by Nathan Howe
The stone man grunted. “Is that all you have James?”
What? How did he know my name? James was freaked out now. This wasn't good. The whole point of costumes and codenames was, so people didn't harm them or their family.
James struck again, this time the man countered. A bolt of electricity shocked him as he neared, throwing him back. The mystery man shot another bolt at Petrice. She flew up into the air fast.
“Get down here you coward.”
“Who you are?” Petrice asked. She hovered in the sky inspecting him. “Whatever you think I did, I didn't.”
“You will remember.” A bolt of lightning slammed through the air at Petrice. She dove to the left avoiding it. “For I am One Rush.”
Another bolt flew right at her. She wouldn't be able to dodge in time. James took a step towards her then paused, another figure dropped from the sky. He stood with his back to James. He was thin and bald, wearing a gray and purple outfit. The new entrant to the battle stood behind the stone man and rearing up, punched him. The punch sent the man flying. Petrice fell from the sky when the lightning bolt struck her.
Petrice
Falling into the arms of her savior, Petrice squinted and couldn't believe her eyes. “Scott?”
He nodded. “I'm sorry.”
Gently he set her down. The lightning weakened her. Her knees were weak, James materialized next to her, allowing her to lean against him while on the ground. The sight of Scott brought tears to her eyes. She didn't want to cry, but the tears flowed. Scott had been gone for months. Him standing in front of her was almost too much.
“Damn...” James said staring at Scott with wide eyes. “I thought you were dead Scott.”
Scott shifted. “For a while, I thought I would be,” Scott said.
Petrice continued to rest on James. “We should get back to headquarters in downtown,” she said. Once Petrice recovered from the surprise, she attempted to stand. She didn't want to be carried even if Scott had the ability to. Petrice would manage. “I'm sure they will want to talk to you.”
“I'm sure they will.” Scott's lip twitched. “Has a lot happened?”
“Depends on what you call a lot,” Petrice said.
“You were taken?” James asked. “Zombies?”
Scott nodded. “Yes. It wasn't pleasant. And don't ask me who or why. I have no clue who.”
That was enough for Petrice. They departed for the downtown headquarters. They had a lot to report. And top of their list, Scott reappearing, along with Chilling. While she flew, she made contact with Valiant Rush with her mind.
Valiant Rush. Chilling is back in the city. Found us at the private investigator’s office. Assisted us in fending off another zombie ambush.
Glad to hear that you are safe. Did Chilling have any information?
Not really. Thinks whoever is behind this is searching for a stone or something. After we left Chilling, a mystery villain, called One Rush, overwhelmed us. But we were saved by Scott.
Scott's back?
Yes. Heading to downtown headquarters.
Roger. Invincible and I will meet you there.
Now completely drained from talking with Valiant Rush Petrice concentrated on flying without crashing. She kept an eye on both James and Scott who sprinted and hurdled their way below her.
Petrice landed on the ground in front of the building. Both James and Scott arrived a moment later. She still couldn't believe her eyes. Scott. He's alive. It gave her hope that David might be too.
“Did you see David where you were?”
Scott shook his head. “Sorry, no. It was always dark, and I was alone. Well, surrounded by nasty smelling zombies.”
“Ouch.” James held his nose. “Just thinking about how they smell makes me sick.”
Scott inspected him. “How did this happen cuz?”
“Uh. I'd rather not talk about it.”
Scott opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. Instead, he remained silent. The three of them walked into the building. In the front lobby Valiant Rush with Invincible, Colby and Inflamed waited for them. They were the most powerful and influential heroes in Cynosure. Scott and Chilling surfacing must be important. They had stern faces as they investigated Super. Petrice wanted to hide behind Scott and James.
“Good to see you Super,” Invincible said. “We have a lot of questions.”
“I figured.” Scott's eyes narrowed. “Let's get this over with. Later Mortal.”
Spector
So far, the plan went perfectly. One Rush arrived a few minutes ago. He wasn't pleased. Super slugged him hard. “He had to knock you around for them to believe it.”
One Rush grunted with an angry face and walked away towards his new living quarters. Spector let him depart the cell but still kept a close eye on him. He trusted his Netherworld command, but only so much. It never hurt to be overly cautious. His plan hinged on many things. And his hold over One Rush was a small part, Super's part even more so.
Soon Super would steal what Spector wanted. It took months to realize that the Stone of Azuria was being held at the hero's headquarters in downtown in a vault with defenses specifically designed against Netherworld powers which meant Super's strength should tear through the door.
Spector paced in front of his throne. Waiting for the arranged time. He would tap into the Netherworld and channel as many zombies to assault headquarters as he could. He wouldn't be able to control or even distract them for long. No one had access to the Netherworld to summon forth more than twenty or so creatures alone. That is what the Stone of Azuria was for, it allowed the user to raise the full brunt of the Netherworld without killing them. Sure, if Spector didn't care if he lived, he could call more zombies, or worse into existence.
Time stood still for Spector each time he glanced at his watch, only a minute passed. He tried to force himself not to. And that just made it worse.
Pacing barely kept his mind from how slow time passed. Instead, Spector sat in his throne. “Amuse me,” he shouted.
Several of his moronic minions walked out to entertain him. They stared at each other blankly. Unsure what they should do. They stood in horror fearful that Spector would reach out with his powers and hurt them.
“Well,” Spector sat with his arms crossed.
“Uh. Boss. I uh not sure what you want from me.”
Spector sighed. He reached into the Netherworld scratching the surface and brought forth the weakest of creatures, a mindless blob of darkness.
“Arh!” The minions scattered as the blob struck. Spector laughed at the sight of the idiots trying to flee. The blob sped around chasing them mindlessly. While the thugs did their best to defend themselves, Spector howled in delight. With both the blob and minions of his being so fucking stupid, the entertainment lasted hours.
It was time. Spector gathered the Netherworld and brought forth as many zombies as he was comfortable. They formed from a mist in front of him. They were now part of him. Spector connected to them in such way that anything they did he experienced for himself. At times the signals sent were difficult to make out, but it was enough. He gave out his orders to them to provide Super a helpful distraction, so he'd be able to obtain the Stone.
James
The building shook, and the walls thudded waking James. The clock on the wall in his room or his cell as he thought of it read midnight. Another loud explosion sounded below him. James rolled out of his bed and dressed in his hero uniform.
They had relocated him from the hospital to the living quarters where many of the out of town Ardents in training lived before being assigned to another city. James rushed to the main hallway.
Colby and Pixie stood there listening. “What was that?” James asked.
Colby grunted. “I'd bet Scott.”
Pixie nodded. She pulled out her bow and several arrows. “There's no information where he's been or what he's been doing. Good chance he went willingly.”
James didn't want to think that Scott willingly
became a villain. Hopefully, mind control or magic swayed him, and he could be saved. “What can I do?” James asked.
“Stay behind us. Scott is strong. He might be the strongest Ardent in Cynosure or this side of the Atlantic. And he's fast. We'll be lucky to contact him with any of our attacks. Have to overpower him with numbers.”
Why did it always come back to numbers? It was no wonder a lot of damage happened when Ardents fought. With the raid going on, the elevators shut down, so they sprinted down the stairs two at a time. James wanted to rush in front of them, but they were right. They'd be better at taking Scott out.
Each level they stopped to make sure nothing occurred there. Each time James' heart skipped a beat. He didn't want to spar with family. Thankfully Petrice wasn't here. She had been sent back to the midtown headquarters. If this were Scott, she would be devastated
They reached the ground floor. Nothing happened yet. Just more and more sounds coming from below. The guard on duty, an Ardent named Kraftig, was just out of training. James tried to remember his powers, invulnerable and energy punching. He wore a bright blue and white sleeveless uniform with a Mohawk.
“It's the vault below,” Kraftig said. “And I'm receiving word that zombies arrived below as well.”
Great. Zombies. James never wanted to see another Zombie in his life. This has to be related to David and the ambush against them earlier.
“How many went down already?” Pixie asked. She hovered silently above the ground.
“Four.”
“Roger that,” Colby said.
The three arrived on the vault level and saw nothing but carnage. A dozen zombies stalked around four motionless bodies. And at the vault door, Scott stood punching it. Each time the building vibrated. The door had a large crack, and soon he'd penetrate.
Pixie nocked an arrow and shot it at Scott. Without peeking, he dodged at the last second, the arrow ricocheting off the vault door. He whirled around and smiled at them. “Nice of you to join me,” he sneered with vile tone.
James shivered. The way he peered at them, his voice was different, harsher. Very intimidating and scary. James didn’t want him to see it on him, but it would be tough to hide his fear.
Super returned to the vault door. The zombies charged. James drew his sword and swung at them. Zombies moved faster than ordinary people but not fast enough. The three of them attacked in unison slaying the zombies but they weren't quick enough. The door to the vault crumbled for Scott. He accessed the vault while they continued to take out the zombies. By the time he exited, they had defeated them.
Scott smiled exiting. “I'll be seeing you.”
“I don't think so,” James said. Pixie and Colby nodded. They rushed him.
It didn't faze Scott he just stood there. His confidence caused James to pause for a moment. Only a moment.
Right before they were in range of Scott, he stomped on the floor causing shockwaves. It knocked James to the ground and took his breath away, Colby staggered on his feet dazed. Pixie fell, completely knocked out. Scott walked past them.
Scott paused. “My master thanks you for this.” He held up a giant black stone that shimmered in the light. From it pulsated darkness.
By the time James stood, Scott was gone, and several other heroes arrived. Pixie lay motionless. “Is she going to be okay?” James asked.
“She'll be all right,” Colby said. “She's tough. That was a dirty trick Super did.”
Dirty, but effective.
Petrice
The stuffiness of Invincible's waiting area clouded Petrice's mind. Her nostrils flared on her flush face. She had missed Scott being a villain. Part of her didn't believe it. How could anyone in her family become evil? No, must be a mistake. An imposter might have taken his place. Ardents can mimic others, take their shape. That has to be it. If not, she'd kick the crap out him. Make him regret doing this to her. To their family.
Shouting rang from behind the large oak door. Invincible sounded pissed. Petrice didn't want to go in. Unfortunately, Invincible summoned her first thing. James informed her of the raid and then she received the message to head here as soon as possible.
The phone on Janice's desk buzzed. She answered, and a second later. “You can go in now.”
Petrice gulped. Sweat poured down her face. She stood, paused. “Okay.” She walked to the door. She smiled at Janice.
“It's not your fault,” Janice said. “Don't worry.”
Petrice nodded and entered the office. Invincible stood staring out his window, behind him Valiant Rush, Gravitation Woman, and Chilling. They turned to her. “Mortal,” Invincible said. “I'm sure you heard.”
Petrice nodded. “Yes.”
“Did you happen to scan him yesterday?” Valiant asked.
“No.” Why hadn't she? She might have stopped the raid on HQ if she took that step. If she had, the death of two heroes and the injuries to three more might not have occurred. “Sorry.”
“Don't be.” Invincible left the window and walked around. “We all missed it yesterday. I was cautious but not enough.”
Gravitation Woman walked to her. “Can you sense him now?”
Petrice reached out. Scanning for Scott, his mind used to be familiar to her. She spent years talking to Scott this way. He let her practice using her powers with him testing how far she could reach. The best Petrice achieved with Scott was Port Sinclair, a city further up the east coast. Today nothing. “It's blank. A void, as if they are dead.”
“I have an idea,” Chilling said. “This master that Super spoke of must be a Netherworld user and a powerful one.”
“Like you,” Petrice said.
Chilling stood stiffly. “Yes. And now he has the Stone of Azuria.” Chilling's body shivered. “It's a powerful relic. Formed at the beginning during the event that altered the world.”
Wow. Something from then was still around. Growing up Petrice was told that the things from before and right after the event were gone. She had always thought the people that saved earth back then might be alive. The stories said they were granted immortality from God.
Chilling walked to her. “With my connection to the Netherworld and your psychic ability and the boost of another one, we might be able to crack this block on Super and Stone Rush, if he is still alive.”
“What can I do?” Petrice asked.
Chilling smiled. “Glad you're interested. First, I want to acquire another psychic, even if it's one with only minor talent, to boost you. We'll have to go to Djinn Park, it's the location with the strongest connection to the Netherworld.”
Invincible went to his desk and made several calls. A few minutes later, “Pixie is better. She can be your minor psychic. She's weak physically right now, and she’s not a strong psychic, always better with the bow. But she said she'd assist.”
Chilling nodded. Many Fey have psychic abilities. But not all.
“Okay. The downtown headquarters is along the way. Gravitation Woman, you'll go with us right?” Chilling asked.
She nodded. “Good. All of us can fly.”
Chilling lead the way to the roof to take off. It didn't take long to reach downtown, Pixie waited on the roof for them. They barely stopped for her before continuing to Djinn Park.
Petrice wasn't thrilled with heading there again. The attack from the skull masked villain and meeting Scott again rattled her. She shook trying to forget about it. She had to be strong. Locate Scott and David.
“Don't worry,” Gravitation Woman said. She must have noticed Petrice's unease.
“I'm trying not to. The park never scared me before, but now it's filled with bad memories.”
“I get it.” Gravitation Woman flew a little closer. “I felt so bad when David and James were ambushed having been there minutes before. My next few patrols I was off my game. Letting it upset me.” She paused for a moment. “Use this mission. Let it be the one that boosts your confidence. You'll find him. And make up for yesterday. For Scott.”
Not all
of Petrice wanted to locate Scott. If she did, and he was evil, that made it real. And that scared her just as much as not detecting him. “I will.”
Chilling directed them to the center of the park. They landed in a tight formation. He twisted around to them. “It will take a while to set this up.”
The clock struck noon as Chilling finished his preparations. Chilling gathered several things from around the park. Infusing them with the Netherworld. Watching him work intrigued Petrice, Chilling was the most mysterious hero in Cynosure, when in the city. The disappearance act of his happened from time to time. His past was a mystery, but he was old. And it didn't show. Maybe part of his powers was anti-aging. But that didn't make sense.
“All set,” Chilling said. He appeared to be worried and scared about it all. He tried to hide it, but it still showed. Petrice didn’t need to be a mind reader to spot it. “Gravitation Woman, can you create a protective shield around us.”
She nodded and concentrated for a moment, the surrounding air shifted. Gravitation Woman mastered gravity and could form shields around people to protect them. They weren't impenetrable, but it did keep you relatively safe. She was one of the more powerful Ardents in the Hero Coalition, even if most didn’t acknowledge it. Many were fearful of powers like Gravitation Women or even Petrice’s.
“Good, now the three of us will join hands,” Chilling said and held up his hands for both Petrice and Pixie to produce a circle. “Good. I'll channel the Netherworld pushing it into the three of us. And I'll be doing...it's not important. Be ready to explore once the Netherworld pierces you.”
“Is this safe?” Pixie asked. “It doesn't sound safe. The Netherworld entering us.” She spoke so fast Petrice barely understood her.
“It's safe if we don't keep the connection prolonged. You only have thirty seconds. Be quick. Pixie you'll have to aid Mortal, give her everything you can. And Mortal, don't hold back. It doesn't matter if he senses you touch him or not. We must find a location. Something. Who his leader is.”
