Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 16:20:42 -0700 (PDT) From: Silvenfox Subject: Heaven's Trumpet - 7 The following is a complete work of fiction. Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is completely coincidental. Please do not copy or distribute the story without the author's permission. Disclaimer: The following story may contain erotic situations. If it is illegal for you to read this please leave now. Also expect blood, gore, incredibly funny scenes and super-powered teenagers with a destiny to save the world. If you're not a fan of any of these plus strong cursing and violence than this is not your type of story. Chapter 7 Spots danced across my vision as the light blinded everyone. I rubbed my eyes to clear the dots behind my eyelids and then jerked as a hand grabbed my arm. I squinted at Solaris who had his sunglasses covering his face. Blood dripped from a gash across his temple. "We have to get out of here," he urged, looking around quickly. "The effects of my flare are about to clear in the next minute." `Adam!' I thought as hard as I could, hoping that he could pick it up with his telepathy. I was never great at mental disciplines back in Atlantis. `If you can hear me, throw these bastards out of here!" `On it,' came the thought in my head, loud and clear, followed by a surge of warmth and a strong feeling of determination. I caught sight of Adam pushing his arms forward. A wave of telekinetic force caught the gray garbed figures and their leader. They were flung backward through the open door as if caught by the winds of a hurricane. I spun around to the digital man standing next to the console. "Lan, I need that door shut now!" The AI closed his eyes and the door was slammed shut before the intruders regained their footing. I clenched the stone tightly in my hand, and took a deep breath to calm my heart that was close to beating out of my chest. "Warlock, can you open a portal?" the Executioner asked, watching the door that was currently glowing red hot in its center. "That door isn't made of Tritium like the blast door. They'll be through it in four minutes max." I shook my head. "I'm fine, but there is no way I can successfully open a portal back to Earth in four minutes. I'm good, but I'm not that good!" "Well unless you want us to die here then I suggest you think of something!" snapped Solaris, frowning at the door that was getting progressively redder. I twisted my hand and sent the Key of Power into my subspace pocket. It was safer there for now. I came to a decision with a quick nod. "Okay then," I stated, sounding more determined than I felt. "I can try to teleport us back. Portaling will take too long." The Executioner blinked. "Didn't you say earlier that teleporting had a higher risk than traveling by portal?" "Yes, but its also faster," I countered with a harsh sigh. "We don't have time for this. Everybody grab hands and make a circle." They must have heard the tone in my voice because they didn't hesitate to follow my command. Thank goodness because we really didn't have time. The door started to shake and smoke began to drift from its melting center. I chanced a glance at Lan. "Terminate holographic interface once we leave," I said to the holo- man, simultaneously drawing in the needed power. "I'll see you back at the outpost back on Earth." I swallowed and closed my eyes. This was going to be as risky as having sex with a hooker without a condom. My magic reacted like an old friend and fell upon us like a warm blanket. Our forms glowed bright electric blue, the color that usually dominated my magics. I took a deep breath and concentrated. One mistake and our atoms would be scattered from here to the end of the universe. There was a low hiss, and the door literally liquefied into twisted slag. The red eyed man stepped through the wreckage. Our eyes met as he lifted his hand toward us. Mauve light gathered in his hand coalescing into a deadly ball. "Four warriors from a long dead civilization," the man sneered. "Is this all that stands in our way? Pathetic." "Caeles Transporto!" I shouted. The world blurred as our forms phased out of this dimension. Darkness and light became one for a long moment, as we moved through time and space. My feet touched solid ground again with a sudden lurch. I promptly fell to my knees and hands, and threw up my lunch. Nausea settled firmly in my stomach, and dizziness swept through my head. "I never want to do that again," Omega groaned, holding his hand to his head. He staggered over to me and helped me to my feet. "Sorry, I didn't say it wasn't going to be pleasant," I muttered with a shaky smile. The Executioner helped Solaris steady on his feet. We all looked a little pale and shaken but thankfully alive. So go team me. I looked around our surroundings for the first time. We stood on a sandy beach in broad daylight. People dressed in swim suits gawked at us, and I managed a half wave at their flabbergasted faces. My hand fell when I got a good look at the buildings in the distance. One looked real familiar and it was not a good familiar. "Um," I mumbled, pointing in the distance. "Is that the Sidney Opera House?" The Executioner gasped. "And that's the Sydney Harbour Bridge." Solaris groaned. "Really, Chad? You landed us in Australia!" I shrugged sheepishly to their incredulous stares. "Oops." "At least we're not dead," said Omega finally, touching my arm. I beamed at him, pleased that he had my back. "Which is always a good thing I would say..." I trailed off as a feeling nagged at me. At the back of my mind an insistent voice screamed at me. I looked at the space where we fell from. I traced it with my senses and the tendrils of warmth brushed over it, and I saw something beyond capability of normal sight. "Warlock, what's going on?" asked the Executioner. I glanced at all of them and opened my mouth to reply. Then snapped it closed it again when I got a good look at Solaris. The blond was waving to the onlookers... was he striking poses for cameras? "Please get your boyfriend before I bury him in the sand," I advised the champion of soul. Solaris heard me, as was my attention, and smiled uncaringly. "We have the Key of Power and there are no bad guys, so I think we're alright. I'll just conjure a bubble and fly us home. No big deal." A frown formed on my face. Silly rabbit. "It's about to get really serious. I managed to teleport us here but it was sloppy. It left a scar in space. It takes a while to heal naturally but those skinwalkers on Mars know magic just as I do, and they can follow that scar like a trail..." "Leading the Red Eyed Man and his gang right here," Omega whispered, his eyes snapping to the air that suddenly flashed with a bright light. From the light fell the dozen skinwalkers. Their leader smoothed out a wrinkle in his robes and glared at me with those devil red eyes, smirking. "I believe you have something that I need, kids," said the Red Eyed Man. He flicked his wrist and the ground beneath us exploded. Screams sounded in the air as we were tossed in every direction. Dirt and stone cut into my skin and I fell hard on my back. I rolled backward as Red Eyes' foot slammed into the ground where I once lay. "Get out of here!" I screamed at the bystanders, who were watching the battle. It took a solid minute of watching the fight turn into a full scale battle before they decided that here wasn't the best place to be. Lights lit up the sky as attacks launched from both sides. I charged up my hands and placed them in an imitation gun, pointer fingers aimed at the Red Eyed Man stomping toward me. "Give me the Key of Power, boy," he demanded his fanged teeth sharp and glinting with saliva. I glared at him. "Come and get it!" I charged up magic. "Widow Maker!" Violet light exploded from my fingers with a deafening boom. The recoil actually sent me stumbling. The light slammed into the skinwalker leader's chest. He staggered back and then regained his footing, fighting the attack. He stepped out of the beams path, and brought his hands together in a great clap. Visible waves of sound smacked into me and I covered my ears as every nerve in my head burned in agony. I lifted my leg and slammed my foot on the ground. The earth shuddered and quaked, and the Red Eyed Man watched in confusion as the ground fell away around him. Around his feet land cracked and a chasm opened. A skinwalker lost his balance and fell into the dark depths, but Red Eyes remained standing in mid air, his arms folded and face fixed into an intense look. "Impressive," he noted as he floated to stable land. "I see you are living up to your myth as the champion of magic." I clenched my fists watching him closely. "I know all about you skinwalkers. I know you're called the Unrelenting and you're part of the Order of the Dying Star." "I'm the Black Pope of Damnation," stated the man, smiling at me in a way that made me think of monsters in shadows. "Our ways can be yours too. You have the power for magic. Join us in the Witchery Way and you shall taste true power." I made a face. "Ew and eat people and wear their skin? I don't think so." "It's foolish to stand in our way!" the Black Pope said suddenly angry, red eyes gleaming with flickering flames. "It is only a matter of time before we gather all three Keys. Then all will know the blissful horror that is our lord." "Cut the crap," I shot back. "All you have is one Key. I'll be dammed if you even get two of them." His arms blurred and I threw up my own, and suddenly the air between us became alive. His mauve light tangled around arcs of electric blue. Gritting my teeth I pushed against his power. The space around us hummed as our magic sped up the atoms in the air, and lightning flickered and buzzed around our forms. "I'm the champion of magic!" I shouted, narrowing my eyes. "Prince of Atlantis, and your undoing. You will not get the Key of Power this day." My voice sounded richer and stronger than normal. There was a vague accent in my tone that I recognized from when I let Prince Emrys' personality to the forefront of my consciousness. I couldn't think on it. Solaris was shoved in the space between us and I stopped the battle on my end, and the coil of light fizzed out missing him by inches. The Red Eyed Man raised his arms and behind him the ocean bubbled and churned. From the twisted whirlpool a giant arm exploded outward. The elemental construct surged toward me with a grand gesture from the Black Pope. "Phoenix, child of the flame, lover of death, protect thy brother," I incanted quickly, letting magic taint my words so it reached beyond just this plane, and into the in-between. A massive bird of flames came to life in front of me, protecting me with its fiery outstretched wings. It gave a challenging cry to the giant arm as it descended with its hand flat, ready to crush anything in its path. Steam billowed forth as the phoenix released a torrent of fire disintegrating the construct. I banished the fire guardian, and glared at the enraged Black Pope. "Like I said, you're not getting the Key of Power." "It will take more than a songbird to dissuade me!" he replied, whipping out his arm. Purple balls of fire shot from his palms in quick succession. I smacked aside the first four of them like paper balls, and the last five splashed across the invisible shield that I conjured before me. Not good enough. I had mastered the elementals at an early age. If he wanted to beat me then it would take more than that. I snatched a hair from my hair and whispered, "Champion Chain." The blond strand lengthened, hardened, and took on a golden glow as it became a magic infused whip. The gold cord whipped through the air, a flailing tentacle of light magic. It slapped against the Black Pope of Damnation and I gaped as his form wavered and then vanished. A glamour. Shit! Something struck me against the side of my head that sent me reeling. A fist slammed into my stomach with enough force that sent me flying back off my feet. I rolled on the ground as the world righted itself, feeling the aches in my gut and skull compete for which one hurt the most. I opened my eyes and red eyes glared into mine. I raised my arms and didn't say a word or an incantation as those long hands reached toward my neck. Power blasted from my hands in two brilliant rays of blue light. The bolts hit home and the Red Eyed Man cried out. Blood sprayed across the sand as the rays cut into his chest, slicing and cauterizing skin as it went. A primal scream of pure anger and frustration tore from my lips. The rays swelled fueled by my emotions. The bolts of magic gained strength and threw the Black Pope into the air, his screaming form flying all the way to the other end of the beach. Fingers gripped my arm and hauled me up. I looked into Omega's half smiling face. He was bleeding from a cut on his upper lip, and there was a large rip across the right side of his suit revealing bruised skin. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly, worry lacing his tone. I nodded and ran my hand over the tear in his suit. "You look worse than me. I should be asking you that." "It's nothing a good nights rest won't cure," he replied, running a hand protectively over my hip. I took my first real glance around the beach since the fight started. The ground was scorched in some parts, sand turned to glass under the heat of power, blood pooled in multiple craters, and the bodies. Bodies, torn, bleeding, even cleaved in half with guts and gore strewn far and wide, littered the sandy beach. I breathed in relief seeing Solaris limping, being supported by an equally battered Executioner. "Kicking ass and taking names is what we do best," rasped out Solaris, his right cheek bleeding profusely. I grinned tiredly. "You've never lied about that." The ground rumbled beneath our feet and cracked open releasing glass shards that shot up like a geyser. We screamed as the glass cut into skin, sending us off our feet bleeding from countless counts. Ruby colored light rained from the sky, and I cried out as the light nearly melted the skin from bone. I threw up a shield around us and glared at the sight of the Red Eyed Man standing before us. His chest was a bloody mess and his whole body still smoked from my previous attack. A blur zoomed by me and the Executioner was suddenly in the Black Pope's face. He reared back his arm with a savage yell and unleashed it with everything he had. The hit would most likely blow through his skull as if it was paper machete. He did after all have enough strength to bench press a car. It never made contact. His fist struck an invisible barrier protecting the Red Eyed Man. "Nice try," said the Black Pope, smirking. "This is how it's done." I didn't see his arm move till his hand connected against the Executioner's face. He rocketed backward like a speeding comet. As he landed he skipped across the grass twice before finally crumbling into a ball. Solaris suddenly lit up like a burning star. Omega jerked us away from the glowing boy as he growled in anger, his hands going to his chest to form a triangle. Green eyes glared at the evil man as orange and red light gathered within the triangle. "Nobody touches my boyfriend, fucker!" Solaris yelled, bringing his arms forward. "EYE OF RA!" A massive force of light and energy erupted from his hands. The Red Eyed Man's eyes widened in surprise and he gestured with his hands, casting a red shield a split second before contact. The plasma battered into the shield and cracks appeared in the scarlet colored light protecting him. There was a loud crash like glass breaking and the attack consumed him. The waves of plasma intensified until it became a beam of destructive power that drowned the being. With a roar of rage the Black Pope suddenly rolled away from the attack, looking as if he walked through fire. His body was mangled and bleeding, burned, smoking, but alive. His red eyes upon his half melted face glared at us, and they promised retribution. "You think you've won," he hissed out. He gestured at his wounds. "This is nothing. With my master's power this will be healed in an instant, and I will return more powerful than before. Heaven's Trumpet will sound little boys and it will be glorious." "We'll see," I said, hiding my unnerve at the prospect of Heaven's Trumpet activating. He looked right at me and chills ran down my spine. "From the void it rests, it comes, it conquers. All shall taste fear. The universe shall weep in despair." Those words from my dream again! My heart stopped as shock filled every pore of my body. He chuckled at my stunned face and took great pleasure in giving a jaunty little wave before disappearing in a flash of dark purple light. I swallowed heavily. "Got to admit. Dude can bring the scary." "And the intense," agreed the Executioner quietly. "Guys, looks like we got company," said Omega, pointing. We looked and in the distance, noticeably a good safe distance, people had camcorders, cameras, and phones aimed at us. I groaned. No doubt we were going to wind up on the news, and every front page of newspapers across the globe. Great. I hope they at least got my good side. At the moment it was the side with less blood. "Alright boys, let's head home," I sighed, nodding at Solaris. To his credit he only gave one wave to the still gathering crowd. He brought up his arms and cast the sun rise bubble, sending us hurtling into the air at supersonic speed. I looked down at the people and city that grew progressively smaller. Yep. We're definitely going to make the news. *** "You boys did a fine job." I beamed at Nathaniel. It always warmed me up inside when he gave praise. Maybe because it was so rare that he dished out and actually meant it. This was one of those times. We crowded around the table in Operations all eyes trained on the blood red diamond resting on its surface. "It really is beautiful," commented Ryan. Killian nodded. "It's hard to believe that it has limitless energy. Well unless it's combined with the other two Keys and then it's just end game." "We just have to make sure they don't get the other one," countered Adam. That was easier said than done. "If we could find it then we could secure it, but I have no idea what `hidden in plain sight' is. The Key of Time and Space can be a number of things." Killian's eyes widened and then suddenly he smiled wide. "Wait! Maybe it's a person." He slowly turned toward me, looking at me suspiciously. "Maybe it's you. You do have quite the grasp at manipulating space and time." I rolled my eyes. "Please, Sherlock. Don't quit your day job. This isn't an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I'm not a Key and I can't help if I'm that damn good. And it helps to be the avatar of magic. Try again." "I say we can't be sure till we run a few... invasive tests," he suggested, grinning evilly. A sigh left my lips as I shook my head sympathetically. "It's sad that blonds like you are the reason why the rest of us will never rise above the stereotype." "Smarter than you," replied Killian, crossing his arms and giving me a smug smirk. I gave him a yeah right look. "Bitch, please. You can barely count to twelve without using your fingers." "I can count twelve kicks I can deliver to your ribs well enough." A matching smirk tugged at my own lips. "You would be dead before you could land the first kick." Killian took a step forward. "Let's test that hypothesis." A piercing whistle echoed through the room and we all turned to Adam. With his hands on his hips he leveled us both with a particularly sharp stare. "We've just got back from freaking Mars and have one of the keys to Heaven's Trumpet. And we've managed to hang on to it after that fight," he took a deep breath and his glare turned pleading. "So please, can you two just get along for the rest of the day? We should be going to Disneyland or something not fighting. We did damn good today." I couldn't resist turning my head to send Killian a nasty look. "See now you went and got my boyfriend all worked up. Thanks, Rainbow Brite." "Go fuck yourself, Houdini!" Adam threw his hands up in the air and sat in the chair. "I don't even know why I try." "It was a good effort," muttered Ryan. Nathaniel cleared his throat before we could go another round. "I don't have the patience for anymore foolery," he said, tone booking no room for arguments. I flinched under those green eyes that were flat and disapproving. "We have things to discuss. Now have a seat, gentlemen." I turned my back on Killian effectively dismissing him. I was done with him for the day anyway. Adam narrowed his eyes as I took the seat next to him. I pouted and he didn't appear to be moved. Ouch. `Aw, Baby,' I thought in his direction. His telepathy was strongest amongst the Atlanteans, so it was no doubt he would hear it. `Don't be like that' Adam looked ahead as the others began the debriefing. `You suck' `I so do not' I thought back. `You would know that' He snorted and waved off the confused looks he gained. `Jerk. You know what I meant' The exasperation was clear even mentally. `I can't believe that you kept arguing with Killian. You stopped for Nathaniel but not for me.' I winced. `You know his eyes get all dark and intense when we irritate him. It's creepy!' `You're still a jerk', Adam shot back, glancing at me a slyly. I grinned knowing that he really wasn't mad. He was just playing up the moment for kicks. It was so like him. `I'm your jerk though, and you have to put up with me forever and ever' `Mmmm... that sounds perfect' A full smile was on his face now, as bright as the morning sun. I couldn't stop my own smile from becoming just as wide. I melted under his tender stare, wondering if my cheeks were flushed because I felt hot and warm all over. The things he could do to me just by look alone. I couldn't help it. He was just too freaking adorable sometimes. "Are you two about to make out?" asked Ryan, watching us with raised eyebrows. I came back to reality with a lurch. Both of us were blushing cherry red. "Sorry. Just—" "Reliving the end scene from Sixteen Candles," cut in Killian. I made puppy dog eyes at Nathaniel. "Please let me put a silencing spell on him. It benefits all of us!" Nathaniel sighed, running a hand down his face. "For the last time no. Honestly Chad, you ask that question at least once a week." "And I'll keep asking until you give in," I replied with a shrug. A dreamy sigh left my lips. "It's only a matter of time. You can't say no forever." He smiled at me all perfect white teeth showing. "Watch me." He steepled his fingers. "Now to get back on subject. You called upon the Atlantis core AI from the Command Center's memory banks?" Ryan adjusted his glasses. "It worked surprisingly well. In fact we should be able to call up the holographic interface now." He looked up at the ceiling. "Lan, could you please appear." Scrolling blue glyphs of Atlantean script flowed downward from the ceiling in a winding funnel. The script condensed and formed into the robed digital man. He opened his eyes, expression one of perfect calm. "How may I be of service, Chosen Executioner?" I looked at Nathaniel and noticed that he had gone pale. He stared without blinking at the hologram, his face fixed into one of wonder and profound sadness that I could feel it in my heart. "Nathaniel, are you alright?" He nodded at me, his smile turning bittersweet. "I never called up the program because..." he trailed off, and then continued after a moment's pause. "It's just that the image Lan is based off of was a friend of mine. It brings back memories." We all traded surprised stares. "We didn't know, Nathaniel," Adam apologized. The advisor shook his head, waving off the apology. "It's perfectly alright. You boys didn't know. I'll get over it." "If you're sure," I said slowly, watching him carefully. He nodded, half smiling. "Seriously, it's okay. I'm sure in time his image will become a comfort." "Lan do you mind showing footage from your logs starting from the point the Key's chamber was opened," said Nathaniel, speaking to the holo-man who nodded and then closed his eyes. When he opened them his brown eyes took on a blue sheen. Two rays of blue light shot from his eyes. They hit the spot right above the table and a digital projection came to life before our eyes. In detailed shades of blue the scene from the inner chamber of the weapons locker back on Mars played out. Contrary to popular belief it wasn't funny watching Solaris being thrown into a wall by the Red Eyed Man the second time around. I winced at the thud that sounded just as bad the second time. Killian winced too and rubbed his head. We met eyes and there was a spark of sympathy- friendship?-I wasn't sure. The moment was broken and we looked away quickly. I looked at Adam and he smirked at me. `You two fight being friends so Hard' A sweet smile tugged at my lips. `Keep up that little theory and I'll kick you in the balls. No joke.' `Oh, I love it when you talk all dirty, dear,' Adam's amused thought came through loud and clear. I poked him in the ribs and turned back to the conversation taking place. Nathaniel was studying the image of the Red Eyed Man that had been frozen mid frame. "I suppose this is the leader of the Unrelenting," Nathaniel muttered, rubbing his knuckles. I nodded. "He must be and whoever they worship must pack quite a lot of power. This guy shrugged off most of my magic like I was a magician. I got some good strikes in but he's tough." "Really tough," interjected Killian with agreement. "I hit him with plasma and power that should have melted him into goo, but he lived through it. He looked a mess but still...his resistance is unnatural." "I suppose that kind of power can come from whatever being they worship," said Nathaniel thoughtfully. "Early Dawn told us that the Order of the Dying star worships It that Came Before..." Adam sighed. "That could be any number of beings. Without an actual name we're stuck on that front. We still don't know why they want Heaven's Trumpet." "Power," I muttered, looking up from my hands. "It's always about power. But they have to know that activating Heaven's Trumpet will kill us all. I don't see the point." "Question is how did they even find you on Mars?" asked Nathaniel, sending us into a thoughtful silence. "They did show up surprisingly quick as soon we opened the inner chamber," pointed out Ryan. I nodded, thinking the same thing. "You're right." "Maybe they were already on Mars," reasoned Adam. "Maybe they knew the Key of Power was there, and our presence tipped them off." Nathaniel reached across the table and picked up the stone. "All the more reason we should get this down to the vault. Who knows how they find you. I don't want them finding it again." "Looks like its one to one right now," said Killian, gripping Ryan's hand. Nathaniel ran a hand through his dark hair looking suddenly tired. "Let's just hope that we're the ones who win the race." I smiled thinly. Otherwise the results would be death for not just every sentient being, but the universe itself. Endgame. *** I stared blankly at the comic book in my lap. It was the new edition of the Ultimates, and I couldn't even enjoy it. No matter how normal everything seemed it was truly anything but. The universe might go boom and only the four of us stood in the way. With that kind of pressure on my shoulders it was hard to concentrate on anything when I was alone with my thoughts. I glanced at the clock and the red numbers displayed that it was a little after midnight. I jumped as my phone chimed and displayed a little unopened envelope. I pressed a button to open the text message. *baby, if i was ur bread would u b my butter?* I shook my head, smiling. Even at almost one in the morning Adam still didn't turn off his cuteness. Right now I bet he was at home sitting on his bed, wearing that adorable grin immensely proud of himself. Chuckling softly, I wrote back. *yes always yes. have my babies?* The reply came as quick as I suspected. I flipped open the phone and read the response. *i dont think thats possible but we can try and try :) * It was a joke but I couldn't resist the tightening of my lower anatomy that was very interested in trying. Was it getting hot in here? I tugged at my shirt collar. The prospect of having sex with Adam had been weighing on my mind a lot the last few weeks. I was fine with waiting for the right moment, but if it didn't come soon I was probably going to have to resort to desperate measures. My hand was great and all but my boyfriend was sin on legs, and every primal part of me wanted to claim him as mine. I licked my lips and began typing out a reply when the window lifted on its own. The phone fell to the bed and my hands blazed with living fire as I summoned the element to the material plane. Kevin stepped through the window and I quenched the flames. Luckily he was too busy trying to get his footing that he didn't notice the act. "Please Kevin come on in," I said dryly, watching him shut the window. He was dressed in only a pair of black athletic shorts and a black wife beater. I raised my eyebrow at his sheepish expression. It wasn't often that I saw that look. "Sorry for just dropping in," said Kevin, apologetically. "I was having trouble sleeping. Bad dreams." A nagging thought formed. "Were you watching Air Bud again before bed?" "I couldn't help it," he replied with a tired smile. "It's like a horrible train wreck that I can't turn away from." Kevin shuddered. "That dog creeps me the hell out. Basketball I was sort of okay with, and then he went and became super pooch and that's when it got creepy." I rolled my eyes. I don't know how many times we were going to have to go through this. "The Air Bud franchise is not snuff films. And you really should never watch one of those movies again, no matter how much you just can't turn away." "Easy for you to say," Kevin shot back, crossing his arms. "The dog doesn't scare the shit out of you." A sphinx like smile worked itself across my face. "There are worse things in the world to be afraid of." His brown eyes filled with disbelief. "This from the boy who is terrified of cats?" "I'm not terrified," I denied, outraged. "The words you're looking for is actively vigilant!" Kevin's eye twitched. "It wasn't real. You have no scar. Let it go!" I glared at him, and pulled down my shirt collar to show my neck. "I know what happened! It's real and here's the scar to prove it!" Kevin pointed his finger, rather dramatically I thought, at my neck. "There's nothing there!" I hurriedly pushed up the shirt, giving him the evil eye. "Obviously you just have to get really close to see it." "Pansy," Kevin muttered, jumping on the bed. He landed awkwardly on my side giving me a blinding grin. "Move over. Don't be a cover hog this time." I smirked. "I'll hog the covers all I want. They're mine. Keyword being mine." "Don't be selfish," he chided me. He settled down and laid back with his arms propped behind his head. "So I called you earlier a few times and you didn't pick up. Where were you?" I froze. Think. Think. Think. "Uh, I was doing homework." Oh good one, Chad. "I didn't hear it go off, or maybe it's dead." Kevin cocked his head with a confused frown worn on his face. "Why are you lying?" "What makes you say that?" My heart hammered loudly in my throat. How did he know? "I don't know how to pinpoint it," Kevin explained, watching me intently. "I can just tell. Why did you lie?" Damn it. "It's personal, Kevin." He sat up and I looked away from his hurt stare. I didn't mean to say that, but I couldn't and wouldn't lie to him again. I was already feeling like crap as it is. Brown eyes went flat and then neutral. "Fine if you don't want to tell me. It's okay." I laid my hand on his arm, practically choking on guilt. "Kevin, come on. I don't mean to keep things from you-" "But you have," Kevin interrupted, rolling over so I couldn't see his face. "You think I haven't noticed, but for the last year you've been different." I could almost feel the sadness that radiated from him. How could I have been so stupid to think I could fool the one person who knew me best? I thought I had been cleverly hiding my increasing time spent killing monsters, stopping demonic invasions, and as of recently going to other planets. Guess I wasn't as slick as I thought. "You're right," I finally admitted. "For the last year I've been keeping something from you." Kevin rolled over and looked at me expectantly. "I knew something was off. I thought we were maybe growing apart or something, but it's not that. What's going on?" "I can't tell you. This secret doesn't just involve me." I wanted to tell him. God knows I did, but this was bigger than me. The others hadn't told anyone their secret, and it wouldn't be fair if I ignored protocol and did whatever I wanted. "I want to tell you," I hastily explained, flinching at the hurt that still shone clearly in his eyes. "I just have to get with the others first to see if it's okay if you know." Kevin laughed but it was without humor. He shook his head and then smiled miserably. "I've known you my whole life but I swear sometimes it's like you're a different person. There was a time when you wouldn't hesitate to tell me something even if someone swore you to secrecy." The bitterness in his tone threw me. I was feeling guilty but I didn't appreciate him throwing this at me. I know I've been lying to him. I've been mad at myself since the first time it happened. "I already told you I will tell you if I can," I replied tiredly. "There's nothing I can do. I promise that it's not my choice." Kevin sighed and flicked his gaze away. "I'm sorry. I'm just not used to all this. We used to tell each other everything, and there wasn't a day where we didn't see each other. Now you've got a boyfriend and new friends and I hardly see you anymore." The sincerity in his tone broke my heart. I reached over and wrapped my hand in his dark hair that brushed against his shoulders. I gave the locks in my grip a good tug eliciting a small smile from his lips. It was a gesture from our childhood that neither of us had ever forgotten. "I forgot I got my hate of sharing from you," I admitted, chuckling softly. Kevin kicked me in the shin, fighting to keep from smiling. "Stop trying to make me laugh. Serious moment is serious." I busted out laughing. "You're so dumb." I kicked him back and looked at him seriously. "You know it all comes down to just you and me. You've been there my whole life and you aren't going anywhere. We're like epic. Tango and Cash. Superman and Batman. Paris and Nicole." He snorted and slowly smiled. "Together we're unstoppable." "There's the smile," I grinned. "We cool?" "I'm cool, you're fine." I punched him in the arm and pulled the blankets up to cover me. We fought over the blankets for a few minutes, and the inevitable pillow fight that followed defused whatever tension that still existed. I rolled over drawing the blankets tight around my body. Sleep came easy after the day I had. All I had to do was close my eyes and let go of the stress that lingered between my shoulder blades. And I fell asleep... I stood on a cliff overlooking Centennial. I was dreaming. I knew it but everything seemed so real. Everything from the blue sky, to the grass at my feet, to the air that I breathing, and the wind that caressed my skin. "It does not posses the beauty of Atlantis," said a voice behind me. "Yet it is glorious in its own ways." I turned around and found Prince Emrys walking toward me. I still wasn't used to seeing my face older, and worn by someone other than me. But at least he wore it well. There was wisdom and strength in his blue eyes I had never seen in my own. He wore his princely clothes of silver and white with pride. The sun glinted off the intricate circlet of white gold around his brow. "The time of reckoning is almost at hand, my reincarnation," stated the prince. I nodded, feeling underdressed in my pajamas. So typical. "I know. We have one Key and they've got one." "There is only one left, and it is the most precious of all," said Prince Emrys, stepping to my side. My mouth dropped open. "Do you know where it is?" He smiled mysteriously. "The question should be do /you/ know where it is?" Me? I didn't know where the last Key was. Was he trying to say that I should? I had a feeling that asking him would prove fruitless so I didn't bother. I usually came out of dreams like these with more questions than answers. "Unless you stop what is coming then all this will be destroyed." Tell me something I don't know. "We're doing the best we can." He looked at me, blue eyes heartbreakingly sad. "Are you ready for what is to come?" A light exploded in the middle of the city, brighter than the sun. I threw up my hand as it built up, and then shot into the sky in a thick pillar of light. Scarlet overtook blue as the sky became red as blood. Ruinous emerald light fell from the sky in arcs of lightning, striking buildings and streets. Where it touched structures exploded and bridges collapsed, and blood rained from the sky as the apocalypse was truly at hand. I turned away from the horror of the end of the world, and grabbed Prince Emrys' arm. "Is this Heaven's Trumpet? Is this what will happen when it activates?" I demanded. The Prince of Atlantis shook his head. "This is the goal of the Unrelenting. The skinwalkers know not the horror they truly worship, and what lines of madness they dance with in the dark." He closed his eyes and when he opened them they shined with a steely glint. "From the void it rests, it comes, it conquers. All shall taste fear. All shall despair." Cryptic much? What did that mean? Hell, what did any of this mean? "So this isn't Heaven's Trumpet?" Emrys took my hand and I followed his gaze to the clouds above that twisted and churned in a maelstrom of flashing light that oozed eldritch power. I dared not run my senses upon the sight. Already I could feel something unnatural pulsing behind the phenomenon. The part of my mind that was still primal warned me that I should look away and run. What lurked above was despair and terror personified, and I shuddered under the vile power that fell from on high. Was this unholy power the being the Order of the Dying Star worshipped? Why would anyone flirt with this force? My skin wanted to crawl off my body just to escape the tainted power. The hand holding mine gripped tighter. "Heaven's Trumpet will sound soon. Are you ready to make the hard choices?" I snapped my head toward him, meeting his hard stare. "What are you talking about?" "You can stop this, but Heaven's Trumpet is unstoppable." "No!" I said, shaking my head. "There has to be a way to stop it." His eyes bored into mine. "Will you make the hard choices? The universe or love? Can you sacrifice love to save everyone and everything in existence?" I couldn't move. I was too stunned to even breathe. "W-what?" "Blood, blood, blood, blood," said Prince Emrys, flatly. "My blood. Your blood. His blood. One, two, four, all into two, back into one." I was starting to get real tired of all the vague answers and cryptic speech. It looked much cooler on television. When it came to my life then not so much. "I'm not really understanding," I tried to explain. Prince Emrys' blue eyes, so like my own, were infinitely weary. "You will." He closed his eyes, ignoring the furious wind and deafening thunder that continued from the clouds above. Something from it was coming. Whatever it was more evil than anything I had seen in this life. I knew it in my soul. Then I felt it at the same time as Prince Emrys. Together we turned toward the city where massive silver light began to coalesce. Haunting music that called to everything inside me flared at the edges of my being. "The angels are singing," whispered Prince Emrys, reverently. I nodded as some small piece of me understood exactly what he meant. "It comes-" "Heaven's Trumpet," he finished, softly. The holy light grew impossibly bright, and it erupted forth in purifying waves. Everything it touched was destroyed and wiped from the universe. Atoms were scattered till they became nothing then less than nothing. Whatever it engulfed suffered the same fate as it surged forward, consuming everything in sight. Prince Emrys wrapped his arms around me and I whimpered as the light rushed over us, and a scream tore from my lips as I felt my very essence being ripped apart piece by piece. This was pain beyond pain. I snapped awake with a great gasp of air. I shot up trying to suck as much air back into my lungs as possible. A hand landed on my arm and I was looking into Kevin's emotionless face. "Kevin?" I asked hesitantly. The voice that replied was as emotionless as his face. "The universe or love? Sacrifices must be made. You can't save everyone but you can save the world. Can you do what must be done?" I screamed again and my eyes flew open. I fell off the bed landing on the carpet in a tangle of blankets. Sweat clung to my skin and my hair fell wet across my forehead. Just a dream. It was just a dream. I clutched at my chest, rubbing at the space above my heart. "Chad, are you alright?" asked Kevin, rubbing his eyes as his sleepy face appeared over the bed's edge. I cleared my throat forcing back the nausea that threatened to consume me. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just had a bad dream." Kevin yawned loudly regarding me with concern. "Sounds more like a nightmare." He reached down and hauled me back onto the bed. "Are you sure you're fine?" "I'm sure," I answered, trying to smile reassuringly. "Go on back to sleep, Kev." That was all he needed to hear because as soon as he closed his eyes it was lights out. I settled down beside him, but sleep didn't come easy to me again. It wouldn't this night. I doubted I would ever sleep right again. Not for a long time. *** I frowned into the phone. The silence on the other end wasn't expected. "Adam, say something," I urged. I honked at a car that suddenly hit their brakes. I merged into the next lane and sped past them. People who drove badly on the highway usually irritated me, but my mind was elsewhere. "I'm sorry, baby," Adam said finally. "I just had to think about it. Your dreams are honestly starting to worry me." I switched the phone to the other ear. "But you agree with me about them being prophetic. It's not all in my head." "No, no, I definitely believe that. They can't be anything else but prophetic. They're too cryptic and complex." I sighed into the phone. "Adam, I'm scared." "I would be worried if you weren't," he replied. "We all are. But I know we're going to win this." I smiled at his self assured tone. "How can you know that for sure?" "Because I still have to marry you, and the world still has to be here for that to happen." The goofy smile that took over my face wasn't my fault. I couldn't help it after he got all sweet. Was it possible to love someone too much? Hell no. If it was even possible my love for him grew in that instant. "Adam Caine," I whispered huskily. "I love you." I could hear his smile through the phone. "I love you too, for always." "For always," I murmured back, turning onto a residential street. "I'm almost to her house. How about we go out tonight? Just you and me." Adam laughed. "Why Chad Summers are you asking me out on a date?" "Sounds like it," I said, playing along. "If you play your cards right I might even buy you some milk duds." His breath got real low and my heart tripled its rhythm. "And if you're a good boy I might even put out." "So pick me up at seven?" I squeaked out quickly, damning my vocal cords for the high pitch. "On the dot," Adam replied, still sounding so damn irresistible. "Bye, love." "Bye." I turned off the phone and let it drop in the passenger seat. My boyfriend was cute most of the time, but when he wanted to be sexy somebody bring the hose, because something was going to be set on fire. Currently that fire existed in my lap. The erection that throbbed against my leg was heavy and aching. Damn Adam for getting me all worked up on the phone like a callgirl. I can't lie and say I didn't enjoy it. Even if we didn't have sex tonight it was going to happen soon. The both of us were way too hot for each other, especially as of lately. The end of the universe hanging above our heads like the Doom of Damocles might have something to do with that. The house I was parked in front of was bigger than Killian's and that was saying something. This was more Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous. This house was like the mansion that Nathaniel owned. I double checked the directions. Yep. This was the place. I grabbed my backpack and hopped out of the car. I didn't worry about locking it. This was near the edge of town and next to the sparkling Lexus and BMW's and Range Rover's on the street, my car wasn't worth breaking into. I rang the doorbell and rocked back on my heels. The door opened. Dressed more casually than I was used to seeing was Ian. The cargo shorts and plain white t shirt were a surprise. Not as surprising as his hair which wasn't styled perfect as it usually was. The blood red hair was dark and wavy and free of product. His green eyes went from warm to instantly cold as they fell upon me. Aw. Nice to see you too. "What are you doing here?" demanded Ian. I blinked innocently at him. "Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because me and your sister are partners for an assignment at school, and we have to work on it. No. That couldn't be the reason." Ian growled. Actually growled. Should I bring out the rabies shot? "Isabella isn't here. No go back to hole you crawled out of. Just looking at you makes me itch." My eye twitched. Was he trying to say I'm dirty? "Look you Top Model wannabe, I already know Isabella is here she just texted me. Now let me in before I go all cage fighter on your ass." "This is how it's going to go down," Ian stated, leaning in close. "You will get off my property, or I'll kick your ass and then call the cops and tell them you were robbing the place. You're too pretty to be in jail. They'll toss your ass up like a salad." Someone watched a little too much Oz. "Kicking my ass isn't in the script, carrot top. I will lay you out. You sure you want to go for it? I will full on Jackie Chan you." Ian was moved to the side and a tall man appeared at his shoulder. His black hair had the same wavy quality as Ian. His green eyes were darker and he filled out the tailored suit quite impressively. He and Nathaniel must shop in the same place. The man looked at me first and then Ian. "Is there a problem here, son?" Son? Oh great. Evil has a father. So this was Mr. Graison. I got to admit I can see where his kids got their looks from. The man was what they would call devilishly handsome. "I'm here to see Isabella," I said before Ian could badmouth me. "We have to work on a project for school." Mr. Graison raised an eyebrow at Ian and the boy ducked his head, but moved aside from blocking the door. Mr. Graison gestured for me to come inside, and I did at the same time shooting Ian a supremely smug expression. Boo yah. In your face. "My daughter is in the parlor," said Mr. Graison. "I'll show you the way." He looked at Ian and the boy looked decidedly unpleased to see me in his house. "Do you have homework to finish?" Ian glared at me but answered respectfully, "Yes, Dad." "Well, go get to it. Follow me, young man," said Mr. Graison. He led me through the foyer and into the hallway. I felt a little intimidated walking next to the tall man. There was just something about him that made me feel small and extremely shy. And everyone knows I was anything but shy. "So..." I began, trying to break the silence. "Nice place you got here." How lame. I could kick myself. The tiniest smile took over Mr. Graison's face. "It serves its purpose." The parlor was a formal sitting room. Isabella sat at a long wooden table looking small in one of the tall high backed chairs. Her long red hair was plaited in a thick braid, and she looked up at me with green eyes alit with happiness. "Hey, Isabella," I greeted with a wave. I joined her at the table. "Are you ready to get started?" I followed her hands as she signed quickly. /Sure. Thanks for coming over/ "I'll leave you two to get to work," said Mr. Graison, turning and leaving the room. I grinned at Isabella. "I almost didn't make it in. Your overprotective twin was up to his usual diabolical tricks." She rolled her eyes. /He means well but he gets carried away/ I snorted. "That's an understatement. So what do your parents do to afford this place?" /My mom is gone. But Dad is head of the family business/ Wow. It was just the three of them in a house this big? "You guys teach any mutant classes in your spare time?" She looked at me blankly. I chuckled weakly. "X Men joke. It's a big house... like Xavier's mansion... And you're still not getting it." /I've never seen the X Men/ she signed, shrugging at my bafflement. I shook my head, making a disapproving noise in my throat. "You know nothing of your cultural heritage, do you?" Isabella shrugged. I sighed. "Where's the bathroom?" She pointed up the stairs and I nodded. I stood up and leaned against the chair. "When I come back be prepared to get schooled in a little Marvel history." I left her giggling behind me. I jogged up the stairs and groaned as I was greeted by a hallway of doors. She hadn't told me which door. It has to be one of these. I walked down the hall and opened one at random. Linen closet. The next door I opened revealed a light blue painted room filled with soft music. What was that song? Unconsciously I stepped further into the room listening intently to the softly playing music. A male voice sung over a guitar melody and it was beautiful. I went to the stereo next to the bed and picked up the CD on top. The band adorning the cover eluded me, but I made a mental note to go buy this CD. A door inside the room opened letting out a cloud of steam. Ian appeared in the cloudy doorway wearing just a small white towel. Water dripped down his body, his chiseled muscles glistening with wetness. Hard abs flexed and relaxed with every breath he took. I traced the water's path up well formed pecs, up the neck, till I met Ian's eyes. They were bright and filled with something unreadable as he smirked at me. "See something you like?" Ian asked, crossing his arms. My mouth fell open, and I busted out laughing. "God, no!" Ian smirk didn't even dim. In fact he walked toward me swinging his hips. "Let's just put this whole animosity thing behind us," I said. Who says I couldn't be the bigger man. "I know you don't like me hanging around your sister. And I sure don't like you around my boyfriend, macking on him." Ian stepped uncomfortably close to me. "I don't want your boyfriend." I let out a loud exhale and grinned. "Well good." "I want you," he countered, eyes shining brightly. And he leaned in and kissed me. ************************************************************************ Quite the ending, huh? It makes me chuckle just thinking about it. We're halfway done with the story now. The chapters will be about this length from now on, since countless number of people prefers longer chapters. I want to thank Sith for editing this chapter. He did a really great job, so kudos. As always you can email me at Batmanhater@aol.com. Or you can drop a line at the discussion board about whatever you like or the story. It's really easy, no sign up or anything required: http://www.quicktopic.com/39/H/fXmyJ3NcYt7Z