((Thank you Krocket. I likes the comments.))
4. Siezing the Artifact
The Flaming Mistress smirked at the Night Collector from the shadows. She had stealthily followed them to a rather beaten house in the Rogue Isles. Its yellow paint was fading to a dirt color and chipping off. The porch sagged and all of the wood creaked in a gray sky's wind.
You ready? She said to Maggie.
Flaming Mistress had gotten fed up with the Dark Harrier acting like he was her father and came just after the explosion. She asked Maggie if she would like to come along with her. Normally she wouldn't ask a 13 year old kid but Maggie had proven herself in many fights before and she wasn't about to disobey an order to not fight and make her stay behind. Maggie couldn't have been happier to oblige.
Maggie gave her a thumbs up.
Okay. We will sneak around the other side and see if there is a way we can sneak in.
It wouldn't be hard. The old two-story house was surrounded by tall piles of smashed cars, broken appliances and various other garbage.
Longbow jets dotted the skies and soldiers crawled all around the collapsed section of highway. Dark Harrier was told to keep everyone there until Lieutenant Cross arrived.
Lieutenant Cross was a very short man with a very large napoleon complex. He prided himself in thorough procedure and due process. His uniform was immaculate and his hair was slicked back with laser precision.
He stormed up to them with clenched fists and teeth.
Oh great. Blood Wolffe rolled his eyes.
Cross snapped at them, Just what in the hell did you think you were doing!? Do you have any idea the damage your little skirmish is going to cost the city!? Why didn't you think to call in Longbow!?
We didn't exactly have time. After all, they attacked us first. The Dark Harrier said defensively.
One of them did. Then you proceeded to engage retreating hostiles who weren't threatening at the time. But you still had time to bring a child along into a dangerous situation. A clear violation of Longbow's Code of Conduct.
Blood Wolffe interjected, Now wait a second, we're not a part of your little club! We don't go by your rules.
Besides, Mithril Zeta said, They were a higher priority because one of them has an item that we need.
Cross smiled, Rules are exactly why you aren't in Longbow. It is also Hero Corps Headquarters has decided that you are unfit for this assignment. You are not to pursue this case any further. Longbow now has complete jurisdiction over this task force and will handle it appropriately.
You mean put it through months of beurocratic red tape until it gets forgotten about. Dark Harrier said.
Cross looked at them all smugly, Well, I think it is a low priority case. After all, it was taken from a Super Group that couldn't even handle a few bank robbers and their dog. It's a wonder you could even register as heroes. You all certainly don't deserve it.
The BDSM Avenger stepped forward, Why you little weasel! I ought to smash that grin off your face!
Lieutenant Cross gulped nervously before resuming his overdone show of power, I think I have made my point.
There may not be enough time. At least make this a high priority case. Mithril said.
Why? Because of some old myth in one book and a feeling Azuria got? I think not, and you had better not try anything.
Solid Shot fixated on his hair, Is it bullet proof? He tapped it and simulated a clinking noise perfectly with his robotic voice.
Lieutenant Cross slapped his arm away. He was red with anger.
I will be watching all of you! If you try anything I will personally make sure you all get your hero licenses revoked!
He stomped off toward a group of Longbow Agents and began barking orders and yelling at them.
The Dark Harrier sighed, Perfect. Let's go back to base and figure out what we're going to do.
We're not going to listen to that Longbow dog are we? Wolffe said.
Look! Nobody wants to get those guys more than I do. But right now we need to just get out of here and think about our next move. He clicked on his communicator, Flaming Mistress, this is Dark Harrier. We're heading back to base.... Flaming Mistress?... Hello? Damn it! I know what she did, she must have gone after them!
Cianna looked around, Where is the young one, Maggie?
The sky was darkening. Puddles on the ground made the gray seem to suck the color from the world. Maggie looked at the house with cool determination while Flaming Mistress could feel excitement and anger welling up. She had started growing impatient and sacrificing stealth for speed.
Flaming Mistress! Slow down! There might be more of them around here.
She was about to tell the kid not to worry when a green fireball burst around her skin. It burned deep. Deeper than flesh and bone, into her soul. Lord Netharak stood tall in blood red armor. A toothy grimace spread across his ghoulish face.
The Fel Fire burns more than just the flesh. he said in a raspy voice.
Maggie's rifle spit fire as she made a peppered line of bullet pock marks on his armor.
Night Collector looked out a window at the commotion briefly seeing the two through the junk, Fenris!
The Warwolf lifted his giant head in Collector's direction
He smiled and pointed at the child, Get the small one. Bring her here.
A rumbling growl grew from inside the beast when he stepped outside. He knew that child. It was the same one that had caused him so much trouble when he escaped the Zig a long time ago. Runt.
Maggie heard a roaring howl from the other side of a pile of cars. She froze, but only for a second. She didn't know he was here! She wouldn't have come if she had only known! Maggie sprinted through an obstacle course of broken vehicles. Fenris' paws tore up thick chunks of mud as he loped towards her. He exploded through the pile of cars outstretched claws and snarling maw. A grenade from her launcher landed on his chest. The explosion knocked him onto his back. Maggie took the time this gave her to set a trap. She positioned a land mine carefully underneath a precarious stack of crushed cars despite the terrifying roars of anger.
She stayed there as long as she could. The Fenris Project plowed through the small field of cars sending them spinning away or knocking them over causing violent splashes of water. He careened around the corner and just as she predicted his weight forced him to skid into her trap. Maggie smiled as the mine exploded underneath the warwolf sticking shrapnel into his thick hide. The pile toppled over and several tons of metal landed on Fenris. It didn't have the effect she was hoping for though. They all bounced or rolled off him, making him bend at the knees slightly.
Maggie's victory smile faded quickly. She ran and dove through an open window and crawled towards the other side of a truck as Fenris clawed it apart. She turned around to fire a burst of hot lead into his snapping jaws. Most of the bullets flattened against him, only a few managing to break skin. She screamed and avoided his grabs at her legs while trying to clamber across the seat. His claws were scratching at her legs and the most mild scent of her blood from the grazing scratches sent him into a frenzy. The head of the warwolf plunged into the vehicle and snapping at her caused her to let out a yelp. She clicked on her flame thrower and held it up to him. Before she could use her lightning quick trigger finger the gun was snapped in half by Fenris' jaws. He seemed to know that this crushed her hope and suddenly calmed down. He grabbed the crushed in sides of where the door was and pushed the truck apart. With easy access to her Fenris brought his huge muzzle to her face and looked her in the eye. She could feel his breath. His growl vibrated in her chest. His eyes looked into hers with predatory regard. She was frozen.
Before she could muster a thought he wrapped his paw around the majority of her body, pinning her arms to her sides. For all of his berserker frenzy obedience to his Council handlers ruled above all. With each of them carrying a Council insignia he was in control of the Night Collector and his allies. He walked on three legs while he carried her calmly over to where they held Flaming Mistress in Power Negating Shackles taken from a shipment heading for the Zig.
So this is the little girl that has caused us so much grief lately? I am impressed. the Night Collector said.
Maggie! I'm so sorry! You sent that thing after a little girl!? You monster! Flaming said to Night Collector.
He grinned back at them both, Hey. You're lucky I didn't give him his berserk command. He would haver ripped her and the whole junkyard apart with the leash off. But let's not worry about that. he said as he began to walk between them to get a good look at both, What were you doing trying to get into my humble abode? To kill me?
That would have been a plus. Mistress said through her teeth.
Then what else?
What makes you think I am going to tell you?
Leucetios. Lord Netharak. If you will.
Leucetios wound up and punched her face with bone crushing force while Lord Netharak burned her soul with his Fel fire. Maggie screamed for them to stop from Fenris' clutches.
Enough. So Flaming Mistress, what else were you here for?
Brett Mason picked her up from the ground.
She spit out her blood and looked at him with determination, You're going to have to do a lot better than that.
The Night Collector smiled and leaned in close to her, You want to see me do better? Watch this. he stood back up, Fenris. Squeeze her slowly and lightly.
Maggie squealed in pain as the warwolf's grip closed around her like a hydraulic press.
Stop! Stop you [censored]! Mistress yelled.
Maggie's screams faded to grunts then to nothing as all the air was forced out of her lungs. She was turning red in her face.
Brett looked at Night Collector in disgust, What are you doing!? She's just a kid you psycho!
The Night Collector gave him an evil look and Brett backed down, knowing when he was outmatched.
Stop! I'll tell! Mistress screamed.
Are you sure? he said drawing out Maggie's pain.
Yes!
Fenris. Stop.
Maggie gasped air in again. Tears ran down her face.
Now... he said, Tell me everything or next time he won't be so gentle.
The fog of Dark Astoria was thick and uneasing. Lieutenant Cross checked his watch again. He was on time as always. As always he was on time alone. Only the feint moan of a weak wind kept him company. He thought if this man were under his command he would receive a stern reprimand. He saw a shadow approaching him slowly through night fog.
Who's there! I'm warning you, I'm a Longbow Officer and I will use force if you don't identify yourself! he said with his breath suddenly visible in a now frigid air.
Atheum appeared through the clouds gliding in a ghostly visage. His armor looked ancient. But for all the rust and rubbing metal he made no sound. He stopped in front of him. Atheum towered above the small man.
What have you found out of the artifact? a hollow voice came from within Atheum.
The vial of water? Cross said nervously, It was supposedly destroyed in a fire a while back but I managed to track it down to a small time villain. I buried the information but some small time hero found out that he had it. Nothing to worry about. I made sure they won't look for it.
Name.
What?
Give me the name of this hero and villain.
It was Flaming Mistress and the Union of Heroes. Then it was the Night Collector and his gang. Now, about that power you promised me?
Atheum grabbed him by his collar. The metal gauntlet was freezing. A bitter cold stung down into his bones. He gasped and staggered back. The pain faded.
How do I know that even did anything? he said holding his shoulder.
Atheum took the pistol from his side. He regarded the strange weapon with curiosity. He then aimed it at Cross.
No! Cross screamed holding his hands up.
The bullet flattened against his chest and bounced off. Cross smiled.
I have one more task for you. Atheum said.
A black oily substance oozed from the seems of his rusted armor, Take this and put it in your army's quarters. It won't take much. Do this and you will be given more power than you can fathom.
What is it? Cross asked reluctantly.
It contains the seed of the war to end all wars.
Cross looked at it, If you pull this off I want something big. I want my own country.
Atheum stood silent, considering his offer, Very well.
With a shaky arm Cross held out his hand and touched the black oil. It dripped into his hand where it formed into a solid ball.
Now go. Atheum said.
Lieutenant Cross gladly obeyed. Two ghostly women appeared from the fog, one in blue armor, one in white. Other than that they were twins.
They spoke in unison, What would you have the rogues do our Lord?
Find the heroes. Find the villains. Kill them.
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