"I'm sorry, but this is all we can give," the elderly witch told the Coven Scout, handing him a small pouch of snails, hoping it would protect her family.
The Coven Scout scoffed. "The Emperor's Coven works harder than anyone else to protect the Boiling Isles, and this is all we get?" The Coven Scout was doing a shakedown of the elderly witch and her family, demanding more than they could afford to give. "Maybe I should seize your home as payment for your lack of gratitude," he threatened, sending a chill down the witch's spine.
"Please, we have nothing left to give," she pleaded, her voice shaking with fear.
The Coven Scout's cold eyes bore into hers. "Well, you better find it by tomorrow, or else it's the Conformatorium for you and your kin!" The Coven Scout hopped back into his ratworm carriage and rode off, leaving the elderly witch and her family trembling, fearing what the future held for them. "I'll get what I want, one way or another."
As the scout rode back to Bonesborough to file his report, something caught his eye. A bright light shone above, and it seemed to get closer.
BWOOOSH!
The earth shook as something struck the ground. The Coven Scout was flung off his carriage, and the panicked ratworms scurried away. He was all alone. "What the hell?" He cursed as he tried to regain his bearings. He drew his sword and went to investigate what it was. He pushed past branches and foliage, finally coming upon a crater. But there was no sign of whatever had crashed down.
Krrristle! Krrristle! Krrristle!
He heard a rustling in the foliage behind him and quickly turned around. A large pair of round red eyes glowing in the darkness stared down at him. "Native. Drop your weapon," a gravelly voice mixed with clicking sounds ordered.
Trying to keep his composure, the scout pointed the sword at the creature. "The only way I'm letting go of my weapon is if you pry it from my cold, dead hands," he replied defiantly.
The creature let out a low growl, its sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Your proposal is acceptable." With a swift movement, the beast lunged forward and seized the Coven Scout, dragging him into the shadows before he could react. The scout's screams filled the night as he struggled against the creature's grip, but it was useless. The last thing he saw before everything went dark was the glint of those sharp mandibles coming closer.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Mulch! Mulch! Mulch! Mulch! SLUUUUUUUUUUURP!
After an eerie, long silence, the creature, wearing the skin of its latest victim, emerged from the shadows with a satisfied grin. "He tasted better than I thought," it said, ready to blend in with the unsuspecting members of the planet. A perfect feeding ground had been found.
It was after school, and Luz was helping Willow and Gus carry the food they had prepared for Luz's celebratory dinner at the Owl House. It was for her to possibly be enrolled in Hexside at the start of the next semester. This was possible because Eda agreed to Principle Bump's demands to undo all the pranks she had left around the school as a student. And she did it without help from Raine or Dell. She was serious about getting Luz into Hexside, even if it meant swallowing her pride and doing something she hated.
"You know you don't have to do this, Gus," Luz told Gus. "I already said I forgive you for what happened."
Because of Gus's plan to upstage Mattholomule during a H.A.S. meeting, Luz got into trouble and nearly became food for the creatures lurking in the detention pit. But he made things right by rescuing her, at the cost of no longer being in charge of the group.
"I know, but I feel like I owe it to her," Gus replied. "I did lie to you after all. I want to show you I'm truly sorry for what I did." He also went out of his way to make over a dozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for tonight. Gus gave her his on the first day they met during the abomination fiasco. It was the only Isles-related dish he knew how to prepare that wasn't potentially deadly to humans.
"You're sweet, Gus," Willow added, giving him a warm smile. "I'm sure Luz will appreciate it." Willow was carrying some vegetables she had picked from her garden to contribute to the meal—all the ingredients needed to make fresh spicy salsa since Raine insisted on taking a crack at a Human Realm dish, tamales. Willow also picked dragon pepper, which she said would add a kick.
"And I think I have some of those vegetables needed for the salsa in my home garden," Willow mentioned.
"Heck yeah, I will," Luz said with a grin. She was lucky to have the two of them as her friends. Aside from the Whispers family, they were her first real friends who truly cared about her well-being. The only person missing was her Mami. But would she be proud of the person Luz was becoming? A witch?
She shook her head, wanting to keep that thought out of her mind. She then looked over at Willow.
"Hey, Willow, if you don't mind me asking, do you recommend any plants for back pain relief? It's for Eda."
"Oh, well, now that you mention it," Willow began. "I have a few recommendations—"
BOOM! BOOM!
Luz and the others heard the unmistakable sound of explosions. They sounded like they were coming from up above. The three teens looked to the sky to see something was falling towards them at a rapid speed. They all dropped everything and ran for cover!
Dell was searching the market district with Baba to help prepare for tonight's celebratory dinner. Luz, Willow, and Gus should be back at the Owl House, where Mom, King, and Hooty were helping to get everything ready.
While this was a night to celebrate Luz's achievements, Dell wanted to take the opportunity to connect with his friends. Dell felt like the closer Willow and Gus got to Luz, the more they drifted away from him. Not that he was surprised, given how much Dell has been placing his responsibilities as Superboy above everything else lately. But he was not envious, as Luz was a wonderful person who deserved their friendship.
"Tamales aside, what else did you have in mind for dinner, Baba?" Dell asked, looking around at the various stalls filled with fresh produce and meats.
Baba smiled and replied, "I was thinking of making some traditional dishes to go with the tamales, maybe some Bat Wing Soup and Grubhog Stew with a side of garlic bread."
"That sounds delicious," Dell responded. "But maybe we should add a griffon egg dish since she seems to like it."
"Perfect." Baba nodded as they walked over to a stall lined up with eggs.
The owner, a bearded bipedal demon with blue skin and horns, greeted them with a smile. "Welcome. What can I get for you today?"
Dell glanced at the griffon eggs on display and asked, "How do you recommend preparing these eggs for a dish?"
"I suggest a simple scramble with herbs and spider cheese; it adds flavor."
"Sounds perfect; we'll take a half-dozen eggs, please." The demon wrapped up the eggs and handed them to Dell with a smile. "Thank you; I also like your shirt."
The demon looked down at the Superboy shirt he was wearing. "Thanks. Don't tell anyone I said this, but no matter what the Emperor's Coven says, I still think Superboy is a hero."
"I'm glad to hear some people do," Baba replied, tipping the man for his excellent service.
As Dell strolled through the market with his baba, he caught sight of a familiar face. It was the Golden Guard, but he was out of uniform. Next to him were Darius Deamonne, Head of the Abomination Coven, and Eberwolf, Head of the Beast-Keeping Coven. Dell was not one to snoop on others' conversations, but his super-hearing couldn't help but pick up snippets of their discussion.
"Why did you drag me to the market, Darius?" The Golden Guard asked, clearly annoyed. "I could be spending my time doing something more productive."
"I brought you here, Little Prince, because you have been neglecting your diet, and I refuse to let you waste away to nothing," Darius replied sternly. Eberwolf barked in agreement. The nickname, 'Little Prince,' stood out to Dell; he remembered hearing it somewhere…
Wait… No, it couldn't be. The nickname triggered a childhood memory of a boy he once met at the Slayground but never saw again. Dell tried to recall more details about the mysterious boy. Could it be the same person?
"What's the matter, Son?" Baba asked, noticing Dell's distant expression. They looked to where Dell was looking. "Darius? Eberwolf?"
The two Coven Heads turned to face Dell and Baba, their expressions changing as they greeted each other with warm smiles. "Raine Whispers," Darius said, extending his hand in greeting. "It's been a long time since we last saw each other." Eberwolf sniffed around Dell and Baba's feet before yipping excitedly. "Ah, and you must be Dell? You've grown into quite the young man since we last met."
"Hello, Mr. Deamonne," Dell said, shaking Darius's hand.
"Wow, you have a strong grip," Darius said with a chuckle. "No one would want to pick a fight with you, that's for sure." Dell blushed at the compliment.
"Darius, can we go already?" The Golden Guard asked impatiently.
"Yes, Hunter, we'll be on our way shortly," Darius replied.
Hunter! Dell remembered now that the boy's name was Hunter. He can't believe he didn't recognize him when they met again during the boiling rainstorm, during their first encounter with Parasite. This young man seemed like a completely different person from the sweet boy he met all those years ago. Perhaps being the Golden Guard had changed him in ways Dell couldn't imagine.
Hunter began to leave with Darius and Eberwolf when Dell suddenly blurted out, "Hunter."
The blonde teen stopped in his tracks, turned to face Dell, and asked, "Yes?"
Dell hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I… I don't know if you remember me, but we met long ago when we were just kids."
Hunter's expression softened, a hint of recognition in his eyes as he replied, "I do remember you. Dell, right?"
Dell nodded. "Yes.
"It's been a long time; you look so different now," Hunter said. "You've changed a lot."
Dell smiled. "Yeah, a lot has happened since then."
"And I'd love to catch up, but I have places to be," Hunter said.
"I understand. It was nice seeing you again, even if just for a moment," Dell replied with a wistful smile. Hunter nodded with a small smile as he turned to leave.
"Y'know, I'm starting to remember him now, too," Baba mused, tapping their chin thoughtfully. "He looks so much different from that little boy."
"Yeah," Dell replied. "I guess the both of us have changed quite a bit since then."
Baba noticed their son's tone. "What do you mean?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing," Dell lied. "Just thinking out loud." While Dell had told his parents about his team-up with the Golden Guard, he did not mention that he was a teenager to either of them.
Still, Hunter having to be the Golden Guard at such a young age must be difficult. Dell thought that if he wasn't born with these powers, he could not even imagine carrying such a burden at that age. Then again, being Superboy was a different responsibility from being a leader of a peacekeeping organization.
BOOM! BOOM!
Dell's super-hearing heard the unmistakable sound of explosions from above their heads. Baba noticed their son focusing on the sky above them. "Trouble?" They asked.
"I think so," Dell replied.
"Go and take care of it," Baba nodded. Dell slipped into a nearby alley and flew off as Superboy!
"I don't care if you destroyed your last toy; I'm not buying you a new one," Darius told Eberwolf.
Bark! Bark!
The furry Coven Head's response made Darius' eyes widen. "Don't take that tone with me!" Darius then looked over at Hunter. "So, Little Prince, seeing an old friend again must've been nice."
"Hm?" Hunter looked up from his thoughts, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Raine Whispers' son. Or have you already forgotten?"
"No, I haven't." Hunter could not quite grasp it, but he felt he had seen Raine Whispers' son somewhere before. Not just from when they were kids, but he feels they have also met somewhere recently. It was a nagging feeling that wouldn't go away, no matter how hard he tried to shake it off. It would undoubtedly take more sleep away from him until he figured it out. Hunter looked up, and his attention was grabbed by the sight of Superboy flying off into the distance. "Darius, I just saw Superboy."
"Superboy? Where?" Darius asked, turning his gaze towards the sky.
Bark! Bark!
Eberwolf tried to find him, too.
"He was heading outside town," Hunter replied, concern evident. "He goes wherever trouble is. Gather some Scouts; I'll follow him."
"I sincerely doubt Superboy will need our help," Darius replied.
"Maybe, but I'm still the Golden Guard of the Emperor's Coven, and I must protect the Isles," Hunter said with determination. Hunter ran into an alley and pulled out his collapsible staff. The gem on the end glowed brightly, and with a swift movement, his civilian clothes transformed into his Golden Guard uniform. He mounted his staff and flew off into the sky, following Superboy's direction.
BOOM! BOOM!
The explosions were getting louder and closer as Luz, Willow, and Gus ran for their lives through the woods. Looking back to sneak a peek of what was about to crash into them, it looked almost like a spaceship from a science fiction movie, but they didn't have time to ponder why fire and smoke were billowing out of it as it descended toward the ground. Toward them!
"Get behind me!" Willow ordered as she pushed Luz and Gus to safety behind a large tree. Her eyes glowed green as she summoned vines from the ground to create a barrier between them and the crashing object. The trio hugged each other as they awaited the impact, their hearts racing with fear and adrenaline.
But it never came.
"Where's the Kaboom?" Luz whispered, confused.
Willow cautiously lowered the vine barrier and peered through the smoke to see the spaceship hovering just above the ground. No, not hovering. It was being lifted by none other than Dell!
"It's Superboy!" Willow exclaimed, watching as the superhero she had no idea was secretly her friend effortlessly held the bottom of the spaceship.
"I've got this," he called out confidently, giving them a thumbs up with a grin.
Using his super strength, he gently set the spaceship down in an empty field nearby. "Is everyone alright?"
Willow, Gus, and Luz rushed to thank Dell for his heroic actions. "Thank you, Superboy," Willow said gratefully.
BOOSH!
Before he could relax, a projectile was launched towards the spaceship. Dell used his body as a shield without hesitation, taking the hit to protect everyone. "AGH!"
Hearing Dell yell in pain caught Luz off-guard. Despite his invulnerability, he felt the impact reverberate through his body.
"How do ya like that, motherfragger?!"
"Oh, no," Dell said, clearly recognizing the voice. Before flying off, he told Luz, Gus, and Willow, "Stay back; I'll take care of this. You guys get to safety." With a determined look in his eyes, Dell flew in the direction of the attacker.
Dell recognized that crass language and aggressive behavior as a familiar face revealed himself, riding his flying motorcycle with a big smirk. "Lobo." Dell clenched his fists and flew up to face him. He knew he was in for a tough fight but was ready to take on the intergalactic bounty hunter again.
"Well, well, well, it's been a while, Kryptonian," Lobo said with a smirk. "Still playing dress-up and acting like a hero, huh? I thought you looked like a clown before, but this new get-up takes the cake."
"What are you doing back here?" Dell demanded.
"Well, I'm not here for your hide. I've got business with the spawn of a bastiche in that ship I shot down. But I'll be happy to take ya as a bonus. Oh, and check this out." Lobo showed off his arm, the same arm Dell had vaporized when his heat vision accidentally hit Lobo during their first encounter. "This's gonna sound funny, but I kinda liked the old arm better. It's a good excuse to pay ya back for that."
Lobo revved his bike and drove towards Dell, flying straight at him and delivering a punch that sent him flying back. But this wasn't the same Dell from the first encounter—he had been training hard since then and was ready for Lobo's attacks.
Lobo flew in again, but this time, Dell dodged the punch and countered with a powerful punch of his own. Lobo was knocked off his bike and plummeted towards the ground below. Unlike his opponents, Dell did not need to hold back as much against Lobo due to his regenerative abilities. A fall like that would be a minor inconvenience for him.
Lobo hit the ground with a thud but quickly got back on his feet, grinning as he cracked his knuckles. "Oh, you learned how to throw a punch," Lobo commented, eyeing Dell's bruised knuckles. "Not bad, Kryptonian. Maybe you're not as soft as last time." He pulled out two weapons and fired their energy projectiles at Dell.
Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew! Pshew!
Dell easily dodged the projectiles, closing the distance with the bounty hunter. He grabbed the weapons and crushed them in his hands. Lobo punched Dell in the face, knocking him back as Lobo leaped at him with a fierce growl. Dell dodged the attack, and Lobo ended up hitting the ground instead.
"You've improved a bit," Lobo commented as he got back to his feet, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "But not enough." He punched Dell, who dodged the attack, countering with a punch of his own, hitting Lobo square in the jaw and knocking him to the ground.
"I've got more moves than just that," Dell remarked.
"Well, let's see 'em," Lobo retorted, getting back up.
Dell was quick to use his heat vision, the blast burning a hole through Lobo's right shoulder and causing him to stumble backward.
"Okay, ya got me, Kryptonian," Lobo grunted, nursing his scorched wound. "But don't think this is over yet!" Lobo punched Dell, sending him tumbling backward. "You're still too weak to defeat me," Lobo taunted, quickly blocking every attack Dell tried. "You should have stayed out of this!"
"I'm not done yet!" Dell groaned. He inhaled as much as he could, then exhaled a mighty chilled wind, sending Lobo flying backward. And over a cliff, sending him into the boiling sea.
SPLASH!
Dell flew down to the water's edge, where he witnessed the scalding water proceeding to melt the flesh off of Lobo's body. "After I finish regenerating from this, your ass is mine!" The bubbling water drowned out Lobo's threats as he sank. That should buy Dell enough time to find out what is going on with the ship and why Lobo was hunting it before he comes back with a vengeance.
Dell returned to check on Luz, Willow, and Gus but found someone else there—Hunter, the Golden Guard. He appeared to be investigating the scene.
"Golden Guard!" Dell called out to get his attention, landing behind him. "What are you doing here?"
Hunter turned around. Usually, his mask would make it impossible to see his expression, but Dell's ability to see through solid objects allowed him to see the surprise in Hunter's eyes.
"I'm here on official business, Superboy," Hunter replied, trying to maintain his composure. "I need you to leave immediately. In fact, make my job easier and take the civilians with you."
"Rude," Luz muttered under her breath, crossing her arms.
"But he's right," Willow added, stepping forward. "We should listen to him and clear the area for safety reasons."
Dell frowned but nodded in agreement. "The three of you should head home. Your families will be worried if you stay here any longer." He then turned to Hunter. "But I'm staying to investigate."
"Like heck you are," Hunter retorted, his tone firm.
"I need to know why Lobo was after this ship."
"Lobo?"
"He's a dangerous bounty hunter from outer space. I must find out what he was looking for before he recovers."
Hunter hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine, but stay out of my way," he warned before continuing his investigation.
Dell watched him go and do what he needed to do. Meanwhile, Dell investigated in his way, seeing through the vehicle. The interior was a mess, with strange devices scattered everywhere.
"What is he doing?" Dell heard Gus whisper to Luz.
"He has x-ray vision." She answered.
"What's that?" Willow asked.
"Oh, right. It means he can see through walls and stuff."
Dell blocked their conversation out of his mind as he focused on the task. Then his eyes widened. "Oh, my Titan! Someone is in there."
He quickly dug his hands into the vehicle and used his strength to pry open the door, revealing an unconscious young woman wearing a skin-tight green bodysuit with short blonde hair and pointed ears. Dell's super-hearing picked up a faint heartbeat and shallow breathing. He carefully lifted her out of the ship and carried her outside.
"What happened? Who is that?" Hunter asked, rushing over to Dell's side.
"She was inside the ship," Willow explained, her voice tinged with concern.
Dell saw through her flesh and muscle to find that she had sustained internal injuries from the crash. "She has a punctured lung and broken ribs. She needs a healer."
"None of us know healing magic," Gus said, looking worried.
"Don't worry, I got this," Hunter assured Dell. The red gem on his staff glowed brightly as he channeled healing magic towards the injured woman. Dell watched in awe as Hunter's magic worked to repair the rib and lung in real-time. After a few moments, the woman's breathing steadied, and color returned to her cheeks. She groaned softly. "I think she's coming around."
"I know. I am amazing." Hunter said smugly, earning an eye roll from Willow.
The woman opened her eyes slowly, blinking in confusion as she took in her surroundings. Then she realized she was in Dell's arms and gasped in surprise as she pushed herself away, looking around frantically. "It's okay; you're safe now," Dell reassured her, offering a comforting smile as he gently let her down.
"Where am I?" The woman asked, her voice weak but filled with curiosity.
"You're on the Boiling Isles, the domain of Emperor Belos, ruler of all witches and demons," Hunter answered. "I am his Golden Guard."
"And I'm Superboy, the Isles' resident hero," Dell introduced.
"I'm Luz." "I'm Willow." "I'm Gus." Luz, Willow, and Gus all said at the same time.
"May we ask who you are?" Luz asked.
"My name—" The woman coughed, seeming nervous about something. "Sorry. I'm still new to this."
"Take your time," Dell said gently.
She gave him a small smile and cleared her throat. "My name is Arisia Rrab of the Green Lantern Corp."
"The Green Lantern Corp.?" Dell asked.
"We are intergalactic peacekeepers tasked with protecting the universe from threats," Arisia explained.
"So, you're kinda like the Emperor's Coven but in space?" Hunter asked, intrigued.
"I guess we're something like that," Arisia replied with a nod. "We have a similar goal of maintaining peace and order on a much larger scale."
"Green Lantern?" Luz repeated, raising an eyebrow. "There was a hero back in my world called that. Are you related to him?"
"I'm… not sure," Arisia blushed slightly. "I was selected roughly a year ago to join the Corp. I'm unfamiliar with every member, but we may be connected somehow."
"So if you're new, you can say you're green," Gus joked, causing Luz and Willow to chuckle.
"Not the first time I've heard that," Arisia added with a smile. "But yes. I'm still learning the ropes."
"You mentioned something about being selected?" Hunter inquired.
Arisia nodded. "Yes. Green Lanterns are chosen by power rings that seek out individuals who possess great willpower and can overcome fear. The rings also allow us to instantly know the languages of any species we encounter, making communication much easier in our work."
"And make constructs of light," Luz added.
"That too."
"That's incredible," Dell remarked, impressed by Arisia's explanation. "It must be an honor to be chosen by such a powerful force for such an important mission."
"It is," Arisia agreed. "But also a tremendous responsibility."
"So, you must've been going after Lobo to arrest him, right?" Dell guessed.
"Well… not exactly," Arisia shook her head. "I was going to inform my superior, Tomar-Re, that a Hellgrammite had landed here. Lobo must also be after it for some reason, as he tried to stop me."
Dell's eyes widened. "A Hellgrammite? That sounds dangerous."
"If reading fantasy has taught me anything, any creature that has Hell in its name is usually not something you want to mess with," Luz said.
"She is right." Arisia nodded. "Hellgrammites thrive on carnage. They consume, infest, destroy, and live off the death and destruction of other species. To quote my drill sergeant, Killowog: Imagine a giant cockroach with immense strength, a massive inferiority complex, and a real short temper currently tear-assing around in a brand new skin suit."
"What do you mean by skin suit?" Gus asked.
Arisia's expression darkened. "Hellgrammites blend in and infiltrate unsuspecting populations by taking on the appearance of their victims. They wear the skin of those they kill, making them nearly impossible to detect until it's too late."
Gus shuddered. "Now I regret asking."
"So, we need to find this thing and kill it," Hunter declared. "Where will it most likely strike next?"
"Based on what I was taught, it may target a crowded area with easy access to potential victims," Arisia replied.
"Like towns," Dell said. "I'll take to the skies and search Bonesborough. Golden Guard, inform the local authorities to be highly alert for suspicious activity." He then turned to Luz, Gus, and Willow. "As for you three, go home and stay safe. We'll handle this."
Arisia nodded in agreement, adding, "And make sure to keep your doors locked and windows secured at all times." A green aura surrounded her as she levitated off the ground.
"But we can help," Luz protested.
"No, let us handle this," Dell interrupted firmly. He and Arisia took flight while the Golden Guard teleported away.
The Hellgrammite found walking in the body of a bipedal unexpectedly difficult, as it struggled to coordinate its many legs in this new form. But this was only a temporary setback.
"Good day, Mr. Coven Scout," a local greeted the Hellgrammite, unaware of the alien creature lurking beneath. "Would you like a not-dog? It's on the house?"
The Hellgrammite awkwardly shifted its weight, trying to mimic the movements of the meat suit it was inhabiting. Its mandibles clacking quietly. It needed to maintain its cover to carry out its mission… its purpose… successfully.
"Thank you." The alien snatched the not-dog from the local's hand, trying to act as naturally as possible. It shoved the whole thing into its mouth and moved on. Once it turned the corner, it regurgitated the not-dog into a nearby trash can. "How can they stand anything that tastes like that?"
It wanted food. Real food. Freshly skinned from the bone and still wriggling. The planet's inhabitants were just an assortment of snacks waiting to be devoured by the alien, who was growing increasingly impatient with the limitations of its current form. It especially enjoyed the organ unique to the bipedals of this planet—something about devouring it gave it a surge of energy that it couldn't find anywhere else.
Its tongue tasted the air, searching for that distinct flavor that would lead it to its next meal. It followed the scent to a building with a sign: "Bile Sac Donation Center." The Hellgrammite's mouth watered at the thought of the delicacy it would find inside.
The Hellgrammite entered the building, where a receptionist greeted it with a smile. "Hello, how may I assist a member of the Emperor's Coven today?" She asked.
The Hellgrammite's eyes gleamed excitedly as it replied, "I'm here to inspect the quality of your bile sac donations. I heard you have the best in the realm."
The receptionist asked, "May I ask why they must be inspected?"
"I need to check the quality to ensure they meet the standards for the Emperor's Coven. Only the finest bile sacs will do," the Hellgrammite explained.
The receptionist looked confused. "These Bile Sacs are donated to the Healing Coven for medical purposes, not the Emperor's Coven," she clarified.
The Hellgrammite's excitement faltered slightly as it realized its mistake but quickly composed itself. "I was sent on their behalf."
"That's not how it works," the receptionist replied firmly. "I'll need to speak with the head of the Healing Coven before any—" The Hellgrammite then grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground.
"I don't have time for this," it growled, its eyes glowing angrily. "Where are they?" The Hellgrammite's mandibles broke through the skin suit as it tightened its grip on the receptionist's throat, causing her to gasp for air. She pointed towards a door at the end of the hallway. "Thank you." The Hellgrammite threw her to the side before striding purposefully towards the door. It was time to eat.
"HELP!" Dell's super-hearing picked up the cry of distress as he surveyed from above with Arisia.
"Someone's in trouble," he immediately said, swooping down to investigate the source of the call. It must be the Hellgrammite.
"Hey, wait for—" Arisia shouted after him, but Dell was already too far ahead. He landed in front of the Bile Sac Donation Center, where a receptionist was shaking in fear.
She then noticed Dell. "Superboy! Oh, thank the Titan!" She hugged him tightly.
"What happened here?" Dell asked.
"A monster! It's going after the bile sacs down there!" She pointed down the hall.
Dell saw through the solid walls until he saw the shape of what looked like a witch, but the inside of the witch was filled with a grotesque shape that did not seem to fit with the rest of her body. It was eating the bile sacs with a voracious appetite. "Stay here; help is on the way." Dell used his super-speed to zip down the hall toward the monster. "Put down those bile sacs, Hellgrammite!"
The Hellgrammite stopped its feeding frenzy and turned to face Dell with a menacing growl. "You know what I am?" The Hellgrammite's voice was guttural and filled with malice.
"I know what's under there, and I'm going to stop you from causing more harm." Dell raised his fists, ready to take on the monstrous creature.
"I'll be happy to eat you for dessert," the Hellgrammite hissed before lunging towards him. Dell grabbed the Hellgrammite's outstretched arms. It was strong. But Dell managed to hold on. "What?" The Hellgrammite sputtered in surprise, struggling against Dell's grip.
"Never met prey who could fight back, have you?" Dell taunted, using all his strength to push the Hellgrammite back, breaking through the wall behind it and sending them both crashing into the next room.
The Hellgrammite hissed in frustration, realizing it had underestimated its opponent. It grabbed its skin suit and shed it, revealing a massive, grotesque insect-like creature with razor-sharp mandibles. Dell's eyes widened in horror. Of all the creatures he's encountered on the Boiling Isles, this was far more terrifying than any of them.
"I'm going to rip you apart and feast on your insides," the Hellgrammite hissed, its voice now a chilling combination of insect-like clicks and growls. Dell hit the Hellgrammite with a blast of heat vision, causing it to screech in pain as its exoskeleton sizzled, but there were no signs of it slowing down. Its exoskeleton was more formidable than he had anticipated.
The creature lunged at Dell and proceeded to bite down on his arm. Only for it to scream in agony and retreat. "Too tough for you?" Dell taunted, then punched the Hellgrammite in the face, sending it crashing through the nearest wall, out of the building, and onto the open street. The Hellgrammite let out a series of enraged clicks as civilians screamed and scattered in all directions.
It turned to a group of people trying to escape and spat a liquid from its maw at them. "NO!" Dell yelled, rushing to shield the civilians from the substance. He felt his chest burn as the liquid made contact with him. "AGH!" It was some corrosive acid. It wasn't strong enough to eat through his skin, but it caused intense pain and left red welts where it touched him. But Dell gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain.
"I got it!" Arisia flew in and pointed her ring at the Hellgrammite, releasing a green energy beam that enveloped the creature in a bubble. The Hellgrammite struggled to break free. Arisia struggled to contain the creature's immense strength, causing her ring to flicker. "I can't hold it forever." The Hellgrammite thrashed until it finally broke free from the bubble, the force knocking Arisia to the ground.
"Arisia!" Dell called out.
The Hellgrammite was about to attack her, its sharp mandibles poised to strike, but before it could sink its teeth into her. A red flash swooped in and scooped Arisia up, whisking her away. It was Hunter.
"Are you alright?" Hunter asked. Arisia nodded, grateful for his timely intervention. "Coven Scouts, get the civilians to safety!" he commanded. The Emperor's Coven scouts quickly sprang into action, ushering the civilians away from the danger.
The Hellgrammite screeched in frustration as its prey slipped away. As Hunter glanced back at the Hellgrammite, it turned to him and let out an enraged screech, then lunged at him. But Dell had already positioned himself between Hunter and the Hellgrammite, ready to defend his friend. It knocked him, knocking him back into a wall, pinning him. Its mandibles were dripping with its corrosive acid. The Hellgrammite's head lunged for his chest, trying to get a good bite in, but Dell managed to hold its jaws back.
"ARGH!" Dell yelled in pain as the acid burnt his hands. Dell lifted the Hellgrammite off of him and threw it against the opposite wall.
"Why haven't you killed it yet?" Hunter asked Dell.
"The exoskeleton is incredibly tough, even for me," Dell replied, catching his breath. "We need to find another way to take it down. Do you have any ideas?"
BOOSH! BOOSH! BOOSH!
The Hellgramite was struck by a series of explosive rounds, causing it to screech in pain and retreat into a nearby corner. "I'm back, bastiches!" Dell, Arisia, and Hunter saw Lobo, armed with a big weapon, burst into the scene on his flying bike. Lobo shouted as he burst through the door, armed with his trusty chain and hook. He smirked. "Looks like you could use a hand." The Hellgramite hissed and spat its acid at Lobo, hitting his bike, which began to smoke and sputter as it melted. "Ah, frag!" Lobo quickly dismounted his bike.
"Look out!" Arisia shouted as she created another construct from her ring: a shield to protect two civilians and a Coven Scout from the oncoming vehicle. It crashed into the shield, left as a twisted wreck on the ground.
Lobo happened to land right in front of Dell, Hunter, and Arisia, who were taken aback by his sudden appearance. "Hey, Kryptonian." Lobo punched Dell in the gut and said, "That was for earlier." Dell winced in pain. Lobo turned to Hunter and Arisia, a menacing grin on his face. "Who's next?" He growled.
"I can't let you take the Hellgrammite," Arisia said, pointing her ring at Lobo. "It's too dangerous."
"I'm just here to collect the bounty on it, sweetheart. It doesn't matter if I bring it back alive or dead."
"So, you're going to help us?" Dell asked hopefully.
"We could use all the help we can get," Hunter added.
"Hey, as long as there's a body left to collect the bounty, I'm in," Lobo replied with a smirk. "But don't think I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart." Lobo took out a chain with a hook on the end and swung it around menacingly as he charged at the Hellgrammite. It hissed and snapped at him, but Lobo rolled out of the way and wrapped the chain around its neck, pulling it towards him with a grunt of effort.
The Hellgrammite twisted its body and tried to break free, but Lobo held on tight. It did manage to rear its head back and sink its sharp mandibles into Lobo's arm, biting it off in one swift motion and swallowing it. "Hey, I just got that arm back!" Lobo yelled in frustration as he watched his arm disappear down the Hellgrammite's throat. With one less arm restraining the creature, it flung its body backward, sending Lobo flying through the air and crashing into a wall.
"How are we gonna stop this thing?" Hunter asked, looking to Dell and Arisia for a solution.
"If the outside is too tough, then maybe we should try attacking it from the inside," Arisia suggested.
"Well, all of ya are in luck," Lobo said, walking over with a sly grin. "I know something about fragging creatures from the inside out." He pulled out a metallic orb with a red light glowing inside. "This here is a thermal detonator. One of these babies should do the trick. Press the button, and in a few seconds… BOOM! He-hahaha!"
"Alright," Hunter took the thermal detonator from Lobo. "Let's give it a shot."
"Give it to me; I'll do it," Dell volunteered, reaching out for the thermal detonator. He didn't want to risk seeing Hunter get hurt in case something went wrong.
"No, I'll do it, Superboy," Hunter firmly insisted, holding the thermal detonator. "Just make sure civilians are clear from the area." He looked to Arisia and Lobo. "Arisia, hold the Hellgrammite down. Lobo, you keep that thing's mouth open. I'll take care of the rest." Arisia nodded, and Lobo smirked.
The Hellgrammite hissed and charged at the team. Dell stepped up and uppercutted the creature, stunning it momentarily as it hurtled backward. Hunter remained calm and focused as he armed the thermal detonator. Arisia took flight and constructed several clamps from her ring to restrain the Hellgrammite.
Lobo laughed maniacally as he jumped onto the Hellgrammite's head. "Open wide, dipshit!" Using the brute strength within his one remaining arm to hold its mouth open, though he struggled to keep the Hellgrammite from snapping shut. "Hey, Goldie, throw it in!"
Hunter pressed the button on the thermal detonator as he used his staff to teleport right in front of the Hellgrammite, throw the explosive device directly into its gaping maw, and teleport back just in time to avoid the blast radius.
KABOOOOOOOOOOM!
The Hellgrammite's upper half exploded into a shower of green goo and chunks of insectoid flesh. Lobo, who was covered in the creature's remains, laughed as he was launched into the air and crashed back down to the ground, wiping off the gore with a grin. "That's how you take care of business, fraggers!" He shouted, raising his fist in triumph. He found that the creature's head remained in perfect condition, intact and unharmed, staring back at him with its lifeless eyes. Lobo smirked, plucking the Hellgrammite's head from the ground. "Got all the proof I need."
"Thank the Titan, it's over," Hunter muttered, relieved.
"No one got hurt in the explosion," Dell added.
Suddenly, a group of Coven Scouts approached the group, with the one in the lead saying, "Superboy, by order of the Emperor's Coven, you are under arrest."
"What?" Dell exclaimed, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.
"Hold it, Scout," Hunter interjected, stepping forward. "I'm the superior officer here. What's the charge?"
The Scout hesitated before responding, "Endangering the citizens of the Boiling Isles by allowing not one, nor two, but three aliens to roam freely in our realm. All aliens are to be detained immediately."
"You wanna try, motherfragger?" Lobo growled. "We ain't goin' quietly."
"That's ridiculous," Hunter retorted, his disbelief turning to anger. "Superboy helped to prevent a catastrophe, not cause one. If you don't believe me, ask the citizens themselves."
"The citizens' opinions are irrelevant," the Scout declared coldly. "Emperor Belos has decreed that aliens are a threat, and we will no longer tolerate their presence."
"I'm not going to let you arrest me," Dell stated firmly, standing his ground. "I have rights, just like everyone else. But we'll leave peacefully." With that, Dell and Arisia flew off into the sky, with Arisia wrapping chains of light around Lobo before he got the chance to react and make things worse.
"How could they treat you like that after what you did to help?" Arisia asked Superboy, shaking her head in disbelief.
Superboy shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips as he replied, "It's all part of the job, Arisia. Sometimes doing the right thing means not getting the recognition we deserve."
"That's why the hero schtick ain't for me," Lobo said. "I prefer to do things my way, no strings attached."
"What matters is that some people know the truth," Superboy said. "And they appreciate everything we've done, recognition or not."
Arisia and Superboy flew to where the former's ship had crash-landed, only to find another ship and another Green Lantern investigating the crash. It was her mentor, Tomar-Re.
Arisia felt relief seeing Tomar-Re but also a twinge of guilt for not contacting him sooner. She was still a recruit, and he must have been worried about her. "Tomar-Re, Sir." She and Superboy landed as he turned around.
"Arisia, I'm glad to see you're safe," Tomar-Re said, his expression softening. "I was beginning to fear the worst." He then noticed Lobo wrapped in chains. "And it appears you've brought a prisoner as well."
"As if," Lobo scoffed.
"I'm sorry, sir. I wanted to contact you sooner, but we encountered some trouble along the way," Arisia explained.
"The Hellgrammite? Is it—"
"It's dead," Superboy interjected. "I'm Superboy, by the way."
Tomar-Re looked at the hero; his eyes widened as they landed on the symbol on his chest. "A Kryptonian," Tomar-Re said in awe. "House of El."
"Wait, you know about Kryptonians?" Superboy asked, intrigued.
"Yes, I have encountered your kind before," Tomar-Re replied. "But it's been many years since… Forgive me, but I must report to the Guardians immediately. They would like to know about Arisia and the Hellgrammite."
"Right, Sir," Arisia said, nodding. She then turned to Superboy. "Thank you for your help. And tell the Golden Guard that we appreciate his assistance as well."
Superboy nodded. "I will."
"We will also take Lobo here to a secure location where he can be detained until the Guardians decide what to do with him," Tomar-Re added. "He is a dangerous criminal and must be handled with caution."
"Heh, do what you want; no prison can hold the Main Man," Lobo sneered, his eyes glinting defiantly. "I'll be out of there in no time."
The Green Lanterns boarded the ship with Lobo in tow and took off into the vast expanse of space, leaving the planet behind them. "Another Kryptonian lives," Tomar-Re said to himself.
"Another?" Arisia asked, puzzled by Tomar-Re's statement.
"Yes, a son of El lives," Tomar-Re replied.
"Then why didn't you tell him?" Arisia questioned, her curiosity piqued. "Shouldn't he know he's not alone in the universe?"
Tomar-Re shook his head, a solemn expression on his face. "Some truths are better left undiscovered until the time is right. The other one learning of his existence could bring about… destruction."
"I can't believe we're stuck with clean-up duty," a scout complained to his partner as they were left behind to clear the streets of the alien's remains. "It's Superboy's fault, bringing all these aliens, meta-witches, and criminals to our city. The Emperor's Coven is now getting stuck with the mess." His partner nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, he noticed something strange in the debris—an orb that seemed to be pulsating. "What the heck…" he muttered, bending down to pick it up. As he touched the orb, he realized it looked like a sack of some sort, and inside were smaller, semi-translucent, egg-like shapes. "What are these things?"
"They're what I've been looking for," the scout's partner said.
Confused, he turned around to see his partner shift from a bipedal shape into some cross between a serpentine beast demon and a bipedal demon with pink scales, long claws, and a maw full of serrated fangs. Before he could even react, it grabbed him by his face, and he felt his life force being drained away. In a panic, he struggled to break free from the creature's grasp, but it was too strong, and darkness consumed him.
Parasite dropped the scout's corpse and let out a satisfied hiss before picking up the egg sack and slithering away into the shadows. It did not know what Faust had planned, but Parasite felt it would benefit from whatever he was about to unleash.
This chapter was my least favorite to write. I had difficulty figuring out how to make it satisfying, and I knew the ending was rushed. Fortunately, this chapter was just a stepping stone to the more exciting events that will unfold later in the story. Hopefully, since the next chapter is one I've been looking forward to writing, I can get it right and make up for any shortcomings in this one.
If you (somehow) enjoyed it, please favorite, follow, and leave a review; feedback is appreciated.