Not my magical world
Chapter 23
Ted stepped out of the portal onto a beach, salty air filling his nose and the sounds of waves lapping against the shore draining the tension from his shoulders. This was his element. He clenched and unclenched his hands as energy from the sand beneath his feet flowed into his body.
Glancing up at the sun, he shielded his eyes with his right hand.
Siegel circled above him, their calls reverberating with the power inside him.
Swallowing, he reached out with his mind, his eyes flashing a golden brown as he connected with one of the birds.
For a moment, his vision swam as he saw from two sets of eyes, his eyes on the ground and the eyes of the bird. Closing his human eyes, he flew over the island, marveling at what he saw.
This island was twice the size of New Haven. While its size was impressive, the diverse ecosystem is what really drew his attention. About a mile into the forest, the tropical trees of the beach shared ground with Redwoods, Dogwoods, Elder, Holly, Hickory, Birch, Cherry, Pear, peach, and many other trees and plants seen worldwide.
In his mind, he could feel and see the energy of the trees sinking into the soil, mingling in a way that shouldn't be possible.
Guiding his bird body lower, Ted sent it gliding through the trees. The sweet scent of flowers mixed with the pollen of the trees, creating an aroma like no other. A frown spread across Ted's features as the bird winged its way through the trees.
'Something's not right here. Where are the animals? An island this big should have some native animals.'
Suddenly, his head snapped to the side as something large burst from the trees. He grimaced as he felt sharp claws tear into the Seagull's body. His connection broke, the bird's death cries still ringing through the air as he opened his eyes and stared at the forests before him.
"So, it does have some native animals."
Taking a moment, he bowed his head, apologizing to the Seagull that gave his life so he could gain some information.
Raising his head, his yellow eyes shone with determination as he stepped toward the forest. He had a job; no matter what, he would prove he could survive away from the island in this new world. He would alleviate his wife's fear of losing him again.
Leaves and grass crunched beneath his feet as he stepped into the forest. With inhuman grace, he moved through the woods, branches brushing against his body as he went to where the Seagull died. The scent of wood, flowers, and earth filled his nose with each breath.
Kneeling beside the seagull, Golden energy flared around his body, briefly taking the form of a panther before fading. Leaning down, he sniffed the Seagull frowning at the strong scent of the wood that clung to his body.
"Wood, not surprising since we're in a forest," running his finger along its back, Ted smeared the blood between his fingers, and green leaf-like flakes spread along his fingers.
Once again, his eyes flared a golden brown, but this time pale green rose from the blood; Ted inhaled them.
His eyes fluttered as he sorted through the information provided by his connection to nature. Opening his eyes, he stared down at the body of the Seagull. "A plant that killed, but a plant possessing animal instincts. I guess that explains why it didn't eat the body."
Ted jumped back as vines emerged from the soft forest floor pulling the Seagull's body into the earth.
"And here I thought I was safe on the ground."
He glanced at the trees around him, wondering if it would be better to continue through them. Glancing back at the bird and remembering the plant matter in its wounds, he shook his head. "Looks like I'm taking to the air again, but this time I'm not risking the animals," he glanced up at the empty sky, "not that any are around for me to control."
Golden energy flared around his body, taking multiple animal forms in rapid succession, a bird for its eyesight and flight, a spider's reflexes, a worm for its regeneration, a panther for enhanced senses, and an elephant for its durable skin.
His eyes glowed with an inner light, and his pupil became a vertical slit as he leaped into the air. Branches broke against his body as he shot through the canopy sending twigs raining onto the forest floor.
Hovering in the air, Ted stared at the vast forest of trees below him. "Harry said this island could transform and walk like a man, meaning it has to have a central mind."
Crossing his legs, Ted sat in the air laying his hands on each other in his lap, palm up. He closed his eyes and forced his aura into the earth. Golden streams flared around his body before shooting down and burrowing into the soil.
In his mind's eye, his power sank beneath the ground. After a bit of time, it found a vast root system. He twitched as his power fell into it, and his senses expanded. For a moment, he was the island. He could feel every plant, every rock, every bit of water.
He shuddered as the bird digested within him.
Suddenly, a force pushed against his mind, trying to consume him.
Browse furrowing together; Ted pushed back only to find his energy being eaten. He tried to pull away, but the presence held fast.
'Krakoa!' He mentally shouted, 'Is that you?'
'I Hunger, I Am Krakoa!'
Ted's teeth ground together as sweat began to pour down his face. 'I've come here to make a deal.' His hands clenched into fists in his lap as he cursed himself for sinking his mind into a psychic island.
'No deal, feed!'
'I understand you're hungry, but feeding on me will only sustain you for a few years at most; what if I could give you psychic energy that would rival the sun?'
The drain on his power continued, and Ted felt himself slowly drift toward the ground as Krakoa drew in more of his energy. Fear gripped his heart. With Krakoa keeping his mind occupied, he couldn't afford to spare any thought to move his body.
Suddenly, Ted stopped six feet off the ground, and the draw on his energy lessened.
'You speak of a power that rivals the sun that could quell my hunger. Tell me more about that.'
For a moment, Ted was stunned at the change in Krakoa's speech. When they first connected, he talked almost like a beast, only driven by instinct and hunger.
'I have in my pocket an orb containing great psychic power from a mutant like no other.'
Vines rose from the forest floor and began reaching toward Ted.
Grinding his teeth together, Ted forced his body to act. Wisps of wind flowed toward him, slowly spinning together until they formed a sphere around his body.
A roar echoed through his mind as Krakoa slammed the vines into his sphere.
Ted rocketed toward the earth, grunting as he smashed through trees. Falling leaves and branches obscured his vision as he hit the ground. His body jerked as the sphere dug a deep trench into the earth, stopping where the tree line met the beach.
Ted's wind sphere drifted away as he rose to his feet. Blood dripped down his nose from the strain of keeping so many animal traits active at once while tapping into his ability to manipulate the elements.
Vines shot toward him from all directions.
Dropping to one knee, Ted placed his hand on the earth. With trepidation, he pushed his will into the soil.
Earth rose as the tentacles closed in.
Just as they were about to grab him, a dome of earth and bars formed around him.
Ted swayed a little as vines impacted the bars, causing the ground to shake.
Making sure to stay in the center of the cage, Ted reached into his pocket as the vines wrapped around the bars. He knew that at any moment, Krakoa would destroy the cage. This was his island; he was the land. Ted could manipulate it. However, it would never truly defend him from its master.
Slowly, he pulled the orb from his pocket and held it high in the air, letting its pale purple light wash over him, highlighting the blood and dirt smeared across his skin.
The vines stilled.
Slowly, they unwrapped themselves from the cage and began reaching into the space to touch it.
Taking a deep breath, Ted exhaled fire.
Bright orange flames exploded around Ted, forcing the vines back.
'Give me the orb!' Krakoa shouted into his mind.
'No, I told you I want to make a deal.'
'I could just take you and the orb.'
'You could, but eventually, I and the orb would run out, and you would be back in the same boat.'
Silence hung in the air as vines writhed outside the cage.
Finally, they slowly withdrew back into the forest.
'What do you want?'
'I am part of an island of mutants. We are growing too large and would like to terraform a planet, but to do that. We need something special, a type of vegetation that could survive in hostile environments.'
'You want a piece of me to birth another planet? You ask a lot.'
'Not really; through our connection, I noticed you had some unpleasant growths, those should be more than enough for my friend to do what he needs, and they wouldn't bother you anymore.'
'I would need more than one star of sustenance.'
'Now, you're just being greedy, but what if I asked my friend to create a special star that could turn a portion of sunlight into psychic energy.'
'That will suffice,' Vines rose from in front of Ted's feet, and he realized he was never safe. Krakoa either liked to toy with his food or never intended to capture him. From how he acted when they first met, he thought the former.
'Give me the orb.'
Hesitantly, Ted sat the orb in the intertwining vines and watched it slowly sink back beneath the earth.
'Bring me what you have promised, or I'll come to claim it.' Krakoa's presence withdrew from Ted's mind, and he relaxed. Only to tense up again as the foliage around him glowed a bright green.
Backing to the shore, Ted's gaze locked on the glowing foliage.
Suddenly, Jonas Greenleaf and four others emerged from the glowing vegetation.
Jonas's angular features snapped from left to right as he surveyed the area before his gaze locked on Ted, his green eyes intense, "Is it gone?"
"Yes, he's gone, you bloody coward! Where the hell were you?"
Jonas straightened with an indignant look as anger flashed in the eyes of his fellows.
"We are protectors of nature, and this island embodies what we protect."
Ted nodded, "I get that, but did you think about helping me converse with this embodiment."
"Are you crazy? This thing eats the minds of sentient beings! Just because it's nature doesn't mean I want to poke it with a stick." The other Greenleaf nodded at his words.
Shaking his head, Ted made his way back to the beach. "I've arranged for us to remove some growths from Krakoa; it should give Harry what he needs. Come and get me when you're done."
–XX –
Morgan Le Fay, current Queen of Avalon, stood before a pool of writhing silver liquid. A complex runic circle spread out from the pool to cover the concrete floor.
It glowed with an Emerald green light as Morgan walked around the edge of the room, inspecting each line to ensure there were no mistakes.
Stopping before the pool again, Morgan stared into it. It had been a month since she came to Trask Industries, and though she did not trust the inhuman creatures that had taken over the place, she would admit they were brilliant. It had barely taken them any time to rework how they created sentinels to create a cyborg version.
"Is it ready," Kru El asked, striding into the room, his eyes sweeping over the markings on the floor.
"Yes," to her shame, it'd taken Morgan longer to integrate magic with the Kryptonians, as she learned they were called technology.
Her ritual should alter any failsafe these creatures tried to put into Ariana. After all, it wouldn't do for someone else to control her servant.
"Ariana," she called to the doorway, "you can come in now."
Ariana Dumbledore hesitantly entered the room, a crimson robe wrapped around her waist and her blonde hair piled upon her head. Her blue eyes stayed locked on the pool, reflecting the light from the runes as she stopped beside Morgan. The woman placed a hand on Ariana's shoulder, causing her to tense.
"Are you ready?" Morgan asked.
"Yes, my lady," Ariana replied. With only a slight tremble in her hands, she unfastened her rope and allowed it to pool on the floor.
Despite himself, Kru El allowed his eyes to rake over Ariana's lithe naked form. They may be ignorant creatures, but some of them sure were beautiful.
Morgan inclined her head, "You may begin."
Taking a deep breath, Ariana stepped toward the pool, knowing that when she came out, she would be changed.
A shiver ran down her spine as she stepped into the liquid metal. Its icy touch zapped the heat from her bones as she waded into the pool's center.
Morgan glanced at Kru El as Ariana shivered in the pool, "You may begin."
Nodding, Kru El turned his attention to Ariana, "Take a deep breath and submerge yourself in the nano gel. Once fully submerged, the gel will breathe for you throughout the process."
Taking a deep breath, Ariana let it out as she allowed herself to fall backward and sink beneath the surface of the liquid metal.
When Ariana disappeared, a holographic screen appeared before Kru El. Glancing at the screen, he eyed the vital signs beside a simulacrum of Ariana's body.
"Be ready," Kru El told Morgan, "The magic and nano gel need to be activated simultaneously."
Raising a hand, he prepared to press a button on the holographic screen, only to pause and glance at Morgan one final time, "are you sure you want to do this? There's only a 40% chance she will survive."
Morgan waved her hand dismissively, "She will survive. If she doesn't, we already collected her DNA, and the runes will collect her soul so that we can try again."
Turning back to the screen, Kru El was grateful he wasn't attached to such a cold creature. Even though these humans were only a little better than animals, he felt sympathy for Ariana being bound to such a being.
"Now," he shouted, pressing the button on the screen.
Electricity danced across the pool of metal as the runes flared with power. Slowly, Emerald green energy sank into the liquid metal as the pool began to merge with Ariana's body.
As the volume of the pool lowered, Ariana screamed beneath its surface.
Slowly, the simulacrum on the holographic screen began to change. Body parts began to be isolated as nerves were covered in liquid metal, and the gel bonded with muscle, fat, and skin.
Her heartbeat danced wildly, but Ariana's fists clenched beneath the sinking metal. She would survive, she would complete her service, and make a life for herself better than this.
