Terrors

New Orleans, Louisiana: 4:53pm, September 14th, 2010

The Terror Twins, Tommy and Tuppence, crash through the roof as they land with a solid thud. Their rampage joyride ends today, Tommy comes too as I march forward, dragging my chains along the ground. "Having fun?" I ask sarcastically as I command my chains to wrap around him as Kaldur applies the meta collar. "Hey!" Tommy shouts as both he and his sister try to fight but with their powers gone, Kaldur and Red Tornado are able to overpower them. Pulling my chain back around my arm, I approach the twins. "I don't feel right. My strength...but I just gone and went toe to toe with Superman." Tommy says in that strong Cajun accent. I sense Connor's approach as I turn to him. Something that surprised me on my way home from New York, M'gann gave Superboy a name, Connor. I think that it suits him really well. "Congratulations. It's more quality time than he's ever given me." Connor says as I stand impressed by the get up. Blond hair, cut to match Tommy's, a chain around his neck, white tank top with suspenders, black leather pants finish the look. I sense the underlying anger at Superman, the big guy needs to get off his ass and just accept the fact that Connor is here and he ain't going anywhere.

M'gann steps from behind Connor and approaches Tuppence. M'gann places her hand on Tuppence's shoulder as Connor speaks in a Cajun accent. "Got your inspiration, sister Tuppence?" He says in a Cajun accent, which just sounds so unnatural coming from his mouth. M'gann turns and shifts into Tuppence as both twins look on bewildered. "I believe I do, brother Tommy." M'gann says in the same accent before standing next to Connor. It's a bit weird seeing two...and two...in one room. "Somebody tell me what's going on?" Tommy asks as I put my hand on his shoulder. He looks up at me. "Best not to worry about it." I say as Batman steps out of the shadows. "It's simple. They're under arrest." He says as he puts a meta collar around both Connor's and M'gann's necks. This is one of, if not, the most outlandish plan that he has ever come up with...I'm very, very impressed. "Me too." Zarathos says as I chuckle.

The day flies pretty quickly. Batman had to hack a few databases and what not to get Connor and M'gann into Belle Reve. A state of the art, super prison. Designed for super villains and meta humans. Myself and Kaldur will stay behind in the Bio Ship. If either M'gann or Connor give the word for help, then we'll jump right in and get them out before anyone kills them. I think back to the debrief that Batman told us.

Flashback:

"This past fourth of July, four ice villains stages simultaneous attacks- Mister Freeze, Icicle Jr, Killer Frost and Captain Cold, were all easily apprehended. Perhaps two easily." Batman says as I stand beside Kaldur as Batman talks to Connor and M'gann. "Cold and Frost were immediately sent to Belle Reve Penitentiary. A federal prison designed to house super criminals. The 17-year-old Icicle Jr was sent to a juvenile facility, while Freeze was sent to his usual cell in Arkham. But Freeze petitioned the court to be declared legally sane. And Jr sued to be tried as an adult. Freeze and Jr are now being transported to Belle Reve, which seems to be the plan all along. I'm sending the two of you in to find out why." Batman says Kaldur raises a question. "Will anyone on the inside know their identities?" He asks as Batman shakes his head. "We can't be certain the prison staff isn't compromised. Which is why both you and Ghost Rider will be stationed in the Bio Ship near Belle Reve. If either Connor or Miss Martian sends you a telepathic message for help, you will help." Batman says as I nod my head. "Just be ready. We don't know what's going down on the inside. Don't take any unnecessary risks." I say as both M'gann and Superboy nod.

Flashback ends:

Belle Reve Penitentiary New Orleans, Louisiana: 11:37pm, 17th September, 2010

Myself and Kaldur wait within the bio ship. Batman had outfitted us with holograms that showed us images from inside the prison. All cameras within the main complex and cells are routed to us. We can't hear anything but actions speak louder than words. We see Freeze, Connor, M'gann and Jr stand in a line, another camera pans to see an older, dark skinned woman staring down at them, saying something. A bald gentleman wearing dark sunglasses stands behind her. "Whose that?" I say as Red Tornado speaks. "Amanda Waller. She is the warden of Belle Reve. The man behind is Dr Hugo Strange. The prison psychiatrist." Tornado says as we continue watching. "This prison holds a lot of evil. Bad things have happened here. Or maybe it's just filled with evil people." I say as I gaze at the imposing prison. "Not every super villain is evil, Matt. Some can be redeemed." Kaldur says as I scoff. "Tell that to the mother's, the father's, the sons and daughters that these...people...kill. Tell them that they can be redeemed." I say back to him. "Some people just enjoy killing, some find amusement in seeing people suffer. This place...it's crawling with those people." I say as I feel Zarathos itching to get in there. I reel him in when I tell him that the mission comes first.

Connor and M'gann are moved to their respective wings. I feel M'gann's voice in my head. "Connor can you hear me?" She says. "Yes, but I thought that the collars-." Connor goes to think but M'gann interrupts. "Designed to hinder Tuppence Terror's strength. Not my telepathy. But your strength-." M'gann replies but Connor rudely interrupts her. "Not as strong as Superman's. Got it." He thinks with anger to her. "No, that is not what I-." Again Connor doesn't let her finish. "Whatever." He thinks again. I had enough of the back and forth. "Hey guys. Focus on the mission and then afterwards argue. Oh and M'gann, cut our link to your heads but keep yours to yourselves. We're here for backup, not to hear your every thought." I think to her. "Right. Sorry." She thinks as the link is cut from our end. "Connor was being rude." I say to Kaldur. "He just wants to be like Superman." Kaldur says as I scoff. "That's admirable, but he still didn't have to be rude to M'gann. She didn't say anything about his strength being like Superman's, she was going to say that he can access his strength just like she can access her telepathy. He was unnecessarily cruel." I say as Tornado speaks up. "The Superboy seems to believe that because he thinks he is inferior to Superman, he might not be worthy of him. Deeming himself unworthy to possess his strength." He says. "It's not about that. It's about how he addressed M'gann." I say as Kaldur rests his hand on my shoulder. "I heard the same thing you did. Yes, he was rude. But we shouldn't interfere with their personal affairs. Whatever M'gann and Connor need to sort out. They'll sort it out on their own terms." Kaldur is right, as usual, I just nod my head and watch the cameras.

The night had passed and the morning sun had risen. During the night, Tornado had told us to get some sleep. I wasn't about to argue, if the machine wants to keep watch then he can. When morning came, Tornado woke both of us, today, M'gann and Connor will interact with the other criminals, maybe they can get some information. We watch as Icicle Jr brings Connor over to Cold and Freeze, a third, older man sits in between. The big fucker from Santa Prisca, now named Mammoth, stands guard as well as another. "What the fuck is that?" I say as I see the big shark-like creature. "That's Nanaue also known as King Shark. (1) He's a metahuman from Hawaii, before the team was formed, me and the king took him down, a lot of people suffered from his rampage." Kaldur says as I look incredulously at him. "Moving on from the shark man. The gentlemen in between Captain Cold and Mr Freeze is Icicle Sr, based on guards reports and prisoner testimonials, Icicle Sr is in charge of the prisoners." Red Tornado states. "Four ice villains plus one. Something big is about to go down." I say as Kaldur nods. "Agreed, but what?" He says as I shrug.

We see a skinny man walk up to Icicle and his flunkies, Mammoth and King Shark intercept him. Something about this man is familiar. "Zoom in on that man." I say to Tornado who does so. When the image zooms in, all I see is rage. He looks exactly like him. I get up with a sharpness and bolt out of the bio ship and march over to the prison. I hear Kaldur calling out to me but I ignore him. "Matt! Matt! Stop, Matt...stop!" Kaldur says as he pushes me back. "Get out of my way Kaldur." I say threateningly as I make my eyes glow. "Not until you tell me what you're planning." He says as he stands there with his water bearers in hand. My eyes glow brighter as fire starts to break through my skin, my rage is making me lose control of Zarathos. "Move, Kaldur'ahm...before I make you move." I say threateningly but he stands unflinchingly. I growl and charge him as his eyes widen, I tackle him and rain punches down onto him. He forms a shield as I start pounding at it. The force of my punches form cracks into the shield, Kaldur groans in exertion as he tries to hold the shield in place. I smash the shield as it gives way. I grab Kaldur by the throat and lift him up. "Stay out of my way!" I growl as I throw him into a tree. I hear a vortex forming as I turn to Tornado who is just watching. A small tornado in his hand is more than enough warning. I feel something wrap around me as I look down and see Kaldur using water bearers as whips to hold me. He pulls and swings me into a tree which cracks under the pressure. "Stop this madness, Matthew!" He shouts as I stare angrily at him. "I'm not going to let you jeopardize this mission and the lives of M'gann and Connor!" He shouts as that last part pierces through me. I sit down, defeated and lean back against the tree. Tears are forming in my eyes as I hold my head in my hands. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean..." I don't finish as the pain comes back. I feel Kaldur rest his hand on my shoulder. "Let's get back to the Bio Ship." He says as I nod and get to my feet.

"What's wrong, Matt?" Kaldur says as I hang my head. I look at Kaldur and Tornado. "Nothing that is said, leaves this ship." I say but Tornado speaks up. "I do not understand." He says as Kaldur turns to him. "Matt wants us to keep a secret." He says as Tornado nods. "While I find this illogical and unnecessary. My studies with humans tells me that this is a sign of trust. So I shall keep the secret." He says as I nod gratefully. "Pull that man's image." I say as the skinny man from before is seen. "And pull up a picture of Edward Nygma." I say as the image is drawn up. Both images are nearly identical, say perhaps a few minor differences. "The man on the left is Eric Nygma, the brother of the late, Edward Nygma. Since Edward Nygma's death at Arkham, Eric Nygma had taken up his brother's moniker as The Riddler." Tornado says as I stare angrily at both images. "Why is this important?" Kaldur asks as I sigh. "Because my name...my real name...is Matthew Nygma. Edward Nygma is...was my father." I say as Kaldur sits back. "Why did you react the way you did?" He ask after a few moments of silence. "When I saw Eric, I just saw Riddler again. I just felt loathing and hate. I just wanted to see him dead." I say as tears fall from my face. "What happened?" Kaldur says a she sits next to me. "My mother. My sister...they are killed in a bombing. Riddler sent the bomb." I say as Kaldur's eyes widen in shock and realisation. "Because of my 'roommate', I survived. When I found out that Riddler was the one that sent the bomb...I felt nothing but hate...I wanted vengeance." I say as I shake my head. "You went to Arkham?" Kaldur says as I nod. The unasked question is answered silently. "When I killed him, I thought I was past the pain...but I'm not. I miss my mother...I want my sister back." I say as tears fall free as I sniff. Kaldur rest his hand on my shoulder, comforting me. "I'm sorry that happened to you. I can't imagine what you're feeling." He says as I wipe my tears and snot away. "When I saw him, saw Eric. All the pain, all the anger...all the memories came back. I just felt that killing him will finally make the pain go away...I was a fool to think that. This pain will never leave. Nothing will ever bring them back." I say as I get up and move away from them. "They aren't gone, my friend." Kaldur says as I turn back. "Happy memories will forever live in here." He says as he points to my head. "And your love for them. Their spirit will always been in there." He says as he holds his hand over my heart. A tear drops as Kaldur pulls me into a hug. "No one we lose ever leaves us. They remain...to watch over us...to protect us...they remain...because they are a part of us." He says as I break from the hug and wipe my tears away. "Thank you, Kaldur. Thank you." I say as he places a hand on my shoulder. "You are my friend. Whenever you need help...I'll be there to aid you. Whether with the job or with something personal. You are my brother in arms. I'll always be there for you." He says as I nod thankfully. I look back at Tornado. "Humans still confuse me, but the friendship between you is something that 'touches my heart', I think the saying is." Red says as the both of us chuckle. "I will keep your secret until you are ready to reveal it. Until then. I will not speak of what was said here." He says as I nod thankfully. "Thank you Tornado. I don't know how to repay you." I say as he waves me off. "I do not require any pay. The team, including you, are under my care. It's my job to make sure that you are well." He says as I nod. "Ok, enough about me, what's happening within the prison."

After my little episode, Tornado updated us that Icicle Sr is planning a mass breakout with the other ice villains. After the day passes, Connor getting into a fight etc, nothing much happens, until M'gann speaks to us. "The break is happening sooner than later." She says, linking myself and Kaldur back online. "Time to pull you out." He says as he goes to message Batman. "Calling in the League." He thinks but M'gann interrupts him. "Icicle will only postpone. We need to learn how they're busting out. Or they'll just try again." She says as I nod. "She has a point. The break is going to happen, we wait until we know the how, than we can stop them." I say to Kaldur sighs. "Agreed...we remain on alert." He says both to M'gann telepathically and aloud to Tornado. "I hope that they can pull this off." I say as Kaldur turns to me. "You don't have faith in them?" He asks as I shake my head. "Oh, I have plenty of faith but it's more of a matter of caution. Both Connor and M'gann are isolated in two different wings, if even one of them makes a small error than their lives become more at risk than what they are. Both of them are strong, no debate, but the amount of criminals in there with them, outnumber them. Connor might be able to hold off for a while but even he can't hold out for too long." I say as Kaldur's expression becomes downcast. "What do you suggest?" He asks as I think. "If worse comes to worse. We go in and get them out, the both of us along with M'gann and Connor will be able to keep the prisoners from escaping or defend both of them if their cover is blown." I say as Kaldur nods.

Hours pass again as I'm slowly dying from boredom. Zarathos isn't enjoying it either. "Anything good yet? I'm itching for a fight." I say. "Only thing was Freeze and Icicle Sr fighting but other than that, not much else." Kaldur says as I blow raspberries. Suddenly, blaring horns are coming from the prison, I shake my boredom as a camera pop up with footage of the prisons lockdown system happening. "It's going down now...can I go?" I almost plead to Kaldur as he sighs a breath. "Fine, but no excessive violence." He says for which I smirk. "Don't worry, I got this." I say as I bolt over to the prison, the Hellfire fueling my legs to run faster. I arrive and jump up to the wall. Glad it's thick, means my force of my fists can make dents to hold onto. Scaling the massive wall proved to be more easy than I anticipated, reaching the top, I see a guard pointing a sniper rifle at me. I turn to him and jump down to the walkway. He fires the shot as it pierces my torso. I look up at him with fury in my eyes. "Seriously?" I say as I bull rush him and rip the rifle out of his hand. He stands in shock and fear as I swing the rifle across his head, bending the weapon as the guard flaps to the floor.

Entering down the hatch and through the corridors. Red lights glow as I reach a door to the inner complex but is protecting by three blast doors. While I could burn through them, the stone wall next to it is better. As I go to burn through the wall however, ice starts to freeze over it...very smart. They manage to smuggle tech inside and disable the collars, using their abilities and tech to freeze the walls, making those thick barriers more like glass than stone. Very smart. I start burning through the stone, which thanks to the ice is actually making my job easier but the walk is still to thick. I let Zarathos take control, he can deal with this

P.O.V Change: Ghost Rider

Burning always calms me. The pure...purity of fire. This stone is just unlucky that I can't appreciate the beauty of its new form. Got a job to do. Even with Hellfire, the stone is taking a while to burn but it matters not. Unlike the cons on the inside, I'm in no rush. The final stretch is in sight, the wall is finally burned through as I step out of the smoking and lava filled mess. My flaming skull is a blazing sun amongst the dark walls of the inner complex. I look around and see guards in cells and cons walking about. I step out of the smoke as all the cons step back. I chuckle as I see that. "You feel it, don't you?" I say as my voice echoes against the walls, the cons shiver and it's not from the cold. "That feeling of impending dread...of imminent doom." I say as I loosen my chains. Fire is slowly cascading down them as I drag them along the ground, leaving molten rock in my wake. "That's terror...the fear of what stands before you. An apex among apex predators. I am the shadow that prowls your nightmares. The monster under your bed. The demon that comes for your soul and after tonight... I'll haunt your every thought." I say as I tilt me head, hellfire is spewing from my cheeks as one brave...or stupid con charges me. "Fuck you! I'll kill yo-." He doesn't finish as I pick him up by the face as I snap his neck. His head is turned at a full 180 as his dead eyes stare back at the rest of the cons, dread and terror forever etched on his dead face. I let him drop to the floor as I stare back at the rest of them. "Anyone else?" I say as all the cons rush back and open the cells, letting the guards and officials of the prison out while entering themselves, locking the door behind them. I chuckle as I spot one particular con. I see the skinny man back into a cell as I march over. "I know who you are! You're Edward's boy. Not going to say hi to your uncle." He says as I grab him by the collar of his jumpsuit and push him against the wall. "Let me speak to him." Matthew says to me as I let him take control again.

P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre

My skin grows back as I stare down at the little man. "You don't look like him." He says as I scoff. "Good." I reply. "My brother wasn't...the most sane guy but I'm sure that you knew that...when you...ah...killed him." He says as I shake my head. "He's not dead. His soul is locked in an eternal prison within his own consciousness. He will feel all the pain and suffering that be had ever inflicted on the innocent...for the rest of eternity. Seems to me that was a far worse punishment than Hell's worst demons." I say as he smirks. "Touche...you going to kill me too?" He says as I shake my head. "No...I don't know you but your proud to take your brother's moniker. So I'm going to leave you a warning." I say as I push him against the wall. "If you ever escape this place and hurt innocent people...I'll make sure that your punishment is far worse than what he got." I growl out as I light my hand with a small piece of hellfire and drag it along his chest. He screams in agony as he slowly cradles the brand. "Just to make sure. Let that be a warning and a show of my mercy." I say as I punch him directly in the face as he collapses against the wall. "You should have killed him." Zarathos says as I shrug. "Doesn't matter, whether it's today or tomorrow or whenever. That brand is going to be with him wherever he goes, he's going to see it everyday. It'll remain him of what is waiting if he even tries to escape. The fear of me will keep him here, locked away until the day the dies. Let him lie in the dark with the fear of me." I say as I walk out of the cell. I walk out into the main quad as I look at each and every single person. "And that goes for all of you! When innocent blood is split...it will be me that you'll face. And unlike some...I will show you no mercy!" I shout out as fire erupts from my hands, the cons cower to the back of their cells as I walk back through the hole that Zarathos made. Before I go though, I turn and look at Waller and Strange. Both of them have a set of guards with tasers at the ready. I glow my eyes in warning as they step back. "Good choice." I say as I exit the complex. I reach out with my senses and sense Connor and M'gann and...oh. So that's happened...about time honestly.

Later:

No P.O.V

"Belle Reve will be operational come morning. All prisoners are accounted for...except the Riddler. Seems that after the Ghost Rider's little show, he was able to escape from the complex, a guard sent to collect the Riddler for transfer was found dead and his uniform missing. Not a good start only tenure as Warden but it shouldn't be too much of a hassle, I hope that the Riddler takes the Rider's threat seriously though, that man is a monster if I've ever seen one. And I've seen a lot. Still, you must be disappointed." Hugo Strange says as he sets up his new office, as the new warden of Belle Reve. "Me? After the risk you took, smuggling our tech inside. You had nearly as much invested in the break as we did. It's a shame that we got beat. Still, our main objectives were all reached." Icicle Sr says as he holds a hand out of Strange. They shake hands as Strange smiles with sick satisfaction. "The Light should be quite pleased."

A.N: