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Matthew Spectre's Apartment, Gotham: 7:57am, November 22nd, 2010:
I hate Mondays. The day is long and the night is short. Waking up is never fun, especially when you have a demonic entity living in your head that doesn't require sleep. Thankfully though, I have ways to distract myself from him. "How's breakfast coming?" Jade says as she walks up behind me, embracing me. I smile to myself as I crack an egg onto the pan. "Toast, eggs and bacon. Is it acceptable to you, my lady?" I ask as she smiles, she leans and places a peck on my cheek. "It's satisfactory." She says teasingly as I shake my head amused. "Forgive this humble servant for not exceeding your expectations." I say as I turn and bow my head in playful shame. "Do not worry, my faithful cook...you can satisfy me in other ways." She says seductively as she kisses me with heated passion, I return it with equal effort. "While I want this to continue, I'm hungry and breakfast isn't going to cook itself." I say as I break from her. "Don't worry, I can do it." She says as she tries to handle the egg but I pull her back. "How about...you don't play with the eggs? I want my kitchen not to burn down." I say as she playfully glares at me. "That was one time." She reasons as I raise an eyebrow. "One time to many. I got this." I say as I peck her lips before pushing her from the stove. "You're no fun." She says with a fake pout as I reel my head back with a laugh. "That's not what you said last night, Ms Nguyen." I say as I take up a British accent. Her eyes gleam with arousal and mirth. "I'm sorry I was a bad girl, professor." She says with a sad face and a British accent as well. I set the egg and the bacon on her plate while also putting toast on it. "Perhaps, if you behave... we'll have another 'extracurricular time', after class." I say as I lean down to her face as she caresses my chin and jaw. "I'd like that." She says innocently as I smile, she smirks and pecks my lips before pushing me away. "Now leave me too my breakfast."
I laugh at her twist of mood as I sit across from her and fix my own plate. "You know...normal couples would cuddle on the couch, eat their breakfast and watch the morning news. You know this right?" She says as she crunches on her toast. "I know...but we're not normal, are we?" I say as I notice her downcast eyes. I smile before picking up my plate and walking over to her. She stares up with wide eyes. "But perhaps for this morning, we can." I say as she smiles and follows me to the couch and sits. She snuggles up to me as I wrap my arm around her. She fits her plate on her leg, while I place my plate on my lap. She smiles and leans her head into the crook of my neck and shoulder. I chuckle at her and turn the TV on. Just this morning, we can be normal.
Mount Justice: 9:49am
I arrive at the cave. I park the Charger and see Batman and the team, par Kaldur and Blake, waiting for me. "You're late." Batman says to me as I shrug. "Just be glad I showed up." I say with a shrug as he glares at me. Batman turns to the screens as an image of a Middle Eastern man is shown as well as a map of Quarc and Bialya. "Rumaan Harjavti is the democratically elected president of Quarc. Harjavti has been praised as a fair, a wise leader, a humanitarian." He says as a video of Bruce Wayne and Harjavti together, shaking hands...ironic. "Sure, all friends of Bruce Wayne..." Wally whispers to Robin. "But 5 days ago, Harjavti allied himself with the neighbouring nation of Bialya, Queen Bee." Batman continues as an image of a beautiful Middle Eastern woman is shown on screen. My eyes narrow in anger at the screen. Her and her little secret band of scum have been a thorn in my side and a threat to Jade for awhile. I'm more than happy to make their lives a bit more miserable. "Not a fan." Connor says with a scoff. "Few are. But Harjavti suddenly backs Queen Bee's baseless claim that Quarc and Bialya were one nation in ancient times. Harjavti has announced that the countries will reunify in two days in a ceremony in Quarc." He says as a video plays of Harjavti.
"After the ceremony. I will step down as President so that our rightful monarch, Queen Bee, may rule." The video changes to Queen Bee, backed by her soldiers as she speaks. "I laid President Harjavti to unify our people. And I will gladly come to Quarc, to be crowned the sole leader of our nation." She finishes as Wally speaks up. "And the Quracis are ok with this?" He says as I speak. "How would you feel when your peaceful country is about to become governed by a dictator?" I say sarcastically to him. "Ghost Rider is correct. The Quracis are well aware of Queen Bee's brutality and that of her regime. But Harjavti has censored the press, silenced all legitimate protests, and has invited the Bialyian military into his country and has enforced martial law." Batman says as Robin steps forward. "Queen Bee must be controlling him. Doesn't she have the power to enthrall most men?" He asks as I scoff. "A woman like that doesn't need abilities to bewitch men...and being a ruthless dictator, she doesn't need to control him Bribery, threats, whatever. We don't know the whole picture." I say as everyone looks at me. "Ghost Rider is correct...again. She does possess the ability but not solely to men, some women can also be influenced. But it can't be done over long distances. And we have confirmation that she hasn't left Bialya. Something else is at work. Bribery, death threats, declaration of war. Many variables could be at play. Your mission is to find out what. Robin...your team leader. Ghost Rider will review your performance when you return from the mission." Batman finishes as Robin stares wide eyed and Wally is ecstatic. "Promotion. Sweet." He says as he holds up his hand for a high five. "Me? But what about Aqualad?" Robin asks. "Busy. Helping out Aquaman. Ghost Rider has refused to be a leader, making you the next logical choice...this mission will review your leadership skill for your possible selection as this team's leader." Batman says as Robin hangs his head. "Great." He says with no real excitement. "Dude. You totally left me hanging." Wally says as I punch him in the arm. I feel Robin's nervousness and self doubt...the mind exercise is still affecting him.
Quarc: 11:56pm, November 22nd, 2010
We loaded up onto the Bio-ship. The five of us are the only ones available for this mission. Artemis has taken some time off to go out with Paula. Some mother daughter time. Blake decided to head to San Francisco to make sure that his community was going well and to make sure that the criminals weren't doing anything rash. He told me that Crystal has shown promise with her abilities as San Francisco's newest defender. He told me of her being a possible candidate for the team, I agreed with him, in due time. And like Batman said, Kaldur is helping out Aquaman, leaving the rest of us.
"We're right on the border of Quarc and Bialya." Robin says as M'gann flies us lower. "A border that the Bialyian are in the process of ignoring." Wally says as I see two tanks and some trucks barge into a paddock. "M'gann. Open a hatch." I say as I hop onto my bike. "Matt, we are here to make sure that Harjavti isn't being controlled or manipulated by Queen Bee. "That's the team's mission, I have some pent up energy." I say as the hatch opens, I drive out and let Zarathos take control.
P.O.V: Ghost Rider
I land onto the ground as I leave a trail of hellfire in my wake. My blazing heat sticks out like a sore thumb, the Bialyians notice me as they turn their guns towards me. They fire but their bullets either miss or are incinerated. The tanks fire their shells but I weave in between or catch a shell and swing back. I wipe a chain out that slices through 3 soldiers as they try to run. The trucks are flying their big bullets. While not technically hurtful, they are annoying. I growl as I stand on the bike as I mentally control it. I hop onto the tank as the bike rides away, I move to the hatch and rip it off. The soldier reaches up and fires his whole magazine into my face. His gun clicks as he stares in shock. "Really?" I ask incredulously. He doesn't answer as I pull him up and throw him in front of the tank. The quick scream before the...squish. the next soldier comes but I pull him up and twist his head full 180, before I drop him over the side. I jump down into the tank as the remaining soldiers stare in fear. "Get out." I growl as they quickly make their way out of the tank. I sit on the drive seat as I fuse my fire with the tank. The tank comes under my control as I feel the power. I turn the gun towards the other tank as I fire a hellfire ball that blows the tank into nothing. The very grass and soil burned to glass. The trucks are flying at me but the hellfire infused tank incinerate the bullets. I turn the tank and ram into a truck, it gets caught under the tank as it gets flattened and spewed out the back.
The other truck tries what its buddy failed. The gunner points a rocket launcher at me as I smile. "Heh. That's cute." I say as I fire the gun which blows the truck. The smoke and fire clears as nothing is remaining where the truck used to be. I stop the tank as I hop out and see the remaining soldiers huddled together. The others gather them as a woman and a small boy are standing nearby. I drop down as Robin walks up to me. "What the hell was that? You going off like that wasn't part of the mission! What will happen when Bialya gets word of this?!" He shouts at me as I stare amused. "What makes you think that they will find out?" I walk past him as I approach the woman. She hides the boy from me. "Best cover his eyes and ears. You don't want him to see nor hear what's about to happen." I say as I walk over to the remaining soldiers. Ten are left as they kneel on the ground. None have the courage to look at me. Pathetic. "You have trespassed into a territory that doesn't belong to you. Your crimes against Quarc will not go unpunished. None of you will leave this field alive." I say as M'gann walks up to me. "Rider. They are beaten. We're not killers." She says but a glare from me sends her back. "You might not be..." I don't finish as I whip my chain out and behead all the soldiers, their bodies incinerate as their souls descend down into Hell. "...but I am." I walk past them all as I call the bike over to me. "I'm going to check to see if there are other Bialyians. Take care of the civilians. I'll be back." I say as I ride out. Before I go, I hear Wally whispering something to Connor. "What's with the green flames on his hand?" I stop a good distance away and check my hand. I pull the glove off and my bony handy covered in green flames intertwined with the orange fire. I close my my hand and burst out with Hellfire, banishing away the green flame, as my hand returns to its usual orange glow.
(1)
"Do you like my gift?" I hear Lilith's voice as I turn and see a green wisp of her behind me. "What did you do to me?" I growl a si get in her face. She laughs as she stalks around me. "I only gave back what you locked away. Your connection to your host has left you weak, Beloved. Compassionate...merciful. Even as an Angel, you weren't so...gallant." She says as I turn to her. "I banished evil from the souls of mortals. But not every soul can be saved, some are just plain evil and needed to be purged. I did what I had to do." I say as she laughs again, this time with mock rather than amusement. "But you liked it, pushing those souls. Loved to watch them burn in damnation. Even after all this time, you are still blind to your faults. You haven't learnt... Justice, Vengeance...it's all the same, Beloved. You just took one for the lesser evil." I've had enough, I draw back and punch through her form, I swing my fists but nothing happens. "I'm an incorporeal form, you can't harm me...you're much angrier than what you once were...I like it." She says as her form disappears. I pace with fury and embarrassment. The nerve of her, to mock me. To call me weak! She dare! "Zarathos, control it, you'll burn the whole field!" Matthew screams in my head as I stop and relax. My fire comes back under control as I unclench my fists. "We need to get back to the others. The mission still needs to be completed." He says as I nod silently and ride back to the others. I follow where their souls were and track them to a house and a barn in the centre of the large paddock.
The morning had risen when I arrived. The boy was present but M'gann and the woman were missing. "Where are they?" I say to Robin as he glares back at me. "Miss Martian is helping Ms Logan with the broken fences. Superboy had injured a wildebeest that you caused to stampede. So we brought Garfield and the animal here." He says as the boy approaches me. He stares at me with a mix of fear and awe. "Hello." He says with nervousness. I look down at him and read his soul...a pure one. Like one would expect from a child. "Hello...sorry if I scared you last night...I'm more in control of myself." I say as I notice Robin's look. "That's ok. I didn't see it nor hear much anyway." He says happily as I cheer on the inside. Thank Eternity for that. "We need to talk." Robin says as I look at him. "There's nothing to talk about." I say as I walk past him. "Just wait a minute." He says as he grabs my arm. Anger rages in me as I turn and pull him close. "There's nothing to talk about." I growl to him as I feel Matthew on my head. "Give me control. Now!" He shouts as I let Robin go and give in to Matthew's demands.
P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre
My skin grows back as I twist my neck and bone the bubble out. I look at Rob but then look down at Garfield. "That was so cool but also gross." He says as I chuckle. I'm beginning to like this kid. "Want to talk? Let's talk." I see Rob as we walk inside and see Connor and Wally resting about. "Ok. Talk." Robin says to me as I look at Garfield. Soon enough we all are looking at him. "Sorry. I'll see myself out." He says as he leaves the room. "He's gone. Now, what was that all about?" Wally says as I sigh. "I'm not sure..." I sigh again as I look at all three of them. They deserve to know. About Lilith, about my secrets. About everything. But I can't. "Zarathos had been having... the closest thing that I can compare it to is 'relapse'." I say to Rob. "What do you mean, 'relapse'?" Connor asks. "Zarathos is a demonic being of vengeance. When he sees evil, or innocent blood being split. He goes on a warpath to avenge them. I've been trying to keep his darkest tendencies at bay but sometimes, his habits slip through. Last night, was one of his...more worse slips. We have an agreement to keep his brutality to minimal. Sorry to tell you but if Zarathos was going at his worst, all the villains we have fought would be nothing but dust in the wind. We have an agreement but he can slip back into his original anger. Last night was just the worst of it." I say to them. It's not the real truth but it's not a lie either. We did have an agreement, Zarathos has been more calm ever since the team was formed but still does have his moments. But I can tell them about Lilith, she's too powerful and I would be damned if I let the team think that they can take her on. Bodies would drop and it won't be demons that do. "I guess...that kind of makes sense. Zarathos had been a demonic being for millennia. Just please, try not to let this happen again." Robin says as I nod as Garfield comes back in. "Hey. All good if I come back in?" He says as Wally nods. "All good. Grown up stuff down." He says as Garfield laughs.
"So...pretty weird about Miss Martian and my mom, huh?" He says as we look at him weirdly. "What do you mean?" Conor asks. "You know, she looks exactly like mom, except you know...greener." he says as I raise an eyebrow. "Don't know about you, kid. But Miss Martian looks 16. Your mother is a few decades older." I say to him. "Well duh, but I mean when she looks like mom when she was a tv star on 'Hello, Megan'." He says as we all stare bewildered. "Wait. 'Hello, Megan' is a tv show?" Wally asks as Garfield nods in affirmation. "I though it was something she said all the time." Robin says as I pipe up. "Me too." Garfield than speaks after us. "Yeah...on the tv show. Way before I was born. Only one season. You can't even find it online. I know mom has a tape around here somewhere."
He looks between all the old VHS tapes before pulling one out. "Hello, Megan'. The pilot episode." He says happily as he blows off the dust. "Whoa. You still have VHS." Wally says as I smack him upside the head. "Hey, what was that for?" He says as I stare down at him. "Yes, yes. I understand, that was rude. I'm sorry." He says as I raise an eyebrow. Hmm...he's learning. As the tv turns on, Connor turns sharply. "Wait. Aircraft headed this way." He says as we run outside. I turn to Garfield who is standing shocked and worried. "Garfield. Stay here. Don't move." I say to him before running outside. We look and see M'gann and Marie returning as we look up and see 3 drone aircraft coming. The Minigun opens fire as M'gann shoves Marie to the ground as Connor forms a human shield. "Where's my son?" She asks as I jump down. "He's inside. I ordered him not to go anywhere." I say to her but I feel something off. "He's 8. He doesn't do orders." She says with wide eyes. I turn back and look inside the house and see him gone. "Damnit." I ran out and traced his soul to the barn. "Mom!" He shouts as I see him open the door. "It's ok! I got the animals out!" He waves as wildebeest runs out. I see the drones circle back, their attention on the barn. "Garfield! Get away from there!" I shout at him as I fuel my muscles with hellfire. I run as fast as I ever have before. M'gann follows behind me as one of the drones unloads on the barn and the gas tank. The tank blows as Garfield is sent flying. "Zarathos! Save him!" I shout as I feel him burst from me.
P.O.V Change: Ghost Rider
I jump and catch the boy and shield him from the fiery blast as it engulfs us. I feel and see Heavenly Fire engulf me as it shields us from the flames. The flames calm as the Heavenly Fire resides onto me. That's weird. "Forget the fire! How's Garfield?!" Matthew shouts as I look down at the boy. I feel his life force slipping. "He's alive...but he doesn't have much time." I lift him up and carry him out of the flames. His mother approaches me carefully as I hand him over to her. The drones circle back as I feel rage burn within me. "Superboy." I growl as he nods. We charge forward. I wrap my chains around him before flinging him into one of the drones. M'gann grabs hold on one and tears it to pieces. The last one fires at me but I breathe in and blow a torrent of fire that burns it to dust. The ash drone crashes down onto me as the ash sprays out over the ground.
I turn around and see Marie and Robin carrying the boy inside. I walk over to them as Marie turns to me angrily. "This is your fault! Why did you do what you did? I said that there would be consequences. And because of you, my son could die! Just, go! Leave me and my son alone!" She screams at me as I walk up and snatch Garfield from her. "What are you doing? Give him back!" She tries to grab him but I shove her to the ground. Everyone stares at me wide eyed as I place him on the ground. I kneel before. I place my hand over his head and heart, feeling them both. He's weak, and slowly slipping. It's been too long since I've done this...but Justice needs to be served and this innocent life will not be taken today. I watch as my fire changes to a gentle blue flame as I start chanting in a language that has long since been foreign to me. The language of my kin. "I call upon the life of the Forge of Creation. I call upon the Angels of the World In-between Worlds. Heal this innocent soul. This soul is not destined for death yet. I call upon my kin. My brothers...sisters. Heal this boy so that he may take his rightful place in the Path of Fate. Please, brothers...sisters...help me." I plead to them, hoping that they hear my voice. The blue flame is slowly healing the boy but not at the level that I want. "You assume to plead to us for help? You assume much, brother." I hear my brother, Thantos the Angel of Destruction, speak to me. "You have the potential to become one of us again...but you still arrogantly think that we heed to you." My twin sister, Phoenix, the Angel of Rebirth, speaks to me with venom as my head hangs in shame. "My sins are my own. They are mine to bear. Please...help this boy. For the love you had for me and the love that I still possess...help him. Help him. And I'll revoke all titles and deeds to my name as the Angel of Justice. I'll live in permanent exile with my burden and curse, until the end of creation." I plead with every worry and hopeful plea that I could ever muster. Silence reigns. "We'll help you...but we can not heal all his injuries. He has a role to play...as does the Martian." Azrael says as I hang my head in thanks. "Thank you." I say but Thantos speaks. "Remember your promise, we'll help you. But you can never return to the Forge. Should you perish, your spirit will forever roam the Void. Lost and alone, with only your deepest, darkest, fears and regrets to keep you company." Phoenix then speaks. "Are you prepared to sacrifice, the one thing that you dream most of?" She says as I raise my head to the sky. "With all my being."
The Heavenly Fire glows bright as his injuries and burns heal but he still is in a really bad shape. I fall back as the fire leaves me, it's familiar energy once again, leaving my body and spirit. "Rider?" Robin calls out it me as I turn to them. They all have wide eyes and shocked expressions. "What was that? What did you do to him?" Conor asks as I turn to Marie. "He's better but still in bad shape." I say as I lift him up and carry him to the house. "He still needs help." I say as I carry him inside the house. Relaxing my Hellfire as to not burn the house down nor the child in my arms. I walk into a bedroom and place him down on the bed. I look at him as I reach and go to brush my knuckles agaisnt his forehead but the sight of my orange coated hand draws me back. I made a deal...now to live with it. I walk out of the room as everyone else enters.
I wait by the door as Marie dresses his surface wounds and his internal injuries. "He's in shock. He needs a blood transfusion. Either of you AB negative?" She asks to Wally and Robin. "No." "Sorry." They say. "Neither am I. It's the hardest to match. I had a supply in the clinic but..." She doesn't finish. Wally perks up. "I can run him to the nearest hospital." He says but I speak from the doorway. He needs help now. The nearest hospital is miles away and needs this transfusion." I say but Marie turns to me. "Can't you do what you did before? You healed him." She says but I shake my head. "That only happened because my kin allowed it...and it won't happen a second time. We're out of options." I say as I feel a soul approach. "I might be able to help." M'gann says as I turn to her and let her in. "My shapeshifting occurs at the cellular level. I think I can morph my blood to match his." She says as Marie holds her arm desperately. "Please...try." She says as holds her head. "I'll need to concentrate. No distractions." She says as I pull Robin and Wally out the room. As the door closes, I shift control back to Matthew.
P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre
We wait in the living room of the house. We wait for news on Garfield's condition. "On top of all this. Harjavti steps down tomorrow, subjecting all of Quarc to this danger. If, can you find a news station?" Robin asks with tiredness. "Sure, which remote is it?" He says as the tv turns on. I hear a school bell ring as old 70s music starts playing. We all turn and watch as the tv plays the intro of Hello Megan. We are all bewildered when 'Megan' looks remarkably similar to M'gann's own form, same hair, same build, same goddamn freckles and all. We are just shocked by what we are watching. "Maybe...it's a coincidence." Connor says awakardly as I snort. "Keep dreaming, buddy." I say as the intro stops as the episode plays. 'Megan' runs downstairs and says to her 'mother' that she's going to study with friends. The whole show feels like those old sitcoms that my mom used to watch. Good times. 'Megan' opens the door and welcomes the 'boyfriend' whose name is...Connor. The real Connor looks away in embarrassment as Wally leans closer to Robin. "Yeah. Pure coincidence." I feel a familiar soul cross into the room. "It's done. All we can do now is wait." M'gann says as the guys jump in surprise. Wall fumbles the remote and furiously tries to turn the TV off. The input changes to Harjavti. "My fellow Quracis. Queen Bee's rule is a gift back to Quarc." He says as I notice something in the back. "Who's that? I've seen him before." I say as Robin zooms the video on his holo-computer. "It's Psimon. The psychic that we fought last time we were in Bialya." M'gann says as I groan. "I hate evil psychics." I whisper to myself. "He was working for Queen Bee then. He must be controlling Harjavti for her now." She says as Wally slaps his face. "I still remember the headache from when he brain blasted us." Robin speaks up after him. "We have to get Harjavti away from him." I hear a door opening, I turn and see Marie entering the room, everyone soon follows. "I think it worked. Garfield's stable." She says as Robin steps forward. "And we have our mission...if there is anything we can do...?" He says to her but she shakes her head. "Just do your mission and leave...you lot have done enough." She says passive aggressively as we all hang our heads in shame. If we didn't interfere, who knows what could have happened but the past is set. No going back now.
Dhabar, Quarc: 10:11pm, November 23rd, 2010:
We sneak into Quarc's capital and make our way to the President's house. Bialya had set a defense around the house, on the face of protecting the president from any insurgents. It's just a death row cell and Queen Bee is the doctor with the lethal injection. The house has become a fortress, almost impossible to infiltrate...almost.
We make our way through the vents via the roof. Got to love M'gann's telekinesis. The vents are just large enough that we came slip through, Connor had trouble getting his large frame around some corners but he manage. We arrive at the President's office as Robin lowers a stealth camera. We see via his holo-computer that Harjavti is alone. "We're good to go." Robin says by mental link as he jumps down to the floor. Wally follows up, then me, Connor and finally M'gann. Myself and Robin walk up to him as his eyes turn to us. He doesn't says anything as I notice his eyes...glazed over. He's still being controlled. I glow my eyes as the natural fear breaks his control. He gasps in fright but shakes his head. "What? What's happening? Where's my daughter?" He says in quick succession. "Let's get you out of here and we'll reunite you with your daughter." Robin says as I perk my head up. "They're coming." I say as we turn and see soldiers enter the room with strange red detailed weapons. These isn't normal technology. "Well, well. American Heroes. Here to assassinate the President. Such shame we arrived to late to save him." A dark skinned man says as I recongize his uniform. Supreme General of Bialya. Queen Bee's most faithful commander and skilled tactician. "Those are apocalyptican weapons." Connor says mentally. "Which they'll use to kill Harjavti. We get blamed and Queen Bee gets to rule all Quarc." Robin says as I growl. "Like hell." I swing a chain and pull a man in close, ripping the tech and crushing it. I bash the crippled tech across his head before throwing him into the wall. "Whose next?" I say as I glow my eyes as my chains lighten with Hellfire. "I find Psimon." M'gann says as she flies away. The soldiers charge the weapons but I unleash my chains, the hellfire chains cut through all the tech as they all power down. The soldiers and the general have fearful gazes as their one up on us is now unless.
"M'gann, wait." "I'll get her." Robin and Connor say respectfully but I turn to them. "She can handle herself. Focus on the mission." I say as I charge forward and barrel a man into the wall. The soldier shoots me point blank in the head as I face him. He fires again but the bullets burn. I grab the gun and melt it with hellfire. I grab the man's neck and slam him onto the side table, he's on his knees as he looks up, I shin kick him in the sternum as he is sent flying across the room. Connor is thrashing soldiers while Wally is speeding around and grabbing all their weapons. Robin breaks arms and shatters jaws. "Rob." I call out as I grab one man, break his leg and throw him towards Robin. The Boy Wonder sees and throws a spinning heel kick to the man's head.
All the soldiers are down and out. I feel a soul coming as I turn and brighten my eyes as well as form Hellfire on my face. A woman enters the room as I stare at her, her eyes widen as she backs up in fright. I quickly read her soul and see that she is Harjavti's daughter. I calm down and retract the fire. "Sorry." I say to her as I let her pass. She runs ahead me as she embraces her father. "Thank you. Thank you for saving him. We will take care of him now." She says as Quracis enter the room. We nod our heads and run after M'gann. "M'gann. We're coming." Connor says as a loud ringing blasts in my head. I hold my head as the pain reaches new heights. Even Zarathos is in agony. The pain becomes so bad that I black out.
I come too hearing M'gann's voice. "Matt? Matt, can you hear me?" I open my eyes and see her looking down at me. I see the rothera have come too as well. I groan as I hold my head and get to my feet. "I need a vacation." M'gann smiles at my joke as I lean across the broken pillar. I look around the room and se all the destruction. I spot Psimon at the end with a look of...nothing. Just staring off into space. "What happened to him?" I say as I feel M'gann's nervousness and...guilt. "He brain blasted you. I stopped him." She says as I nod. I don't know what you're guilty about but it's not my business.
We wait within Harjavti's office as we wait for M'gann to return. Robin had the idea of having M'gann disguised as Queen Bee to broadcast the image that Queen Bee was trying to take Quarc through deception. It was an ingenious idea and one that holds promise. Plus...secretly, it would hinder whatever plans that Bee has with the Light. All in a good day's work. M'gann enters the room as Queen Bee, she shifts back as Robin approaches her. "Sorry that you had to lie to everyone like that. But I couldn't think of any other way to convince the public that Queen Bee was behind this." He says as Wally fist bumps his shoulder. "Dude, saving a country. Pretty big win for your first time as leader." He praises as Robin nods reluctantly. "Yeah, thanks." He says as I walk up to him. "You have your doubts...good. a good leader has to have doubts otherwise he becomes susceptible to arrogance and pride. You have the potential to lead this team. This mission proved that you were born to lead. Batman...will be proud." I say to him as he smiles.
We return to the Logan Sanctuary. We sit in the main living room as we watch to peace proceedings and humanitarian efforts. "And I assure you, the Wayne Foundation will do whatever it takes to help you and your people rebuild Quarc." Bruce Wayne says to Harjavti, Marie turns the TV off before it goes any further. "Gee, Bruce Wayne sure got here fast. Almost knew like he knew-." Wally doesn't finish as Robin subtly elbows him in the gut. "Don't you have a souvenir to collect or something?" He asks as Wally slaps his head. "Hello, Megan!" He says as he zooms over and grabs the VHS tape and shows it to M'gann. "Something you like to tell us?" He asks teasingly. She looks at all of us, I sense her underlying fear and reservation. She sighs. "Growing up on Mars was not a happy time for me. But I started watching the broadcasts my uncle sent from Earth, to teach us about our sister planet." M'gann says as she focuses on Marie. "And when I saw 'Hello, Megan', something just clicked. Maybe it was the similarities input names, or maybe the way all of Megan's problems can be solved in 22 minutes. All I know for sure is Megan helped me smile through a lonely childhood. So when I came to Earth, and had to adopt a human form, I chose you. Well, Megan." She says as we all look amongst ourselves. "Which begs the question, what do you really look like?" Robin asks carefully, trying not to offend her. She looks down in worry but I approach her. She looks up at me. "Can't be any worse than me." I say with a smile as she does as well. She stands as she shifts. Her hair retracts as well as her freckles. She doesn't look that much different, I sense that she is scared, reserved and...dreading. But not us but rather...herself. She's afraid of her true form, but this isn't that bad...unless. "Bald M'gann...still hot." Wally says as Connor stands up and approaches her. He takes her hand. "You know you don't have to put on a mask for me." He says as M'gann steps back from her and reverts back into her original form. "I do this for me. This is who I am." She says as I sense...loathing. I hear her heartbeat as it skips. A lie. "This is who I am in the inside. Please don't be mad." She says to Marie as we turn to her. "Mad? I'm honoured. M'gann, you saved my son. He's says that he's your blood brother now. And I agree. You're family." Marie says as M'gann rushes over and embraces the older woman. "Thank you." She says to her. I've seen all the heart warming talks. I need to step outside.
I walk outside and watch as the sun sets. It's beautiful here. A nice place to relax...besides the dictator that is living next door though but what can you do. I feel someone close by as I look to my left and see Lilith's form. "You're world is not as ugly as I imagined. It's almost beautiful." She says as I roll my eyes. "It is beautiful. It's a place where the worries of the world are not laid on you...even then, the world seems to bother you anyway. Like you are doing now." I say to her as she chuckles. "You are very brave...or very foolish. I can't tell. You have something that all the others don't. You have the will to battle Zarathos for control. But you seem to have fallen into his game of becoming a monster. Do not deny it, I've played this game before." She says as she stalks me. "I won't deny that I'm a monster...but the world is full of monsters...it takes one to kill one. I don't know your game or what you are planning but I promise you. I will fight you, doesn't matter if it's as Ghost Rider or myself. I'll make sure that you don't hurt anyone ever again." I say as she looks at me with mirth. "Such hatred, such anger. You would fight me but you wouldn't risk the one thing that you hold very dearly...a certain...cat themed assassin." She whispers in my ear as I realise who she's talking about. "Jade." She laughs as she stands in front of me. "Yes...I know what she is to you, how she helps you. But if you don't want anything to happen to her, then you'll play along as much as I desire." She says as she brushes her hand across my cheek. "Zarathos thought that he could escape me. You thought that you could fight me...you both are too arrogant for your own good. You'll fight me...no...you'll fight for me. See you soon...beloved." She says as I black out and collapse to the ground, I see her figure disappear before darkness takes me.
"Matt, Matt. You alright?" Robin says as I come too. "What? Yeah, I'm alright." I say as I sit up. "What happened?" Connor asks as I shake my head. "I don't know. I was watching the sunset, next thing, you guys are waking me up...I must be exhausted. I need a drink." I say as Robin and Connor help me up. "Come on, let's see if Marie has anything for you." Robin says as I chuckle. "I hope she has beers." I say as both of them laugh.
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