Opening File: Hard Drive
Hard Drive is a feline Mobian criminal with most of his crimes involving technology, using equipment such as his 'Surge Coat' to hack into and/or control electronic devices. His unique methods make him a difficult criminal to pin down, and he has given both the police and Hunters trouble on several occasions. He was originally a student at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology but was kicked out when he tried hacking into ATMs for the purpose of identity theft. No one knew however that his attempt was actually a test for his device codenamed: Sugar Coat and from then on he became a freelance criminal and computer hacker.
Hard Drive typically hacks into electronic systems to commit crimes. He often uses his Surge Coat to arc into and out of electrical wires, therefore allowing him to control the system from within; this usually causes a power surge, presumably because of the excess energy traveling through the system. An unusual effect of his Surge Coat is that it turns Hard Drive's eyes amber, and gives him a blond mohawk.
Close File
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Opening File: Dr. Hugo Strange
A psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, Professor Hugo Strange had an interest in the minds of the psychotic minds that filled the cells in Arkham. Strange testified at Ethan Bennett's, aka Clayface, court date, and gave Ethan a clean bill of health for his mental stasis. Although he claimed to have wanted to help the inmates at Arkham Asylum, Strange seemed more bent on finding out how the criminal mind worked, rather than simply curing it. After being "cured" of his affliction by Strange, Arnold Wesker (The Ventriloquist) was able to resume his life in the real world. Despite being successful in his new life, Strange wished to 'test' his criminal therapy and gave the Scarface puppet back to Wesker, which caused him to fold and resume his criminal career.
He even lied to Bruce that Wesker would be happy to perform at his Gala. Once Batman found out about Hugo putting Scarface in Wesker's apartment, he admonished Strange for further damaging the old man's mind, only to be mocked for his method of solving crime(costumes), showing Strange's clear lack of morality.
Strange once ran Arkham Asylum until his own asylum deemed that he was insane himself. He was then tossed into one of the Arkham's padded cells. On many occasions, he tried to study Batman, but none succeeded. Strange invented a machine that allowed someone to enter a person's mind and entered The Joker's, which sparked his new interest in Batman. In Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind, Strange invented a special computer to study Batman. After he took the profiles of Mr. Freeze, The Penguin, The Riddler, The Joker, Clayface, and himself, Strange created 'Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind', a Digitally Advanced Villain Emulator or 'D.A.V.E.'
Allowing this Frankenstein's monster to unleash itself upon Gotham by programming it to "escape" from Arkham, Strange allowed it to lure and study Batman. Though he had set the ultimate trap for Batman in the Batcave, D.A.V.E. hadn't planned on Batman using reverse logic on him. Although D.A.V.E. knew of the origins of others, he didn't know the origin of himself-or even that he wasn't human. After Batman told him this, it bought him enough time to crush D.A.V.E. under the giant penny.
Now committed into the very place where he used to treat his patients, Strange requested Batman's audience and told him of his mad ambitions to turn everyone in Gotham into a zombie who listened only to him. Unbeknownst to Batman, Strange infected him and Robin with the very same virus that he planned to inflict upon the city, and made Batman and Robin the carriers. Batman then spent the remaining 48 hours trying to cure a city that didn't need treating before he eventually overcame Strange's mind control and realized that he was seconds away from infecting Gotham. Strange remained in Arkham with his mad scheme stopped.
Strange was later shown as one of the criminals who was captured by the vigilante, Rumor. Once freed he escaped along with Catwoman, but was later put back in Arkham off screen. Strange later tried to help The Joining take over Earth, and requested all of the knowledge of the universe. After succeeding, they granted Strange's wish. However, the amount of knowledge caused his brain to overload. Strange had all of the knowledge of the universe, but he was left catatonic.
Close File
Xxx
"We are all eager to learn, eager to strive, eager to succeed. The question is how far are you willing to go? What lines are you willing to cross?" TOM wondered, watching as the files closed. "Ethics and morals are supposed to make sure that certain lines are clear to everyone but not everyone gets the memo. Sometime people ignore such lines in search for great knowledge for personal satisfaction or to attain great wealth. Even at the personal cost of others."
Xxx
The Gems once more continue their pursuit for the Elementals for their beloved Diamond's vision of so-called 'perfection', the Gems have existed for thousands of years and lived in blind arrogance of their belief in superiority over all forms of life. This intervention and outside forces cannot be allowed to continue any longer while he remains in chains, waiting for Cipher to open the rift.
Perhaps he should send one of his followers on Earth or send Ragnarok to find this agent and eliminate it.
In one lifetime, he once considered an offer to the demon Aku for a common cause but the shapeshifting demon turned down his offer and was defeated by the samurai he underestimated.
Perhaps this one will be different.
Xxx
Bill Cipher found himself in a middle of what appeared to be some ancient ruins, but the sky was not the same as the world he was familiar with, with a large moon in the sky.
"Alright, who's the wise guy that called me? Come on, I got things to do, worlds to burn and people to scare to death." He crossed his arms and narrowed his eye.
A bright reddish energy manifested before him and took form in a projection, taking form of a large being with a crow-like head with a bone-like beak and a unique marking on top, six insect-like appendages on its back with five large spikes protruding around the top of the body. Dressed in black robes and looked to be a cross between a bird and an insect from his point of view.
"At last we meet."
Xxx
Foodian Order
Lezah was working on her portions and helping the young Fairy of Nature, Flora to perform a spell. She didn't know what was going on and felt strong disturbance among the elders. She saw something from the smoke emerging from the bowl and saw some sort of demonic creature with blood red eyes.
"What was that?" Flora exclaimed and thought it was terrifying, she felt dark magical aura coming from this… thing.
"Something powerful. And dangerous." Lezah answered and tried to not sound too terrified. "Whatever it is, we need to prepare for the worst."
Xxx
Glossaryck gasped, his eyes wide open and felt a powerful surge of energy that disturbed him from his sleep. He had not felt this feeling before in a very long time.
Something that terrified him.
"No… it… couldn't be." He hoped it was something else.
Not the one person he prayed never to return.
Xxx
Dimension D-C92
Doctor Fate was in the middle of his studies and stopped, sensing something from beyond his universe and felt the power of the Lords of Orders' greatest enemies. One being who stood among those he had read from ancient textbooks. This feeling made him uneasy and perhaps he should alert the Justice League for what he felt
Xxx
Klarion turned around, almost felt something after it a strange screeching sound echoing through non-existence.
"What's made you all jumpy?" He turned to see Nyx taunting him.
"Didn't you sense that? Almost like something… nah forget it." He waved it aside thinking it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but not certain why but became nervous for a brief moment. He hoped it wasn't the one person he didn't want to come back to ruin his fun.
Not when Weirdmageddon is coming and he would get to have real fun.
Nyx would have taken pleasure to taunt him, but she too felt something…. And it strangely terrified her for some reason, not certain why something from the back of her mind telling Nyx to be careful.
Xxx
Earth GF-007
"Oooh, mon, why does this feel like a bad sign?" Grim clutched his stomach region and almost felt like he had a stomach that was rumbling, meaning something bad was about to happen. "I better go see the big three of what's happening."
Xxx
Bill observed the demon before him and for a moment and spoke. "Who do you think you-way a minute... that creepy voice. The aura. Those bug legs. Well, well, if it isn't good ol' Canaletto! It's been what? Ten thousand years, give or take since we last met? Last I heard you were dead. But you sure had us fooled." Bill Cipher sounded excited as he floated towards the larger being. "Guess the rumors were true after all."
"Your reputation offers you, Bill Cipher." Canaletto responded to the demon and remained calm. "Indeed I have recovered and my time shall come at last."
Xxx
"AH!" Phil Ken Sebben clutched his eye in a brief moment of pain, feeling a strong surge of power but unable to know what his Spiral Gem was seeing, unable to know what or who it was. "What was that?"
Xxx
Bill Cipher knew of Canaletto being a powerful Lord of Chaos from the ancient times and after he attempted to use his powers for his own gain, few such as Klarion seemed to prefer him gone as he was. What the Witch Boy thought of him as a type of guy who takes away his type of fun. Bill was cautious if the demon would pose problems to his plans and remembered their previous encounter.
"And what exactly do you want from me? I know we had our differences, but I got a lot of work to do, so make it quick." He said, rubbing his fingers while waiting for his answer.
"I have underestimated you, Bill Cipher. That was a mistake. The light of your strength blinds my ambition of the future. A future I have taken great care to control." Canaletto proclaimed to the Dream Demon as his astral form slowly approaches Bill Cipher. "And this has to end."
"Oh yeah? Well what do you tend to do about it?" Bill questioned him. "Your body isn't here so that means your trapped somewhere. And both of us could be an even match."
"I am offering… a rare alliance."
"Say what now?" This came as an unexpected response for Bill to hear from the Lord of Chaos.
"Imagine, two great beings standing together? We would be magnificent." Canaletto offered to him.
"Wait a sec, so you want to be partners? Is this the same ol' Canaletto I knew or are you trying to pull my leg?" Bill asked, wondering if he was hiding something from him.
"I understand your hesitation, but think of it, this universe you desire was almost invaded by the Combine when a foolish mortal tampered with a Spiral Gem, only another to prevent an invasion."
"Wait, you man the Combine?" To learn about this did not go well for Bill and he became mad over the mere thought of the Combine. "UGH! I hate those guys! They always take what I want, even those I just grew to like!"
Canaletto listened to his response and understood him well.
"I see that you need to earn my trust. Very well, I have plenty of time but consider this, my friend. Had the Gem of Bond not been found by someone, they would not have opened a portal to a force known as the Combine and no doubt that one of the Gems' loyal creatures has made a sleeper agent to one of the humans? Now you see why I offer a rare moment, despite our differences, we both desire the same thing and I am also willing to make an arrangement." He said, using the words that not even the infamous Bill Cipher could resist.
"You mean a deal? Oh, you know me so well." Bill chuckled and became more interested to what his rival had to offer. "Okay, you got my full attention, pal. So what terms are we playing here?
"A truce between us. We will not face one another in combat, nor use whatever pawn we use against each other." Canaletto offered his part of the arraignment. "In return, I will offer make certain the portal be opened as arranged for us both to be freed from our confinements. I am not as powerless as you might think. Like you, I have followers that serve my bidding and follow my commands for my arrival. And others will come, especially GOLB. The realities will be ours for the taking."
Bill took the time to think this through, stroking under his eye and taken the thought of his offer. Much as he hates to admit it, but Canaletto had a point if others come and spoil his party and the chance to 'liberate' the universe he had his eye on. If Canaletto joins forces with him, it could be an awesome party he'd throw.
"Well... you got me on the last part and drive a hard bargain. But with you helping me and my buds out, we can make the universe even better for all time and space! Okay, you got yourself a deal." He accepted, extending his flaming hand out towards Canaletto to cement their deal.
Canaletto accepts his hand and grasped it to form a new alliance.
"Boy, I can just picture Klarion's face when he sees you. Man, it'd be a surprise." Bill Cipher gave a laugh and slowly fades away. "Don't late for the party!"
Canaletto chuckled and observed his hand that was used to shake the dream demon's.
With the deal made, everything was going as he had foreseen. "Oh, I would not miss it for the world."
Xxx
"Now then, how about we talk now?" Van Kleiss asked, his smile still present. "Or would you all like one last demonstration?"
Suddenly the floor in the middle of the room opened up, allowing everyone to see the room below…and the giant flaming two headed monster that roared upon seeing them.
"Trust me. The show has yet to start." Van Kleiss snapped his fingers.
From down below a door opened and out stepped three figures that strange and unknown to most of the onlookers. One was a glowing specter of some kind, one resembled a blue hulking robot with green markings and the other resembled a woman in a skin tight red outfit with a crown like extension on her head and a pale white mask for a face. The monster known as 'Ebonstreak' let out a roar as unleashed a stream of fire on them.
Only for the phantom and the woman to hold their hands and create an energy shield, blocking the fire. The humanoid robot then leapt forward, slamming into fiery monster's torso with such force it was knocked over. Ebonstreak roared as it lashed out with more fire, knocking the robot back.
"Oh my!" The woman let out a giggle as her 'face' showed a tearful look that then turned to a look of joy. "Someone needs a little jeering up!"
As the monster tried to grab her she held up one hand and it was lifted off the ground before being slammed down again and again.
"Bongy! Bongy! Bongy!" The woman laughed as she repeatedly slammed the monster down with her powers.
Most of the onlookers from above quickly became unnerved by the woman's laughter, instantly being reminded of a certain clowned themed villain. Speaking of clown themed, Piedmon narrowed his eyes at the woman and the two others, sensing their strange digital nature.
'They are not Digimon but I can sense all three of them are strong…Very strong.' The Dark Master thought.
"Now, shall we talk?" Van Kleiss asked nicely.
At this point no one was willing to argue.
Xxx
As Van Kleiss was 'entertaining' his guests Biowulf and Skalamander were in charge of locating something important for Van Kleiss.
Their master desired not only ultimate power.
But also ultimate knowledge.
And his sources pointed to one particular universe where he could get that knowledge.
Xxx
Dimension BA-005
After his alliance with the extraterrestrial threat known as the 'Joining' was concluded Dr. Hugo Strange asked them to give him all their knowledge which they did. Unfortunately for the doctor the amount of information the Joining possessed was too great for his mind, sending him into a coma from which he was likely to never take up from. All that could be done was to send him to a hospital where he would be looked after likely for the rest of his life. The hospital had little to no security and thus no one noticed a small drone appear in the room and fly up to the comatose Hugo Strange.
The drone injected something into the doctor's ear and then disappeared back to its point of origin.
Xxx
Dimension GF-007
Biowulf watched as the android A.M.A.Z.O. was now linked to the scientist's mind and began to copy and download the information.
There was so much.
"The master will be pleased." The EVO noted with satisfaction in its voice.
Van Kleiss would be pleased indeed.
He would have a body with unlimited power and unlimited knowledge.
No one would stand in his way.
No one.
"You got the other ones on the list?" Skalamander asked.
"Yes." Biowulf pointed to two tables.
On one table was a spare exoskeleton belonging to ghost hunter known as Skulker and the other was a white and black armor with a golden visor.
A copy of the armor worn in one universe who would become known as the Meta.
Xxx
"I TOLD YOU! I DON'T HAVE ONE BODY ANYMORE! I HAVE THOUSANDS TO KEEP ME ALIVE! NOT THAT IT MATTERS AS EVEN IF YOU DO KILL ME MY SOUL WILL JUST ATTACH ITSELF TO ANOTHER HOST!"
Miss Spell's eyes widened when she heard that little bit of information. 'Cipher…He took a soul and modified it to attach itself to new hosts whenever the previous host died.'
If that was the case she could not hold back.
There was only way to stop such a monster.
Miss Spell held up her hand and there was flash of bright crimson light. Ivan had to cover his eyes for a second, waiting for the light to fade. When he lowered his hands he watched as Miss Spell hovered before him, holding a staff.
The staff was made of pink colored metal with red trimmings and a red ruby gemstone embedded at the top.
"Behold my staff." Miss Spell stated as she twirled her new weapon in one hand. "A sign of respect between people of magic and a sign that we have attained mastery of our powers. Since you would simply reincarnate again if we destroy your body I have no choice…But to banish you from this world!"
Spinning her staff in one hand Miss Spell fell upon Ivan, conjuring blasts of energy that sent pieces of his body flying.
"Normally I am against such violence." Miss Spell said as she fired a magical blast through Ivan's torso. "Fortunately you can survive this and more so I do not have to hold back."
"And what does it matter?" Ivan said as the scattered parts of his body slowly came back together. "I told you, I have thousand forms to choose from and I can heal and regenerate no matter what you try."
"Then it's a good thing I have a plan." Miss Spell said before slamming her staff into the ground.
Smoke began to rise from around Ivan and an otherworldly glow enveloped his body. A beam of energy lashed out and collided with Ivan who screamed.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I WILLLLLLLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOT EEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNND HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Ivan screamed as he started to vanish.
"This spell banishes anything it touches from the mortal realm. Not even your master can bring you back." Miss Spell said as Ivan fully vanished. "If you die there is no human where you are going to reincarnate into again. It is over."
Ivan let out one final scream as he vanished, leaving a chilling echo of his voice behind.
Xxx
"UN-FREAKING-BELEIVABLE!"
Nyx and Klarion could not believe with their own eyes what they had just seen. Immediately after their outburst Bill Cipher appeared next to them.
"Hey, you'll never guess who I just ran into." Bill stopped when he saw their faces. "What's eating the two of you?"
Nyx pointed at two flames showing the farmhouse in Nowhere where the Pine twins were and the fight between Ivan and the two Justice Friends.
"What?! You take a few seconds off to make a deal with an old buddy and THIS happens?! Why aren't those Vandal using the heads of those kids as bowling balls?!" Bill shouted.
"I don't understand. The legend said that the Vandals would rise from the grave to punish anyone living at the farmhouse as soon as the windmill stopped turning." Nyx reasoned. "I destroyed that windmill myself."
"No fair! No fair! No fair!" Klarion raged. "Someone is cheating."
"Yeah, but who?" Bill narrowed his eye. "Someone's playing with us and I don't like it. Rewind!"
The image instantly re-winded to the moment the Vandals appeared.
"Stop!" Bill zeroed in on a magical thread attached to the heads of the Vandals. "These guys were cursed to come back but they got an extra deal no one was told!"
"Wait a minute." Klarion enlarged the image of the thread. "That's a crimson thread. Trace it."
Bill snapped his fingers and the thread led back to…Nothing. "Oh GREAT! That bird moth was right on the spot the whole time!"
"Bird moth?" Klarion's eyes widened. "You were talking to Canaletto?!"
"He showed up and offered a deal. You know I can't say no to a deal." Bill shrugged.
"But this is Canaletto! He makes chaos boring!" Klarion argued.
"Not half as boring as him!" Bill pointed at the image of the black space on the flame and the single red colored entity inhabiting it.
"Is that-" Nyx started.
"GOLB." Bill and Klarion said darkly as one.
GOLB looked over his shoulder and let out a growl, opening his maw and sticking out his tongue to show he was taunting them.
"I HATE that guy." Bill snapped the fire image of GOLB away. "Rather than make things fun he would make everything none existent! Where's the fun that?!"
"So GOLB is controlling those Vandals? Why?" Nyx questioned.
"Canaletto had it right on the money. GOLB is making a move now. Must be a planetary line up or something." Cipher grunted. "If he shows up before we do he'll ruin everything."
"But how do we stop him? He's more powerful than the three of us." Nyx pointed out. "And with Blind Ivan down and out I'm the only one besides Pacifica who can do anything on the mortal end."
"Yeah…" Bill grunted, rubbing his 'chin'. "We need to draw up a strategy and fast. We need a counter."
"What about your deal with White?" Nyx asked.
"Hm…White could help…But who are we kidding? She wouldn't help to save her own life." Bill waved off Nyx's idea.
"And because you know you can't force her." Klarion said with a grin. "She can challenge you on the mental plane and maybe even win."
"That's not true!"
"It so is!" Klarion laughed. "You went through the trouble of making a deal with her because you didn't want her destroying Earth yet and because you're afraid of her as much as you are of GOLB. As a mere mental manifestation she'd kill you or maybe brainwash you."
"That'll change when I'm real with flesh, bones and organs." Bill argued. "But maybe we can convince her to help slow down GOLB. I just have to speak to her in her own language."
"Which is?" Nyx asked.
"Making things rough for Pinkie." Bill rubbed his hands together. "If we figure what GOLB is up to we can have White run interference long enough for that portal to be up and running. Then the three of us, make that four with Beaky we can cut off GOLB before he can make a move."
"Will we be enough? Four chaos lords against discord incarnate itself?" Nyx pointed out.
"If we stop GOLB's followers before they do whatever they are supposed to do it won't come to that." Bill stated and snapped his fingers. "I got an idea of who can help. I got some guys to see. Nyx, go back to Gravity Falls and make SURE that portal is finished. I got an idiot to see about opening his big mouth."
Xxx
The dimension Miss Spell had banished Blind Ivan to was a frozen wasteland, completely uninhabitable to humans but a demon like him could survive for a long time.
"HEY! IVY!"
Or not.
Blind Ivan watched as the image of his god appeared before him and he hastily bowed. "O Great-"
"Spare me the worship junk!" Bill snapped. "Seriously, the number two top dog of the band I put together to help my schemes along and you couldn't handle two simple heroes…Scratch that, I should have known that when I said number two."
"I was caught off guard, Great One. I will-"
"Let me stop you right there, Ivy. I can't bail you out this time! No more followers because I thought giving the leftovers to you would make you strong enough to handle the heroes coming to that stupid town but then you went blabbed your special secret to them!" Bill furiously scolded the former leader. "You just up and wasted thirty long years of work in a matter of seconds! And you couldn't even take them down with you!"
"My Lord-"
"Don't bother speaking!" Bill snapped his fingers and Ivan's mouth was zipped shut. "We used to have something good. I give you all these powers and in return you do a little cleanup for me. That was all I was asking for but lately you and the others have done nothing but screw up. The only good thing you did lately was making sure that the old man didn't get his memories back and give those kids a heads up about my grand appearance. I see now I was better without having a group of suck-ups trying to get the job done so consider our deal…revoked!"
Bill snapped his fingers and just like that Blind Ivan's body was starting to turn to dust. He cried out in horror but could say nothing because his mouth was still zipped shut.
"I've ended your body snatching gig and sending your soul to the next world. You're their problem now, Nathaniel Northwest!" Bill Cipher said, watching as the body of what used to be Blind Ivan completely turned to dust.
And that was the end of the Blind Eye Society.
"Okay, cleanup is done." Bill wiped his hands. "That's chore number one off my list. Number two is getting some new cronies who can actually get the job done."
And he knew exactly where to start.
Xxx
Inside the Hall of Heroes a certain tear shaped gem started to glow.
Xxx
He had been here…
He didn't even know where he was.
All he knew was that he was trapped and had no way out.
How did it come to this?
Why was this happening to him?
All he wanted was love.
And this was all he had?
"Who says you've missed the chance to have it all?"
He looked up, watching as a familiar triangle formed. "YOU!"
"Moi!" Bill Cipher gestured to himself with a laugh. "How are you holding up, Vladdy?"
"What is this?! What have you done to me?!" Vlad shouted.
"You still haven't figured out how to use your new powers?" Bill asked with a laugh. "Come on! I thought you'd be out, holding the world's water supply hostage by now."
"What are you babbling about?" Vlad demanded.
"You're a Gem and Gems have organic forms. Their bodies are formed from a concentration of light and energy but unless you choose what you want to look like you're going to be stuck here." Bill explained, rolling his eye.
Vlad became silent at this explanation. "Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Thought you were a smart enough guy to figure it out on your own." Bill shrugged. "Think of it this way, pal. You can have the best of both worlds now. You have the powers of a Gem, one of the most ruthless species in the entire universe. With these powers you can return to your world and take it over in a snap."
The demonic triangle snapped his fingers to emphasize his point. "You don't need money when you have an entire world in the palm of your hands, literally. The Gem part of you controls water to such a degree that if you had it in your world you would never have needed an asteroid to hold it hostage."
Vlad looked his hands. "This is…true?"
"I am a businessman, Vladdy boy, not a liar. I'll get you all the power you need to get even with the kid who chased you off your planet. But you need to do a few things for me first here." Bill gestured to himself. "Starting with dealing with two pests who might foil things for me. Make sure they stay out of my way and I'll see to it you are shipped back home."
Vlad narrowed his eyes. "And why should I make a deal with you again? After everything you've done to me."
"Because it's the only you'll ever be something more than a runaway." Bill shrugged. "No skin off my nose….Get it?! So what do you say? Once more onto the breach?"
He held out a flaming hand which Vlad stared at…
And then reached for it.
"If you trick me again, I'll blast you to pieces. I also need a few more things from you." Vlad stated.
"Oh?"
"I want it all back. Wealth, power…I want to be king of my own world." Vlad's eyes flashed red.
"Vladdy boy. I know where you can get started."
Xxx
The glowing gemstone had caught the attention of the Justice Friends with Major Glory, Valhallen and Krunk being the ones to enter the room while everyone else watched through the security cameras.
"All right, let's be careful. He may be a criminal where he's from but if we can try and talk him down…" Major Glory stopped as the ground began to shake.
"Or not." Valhallen said as light expanded from the gemstone and formed into a man.
Vlad Masters, reborn as a Lapis Lazuli Gem, had finally returned.
He resembled his original ghost form but resembled something more out of a Renaissance fair, dressed a medieval king. His hair combed back and his beard longer. From his back where his gemstone was located sprouted a pair of wings made of water that formed into a cape.
"At long last…freedom." The newly formed Gem said, laughing with glee.
As if there weren't enough bad signs for the three Justice Friends.
"Excuse me…" Major Glory coughed to get Vlad's attention. "But you wouldn't happen to be open to sitting down and calmly discussing your situation, would you?"
"Hmmm…Normally yes…But I have places to be and vengeance to enact." Vlad remarked, gesturing with his hands.
The Hall of Heroes shook as pipes were torn from the wall and water sprouted out, flooding the room and forming around Vlad.
"I got this!" Valhallen pointed his Mighty Axe at Vlad. "Let's see how you handle an electrical no-"
"No!" Major Glory grabbed the guitar. "The water will electrocute us too and potentially the rest of the building."
"Now, since I am new to this world and have a new form my old name is sort of inappropriate. So I will simply go by Vlad Lazuli for the time being." Vlad said, bowing dramatically. "I am sure you will see more of me in the future."
The water rose up, forming a pillar that smashed through the ceiling, allowing Vlad to escape.
"I got him!" Major Glory flew up the hole after Vlad.
Up above the building Vlad was already joyfully flying through the clouds, feeling not too different in his Gem form.
"Now that I have some new powers I have work to do." Vlad muttered himself. "First to find the place Cipher told me and then I can begin planning my revenge. Daniel, Jack, all of them will pay for everything they have done to me!"
"Hold it right there!" Major Glory flew up in front of him, stopping the male Gem immediately. "Those powers do not belong to you and the name Cipher is all I need to know that letting you go would be a big mistake."
"And trying to stop me is not a bigger one?" Vlad asked rhetorically.
Looking down at the lake, Vlad got an idea. "Besides, I think you have to do your job as a super hero and save the town."
Raising up one hand, Vlad grinned as he felt his control over the water. If only his ghost powers granted him such power.
Major Glory's eyes widened in horror as Vlad conjured an immense tidal wave in the great lake of GrimmFall that would destroy the entire city. "NO!"
Vlad watched as the hero flew down to stop the tidal wave he had created. "So predictable. As much as Daniel. Now then."
Vlad took the chance to escape while Major Glory flew down into the path of the tidal wave between it and the city. Taking a deep breath he then exhaled, releasing an icy cold breath that fortunately froze the tidal wave in its tracks, halting it from crashing into the city.
Looking back up, his super vision allowed him to see Vlad flying out of the atmosphere and towards the Shattered Moon. "We will meet again."
And next time Major Glory would not allow him to escape or harm anyone.
Xxx
"What's wrong with Betty?!"
Marceline had no idea how it all happened.
One second Betty was fine and then the next she was on the ground, screaming and convulsing as her skin turned red.
"I don't know, Marceline but we'll find out." Simon quickly assured his adoptive daughter before picking the convulsing Betty up. "We need to get her to someplace where she can get help."
The question where could they go?
Simon was absolutely sure this was not a normal affliction but he had no idea where to go or who could help.
The way Betty looked it…
It reminded him of something he had seen before.
Red skin…
Fanged teeth…
One eye turning yellow with a green pupil.
"Oh..."
"My…"
"Glob!"
Wrong word but close.
Simon rushed over to his desk and picked up a book, flipping through the pages and stopping one. "It can't be…"
"Simon, what is it?" Marceline rushed up to him. "Does it tell what's happening to Betty?"
Simon was silent as pointed at the page and Marceline looked, seeing the drawing a red skinned creature with four yellow eyes and green pupils, fangs for teeth and…
Marceline stared at Betty with wide eyes, rendered completely silent by what she was seeing.
"It's…GOLB." Simon was trembling now. "GOLB is here."
Betty opened her human eye. "Simon…help."
Several minutes later Betty was in the car, Simon and Marceline packing their stuff and shoving it all into the trunk before taking off without a word to anyone else.
Where were they going?
What were they doing?
Why was this happening?
No one knew.
All Simon knew was that he felt he had to run and get Betty far away from civilization, fearing what would happen if someone saw her.
They get far away and then try to figure things out.
As they fled, four pairs of red glowing eyes watched them.
Xxx
"This is Yara Quill on the airship Stormfly. If anyone can hear this message, please respond. I repeat if anyone can hear me then please respond." Yara spoke into the Stormfly's radio. "We have a situation on the prison ship, Iron Heavens. The prisoners have taken over and are possibly working with the criminal group known as the Rebellion. Someone please respond."
All she got was static.
"What's going on?" She muttered. "There's nothing jamming the radio. I should be sending out a clear signal."
The radio was working perfectly.
Yara was in charge of maintenance on the Stormfly and she made a point to check everything before and after a mission or even when the ship is docked. She checked before they took off from GrimmFall so why would…
"I need to get back to the others!" She shot up from her chair.
"Oh no you don't!"
There was surge of electricity before something shot out of the radio and grabbed her, throwing her out onto the main deck of the ship. Yara grunted but managed to roll away and jump up to her feet, getting a good look at her attacker.
"Hard Drive." She spat, eyes narrowing.
"You remember me?" The person jumped out onto the deck. "Good cause I remember you too, Quill!"
He was a feline Mobian with brown colored fur with a blond Mohawk, amber eyes wore a blue colored coat that seemed to be modified with electrical sockets.
"So they finally threw your scrawny butt in jail? Good." Yara cracked a fist. "That's what you get for a being a greedy little rat."
"It's cat!" Hard Drive retorted. "And I'd have been rolling in Technos if you hadn't rat me out to the cops."
"Sorry for refusing to be a patsy." Yara said sarcastically. "Some of us prefer to earn money and our degrees through actual talent and hard work."
"Yeah, let's see your talent save you when I'm through." Hard Drive grinned. "Lighting you up like a Christmas tree!"
With that Hard Drive raised his hands, releasing bolts of electricity on Yara who quickly rolled out of the way and activated her portal. She pulled out her surfboard and held it in front of her, using it as shield that blocked the next electrical attack.
"What?!" Hard Drive shouted, seeing his attack being blocked.
"You think I didn't come prepared if I ever ran into you again?" Yara lowered her board, glaring at the criminal. "I modified my board to be insulated against electricity, especially the kind of electricity made by lightning Dust or you. Call it a hunch but I had a feeling I'd run into you again."
"You…" Hard Drive growled hatefully.
Yara grinned. "The perks of being an actual Grade A student at an institute that thrives on its students being smart and creative."
"Yeah, let's see if the same can be said for your ship!" Hard Drive said as he turned back into electricity, laughing as he flew into the main navigation computer…
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Yara watched as the main computer short circuited for second, showing Hard Drive's face on the main screen.
"What did you do?!" He shouted through the speakers.
"I told you I modified my board. You think I didn't do the same to the ship?" Yara said, approaching the main control system. "My personal radio is one thing but it wasn't hooked up to the ship. Call me paranoid but I don't like relying on networked systems until I've gone through and added my own little upgrades."
Hard Drive growled as he tried to break free.
"Like right now when I modified all the systems on the Stormfly, to automatically isolate themselves in the event that they are being hacked. The instant a hacker is detected all systems are cut off from each other and the rest of the ship thanks to fire walls, anti-viruses and I even made a few viruses to attack my own systems in case anything got through. All aimed at terminating any and all my own connections and data rather than trying to repel the invader." Yara explained, sitting down with a big smile on her face. "I even insulated the controls and the wires the same way I did with my board in case any future hackers turned out to be you. It took forever and nearly drove Erika nuts with how long her ship was kept grounded as I crawled through every piece of equipment onboard but she was also very understanding of me being paranoid in case someone like you ever slithered along."
Hard Drive growled as he thrashed around inside the computer.
"Try all you want. The computer's connections are gone, the insulation keeps you from traveling through the wiring and you can't access any dangerous records. You're stuck, Hard Drive." Yara was really enjoying her opponent's discomfort. "You always were too cocky, even when everyone else in the whole room was smarter than you."
"We'll see who's cocky when I get my hands on-" Hard Drive threatened but Yara cut him off by turning off the speakers.
"Let's skip the threats." Yara said as she turned the speakers back on. "The only thing I want to hear from you is what's going on in the prison. You're going to tell me everything."
"Or what?"
"Or I'll leave you in here until the computer burns out and I dump you in the nearest junkyard." Yara growled. "See how long you last before some dealer takes the computer apart with you in it."
Hard Drive growled.
Xxx
"This is it. The Beta Kindergarten."
The man lifted his cowboy hat as he and the group with him surveyed the location known as the Beta Kindergarten. According to the sources of the client who sent them here the Beta Kindergarten was the location in which the Gem Homeworld tried to create additional soldiers to deal with the Rebellion.
"Let's get to work." The man lifted his hat, revealing himself to be Roland Deschain.
Only now he looked younger than before, looking like a man in his twenties instead of his early fifties. Sometime after he returned from the Darklands he learned that the Light of All has healing properties, as shown when the fingers he lost to Mordred suddenly grew back and made him younger as a way for him to continue his bloodline since he was chronologically in his late fifties almost making him an old man and any woman that that could have kids would not want to be with a man that old. With him were his new Knights of Beam, selected by him to help in the never ending battle against the darkness and to rebuild the Gunslingers.
First new knight was Susan Delgado chosen by Navius to be the new knight of the wolf.
Next was Aileen Ritter, her father was a failed Gunslinger and her maternal uncle Cortland Andrus (described by Roland as the drill sergeant from Hell) trained Roland to be a Gunslinger, she has been chosen by Owsla to be the new knight of the hare.
Next was Thomas Whitman grandson of failed Gunslinger Burtock Hattlen, chosen by Garuda to be the new knight of the eagle.
Then we have Alain Johns, son of failed Gunslinger Christopher Johns, and a descendant of one of Arthur Eld's closest friends Sir Alfred Johns. Alain has been chosen by Rocinante to be the new knight of the horse.
What was even more amazing was that the new Knights of the Beam could switch between their human and knight forms. They were also capable of using their knight powers in human form but their abilities full power lies in their knight forms. Aileen, Thomas, Alain, and Susan were in their mid-twenties and since the former three are descendants of failed Gunslingers their families had knowledge of the training and bestowed it on them so they could fight with the same skills, strength, and weapons of a Gunslinger.
Susan grew up in the wilds and learned how to fight from a young age and learned how to use a revolver and a rapier. Roland was currently giving her Gunslinger training it shouldn't take as long as it should since she learned to fight as a child. She also happened to be in a relationship with Roland now, having been given a second chance at having a family and she was more than happy to help him with that. They all had met Roland before and were shocked to see his younger appearance and somehow having reclaimed his missing fingers.
"This is where the drill will be placed. Until then we make sure nothing disturbs this area." Roland said, removing his hat.
"Right." Susan nodded.
Thomas changed into his eagle knight form, taking off into the air to preform reconnaissance. Susan summoned her wolf knight form, planning to use her enhanced sense of smell to spot any intruders.
"No one goes anywhere alone and we stay in each other's sight." Roland instructed. "The chances are there is more at stake than we know."