by Nathan Howe
"It's not so much a lead," Valiant said. "But you remember that affair in Djinn park a month or so ago."
Djinn Park was a sore spot for most heroes in the Hero Coalition. The way the Faith of the Withering completely overrun the area making it the most dangerous part of town. A bunch of low-level Ardents and non-Ardents. Who believed in an Ardent from eons ago was going to come back and give them ultimate power.
Invincible grunted. "Of course I do." He sighed. "Yet another sore spot in that area."
"I hoped to talk to the Private Investigator Steve. See what isn't in the reports. And if he's heard anything from Chilling. I've been reaching out to Chilling. And nothing. He's the expert on the Netherworld. But no one has seen him in months."
Invincible rubbed his chin while he thought. "I've tried to reach out to Chilling's regular contacts. They said he's been in Azure City. But talking to Steve might provide useful information. And it is a good test for Mortal and Broken."
And they finally got to the reason Petrice was here. A field test. Nice. She wanted to do real work. Even if only just a fact check mission.
"I can fly over to Broken, he should have his uniform by now."
Invincible picked up the phone, "Janice, call to inform Colby we are sending Broken on a task with Mortal. And can you procure the address of the Private Investigator Steve in Djinn Park for Mortal."
Petrice collected up the address on her way out and rushed out of the building. She couldn't wait to go on a mission. James would be ecstatic to just vacate the building. It was nice to be let out without them trying to make sure she wasn't being followed by zombies or anything else. The last few days it had let up with the over protection.
It didn't take her long to make the flight over to meet James. The more that Petrice flew, the faster she got. By the time she arrived James was ready to go.
"I can't believe it," he said standing in front of the building. James was going to test how far and fast he could run, while Petrice flew above. They gave James a communication device however it's a waste with Petrice's abilities. However, it's better to be prepared than not. James took a depth breath. "Fresh air. It smells so good."
She smiled. "I smell body odor and gasoline." Petrice wrinkled her nose.
"Yeah. Isn't it great?" James stared up at the Sun. Letting it smother him. His new uniform glistened in the light. "Let's go."
"Don't go too fast." Petrice learned that most super speeders run faster than she could fly. "If I can't keep up I'll tell you, and vice versa. Okay?" Petrice said.
"Roger that." James sprinted away to the north to Djinn Park. Broken was fast with the nanobots giving his legs extra strength and endurance, but Petrice kept pace with him.
They made the trip in decent time since they could avoid the traffic in the city, and congestion filled most the roads now, evening rush hour. Petrice was glad that James was able to run. If they had to drive, she would have broken a window.
The building of the Private Investigator, who has cool magic powers, was a dump. Petrice had trouble seeing an Ardent living and working here. It wouldn't be safe. They walked into a room with a desk tucked into the corner, and workout equipment taking center stage. Mixed in with the equipment was a man wearing nothing but gym shorts. He was enveloped in tattoos and rippling muscles. There wasn't a wasted spot on his skin; each and every spot held a tattoo. His pitch black hair with a buzz cut made him tough. Along with his toned body.
"You can close your mouth," James said. Petrice snapped it shut.
Steve glanced up. "Great, heroes. You can leave."
"We want to ask you questions," Petrice said. She walked into the center of the room, the hint of stale cigars lingered. It was dark and dingy with the door closed behind them. "It's about the zombies you fought."
"Shocking," Steve said. He touched his arm and made a cigar and matchbook real, carrying both in his hand, leaving his skin tattoo free in their place. "Kid. I told Inflamed everything. And CPD. It's in the reports."
He lit up the cigar and took a deep puff and went over to his desk and sat behind it. "Please. We're being assaulted by them in midtown. They took my cousin, ambushed Mortal here. We just want to see if they are related," James said.
Steve's eyebrow perked. "Are you sure they are Netherworld Zombies?"
Petrice nodded. "I touched their mind."
"Ouch," Steve said. "I'm sorry. I hope it didn't hurt too much."
"One of the oddest and painful experiences in my life."
Steve tilted his head back. "I want to assist you. Unfortunately, it's all the report. Fools messing with the Netherworld. Hunting for something. And before you ask they never said, and I never found anything."
Petrice hoped he might have something he left out. "Are you sure you left nothing out?"
"Trust me, kid. I didn't. Inflamed was very pervasive this time. If I did, she'd make me regret it. And I enjoy my life as it is. All I can do is guess. And I'd say you're dealing with the leader of those idiots. I didn't arrest him."
"Okay," James said. He put his arm around Petrice to guide her out. She wasn't happy.
Outside it was musty, the Sun had begun its slow descent out of the sky. James' nostrils flared. "Do you smell that?"
"Rotting flesh." Great. "Zombies."
The coalition would never let them out of the headquarters. James and Petrice were surrounded in seconds, at least ten of them. James had his sword out ready to strike. The door burst open from Steve's building. Steve stood there with katanas in his hands. He lunged forward to strike, and James followed his lead.
Tentacles rose from the ground surrounding each of the zombies keeping them secured. They couldn't move far in each direction. Petrice gazed up into the sky to reveal the source. Hovering twenty feet in the air was Chilling wearing his signature dark blue and black uniform, with a hood and mask concealing most of his face. Darkness from the Netherworld leaked from him, and a chill. He commanded both the Netherworld and ice. Petrice flew up to join him in the air. She never met him. She read about him and seen him from a distance. Chilling was one of the oldest heroes around, rumors surrounded him, saying he was so old that he was one of the first, here when the Event happened.
"Mortal." Chilling nodded. He didn't take his eyes off the zombies below. One by one he released them, allowing James and Steve to make quick work of them. The slaughter efficient Steve and James worked well maneuvering around the zombies. And they both floated slowly to the ground to join them in the now safe streets of Djinn Park. Well, as safe as this part of Cynosure can be.
"Where the hell were you?" Steve asked as soon as they landed. "I almost died because of these damn things."
Chilling stared silently for a moment. "I'm sorry Steve. Was out west researching."
"Well, do you know what's going on?" James asked. He stood next to Steve with his sword still out.
"Again I do not young man." He twisted to Petrice. "Someone is out to harm Ardents, nothing else."
Steve rolled his eyes. "The great Chilling. And he's no help." Steve pivoted and went back into his building. The frustration on his face apparent.
"Ignore him," Chilling said gesturing. "Walk with me."
Chilling lead them into the Park. "Someone aided people to venture further into the Netherworld. Deeper than I'd dare go. Luckily Steve removed the people he befriended."
Petrice didn't like the sound of that. Chilling was the greatest user of it. And if someone were trying to best him it would lead to death and destruction. Chilling continued, "I've been researching ever since your brother, Super, went missing."
"You thought then it was connected to the Netherworld?" Petrice asked. Until recently she hadn't thought it had anything more to do than Scott wanting to be the most powerful Ardent around and that wouldn't happen in Cynosure.
"I had a feeling. The Netherworld began to act up then. Many new users. I hoped if I left Cynosure whatever caused the Netherworld to act up might reduce. But it got worse. And I learned
little while away. Just beware. The only useful information I learned was what this leader wants. A stone."
"Stone?"
"It's a powerful one." Chilling paused and recalled a memory. "Well protected. It's a gateway to the Netherworld, it allows people to go deeper in and pull out more. Dangerous. And in Steve's report, they mentioned them investigating for something. It must be the Stone of Azuria."
Chapter Nine
Spector
"Master," David said as Spector burst the cell that held him. The cell wasn't necessary, but it had one of the few beds that David fit on. It also reminded One Rush who was in charge. It let Spector retain his authority over him. Super lived in one similar. No one here had an actual room but Spector. He smiled. A small show off who was the man here.
Spector walked over and sat next to David who had aged in the short time here. Years older than the young college kid when he transitioned to the dark side. "I have something for you. It will make you even more powerful and able to seek revenge on your sister and cousin."
David smiled. "Yes." He nodded.
Spector reveled in the damage he did to David. Converting him from the goody-to-shoe, he was into a kill. One that demanded it.
"Revenge." David's eyes glistened with the Netherworld bleeding them.
That was what Spector wanted to hear. "Fetch the belt and his new costume."
Two of his minions carried in a large belt that gave the wearer power. Immense power. The Belt of Raijin, created by one of the first Ardents. When worn the person would gain the powers of Raijin. The ability to summon lightning. Spector hoped with his stone skin and the belt he'd be unstoppable.
"Stand." David stood, and Spector's minions dressed him in leather pants, a full mask that concealed his face, with a menacing skull on it. Then they placed the belt on him.
The air in the cell crackled and swirled around David. A moment later David stood in the center drastically different, now covered in tattoos. All related to Raijin. A terrifying image. Spector's spine tingled. Spector's best work.
"I have a mission for you."
"Yes. Master."
Chapter Ten
James
They left Chilling in the park. James was glad to be out of his presence, something about him that made James uneasy. Instead of running and flying they walked through the park. Petrice deep in thought, her eyebrows burrowed. James feared this might be the last time he will ever step a foot outside. A one and done. He didn't like that. The idea of not being able to go outside again, James took care to make this trip persist. Long as possible so he could enjoy at least this one trip outside. It didn't matter that it was Djinn park. It didn't worry James that The Faith of the Withering might attack. The scent of pine from the trees relaxed James. The wind through his hair soothed his tension. The birds chirping let his mind drift. Back to school, sitting outside with David in the summer casually checking out girls.
"Did you see that?" James asked.
"See what?"
A flash of red lightning off in the distance and thunder. Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. They continued to walk in the park towards Cynosure River and downtown.
"There," James said pointing to the west away from downtown.
"Saw it this time," Petrice said. "What do you think?"
Before he answered it happened again this time much closer, the heat from it radiated the surrounding area. Once it dissipated a large man stood in the center. He had stone skin similar to David, but that is all he shared with him. The man a shroud of tattoos and wore a mask of a skull. He only wore leather pants and combat boots. It made for an interesting and terrifying appearance. Unmoving he stared at Mortal and James eyeing them with intent.
"A friend of yours?" James asked glancing at him in her direction, but not taking his robotic eye off the man.
Petrice shook her head. She didn't take her eyes off him. Sheer terror formed on her face and her knees buckled. "What?"
"He's connected to the zombies. I tried to scan his mind. It's blocked. A hive connection. It's not the same as them, but close." Her face was pallid, she wiped sweat from her forehead. "He might lead us to David."
With that knowledge, James sprinted right at him pulling his sword. James struck with full force. The sword bounced off his stone skin.
The stone man grunted. "Is that all you have James?"
What? How did he know my name? James 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 shock of electricity shocked him as he neared, throwing him back. The mystery man shot 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 flew in 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, and was thin and bald, wearing a gray and purple outfit. The new entrant to the battle stood behind the one man and reared up and punched him. The punch sent the man flying. Petrice fell from the sky after the lightning bolt struck her.
Chapter Eleven
Petrice
Falling to the arms of their 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 managed. "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 Investigators 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 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. She 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."
Chapter Twelve
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. So they believed it."
One Rush grunted 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 defense 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 it or even distract it 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, 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.
