The multiverse is more than just a prism…
It is ever expanding and ever growing…
A place where one choice, one fork on the road can lead to many opportunities…
But every spark of brilliance there is a spark of madness…
These are the stories of both…
Ever since Raven had joined the Outsiders, it was clear to her that there was more to the team than what she had first been shown. Cain hadn't lied about how important it was to stop the nightmare demon, Dr. Destiny, but it was clear he hadn't told her everything about the second part. She sat on the couch as Sideways and Metamorpho sat side by side with her, trying to show her everything she needed to know about the House of Mystery. They were nice and good people, and they had a good understanding of who was her teammate and who was a wolf in sheep's clothing.
With closed eyes, she focused on the three members that were hiding their true intentions. Her astral energy form slipped through the corridors of the House of Mystery in search of the room where they were packed in. She poked into the room, keeping in the shadows as Nite Owl worked on some sort of device in his workshop, Punchline sharpened her knives before throwing them at pictures of other people, and Blackfire tugged at the collar around her neck.
"Why must I wear this stupid thing?" Blackfire growled at Nite Owl. "You know this thing is so uncomfortable to sleep with, right?"
"Awe, but you look so adorable like that? Why don't you just put on the bikini I got?" Punchline threw a knife at a picture of Kim Possible.
"That thing is for a slave. And I'm done being on someone else's leash," Blackfire growled. "And before you point out my current predicament, let me remind you that I can kill you with a glare." Blackfire's eyes glowed bright purple, flaring with power.
Punchline giggled at the threat. There was nothing more she liked more than to taunt the people that had power to try their luck. Of course, she had no doubt that Blackfire would burn her to a crisp even if it did cost her her head. She would love nothing more than to see her try it even if she did die in the process. They were both eager for action and to cut loose on anyone that deserved it.
"Cut it out, the two of you." Nite Owl continued working. "If we're to achieve our objective, then we must continue to play nicely. Remember what is at stake."
Punchline and Blackfire looked at each other before the latter one scoffed.
"Fine, I won't kill the dressed up street walker and you will get me what you promised." Blackfire crossed her arms. "My own kingdom."
"You'll get it and more once this is all over." Nite Owl continued working. "Soon."
"You keep saying that, but all I've seen us do is run around like idiots in a clear wild goose chase." Blackfire countered. "They clearly don't trust us and I don't see why they should. Even with the new addition, we're not getting anything done. Are we gonna do something useful or just stay here and do nothing?"
Nite Owl put down his tools before turning to look at Blackfire with a cold calculating stare. It was just like the stare of a strict disapproving father after their child spoke out of turn. He made his way to Blackfire, keeping his eyes on her at all times. She did her best to keep up the staring contest, but even she could tell that there was something dark and cold and empty behind his mask. Nite Owl was not like her former master, he was calculating yet would not suffer fools or simple rules to rise up the ranks. He was a real threat to her and he knew it.
"Doing nothing, as you put it, is the best course of action at the moment. We must wait for the perfect chance to strike." Nite Owl crossed his arms behind his back. "And until then, you'll do exactly what I tell you to do."
"And if I say-!" Blackfire dropped down as a powerful shock coursed through her whole body from her collar. "AAHH! You son of a-!" Blackfire dug her nails into the floor, gritting her teeth glared at Nite Owl.
"Your universe's slave collars are quite simple, it was easy to augment it with some junk Cain had littered around." Cain looked down at Blackfire. "The output that's coursing through your nervous system would kill a Wookie in five minutes, and that's the new lowest setting. Do you want me to show you how far it'll take a Tamaranian to be electrocuted to death?"
Blackfire tried to argue but she couldn't make any words come out. She'd been electrocuted before during training, but this was a different thing altogether. All her nerves were on fire and she could barely look up at the man she was starting to hate more than anything.
"P-P-Please, s-s-stop it!" Blackfire groaned out with all her strength.
Nite Owl looked at her for a second longer before pressing a button on one of his devices. The shocks stopped, leaving Blackfire panting for air. She'd never felt like that before, not even when her former master had held her by the throat with the Force itself. It was a nasty feeling that she swore never to feel again. She looked up at the man wanting to give him a piece of her mind.
"I understand that your hunger for power is strong, Blackfire. Your upbringing and understanding of your original destiny has ensured that you take whatever it is that you desired." Nite Owl knelt before Blackfire. "But it is time you learn one more thing, patience. Our goal will soon be in reach. Just take a breather and prepare to strike at my command."
Punchline just loved the sight of Blackfire on the floor. Bringing powerful people to their knees was always a favorite of hers. But she had to admit that having someone like Nite Owl making her go down to her knees made her pur.
"I understand, Nite Owl." Blackfire groaned. "Can you at least tell me how soon our move will take place?"
"Better to keep it under wraps, Dr. Destiny is still out there." Nite Owl turned back to his workshop and his own project. "We need to keep working together and stop him first."
Raven's astral form flew away from the room, returning to her body. She opened her eyes to see the rest of the team. All the information that she'd witnessed seemed pretty straight forward, but there was something odd about it. Nite Owl didn't seem to mind that she'd joined the team. And that was something that she took notice of.
"Well, did you find something, Ms. Roth?" Cain asked.
"You were right," Raven replied. "Nite Owl is working on something. He must've offered something to both Punchline and Blackfire to get them to aid him. However, he did seem to prioritize stopping Dr. Destiny's rampage."
"Which means that whatever he has cooking is meant to take us out or knock us out," Sideways said. "Classic supervillain stuff. I say we kick them out of the house and hope to never see them again."
"I could turn into a special knock out gas to put them down and then dump them back in their respective worlds." Metamorpho suggested. "I bet there are plenty of unhappy faces that want to have a word or two with them."
"Nothing would bring me greater pleasure than to kick that snake in the grass out of my home, but there's still a manner of what his plan might be." Cain stroked his beard. "Ms. Roth mentioned an invention of some kind. And knowing Nite Owl, he probably has some dastardly ace up his sleeve."
"So, we don't hit him in the face, right?" Bronze Tiger asked.
Cain wasn't one to like extending a story if there wasn't any particular good reason. But the threat of Dr. Destiny was what took precedence. Once he was taken care of, they would spring a trap of their own against Nite Owl and his allies. A simple enchantment casted by Raven mixed with Metamorpho's knockout gas form should give them the best way to knock out their secret adversaries. However, this time could also be spent coming up with more allies to their cause and more muscle to use against Nite Owl and his forces. Two more should suffice.
Raven's magic was indeed powerful and they weren't anything to sneeze at, but Nite Owl had a nasty habit of being two steps ahead of everyone. Which meant they needed to act like normal and then make their move when he'd be at his most vulnerable. And that was when they were apparently at their weakest. Knowing that their enemies had a trick up their sleeve meant they knew of the danger and could strike at any moment without Nite Owl knowing they knew. The best they could do was take him by surprise.
"We need to stack up the deck in our favor before taking any action," Cain said. "And for that, we need at least two more assets for our cause. Someone that can use stealth to their advantage and another powerhouse to have three to Nite Owl's one."
"Great, where do we get those two?" Raven asked. "They're not just gonna jump out of nowhere and ask to join our crew."
Cain stroked his beard. Secrecy was necessary as well as speed for their victory to be assured. They had to get their reinforcements and catch up to Dr. Destiny once and for all. For now, they would have to take a page from the Son of Oberon's playbook: Find a trail using the power Dr. Destiny had left over from his visits to other worlds. The fresher the better.
Cain opened his collection and called upon some of the items that represented their previously visited worlds. Only the freshest ones. Each of the pieces had been marked by Dr. Destiny's visit, a nasty red mark that made them glow like a Christmas tree. Like a blood trail from a wounded animal leading them to their den, or better yet, their next target and who it might be.
"Time to see where the trail leads us and who shall be our next ally," Cain said.
"You sure that'll work?" Sideways asked.
"Sideways, have you ever known me to make a mistake or an ill-fated slip?" Cain asked.
"Well, I've known you for…" Sideways stopped to think for a second. "I think it's been a couple of weeks?"
"I think that's about right," Metamorpho said.
Cain dusted all the pieces he'd gathered, creating a trail of the next item on their list. He followed the trail until he was face to face with the target of Dr. Destiny. He stood before an old cowled mask that resembled a wild cat. It was usually black with white whiskers with two holes for the eyes, but it was currently covered in a black sickening aura like the other pieces in his collection. It was positioned on top of a special stand right next to a wanted poster that read 'Se Busca Vivo o Muerto Wildcat, recompensa de 500 Pesos'.
"Is that a luchador mask?" Raven asked. "Boy, evil beware, we've got sweaty clothes."
"I didn't take you for a masked lucha libre fan, Cain." Sideways poked from above Cain, looking at the mask. "Though it looks pretty badass."
"This isn't a mask from any old fake wrestling match, my boy. This is the mask of the legendary Wildcat." Cain gestured to the mask. "I acquired it back when I was traversing an old favorite stomping ground of mine. And I got a nice story to go along with it. That just so might be the answer to our needs. This story I like to call…"
Earth -7591:
What if El Zorro had a young protégé?
"The Scary Night of the Wildcat."
Cain walked through the busy streets of the colonial city of early Los Angeles. The town was the jewel of New Spain and easily a place where the glamor and hopes of the new world could be grabbed by anyone. Rich landowners with lots of cattle and influence often helped or ensured there was law and order with the aid of the local government. But this was also the land that would one day become the Wild West. And with only a small army garrison to keep the peace amongst the different classes, there was always one or two people that wanted to take advantage of the lawlessness.
"One of the things that people often seem to forget is that before the border crossed California, it was one of the jewels of New Spain. And as such, many sought to get their hands on such a priceless location. It was primed and ready for anyone with a desire for power to take it, squashing the common folk and more under their heel."
Crime and corruption often festered in lands untouched or isolated from the rest of society. And Cain could see it, from some soldiers abusing their power and running some of the local Native Americans out of their shops or lands, to some of the corrupt officials instating draconian laws and bending the rules to fit their own interests. Then again, when the cat's away the mice will play as some would say. But that wasn't to say that there was no semblance of justice in this little slice of heaven. Cain could see one of them now, walking towards the bar.
"Hello my lovelies, could I trouble you for a glass of wine?" The uniformed man asked.
"Only when you put some coins first, Sergeant Garcia," the barmaid replied with a flat tone. "You do know that you owe from the last time you were here, right?"
"Oh, right," Garcia sheepishly admitted.
Sergeant Garcia was a big man with a big belly that seemed to stretch out his militia uniform, a blue long sleeved shirt with a red neck, golden buttons, a red sash around his pronounced stomach, white pants and black boots. He had a sheathed sword held by a white belt that went up to his shoulder. Garcia had a big round face with a large black mustache that covered his upper lip, and his head was usually covered with a black hat, but now held it in his hand. Despite his rank, and military training, everyone knew Garcia as a man of the people. An overall good guy who was content with keeping the peace and getting a bottle of wine after a long day.
"Good afternoon, Sergeant," a young man called to the sergeant, making him smile.
"A Don Diego, buenas tardes!" Sergeant Garcia greeted the young man.
Diego De La Vega was a handsome young man who always sported a smile on his face. He was dressed in a colorful reddish brown suit with a white shirt and black boots. He had black combed hair and a short black mustache. Almost everyone in town knew who Diego was, often referred to as the most eligible bachelor of Los Angeles and probably one of the few landowners that cared for everyone.
Next to Diego stood his faithful servant Bernardo. A deaf mute man with a bald head and a few years on him. He dressed humbly with a beige colored suit similar to the one Diego wore. But there was a secret that no one else knew. Bernardo was not as deaf as he let everyone else know.
"We'll have some wine and some food, Maria," Diego said, getting the barmaid's attention. "And some wine for the sergeant too."
"Of course, Don Diego." Maria bowed cordially to the young man as Cain walked in for a drink of his own.
"So, tell me Don Diego, what brings you here today?" Garcia asked as they were served some wine. "Come here for a pretty lady?"
"I'm afraid not, we've come to meet an old friend of mine." Diego explained. "He's looking to see his godson and his family. I met him when I was in Spain for my education. I must ask, have you seen him?"
"Well, I don't know, what does he look like?" Garcia asked.
"He's an older man, tall, scruffy, and made his life fighting." Diego described. "His name is-
"Ted Grant. And the day some soldier finds me so easily, it'll be the day that I retire."
Diego, Bernardo and Garcia turned around to see a tall older man wearing a black suit and coat. He had short black hair and looked like he'd just been fighting his way through all of the Atlantic and New Spain. His hands were wrapped up in bandages, worn and beaten bandages. He had a large bag slung over his shoulder as he smiled at Diego. He walked up to the young man before giving him a hug.
"How are you Diego?" Ted asked.
"Doing great that you're here, you old man." Diego replied before turning to Bernardo and Garcia. "This is Bernardo, my servant, and this is Sergeant Garcia, a representative of the militia in this fine city."
"How do you do?" Ted shook Bernardo's hand before doing the same with Garcia's.
"Nice to meet you, señor." Garcia winced at the strength of the man's grip over his hand. "How-How can I help you? Any friend of Don Diego's is a friend of mine."
"I'm looking for my godson and his family. I decided to come and visit them after all this time," Ted explained as Maria handed him a glass of wine. "Thanks, love. His name is Montez, Juan Montez."
Garcia recognized the name.
"The Montez's?"
"Yeah, you know them?" Ted asked. "I heard that they got some land working for some fella named Crone–no, Crane. You know where they are?"
Garcia's face took a somber look before drinking his wine in a quick motion. He'd heard some scary things about the Crane terrain and of what had happened to people that worked there. Most of the stuff sounded like stuff from a ghost story. Him and his assistant, Dr. Love were some people he never wanted to meet on a dark night. It shamed him to be so scared of those two men.
"Yes, but it is probably best not to go there at night, señor," Garcia said. "There are rumors about the land that Dr. Crane and Dr. Love own. A lot of the peones have come to me and other soldiers about noises that they've been hearing at night. Some claim that they see their worst fears popping up in the middle of the night or even during the day. But every time we go to look at what's going on, there's nothing. The magistrate keeps telling us that they are good people and that we should just let them keep on working."
"And what do they work on, exactly?" Diego asked.
"The magistrate claims the herbs and plants they grow are meant for medicine, but I've never seen any of the local doctors use any of them." Garcia drank some wine.
"And what does this have to do with my godson?" Ted asked. "Is he in danger?"
"He claims that there have been some mysterious dark people roaming around his farm, in the land he got from Dr. Crane." Garcia admitted. "We looked around but we found nothing. Many claim that it is just that the land is cursed or full of ghosts. Montez and his family have worried about some robbers or bandits targeting them or even worse, that Dr. Crane and Dr. Love were spying on them."
"Well, I'm going there and finding out what's going on. If my godson and his family are in danger, they'll need my help." Ted chugged the wine. "Take me to the farm, and we'll see what's going on. Diego, you coming?"
"It seems to be the chivalrous thing to do. Sergeant Garcia, would you be so kind as to come with us?" Diego asked.
"My shift has ended, Don Diego. But I wouldn't be able to sleep soundly if I didn't go with you." Garcia rubbed his stomach. "Besides, I need to get the exercise." They walked out of the cantina and off to the Montez farm.
Unbeknownst to the quarter of men, Cain heard everything and his curiosity was aroused at the mention of ghosts and strange occurrences. He watched the men leave as he took a sip of his own wine. The idea that two supposedly secretive doctors were running a strange plantation where the workers all spoke of strange occurrences was too good for him to miss out on. It was a classic ghost story and he was a sucker for classic ghost stories with lots of drama and unexpected twists. He got up and followed after them. One look at the setting sun told him that he would not be disappointed.
"Showtime," Cain said.
"This is where the pivotal member of our cast enters the story, for you see, Dr. Crane and Dr. Love did more than just make medicine. They were old school mad scientists that liked to push the boundaries of what the human mind and body could be capable of. And unknown to them, the fruit of their combined labor came in the form they least expected… A young lady."
A young woman with long auburn hair took water from the well and went on to help her father spray the water to the fields. She had tanned caramel skin wearing a light blue dress and brown sandals. Her appearance didn't stand out much. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary with her, however, there were signs that she was more than met the eye. She was carrying the large bucket of water with ease and could walk around without anyone noticing her steps. She sprayed the water on the fields without a care in the world. Her ears perked up like those of a cat, hearing the movement of something approaching.
She turned around, looking far into the distance at the sight of four horses riding towards the far.
"Papá! There's four men coming!" She called her dad.
Her father, Juan Montez was a tall man with short black hair, a black mustache and tanned caramel skin. He was a man that had long worked with his hands and was proud of it. Many said that with his physique and strength then he could've easily been a high ranking member of the Spanish army. But Juan was humble enough to choose a career that would let him continue working with his hands.
He turned to look in the direction her daughter was pointing. Narrowing his eyes, he could briefly make up the four riders.
"Yolanda, go inside and get everything ready. We may have visitors soon." Juan placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder, getting her to nod.
As Yolanda ran into the house as her father picked up a rifle he'd been carrying. Juan got behind the well and aimed the weapon, expecting something else to appear on the horizon.
"Whoa! Easy there, Juan!" Ted called out, stopping his horse along with the others. "What would your mother say about you aiming guns at people?"
"Ted? Is that you?" Juan asked before recognizing the rest of the group. "Don Diego? Sergeant Garcia? What are you doing here?"
"We came here to check up on you, kid." Ted jumped down from his horse.
Juan let out a sigh of relief at the sight of his godfather. They embraced in a quick hug while Diego, Garcia and Bernardo dismounted their own horses as well.
"It is good to have you here, uncle. But why have you brought Don Diego and the sergeant here?" Juan asked.
"Diego is an old friend of mine I made while I was in Spain a couple years back," Ted explained. "I've also heard that you've been having trouble lately, right?"
"Inside." Juan gestured to the arrived men.
He opened the door before giving one final look at the terrain. There was something in his soul that kept him on his toes. Juan didn't scare easily but he knew better than to not be a little on his toes around the land they were farming. Even when he worked under Dr. Crane and Dr. Love, he could tell there was something wrong in the air.
Outside, hidden amongst the hills and the trees, seven men gathered before two skinny men from British descent. These were Dr. Crane and Dr. Love. They both dressed like doctors but they had somewhat sinister expressions on their faces.
"Are you sure the family is alone?" Dr. Crane asked.
"Si señor. They just went inside." One of the men replied.
"Good, remember the plan. You seven are Indians, raiding the farm and burning anything that gets in your way." Dr. Love explained. "But above all else, you are to bring the woman alive with you. Understood?"
The men all looked at each other with some confusion.
"Um, Dr. Love, if you want a woman so badly, I'm sure that there are a few señoritas back in town that would be very happy to have some fun with you for the right price," The man said.
Dr. Love looked at the goon with a look that could only be described as telling someone that they were an idiot. Do not misunderstand, Dr. Love was as much an admirer of the female body as much as the next hot blooded male, but he was more interested in something else.
"We do not seek something as basic as a bride like a couple of animals, my dear friend." Dr. Crane stepped up. "That girl is more important than you realize. And we'd like her back in our care in one piece." Despite being smaller than the man on the horse, Crane easily intimidated the man.
"Un-Understood, patron." The man tipped his hat.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go!" Dr. Love commanded as the men rode down the hills.
Back inside the farm, Juan had just explained everything that had happened to his guests.
"It all started back when we worked for Dr. Crane. The plants we were asked to pick up and work on were strange, those that got hit with their petals or their scent would see their greatest fear taking root." Juan explained. "Then there was Dr. Love and his examinations, he would watch over all the workers. Many got sick afterwards and some of the women had to be taken to the doctors. When Yolanda was born, I asked for the land that had been promised to me. I had finished my contract, so Dr. Crane nor Dr. Love could deny my request."
"I sense that there's something else going on." Diego added.
"They kept eyeing Maria, my wife, when she was pregnant, I feared that something would happen to Yolanda." Juan explained. "And then strange visits started to happen. At first it was once every few months, but they've gotten more constant."
"Sounds like someone has been stalking the place." Ted turned to Diego.
"More than that. Many of the friends we made have gone missing," Yolanda added. "They say that they just moved to Monterey or somewhere else South, but I don't believe it. A lot of their farms have either been left abandoned with some of their stuff still lying around, forgotten. Those two are doing something crooked, father. We have to leave before they do the same to us."
"Ms. Yolanda, please, calm down. We've looked into this and none of the soldiers nor the Commander nor the magistrate have come up with any funny-" Yolanda growled at Garcia shutting him up.
Diego, Bernardo and Ted all noticed Yolanda's nails had grown longer, scratching the wooden table. She looked more feral and stronger as she continued to glare down at Garcia like a cat would a mouse. It didn't take long for them to concur that she was not a normal young girl.
"Don't try to lie, sergeant. The commander and your magistrate are in the pocket of those two doctores." Yolanda gritted her teeth. "I've lost friends because of those two. They're not normal. You're supposed to protect us and you leave them with a slap on the wrist at most?!"
"Ms. Montez, you can't go about making such accusations without proof-" Garcia began arguing.
She huffed, picking Garcia up from the helm of his uniform, making him stand on his feet. It was impressive for anyone to lift Garcia to his feet after he'd sat down, but to see a young lady doing so… It made a few of the guests have a few questions of their own. She noticed their looks before dropping Garcia back down to the chair.
"I'll be in my room." Yolanda left the dining room.
"I apologize for my daughter's words and acts, Sergeant Garcia," Juan said. "Yolanda is a… very passionate young lady. Sometimes I fear for the man that tries to make her his wife."
"Think nothing of it, Juan. My mama was just as tough when I was growing up," Ted said, calming down his godson. "And look at me, all man." He flexed his arms, showing off his muscles.
Garcia laughed it up, figuring it was best to save some face. But he was more concerned with doing something to help the poor family. He hated admitting it but the terrains were spooky and the two doctors always gave him the creeps. It was the issue of being a soldier, sometimes he had to follow orders he didn't like.
"Mr. Montez, would you mind telling me more about some of the things you've seen and these medical check ups?" Garcia asked. "I'm no expert but if I can give it to my superiors and help them open an investigation. If there's something wrong, then I will make sure that they are brought to justice."
Juan and his wife smiled at the sergeant's words. It wasn't much but at the very least it could help them find out the truth about what was going on in their land.
Diego and Bernardo took this chance to slip out of the dining room, hoping to compare notes on what they'd learned. However, their exit had been noticed by not just Ted but also Yolanda.
"Alright, so what do we know?" Diego asked Bernardo. "We know that the doctors have been receiving protection from the commander and the magistrate because the plants they claim to cultivate are medicinal. But everyone claims that there's something fishy going on. Hallucinations and medical examinations are not something just anyone does for their workers. When that happens they send for a doctor to check up on them."
Bernardo signed Diego to consider that there might've been something that the two doctors were looking into. Perhaps they knew of the reactions and they were treating them?
"It is possible. But the problems haven't stopped," Diego pointed out. "What do Dr. Crane and Dr. Love specialize in? Dr. Crane isn't a medical doctor from what I've heard."
"They focus on psychology and chemical biology."
Diego and Bernardo jumped at the sound of Yolanda's voice. They didn't know what was more impressive, that she'd managed to sneak up on them or that she had openly answered their questions.
"It's rude to eavesdrop on a private conversation, señorita." Diego tried to play it cool.
"So is claiming your servant is deaf when he can hear very well." Yolanda pointed to Bernardo.
Bernardo shrugged, feeling like he had to give her that much at least.
"I take it that you want to know what those two doctors are doing, right?" Yolanda asked. "I'm in, we need to stop them. They're doing something evil, I know it."
"Calm down, Yolanda, calm down. We cannot just accuse them of any foul play on your word alone," Diego said. "Yes, we think that we should get involved. But we'll need proof about their actions. If we could get a sample of the plants and flowers they're cultivating and find out what they do, then we can get somewhere."
"But that could take-You hear that?" Yolanda stopped herself.
Diego and Bernardo looked around, not hearing anything. They were about to ask Yolanda about what they were supposed to hear, when suddenly her eyes widened. She jumped towards them, tackling them to the ground as two arrows struck the wall where they had just been standing.
The three of them looked up to see two burning arrows embedded on the wall. They turned to see where they had come from and immediately saw a raiding party with flaming arrows and torches running towards them on horseback.
"Indians?" Diego asked. "No, these aren't natives. They never attack like this."
"They're the men!" Yolanda growled as they ran towards the farm.
"Yolanda, go inside and get everyone ready." Diego instructed. "Bernardo, go home and get my father and his men! Quickly!"
Bernardo did as Diego instructed, riding quickly out of the farm and deep into the darkness.
Diego was given a rifle as he, Juan and Garcia fired to defend the farm. They fired at the lanterns, but that didn't ensure a hit. Bullets flew through the night air, hoping to hit one of the attackers. One and then another fell, from the bullet shots. But they were not enough.
The raiders rode around them, circling them like a pack of wolves. They swung their torches at Diego, Juan and Garcia, forcing them back. They drew their swords, doing their best to block their attacks as best as they could.
Diego cursed his luck. He wished he could suit up and fight them all as best as he could, but with the odds and the lack of coverage, he was stuck as himself. But at least he would make it hard for his enemies. He swung his blade quickly, striking at the raiders, disarming them as best as he could. He knew these weren't natives, they were pretending to be natives to attack this farm.
Yolanda wanted to fight but she had run out of bullets. Her home was burning and her father was barely holding his own with the aid of Diego and Garcia. She grabbed one of the shovels they had on the farm. With a strong swing, she brought one of the men down from their horse, revealing them to be normal men, not natives. She joined the circle, fighting off the threats that they were bringing to them.
"You will pay for this!" Yolanda raised her farming tool only for a shot to make her jump back.
"Give us the woman and you will live!" One of the men demanded.
"How about you try that with me sonny!"
From the shadows sprung Ted, now covered in a black suit and wearing a cat-like mask that covered his upper face. He punched the man holding the gun in the face, bringing him down. Grabbing this chance, he pounced on another one of the raiders, kneeing him in the stomach and off his horse. He ducked under the swing of a sword before landing an uppercut on the one swinging it.
Using this chance, Diego jumped in, engaging two of the raiders in a sword fight. His moves were fast as lightning, keeping them away from Yolanda. But Yolanda didn't stand still, she punched one of the raiders in the face before kicking another one in the stomach. They quickly got behind each other and covered each other, with Diego blocking the blades and Yolanda hitting the raiders with her shovel. They fought together as Ted got the attention of the raiders, fighting like a wildcat.
His punches were as fast as their attacks. Like an experienced fighter facing a crowd of amateurs, he punched and knocked out the raiders with his expert hits. He jumped up, kicking another raider in the face with a roundhouse kick. Ducking under another blow, he reached his friends as they continued pushing back the raiders.
However, as they seemed to be gaining the upper hand, the fire spread through the farmhouse burning it down. Juan and Yolanda rushed to try to put out the fire and save their home. But the flames were too strong and the dry wood quickly became nothing more than kindle for the fire.
The sound of galloping caught the ears of Garcia. He looked at the origin and saw lanterns heading their way. He quickly recognized two of the men that were coming to their rescue.
"Don Diego, it's Bernardo and your father, Don Alejandro!" Garcia called out. "They're here!"
"Garcia, help us put out the fire!" Juan called out, throwing water at the burning house.
Amongst the flames and the shadows of the night, one of the raiders pulled out a pistol, aiming it at Yolanda. The sound of the gun clicking, alerted Juan.
"Yolanda!" Juan jumped in front of the bullet, taking the shot.
Garcia saw this and shot at the raider, hitting him in the shoulder.
"Papá!" Yolanda and Ted rushed to Juan's side, holding him tightly.
"Stay with me, kid!" Ted took off his mask, looking into his godson's eyes. "We need a doctor here, now!"
Don Alejandro and his men circled around the far, catching and stopping any of the raiders from getting away into the night. Don Alejandro and Bernardo dismounted, going to Diego's side as he kept one of the raider's pinned with his sword to his throat.
"Diego, are you alright?" Don Alejandro asked.
"Scratched and a little dirty, father. But I'll live," Diego said. "What's the state of Juan?" He sheathed his sword before turning to his friend and the wounded man.
"It's not good." Ted looked at him as everyone watched as Yolanda held her dying father in her arms.
"Dad, please. I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" Yolanda cried as she held his hand. "Please, you'll be okay! You'll be okay!"
"Yolanda, mi flor, take care of yourself." Juan coughed.
"Save your strength, Juan. We'll get you to a doctor in a second." Ted tried to comfort his godson. "Just a scratch, kid." He pressed his hand on the exit hole of the wound as blood spread.
"T-The bullet went through my lung, Ted. I don't think I'll make it," Juan gasped. "I'll get to see my wife in Heaven. Please, take care of Yolanda. She needs someone to help her control that fire."
Yolanda and Ted watched in sadness as Juan Montez passed onto the next life while the farm burned to the ground.
Cain watched from the shadows, with the mask of the wrestler in hand as his souvenir from this tale.
"Life is hardly fair to those that pick the humble path. But from the ashes of one life, another will rise to take its place."
Diego, Bernardo and Ted were all gathered in the hidden lair of El Zorro, talking about the recent events that had happened in their lives. They'd seen that Yolanda was given a proper room to rest and take solace in some time to grieve. The funeral of her father had been a small but meaningful one for those that attended it. The raiders had been jailed and were set to prison for their acts, but they never spoke of who or what they hoped to gain from the endeavor. Such questions left the men puzzled and they needed answers, not just for their friend, not just for justice, but for themselves.
"Thanks again for letting Yolanda and myself stay here for the time being," Ted said. "I know it must be a pain to ask your old man such things, Diego."
"Think nothing of it, Ted. My father was good friends with Juan, and failing to come to his aid is plenty of incentive to have you and Yolanda here with us." Diego looked over a map of the terrain the two doctors owned. "Those raiders weren't there by sheer coincidence, they were sent there to find something. Or to get rid of someone."
"What are you thinking? Those two quacks sent those men to kill Juan and Yolanda for some reason?" Ted asked.
"Probably," Diego replied. " But we need to know what it might be. Bernardo, did you get the books I asked you?"
Bernardo handed Diego the books he'd requested. The subject of those books focused on botany and the use of plants in the form of medicine for treatment. Diego wasted no time and scoured the books for the plants and flowers that he was looking for. He flipped through page after page in search of the plants that could cause hallucinations in the workers.
"What are you looking for, Diego?" Ted asked.
"I don't know why Juan and Yolanda were targeted, but I believe it has something to do with some of these plants." Diego pointed to the plants. "There must be a connection between the hallucinations and the plants. Maybe they were creating a hallucinogen agent."
"Why do that?"
The three men turned around to see Yolanda approaching them. Her eyes were red from crying. Her hands were balled into fists. And every step she took was more akin to the stride of a wild beast in the hunt for something important. The thought of hiding anything from her quickly lost all voice and they were left with only the truth as their ally.
"I take it that you have questions, Ms. Montez," Diego tried to play it cool.
"You want to bring the doctors to justice, we all know they sent those men to destroy the farm. I want them to pay for what they've done." Yolanda growled. "And you're going to help me."
"Kid, this isn't a game. You could get hurt," Ted said.
Yolanda didn't care. She picked up the table they were looking at with ease. Lifting it over her head with one hand while giving them all a glare of determination. She dropped the table before splitting it in half with one punch, scattering the papers. There wasn't a drop of exhaustion on her. She looked about as ready to run against a horse and win.
"Does it look like I'm not ready to go into this mission?" Yolanda asked. "They killed my father. They took my friends. I want them to pay for what they've done. And I'll do it with or without your help." Yolanda walked up to Ted's face, making sure to emphasize the point she made.
Diego saw that fire and understood it. Ted and Bernardo saw it as well. Yolanda would not back down from the path that she had chosen to tread. But to ensure her survival, they would need to help her control her emotions and her great strength with lots of training and practice.
"Alright, Yolanda," Diego said. "But for this you'll need to learn a few things before setting off on the crusade. Can you do that?" He reached out his hand.
Yolanda looked at Diego's hand. She wanted justice for her father, for her friends. But knew that she needed help to get it.
"I accept your terms, Don Diego, Uncle Ted." Yolanda shook their hands. "Now, where do we start?"
"And so another soul chose the path of the hero in a land full of opportunity. Not knowing the many secrets she would uncover from the men that took her father and home from her. For this was the birth of another legend…"
"The legend of the new Wildcat."
The Outsiders looked at Cain with some wonder and a smile on their faces. Well, most of them anyway.
"So, I take it you liked this story?" Cain asked.
"She could be a good pick for the team," Metamorpho said. "Super strength, agility and stealth are things that we could use. But let's see how far her training has come in order to master those powers."
"There's no better time than the present." Cain summoned the door. "We'll have to get those three on another wild goose chase to work under the cover of deception."
"This world won't be as dense as New York was. It'll be hard to get them to leave the small town without a good reason," Raven said. "And before you ask, I don't have a stunt spell." She looked at Sideways who snapped his fingers in disappointment.
"Maybe we can get them to stay here and mind their own business." Bronze Tiger suggested.
"I'm not sure leaving them alone would be the best idea, BT." Sideways scratched the back of his head.
It was a hard choice, but they did have other alternatives. Cain spotted one of the items in his collection. Sighing, he figured that he'd have to use that piece in order to save them some time. He picked up a flask filled with a potion.
"I was saving this for an emergency." Cain looked at the glowing green ooze inside the flask. "And I suppose that emergency is today."
"I take it that it isn't some fancy glowing alcohol, is it?" Bronze Tiger asked.
"Let's just say that as soon as we portal in, Sideways will open up a rift far out into the city and it will cause enough of a distraction to keep our bird problem far out of our true targets. I just hope the imp can keep it in his pants." Cain peered into the flask, spotting the silhouette of a devilish smirk.
"Classy." Raven retorted in a deadpan tone.
Nite Owl, Punchline and Blackfire arrived at the room, with the latter looking ready to punch anything that got in her way.
"We got a clue as to where Dr. Destiny will strike next. I've already summoned the door," Cain said. "But, word of warning, there might be something else prowling about."
"Such as?" Nite Owl asked.
"Dr. Destiny's unchecked power could twist and manifest creatures from the Dreaming into the world we're about to head into." Cain explained.
"Good, I feel like punching something." Blackfire's eyes glowed bright purple.
"It's a good thing she's on our side, right?" Raven asked.
"Don't worry, birdie, we'll take good care of you." Punchline got in Raven's face, giving her a crazy grin.
Raven in turn encased her in a black sphere of magic, before dropping her back into Blackfire's arms. Normally, she would've avoided the crazy clown girl like the plague. But knowing that she was helping something wicked, it crossed her mind that she had to be taken down. Sadly, she could not just use her magic to slam her against the far walls of the House of Mystery until Cain gave her the green light.
"I suppose we should focus on taking care of those things as well as tracking down Dr. Destiny," Nite Owl said. "Very well, I'm good at multitasking."
"Perfect, shall we?" Cain gestured to the door that appeared before them.
The door looked like an Old World Spanish door with a small window covered by metal bars, with adorned metal nails that looked like flowers from the Day of the Dead, and two large latches on the top and the bottom of the door. But there was a painting on the hardwood, like a fresco. It depicted a woman with long red brownish hair surrounded by Day of the Dead decorations. She was wearing a tight black suit with razor sharp claws at the end of her black gloves. The upper part of her face was covered by a black and white mask that resembled a wildcat's skull. And in front of her, the mark of a 'Z' was carved onto the door.
"Wow, now that's a cool looking door." Sideways pointed out. "Was my door as cool-looking?"
"It was a little more humble." Metamorpho shrugged.
"Let's head inside," Nite Owl said. "The faster we catch up to Dr. Destiny the better for all."
"Indeed." Cain replied, looking at the Judas in their midst while holding back the urge to stab him repeatedly.
The team stepped through the door and into the old town of Los Angeles. As soon as they set foot there, they all stood out like sore thumbs, with the people looking at them pointing it out. Amidst the old timey clothes and people, they were a call from a new millennium, a new time, and a new way of life so alien that many didn't know if they were even human. Metamorpho, Sideways and Raven all did their best to cover their faces, but Nite Owl, Punchline, Bronze Tiger and Blackfire all remained unbothered or uncaring to the looks of the humble people around them.
"Wow, and here I thought I'd seen the most backwater planets in the galaxy. This place is almost a zero in terms of technology," Blackfire said.
"Well, this is a colonial town in the 19th century on Earth," Cain said. "Everything less than space travel between planets would be seen as underdeveloped for you, Blackfire."
"I like it. Reminds me of an old cowboy movie." Sideways took pictures of the old Los Angeles town like he was on the set of an old movie or TV series. "I wonder if my moms ever watched a series like this one."
"A question for another time, Sideways," Cain said. "Now, we'll have to look around for anyone that stands out and to keep our eyes peeled for any anomalies." Cain scratched his beard, giving Sideways the signal.
Sideways opened a small rift on the side of Cain's jacket. Cain used this chance to open up the flask and poured the contents of it into the rift. He hated doing that but it was a necessary distraction for the greater good. He just had to make sure to collect him afterwards.
The liquid agent fell to the ground and quickly started to bubble and boil against the sand. The puddle grew larger and larger until a red clawed hand sprung out from the bubbling green liquid, followed by a yellow arm.
"Oh it feels so good to be out on parole!" A maniacal laugh echoed before the being fully pulled himself together. "Wait a minute? This isn't my home. Oh no! I'm lost! Someone, help! But not me!"
The strange imp-like creature had wild green spiky hair, yellow skin, a crazed smile full of razor sharp teeth and glowing green eyes. He dressed in moderation with only a green and black striped leotard, red clawed gloves which went up to his elbows, red cloth boots and a red fur-like cape clinging to his back. This was the man, the monster, the myth of Hazelnut…
"The Creeper is here!" Creeper struck a dramatic pose.
"Halt!"
Creeper turned around to see Commander Monasterio and several of his men aiming a sword at his back. He raised an eyebrow wondering many things about the men. But above all else, he was wondering…
"Ooh, am I in the Count of Montecristo?" Creeper asked. "'It was not my sword, Mondego, but your past that disarms you'. It goes like that, right?" Creeper swung his arm as though he had a sword in hand.
"Enough of your babbling, identify yourself," Monasterio threatened. "Least you will get chopped to pieces by me and my men.
Creeper smirked.
"As a ghost once said, don't threaten me with a good time!" Creeper kicked Monasterio in the stomach, sending him back into his men. "Showtime!" Creeper jumped on the soldiers like a rabid animal, casting a shadow as they screamed in terror of him.
"Now, split up and look for anything that looks out of place." Cain noticed Punchline lifting her hand. "Apart from each other, Punchline."
"The town is a good choice, but the asciendas are also home to many people, we should look out for those too." Nite Owl pointed out. "Punchline, Blackfire, with me." He turned to leave as Punchline barked at Blackfire, making the alien conqueror growl.
Cain and the others spread out, making sure that Nite Owl and his accomplices saw them split up. they waited by the cantina as the three got far away enough before meeting up. Metamorpho and Sideways popped out of a rift while Bronze Tiger dropped down from the roof and Raven appeared from the shadows.
"I believe we gave them the slip," Cain said.
"Perfect, but now we gotta find the girl and Dr. Destiny." Bronze Tiger argued. "How are we gonna do that?"
Cain pointed behind him with his thumb. Bronze Tiger followed his line before his eyes landed on Yolanda, Diego and Bernardo sharing a drink. He just knew that Cain would smile smugly at him.
"Now, we sit back and follow." Cain ordered a drink. "Knowing Dr. Destiny, he'll go after the doctors. And since Ms. Montez is after them, they'll be caught by the same trap."
"Just hope we have enough time to do both things before Nite Owl gets wise." Metamorpho ate a tortilla.
Cain smiled a dark impish smirk. He didn't expect his distraction to last long or to defeat the trio. But he knew that it would be fun nonetheless.
Monasterio screamed as he felt his family jewels being punched up to his throat by the yellow and green chupacabras. The creature grabbed him by the collar of his uniform before slamming him against one of his soldiers and then another and another, like a common club. The humiliation alone was painful enough without the creature mocking him every single second.
"Uno, dos, tres! You're out, Monty!" Creeper threw Monasterio like a rag doll. "Thank you for the stretch, boys. Being trapped in a liquid prison really crams your muscles, you know?" Creeper cracked his neck as the soldiers all laid down on the ground, beaten.
Monasterio growled in pain and humiliation. His eyes landed on a pistol, snatching it. He shot Creeper in the back.
Creeper reached back, plucking the bullet with ease.
"Rude." Creeper tossed the bullet away.
"This is the reason we're here? What a joke."
Creeper looked at Punchline standing under a tree. His eyes zeroed in on her. A feeling sprung in his chest.
"I don't know why, but, lady, I… don't like you." Creeper hissed. "You're trouble. My mama Creeper warned me about girls like you."
Punchline wanted to laugh. This gullible idiot didn't know what was gonna hit him.
Nite Owl silently approached Creeper from behind, with his boomerang in hand.
"Am I really?" Punchline asked.
"Oh yeah." Creeper uppercutted Nite Owl without even looking back. "You are."
Nite Owl didn't know what had happened. For the first time in a long time, he'd been taken by surprise. The strength behind that uppercut sent him flying into the air before landing on some dried up bushes. This creature was dangerous and he had to take it out with no mercy. Even if this was just a trick from Cain's part, he would not play this safely.
Punchline was astounded at the action of the yellow skinned freak. She pulled out her knives, slashing at Creeper's throat. But the freak moved back and dodged her with ease. He caught her hand, twisting it. With a damn smile, he headbutted her in the face, sending her back before jumping up. With a swift movement, he landed two kicks on her chest, leaving prints of his stinky feet on her. As she crashed against a tree, he just kept grinning at her before ducking under the blast from Blackfire's starbolts.
"Wow, seeing you two look like idiots was really the highlight of my day." Blackfire floated down while looking at Creeper. "You look like someone who's had far too many Deathsticks and then caught some kriffing case of rabies."
"Joke's on you, my lady, rabies wished it had me!" Creeper took a bow before jumping over another stabolt. "And I see trouble doesn't like to come alone. Time to be a superhero, get ready to face wacky justice!" Creeper jumped at the trio with a maniacal smile on his face.
Meanwhile in a dark room, Dr. Crane and Dr. Love were talking to the magistrate. And the man looked like he was out of patience with the air itself.
"It's been a year since the death of that man and you still haven't yielded any results." The magistrate slammed his hand on his desk. "Do you two know how hard it is to keep investigations quiet into that asylum you call land? Garcia and more of his men have started asking questions."
"We trust that you'll settle this mess if you want a cut from our research." Dr. Love narrowed his eyes at the official.
"So far, I have more of a mind to shut your operation down. You have yet to show me any results," the magistrate said. "I have my hands full with Zorro and this new rogue calling themselves Wildcat."
"That is actually what we wanted to talk to you about. We believe Wildcat is the one we're looking for." Dr. Crane cackled. "If the rumors are true then the experiments have yielded a magnificent specimen. Stronger than any man, faster than any feline, stealthy as a shadow and a mind so determined it could strike fear in the hearts of our enemies."
The magistrate was a greedy man in search of power. But even he needed solid proof of what they were saying.
"And how did this 'specimen' slip through your fingers?" The magistrate asked. "You two seem better at making a mess than actually accomplishing results. I will no longer protect you."
Dr. Crane and Dr. Love glared at the man. He could not see the truth or the potential that they were in cusp of obtaining. They were the ones that were bringing about the next step of human evolution. And all this man could see was what was worth in money or power. Perhaps a demonstration would do the trick.
Dr. Crane pulled out a small bottle of perfume. He sprayed it at the magistrate's face, causing him to recoil in disgust.
"What is that?! You dare mock me!" The magistrate snapped. "I'll have your heads for-for…" His words died out in his mouth as he watched his hands wither and turn to bones.
He screamed as he saw himself turning into a skeleton and then into a pile of bones.
"It seems our friend here has an acute case of Thanatophobia, wouldn't you agree, Dr. Love?" Crane chuckled.
"Yes. Glad to see the newly branded Fear Toxin is living up to its name." Dr. Love smiled. "My input into making it out of the plants we grow was certainly a step up of what it could've taken by regular work."
Dr. Crane put the bottle in his pocket before they headed to the door, not noticing Dr. Destiny waiting for them in the shadows.
"Be sure to scream a little more, that should bring the Wildcat and Zorro to our doorstep." Dr. Crane and Dr. Love left the screaming man alone.
Back at the Cantina, the Outsiders watched as Yolanda and Diego finished having dinner with Diego's father and Ted.
"I must say, Ted, it is a sad day that you have to return home," Alejandro said. "We will miss you dearly."
"I'm an old man, Don Alejandro, and old men need to stay home more often." Ted took a sip from the wine. "And I can't thank you enough for letting me and Yolanda stay at your home this past year."
"She's a lovely young girl, and her presence has done Diego some good." Alejandro noted Diego and Yolanda talking about some matter he was unaware of. "She's taken to everything at the estate. It wouldn't surprise me if she would become the woman that Diego needs in his life."
Diego and Yolanda coughed at Alejandro's words. It wasn't uncommon for them to hear such comments and jokes from Don Alejandro. He always said that if Yolanda had a little more education and more diversity in her clothing, she could easily pass for a noble woman. And it wasn't like Diego would disagree. As he looked at Yolanda, he couldn't help but feel tempted by the idea of them together. Yolanda also blushed at the idea but would never admit it.
"You flatter me, Don Alejandro. But I don't see myself marrying anyone anytime soon." Yolanda respectfully bowed. "Though, if Diego were to try to court me, I won't make it easy for him." She smirked at Diego.
Don Alejandro laughed before a soldier came running.
"Sergeant Garcia!" He called out, getting Garcia's attention.
"Private Torres, what's the matter?" Garcia asked.
"The magistrate has just been attacked and we can't find the commander," Torres explained.
"What?!" Garcia dropped his drink. "What happened? Who attacked his excellency?"
"The men that worked at the office said that Dr. Crane and Dr. Love were seen leaving the room as the magistrate screamed," Torres explained.
"What has happened?" Diego and Yolanda approached.
"Don Diego, it seems that the two doctors attacked the magistrate." Garcia turned to Torres. "Did they use any weapons?"
"No sir, he was found screaming about not wanting to die. Like, like-" Torres was at a loss for words.
"Like he was seeing his greatest nightmare come to life?" Yolanda added.
Torres nodded, and it was all that Garcia needed to hear. He was given a golden opportunity and he was going to use it.
"Private, Gather the men," Garcia commanded. "We're going to their estate to arrest those two."
"Si señor!" Torres nodded, saluting his commanding officer.
"Con su permiso Don Diego, Don Alejandro, Señorita Montez." Garcia followed after the private to prepare their forces.
With the night over, Diego and Yolanda's party decided to call it a night, unaware that they were being followed by the Outsiders.
Inside the hidden cave of El Zorro, Diego put on his costume as Bernardo and Ted spoke to him.
"This is a trap." Ted spoke. "They stay quiet for a year and now they start picking fights with one of the big honchos, I smell a rat."
"Maybe, but it would be rude not to accept their invitation." Diego put on his mask. "Besides, we've looked over that home top to bottom, so we know what to expect. They wanted our attention, so we'll give it to them on our terms."
"And if there's any traps or hidden switches you missed?" Ted asked.
"That's why I'm going too." Yolanda stepped out, holding her mask in her hand. "It's time the doctors pay." She was dressed in a tight black catsuit that covered her body completely. Her gloves had razor sharp claws.
"We're there for justice, Yolanda. They will face the consequences of their actions, but we won't kill them if we don't have to." Diego put on his hat as Tornado met his side.
Yolanda looked at her mask. Modeled after her mentor Ted's own mask but added skull features to make it even scarier to any who saw her. She wanted revenge, but she also knew that her father wanted justice. Not wanting to argue, she put on her mask, covering her face.
"Then let's bring justice to those they've hurt." Yolanda got on the horse with Diego following suit.
The ride to the estate of the two doctors was accompanied by a moonless sky and silence. Neither Diego nor Yolanda spoke as they reached the large house where the nightmares were made. They spotted the soldiers being led by Garcia going in through the front door.
"You think they'll be alright?" Yolanda asked.
"We just need to get to the doctors before they try to escape." Diego replied. "You remember the back entrance?"
"I do. This way." Yolanda led Diego through the darkness.
They reached the back door, with Yolanda using her claws to open the lock. The door opened slowly and quietly, letting them go through. They were about to take a step in, only for Diego to stop Yolanda. He gestured down to the cord next to their feet. Yolanda narrowed her eyes, spotting many invisible wires around the corridor. Like cobwebs covering the dark corners, each one were connected to a trap meant to kill.
"They are being extra careful." She whispered.
Yolanda jumped in, passing under the first two wires with feline skill. She spun in the air, avoiding the wires under her feet and her mid-section. Using her claws, she stopped herself from falling. Giving Diego a wink behind her mask, she dropped down, rolling underneath the cords before arriving at the other end of the corridor. And to give herself a little bit of an extra breath of confidence, she took a bow.
"Show off." Diego whispered.
Diego spotted a lever next to the end of the corridor. He pulled out his whip, cracking it. He swung it at the lever before pulling it down with one swift move. The cords dropped down to the ground, no longer being a threat to them.
"And you call me a show off." Yolanda muttered as Diego walked up to her with a tip of his hat. "Nice job."
As they walked deeper into the estate, they heard screams coming down from the corridor. They recognized them as the soldiers. They ran to them, watching them all screaming in terror. Above them they saw a strange green mist covering the soldiers. The brave soldiers all looked to be facing down their greatest fears. Some screamed about the horrible wild dogs that chased them. Others swung their swords wildly, fighting off dangerous cannibals. And others like Garcia tried to calm themselves while also trying to keep a part of their sanity from being corrupted. It was a horror show for Yolanda and Diego, who kept their distance.
"What is this?" Yolanda asked.
"It must be what they were experimenting with." Zorro looked at the windows. "We must open the windows, let the air clear this away!"
They rushed to the windows, trying to open them but they were bolted down. They cursed before they noticed the soldiers charging at them with manic swings and deranged actions. The attacks were wild but they were much stronger. One of the soldiers sliced one of the tables, leaving their sword stuck but the soldier still rearing to go. The fight would have to be quick or else they would find themselves in a tough spot.
"I'll distract them. You take them out from behind." Diego unsheathed his sword.
"Of course, give the woman the tough job." Yolanda dodged the swings of the swords, jumping over the soldier's heads.
Diego swung his sword, parrying and blocking the attacks. They were strong with adrenaline pumping through their veins, but he was faster and knew how to properly fight. His sword moved like lightning disarming the men with swift cuts to their hands and their arms, forcing them to drop their blades. The gas had given them greater strength but they had no coordination or technique to speak of. He had that edge as he moved from one soldier to the next one. But that did not stop the wounded soldiers, they charged at him like wild beasts, which was perfect for Yolanda to step in.
She punched on the soldiers like a wild animal, knocking them back with her surprising strength. She jumped in the air before punching them across the face or kicking them as hard as she could without killing them. She ducked under the punches, landing blows to their stomachs and jaws with everything she had. She caught a swing before flipping the solder. Yolanda's senses told her everything that was happening around her. Jumping onto the last soldier, she kicked him through the window, letting the wind come.
The wind blew in, spreading and taking out the strange mist from the house. The soldiers dropped down, coughing as their lungs filled with pure fresh air. Garcia was the first one to get up from the floor, coughing his lungs out.
"What-What happened?" Garcia asked. "I-I thought I saw my father, saying that he was disappointed in me and everyone blamed me for the ills of the city."
"It was your worst fear, Sergeant Garcia." Diego helped him to his feet.
"I can still hear him," Garcia rubbed his head. "It was horrible."
"Take a breath, the monsters responsible are still here." Yolanda helped him sit on a chair as she looked up at the stairs.
"No, I must- I must bring them to justice." Garcia tried to get up but his head was spinning something fierce.
"Rest up sergeant, we'll take care of this." Diego turned around, expecting to see Wildcat there but she was gone. "Damn it, I hate it when she does that." Diego took off after her up the stairs.
Yolanda had taken off through the stairs before Diego could hear her move. She was not going to allow the men that took her family to get away scott free. She reached the second floor just in time to hear something: A blade coming towards her. Dropping down, she bent backwards, watching the horizontal blade pass over her head. Pulling herself up, she ran forwards before the floor under her feet opened up. Sharp spikes awaited her in the small tiger trap, but she used her claws to stop her fall. She pulled herself up using the strength of her claws, jumping over the tiger trap. As soon as she landed, she heard something big and heavy coming her way.
It wasn't another trap, it was a guard. She looked up to see a large man, or what was once a man. His eyes bulging, his veins were popping and his body was riddled with scars. His skin was almost pale white and he looked halfway dead.
"Dios, what have they done to you?" Yolanda whispered.
"Solomon Grundy, born on a Monday!" The zombie swung its large arms at Yolanda, trying to snatch her.
She ducked and weaved through the attacks, using her smaller frame to her advantage. She punched him in the stomach, the thigh, the liver and the neck with the boxing lessons Ted had drilled into her. But all she got was pain in her hands. It felt like punching rocks that formed a mountain.
The zombie swung at her once more, landing a punch on the wall instead of her head.
Yolanda saw the tiger trap in the corridor and got an idea. She slipped underneath the zombie, taunting it to chase after her. She ducked and weaved under his massive arms as they destroyed everything else. She jumped using a backwards flip before looking at the tiger trap behind her.
"One more step grandote!" Yolanda jumped, kicking the zombie in the face.
But the zombie grabbed her leg, holding her up with his massive strength. She struggled against his hold, kicking his face with her other leg before scratching it's stitched parts. But none of it worked. The zombie reeled back his large hunkering fist ready to crush her head. Yolanda closed her eyes, preparing for the worst.
"That's no way to treat a lady."
Yolanda and the zombie turned to see Cain standing there with the rest of the Outsiders.
"Drop the lady and no one gets hurt!" Sideways ordered.
"Just not in the tiger trap," Metamorpho added.
Yolanda didn't know what was going on, but it was all the distraction she needed. She caught on to Diego's scent as the sound of a whip cracked the air. Her claws sliced the zombie's wrist and tendon, releasing her.
Diego's whip wrapped around the zombie's arm, pulling him into the tiger trap.
"Always fashionably late, I see." Yolanda got back up as Diego joined her.
"I like to keep the ladies waiting," Diego replied before aiming his sword at the Outsiders. "And who might you be?"
"People who'd like to speak with the men you're after. They're working with a certain someone that we'd like to see stopped." Cain explained. "The name is Cain, by the way."
"We're not your enemies, in short," Raven added.
Diego and Yolanda looked at each other with curiosity. Neither of them sensed any ill intent coming from them, but they were still going to be cautious.
"Okay, lead the way," Yolanda said.
"Sideways, if you would." Cain turned to Sideways.
"Everyone please step into the glowing rift and keep all your arms and legs inside at all times." Sideways created a rift for them to step inside.
Dr. Crane and Dr. Love were burning and packing everything that they could get their hands on. The sounds of fighting and conflict told them that they were about to get visits sooner than they expected. The loud boom they had heard told them that their experiment had been taken out and now they were on their own. Their minds were racing with the possibility of some angry soldiers coming in after them. It was as though all their worst fears and anxiety were popping up in their twisted minds.
"Quickly, you fool. The toxin won't last long!" Dr. Crane snapped.
"The horses are ready and whatever fool comes through that door will die by my hand." Dr. Love pulled out a gun. "We should've never hired those raiders to get the girl. She was the key for the new transforming world and now we'll never get her out of De La Vega's hands."
"Well, at least we have our minds and fortune to start anew up north." Crane closed his case. "I heard the colonial city of Gotham is lovely this time of year." His mind already riled up with dark thoughts.
What neither knew was that Dr. Destiny was there, holding up his Dream Stone, letting it feed on their deranged fear-fueled minds. He just loved how twisted these two doctors were. Using workers as both guinea pigs as well as test subjects was just deliciously evil. Their dreams and nightmares would be enough for him to be a single step away from his goal.
Just then, a rift opened up before the two doctors, causing them to turn their heads. However, as soon as they turned their heads, they were surprised to see Zorro and Wildcat jumping out of the rift followed by the Outsiders.
Diego quickly disarmed Dr. Crane with his sword before punching him across the face.
Yolanda dodged the shot from Dr. Love's gun before scratching him across the face, leaving a nasty scar.
The rest of the Outsiders stepped out of the rift as Dr. Destiny spotted them.
"I take it that's the one you're after?" Diego aimed his sword at him.
"Indeed." Cain drew out his shovel.
"Sorry to cut and run, Cain. But I've got what I wanted." Dr. Destiny disappeared in a bright flash of red light. "See you soon."
"Aw man, no fight?" Sideways groaned.
"Perhaps next time." Cain said. "I suppose you'd want an explanation?"
"Please," Yolanda said.
Dr. Crane and Dr. Love were tossed into a prison cell where they would await trial for their crimes.
Garcia went to give the news to Yolanda and to Diego. He knocked on the door, only to be greeted by Don Alejandro and Bernardo.
"Good evening, Don Alejandro. I've come to tell Ms. Montez some news," Garcia said. "Dr. Crane and Dr. Love have both been arrested. And they've confessed to their crimes."
"At last it seems that Juan's spirit can rest in peace. But I'm afraid that you're a little late, Sergeant Garcia." Don Alejandro said. "Yolanda has decided to go and spend time away, to become a proper lady."
"I see. Well, please, be sure to tell her what's happened." Garcia saluted the older man.
Yolanda finished packing her stuff as Diego went up to her.
"You don't need to tell me, Diego. You don't want me to go," Yolanda said.
"Forgive me if I'm so easy to read, Yolanda." Diego approached her with shyness. "I just hoped that you'd stay after everything that has happened."
"You heard Cain's story. They need help, I must go and stop this great evil." Yolanda brought Diego close to her, giving him a kiss. "Besides, you're needed here and you give me a reason to come back."
They hugged, holding each other close for what felt like an eternity.
Outside, Yolanda met with Cain and the other Outsiders only to then see Nite Owl, Punchline and Blackfire all battered and covered in chicken feathers.
"Do we want to know?" Cain asked.
"No." Nite Owl growled, plotting vengeance for the humiliation he'd suffered by the imp's hands.