Artemis Volume 3

**Road to Discovery**

**Notes**

Started May 23rd 2020

Finished June 5th 2020

Line count:
Terra - 244
 Amelia - 169
Amala - 137
Millie - 92
Leon - 81
Ivan - 36
 Jilaya - 15

## Issue 1 - Amidst the Chaos

Terra had just finished sharpening the back of her guards on her forearms. Which she had made more into gauntlets. Her chestplate hadn’t changed much. Neither did her shin guards. Aside from the fact that she made them also sharp at the top. Her hip guards were replaced with a belt. Two armor plates on her hips and a plate over her waist. Under her armor she wore a green shirt with a blooming tree on it. She had black shorts on and wore no shoes. She kept on her black skin tight suit under her clothes. You could see it was climbing up her neck and past her shorts. Her hair was still its vibrant orange. It came down to her hips and was still messy as well. Though it seemed like she tried to care for it. She had her bangs going off to the side. Leaving two strands of hair running down her cheeks. She put hair ties on the bottom of her hair to keep it from going anywhere, She took off one of her gauntlets and sat it on the table in front of her. She stood back and took a deep breath.

Terra: Just one gauntlet.

She moved her hand slightly. The gauntlet shook a little bit and barely moved. She moved her hand a little bit and it fell off the table and flew into the side of her dresser. Terra was starting to get fed up. She slammed her hand on the table.

Terra: What am I doing wrong?

Amelia was sitting on the bed scrolling through her phone.

Amelia: You’re seriously still doing that? It’s been 3 months since we had to deal with EOL.

Terra: I haven’t even been doing this for a long time.

Amelia: Why do you even need to?

Terra: I want to be the best Artemis I can be!

Amelia: We all know that’s a lie.

Terra: …

Amelia: No response? I wonder why. If you really want to kill Ivan then track him down. He couldn’t have gone far.

Terra: I can’t kill him! I was too weak! Even with my destruction form! And if I do, Integer is going to sick all of her hounds on me! If Donny was still here then maybe I’d be learning something.

Amelia: Well he isn’t. Don’t be a baby. He was my brother! I had to bury a lifelong friend and my brother in the same fucking month! You think it’s hard on you?! HE WAS MY BROTHER!

Terra and Amelia quieted down.

Terra: ...I’m sorry. That was wrong of me. Pleas-

Amelia: I’m going out. Keep messing with your magical armor.

Amelia walked outside and sped down to the bar. She was meeting Millie there.

Millie: Hey.

Millie’s missing arm was covered up by her shirt. She had cut off most of the sleeve. Amelia sat down next to her.

Millie: How’s things?

Amelia: Worth coming to the bar for.

Millie: I’m still feeling pain in my gonzo arm.

Amelia: Phantom limb?

Millie: Yeah. Kris didn’t take it well.

Amelia: What did you expect? He’s just a kid.

Millie: Mhm.

Millie and Amelia didn’t have much to say.

Amelia: Did we seriously run out of things to talk about?

Millie: I guess. I’m just tired. I haven’t been able to sleep. Ivan’s nightmares are gone but my missing arm bothers me at night.

Amelia: There’s one thing we haven’t talked about though.

Millie: What?

Amelia: I need to get this off my chest. I don’t think Terra’s in the best condition to get it. But I wanted to pass my leader duties over to Donny.

Millie: Really?

Amelia: Yeah. I was a terrible leader. He made the best decisions. He got our other members involved. He made the clutch decisions. I just fucked up everything.

Millie: …What are you going to do now?

Amelia: I’m gonna say cheers. And we’re going to finish this drink.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
Terra was laying down on her bed and listening to music. There was something about calm, slow music when she was feeling down and fast, exciting music when she was feeling cheery. She was on the calm slow mix. She felt like she could do nothing right anymore. She was approaching her 18th birthday. And yet she wasn’t ready to leave her teenage years. If things felt hard, then they’ll probably get worse. And yet she felt her feelings were wrong. Amelia had gone through even worse. She lost Krilla, someone she had known since she was apparently a child. And her brother Donny. Her brother. Terra just had a crush on him for a month or so. She put her clashing thoughts away and let herself drift off to sleep. Amelia and Millie were walking down the hallway and laughing at each other.

Amelia: He seriously fell for that?

Millie: The good ol 1 2 switcheroo.

Millie dropped off Amelia at her door.

Amelia: Night.

Millie: Sweet Dreams!

Amelia went inside. She realized Millie must’ve been hungover. She didn’t even feel hungover at all. Just lonely once she closed the door. Terra was asleep and Amelia sat down on the floor leaning on the door.

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

Terra woke up.

Terra: I should actually do something productive today.

Amelia: You gonna mess around with your armor any more?

Terra: I don’t think I will.

Amelia: Maybe if you met the real Artemis you could do it.

Terra: The real Artemis? My grandfather did say there was a real Artemis.

Amelia: Do you get sarcasm?

Terra: Oh yeah. He said the armor was ancient. If there was an Artemis she’s long dead.

Amelia: I was going to visit Leon. He’s been doing surprisingly well. You wanna come?

Terra: Yeah. We should check up on him.

Amelia grabbed Terra and ran to Leon’s new home. It was an actual house on the outskirts of New York. They saw Leon with Krilla’s old soul blade. He was sparring with Amala of all people. Amala blocked a strike from the side. He was swinging for Amala’s side over and over again.

Amala: Stop using standard attacks! Step out of your comfort zone.

Leon slashed at Amala from the bottom and turned his blade up and swung at Amala’s head.

Amala: Remember! Control my central line!

Leon swiped down and then away at Amala. She moved over and faced towards him.

Amala: See? Like that. Don’t be afraid to use any other tricks.

Leon clashed with Amala again. He telekinetically pulled a vase at Amala. Amala cut it in half. He made a lightbulb on the fan above get very hot and brought it’s wrath on Amala. She ducked out of the way and grabbed her hair and used it as a glove when she threw the lightbulb at Leon. Some of her hair was burnt off. But she didn’t care. Leon got hit by it.

Leon: Hot, hot!

Leon threw the lightbulb off of himself and wiped some sweat off his forehead. Amala swiped his leg and pointed her blade at him.

Leon: I thought we were done!

Amala: That’s right when you get your head chopped off. Get up.

Amala helped Leon up. She almost went to hug him.

Amala: Good job.

Terra clapped for them.

Amelia: What do you guys have going on here?

Leon: Training! After that whole portal thing me and Amala kicked it into high gear. We’re going to be kicking ass in no time!

Terra: Wow. I’ve never seen you like this.

Leon: Like what?

Terra: Genuinely happy.

Leon: Don’t make me blush.

Terra: Hey, why don’t we go a round?

Leon: Really? Well, you came all this way. What about your armor?

Terra: Don’t worry. Watch this.

Terra got in some weird stance. With her arms up and her legs out.

Leon: Oh, you’re already surrendering?

Terra: Wait for it…

Nothing happened.

Terra: Oh well. Let’s go!

Amelia sat down next to Amala.

Amala: How’s it hanging?

Amelia: I’m hanging in there. I haven’t seen or talked to any of the Blue Coat members in a while.

Amala: they probably think you need space or something. Me and Leon have been plugging along. He wanted to learn how to use the sword as good as Krilla did. So I took him under my wing. In my 1,000 years of living I’ve never had a student to teach my mad skills.

Amelia: That’s good. I’ve been...shit.

Amala: getting wasted?

Amelia: What makes you think that?

Amala: I’ve seen you at night on the streets with Millie. You guys look like a bunch of dykes.

Amelia: Seriously? We are a bunch of girls going out for drinks.

Amala: Every night?

Amelia: Call me an alcoholic before you call me a lesbo you creep.

Terra: Alright I’m kind of rusty. But don’t go easy. I’m ready whenever y-

Leon swung his blade at Terra. She ducked under and held herself up with her two hands and kicked Leon in the legs. And then lost balance and fell on her butt.

Leon: Wow, you are really that rusty?

Terra rolled backwards to dodge Leon’s strike. She almost kicked his sword out of his hand. She got up and pushed him backwards. She struck him in the stomach, and then in the side of the face. He barely stumbled.

Leon: Fun fact: All the people mom killed in her years. Make me stronger. This blade is made stronger and stronger every time she takes someone’s soul. Sorry if that sounded evil.

Terra did a hook kick, and kicked Leon in the face.

Leon: Unfair!

He tried to gain his footing but Terra swiped his legs. He fell on the ground. Terra went to kick him in the face. But the light bulbs above her fell on her. They were burning hot. She jumped back.

Leon: Lightbulbs are my greatest weapon!

Leon teleported behind Terra and slashed at her, and then started slashed at her rapidly. Terra did her best to dodge it. Midflip she got knocked down by her armor pieces which came flying in.

Terra: Yep. I’m done. This armor sucks!

Leon: Haha! I win!

Terra threw a piece of her armor at Leon.

Terra: Wait until next time!

Leon: Well you should get to work.

Amala: That’s enough roughhousing.

Terra and Leon shook hands.

Leon: GG.

Terra: Yeah. Whatever that means.

Amelia and Terra made their way home. They were walking up to their apartment.

Terra: Hey, I’m sorry for that argument yesterday. I think we were both heated.

Amelia: Yeah I guess we were.

Terra and Amelia sat on their respective beds.

Terra: Are you going to bed?

Amelia: Yeah. It’s been a long day.

Terra settled down for bed and it wasn’t before long she fell asleep. She was snoring. Amelia snuck out of the room quickly. She was on her way to the bar. She got outside and went to run but was stopped by a familiar voice. It was Michael Hilton. Or Acceleration as his superhero alias. They had met him in the EOL crossover. He is from a different earth.

Mike: Where are you going kid?

Amelia: ...none of your business.

Mike: Hey. We’re like speedster bros! Come on!

Amelia: Don’t get into things you don’t want to. I’m busy.

Mike: What are you busy with. I’m just trying to keep you safe.

Amelia: I’m busy drinking off my brother’s death. If that’s what you want to know. And yes, I’m over 21. Leave me alone if you know what's good for you.

Amelia sped off. Michael held out his hand as if he was going to chase her. But he didn’t. A man was sitting on top of Henry Hall’s apartments.

???: Cute girl. Don’t you two think?

## Issue 2 - Train Harder

A month ago.

Jilaya was working on some sort of device. She was welding something together when Ivan walked in. Jilaya dropped down and looked at him for a second. Ivan looked wounded from his fight with Terra. They walked up to each other and hugged.

Jilaya: What happened?

Ivan: Do you remember Artemis?

Jilaya: Artemis? As in Terra Lorenz?

Ivan: Yes. She was quite the match for me.

Jilaya: Nothing bad?

Ivan: I walked here, didn’t I?

Jilaya: Right.

Ivan: I still have one more trick up my sleeve.

Jilaya: That’s right.

Jilaya led Ivan into a house. It was surprisingly small but homely.

Jilaya: Sit down. You need rest.

Ivan sat down on a chair,

Ivan: What about Erica and Axel?

Jilaya: They are okay. Axel is out on a recon mission.

Ivan: Tell him to change directions after this mission. I want him to show Terra we are not ones to be trifled with.

Jilaya: Are you sure?

Ivan: He’s stronger than me in most categories.

Jilaya seemed cheered up.

Jilaya: This is going to be awesome! He could get us some stats. I wonder what powers her friends have.

Ivan: Oh, and send in Erica as well. They need sibling bonding time.

Jilaya: Okay. But that is getting added to the list. We are all going to be busy from now on.

Ivan: Yes ma’am.

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

Terra was still trying to lift her gauntlet. She jerked her hand up a little. The gauntlet flew up and stabbed into the ceiling.

Terra: Haha! I moved it!

Amelia: Yeah. Right into someone’s foot. I think that was just a lucky one.

Terra: Maybe I should go and talk to someone.

Amelia: Like who?

Terra: Amala! Maybe she knows something!

Amelia: Oh yeah. She’s like 1,000 years old so she could know something about your armor.

Terra: I’m going to go and visit her. Can you give me a lift?

Amelia: \*sigh\* fine. But I have things to take care of today.

Terra: Yeah yeah.

Amelia grabbed Terra and ran her over to Amala’s house.

Terra: Did you get slower?

Amelia: Screw off. I didn’t get any faster. I know that. Especially when I’m carrying you.

Amelia ran away while Terra knocked on Amala’s door. Amala opened the door and looked down at Terra.

Amala: God, I almost didn’t see you there. What do you need, kid?

Terra: I had some questions.

Amala: About what?

Terra: My armor and Artemis.

Amala: Oh, that’s a story right there. Come in.

Terra sat down on Amala’s couch.

Terra: I’m like sinking into this couch!

Amala: Yeah those couches are fun. Just got them replaced.

Terra: Really? You got someone to bring these in?

Amala: What? No.

Terra: Then how did they get here?

Amala: I picked them up and walked out.

Terra: Of course you did. Either way, was there ever an actual Artemis?

Amala: Uh, yeah of course. How do you think that armor came to be?

Terra: Well this armor I have was made magically. And I added on some things.

Amala: Speaking of. You destroyed your book. But Artemis did have actual powers to her.

Terra: Like what?

Amala: Well like you attempted. She can call her armor to her. And control it telekinetically. She could als-

Terra: Oh! I can control it telekinetically!

Amala: Really. I doubt it.

Terra got up off the couch and took off her gauntlet. She sat it on a table and tried to move it. But it just fell off the table. Amala was examining her the entire time. She laughed at Terra.

Terra: What? Am I really that bad?

Amala: Yep. I knew a real Artemis. She was really bad at her job at first. Let me show you.

Amala grabbed Terra’s arm and straightened it out for her. She balled up Terra’s hand and pulled out her pointer finger.

Amala: There is power flowing through you. You aren’t Artemis. You have to let Artemis flow through you. Calm yourself and be gentle with the piece.

Terra held out her hand and took a deep breath. She kept her pointer finger out and picked up the piece very slowly.

Terra: Look! I’m doing it!

Amala: Now try hitting me. Preferably not with the pointy end,

Terra: Yeah.

Terra jerked her finger around and threw the gauntlet at Amala. She tried to block but was knocked over still.

Amala: See look! That’s how you do it! Now remember. Be a source of power. Let it flow. Don’t try and ball up the power and then throw it out.

Terra: Thanks. Now I can really train. Oh, and doesn’t Artemis have even more powers?

Amala: ...yeah. You should be able to heal people. But I don’t wanna test that at all. Focus on controlling the armor.

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

Amelia was standing in front of Donny’s grave.

Amelia: It’s been 3 months since I buried you. You heard me when I was with Millie, didn’t you? You were always a better leader than me and I was too stupid to think about it. Why did you do it? Jump in front of a sword for Terra. You barely knew her!

???: Your brother seemed like a good guy.

Amelia: Didn’t I tell you to go away?

Mike came over and stood next to Amelia. He sat down a flower in front of Donny’s grave.

Amelia: Why are you following me?

Mike: I just wanted to pay my respects. He died protecting the people he loved? Is that right?

Amelia: ...Yeah.

Mike: You seem like you are good at lying to yourself. Don’t waste your life doing that. You lead the blue coats right? It doesn’t seem like you are doing a lot of that. Your brother would want you to lead. Wouldn’t he?

Amelia: You don’t know anything about Donny.

Mike: Maybe I don’t. But nobody would want to watch their sister just throw away her responsibilities.

Amelia: Shut up!

Amelia tried to push Mike. Time slowed down to his perspective. Amelia was barely moving. Mike yawned and moved out of the way.

Amelia: What the hell?

Mike: What? Do you think I’m slow? Like you?

Amelia: Don’t be a dick! I’m not even slow...

Mike: Hmmm. Prove it.

Amelia: Seriously? I don’t have anything to prove.

Mike ran into the street.

Mike: Come on. Don’t be a pussy.

Amelia: Ugh. Fine. Let’s do it. I’m not scared of you.

Amelia came over and stood next to Mike. They both lined up.

Mike: You go first. I’ll catch up. To lady liberty.

Amelia blasted off. She ran through blocks and blocks. She glanced behind herself. No Mike in sight. Until he ran right through a building. He was running backwards. He ran up to Amelia and pretended to snore. He flipped backwards off his hand and ran straight. Amelia gained a little ground but not before Mike blew past her. He started lapping her over and over and over. It looked like there were multiple versions of him. until she got to the Statue of Liberty. He was sitting next to Liberty.

Mike: I told you. I’m fa-

Amelia: Yeah I get it! You’re faster! I’ll never be as great as you!

Mike: Seriously? Why so dramatic?

Amelia: I have lots of shit on my plate. And if you are going to be an asshole then just go back to wherever you came from.

Mike: Listen. I can help you. You are a speedster. Let me tell you something. You only use your powers to run around and have a jolly old time. But your speed can be harnessed in many different ways.

Amelia: What. Like how you ran over that building earlier. I can do that too.

Mike: No. I didn’t run over it. I phased through it.

Amelia: Phased?

Mike: If you vibrate your molecules at the natural frequency of air…

Amelia: That sounds totally fake.

Mike: Yeah that felt really wrong when I said it out loud. Either way. I can do it, so you can as well. You can vibrate your body so fast that you can pass through solid objects.

Amelia: Can I try?

Mike: Sure. Give it a shot!

Amelia: Wait, can I try doing it with my hand or something?

Mike: Yeah sure. Just vibrate your hand really fast.

Amelia tried this. She got her hand moving so fast that it was phasing.

Mike: Now try sticking your hand through this bench.

Amelia stuck her hand into the bench and then pulled it out quickly.

Amelia: That felt weird!

Mike: It’ll be normal after doing it a couple hundred times.

Amelia: Can I try walking through something?

Mike: Sure. Give it a try.

Amelia tried to vibrate her entire body. She ran right towards the wall of the restaurant closest to her. But just ran into it and fell on the ground.

Mike: That’s what I expected.

Amelia: Why didn’t you warn me?

Mike: 1. It was going to be hilarious. 2. Nobody got it their first time. Unless you were the main character of a show.

Amelia: What are you even talking about?

Mike: Let's go somewhere else and try it.

Amelia: ...okay.

They both sped off. Mike ran with Amelia instead of ahead of her.

## Issue 3 - A Dance With Shadows

**1 week of training later.**

Terra was sitting alone in the apartment. She was successfully lifting both of her gauntlets at once. She brought them to her and equipped them. Amelia phased through the door to the apartment. Terra was startled by her.

Terra: What was that?

Amelia: New trick. Like it?

Terra: Where have you been?

Amelia: Do you remember Michael? He taught me this.

Terra: Awesome! Now we are both forces to be reckoned with.

Amelia: Anything going on today?

Terra: No. Why?

Amelia: I’m just wondering. Maybe we should go somewhere.

Terra: Uh, sure I guess.

Amelia: Why don’t we meet up with Millie and Kris?

Terra: I don’t see why not.

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

Kris: How have you been feeling Millie?

Millie: Eh, peachy. We are going to meet Terra and Amelia somewhere.

Kris: We should explore! It’s so nice outside.

Amelia ran up in front of them. She was holding Terra. Terra jumped down.

Amelia: Hey guys.

Millie: Hey. So does anyone have any idea what we had planned?

Terra: Amelia told me nothing. Why don’t we go walking or something?

Kris: Yeah.

Millie: Well it looks like we have two votes. And I don’t feel like tying with you two. Lead the way Kris.

Kris led the way. Terra ran up next to Kris.

Terra: You actually like the atmosphere of outside?

Kris: Uh yeah of course. After my parents passed I’ve just felt extremely connected with nature.

Terra: I grew up all around nature. I literally lived in the woods.

Kris: When I get older I really want to move somewhere in the country. This city is so cramped. But I can’t complain. Millie does her best.

Terra: It seems so. I’ve never talked to you, so how is Millie as a sister?

Kris: Are you interrogating me or something?

Terra: No! It’s just a question. You don’t have to answer if you don’t wanna.

Kris: Oh no I can. Millie is an amazing sister. She is the reason I’m even alive. Even though I didn’t really agree with her whole Repulse thing though.

Terra: Why?

Kris: It was just so dangerous. And I couldn’t do anything about it.

Terra: When you saw her in my room and beat up it was probably a real startle.

Kris: I’ve seen worse honestly. I don’t think she’ll go back after her accident.

Terra: Oh yeah. I’m sorry you had to go through that.

Everyone looked ahead and saw the rubble of the black coat’s base. The base was still open enough that they could walk in.

Kris: Should we go in there?

Everyone shook their heads no. So they walked forward along the docks.

Terra: Wait can we ride boats on there?

Amelia: Of course. We could take a ferry.

Terra: Cool…

Terra watched the ferries going down the hudson river. The sun glistened nicely off the river.

Millie: Why don’t we just do it right now?

Terra: Really?

Millie took out some money.

Millie: This would be a pretty crappy hang out if we just walked.

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

The group were all around the ferry. They were the only one on the boat.

Kris: Isn’t it weird that we are the only ones on this boat?

Millie: I guess we got lucky.

Terra was marveling at the view. The wind blowing off her face. Amelia sat down next to Millie and offered her a drink.

Amelia: Let the children play.

Millie: I don’t see why not. Bottle opener?

Amelia took out a bottle opener and opened Millie’s drink. Off the ship there was a group of three people watching it go.

???: Everyone got their man?

Terra looked over the ship. She saw the three people and she got a bad feeling. Three people jumped onto the ship.

Terra: Everyone get inside!

Everyone went down below deck. Where they waited.

Terra: Keep Kris and Millie safe.

Amelia: I’m not just watching. Guys, stay in here.

A prosthetic hand smashed through the window and opened the door. Terra looked up at him. He was wearing a big black sweatshirt. With one of his sleeves being tucked back, showing his prosthetic arm. He had his hood over a metal-looking baseball cap under pink hair. He had both a longsword and a shortsword tucked away. He wore baggy pants that were also black. There were two girls behind him. One having short hair, and a white dress shirt under a black leather jacket. She wore black jeans with a belt. The other woman had long brown hair and orange pants with a black crop-top of sorts. Leaving her midriff exposed. Terra counted down to 3 and grabbed the man and got him in a chokehold. He put his hand in front of Terra and blinded her. He kicked her backward.

???: Wow! You are even more impressive up close.

Terra: Who are you?

???: I’m Fleet. This is Mary.

Fleet pointed at the girl with orange pants and long brown hair.

Fleet: And this is Tess.

He gestured over to the girl with a leather jacket.

Fleet: You all scared my master out of here. Now I’m cleaning up. It is kind of dirty when you sneak up on me like that.

Mary: Are you done with your little spiel? I’m starting to get annoyed.

Fleet: Fine fine.

Mary put her hand on the ground. Amelia sped in and knocked Mary down.

Fleet: A speedster? I’ve never seen one up close.

Tess tapped on Fleet’s shoulder and pointed to where Millie and Kris were.

Fleet: What? Do you want me to do something? Those guys are yours.

Fleet dodged out of the way of one of Terra’s gauntlets. She ran up at him and tried to leg sweep him. He stepped out of the way and kneed Terra in the face. She was completely discombobulated. So much so that she dropped her gauntlet she fired at Fleet in the air. Fleet grabbed Terra by the neck with his prosthetic arm. He picked her up.

Fleet: Hm. Stunning.

He took his shortsword out. Kris used his telekinesis to grab Fleet’s leg and flipped him on the ground. Terra was set free. She stepped on Fleet’s back and jolted her foot back and forth and she heard a crack. Fleet put out his hand and blinded Terra again. He got up and tried to deck Terra. She brought up her arm and blocked it. Terra listened closely. Fleet threw a roundhouse kick high. She dodged under. She heard the click of his sword. He slashed at her. She lurched back but was cut right across the stomach. It was the longsword. She regained her sight and realized the cut wasn’t deep but was a really good gash. She threw a side kick. He moved back and waited for her foot to plant on the ground. He slashed his sword down at her leg. Thanks to her armor she still had her leg. But she was bleeding. Fleet drew his second sword and stabbed forward. Terra pushed it down and did a ho0k kick and broke his sword. She followed this up with a superman punch.

Fleet: Tess! We need a double!

Tess pulled out a sound device and let out a loud ear piercing noise. Terra tried to endure. Until Fleet blinded her again. He stabbed his other sword through her. A purple streak came through and swiped up everyone. It was Mike. He ran everyone to Amala’s house.

Amala: Hey, what the hell are you doing here?!

Mike: I understand you train her.

Mike stuck a syringe into Terra.

Mike: This will stop the pain.

Terra regained her consciousness and was startled by the stab wound.

Amala: Terra. We’re having a quick lesson! You need to rest your hand over your wound. Put pressure down.

Terra was hesitant.

Amala: Do you want to die?

Terra took her hand and put it over the wound.

Amala: Like I said. Let Artemis flow through you. Calm yourself.

Terra tried to. But the pain leeched in.

Terra: I can’t do it!

Amala: Fucking concentrate! On anything that eases you!

Terra closed her eyes and pushed down on her wound. Still nothing.

Mike: Everyone get out of the way!

Mike ran off and came back in a split second. He used his speed to read a whole book on how to sew an open wound and sewed her wound closed. Terra lost consciousness again.

Amala: You didn’t have to do it! She needed to learn.

Mike: She wasn’t ready! This is between life and death.

Kris: Why does this always happen?

Millie: When we get involved with this kind of shit. It’s what happens.

Amelia was just sitting there quietly.

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

It was nighttime. Mike was running down the block. He stopped at a flower shop.He thought it was customary to wish Terra a happy recovery. He walked in and bought a nice bouquet of orange tiger lilies. He looked across the street. Someone was sitting in the park on the bench quietly. He had a hood over his face. He was by himself. Mike ran over to him.

Mike: Hey bud. It’s after hours. Shouldn’t you get some sleep?

???: I think you should mind your own business.

Mike was wrapped around with strings from behind him. He tried to phase. But it didn’t work. Erica came out.

Erica: Axel. You can stop the homeless act.

The guy took off his hood. He had long black hair. He tied it back into a small ponytail. And he wore a vanilla colored suit. And nice dress pants and shoes.

Axel: You are the fastest speedster I’ve ever seen. My mother would love to examine you.

Mike: Cute. You are that kid who exploded those busses. 6,000 kids? Why don’t you let me go so we can settle this man to man. Or rather Man to Boy.

Erica laughed.

Axel: Do you think I’m stupid? Take him to mom.

Erica: You are always so serious.

Axel: We have a job. I’m getting it done. You wouldn’t understand.

Mike was locked down in what looked like a basement. But it was very futuristic. Jilaya walked downstairs.

Jilaya: So you are from the future. And I made you? That is amazing!

Mike: That’s a different timeline. Maybe your fate is to be taken out by me.

Jilaya: You wish.

Jilaya looked at a report paper.

Jilaya: So you are Michael Hilton? I am Jilaya. Nice to meet you.

Mike: Not likewise.

Jilaya: While I haven’t even found out how to remove the speed force from people. I have learned that I can cut off your connection to the speed force.

Mike: And how would you do that?

Jilaya: Simple. Paralysis. Let's get this show on the road.

## Issue 4 - Crossing the Boundary

Terra awoke to the sounds of birds chirping. It was bright and early in the morning. She looked around. She tried to get up off the bed but she couldn’t move without a terrible pain shooting through her body. She laid down and let the pain fade. She drifted back to sleep. She was in a house. Jilaya’s house. Ivan stood in front of her.

Ivan: Breaking my sword only bought you time. I decided it was time to come and visit you again.

Terra looked into Ivan’s eyes. The last time she saw him...

Ivan: I see you met the shadow squadron. They are my elites.

Terra: ...get out of my head....

Ivan: What was that?

Terra: Get out of my head!

Ivan: Hmmm. Make me. Oh wait, you can’t. Either way. I’d like you to see something.

Ivan showed Terra A locked down Mike.

Ivan: I’ve started a war. Haven’t I? If you won’t die. Then come here so I can kill you. Maybe Donny’s death wouldn’t have been in vain.

Terra tried to contain her anger.

Ivan: I can tell you are angry. But if you come here.

Ivan showed Terra an address.

Ivan: And you fight and beat me. You may be able to get your crush of the month back. Amelia would be so happy!

Terra: ...You’re lying! Stop!

Ivan: You don’t know if I’m lying or not. And if I am, what do you have to lose. You want to avenge him. Right?

Ivan waved goodbye to Terra and disappeared. Terra awoke and jolted up. She almost hit Amala. Then Terra noticed she was still wounded and she fell back to laying down.

Amala: Good morning I guess.

Leon: Hey Terra, you like your bacon crispy or nah?

Amala: Why do you care? Everyone likes their bacon crispy.

Leon: Well I’m sorry for asking. How is she holding up?

Terra: I can answer for myself. I think I-

Terra started thinking about the dream she just had.

Amala: You can finish your sentence weirdo.

Terra: Ivan. He appeared in my dream.

Amala: What?

Terra: I woke up earlier and then drifted back to sleep. It was like it was real. Ivan talked to me.

Amelia walked in.

Amelia: What did he say?

Terra: Wait you stayed here?

Amelia: Yeah. Now what did he tell you?

Terra: We can bring back Donny.

Amelia: Bring back Donny?! How? Tell me!

Terra: He said he can. But he might be lying. He gave us an address.

Amelia: If he is lying. He dies.

Terra: We can’t just kill him.

Amelia: Why not?

Terra: If you really want him to bring back Donny then you can’t kill him. We could capture him. Amelia, I’ve accepted Donny’s death. Bu-

Amelia: No you haven’t. We both think his death was preventable. We have a chance to save him. To save my brother.

Terra: Maybe it’s worth a shot...

Amala: Wait, you guys talked about hurting or even killing Ivan. Do you remember who Integer is? She will kill you, then resurrect you and kill you again. Over and over. No matter what hurting Ivan gets you both killed!

Leon: Not if we all go. We could take out two birds with one stone. Take them both out.

Amala: You are talking about taking down two people who made most metas nowadays, and have supreme power.

Terra: I kind of like where you’re going Leon. She forcefully made most metas. Like Millie. She didn’t ask for this life. And now she’s missing an arm. I started this when I beat Beck. Maybe it’s time to end it.

Amala: Well don’t blame me when you die.

Terra: So does that mean your coming with?

Amala: Goddamnit.

Leon: I mean I’m going so as my guardian, doesn’t that mean you have to go?

Amala: You’re 18!

Leon: Well I haven’t moved out.

Amala: That makes no sense, but if it means I get to get out of here then fine.

Amelia: And they have Mike. Probably as bait. I’ll talk to Millie about it.

Terra: Why? She’s crippled!

Amelia: Amala has lots of knowledge on Soul Blades. So I went digging around yesterday and I found out that the first soul blade is actually still out there!

Leon: And? Why do you care?

Amelia: We can make a prosthetic for Millie out of the soul steel it’s made from!

Amala: None of us are good at making shit like that.

Amelia: But someone in the white mountains is. And the soul blade is there.

Terra: Hey! That’s where I lived!

Amelia: See? Terra gets to visit her old home, and we get Millie a new arm!

Leon: Well that's all fine and dandy. But how are we going to get there?

Amelia: ...good question. Anyone got any ideas?

Terra: You can run us there!

Amelia: Hell no! I can’t run back and forth from here to New hampshire over and over! My breaks would take longer than it would for us to get there!

Amala: So you’re just lazy?

Amelia: You know what, maybe I am.

Terra: We’ll find a way. I know it.

Amala: Why can’t we just, you know. Drive?

Amala pulled out her phone and did something.

Amala: It takes about 5 hours to get from here to there.

Terra: Perfect! Let’s do that.

Leon: But Amelia could probably make it there way faster.

Amelia: One. I would by carrying one of you at a time. Two. I don’t even know the way! Let’s say I could make it there and back in 1 hour. It would be 4 hours. But that's not accounting for the fact that I can’t run for 4 hours straight! Not even 1 hour! I’d probably even be slow-

Amala: Okay! We get it.

Amelia: Either way, I’m gonna go talk to Millie.

Amelia opened the door and sped off.

Terra: Leon, you can teleport, right?

Leon: Yeah. But only short distances.

Amala: Alright. That’s that then. Leon. It’s time to go and find a van.

Leon: Hell yeah!

Terra: To buy?

Amala: Of course.

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

Amelia was at the bar with Millie. They’d been talking about the normal stuff. Pretty much nothing.

Amelia: So um.

Millie: Yeah?

Amelia: I wanted to ask if you wanted to come with us to take down Ivan.

Millie: Wait what? What are you talking about?

Amelia: Terra and me have this whole plan to take down both Ivan and Integer.

Millie: You want to take down Ivan? And to add on Integer?!

Everyone in the bar looked at both of them.

Amelia: Outside. Now.

Millie and Amelia rushed outside and went out next to the bar.

Millie: How do you expect that to work? Use your head!

Amelia: Listen. If we don’t try. I-I don’t know if I’ll be able to live with myself.

Millie: But I have things here for me. A little danger is great and all but a suicide mission is another thing. I have to take care of Kris.

Amelia: We could also get you a new arm.

Millie: Really? But my arm isn’t worth my life.

Amelia: Well. It’s fine. We don’t need you. I’ll do it myself. Nobody to have drinks with. Have conversations for hours. I’ll go.

Millie: Don’t be an asshole!

Amelia: I am an asshole. But to be real. I am going no matter what. Ivan told Terra that we could bring Donny back if we go there and face Ivan. If Kris died. You would do anything to commemorate him. Wouldn’t you? We aren’t that different.

Millie: Fine! I’ll go. Is that what you want to hear?

Amelia smiled.

Amelia: We’ll make it worth your while.

## Issue 5 - Feels Like Home

Terra, Amelia, Millie, and Leon loaded into a RV.

Leon: Check it out! We went all out and bought an RV!

Amala: Yeah “bought.”

Everyone took their seats in the vehicle. With Amala and Leon in the drivers and passenger seats and Amelia, Millie in a booth.

Amala: Alright, we’re off to the white mountains.

The RV took off. With Amelia and Millie playing video games together on the booth. Leon and Amala were having a conversation. While Terra was sitting across the way from the booth. Getting lost in her thoughts. But something else was dwelling on her. She was just looking out the window. Leon sat next to her.

Leon: Hey, are you feeling anxious?

Terra: I don’t know. It’s just, I’m going all the way back to the white mountains. Where this all started.

Leon: Well yeah sure. I feel like there is something more.

Terra: Are you some sort of psychic?

Leon: I mean I could be if I wanted to.

Terra: Then what do you think is on my mind?

Leon: Hmmmm. You want to meet Artemis there? Maybe you want to see a really cool card trick?

Terra: Those are both really stupid guesses.

Amala: Hey, why don’t you watch a movie or something?

Terra: Uh...sure.

Leon: What do you like?

Terra: There is actually a brand new movie about the Sentinels. Those people we saw when we fought all those EOLs.

Leon: Don’t worry. I’m great at pirating.

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

They were coming up on the white mountains. Terra was preparing her armor.

Millie: So your saying I can find a soul blade and get a new arm?

Amelia: Well, we will find the person who can make prosthetics.

Everyone stepped off the RV and looked up at the White Mountains.

Amelia: You know the way, don’t you Terra?

Terra: To the sword? No.

Amelia: Well the book I found said it would be up the mountain. Deep in a cave.

Terra: A cave? There aren’t that many caves. But the first one that comes to mind is the one close to my village.

Amelia: Then let’s try there.

Terra: This will be a long walk. It took me a while to get there.

Amelia: Ugh. Sounds like a pain. Why can’t I just run?

Leon: The probability of you running into a tree is almost certain.

Everyone began their long ascent up the mountain. After about a half a day or so Amelia,Millie and Leon barely wanted to move.

Amala: Seriously? How are you already tired?

Leon: Well you never add workouts to our routines! How are you not even sweating!?

Amala: I guess I just don’t sweat easily.

Terra: Everyone stop.

Everyone stopped with a sudden look of concern. Terra raised her fists. With her gauntlets coming up off her. A bunch of people jumped out in front of them. They all ignited their hands with fire. Someone else walked out in front. She had a black mask around her eyes. She ignited her hands with both ice and fire. She had a red shirt and coat and pants made from animal hide.

Amala: More metas? Everyone get ready.

The person with the mask put out her hands. Telling everyone around her to stop. She walked close to Terra.

Black mask woman: You. You must meet our leader.

Terra: Me?

The woman nodded and tried pulling Terra.

Terra: Hey. Can my friends come?

The woman examined Terra’s group.

Black mask woman: Friendly?

Terra: Yes. As long as you don’t attack us.

The black mask woman nodded and led Terra to some sort of town. The building looked reminiscent of her town. As they walked through Terra came to a realization.

Terra: Wait. Guys. This is my old town.

Amelia: Didn’t you say it would take a long time to make it?

Terra: Yeah. Because it looks like the town got bigger. Much bigger.

Everyone was looking weirdly at Terra.

Terra: This place gives me a bad feeling.

Amala drew her attention to the black mask woman.

Amala: Hey! Who are you?

Black Mask Woman: Hiroshi.

Leon: That’s a kanji for prosperous. Are you some sort of protector?

Hiroshi nodded. She pointed at Terra.

Hiroshi: Come with me.

Terra looked at her companions and went with Hiroshi.

Terra: Where are you taking me?

Hiroshi: Meeting our leader.

Terra: Okay. But why do I matter?

Hiroshi was quiet. They walked into the center of town. Where there was a crowd around someone. Everyone who saw Hiroshi let her through. There was a woman standing in the center of the crowd of people. She had orange hair and had a red robe on. And no shoes.

Hiroshi: I present to you, Kimi Lorenz.

Terra was frozen.

Kimi: Terra…

It was easy to tell the woman in front of her was her mother. Same orange hair. Same freckles across the face. Even down to simple body structure. They were very similar.

Kimi: You look so beautiful. It’s been so long.

Terra: And whose fault is that?

Terra turned and walked away. She saw her group waiting for us.

Terra: Guys, let’s go and find the soul blade.

Amelia: Did you see what they wanted you to?

Terra: Yeah.

Millie: What did they show you?

Terra: Don’t worry about it.

Amala: Oh, so you're doing that?

Terra: Let’s go find the stupid sword.

Hiroshi jumped in front of the group.

Hiroshi: Soul blade? We have it.

Amelia: You have the soul blade?

Hiroshi nodded.

Millie: Can we see it?

Hiroshi nodded once again. As she led them she looked at Terra. Terra just ignored Hiroshi’s gaze. They got into a house. A sword sat on display at the back end of the house.

Amelia: That’s it.

Millie: We can’t just take it though.

Amala: Who said that?

Terra: We aren’t resorting to stealing. Especially with all of these metas around us.

Hiroshi: Your mother would like to speak with you.

Leon: Mother? You have a mother?

Millie: I thought you said you lived with your grandparents.

Terra looked distressed. She sat down on a chair.

Amala: Why did you never mention her?

Terra: I never wanted to. She is a terrible person.

Millie: How?

Terra: She left me when I was seven. Dropped me off at my grandparents like trash. I don’t know if I can confront her. Let’s just get Millie’s prosthetic and leave.

Amala: You can’t just leave behind your loved ones. Even if you hate them. Just let her talk to you. See what she has to say.

Terra: ...She left me behind! My own mother! You probably don’t even remember your mother!

Terra walked out of the room. She sat next to the house. She thought about the day her shelter was burnt down by her mother’s blue flames. Millie came out and sat next to Terra.

Millie: Parents are sometimes confusing. Mine disappeared. They went off to work one day and just disappeared. Or maybe died. Who knows. But I didn’t know how much I loved them until they were gone. And sometimes I didn’t understand their actions. When I was young I thought they had only started to care about Kris and just forgot about me. But they just were trying to raise Kris up. I’m just saying. Maybe she left for a reason. A reason that was out of her control.

Hiroshi walked over to Terra.

Hiroshi: Please?

Terra: ...Alright. I’ll see what she has to say.

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

Kimi was waiting for Terra.

Kimi: Terra. You finally came!

Terra: I don’t want to get caught up in a fake mother daughter conversation. Tell me why, why did you leave?

Kimi: I had to. My powers were...here. Let me show you.

Kimi directed her hand over to a statue made out of metal. She shot a huge blue flame out of her hand and burnt it to a crisp.

Terra: What does that have to do with anything?

Kimi: I didn’t have them under control. If I stayed with you my powers would’ve killed you. So I sent you to your grandparents.

Terra: Then why didn’t you come back?! Why didn’t you try and find me!?

Kimi: Once I got control over my powers you had already left the white mountains.

Terra: You were gone for 10 years!

Kimi: ...I see you need some help with a prosthetic.

Terra: ...My friend, she lost her arm. And we need a prosthetic. But I’m asking too much if we want to use the soul blade you ha-

Kimi: No! That’s not asking too much at all! I will make your prosthetic.

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

Kimi was sitting in the middle of a room with the blade in front of her.

Kimi: You all are clearly great friends to Terra. Thank you for caring for her.

Kimi used her powers to burn the sword to a crisp.

Kimi: I have part of a relic that controls fire, and I can harness the power of aura. I’ll be back soon.

Kimi took the burnt sword to make a prosthetic for Millie.

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

Millie was getting her brand new arm attached to her body. Kimi just finished.

Kimi: How do you like it?

Millie moved her arm a little. It felt great.

Millie: Thank you for everything.

Kimi: Of course! It’s my pleasure. This should feel just like a regular arm. But just a little more powerful. And you get some soul blade attachments. This may be the weakest soul blade but it’s no slouch. It is soul blade number 1.

Millie: Well it’s even better than a regular prosthetic so I can’t complain.

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

Terra was outside walking around with Amala.

Amala: This place gives me the creeps. Everyone’s looking at you like you're some sort of god.

A random guy came up to Terra.

Random guy: You are really the real Artemis?! Bless your soul! We all pray for you each and every day!

Terra: Um…

Amala: Go pray somewhere else you fucking suck up! Do you think your mom is taking this too far?

Terra: Eh, maybe.

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

The night was falling, and Terra laid down to get some sleep. They would leave in the morning. Kimi walked in her room.

Terra: Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep?

Kimi: Yes. I just wanted to talk.

Terra: About what?

Kimi: I know I was a terrible mother. But I want to make it up to you. By being here in the now.

Terra: Thanks. But I’m good.

Kimi: Does your family not matter to you? We could be together you and I! You could be like a protector with your Artemis powers! I would give your friends great shelter. I want you to be by my side. Mother and daughter. Reunited!

Terra: ...You want me to stay?

Kimi: Wouldn’t you want to? I’m your mother!

Terra: I can’t. I have my own mission.

Kimi: So you are rejecting me?

Terra: Stop twisting my words!

Kimi looked disturbed.

Kimi: If you aren’t going to stay. Then we will fight for your freedom!

Terra: I’m not fighting. I’m leaving.

Kimi: Then walk away from your problems! Like you always do!

Terra: You don’t know me! You haven’t been in my life for ten years! Why do you care now?

Kimi: You and your powers inspire my people. With you here, we have peace! I won’t let you leave.

Terra: ...Fine. If you want to fight. Then we will.

Kimi: Excellent. In the arena tonight.

Kimi walked out of the house.

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

Amelia: So you were right? She is crazy.

Terra: She wants to fight me so I can escape. I accepted.

Millie: You accepted?! Are you crazy?

Leon: I don’t think so. She’ll get to punch her past in the face.

Terra: I feel like if I don’t then she would actually try and find me. This will close it off. And I’ll win.

Leon: Good luck.

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

Kimi and Terra were in an arena. With tons of the town's citizens were in the seats. Amelia, Amala, Millie and Leon were in the front row.

Kimi: The wonderful Artemis has threatened to leave us!

Everyone besides Terra’s group booed Terra.

Kimi: And I will fight for our honor! We will keep Artemis!

Terra: Enough! Let’s just get this over with. I’m getting my freedom.

Everyone booed once again.

Kimi: You are just an object to them. You are Artemis!

Terra: I guess I can’t always be the good guy.

Kimi and Terra both got into fighting stances. Kimi took off her red robe. She had a top on that was made out of animal skin. Kimi shot a huge fire blast at Terra. She dodged out of the way and ran at Kimi. As she ran she shot her gauntlet at Kimi. She shot a flame at it. But the armor was too strong. It broke through the flames and hit Kimi back. Terra came in and kicked her and sent her spiraling back. Kimi blew fire out of her mouth and shot a huge blast of fire at Terra. She jumped out of the way of the fire. Kimi shot fire at the ground and set it on fire. Terra landed and burnt her feet. One of Terra’s gauntlets came from behind and punched Kimi in the faee. She raised the fire around Terra. Terra ran out of the fire and punched her in the face with a combo and then swept her leg. She held her down with her gauntlets and held her down. Kimi made a huge explosion happen under them. Terra went flying back and broke her fall once she hit the ground. She tried picking up one of her gauntlets. Kimi kicked it away. Terra took this chance and ran in and kicked Kimi back. Kimi jumped up and uppercut Terra. But she stood her ground. Terra kneed Kimi in the stomach and then kicked her to her side. She turned her gauntlets on their sharp sides and spun them both around. She slashed both of them at Kimi at once. Kimi slowed them with fire blasts and ducked under. Terra tried to pick up her shin guard. She fired it at Kimi faster then she meant to. Kimi narrowly dodged and got a scratch across her stomach. Terra ran up to her and clashed. With both their hands pushing on each other. Kimi’s eyes lit up and let out a huge light. She burst with fire and shot back Terra all the way across the arena. Terra left a huge crack in the wall. She fell down. As her vision blurred. Kimi ran up at Terra. Terra called her gauntlet to her and held it at Kimi. Kimi grabbed Terra’s other gauntlet and stabbed Terra through the stomach.

Kimi: I’m sorry, but this is what happens when you try and rebel.

Terra: I’ve been stabbed too many times to count. Do you think this stops me?

Terra punched Kimi in the face and then did a hook kick to the side of her face. When Kimi looked up Terra uppercut her into the air. She jumped in the air and did a hook kick and sent her to the ground.

Terra raised her hand. She won.

Kimi: You impress me, daughter. Everyone! Kill Artemis!

All the metas jumped off the stands and into the arena. Amala, Amelia, Millie and leon jumped down into the arena and fought back against them. A meta shot a fire blast at Millie. She held out her prosthetic and blocked the fire. She clapped her hands together and shot a blast at the meta.

Millie: This arm has more uses than it seems.

Amelia ran around knocking out a bunch of metas. One meta who was also a speedster came behind her. Amelia stopped and knocked down the meta. Amala slashed through multiple metas and their blood attacked another group of metas. Leon held his hand in the air and shot a bunch of fire in the air. He held back other metas with his sword. A fireball came down in front of him and he hit it at one meta who was left over.

Leon: It was fun while it lasted! Let’s get out of here!

Everyone ran out of the place. With Amelia way ahead of everyone. As they ran Amala saw a spear sitting in a house. It looked strikingly similar to the one Terra used to own. Amala ran in and grabbed it and ran. Amelia stopped for everyone and ran them down the mountain and back to the RV. Everyone piled in and got back on the road.

Leon: Well we all learned an important lesson today.

Terra: It was a bad idea to come here in the first place?

Amala: Oh come on! What did you learn?

Terra: My family is definitely not my mom.

Millie: Hey, look on the brightside. I’m ready for battle!

Amala: Let’s hope.

## Issue 6 - Spiritual Warfare

Amala: So now we are off to where Ivan lives? Now that all of that’s over, what’s the address?

Terra: I wrote it down. It’s 130 Blackstone Ave in….

Amala: Spit it out!

Terra: You’re going to like this. It’s in California.

Amala: And you waited to tell us?

Terra: ...Yup.

Amala: Alright. We’re leaving behind the RV. We’re flying.

Leon: We can’t fly!

Millie: What, are you afraid of flying?

Leon: We literally all have weapons and recently one of us received a big metal part on their body.

Amelia: True. We would definitely get kicked right out of there and probably arrested.

Terra: I have a way. I could talk to Matt and get his friend to get me another private jet.

Amelia: You can get a private jet?!

Terra: Yeah. I already took a ride in one.

Amala: Let’s track down Matt then.

Terra: I can call him.

Amelia: Well what are you waiting for?

Terra took out her trusty flip-phone and dialed up Matt’s number. Matt picked up the phone. He was breathing heavily.

Matt: Terra. What do you need? I don’t have much time.

Terra: Wait. is something going on?

Matt: There’s three people here, in my house. I’m on the roof.

Terra: Three people? Are they all wearing black? And does one of them have freakish pink hair?

Matt: Well I wouldn’t know.

Terra: Oh yeah...Do you know what weapons they had?

Matt: One had two swords. One was longer than the other. The other had no weapons and no powers. And the last was the quietest and had a sword.

Terra: That must be them.

Matt: Their tracking down metas and mutants and either killing or capturing them. But You are 5 hours away.

Terra: Get to a safe area. And call me back.

Terra hung up.

Terra: We have to get home. Now! The Shadow Squadron is there!

Leon: Excuse me? Shadow Squadron?

Terra: The three people who tried to kill me! One of them stabbed me. Ivan called them the Shadow Squadron in my dream. Matt won’t be able to hold them off.

Amelia: I don’t know if you forgot. But we are still 5 hours away.

Terra: Amelia. Can you make the car go faster?

Amelia: It’s a piece of shit and no!

Terra: Well I guess Matt’s by himself.

Amala: Oh and also. Now might not be a good time. But I stole your old spear. Looks like your mom had it.

Terra: My old spear? That spear was the spear I killed Beck with.

Amala: Yeah, so?

Terra: Killing might not be a big deal to you. But it is for me. I took his life away.

Amala: Well you did it. Who cares?

Terra: I don’t feel like I did it. It felt almost animalistic. He ran at me and I just held out my spear. I don’t want to know that feeling ever again. Of killing someone.

Leon: Well everyone has their own opinion about that. I respect yours. Killing is hard for some people.

Terra: Well in my life I’ve been taught that nature is sacred. Humans are still part of nature.

Millie: Why don’t you just try and hold it? See how it feels.

The spear was in the backseat of the RV. Terra grabbed it off the seat and held it. She did a couple swings with it.

Terra: But on the other hand. This used to be a staff that my grandfather made for me. This is the only thing that helps me remember them.

Terra sat down and put the spear next to her.

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

Matt jumped down flights of stairs. He got to the bottom and looked around for a vent. The door was too obvious. He opened the door and felt a well right under him. He opened it and ducked in. He was in the sewers. But he had no time to worry about smells. He hid behind a wall. He felt someone grab him by the back of the neck and pull him into a chokehold. He headbutted them and tried to escape. It was Mary. She had turned invisible. She slit his throat. But he held up his billy club and covered his throat. He wrapped the line around her sword and threw his second billy club away. It pulled Mary’s sword out of her grasp.

Mary: Clever. But what did I expect from our own Devil of Hell’s Kitchen? You know, I always admired you as a kid.

Matt: I don’t get along with crowds. I’m a lawyer.

Matt threw a couple punches at Mary. Which she parried. She threw some punches at Matt’s stomach. She hit him hard in a bunch of pressure points. But Matt powered through it. He grabbed her hand and punched her in the face multiple times and followed up with a couple knees. He knocked her off her feet with his second knee and he threw her to the side and into the sewer waters. Mary shot a huge fire blast into the roof ahead of Matt. Blocking his path. He ran the other way to take the long way around. Mary shot blast after blast and Matt dodged blast after blast. He realized Mary had suddenly stopped and felt another presence. He ran down another sewer tunnel. Where he felt someone else in his presence Tess showed herself.

Matt: It doesn’t matter if you turn invisible. I see all of you.

Fleet showed himself too.

Fleet: Too bad we aren’t stealthy like Mary, oh well.

Tess teleported behind Matt. Matt threw out an elbow from behind. Tess phased her body and let Matt phase through her. She took out 5 needles and threw them into Matt. Poison entered his body. He had to fight though. He threw a couple uppercuts at Tess before hitting her with a jab and kicking her back. Fleet came behind with his sword. Matt dodged and weaved. Flipping out of the way of Fleet’s sword. Fleet swung low and then swung high with his other sword. Matt flipped in between both swords and kicked Fleet in the face. He swung his swords at Matt. He tried his best to dodge and weave but got a couple cuts from Fleet’s longsword. He powered through it and kicked Fleet’s sword out of his hand. He landed with his back facing and hit Tess into the sewer water with a tornado kick just in time. Fleet punched Matt in the back with his prosthetic hand. Matt felt a shake go through his spine. He was breathing heavily and felt himself bleeding in many different places. He wrapped up Fleet’s legs with his Billy clubs and dragged him down towards him. Fleet used his shortsword to cut the cable. He came from under and slashed at Matt’s throat. He jerked his head back and did a back leg front kick. Fleet had grabbed his longsword. He stabbed both his swords down and trapped Matt’s leg. Fleet came through and knocked Matt down on the ground and got on top of him and started punching him in the face over and over again with his prosthetic hand. Fleet swung down for a final hit.

Fleet: It’s my honor to kill Daredevil.

Fleet’s hand was hit with some sort of sticky string. His hand was stuck to the wall. Then his other hand was stuck to the ground. Someone swung across the sewer and knocked Fleet through a wall. He has a black sweatshirt with a yellow hood. Then a ski mask that has white eyes he can see through. The black sweatshirt has a yellow spider on the front of the suit. The black gloves have yellow fingers sewn into them. He has black pants on, and yellow and black shoes.

Matt: Who are you?

???: Leo. Maybe the name Arachno rings a bell.

Matt: Well you aren’t lying.

Leo: Come with me. I have a safe place.

Leo held out his hand. Matt grabbed his hand and they ran off. Fleet bust through the wall. Mary and Tess regrouped behind him. Tess teleported in front of both of them and picked up the water and threw it at both of them. Matt was blasted back. But Leo shot his webs up in the air and avoided the water. He shot a web at Tess and stuck her to the wall. He saw light shining down. Leo jumped back and grabbed Matt and jumped up through the well. They came to the surface. Feet and the rest jumped up after Mary freed Tess from the wall.

Fleet: Everyone split up. We’ll cover more ground that way!

Leo let go of Matt. They had turned invisible.

Leo: Back into the sewers.

Leo and Matt jumped back into the sewers. Leo led Matt down a secret trail and into a huge room with tons of metas and mutants taking refuge they were in groups and were sitting on blakets.

Matt: There’s so many people here.

Leo: Yeah. They are all metas and mutants.

Matt: So they really are after metas. Thank you for protecting everyone Leo.

Leo was surprised by this.

Leo: It’s no problem.

Matt took out his phone and called Terra.

Terra: Yeah?

Matt: I’m safe. Tell me when you’re here so we can keep you safe. leo

Terra: I’m not a kid anymore!

Matt: Then just get stabbed again.

Terra: Alright. You have me there. I’ll call when I get back. Amala, how long until we get there? Just sit back Matt.

Matt: Sure.

Terra hung up. Matt stood up.

Matt: I’m going back out. There’s still people out there who need to be helped.

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

Terra and her group arrived in New York.

Terra: I’ll call Matt again.

Millie: Where are all the people?

The streets were mostly devoid of people.

Leon: Something is not right here.

Terra: We need to go to 44th.

Amala: Gotcha.

Amala drove the RV over to 44th street. Where they saw Matt come into the road protecting a couple people. He led them into the sewers.

Matt: Terra? Come with me, into the sewers.

Terra: Come on guys. We can’t just stay here.

Amelia: Into the sewers? That’s disgusting! I think I should just wait he-

Millie: Stop complaining!

Leon: Wait and sec girls.

Leon did a quick spell and put a shield around the RV. Matt led everyone into the sewers. Amelia was plugging her nose.

Amelia: Do all of you seriously not smell the stench?

Terra: We do. But this is an important mission!

Amelia: Who ever said this was a mission?

Matt showed everyone to where all the metas and mutants were. Millie scanned and saw Kris.

Millie: Kris! Thank god.

Millie ran over to him and hugged him.

Kris: Yeah I know.

Kris tried his best to escape Millie’s grasp. He then realized Millie’s other hand.

Kris: Wait. That’s your new arm?

Millie: Oh yeah, this old thing.

Kris: You have become the coolest sister ever.

Millie: Shut up! I already was. Do you think you’ll be safe here?

Kris: With these people protecting me? Yeah I think I will.

A girl walked over. She had tan skin, and long black hair. Her hair went down to the middle of her back. She has her hair tied back in a ponytail. She was wearing some sort of pink superhero suit on. It was kind of faded.

Kris: Oh, this is Chloe. She was the one who saved me.

Millie shook her hand.

Chloe: Your Kris’s sister? Repulse right?

Millie: Wait, how did you know that?

Chloe: Same figure. If you came back out of the shadows with that prosthetic people would easily be able to find you.

Amelia was looking around for her fellow blue coats. None of them were found.

Amelia: Matt. Did you ever find any of the blue coats?

Matt: No I don’t think so. I’m sorry.

Amelia: I’ll be back.

Amelia sped out of the sewers. She ran up and down the roads of Hell’s Kitchen. There was a blinding light that came across the street in front of her. She tried to duck but lost momentum. She was able to regain her footing and slide around to face Fleet.

Fleet: The last blue coat left.

Amelia: Last blue coat...You’re lying!

Mary: Not in the slightest. We butchered them. I wonder why you didn’t recruit more. There were only three. Let me tell you their names. There was Harry, Oscar, and Blue. Or Ozzy. All nice names.

Amelia shot a furious look at all of them. She didn’t even notice the tears going down her eyes. Amelia charged speed into herself. She started to vibrate her body and focused it into her hand. Mary went to attack. But Fleet stopped her.

Fleet: No. I want to see what this is all about.

Leon came from around the corner driving the RV. He ran right into the shadow squadron.

Leon: There’s no time! Get in!

Amelia let herself go and ran into the RV. They returned to where the refugees were. Amelia just sat. Completely silent. Millie walked up to Amelia. She even stuck her hand out on her shoulder.

Millie: It’ll be alright.

Amelia pushed Millie off of her a little too roughly.

Amelia: Don’t give me that hopeful bullshit.

Amala: Matt. You and your peeps will be able to protect this place. Right?

Matt: No doubt.

Terra: We should go. I don’t know if we can stay here much longer.

Leon: Hey, remember the question you originally had for Matt?

Terra: Oh yeah! Matt, is there a chance I can get another jet ride to California?

Matt: Probably not. Danny is not here right now.

Terra: Well it was worth a try. Is there anything anyone needs before we go?

Amala: I’m going to say no.

It wasn’t long until everyone was back on the road. Amelia was still quiet.

Millie: I hope Amelia works things out.

Terra: Me too.

Leon: Alright guys. Off to Cali. We aren’t stopping now. Unless we need gas.

Amala: We’re going across the country! And this thing sucks!

Leon: Well you wanted it!

Amelia was in the back of the RV. Thinking to herself. Thinking about how every one of them was going to pay. All three of them.

## Issue 7 - Jump Right In

The group was driving down the highway. Amala got off the highway to go to a gas station.

Leon: We need gas again?

Amala: Like I said. This thing is a piece of shit.

Terra: Why are you complaining Leon? We get to stretch our legs.

Amelia had taken off her blue coat and had just a black shirt underneath. She had drank to her fallen friends. She finally walked up into the center of the RV.

Millie: Amelia…

Terra: You okay?

Amelia: Well I can’t get drunk because I’m a speedster. So no.

Amelia sat down next to Millie.

Amelia: I think I’ll try running with you guys instead of sitting around.

Millie: Running with the RV?

Amelia: Yeah. I need to train myself. And speaking of that. Buy lots of food in the store. I’m already hungry.

Millie: We ate like a couple hours ago!

Amelia: I have an excuse.

Everyone unloaded out of the RV while Amala filled it up with gas. Amelia decided to run up the highway. Millie, Leon and Terra went in the store and bought a bunch of pizza for Amelia and other random snacks for the rest of them. They came back outside and put them in the RV.

Terra: There’s a hot spring nearby! We should stop.

Amala: Seriously? We don’t need to go swimming.

Leon: I don’t see why not.

Amala: That’s because you’re a pervert.

Millie: I’ll go. And I bet Amelia would too.

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

Everyone had changed and Amala drove the RV a little bit up the road to the spring. Terra jumped right in.

Terra: We had springs like this around my village before. It gets all your sore joints kinked out. This is good for us going up to Ivan.

Millie was sitting with her feet in. Leon dropped himself in and was shocked by the water’s hotness. Amelia was sitting next to the water with her normal clothes on eating pizza.

Leon: Why don’t you try out the water Amala?

Amala: Uh no.

Leon: Why not?

Amala: I just hate hot places!

Millie: So that’s why you always have the AC cranked?

Amala: I probably got it from my stupid mother.

Terra: Oh, the one that’s a Sentinel?

Amala: Not anymore, they disbanded after Untouchable’s death. But she has broken regeneration, but her regeneration doesn’t work against hot things. That’s why she has burns on her.

Terra: Did you talk to her?

Amala: Yeah. For a little bit. We went our separate ways.

Millie: Wouldn’t you want to be with your mom?

Amala: Hell no. When she failed to protect us she pussied out. And she’s the reason I’m immortal.

Millie: Is she immortal too?

Amala: Yes.

Millie: So you have infinite time to make up. That means you’ll eventually make up with her.

Amala: Well not right now.

Everyone continued hanging out. It was very peaceful for once. Millie got in the water with Leon and Terra. Amala had gone back to the RV. Amelia was laying in the grass next to everyone and drifted into sleep. Amelia fell into a dream. She saw Ivan before her.

Ivan: Sleeping?

Amelia tried to punch Ivan. But nothing happened.

Ivan: I don’t want to fight. I want to tell you something.

Amelia: ...I don’t want to hear shit from you.

Ivan: I know we aren’t on great terms. But-

Amelia: You killed my brother! And then killed my close friends! And I don’t care what you do. I’m going to kill them all.

Ivan: You don’t care if you die? What about the people who care for you? Like Millie. Or even Terra.

Amelia: They can live without me. I make their lives worse if anything.

Ivan: Well what if I told you that you could save everyone? Even Donny and your lost friends.

Amelia: What do you mean? What are you playing at?

Ivan: If you could run at the speed of light. Then you could reverse time and bring them back. Without letting your friends down.

Amelia: This would reverse all your progress. Why would you want that?

Ivan: Can you resist the temptation? You and Donny lived in Beck’s slave site for a while. Donny was a good man. I didn’t even want to kill him. Terra needed to die.

Amelia: What’s wrong with Terra? Why was it her you were focusing on?

Ivan: Well I guess killing Donny was a good move anyway. He was the only one who could care for Terra’s wound after I tried to kill her the first time. You don’t know how to fix a wound. Hell, you probably would’ve just gone after your sister. Then she would’ve died. But she is a big problem for us. Artemis is another potential god at stake. She may not be powerful enough to stop what’s coming. But there must only be one. One supreme god.

Amelia awoke suddenly. Everyone was drying off next to the spring.

Terra: Amelia, you have a nightmare or something?

Amelia: No. I’m just a light sleeper. What makes you think I would’ve had a dream? I only dozed.

Millie: You ready to go?

Amelia: Yeah.

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

Millie and Amala had traded off. It had been nonstop driving for Amala up until that point. Amelia was trying to get sleep. Terra and Leon were watching some sort of movie. While Amala also tried to sleep. Millie realized Terra and Leon had drifted off to sleep. Millie was also a little tired. She got up and shook Amala awake.

Amala: What now? I’m trying to sleep.

Millie: We should try camping out for the night. I never even tried to sleep.

Amala: Ugh.

Amala grabbed a pot and a pan and smashed them together. Waking everyone up.

Amelia: What the hell?! We all are trying to sleep you bitch!

Amala: Yeah I know. But Millie over here got a little tired. So, we’re going to camp out.

Terra: It’s been so long since I’ve done that!

Millie brought the RV into the woods somewhere.

Millie: This is totally shady.

Amala: Oh who gives a shit? Leon can just put up a barrier.

Terra started a fire quick and Leon put a barrier around the RV and everyone.

Amala: So we have 3 comfortable places to sleep. And there has to be two who sleep together. So looks like you’re already at a disadvantage Leon. Oh, and I’m not sleeping outside. So who wants to volunteer?

Terra: I’m perfectly content with sleeping outside.

Leon: And I’m a guy.

Amelia: So I guess it’s me and Millie.

Millie looked a little uncomfortable.

Amelia: Are you serious? Did you never sleepover with friends who were girls.

Millie: Yeah I did. I don’t care.

Everyone settled down to sleep. While Terra kept the fire alive with Leon.

Terra: Why aren’t you getting the fire wood?

Leon: Because I’m tired. I don’t know how you have the energy.

Terra: It’s easy. I had to live in the woods a while back. Me and Amala even had to camp out before.

Leon: Really? Isn’t Amala like a wealth of information?

Terra: If you want facts that make you have an existential crisis.

Leon: I’m serious. She took me in when I had nobody. She even helped me learn more about my magic. And she taught me how to use the trusty soul blade. Maybe Krilla blessed me with Amala’s presence. It’s like she’s protecting me after everything.

Terra: That’s really pleasant. Amala is surprisingly supportive. It’s like she doesn’t want us going down her path.

Leon: Maybe.

They sat in silence for a little while.

Leon: Hey Terra. I wanna let you in on something.

Terra: Yeah?

Leon: I think Amelia’s blue coat business isn’t down the drain. Can’t she just recruit more? I became a blue coat from Donny.

Terra: I mean maybe she could. I don’t think she’s gotten over anything. Actually, I’ve been dwelling on something.

Leon: Shoot it at me.

Terra: Even though me and Donny barely did anything I felt a connection. And it hurts not being able to do anything about it. Unless Ivan isn’t lying. If he is, then it’ll be revenge.

Leon: ...I heard things about you from Krilla. She said your rise against Beck was beautiful. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes. You aren’t going to kill Ivan with a conscience. Are you?

Terra: I still think I was wrong for killing Beck. I think we’ll figure it out. I need to get a hang of my destruction form.

Leon: Why don’t we try and get a hang of it sometime?

Terra: Yeah, that’s a good idea. Right now it’s time to get some sleep. Night.

Leon: Yeah, night.

## Issue 8 - Volatile Reaction

Fleet: So you want us to run them here?

The Shadow Squadron was outside with a map on a table. Axel and Erica were sitting across from them.

Axel: Me and dad have a plan. Just change their route.

Fleet: Do we get to terrorize them?

Mary: Can we kill any of them?

Axel: If you want. If you kill all of them then we won’t even have to continue the plan.

Erica: Dad told us to keep the speedster alive.

Axel: Why?

Erica: And he said you can’t take her powers. She has to stay at peak condition.

Axel: So be it.

Fleet: This is exciting! We should get the guy who hit us with that RV!

Tess smiled and clapped her hands.

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

Amala was driving the RV. With everyone adjusted into their normal places. Amelia was even up front with Millie.

Leon: We’re 2 hours away! Finally!

Terra looked like she was nervous.

Amala: Hey Terra. I know that face. You’re nervous aren’t you?

Terra: Yeah, very. I haven’t even gotten that much more powerful.

Amala slammed on the breaks.

Amala: In that case. It’s time to train.

Terra: What? Right now?

Amala pulled the RV off to the side and stepped out. Terra followed.

Amala: When was the last time you got it to work.

Terra: Against Ivan.

Amala: So when you’re pissed?

Terra: Sadly for you. It’s really hard to get me mad.

Amala: Well you must be able to control it if you want too. But how? I shouldn’t ask questions we both don’t know the answer too. Get the page for destruction.

Terra: Okay.

Terra went in the camper and grabbed the page.

Amala: The rest of you, go up the street and fill the old girl up, will you?

Millie grabbed the wheel and they drove away. Terra gave the page to Amala.

Amala: Hmmmm...Oh no that’s not good.

Terra: What is it?

Amala: Since you’ve become stronger than last time, your destruction form is outdated. We need you to connect to it so both your base power level, and destruction power level can equal out.

Terra: Um. You know I don’t understand that at all, right?

Amala: We’ve been over this already. Everyone has their own power levels. And with those power levels are the separate stats. Attack, Defense, Speed, Power, Intelligence and Skill.

Amala: In this instance Intelligence and Skill don’t matter. Because those are usually constant across the board. But your destruction should be a multiplier and the numbers don’t add up.

Terra: So how can I get into the form? I can’t just let the power flow through me. Can I suck it up or something?

Amala: Try.

Terra took a deep breath. She started to glow up. She opened her eyes. They were a vibrant orange.

Amala: Alright! You’re doing it!

Terra let her breath out and the power instantly faded away.

Amala: And now you aren’t.

Terra: It was like as soon as I let out my breath I lost it.

Amala: Try it with your armor on.

Terra: Okay.

Terra ran in the RV and equipped her armor.

Amala: Now you're at your most powerful without destruction. Try it now.

Terra took a deep breath. She started to glow up. She opened her eyes. They were a vibrant orange. But even more vibrant than last time. She let her breath out and she kept the form on.

Amala: Looks like it worked. Your armor must be like a cap or something.

Terra: I feel so much more powerful!

Amala: throw a punch at me.

Terra: Are you sure?

Amala: I can take it.

Terra threw a punch out at Amala. She blocked but was still pushed back a little.

Amala: Shit...and that was just a jab. Try some more.

Terra threw a couple punches. Then with the last hook she threw she lost all the power.

Terra: I lost it again, didn’t I?

Amala: You didn’t breath correctly with that one.

Terra: Seriously? I have to do everything right?

Amala: Well it looks like it works better when you're pissed. But you know how to center the power. All you have to do is practice.

Terra: I’m gonna practice a little more.

Amala watched Terra shadowboxing. She stayed focused for a little while.

Amala: Shadowboxing is good and all. But let’s do it against a real enemy.

Terra: Are you sure you’ll be okay?

Amala: Sure. I’m just going to block.

Terra focused her energy into a rhythm with Amala. Amala got comfortable with Terra and threw out a couple punches. Terra blocked them and threw a solid kick at Amala. She was kicked right into a tree.

Terra: Sorry! Are you okay?

Amala: I’m better than okay. You’re getting a hang of it. And think about this, that form should end fights very quickly. But against powerful enemies like Integer. It’s going to take more than that. But I think with your new power. You might be able to pass Ivan.

Amala’s phone rang. It was Millie.

Millie: Come down now! We have a big problem!

There was a huge bang down the road.

Terra: What was that?

Amala: Let’s go check it out.

Terra ran down the street. While Amala lagged behind but ran. They saw the Shadow Squadron in the parking lot. Leon was throwing down explosions from the top of the RV. Millie got kicked back by Mary and blocked a sword swing. Amelia ran around all of them and knocked Tess and Fleet down. Terra and Amala jumped in.

Fleet: Wow, it is nice to see you all together again. Now that we’re all here I will tell you where you can revive your fallen friend.

Amelia: Donny?

Fleet: Ivan wanted to be creative. So there’s a tournament at this address.

Fleet threw a paper at Amala with an address on it.

Fleet: Doesn’t it sound like fun? Whoever wins gets a great prize! And I will give all of you automatic passes into the finals! It’s tomorrow.

Mary: But first, you have to get through us.

Fleet took both of his swords and approached Terra. She made her gauntlets float around Fleet and tried to hit him with one. Fleet took off his hat and threw it like a boomerang at Terra. She was knocked straight to the ground by this. Amelia ran up from behind and threw Fleet off his feet and to the ground.

Amelia: You shouldn’t exist.

Amelia threw down a bunch of bombs that stuck to Fleet. He lit himself up and sent the bombs back at Amelia. She literally picked them out of the air and threw them at Fleet and blew him back. Fleet’s hat came back and hit Amelia on the back of the head. It came back to Fleet and he caught it. Terra got up and focused her energy and entered her destruction form. She took out her spear and extended her reach. She swung it at Fleet. He blocked it with his longsword and ran up and slashed Terra in the stomach and then went for a slice to the head. Terra raised her hand and blocked the sword with her gauntlet. She decked him right in the face and blew him back into a pillar on the gas station. Tess came from behind and chopped Terra on the neck. Where she fell out of her destruction form. She grabbed Terra and teleported up and dropped her. Terra landed on her feet. Her legs were shaken though. Millie shot a blast up at Tess. She knocked her out of the air. Tess teleported right in front of Millie and took out some sort of blaster. She shot at Millie multiple times. Millie took the punishment and let her powers blast Tess back. Amelia ran around and caught Tess by the back of the neck. She spun around and threw Tess away. Leon jumped down and shot a fire blast at Tess. She teleported out of the way and punched Leon from behind. He sliced his sword up. Tess teleported again. Leon shot an energy blast and straight at Tess. Who redirected it back at him. He blocked it with his sword. Leon made a bunch of small discs and threw them at Tess. Tess dodged the first and teleported away from the second. She reappeared right in front of Leon and uppercut him into the air. As she uppercut him she teleported high into the air. She kept teleporting higher and higher and knocking Leon higher and higher. Leon tried coming down with his sword and impaling Tess. She teleported away and let Leon fall. He concentrated and tried to teleport back to ground. But Tess reappeared behind him and kicked him to the ground. Making a huge crater. Lucky for Leon. He put on a protection shield to lessen the impact. Fleet jumped out and caught her. He ran out and swung his swords wildly at Amelia. She used her speed to dodged out of the way. She kicked him back and ran around to his back and punched Fleet forward. He did a front flip and threw his sword back at Amelia. Amala jumped in and grabbed the sword out of the air. She blocked a strike from Mary and pushed her backward. Mary’s eye started to flicker red. One of her eyes turned a vibrant red.

Fleet: Mary! Shit this is bad.

Mary started laughing at Amala. Amala slashed forward. Mary pushed down Amala’s sword into the ground and slashed at Amala. Amala lurched back. Losing a little bit of her hair from the slice. Mary grabbed Amala’s sword out of the ground. She started slashing wildly at Amala. She made some distance between them and kicked one of her swords out of her grasp. Amala ducked under a sword slice and punched Mary in the face. Mary did a backflip and kicked Amala up into the air. She jumped up into the air and slashed through Amala and then slashed through her hand. Amala lost her hand. But there was no blood. No nothing. Amelia jumped up and snatched Mary out of the air. She slammed her on the ground.

Amelia: Fleet! Do you remember their names?

Amelia vibrated her hand. Mary pushed Amelia off of her and slashed her sword at her. Amelia vibrated and ran through the slash. She plunged her hand right through Mary.

Terra: Amelia!

Amelia withdrew her hand from Mary. She fell down and the red in her eye faded away.

A tear ran down Fleet’s cheek.

Fleet: Mary…

Amelia: Are those tears? So you actually do have a heart.

Fleet: Of course I do...If you want to blame anyone. Blame Ivan. I was taking orders!

Tess grabbed Fleet.

Fleet: I don’t care what orders were.

Fleet threw both his swords at Amelia. She dodged both the swords and ran up to Fleet. He waited until the right time and punched Amelia in the face. She went flying back. Leon came over to Tess.

Leon: I don’t want to fight. I see that look in your eyes. They’ll tear eachother apart. So you agree to get him out of here. I will do the same to my teammate.

Tess looked at Fleet and Amelia. She nodded. Amelia dodged a sword slice from Fleet. She came to his side and punched him in the ribs over and over. She punched him back with the last punch. Amelia ran up to Fleet. Who blinded her with his light. He went to stab right through Amelia. But Leon summoned a shield around Amelia. He grabbed her and teleported into the RV. Tess came from behind Fleet and teleported him away. Far away enough to let Amala drive them off. Everyone was quiet. Amelia couldn’t hold it in anymore. She let herself bawl out.

Millie: Amelia…

Amelia: Tell me...she did deserve it? She deserved it! And so do all the rest of them! I’m going to kill them!

Millie got silent and backed off.

Amelia: Why did you stop me?!

Amelia pointed harshly at Leon.

Leon: You were going to die. We had no choice.

Amelia: Millie, can we go get a drink?

Millie: ....No Amelia. We can’t. You need to get your shit together. Killing them won’t change anything.

Amelia: You say that like those murderers should be allowed to stay alive!

Amelia pushed Millie off of her and wandered to the back of the RV. Where she looked at her hand. It was covered in blood.

Leon: ...Wait, Amala! Your hand!

Amala: Yeah? What’s the problem?

There were circuits hanging out from Amala’s arm.

Amala: I should probably get that fixed,

Leon: What the hell…

Amala: I’m not a robot if that’s what you're guessing. But if I was immortal. I would probably just be a bunch of dead, old flesh. So I replaced lots of myself with robot parts.

Leon: Why didn’t you tell us?

Amala: Why would I tell you? It’s my info. But yes. I’m a cyborg. Cool.

Leon: Wait, is that why you don’t like water?

Amala: No I just don’t like hot water. I have skin. Just robot parts under it. It’s no biggie.

Amelia: What was that thing you did when we were fighting them Terra?

Terra: Why do you care?

Amelia: We’ll need it to win the tournament.

Terra: If I take a deep breath and let the power of Artemis suck into me I change into my destruction form. But I have to do everything almost perfectly. And I need my armor on me.

Amelia: And everything you do is more powerful?

Terra: Yeah.

Amelia: We need to use that to win. To get Donny back.

## Issue 9 - The Tournament

Terra: So it’s a tournament?

Amala: Awesome. We’ll probably destroy anyone. We just practically beat the black coats.

Leon: I wouldn’t go that far. You got your hand chopped off and Amelia almost died.

Millie: I bet they’ll be there too.

Terra: I think I’m ready. I even have the spear back.

Amelia: Are you really ready? This is our chance to get Donny back.

Amala: Kid, Donny is dead. Listen to me Amelia. I don’t know if you want to bring him back that way. Resurrection sucks. Most humans live their lives blind to what's on the other side. Trust me. Ivan makes it sound too good to be true. And it is. There’s always a consequence to messing with the laws like that. Move on.

Amelia: So if your mother was trapped in some sort of dark eternity wouldn’t you try and save her?! I’m not wrong here. I can’t go on like this. I have so much to atone for. I was a terrible sister.

Amelia went and sat down at the back of the RV. Terra decided to come back there and sit next to her.

Amelia: What do you want?

Terra: I want you to feel like you again.

Amelia: What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Terra: I just want to talk about Donny. We’re so close.

Amelia: Yeah…

Terra: I just want to know, what if we can’t get him back? What will you do?

Amelia: Something terrible.

Terra: Exactly. I just want you to prepare yourself. I know the last few months have been hard. But we have to get over him someday. He’d want that. He’d want you to be strong and continue moving.

Amelia: You don’t know what Donny wants.

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

After a couple hours the RV was parked in a large parking lot. Axel and Erica were in the announcing booth.

Axel: Hello and welcome to the final set of our yearly tournament sets! Our finalists are the best of the best, the coolest of the cool and the baddest of the bad! You should feel lucky to be sitting here today! Let me take a minute to thank our sponsor (and soon to be overlord), Meta Facilities Inc. Keeping metas and mutants alike regulated since 2013. But let’s get this show on the road. The bracket will be revealed in 3, 2 , 1

The audience counted down with Axel.

Axel: And our first match is...Thingamajig vs Amala Acosta! While Thingamajig worked hard to make it here, Amala was randomly selected from a hat as a special competitor. Mostly because some of our other contenders cheaped out. So you may see some new faces today. But the basic rules involve winning. You win by knocking your opponent off the stage or killing them. The way you do it doesn’t matter at all. As long as someone wins and another loses. If we come down to a tie both are disqualified.

Amala walked out onto the stage and thingamajig stood across from her. He had a mask on that looked like it changed its face every 10 seconds. He also wore armor along with a red robe.

Thingamajig: Why are you looking at me like that? you bitch!

Amala drew her sword. As soon as the bell went off she ran at him and threw a kick at him and swung her sword.

Thingamajig: I am so sorry for this...I might cry.

Thingamajig made the stadium explode under them. They went flying up into the air. His armor made him stay on the stage. But Amala went flying into the air. Thingamajig made himself sneeze and shot Amala off the stage. Just before she fell she grabbed the stadium and jumped back up.

Thingamajig: Please! I beg your mercy!

Amala: What the hell is wrong with you?

Thingamajig: I have infinite things wrong with me!

Thingamajig made a bunch of silverware fall from the sky. He caught a spoon out of the air and threw it at Amala. She slashed most of what Thingamajig made fall. Thingamajig made a gigantic spoon appear and he hit Amala on the ground. He beat the crap out of Amala with the spoon.

Thingamajig: Fore!

Thingamajig hit Amala off the stage.

Thingamajig: I won? Haha, I’m amazing!

Everyone who was fighting was in some sort of waiting room.

Leon: Haha you lost!

Amala: He had some sort of cheat! Everything he did was completely random! How was I going to compete with that?

Axel: And the next one! Repulse vs Maverick! Repulse has finally come out from the shadows to fight someone who just mysteriously appeared. Maverick!

Millie walked out onto the stage. Maverick walked out. She was a super short girl. She had an open zipped sweatshirt with a red shirt under. Along with some extra long shorts. She had some short hair tied into a ponytail

Millie: I seriously have to fight a little girl?

Maverick: Hi! Nice to meet you!

Maverick came up with a huge smile. She put her hand out for a handshake. Millie hesitantly shook her hand.

Maverick: Wow, you’re Repulse? I like your new arm. We should do some hero stuff together.

The bell rang.

Maverick: But we can’t be friends today.

Millie: I feel bad attacking a child. This is messed u-

Maverick attacked Millie with a flying kick. She did a flip and punched Millie in the head. Sending her down. She landed but before she could do anything else Millie blasted Maverick back. Both of her feet were lit up orange. So were her hands.

Maverick: Just because I’m a kid doesn’t mean I’m harmless! Don’t hold back!

Millie felt a little excited about the fight now.

Millie: Okay. But just because you asked.

Maverick smashed the ground and some sort of blast traveled through. Millie punched the ground and canceled it out. She clapped her hands together and made a huge shockwave come out. Maverick sidestepped it and ran up to Millie. She jumped unbelievably high into the air and came down with a hook kick. Millie held out her prosthetic hand and blocked it. She grabbed Maverick’s leg with her hand and threw Maverick into the ground. Before she landed she put her hands out on the ground and flipped to her feet. Millie threw out a jab and stumbled Maverick. Millie threw out a bunch of punches. Each and every one Maverick blocked. She slid right through Millie’s legs and did a cartwheel, Millie lost her stance and fell forward. Maverick kicked her in the back and then threw out a jumping sidekick. She kicked off Millie’s back. Millie was sent on her face. She went to stand up but was met with Maverick’s foot to her back. A big blast came out of Millie’s back and blew Maverick off. Millie heard a little bit of exhaustion on Maverick’s end.

Millie: Tired?

Maverick: Not if you keep talking.

Maverick did another jumping kick. Millie held out her prosthetic and caught it and threw her back. Maverick just did a flip in the air and shot a blast backwards. Propelling herself towards Millie. She kicked Millie right in the face. Where a blast came out. Maverick jumped around Millie and kicked her right in the back. A blast came out of Millie’s back. Where Maverick did a stylish bow, dodging the blast. Millie stumbled up to her feet.

Millie: Come on. I’m not done.

Maverick: That’s the spirit!

Maverick ran up and kicked Millie in the stomach and then kicked her up in the air. She jumped up and punched Millie all around in the air. Millie threw out a punch which she dodged under and punched Millie to the ground. Millie got up. Maverick jumped up and went for another flying kick. Millie timed it just right. She let the blast out that had been building up form all the times Maverick had just hit her. Maverick went flying off the stage. Millie walked off stage. She lended a hand to Maverick and pulled her up.

Maverick: Wow! That was so cool how you saved the blast until the last minute.

Maverick was limping next to Millie.

Millie: Heh, thanks. Did I really hurt you?

Maverick: That’s a question I should ask you.

Millie: Come on. Let’s go get patched up.

Maverick: I like that!

Millie: What is your real name?

Maverick: Oh, it’s Shakira.

Back in the waiting room, Terra, Amala, Leon, and Amelia all stayed close. There were random people. And there were people they suprisingly already knew.

Axel: And next up is Amelia Ashi vs Saber!

Amelia: Looks like it’s my turn. I’ll make this quick.

Amelia left the room. Fleet and Tess were sitting together across the room. Tess was trying to comfort him.

Fleet: I hope she wins. So I can rip her apart.

Tess seemed unsettled by Fleet’s mood. She’d never seen him angry.

Fleet: Promise me. Don’t hold me back this time. People like her poison the planet.

Amala looked over at Fleet from across the room.

Amala: He doesn’t look good.

Axel: And next round...Jin Girkew vs Alter!

Amelia: Jin’s here? Dammit!

Leon: And you’ll like this, if he wins you have to fight him.

A man with shining armor and a shield came out. Jin ran out.

Jin: I’M GOING TO WIN AND REVIVE THE SPAGHETTI I DROPPED EARLIER!

Alter laughed at Jin.

Alter: Let’s do a 1 2 switcheroo.

Jin: DON’T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT YOU LOWLY PEASANT!

Jin went to run at Alter but he just ran like a regular human. After a couple seconds he was sweating.

Alter: You like my power? I switch powers with you. And my powers are none! Prepare to die!

Alter ran at Jin. He blew right past Jin and ran off the stage. The speed was too much for him.

Jin: LOOKS LIKE I’M TOO FAST!

Jin walked in. He looked to his side and saw Amelia.

Amelia: Looks like we’re up next.

Jin: Why do you seem confident? YOU LOSE EVERYTIME WE FIGHT!

The next few matches rolled through Fleet vs a hero called Vitality, Fleet rolled into the next round. Terra vs Slayer, and she also ran into the next round.

Axel: And next up, we have Tess or Tranquil vs Hiroshi!

Terra: Hiroshi? She’s on the other side?

Millie: Sounds like it, and she’s going against Tess. This is like deciding who we hate more.

Terra: Both me and Fleet won our rounds. So that means we’re going up next round.

Millie: I wish you luck.

Tess walked out into the stage. With Hiroshi standing on the other side. Both of them were dead silent.

Axel: Both of them must be shooting deadly silent stares at each other! Everyone get rowdy! Because this is going to be great. Both Tess and Hiroshi worked their way up!

The bell rang and Hiroshi ran straight at Tess. She threw a high kick, Tess dodged under and took out a knife. She slashed at Hiroshi’s stomach and kicked her back. Hiroshi barely moved and shot a fire blast at Tess. She teleported out of the way and reappeared behind Hiroshi. She grabbed Hiroshi by the back of the neck and teleported her into the air. Hiroshi shot fire down at the ground and became airborne. She shot one of her blasts straight at Tess’s face. She put out her hand and turned the fire back onto Hiroshi. Blowing her to the ground. Tess powered up the fire with her power and shot the blast at Hiroshi. Through the debris Hiroshi had made a shield out of ice. She broke through and threw a bunch of ice spikes at Tess. She phased her body and let them pass through her.. She grabbed one out of the air and threw it back at Hiroshi. She kicked it into the air. Tess teleported behind her and stabbed her in the shoulder. She punched her in the face but it did close to nothing. Hiroshi grabbed Tess and kicked her into the air. She jumped up and punched Tess further into the air. Tess teleported to the ground and then all around Hiroshi rapidly. Hiroshi blocked a knife strike and turned the knife on Tess and stabbed her in the stomach. Tess teleported again and turned invisible. She pulled the knife out and threw it at Hiroshi. She teleported behind Hiroshi and took out Fleet’s shortsword and stabbed Hiroshi through the back.

Axel: Tess is the winner!

Tess became visible again and pulled out Fleet’s sword and teleported away. While people came out and dragged Hiroshi out. Lucky for her she was barely alive.

Leon: And I’m next. Against someone called Fourteen. Shouldn’t be hard.

Axel: For our last round, we have Leon vs Fourteen.

Leon walked out onto the stage.

Terra: Wait...is that..?

The man was of African American heritage, he wore no shirt, showing off his burly chest. A missing arm was replaced with a robotic one. He wore a belt with an R on it and wore pants with a horizontal red and black pattern one each pant leg. One thing had changed about Beck. He had a huge scar across his chest. And his eyes were a bright red.

Leon: Who the hell is that? Come on, let’s go!

Beck: Another child…

## Issue 10 - The Cause of Death

Leon made a bunch of fire blasts come up next to Beck. He ran up with blistering speed and knocked Leon to the ground. He grabbed him by the neck and started charging his arm. Leon drew his soul blade and slashed at Beck. He kicked off of Beck and fired a bunch of fire blasts. Beck pushed all of them to the side and finished charging his arm. He ran up and punched Leon. He put up a shield quickly. Allowing him to take the hit. Leon made a quick explosion in front of himself and drove Beck back. He slashed his sword vertically at Beck. He dodged and ran up at Leon. Leon swung low and cut Beck a little. He swung again but Beck grabbed the sword and ripped it out of Leon’s grasp. He punched Leon back and almost off the ledge of the stage. Leon was hanging onto the side of the stage. He did a quick teleportation spell and appeared behind Beck. Beck caught wind of this and grabbed Leon’s hand and flipped him over his back and off the stage. Terra was watching the fight in horror. She sat down and looked at her armor and her spear. She was lost in a downward spiral of thoughts. She spoke quietly to herself.

Terra: It was Integer, wasn’t it?

Millie came out into the room. She had just lost to Thingamajig. Terra noticed she’d been so lost in thought that she missed the whole next fight.

Axel: And the next fight is Amelia vs Jin!

Amelia walked out onto the stage.

Jin: Are you ready to lo00ose!?

Amelia: Riddle me this. If you actually win. You get to kill me.

Jin: I was already planning on it!

Jin ran up and threw a punch. Amelia dodged and grabbed Jin’s arm and brought it around his back. She kicked him forward. Jin got up and sped around the stage. Amelia jumped in and chased after Jin. She caught up to him and stayed with him. Jin looked surprised. He stopped and tripped Amelia off the stage.

Jin: LOOKS LIKE I GET TO KILL YOU!

Jin laughed to himself. Amelia ran up the side of the stage and uppercut Jin into the air. She hit him with two hooks and brought him to the ground. Jin started throwing stupid punches.

Jin: FINE. TAKE THIS!

Jin ran around the stage and threw down a bunch of bombs. Amelia took out her own rolling bombs and threw them down. Jin was running around the stage while Amelia was in the middle. She started running around really fast. She spun herself really fast like a top and propelled herself into the air. All the bombs went rolling off the side of the stage. Some of them hitting Jin and throwing him off the stage. Amelia looked off the side of the stage at Jin and flipped him off and walked away.

Axel: A very cold victory. I like it! Our next fight will be Fourteen vs Tess! Fans are going to love this one!

Beck walked out onto the stage. His scowl unchanged. Tess walked out worried.

Beck: I beat you, and I gain my revenge.

Beck looked at one of the cameras.

Beck: You hear me Terra? DO YOU HEAR ME?!

Terra was watching this. She sat straight back down on her seat. She got up and started doing workouts and movements to let the adrenaline get her going.

Beck ran up and threw a punch out at Tess. She teleported behind Beck and stabbed him in the back. Beck spun and threw Tess off of him. He punched down at Tess. She lurched back and teleported around Beck. He threw a punch which she narrowly dodged. She got a long range away and threw her knives out. Beck slapped them out of the air. He punched the ground hard and made a crack across the stage. Tess jumped out of the way. Beck started charging his robotic hand. He shot a huge lightning strike across the stage and hit Tess. She fell to the ground. Trying to move. Beck picked her up by the neck and threw a supercharged punch to her stomach. Literally punching through her. He dropped her body. Fleet ran out and came down to Tess. Fleet kneeled down with Tess and held onto her lifeless body. He set her down and closed her eyes.

Fleet: BECK!

Fleet drew both his swords and came at Beck. He swung both of them down at him. He put up his hand and blocked it. Fleet shot a blast of light at Beck and disoriented him. He took both of his swords and stabbed through him. But Beck pushed them down with his hand. He kicked Fleet in the face.

Beck: Why do you care? She was worthless. I found out Jilaya really cared for me. She just had a special way of showing it. I’m here because of her. And I’m stronger. Now you can either leave, or die.

Axel jumped down and held his hand out towards Fleet. Fleet fell to the ground. Powerless.

Axel: My job is to be a good host. And you are ruining the show. The next fight is Thingamajig vs Amelia. Because you broke a rule.

Fleet: You said there were no rules.

Axel: Let me make a new rule right now! No breaking the flow of battles!

Erica jumped down and grabbed Fleet and threw him into the waiting room. Fleet sat in the waiting room. He got up and came over to Terra’s group.

Millie: Hey! Back off!

Fleet: Did you not see what just happened outside?

Leon: I know Amelia hates him. But talk. If that’s what your planning on doing that is.

Fleet: I want to go with you. I want to kill Ivan. Personally.

Amala: What? You’re lying.

Fleet: Because of him the only people I loved are dead. I thought I was helping the world. But I don’t care about the world anymore.

Terra: I get it.

Fleet: You do?

Terra: Yeah. You want to kill him for revenge. I might not want to kill him. But we’ll stop him and get revenge for every life he caused to die. But first.

Axel: Thingamajig wins again! Flawless! Our next fight is Artemis vs Fourteen! This’ll be one to remember!

Terra walked out onto the stage. Beck stood across from her.

Terra: Long time no see.

Beck: Finally! Sweet revenge! I’M GOING TO TEAR YOU APART!

Terra sucked up her butterflies and drew her staff.

Terra: Aren’t you going to make the first move? Pussy.

Beck ran up at Terra so fast she barely could see. He knocked her to the ground and sat on top of her. He started punching her in the face. She did her best to block it with her gauntlets. She made one of her gauntlets come from behind and hit Beck in the back of the head. She threw him off of her and swung her spear around. Beck backed up and slid under the spear and kicked Terra in the leg. She hit Beck in the face with her spear and kicked him across the ground. He got up and threw a punch at her. She did a superman punch and swiped Beck’s leg right after that. She stomped on his leg and then his chest. He grabbed her by the leg and threw her off of himself. She ducked and rolled once she hit the ground. Beck came right up to her and hit her with one of his charged punches. She went flying across the arena. Bouncing once and dragging across. She stabbed her spear into the ground and stopped herself. Beck came up and punched her spear. Which bent and hit her in the face. Terra grabbed Beck and hit him with two knees and then a hook kick. He screamed and shot a lightning strike at Terra. She put up her gauntlets and tried blocking it. But she was eventually overwhelmed. Beck jumped in and threw a punch at Terra. She ducked under. She looked at him and realized he was sweating. He punched the ground and made it shake under Terra. She made the gauntlet from earlier fly around and hit Beck on the back of the head. She ran through with her spear and cut through Beck. She turned and threw a spinning back kick. He was pushed back. But he blitzed her. Beck grabbed Terra by the neck and punched her in the face. He charged his hand.

Beck: Do you even remember how I felt when I lost to a child. And when I lost everything I had built for myself?! It probably never crossed your mind. EVER!

He threw his charged punch at Terra. She put both her hands up and blocked it. She felt both of her arms shatter. Beck threw her on the ground.

Beck: Started with the arms. Maybe it’s time for the legs next.

Fleet ran in and threw his sword across the stage. It stabbed right through Beck. Beck stumbled back a lot. Millie came in and drove him back with a clap. And Amala came from behind and stabbed Beck through the back. Beck elbowed Amala and grabbed Fleet’s sword and pulled it out. He then grabbed Amala’s sword and pulled it out. Leon put his sword down around everyone and cast a teleportation spell. They teleported far below the fight stadium.

## Issue 11 - Face Your Foe

Terra was laying on the ground. She was trying to just let the power of Artemis into her and trying to heal her wounds. But it wasn’t enough.

Leon: We have to get out of here.

Fleet: I think I might know a place. Can you get us there Leon?

Leon: Maybe. It depends on the place.

A bunch of strings came through the corridor and tied everyone up. Erica and Axel walked in. Axel clapped for all of them.

Axel: Wow, you are impressive. Well actually you aren’t because there was no place to teleport to.

Fleet: Y’know Axel. You were always an asshole. Why don’t you let me down and we do this like real men?

Axel: I’m not stupid. I think Erica should just kill you already.

Amelia started vibrating her body. She got right out of Erica’s strings and knocked both of them down. She let everyone but Fleet out of the string prisons. Axel just started taking power from Amelia, Millie, and Fleet. Leon and Amala both were still free. Leon shot two fireballs at both of them. Amala came in and sliced up Erica’s strings. Erica sent out more strings and pulled Amala’s blade out of her grasp. Amala punched her in the face and grabbed her blade out of the air. She missed a stab for Erica and she wrapped her strings around Amala’s neck. Leon interrupted Axel’s power stealing.

Leon: You clearly didn’t think of all the possibilities.

Axel: Neither did you.

Axel made a cloud go around him. He walked out with a huge black suit of armor around him. Leon shot a blast of fire at Axel but he was untouched. He then slashed his sword at him. But It did nothing. Axel picked up Leon by both his leg and his chest. Leon took his sword and used its power. The blade turned transparent. He stabbed it into Axel and turned off the transparency. He left the blade in Axel’s chest. He was using his power to keep the blade from hitting anything important. He punched Leon down the hall. Millie got up.

Amala: Amelia, take care of Axel.

Amelia looked at Fleet, who was still tied up. She ran off to fight Axel.

Amala: Terra, you can still control your gauntlets with your mind. Use yourself like a puppet. Or try destruction.

Terra: If I try using my gauntlets then my arms will be worse off!

Amala: Fine then.

Amala took out a syringe and stabbed Terra’s arms.

Amala: These healed your arms for the meantime. Once the adrenaline spike is over, your arms are back to how they were. Courtesy of Michael.

Terra started to move her arms a little bit. She tapped into her destruction form.

Millie: Come on Erica! You know you have a heart. You let me go, remember?

Erica: That doesn’t mean anything! I felt bad for you. Shame on me for having a heart I guess.

Erica wrapped her strings around Millie.

Erica: My life is better now. My mom and dad accept me. You probably don’t have much to say about parents.

Terra threw a punch at Erica from behind. She ducked and wrapped up her arm with her strings. Terra pulled Erica right over to her and threw out a roundhouse kick. Knocking her clean out. Amelia and Leon both came flying down the hallway.

Axel: Weaklings! Is there even anyone who is stronger than me?

Terra ran in and threw a punch at Axel. Axel threw his own punch and they collided. They both locked hands and pushed on eachother. Making cracks in the floor. Terra headbutted Axel. He stumbled back. Terra did an uppercut and smashed him through the roof and out onto the stage area. He lost his armored form. Terra jumped up through the hole she made.

Terra: That’s enough, Axel.

Axel: Not until I do what my mother asked.

Leon teleported next to Terra with everyone else.

Leon: Everyone ready?

Terra: No. We came here for that prize. But it doesn’t matter does it?

Axel: You didn’t win. And the tournaments over. My dad’s been waiting for you.

Ivan walked out into the stadium that was now empty.

Ivan: Nice to see all your faces again. Especially Fleet’s.

Amelia: Remember what you promised us! We could bring Donny back.

Ivan: Well whoever won the tournament was going to face me for the prize. But since it’s over. Someone can face me right now. I needed one of you to win. Since Terra got the closest, you will fight me.

Terra: Will you do what you promised?

Ivan: Of course.

Terra: Then let’s go.

Ivan: Finally.

Ivan waved his hand and everyone in the stadium was cast into seats.

Terra: So if I win, we get Mike back, and Donny?

Ivan: Indeed. A classic battle. All fair.

Terra fired on her destruction form and ran at Ivan. He put his hands behind his back. She threw two punches at him. He dodged both and kicked Terra off course. She punched the ground. Making a huge crack across the ground. Ivan did a front flip and landed behind Terra. He drew his sword and slashed right at Terra. She jumped back and ran back in and threw a punch at Ivan. He dodged and kicked her in the face. She got knocked out of her destruction form. But she made her two gauntlets go around Ivan. She ran up and kicked him in the stomach. He went flying back and got knocked down by her gauntlets. Terra took her spear and stabbed down. Ivan teleported away and behind Terra. He slashed his sword all over the place. Terra kicked his sword out of his hand and into the air. She threw a couple punches at Ivan. Who blocked them and kicked Terra backward. He jumped back and grabbed his sword. Terra took this chance to tap back into destruction. Her gauntlets came back and she threw her staff at Ivan. He knocked it off course with his sword and lunged towards Terra. Terra did a hook kick and redirected Ivan’s sword into the ground. He did a flip over his sword and ripped it out of the ground. He slashed it down at Terra. She jumped back and got cut down her chest and into her stomach. He hit her with a hook kick right after. She went stumbling back. He stabbed his sword forward. Which Terra knocked off course. She ran in and punched at Ivan, he dodged but was surprised by an elbow from Terra. He was hit away and across the stadium.

Ivan: You are an impressive and problematic child.

Terra ran up and held Ivan on the ground by placing her foot on his chest. He reached for his sword but she kicked it away.

Terra: I win. Bring him back. You promised! I thought you said you never lied.

Ivan: Oh? I did? Because I cannot do that.

Terra took a deep breath.

Terra: Of course you can’t.

She laughed to herself.

Terra: But I needed to prove to myself you weren’t lying. Is this some sort of game to you?

Ivan: It is a very fun game indeed. Maybe you wouldn’t understand. But all older gods must die. It’s my series arc.

Terra: Am I a god to you? Sorry to let you down, Because even I know I’m not even close to a god.

Ivan: Once you put on that armor you became a god. But you are much too naive.

Amelia leaned over to Millie.

Amelia: What do you think they're saying?

Millie: I guess we’ll find out. Maybe he’s fulfilling his promise.

Ivan: But when you have a wife who is god’s incarnate. You get some perks.

Ivan was covered in a white light. Ivan stabbed a brand new sword through the white light. Terra was blown back. He walked out of the light with a new outfit. His torso was covered in 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.

Ivan: Say hello to a new god! Throat chakra!

Terra: Throat chakra?

Ivan was covered in a blue light. He fired blasts of lightning up into the air. Making a bad lightning storm. He then brought his hand to the ground. Blowing up the entire stadium.

## Issue 12 - Crossing the Line

Terra got up through the debris. And Ivan, Erica, and Axel were gone. Terra jumped up to everyone. Leon had put up a shield.

Amelia: Why didn’t you kill him? What did he say?

Terra: He can’t bring him back Amelia. I’m sorry.

Amelia was quiet.

Amala: ...let's go find Mike. He’s up there. Where Axel was as an announcer.

Leon teleported all of them up to the announcing station. Michael was there. Strapped down and unconscious.

Terra: Why would they just leave him?

Leon: He always has a plan. I wonder what this time.

Amelia: Michael…

Amelia summoned speed into herself quietly.

Terra: Let’s see if he gets up.

Amelia: Stop!

Millie: What is it Amelia?

Amelia: I don’t mean any harm.

Amelia ran and punched everyone straight out of the glass of the station. She threw a bomb down at some of the stage’s debris. It exploded and toppled on top of everyone.

Amelia: That should be enough time.

Amelia rested her hand on Michael. He awoke.

Michael: Amelia? Oh thank god you’re here! Being locked up su….what are you doing?

Amelia was absorbing Michael’s purple speed force lightning.

Michael: Amelia...Don’t tell me.

Amelia: Please. I just want to see my brother again.

Fleet jumped into the place. He looked at Amelia.

Fleet: Listen to me Amelia. What you’re doing is wrong. I lost people I care about too! We can’t just go and change the past willy nilly!

Amelia: That’s what a murderer would say.

Amelia ran at Fleet. He blocked a kick from Amelia with his sword.

Fleet: I surrender. I won’t kill anyone else. Ever.

Amelia: You’re a weakling.

She ran up and threw some punches. Fleet blocked and swung his sword at her. She dodged under and threw out some bombs. Fleet grabbed the bombs out of the air and threw them back at Amelia. She ran through the explosion and rammed into Fleet. They both went flying out of the place. Amelia punched Fleet over and over in midair. She landed on top and dragged him against the ground. He shot a blast of light. Blinding Amelia. Fleet swung his sword at her. She dodged and ran circles around Fleet. She made a tornado and Fleet started to rise. He threw his hat and hit Amelia dead on. She lost all of her momentum and went rolling across the stage. She laughed and got up.

Amelia: Are you going to kill me, just like you did my friends. Just like when you stabbed Terra?!

She ran up and threw a spinning kick. Fleet blocked and was pushed back a little. Amelia ran at him. He ducked under her and cut her on her leg. Amelia ran up to Fleet and punched him square in the face. He did a handspring to keep from flying. He ran up and punched Amelia in the face once, and again. He shot a blast of light with his third hit. He lined up his sword on a disoriented Amelia and plunged through her. Or so he thought. She backed up and grabbed Fleet’s sword. She was bleeding out of her hand. She pushed it down into the ground and broke it in half. Fleet had given his shortsword to Tess so he was out of swords. Amelia ran at him and dodged the punches he threw. Fleet continued forward and grabbed the half of a sword he had left. Amelia ran up and punched him in the face. He took the hit and threw his hat at her legs. She was knocked over. He raised his sword and slashed down. But thought about Tess, and Mary. He stopped. But Amelia wasn’t done. She vibrated her hand right through Fleet’s chest. He screamed in pain and fell to the ground. Amelia grabbed his sword and threw it into his chest. She took it out of his chest and stabbed him through the head. Amelia ran right back over to Michael.

Michael: What did you do Amelia?

Amelia: What I had to.

Millie had gotten out of the debris Amelia dropped on her.

Millie: Amelia, why are you doing this?

Amelia: I can go back. I can fix everything. I can have Donny back. He can do what he wants without being hurt. The Blue Coats will be back.

Millie: What do you mean you can go back?

Amelia: Back in time. I can save Donny! I can save everyone.

Millie: Did you ever think of what might happen if you do? There have to be repercussions!

Amelia: So you just don’t want me to be happy?!

Millie: ...You make me happy! That’s a question I should be asking! This is wrong! Selfish!

Amelia: I’M SAVING LIVES! HOW IS THAT SELFISH?!

Millie: ...Just. Stop.

Amelia: No. Get out of my way before I...Before I get you out of my way.

Millie: I’m not fighting.

Amelia spun her arm and pushed Millie out of the way with a tornado blast from her arms. She ran down and punched Millie in the face. Over and over. While she broke out in tears. A blast came out of Millie and blew off Amelia.

Amelia: I don’t want to fight you!

Millie: Then why did you start this?

Amala picked up a rock and pulled Terra out.

Terra: What the hell happened?!

Amala: Amelia’s going crazy. She’s going to reset time.

Terra: Is that bad?

Amala: Very. She doesn’t know how that shit works.

Terra: I’m going out there.

Amelia crossed Millie and punched her over and over. Millie shot blasts off in Amelia’s general direction. Until she hit her. She fell on her face. Millie ran up and pushed her face to the ground. With her knee on Amelia’s back. Amelia vibrated really fast and threw Millie off. She grabbed Millie by the neck and threw her down. Dragging her across the ground. She punched Millie over and over again. She ran around and went for a final hit. Millie let out a blast she’d been holding in. Amelia went flying back through a chunk of debris. Millie came over to her,

Millie: This is it. Please. Stop.

Amelia got to her feet slowly.

Amelia: This is for my brother.

Amelia ran in and swiped Millie’s leg. She got on top of her and started punching her in the face fast over and over. She threw a couple knees into her side. Millie shot a blast out. But Amelia was unscathed. She put both her hands up for a hammerstrike.

Millie: Amelia!

Amelia couldn’t hear Millie through her own thoughts. She struk Millie and knocked her out. And realized her tears coming down onto Millie.

Amelia: It’s for Donny. It has to be.

Terra came down and approached Amelia. She saw Millie’s bloodied face in horror. Terra never thought Amelia could do something like that.

Amelia: I’m not doing that to you too. Just leave. JUST LET ME WIN!

Amelia ran up and threw a punch at Terra. She ducked and hit Amelia in the side. Amelia went flying from the hit. She spun herself in the air and caught herself and landed on a piece of debris. Terra ran up and switched on destruction. She shattered the debris Amelia landed on. Amelia jumped up in the air and landed behind Terra. Terra threw out an elbow and hit Ameila. She fell down like a brick.

Terra: I can’t say I didn’t love him too. But this isn’t love. It’s attachment.

Amelia: STOP!

Amelia got up crying. Terra came over.

Terra: Just stop. I’m willing to give you a second chance.

Amelia: Really?

Terra: Of course.

Amelia vibrated her hand and slashed right through Terra’s previously broken arm. Which neutralized the pain blocker. Amelia did a leg sweep and brought her to the ground. Terra’s arms were right back to broken.

Terra: Why Amelia!? Why?! I’m your friend too! Did everything here mean nothing to you?!

Amelia: Shut up.

Amelia walked away from the fight. She ran back up to Michael.

Mike: Ameila! Don’t! Just st-

Amelia punched Mike in the face and knocked him out. She couldn't hear it anymore. She sucked up all his speed.

Amelia: It would’ve all been worth it once I see your face.

Amelia ran away. So fast she started running on the ocean. She broke the sound barrier and then went faster and faster. Until she disappeared into the timestream. To start a new life.