed. "What about the other Vallys?"
"What other Vallys?"
Vally frowned. "The other ones…the normal ones that aren't Supergirl! You have to protect them too!"
Carter stared at her, seeing the toddler's point right away. "You think I need to protect the other little boys and girls in the world, huh?"
"yup!" Vally said with a smile.
Carter stared up at the ceiling in thought.
^&^&^&^
Hours later, Terrence found himself staring out of the guest room's window. West had left earlier that evening, mentioning something about needing to return to New York for a few hours.
"Ahem"
Terrence turned, finding his brother staring at him. Carter's face was unreadable, the darkness making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
"Carter…I am sorry I brought this to your doorstep. I know you blame me for all of this." Carter took a step closer. "And if you want to punch me, to beat me up, I understand. You blame me, and I can't express how sorry I am…"
Terrence braced himself as Carter rushed him…
…and hugged him tight, sobbing against the older man's chest.
"Thank you." Carter whispered. "Thank you for saving my daughter's life." He finally pulled away, keeping his hands on Terrence's shoulders. "For too long we have been at war. For too long our house has been divided. No longer. Your enemy is now mine, brother."
Terrence nodded. "And yours mine."
The two sons of the House of Ellis smiled.
^&^&^&^
Martha looked up from her needle work. "I knew you would be coming, Joseph." The master of sound, the Company's bane, the Voice of Satan, the Herald, stared at the old woman, taking another step into the room, fingers twitching. "But you are too late. I have already sent Malcolm forth. He will find the weapons, and the Once and Future King will rise again."
Joseph glared at the old woman, the 50 year old adjusting his bomber jacket. "Tell me where they are."
"So like your father, always demanding what you don't deserve. It killed him, acting like that."
"You don't get to speak of him." Joseph said coldly, raising his hands. "Now…answer my question…mother."