Artemis Volume 5

**VS Integer**

Started July 6th

Finished July 24th

Line count:

Terra - 219
Jilaya - 102
Themis - 78
Amala - 65
Millie - 64
Riley - 52
Ivan - 49
Mike - 43
Amelia - 32
Delta - 31
Leon - 30

## Issue 1 - Beaten and Battered

Terra was standing in her cell. Looking into the mirror, Slouched over on the sink. She coughed heavily, coughing up blood into the disgusting sink. She wiped her chin and looked up at the mirror. She had a terrible scar running across her face. Her clothes were stained and worn. She was wearing the shirt the jail made her change into. It said “go to jail” with the monopoly man on it. Integer had to have a sense of humor about this. She was wearing baggy black pants and no shoes. It was fine though because she preferred no shoes anyway. She had started to lose her muscular figure that she had been upholding since the days of the chaste. Her hair was not cared for at all. She got rid of her braids. She had made a ball out of dirt and grass. She laid back down on her bed. Making it there with a distinct limp. She had ripped off part of her bed sheet and wrapped it around her torso. Hopefully it will heal right. The pneumonia didn’t help either.

Terra: Day 10.

She threw her ball up and down. Catching it repetitively. She was counting out loud as she caught it. 5,6,7,8. She heard the click of a sword out of nowhere. She got a quick flash of the fight between her and Ivan. Him clicking out his sword, And then her getting a scar across her face. The ball fell down and hit her in the chest. Very close to the ribs. Another flash. Of Beck firing his arm into her side. The ball broke into pieces. And she didn’t even feel her wound. She stopped moving for a second and then jumped out of bed and slammed her fist onto the sink in a surge of anger. Through her rage she held back. Then turned and pathetically kicked her bed. She felt her rib hurting more and more and fell into a coughing fit. She stumbled over to her toilet bowl. Almost falling and coughed blood into it. She fell back and laid down on the ground. Dragged herself back to her bed and weirdly drifted off to sleep. She just wanted it to be over.

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

A member of a newscast walked through a crowd of people shouting questions. He broke through the crowd to find Jilaya standing in the middle.

Newscast man: Mrs. Springer, we’d like to know about how these cells operate. How do you treat the prisoners? Do you suppress their powers? If so, how?

Jilaya: Of course. We treat the prisoners like any other prison. And we are forced to suppress their powers. After all, they could easily get out if they had their powers. We use a state of the art energy pulse throughout the facility. Like an EMP.

Newswoman: What about the disappearances that are linked to the jails?

Jilaya: Disappearances? Well there are two answers to that question. They either willingly join the military service or we send them to a rehabilitation program after their sentence is up.

Another Newsman: What about the recent arrest of the so-called terrorists known as the blue coats? Terra Lorenz, Amala Acosta, Leon Los, Millie Koruba, and Amelia Ashi.

Jilaya: They’ve freed criminals, attacked my house and family and even managed to kill multiple of my men in cold blood. They chose this path. But they didn’t ask to be butchered.

Another Newsman: From what I’ve heard from Detective Themis, the murders of your soldiers couldn’t have been by everyone.

Jilaya: They were still involved no matter what.

Another Newsman: Detective Themis thinks the blue coats were locked up without probable cause. They deserve a proper trial!

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

A nameplate was sitting at a desk. Reading “Det. Themis.” A man sat with his feet on the desk. He was reading an article on his phone and smoking a cigarette, even though there was a clear no smoking sign in his room. His phone went off and he picked it up immediately. He had a yellow collared shirt on and jeans. He had black hair that was long. Coming down to his ears. And past his hair was a black beard.

Themis: Hello this is Detective Themis.

Caller: We got you passage into the security footage. Come check it out.

Themis: I’m on my way.

Themis walked down a couple blocks. As he walked the sun got hotter and he heard lightning in the distance. He walked swiftly into a back alley and into a small security room. He took out his keys and opened the door.

Themis: What do we have today? A breakthrough? Fucking tell me it’s a breakthrough.

There were a couple of spanish men who looked almost identical. Brothers probably. They had nametags and uniforms that looked like they were from a tech store. Luis and Diego were their names.

Luis: We found security camera footage of the murders Integer claims everyone took part in. We can prove that they had nothing to do with it! It was only that speedster.

Diego: You might like this though. She went completely off the grid. She can’t be found anywhere on earth. Or in the MFI sites or facilities.

Themis: I don’t like it at all. But Integer wouldn’t want to admit it. What a cunt.

Luis: This is enough evidence to prove her wrong. We should present it!

Themis: Don’t celebrate yet. We aren’t done. We have to get it into the media.

Diego: Just post it on twitter. Done.

Themis: We will be fucking butchered by the cunts. They’ll track us down and try to kill us. We have to be like a needle through a thread. Work our way through. I have a plan. Which might involve eventually posting it all over the media. Let’s check out these videos.

Diego pressed a button. Showing the fight at the gas station where Mary was killed.

Themis: Clearly the shadow squadron attacked first. That speedster is actually wearing a blue coat. She’s one of the only ones. Besides the wizard. These people are being falsely labeled as the blue coats. What about the other ones?

Themis saw the killing of Fleet, and then Erica.

Themis: They were all killed by that crazy ass speedster. Time to go get some justice. I’ll be back. Hopefully.

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

Terra sparked awake. She was in her old house. Upstairs in her bed laying down. Possibly just waking from a sleep. She felt the small but homely bed she was laying on. Like the size of her bed in her cell. But much less soggy, dirty and bloody. She felt like herself. But was in the body of her child self. Her grandmother came up the stairs. And walked into her room.

Grandma: Terra. Did you not hear me? I said dinner’s ready.

Terra coughed her brains out real quick. Still stuck with pneumonia.

Grandma: Oh, you're sick. Sorry. You should rest up. Save your strength. Just remember. You’ll make it through this. You always do.

Terra: That’s what you always say. This time I might not be so lucky. I lost. I’m going to die here. But at least you're by my side.

Terra turned over. And her grandmother wasn’t there. She was back in her cell. Alone.

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

Millie was in her cell doing push-ups. She had a similar outfit to Terra. And her robotic arm was removed. She, unlike Terra, retained her figure. Though Millie used to train less than Terra. She got up and wiped the sweat off her brow. A man walked past her cell. With the same red eyes of Integer’s soldiers. He was a huge dude with body armor.

Man: Working out? I see, you're trying to keep your figure in this cruel place. I don’t like people with hope. Even though you’re already missing an arm.

Millie: I don’t like people with small dicks. So get the fuck outta my face.

Man: Oh? It bites. I love my job.

The man opened Millie’s cell door. He was so towering that he blocked the door. Much taller than Millie. Millie realized he had the number Eight on his shin

Millie: You want to torture me? Do what you must.

Eight: Well in fact, I do want to torture you. But now you made it boring.

Eight took out a baton and swiped under Millie’s arm and got her into a quick submission. Chicken-winging her arm. He made her walk with him down the jail block. Until they entered the control tower. He brought her into a tourture chamber and let her go. She was standing across from him.

Eight: How about we have a little dance. If you kill me in this battle. The keys are all yours.

Millie: I don’t have a choice, do I?

Eight: No.

Millie: Then I’m going to win.

Eight passed Millie a long sword.

Millie: So you want to lose?

Eight: Evening the odds. Show me how cruel you can be!

Millie whipped the sword at Eight. Who punched the sword up and into the roof.

Eight: Dumbass!

Millie ran at Eight and grabbed the hilt of the sword in the roof and threw out two kicks while simultaneously taking the sword out of the roof. She cut herself across the hand. And held it out at Eight. Eight grabbed Millie by the arm and pulled her in and kneed her in the stomach

Eight: Powers don’t work here doll!

He punched her up in the air and grabbed her by the leg and slammed her into the ground. She dropped her blade. He stomped on her back and kicked her in the ribs.

Eight: The program calls you cell 38. But your name is Millie. We’re both called numbers. But we have real names. You can call me Monger, Made it up myself. I think we can have lots of fun together. Battles for days!

Millie: This...seems like a one-sided relationship. You’re a fucking child!

Millie stumbled to her feet.

Monger: Well, I’ve been told I’m very in touch with my inner child.

Monger took out two halves of a scissor. A scissor blade if you will. He flipped them so they weren’t on the sharp end. He swung one at Millie. She ducked under and kicked him in the leg. He swung his other blade and hit Millie in the side. Sending her flying across the room. He ran right up to her and slashed his blade up on the sharp end lazily. Millie moved to the side. He cut off lots of her hair effortlessly. She moved to the side and threw a kick at his head. Which he blocked with his blade. He pushed her leg back and kicked Millie in the stomach. Pushing her against the wall once again and stabbing his scissor into the wall. Which Millie dodged. He left the scissor there and swung his other blade at Millie. She ducked under and grabbed his blade out of the wall. She swung it at him hard. Right at his neck. He raised his blade and blocked it. And swiped his blade under Millie’s hand making the cut from earlier deeper and taking his blade back. He stuck both the blades into the wall and around Millie. If she even slightly moved. She would be decapitated. Monger laughed in her face.

Monger: Even with one arm you are still skilled. I like you.

Millie: At least you gave me a workout. You're trying to make me hate it here. But it wasn’t bad.

Millie was expecting more shit from Monger. For her head to be cut off even. But he smiled and brought her back to her cell quietly.

Monger: If anyone asks. This never happened. You were just tortured.

Millie: I’m pretty sure I was tortured.

Monger shut her cell and left.

Millie: Ugh...what the hell…

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

Jilaya was sitting in her house. At her desk. Four walked in behind her.

Jilaya: Hi Four. Are you doing okay?

Four: Y-yes. I just wanted to tell you something. It’s about Detective Themis.

Jilaya: Ugh. Things have never been this bad. What about him?

Four: He’s got everyone pandering for a trial for Terra and her friends. You have to make a statement.

Jilaya: Alright. I guess I do.

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

Jilaya walked into the control tower in front of the camp. She met Monger there.

Jilaya: Everything going fine here Eight?

Monger: Of course ma’m. You need something?

Jilaya: Yes. I need Terra Lorenz.

Monger: Gotcha.

Jilaya: You don’t need to get her. Send Fourteen.

Monger: You know I own this site, right?

Jilaya: And I own every site. So send him.

Monger: Of course.

## Issue 2 - Rules of Nature

Beck walked down the cell block. He looked into Leon’s cell. Where Leon was laying down. Looking up at the sky. He glanced into Millie’s cell as well. Until he got to Terra’s cell.

Terra: What now? Wanna break another one of my ribs?

Beck: Integer needs you.

Terra coughed badly.

Terra: Fine.

Beck looked surprised. No resistance at all.

Beck put cuffs on Terra and brought her to Jilaya.

Jilaya: Hi Terra. How’s your stay been?

Terra: Shitty. What did you expect?

Jilaya: Clearly you also lost your sense of humor. Let’s go, you're coming with me.

Terra: Beck had to drag me here. How do you expect me to go with you?

Jilaya grabbed Terra with some sort of Telekinesis. And walked her out of the facility.

Terra: Where are we going?

Jilaya: You’ll see.

Terra: So where are we going?

Jilaya: Someone really wants to get you out of here. And there’s been outroars about your arrest in particular. And your friends. Business is hard sometimes. And also annoying. You wouldn’t understand. So we’re having a little interrogation. Sound good?

Terra thought, do I really have a chance?

Jilaya led her to a large room with a table there. Lined with her soldiers. One, Two, Three, Four Six, Seven, and Ten there. Packed with security.

Jilaya: Okay. We are going to give you a simple interrogation. We ask the questions. You answer them.

Terra: That simple? Alright.

???: Actually. I’ll be asking the questions here.

Themis walked in the door.

Six: Boo!

One gave Six a glance. And she shut up.

Themis: Boo to you two ya cunt. Alright Terra. Let’s get this show on the road.

Themis came up to Terra and shook her hand.

Themis: Nicholas Themis. Nice to meet you.

Why did he even care? Terra thought. She also let out a cough.

Themis: So to you Integer. Mrs. Springer. I have rock solid proof that Terra had nothing to do with the deaths of your soldiers. It was this girl. Amelia Ashi.

Terra: You shouldn’t throw her under the bus like that.

Themis: I don’t know if you forgot. But she is a fucking megalomaniac.

Themis took out pictures snapped from the videos he watched with Amelia. Pictures of Amelia manhandling Mary, Fleet and Erica.

Themis: That’s fucked up. Framing someone for your own daughters murder.

Jilaya: Doesn’t change the fact she was there and involved. She was part of all of it.

Themis: A speedster coming out and suddenly killing someone? She is fast enough for an average human to not see with their naked eye.

Terra felt something under the table. A piece of paper. Must’ve been put down by Themis. “Try summoning the suit.” Why would she try summoning the suit? She had a power dampener on. Even if she tried she couldn’t use the powers of Artemis.

Jilaya: Really? What evidence do you have showing that Terra wasn’t even involved with the killings?

Themis could get in big trouble. And maybe she could. There was no reason not to try. And yet Terra could still be in trouble herself if she tired. But no matter what she was trapped. So she tried. She felt the power get summoned into her. Maybe she could heal her wound. She heard something smashing down the hallway. And her suit burst into the room. And landed right on Terra. She jumped out of her chair without thinking and kicked One in the face.

Jilaya: What the-Everyone!

Six came up and slashed her sword at Terra. Terra kicked her in the stomach and threw her back into the wall. Cracking it. Two took out her knives and slashed both at Terra. Terra threw out a superman punch and sent her flying.

Themis: Stop you fucking dumbass!

She felt a rush of pain flood her body. Her injury got the best of her. Integer’s soldiers got on top of Terra and attacked. Six kicked Terra in the sides. Three shot a blast of fire. Burning her slightly. If it wasn’t for her suit she would be burnt to a crisp. One stomped on Terra’s stomach.

One: Bad move.

Terra saw the same eyes as Ivan’s in One’s. She felt his essence. But not before she felt her body fill with pain.

Jilaya: Cameras off?

Four: Yes.

Jilaya: Great.

Themis: But not mine. You are fuc-

Jilaya grabbed both Terra and Themis by the necks with her hair.

Jilaya: It’s almost my big day. And you two are filling up my schedule. This is a huge inconvenience.

Jilaya grabbed Themis’s phone and crushed it on the floor.

Jilaya: No evidence now. Terra, you are now too dangerous to have a court date of any sort. And that means you can get out of my hair Nicholas.

Themis: Terra, Remember this here. Olympus calls you. Oh and this. FUCK OFF ZEUS!

A gigantic lightning bolt crashed through the building. Hitting Jilaya right on the head. Causing a huge explosion. Once the dust settled, Jilaya was perfectly fine. Her hair was a little on fire though, She put it out gently with her hair and brushed herself off.

Jilaya: So the older gods hate you?

Themis: Fuck off bitch.

Themis took out a little switchblade he carried with him. Which he used to cut himself out of Jilaya’s grasp.

Themis: Well, can’t say I didn’t try.

Themis ran right out of there. Rain seemingly following him.

Jilaya: Back to your cell.

Jilaya carried Terra back to her cell in silence. Until Terra broke the silence.

Terra: You know what, fuck you! You ruined my life! You’re a sorry excuse for a human being! Fuck the media! Fuck the bullshit I see on TV! Fuck all of it! All you care about is lining your own pockets!

Jilaya: Funny. I’m not even a human. I’m a god. He is my father, you know.

Terra: Apparently I’m a god too. Which means I can kill you!

Jilaya: Ha! You wouldn’t kill anyone. You ruined your own life with your own stupid decisions. You chose to fight me. You chose to just rush in at me and Ivan with no plan. You chose your life.

Terra: Everything you do is horrible. This is for justice.

Jilaya: And?

Terra: I’ll take you down for this, I’m done trying to be good.

Jilaya threw Terra in her cell and slammed it shut.

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

Jilaya walked into her house. She closed and locked the door.

Ivan: Hey.

Jilaya: What are you doing out of bed? You should be resting.

Ivan: I’m fine.

Jilaya: Alright fine.

Ivan: How was work?

Jilaya: Annoying.

Ivan: How so?

Jilaya: People weren’t convinced by the prospect of Terra being a terrorist.

Ivan: Especially that Themis kid. Right?

Jilaya: Yes. For some reason. The problem there is that he was telling the public. And they ate it up. Any sign of Amelia?

Ivan: No. I also never saw Riley.

Jilaya: Okay. We’ll get through this. It’s not long until I see dad again.

Ivan: You're really trying to impress your dad, aren’t you?

Jilaya: He promised me this world. I can’t let him down.

Ivan: Don’t let him weigh you down. He doesn’t sound particularly good when he expects you to take over the world for him. Are you sure there aren’t ulterior motives in place?

Jilaya: Of course there isn’t! He always told me that I would be the one to own all this!

Ivan: Me personally. I don’t see it.

Jilaya: Shut up. I trust my Father. And you should too.

Ivan: \*sigh\* if you say so.

Jilaya: What if we just take Terra out of the equation?

Ivan: What? We can’t do that just yet. If she disappears suddenly then there’d be tons of suspicions. We have to keep the act up. We don’t even have to keep it up for too much longer.

Jilaya: What if she commits suicide?

Ivan: Framing her for commiting suicide?

Jilaya: There’d be no questions asked. Well, besides why she did it. But nobody would know.

Ivan: I like the sound of that. What about the rest?

Jilaya: Themis seemed disinterested for some reason. We just let them rot. She is the one we should be worrying about. She’s an older god.

Ivan: I like the way you think.

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

Monger: -and you, you escaped one of these sites before. Huh?

Amala was chained up in a separate room. With Monger facing her.

Amala: If I could spit on you, I would. But It’s a defect in my code.

Monger: Whatever. You need to be in this special holding cell because you are the weapon. By yourself you are a weapon. And a relatively powerful one at that.

Monger opened some sort of program.

Monger: And you have a very interesting robotic body at that. Deaging receptors. Skin stays smooth as a baby’s bottom!

Amala: That’s the first time I ever heard it be called that.

Monger: Oh, it’s lunchtime for me. You’d really love a good meal. Wouldn’t you?

Amala: Roasted duck sounds pretty good.

Monger: Well too bad!

Amala: What a surprise you said that.

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

Terra wasn’t in her village this time. She was in her apartment bed. Donny walked in the room. Terra was laying down like it was normal. She was facing away from him.

Donny: How you Feeling?

Terra: Like shit. How about you?

Donny: Peachy. Oh yeah, dinner’s ready. Amelia was wondering where you were.

Terra: What-

Donny: Hey, hey. It’s fine. I can take it to you. I’ll be your personal waiter today.

Terra couldn’t help but smile at Donny’s really bad attempts at flirting. If it could even be called flirting.

Donny: So uh, real quick. What are you gonna do when you get better?

Terra faced Donny.

Terra: I’m going to kill Integer.

Beck came up from behind Donny and stabbed his hand through Donny.

Terra was startled awake. She looked around. But then felt the pain in her rib shock her. And then fade very quickly. She sat up. Tried walking around. She felt...fine? Not good by any means. But fine. She coughed a little. But nothing bloody. Terra had no choice. She was going to kill Integer.

## Issue 3 - Salvation

**8 years ago. 2013.**

Terra walked in the house. Her grandmother Ellie and her grandfather, Carl were glossing up one of his relics.

Ellie: I was on my way back from the market and I saw another one of those men on motorcycles.

Carl: Ugh. I wish they would go away. They’ve always left us alone prior.

Ellie: I think they're searching for someone here.

Carl: Of course he is.

Carl shook his head.

Terra: Motorcycle people? I see them a lot when I’m in the woods. I saw them yelling at a woman. And then one of them hit her!

Carl: I’m sorry you had to see that.

Terra: Why don’t we gather the village to fight back? I bet you could take a bunch by yourself Grandpa!

Carl: The village people don’t want to have anything to do with those men. And we’ll avoid them for now.

Terra: We should teach them a lesson and kill one of their men!

Carl looked surprised. He stopped what he was doing and came down to Terra’s level.

Carl: Do you know what killing entails?

Terra: Um...Of course. It’s taking their life.

Carl: Doing it like that...with hate in your heart. It can corrupt you. And it hurts more people than you know. Innocent people. Don’t kill. Promise me you’ll never kill.

Terra: ...Promise.

Carl: Pinky promise? You know you absolutely can’t break those.

Back to present.

Terra: Sorry grandfather. It has to be this way.

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

Axel and Jilaya were putting the finishing touches on their gigantic machine. They were both finishing welding gigantic plasma cannons on the beast of a machine. They jumped down on the ground and looked at the machine.

Jilaya: We’re in the homestretch.

Ivan walked in with a noticeable limp. He looked up at the machine.

Ivan: By the gods. You two finished?

Jilaya: Well no, we still have to paint it.

Ivan: And what is it’s name?

Axel: We decided to call it Zion.

Ivan: How long until he arrives?

Jilaya: Two days.

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

Amelia was laying on the cold hard ground somewhere. She looked unconscious. She violently sparked awake and flipped herself to the ground. She stood up and fell back down again. She realized that she was on a floating piece of land. Flying through some sort of space. No some sort of force. The speed force. She looked up and saw all of time. All events in time. Converging. She got hit with a gigantic headache. A wave of pain. She fell to her knees and held her head. Her hair became more and more unruly. She stumbled to her feet. Only looking down at the ground. As far away from the forces she couldn’t understand. She ran away. Until she saw land. Without visions that would break her mind. Or visions that would break her mind further. She was in some sort of jungle. She didn’t care about anything. She just ran away. As she ran she realized the jungle started to disappear. Little civilizations started to pop up. Until they got bigger and bigger. She was in the current time. Even though she wasn’t where she lived, In fact. The civilization around her looked completely different. As she ran she felt energy running through her body. Above her the sky was red. She kept running until she saw herself running right at her. It was like a mirror of the world she had run through. But She saw something else ahead of her standing in her path. It was wearing black. Amelia stopped in her tracks. Weirdly quick. It was wearing a black speedster suit and had the terrifying face of a zombie. It’s teeth jagged and ugly. It’s face dead and white. And its eyes a cold, unfeeling black. It roared at her loudly. And ran at her. Even before Amelia could run it grabbed her by the neck. It roared at her and vibrated it’s hand. Amelia tried to phase. Nothing. She grabbed some of her mini-bombs from her jacket and stuffed it right in the monster’s mouth. It simply phased and was perfectly fine. But Amelia’s idea worked. The bombs exploded inside the speedster and blew her backward. So hard in fact that she broke through the mirror looking wall behind her. Like glass. For some reason the monster couldn’t follow her. She was laying on the ground in more pain. The sky was now a light flat blue. A bit different from the actual sky. The monster didn’t follow her for some reason. Maybe he thought she was dead. So she tried playing dead. Because what was more stupid? She couldn’t get the visions out of her head of what she saw back on that floating piece of land. She saw Æ èìïðñ আটটঠটঞষস ললপফফফঠঞঞধঞ খমৎঽঐঝআআ ퟜퟣퟣퟞ ㄐㄗㄫㆠ ㄑㄅ ㄋㄠㆪㆩㆲ ᘪᘶᙷᘻᘱ ᘝᗡᗷᗷᗮ. And then she felt her consciousness fade.

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

Millie was sitting in her cell. She had broken her bed and dragged a spring out of it. Millie cut herself on the finger with the spring’s tip and wrote a message out of blood on her bed sheet. She had to wait for it to dry up. She remembered seeing Leon’s cell. It was two cells away from her’s. She ripped off the sheet and stuffed it in her shirt. Millie got up and started doing jumping jacks and all kinds of workouts. Eventually Monger wandered past.

Monger: Ah. Training for our next battle, aren’t you?

Millie: Why not? I’ll go again.

Monger seemed surprised and giddy at the same time.

Monger: Then let’s go.

Monger dragged Millie out of her cage and started walking her down the cell block. Millie took the piece from her shirt and stuffed it through the food crack in Leon’s fence. Leon opened his eyes as he saw the sheet fall to the ground. He jumped over and looked at it. The message read “Hypnotize trick: Possible to teach me?”

Leon: What the hell…?

Millie ended up having to fight Monger some more. Gaining bruises and cuts on her body. She came back and glanced at Leon. Millie was thrown back into her cell. She felt frustrated. Did everyone seriously have no motivation?! Leon was just sitting in his cell. He wondered where Amala was. Hoping and praying she was still alive. He had been doing nothing but sleeping. He had heard about Integer’s meta cells from Krilla. And they were the real deal. He lost. And Millie could be hurt if he taught her his techniques.

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

Riley was running through the speed force. The sky it’s flat blue. She didn’t understand where she was. Something caught her eye. Some sort of temple with a purple beam coming from the top. She ran into the temple. It looked ancient. She saw many writings on the walls. One with four people and smaller people bowing down to them. She saw writings of a man running with lightning. Another man being attacked by zombies. With the same man raising above them. Riley inspected the things on the walls until she saw a giant blast of light come through a room. She came closer to the room. It was a big room with stairs leading up to the capsule of light. Riley ran up the stairs and looked in. And saw someone in a capsule of light. He stepped out of the light and fell to his knees. It was Michael.

Riley: Who the fuck are you?

Mike: Quite the mouth on you. I didn’t expect another speedster to be in here.

Riley: Aren’t like, all speedsters technically in here?

Mike: Not quite. How did you get here?

Riley: You expect me to know?

Mike: Well what were you doing last before you came here?

Riley: None of your goddamn business.

Mike came over to Riley.

Mike: \*Sigh\* I know it’s hard. Just sit down. We can talk about this.

Mike put his hand on Riley’s shoulder. Riley grabbed his wrist with her hand and got Mike into a submission. Bending him over and jamming his hand behind his back. Mike vibrated through Riley. Riley threw a speed punch at Mike. Mike dodged. Riley threw a flurry of punches and kicks. Mike dodged every single hit.

Mike: Hey, your Amelia’s sister. Aren’t you?

Riley: Why does it matter?

Mike: Well clearly you're here because of her. It’s pretty damn hard to put down a speedster. And you aren’t fast enough to get in the speed force. Either way. How about that sitting down. We can talk about this like rational people.

Riley: If it’ll make you shut up.

Mike laughed.

Riley: What’s so funny?

Mike: You clearly want to talk to someone. I can see it.

Riley: Then listen.

Riley and Mike sat down next to each other on the stairs.

Riley: Me and my sister never saw eye to eye. But I think she changed the timeline. And after she did all that. She was different. She was crazy. And it scared me. It fucking scared me. She even had a thing with Millie for a second. And I felt good for her. Because it seemed like things were looking up. But then she got pissed and ran away. The next time I met her I had to fight her. And I lost. She beat me to shit. And stabbed me and killed me and took my speed. But Ivan killed her. Wait. He killed her. Doesn’t that mean she is here too?

Mike: She was killed as well?

Riley: Why are we here? I’m dead. I don’t get it.

Mike: Speedsters can’t die by normal means. So we get sent here. Where a monster called the black flash kills us. For good. But lucky for me I have a way around that. It’s a deterrent that I whipped up myself.

Riley: Any chance you could hit me with that deterrent too?

Mike: Close your eyes.

Riley closed her eyes and Mike threw something ball shaped at Riley. It splashed on her and turned into gas once it hit her.

Mike: As long as you don’t move when he comes. You’ll be fine.

Riley: How powerful is he? I mean you just fucked me up so…

Mike: His speed is limitless. Sadly for us speedsters. We can’t outrun death.

A shiver was sent down Riley’s spine.

Mike: So. How about we go and find Amelia?

Riley: You’re fast enough, right? Can’t you just get us outta here?

Mike: We can’t leave her. Even if she is a completely fucked up person now. We can’t leave her behind. It could risk her becoming worse than she already is.

Riley: ...But she fucked all of us over. She is the reason the end of the world could be coming. Via Integer’s fucked up father.

Mike: What?

Riley: My boss Integer is summoning her father. A dude named Empyrean. He is super powerful. Definitely more powerful than us.

Mike: We have to help. As a matter of fact. We might be some pretty good damn chances. The speed force itself is jacking you up with speed force. Once we leave we’ll be pretty damn fast. I was regaining my speed here for a while. Luckily it looks like when Amelia took your speed you didn’t lose all of it. So if we wanna go in prepared for Amelia. Try gaining some speed yourself.

Riley: Whatever you say.

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

Millie was sitting in her cell. Frustrated. She was still kept motivated, She was doing jumping jacks in her cell. When a big piece of cloth fell through the food gate. Millie was ecstatic. She opened up the cloth. And in full description was a way to hypnotize someone. It was a big piece of paper showing all proper techniques and everything. There was a balled up napkin that fell out after Millie opened the main letter. It was a chipped part of a sink. With blood in it and a combination of other things. On the main paper it said “Drink the blood, It will cast you the powers you need to perform the spell. Millie downed the blood like a shot glass. She spent hours learning the proper techniques. Until she felt it was down. Her plan was ready for action.

Millie: I guess I thought wrong.

## Issue 4 - Rebellion

Riley and Mike were running side by side to where Mike suspected Amelia to be.

Mike: There’s a place that looks almost like a mirror. It’s a convergence of the positive and negative speed force.

Riley: English?

Mike: It looks like a giant mirror. The sky will be red.

Riley: Easy enough.

They ran and ran. Riley started to pick up speed and go past Mike. Mike caught up everytime. Riley marveled as she watched a civilization get bigger and bigger around her and Mike. Until they got closer and closer to the negative speed force. Riley realized the mirror looked broken. She saw Amelia in the distance. Unconscious. Riley came over and looked down at her in disgust.

Riley: Look at her.

Amelia had large bags under her eyes. Her hair was out of whack. Her hands were dried with blood. And her shirt was stained with blood.

Mike: So, you ready to get out of here?

Riley: Yeah…

All of a sudden the two heard a faint growl. The Black Flash burst through the mirror.

Mike: Stay. Still.

Both Mike and Riley stood still. The Black Flash came over to them. He smelled around. And smelt nothing. Mike slowly grabbed a deterrent from his pocket and splashed Amelia with it. The Black Flash shrieked and came over to them. He didn’t sense anything. So he ran off. Mike let out a sigh of relief.

Mike: Your sister was almost toast. Let’s get out of here. We’re going to go to a place called the theatre. Now this place could do bad things to your brain. But I think you have the mental strength.

Riley: What is it about that place?

Mike: You’ll see.

Mike slung Amelia over his shoulder and they ran to the edge of time and into the theatre. A bunch of floating things in time. There was a red Lockheed 5B Vega. A part of the titanic. Many old sculptures and replicas. And just random debris floating around. And all of time. All events in time. Joining as one. Riley looked up and immediately felt her head in pain. Mike was looking at it and was fine.

Mike: You need to focus on the now. The here. You are seeing future events in time. Keep reminding yourself of the present in your head. As long as you have an anchor to real life. The headache will fade.

Riley: Then why does it feel like it’s getting worse?!

Mike gently put his hand on Riley’s shoulder.

Mike: It’ll fade. Do you think this is my first rodeo?

Riley took a deep breath. Almost swallowing her pain to a certain extent.

Riley: Okay.

Mike: Alright. Our goal point is that gym over there.

There was an odd looking gym floating around on a piece of land.

Riley: Why are we going to a gym?

Mike: To get home.

Riley: Are you crazy?

Mike: No. There’s these things called speedforce treadmills there. We run on them as fast as we can and that’s our ticket out of here. Unless you want black flash to kill us. These deterrents don’t last forever.

All of a sudden Amelia sparked awake and started flailing. She fell right out of Mike’s grasp. She started holding her head in pain looking at all events in time happening around her. She looked down at the ground and trembled from the pain. Amelia slowly got to her feet. She was looking at the two. While her whole body was trembling.

Amelia: You two...What did you do?!

Riley: What did WE do?! We’re trying to help you here!

Amelia: You brought me here...This place. It hurts to look. Everything hurts.

Mike: Listen to me Amelia. We can get out of here safely if you jus-

Amelia: No! Shut up! I had no idea if I died I’d be sent here. From here I can go anywhere in time. I can go fast enough to see Donny again. We could be happy siblings again Riley!

Riley: Your fucking insane.

Amelia: Everytime I tried to lead you always shot me down. You made my childhood shit!

Riley: I did? That’s not how I remember it.

Amelia: Fuck you!

Amelia lunged at Riley and punched her in the face. Mike threw out a punch. And Amelia ducked under and punched Mike in the stomach and kneed him in the stomach over and over. She grabbed his face. The back of his head and his chin. Riley punched Amelia in the back. She grabbed Amelia by the back of her neck and ripped her off of Mike. Mike punched her away and onto another floating piece of debris.

Mike: We have to bring her with us.
- - - - - - - - - - -

Terra was experimenting. She didn’t know where anyone was and if they were doing anything to help the situation they were in. She started brainstorming. There was a way out. There had to be. She started doing kicks and punches in the cell. She threw out a very high hook kick and was hit with a huge shock of pain.

Terra: Take it easy.

She started with a slow progression. Getting back into the rhythm of things. She fell into a couple light coughing fits. But she kept going. Many cells over Millie was putting her plan into action. She waited for Monger to inevitably walk by. And soon enough, he did.

Millie: Hey! I’ve been waiting for you. You wouldn’t give up a golden opportunity like this. Right?

Monger: Huh? You actually want to fight today? Well I can’t pass this one up!

Monger dragged Millie to the torture chamber as usual. Monger brought Millie into the chamber.

Monger: This time you can get a half of my scissor blade. It’s almost like a holiday! Especially because he’s coming. The god from the skies is coming tomorrow! It’ll be amazing!

Millie: You know… I think I found the person who truly helped me define who I am.

Monger looked on with glee.

Millie: You’ve shown me how truly fucked up one person can be. When I was in New York I searched for justice. And some people thought that justice wasn’t right. And maybe some of it was based on assumptions. But I can make the assumption that you are a cruel, lonely, pathetic man who thinks he can profit off of Integer’s war. All she’s doing is using you. Wake the fuck up!

Monger: Really? I’m just here for a good time. It’s human instinct to cause wars.

Monger swung his blade at Millie. She blocked but was pushed back a little bit.

Monger: To cause destruction!

Millie: I’m done fighting you.

Millie held out her hand towards Monger and closed her eyes.

Millie: Esmodineus, Relucluse, Ridoie!

Monger stopped in his tracks. His red eyes lit up

Millie felt her blood boiling. She felt like she was on fire. But that did mean one good thing. It was working.

Millie: Garula fredia, Yipnotize!

Monger felt his head and fell to his knees. His eyes turned from red to a bright silver color. He looked almost emotionless.

Millie: Uh...Go and get Amala Acosta, Terra Lorenz, and Leon Los. And bring them back here unharmed. Please?

Monger didn’t say anything. He just walked away. He showed up in front of Amala.

Amala: What’s up? Here to talk shit again?

Nothing from Monger’s mouth.

Amala: Not much for conversation I see.

Monger released Amala from her cell. She fell right to the ground.

Amala: Wait. What the…

Amala realized Monger’s different colored eyes.

Amala: Well shit.

Monger: With me.

Monger led Amala to the chamber Millie was waiting in. He went to get Leon.

Amala: Wait. You did this Millie?

Millie: Yeah. I’m just about as surprised as you are.

Amala: Did Leon teach you that spell?

Millie: Yeah. I think.

Amala: You sent him to get Leon and Terra. Right?

Millie: Well what else would I force him to do?

Amala: Fair enough.

Monger came back with Leon shortly.

Millie: Leon! That spell, it was amazing!

Leon: Yeah, I know.

Millie: How did you get it over to me?

Leon: Hypnotizing. Duh. I could barely breathe after I used that spell with so little power around.

Monger was walking down the cell block. To Terra’s cell. Once he got to Terra’s cell he went to open it. Terra realized there was a random soldier going to open the cell. She expected to get tortured or something. Monger opened the cell door. Beck walked up to Monger. Monger blocked the open door.

Beck: Hey! What the hell are you doing?

Monger: Getting Terra Lorenz out of her cell.

Beck: Why?

Beck just realized Monger’s eyes were the wrong color. He took some sort of big looking gun and shot it at Monger. Sending a huge flash of a light at him and turning his eyes red again.

Monger: Ugh...The fuck?

Beck: You let yourself get hypnotized by someone else?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU COULD’VE DONE?!

Beck looked into Terra’s cell. She was nowhere to be found.

Beck: You're fixing this. Now. You have permission to kill.

Monger walked off. To the torture chamber. Nobody was there.

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

Amelia jumped at Mike. She jumped in the air and spun herself rapidly. Literally stabbing into Mike. Before he threw her off himself. Riley punched Amelia off him and she flopped across the ground like a fish. She got to her feet and ran at Riley. They both threw a punch at the same time. Both punching each other in the face. They both stumbled back. But Amelia recovered first. She vibrated her hand and pierced through Riley’s skin. But only a little. Mike grabbed her by her back and spun her around and threw her away. Amelia caught herself on a piece of debris and jumped back at Mike. Mike spun quickly and grabbed a lightning bolt and threw it at Amelia. She got hit in midair and fell to the ground. She coughed up blood and got to her feet. Mike ran up and leg sweeped Amelia to the ground. Amelia tried to get up but Mike slammed his foot on her. She vibrated through Mike and kicked him to the ground. Riley ran up behind Amelia. Amelia grabbed Riley and threw her over her head and to a different floating piece of debris. She stabbed her hand through Mike’s back. Amelia stood up and jumped at Riley.

Riley: What did you do?!

Amelia: I killed him. Isn’t it obvious?

Amelia knocked over Riley and got on top of her stomach.

Amelia: I hate you.

Amelia held her hand up and vibrated it. But nothing happened. Her hand wasn’t vibrating.

Mike: Wow, that’s cute.

Amelia: What are you talking about?

Mike: I syphoned your speed force energy out of you when you vibrate your hand through me. I’ve had years of experience with this.

Mike’s wound had already healed.

Mike: You frankly. Are an amatuer. Try and time travel. I dare you.

Amelia started punching Riley over and over again. Bloodying her face. Mike pulled Amelia off of Riley. Amelia vibrated her hand again.

Amelia: But you can’t take my speed forever.

She lunged in at Mike. Who dodged and punched Amelia in the face. He tackled her to the ground and got her in a chokehold. She was struggling and fighting. All of a sudden she started to flake up. Her body was turning blue and her body was starting to literally fade away. Mike jumped off of her. Amelia was silently watching herself disappear. She didn’t have much time. So she got up and sped away.

Riley: What just happened?!

Mike: The speed force rejected her. This is bad news. She ran off. Which means she’s going to find a way out. Follow me. We have to just get out.

Riley: What about Amelia?

Mike: We can’t worry about her. I’m sorry. She’s too far gone.

Riley: I get it. She was gone a while ago. Wasn’t she?

Mike: Let’s get out of here.

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

Terra was running down the cell block hallway until she got to the command tower. She tried to open the door. But it was locked under a security code and was metal plated. Terra tried breaking down the door to no avail.

Millie: Step aside!

Terra: Guys!

Millie had her robotic arm reequipped. She punched the metal door off its hinges.

Millie: Let’s get the fuck out of here.

Monger slashed his scissor blade across the doorway. Everyone backed up.

Monger: You fuckers aren’t going anywhere!

Amala: That was short lived. Leon. Get us out of here.

Leon went to cast a teleportation spell. But Beck came behind him. Terra got a flash of the dream she had with Donny in it. She pushed Leon out of the way and blocked a punch from Beck. Millie slapped her hands together. But it did nothing.

Monger: Missing something?

Millie: Leon, Amala, go for the power dampeners! Turn them off!

Leon and Amala left the room. Leaving Terra and Millie against Beck and Monger.

## Issue 5 - Return to Ashes

Monger slashed his blades at Millie over and over. With big swings and hard hits. Millie dodged over and over until she was forced to bloek. She threw up her robotic arm. Which felt like it was going to be split in half. Monger kicked Millie in the chest. Millie was sent into the wall. Leaving an indent. She ducked under a slash and punched Monger in the stomach with her good arm and then her robotic arm. Making him move back a little. Millie threw out a side kick and nearly lost a leg. Monger slashed both his blades at Millie in an X fashion. She jumped through the X and punched Monger in the face. Terra dodged and redirected tons of Beck’s punches. She did a cartwheel backward and kicked Beck in the chin. Sending him up in the air a bit. Terra kicked him into a wall and then threw out a punch. Which Beck ducked and then punched Terra in the lungs. She felt a ripple through her body. But couldn’t stop. Beck grabbed Terra and kneed her in the stomach. He kicked her in the face and started charging his arm. Terra was dazed and pissed at the same time. She threw a jab and a hook at Beck. Which hit. But did virtually nothing. Beck did a leg sweep on Terra and threw down his charged hand. She rolled out of the way and was still blown away by the sheer shockwave of the attack. All of a sudden Terra felt the power of Artemis start to channel through her. She resorted straight to summoning her suit. Monger slashed his blade at Millie. Slamming it into the ground. Millie dodged. Monger slashed his other blade horizontally at Millie. She went to move backward but got slashed across the top of her chest. She felt her power come up and shoot out of the wound at Monger. He stumbled a bit. Millie punched him in the face and slapped her hands together and sent a huge shockwave at Monger. Sending him through the doorway behind him and into the stairs. Millie jumped up and threw down a punch. Which Monger blocked. He kicked Millie up in the air. And slashed his scissor blade across Millie. She brought her arm down and blocked the shot. She landed and Monger stabbed her right through the chest. Monger left the blade in her.

Monger: I’ll bathe in your blood!

Millie was clinging to life. She stumbled back. She blasted out the blade and grabbed it out of the air. She realized where the hole from the blade should’ve been was a white gathering of energy.

Monger: You cheater!

She swung the blade at Monger. Who blocked it and threw out a kick. Millie dodged to the side and uppercut Monger into the air. She jumped in the air and slashed the blade right across Monger. Literally splitting him in two. Millie landed on the ground. She looked down at Monger. She got a sudden chill down her spine. She felt terrified. Like she was turning into Amelia. She took a deep breath and positioned the scissor blades in an X next to Monger. She felt something spiritual travel into her body. She realized her robotic arm was glowing. His soul was her’s. Amala and Leon came down the stairs. Leon was surprised by Monger’s corpse.

Amala: Millie, I’d move out of the way right about now.

Terra’s armor flew down the stairs, out the doorway and onto her. Beck backed up and watched the armor come onto her.

Terra: Let’s go.

Beck screamed and punched down at Terra. She stepped back and did an axe kick. Hitting Beck clean in the head. As Terra was coming down he grabbed her foot and flipped her over. Beck kicked her in the side a couple times and grabbed her wrist. Terra escaped his grasp and kicked him in the stomach and made it to her feet. She threw out a couple punches. Beck backed up and turned to the side and threw a punch at Terra. She blocked with her gauntlets and pushed both Beck’s hands off with her gauntlets. Covering his hands and pushing him against the wall. Terra’s destruction form came on naturally and she punched Beck across the face. Beck swiped up and kicked Terra. He ripped off the gauntlets and threw them right at Terra by the sharp side. Stabbing into her stomach and then shoulder. Terra fell back a little and called her gauntlets back to her wrists and lost her destruction form. Beck was already running up with a punch. Terra ducked under and Beck used his other hand and grabbed her by the neck and raised her up.

Beck: I’ll kill you here and now.

He charged his hand while punching Terra lightly again and again in the stomach. With the same hand.

Beck: And then I’ll kill your friends. Your plan ends here.

And again. But now in the ribs.

Beck: Because you destroyed everything I love. You're the reason I’m like this!

Amala grabbed Terra’s spear and slashed down Beck’s arm. Cutting his hand clean off. Beck screamed in pain. Terra fell to the ground. She took her spear from Amala and lunged at Beck with it. He parried it to the side with his arm. Terra let one of her gauntlets overtake his arm. Beck got pushed one way. Facing sideways from Terra. She let herself go. And stabbed her spear through Beck. And pulled it out. It was covered with blood. And Beck was laying on the ground. Terra was almost hyperventilating.

Beck: Doesn’t matter...you're too late...Empyrean...Tomorrow.

Amala: Leon!

Leon: Oh right.

Leon cast a teleportation spell and got everyone out of the jail. Everyone landed outside of the jail. On a large mountain overlooking the slave site. Millie all of a sudden felt a terrible feeling in her gut. She was bleeding. She fell to the ground holding her wound. The light that was once there started to fade.

Millie: Someone...Terra! You can heal. Right?!

Terra: Wh-No! I-I can try!

Terra put her hands over Millie’s wound. She tried to let her power flow out into Millie. But it was almost like she was blocked.

Terra: I-I can’t! It’s not working!

Amala: Calm down. Let it flow.

Terra: I can’t just calm down! I have to defeat Integer tomorrow if I want to stop this! I’m sorry Millie.

Terra was ready to walk away. She brought herself to her feet with her staff.

Amala: You tell yourself you're the one to defeat Integer? Like your fate is waiting there. You don’t need to be the one. We could literally leave and be done with it!

Terra: I think my fate is with defeating Integer. And if I don’t. Millions of others will die.

Terra switched on destruction and ran away. Running surprisingly fast. Integer’s house was only blocks away. Terra couldn’t be late. It was almost the dead of night.

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

Jilaya nearly jumped up and down for joy.

Jilaya: He’s almost here! This all shaped out to this moment!

Jilaya hugged Ivan. Who seemed healed now.

Ivan: Congratulations hun.

Axel: This is what we all worked up to. Right?

Jilaya: Yes it is. Haven’t I already told you?

Axel: How much longer?

Ivan: Only ten minutes.

Axel: Probably time to set off the beacon.

Jilaya: This is the only way he’ll know where we are. We’ve been separated for so long.

Axel went up and pulled a big lever. Which shot off a gigantic beam into the sky. Terra could actually see where she was going better now. And she came up on Integer’s house. She realized the light was coming from their garage. Terra punched the huge metal wall once. And then again. Busting a big hole. She kept punching around the hole until she could slip in.

Jilaya stared down at Terra.

Jilaya: You again. No friends?

Axel: How did you get out of the jail?

Terra: Why does it matter now?

Axel: How about this? Can I kill her now?

Terra: I’ll come through you so I can get to her.

Jilaya: Me?

Terra threw her spear across the room at Jilaya. She grabbed it out of the air with her hair. And held it there.

Jilaya: So you want to kill me?

Ivan: I thought you were against killing. Nobody would throw a projectile that hard across the room if you weren’t trying to kill her.

Jilaya: You almost ripped my hair out. But what happened?

Terra: There’s no other way to get rid of you for good.

Ivan: Jail time changed her. It worked.

Terra: I guess it did.

Jilaya: Well that’s too bad.

Jilaya looked at a wristwatch she had on. Five minutes.

Jilaya: If you really want to kill me. Then fight me to the death.

Ivan: It’ll end in a fight of grand proportions.

What was Terra going to say? No? She could end it all here.

Axel: Are you sure?

Jilaya: Of course. I’m not afraid of a naive little girl.

Jilaya threw Terra’s staff back. She caught it in midair and walked up to Jilaya. Jilaya just stood up straight. Waiting for Terra’s first move. She fired on destruction and made her gauntlets go around Jilaya. She kicked the gauntlet into Jilaya and threw a superman punch to her head. Jilaya blocked it with her hair. And grabbed Terra by the foot with her hair and threw her into the roof. Terra fell down and threw her spear down at the ground. Jilaya ducked out of the way. Terra landed on top of her spear and jumped off of it. She threw out her gauntlets Jilaya grabbed one of Terra’s gauntlets out of the air. Terra stabbed it into Jilaya’s arm. But it bounced right off of Jilaya. Jilaya put on her welding mask.

Terra ran up to her. And before she could get any hits in she was fired backward by Jilaya’s eye lasers. Which kept a constant heat on Terra. It started to warp and destroy her armor. Terra brought her gauntlets back. And brought her gauntlet up. Bouncing the laser back. It hit Jilaya in the face. Or it would’ve if it wasn’t for the shield surrounding her. Terra darted over to Jilaya and threw out punch after punch. Cracking the shield over and over. Jilaya grabbed Terra with telekinesis and threw her back towards the wall. Terra grabbed her spear out of the ground and spun herself around back at Jilaya. She stabbed the spear right into Jilaya’s shield and broke it into pieces. Jilaya stumbled back a little. She clicked something on her mask and all of a sudden there were two Jilayas. Terra swung at one and swung herself off into the other Jilaya. Destroying it. Terra jumped off of Jilaya and threw a punch. Jilaya ducked under and threw a punch into Terra’s stomach. She felt sick. And she felt like she was being split in two. Her chest plate was broken into pieces. Jilaya threw a back kick at Terra. She blocked it with her shin guards. Breaking those too. Terra realized Jilaya’s punches and kicks were being lit up with some sort of mystical power. Jilaya grabbed Terra with telekinesis and threw her away. Terra landed in the grasp of a huge hand. The thing looked Terra in the eyes. It was wearing an all blue outfit. With a dastardly blue and black mask. He had longer black hair coming down his face. Terra struggled to get out of his grasp. She grabbed her spear and tried to stab it into him.

Empyrean: Pathetic. Pathetic older god.

Empyrean punched Terra into the air and literally through the roof of Jilaya’s garage. As Terra fell through the air and landed in a parking lot. On top of a car. She broke the windshield and dented it badly. And she was aching in excruciating pain. She looked and realized her armor was almost all gone. She only had her two gauntlets left over. And they were cracked and busted. Her spear had landed in the ground far off from her. But she could see it in the dead of night. She felt the suffering settle a little suddenly. But not enough that she was able to get up. Themis of all people was standing in front of her. She started to lose consciousness.

Themis: The fuck?! My car!

## Issue 6 - The Trials of Artemis

Terra was laying on a blanket in an office. It was dusk. She realized she had bandages around her body in various places. She tried to sit up. And noticed only a faint pain. Themis walked through the door.

Themis: Oh, you're awake.

Terra: Themis? What happened?

Themis: You landed on my fucking car. Literally fell out of the sky.

Terra: Oh.

Themis: That’s all?

Terra: I’ve had weirder things happen to me.

Themis: Either way, how old are you?

Terra: Uh, almost eighteen. Why?

Themis: Fuck that’s not going to look good. Well if anyone comes in, you're eighteen. All I ask is that you don’t get comfortable here.

Terra: How did you heal me?

Themis: I dunno. Magic. Who fucking cares?

Terra: I don’t think you’ll even have to worry about work today.

Themis: And why is that?

There was screaming outside. And people running down the road.

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

Empyrean was much bigger than usual. And blocks away. He punched a hole into an apartment building. And hucked it down the street.

Jilaya: It’s been so long father.

Empyrean: I need a minute to readjust.

Empyrean got to human size and shot a huge energy blast all around the small town. Cutting humans who were running into bits and bringing down buildings with it. He made a sword out of energy and ran in front of humans who were scared for their lives. He ran up and lifted them all in the air with telekinesis and slashed his sword around them rapidly. Literally cutting all the people into chunks.

Empyrean: Daughter. You made it here all by your lonesome.

Jilaya: Well I wouldn’t be here without help from my husba-

Empyrean: Nonsense! Now, my limiter has only been 20% unlocked. I hear you have these jails with metas in them.

Jilaya: Yeah. I do actually! Come this way! I’ll show you. You’re going to love it.

Fifty years earlier.

A younger Jilaya and a smaller Empyrean were sitting on the top of a mountain. Looking down at humans building the twin towers. Empyrean looked at them with disgust,

Empyrean: Look at them. They are disgusting. They're going to tarnish my world!

Jilaya: I don’t know if there’s much we can do about it. Dad.

Empyrean: There’s so much we can do about it. Bend them to our will. Make them submit, Make the world great! After all, I'm not immortal. This world is going to be yours someday. You will own these people.

Jilaya: Really? This will be all mine?

Empyrean: Yes.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Terra: We have to get out of here. Now.

Themis: I think I’m with you for this one.

Themis opened his office door. And looked down the corridor. The front door was blocked by debris.

Themis: Here. Maybe you want this.

Themis gave Terra her spear.

Terra: Ugh. Just follow me.

They went to the end of the hall.

Themis: How do you even expect to get out? Alright. You know what?

Themis took out a small switchblade and it turned into a bronze powerful looking sword.

Terra: Woah. Where did that come from?

Themis: Wait a second. That armor. That’s the fucking Artemis armor.

Terra: How do you know?

Themis: Because this sword is Ares’ sword. I know the asshole olympians personally.

Terra: Alright. Step back.

Terra kicked the wall down. Busting a huge hole in it. They both slipped through it.

Themis: Why didn’t you just do that already? It would’ve been a lot smoother if I cut the wall down.

Terra: It doesn’t matter. But that’s fine. You said you know the olympians. Right?

Themis: Ah, the asshole olympians? Yeah I know them.

Terra: Can you like, take me to Artemis or something?

Themis laughed.

Themis: Fuck that. Besides Hera. Artemis is the bitchiest of all the women olympians. All about chasitisity. Must be pretty embarrassing to represent the goddess of chastity. She was basically modern day feminism before modern day feminism.

Terra: Come on! Is she THAT bad?

Themis: Yeah.

Terra: Then tell me where she is. I’ll Just go there. And leave you out of it.

Themis: You want them to make you new armor. Don’t you?

Terra: Mayyybe...Look is it that hard to get them to make you armor?

Themis: Oh well. As long as you tell Artemis you're a virgin things’ll work out.

Terra: What?

Themis: You heard me the first time.

Terra: Wait. So that means your coming with?

Themis: I don’t know. Do you want new armor?

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

Terra: So how did you get the stuff you have? That is actually Ares’ sword. Right?

Themis: Yes it is. And it’s none of your fucking business.

Terra: You don’t talk to people much about your life. Huh?

Themis: Not this side of my life. How about shit less about me? I don’t even know anything about you. What were you doing before you landed on my car?

Terra: That’s why I want the armor. I’m not strong enough.

Themis: You want new armor to boost your power? I can already tell your in over your head. Do you think that Artemis will just make you the armor and be done with it? Are you seriously just going to demand armor?

Terra: Uh, yeah.

Themis: Alright, just checking. But as far as I know. You want to destroy Integer? Right?

Terra: I want to kill her.

Themis: How are you gonna do it?

Terra: What do you mean “how am I gonna do it? “

Themis: How are you going to kill her? Gonna Strangle her? Maybe a fatal stab to the chest?

Terra: Wh-What? I haven’t thought that far!

Themis: You don’t seem like a very experienced killer. How many people have you killed?

Terra: Well actually killed? Two. And both of those people were the same person.

Themis: Alright so one. You killed one guy. When?

Terra: A day ago. Not even.

Themis laughed at Terra.

Themis: Why do you want to kill her?

Terra: I feel like this is where my fate leads me. And I know what she did. I know all about her wrongdoings. She is the reason the city could be in ashes. And my friends could be...I’m a fucking shitty person. Aren’t I?

Themis: It’s certainly a possibility. You think your fate is to kill a megalomaniac. And you left your city to burn while you get new power. Not really a good thing.

Terra: But think about how many lives I could save if I stop him. It’d be suicide if I went in by myself.

Themis: And you are totally an asshole for leaving your friends behind.

Terra: And I left Millie when she…

Themis: Stop doing that! What happened to your friend Willie?

Terra: Her name is Millie! And she got stabbed in a fight. And she was bleeding. I have healing powers with my artemis armor. But I’m terrible at it.

Themis: Have you ever used the power correctly?

Terra: Now that I think about it. I don’t think so.

Themis: It definitely wasn’t the right thing to leave them. But you already fucked up enough. Let’s work on damage control. But do you have it in you to truly kill Integer?

Terra: I have to.

Themis: No you don’t. If I’ve learned anything. There’s always a choice.

Terra: …

Themis: Ah! Here we are. And don’t say I didn’t warn you.

There was a patch of land beyond the trees. With two little cottages and all gardens and grass. There was a big waterfall in the middle. And women were walking around all over the place. The area was weirdly hot. Despite the various women being bundled up. Terra felt a presence and also a warmness to the place.

Themis: This is going to suck.

Everyone was looking at Terra weirdly. Since she was still wearing her jail outfit. That was ripped up and stained with her own blood. She had bandages on. A faded scar across her face. And to top it all off. There was a man next to her. About 20 women took out bows and aimed them at Terra and Themis. A tall woman walked out in front of the crowd. With a bigger bow. She had a black shirt and pants on under a blue with white highlighted coat over it. With a collar at the top. Climbing up her neck. She had grey armor that looked similar to Terra’s A breastplate, gauntlets, and shinguards. With added guards around her biceps. Her hair was slicked to the side. With her right side of her hair cut off and her left side of her hair going down a little past her shoulder. She also had a belt with a holster for her bow and arrow. Her and Terra were staring each other down.

Terra: I want to talk to Artemis.

Woman: I’m Delta. You know you and that thing aren’t allowed here. Right?

Terra: Why not. Look.

Terra held up her gauntlet. Delta looked at it for a second and held her gauntlet up to it. The girls behind Delta were murmuring something about the armor,

Delta: You found our old armor. Impressive.

Terra: It wasn’t that hard. I just found it in a cave.

Delta: With that damn celestial. Mom has to know about this.

Themis: Mom? I thought Artemis didn’t like to get busy.

Everyone looked at Themis and seemed horrified. Delta walked up to Themis and grabbed his wrist angrily.

Themis: What’s this supposed to be?

Delta: Eiga.

After a few seconds Themis was turned to stone.

Delta: Adoptive mother to be exact.

Terra: Hey! What the hell?!

Delta: Men aren’t allowed on our premises. And you're about to be leaving as well.

Terra: Okay, okay. I’ll follow your rules. Will you hear what I have to say?

Delta: Fine.

Terra: Look at my gauntlets.

Delta: Yeah. I see them. Their trash.

Terra: Exactly. I need Artemis to make me new armor.

Delta chuckled at Terra.

Delta: Fine. Come with me.

Terra looked at Themis.

Terra: Alright.

Delta: Is that man your lover?

Terra: What the hell?! He’s like thirty!

Delta: There are many women in this world who love older men.

Terra: I’d uh, prefer someone my age.

Delta: Such a simple minded woman.

Terra just shut her mouth. She didn’t feel like arguing with someone who was that narrow minded.

Delta led her into a small little cottage.

Delta: Be wary of the traps and tripwires.

They walked through the small house. There were tons of books, A small fireplace and one chair.

Delta: Wait here.

Delta walked away and Terra looked around. There were pictures of all the girls that Terra had seen. A group picture of all the olympian gods as children. And then a picture next to it with Artemis and the woman of the community, Delta came back in.

Delta: She will be out in a minute. You like the pictures?

Terra: How long have you lived here?

Delta: As far as I remember. I’ve always lived here. This place is beautiful. You just don’t see it.

Terra: This feels and looks more like a prison than anything.

Delta: …

A woman just a bit shorter than Delta walked into the room. She had l0ng red hair. And wore a large white tunic that was very baggy. She had some sort of belt around her waist and a quiver of arrows attached to it. Her hair was wet and very recently groomed. She walked over by her door and slipped on some flip flops.

Delta: Hi mom.

Artemis: Who?

Delta: I-I mean Artemis. We have a visitor.

Artemis: You...I’ve seen you before. Ugh. Terra Lorenz. You're the one who goes around wearing my armor like a nameplate. Why am I just meeting you? Shouldn’t you be gone now?

Terra: Look at this.

Terra showed Artemis her gauntlets.

Artemis: My old gauntlets…

Terra: The rest of your armor was destroyed in a fight.

Artemis: At Least you got use out of it. That’s the last thing I’d be mad about. What business do you have here, child?

Terra: Isn’t it obvious? I need some new armor. The fate of possibly the world and millions of lives is at stake here!

Artemis: And is that supposed to be my problem?

Terra: YES! You are one of the gods of olympus! Wouldn’t you care about the world being destroyed?

Artemis: Me and my family have an escape plan. And I could care less about the millions of brainless apes who will die.

Terra: Then you don’t care. I need this armor. And I’m not leaving until I get it.

Artemis: Funny. You can’t take all of my girls. And I feel it in you. You aren’t a killer.

Terra: ...You heard me the first time. This is important.

Artemis: Ugh. Fine. But you have to earn it. I have to go through all the trouble of contacting Hephaestus. So you will show to me that you deserve the armor.

Terra: I won’t disappoint.

Artemis: You won’t. Because if you do your other visitor will die. If you win. You get your armor and will be allowed to leave.

Terra: Your adding stakes? What is this? A TV show?

Artemis: It makes things interesting for me.

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

Artemis: Let’s start with the course that all of our women take as an initiation.

Terra: Are you trying to recruit me or something?

Artemis: No. Look at yourself.

Terra looked down at her tattered clothes and her scars.

Terra: Don’t like scars? Their battle scars.

Artemis scoffed.

Artemis: You have to do this test in one minute. Let’s see if you can finish the challenge.

The course started with jumping across a bunch of high up rocks. Terra jumped across smoothly and jumped off the last rock after catching her balance on it. She barely landed at a cliff. She pulled herself up and jumped and grabbed a vine and swung across the waterfall. Artemis’s women shot arrows up in the air. Which Terra had to dodge. She dodged smoothly and broke an arrow that would’ve landed straight in her head. But got hit in the shoulder by one. She pulled it out and threw it away. Her shirt got even more bloody than it already was. She dodged a wrecking ball-like boulder. She had to kick it to make it move fast enough for her to jump on and go across another sinkhole. She landed and scaled down a long hill filled with hard to get around and easy to trip on rocks. She was close to the bottom. It had almost been a minute. She jumped off the hill and landed at the end of the course. She was sweating and bleeding.

Terra: How fast do your other women have to do this?

Artemis: 5 minutes.

Terra: If I had 5 minutes it wouldn’t have even been a problem!

Artemis: That’s the point. Next challenge.

Terra spent hours having to move boulders, win in footraces against her women, dodging arrows, cleaning up her stupid house. Painting the second cottage, moving more boulders, doing more obstacle courses, scaling trees, pleasing the animals in the forest. And more. The sun was starting to come down. And Terra was hurting.

Artemis: Alright. 30 second break.

Terra ran at breakneck speed and drank the water out of the waterfall and dumped it on herself. Like an animal.

Delta: You're such a slob.

Terra: I’m literally drinking water!

Artemis: Break over! We have a wounded animal that just came in. You are going to heal it.

Terra’s heart almost sank. Of all things she was good at. She was a terrible healer.

Terra: You sure you don’t have another challenge?

Artemis: You don’t pick the challenges.

Terra: Ugh. Bitch…

Artemis: What was that?

Terra: Your a great god!

Artemis: Come with me.

There was a deer with a bullethole in it.

Artemis: If you are good with my armor, you should be able to use it supportively.

Terra took a deep breath and put both of her hands over the deer’s wound. She tried focusing her energy on the wound. The deer was trying to move.

Terra: Hey! Stay!

Artemis: You should know how to use the power of the olympians correctly.

Terra: Oh so that’s what it’s called?

Artemis: Do you seriously need to be guided? You need to let the power flow through, and out of you.

Terra tried to let the power in and then let it out in the same spot.

Delta: Do something that relaxes you.

Terra closed her eyes. And thought about her original home. Where her people would sing songs next to the campfire. She thought about the party with the blue coats. The night she spend with Donny stargazing. Everything, She opened her eyes and she was just holding down a normal deer. She moved her hands away and it jumped up and ran away.

Artemis: Good. Now I will give you one final challenge. You will face Delta in combat.

Terra: Oh. Alright don’t worry. I’ve got this.

Artemis: That’s what they all say.

Delta and Terra walked into the middle of the area.

Artemis: Delta is my finest woman. I raised her myself.

Delta: I won’t let you down.

Terra: You're about to be disappointed.

Delta: You walk into our domain and demand new armor. Just to walk away from us. And you bring a man here. You’re disgusting.

Terra: If you ask me, Artemis has made a hivemind here. Not a civilization where women can be free to express themselves.

Delta: Then we’ll see where fate brings us. We’ll let power decide the fate of society!

Terra looked down at her only gauntlets. She couldn’t just tank hits like she usually did. She needed precision.

Delta grabbed goggles that covered her eyes. Terra watched her adjust her stance. She’d seen a blind man fight. And Delta didn’t seem blinded at all. Rather, given better vision and precision.

Delta: Permission to kill?

Artemis smiled.

Artemis: Permission granted.

Delta snapped off her gauntlets and shinguards telekinetically. She thrusted them at Terra. She dodged over and over. Blocking shots from the gauntlets. Terra took off her gauntlets and blocked a strike from Delta’s own gauntlets. She slammed her foot down and trapped a shinguard. Terra picked it up and whipped it at Delta. She ducked and re equipped the shin guard. She came up and shot a couple shots from her bow. Terra ducked and moved to the side. She grabbed an arrow out of the air. And burnt her hand. She dropped it and got up close to Delta. She threw a couple punches at Delta’s face. She landed one good punch and dented Delta’s goggles. She hit Terra with a flying knee and jumped into a superman punch. Terra got hit back far and realized her nose was bleeding. Terra went to stand up but felt an arrow pierce her leg. And then her arm. And then the other arm.

Delta: I want to look into your eyes and watch the life drain from your body. Personally.

Terra: Then take off that stupid mask.

Delta ripped off the mask.

Delta: I want to see you die with my naked eye.

Delta pulled her arrow back and shot it into Terra’s chest. Well, she would’ve if Terra’s gauntlet didn’t block the arrow. Terra jumped up off the ground and hit Delta in the face with a hook kick. She hit Delta a couple times with both of her gauntlets and then followed up with a stepside kick. She took her spear out and stabbed it forward at Delta. She ducked and threw a kick at Terra. She moved out of the way and punched her a couple times on her ribs. Terra got Delta into a chokehold from the back. Delta started struggling. Terra got hit in the back and then in the face by Delta’s flying gauntlets. She fell down and groaned from the pain. Delta took out her bow and pulled back another arrow. Terra sweeped her legs from the ground and swooped to her feet and took away Delta’s bow. Terra realized she had no arrows to shoot. She took out her spear. And put it on the big bow like an arrow. She shot it at Delta and hit her clean in the chest. It shattered her chestplate and blew her back. She slid across the ground and grabbed Terra’s spear as she slid. She stabbed it into the ground and ran at Terra and stabbed it forward. Terra pushed it to the side and kicked Delta in the stomach. She got up close to Terra and hit her hard with an elbow. Terra hit the ground with a thud. Delta got on top of Terra and punched her a couple times. Terra hadn’t felt this much power behind a single punch before. Besides Integer and Empyrean’s god punches. Delta held her hand down on Terra’s face. She had to think fast or she’d be petrified. She realized Delta’s shin guards were still lingering around the battlefield. They both were connected to Artemis through their armor. Maybe, just maybe. Terra called the shinguards to herself and then called her gauntlets to her. She swiped Delta’s gauntlets off and put them over her destroyed ones. Along with her bicep guards. All of Delta’s armor came off of her and forced itself onto Terra. She pushed Delta off of her. Delta called her armor right back. But this gave Terra just enough time to call destruction. She only had her gauntlets left over. She held onto the power. It almost felt strengthened in this area. Everyone was using the power of the olympians anyway. Delta shot a bunch of arrow shots at Terra. She dodged the shots. Which seemed a way more off. Delta must’ve realized this too and backed away and ran for her goggles she took off. Terra ran over in the blink of an eye and crushed the goggles. Delta threw a punch at Terra. She tilted her head and threw a punch of her own. Sending Delta flying across the battlefield and into the waterfall. Where rocks fell on her head. Delta started gritting her teeth and ran at Terra out of pure rage and threw tons of faster punches and kicks. Terra simply backed up and threw a front kick. Sending Delta sliding across the ground. Terra blitzed her. As she ran out she saw Delta’s face. Angry, she must’ve been holding back tears. Terra kicked her in the face. Knocking her out. Terra dropped destruction and felt the pain flow in. She limped over to Artemis.

Terra: We had a deal.

Artemis was dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe what she just saw.

Terra: Hey. You hear me?

Artemis: Y-Yeah. You will get your armor.

Terra: Awesome!

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

Terra walked away from Artemis and found that Themis was back to normal.

Themis: You see! This is why I hate these bitches! They fucking dispise men!

Terra: Well do you want to hear the good news?

Themis: They agreed to let us go with a warning?

Terra: I got the armor you dumbass!

Themis: No you fucking didn’t. How long was I out?!

Terra: Like the whole day.

Themis: Ah whatever. Good show kid. Would’ve liked to see it. I feel a little drained too. Hey! Did you power up through my power?

Terra: I think I used a lot more than your power.

Themis: Well since we both use the same power source. You should be powered up around me.

Terra: Good to know.

Artemis came up with a big package. She placed it down in front of Terra.

Artemis: If anything. You have gained my respect. I need to teach Delta another good lesson.

Terra thought about Delta’s angered face when she knocked her out.

Terra: Please. Don’t be too hard on her. It wasn’t her fault.

Artemis: Why do you protect her? You just dominated her in a fight.

Terra: Why do you blindly assume that all men are terrible people? Oh? No good answer? I don’t have one for why I protect Delta either.

Artemis: Just leave before I make you leave.

Terra picked up the box before her. She peeked inside. Armor crafted by the gods themselves. She walked away with Themis. Terra turned around at Artemis.

Terra: Watch out for Empyrean!

Artemis: Empyrean…? Wait. Come back! Empyrean?!

Terra: You told me to leave! That’s what I’m doing.

Terra and Themis made it down the trail a little more.

Terra: I’m totally disappointed to have a relic that’s directly tied to her.

Themis: Told you.

## Issue 7 - Reunited

Terra walked over a hill with Themis next to her. She saw the RV in a parking spot with Amala outside. She had her new armor equipped. She had removed her jail clothes, leaving her black skinsuit under. The armor was a vibrant silver. Everytime it got hit by the sun it appeared to have a rainbow tint to it. She had a chestplate. gauntlets, shin guards, belt, From the belt’s plates on her hips there were three wide, short brown pteruges to her side and behind her. She came down the hill to meet Amala. Anxious.

Amala: You brought a friend?

Themis: Nicholas Themis. Nice to meet you.

Amala: Likewise. If you're here to help.

Themis: Oh don’t worry. I’ll be of use.

Amala: Alright Terra. Come on in.

Terra walked in the camper anxiously. To her surprise Riley and Mike were sitting at the back of the camper.

Terra: Mike? Your back! And Riley?

Riley: Yeah looks like I’m good now. Now that I know that asshole god’s running the show. And Jilaya doesn’t seem like herself.

Terra: What about Amelia?

Riley: For later. Sorry for beating the shit outta you and your friends and possibly trying to kill you multiple times. Friends.

Riley stuck her hand out towards Terra.

Terra: Uh...Friends.

Terra shook Riley’s hand.

Terra: Mike. Did you manage to regain your speed?

Mike: Pretty much. But we also lost some of it to get here. None of us can time travel that’s for sure. And probably for the best. Here. Riley come with me. I want to show you a trick.

Riley: Phasing?

Mike: Don’t spoil the surprise.

Mike led Riley outside. Leaving more room in the RV.

Leon: Hey Terra. A little help here.

Terra came over to Leon. Who was standing above Millie. Who was on the RV’s table. He had a shield around her wound.

Leon: This shield isn’t going to hold for much longer. Do you think you can heal?

Terra: Uh, let me try.

Terra held her hands down on Millie’s wound. And thought about her good memories with her. Their times at bibble and sip. Their talks together in the RV. Terra thought. “God, I have to do more things with her.” She opened her eyes and saw Millie’s wound gone. Millie came awake and looked at Terra.

Terra: You okay?

Millie: Never better. I could use a new shirt though.

Terra: Look. I’m sorry I left after that fight. It’s just there was so much-

Millie: Shut up. I appreciate the apology but I don’t need it. Do you know how much you put the world on your shoulders?

Terra: I saw Integer’s bullshit, the meta jails. Her many hypnotized people. And the fact that the world is at stake. I’m going to stop her.

Themis: Thought you said you were going to kill her.

Terra: And I thought there was always a choice.

Millie: I’m tired of her bullshit too. Let’s waste the bitch.

Leon: By the by. That’s some nice new armor you got there Terra.

Terra: Oh, thanks. Fits me well. I always hated the color red.

There was a thud outside. Terra got startled.

Amala: Don’t worry. That’s nobody bad.

Everyone stepped outside. To see a jacked tall man holding a woman in his arms. He set her down. The man had a superhero suit covering his body. It was black and white. He had some big gloves on that were white and lined with gold, and a long gold and white cape. He had a military style buzz cut. There was a lion head on his chest. The woman was short. About Amala’s height. She had a burn on the side of her face, running by her eye and hiding behind her black hair with a streak of white going longways. One of her arms was burnt bad. She had wraps running up her forearm. Only leaving her shoulder down to her elbow exposed. Her other arm was just bare skin. She wore a green and black viking tunic with no sleeves and a black scarf and a belt with a waist bag at her side. Under it was a black unitard. She had long black boots on as well. Amala looked at the woman.

Amala: Mother.

Amala’s mother: It’s nice to see you Amala.

Amala: Everyone. This is Kara, my mom. And that’s Lionheart.

Lionheart: I heard there was a call for a hero! Which I am!

Lionheart went around shaking everyone’s hands excitedly.

Amala: Don’t forget. This is only temporary.

Kara: You know it doesn’t have to be this way. I don’t care what you think about me. I still love you. I want you to know that.

Amala scoffed.

Amala: Yeah whatever.

Lionheart was standing in front of Terra.

Lionheart: I sense an overwhelming tenderness from you. With a layer of evil. I’m impressed you haven’t let it get more powerful. You are strong. But not as strong as me of course.

Terra: Uh...what is that supposed to mean?

Kara: Lionheart has the power to sense evil and good from people. He can read you like a book.

Lionheart: Too bad I can’t read.

Amala: Either way. It’s time to get this show on the road.

Everyone hopped in the RV. With Millie and Terra sitting in a booth across from Mike and Riley. Leon and Amala in the front seats. Lionheart and Kara sitting in the back. And Themis.
sitting on the bench across the way from the booth.

Millie: So you're with us now Riley?

Riley: Seems like it.

Millie: I really shouldn’t ask, but what about Amelia.

Riley and Mike looked at eachother.

Riley: She’s still alive. But I wouldn’t try kissing her.

Millie: So she’s gone?

Riley: I just said she was ali-

Millie: No. I mean mentally.

Riley: ...Yeah. She’s not coming back to us.

Millie: You really did kind of care for her and Donny didn’t you?

Riley: I wish I did more. If I didn’t help Ivan in the first place we’d be in a better place right now. Probably not here.

Amala: Hey! Get the hell outta the seat!

???: But I wanted to drive!

Amala: Fuck off!

Amala pulled Cean of all people off her seat.

Terra: You even got Cean here?

Amala: We needed all the help we could get.

Cean: You met Artemis?

Terra: I did actually.

Cean: I hate her. She’s crazy and weird! And she slapped me one time!

Terra: What are you doing here anyway Cean?

Cean: Defeating Empyrean for you! That’s what.

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

Empyrean: More!

Four of Integer’s soldiers carried a meta over an incinerator.

Meta: Please stop! What did I do?! I was just minding my own business!

They dropped the meta into the incinerator. A green power manifested from the meta and went through a tube. That was attached to Empyrean. He took off the tube and stood up from the chair he had made for himself.

Empyrean: Good show daughter. I enjoyed that.

Jilaya: What are we going to do now father?

Empyrean: Make this world yours.

Jilaya smiled.

Jilaya: Let me just go and see how Axel’s doing. I wish he were more excited to see his grandfather.

Jilaya walked out of the room and Empyrean sat down on his throne. Ivan walked in the room.

Ivan: Interesting. You're almost playing her like a flute.

Empyrean: What makes you think that?

Ivan: You just want to see this world burn. I would respect that on any normal day. But you promised my wife the world. Not a burnt world.

Empyrean: I admire you Ivan. In the Astral relam you were called the “ghost.” You even killed a couple of the gods. But you’ve all but failed against Artemis out of all of them.

Ivan: It’s not just Artemis. But she has the power. And the threat level.

Empyrean: She should be on the moon rotting now. I had to have punched her that high.

Ivan: If you think she’s dead, you're wrong. She’s a lot harder to put down than you think. As a matter of fact. She could beat me. I hate this human body.

Empyrean: That’s the difference between me and you. I didn’t become weak. You settled down and had kids. I’m not surprised one of them is already dead. And it won’t be long until the other is as well.

Ivan: It’s meaningless trying to reason with a god. That’s why they must all die.

Empyrean: You are much too small to throw threats my way.

Ivan: It wasn’t a threat. I know I’m too weak to face you. But I see what you are doing. And sooner or later. Jilaya will realize she played right into your hands. She’s smart.

Empyrean: And now she’s smart. But also blinded.

Ivan: Nice talking to you.

Ivan walked out the room and Jilaya passed by him.

Jilaya: Oh. Are you two finally starting to get along?

Ivan: I think we’ve begun to click.

Jilaya: That’s amazing.

Jilaya hugged Ivan and kissed him on the cheek and trotted back into Empyrean’s room.

Empyrean: Now, we will prepare.

## Issue 8 - Collective Consciousness

Terra, Millie, Amala, Leon, Themis, Cean, Kara, Lionheart, Riley and Mike all stood in front of a gigantic tower.

Kara: This is Integer’s base. Her main tower. And at the top is our way to free everyone. Even the people she has under mind control. It’d take a little hardwiring but it’d work. Are you really sure this is the right thing Terra?

Terra: Well, I know some of the people in the jails are still bad. Do you know how many criminals we’d be setting free?

Lionheart: True. There’d be too many evil people to deal with!

Terra: I want to convince her to give all of the prisoners fair trials. And to be put in a real prison. We want justice. Not chaos. So we have two main objectives. Defeat Empyrean. And get Integer to surrender. If I kill her, another one of her big wigs would just become in charge. Which also means we have to get rid of Ivan. He can travel the astral plane and get info from us. Even if he can’t dive into our minds directly. Ivan’s too dangerous to keep in the real world.

Amala: Looks like you took a page out of my book and decided to have common sense.

Themis: Now how do we go about getting in?

Riley: Let me try.

Riley started vibrating her body and tried walking through the door. And got electrocuted.

Riley: Dammit!

Mike: Try being a little more precise.

Mike walked over to the control panel next to him and vibrated his hand. He shoved his hand into the control panel and short circuited the door. Opening it to them all.

Amala: Kara, Cean, Lionheart and Mike stay outside. You are the most powerful ones here. Which means you’ll be the most capable against Empyrean.

Kara: I’m coming in with you. We still want to free those poor people under mind control, right?

Amala: No. You shou-

Leon: You’re more than welcome to come with us Kara.

Kara: Thank you, Leon.

The group walked forward a bit. There was an elevator.

Millie: Is it really this easy?

Terra: I guess so.

Millie opened the elevator and everyone squeezed in.

Leon: Any idea what floor?

Kara: As far up as possible.

Themis: This is weirdly simple. Isn’t this supposed to be the final act?

Kara: Amala, Is Leon your child or something? How does he relate to you?

Amala: Uh. Apprentice I guess.

Kara looked at Leon

Kara: Don’t worry. You mean a lot more than just that to her.

Terra was getting bouncy. She was letting out her excess energy before she got into the fight of her life.

Millie: Let’s end this shit.

The door got to its respective floor. It opened and everyone stepped out. To realized they were looking into a room with eight people. Twelve, Three, Five, Six, Two ,Nine, and Ten. Nine was a short woman with a sword and a long sweatshirt on. She was holding a sword. Five was at the very end of the room. He was pale and white and bald. He had a screw in the center of his forehead. And basic clothes on. Jeans and an MFI shirt on. He had jagged teeth and black eyes with white pupils.

Themis: This the wrong floor?

Kara: No…

Themis: Work with me here!

Five shrieked and darted across the room and tackled Terra to the ground. He drew a sword and slammed it into Terra’s neck. Terra brought up her gauntlet and blocked it. Five punched Terra in the face. And she barely felt it. She balled up her hand and punched Five in the face. Sending an energy blast right into Five’s face along with her punch. Five went flying in the air. Terra hit him away with her spear. Five got up and rampaged at Terra swinging his sword rapidly. Terra dodged a sword slice and took off one of her gauntlets. She punched him through the chest. And he got hit in the back of the head by Terra’s gauntlet.

Terra: Wait. That was too easy.

Five’s broken body instantly regenerated itself. He got up and scratched at Terra’s neck. She let her chin take the blow and kneed Five a couple times and then spun into a hook kick. Five got stumbled a little and came back with a haymaker punch. That felt stronger than his punch from earlier. He swung his sword up at her. She dodged back and kicked the sword into the ground and knocked Five down on the ground when she shot one of her gauntlets onto him. She threw off the other one and let it linger in the air. She landed a front kick on Five and grabbed the stray gauntlet out of the air and stabbed it into Five with the good end. Killing him again. But he stood up. Once again.

Twelve had a new mask along with some new bigger gauntlets. He looked at Millie and pointed at her.

Millie: Why am I always called out by big dudes?

Millie ran at Twelve and threw a jab and then a number two punch. Twelve took the hits and slammed his foot on the ground. Sending Millie far up in the air. Millie took the advantage and kicked Twelve in the face and landed with a punch to the head. And then an elbow. Twelve backpedaled. Millie clapped her hands together and blew Twelve backward. Millie ran up and threw another punch. Twelve lit his hand up with chi and punched Millie’s hand. She felt a shock go through her body and sent her flying backward.

Riley dodged a couple more fire blasts from three and punched her lights out. She saw Millie on the ground being pursued by Twelve. Millie got to her feet and started throwing attacks out left and right. Twelve’s blank eyes lit up red and he started dodging all of Millie’s attacks. Riley ran into Twelve and knocked him over. His eyes went back to normal.

Millie: Thanks!

Millie held her robotic hand out open palmed.

Millie: Let’s try this.

Millie closed her hand. And Twelve clutched his lung. Millie ran up and did an uppercut. Sending him a little in the air. She clapped her hands together and sent him flying.

Leon blocked a bunch of projectiles from Two and sent them back. Stabbing them into Two. He ran up and cut her across the stomach.

Leon: You probably don’t want anymore than that. Do you?

Kara: Did you teach Leon such impressive control?

Amala: ...Actually no. I never taught him control.

Leon: That was all Krilla.

Amala blocked a sword slash from Six. Who was swinging her sword around rapidly and carelessly. Amala parried and kicked her backward.

Amala: Face me for real!

Amala and Six stood off and stared into each other's insane eyes. Amala waited patiently in her stance. And Six ran at her and swung. Amala swung her sword up and drew blood right up Six’s torso. Cutting her clean open. She fell to the ground.

Kara had her staff out and blocked a bunch of Ten’s sword slashes. Her hair was noticeably all black.

Ten: Your little stick should be broken by now!

Ten missed on purpose and blocked an attack from Kara. His sword glowed a brighter red. He swung at her and cut her clean in half.

Kara: Son of a bitch! I was going easy.

Amala came from behind and stabbed Ten from the back. She took her sword out and he fell down.

Kara: A little help here?

Amala: I think you look better when you’re in half.

Leon picked up Kara’s torso and put it on top of her waistline. She quickly came back together.

Kara: I had that you know.

Amala: I don’t understand why you go easy. At least go half capout.

Kara: It’s not fun if I just destroy everyone I fight.

Themis parried a sword strike from Nine and kicked her backward. She held her sword up and it morphed into a gun.

Nine: Looks like you brought a sword to a gunfight.

Themis: Oh. Well you brought a gun to a...uh. Gunfight!

Themis morphed his sword into a shotgun.

Themis: And I have the bigger gun motherfucker!

Themis shot his shotgun. Nine morphed her gun into a big shield. She ran up and rammed Themis with the shield. Themis morphed his gun into a one thousand degree knife. He stabbed it through her shield and cut her down.

Themis: Hmm.

Themis changed his sword into a lights-wait I mean laser sword.

Themis: Dope!

Terra threw a straight punch at Five. Literally doing nothing to him. He grabbed Terra’s wrist and threw her across the room. She hit the wall and dented it. She got up and threw an uppercut at Five. He got hit but paid no mind. He grabbed her by the neck and threw her right out the window. She was freefalling next to Integer’s base. But it couldn’t end here. Terra slammed her arm into the side of the building. Slowing herself down. She got her feet on the building and switched on destruction. She ran up the building. And saw a helicopter on it’s way. And a gigantic Empyrean in the distance. The helicopter noticed her and shot missiles at her. She dodged to the other side of the building and ran around the perimeter, dodging the missiles and repositioning herself. Five poked his head out the window. Terra held out her hand out to the side and ripped Five’s head right out of its socket. She ran up to the top of the building and looked at the helicopter and held Five’s head up. And then dropped it. She ran down the building and jumped in through the window.

Leon: Holy shit Terra! You wouldn’t imagine how cool that was!

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

Empyrean shrank himself down and jumped off the helicopter and landed in front of Mike, Cean and Lionheart.

Cean: Your tomfuckery ends here!

Empyrean: The universe throws their weakest celestial at me? Pitiful.

Lionheart: Ugh. You disgust me. Nothing but evil! You decided to fight the wrong man!

Lionheart flew at Empyrean and threw a punch. Empyrean stuck out his hand and caught it. He backfisted Lionheart away and into a bus. Lionheart flew off the bus and punched Empyrean in the face. But he didn’t seem to move or feel it. Empyrean blew a puff of air. And made Lionheart fly away.

Lionheart: Evil! You will be extinguished!

The lion on Lionheart’s chest started to glow. As well did his eyes. He flew up and kicked Empyrean back. Empyrean got knocked back a little. Lionheart punched him into the air and punched him around. Empyrean shot a bunch of lasers at the ground to keep himself up. He did a crescent kick. Bringing the laser up in the air. Lionheart ducked under and grabbed Empyrean’s leg and threw him into Integer’s base. Which had been cut in half. And was starting to fall. Terra and everyone in her group fell down at the wall.

Amala: Shit! Everyone brace yourselves!

Lionheart: No!

Lionheart flew over to the part of the building that was falling and caught it. He let it fall to the ground lightly. Everyone peered out a broken window to watch the fight that was ensuing. Empyrean made a gigantic laser blast and started destroying integer’s base while laughing. Mike ran over and punched Empyrean in the face at speed. Knocking him over. Mike ran around and punched Empyrean over and over. Empyrean let out a burst of energy and sent Mike back. Mike spun around and threw a lightning bolt. Empyrean shot his own lighting strike at Mike. Who dodged out of the way and kicked Empyrean from the back. He spun his arms around fast and kept Empyrean in the air. He jumped up and punched Empyrean down. He landed down and got into a running position. He ran as fast as he could go at Empyrean. Empyrean focused on Mike. and shot a laser beam his way, Mike dodged out of the way. Empyrean shot another beam. Which Mike slid under. As he was sliding Empyrean shot another laser right up the center of Mike’s body. Cutting him clean in half. Everyone watched horrified at what they just saw. Tears boiled in Riley’s eyes. She started to vibrate herself. Millie grabbed her. Snapping her back to reality.

Millie: You can’t face him. You’ll die!

Riley: I don’t care!

Millie sighed and punched Riley in the face. Knocking her out for the meantime.

Cean grew in size and slammed his hand down on top of Empyrean.

Cean: Got him!

Empyrean grew in size also. He punched Cean in the face and materialized a katana out of plasma and swung it at Cean. Cean put out his hand and caught the blade. He snapped the blade and ate it like cereal. He lit himself on fire and flew into Empyrean. Burning a hole in his chest. Empyrean put his hand over himself and regenerated the hole. Cean made a bunch of pies and threw them at Empyrean. They all hit him and blew up in his face. Cean flew at Empyrean with another pie in his hand. Empyrean held his hand out and stopped Cean. He grabbed Cean by the neck and sucked the power out of him. Cean fell on the ground like a rotten banana peel. But still alive. Lionheart flew at Empyrean. Empyrean slapped him to the side and knocked him out like an insect.

Empyrean: I am the supreme cosmic ruler!

## Issue 9 - Red Sun Over Paradise

Forty years earlier.

Empyrean was throwing chairs across the room of his house.

Empyrean: How could that bastard have done this?! Curse you Zeus!

Thunder roared across the sky.

Empyrean struggled to pick a couch up. He started to lift it and he flipped it over.

Jilaya: Dad! Calm down! We can’t do anything about it.

Empyrean: Jilaya! Duck!

Jilaya ducked behind the couch Empyrean flipped. Empyrean came down next to her.

Jilaya: What is it?

Empyrean: Fucking visitors.

Empyrean jumped over the couch. A woman in red with long flowing hair was holding a bow. A man in orange body armor also had a bow.

Empyrean: Jilaya! Remember. This world is yours. If it really is. You will live to see another day. And I will murder some olympians.

The man in orange jumped down and hit Empyrean in the face with his bow. He made a super hot sun beam come down.

Empyrean: Apollo. Take my limiter off you bitch!

Apollo: Preposterous. You made a fool of the olympians!

Jilaya started running away from the house. An arrow came down and hit her in the hair. Cutting a hole in it. And stopping Jilaya in her tracks. Virtually pinning her to the ground.

Artemis: You are a disappointment. But you’ll be reborn. And you will be better. I’m simply healing you.

Artemis had her armor on. Very similar to the future armor Terra would have. She held out her bow and shot Jilaya in the heart with it. Empyrean jumped off the building and landed in front of the two.

Back to present.

Amala: I bet there’s still more in this tower.

Leon closed his eyes and cast a small spell.

Leon: There’s more. Ivan and Axel look like they're waiting up ahead.

Terra wiped the tears from her eyes.

Terra: Then we push forward.

Themis: Empyrean. I think I might know someone who can help.

Terra: Do it. I’ll do anything to take him down.

Themis: Yeah right kid. I’ll be back.

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

The helicopter from earlier landed on a different helipad

Jilaya: My base...That was a nice base.

Ivan: It’s time for me to go.

Jilaya: Okay. Good luck. Please. Kill her for me.

Ivan: I will gladly.

Ivan went to walk away. But he turned around.

Ivan: Jilaya. Your father. You must keep an eye on him. I suspect he isn’t what he seems. He doesn’t seem to care about you. Look what he did to your base.

Jilaya: I just got him back! I can’t just start distrusting him for no reason.

Ivan: Listen to me. He doesn’t care about you. All he cares about is seeing the world burn.

Jilaya: But he told me the world was mine for the taking. I just had to prove myself.

Ivan: He’s a liar.

Jilaya: Fine...I’ll watch out for him. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to distrust him!

Ivan: I’ll take what I can get. Farewell for now.

Ivan went to walk off.

Jilaya: Wait. Be safe. And tell Axel I love him. Be strong.

Ivan and Jilaya shared a passionate kiss.

Ivan: I have all the strength I need.

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

Empyrean was destroying buildings and laughing. Just causing genuine chaos.

Empyrean: Oh it feels good to be back! To have the power!

A portal opened close to Empyrean. And a blue streak flew out of it at rapid speed and ran into Empyrean and knocked him over. It ran into the ground and slid violently. The streak showed that it was actually a human. It was Amelia. Millie heard the bang and looked out the window. It got the attention of everyone else.

Millie: That’s...That’s Amelia.

Riley: Don’t fall for it. She’s too dangerous.

Millie: Fuck off! I’m going to get to her! I just want to see her!

Riley: Fine! Then I’m coming with.

Terra: Hey guys. Is this where we split up then?

Riley: I guess so.

Millie: Hey, don’t die.

Leon: No promises.

Terra: Same to you.

Riley and Millie walked away towards Amelia.

Kara: Lionheart’s hurt. And I think this might be my chance to get a hit in. I’ll leave you all to it. And Amala. I love what you’ve done with Leon. He’s like a son to you. Mother better than I did. And I hope we can make up sometime.

Amala: Leon’s a good kid. And I will. Don’t worry about me.

Amala took a deep breath and swallowed her pride.

Amala: Maybe we could...get a drink or something at bibble and sip one day?

Kara almost looked like she was going to cry.

Kara: I’d love that.

Millie and Riley came over to Amelia. Who was laying on the ground and just starting to get up. As they got closer they realized Amelia looked like only half of her was middle. She was split down the middle longways. The other half of her body was a deathly dark black.

Amelia: Millie?

Millie: Amelia...are you?

Amelia: It’s cold. It’s like half of me is gone.

Riley: Half of you is already gone.

Amelia: You...You left me for dead! You left me for dead in the speedforce!

Amelia tackled Riley and punched her a couple times. Riley vibreated her body through Amelia. Once she got up she realized Amelia was behind her. She ran into Riley and picked her up by the neck.

Amelia: You hate me. Don’t you?

Millie: Amelia stop! Stop! Put her down.

Amelia looked at Millie with a heartbroken expression and dropped Riley.

Millie: Just talk to me.

```
Flashback a couple months from the present.

```

Mike and Amelia ran up in front of Donny’s grave.

Mike: Back here?

Amelia: You interrupted me. I was trying to pay my respects. So I came back. It’s been a month since I buried him.

Mike: Oh...I’m sorry.

Amelia: I led a group called the Blue coats to go against Integer. Because we spend years there locked up for a crime we didn’t commit. Hell, we weren’t even connected to the crime.

Mike: What was the crime?

Amelia: To Integer. It was just being a meta.

Mike: I had experience with Integer. I’m from the future. A future where she made me into the speedster I am today. She had control over most of the world. With facilities all over the place. And I could do nothing to stop her. No matter how strong I got. In the process, I lost my wife. You're not the only one going through loss. And I get it, it’s hard.

Amelia: It is. He didn’t have to go that way. And I doubt your wife had to either.

Mike: She didn’t. I trust you’ll do what he thinks is best for you. Seemed like he knew a little better than you.

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

Terra, Leon and Amala were all traveling down the hallway. When they saw three red eyes poke their heads out of the rubble from the crash. It was One, Seven and someone else. Eleven. Eleven had his hair tied back in a ponytail. It was green. He was covered up in black samurai armor. With a tattered black coat coming down around it.He had three swords stored into one scabbard.

Amala: Oh shit. There’s more.

Amala and Leon drew their swords. Amala dodged a fireball from one of eleven’s swords. Both Leon and Seven shot energy blasts at each other. They collided and made an explosion.Terra ran up at One. One blocked one of her punches and kicked her. But Terra barely seemed to feel it. She didn’t even turn on destruction.

Terra: Come on!

Terra punched One in the face and sent him flying back through some debris. She approached the debris. And a lightning bolt came crashing through. She got hit and was pushed back. One ran up and swung his sword. Terra dodged under and punched One in the gut. He fell to the ground. His eyes turned a vibrant red. He jumped up and slashed his sword at Terra. She blocked with her gauntlets. And took out her spear and telekinetically spun it at One. One dodged under and shot a lightning bolt at Terra. She fell to the ground. One stood above her and electrocuted the shit out of her. She was able to direct the lightning bolt out of her and into One. He went flying up in the air. And Terra jumped up and punched him higher. She threw up her gauntlets and knocked him out. He fell down through the building with a crash.

Amala clashed with Eleven over and over.

Eleven: You are a curious woman.

Amala: You some sort of stalker! I’ll wipe that smile off your face!

Eleven had a red blade that was bent like a fang. Amala kicked him in the leg and slashed him across the arm. But his samurai armor protected him. He stabbed the sword into the ground and took out a different sword. It was white this time with a golden hilt. He kneeled down and covered himself in a shield. Healing his wound.

Amala: Hey!

Amala punched the barrier and broke it like glass. Eleven did a cartwheel backward and hit Amala in the face.

Eleven: Too slow!

He grabbed the red sword and swung it at Amala. Amala tried to block with her sword but it was cut in half. Amala fell back in surprise. His red sword was burning hot. He stabbed it down in the ground. Amala did a back roll to dodge.

Amala: Leon! Help!

Leon passed Amala his sword. Which he hadn’t used yet.

Amala caught the sword and kept it transparent.

Amala: Watch and learn motherfucker!

Eleven took out a grey sword and attacked Amala dual wielded. Amala whipped the sword around. Making it only solid when he attacked with his grey sword. And dodging his red sword. She made the sword solid when he swung his red sword and slipped her blade under his red sword. She disarmed him and took his red sword. Eleven jumped back and took out his two swords. The white one and the grey one. He threw them telekinetically at Amala. She blocked it with the soul blade and cut them up with the red sword. She cut them into pieces.

Amala: It’s over bitch.

Amala blitzed Eleven and punched him in the face and cut off his head.

Seven shot a huge red blast at Leon. Leon shot a blast of his own. The world around them started crumbling and sinkholes appeared everywhere. Amala and Terra jumped high up. Leon fell down a sinkhole and his energy blast was diminished. But he teleported behind Seven. And put his hand up for his blade. Amala threw it over. Leon slashed his sword up Seven’s back and made her fall down.

Seven: Good show! But Ivan won’t be as kind as we were!

Leon teleported them both out of there and into the next area.

## Issue 10 - Will Power

Empyrean: Do you really trust your husband to kill Artemis? I was pretty sure I destroyed her.

Jilaya was talking to Empyrean over coms.

Jilaya: It looks like she survived. It is Ivan’s sworn duty to kill the older gods. So let him be.

Empyrean: Yes, yes whatever.

Empyrean looked down at an unconscious Kara. Who had new burns on her. Lionheart was standing in front of her.

Kara: Lionheart! Move us out of the way!

Lionheart picked up Kara and flew away.

Lionheart: Where do we go?

Kara: I don’t know.

Empyrean lost interest in Lionheart and looked down at Millie, Amelia, and Riley and shot a gigantic laser.

Riley: Move!

Amelia pushed Millie out of the way. Sending her far away and Riley ran out of the way. Amelia vibrated her body and her eyes glowed red. She ran in a circle quickly. Manifesting lightning all over herself. She ran into Empyrean’s laser. Running atop the beam and punching Empyrean in the face. Knocking him over.

Empyrean: What?! Insect!

Empyrean tried to crush Amelia. She ran out of the way and ran around and kicked up a tornado. Empyrean got small and made the tornado go away.

Empyrean: Now face me!

Amelia was hiding behind a piece of debris. Empyrean shot a bunch of energy bullets at the structure. Destroying it. Amelia ran out of the way and threw a punch at Empyrean. He ducked and threw an uppercut. Amelia dodged just barley. Empyrean grabbed her by the neck and started sucking the power out of her. Amelia was shaking and kicking violently. All of a sudden Empyrean dropped Amelia. He had been hit in the chest by an arrow. He got pelted with arrows. To the head. To the chest. He put his hand over himself to regenerate the wounds.

Artemis: Empyrean!

Empyrean: Artemis. My killer. You aren’t hiding anymore?

Artemis was riding on some sort of flying pony. With Delta on the back behind her. Who didn’t have her armor on. She also had a red indent of a hand across her cheek.

Artemis: I’m killing you before you kill me.

Empyrean: Unwise.

Artemis: Delta. Get on the ground and do your service. This is your chance to prove yourself.

Terra looked up and realized Artemis was in the sky.

Terra: Why is she here?

Amala: She’s where you got that fancy new armor I presume. I should’ve told you what I know about her.

Terra: What about her? She’s an asshole. That’s what I know.

Amala: She’s a fucking maniac. She wants a world that’s ruled by women.

Terra: Aren’t we all equal or something?

Amala: She wants to literally kill all men. Eradicate all.

Terra: Doesn’t that mean humanity would die?

Amala: You should be asking her that question.

Terra was shot with an arrow out of nowhere. She realized it had a string on it. She was pulled away from Amala and Leon. She tried pulling the arrow out of herself. But it didn’t work. She stopped being dragged across the ground and saw Delta above her.

Terra: Delta? How did you get here?

Delta: Themis.

Terra: He did say he was going to get help. Where is he?

Delta: We have him. But it doesn’t matter. You are going to help us.

Terra: Why would I help you?

Delta: Just attack Empyrean! Your armor is made for dealing with gods! Look. We’ll give Themis back if you help!

Terra: Fine! If you shut up I will.

Terra got to her feet and looked at Empyrean. Who fired a barrage of bullets at Artemis. She brought up a piece of Debris and blocked the bullets. She dropped it and shot a bunch of arrows. And then shapeshifted into a bird to dodge a laser blast from Empyrean. She flew behind Empyrean and turned him to stone with a touch. She backed up and held up her bow. A beam of light came from Empyrean and he broke out of the stone prison. He picked up all of the stones and made them into a huge rock. He threw them at Artemis. She got knocked to the ground. She got to her feet steadily.

Delta: I have Terra!

Artemis: Why isn’t she helping?!

Terra: Because that’s a god up there we’re dealing with! I couldn’t hurt him.

Artemis: Turn on your destruction.

Empyrean got big again and pulled the base of Integer’s base out of the ground. He threw it down at Artemis. Who made a gigantic red shield. She covered the shield around the base and threw it back at Empyrean. He shot a beam and destroyed it. Terra jumped from the ground to Empyrean from the side and threw a punch to Empyrean’s face. Making him stumble over.

Empyrean: Finally! You show yourself!

Empyrean shot a beam at Terra. She fired her own energy blast. Which was obliterated by Empyreans. Terra jumped out of the way. Empyrean threw down a metal beam and trapped Terra under it. He lifted his foot to crush Terra. Artemis came and made a shield. Blocking his foot.

Artemis: Delta! Free her!

Delta tried lifting the beam. But she wasn’t strong enough. She lifted it a bit and Terra helped her lift it and crawled out of the beam.

Artemis: Help me with this!

Terra lended some of her power to hold up the shield. Empyrean put more weight down and crushed the shield. Everyone jumped out of the way. Empyrean shot another beam down. Artemis shot an arrow through the beam. Disintegrating it. Empyrean got hit by the arrow. He shot a beam down at Artemis. Who flew up with her horse. She drew her bow and jumped off the horse. Shooting a bunch of arrows. Empyrean made himself smaller, dodging all the arrows. He shot a beam into the air at Artemis. Shooting her down. Delta ran over to her.

Delta: Mom! Get up!

Delta tried healing Artemis. Artemis grabbed her hand. She started crying.

Artemis: You want to prove yourself. Get new armor from Skyland. Kill Te-

Artemis’ life faded. Delta’s tears fell onto her. She grabbed her head. She got close, and slammed her hand on the ground violently.

Empyrean smiled and turned to Delta and Terra. He shot a beam at the both of them. Delta made a door appear behind her. She jumped through it and it disintegrated. Leon appeared behind Terra and teleported her out of there.

Leon: That was close.

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

Jilaya was standing in front of Empyrean. Who had Cean locked up. He was sucking more power out of him. They were sitting in the slave site once again. Empyrean had left the battlefield.

Jilaya: You were really great out there! How you cut that speedster in half!

Empyrean: Yeah I was great. I know.

Jilaya: So now wha-

Empyrean: I will do as I please. I’m your father. But don’t act like you are still a child. Stop trying to be around me at all times. I have business to take care of.

Jilaya: I know I’m not a child. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen you. I just want to spend time with my father.

Empyrean: I don’t care. I am an adult and you are too. Thank you for bringing me back. I have some people to kill now. A world to burn to the ground.

Jilaya: I thought you said the world would be mine.

Empyrean: I’ve lost faith in humankind. They are of no use to me. And neither is Earth. I just need my full power back. I’m at 70%.

Jilaya: I worked this entire lifetime to bring you back! I worked my ass off to show you that I’m worthy. I was reborn human. And I had to make it to my place! The world is mine if anything! You told me over and over that the world was going to be mine to flourish in!

Empyrean: Not anymore. Don’t test me child.

Empyrean shut the door on Jilaya.

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

Terra: Shit...How did Artemis think I could do anything against her? She can’t even!

Amala: She’s crazy. Or...was now I guess.

Terra: Something’s telling me this is going to come back to me in the future.

Amala: Let’s pay attention to what’s happening today. Empyrean’s gone for the time being so that’s one thing I don’t have to worry about.

Terra: Right. Ivan can’t be far.

Leon: Where do you think Empyrean went?

Amala: Who knows? He could’ve gone anywhere. Maybe to cause havoc somewhere else.

Terra: I’ve also seen no sign of Integer.

Amala: Yeah...She could be hiding out for now.

Terra: We have to find her. Right after we beat Ivan.

Amala: He was how you got that scar. Right?

Terra felt the scar across her face.

Terra: Yeah. I had the chance to kill him. And I hesitated.

Amala: Don’t think of killing as a pure evil thing. Well, if you do it with hate in your heart then maybe it’s considered evil. But if you kill respectfully to get past them. Maybe it isn’t so bad. Plus they won’t get in your way again if you kill them.

Leon: I don’t think I have it in my heart to kill at all. It’s so brutal.

Amala: It can be.

Terra: I can’t hesitate anymore.

Amala turned around to both of them while walking backwards.

Amala: You won’t! I think you have it in you. Don’t let it take you over. That’s al-

A sword came from behind Amala and stabbed her through the chest. Leon thought back to the way Krilla was killed. Ivan shoved his hand into Amala and pulled out a heart. Amala fell to the ground.

Ivan dropped her bionic heart and drew his blade. Axel came out from behind. Leon screamed a scream of hate. And a mark appeared on his face. He ran towards Axel and lunged forward with his blade.

Axel: How does it feel? To have your family ripped away!?

Axel equipped his armor and punched at Leon. He slid under his punch and punched him in the back and slashed at his armor. But his slash did nothing. He shot a bunch of fireballs at Axel. Who blocked them with his arm and slammed Leon to the side.

Axel: This armor is invincible!

Leon came in with a stab. Piercing Axel’s armor. He grabbed Leon’s blade and threw it off to the side and shot a blast of dark matter. Leon went flying backward. He landed on the ground. Axel threw Leon’s sword at him. Leon dodged out of the way and grabbed the blade. He made it transparent and slashed at Axel. He jumped back and threw out a kick. Axel sidestepped and slashed through Axel. Who fell to the ground from the slice.

Terra was caught completely off guard. Amala was on the ground. She lit up and turned on Destruction.

Terra: You should’ve killed me when you had the chance…

Ivan: Sadly for me, you were too persistent.

Terra speed blitzed Ivan. Who made a barrage of water fall from the sky. Knocking Terra out of her destruction form. Ivan shot a bunch of swords at Terra. She blocked them with her gauntlets over and over. Until she got a sword in the stomach. And then she started getting hit more and more. She looked down at the swords in her. And started pulling them out. She looked up at Ivan. Who had disappeared.

## Issue 11 - It Has to Be This Way

Millie: Amelia! Talk to us! Please.

Amelia: Why would I talk to her?

Amelia pointed at Riley.

Millie: Talk to me. Y’know? Like old times?

Amelia: Old times are gone.

Millie: What we felt for each other wasn’t fake! And you saved me from Empyrean’s blast! You still care about people!

Amelia: I do. And when I do I kill people. I should stop caring.

Millie: We can stop caring together! I will help you! And we can all be together again.

Amelia: I don’t believe you.

Millie: Then you’ll never be happy again.

Amelia: I’ll be happy when...when…

Millie: When what?

Amelia: When I destroy everything. I can’t be hurt by anything If I destroy the timeline! Bring things back to a better time! I’d be doing the world a favor!

Riley: I told you. She’s crazy.

Amelia: Starting with you.

Amelia tackled Riley. She vibrated her hand. And raised it up.

Millie: Amelia! I’ll go with you!

Amelia: What?

Millie: I’ll destroy everything with you. As long as we’re together. You could share everything that hurts with me. We could reset the world together. Just come here. We don’t need to shed Riley’s blood. We just need her speed.

Amelia got off of Riley.

Amelia: You’re not lying. Right?

Millie: Relationships are built on truth.

Amelia walked over to Millie.

Amelia: We could destroy everything...together?

Millie: Yeah.

Amelia came over to Millie and they kissed each other. Millie knew she would feel bad for this. She rested her hand open on Amelia’s hip. She closed it quickly. One of Amelia’s kidneys failed. She felt a sharp pain and fell backwards.

Amelia: Why would you lie?! You betrayed me. JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!

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

Ivan started talking to Terra from the shadows.

Ivan: I killed Aphrodite, Hermes, and even almost Ares. All older gods. But I was stronger then. The me you see here isn’t the real me in the astral realm. You would be torn to pieces.

Terra: I’m not even Artemis! I just wear her armor!

Ivan: I also swore to destroy their relics. And even past that. You are raw potential, dear. You haven’t even begun to imagine how powerful that armor could make you. And I couldn’t touch you in your destruction form now. You are far too powerful.

Terra dodged a blade that came from nowhere. Ivan jumped out and slashed down at Terra. She blocked his strike with her gauntlet.

Terra: I don’t care what you swore! And you aren’t killing me!

Ivan: I know. I probably can’t But it’s worth a shot. I can’t just abandon my duty. I had to separate myself from the others.

Terra: Be more specific!

Terra threw Ivan’s blade off course and kicked him in the ribs. Sending him flying into a wall.

Ivan: There are seven chakras. We are out to kill all the gods. I just dedicated myself to older gods.

Terra: Then why aren’t your seven warriors fighting with you?!

Ivan: Like I said, I separated myself from them. I had a family and I couldn’t be dragged down by them.

Terra: Then abandon your duty! You obviously didn’t have trouble abandoning your warriors!

Ivan: My duty is a sworn duty. It’s different. And plus it’s fun. And costless. Well until you came along and let my daughter die.

Terra took both of her gauntlets off and grabbed one out of the air and threw it by the sharp end. Ivan blocked it off course. He ran forward and stabbed at Terra. She dodged to the side and grabbed his blade and broke it in half. She grabbed the half that was snapped off out of the air and threw it at Ivan and hit him in the chest. She kicked him into the wall and punched him in the face. She pinned his hands to the wall with her gauntlets. Ivan smiled at her.

Ivan: Kill me.

Terra punched Ivan in the stomach and uppercut him. But didn’t kill him.

Ivan: Come on! I’m weak! I’m trapped! I didn’t take this job without knowing the risk.

Terra took a deep breath. She took Ivan’s sword.

Terra: I’m doing this to get past you. For the better of the world.

Ivan: Keep telling yourself tha-

Terra slashed Ivan’s blade across his throat quickly. She watched the life drain from his eyes and called her gauntlets to herself. Leon got on top of him and ripped off Axel’s mask. Leon punched Axel over and over. And pulled out his blade and raised it high above himself. He stabbed Axel in the face and the sword sucked his soul up.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
Krilla: I don’t kill because I love it kid. I was bred into this. And I’m not going to give up on something I’m that good at.
Terra: I get it.
Krilla: But my son-Leon. He will never kill. I will not raise him like that.
- - - - - - - - - - - -

Terra felt a sword stab through her back. She turned on destruction quickly and turned around and saw Ivan. Standing up.

Ivan: You are going to pay for that.

Terra: Leon. You know that spell that sends people to the astral realm?

Leon: Uh...yeah.

Terra: Can it lock them there? With no way out?

Leon: I might be able to whip something up.

Terra pulled the blade out of her. And ran at Ivan. He didn’t even get a chance to dodge. Terra grabbed him by the neck and pushed him to the ground. Landing on top of him.

Terra: If you can’t be killed. Then we’ll just make you leave.

Ivan: Try it. I will simply come back. Are you stupid?

A portal appeared in front of Terra. She grabbed Ivan and raised him above the portal.

Terra: You won’t take anything else from me.

Terra threw Ivan into the portal. He smiled at her as he fell through.

Terra: Close it!

Leon closed the portal quickly. Terra fell to the ground. And looked at Amala’s body. Leon went closer to her. And closed her eyes. He sat next to her. Amala opened her eyes.

Leon: A-Amala?!

Amala: ...Hey. Leon. Like I said. Don’t kill out of hate...I wouldn’t want you to go the route I took. I’ve lived a long life. And most of it was spent being a terrible person...I know I can’t replace your mother. But you’re like a son to me.

Leon was crying. His tears staining Amala’s white shirt.

Amala brought her hand up weakly and held Leon’s hand.

Amala: Terra. You aren’t half bad. As Artemis I mean...Bring Integer down...and keep your wits about you. Be strong. Don’t fall down after a big loss. Fucking stand there and take it...Also tell my mom I’m sorry...Anyway it’s getting really painful. So end my suffering.

Leon: Can’t we just...put your heart in? Can Terra heal you?!

Amala: No. Robots can’t really be healed. Grab my heart. Crush it.

Terra: Crush it?

Terra was also starting to get teary eyed.

Terra: I can’t kill you!

Amala: Actually, stab it with the soul blade. You’ll have my power with you Leon. And you’re going to need it. Another thing about killing. If someone is suffering a horrible death. Just make it quicker.

Terra picked up Amala’s weakly beating heart. And grabbed Leon’s soul blade.

Amala: It has to be this way.

Amala closed her eyes. Terra, with tears in her eyes stabbed the sword through Amala’s heart. She fell to her knees and watched the life fade from Amala.

Terra: I’m so sorry.

Leon: Me too.

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

Amelia ran up at Millie. Slower than usual and knocked her down. She did a back roll and got to her feet. She clapped her hands together. Amelia got hit by her blast and went flying backward. She ran up and spun around in the air. She hit Millie right in the stomach and sent her flying back. She ran around Millie and punched her down violently. She kicked her in the head and then the ribs.

Amelia: Die!

Amelia got on top of Millie and started punching her over and over.

Millie: Stop stop!

Amelia: What?

Millie: I like this position.

Amelia got flustered and Millie took out her switchblade and stabbed Amelia in the back. Amelia started vibrating rapidly and got up. Millie got to her feet quickly and threw her knife at Amelia. Amelia grabbed it out of the air and threw it back at Millie. Stabbing her. Lucky for her, she took the knife out just as Amelia was running up at her. And sent out a huge charged blast. Amelia went flying back through some debris. Amelia ran away from Millie. And then came back at speed. Millie couldn’t even see Amelia. Amelia punched her in the face and sent her flying backwards. Incapacitating her. Amelia ran up and grabbed Millie’s knife.

Terra: Amelia! Put the knife down!

Amelia: ...no.

Terra threw out one of her gauntlets and knocked Amelia’s knife out of her hand. She grabbed Terra’s gauntlet and threw it at her. Terra let the gauntlet land back on her wrist. Terra shot a red energy blast out of her hand. Amelia sidestepped it and ran up to Terra and punched her in the face. She kneed Terra in the stomach over and over and threw a head kick. Terra put her hand up and grabbed her foot.

Terra: I don’t understand your pain. I know. But you never let anyone try to understand it with you.

Amelia: You don’t know anything about me! NOTHING!

Amelia threw a spinning back kick at Terra and missed. Terra got in close and punched Amelia in the stomach and did a spinning backfist, Amelia’s head collided with Terra’s gauntlet. Terra took out her spear and slashed it at Amelia’s stomach. Amelia started vibrating rapidly and threw a lightning bolt at Terra. Terra got hit and flew backwards. Amelia vibreated her hand through Terra’s chest. But her chestplate would not allow any such thing. Amelia lurched back from a burning pain that came when she tried. Terra took the chance and grabbed Amelia’s head and kneed her in the face. Amelia fell to the ground violently. And stopped vibrating.

Terra: I don’t want any more blood on my hands.

Terra looked around. The battlefield had become a barren wasteland. She went over to Millie. Millie woke up. She looked at Amelia.

Millie: Amelia! Did you…?

Terra: No. She’s alive.

Riley: I vote to kill her. She’s too far gone.

Terra thought about what Amala said. “ If someone is suffering a horrible death. Just make it quicker.”

Terra: She’s suffering.

Millie: But we can still help her!

Terra: She might be gone. But she’s still there. At least half of her.

Millie: Thank you. I’m going to get her help.

Riley: Well it’s two against one. So…

Terra: We still need to find Integer.

Millie: Right.

Millie tried to get up. But she was too wounded to do so.

Terra: Oh. I can heal you.

Millie: No. No. I think this fight between you and integer is personal. Plus I’ve had enough fighting for today.

Riley: What are you going to do to her?

Terra: I think...

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

Jilaya was sitting in her camera room. She watched Ivan’s throat be slit. And her camera go out. On another camera she saw Axel die. Tears boiled up inside her. And she cried. She went into her garage. She looked up at her gigantic robot. Zion. She flipped the power switch and watched a dial start raising in percentage. 1% 10%. She wasn’t letting Terra leave. Jilaya came into Empyrean’s room.

Jilaya: ...Dad. Ivan and Axel...Their…

Empyrean: Dead? I suspected so.

Jilaya: Hey!

Empyrean: They did it to themselves. I am preparing to destroy this world. I have a ship you can take if you please.

Jilaya: I would rather be dead than live with you. You don’t care about me, or the rest of my family. I’m another pawn. And I call myself a genius. I didn’t work all my life for this.

Empyrean: Right. You are very naive. Emotional. Unruly. Get out of my sight.

Jilaya: I’d rather be emotional then a cold hearted ghost like you.

Empyrean: I said get out of my sight.

Jilaya took a device out of her pocket. It looked like a gun with a huge muzzle.

Empyrean: What are you doing? Going to shoot me with a gun?

She held the trigger down. And Empyrean immediately fell to his hands and knees. The power was being sucked out of him.

Jilaya: I worked my entire life to this moment. So I’m going to rule the world. Own it. Appreciate the small things in life. Like this planet.

Empyrean could barely speak. He was pale and extremely skinny.

Empyrean: You really are my daughter…

Jilaya shot the trigger again. And a gigantic blast of Empyrean’s power came out and completely disintegrated him. Jilaya took the gun and cocked it open. Splitting it in half.

Jilaya: Anymore of this and well…

Jilaya grabbed a needle and capsule out of the gun and stabbed herself with the needle. And let as much of Empyrean’s power as she could take into her body.

## Issue 12 - End Of The Unknown

8 years ago. 2013.

Terra’s grandfather Carl, was standing in a fighting stance. Terra was holding the staff she would eventually inherit.

Carl: Now, try and strike me again.

Terra: I won’t be able to hit you! I’ve already tried!

Carl: With that attitude you’ll never hit me.

Terra: I don’t think I’m cut out for fighting. It’s impossible!

Carl sat down next to Terra.

Carl: Do you know why your name is Terra?

Terra: Why?

Carl: Terra is the goddess of the Earth. And her name means Mother Earth. Do you think Mother Earth backs down from a challenge when it stands in the face of her?

Terra: ...no.

Carl: What I mean is. When a challenge stands in front of you that looks unbeatable. If it seems impossible. Stand up and spit in the face of that impossible challenge. Nothing is impossible kiddo. Impossible isn’t a declaration. It’s a dare.

Terra; A dare?

Carl: Now try and strike me with that state of mind.

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

Terra was standing on the battlefield. Leon was back, he teleported next to Terra.

Terra: Hey Leon.

Leon: Is it over?

Terra: No. Not yet. I want you to take everyone out of here.

Leon: Including you...right?

Terra: No.

Leon: I’m not losing anyone else today.

Terra: You're not going to.

Leon: ...That’s what everyone says.

Terra: Do you trust me?

Leon: ...yeah.

Terra: Okay. Then take everyone out of here. I’ll stay and finish this.

Leon looked at Terra with a concerned facial expression.

Leon: Alright. Don’t die.

Terra: Planning on it.

Leon teleported everyone out of the area. Leaving only Terra. She felt the soil beneath her start to shake violently. She jumped up to a higher place. On top of the fallen down base. A gigantic machine burst through the ground. It had two gigantic plasma cannons. Two blades in the front. And six spider legs with spikes that would impale anyone unfortunate enough to be crushed by them. It also had a couple small cannons in the cockpit. Which Jilaya was sitting in. She stepped out of the machine and looked at Terra. Who was about on her level because of the debris she was standing on. Jilaya had changed her outfit to all black.

Jilaya: Terra. Waiting patiently to die I see.

Terra: I was waiting for you.

Jilaya: Yes. Because you wanted me to watch as you murdered Ivan and Axel. My only family!

Terra: I’m sorry about your family. But you got them roped into this in the first place.

Jilaya: You’re saying it’s my fault?!

Terra: No. I understand it was Ivan’s choice to hunt me. But involving your children? Hypnotizing and virtually enslaving all those soldiers! That’s wrong and you know it! Amelia and Donny-the blue coats didn’t do anything to be locked in jail like that!

Jilaya: The world has too many mutants. And now more and more metas and mutants and even Primordials are starting to come out of the woodwork. More than ever! They have to be kept under regulation. And if some innocents have to be taken along the way. Whatever. We’re saving more innocent lives.

Terra: At the cost of other innocents! There is a reason the blue coats were created! And because they were created more innocents were probably put at stake.

Jilaya: Do you know the amount of collateral damage that is caused when “heroes” fight bad guys? You saw it first hand at the EOL incident.

Terra: But imagine how much damage would be done without people like the Sentinels to save the day!

Jilaya: You don’t understand. I control the media if I want to. I control how the public sees things. And you my child. Are a terrorist. That was a part of destroying most of San Francisco. Go back to Hell’s Kitchen and see what happens.

Terra: I’ll clear my name or something! I will make you beg to shut down MFI!

Jilaya: And I will make you beg for your life. You can’t make me do anything.

Jilaya put on her welding mask and it’s eyes glowed blue. Terra felt her head start to ache.

Terra: Get out of my head!

Terra summoned the power of Olympus into herself. And tried a deep breath to bring it to her head. The pain lessened and she jumped onto Integer’s mech. She knocked over Jilaya and punched her in the stomach. Her hand went straight through her body. Terra was horrified of what she’d done. Until she realized there was no blood coming out of Jilaya.

Terra: A dummy?

Jilaya: Look who's talking.

Jilaya raised her hands and teleported behind Terra and knocked her off Zion. Terra landed on the ground and stood up. She looked ahead and saw Millie, Amelia, Leon, and Themis. They all had red eyes. Amelia ran in and threw a punch. Terra ducked under and uppercut Amelia. Sending her into the air. She blocked a slash from Leon’s sword and kicked him away. Millie clapped her hands together and pushed Terra back a little. Themis morphed his sword into two pistols. He shot twice and shot Terra in the stomach and at her chest. The bullet clinked off her armor. But she took the shot to the stomach. He shot a bunch more shots. Terra fired on destruction and she realized the bullets moved much slower to her. She ran through them and punched Themis away. Holding back. Millie held her palm open handed and closed it. Terra felt something bad happen inside. She ran at Millie. But Amelia grabbed her by the head and pulled her to the ground. Millie got on top of Terra and punched her over and over. Terra blocked some of the punches and took off her gauntlets. She hit Millie clean in the chin and knocked her up in the air. Terra got hit by a bunch of fire blasts from Leon and fell to the ground. She ran through a fire blast and took away Leon's sword. Amelia ran at Terra and kneed her in the stomach over and over. Until Terra stopped her and grabbed her by the arm. She spun around Amelia and threw her away. Hopefully knocking her out. Millie ran up with a superman punch which Terra blocked with Leon’s sword. She did a roll and punched Themis away and slammed him into a wall. Knocking him out. Leon teleported behind Terra set her on fire. The fire went away quick because of her armor. And Terra mule kicked Leon backward. Millie let out a blast from the couple hits Terra had gotten on her and sent Terra flying back. She dropped Leon’s sword and was knocked out of her destruction form. Terra regained her footing and turned her destruction back on. She ran up and knocked out Millie. Leon approached and Terra did a hook kick and took him out. Amelia ran away and came back. Picking up speed. She went for a punch at Terra. Who held out her hands and blocked Amelia’s punch right on time. The instant Amelia hit Terra Amelia’s arm seemed like it shattered into a million pieces. Terra’s heart sank.

Terra: Sorry, Amelia.

Terra turned around just in time to see one of Jilaya’s gigantic blades coming down on her. Terra wasn’t fast enough to move. She got crushed under it. She positioned herself at the last second so the blade cut into her chestplate. And not her stomach. However she was knocked out of destruction.

Jilaya: Your poor friends. It looks like they're going to have to see a hospital.

Terra: ...They’re more resilient than you think!

Terra started banging on the side of Jilaya’s blade violently. Denting it. But not breaking it. Terra positioned her gauntlets under it and pushed it up just a little bit. She slid herself out of it and stood up against Integer’s gigantic goliath of a machine. Jilaya fired off a bunch of bombs into the ground. Terra fired destruction back on and jumped out of the way. She ran to the side and punched Jilaya’s machine leg. Denting it. The leg raised into the air and followed Terra whenever she tried to move to the side from it. Jilaya brought the leg down. And Terra jumped out of the way. She punched the leg a little more and jumped on top of it. The leg picked up and shook Terra off. She took out her spear and slashed through the leg. Cutting it clean off. Jilaya brought down both of her blades. Terra slid out of the way and stabbed them with her spear. They were very resilient. Terra did a back leg front kick and bent the blade out of shape. Jilaya raised one of its feet and shot a bunch of spikes at Terra. She dodged out of the way. One of the spikes breezing past one of Terra’s hip guards. She slammed her spear down on one of Jilaya’s blades as it was bringing itself up. Cutting it in half. Terra jumped up in the air and slashed through another one of the machine’s legs. Terra was caught off guard and got hit by one of the spikes. She got hit in the chest luckily. She get blasted back from it. The plasma cannons started charging and shot a blast at Terra. She ran in at Zion and hid under one of its own legs. The plasma cannon knocked over even more buildings that were surprisingly still standing up. Terra cut the leg a couple times from under it. She jumped up and literally punched through the leg. The machine started to get lopsided. And it fell on it’s side. Terra jumped on it and slashed off both of it’s plasma cannons. She started punching it in the middle over and over. Until she broke through the metal. She jammed her hand into it. But before she could do anything Jilaya stepped out of her cockpit and shot Terra with some sort of laser gun. She got hit in the arm. Right on her gauntlet. The gun started eating away at the gauntlet like a virus. And she was knocked out of destruction. Terra jumped up and hit Jilaya off the machine with her spear. Jilaya landed on the ground and stared down Terra.

Jilaya: I killed my father. And I’ll kill anyone else who tried to use me.

Terra: You're insane.

Jilaya: No. You are on the wrong side of history. I have over 1,000 soldiers all over the world. I worked my entire life to get to this point! After I died pathetically! My father said this world would be mine! And If he doesn’t want to rule with me. I’ll rule it myself! And I will start by making an example out of you!

She shot a laser blast from her hand. Terra held up her gauntlets and blocked the shot.. One of her arms got a little bit burnt because one of her gauntlets had a big hole in it. Terra ran forward and fired on destruction. She dodged a bunch of shots from Jilaya. She threw a kick at Jilaya. Who teleported away and shot a gigantic laser blast from both of her hands. Terra narrowly dodged. It left a big hole in the ground. Terra jumped up and punched Jilaya in the face. But her shield was protecting her again. She punched Terra in the chest and shot her away with a blast. She landed on the ground with a hard thud. Jilaya came up and shot a huge blast down at Terra. She took off all her armor and made a shield with it in front of her. She moved out of the way and her armor came back, Terra took off her gauntlet and hit Jilaya with it. And then jumped up and punched her down into the ground. Terra landed and threw a punch at Jilaya. But she shot two blasts into Terra’s stomach. Sending her flying into the air. Jilaya teleported behind Terra and grabbed her in midair with her hair. She shot another huge blast, blowing a hole right in Terra’s stomach. But instead Terra shot off her gauntlet and deflected the blast. Bursting Jilaya’s shield into pieces. And blowing Terra back to the ground from the blast. She jumped through the blast and slashed up Jilaya’s stomach and close to her chest. Making a clean cut up her body. Terra punched Jilaya down at the ground and broke the shield. She came down with her spear and stabbed it down. Jilaya rolled out of the way and shot the laser gun at Terra again. Terra dodged out of the way and slashed her spear down again. Jilaya put out her hair and slowed down the spear. Cutting her hair off but giving her time to get up. Terra came up and threw a barrage of punches. Jilaya got hit and blocked Terra’s last shot and countered with an elbow in the face. Terra lurched back. Her gauntlet came from behind Jilaya and stabbed her in the back. Jilaya grabbed the gauntlet and threw it violently at Terra. Stabbing her in the stomach. Terra fell backward from the trauma to her stomach. Jilaya lit up her hands with her magic and picked up Terra and punched her back. She teleported behind Terra and let out an elbow to her back. And then teleported again and kicked her up in the air. And ending by teleporting and shooting a blast down. Terra landed on the ground violently. Jilaya got on top of Terra and started punching her over and over.

Jilaya: You killed my family! You killed everyone I love! And for that, you deserve to die!

Terra: I’m doing this for my family. And for future metas and mutants! You should’ve checked your moral compass before fighting me!

Jilaya: My moral compass?! I was right the whole time! You should be the one to do that! Fucking low-life motherfucker! You came from the woods! You are nothing to me! Just another peasant I’ll forget to feed!

Jilaya slammed down. Terra put up both of her hands and blocked the strike.

Terra: That’s exactly why you're going to lose. You worked your whole life. But you were still part god when you were reborn. You had a leg up. It’s not like you were completely defenseless!

Jilaya: I used that leg up to flourish in this weak society! There’s a reason you are below me! I take advantage of what I have to! Use whatever loopholes possible to get to the top!

Terra: People aren’t people to you are they? Just pawns. You're your father all over again!

Terra brought her spear around and hit Jilaya backward off of her. She got to her feet quickly. Terra took a second to breathe. Jilaya ran towards her, charging a blast. Terra jumped up and then forward with both of her legs. Hitting Jilaya right in the face. She stumbled back and she started making a bunch of clones all around. She shot the blast at Terra she’d been charging. Terra jumped in the air and took off both of her gauntlets and took out all the fakes. Until she hit Jilaya. She covered her arms with her gauntlets and brought her to the ground. Terra fired an energy blast into Jilaya. Who screamed and broke free of Terra’s gauntlets. She punched Terra in the face and kicked her down. Stomping on her over and over. She shot a blast at Terra’s face. She moved her face, but some of her hair was blown away. She grabbed Jilaya’s leg and threw her off of her. She got up to get to Jilaya. But she was gone from where she last was. Terra turned around and realized Jilaya was holding up one of the plasma cannons from Zion.

Jilaya: Return to the fucking soil where you came from!

Jilaya shot the gigantic laser. Terra didn’t move. She stood there. And ran at the blast. She held out both of her hands. And looked ahead. She watched her gauntlets start to melt off of her. Along with the rest of her armor. She broke through the blast. And pushed her hands to the side as it fizzled out.

Jilaya: What? That’s fucking impossible!

Terra: Then why did I just do it?

Her armor was trashed. She used the last breath of the armor to lock down Integer to the ground. Covering her hands and arms with her gauntlets and pinning her legs with shin guards. Terra was driven only by her pure adrenaline, and she was burning with rage.

Terra: You’ll shut down MFI. Or you’ll die here. And you’ll lose to the bitch from the woods. Make your choice.

Jilaya: I have nothing else to lose.

Terra: It’ll happen no matter what. You’ll shut it down. And you won’t do anything from your cell! YOU’LL ROT THERE! You’ve lost already. Think about all the damage you’ve done.

Jilaya: My dream was to see my father. He was a terrible person. All I’ve built isn’t just for him. It’s for my family! Who are all dead…

Terra: I won’t kill you. Not now. I want a confession, and I want you out of my life. Forever.

Jilaya: I’ll never be out of your life. You will always deal with the repercussions of your actions today. You are setting them free, but freedom comes with a price. Every action has consequence. Some more than others.

Terra: Shut up. You aren’t getting out of this! Everyone will be free. My work has to have been worth it.

Jilaya: Keep telling yourself that.

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

Terra was back in Hell’s Kitchen. She watched as the closest slave site to her was emptied. She was wearing new fresh clothes. A white pin up top and green pants. Her hair was completely let down. And she had no shoes on as usual. She saw people being emptied out and scanned by some sort of officer with the letters B.L.A.D.E on the back of his jacket. Some were taken away. The ones who were criminals by law. And others were let free. They met with families and hugged. Terra saw a father run to a couple small children and their mother. It was beautiful. She walked the streets and people seemed more happy. More accepting. She saw someone who was recently released run over and steal a woman's purse. Terra chased him down and pinned him to the ground. She brought the purse back to the woman.

Woman: Thank you!

Terra: My pleasure.

Woman: Hey! I think I’ve seen you somewhere.

Terra: Must’ve been someone different. I’ve never been on TV.

The woman took out a camera.

Woman: No. I know you! I protested for your freedom! You're that girl who was wrongly imprisoned in a meta camp. Right?

Terra: Something like that. What’s the camera for?

Woman: Can you make a statement for all the men and women who were freed? Please?

Terra: Uh...Enjoy freedom.

The woman motioned for more.

Terra: -b-because...sometimes it’s something that has to be worked towards. And it’s the sad truth of the world. I think we all deserve freedom. But there are people out there who want to set barriers...Don’t let a barrier block your way. Just stand up and spit in the face of that barrier. You’ll make it through.

The woman turned off the camera.

Woman: That was perfect! How did you think of that?

Terra: I dunno. I just kind of spoke from the heart I guess.

Terra walked back on her way home. Where someone next to the apartment came out who recognized her. It was a little kid.

Kid: I always see you never wear shoes! So I got my mommy to get you some! You really made us happy.

The kid gave Terra a box of shoes.

Terra: Uh...I don’t really…

Kid: Don’t really what?

Terra: Don’t really need gifts like this. But it’s very much appreciated. Thank you.

Terra walked into her apartment and sat down. She got a call on her phone and picked it up. It was Millie.

Millie: Hey Terra! Come to Bibble and Sip. I wanna talk.

Terra: Um. Okay I guess I will.

Terra traveled to bibble and sip. She slipped on the shoes the kid had given her. She made it to Bibble and Sip and saw Millie. Kris was there and Leon was sitting with them. Weird. Maybe they just wanted to catch up. Terra sat down.

Terra: Hey guys. What’s going on?

Millie: We just wanted to see how you were doing. We haven’t seen you since the hospital. And we barely saw you there.

Leon: Like what happened to your armor?

Terra: It’s gone. But maybe it’s for the best.

Leon: I get it.

A bunch of waiters and waitresses came out with a cake. They were singing happy birthday. Terra was surprised when they came over to her table and then said her name in the song.

Millie, Leon, Kris: Happy Birthday!

Leon: You seriously forgot your eighteenth birthday!?

Terra: I guess I did. Thank you all.