Artemis Volume 4

**Running in Circles**

Started June 6th 2020

Finished June 25th 2020

Line count:
Amelia - 173
 Terra - 160
 Amala - 81
 Leon - 74
 Millie - 71
 Ivan - 68
 Jilaya - 65

## Issue 1 - Dependant Weakling

Donny: How bad is it?

Terra: I’ve had wounds like this. I just need to keep the blood in. Not out.

Terra tried to move. She tried to get up, the wound stung and she fell back down to her position.

Terra: Looks like you’re dragging me home.

Leon materialized in the middle of the cell. He looked around at everyone.

Leon: God you all look like absolute shit.

Amelia realized where she was. In the cell she had been trapped in before going to the astral realm. This was her chance. To save everyone she loved.

Millie: You don’t have to remind us.

Leon: So, you all wanna do this?

Amelia: Yeah. If you can.

Leon: I should be able to. But there's a problem. What if someone walks by? Plus you all have no idea what you are getting into.

Amelia: This is our last chance to beat Ivan. We have to g-

Amelia thought to herself.

Amelia: Is everyone okay with going in?

Everyone nodded.

Amelia: Yeah, we’re going.

Amelia watched all of this from the timestream. She went back a little in time and took the place of her old self.

Leon: So, you all wanna do this?

Terra: Yeah. we have too. Ivan has to be stopped.

Amelia: I don’t think we should.

Donny: Why?

Amelia was speechless for a second.

Amelia: He knows how to use it better than us.

Donny: Why the sudden change of mind?

Amelia: I know a better way.

Terra: How would we possibly get out?

Amelia: Stand up Terra.

Donny: She’s hurt! She can’t!

Amelia: Do you want to get out or not?

Terra: It’s alright.

Terra got to her feet slowly. Donny helped her a little.

Amelia: There is the power of Artemis in you. You can tap into your power can’t you?

Terra: Yeah. But I can’t even do anything.

Amelia: Yeah you can. Remember that destruction page?

Terra: Yeah…

Amelia: Just try this. Take a deep breath and let the power flow into you.

Terra took a deep breath. But nothing happened.

Amelia: Maybe you aren’t experienced enough…

Terra: I don’t even know what you’re talking about! You’re just making excuses!

Amelia: Wait. I have something I can do.

Amelia started vibrating her body. It was just like doing it the first time again. She phased through the jail cell and let everyone out.

Leon: Why didn’t you do that earlier?!

Amelia: I dunno. Let’s just go.

Donny: She’s so weird. Let’s just go with it.

Donny and Millie helped Terra move.

Amelia: Leon, can’t you teleport us out of here?!

Leon: Oh, yeah of course!

Leon tried to cast his spell. But it didn’t work.

Riley walked into the room.

Riley: You can phase? You never showed that before.

Amelia: It was all part of my master plan.

Riley: A plan? Really? It won’t matter. I already beat you.

Riley ran at Amelia and threw a punch. But Amelia dodged easily. She punched Riley in the face and sent her flying. She ran over to the other side of her and punched her in the back.

Riley: That was lucky.

Riley got back up and ran at Amelia. Amelia dodged and threw a kick. Riley got hit. Amelia shot off kick after kick into Riley and punched her to the ground. Amelia realized her streaks when she kicked were red instead of her normal blue.

Riley: What the hell…is that negative lightning?

Amelia: Stop changing the subject!

Riley tried to get up. But Amelia ran over and pushed down on her leg. She punched her sister in the face over and over.

Amelia: You’ll never stop me again.

Donny: Amelia stop! What the hell are you doing?! That’s still you’re sister!

Amelia got up.

Amelia: Let’s just...go home. I’ll run you all there.

Donny: Okay…

Ivan’s voice came from behind.

Ivan: Crafty. You broke out. We’ve been observing you for ages. And you could never phase.

Amelia: Well now I can.

Amelia ran right to Ivan’s face. She vibrated her hand and tried to stab through him. He moved to the side and kicked Amelia into the wall. Leon shot a fireball at Ivan. He cut it in half. Millie ran up and threw a hook. Ivan ducked and kicked Millie. Amelia ran up to strike down Ivan. But he slashed back at her.

Donny: I think this could end badly. Keep holding Terra.

Donny teleported behind Ivan and kicked him in the face. Ivan swung his sword up at him. He teleported out of the way and threw a kick at Ivan. He blocked and punished with a hook kick to Donny’s face. Millie ducked under a sword swing and punched Ivan in the gut. He was untouched. Millie went for a backfist. Ivan took this chance and got Millie into a chokehold. Amelia’s heart sank. Ivan snapped Millie’s neck.

Ivan: That’s that. I would leave before one of you is next.

Amelia swallowed her hate and ran all her friends out of the base and back to the blue coats hideout.

Terra: What just happened?! Millie just…?

Terra covered her face with her hands.

Amelia grabbed the closest thing to her, a chair and broke it on the ground.

Amelia: WHAT THE HELL?! Why can’t the universe see me happy?!

Donny: Amelia! Calm down!

Amelia: I can’t calm down! Don’t tell me that shit!

Amelia realized what she just did.

Amelia: I-I’m sorry Donny. I’m sorry for yelling.

Donny: It’s alright. Just, calm down.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The bright summer heat beated down on Amelia. It had been 3 months since Millie’s death. Everyone still went through the EOL crossover. And things were starting to settle down. Amelia wasn’t wearing her blue coat at all. Instead she had an orange jacket that was a little bit too big for her. She was outside of her house cooking something on the grill. Donny walked out into the patio. He also didn’t have a blue coat on.

Amelia: What would you like? Sausage or hot dog?

Donny: 2 hot dogs.

Amelia: How do you feel today Don? Today feels like the first chill day in a while.

Donny: Maybe for you. I’m heading out today.

Amelia: Oh yeah, with Terra?

Donny: Yeah. Guess shc can’t get enough of me.

Amelia: Have fun. You deserve it.

Donny: Amelia? Are you okay?

Amelia: What? Of course.

Donny: Are you like, sick? You’re just suddenly so nice.

Amelia: You said that last month too when I offered the blue coats to you.

Donny: I’m just happy for you. You seem like you changed for the best.

Amelia: Yeah. Maybe I did.

Amelia put two hot dogs on a plate for Donny. They stayed outside and ate.

Amelia: It’s just weird. I felt close to Millie.

Donny: And you should stop doing that weird shit. I don’t mean to be rude, but you barely knew her. I was so surprised by the way you reacted. You said the universe wasn’t on your side. Does that even mean anything?

Amelia: No. I was just...frustrated. But all that matters is that you-I mean we are here now.

Donny: If you say so. I’m going to go meet Terra.

Amelia: Where are you guys going again?

Donny: We’re taking a trip to Harlem for the weekend. It’s for her 18th birthday. There’s all these jazz nightclubs. I think she’ll like it.

Amelia: Sounds like fun.

Donny: I should’ve asked you if you wanted to go.

Amelia: No! I don’t want to be a third wheel!

Donny: Okay then. I’ll see ya on Monday.

Amelia came over to Donny and hugged him.

Amelia: Have fun.

Donny: Seriously. You had to have caught something.

Donny grabbed a bag and teleported out of the house. Amelia smiled. She got a text on her phone. It was a group text with Oscar, Blue and Harry.

Blue (Text): We still on for tonight?

Amelia texted “Of course.” She looked at her calendar. It was the day the Shadow Squadron first showed up. Amelia had spent months tracking them. She ran to the black coat base. She started sneaking around the base. She heard some people talking down the hall. It was Fleet’s voice. She snuck close to the door.

Amelia: Nobody is going to get hurt anymore.

Fleet: Are you both ready? We’re finally coming back outta the woodwork!

Mary: I must say, I am excited.

Fleet: I’m so proud of all of you. Come on.

Fleet opened the door. Just to have Amelia stab her hand right through Fleet’s chest. She threw his dead body down to the side. Her hand was covered in blood.

Mary: Who the hell are you?!

Tess came down to Fleet and shook him.

Mary looked right into Amelia’s eyes.

Mary: You’re going to die for that!

She swung her sword at Amelia. She literally punched Mary’s blade out of her hand. Amelia tackled her and grabbed her blade. Tess grabbed her by the back. Amelia did a backfist to her face. She stabbed Tess through the stomach. Mary got up and faced Amelia. She threw a kick at Amelia’s leg. Making her fall to one knee. She pulled the sword out of Tess and swung it up. Slicing Mary’s head clean off. She was covered in blood.

Amelia: Now you can’t do anything to hurt me. Ever again.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Terra and Donny walked into one of Harlem’s many nightclubs.

Donny: See? This is what Harlem is all about!

Terra: There’s so many lights. And all these people look so lively!

Donny: That’s called a hangover. Sadly we can’t drink. But we can dance.

Terra: Before we dance. We need a bunch of these.

Terra had a bunch of glow sticks.

Donny: Are you seriously intrigued by a bunch of glowey sticks?

Terra: Come on! These things are state of the art!

Donny bought Terra a bunch of glow sticks.

Donny: Alright. To the dance floor!

Donny grabbed Terra’s hand and started dragging her with him.

Donny: What? Do you not wanna go?

Terra: No I love it here! But it’s just, I have no idea how to dance.

Donny laughed.

Terra: Hey! Don’t laugh!

Donny: Alright. Follow my lead. It’s like fighting. But less punching and kicking people.

Terra: Oh okay then! That’s easy!

Donny and Terra spent the next hour on the dance floor with all the other people. Listening to the DJ hype the crowd up and blast the party music. They both stepped out of the river of a crowd. Which started to get bigger and bigger.

Donny: In 30 minutes or so they’ll probably start bringing out the comedians.

Terra: There’s a comedy show here?

Donny: Yup. You’ll like it. I promise.

Donny: Here, let’s order some food.

Terra: We get food?

Donny: Yeah of course. What was it that you liked again?

Terra: Anything meat.

Donny: But you like ribs the most. Right?

Terra: Oh why did you remind me!? Now I need to get them!

Terra and Donny ate their own respective foods. And through the night watched different comedians. By the time they came out it was 11 pm.

Donny: I told you you’d love it.

Terra: You haven’t broken any of your promises yet. Don’t worry. I’ll get it out of you.

Donny: I doubt it. Oh, and happy birthday.

Terra laughed.

Terra: You almost missed it.

Donny: Only by an hour.

Terra and Donny shared a passionate kiss. They made their way back to Donny’s car.

Terra: So we’re sleeping in the car?

Donny: Yup. Home is like 5 miles away so there’s not really much of a point to buy a hotel.

Terra: So we could just go home.

Donny: But that ruins the magic. This is a birthday weekend. So I have one thing planned tomorrow. You’ll love it.

Terra: You promise?

Donny: Of course.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Oscar: So what are you doing for a job now Blue?

Blue: You haven’t seen me? I’m a barber. I cut Harry’s hair a little while ago.
Oscar: How's the wife?

Blue: She wants to move somewhere less packed. Now that I left the blue coats she’s been trying to do all this crazy shit.

Amelia walked in the door. She was wearing some new fresh clothes.

Amelia: No Harry tonight?

Oscar: He’s underage. Plus he was hanging with his other peeps from school today.

Amelia: Oh yeah.

Amelia had a quick flash to the times she spent with Millie in this bar.

Oscar: You gonna get a drink?

Amelia: Yeah, of course. It sucks because I can’t get drunk.

Blue: Trust me, if you could get drunk. You’d wish you couldn’t.

Amelia spent the rest of the night talking with the two. This was the first time she’d seen them in weeks. Eventually it was getting late. And they left. The bar was pretty much empty. Amelia just sat and got lost in thoughts about the countless days her and Millie spent in the bar.

Amelia: You aren’t going to send me home?

Bartender: No. We have one more guy who comes in late.

A man in a tan trench coat and a white shirt and black tie and black pants. He had blonde short hair and a little facial hair. He was smoking a cigarette. He took a puff and sat next to Amelia.

Bartender: Ah, John Constantine. What do you need tonight buddy?

Constantine: The normal. Maybe a little extra kick, eh?

Bartender: Got it.

Constantine turned to Amelia.

Constantine: What are you doing out so late, luv?

Amelia: Oh nothing much. The same as you, getting drunk.

Constantine: Really? Oi, get her another too.

Bartender: Gladly.

Amelia: Oh, you don’t have to do that.

Constantine: No it’s my pleasure. I’ve never seen someone out here this late.

Amelia: Well I’m just kind of. Paying respects to an old friend.

Constantine: I getcha.

The bartender handed both of them their drinks.

Constantine: It’s what I like to call coping.

Amelia: Yeah let’s call it that.

Amelia took a drink. And so did Constantine.

Constantine: I don’t mean to reign on your parade. But I smell a little bit of blood on you. Don’t worry. We won’t call the cops or nothing.

Amelia: Blood? I’ve never heard something so rude. Why would I have blood on my clothes?

Constantine: Well that should be obvious luv. Probably because you killed someone. That’s a little dodgy. Coming to a bar after you killed someone.

Amelia started vibrating her hand. She stabbed her hand right through Constantine. But nothing actually happened. All she did was tab Constantine with her hand.

Constantine: Something the matter? I’ve seen that move. From a speedster perhaps.

Amelia was speechless.

Constantine: You reset the timeline. And you might think everything you did was because you’re helping the dead. And killing those that made those people dead. There’s no point in doing anything to you, luv. Because your bonkers. And because ol’ Empyrean is probably already halfway here.

Amelia: You don’t even know what you’re talking about! You aren’t a speedster! How would you know? And what’s an Empyrean?

Constantine: Empyrean is an almighty god of destruction. And he’s either going to destroy this Earth and timeline. Or the Earth and timeline you came here from. And I’m going to have to put another limiter on the bloke. And the cherry on top. He’s Integer’s father. Next time you fuck with time. Don’t fuck with time. He’ll be here in a month or so. I’ll make sure to point him to you, luv.

Amelia was speechless. Maybe Constantine is just crazy. She started to lose consciousness. She fell unconscious on the floor.

Constantine: Whoops. Might’ve overdone it a smidge.

## Issue 2 - Bipolar Nightmare

Amelia woke up in the morning. Was that Constantine thing just a dream? She certainly hoped it was. She was back at home. In her bed. She got up and looked around. Being back at the bar made her think about Millie. Maybe she could fix things. Maybe everyone could be happy. She took a deep breath. She won’t mess up. Not again. She would go back and return to her present. Amelia got up and started running back to the moment she changed time. She just needed to stop Ivan. Maybe that would fix things.

Amelia: Let’s just...go home. I’ll run you all there.

Donny: Okay…

Ivan’s voice came from behind.

Ivan: Crafty. You broke out. We’ve been observing you for ages. And you could never phase.

Amelia: Well now I can.

Maybe if she just. ran. But she couldn’t get everyone at the same time. Looks like it was becoming one by one. She grabbed Donny, then Millie, Then Leon. She came back for Terra. And brought her home. She didn’t have time to worry about talking to them. She ran forward in time to where she left. She got a very bad headache. So bad she fell to her knees. After a couple minutes it went away. She had two memories of last night. She thought about meeting Constantine. But she also remembered she met with Millie last night. She started getting even more and more terrible headaches. She sped right over to the bathroom and tried taking some medicine to slow down the pain. But it did nothing. She ran over to her couch and laid down. Hopefully it will run its course.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Donny and Terra walked in the door to the house.

Donny: Looks like she can’t take care of herself when I’m gone. Amelia!

Amelia yelled from the other room.

Amelia: I’m in here.

Donny and Terra came over to the other room. Amelia was laying on the couch. She had drunk tons and tons of water.

Donny: Jeez

Terra: What happened Amelia?

Amelia: Just a headache.

Terra: JUST a headache?

Donny: Must’ve been a really bad one.

Amelia: Yeah, a really bad one.

Terra: What did you and Millie do last night?

Amelia: Uh….Let me think…

Donny: How do you forget something you did yesterday? You can’t even get drunk!

Amelia: Speedster brains are weird, okay?

Donny: Alright then...I’m going to walk Terra home, okay?

Amelia: Wait a sec! How was the weekend?

Terra: I’ve never seen anything like it! Donny picked the best places!

Amelia: And the comedy show wasn’t shit?

Terra: I don’t know what you mean. It was awesome.

Donny: Yeah. It was pretty cool. Most of the jokes went over this one’s head.

Terra: Hey! No they didn’t!

Amelia continued lounging. Her headache had just faded away. She thought about yesterday. It was like she had a hangover and forgot most of what happened the previous night. But instead it was three months. Donny returned after about an hour. He teleported into the house. And came over to Amelia to check on her.

Donny: Alright, number one. Are you okay?

Amelia: Y-yeah.

Donny: Well, you’re always so organized. The house looks like I stayed here by myself on the weekend. You’ve been having random weird moments for the last few months. A headache so bad you drank ALL the water in the refrigerator.

Amelia: Well then what’s number two?

Donny: What the hell are you talking about?

Amelia: You said number one a second ago.

Donny: ...WELL, what is wrong with you? You just forgot you hung out with Millie last night. Which is weird too.

Amelia: Why don’t you just get off my back? Why does it matter that I forgot a little thing such as hanging out with Millie?

Donny: Because you were telling me all about it before I left. You seemed pretty excited.

Amelia: Well maybe I got drunk. Or really wanted to forget the night.

Donny: You can’t get drunk! I thought we decided we would be open and honest with each other!

Amelia: I...I just need some time to think.

Donny: Think now! You’re hiding something! Talk to me!

Amelia thought. How was she going to get out of this? Amelia stood up and literally ran out of the house. And into the timestream. She ran a couple minutes into the past.

Donny and Terra walked in the door to the house.

Donny: Amelia!

Amelia yelled from the other room.

Amelia: I’m in here.

Terra: What’s going on Amelia?

Amelia: Oh not much. I’m just chillin.

Donny: Yeah right.

Amelia: How was the weekend?

Terra: I’ve never seen anything like it! Donny picked the best places!

Amelia: \*sigh\* And the comedy show wasn’t bad?

Terra: I don’t know what you mean. It was awesome.

Donny: Yeah. It was pretty cool. Most of the jokes went over this one’s head.

Terra: Hey! No they didn’t!

Donny: Either way we're just checking on you. I’m going to walk Terra home.

Terra: I can walk myself home!

Donny: Well you can walk me to your house.

Terra: That works.

Donny: Did you survive the weekend Amelia?

Amelia: Yeah. It was great.

Amelia realized she had her coat on. And it wasn’t covered in blood. The last night had fallen into place. But she only remembered killing them before talking to Millie. She did a quick scan through Hell’s Kitchen. She came to the black coat’s base last. She saw Fleet and the group walking back into the base. She’d just snap their necks. It’d be quick. She came behind Mary and snapped her neck. But she came behind Fleet and thought about how it might’ve been for the blue coats in her original universe. She stabbed both her hands into him. Rising him into the air. She ripped him in half. Tess was shocked with a rush of fear. Amelia took one of Fleet’s swords and stabbed it into her. And tackled Tess to the ground. She took Fleet’s sword and stabbed Tess over and over. Pushing the blade into her chest, and out again. Her screams get more and more violent. She stopped herself. And threw Fleet’s blade away. She leaned to the side and started crying. She felt like a monster. But on the other hand, it felt relieving. Better than last time. What if she killed Ivan? And then Integer? She could fix everything. Nobody would ever have to die ever again. She knew exactly where Ivan lived. She stood up and ran across the country to California in an easy 30 seconds. She blew past where she knew Ivan’s house to be. And turned around to run. But Ivan was just standing in front of her.

Ivan: Hello Amelia.

Amelia stared Ivan in the eyes. She thought about the fact that he killed her brother before she ever had the chance to make up for her sins. The fact another time he killed Millie. He caused the deaths of the blue coats, every last one of them. She was the reason she and Donny were enslaved for years. He was the reason for everything wrong in her life.

Amelia: Did you also see what I did to your shadow squadron?

Ivan: …

Amelia: Nothing to say?

Ivan: You killed them three times. Three times. Getting revenge once is enough. Isn’t it? I’m sorry for killing your friends and brother in that other timeline. But it was necessary for my plan to work.

Amelia: Stop telling yourself that! Donny wasn’t supposed to die back then. And you just killed the blue coats because you thought they were a threat!

Ivan: Well they were.

Amelia: And...wait a second. How do you know I killed them three times?

Ivan: I'm not just someone who knows how to travel through the astral plane. I’m from there.

Amelia: You’re from the astral plane? Don’t things from there not look human in the slightest?

Ivan: This body isn’t what I really look like. But creatures from the plane are nigh-omniscient. I know many things. If I wanted to look at another existing timeline, I could. And you took the bait I gave you. Now it won’t be long until-

Amelia: I can still stop you. I am now an arbiter of fate if I want to be. You can’t hold me back anymore!

Amelia ran straight past Ivan. And back into the past. She ran back in time to where she changed it all. The source. She went just before she attacked Riley and ran away.

Donny: Amelia! Where the hell are you going?!

Amelia ran into the other room and vibrated her hand right through Ivan.

Ivan: ...Good Job.

Amelia brought her hand out and left Ivan to die. She ran back into the future. A future with no Ivan. Integer was nowhere to be found. A future where Amelia was an arbiter of fate. When someone got on her case she just changed the timeline. Or killed them. She took one day and sat down in the house. She was just wearing her black shirt and new pants. Downstairs all her other clothes reeked of bleach and other cleaning products. From all the blood. And her once tended too and vibrant blue hair was now dark and hanging down. Messy. Donny and Terra came into the room and sat next to her and watched the tv. Donny had his arm around Terra.

Terra: Hey Amelia. We should go out looking for some new clothes at some point. You’ve just always been wearing that black shirt.

Amelia: Eh, I like this shirt how it is.

Terra: What happened to your other clothes anyway?

Amelia: Ugh.

Amelia stood up and ran right out of the house. She ran down her normal route. The portal to the timestream opened up. She went to run in but just ran into the portal like it was a wall. She couldn’t go through.

Amelia: What the…

She tried to stick her hand through. And when she tried she was electrocuted. She tried to run in. But she just ran into it like it was a wall again.

Amelia: No. No this is wrong.

Donny teleported next to her.

Donny: Amelia! Why’d you run away?

Terra: Better question. What is that?

Terra looked at the portal.

Amelia: It’s. It’s um…

Donny: Amelia. Is there something you aren’t telling us? What is this?

Amelia: It’s…

Terra: Come on! There’s something you’re hiding. What!? You’ve been acting weird Amelia. And this tops everything! What is it?!

Amelia was being suffocated by Donny and Terra’s continuous pleas.

Donny: Amelia! Come on! There’s something wrong!

Terra: Talk to us!

Amelia screamed and vibrated her hand. It was almost in slow motion. She stabbed her hand straight through Terra’s chest.

Donny: AMELIA?!

Amelia was breathing heavily. Almost hyperventilating. She just ran away. Onto a building. She out her hands on her face and cried into them.

Amelia: What have I done?

The portal that Amelia had generated got even bigger. Donny was forced to take Terra and teleport away. A bunch of streaks of lightning came out of the portal. Two speedsters appeared in front of Amelia.

Speedster 1: Amelia. You have committed numerous crimes against the laws of the speed force. This timeline is being destroyed.

Amelia: Wait. Destroyed?!

Speedster 2: Yes.

Amelia: But, what about Donny. I have to talk to him!

Speedster 1: You made it so talking to you is the last thing he ever wants to do. You caused so many problems even the speed force can’t fix! So we are sending you back to you’re main timeline.

Amelia: No! I have to talk to him! I can’t let this end the way it started!

Speedster 2: You will no-

Amelia vibrated her hand and stabbed it through Speedster 2. She kicked Speedster 1 off the building and to his death. She got up and ran down to where Donny was.

Donny: Amelia…

Amelia: Donny! I-I’m sorry! Talk to me!

Donny: Don’t throw that shit onto me! You talk to me! Why?!

Amelia: I learned how to change the timeline.

Donny: Change the timeline? What the fuck are you talking about?!

Amelia: Stop yelling! Listen to me! I’m from a timeline where you died in the first fight against Ivan. And I brought you back!

Donny: You sound insane right now.

Amelia: But instead that time Millie died instead. So I came back and changed that. And then I changed the timeline and killed Ivan. So nothing would ever happen!

Donny: What the hell?! You can’t play god like that Amelia! Even I know that! You aren’t a god! If you got over my death you would be way happier than you are right now! But why did you do this?! Why did you kill Terra...?

Amelia: I...Don’t know. It was just my instant reaction.

Donny: What? You're instant reaction?! What happened to you? What went wrong?

Amelia: I just want to be happy. I want things to be like they always used to be.

Donny: That’s why we move on! And you clearly can’t. And I don’t know if I can either. But I’m obviously not going to be around for long. So I hope you get what you deserve.

Amelia: So you said if I got over your death I would be happier?

Donny: Amelia. Don’t.

Amelia: If things are ending. Their ending on my terms.

Amelia laughed. She ran at Donny but fell on the ground. She felt her speed being syphoned out of her by the speed force. She was back to her regular speed.

Amelia: I don’t need this speed to do what I’m about to do.

Donny: Amelia.

Donny was welling up with tears. While Amelia was welling up with confused tears of hatred, but also love. She ran at Donny. And he teleported out of the way.

Donny: Amelia. I’m not fighting!

Amelia ran at Donny and punched him to the ground. She kicked him over and over again. Until Donny caught her leg and got up and pushed her to the ground. Amelia’s once brown eyes turned into a vibrant red. She vibrated her body and got up through Donny. She kicked him in the back and to the ground. She put her leg on his back. He teleported behind her and kicked her in the head. Amelia dodged under and uppercut Donny into the air.

Amelia: Don’t worry Donny. I’m going to kill you!

Amelia punched Donny in the stomach, blasting him through the window. She ran up to him and stood above him.

Donny: For what it’s worth. You’re still my sister. And no matter how much of an asshole you are. I love you.

Amelia: Shut up, Shut Up ,SHUT UP!

The timeline shattered around Amelia.

## Issue 3 - Come Down

Terra was laying on the ground. Her arms still broken. Amelia had just ran out of her life. She groaned. And was determined to get to Amelia. She summoned her power into herself. But she felt nothing happening. But she couldn’t just lay there and be useless. She got up just using her legs and made her way over to Millie. Amala and Leon were helping her to her feet.

Terra: Where’d she go?

Amala: She time traveled.

Leon: Wait, she time traveled? Like back in time?

Amala: Seemed like it. She wanted to get her brother back. If we’re here right now that means she’s coming back.

Millie: How does that work?

Amala: She time traveled back in time to save her brother from dying. By doing that she erased this timeline. So if we’re here then she has to be coming back.

A portal opened far away from everyone. Amelia stumbled out of it. She was still broken and battered. Her hair messy and dark blue. Her face angry, yet tired of everything. She collapsed on the ground. Her black shirt was stained with blood. And her hand was covered in it. Millie got up and ran over to her.

Amala: Be careful!

Millie: I don’t care. Is she okay?

Amala: I don’t know everything! Maybe. She could be dead.

Millie checked her pulse.

Millie: She’s alive. She just looks tired…

Amala: Yeah, and like a complete murderer. Do you not smell that? Or see it?

Millie dropped Amelia and backed up a little bit.

Millie: Blood?

Terra: She...killed someone.

Amala: You wanna know who?

Terra: Why would I want to know who?

Amala: I dunno, it’d be pretty cool. You test the blood.

Leon: Alright, everyone calm down. Let’s bring her home and see what’s up. And we should also grab Mike.

Leon teleported away and came back with Mike.

Mike: Thank god, she came back.

Leon: Lucky us.

Terra: Are you okay?

Mike: Eh. I guess

Amala: Come on. Let’s take her back to the RV.

Leon teleported everyone to the RV. Millie laid Amelia down on the couch across from the booth seat.

Millie: What now?

Mike: I guess we wait for Amelia to wake up.

Amala: Seems like a great option. We all need rest no matter what. Oh, and aren’t your arms supposed to be broken?

Terra: Still are. I tried to draw my power in earlier and it didn’t work.

Amala: Maybe you were too stressed.

Terra: Well I’m not sitting still. So I’m going outside and trying to summon my power into myself.

Leon: Wait a sec. I might be able to heal you. Or atleast make the healing process faster.

Terra: I’m doing this for me. Plus my healing is probably faster.

Leon: That’s a hot take.

Amala: I’ll go. Keep an eye on Amelia guys.

Terra and Amala stepped outside.

Leon: Millie, I should probably try and patch you up.

Millie: I think I can make due by myself.

Leon: Alright then. It’s not like you need to do anything if Ivan just comes over to us right now and tries to attack us.

Millie: Okay, okay. I get it.

Leon brought Millie to the backseat of the RV.

Leon: Looks like your face is totally fucked. And a little bit of damage on your torso. Let’s take care of that first.

Millie: Okay. So you just hold your hand out and I’m healed, right?

Leon: No. I have to directly touch you.

Millie: Yeah I think I’ll pass.

Leon: Aren’t You being a little unreasonable?

Millie: Sorry. It’s just weird.

Leon: Seriously? Just because I’m leaving my hands on you for a couple seconds makes it weird…? Okay it’s kind of weird. Just don’t think about it.

Leon started healing Millie.

Leon: We didn’t even talk a whole lot over this trip did we?

Millie: Not really.

Leon: You were mostly buddy buddy with Amelia.

Millie: Wait, I was? Oh yeah, I was.

Leon: I mean, yeah. Are you guys like...you know?

Millie: Like what?

Leon: You know. Together?

Millie: Is it that obvious?

Leon: Wait, you are?

Millie: No! I did like her though. I think it was the same back. But after all of this. I doubt anything will come of it.

Leon: I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news. But Amelia murdered Fleet and Mary. And probably would’ve killed Tess if Beck didn’t get to her first.

Millie: ...Well they were responsible for killing the rest of the blue coats.

Leon: They were just taking orders. They seemed like they were still people. Even redeemable people. But when Amelia takes that hard of a fall from grace. Things can get bad fast.

Millie: How would you even know? You’re only like 18!

Leon: True. But most missions Krilla went on towards the end of her career. I went on too. I’ve seen shit like this before.

Millie: But she can be better can’t she?

Leon: Depends on what she did when she time traveled. We don’t know how long she was gone.

Millie felt miserable. There was nothing she could do but try, And even at that. She could do nothing right now.

Terra was standing a little ways from Amala.

Amala: We should probably be resting.

Terra: I’m just going to try and heal myself.

Terra got very relaxed and sucked up her breath. She felt the power enter her body. Her arms felt a little better. Terra tried to move them. But just felt the pain.

Terra: Better. But I don’t think I’m totally healed.

Amala: It’s fine. We’ll work it out.

Amala and Terra came back in.

Mike: Did it work?

Terra: For now. You should lay down for a while.

Mike: I failed everything. I got captured. And my speed is gone. All gone.

Terra: It’s not really your fault.

Amala: Well he did get captured. Don’t try and raise him up. He fucked up. Maybe you’ll get a chance to redeem yourself.

Mike: Maybe this info will help. When I was with Integer she took a little bit of my speed. Leaving just enough for Amelia to travel in time. It’s almost like that’s part of her plan.

Terra: She wanted Amelia to time travel?

Mike: It sounded like it.

Terra: That makes no sense. That would destroy all of her work she did after my first fight with Ivan.

Amelia started stirring. Everyone’s attention turned directly onto her. She jumped out of the seat and looked at everyone with glowing red eyes. She ran out of the RV.

Amala: Fuck! Leon! Teleport!

Leon teleported after Amelia. He teleported far up the street. She stopped right in front of Leon.

Amelia: Don’t follow me.

She pushed Leon to the ground and vibrated her hand. Leon went to cast a spell but Amelia was punched out from behind. It was Riley.

Leon: Riley? What are you doing here?

Riley: I’m on your side this time.

Riley ran over to the RV. Leon teleported into it.

Millie: What is she doing here?

Riley: Don’t worry. I want to know what she did.

Terra: You never got involved with her life. Why do you care now?

Leon: Isn’t that beside the point now?

Riley: I promise not to hurt any of you. Yet. Amelia could’ve totally fucked with our lives. And we would be none the wiser. So I want Leon to use his magic fuckery to make her tell us the truth.

Amala: Truth serum?

Leon: I’m not going to confirm or deny that I can make her tell the truth. But-

Amala: Stop it with the buts! We all want to know why she’s like this. Don’t we?

Everyone nodded.

Amala: Then it’s settled. You do anything Riley. You die.

Riley: Fine with me.

Leon: Let’s learn the truth then.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The bright sun glimmered down onto Jilaya’s welding mask, which she had flipped up. Her, Ivan, Axel and Erica were all standing in front of three graves. Fleet, Tess, and Mary

Ivan: Everything is in order.

Erica: But at what cost?

Ivan: Enough of a cost. Your old man is on his way, hun.

Jilaya: Then their sacrifice was worth it. They opened the next door for us.

Axel: But what about Amelia?

Ivan: We should sit back. She might just be the weapon we needed all this time. She might just rip her own team apart.

## Issue 4 - Truth’s Razors

Leon: So you really all want to know the truth?

Everyone nodded.

Leon: Okay.

Amelia was tied down with some sort of anti-speedster restraints. Once Michael was tied up in. Leon put his hand on her head. With his thumb on her forehead.

Leon: Astarte vous oblige à dire la vérité

As Leon said the spell Amelia sparked awake and felt her head in pain. His thumb lit up. He removed his hand. Amelia was quiet.

Riley: Wow. You look terrible.

Amelia looked at everyone. She tried shaking out of the chair she was tied into. She knocked herself on the floor.

Amelia: LET ME GO!

Amelia was struggling wildly.

Leon: Amelia. Here’s a simple question. Why did you travel back in time?

Amelia stopped struggling.

Amelia: Isn’t it obvious? To save my brother and everyone else who died! I was fixing everything!

Leon: So you were saving people. Right? Then why are you covered in blood?

Amelia: I...Why are you asking?

Leon: That doesn’t sound like the truth. Look. If you answer all our questions, we’ll let you go.

Riley: No we won’t!

Leon: Yes we will. Right?

Riley: Ohhh. Of course.

Leon: Who did you kill?

Amelia: I pretty much lost count. But I killed those shadow assholes about twice.

Leon: Wait. The shadow squadron?

Terra: She killed them twice...

Terra tried to contain her anger.

Terra: Why did you kill them?

Amelia: They deserved it. They were murderers. I couldn’t let them take my friends from me.

Terra: Then whose blood is on you?

Amelia: Yours.

Terra: Mine?

Amelia: I’m sorry! I didn’t mean too! I was trapped!

Terra: Trapped? Like how?

Amelia: There was a portal...and Donny was yelling...and I just…

Terra: Just what?

Amelia: snapped.

Terra: So Donny was yelling at you and you tried to KILL me?!

Amelia: Yes.

Terra: What is wrong with you? What happened to you?!

Terra distanced herself from Amelia before she did anything bad.

Amelia: I just want to go back. Let me go back!

Leon: Go back to the timeline you were in?

Amelia: I have to. I fucking have to!

Leon: So you just want to go back to your perfect world?

Amelia: It’s better than here! I’ll kill all of you! Nothing matters! None of this matters! Don’t you see?!

Riley: Wow. I know we didn’t see eye to eye. But you need help Amelia. Do you think Donny would want you to be like this. Literally fucking insane?

Amelia: He didn’t need to know. If he got suspicious I would just change the timeline.

Mike: You had to have messed something up. Wait, did you mess something up?

Amelia: Yes. There’s one thing I know I messed up. Something that I think is out of the speed force’s hands.

Mike: Tell us.

Amelia: Someone...Something maybe. I forgot his name…

Riley: As always. Useless.

Amelia: Fuck you! You left me and Donny alone for those terrible people! The people who killed Donny! You helped kill your brother!

Riley: You think I didn’t feel like what I did was wrong? You killed Terra, you killed Fleet, Tess and Mary twice. And each time you did it violently. You stabbed them over and over. You sliced them in half. You butchered them like animals.

Amelia was bewildered by the fact Riley knew what she did.

Riley: Ivan told me everything. You like killing. You LOVE killing. It’s great when there’s no consequences right?

Amelia: They deserved it! They killed my family! It was revenge! You all can understand, right?

Amala: Once you go after revenge, you can lose yourself in the process. Look at you. You ironed two solutions to your problems into your fucked up head. Time travel. Or kill whoever stood before you. It’s pretty obvious you chose the kill option a good bunch of times.

Amelia: In that case, what are you going to do to me?

Everyone looked at eachother.

Millie: I don’t think we know. You can still be better, can’t you?

Amelia: I think I can.

Riley: Clearly that truth spell didn’t work. Because you’re lying to yourself.

Amelia: Just let me go!

Terra: We know enough.

Amelia: So you will let me go?

Terra: Yes.

Leon gave Terra a dirty expression.

Leon: Uh...Terra.

Leon signaled for Terra to stop.

Terra: Trust me.

Terra set Amelia free. She stood up and immediately pinned down Mike. She tried taking speed from him.

Mike: Wow, look at that. I have no speed.

Amelia got off of him and fell on the floor. And started crying. Everyone just looked at her, petrified.

Mike: I’ve seen cases like this. But never something as bad as Amelia.

Amelia: You all don’t understand. If you had the chance to change it all, you know you would. If you won’t listen. Then maybe you’ll understand if I show you.

Amelia threw a punch at Terra. She caught Amelia’s hand and got her into a submission.

Terra: We’re not fighting you.

Amelia vibrated her body and stood up through Terra. She kicked Terra in the face. She fell back and rolled to her feet. Amelia kicked Terra out of the RV and into the parking lot. She came over and threw a bunch of punches to her stomach and then an elbow to the face that Terra dodged. She pushed Amelia’s arm out of the way and kicked her back. Amelia sped around Terra in a circle and punched her from all angles. Terra waited until the perfect moment and fired on her destruction form. Throwing Amelia back. She ran up to Terra and vibrated her arm. She tried to hit Terra over and over. With Terra dodging each strike forward. She grabbed Amelia’s arms and put them behind her back and pushed her to the ground with her knee on her back.

Terra: Stop Amelia!

Amelia struggled and her eyes turned their glowing red. Amala came down and kicked her in the head and knocked her out.

Amala: I was waiting for someone to help. But I guess not. So, what do we do with her? We have to make a decision. Now.

Terra: ...We might have to keep her with us. If we let her go who knows what she’ll do.

Riley: Did you forget jails exist? Even meta jails exist.

Terra looked back at Millie. And then back at Riley.

Terra: I want to see how she acts. We just got her back.

Riley: Let go of your attachments to her. She’s turned into a monster. You heard what she said. She told you what she did.

Terra: I guess I’ll find out if she really is sorry.

Riley: Your being stupid. But I won’t complain. If you die. It all works out for us.

Terra: It’s not the right thing to leave her.

Riley: See ya later assholes.

Riley ran off. She met up with Jilaya and Ivan.

Riley: She’s crazy. And faster still.

Jilaya: Don’t worry. We’ll take care of you.

Jilaya took out a needle with some sort of liquid in it. It looked almost electrified.

Jilaya: This is Michael’s speed. With this, you’ll be much faster than Amelia. I have other vials. If you're going to use it. Only use it in small doses. Enjoy!

Riley took the needle.

Riley: So this will increase my speed?

Jilaya nodded.

Jilaya: What are you waiting for?

Riley stabbed the needle into her and let the speed enter her body. She lit up with a light blue lightning. Similar to her light blue long hair. She felt the power run through her veins. It hurt for a minute. But only for a minute.

Riley: Nice.

## Issue 5 - Tainted Love

Terra watched Amelia wake up from her fight. Terra didn’t know if she was doing the right thing by keeping Amelia around. But her gut told her she couldn’t leave her. Integer could do something terrible with her. And if she let her loose she’d probably kill people. Plus, if she was put in prison Integer would probably just get her out. So here she was. Staring the woman who killed her in a different time in the face.

Amala: Something tells me this is going to end badly.

Terra was startled by Amala’s intrusion into her thoughts.

Terra: Y-yeah. Er...no. I have the firepower to protect anyone she attacks.

Amala: Unless she aims for your arms. Don’t forget that she could…

Amala straightened her hand and hit Terra in the stomach.

Amala: Kill you just like that. Lucky for you, your speed boost is great in destruction.

Leon: Hey Terra, where are we off to anyway?

Terra: Your asking me?

Leon: I mean, I don’t think it’s a stretch to call us team Artemis.

Terra: Team Artemis?

Leon: Catchy right? Much better than blue coats. Plus, we all don’t wear blue.

Terra: In that case, we should track down Integer.

Amala: What about Mike? He should probably be dropped off somewhere. Considering he isn’t that useful anymore.

Mike: Don’t worry. I have somewhere I need to go.

Terra: Where?

Mike: The speed force.

Amala: How are you expecting to make it into the speed force? You got no speed.

Mike: Don’t worry. I have a way. I can just exit here.

Terra: Wait, if you get your speed back, wouldn’t you be at risk of Amelia taking it again?

Mike: Yeah, sadly for me, I’ll have to limit myself on speed. But I’ll make sure to be faster than Amelia.

Mike jumped out of the RV and walked away.

Amala: I wonder what he’s up to...Hey Leon, you wanna take the wheel?

Leon: Me?

Amala: Yeah, who else would I be talking to?

Leon: I mean, I don’t see why not…Are you sure?

Amala: Goddamnit yes! I’ll sit shotgun.

Terra smiled and sat down. She didn’t even feel like talking to anyone. She had to relax before the fight of her life happened.

Millie: Just promise me you won’t do anything to anyone here. We’re giving you a second chance.

Amelia: A second chance? I don’t deserve a second chance.

Millie: You're so indecisive!

Amelia: My mind is still scattered. I just want to go back.

Millie: Well let's try and make something good out of this world. Why don’t we try something normal?

Amelia: Normal like what?

Millie: We could go out somewhere.

Amelia: Out somewhere? Like a date?

Millie: ...uh. Yeah.

Terra: You guys are going out somewhere? Amelia, can you run wherever your going? Without doing anything illegal?

Millie: Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on her.

Amelia: Where to?

Millie: I don’t know. Let’s just go for a run around here and see where.

Amelia grabbed Millie and ran her out of there.

Amala: You think it’s going to go over well with Millie when Amelia shows her true colors?

Terra: What do you mean?

Amala: Amelia isn’t going to last long. She’s broken. I don’t think you get the gravity of the situation.

Leon: Hey Terra. I have a question for you.

Amala: Don’t change the subject!

Terra: Yeah?

Leon: Why do you even want to defeat Integer so bad?

Terra: It feels like a duty. For my people and the metas she hurt. For people just like Donny she caused the deaths of. I’m the only one who can defeat her.

Leon: Are you though? What about people like the Sentinels?

Terra: She controls politics. The government. Why do you think slave camps are still around?

Leon: That’s kind of smart of you.

Terra: It just disgusts me.

Amala: Well actually, it’s not smart. You are planning on going right up to her and defeating her. If you beat her in a fight, are you going to kill her?

Terra: No. I don’t know if that's right either.

Amala: In that case. You didn’t think. I figured we were going to get something on her. Or, more simply. We just kill her and collapse everything she built. Your choice. That was what I thought the idea was at first. No matter what. You have some thinking to do. She clearly has a real plan laid out. And we have to come up with something.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Amelia and Millie were both sitting across from each other at a restaurant called Henry Hall’s. Amelia was bumping her knee up and down and twiddling her thumbs.

Millie: Something wrong?

Amelia: N-nah. It’s just all these people around us.

Their server came up to them. He had a Henry Hall uniform on. Which was a combination of red and white. He had blonde short hair and a little facial hair.

Server: Nice night today, isn’t it ladies? I’ll be your server this fine evening. What can I get both of you for drinks?

Millie: Just a pepsi or coke.

Amelia: Whatever your hardest mixture is.

Server: Blimey! You really think you can take the tequila sunrise, eh?

Amelia: Wait…

Server: What’s wrong, Luv?

Amelia started to vibrate her hand. Before she moved it Millie grabbed her wrist under the table.

Millie: That sounds just right. Thanks.

Server: I’ll be right back with that.

Millie: What the hell was that?! Control yourself! There are people around us!

Amelia: Why should I care? They could care less about us! And I know that guy. He roofied me. His name is Constantine or something.

Millie: And you respond by trying to kill him?

Amelia: He wouldn’t be a random server here!

Millie: Who cares. Maybe you altered his destiny by traveling back in time.

Amelia: Let's just...change the subject.

Millie: Okay, but promise me. No vibrating hands.

Amelia: Okay.

Millie realized she had been holding Amelia’s hand for a longtime. She let go of her.

Millie: ...what kind of things did you get up to when you were time traveling. Like how was Donny?

Amelia: I think all the questions everyone asked me were aimed at the bad things I did. They didn’t imagine how much better off life was for all of us. Donny was great. I finally got to correct my past mistakes. I loved deeper, And I spoke sweeter, And I gave forgiveness to myself. Donny was surprised. He asked me if I was sick because I was a better sister.

Millie: I’m happy for you in that regard. I can understand why you did what you did. Even if it was fucked up. I think we can bring you back to the way you used to be. If we put in the work.

Amelia: ...thanks.

The server came back with their drinks.

Server: What would you like to order?

Amelia: I’ll get a hawaiian pizza.

Millie: and I’ll order the BLT.

Server: Absobloodylutely. I’ll put those in as soon as I can.

Millie and Amelia talked for a bit over small things. How Kris was, etc. They finished their food and walked out to wait for the RV to come and pick them up.

Millie: So...I have an interesting question.

Amelia: Yeah?

Millie: Isn’t there supposed to be like...a cosmic balance? Like you saved Donny. Does that mean someone else died?

Amelia was quiet for a second.

Millie: So that’s a yes?

Amelia got close and looked Millie dead in the eye.

Amelia: You died. Ivan snapped your neck in front of me.

Millie: Me? I DIED?

Amelia: Yeah. And it wasn’t long until I couldn’t take staying without you. So I went back. I saved everyone.

Amelia looked away.

Millie: You...saved me from death? Everything could’ve ended much worse.

Amelia: I know.

Millie drew Amelia close. Closer.

???: Figured you lot were a buncha dykes. I’ll save you the pain.

Constantine now had his tan trench coat and a white shirt and black tie and black pants.

Constantine: But you need to know what you did. Because you really cocked up this time.

Amelia: I remember you. You already told me.

Constantine: About Empyrean?

Amelia: Yeah! That was his name!

Constantine: I wouldn’t be excited about the fact you just used his name. I hear you have an RV with other friends. They all need to know the truth.

Amelia: Do they really?

Millie: Amelia. Don’t.

Amelia stepped away from Millie and tried running at Constantine. She ran through him. But he was untouched. Amelia got some sort of chip on her arm. And she was frozen in a block of ice.

Millie: Hey! What did you do?!

Constantine: Don’t worry. She’s fine. I had to be prepared in case she attacked me.

Millie: But you weren’t prepared for me.

Constantine: Ah ah ah. Before you attack. Think about what you did to yourself. As Repulse you are all about justice. But you don’t know shit about it. Because you help someone who is full blown nutters. She did some bad shit. She might be the cause of the end of the world. And you just want to get in bed with her. I do know girl on girl is better though. So I won’t blame ya.

Millie was straight up speechless.

Millie: You don’t even know anything about her!

Constantine: If you really know more about her than I do. I won’t blame you. Here, I’ll help you.

Constantine went over to the frozen Amelia.

Millie: Hey!

Millie went to attack. But Constantine threw down a marble. Which she slipped on. He put his hand over Amelia’s head. His hand lit up. And then his eyes lit up with energy. He let go and was heavily breathing.

Constantine: Wow. She really lost the plot here.

Constantine went over to Millie and tapped her on the forehead with his finger. She saw everything. Everything that Amelia did.

Millie: Wha..

Millie fell unconscious from the shock.

Constantine: Well that’s just great.

## Issue 6 - Destined

Two wine glasses clinked together. Ivan and Jilaya were sitting in chairs next to a pool. Jilaya had her hair tied into a bun with some of it hanging down. Just not as far down as usual. She was wearing a split neck top. Which was black at the top and faded into a dark blue. She had some simple jeans on under. Ivan was wearing a vanilla suit. Very similar to Axel’s.

Ivan: Isn’t it nice? We finally are able to sit back and relax for a while.

Jilaya: It’s a party. Parties are to be enjoyed. Are they not?

Jilaya took a final swig of her wine glass. Ivan rushed to finish his.

Ivan: I’ll get us refills.

Jilaya: No. I’ll do it.

Ivan: Are you sure?

Jilaya: You may want me to be your little queen. But I can stand on my two feet.

Jilaya got up and stumbled a bit. Ivan got up and caught her.

Ivan: Clearly you can’t.

Jilaya smiled at Ivan. And they kissed. She got to her feet. Perfectly fine.

Jilaya: I’m not that easy to get buzzed.

Jilaya went into the huge garage. Much bigger than their house. Almost like a warehouse. Where Axel and someone wearing one of Jilaya’s work uniforms. She had long white hair and red eyes. They were both hard at work on the huge project.

Jilaya: Why don’t you go outside Axel? Now’s not the time to work on everything. Didn’t we invite enough people to start socializing with?

Axel: Everyone I know I enslaved.

Jilaya: Then make some new friends. Talk to my soldiers. And there's tons of rich girls here.

Axel: Friends are for stupid people. Me and Four are not done working.

Jilaya: Then come hangout with me and your father. I’ll let you have a glass of wine.

Axel: Is that a deal?

Jilaya: Deal.

Four: What about me?

Jilaya: Go hang out with everyone else. Some of your brothers and sisters are by the pool. Or helping cook.

Four: But I’d rather keep working.

Jilaya: Come on! Just be a little sociable today. For me!

Four: Fine.

Axel jumped down and went over to Ivan. Jilaya went inside and filled up three wine glasses. There were a bunch of people talking. All political figures of some sort. Erica walked into the kitchen and was grabbing plates.

Jilaya: What are you up to?

Erica: Food.

Jilaya: I’ll take a reuben.

Erica: We have rubens. I’ll get on that.

Jilaya: Hey, Erica.

Erica: Yeah?

Jilaya: Loosen up a little, won’t you?

Erica walked away with the plates. A man walked up to her. He had some gray hair, but most of his hair was still black. He was wearing sunglasses and a suit. His golden watch stuck out like a sore thumb

???: Oh hello Jilaya. I don’t know how to thank you enough for getting me out of the slammer.

Jilaya: Oh right, Grandfather. Correct?

Grandfather: Yes. I’m looking forward to working with you. Is that for me?

Jilaya: Er...no. For my husband.

Grandfather: Of course. Let us think of this as a reunion. To us working together.

Jilaya: Make sure to be gentle with my children.

Grandfather: Don’t worry.

Jilaya walked away. Someone walked up to her. She had long, unkempt frizzly hair. And was dressed nicely with a dress she clearly overpaid for. It was six.

Six: I took all day preparing! Do you like my new outfit?

Jilaya: Of course! But one thing.

Jilaya snatched the knife out of Six’s waist.

Jilaya: No stabbing today.

Six: Sorry! It’s just an impulse.

Jilaya: It’s okay. Just remember. No knives at parties.

Jilaya went back downstairs with the wine. She gave the drinks to Ivan and Axel. The kids of the various politicians were swimming in the pool. Lots of Integer’s soldiers were spread throughout the party. 2-14. Soldiers who all had the same red eyes as Six. They were all dressed nicely for this occasion however. Erica stepped outside onto a balcony. Riley was out there talking with some of Integer’s soldiers, Seven and Ten. Seven looked asian. And wore a long sleeve shirt that stretched down to her knees. With a black and purple sweatshirt over it. She had red eyes and blonde pigtails. Ten had a tank top on with wraps around his hands and forearms. He had long sweatpants and boots as well. With a red scarf to top it off. He had long black hair. Down to his cheeks. And vibrant red eyes.

Riley: You’re so lucky Seven! You don’t have to do any work. Unless it's a big guy.

Ten: That’s why her name is Seven!

Seven: Seven’s just a number. It doesn’t mean anything special. It is nice when nobody bothers me and I can just do whatever though. It’s almost boring. Nobody stands a chance against me!

Ten: Sucks for me. All I have is this shitty soul blade.

Riley: Yeah. And I work with Ivan. So we do the real heavy lifting.

Ten: Yeah sure. We still do stuff. You’ve just been chasing the dicks in the RV. I’m usually on riot control.

Riley: Riot control?

Ten: Yeah! There’s slave camps all around.

Seven: There’s not as many as you might think. Just stationed in either populated areas or wherever Jil’s allies are.

Ten: But there’s a good amount of rioters. Nobody likes metas and mutants being jailed up. But with the influx of metas there has to be some guiding hand. At least that’s how ol’ Integer puts it. Me and the smaller guys take down people who organize riots or hold back protesters or rioters.

Erica: I think it's a little much. Especially because mom wants peace. You can’t have peace when you're starting the problems.

Riley: I wouldn’t say she wants peace. But she doesn’t want all out chaos. Sometimes it's hard to tell what she wants.

Erica: I almost wanna take a load off and go and do my own thing. I wanna do my own thing once I turn 18.

Seven: Hey, you do you girl.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Jilaya clicked her glass. She stood up in front of everyone at the party with a mic.

Jilaya: First, I’d like to thank all of you for coming. I love and appreciate all of you. Most of you must know that this party is in remembrance of three soldiers who fought valiantly against the terrorist organization known as the blue coats. We almost smoked them out. But there are still remnants of them. We know of five of them who are out there right now. Terra Lorenz, Amelia Ashi, Millie Koruba, Leon Los and Amala Acosta.

Pictures of everyone appeared on a screen behind Jilaya.

Jilaya: If anyone has or can collect information on them it would be much appreciated. Those people are responsible. But this party is to commemorate Mary Enaj, Tess Paisley, and Fleet Jackson. I’m sorry for your families.

Not long after the party started to calm down. And everyone left except Jilaya’s family, Riley and her soldiers. Erica went over to her room and laid down on her bed. She was tired. Axel walked by.

Axel: Hey, we aren’t done.

Erica: Ugh. Can’t we be done?

Axel: No! Just come down.

Erica: Can you come here Ax?

Axel: What is it?

Erica: You aren’t tired of this shit. Fighting tirelessly against those guys?

Axel: Not until I defeat them.

Erica: I just want it to end. I want to be a normal girl. I mean, you're older and you could go off to college and make your own life. But you stay. Why?

Axel: I want to help mom. She’s so inspired. Why don’t you have her same inspiration?

Erica: I want to lead a normal life. Not this shit. I think I might be the only one who isn’t a megalomaniac here.

Axel: Harsh, but true. I get it, you might want to take a load off sometimes. But we can’t just give up.

Erica: It sucks because I’m doing it for mom and dad. I still love them. It’s just…

Axel: Yeah. I may not agree with you. But I getcha. That doesn’t mean I’m going to let off on you. Well, maybe just for tonight. But ONLY tonight.

Erica: Really?

Axel: Don’t push it. If you say really again I’ll probably say no.

Erica: Alright then. I’m taking a big nap. Night.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Ivan and Jilaya sat down in their bedroom together.

Ivan: That was a helluva speech back there. Beck is fully covered up though, right. Nobody needs to know he killed Tess.

Jilaya: Well then I would be in jeopardy and considered unsafe. Beck had to take a little break. He’ll have his time in the light.

Ivan: Indeed. Congratulations on your big day.

Jilaya: Don’t forget today was also a celebration for dad coming back. The people didn’t need to know that...I can’t help but think everything I built for him won’t be enough. What if it isn’t?

Ivan: It uh...It will be. He hasn’t seen you in so long. Of course it’ll be enough.

Jilaya: You don’t know my dad. He’s hard to impress.

Ivan: You have control over most of the government. If you wanted to do something. You could do it. Think about it. You are good enough for yourself. Good enough for me. Good enough for your kids. Fuck your dad. If he doesn’t like it. He can go back to the phantom zone.

Jilaya looked at Ivan in shock of the speech he just said.

Ivan: I’m sorry. I’m from the astral realm. Not really good with these new feelings.

Jilaya: No...It was perfect. We’ll send off the kids tomorrow for the rest of them. Maybe to slow them down. Or kill one or two.

Ivan: We need to atleast get a read on them.

Ivan and Jilaya laid down next to each other. Jilaya clicked a button and made the ceiling transparent like a window. So they could look up at the night sky.

Ivan: A little stargazing? Now?

Jilaya: Maybe we’ll be able to see dad from here.

Ivan laughed.

Ivan: I doubt it.

Jilaya: Wanna bet?

They both looked at each other and kissed.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Axel and Erica had just suited up to fight.

Axel: You feeling good?

Erica: I feel kinda rejuvenated, I’m ready to tangle with those pieces of shit.

Axel: That’s what I like to hear.

## Issue 7 - Survival

Constantine was sitting next to an unconscious Millie and the frozen Amelia. He lit a cigarette and took a puff. Amelia started vibrating her body rapidly. She broke through the ice and turned to Constantine.

Amelia: What did you do?!

Constantine: Don’t worry luv.

Amelia: What did you do to her?!

Constantine: I just showed her everything you did. Including killing all three of the shadow squadron. She probably won’t like that.

Amelia: Do you think I had a choice? They would’ve killed my friends! I wasn’t letting that happen again.

Constantine: And you lost your way through doing that. Be honest!

Amelia: Shut up.

Amelia ran at Constantine. Constantine threw up his hand and made a magic wall. Which wrapped around Amelia and trapped her. Leon pulled up with the RV. He jumped out of the RV and looked at Constantine.

Leon: Holy SHIT! John Constantine?!

Constantine: That’s the name mate.

Terra: Who is that?

Leon: Everyone stand down. You had to have done all of this for a reason. Right?

Constantine: Let’s go with that. You and your friends have to know something. Just help me with these people.

Leon brought Millie in with Telekinesis. Terra came over to Amelia.

Terra: Hey, Amelia. Are you okay?

Amelia: Yes and no. Just let me free you prick!

Constantine: Promise not to do anything hasty and I’ll let you out.

Amelia: Fine whatever! I promise.

Constantine undid his spell. And everyone boarded the RV.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Leon was marveling at Constantine.

Leon: There’s so much you could teach me. You're like a role model to me, you know.

Constantine: That’s great and all but we have other problems. Would you like to tell everyone. Amelia?

Amelia: No.

Terra: I think we asked her a question about this. But she forgot.

Constantine: Well I didn’t. Because I’m the bloke that put the limiter on the wanker.

Amala: Limiter? On what?

Constantine: A man named Empyrean. Or more like god of destruction.

Terra: GOD of destruction? How are we supposed to deal with that?

Constantine: Not really god. More like celestial.

Amala: Cean is a celestial. Isn’t he?

Constantine: Oh, that asshole? Yeah. He’s one of the weaker ones.

Terra: He could make whatever he wanted out of thin air and teleport us across states.

Constantine: Well Cean can do lots more than that. You’d probably want to talk to him. But here’s the icing on the cake. Top notch wanker Empyrean is also Integer’s old man.

Terra: Old man? Like father?

Constantine: Right. And he would love to claim the world for his daughter. You have time before he gets here though. But not much.

Terra: How much time?

Constantine: Not sure. Maybe a good solid three months. Maybe. But if you had a motive to destroy Integer. How about the motive of keeping the human race in its current state. Not a bunch of slaves or metas trying to kill each other. This could either mean the end of the world. Or total global destruction.

Constantine looked over to Amelia.

Constantine: Anything to say?

Amelia: Well. If the world ends. At Least it’ll finally be over.

Terra: She didn’t even know she caused it!

Constantine: Rubbish, saying that is like trying to defend Hitler in court. At Least he had some values left over. Amelia traveled through time and didn’t know what she was messing with. You don’t even know how much things you cocked up.

Everyone was silent.

Amelia: You know if you had the power, you would turn back time! I-

Terra: But you did have the power. And you overdid it. By a lot. So much so that you set a god of destruction free! How is that justified?

Constantine: You can continue shaming her later, luv. I’ll give you a little help here. I know where some of Integer's little monsters are. So maybe you could get some info out of them.

Amala: Little monsters? As in children.

Constantine: Finally someone who gets me.

Constantine did some sort of spell. And marked a location on the gps. He turned over to Leon.

Constantine: You’ll have to show me some of your moxie someday lad.

Constantine walked off the RV.

Terra: Hey! Where are you going?

Constantine smiled.

Constantine: No offense luv. But I’m not here to be part of your little squad of...whatever you are. I have other things that need to be sorted. One thing however. Give me a ring if Amelia starts acting up. Or if she gets possessed by a demon or something. Here’s my card.

Constantine flicked a card over to Terra. She caught it and looked at it. “JOHN CONSTANTINE, Exorcist, Dermatologist, and master of the dark arts.”

Constantine: Also. I’m not a master, just an occasional dabbler.

Constantine took another puff of his cigarette and walked down an alley. Seemingly disappearing. Terra walked back in the RV.

Leon: Holy shit! Me and John Constantine were in the same RV together. And he was even cooler up close!

Millie had gotten back up. She looked over at Amelia in shock.

Millie: I saw you...you did all that.

Amelia: I know. And I’m sorry for it!

Millie: You said you wanted to go back! You aren’t sorry at all!

Amelia started to panic. Terra came over.

Terra: Amelia. Calm down.

Amelia: You aren’t going to yell? Nothing?

Terra: I don’t know.

Millie just sat away from Amelia.

Amelia ran out of the RV quickly. She was in a parking lot. She just let out an angry scream. She fucked it up again. Just like she always does. She rampaged around and punched through tons and tons of car windows in a rage. She punched through the last window and fell down against the car.

Amelia: Fuck!

She ran right back to the RV and sat down at the booth against the window. As far against it as possible.

Amelia: Ugh.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Amala had the wheel now. It was night and they were driving down the highway. They pulled off into a gas station to get gas.

Amala: Here.

Amala gave Leon some money.

Amala: Go in and get some food or something. Some trail mix and an energy drink for me.

Amala stayed outside and filled the car up with gas. Amelia stayed in the car. While everyone else went into the convenience store. Terra was looking at the miscellaneous candy. When someone in a black hoodie brushed past her. He turned to her.

Terra: Sorry about that.

???: Don’t worry. You’ll be sorry about this as well.

The man punched Terra in the face. She fell to the ground. It was Axel.

Axel: Surprise!

The person at the cash register cowered under the register. Millie and Leon came over.

Axel: Company. Please. Show me what you have to offer!

Millie came in for a punch. Axel jumped out of the way and pushed the shelf over on top of Terra and Millie. Leon shot a fireball across the store. Axel made it disappear. He lunged at Leon. Leon took out his sword and slashed Leon out of the air. He landed on the ground mostly untouched. Only with a crack on the shield he was covered in. He tried throwing punches but Leon kept him at bay, He took out his crossbow and shot a couple shots. He then slashed the sword at Axel a couple times. He fired on his black armor and caught the last hit. He grabbed the sword and tore it out of Leon’s hand. He kicked Leon back. Leon put up a shield at the last second but was thrown into a tv. Cracking it.

Amala was pumping gas when all of a sudden a bunch of strings grabbed the RV and pulled to backward. Amala looked past it and saw Erica.

Amala: Oh. Look who it is.

Erica: Let’s just get this over with.

Amala took out her sword. Erica shot two lines of strings at her. Which she cut in half.

Erica: What?

Amala: Yeah. Surprise.

Amala slashed at Erica. Who ducked under and wrapped Amala’s leg up and flipped her on her back. Erica whipped her hair around, in a similar manner to Integer and wrapped it around Amala’s neck.

Amala: Cute. You can use your hair as a choker.

Amala tried to cut Erica’s hair. But she pinned her down with two strings around her hands.

Erica: Goodbye.

Millie threw one of the store’s shelves at Axel. He punched through it and jumped through the building of the store. Terra fired on her destruction form and grabbed Millie and Leon and threw them out of the store. He landed on top of the roof and made the roof collapse on them. Terra had just grabbed the man at the cash register and let him out.

Register guy: What is this?!

Terra: Sorry for the damage. I’ll repay it by kicking this guy’s ass.

Axel started punching huge parts of the roof at Terra. She punched through them and got closer and closer to Axel. Terra threw a punch at Axel and a back kick. He was pushed back a little. Terra ran in and punched him in the stomach. Sending him into the air. She jumped up. He kicked Terra in the face as she jumped up. And then punched her down at the pumps. The impact form it making all four pumps explode around Terra. Terra got out of the wreckage. Axel came down and threw a kick at Terra’s head. She was kicked to the ground violently. She grabbed Axel’s foot and made him fall to his feet.

Terra: ...You’ll have to do a lot more than that.

Erica wrapped her strings around Amala. Squeezing the life out of her. Until Amelia bust through the RV and knocked Erica down. Amelia grabbed Amala’s soul blade and cut her strings and then promptly stabbed the sword through her gut. Erica was in shock. And so was Axel. Who was looking on. Amelia shoved the sword deeper into her gut. Amelia slashed the sword out from her side. Splattering blood on her face.

Amala: ...shit.

Axel jumped in and punched Amelia in the face. He dragged her across the ground and grabbed her by her neck. Amelia was struggling and kicking.

Axel: So you don’t want to die?

Axel laughed. Amelia vibrated her body and fell out of Axel’s grasp. She swept his leg and got on top of him. She vibrated her hand. Axel punched her into the air. Millie jumped in the air and grabbed Amelia out of the air. Amala had freed herself and fired up the RV. Everyone got in and sped off. Amelia was standing at the center of the RV. Blood dripped off of her. Terra came over to her and powered off her destruction form.

Amelia: I-

She backhanded Amelia in the face. Making her stumble to the ground.

Terra: What the hell?! You have NO self-control! None!

Amelia: I understand.

Terra: You what?

Amelia: Everything I do is wrong. Wrong to everyone! I’m going to have the last word. If you all hate everything I’ve done. Then I’ll make everything disappear!

Terra: Do you know how insane that sounds?!

Millie: Amelia! Come to your senses! We can get you he-

Amelia: Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP! I don’t need help! I’m far past help! I’ll end it all! I’ll end you all!

Amelia started vibrating rapidly. Her eyes went red. And she sped out of the RV to somewhere else.

## Issue 8 - Monster

Jilaya was sitting in her office. With her hand on her head and the other hand on her mouse. She pulled up the security camera video of Erica getting stabbed. She saw Amelia’s face. Her eyes of hatred. Jilaya had that same look. She wiped the tears off her face and walked out. Axel and Ivan were out there.

Axel: Mom…

Jilaya: Don’t say a word. I’m going to take care of this.

Ivan: Jilaya. You don’t have to. I can take care of her.

Jilaya: I’ve sat back and watched all this time. Not today.

Ivan: This is not your moment. She doesn’t stand a chance against me. Let me finish it.

Jilaya: ...fine. I’m going to assemble the troops.

Ivan: Okay.

Axel: Let me go.

Ivan: I trust in you son. You deserve your revenge. But not today.

Axel: No! I’ll go! I’ll rip them apart!

Ivan: I don’t want to lose another child. Not today.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Amala: Sadly for us. We have to go after Amelia.

Leon: And why is that?

Amala: She’ll lead them right to us. She just killed Integer’s daughter. So they’ll become vulnerable. Ivan will be right in the open for us. We can’t just pass up on this opportunity!

Terra: Wait! What if I’m not ready? Ivan has a whole new form now! He could be 5 times my power!

Amala: Fine then, we’ll just let Amelia come into Integer’s grasp so she can mind control her and then sick her on us. Just like Beck!

Terra: Goddamnit Amelia.

Amala: Save your anger when she’s back in here.

Millie: How do you even know Integer would want her?

Amala: I spent a solid week in that slave camp. There were some people taken out into a room. They came out with red eyes. Just like the red eyes of the guys we fought in the mountains. I think they were being hypnotized. Plus she took some of Mike’s speed. Why not more?

Leon: Alright alright. That’s enough exposition. Let’s focus on getting there.

Terra: Hey Millie. You okay?

Millie: Just gathering my thoughts. So much stuff happened when Amelia was back in time.

Terra: How do you know exactly?

Millie: Constantine did something to me and showed me what Amelia did. Everything. I feel like I know Donny so much better. It’s weird. I barely even knew him. He really loved you.

Terra: Wait, what?

Millie: You guys were together. You were going to Harlem or something. For the weekend.

Terra: Really? That sounds fun…Time travel sounds way too tempting. I think if I did it I wouldn’t be able to stop. I’d probably go back for similar reasons Amelia did. I could go back and see how me and Donny would turn out. I could go back and save everyone from Beck. But I wouldn’t be me. Consequences make us who we are.

Millie: I getcha. Amelia isn’t right in the head. I was kind of stupid to think we could be together.

Terra: Hey, me and you. The queens of relationships just so happening to not work out.

There was a huge bang. Amala slammed on the breaks. Ivan stuck his hand out and stopped the RV in its tracks. He had his black and red armor. Which came down as a sort of coat. The part that drooped past his waist was all red and stretched down to his shoes. He had a new transparent red circle behind him. With red swords spinning around. He grabbed a sword. Another sword took its place right after. Axel was standing behind him. threw the sword in his hand through the window.

Amala: Fuck!

Amala jumped through the window and swung her sword at Ivan. They both clashed.

Ivan: Third Eye chakra.

Ivan grabbed Amala’s sword telekinetically and threw away her sword.

Leon: Hey! You're looking for Amelia, aren’t you? She isn’t here!

Ivan spun around to Amala’ back and put his sword up to her throat.

Ivan: In that case. You’ll take me to her.

Terra: We have no idea where she would be!

Millie: Wait. She’s probably looking for speed. So she can travel back in time. That’s all we know. I swear!

Ivan: Great.

Ivan slashed his sword right into Amala’s throat. Decapitating her.

Terra: NO!

Millie and Leon just looked on in shock.

Ivan: Two birds with one stone.

Terra lit up her destruction form flawlessly.

Ivan: Finally. A fight that might be worth my time.

Terra ran forward at Ivan. He threw out a bunch of swords. She broke off her gauntlets, surprised that she did it in destruction. She slapped the swords out of the air and grabbed the last two and threw them at him. He was pushed back by the two swords. Terra punched him with both the gauntlets in the air. Ivan blocked the last hit with his sword. But Terra jumped in and punched him in the face.

Ivan: Crown.

A bunch of blue chains came from the ground and wrapped around Terra. Ivan swung his sword at her. She brought her leg up high and blocked it and threw out a kick at Ivan. He stayed away.

Ivan: Root.

Ivan surrounded himself with a red transparent shield.

Ivan: Abdomen.

Ivan dropped a bunch of super hot water on Terra. She screamed from the pain. But used that pain into adrenaline. She pulled one of the chains out and hit Ivan in the face. She broke free of the chains and took out her spear and spun it around. Ivan blocked it and slashed his sword at her ribcage. Terra pushed the spear into the ground, blocking it. She flung herself off the spear and kicked Ivan a couple times. And landed a punch. Ivan ducked under a second punch and sweepcd Terra onto the ground.

Ivan: You realize you had a hand in killing my daughter.

Terra: No I didn’t! That was Amelia. I was fighting Axel.

Ivan: And what if you beat him? If you put him in jail he’ll just be bailed out. You almost don’t have a choice.

Terra: …

Ivan: And what about Jilaya? You are out to beat her right? Will you kill her? That means you’ll have to kill me. Choose wisely. I’m going to find Amelia and kill her.

Terra: What will revenge even help you with? Nothing!

Ivan: That’s quite hypocritical coming from you. You may have convinced yourself you're doing this for a heroic reason. But you aren’t. You want to get revenge for your village. Maybe even for Donny. For Amelia? Look inward at yourself, child.

Ivan teleported away.

Terra: ...Goddamnit.

Amala: Don’t worry kid. I think I know where Amelia’s off to.

Terra screamed.

Terra: Your alive?!

Amala: Yeah. I’m made of mostly robotic pieces. So I just plopped my head back on.

Leon: Ha! I knew it!

Amala: And I know where Amelia must be off to. Integer’s place. Her sister just so happens to have a surplus of speed. If that’s what you really think she’s doing, Millie.

Millie: Yeah. It has to be.

Amala: And lucky for us. We aren’t that far away.

Everyone got back in the RV.

Terra: You scared the shit out of us, you know that right?

Amala: Yeah. It was all part of the plan. You were flawless against Ivan! Well not really because he could’ve killed you. And you have hot ass water burns all over your body. But it was all because we got you pissed. I wish you could control destruction like that when you aren’t fired up though.

Leon: That totally wasn’t planned.

Amala: Okay, Maybe it wasn’t. But we got to see full destruction in action.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Amelia was running. She was in range of Integer’s house. But a bunch of chains came from the ground and grabbed Amelia by her legs. She fell on her face violently.

Ivan: You don’t look so good.

Amelia: Oh, it’s you.

Ivan: That’s all? All from you after you killed Erica.

Amelia: She was in my way.

Ivan: And now I am. So why don’t you kill me?

Amelia: That’s the plan. None of it will matter when I go back again. It’s funny, because I thought I was starting to like it here. And then another asshole in a trench coat ruined it.

Ivan: So you were going to live your life off of a lie you told Millie? I am truly sorry for you. It’s pathetic, really.

Amelia: And you don’t seem enraged at all after what I did. Clearly she didn’t matter that much.

Ivan: She was part of my world! MY world! You don’t get what kids do to you!

Ivan cleared his throat and went back to his laid back expression.

Ivan: I’m sorry for that. Anger and hate aren’t who I am. Well, not always. It is a deed that already happened. I can’t change it. But I can take it out on another one of our enemies. You need to die anyway. Because you are terrible. Things like you shouldn’t be allowed to live.

Amelia: Same to you.

Amelia vibrated her foot and tried to get out of the chain. But it didn’t work. She stepped on the chain and ripped it off and swung it at Ivan rapidly. He dodged backward and pointed his sword at Amelia.

Ivan: You're going to see Donny once I’m done with you. Well, actually you aren’t. But I digress.

Ivan prepared his sword and went in for a slash.

## Issue 9 - Lightspeed

Terra was sitting next to Millie. Her head was spinning.

Terra: How far away are we?

Amala: It’s literally been 5 minutes since you asked that question.

Terra: We can’t really go now. Can we? I’m not ready! I don’t even know if I’m a match for Ivan.

Millie: Hey, calm down. The best we can do is come up with a plan now. Isn’t it?

Amala: Ah yes, an extremely rushed plan.

Leon: It’s not like we have any choice.

Amala: We know nothing about the layout of this house.

Terra: I might even have to fight Integer! We have no idea how powerful she is!

Amala: We’ve been totally backed into a corner. I mean we could just leave Amelia.

Leon: It would give us extra time to plan.

Millie: Are we really considering that?

Terra: No we can’t just leave her. There’s too many things that could go wrong. She could get speed and go back in time. She could get captured and hypnotized.

Amala: Well then. What do we do? Wait or just jump right in?

Terra: I don’t know! This is hard! I’m working with life or death circumstances here!

Millie: We should go get her.

Amala: That’s just because of your bias.

Millie: When I talked to her she seemed like she could be her old self. Still a little unstable. But fixable. I swear!

Terra: Fine. I know that there will at least be Axel, Riley Ivan and Integer. She’ll probably have more firepower. So I’ll focus on Ivan while you guys focus on Axel and whatever else Integer has there. Riley might be a hard one. Leon, do you think you could trap her somehow?

Leon: Only one way to find out.

Millie: Do you think we might even be able to open slave camps from there? Or at least know locations of them?

Terra: Maybe. But let’s not go that far. Focus on getting Amelia.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Amelia: You're responsible for everything that is wrong in my life!

Ivan: I’m responsible for lots of wrong things. I’ve probably hurt other people’s younger siblings. Do you think you're a special case or something?

Amelia: I’m doing something about it!

Amelia swung the chain around and flicked it at Ivan. Ivan held out his sword and let the chain wrap around it. He jerked Amelia towards him. She slid on the ground to sweep Ivan. Ivan narrowly missed a stab of his sword into the ground. Amelia got to her feet. Ivan fired sword after sword at her. She ran around him in a circle and picked up speed. Lifting Ivan up into a tornado. Ivan shot an electric shot into the tornado and grabbed Amelia with telekinesis and drew her in. He threw her against the outside of the tornado. Electrocuting her. Ivan dissipated the tornado and walked up to Amelia.

Ivan: Abdomen.

Amelia ran at him. He clicked his foot on the ground and got her stuck in ice.

Ivan: Riley! It’s time.

Amelia’s legs were stuck in the ice. And so were her hands. Ivan switched and pinned her down with his chains. Riley ran out in front of Amelia.

Riley: Look what has become of you.

Amelia tried grabbing Riley. But she was still chained up.

Riley: Trying to steal my speed? You tried doing that to Michael too. That means it’s true. You're using the negative speed force. That certainly isn’t helping anything.

Amelia: ....

Riley: Nothing to say?

Amelia: Fuck you.

Riley: That’s something. Just because I’m your bitch of a sister who betrayed you, doesn’t mean I don’t want what’s best for you.

Amelia: You don’t understand what I want. Nobody understands.

Riley: Because you want to go back in time. Feel the rush again. Or because you think that girl you like hates you. She probably does by the way. I mean. I heard about the way you slaughtered the shadow squadron.

Amelia raised her foot a little and made her elbow touch her pants pocket.

Riley: What was that.

Amelia: Nothing.

Amelia vibrated her body. And a couple bombs that were in her pocket exploded. Riley went to run but was still blown back. Amelia walked out of her broken chains.

Amelia: Come on. Let’s see who's really better.

Riley: So immature.

Riley and Amelia both charged up their speed. Amelia realized that she wasn’t faster than Riley anymore. In fact. Riley was a little bit ahead of her. Until she started to run away from Amelia. They turned at an intersection and Riley went around a building. Amelia phased her body and went through the building. Landing right next to Riley.

Riley: Funny. This stuff makes me faster than you!

Amelia tried to leg sweep Riley. Riley jumped up in the air. But she didn’t realize the blistering speeds she was moving at. So she crashed and burned. She got to her feet just in time to duck a punch from Amelia. She threw a bunch of punches at her stomach. Making Amelia flinch. Amelia kicked Riley in the stomach. And then comboed it into more and more kicks to the stomach. Riley caught one of her kicks and punched Amelia in the face and then chopped her in the neck. Amelia started vibrating rapidly. She pushed Riley down and got on top of her. Riley threw Amelia off and crashed her through a window. She grabbed Amelia by the jaw and slammed her face on a table. Amelia’s head was spinning. She moved her again and threw her into another table.

Riley: Hmmm. This seems kinda familiar.

Amelia grabbed Riley’s arm and flipped her over her back and into the table. Riley got up with a groan. Amelia threw a chair at her. Riley dodged out of the way. But didn’t expect Amelia to grab her and knee her a couple times. Riley was left dazed. Amelia ran away quickly and came back and punched her in the face. So hard in fact that she went bursting through a wall. From Riley’s point of view she was looking at something upside down. It was wearing a black speedster suit and had the terrifying face of a zombie. Amelia grabbed Riley’s head and jerked it up.

Amelia: What are you looking at?

Riley: Your brother.

Amelia grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed it into Riley’s stomach. She vibrated her hand and stabbed it through Riley’s chest.

Riley: Donny wouldn’t have liked that...I’m going to tell him all about it.

Amelia withdrew her arm. And took the knife out. Was she dead? Amelia stabbed her a couple more times. She used her powers and took away Riley’s speed. But before she could use it she felt a bunch of swords be stabbed into her back. She fell to the ground. But the lightning didn’t leave her eyes. She saw a puddle of blood form around her. Her sister’s and her own.

Ivan: It’s over. I wanted to see you actually struggle a bit. But you can’t do anything to anyone anymore.

Something came out of nowhere and ran into Ivan. It was a certain RV. Ivan went flying across the restaurant. He looked back. And teleported himself, Riley, And Amelia. He reappeared at the house. But he realized that Amelia and Riley were gone.

Ivan: What?

Ivan radioed Axel.

Ivan: Axel. Are Riley and Amelia there?

Axel: No. Why?

Ivan was very confused. Axel hung up and looked forward at the RV. Terra jumped out with everyone else.

Axel: You are all going to die.

Millie: We didn’t do anything to Erica! That was all Amelia. And I know a way we can help her!

Axel: Why the hell would I care about that? You are heroes or something. If you want to do everything so correct then why did Erica die that fast? Ah whatever. I’m getting over my head. I have a job, And it’s to kill you all. You want to defeat my mom. Right? That’s not going to work. If you beat her someone would just fill her place. Likely me or Ivan. Who would kill you.

Terra: Hey, you're implying that we are going to kill your mom.

Axel: Yeah. That’s the only way you could dethrone her.

Someone started talking over Axel’s com.

Axel: What? You want…Okay.

Axel: Well. Orders are orders.

Axel jumped up into the sky.

Amala: They want us there. This is clearly a trap.

Terra: We’re so close! We have a chance. We’re tougher than they think.

Amala: Fine. You're the boss.

Leon: You know this is a bad idea. Right?

Amala: That’s how we learn kid.

## Issue 10 - In the Finale

Jilaya had a line of soldiers set up.

Jilaya: Everyone. This is a big day. There are people coming who may be a match for you. I have faith in your commander, one.

One looked almost identical to Ivan. With white hair and red eyes. He had a skintight black shirt and leggings under some sorts. He was holding a yellow sword.

One: I won’t let you down.

Jilaya: Two, Three and Four will help you. If you need backup we have Six and Seven.

Two had a black cloak on that doubled as a hoodie. She had short blonde hair, contrasting her black cloak. One of her arms was covered while another wasn’t. Along with her red eyes. Three looked younger. She had a long sweatshirt with the hoodie up and black thigh-highs under this shirt. With long black leggings and boots. Her hair was shoulder length and her eyes not red for some reason. Four looked the same as before. But this time with huge mechanical wings on her back. She was floating in the air a little bit.

Four: We’re ready.

Ivan was sitting next to Jilaya. He stood up.

Jilaya: Remember. We can’t kill them. This is to make a statement.

Ivan: Of course. This is just going to be fun.

Jilaya: But if things get tight. If she’s stronger than she seems. Kill her.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Terra: We need to end this.

Amala: As long as it’s not the end of us.

Leon: Is that the place?

There was a big mansion with an equally big garage. Which was more like a warehouse. Terra took a deep breath. This was a stupid idea.

Terra: I’m not really ready. Am I?

Amala: Alright look. If you're going to bitch I’ll tell you a secret.

Terra: Now? Seriously?

Amala: Mhm. You have another power I didn’t tell you about.

Terra: Another power? Why didn’t you tell me?

Amala: Well as far as I know the power is extremely dangerous and if you use it you might have to pay a price.

Terra: And you don’t know what the price is. Do you?

Amala: No.

Terra: What’s the power?

Amala: You can transmit diseases to people.

Terra: Transmit diseases?

Amala: Yeah. Think about it. You pick the right virus to use and you could kill people easily. But there's that price.

Terra: If I can find out how to use it. Maybe I’ll get a leg up in battle.

Millie: Let’s hope.

Axel was standing down the street. Looking at the RV.

Amala: Leon. Teleport Terra past the fence. We’ll take care of Axel.

Leon did just that. Terra landed in the back of the house, Next to the pool.

Leon: This is your fight, Terra. Uh, don’t die I guess.

Terra: Thanks.

Leon teleported away.

Terra: Ivan! Come out! I know your here!

Ivan jumped down in front of Terra gracefully.

Ivan: I’ll humor you today, Terra. We’ll have an official fight. A fight for the ages.

Terra: This is a game to you…

Ivan: And it isn’t to you? What do you think will happen if you beat us? You’ll be regarded as a hero because you think our slave camps are wrong? Of course not! You didn’t think it through. Because you know nothing about the real world.

Terra: ...We’ll find something out. I know it!

Ivan: Again. DUMB. You are a terrorist in the public’s eyes. So try and fight me. Terrorist.

Terra felt a surge of anger run through her.

Terra: I don’t know the reason I’m standing here. But the only thing I know for real.

Terra & Ivan: There will be bloodshed.

Terra lashed out and stabbed her spear forward. Ivan blocked it and sent it off to the side. Terra landed a couple kicks on Ivan. He fell back and slashed under Terra. She jumped up in the air and punched Ivan in the face and jumped back. She threw her spear at him. Which he dodged. As she ran up she fired on destruction and threw a punch at his face. He dodged. Terra dodged a sword slice at her shoulder and ducked down and punched him right in the stomach. She moved to the side and punched him in the head and then threw a kick at his stomach. Ivan fell back. He rolled backward and shot himself into the air with a blast of water. He shot a bolt of lightning straight at Terra. She got hit right in the stomach and fell back. She laid on the ground trying to buy time.

Ivan: One lightning bolt? That’s all it took? I was appointed by a powerful man to kill all the older gods. And you're the weakest I’ve ever met.

Terra tried lifting one of her gauntlets in her destruction form.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Axel: So. you all made it this far. This far just to lose. You don’t even have a solid plan. Do you?

Amala: Honestly no. But we’re here anyway.

Axel: You are all so stupid. If you're going to fight me, think of a plan first. Here, I’ll even give you some time.

Millie: Hey! What did you do to Amelia?!

Axel: I have no idea. Why would I know?

Axel backed up and One, Two, Three and Four came past him.

Millie: What the fuck?

One: Everyone. Attack.

Three: Let’s go! I’m pumped!

Four: Don’t be overzealous. Just kill them.

Two: The order wasn’t to kill them.

Four: They don’t need to know that!

One: Shut up. Just attack.

Amala: Alright. Two and Three are the weakest out of the four. I’ll take them. Leon, you take Four, Millie you get One. Obviously.

Amala took out her blade and slashed at both Two and Three. Two jumped on Amala’s sword like a tightrope and kicked her in the face. Amala flicked her sword into the air and two jumped off the sword. Three shot a blast of fire at Amala. She ducked out of the way and slashed her sword at Three. Who moved out of the way. Two came back down and threw a punch down at the ground. Amala moved out of the way and kicked Two away. Three shot a stream of magma at Amala. She tried blocking it with her sword and still felt the blistering heat hitting her. She kicked Two in the stomach. Knocking the wind out of her and leaving her laying on the floor.

Leon jumped up and shot a fireball at Four. Four blocked it with her wing and hit Leon in the face. She grabbed him and shoved him against the ground and dragged him. He teleported her in the air and took out his sword and slashed at one of her wings. She threw him to the ground and fired two beams. One of ice and one of fire. Leon got hit, but only for a second because he made a shield around himself. He jumped out and slashed one of her wings. He turned and shot a big fireball at her. But she dissipated it with a blast of ice. And then hit Leon as well. He fell on the ground. He didn’t stand that great of a chance. But an idea popped into his head.

Two ran back in and threw a bunch of ninja stars. When they hit Amala they exploded. Sending her flying back. She plunged her sword into the ground and stopped herself, She took her sword out of the ground but was hit with a flying kick from Two. She didn’t flinch much though, Amala grabbed Two by the leg and went to throw her but was caught off guard by a magma blast from Three. Two punched Amala in the stomach a bunch of times and then in the chin. Three ran up and shot a magma blast up at Amala. Amala went up in the air and then fell to the ground. She got up. Half of her face was literally burnt off. Showing a robotic face.

Amala: Nice one.

Leon said a short spell that enchanted his sword. Four shot her beams at Leon again. He jumped out of the way.

Leon: Come here! Come on! You can do it!

Four: What is that supposed to mean?

Leon: That you suck. Maybe if you really tried to land a hit on me it would be more fun.

Four: Do you think I’m stupid?

Four came to Ivan and clashed her wing with his sword. She spun around and threw Leon away. Four flew at Leon quickly. He took out a mirror and threw his sword down. Four ran into Leon and the mirror. She was sucked right into the mirror.

Leon: Ha!

Millie: Holy shit! What was that?

Leon: I also got this hypnotizing trick. It’s pretty coo-

Amala: Leon! Help!

Millie dodged a sword slash from One. She threw a spinning hook kick at him. But he dodged under and slashed Millie’s leg. She stumbled back and clapped her hands together. Blowing One backward. He slashed his sword and shot a couple energy blasts at Millie. She simply tanked the hits and fired them back at One. Who blocked them all with his sword. He ran forward and sunk his sword into the ground and flung himself off of it and threw out some kicks. Millie stumbled back after being hit by this. One took his sword out of the ground and slashed Millie at the legs. Making her fall to the ground. Millie bursted up and threw an uppercut. One moved out of the way and kicked Millie back.

Millie: Why do you look so much like him? So much like Ivan?

One: I’m a replica of him. A clone.

Millie: Wow. That easy to get information out of you?

One: Well, not if the information is classified. It won’t matter what you learn anyway.

Millie shot a blast at One. Who ducked out of the way. She followed up with a bunch of punches. He dodged every single one and slashed his sword at her. She held out her robotic arm and clashed with him. She went to kick him in the knee but he moved his leg and did a flying knee into Millie.

Axel: Okay, okay! That’s enough!

One, Two, and Three backed off.

Amala: We couldn’t even take four of them. I’m pretty sure Integer has at least fourteen of these guys.

Leon: What? You think all her soldiers are numbered?

Amala: Have to be. Beck is number fourteen. I wonder if there’s more after him.

Axel: Great observation. Now it’s time to end this.

## Issue 11 - Taste the Blood

Millie, Leon, and Amala jumped up and attacked Axel. Who blocked Leon and Amala. And instantly turned Millie’s powers off. Leon and Amala slashed down at Axel. Who equipped his suit and blocked them.

Axel: Tiring.

Axel punched Amala in the face and sent her flying back. Leon slashed at Axel. Who nonchalantly blocked his sword. More fixated on Amala. Leon made his sword transparent and slashed in. He slashed into Axel’s arm.

Axel: Again?

Axel lashed out and kicked Leon off of him. Axel picked up Amala by the head.

Axel: Mom’s been tired of you spreading lies about her. All we did was steal your sword. How is that bad?

Leon: Hey dick! Let go of her!

Axel: What are you going to do about it dumbass? You can’t even scratch me.

Axel made a giant energy ball.

Axel: Now you die.

Leon punched Axel square in the face. Axel stumbled back and dropped Amala.

Leon: Back off.

Leon had a red mark burnt onto him. It was on his cheek. He slashed his sword at Axel and actually left a cut. Leon made a bunch of purple needles all around Axel and shot them at him. Axel jumped out of the way and kneed Leon in the face. Leon took the hit and punched Axel in the stomach. Axel fell down and shot a bunch of energy blasts at Leon. Leon jumped out of the way and dodged all the blasts. They turned around and hit Leon and knocked him down. Leon moved through and made a shield around him and shot a bunch of blasts at Axel. Axel made a purple shield around him and shot a bunch of blasts at Leon. They got closer and closer until they ran into each other. And fell to the ground. Axel was knocked out of his suit and Leon out of his demon mark. Leon stabbed his sword forward. Axel dodged and punched Leon in the face. Leon shot a bunch of fireballs at Axel. Axel tanked them all and backhanded Leon. Sending him flying. He tried to get up. But the pain was too much. Axel came over to Leon.

Axel: Mom said I could have one freebie. An eye for an eye if you will.

Axel picked up Leon by the neck. But felt something pierce through his skin. Amala’s blade. Axel dropped Leon. And Amala pulled her blade out. Axel fell to the ground. Amala put her hand out to Leon.

Amala: You okay kid?

Leon grabbed Amala’s hand. She helped him to his feet slowly. They went over to an unconscious Millie to check on her.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Terra carefully took off the gauntlet and fired it right at Ivan. Ivan shot a lightning bolt right at the gauntlet to stop it but the lightning bolt bounced off and hit Ivan instead. He was hit into the air next by her gauntlet. Terra jumped up and kicked Ivan out of the air. He switched and made a shield around himself just before he got kicked down. Terra hit Ivan on the back with one of her gauntlets and kicked him low. He fell backward but stayed grounded.

Ivan: Interesting. So you can reflect attacks?

Terra didn’t stop her assault. She flipped her spear around and broke Ivan’s shield with the first hit and then hit Ivan in the face with the stick part and followed up with a slash up his armor. Sending him in the air. Terra took off her other gauntlet and hit Ivan with both in the air. Ending with a punch to the ground. Ivan surrounded himself with water and then infused the water with lightning. He shielded himself with this. Terra ran up to him again. But he grabbed her with his telekinesis and threw her into the pool. Like a shock, Terra felt her destruction form leave her. She tried bringing it back. But it didn’t work. Ivan shot a bunch of electricity into the water. Terra felt the electrocution. But her suit negated some of it. She jumped out of the water as fast as she could manage and hoped Ivan didn’t notice.

Ivan: So Jilaya was right. Being submerged in water turns off your destruction.

Shit. He noticed. Terra called her gauntlets back and fired destruction back on. But before she got the chance to do anything Ivan slashed his sword at her. She jumped back. Ivan dropped hot water on her. Luckily not knocking her out of her form. He kicked her back and charged a huge lightning strike and fired it straight at her. She got hit head on but felt the power calling to her. She used her Artemis powers to redirect the entire lightning strike back out of her hands. And right into Ivan. Firing him through the glass of the house. Terra took the chance to throw her gauntlets out and pin Ivan down. She lost her destruction form however. Ivan was on his knees and pinned with his hands on the ground. This was it. It was her moment. She could do this for her friends. For Amelia, for Donny, for her friends and family from her village that was burnt down. She raised her spear and swung down. But what would revenge do to her? She saw what it did to Amelia. Maybe it was time to let go. Not do things for revenge. But do them to inspire the people of the future. To free the fallen metas and finish the work she started so long ago. So she stopped right before she stabbed through Ivan’s head. But when she got lost in her thoughts Ivan grabbed his sword and freed himself and slashed straight up. Terra stumbled back and felt blood leaking down her face. A huge cut was up her face. She could taste the blood. Taste her fate. Taste her hate for Ivan.

Ivan: I can’t kill you. Unless something like that happens. But you couldn’t bring yourself to do it. Can you?

Terra: Shut up. I’m not going to kill you! There is a better way! There has to be!

Ivan: I don’t know. Is there?

Terra couldn’t do anything else. She was blinded by blood. Ivan shot a blast of lightning at her. Blasting her through a wall. And right next to Amala, Leon and Millie. Ivan saw Axel’s body.

Ivan: Axel!

Ivan went right over to Axel and looked at him.

Axel: Don’t worry. It was just a stab wound. I can take it.

Ivan: Right. You’ll be fine. Heart chakra.

Ivan held his hand over Axel’s wound and healed it up almost instantly.

Ivan: Now watch and learn.

Leon and Amala got up in front of Terra and Millie.

Leon: Back up! We won’t just stand here an-

Ivan electrocuted both of them and sent them flying back. Terra got to her feet slowly. Ivan picked her up by the throat.

Ivan: Checkmate.

Terra put her palm on Ivan’s stomach.

Terra: Same to you.

Terra and Ivan both lost all their power and fell to the ground. They were both extremely pale. And unconscious,

Axel & Amala: What the hell?!

Axel went over to Ivan and felt him. Amala went over to Terra and felt her. She felt like she was burning up. But it was something worse than a simple flu.

Leon: What’s wrong?

Amala: She’s burning up.

???: Artemis’s disease power. Isn’t it?

Leon: Integer.

Jilaya: Hello and goodbye.

The light coming from Jilaya’s welding mask’s eyes got even brighter until it blinded both Leon and Jilaya. So much so it knocked them out.

## Issue 12 - Get Low

Terra opened her eyes a little. She saw a very bright light in her eyes. She moved her hand in front of her eyes to block it. But she couldn’t move her hand. In fact. She could barely move any of her limbs. She was locked down on a chair. What happened? Is she dead? Is she going to die? Wasn’t she sick? Didn’t she give some sort of disease to Ivan? And then herself? Her ears were ringing. A hand grabbed the light that was in her eyes and moved it out of her face.

Terra: Who’s there?!

Jilaya: No need to yell.

Terra: Wait. Your Integer?

Jilaya: You still remember my voice? It’s been two years since we first met. And you're still after me?

Terra: Why wouldn’t I be? Everything you do-everything you stand for is horrible.

Jilaya: I love it when someone with guts decides to stand up to me. You truly do have guts. Don’t you?

Terra: How do I feel fine?

Jilaya: Well you certainly aren’t fine. Your body is still recovering.

Terra: From what?

Jilaya: You gave Ivan and yourself heatstroke. Lucky for you I need you alive. And Ivan’s fine.

Terra: I did that…? I have that power?

Jilaya: Truly extraordinary isn’t it?

Terra: Ugh, Where are my friends?

Jilaya: Don’t worry. They're safe.

Terra: That’s not answering my question.

Jilaya: So needy.

A screen appeared in front of Terra. It showed Amala, Millie and Leon all in different cages out in the open. They were surrounded by tall barbed wire fences that were electric. With a worn out mattress and a toilet in the cell.

Terra: Is that…?

Jilaya: One of my containment cells.

Terra: A slave camp?

Jilaya: Why the hell do you even call it a slave camp? They aren’t slaves. Slavery’s illegal in the U.S. Isn’t it?

Terra: You lock them up like rabid animals!

Jilaya: Yes. Because they have to be contained. Your friend Amala almost killed my son. Millie has to be crazy deep down. Considering she was the closest with Amelia. And Leon trapped one of my soldiers in a mirror! If that isn’t considered armed and dangerous then I don’t know what is.

Terra: We’re trying to stop you! Because this is wrong!

Jilaya: Why? There has to be a guiding hand to people who could be considered dangerous. Numbers don’t lie, child. Since the MFI was made, crime rates by powered individuals dropped by 60%! That’s a big number!

Terra: You put Donny and Amelia in there for nothing! Because there were “too many.” Right? They had never done anything terrible in their lives!

Jilaya: Metas have to be monitored around here. You had a hand in the black coat’s murder, you broke into my house and attacked us. You let my daughter die. You blew up one of my facilities and let them free! It’s not like everyone is in there for nothing. Everyone has a place.

Terra: No they don’t!

Jilaya: Don’t worry. I have a leverage.

Terra: Empyrean. Right? Your dad.

Jilaya: How do you know that?!

Terra: Heard it through the grapevine. If you find this all right then that’s fine. But he’s a god of destruction! He’ll destroy the planet!

Jilaya: No he won’t.

Terra: Why then?! Tell me!

Jilaya: Do you remember the first time we met? It was at Beck’s facility. You truly did me a favor. I finally got him out of my hair. Fourteen. Come in please.

Beck walked in the room and looked Terra dead in the eye. Terra felt her heart sink.

Beck: You...Terra. We can finally have a face to face chat.

Jilaya: Remember. No killing.

Terra: Beck. Just think about this. Jilaya is controlling you! You are her puppet. Just like before.

Beck screamed and punched Terra in the face.

Beck: I’m not a puppet. You remember what you did. You ruined my life. And I’d love to ruin yours. But Jilaya says I can’t. Because you are and your friends need to stay alive.

Jilaya: I believe in fates worse than death. The media knowing you as a national terrorist is one of them. Plus you get to stay here.

Terra: Why do you even care about me?!

Jilaya: I have you to make a statement. You freed slaves. We can’t have people getting all smart on me. Sadly for me, the rest of your friends are also terrorists. And my scapegoats for every bad thing that happened. Everybody knows if you control the media, you control what everybody knows.

Terra: You’re sick.

Jilaya: Fourteen. Please show her who really is sick.

Beck punched Terra in the face again. Back and forth while he charged his other hand.

Terra: Listen! You don’t need to do this!

Beck grabbed Terra by the head and punched her in the face over and over. Leaving her as a bloody mess. He walked away and then turned back around and punched her in the ribs with his charged hand. Terra felt a snap. And felt a loss of breath. She struggled to breathe for a couple minutes until her lungs opened up again. It was hard to breathe and everytime she breathed out she felt a stabbing pain inside of her. Beck broke her ribs.

Jilaya: That good enough for you, Fourteen?

Beck: Not until I can really kill her.

Beck walked out of the room.

Jilaya: You really pissed him off, didn’t you?

Terra: Shut up. Just throw me in one of the camps.

Jilaya came over to Terra and started taking off her armor pieces.

Jilaya: wouldn’t want this being an asset to you. I needed to keep it on you to make sure Beck didn’t actually kill you.

Jilaya picked Terra up telekinetically and brought her into a slave camp cell.

Jilaya: Don’t worry, The broken ribs will heal. It’ll just take a while. I should go prepare.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Jilaya was getting interviewed on TV. Constantine was watching the TV.

Jilaya: I would like to tell everyone at their homes in fear of their families. Especially if they're related to me, that we have managed to catch and jail the terrorist organization known as the blue coats. What a relief. I’d like to schedule a press conference one day so I can show their acts of crime. The content is very disturbing. However. There is one more out there that we still haven’t caught. Amelia Ashi. She was able to escape under our noses. So we’ll start by increasing security everywhere. Courtesy of the MFI.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Terra sat in her cell laying down on her mattress. She could barely stand moving. And she couldn’t shake that this was all her fault. Because she wanted to save people. And because she is a terrible plan maker. She took a deep breath. It hurt a little. She lifted up her head and looked around. She saw hundreds of caged up metas and mutants. Some were even children. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a terrible place. She had to get out and find a way to keep Empyrean away. But she couldn’t do that in her current state. So she had no choice. But to lay down and stay. She couldn’t do anything. It started raining on her. There was no cover over the slave camp either. She turned to her side. The side with her good ribs. She closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep. But whenever she tried images of Ivan cutting her face, Beck breaking her ribs, Fleet stabbing her, Ivan stabbing her. She couldn’t shake the terrible moments. Especially now. So she just laid there. In the cold rain.