Sooner Nation - FICTION

Part XVI

Portal Corp
The bright spinning rings in the Portal Corp courtyard glinted in the golden dawn light. Somehow, Vir wasn't surprised to find Tina MacIntyre awake and busy at work. He was surprised at the vaguely guilty expression that skittered over her face when she saw him.

Whatever his father was planning, subtlety wasn't part of it. A cavalcade of two limo's and an ambulance attracts attention. It had been no trouble at all to track them to Skyway, then to Talos Island, and then the ferry to Peregrine Island. They'd been moving fast, and Vir couldn't quite catch up. By the time they got to Peregrine Island, Vir wasn't really surprised to learn they'd made a bee line to Portal Corp. And that brought him to this meeting with Tina MacIntyre.

"Vir... I can't tell you where they went."

"Tina, you and I have worked together for a long time. How many messes have I cleaned up for you? I need to know."

"I can't. I really can't. And please, don't go questioning the staff. The whole thing was very hush hush. Security badges, confidentiality agreements, proper clearances..... I just can't. There's just a couple people beside myself who even know about it... and no, I won't tell you who they were."

His agitation had him ready to start trying to tear down Portal Corp brick by brick if need be, but he still had other options. On another day, perhaps he could understand Tina's reluctance to help, but for now... he just needed to get away from her. He lifted into the air, headed back to base without another word, but she called to him again.

"Vir! Listen, Vir!" he turned back, hovering, hoping for an answer, anything that would help. "I'm so sorry, I can't. But... you really should find out, and when you do.... you'll go to the front of the line and I'll send you ANYWHERE you tell me to send you."

Crowne Memorial Hospital
Cydney dozed, sitting beside her mother's bed, hunched over with her head resting on the covers. Her right hand clutched the ring. She was too full of fury to truly sleep, but the last few days events pulled her into a state where her body rested even as her mind raced. Conall Cian - one of the Ghosts worst enemies - had laid his hands on her mother. It made her quiver with sick rage. But... "Her life is my gift to you" What did that MEAN?

"The enemy of my enemy..." she heard Ahren murmur.

"Hmmm?" she mumbled, lifting her head from the covers. Ahren stood there by the door, he hadn't moved all night. He such a good friend to all three sisters. She would be grateful for a long time to come for the way he stood guard and let Cyd and her sisters just be Colleen's daughters rather than her guardians, for now at least.

"Your demon, Ciara Banenighe. What if she is Conall Cian's enemy? He's offering assistance against a common enemy by telling you about the ring?"

"By first beating my mother nearly to death? If he thought that would work, he ****** guessed wrong!"

Ahren nodded sadly. "There's more going on here than we know. You should - " Ahren stopped talking abruptly, held up a hand to Cyd, and peeked into hallway. "Something's going on. Stay here. I'll be right back."

Cyd carefully and gently wrapped her fingers around her mother's hand and waited. Ahren's idea rang true. A common enemy... but it still didn't make sense to hurt Colleen. Why not just send a note?

Ahren reappeared in the doorway with a woman in nurses' scrubs. He beckoned Cyd out so that Caryn and Cerise could continue to rest. "Miss Nation, I'm sorry, but there's a man in the lobby who insists on speaking with you. He just barged in and came straight to the Campbell wing." the nurse's irritation was obvious in both demeanor and tone. "He says it's urgent. He says his name is Rory Flynn."

Cyd glanced into the room, reluctant to step away, but surprised and VERY curious what Rory was doing at the hospital.

"I'll be with her, Sooner," Ahren said.

"I know you will," she turned a grateful smile on him, then went on, "Rory is someone I know, he's a sweet old guy. Not sure why he's HERE, but I'll go see what he needs."

The Campbell family wing was luxuriously decorated with thick carpet and beautiful wall paper. The whole thing looked more like a high end hotel than a hospital, and that continued to the well appointed lobby. The furnishings were big overstuffed chairs and love seats arranged into conversation areas. A refrigerator was stocked with soft drinks and bowls of single serve packs of snacks scattered about the room.

Standing in the middle of the thick soft carpeting was Cydney's friend Rory Flynn. His expression was full of pain and concern and as she approached, she saw him jerk and flinch as if something had just hit him.

"Rory, are you ok?" she asked.

"I'm not well, Ms. Nation," he said, "but I need to speak with you, it's very important"

She asked. "I'm sorry, Rory, but this isn't really a good time. We're here with our mother, she's been hu-"

He cut her off with a brusque gesture. "She was attacked. By a..." he glanced around the lobby and lowered his voice. "By a demon. I know. That's .... Cyd. I need you to trust me. Please fetch your sisters. I need to speak to all three of you."

Cyd paused, suddenly filled with suspicion. Had she been too trusting of the old man? She carefully considered their conversations with a new critical eye and studied his face. There was worry there, and pain. Finally, she nodded. It would be worth hearing him out, and Ahren would still be there with Mom. "Alright, Rory. I'll be right back with my sisters."

Campbell Building, Steel Canyon
Vir had stopped back in the Ghosts base to don his blue on white Ghosts Reborn uniform and speak with a few friends before heading out to Steel Canyon. The Campbell building stood tall and proud in north Steel Canyon. Viewed from above, it was vaguely shaped like a star, but from the street level it just seemed to have some odd angles. Vir hadn't set foot in this building for years. He opened the door into the main lobby and stood there, letting a mild cool breeze blow into the lavishly decorated lobby, as if he was reluctant to cross that threshold. Finally he squared his shoulders and stepped in.

The lobby was a five story high open space with plenty of windows to let in the light. All the metal surfaces were shiny copper. A waterfall trickled 50' down the west wall. A busy, high-end sandwich shop, where one could order truffles or caviar as condiments for a sandwich, dominated the south end, and a shimmering counter lined the north wall, staffed by a dozen friendly informative receptionists, and watched over by a half dozen serious security guards in dark suits. Vir strode across the lobby, ignoring the banks of elevators in favor of the long escalator that traveled almost close enough to the waterfall for the travelers to get splashed. Just before he set foot on the first step a seriously tough looking older man moved to intercept him.

"Mr. Campbell? I'm Mr. Wagner, I'm Chief of Security here at Campbell towers."

"Mr. Wagner, call me Vir. I'm in a bit of a hurry. What do you need?"

"I just don't want any trouble. We were warned you might show up here, and that there might be a problem if you did."

Vir glanced over the older man, letting his face show his doubt that Wagner would be able to do anything at all to stop any trouble Vir decided to cause. But his voice was cordial and controlled as he responded, "I'm just here to speak with my father's assistant. I am not looking for any trouble at all."

"Fair enough. We don't want any trouble either. But if you do look for it, you may just find it."

Vir raised one brow, nodded, and stepped onto the escalator. It moved slowly to allow the passengers plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful lobby. Vir, however, began to stride up the steps two at a time. He wasn't there for the view.

The CEO's office was at the very top of the tower and could only be reached by a private elevator. The primary way to enter that private elevator was behind an unobtrusive door, down a long, boring hallway. Nobody found their way there by accident. Vir, of course, went there with great deliberation.

As he had hoped, Lauren was waiting for him. He was prepared to argue his way onto that elevator, but it was easier this way. He held the door open and stood in the hall, taking a long moment to just hold Lauren's eyes. The moment stretched on as his father's assistant stood with her customary calm, just behind her richly finished mahogany desk.

The silence stretched, Vir standing and holding open the door, Lauren waiting. Vir won the first round when Lauren finally spoke. "Micheal, please come in. Sit down. We'll talk."

Vir let the door close behind him. He leaned onto Lauren's desk, startling her as she started to sit. "I'm not going to be here long enough to make it worth my while to sit. I want to know what's going on."

She regained her composure quickly and settled into her chair, as if a large, angry, super powered man weren't leaning over her. She folded her hands on her desk and looked up at him. "You know I can't discuss your father's business with you, Micheal."

"I don't give a damn about his business. Tell me where my brother is."

"Your father asked me to reassure you that he has taken Seamus somewhere where he can get better. Somewhere where medical research has not been held back by the same restrictions. He wants you to know that Seamus will be ok. He'll be better than ok. He'll be healthy and well. He wants you to know-"

Vir slapped a palm down on the hardwood desk. His mind was filled with images he'd seen on his various trips through Portal Corps. Few of them were good, and even fewer were places he'd want his baby brother to set foot. "Anything my father didn't have the balls to tell me himself, I'm not interested in hearing from you. Except.... Where. Is. Seamus?"

She blanched, and just barely allowed herself to flinch. "Micheal, please. You know I can't. Please don't ask me to betray your father."

"Tell me, NOW!"

"No," she shook her head. Her voice went flat and professional. "I'm so very sorry, but no."

Vir, still leaning on the desk, bellowed, "I want to know what's going on!!!" He drew back his right hand and slammed his fist into the dark hardwood. The desktop shattered under his knuckles and Lauren shrieked and jumped back out of her chair.

Security men in dark suits burst through the door within moments. Mr. Wagner cast a disappointed look at Vir as he stalked forward. "You. Leave now. You told me there wasn't going to be any trouble, Mr. Campbell."

"I'm not going anywhere. And there's still not going to be any trouble." Vir straightened. "You MIGHT just be able to drag me out of here with enough men. But with my friends here...." Around the room, cloaks and shields dropped and seven heroes, each in the blue on white of the Ghosts Reborn, appeared, very well positioned to handle the security. "With my friends here, if you try to make us leave, we'll level the building before you drag us out." Vir smiled. "I might not be all that sneaky, but some of my friends... are like Ghosts."

Wagner's hand moved towards his hip, and Vir's old friend Midnightangel raised a hand. Lightning began to play over her fingers and sparks jumped into the air. "Uh uh uh...." she scolded playfully.

Lauren sighed. "It's ok Wagner. It's ok. It's just a desk. Go on, Vir is a Hero. He won't hurt me."

Wagner's reluctance was clear, but he took his hand from his weapon. He cast one glare at Vir and then gestured his men out of the room. The door shut and the room fell silent.

Lauren cast a mournful glance at the broken desk. "You know it will mean my job if I talk to you?"

"It's my brother, Lauren. You have no idea what could be happening to him right now. Some of the places those Portals lead are not nice at all."

"Worse things than dying?"

Vir nodded sadly. "Some of them, yes indeed."

She sighed. "Mr. Campbell has been in negotiation with medical and technological sources in.... Praetoria."

A few of the assembled Ghosts lost their composure enough to gasp, and Micheal's eyes widened. His father couldn't have been foolish enough to negotiate for ANYTHING in Praetoria!

Lauren continued, her voice somber. "Upon learning of your brother's injuries he made a deal with a facility called Rose Medical. They assured him that they had the ability to help Seamus. He's on his way to Praetoria."

Vir swayed on his feet for a moment. Praetoria.... he shook his head. Then he shook it off, like recovering from a hard blow to the head. "Ghosts, let's go. We have things to do to get ready,"

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Every time we think we've reached the top, Sooner finds another gear and soars ever higher. I have a small hand in creating this story and it's blowing me away!

Great stuff Sooner.

And, anyone else notice the two times Vir allowed his companions to move without being detected?

Yes indeedy it is a VERY nice addition to the story, I can't wait for more.

I have no words for this...

...I will just continue to sit on the edge of my chair.

A couple things to keep in mind with regard to this installment of the story...

- Seamus was spirited away in the deep of the night, and Vir was intentionally left "out of the loop". He's rightly profoundly frustrated, that sense is heightened when Tina Mac rebuffs him, and further still when Lauren stonewalls him. Think about some of the "worlds" we've visited via Portal Corp buildings... not very nice vacation spots indeed.

- Vir's outburst, while shocking, is not so extraordinary. How might any of us react while searching for a loved one? Yes, he is a Hero and that means there are limits and expectations on his behavior, but he is also a man, a man who feels passion, rage, frustration, and even fear.

- Lastly, the confrontation between Vir with his ghostly companions and Campbell Security. Vir expected to find out where Daddy Campbell took Seamus and leave immediately to retrieve him, so it only made sense that he'd bring back up. He also knows Daddy Campbell employs "supers" for his security personnel. He also knew full well that his return to Campbell Tower would bring considerable attention from said security. Having back up actually improves the stability and safety of everyone involved.

How, you ask?

- Vir alone could put up a considerable fight in the search for answers about where his brother was taken and why. In that fighting, people would be injured and some would likely be innocent bystanders. (Ironic considering Seamus was wounded in a very similar fashion). But, having high-powered back up makes forcing Vir to leave an unacceptable option. Like Lauren said, he wasn't going to hurt her, but if security "opened fire", that escalation of violence would likely lead to consequences none of them wanted.

- So, Vir did the reasonable thing in bringing capable back up to help him find out where his brother is and to set about to bringing him home safely. In Vir's mind, Seamus is better off dying at home than converted into a Titan, a Ruin Mage, or even a Shivan.

One parting thought to keep in mind, Sooner's more than a good bit from done with this story, and I have it on good authority there are loads of twists, turns, and surprises yet to come.

excellent reading as per usual, can't wait for more! keep up the good work

Mr. Grey, it seems you've missed some of Sooner's subtle hints and clues about Daddy Campbell's own moral ambiguity. Mr. Wagner and his men aren't Paul Blart, Mallcop and Daddy Dearest isn't Ward Cleaver. I suppose it's a good thing that Sooner's writing inspires readers to think about what's happening, but rest assured you do not yet have the full picture. Your worries and speculation will be wiped away soon enough. Now I'm done talking about this and getting back to enjoying the story.

I debated responding, or just letting the writing stand.

I so very much liked the surprise of having the Ghosts just appear in the room, and I liked the line about "Some of my friends are like Ghosts," that I didn't take the time to explain what Vir was thinking when he recruited a team before going into the Campbell building.

That, of course, leaves the reader to guess what was going on in his mind. So, if I failed in demonstrating his motivations in order to achieve a nice moment in the story... well, that's certainly my failing.

Vir is a tank... and, to me... he is exactly what a tank should be. He embraces and lives the role a tank should play on a team (in my opinion of what a tank should be... I don't want to derail this into debates on what a tank's role should be.)

He will stand there and die if that's what it takes for his team to be safe. He's the first one in and the last one out. He watches over the team, and stands between the team and danger as much as possible. And when he fails... both as written and as played by Ice, he gets up and tries even harder next time. And.. it pisses him off.

If he would do that for a teammate, what do you think he'd do for his little brother?

Lauren, a woman he's known since he was young, is his last option. He is scared for his brother and, currently, unable to protect him. The fact that Dad took Seamus out in the dark of night and without Vir's knowledge, just spears him on... there must be something he's not going to like when he finally learns the truth.

He knew that if he walked in there alone, they would just throw him out. He's aware of his own power, and knew that if he fought back, people would get hurt. He didn't want that - he's dedicated to protecting others from harm. If he went in alone, his options were to walk out peacefully without the information he so desperately needs, or to be dragged out, leaving a trail of injured people behind him, still without the information he needs.

So, instead, he takes along a team of stealthy Ghosts. He knows he can get them into the building undetected and in position. His hope is that he won't have to use them, but when Lauren made it clear she was not going to answer, he pushed the situation. What damage did he do? He broke an expensive desk.

When security arrived, he revealed that he had friends. Now.. the equation was different. If they refused to leave and security tried to force them they could fight back, and with eight super powered heroes, the heroes would win. IF a fight took place.

Because the odds had switched so heavily in the heroes favor, no violence would occur at all. The end result of that fight was not at all in question. Human security forces against 8 Heroes of the City? Not a fight you're even going to start.

So, by bringing in friends, Vir REDUCED or even ELIMINATED the chance of anyone getting hurt.

This was NOT "Do what I want or we'll hurt you." this was "We're not leaving until I get the information I came for, and I've arranged it so you're not even going to try to make me."

Something bad is happening to someone Vir cares about. He took a path that got him the information he needed with no casualties other than a desk.

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Good, now then... more story!

Please.

Oh... and it's worth mentioning that Going Rogue is just around the corner. It's not out of the question that there may be some setup for some characters making a move toward the grey part of the spectrum in this story.

...NOT saying that Vir is one of them.. I'm just saying... going rogue. soon.

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Well, just as a matter of record, I understood everything that was going on... perfectly. And a well written piece it was, Soonerpie.

Life isn't always black & white. There are LOTS more gray areas, than people want to admit. We make our choices... and if we are responsible, we deal with the consequences. Sometimes there just is no GOOD answer.

Part XVII

Campbell Building
Lauren stood behind the wreckage of her desk, head down, hands folded. She had loved that desk. She settled into her chair and rummaged carefully until she found her phone. She sighed, then dialed a number. It took her a moment to dial; her hands were shaky. It was a very long wait for a connection to another dimension. "Mr. Campbell? Micheal just left here. He is on his way." She paused listening. "Yes, that was quite a bit more quickly than we anticipated. He'll be there soon."

Crowne Memorial Hospital
Conall waited, feigning calm, standing in the comfortable lobby all the while Ciara battered at the shields Arano had placed on him. It was a painful distraction that he knew would only get worse. Once those shields failed him and he was forced to respond, well... his fate would rest in the hands of the women he'd sought out.

Sooner Spirit had looked worn when he'd seen her, with her red hair loose and mussed, her tee and jeans wrinkled, but her sisters didn't look any better. Sooner Magic had dark rings under her eyes and her normally pale skin had taken on a grey undertone. Sooner Red - his little friend Cerise - still had creases pressed into her cheek from whatever she'd been leaning on while she slept and her eyes were puffy and red. But Cerise paused in surprise when she saw him then shrieked happily. "RORY!" she cried. "What are you DOING here?!" She sprinted across the lobby and flung herself on him in a tight hug.

Cydney's face was already suspicious, but at that she turned to meet his eyes fully. She held them while asking, "Cerise, how do you know Rory?"

"Rory is the one who saved me from the Carnies, Cyd! I'd probably be a Ring Mistress right now if not for him!"

"So, Rory," Cydney said, low and slow. Dark tendrils of magic were beginning to swirl around her and he could see Caryn taking her cue from her older sister and settling in a ready position. Cerise stepped back as well, her body as unsettled as her eyes. Her face was a study in confusion, her wide green eyes on his. Those eyes begged him not to break her heart with a lie. "You were there in Oklahoma when my baby sister needed saving," Cydney went on. "And now you're in Paragon City and just happened be at the shelter where I volunteer to meet me. And you just happen to be related to my mother's side of the family. And you just happened to serve with my father and be there when he died. Did I forget any coincidences, there?"

Conall held his hands out to the sides in a gesture of peace. The one thing he couldn't do was reveal who Rory really was. They would never trust Conall Cian. But he thought Rory could still spin a tale. "No, I'm not what I presented myself to be. But, in this, I am on your side. I was there specifically to help Cerise, and then I sought you out, Cydney, to guide you to this day. The day that you MUST go after Ciara Banenighe."

Caryn laughed, a bitter bark of a sound. "I knew you weren't what you seemed to be when I met you."

He nodded. "You did. You sensed that I was more than I appeared. But I tell you truth when I say this: on this day, I mean none of you harm, I only want to help you in your task in any way I can. You must destroy The Beast. You are the only ones who can. And when you do, you will save yourselves, your mother, your extended family, possibly the rest of the world, and, not incidentally to me - you will also save me."

"From what?" Caryn asked, the challenge plain in her tone. Of the three, she was clearly the most suspicious of him, but then she was also the only one who'd never really gotten to know Rory.

He winced from a particular vicious onslaught from Ciara. Ah... that ***** would be furious once she got her hands on him. And so, he answered Caryn's question with the raw truth. "From the wrath of The Beast. When she learns how I have opposed her, she will.... punish me, horribly. She will not kill me, no... I will likely wish for it before she is done with me, though. Unless you stop her. You three are the only ones who can."

Cerise's face was full of hurt and betrayal, but her sisters were wary. Cydney beckoned Cerise away and the three huddled. He'd drag their ***** to Ciara himself if he had to, but it would be better if they decided to go on their own. Finally Cerise turned back to him. "Rory... we don't know HOW to get to her. Where is she?"

"That is a problem I can remedy," he began, but then Ciara lashed at him, an electric slash that cut through the shields and put a fiery wound at his core. The pain was unbearable. He cried out and stumbled, dropping to one knee before he felt Arano painting another layer of shielding over him and buffering the pain.

"Rory!" of course it was little Cerise crying out to him, but her sisters held her back.

He held up a hand. His form was wavering under Ciara's attack. He couldn't let them see him yet. He dragged himself back under control. "It is her," he choked out. "The beast. She's trying to stop me from helping you. We have to hurry." He struggled to his feet. "I can open a portal for you. Are you ready?"

"Wait, what are you talking about?!" Caryn protested. "Right NOW? With our mom in the hospital, you expect us to just head off through some portal YOU open for us and go after a demon?

He nodded, gritting his teeth against the pain, but he could see in their faces he'd lost them. They would refuse to go, and if they didn't go now, Conall was finished. He'd have to go to Ciara and submit to whatever punishment she wanted to inflict on him. Eventually Ciara would have the girls killed or find a way to bring them to her so she could steal their power. And whichever happened, Conall would never be free.

Caryn shook her head and turned away. "C'mon. Mom'll be waking up soon. I don't want her to be alone when she does."

Cydney shook her head. "I'm sorry, Rory. She's right. We can't walk away from our mom right now." She turned to walk with Caryn. Cerise took several steps backward before turning, her face a study in betrayal. Conall stood watching the three women who controlled his fate walk away from him. He wasn't ready to give up yet. He had one more card to play.

"Benjamin Tenkiller," he said. His voice was pitched low enough to carry down the hall. Caryn stopped so suddenly that Cerise ran into her back and Cyd had to dance around her.

Caryn turned slowly, her eyes narrowed. "What did you say?" she growled.

"Benjamin Tenkiller. I know where he is."

She darted into motion. Hells FIRE she's fast! he thought, but then she was on him. She grabbed the shoulders of his old man's sweater, but he allowed it. At least he had her attention. "Who the **** are you?" she demanded. "What the HELL is going on? What did you do to Ben?"

"I haven't touched the young man."

"Would you have even TOLD us about Ben if we had agreed to do what you wanted the first time?"

"I would have made sure you knew-"

Caryn released him with a shove. "How am I supposed to believe that! You didn't say a word about Ben before we were walking away!"

"Because the Beast has him. I would have told you because he's there."

Caryn went even more pale and shook her head. "How is this even possible?" she marveled.

"She took him because of you, Caryn. Because he dared to stand in the way of what she wanted."

She shook her head like a boxer shaking off a punch and turned to her sisters. "Do you believe this ****?" she spat.

Cerise nodded. "I do, Caryn. He saved me from the Carnies. I owe him more than life. I trust him."

Cydney was slower to nod. "I think I do believe him. I probably shouldn't, but I do."

Caryn sighed, and her green eyes glared at him. "Ok. 'Rory,' If this is some sort of trap, I will FIND a way to get out of it and make you regret you ever saw any of us. But, I'm going after Ben. Let's go. Let's go."

Cydney stepped up and put a hand on Caryn's shoulder. "We'll go, Caryn, we'll go. But we need to get ready. We need our costumes, we need backup, supplies... We need to let the Ghosts know whats going on."

Caryn glared back and forth between Cyd and Rory. "I'll stay here with Mom. You guys go back to the base and get whatever we need."

"How long?" Conall asked with great concern. "It must be soon. Very soon."

She paused thoughtfully "An hour. We need an hour, I think."

Conall carefully considered Ciara's frenzied attacks. He didn't think he had an hour. "I can not wait that long." He held up a hand at Caryn's protest. "I know a way. I will make a portal you can open when you are ready." He sighed. "I need blood. One of you... I need ó Floinn blood."

He held out his hand, waiting. The three exchanged glances, then Cerise came forward and offered her hand. He smiled. Little Cerise. Still so trusting. If she survived this, her trust would get her in trouble someday.

He took her hand and escorted her to an open space away from the elevator. He turned so that her back was to her sisters, blocking their view. He rotated her hand palm up. "Look at me, Cerise. Look at me. This will hurt. Don't look down." Holding her green eyes with his, he allowed just his thumb to return to its true form for just a moment and pierce the skin of her wrist with a needle sharp claw. "Look at me, Cerise" He held her hand until his palm filled with blood, then released her. She backed away holding her wrist while he quickly and efficiently painted an arcane design in fresh blood on the expensive carpet.

When he was done, he called to Cydney. "You have the ring? The ring with the three red stones?" Cydney started to raise her hand, and he protested, "No, do not let me see it! Hide it from me!" Cyd put her hand back into her pocket and he nodded. "That ring is the key. With it and a drop of blood from each of you, this portal will open. It will take you to The Beast. Once there, use the key to defeat her."

Cerise spoke, softly. "We don't know how. What do we do, Rory?"

"Child," he answered, speaking slowly, gritting his teeth against the growing pain. "In her presence, you wear the ring, you hold each others hands, you will the pact to be broken." Ciara hit him again, powering through his shields. No.. he didn't have an hour left. Not even that long. "All the power that belongs to Clan ó Floinn, the portion of it that powers the spell that keeps her imprisoned as well as the part that powers your family's magic will come to you. She will be vulnerable and you will be more powerful than you have ever been before. She will also be free, but she won't try to escape while you three live. She'll stay and fight, and you will have the strength and the power to end her miserable malignant existence." He hunched over, hiding his face as his control began to slip under Ciara's onslaught. "Hurry," he said to them. "Please, for all our sakes, hurry." He turned and stumbled away, slapping the elevator button with one shaky hand.

Once the door closed behind him, he let his true form burst out. "Alright you lecherous cow, you want me? I'll give you more than you bargained for this time!" he growled. He let the pain feed into his anger. He couldn't beat her, he knew that. But he could stop her from asking questions until it was too late for her. The elevator began to drop down but Conall opened his portal into her prison and stepped through. His burning eyes found Ciara and she screamed with rage when she saw him. "C'mon then, you insipid harpy!" he bellowed, "I will be your pet no more! One way or the other, I am free of you this day!" He roared a challenge and flew at her, fangs bared and claws flexed.

An hour... he thought. One hour.

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Conall must need two wagons and eight Sherpas to carry his %@&&s around.

That is one hardcore crazy dude.

HOLY JUMPED UP JESUS PALAMINO!!!

O.O


Oooooooooooooo I can't wait to see this fight.

And this is why there are some creatures you never want to back into a corner.

Part XVIII

Ghosts Reborn base
"EVERYONE SETTLE DOWN!!!" Glacius9 yelled into chaos of the Ghosts Reborn conference room. Energy and nerves were running high and hot. Sooner Spirit and Sooner Red, both full of dark resolve, had arrived back at the base with Ahren just moments before Vir stomped in full of anger. The urgent need of both groups galvanized the Ghosts and spurred them into furious action. They quickly realized that they needed to send their best out, but with two separate teams. While some more junior members were scrambling to help both teams assemble, a loud and vigorous argument was forming over who was joining whom. Not that Vir and the Nation sisters were arguing, no... the membership of the Ghosts were falling all over themselves in their eagerness to help out. When a few squabbles refused to die down, Glacius released three puffs of bright white Kheldian energy. The balls floated upward, their brightness casting stark shadows in the room, then the three burst against the ceiling in a trio of loud POOFs! All eyes turned to Glacius.

"Ghosts! We can't all go, and this arguing is just delaying both teams."

"Schoolyard draft?" Ici Cold offered as a suggestion.

"This isn't a schoolyard, and we're not playing tetherball. No. I suggest we put the people most used to working together back together. No shakedown time that way."

"That puts me and Nav with Vir," Neely called out.

"And me as well," Lilac Pendragon said, suiting action to words by moving to stand with Vir.

"Ahren naturally enough goes with the Sooners," Glacius said, "And Sooner Magic and I certainly saw plenty of trouble together. I'll go with the sisters as well."

"I'm going with Sooner!" called a voice from the back of the room. A tall hero in green pushed his way through the crowd. Before the protests could even begin to rise, Rastafari Man argued, "No, I'm NOT a Ghost. I'm still going."

"I called him," Sooner Spirit said.

"Fair enough," Glacius answered.

Red-skinned Zemuron pushed his way through. "I'm going with Sooner."

"I'm with Sooner as well," Witch-Frost offered.

"Thanks, Zem, Frosty," Sooner answered.

The two teams were quickly filled out, much to the chagrin of the those members not selected. Sooner Spirit was in her red leather and cape, Sooner Red in her leather and skirt, and they had packed a bag with Sooner Magic's red leather costume as well. Vir had his own team ready, each with a heavy bag of supplies, when another Ghost stuck her head in the conference room wearing a concerned expression on her pretty face. "Ahren? Ahren! Ah.... Six-Four is at the door. He wants to talk to you. He says it's life or death urgent."

Ahren cast a glance at Sooner Spirit. "Five minutes, Sooner. Then we're on our way."

---
It hurt more than Six-Four was willing to admit to ask for admittance to the Ghosts Base rather than just walk on in. It hurt a bit more when he realized how long it was taking to answer his request. But finally the door buzzed open and Six entered with Pipe Hitter and Rosemarie. Quinlan stood there, tall and athletic, pretty like the girl next door - if the girl next door could have been a college linebacker. She looked profoundly uncomfortable to be in the presence of the Ghosts’ prodigal son.

“I… ah…. Ahren is waiting for you in the library. I’ll take you there.”

“I know the way,” Six answered and took two steps before the young woman, suddenly looking every bit a Ghost Reborn protecting her home, stepped in his way.

“I’ll take you there, Six.”

Six couldn’t quite keep the bitterness from his face. “Ok, suit yourself,” he answered.

He felt as if every eye was on him as they walked the halls that had once welcomed him, but kept his head up and his shoulders back. He glanced at his young companions and smiled a bit at the expressions on their faces. Their first time in a base housing a large, well funded super group. Even in the face of their worry for Dancer, they were both impressed as they walked along the halls, and both stopped dead in their tracks when they entered the library.

Ahren was dressed in full battle gear and a very grim expression. “Six, it’s good to see you again,” he said, “but this is an extremely bad time. I was one my way out with Sooner and her sisters to-”

“It’s Conall Cian, Ahren,” Six interrupted.

One eyebrow lifted, and Ahren’s expression changed to cautious interest. “Ok, you have my attention. What about him?”

“He’s got my-” Pipe Hitter burst out, then stopped. “He took Moon Dancer!”

Before Ahren could ask, Six answered the question, “Moon Dancer is their partner. A sweet, innocent girl and the ******* took her because… well… because of me.”

Once again Ahren’s face changed, and his green eyes flicked to Rosemarie and then to Pipe Hitter. “I’ve very sorry to hear that. You have to know that she’s probably-”

Six interrupted again, ignoring Ahren's spark of irritation. “Ahren, bud… I KNOW where he is. He’s got a hole right in the middle of ****** Kings Row! Kings Row! We could take him! He’s away from the safety of the Shade’s base. We could take him out, Ahren!”

“Kings Row….” Ahren marveled softly, then shook his head. “I would REALLY like to help you, Six… but I can’t. There’s too much going down right now. We've got trouble coming at us from all sides - Sooner and her sisters, Vir, it’s just not possible.”

“Ahren, she’ll die,” Six leaned forward, speaking softly and urgently. “you don’t know this girl. We can’t let him have her. It’s not right.” He sighed, “He took her because of me, Ahren. He took her ... to get to me.”

“I really wish I could-” Ahren started.

“You know what? **** you!” Pipe Hitter yelled suddenly. “Some hero you are, not able to spare the time to help a girl in trouble! Who needs you!” Pipe Hitter turned to stalk away.

Rosemarie stepped forward then, her expression earnest and sincere. “Please help us. My friend’ll go after her, and if this demon is as bad as Six says he is, I’ll lose both of them. Please help us.”

“Don’t waste your time, Rosemarie,” Pipe hitter spat. “He’s probably got a publicity event scheduled for later. He’s got no time for our little problems.”

“Woah-woah-woah!” Six burst in. “That’s enough of that. If Ahren can’t help us, it’s because he has something worse going on. “ Six paused for a moment, trying to imagine what could be worst than Conall Cian. “We’ll find another way.”

“Wait a minute, Six.” Ahren sighed. “I can’t go… but we’ve got a lot of Ghosts here. I bet I can find you some help.”

“The strength of the wolf is the pack?” Six said with a little smile.

“Exactly right,” Ahren agreed. He glanced at his watch and winced. "Six, I've got a room full of heroes mad cause they're not going with Sooner or Vir. I'll get you a team no problem." Ahren cast a evaluating eye on Pipe Hitter and Rosemarie. "I think young Quinlan will be a good start for your team. And you can tell me what you know about Conall Cian and his lair while we find you a few more."

Conall's Lair
Excruciatrix was filled with longing as she watched Spinedancer work. It was like an artist standing before a lovely view with no paint or canvas while another paints. It wasn't that Spinedancer wasn't talented - no, the things she did were inspiring, it was just that Trix was denied doing it herself. That, and there was no blood. She so wanted to see the human's blood again, thought the struggling and whimpering were very good, too.

She couldn't help herself. She crept forward. Like a table full of food denied to someone starving. Like a pool of cool, crisp water to someone who was parched. Or like an addict who can see her drug of choice, but not reach it. She needed to touch the human, she needed to feel blood on her claws, feel the flesh twitching while she worked. All eyes were on the human, so she dared to creep forward more. It was obvious the human had nothing more of use to say, why should Trix be denied her fun?

A black-clad leg stepped into her view. "Get back, you intractable creature!" Arano demanded.

Trix raised her head, eyes narrowed, to meet Arano's eyes, "You can't hurt me!" she pouted, but then she dropped her head again and slunk back to the corner. The unfairness was painful. She should be Conall's second, not the ghoul, Arano.

She stared at the floor, refusing to even watch Spinedancer anymore while her frustration and anxiety grew. Then she suddenly realized that some of what she was feeling came from outside herself. Her gaze whipped to Arano. "Your shield on Conall! It's gone."

He cast a look of pure disdain on her. "For some time now, yes." She stood straight. She'd seen Conall open a portal so many times. She should be able to figure it out. She held out her hands, fumbling with the magical energies, trying to shape them as she'd seen Conall do. She thought she had it, then Arano struck her, his open palm flat to her face. She stumbled back, her nose stinging, her eyes seeing stars. "Sit down, imp. We'll wait here for him."

"I will not be bound to Ciara Banenighe!" she protested. "I can help him."

"It's his fight, foolish imp. You presume too much. Now sit down. And wait. When he wants your help, he'll call for you."

Ciara's Prison
Conall slammed into the stone floor and bellowed with pain. The bones in his left wing were shattered and it hung as limp as wet leather. The delicate membrane of the right was shredded by Ciara's claws. His right eye was swollen shut and he wasn't sure if the eye itself was still intact. He couldn't close his jaw and his mouth was filling with blood. His body was marred by dozens of bruises, deep cuts, and bite wounds. He turned himself, slowly, painfully, and pushed himself to hands and knees.

"On your feet, Conall!" Ciara demanded. "Or are you ready to give up yet?"

He lifted his head, struggling to focus his one working eye on her. A frisson of white-hot hate danced over his skin, painful in its purity. He shuddered and pushed himself back to his feet. He grabbed the point of his chin with one palm and wrenched his jaw back into place, allowing himself a roar of pain as it popped. "I will not give up while you breathe, hag," he spat, and the way his words slurred told him that a dislocated jaw was not his only serious facial injury.

"Ungrateful dog! I MADE you! Everything you are, I created!" she bellowed as she circled above him.

"You numb ****, why do you think I hate you?" He responded. He couldn't fly with his wings ruined, but he could still leap at her. She was so fast and he was so hurt, she just flung him down again. It did not matter. It had to have been an hour. They would be coming soon. They had to be coming soon.

Read my stories!

Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my!

The poo has been flung...

The fan is on 'high'...

Oh the fun is about to begin!

That he depends on the Sooner girls to come and save his sorry hide...


...delicious.

Given the frequency with which people die in Sooner's stories (and my own) it is within the realm of possibility he might not survive this adventure.

Afterall, I might need room for more toons on Protector, lol.