Ironically the Elite Engifted were actually discussing Sherlock when he stepped out of thin air into the centre of their circle. For a moment there was a shocked silence because all present knew it was impossible for anyone outside of the Elite's to enter the little sphere Celeste had managed to block off from the rest of existence...so how exactly had Sherlock Holmes managed it? All of them regarded him carefully, trying to work out what it was that made the detective so special. It was Chronos who finally worked it out. After having actually met Sherlock before he was captured by Nightmare he could clearly see that there was something different about him, a something that elevated him from just being a simple Engifted. The funny thing was Chronos had seen this coming but with the threat Nightmare posed to the entire existence of Engifted (think apocalyptic type threat) he had somehow forgotten to tell any of the others. Feeling a little sheepish about his absentmindedness Chronos stepped forward, intending to be the first of the Elite's to welcome their newest member. He froze when Sherlock turned emotionless black eyes to him and swallowwed hard. Not even his vision of the future had been enough to prepare him for the true horror of Thanatos, the Engifted who was the physical incarnation of death.
"Mr Holmes..." Chronos hesitated when Sherlock stared at him blankly. Oh yes he should have remembered. Once an Elite discovered their true identity they were no longer the person they once were. Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective, was long gone. He bowed his head and gestured for the others to do the same. Apart from Celeste, the only Elite who could claim to be an equal of Thanatos, they did so. "Apologies Thanatos, I will make sure to use your true name from now on. If you do not mind me asking...how exactly did you unlock your full powers?" Chronos of course already knew but had to ask this question so the others would no longer be in the dark. Sometimes being able to see the future could be a tad inconvient.
There was silence for a moment before Sherlock (or Thanatos as Chronos supposed he should refer to him to) began to speak. With a sigh the new Elite ran a claw tipped hand through his black curls, making them even messier than they were before. "I went after Nightmare. He had taken two people, an Engifted and a human, captive. There was a fight, Nightmare injured me.." Thanatos paused mid-sentence and brieftly rested a hand against his chest, remembering the sensation of the shadows tearing his lungs apart. Even though he knew that would never have been able to kill him the Elite felt a shiver run down his spine. With a quiet growl of annoyance at these human emotions that kept creeping in, he roughly shoved them deep into a corner of his mind. Such things were not needed any more after all. "and that was when I felt it. A great surge of power that swept through me." He stopped talking then, seeing no reason for mentioning Groudwalker who had not really been needed after all. Thanatos was sure he could have easily defeated Nightmare once he was at full strength. Turning his attention to Celeste he was surprised to see a thin glowing thread connecting the two of them. When he reached out to touch it he felt a flash of what could only be the other Elite's thoughts. He frowned. "What is that?" He asked, fixing Celeste with a look.
Celeste smiled and spun slowly in a circle, her gossamer wings gleaming brightly in the beautiful light shining down from some indeterminate source. "I'm the living personification of life and you are the living personification of death. Of course we are connected." She paused, her head tipped to one side. "The others are connected in their own way as well with each gaining some degree of power from the other." As she said this Mariner and Zephyr glared at one enough and Thanatos couldn't help but smile. There may be a connection but apparently some of the Elite's weren't overly thrilled about it. "Can I just say Thanatos that it is a pleasure you have finally joined us."
Thanatos wasn't sure he could say the same. Personally he would rather be anywhere but here. There was still so much he had to discover about his powers. Still, until he could figure out more about the Elite's and their intentions, it didn't hurt to hang around and find out more. He bowed his head at the other Elite standing behind Celeste. "Thank you...now I have met Chronos but I don't know who any of the rest of you are."
The others quickly introduced themselves. Mariner and Zephyr you are already aware of but the last two members are still unknown to you. The one with the golden wings that shimmer like fire is Phoenix, the fire Engifted, and the one with the rather dirty wings covered with small blades of grass is Terra. Together the seven of them cover most of the universe, making them the most powerful Engifted in existence. Up until now however they had always been missing a member. The universe would only manifest those of the Elite it felt was needed. Right now with the threat posed by Nightmare the seven of them were finally reunited again. It was not something the universe did lightly. The Elite Engifted were dangerous in their own right and were nigh on impossible to kill. Celeste felt a shiver run down her spine. Even her power was nothing beside Thanatos and she wasn't at all comfortable with the feeling. Still they all needed to work together, she could worry about the future after Nightmare was no longer a threat.
With his head to one side Thanatos watched her intently, watching with interest the thoughts that were playing across her face. Though he was unable to read her mind he could interpret her body language with hardly any effort. He crossed his arms and stroked the side of his face. "So what do we do now? I'm assuming you called us all here for a reason." While talking to John and Mycroft he had felt the tug of Celeste sending out a summons. It was basically the only reason he was here right now.
Celeste was beginning to miss the old Sherlock Holmes, the human with the trace of Engifted within him. Sometimes the universe could be cruel. Engifted only existed to fill in gaps where mysthical help was needed. Most of the time only two Elite's existed to look over a handful of Engifted. The amount around at the moment was unprecedented. The only other time it had happened had been during the world wars. She sighed when Thanatos began to look impatient. "Now we go after Nightmare. The path he is on now can only lead to death and destruction with Engifted kind being at war with humans. That is an outcome I simply will not allow. The summons you felt Thanatos has alerted every Engifted out there. When we make a move on Nightmare they will be ready."
"Impressive, so we're letting the weaker Engifted get killed first and then we sweep in and take all the glory." A slow smile spread across his face when he saw the horror in Celeste's eyes. Throwing back his head he can to laugh. "Dear me I'm only joking." He spread out his arms and gazed round at the little group surrounding him. "So, when do we leave?"
Chronos stepped forward, a grim expression on his face and a faraway look in his golden eyes. There was sadness there too. He already knew exactly how the fight was going to play out and couldn't help but pity Thanatos/Sherlock for what was going to happen. He had already managed to lose so much. "We leave now. Everything is ready and Nightmare has no idea we're coming. It's too perfect an opportunity to waste."
After that events moved quickly and before Thanatos could draw another breath he found himself back inside the abandoned warehouse where he had initially had his confrontation with Nightmare. He was still slightly ashamed to remember just how badly things had gone. As well as the Elite's every Engifted currently in London was there. Towards the back Thanatos could just about make out Groundwalker, who nodded respectfully when he noticed the Elite watching him. Thanatos returned it before turning his full attention to the scene in from of them because despite Chronos' reassurance Nightmare had somehow known they were coming. He was standing there surrounded by writhing shadows and was resting claw tipped hands on the shoulders of two people that were familiar to the once Sherlock Holmes. Now, though he recognised them of course, he felt nothing as he gazed upon them- despite the nasty slashes cut across their chests. Thanatos blinked and swallowed hard, his vision momentarily flickering. What were John and Mycroft doing here?
A cloud of anger radiated from Celeste as she took a step forward, the rest of the Elite fanning out behind her. "What is the meaning of this Nightmare? Are you really this cowardly that you would hide behind others?" She said, her musical voice low and threatening. She glanced over her shoulder at Mariner and nodded slightly, a gesture that was returned in what was almost certainly some form of signal.
Nightmare smirked and didn't reply. Instead he clenched the claws of one hand, sending a stream of shadows oozing down through the gashes in John Watson's skin. Almost immediately there was a scream of pain, the sound cutting through Thanatos and uncovering that which he had been trying to keep hidden. With a single blink the Elite vanished to be replaced by Sherlock, who tugged urgently on Celeste's sleeve as John convusled violently and continued to scream. "Please! We have to help them!" He pleaded desperately, unsure how to help his friend. He went to take a step forward but stopped when he felt a cold, wet hand grip his shoulder.
"Get ready." Mariner murmured. "When we go for Nightmare that will be your opportunity to rescue your friends." She told him, looking into eyes that were a deep ocean blue once more. Another problem with being an Elite. Because your powers were so unpredictable it was very easy to lose yourself and forget your human side. All Mariner could do was pray that it didn't happen to Sherlock. He cared about people and it would be such a shame to have to subdue him once all this was over.
After a long moment Sherlock nodded, taking a deep breath to settle the panic currently tearing through him. If anything happened to John or Mycroft it would be all his fault and Sherlock did not know if he could live with himself if anything should happen. "I'm ready." He said, half unfurling his wings and crouching, preparing himself to move quickly when the Elite's began their attack.
There was a sneer on Nightmare's features as he regarded those before him. Clenching a clawed hand he sent a storm of shadows shooting towards the assembled Engifted. There was no point going for the Elite; there was no way he would be able to hurt them...the ordinary Engifted on the other hand...why he would be able to tear them apart with ease. However, before the shadows could do their work, Mariner stepped forward and opened her wings, a flash of intense blue light filling the warehouse. When it faded an enormous wave of water towered above Nightmare, curling over and threatening to break at any moment. There were cries of fear from the Engifted, some of them having never seen the power of the Elite before
"Do not panic. My power can not hurt you." Mariner reassured them, her voice a little distant as she concentrated her full attention on Nightmare. Though they still looked a little unsure the Engifted held their ground and readied their powers, knowing that before too long they would be called upon to act. "Mr Holmes... Thanatos...time for you to act I think."
Sherlock did not need to be told twice. Even as the wave swept down to engulf Nightmare he leapt forward, his wings snapping open to their full extent and propelling him forward at greater speed. Reaching out he grabbed whatever he could of Mycroft and John and carried on going, taking them far away from Nightmare's grip. From behind him there was a roar and the floor shook beneath the sheer force of the wave pounding down on top of Nightmare. There was a muffled shriek but it was quickly drowned out by the sound of hundreds of Engifted unleashing their powers all at once. Without thinking Sherlock touched down, hugged his family tightly to his chest and threw up a shield to stop any rogue strikes from getting through. In a battle situation it was very easy to get struck down by friendly fire.
"Sherlock." John's voice was weak but Sherlock could only think it was one of the best things he had heard in a long time. He tightened his grip, trying to drown out the fear and shock of having almost lost him for a second time. When they returned to Baker Street Sherlock was never letting him out of his sight ever again.
Leaning down he pressed a gentle kiss to John's forehead. "Don't try and talk." Sherlock said gently, laying a hand on John's chest so he assessed the damage inflicted by Nightmare. He winced at just how extensive it was and vowed there and then that Nightmare was going to pay for what he had done. Quickly he channelled his power into him before turning his attention to Mycroft. In an attempt to protect himself there was a faint edging of frost around the wounds on his chest. Sherlock swallowed hard. "Brother?" He asked a little hesitantly, scared by how pale Mycroft's skin was. It was several moments before his brother opened his eyes and Sherlock felt relief flood through him. Quickly he placed a hand on Mycroft's chest, intending to heal him but paused when he felt movement from behind him. Slowly he turned around.
The scene was one of carnage. Engifted lay in pools of blood, many of them barely alive. For a moment Sherlock was torn. Did he help the others or stay here and protect those he cared about? He took a deep breath and slowly released John and Mycroft, rising to his feet as he did so and using his power to pinpoint those who were most in need. Nightmare was one of the worst wounded and was bleeding from a dozen different injuries that would eventually kill him. Sherlock turned his back, wanting the Engifted to suffer, and focused on the others, moving amongst them as he healed them one by one. Once they were back on their feet each Engifted thanked him quietly and then vanished, no longer needed now Nightmare had been brought low. A little way off the Elite conversed in low tones. Sherlock watched them for a moment, knowing he could join them but not wanting to. Instead he glanced over at John and smiled. He knew what he wanted and it was not the power of healing and death. If he could get away with he would willingly never use his powers again.
Celeste cleared her throat and took a step forward, her wings gleaming brightly with excess power from the fight. "It's over Nightmare. Surrender quietly and we will allow you to live."
Nightmare gave voice to a strangled sounding laugh as he tried and failed to raise himself, falling heavily back against the floor. "No, it will never be over. If I surrender you'll lock me away in one of the forgotten realms to rot for all eternity." The red eyes gleamed brightly when he noticed Sherlock watching him. Time for a bit of fun. "Besides where is the fun in going quietly?" He asked with a vicious grin on his serpentine features.
It was at the same time Nightmare said this that Sherlock felt a jolt of intense pain course through his head. He fell to his knees with a muffled cry, clutching at his forehead. The pain intensified, becoming white hot until he was barely able to see. He knew Nightmare was behind the attack but try as he might to fight it off, the pain just continued to grow. Eventually he was aware of nothing beyond it and a peculiar fog settled across his thoughts as flashes of scenes conjured by Nightmare seared into his mind. None of it was real of course. Mycroft and John were safe behind a shield- not lying torn apart, but Sherlock still felt a wave of despair threatening to engulf him.
The other Elite's intensified their attacks, knowing full well that they did not have much time to defeat Nightmare. Their best chances now while he was distracted by Sherlock. From Zephyr came a blast of hurricane force winds that sent Nightmare crashing back down to the floor. At the same time Phoenix unleashed a wave of fire and sent it curling round Nightmare, tying him firmly down so he was unable to do any more damage. Nightmare let out a roar of frustration and doubled his mental attack on Sherlock, determined to at least do some damage before he was defeated. The only question was- how to do it. An idea came to him and a slow smile spread across Nightmare's features. Lovely. That would do it nicely.
Concentrating hard Nightmare sent out another wave towards Sherlock. Even if the Elite had had any mental defences they would not have saved him. It was kinda pathetic really how easily he managed to overcome him. Now this was where the fun really started. Nightmare could make Sherlock do whatever he wanted and there was nothing the detective could do about this. Oh, he was going to enjoy this.
John felt a jolt of fear run through him as Sherlock slowly turned towards him, his blue eyes utterly devoid of emotion. He swallowed hard and resisted the urge to take a step back. "Sherlock, what are you doing?" He asked, unable to keep the shake from his voice. He did not like the look of this. John glanced over at Mycroft, who was also looking worried. Spreading his ice crystal wings he moved in front of John in an attempt to shield him from whatever was coming. Neither of them were prepared for what happened next.