Call Me… Doc Ock – Arc One: Origin
Chapter 25: Clashing Lights
"C'mon, pickuppickuppickuppickup!" Rudolph's guts twisted with anxiety as he waited for Isaac's call.
"The number you are calling is not available, please leave a-" Rudolph slammed the phone down with a curse.
"Nothing?" Rudolph turned to his wife Janice. There was clear worry in her expression as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
Rudolph shook his head. "No, nothing, just a message."
Janice looked out towards the window. "Oh, I- I hope he's okay…"
Rudolph joined her, wrapping his arms around her for both of their comfort. From the window, they could see the sky darkened by ominous clouds swirling around what could only be described as a rising green pillar. Ever since that thing had appeared, the entire tri-state area had been placed on lock-down as authorities tried to get a handle on it.
"What the Hell even is that? Is- is this some mutant bullshit?" The last time Rudolph could remember something like this happening had been when he had been in college, when that incident in Egypt had occurred. No one had really known what had caused it, but there had been rumors that mutants had been behind that somehow.
"Isaac… just, just be okay, please…"
In a hospital a few miles from Rudolph and Janice, a woman sat on a bed next to her daughter, holding her tight. Ever since the sky had gone dark and that green light had appeared, the entire hospital had gone into a panic as the staff tried to maintain order, while patients and visitors alike had been screaming about the end times. She herself had been filled with a sense of dread ever since the sky had gone crazy. She didn't know what was going on, but somehow, in her very bones, she knew that something had gone terribly wrong somewhere.
"Momma…" The girl in her arms poked her head out from out of her bosom, where she had been hiding. The older woman felt a pang in her heart as she saw the dread in her beautiful blue eyes. "Momma… is… is everything going to be okay," she whimpered.
The older woman hugged her daughter tightly. "Oh, my little angel, everything is going to be just fine."
The girl tightened her hug. "You- you promise?"
The mother nuzzled her nose in her daughter's blonde hair. "I promise."
"HURRY!" As the three of them moved through the area desperately searching for the last anchor that held up the ward, Sol Rama, had to wonder how things had gotten so out of hand so quickly. When he was made aware of the cult trying to summon some sort of dark god, he had not really thought much of it to express anything beyond the usual dismay that people even now would draw upon such vile sources.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! COME ON! IS THAT REALLY THE BEST YOU CAN DO?! YOU WON'T LAST THAT MUCH LONGER AT THIS RATE!"
Sol shuddered. This… monstrosity was so much worse than anything he had confronted. And somehow, he knew that it was far worse than anything the Masters of the Mystic Arts had or would ever face.
"SOL, I FOUND IT!"
Sol turned to his fellow mage and quickly went over to where he had gestured. On the ground hidden out of the way in the roots of a tree was a stone with a glowing mark. 'The last anchor,' Sol thought as he brought his hands together to charge up a bolt. "Okay, gentlemen, time is of the essence! Let's bring this ward down in call for aid!"
Sol and his fellows blasted at the stone with prejudice. Immediately after, there was a sound like glass breaking and Sol felt the familiar spark from his Sling Ring.
"We did it!" Under normal circumstances he would have congratulated his understudies for their efforts but now was not the time. "As proud as I am of you two, right now we have to deal with this crisis immediataely!"
The two other mages sobered up immediately and prepared to open portals to the Sanctums to bring in reinforcements. However, before they could-
"Sol; Maria; Ahmed; good work!" At the sound of the familiar voice all three of them turned and Sol nearly fell to his knees as relief washed over him.
"Ancient One!" Ahmed was not quite as composed and dropped.
The Sorcerer Supreme took in the situation, her face grim. "Yes, we need to put an end to this and quickly. Well Yaroslav," she turned to her left, and it was only then that Sol noticed the chimp. "It seems we've more work to do."
The chimp shivered at the foul presence. "Miss, we need to go! Isaac might be in danger!"
The Ancient One nodded. "Indeed, let's get going." She turned to Sol. "Contact the other mages and tell them to send all who can to this place or Niger."
Sol and the other mages nodded. "Of course, Ancient One!"
With that, the Sorcerer Supreme and companion headed off towards the source of this chaos.
As the Android H2H moved about quickly while avoiding whatever attacks the possessed Isaac threw at them, Vincent found himself at a complete at a loss about what to do. One glance from the destruction left from those blasts told him that any attempt to defend against them would likely result in him being horribly burned at best. Not to mention the sheer physical power within those mutated tentacles; they've had to defend against and dodge several trees being launched at them by this point.
"So, any ideas on how to stop this monster?" Slade's voice cut through Vincent's jumbled thoughts. A quick glance at showed that despite his casual tone, the Akkaba mutant was beginning to show signs of fatigue. A great build-up of sweat and a trembling in his arms from the constant firing of his energy bolts. Vincent himself was not much better off. It had been a long time since he had found himself so exhausted from the use of the mystic arts and he knew that if they survived this, he was likely going to need several days off to recover.
The worst part of this of course was the fact that the two of them were not even moving under their own power. Vincent was really beginning to appreciate the work that Isaac put into building and improving H2H. Despite the damage it had taken since their arrival, it was somehow staying ahead of the monster wearing Isaac's skin while carrying the two of them. Were it not for the android, Vincent knew good and well that he would be dead by now. Although…
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! COME ON! IS THAT REALLY THE BEST YOU CAN DO?! YOU WON'T LAST THAT MUCH LONGER AT THIS RATE!"
He got the distinct feeling that the monster running them down was toying with them, as if to draw out their fear and suffering. As H2H just managed to dodge another blast, some part of Vincent recognized that there were several moments in which the monster could have taken them out if it had really desired to do so. At that realization, Vincent grimaced. He did not like feeling helpless, especially after what had happened to his partner, Julian…
"The little shit is fucking with us." It would seem that Slade had picked up on what the monster was doing. "Goddammit! This is ridiculous!" He fired off a blast of energy in frustration, only to grunt in further irritation as it struck the monster to no avail.
"Save your energy! And try not to let your emotions get the better of you," Vincent warned. "It's trying to get into our heads!"
"Yes, I figured that, sorcerer," Slade snapped back. "Doesn't make it any less frustrating-GAH!" The three were sent flying as a particularly close blast detonated near them.
A screeching sound went off as H2H skidded across the ground and Vincent couldn't help but slap his hands over his ears at the noise. Before too long they came to a stop and Vincent had to take a moment to get his bearings. A sharp pain in his right leg had him look down and he hissed as he saw a rebar cutting into it.
"WELL, WELL, WELL…" Vincent immediately swiveled to the warped voice. "LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE END FOR YOU!" The monster raised its hand and before Vincent could blink a bolt of energy flew towards him. Just as quickly a silver blur entered his vision, and he found himself lifted up and moving.
"OH, FUCK THAT!" Vincent felt his ice run up his spine at the monster's irritation, before there was a second blast much quicker than before. Suddenly he was flying in the air again before he slammed back down into the ground.
"GRAAAAAAGH! FUUUCK!" Searing pain shot up his leg and a quick glance showed that the rebar had stabbed its way through his leg completely. Gritting his teeth, Vincent pulled himself into a sitting position and held his right leg gingerly.
"UNIT HAS TAKEN SEVERE DAMAGE. IMMEDIATE REPAIRS REQUIRED." Looking over to H2H, Vincent winced as he caught sight of the android's legs. Both looked to be melted below the knees and Vincent could spot sparks here and there.
"WELL, THAT TAKES CARE OF THAT." The monster drew closer an arm raised and pulsing with power. "NOW, I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME I-"
"FITTEST," a voice roared and the three of them turned, just in time to see Slade enveloped in a pink light before vanishing.
"WHAT…" Shock and confusion overcame the monster's face. "HE…" Slowly the monster began to tremble, shock and confusion giving way to pure rage, twisting its face into inhuman expression. "MOTHER-FUCKER! HE GOT AWAY!" It rounded on Vincent, and the mage found himself rooted in absolute terror. "HE GOT AWAY AND IT'S BECAUSE YOU TWO DISTRACTED ME!" The tentacles on its back shot up and pointed at him and H2H. "FUCK THIS! I'M GOING TO BLOW YOU BOTH UP HERE AND NOW! THEN I'M GOING TO RIP THIS PLANET APART UNTIL I FIND HIM AND SKIN HIM ALIVE!"
The monster then let loose a barrage of deadly green bolts. Vincent didn't even have time to defend himself before everything went white.
*CLANG*
As Vincent's vision began to clear, he found himself staring into a multitude of mystical barriers. Vincent could only stare in awe and confusion as the protective spells floated around him and H2H. The usual barrier spells usually glowed gold in intricate lines and patterns. These barriers glowed in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors in patterns he could not begin to identify.
"WHAT?!" The monster wearing Isaac's body could only stare in shock, confusion and rage as its barrage was stopped dead by the defenses before it.
"My apologies for being late Vincent." The man in question whipped around to the familiar voice and felt both hope and relief overcome him as he found himself meeting the Ancient One's gaze. "I would have been here sooner, but the wards around the area were a bit difficult to get through. Fortunately, Sol does good work."
She then took in his appearance focusing on the metal piercing his leg. Her face went into a frown. "Let's take care of that first." With several gestures of her hand the rebar came out of Vincent's leg. Then before the pain of its removal could register in his mind, the cascading flow of light poured into his leg and Vincent sighed as a pleasant warmth flowed into him removing previous aches and injuries.
The Ancient One nodded at her work. "There you go, good as new."
"Ancient One I-," Vincent began, only to stop as the Sorcerer Supreme stopped him with a raised hand.
"You probably have much to say," she said. "However, let's save that for later." She turned to the monstrous form that was once Isaac. It had continuously fired bolt after bolt, its face twisting mounting rage and frustration at the futility of its attacks. "Right now, let's help Isaac with his current predicament."
"Ancient One, I- I don't know how we can help him at the moment. This monster possessing him has displayed power on a level I've never seen before." Vincent fidgeted. "In fact, somehow I don't think there is anything that could match it." He glanced at the barriers, while they had held up so far, he could see cracks beginning to form here and there.
The Ancient One nodded. "Indeed. This dark creature is far more powerful than anything I have ever encountered." She then held up Isaac's necklace. "Fortunately for us, we don't need to overpower it, merely banish from Isaac."
Vincent blinked. "Wait, is that possible?"
The Ancient One nodded again. "It definitely is, but I'll need your help with this."
"Ancient One!" The two turned to find Sol running up to them along with several other members of the Kamar-Taj.
"Oh, good. You've arrived." The Ancient One took a breath before her expression went hard. "Time is of the essence. We need to put an end to this threat before Isaac is completely lost to its hold. Yaroslav." Vincent followed her gaze and only then noticed that the empowered chimp was standing by her side. "You remember what to do?"
The chimp nodded. "Yes, I do. Let's hurry, Isaac cannot go on like this."
"Quite right." She turned to face the monster. By now it had actually grown in size and its body had been swallowed up by some vile green chitinous flesh, leaving only its face uncovered, and green eyes glowing brighter with malice.
"Barriers and Wards," a voice cried out. As one the mages present gestured and a ward both to keep out others and contain the damage erected itself around the area.
With a roar the monster charged only to be met by the Ancient One's barriers. With a swipe of her hand a chain lashed out and grabbed it by the ankle and launched it into the air. With a second gesture, that same chain went taught before violently slamming the monster down.
"YOU FUCKING BITCH!" The monster snarled before it let loose another barrage of blasts from its appendages. More barriers formed before the Ancient One, repelling the onslaught.
Growling in frustration, the monster grabbed several pieces of debris and launched them at the Ancient One. Rather than defend against them, she moved around them, faster and more graceful than most any human could. Just as the last piece of rubble flew past her, the Ancient One conjured several barriers, just in time to stop a mutated fist. The monster roared as it rained down a barrage of blows.
While keeping the barriers up with one hand, the Ancient conjured several chains glowing that same kaleidoscope of colors. A hissing noise sounded out as the monster's flesh sizzled wherever a chain made contact. Letting out a snarl of fury, the monster made to break them but found them too sturdy. It met the Ancient One with a hateful gaze, before a wicked smirk twisted its lips. Taking a deep breath, its eyes flashed briefly before it snapped its head back and roared.
Immediately after, an unnatural chill swept through the area before-
"THRALLS!" One of the mages pointed. Off in the distance, corpses with glowing green eyes rapidly approached the mages, their gait unimpeded by their mutilation.
"MAGES; TO ME," Kaecilius roared as he moved to meet the horde head on. Soon he and several mages engaged the abdominal creatures to keep them at bay.
The Ancient One's eyes narrowed slightly. "This will not go on any longer." Reaching into her robe she pulled out a familiar stone. Holding it to her chest she allowed the energy contained within it to flow into her.
At the sight of such power, the monster's thrashing reached new heights; genuine alarm on its face for the first time. As the Ancient One approached, the monster concentrated all of its power to one arm. The chain around it soon began to give way before finally breaking free. Rather than attempt another bolt, it reached into one of the pockets and pulled out a flash grenade and launched it. Just before its arm could be ensnared again it fired a small bolt as the munition was several feet away from the Sorcerer Supreme. She hissed at the sudden noise and flash.
With its foe distracted, the monster redoubled its efforts for freedom and with a mighty roar broke free. Just as the Ancient One's vision returned, her eyes widened as the monster rushed within arm's length and lashed out with its tentacles. Barriers, quickly conjured, barely stopped the attack from reaching her, but the sheer strength behind them, sent her flying back.
"ANCIENT ONE," Vincent shouted in alarm. As he made to move, a glint in the air caught his attention and he spotted the necklace flying in the air. Vincent ran over and caught it before it hit the ground and turned back to where the Ancient One was quickly being pushed back by the monster's renewed offensive. Her barriers held strong, but with each blow they began to flicker more and more to their usual golden glow.
Vincent looked to the necklace and then back to the fight, quickly coming to an understanding. Before he could move again, a whirring noise caught his attention, and he looked behind him to see H2H approaching him on via the Octo-Arms.
"UNIT IN NEED OF REPAIRS."
"Sorry H2H, but there's not any time for that. You're gonna…" Azelea paused. As his eyes moved from the monster, to the necklace and then to H2H. An idea was forming in his head.
"H2H, I need you to do something for me…"
'Well, this is going poorly so far.' Ever since she had taken the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One had found herself in many dire situations and had grown a certain level of desensitization to near-death experiences.
It said much about her current predicament, that she could feel the telltale signs of panic as she conjured barrier after barrier to block the monster's strikes. Each blow seemed to strike at her very soul. At the rate things were going, her barriers would become ineffective against the monster's blows.
A small flicker out of the corner of her eye caught her attention and it was she could do not to glance at it, lest she give her ally away. 'The loss of the necklace was not expected but… hopefully, he should be ready in a few more seconds.'
"IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT," the monster roared. "I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE SORCERER SUPREME WOULD HAVE DONE BETTER THAN THIS! COME ON!"
The Ancient One kept up the defense, ignoring the mosnter's taunts. 'Almost there… almost there.' A sudden spark from behind the monster caught her attention and then she suddenly ducked to her right. The monster thrown off by the lack of resistance stumbled and turned to follow its foe, but a sudden light from behind it drew its attention.
Its eyes widened as a massive ball of that same energy struck it dead on. Consumed by the sphere the monster roared as it detonated, sending out a wave of energy that sent everyone to the ground.
"UgH, fUCk….," the monster groaned as it struggled to its feet. Directing a glare at the source of the attack, it found Yaroslav at the ready with another growing ball of that mystical energy in its hand.
"YoU FUckINg…," the monster snarled as it began to run towards Yaroslav. The chimp stood its ground as the monster approached. Murder in its eyes it prepared to launch itself at the ape, when suddenly a whip glowing in those ever-changing colors lashed out and grabbed it around the throat.
"WHaT?!" Its gaze snapped to the source and found Vincent standing strong, drawing on the energy in the necklace.
"Isaac, if you're in there, don't worry," he reassured, "we'll get that thing out of you soon enough!"
"YOu sONnava biTCH!" The monster's face twisted in renewed fury. It fired off several destructive bolts only to be stopped dead by Vincent's empowered barriers.
"YAROSLAV! HURRY!"
"I AM ALMOST THERE, FRIEND!" Lifting its hands high, Yaroslav poured as much power as he could into the sphere.
"AS iF I'D leT yOu!" The tentacles on its arms reached out and dug into the ground. Immediately, the ground beneath Vincent and Yaroslav lit up and the two were forced to jump away as pillars of green flame erupted where they stood.
With the chain around its neck loosened, the monster turned to Vincent and charged. The mage-cop quickly conjured barriers to block its attacks. It took all that Vincent had to keep pace with it. 'I'm not sure I can keep this up for much longer I-!' A flash was all the warning he got; off to the side where the other mages of Kamar-Taj were fighting against the undead horde, one of zombies on a mental command, hefted a hammer and threw straight at Vincent.
Pain erupted into Vincent's abdomen as it struck and sent him flying, the necklace flung from his hands.
"GUH!" "VINCENT!"
The man's head swam as he tried to work through the pain. Above him the monster stood all its appendages raised high, a massive ball of destructive power forming above it.
"I Am gETTINg rEAl tired Of ThiS SHIt…" The monster placed a foot on his stomach. "Let'S pUT AN End TO AnyMORe DIstRActioNS-"
"NOW," Vincent screamed.
"CONFIRMED!"
"WHuH-" The monster never got to finish. Behind it, H2H had quickly approached with necklace in hand and slammed it upside the monster's head. The force of the attack shattered it, and the monster was suddenly enveloped in a burst of that radiant energy.
"GYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" The monster's flesh sizzeled as it was enveloped by the light.
With the monster immobilized, it could do nothing as Yaroslav, having had time to recover and gather his power, jumped up and slammed a massive sphere onto it.
"VINCENT!" The man in question whipped towards the voice to find the Ancient One rushing to the beast with a hand reaching out to him. Getting to his feet he ran over and grabbed her hand. Drawing on the remains of that radiant energy within them, the two slammed their palms into the monster's face and poured all they had.
As the monster screamed in outrage, everything was enveloped in a brilliant white light…