Last Daughter of Krypton: Legion IC

[ChasNicollette]

VM3: "Jumping Rooftops." VM3's quarters.

"You know I ain't no angel Jaymie. Just your friend. You're easy to be nice to thermangel. And you're prettier than me. Now just hush and let's get clean so we can tuck in. There's enough Legionnaires on shift that they can live without us for a few hours. We're way overdue for some shut eye."

Jaymie nodded. She hushed. She did what she was told, drifting on a jazzed, exhausted bit of heartbreak as she exited the lift ahead of Jo.

She'd come through it. Eventually. Like a pupating Vyrgan, she'd come out the other side.

But like her antecedent, the original Valkyrie Missile, VM3 felt everything to the fullest extent. And feeling the grief of the brutalisation and passing of her friend, and her friend's friends...

This had been enough to tip her, ever-so-briefly, into the fringes of madness.

And she really did think Jo was lovely. But just as Jo surmised, she never would have said anything about it if she wasn't deep in the boroughs of shockcity. As tempting as it might have been to pursue that kind of comfort, that sort of life-affirming, in the face of such loss... it likely would have done more harm than good.

Jo, again, being wiser than most anyone expected of her.

Hidden depths, that one.

Jaymie takked the keycode and her door wssshed open, and her lights came up automatically as she entered in. "Make, um. Make yourself comfy. Make yourself at home."

Shuffling into the bedroom, she unvelked the front of her uniform, unbuckling her belt and kicking off her boots before slithering out of the rest of it.

She stood there naked for a moment, staring to nowhere.

The British flag symbol tattooed between her shoulder blades stood out in stark contrast against her pale skin dotted here and there with the occasional freckle.

Her hair was blue and her eyes were red and she gazed to nowhere.

Scrub up.

And instead of climbing either into the hydrospray or the sonic shower, VM3 simply summoned water to herself from the air, and her fire powers flashed saffron and scarlet, causing the water to steam around her, sizzling away the filth and drying herself off all in one fell swoop.

She sighed, and shuddered, like getting physically clean had, in fact, prompted a slight transition back towards coherence. Turning to the wardrobe, she extricated a big white t-shirt with a massive St. Andrew's Cross upon the front of it, a Scottish Flag...

...she donned this, and then pulled on a pair of cotton boy boxers, McCrimmon family tartan.

Warm soft quiet, like comfort food for the skin.

She turned and smiled a wobbly smile at Jo.

She slumped a little bit against the wall, gazing at the brown-haired beauty through her sunset eyes.

'The light behind your eyes
Tells me that you've cried
Sometime tonight...'

Her voice was a little bit of a croak. "Rimbor was a pretty rough neighbourhood, huh? An' you were even... I heard a rumour you did a itty-bitty titchy-tiny stint on The Galtos. How did you. Do it? Face that sort of. Nihilism?"

A tear cut loose and rolled down her cheek.

"I was trained in a lot of ways. But I never got-- not for that-- I never saw anything like that before. People just destroyed.

"How do you. Do it?"

 

[ChasNicollette]

GL 2261, Teen Lantern, Kid Quantum, M'onel, Lightning Lass. Threshold Xmission.

The Empress smiled a cold cold smile. "I have no doubt you and I will have a rematch dearie. But it will be on my terms."

Liz bit her tongue. She tasted blood.

As long as The Emerald Empress was focused on her, she wasn't paying attention to the counterstrike planning of this Daxamite and this Xanthuan--

"That is terribly close to a move children." She raised her hand and Dawnstar tried but failed to hold back a scream as Validus gave her wings a slight twist and an obvious breaking of a bone in it.

So much for that.

"You heartless--" M'onel surged forwards, his hands white-knuckled fists, but, exuding gold, Kid Quantum's hand clapped up into his chest, giving him pause.

"Easy, Big Gun," she murmured. "Dawny's got more bones where that came from."

M'onel nodded grimly. "Of course. Thank you." But he was not happy about it.

The Empress' sensitivities were indeed acute, if she had picked up Jazmin's whispers back and forth with Lar, and so too did she detect Brande's muttering.

"Not going to offer me a bribe old man?"

Without a word, moving as one, as though they were Bat and Bird, Elizabeth and Rond both stepped in front of R.J., Ring hands held low but plainly visible.

The message was clear: No one comes to The Founder but by us.

Rokk spoke up. He was the leader for a reason. A good reason.

"What I want Legionnaire is something you cannot give me. Only Fate can give it to me. But fear not Cosmic boy, I do plan on visiting your homeworld soon enough. The armor of Magenta is on my list as well dear boy." Her smile told those assembled volumes of her intent.

Amongst those assembled, Ayla prickled with tightly-fettered electrical power.

She remembered Rokk's parents. Ewa and Hu. And that adorable hero-worshiping little brother Pol...

The Empress wasn't just promising to sprock with Rokk's homeworld. She was promising to do to his family what she had just done, with her Five, to all those friends and family of The Legion.

No way was Rokk going to take that lightly. But-- Dawnstar--

Keep it cool, Fearless Leader, she pleaded silently, hanging onto Reep for dear life. Please. Keep cool.

 

[ChasNicollette]

Reorienting with microbursts from thrusters she aimed at the ground. And then kicked it into gear. A rocket with a deathwish traveled slower than her. Within seconds she snapped through 6 sonic booms. Her speed passing beyond safety limits within the first fifteen seconds.

But she wasn’t worried. She’d survive a direct impact with a supernova. At least that was the theory behind Celestial level armour.

The booms shook the sky and disrupted dozens of lanes of skyway traffic.

Even the ped-lanes, cylindrical plaztanium walkways, rattled with the concussion and the percussion and the repercussion of Allana's descent and jostled the pedestrians inside.

They looked. Up in the sky.

Once upon a time, the sound of a flying humanoid piercing the Mach barrier was commonplace above this city. These days, there were strict air-traffic guidelines about that sort of thing.

Except when it came to saving lives.

That Planet reporter picked himself up from under his desk, adjusting his bowtie with chagrin. "Sproggin' Legion kids."

But, thank the providence of The Presence, their course intersected with no buildings, no ped-ways, no oncoming traffic, no Zen cabbies. They blurred down through the sky and were almost gone before Allana could be seen.

Rotating as she dove she aligned herself with Ceriel. Chest to chest. Face to face. Four point three seven centimeters separated them. Matching speed.

Her destination point locked.

Ceriel arched her eyebrows. These were impressive aerobatics, even considering the advancements of the armour.

But silent, neither aloud to Allana nor audible to Zarathos, she could not help but wonder: Are you... flirting with me?

The markings on her armour flared red, the blue vanishing. Overcome by something else. A wink to Ceriel. Or Allana was messing with her head.

Well. Aren't you the inscrutable one.

Then boosters kicked in and she shot like a bullet. Straight as a laser.

Ceriel tilted her head and watched her go, shaking her head. Yeh'll never make the Espionage Squad at this rate, luvvie.

Well. We can't all be ninja.

At thirty feet from impact she inverted and stopped. Her feet less than six inches from touchdown. As light as a butterfly she descended those last finite inches.

Ceriel's own wings tilted, and she braked, and she, too, landed with impossible silence, there at the centre of Legion Plaza.

"I once saw," Ceriel mused, dusting off her left wing in an affectation of normalcy, "in chains, the King-Angel Asmodel, whose latter-day rebellion almost cost Heaven its entire Bull Host. He told me that his was the voice that had brought down the mighty walls of Jericho. And even he would have been impressed by the thunder of your arrival. Take that as you will."

 

[AmenRa]

The Empress' sensitivities were indeed acute, if she had picked up Jazmin's whispers back and forth with Lar, and so too did she detect Brande's muttering.

"Not going to offer me a bribe old man?"

Without a word, moving as one, as though they were Bat and Bird, Elizabeth and Rond both stepped in front of R.J., Ring hands held low but plainly visible.

The message was clear: No one comes to The Founder but by us.

Brande stood silently. But, inside him, a fire raged. A fire that burned as hot as any Hronmeer himself could summon. He knew his thoughts could be heard by Liz and Rond, but he doubted the Empress could sense them.

A bribe? What I have to offer you is a punishment befitting your arrogance.

Bitch.

He blinked, but not out of fear, but to quell the urge to shift to his true form and wipe the floor with her. To do so, here, in front of the Legion members present, would only add fuel to the chaos that now threatened to break.

Now was not the time.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Legion HQ: Various locations

Imra, Garth and Rokk. The three of them were as close as siblings. Brothers and sister (and quite possibly more for two of them) that moved as one, fought as one, and laughed at their jokes with ease.

So when Imra started getting a nagging feeling at the base of her spine, she sent out her thoughts to those closest to her

*OWOWOW!!!!! Sprock Salu, set it, don't pull it off you sadistic demoness...*

OK, Garth was fine. Not him. Maybe Rokk.....

*Anger..Rage...Concern...*

Imra staggered into the wall, the intensity of the emotions almost causing her to collapse.

*Rokk!!! Calm down!! Whats happening???*

*Imra! It's the Empress!! She has Dawnstar and wants Fate. We can't do a damn thing either... waitaminute, maybe we can. Wraith can teleport. Go get him and bring him up here. Also, put everyone, and I mean everyone on standby for an assault. Something different and I can't quite put my finger on it.*

*On it Rokk.*

And with that she was racing for a secure console. Typing in a command, rings throughout the station began pulsing with a steady pulse, signaling that the wearers were on standby for action. Then she was racing down the halls until she stopped in front of the ancient heroes temporary quarters. She could feel him in there, along with one other.

*Shady?* she thought to herself. And she was getting feeling off her she had not felt before, and shouldn't be feeling. Her distress eroding her control a small bit.

She composed herself, then knocked hard on the door.

*************************************************************​

"I don't need an angel. Actually, with the very very rare exception, angels are about the most brutal things you can run up against. Takes a lot to kill one." I said, sitting up myself.

"I really don't want a concubine or a wife or even a fuckbuddy right now Tasmia. You were correct when you called me a romantic. I fell in love at the first contact with my wife, and honestly, anything less than her will take time if it ever happens. Besides, it's been so long I doubt I know what to do anyway." The last was said with the little boy grin I got when I was being mischievous.

Tasmia looked at me, eyebrow arched, then a slow, wicked grin spread across her generous mouth *Damnit, the boobs were bad enough but now...*

"Apparently there's an old saying on your planet, about the riding of bicycles? I'm relatively sure it would come back to you." she said in her way of making every word drip with an unspoken promise. Then her gaze steeled up.

"I meant what I said, however," she declared, holding up a finger. "I am not interested in replacing your precious wifey, however long you choose to cherish her memory. If the knocking of hips is part and parcel with that, well, then we shall not knock hips. The rest of my promise to you remains intact. I will be one of these killer angels for you. And I will be anything else you need."

I was seriously getting tired of the wifey crap. I let some of The Warlord into my voice as I spoke. "Tasmia, drop the wifey comment please, it's starting to get old to a ten thousand year old man. I don't mean to belittle or not to appreciate what you are offering, but it's not something I want to explore anytime today. Hell, I was always kinda slow on making moves in the first place." The last was said with a smile.

She looked at me, almost like she was bored. She examined her fingernails with a haughty quirk of her lip. "You can't be bothered to speak InterLac, and yet you give me this line of grife about adding a syllable to the word 'wife.' Very well, very well. One cannot profess to be your servant in all things and then refuse to modify one's speech. You are the Lord, after all, my Lord. Forgive my youthful sarcasm."


I stood up quickly. Damnit, she was pushing all my buttons! Almost like she knew them..... No! She wouldn't have!! That evil, manipulative wench!! I was so going to give her hell next time I went home!! Screw that, I'd talk to her now!!

I walked over to the mirror and placed my hand on it. I could see Tasmia watching me with a look of curiosity. Blackness leaked out from around my hand until the mirror was covered in a darkness that almost pulled in light. I sent a flicker of my will, and the blackness swirled until a face appeared. Beautiful, with dusky skin and lavender orbs. Her hair framed her face in a swirl and her mouth was crooked in a grin that would melt the heart of the most heartless of men.

"What brings this on Azrakel? Don't tell me you miss home after being gone for so little time my Knight?"

"Not hardly you cantankerous witch." I said, the smile on my face clear to her. Our relationship had moved from Lord and Vassal to very very good friends centuries ago. "Are you screwing with me again? I mean, what the hell is SHE" I said, pointing at Tasmia" doing on the mortal plane AND with a connection to Shadow to boot?? Are you trying out a practical joke or something???"

"Now you know my jokes tend to be more... explosive. No, I did... oh she IS from here isn't she? I can feel her power. It's not given by me though Kyle. And I had nothing to do with her people's exodus from Shadow. It's all a delightful coincidence, which I am now beginning to appreciate. Is she making you squirm my Knight?"


I started to retort and then was interrupted as I heard Tasmia moving behind me.

Tasmia blinked, though not quite startled, more like intrigued by his sudden shift in body language, by his sudden rise to his feet. "My Lord?"

But then the mirror changed, and a woman from beyond darkness emerged from its depths, her voice like the chill of a midnight wind, and deep in her innards, in her link to Shadow, in her ancestral memory, Tasmia Mallor knew who this was. And she fell. Prostrate. Bowing as deeply as she mortally could, pressing herself to the floor.

"My Lady. My Empress. Forgive my lack of. Decorum. I was not. Prepared..."

I started to speak at the same time Llandra did, and I wisely stopped. "Worry not child. I am very amused you ruffled this old roosters feathers so well. The last time I got this kind of a reaction I turned gravity off in his water closet. And I find you adequately dressed for the battle you came in here to wage. Well armed too."
"That was not funny!" I muttered. "OK, so where is she getting her connection from then?" I asked.

"Where else. Her people were brought over as vassals to a Scion of Shadow, and remained here with him. You power her my dear. Probably explains why it took you so long to grow into your powers. You had them feeding off you as you were growing in power."

She rose to her knees, sitting up straight but still kneeling, attentive. Such comments from The Dark Lady herself were truly, truly complimentary. Unless it was sarcasm. In which case, well, that would just be apropos, wouldn't it?

"Play nice with her Kyle, and if I was you I'd take her up on whatever she is offering. You have been wound up way too tight for centuries."

With that she faded out of the blackness, and the mirror once more just became a reflective surface.

"Pain in the ass" I muttered in English as I opened drawers, pulling out a shirt and socks and boots of some sort and began dressing. I hadn't seen my clothes anywhere but obviously I had been scanned and clothes were in here for me in the correct size.

Tasmia rose to her feet. "To be honest, my Lord, I think she seemed rather personable. And she gave such splendid advice. Usually these cosmic royal types are such stuffed-up affairs. I would consider myself fortunate to have a patron so sharp of wit, as opposed to one of those other extraplanar dullards."

"Why do I always attract the smartasses?" I muttered as I stood up, then there was a pounding on the door. I walked over and opened it, to find the young blond woman in red and white standing there, a look of almost panic on her face.

"Shady, good thing your here!! It's the Empress. She has Dawnstar and wants Fate or she'll do worse than what she has done to her!! Rokk wants Wraith in the control room, and everyone else ready to go at a moments notice.

"Empress? The lady in green that Liz was fighting?"

"Thats the homicidal bitch. The Lantern is about ready to rip her heart out right now if what i got from Cos is accurate."

I grabbed my rose glasses from the dresser, the only thing the bot left. Putting them on I walked over to the girl, then turned to Tasmia. "You wanted to be by my side, well, get over here. Lets go kick some ass."

*******************************************************************************​

It didn't take long until I entered the control room, and was greeted with a scene I had watched unfold all to often over the centuries. I could see the young winged woman was in extreme pain, and the woman in green was looking on with a pleased smile on her face, enjoying the pain she was causing everyone.

"Glad you came." said Cosmic Boy as I moved up by him.

"That is not Fate. Are you testing me?" She crooked a finger at the behemoth behind her and Dawnstar screamed as he ripped a handful of flight feathers from her wing, spraying blood across the ground.

It started getting darker in the room as I felt my rage grow.

"Sprok you Empress! We are getting him!! Stop hurting her!!" Rokk said, the pain in his voice evident to everyone here.

I walked up to the projection, the woman following me with her eyes as I studied her, the giant behind her, and the terrain there.

"Cosmic Boy, I believe you plan on offering me membership into the Legion, correct?" I asked, my voice very even, a tone those who knew me best would find.... concerning.

"It had been talked about, whats that have to do with this though?" Rokk said back, confused.

"Save your breath, I won't qualify for membership." I said, my voice like ice. Liz was looking at me strangely, as was Brande. Nobody here had heard me speak this way.

"Huh.. what.. what are you talking about?" Sputtered Rokk.

I looked the Empress in the eyes, my glasses hiding my eyes. "Because I am going to kill this woman, and the thing behind her holding the girl." I said, death in my tone.

 

[Lunaramblings]

"Humpty Dumpty can wait," Brainiac seethed. "Get dressed. You've got a date. Voluptuous and verdant. Threshold Xmission. NOW."

Jonah looked at Brainy. He was now depending on his ring to translate, and unfortunately, it was not quite as good as Nabu. He heard the words... then they set in. Emerald Empress. And if she were here, and the Legion were actually waiting on him, then she must have one hell of a trump card. Jonah called out, summoning the Mantle of Fate. As the Eldritch Armor enveloped his from, as Nabu once again merged into his consciousness, Jonah gave in, gave in to Nabu, to the Power, giving Nabu full access to his thoughts, his desires, his very soul lay bare.

Nabu, I don't have the time to explain. I need you. And any tricks you can conjure from your arsenal. No more shall die today. Not if we can help it. Jonah's jaw set in concentration, his own personality swirling through mists as Nabu took form and function in his mind.

Finally, your father's son. I will do that which is within my power. You need only have trust in me.

Fix Wildfire. He may be needed sooner than thought."

Fate disappeared in a shimmer. As he reappeared he heard the words Wraith spoke.

"Uncle Mer always said that you had a temper, used to joke about threatening to teleport you into space, right in front of sun, no shadows for you, one month. You crushing these jerks will do no good for anyone. Empress! Let us not do this. You want me, here I am. Release her. Now. And send Validus on his merry way, we shall handle this in a way befitting our heritage." Fate laid his hand on Kyle's shoulder as he spoke. "Otherwise Empress, I assure you, if any further harm comes to here, and I will let Spookypants here tear you apart. You and your little trinket."

 

[Wyldfire]

Fate disappeared in a shimmer. As he reappeared he heard the words Wraith spoke.

"Uncle Mer always said that you had a temper, used to joke about threatening to teleport you into space, right in front of sun, no shadows for you, one month. You crushing these jerks will do no good for anyone. Empress! Let us not do this. You want me, here I am. Release her. Now. And send Validus on his merry way, we shall handle this in a way befitting our heritage." Fate laid his hand on Kyle's shoulder as he spoke. "Otherwise Empress, I assure you, if any further harm comes to here, and I will let Spookypants here tear you apart. You and your little trinket."

The Empress smiled. "You assume I want battle Fate. I do not. I offer you a trade dear man."

She watched the rest of the team as they processed this. Her eyes rested on Wraith. "You relic are not my concern. Make all the threats you want. You will not be the one to kill me. Nor will the Lantern here."

The Empress slipped back enough that she could reach out and caress Dawnstar's cheek. "Now Fate, for this Thanagarian sympathizer I want the mantle. I want the Mantle and raiment of Fate. That or we see if the Thanagarians will give her Nth metal wings to replace these beautiful real ones. Your choice Fate. And one shadow nearing me," she looked at Wraith again, "Nullifies the deal and her life is forfeit."

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Wraith

"She's bluffing." I said, the warlord still in my voice.

"I don't think so old man. She has been torturing Dawnstar right in front of us!" Rokk said, the pain in his voice very evident.

"I assure you that I am not.." The Empress began to say.

"Shut up girl. Adults are talking here. If she kills Dawnstar she looses the only thing she has that holds power over us. Of course she may be insane enough to do that anyway, but if she does, then she's done. No mantle, no new toys for her to play with. And, I think bucket head there should let her have the Mantle."

While the others looked on horrified I turned back to the Empress. "Here is what we will do bitch. Fate and I will come there, I'll take Dawnstar and him home, while you play with his funny hat. Or you can kill her and I will show you the same kindness I gave Lucifer's son.." Shadows swirled around me and I stood before her, dark and spiked and ready for war, "I'll make it quicker than you deserve."

 

[Lunaramblings]

Nabu was somber. "We will do as we must Jonah. You must surrender the Mantle. Trust in Fate."

Jonah was glad for the link he had with Nabu. It made moments like these easier. Instead of minutes of conversation there were only flashes of thoughts. "But... I... if she can take over your power... she would be nigh unstoppable. is one death too high a price to pay?"

"What would your father say? What would Merick or Chloe tell you? Hm? You know the answer. You know the truth."

Jonah smiled weakly. Yes. I suppose I do. Thank you Nabu. I know we have had our differences, but... well, with out you I would not be who I am."

"Great. Not only am I surrendered to this witch, I am blamed for you? Fate truly is a cruel mistress." Nabu did something Jonah had never heard. He laughed.

"I know the senility has set in now you old geezer. Thank you. Nabu, you have been like family. Thank you. Now, shall we?"

"We must, and we shall."

"Ok Empress. I will surrender the Mantle of Fate. Wraith, do not make a move. This is my choice. My Fate. Trust that. Trust me." Jonah looks at Wraith. Hoping that Wraith will listen. Wraith no doubt could summon the power to destroy this foul duo, but the cost would be too great. "Empress, I will join you. And you will surrender the girl to my associates. And I shall surrender the Mantle. But, before I do, I will need to stabilize Dawnstar. Then you may do as you will." Fate shimmered and called upon his powers. He dematerialized. Only to rematerial in front of The Emerald Empress. "Come, no more posturing. You seek my power, I give it willingly. Let us finish this. In a second, others will come to collect her, do not turn this day of triumph for yourself into another bloodbath. One I do not guarantee that you will live through."

 

[AmenRa]

As Fate disappeared and then reappeared, Brande turned to Wraith. He gave him an icy stare that told him there was much agreeance to the proper way to dismember the Empress, a stare that had too often belonged to a green-skinned Manhunter who Wraith knew so well.

"This is not the end," Brande told the Shadow Lord, "but only the beginning. Her thirst for power will not be quenched easily, nor will her greed.." Then, rubbing his mustache, Brande said quietly, "She reminds me of Zod."

 

[Varshanka]

Allana Lang - Legion Plaza

With a snap of her heals Allana bowed to Ceriel, silent acknowledgment of the comment. But she’d take no pleasure in the comment. To do so would be vain.

“I appreciate the observation of skill. I shall endeavor to be less obvious in the future, Ceriel. Will you be joining me in service to the Legion? Will they be able to see you?”

With a simple gesture she indicated that they should walk the short distance to the main entry.

 

[Wyldfire]

Takron Galtos. More than just a Hand job.

Mano turned his attention to business as Tharok cut off communications. The being from Angtu picked up a belt and buckled it about his waist, making sure the fine blade sheathed there was ready for his now left handed draw.

Prior to his hand of Power's awakening he had had another life. A well to do life on the beautiful world of Angtu, with it's methane fog clouds and the swirling pools of chlorine. He'd studied the sciences and was also an accomplished duelist. He'd slain more than a few who'd opposed his views on the dueling field, despite their Hands of power.

He'd been tormented by many for the lack of a hand. Most of his peoples' Hand manifested at puberty. Hands of healing. Hands of Force. The hand of blood was a rare gift. But Mano's Hand was one that, when his people learned of one born with it, was a death sentence. It had long been foreseen that one with the Anti-hand would destroy the majesty and beauty of Great Angtu. They were right. One too many torments. One too many duels. The fools had never stood a chance, and now Angtu was no more.

Mano exited the ship. The guards that were approaching were taken by surprise as Mano drew the blade and with one quick thrust dispatched the first Guard. The man's cry had been cut short by the blade piercing his voicebox. Before the second could scream the palm of his right hand irised open and Mano grabbed the man by his face.

Then all hell broke loose as Tharok freed the prisoners. Several thought to take the supply ship but Mano persuaded them against this, usually with the final persuasion. He became a blessed giver of finality and mercy. Guards and prisoners alike fell to his blade and his hand.

He saw those that had been chosen by the Empress approaching with others they had thought they could trust. Mano saw one amongst them and heaved a sigh under his helmet. He'd been given very specific orders on this one.

Ron-Karr had no idea what had happened. One moment he was running with the rest to join this newest LSV and the next he was gagging on his own blood. The man dropped to his knees before falling flat on his face.

"Who amongst you brought this useless idiot with you?" He asked. Looking through the group.

The one known as Black Mace raised his hand "He's been one of us in every incarnation."

Mano strode forward and again the palm irissed. Black Mace tried to dodge but failed. "Fool. Have you never wondered if that hasn't been why you've always failed?" The Mace fell twitching in his death throwes. "Who brought the Mace? I have orders to how many die for Karr's presence."

Several fingers pointed towards Tyr. His weapon hand still in impound made him helpless and Mano made it quick. "Now get aboard my friends. A new era in the Empess' Legion awaits!"

The ship was boarded and despite the guards' attempt at keeping the ship locked down the clamps released. The villains were free once more.

Mekt Ranzz approached the cock pit of the ship and asked "Is it too late for me to claim the life of Lightning Lad?"

 

[Wyldfire]

Jaymie takked the keycode and her door wssshed open, and her lights came up automatically as she entered in. "Make, um. Make yourself comfy. Make yourself at home."

Shuffling into the bedroom, she unvelked the front of her uniform, unbuckling her belt and kicking off her boots before slithering out of the rest of it.

She stood there naked for a moment, staring to nowhere.

The British flag symbol tattooed between her shoulder blades stood out in stark contrast against her pale skin dotted here and there with the occasional freckle.

Her hair was blue and her eyes were red and she gazed to nowhere.

Scrub up.

And instead of climbing either into the hydrospray or the sonic shower, VM3 simply summoned water to herself from the air, and her fire powers flashed saffron and scarlet, causing the water to steam around her, sizzling away the filth and drying herself off all in one fell swoop.

She sighed, and shuddered, like getting physically clean had, in fact, prompted a slight transition back towards coherence. Turning to the wardrobe, she extricated a big white t-shirt with a massive St. Andrew's Cross upon the front of it, a Scottish Flag...

...she donned this, and then pulled on a pair of cotton boy boxers, McCrimmon family tartan.

Warm soft quiet, like comfort food for the skin.

She turned and smiled a wobbly smile at Jo.

She slumped a little bit against the wall, gazing at the brown-haired beauty through her sunset eyes.

'The light behind your eyes
Tells me that you've cried
Sometime tonight...'

Her voice was a little bit of a croak. "Rimbor was a pretty rough neighbourhood, huh? An' you were even... I heard a rumour you did a itty-bitty titchy-tiny stint on The Galtos. How did you. Do it? Face that sort of. Nihilism?"

A tear cut loose and rolled down her cheek.

"I was trained in a lot of ways. But I never got-- not for that-- I never saw anything like that before. People just destroyed.

"How do you. Do it?"

Jo knew this stage was coming. It always did. Not too different from a strong chick getting raped. They'd always wait until they were alone or with someone they trusted before the break down. Jo'd been alone for the first couple of times. She refused to let Jaymie do this alone. Not a rape in the physical sense this. This was the raping of Jaymie's innocence. A lot of the team that went to that asteroid were going to have episodes before the day was out.

"Ya do it the way anyone does Thermangel. Ya find people ya trust ta hold you through the tough times." Jo started to hug Jaymie but stopped herself. She looked down at her own slagged costume and said "Give me three blinks, okay?"

At Ultra speed jo hit her quarters and back with a fresh costume. "Now then let me get clean and I'll tell you storys until you fall asleep." She was stripped and through the shower in slightly longer than it had taken to get her new costume. She came out of the shower in just a green thong, her scars right there for Jaymie to see. Buncha the team always wondered why she wore as much as she did with her other hobbies. The scars were it. You didn't go through life on the 'Bor without them unless your last name was Londo. Lucky squaj. "There we go. Hope you don't mind, but I don't sleep in a lot."

She carried herself to the lounger in the room and curled up on it. Jo looked at the tears in Jaymie's eyes and held her arms out in invitation for the girl to come and be held. "I cried the first time too Jaymie. We all cry the first time."

As Jo talked she remembered. "First time's always the worst. No dignity, pride kicked in the teeth, just nothing." As Jaymie came and sat with her Jo went on. "This was your first time. At least you got away from the physical part of it babe. I promise I will do my damnedest to make sure you never get that particular wake up. None of the girls on the team."

They'd come at her when she wasn't expecting it. It was right around the time she couldn't hide that she was a girl anymore. "Wasn't always Ultra girl ya know. The 'Bor's not a girl's place really. I made it by always picking myself up and eventually becoming one of the meanest Squajes around."

That first time had been the worst. She had no idea what it was all about until they'd started to really hurt her. "Honestly Jaymie, I hope you never get hardened to what we saw today. I've been around here for a while now and this was the absolute worst I've ever seen."

She smiled. "As to the Galtos, honestly? It was a vacation from the 'Bor. And 'sides, I was there like a week when that break out attempt happened. Next thing I know I'm being cut loose and sent of here to the Legion."

 

[Wyldfire]

"Ok Empress. I will surrender the Mantle of Fate. Wraith, do not make a move. This is my choice. My Fate. Trust that. Trust me." Jonah looks at Wraith. Hoping that Wraith will listen. Wraith no doubt could summon the power to destroy this foul duo, but the cost would be too great. "Empress, I will join you. And you will surrender the girl to my associates. And I shall surrender the Mantle. But, before I do, I will need to stabilize Dawnstar. Then you may do as you will." Fate shimmered and called upon his powers. He dematerialized. Only to rematerial in front of The Emerald Empress. "Come, no more posturing. You seek my power, I give it willingly. Let us finish this. In a second, others will come to collect her, do not turn this day of triumph for yourself into another bloodbath. One I do not guarantee that you will live through."

Validus darling, let the sympathizer go and join Persuader aboard the ship. She turned to Fate and said "There she is none the worse for wear really. Only a small amount of injury in the long run. Mend her and turn over our agreed payment and we will be done with this."

 

[ChasNicollette]

Ceriel. Legion Plaza.

With a snap of her heals Allana bowed to Ceriel, silent acknowledgment of the comment. But she’d take no pleasure in the comment. To do so would be vain.

“I appreciate the observation of skill. I shall endeavor to be less obvious in the future, Ceriel. Will you be joining me in service to the Legion? Will they be able to see you?”

With a simple gesture she indicated that they should walk the short distance to the main entry.

Ceriel smiled softly. There was wisdom in this one.

Forehand and backhand in the compliment, and Allana had understood them both.

She turned and strode towards the entrance, her wings flapping gently, straightening themselves out before folding anew to her back.

"We shall see," she mused, "what they shall see."

She shook her head, and gazed ahead, eyes of red. "Some animals can see me. Though not all. And some mortal sentients of divine origin and attunement. Though not all. It is not given that my presence here be public. Not yet. Perhaps not ever. As The Light wills. I am attuned to your sight and your sight only, and your ears and your ears only. Yourself and your... Other."

Pausing by the doors, she glanced over her shoulder, past her wing, at Allana, her bangs falling almost to her eyes as she gazed a coolly warm examining gaze.

"It would be fun, eh? To emerge in glory. To speak as with a thousand tongues, to write upon the wall with a burning finger, to declare in no uncertain terms that Allana Lang is to be admitted to The Legion. It would be a thrill. To see the looks on their faces."

She shook her head again. "The First Book of Kings, isn't it? Chapter 19. Not the wind. Not the earthquake. Not the fire. But after the fire. 'A still, small voice.'"

Up her gaze flickered, up to the sky. The storm already had gone. Again the sun was shining. Already the calm had returned. The Sea of Gallilee Trick, come full circle.

"It's probably for the best. This subterfuge. One never knows when one will be called upon to deliver a plague of frogs. D'yeh know how hard it is to organise frogs? Locusts, hive mind, easy-peasy. But herding frogs is about as easy as counting the raindrops hidden in a cloud."

 

[Lunaramblings]

Validus darling, let the sympathizer go and join Persuader aboard the ship. She turned to Fate and said "There she is none the worse for wear really. Only a small amount of injury in the long run. Mend her and turn over our agreed payment and we will be done with this."

Fate knelt beside Dawnstar. Healing her as best he could in the situation. Once his spell was cast, he looked long at Emerald Empress. Jonah trusted Nabu. It was a grudging respect, certainly, but he trusted him. Nabu was a jerk, but he was a hero. No matter what.

Standing Jonah snaps his fingers and the Raiments of Fate shed from him. Floating there beside him.

"Very well Empress. You may take possession of the Mantle. Though I warn you, you are on the wrong path. Tread carefully. It is not too late. There is still time to make the right choices." Jonah carefully lifts the injured Legionnaire into his arms. Remember also this Empress, you have taken the Mantle of Fate, but I still possess my own gifts. e will be leaving now." Jonah gently rearranges his charge. "Legion, I need a gate. Please."

 

[Varshanka]

Allana Lang - Callsign: Magdalena

Inside her helm Allana’s eyebrow quirked upwards as she tiled her head back and looked at a cloud high overhead. “1,213,246,512,198,564,984,188 H2O particles exist in that cloud formation. Unless you were specifying a different and larger one?”

But in the back of her skull she had a dull ache, an after effect of the CORTANA unit making the scan and calculations in such a short frame of time.

Walking up the steps she had the armour adjust the gravitic repulsion field. Making her lighter. The sound of grinding stone lessened and finally ceased. Pausing at the door she opened it, then stepped back and held it open for the celestial. Granted anyone watching on oracle screens would be confused by the action. And granted the Celestial could walk through the door, or the wall, but it was duty. And respect.

“Welcome to the Legion Headquarters of Earth, Dame Magdalena. I shall inform the others of your arrival, immediately.”

Looking around she couldn’t immediately detect the location of the vox-casters, but moments later she located them. An ultra low frequency triangulation revealing their hidden positions.

 

[Varshanka]

Allana Lang - the past

Age 12

Steel rang on steel as Man did battle with Strogg. The invading army was doing it’s damnedest to kill the inhabitants of Celyddon. Farms burned, forests were leveled. Citizens, peasants, were butchered for their meat. Not the meat of their cattle and livestock. Their meat. Human flesh.

Strogg prized human flesh above all others. Much like human would eat a cow before a horse. And there were a lot of hungry Strogg.

Allana wasn’t supposed to be fighting, she was only a squire. Only a squire. She couldn’t remember how many times she’d polished armour, sharpened sword and dirk, or reload a bolter.

But so many Knights had fallen she’d been forced to take sword in hand and fight. And right now she was fighting for her life like so many others.

Covered from head to toe in mud and blood she hacked and slashed. Finesse didn’t exist in this conflict. These weren’t noble Knights. This was wore. Brutal and bloody.

Slipping in the gore at her feet she fell, the beasts blade swinging over her head by the luck of God. Missing her by the breath of an Angel.

Striking upwards she slide the dirk, which she’d been using as a sword breaker, between his legs. She assumed it was a he. It looked like a he. Didn’t really matter. He, was now an it. Striking upwards until hilt impacted chain she twisted and pulled. Internal organs splashed at her feet as the Strogg collapsed. Quiet dead.

Pushing herself back to her feet she looked around, blood and sweat running into her eyes. Wiping it away with the back of her hand she stabbed a Strogg in the back with the other.

Pushing the corpse over she collected helped a squire to his feet before collecting her own sword once more. Functional, but she’d never thought she’d be using it this soon. She wasn’t even supposed to be here.

Twisting she dropped to one knee her hand sweeping up a bolter, three quick shots and a Strogg was exploding. Hip, chest, skull.

***

There had been thirty-seven of them when she’d come in from the cold and snow. But now, standing in bloody leathers they numbered eighteen. By morning it could be seventeen.

Nineteen had died in the first real fight.

“Take off your shirts.” The Sergeant yelled, and without hesitation all the Novices removed torn and bloodied leather vests, dropping them on the ground.

Taking a knife and chalice, a Knight cut each of them. Collecting the blood in the chalice and blending it with the knife.

Dipping his hand in the blood the Knight placed his hand on the left breast of each of them. Moving down the line one after another. Until he got to her. Then he hesitated.

Glaring up at him Allana silently dared him to treat her different. To treat her as something special. And reaching out the Knight placed his hand on his daughters breast. Marking her as one of the blooded. A battlefield kill. A first Kill.

Moving down the line he finished. And out of the shadows stepped seventeen Knights.

“Knight’s. Selecte your Squire.”

And select they did. Years of observation had told them whom they would choose to carry on their path. And moving forward they stood behind their squires.

Sighing Allana stood alone. She understood. No one wanted to train her. No one wanted a female Squire. A girl.

Stepping forward the Knight, her father – Sir Karak Lang, Landed Knight in Liege to Baron Alejandros Luxtor – placed his hand on her shoulder. “You are my Squire now Allana. I expect a great deal from you.”

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Wraith

"Stay your hand, I will go gather him myself." I said in a low, scary voice. Even Tasmia gave me a sideways look, tho I couldn't tell if it was from surprise, or if I had raised her libido even more.

Shadows exploded within the control room, and when they receded I was standing beside Jonah and the downed angel. She was in a bad way, but Jonah had stabilized her. I looked at the Empress, and her smug look faded a bit. The behemoth behind her was shifting, as if it's nerves were a bit taunt.

"You know not what you do child, nor whom you chose to make an adversary. You have an hour, then I come for you."

I placed my hand on Jonah's shoulder, and in an instant of darkness we emerged in the medical bay of the Legion hall. I heard the Kryptonian girl yelp as I emerged from darkness with Fate and Dawnstar beside me.

"See to the girl, I have some words I need to speak with my nephew."

Shadow once more engulfed us, and we emerged in Shadow, in a room atop the highest tower in my castle. The walls were bare except for glowing wards, and a sword was sheathed in the floor, engulfed in a pillar of coldfire.

I shed my armor and walked over to a door, opening it and motioning Jonah to follow.

 

[Lunaramblings]

Jonah was focused. He cared not what happened now. He trusted Nabu. He trusted Fate. As his dear Uncle appeared he let the thinnest of smiles cross his face.

"You know not what you do child, nor whom you chose to make an adversary. You have an hour, then I come for you."

Wraith placed his hand on Jonah's shoulder, and in an instant of darkness we emerged in the medical bay of the Legion hall. The Kryptonian girl yelp as Wraith emerged from darkness with Fate and Dawnstar beside him.

"See to the girl, I have some words I need to speak with my nephew."

Shadow once more engulfed us, and we emerged in Shadow, in a room atop the highest tower in my castle. The walls were bare except for glowing wards, and a sword was sheathed in the floor, engulfed in a pillar of coldfire.

Wraith shed his armor and walked over to a door, opening it and motioning Jonah to follow.

"I am not helpless Uncle Kyle." Jonah kept pace behind Kyle. "I know the choices I have made. And more over I am done running. It is time that I embraced that which I was born to be so long ago." Jonah smiled as he played with the Legion ring still on his finger. "Nice digs. Vigo the Carpahtian do the interior decorating around here?"

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Wraith

"Joi'Nal did most of the decorating about 8,000 years ago, and her descendent's keep things in check. Come with me, I want to discuss the choice you just made." I said as we walked down the hallway. The castle folk bowed or curtsied as I passed by, some obviously surprised at seeing me here. I stopped a young woman and whispered in her ear, and she was off like a shot. Soon, we were in my solar, a warm fire burning in the hearth, and moments after sitting down serving girls flitted in with a tray of fruits, bread, cheeses and the rich blue honey that the bee analogs of Shadow produced.
Soon after the food a young girl arrived with a clear crystal bottle containing a glowing reddish-gold liquid and two crystal glasses. Elverquisst. Only found on one realm and almost impossible to come by. This bottle was close to a thousand years old, and I had been saving it for something special.

I poured us each a glass and raised mine. "To old friends and legends long gone, and the new ones we have yet to see."

I tossed back the glass, the slightly magical liquid warming in my stomach. "Now, why the Hell did you let that crazy witch have the Mantle?"

 

[Lunaramblings]

Cham had moved for the medbay as soon as Jonah left. He knew Jonah was competent, but there needed to be arrangements. And Salu was busy. Very busy. Cham hated to end his embrace. He had waited so long for it to begin, but someone needed to move, and he was there.

Cham moved to Jonah's side and took Dawnstar from his arms just before Jonah and Wraith disappeared. Cham carefully took her. Fate had healed her injuries well. But she still needed fluids, rest. Cham took in her form with his antennae, paying close attention to her anatomy, making sure there were no internal issues that Fate may have missed.

Cham was silent as he took in the form before him. He lacked the X-ray vision of a Kryptonian, but his Antennae were unique, they allowed a Durlan to fully scrutinize a form, biological or otherwise in seconds. Cham was careful to cross reference the scans he had done before, everything seemed to be in order.

Cham took only seconds to analyze Dawnstar. But it felt like an eternity. Why had Fate agreed to turn over his power? He had just given a potent weapon to The Empress. What the nass was he thinking? Cham kept this to himself.

"If possible could someone stay with Dawn in the Medbay? I would like very much to talk to some folks. She seems fine. Fluids, rest, something for pain I would wager. But none the worse for the wear. Ayla, could you join me down the hall?"

 

[Lunaramblings]

Jonah listened as he followed Kyle. This was impressive.

Jonah smiled as the food arrived. He ate like a man starved. His metabolism was nearly as wonky as his other uncle's. Jonah smiled as he took the glass and made listened to the toast. "Salut!"

"Now, why the Hell did you let that crazy witch have the Mantle?"[/QUOTE]

"With great power comes great responsibility. She may have the Mantle, but the Mantle also has her. I took a gamble. I trusted an old friend." Jonah smiled as he let the warm tingle of the Elverquisst run through him. "Besides, the Mantle was never mine. I wore it, but only because Nabu took pity on me. I was more of a surrogate. I am to... impure, to wear the Mantle. Of course, now I no longer have to listen to Nabu prattle on... but he was also my only connection with Dad. Though, I suppose I could... no. That would be... nevermind. Anyway, The Mantle is gone. We shall see if Nabu is as capable as he believes he is. I for one wouldn't bet against him. But trust me Uncle, I will be ready to deal with that harpy the next time she comes."

 

[Wyldfire]

Validus shuddered slightly at the appearance of the Dark one. His memory wasn't always the best and as of late it was even worse. His dim intellect was about the level of a cunning animal currently.

The Empress gave him his berth. No need getting into that fight quite yet. Her eye was tired and she had yet to secure the mantle. The delightful mantle. In her pursuits after the Lantern debacle she had stumbled across the writings of a powerful mage. The writings of Mordru had been very useful in her pursuit of power. They had taught her much about the mantle and of the being, Nabu, who had been a rival to the power of Mordru.

Nabu and his accursed "mounts" had been what had finally ended Mordru's long reign of magical terror. And now it seemed she was going to be the strong willed filly that would shed the rider of his power and make it hers. At long last Nabu would kneel.

Sarya watched as the Legionnaires and the dark one left. Her anticipation was almost more than she could bear. She reached out and as her hands closed on the helm, the cloak and amulet wrapped themselves around her. Her emerald gloves and boots became a gold hue. The helm shifted in her grip, flowing and shifting. Where it had been a helmet that covered the entire face it now was smaller, covering the top of her head and just below her eyes.

The Helm had had this form once before, back when it's original wearer, Kent Nelson, had needed to change the image of Fate. It had been less a time of magic, dark or light, and more a time of heroism. Doctor Fate had become the keeper of order that the times needed. Strong, tough, and capable of flight. Able to direct energy in the form of the symbol of life. This was the mantle of Fate Nabu gave Sarya of Venegar. Not the mantle of the master of magic. There was no communication between Fate and his mantle holder.

The eye blazed with new found energy and power. No symbol of life for this wearer, only a boost to her bonded. She felt the strength flow through her, felt her body harden to the worlds around it. The dependency on her bonded to let her fly gone.

"You try me wizard. You try me mightily." the Venegarian said at this development. "You will eventually have to face me, but for now I will accept what you have given. In time you will accept your mistress."

She returned to the ship and said "Persuader, make a course for Ceti Alpha six. I believe they call that sector 619 in their repertoire. It is time for us to remind them that we are a threat not to be simply handled by children. Let us show them that the Five are a threat to all who would oppose us.

The man at the helm of the small cruiser looked at her for a moment and then said "Yeah. Ceti Alpha system. Think whoever it is will be any threat?"

The Empress smiled. It was a smile that might make a man fearful, but not the man it was aimed at. To the Persuader it promised things dark and silken. Things that combined passion with an abattoir. "Threat? No, no threat at all. Simply a lamb to be butchered and thrown on the step of indolent, incautious Sheppard's. Is that an issue?"

"None at all Princess. None at all, as long as we call a spade a spade. Tharok might have tried to pretty it up once upon a time. I like it that you don't."

 

[Wyldfire]

Shvaughn Erin. Slow but not blind.

She'd watched in horror as things had rapidly gone out of control. First the death of an asteroid and the loss os legionnaire life, to a rebirth of sorts, to a black mail, to a rescue.

It didn't slip her mind when the systems of the headquarters almost had a seizure at the armored figure entering the headquarters. But she did wait until Dawnstar had been retrieved to mention "Folks? We've just had an alarm go off in HQ security. World War VI level tech has just entered the building. Maybe a welcoming committee might want to go check this out? The newcomer hasn't torn anything up yet but you guys might want to check her out."

Then, an oddity came through. "Uhh guys? The Vatican has just informed us that this visitor is one of theirs."